Mark Lages

California is suddenly rocked from top to bottom by two catastrophic earthquakes that bring the state to its knees. These are the gripping stories of a handful of struggling survivors and their life and death experiences. You'll be spellbound on the edge of your seat every step of the way. Situations include people trapped in a dangling Palm Springs tram car, a collapsed Disneyland roller coaster ride, and deadly wild fires raging out of control and burning everything in their path. Streets are buckled and impassable, and vital utilities all shut down indefinitely. Untold numbers of people are trapped in the rubble of toppled buildings. Families are separated and later reunited. Fortunes are made while others such as generations of real estate holdings are wiped out. The cast of colorful characters includes an eccentric attorney and his terrified trophy wife, a doctor sadly widowed by the earthquake, a pair of young newlyweds who suffer a tragic death, a family on vacation thrust into the struggle of their lives, a devious bank teller turned bank thief, a high school hockey team turned heroes and saviors, and many more.

My name is Rick Harper, and the cake is for me. Everyone is here because it's a big deal, because it's not every day you get to celebrate your sixty-fifth birthday. Sixty-five is the magic number - I can start collecting Social Security, and I get to go on Medicare. I quit my job at Wiley & Associates. My golden years are on the horizon, and there isn't a cloud in the sky. There's plenty of sunshine, and lots of vitamin D. I smile. At my age, I'll take all the free vitamins I can get.

Howard Mirth is a sixty-five-year-old son, husband, and father. He earns a decent living, pays his taxes, loves his family, and stays out of trouble. But one day he snaps, and he finds himself locked up in a mental hospital. Join Howard as he sorts through his confusing life and finds his way back to the real world.

Welcome to An American Story. This will probably be different than books you're accustomed to. This book has a beginning and an end, but you'll also be constantly entertained by jugglers, clowns, singers, thespians, and sages. At times it may feel confusing and disjointed, but rest assured that every facet has been included for a reason. Nothing is arbitrary. In a nutshell, this story is about a man named Huey Baker. It is his story, and it is not meant to represent any specific sexual gender, economic class, race, religion, weight, hair color, or political persuasion. Huey is just one of 370 million citizens who was born and raised in America. So how does one read this novel? Expectations will only let you down, so don't search for anything specific. Just pour a cup of coffee, keep an open mind, and enjoy the show.

Robinson Cahill is a writer. His wife, Martha, is an attorney, and the two of them have a problem. Their nineteen-year-old son has gone too far, committing a serious crime. Robinson and Martha learn about the crime, and they're not sure what to do. They decide it would be prudent to sleep on the matter before talking to their son. Robinson goes to bed that night and falls into a dream odyssey of thought-provoking memories and fantasies. This remarkable novel-length dream spurs his subconscious wisdom, becoming the inspiration behind the words he has with his son the next day.

It's a chilling fact that suicide is today's number two cause of death for young people. Arcadia is a story about suicide, but it's also a story about life. This is the fascinating tale of a suicidal teen named Jacob Harper, told vividly and unforgettably by his loving father. It's a journey through Jacob's private world of torment, disappointment, fear, humor, hope, love, and finally, success. Arcadia is as relentlessly personal as it is entertaining, and as honest as it is encouraging.

Join Michael Tomlin as he jets through a surreal all-night journey into the heart and soul of the American dream. It all takes place in Hamlet Park, his childhood stomping ground. In his vivid imagination, and under the light of a full moon, he meets up with one unforgettable character after another in a rapid-fire and spellbinding series of encounters. Youll meet an ex-slave who never dies, a millionaire computer-gaming wunderkind in search of true love, a preacher who holds his services in the dark, and many more This is a must read for anyone whos enjoyed Mark Lagess previous books, and its a great place to start for those who are new to Lagess writing. Hamlet Park is a truly unique experience with many thought-provoking ideas, and, best of all, it has an ending that will surprise you and make you smile.