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In the based-on-truth novel Shooting an Albatross, author Steven Lundin carries us into wartime Los Angeles, 1943, and the highly improbable, yet true , story of the only year in the history of professional golf that an entire season was cancelled. The 170th Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army took over a golf course in L.A. that same year, setting the stage for a story that rivals anything found in fiction. Its Army General versus Navy Admiral on the links. Private Evan Wilkins of McCall, Idaho is chosen to partner with the general, laying the groundwork for a story of film moguls and raging passion, distrust and competition, and a commanding officer besieged by jealousy. The story builds to a climax of friendly-fire murder. This page-turner of a story is for anyone who covets an exciting read, whether it be suspense, romance, military, or a great found of golf.
"A compelling historical-fiction golf adventure...The mansions of movie makers and their plush lifestyles serve as backdrop for much of the military and golf-course action, and [Lundin] weaves this interesting theme into elements of romance and suspense...The novel's strongest points are the cleverly arranged story elements that inspire readers to uncover plot twists...An interesting...read for golf enthusiasts and suspense fan."
- Kirkus Discoveries, Nielsen Business Media
"Golf is the backdrop to [Lundin's] very wonderful novel Shooting an Albatross...Of course a mere golf match would not make for much of a story. Oops I have likely upset the millions of golf lovers by that statement. What I meant to say is golf is merely the fairway that Steve Lundin uses to paint his story. Steve Lundin does a fabulous job of creating a most believable scenario, and he does it in such a creative way.
The book opens with someone talking to the 94 year old Major Floyd Akerly, the man who was in charge of El Rancho when the story started. The book ends with Major Floyd Akerly, and in a very surprising twist.
I would love to share more with you, but this is a story that you have to uncover for yourself. Shooting An Albatross is a wild wide. I was not sure that I would enjoy a book that seemed to be golf related, how wrong I was."
- Simon Barrett in Book Reviews, Blogger News Network
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"The metaphorical title, implying eliminating a threat, begins with an Army General and Navy Admiral appointing surrogates, from the ranks, to play golf against one another. Hollywood film moguls, golf fans, and military characters are interlaced in the book’s plot. The alchemical mix is brilliantly portrayed in this literary novel, with all the elements of human emotions and actions, including friendly fire."
- The Mindquest Review of Books, Lightword Publishing
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"The book begins and ends relating a series of visits by a distinguished guest in the home of 94-year-old Floyd Akerly. Floyd narrates the story of the golf game, Evan Wilkins, the European battlefield and of his part in the story. The final scenes lead to a climactic, unexpected, dramatic conclusion.
Golf enthusiasts will know that to shoot an albatross is rare, a double eagle. It may mean shooting a seabird, or shooting an individual that holds back a man's achievement. Steve R. Lundin has masterfully crafted "Shooting an Albatross" around this theme.
This is a book for anyone enjoying the genre of intrigue, suspense, or romance. Lundin includes the use of comedy and the game of golf to draw the reader into a look into the past, a heartwarming story, and a madman's psyche. "Shooting an Albatross" by Steven R. Lundin is a great read."
- Richard R. Blake, Reader Views, Polka Dot Reviews, Book-Critique.com
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"Lundin's plot in Albatross is of literary quality, and Albatross is a study in the nature of evil, deliberating on its origin and tracking its progress through human lives as it leaves a trail of destruction and suffering, moving from one generation to another, from one life into another, like a terrible infestation poisoning all that it touches."
- The New Podler Review of Books
“…this novel should be made into a movie… [Shooting an Albatross] will have a mass appeal…the imagery is fantastic…this will be a HUGE, HUGE success.”
- Cynthia Sherman, Independent C
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