“Political intrigue straight out of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, except that Gleason’s novel is based on stories of real people, and this historical “game of thrones” is engrossing, with fast-paced, crisp prose and smart dialogue. An enticing read, sure to please lovers of historical fiction and political and religious intrigue.”
- Kirkus Reviews
I put on the coffee and ducked out for the morning mail
A short stroll down a long driveway
Into the world and a brand new day
It is cool and brisk and I, rushing,
Almost missed it.
The birds were first, chirping, flitting through trees
Then shafts of sunlight poked through the clouds.
The air was heavy from last night’s rain,
And small buds appeared on the tips of trees.
It smelled of hope. Continue reading
It was late. The kids had all gone home and I was left with twenty plates of the famous Gleason Family Christmas Cookies, 
awaiting delivery. They now occupied every available space in the kitchen and dining room. My feet were sore. My back was sore and I was too tired to make a fire.
“I’m done.” My wife unplugged the tree, kissed me goodnight and headed up the stairs.
“I’ll be up in a minute.” I poured myself a second glass of wine and eased my backside into my corner of the couch. I couldn’t remember ever being so tired. Continue reading
I have a typewriter. It’s sits on a bookshelf in my office next to a few of my favorite collected first editions. An old metal collapsible Corona, it’s a Spartan-looking machine with two tin spools that stretch an ink-laden ribbon across the face of its carriage. Individual metal keys labeled with the letters of the alphabet stand out from its frame. When pressed (more like punched), they lift a thin metal arm with the appropriate typeface out of the belly of the beast. The typeface strikes the ink ribbon to stamp its image onto a sheet of paper rolled around the rubber carriage. It still functions (“works” being too strong a word).
My mother gave it to me. The daughter of Polish and German parents, (which is a story all by itself) she grew up in Hamburg, a small town outside of Buffalo, New York. A bright, confident, athletic young woman, she was passionate about music and so impressed her piano teacher that the woman gave her an upright Krakauer piano to further her musical talent. Continue reading
During my formative years, downtown Briarcliff Manor was about a block and a half long. Despite its diminutive size, it had just about everything anyone could want. There was a pharmacy, a dentist, a record store, a diner, a liquor store, Joe Weldon’s deli, a gift shop, and Pete’s.
The official title of Pete’s was “Pete’s Stationary Store.” But, it didn’t really sell stationary; it was more of a newsstand with a soda counter in the back. The cash register was hidden behind stacks of cigarettes featuring every model and make and there was a candy rack conveniently placed within the reach of any four-year old child.
Please share with your networks and anyone looking for a good summer read:
I’m holding an Anvil of God “End of Summer” Sale.
E-book versions are currently selling for $.99 on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/dI8mlo
iBooks: http://goo.gl/8baiQQ and
Barnes & Nobel: http://goo.gl/Xp8le2
Sale lasts only until September 4th so get it while the getting’s good! Continue reading
