Amazon Bicycle Tales Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Publish America ISBN-10:  1424181801 Type: Fiction Pages: 141 Copyright: April 17, 2007 This sci/fi fantasy brings to life the Christina Nilsson, a working Lake Michigan schooner. The schooner sank in 1884 off the shore of Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. Our story winds through historically real sites as well as a fantasy civilization, Urgin. Urgin is a 10,000-year-old sunken continent. With the assistance of Aralic and Benowin, 8,000-year-old brother and sister from Urgin, will our three accidental heroes ultimately accomplish their purpose? In the course of this tale you will be transported to 1954 Midwest as well as 1884. With the realities of anchors, bikes and masts, our story moves to floating rock boats, bubbles capable of turning solid rock into oatmeal, and a world 13 miles beneath the present earth’s surface. Come and visit worlds technologically advanced; one seemingly locked in a “simpler time” and finally, one still operating with wind power. Our 1954 reluctant heroes are chosen to save two children from a doomed vessel – to save the world. Can they?      Excerpt "All things will unfold as they should."

Kathy Schultz
What a wonderful book. Mr. Kirsch has written one of the best books that I have read in a long time. It is a must read for old and young alike. You will be hooked on this book by the second paragraph. Mr. Kirsch's way with words is unique and portrays an excellent adventure that takes place in the year 1954 of two young boys, Rich and Bill as they set off on their daily search for adventure, armed with their binoculars and baloney sandwiches.

One day, they come across a small stone, which looks like any stone, but has the power of transportation. It transports them to a place by the seashore where they see an old-time Schooner, the Christina Nilsson, downed in 1884. They meet two children on this ghost ship, who are dressed in old clothes and think that it is the year 1884. Hey, what is going on here, the boys wonder? Rich clasped the stone tightly, it glows warm in his hand and they are suddenly transported back to Pine Woods.

Back in Pine Woods, they vow to find the answer. Their journey takes them to the museum, library, as they try to find the solution to this mysterious event that has taken place in their lives. In time they discover things about the two children of 1884 and other members of the crew, and, oh yes, there is a villain and his name is Jake. How does a 1954 coin and a brooch enter the story line? I'm not telling, and I will not disclose the unique ending to this story because one must take the journey with these two little hero's to really enjoy this great novel, and how one right action in time can save others and have a great impact on the future. It was a pleasure to read something without goblins or monsters. I really enjoyed reading this clean, wholesome and lovable Sci-Fi and Fantasy story. Young people and parents can relate to this story because it is an adventure that we would all love to take.

I hope to someday see this as a picture on the big screen. I give this one 5 stars.

Mary Gray
"Pine Woods is a wonderful read for youth and adults alike! On one page you are re-living life in Sheboygan, Wisconsin during 1954 - turn the page and you are sailing on Lake Michigan a century earlier in 1854! In this historical novel, author Richard Kirsch writes of lazy summer days and family life as seen through the eyes of 10-12 year olds. The reader learns nautical jargon 19th century children would know if they happened to live on a transport sailing vessel like the soon-to-be shipwrecked, Christina Nilsson. The plot thickens, the setting changes yet again. This time through time travel, the reader visits characters in a make-believe world called, Urgin. Three cheers for Richard Kirsch on his first novel filled with high seas adventure, suspense of the unknown, and a down home feeling of the mid-west in 1954."

BJ Myers
I have always loved a good adventure story and in Pine Woods, Richard Kirsch delivers a first rate adventure. It keeps you on the edge of your seat while delivering all the action and adventure that you could possibly love. The characters are loveable and you find yourself hoping that all of them can discover what they need to learn in order to figure out the puzzle that is laid before them. I feel that this is a book that any child, young or old will not be able to tear themselves away from. I truly hope that, as the story promises, "the stones will be called upon again" It would be a shame if they weren't. 5 Stars ****