Author Gerald Kramer completes a back-to-back mystery fiction with the release of "The Dean's List" just six months after his debut novel "Vanderbilt Reef"

On the third quarter of 2012, author Gerald Kramer published "Vanderbilt Reef," a mystery novel that commemorates the sunken SS Princess Sophia's maiden voyage. Not one to rest on his laurels, only six months after his successful debut novel, Kramer comes back with yet another mystery fiction that demonstrates that anyone can be put in jeopardy in a supposedly safe environment. Set in 1993, on the campus of a small university in a small town in the Midwest, his newly published book is titled The Dean's List.

"I started this novel more than twenty years ago, because I found the university environment to be underutilized in mystery novels," states Kramer. "All campuses are filled with characters who would easily fit into the genre. The story should appeal to readers who like the major characters to be more complex than cardboard figures who are pawns in keeping the plot moving."

Two campus murders in less than a week shake a small university to its core. The deaths of the Dean of Business and Technology and a student leader have life-changing consequences for Roger Holt, a middle-aged professor who is pressured by top administration into assuming the duties and responsibilities of his late supervisor and to serve as the Interim Dean. Reluctantly, Holt complies because of his loyalty to Great Plains University.

Chet Evans, a detective on the police force, needs Holt's knowledge of the campus and higher education in general to help solve the cases. Unfortunately for Holt, Evans is not alone in realizing that Roger may be an integral part of the solutions. Amid all this intrigue is the promising romantic relationship between Roger and an unexpected partner. Events spiral out of control until Roger is about to become the third victim.

Fast-paced and crime-centered while providing a realistic view of campus life, The Dean's List is a book that sheds light on the attempted dominance of campus operations by external forces. The events and atmosphere described in the novel are an accurate reflection of Kramer's 30 years of experience and the perceptions of many other experienced faculty members.

"A university setting could be threatened by greed and corruption and even violent actions. Optimism is vital for individuals and organizations to survive," adds Kramer.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author

Gerald Kramer is a retired college professor who also has worked as a human resource administrator, census-taker, clothing salesperson, and factory worker. He is an avid reader of mystery novels and lists Tony Hillerman, Ross MacDonald, and Michael McGarrity as favorite authors. Western and film noir movies from the 1930s and '40s are also popular with him. Vanderbilt Reef: Finding Daniel is his first novel and reflects his admiration of Alaska. He may be reached through his email address, gkramer72@cox.net, or through his Facebook page.

The Dean's List * by Gerald Kramer

Publication Date: February 28, 2013

Trade Paperback; $15.99; 154 pages; 978-1-4836-0263-9

Trade Hardback; $22.99; 154 pages; 978-1-4836-0264-6

eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4836-0265-3

Author and Reiki master Karen J. Fox inspires readers with her personal journey

IOWA CITY, Iowa - In her new book Living Peace (published by AuthorHouse), Karen J. Fox shares her story of spiritual healing and developing the tools to become a Reiki master, inspiring readers to follow in her footsteps and find their own peaceful life.

 

Living Peace introduces five principles for living a peaceful life, and invites the reader to examine their own life and incorporate the principles to help them to live peacefully. Fox shares her personal journey toward understanding how to live these principles in an effort to model the process for readers. She believes that "...peace is a present-moment attitude and action." The principles she lives by, and conveys to readers, suggest that living peacefully requires decision-making, self-observation and the courage of one's convictions.

 

Fox pursued the practice of Reiki following a major surgery. Now she is a Reiki master and teacher and offers her services to help others in their healing process. She credits her work for inspiring her journey toward understanding the importance of, as she says, "...living by the principles of Reiki, embracing forgiveness, confidence, compassion, gratitude and integrity" - the core beliefs that she hopes to pass on to readers.

 

"Living Peace will act as a resource as readers can return to any chapter at any time to refresh their memory, explore more deeply, and increase the sense of peacefulness they carry in their own lives," says Fox.

 

About the Author

Karen J. Fox was born in Jamestown, N.Y., and now lives in Iowa City, Iowa. Fox was introduced to Reiki after a major surgery to correct a birth defect, and she became enraptured with the practice. She is a Reiki master and teacher specializing in the Usui method of self healing. Fox teaches Reiki and meditation workshops, and offers private and group sessions promoting health and peace. She is the director of the Compeer Program of Johnson County, which matches adults receiving mental health treatment with community volunteers in supportive and caring friendships.

 

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. - America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts, once said about love, "I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together." Love is a powerful emotion. True love even more so. Set in New Mexico - the romantic Land of Enchantment - Amber's Ambitions (published by AuthorHouse) is a new esoteric love story by author Janice I. Meissner.

In Amber's Ambitions, Amber meets a kind gentleman named Armand from Albuquerque - the two instantly become enamored with one another and their love for one another quickly blossoms.

An excerpt from Amber's Ambitions:

"My dearest love, there are no words in any language which could express my love for you because of all the work you do in the business and in our home. Your energy gives me help when I need it. I appreciate your unconditional love. It goes without saying how much my male character is admired when we find our bliss. My love, your touch is so special for me. It could only be found with you, Amber. I love you as completely as I know how. I admire you, I adore you, and realize you were meant for me to love, which I certainly do."

"Many men look at women only as sex objects," says Meissner. "Women are not held in high esteem, whereas Armand loves, adores and totally respects Amber. He reflects the love she has for him."

About the Author
Janice I. Meissner is a native Iowan who spent 35 years in Minnesota. After retiring she and her husband moved to New Mexico, where she works as a floral designer and instructor.  Meissner is also author of Oh! Rachel.