Two foothills authors who are signing copies of their books at Sojourn Book Store in Aspen Park this month have written tales from different genres: Norm Holden has written a historical memoir while Sharlene Nusser has written a thriller.
“The Lucky Seven” by Norman Holden
Holden’s “The Lucky Seven” is a memoir of his father-in-law’s experience in Europe in World War II.
Holden, who writes as a hobby — “I have a full-time job,” as he put it — was fascinated by his father-in-law’s story of being a co-pilot in a B-24 Liberator that was shot down on his first bombing mission over Belgium, which was in Nazi territory.
“They spent the next few months getting assistance from the Resistance to get through Belgium and France using the underground, and then he walked into Switzerland,” Holden said.
He heard the story more than 20 years ago and saw the war memorabilia, so after extensive research, he began to write. He self-published the book in June when he was happy with it.
This is his second book; his first is about his relationship with his daughter and building better communication with her.
For Holden, writing is an outlet.
“Writing is a creative outlet,” he said. “Some people paint. I like to paint with words.”
Holden will read excerpts of his book and sign copies from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Sojourn Books.
“Death by Postcard” by Sharlene Nusser
Nusser’s “Death by Postcard” is her third book and continues the story of the characters in her first two books. Her first books are called “Burn Valley Vengeance” and “Missing Innocence.”
She calls the third book, which was published last month, “a violent, gory, emotional trainwreck of a ride to finding her characters’ salvation.”
She said her writing has been compared to Dean Kuntz driving the Stephen King train.
The stories come from her background, which as she puts it, “wasn’t pretty,” but she was pulled out of the situation by her grandfather.
“He was the reason I didn’t go down the same path I started out in,” Nusser said. “He taught me values and responsibilities, but he also told me that the things I brought into my life were baggage I would carry my whole life.”
Nusser has been writing since she was 6, always carrying a notebook and pencil to write about what she saw and felt.
“I take all of my experiences and turn them into the passion I call writing,” she explained.
According to the book jacket, “Mike Acorn is hell-bent on revenging his mother’s death. And he will stop at nothing to bring his own justice to those that he feels responsible for the demise. Armed with a common kitchen accessory, the killer takes the lives of those that receive the curse of death in the form of a postcard.”
Characters learn that the past doesn’t always stay in the past, and eventually, both good and bad truths come to light, the book jacket reads.
Nusser will read excerpts from her book and sign copies from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Sojourn Books.