LiFE Award Recipients

   Truths in life are seldom sought after, but sometimes they can be found when a person least expects. I have written this book from my life's experience. Readers will find much of themselves in my writings. They might see love, family, nature in a whole new prospective. if this happens then they and I as a writer have increased their and my values. I will have contributed in my own small way to the world.

This novel chronicles the legal challenge to a specific industry that is using the environment for economic purposes instead of being a good environmental steward. Loosely based on a true story, this new book describes how local citizens can be empowered to stand up to a local industry, even one that fights dirty.

I edited this book for the publisher. Read Rick's comments on my work.

   The coins Craig stole from the Vikings were either blessed or cursed. They brought him back to Nessie's lair. But what could he and Linda do to protect Nessie from the sound waves at Urquhart Castle?
   This book is the sequel to Nessie and the Living Stone (below).

A boy must choose between keeping a treasure and saving a monster.
   Craig's family, including his bratty little sister Linda, are on holiday at Loch Ness where Craig has plans to capture Nessie, the famed Loch Ness Monster. Instead, she captures him.
   Wickstrom and Lorrah have written a clear, compelling story of a child's moral choices, and learning to care about the world around him. The authors deftly handle the siblings' growing affection and developing independence as the story's events demand their strengths. When Craig faces his ultimate test at the door of Nessie's grotto the reader feels the difficulty of Craig's choice.
   As the story opens, Craig's goals are fame and fortune. He finds a fascinating blue stone that leads him to Nessie's grotto. There he finds everything he could want: a treasure chest of Viking gold and a magnificent stone carved by Merlin himself. Even Nessie does his bidding. It's all there for the taking. But the price would be Nessie's life; Nessie's and her children's.
   Linda's fondness for flowers adds humor and pathos to this affectionate tale. The mysterious landlady at the bed and breakfast provides hints in the form of chores. And a local fisherman seems to know where they are going before they know themselves. So does the bossy coast guard officer who wants to kill Nessie and stuff her and put her in a museum.
   On one level this is an adventure story with a satisfying ending. It's also a tale of a maturing sibling relationship and a growing awareness of the world. Mostly, it's a story about Nessie. As the landlady says, "Most of the folk around here think that we need Nessie-to give this place a bit of mystery. Truth is she needs us--to keep her house in order."

   In Wildflower, soldiers hunt down protesters, people drive creatures to extinction on planet after planet, and it gets harder and harder to define the boundaries between humans and machines.
   While the techno-lingo displays a fascination with humanity's future, it also betrays a deep mistrust as to where we might be heading, and at what costs to ourselves.

   Kate lives in an area close to a peregrine eyrie and the falcons actually hunt the songbirds that come to her feeders. They are absolutely magnificent. She first got the idea for the book after reading a National Geographic article about the black market in falcon eggs and young, and decided to incorporate the information into a romance. She learned through her seventeen years working with the American Mosquito Control Association (a worldwide vector control agency) doing public information that the best way to educate is to entertain.

   The Tail Of The Sea Witch focuses on the importance of the world's natural heritage, of preserving the places where creatures can live in freedom and safety. As one of the characters, Madame Witche says, "If only people realised how fragile the creatures of the world are. ... If the creatures of the land and the sea are driven to extinction, all the magic they bring to people will be lost forever." She also adds, "Don't you think all creatures should live together as friends, sharing their uniqueness and their wisdom?" Madame also teaches Marina about respect for all living things since "plants are people too."

   Catherine learns that nature sometimes needs help from man. Her father teaches her that sometimes humans need reminding of their role in nature, but when we cooperate, the outcome can be positive.

   Genetic Engineering is just now gearing up to change the world. Will it be used realistically and responsibly or used just any old way that takes our fancy? The Pet Plague explores one aspect of genetic engineering which could have very adverse consequences!
Read Bob's review of this book.

   The Sex Gates is set against a near future background where Global Warming and war over resources have devastated Africa, ruined America's coastlines and created a world wide population of "Fourth Worlders", those who have next to nothing and who no longer expect anything from governments because of global economic depression due partly to eroding coasts and changing climates.

Read about Kate