Some may resemble truth and others wild elaborate concoctions, but each short story in Jerry Engler's second book, A Heartland Voice: Just Folks Two, combines humor with a unique writing style.
Back by popular demand are many of his quirky characters from his first book, Just Folks: Earthy Tales of the Prairie Heartland.
Engler's second book is composed of about four dozen individual short stories and features the illustrations of Sheri Lauren Schmidt.
"Readers of this second book will find that the stories average slightly longer than those in the first book, although they still are relatively short," Engler said. "They seem to continue as a mix of humor, history and nostalgia."
Engler lives on a horse farm near Marion Reservoir with his wife, Belinda.
In additon to writing short stories for his books, Engler also writes for local newspapers and has been an award winning poet at Kansas State University.
Engler is often approached by readers and asked about the truth and validity to his rather unique characters and story plots.
"They are all fictional," Engler said. "People still ask me how much truth is in them, although I have yet to have anyone tell me there are some pretty good lies in there. I tell people they can find some meaning in the stories if they want to, but they are mostly fun, uplifiting versions of real life."
Engler's humor can be subtle to slapstick within the same story. Critics have compared him to Hemingway and Twain, but others find his writing as unique as his characters.
"Writers like Merle Bird and Don Coldsmith have said my writing is indefinable (according to standards of literature) because it doesn't seem to fit the usualy style to them," Engler said. "Some say it compares to poetry because it is high-energy."
Engler is working on his third book, which will include some poetry in addition to his traditional short stories. He expects the book to be released sometime in 2008.
For more details, visit www.jerryengler.com. A Heartland Voice: Just Folks Two, sells retail for $14.95 and can be purchased at most major and independent bookstores.
As deafness, illness, and demonic forces close in around him, Ludwig van Beethoven must summon his faith and genius to complete the Missa Solemnis—a sacred masterpiece he believes could bring divine light into a darkening world.
Determined to confront the hazy memories of his troubled youth, Oliver Matthews, a retired detective and confirmed bachelor, returns to the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames for the first time in years.
My second book is about a boy who has Asperger's Syndrome and is bullied to the point to where he shoots up his school. I have divided the excerpts from it into three parts: Before, during and after the shooting.
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