Robert Reynolds

Prairie life in the late 1800s is wrought with hardship. Near Stiller's Creek, the staid lives of many go awry when tragedy strikes. Join the rugged folks who inhabit the sparsely populated area as they encounter nature's wrath and witness human cruelty. Backbreaking labor, heartrending misfortunes, and routine suffering are expected if one is to endure. Who will persist the catastrophic events and what will be the outcome of their lives? Who deserves compassion? Who deserves blame? Saddle up and take a reader's rousing journey to Stiller's Creek Robert Reynolds has penned several books, including El Paso Run, Panama Nights, Ernesto Juarez, Mackinac Drift, Gray Wolf Pass, A Dark and Curious Place, Orchids and Sand, Outlast the Rain, Dragon Fire, A Perilous Place, Thunder Bay, Showers in the Rain, The Rabbit's Tale, Along the Quay, Chase the Devil, and a music series: The Music of the Bee Gees, ... of Johnny Rivers ... of Del Shannon ... of the 4 Seasons featuring Frankie Valli, ... of Bobby Vee, ... Vanilla Doo-wop, and several others in this series.

Three brothers, Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb, ran off a string of hits in the late sixties. However, nothing prepared the music industry for what was about to happen when their manager asked them to write a few of songs for a movie he was producing. With little to go on besides a working title (Saturday Night Fever) and a generic plot, they holed up in a French chateau and quickly turned out the classics "How Deep is Your Love," and "Stayin' Alive." The Bee Gees soon pulled off an almost unheard of feat of capturing six consecutive number one songs. Furthermore, young brother Andy scored number one hits with his first three singles. Their music was played so often that many radio stations banned their songs. "Too much, Bee Gees " some disc jockeys complained. The Music of the Bee Gees tells about the incredible songs the Gibb brothers wrote and recorded during their storied 40+ years together.

Ernesto Juarez's barrio has become a haven for discarding the dead. The only option for the safety of his family is to flee across the border and establish a new life. For now, however, he must go alone. While making his way across the bleak Mexican desert he encounters a young woman on the run from merciless killers. Together they must escape to the border. Human traffickers, drug smugglers, cultish cartels, and relentless killers raise the ante on whether he will live or die. The story of Ernesto Juarez is a fast-paced, thrill ride that will keep you flipping pages faster than Ernesto flee his pursuers.

Ernesto Juarez's barrio has become a haven for discarding the dead. The only viable option to assure safety for his family is to cross the border and find a better life; but for now, he must go it alone. On his way north he discovers he's not the only one who has undertaken the dangerous journey. An unexpected encounter with young Elena Sanchez turns their journey into a life or death situation. Human traffickers, drug smugglers, cultish cartel members, relentless killers and a flight through the rugged wilderness raises the ante on whether they will live or die before they safely reach their destination on the American side. With an unexpected ending, the story of Ernesto Juarez is a fast-paced, thrill ride that will keep you turning pages faster than Ernesto can flee from his murderous pursuers.

In the Eye of the Storm tells the remarkable story of AIDS volunteers who engaged in a struggle for life against death. The people who volunteered to help during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s provided compassion and support to heavily stigmatised people. These volunteers provided in-home care for the sick and dying, staffed needle exchanges and telephone help-lines, produced educational resources, served on boards of management, and provided friendship and practical support, among many other roles. They helped people affected by the virus to navigate a medical system that in preceding decades had been openly hostile towards the marginalised communities of homosexuals, drug users and sex workers. In the process, volunteering left and indelible mark on the lives and outlooks of these volunteers. For the first time, by focusing on individual life stories, this book explores the crucial role of the men and women who volunteered at at time of disaster. Despite their critical role, they have not been sufficiently recognised. Through their stories, drawn from oral histories conducted by the authors, we see how those on the front-line navigated and survived a devastating epidemic, and the long-term impact of those grim years of illness, death and loss.

A creator of Old West pulp novels follows a lead to El Paso where he encounters Henry Putnam, an old man, and the last person with knowledge to a long-past killing. The story enfolds through Henry's recollections of events leading up to the killing. In the image of classic old-time Westerns, El Paso Run is an exciting tale of romance, slayings, posses and revenge. There are truths and there are lies within the tale and only Henry Putnam knows the truth. El Paso Run brings an excitement of the Old West: rough and tumble cowboys, provocative dancehall girls, deadly shootings, and wild chases abound in this thrill-a-minute western tale. It will keep you flipping pages faster than the wind sweeps across the Chihuahua Desert. Strap on your six-shooter and get ready for a wild ride.

This story pertains to three different stories that have been foretold or even foreseen, but to fully witness the destruction of each one can show each of us how we are able to survive. The first of the three stories was called "The Plague," in which killed about ten to twenty million people in Europe. The second of the three stories is called "Mysterious Cylinder," in which unleashed a creature of an unknown origin upon the world. The third and final of the three stories is "Large size meteor that struck the Earth," and when it did hit the Earth it once again unleashed hell onto this world.

The 4 Seasons & Frankie Valli, rank among the top American vocal acts of all time. Collectively, they amassed seven #1 hits, 18 Top Ten, and an incredible 61 singles in the Hot 100. They also placed 32 LPS on the top albums charts. Their hit making years spanned more than a half-century. Their hits include: Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll, Working My Way Back to You, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, My Eyes Adored You, December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night), Grease... Their stardom was no overnight success, as they struggled through lean years and recorded many flops while searching for that elusive hit record. The rag-to-riches story has been told via an award-winning Broadway musical & a Clint Eastwood produced motion picture. Learn about the hits, misses, obscure album tracks and B-sides as they sang their way from delinquents to esteemed members of the R&R Hall of Fame. The book examines the music they made famous and tells of all the glorious years that passed between.

Charles Westover grew up in a small midwestern town,learning guitar at an early age. After graduating high school, he joined the Army, married and shipped off to Europe where he honed his singing and guitar skills. Back home, Westover joined a local band while working at a carpet store.Soon he co-wrote, "Runaway," one of the great rock and roll songs of the era and took on the stage name Del Shannon. Shannon went on to record many more hits and became a superb interpreter of the songs of other. He was the first American recording artist to cover a Beatles' tune, wrote Peter and Gordon's "I Go to Pieces," and produced hit records for Brian Hyland and and the rock group, Smith. At a time when his career seemed to be on the upswing, Shannon's live ended tragically at his Southern California home. A rock legend himself, he would eventually be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.If you appreciate the great rock singers of the past, you will want to read The Music of Del Shannon.

Luck was with Bobby Goldsboro when Roy Orbison came through the area on tour. Orbison took on Goldsboro's band and Bobby stuck with him for the next three years. Bobby went solo and soon scored a modest hit with "Molly," a song that he despised. A short while later, however, he scored a top ten song with his own "See the Funny Little Clown." Other hits followed but his superb "Broomstick Cowboy" was mistakenly seen by many radio stations as a Vietnam War protest songs and they refused to play it. Going against the grain, a Detroit station did air it and it became #1 in that area. His "Honey" was the top record for 1968 reaching #1 on every chart. "Watching Scotty Grow" was also a big hit. The early 70s saw the excellent "Summer (The First Time)" make waves. England voted it the best summer song ever. Bobby hosted a top-rated TV variety program, The Bobby Goldsboro Show, wrote and produced an Easter special for Disney and took up oil painting, of which his art is highly regarded.

In the 1950s, country music merged with the rising new fad called "rock and roll" to form what would become known as "Rockabilly." In short, Rockabilly was fast paced, guitar and bass driven ditties with thundering rhythms. The songs were often less than memorable made up with a conglomeration of silly lyrics and phrases like "bop,""shake,""mama," and"go cat!" Cars, especially Cadillacs, and colors, pink and black, were prevalent in many of the songs. Songs like "Oobie Doobie," "Ubangi Stomp," "Be Boppin' Baby," and "Rockin' In the Congo" were common record chart contenders. Many up and coming country crooners would go on to achieve widespread acclaim as names like Presley, Holly and Orbison conquered radio station playlists. They, among others, wouldbecome R&R legends. Others like Jack Scott, Boyd Bennett, and Dale Hawkins, found success to a lesser degree in the new genre. It's many of these "lesser knowns" that Hepcats & Rockabilly Boys explores. Here are some of their stories...

A thrilling read that takes place in rugged Northern Michigan, the Great Lakes and Canada. The disappearance of a fishing boat goes unnoticed during a violent storm on Alpena's Thunder Bay. A mysterious canister and an unidentified body washes ashore. The canister's deadly contents alarm authorities. Discovery of the sunken boat sets off an investigation on both sides of Lake Huron as U.S. and Canadian authorities try to unravel the mystery before tragedy occurs. Throughout this tale of mystery and intrigue, love blossoms between the story's pivotal character and an old sweetheart. Set along Michigan's idyllic Thunder Bay, this timely thriller is framed by pristine waters, treacherous schemers and rekindled romance, all brought to life with an array of colorful characters.

Tranquil woodland lives are turned topsy-turvy when Jowls, a malicious canine, is taken in at a nearby farm. The dog's violent upbringing plagues him making him the bane of farm and forest creatures. Encounters between Sebastian Rabbit and Jowls are hostile and trouble for the rabbit ensues. It's a tale of flight and fright. The story's climactic ending threatens animals and humans alike. Meet such memorable characters as the rabbits, Sebastian and Mari, callous Jowls, the mouse and squirrel families, Mole, Toad and conniving Snake in this stirring page-turner of a tale written an audience of both young and old! The Rabbit's Tale demonstrates how vastly different adversaries can rally together to the well being of all.

Navy service school buddies ship off to Vietnam and find themselves temporarily abandoned upon their arrival. It's an ominous welcome to Da Nang. The young men are eventually assigned to a security police unit protecting Navy interests within the city. A tight knit group in the beginning, as time passes personalities clash and tension increases. Frequent rocket attacks and grueling shifts keep the men on edge. Personal differences cause dissension within the group.Financial opportunities within the country's thriving black-market prove tempting for some. An out of country visit only increases a risky involvement in the Southeast Asian underworld and an encounter with U.S. military and Vietnamese law enforcement authorities. Unforeseen events lead to a series of misfortunes and a sudden, unexpected conclusion. Outlast the Rain is a gripping, authentic tale of military life overseas; camaraderie and friendship, replete with greed, crime and betrayal in the exotic Far East during the Vietnam War era.

*** A USA TODAY BESTSELLER***The practical, nonpartisan guide to making our retirement savings systems work for America’s people, our economy, and the nation at largeAt a time of fierce political divisiveness, From Here to Security is a refreshingly balanced, non-ideological guide to solving what may be our nation’s most pressing policy challenge: achieving retirement security for all. A pioneer of the 401(k) system, Robert L. Reynolds eschews radical calls for throwing out the 401(k) entirely and creating a new government-run savings system. Our best course, he shows, is to build on what we have: a flexible, dynamic private-public system of Social Security and more robust workplace savings. From Here to Security provides a clear, powerful new approach to solving America’s retirement challenge – based on facts, data, and Reynolds’ decades of experience. While fear-mongers claim that the U.S. retirement system is on the verge of collapse; Reynolds shows why our system is actually the envy of the world. But From Here to Security is no status quo book. Reynolds lays out an action agenda to dramatically improve our retirement systems – public and private – lift our savings rate, improve people’s retirement prospects, spur faster growth – and reboot America’s national morale.

DION and the BELMONTS: Early Doo-wop and Rock and Roll Years explores this popular Bronx group's rise to stardom with such hits at "I Wonder Why" and "Teenager in Love." After separating as a group, Dion scored big with "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer" and "Abraham, Martin and John." The Belmonts hit big with "Come On Little Angel" and "Tell Me Why." The book includes a chronological biography and partial discographies of their works, individually and collectively. Relive our musical past with one of America's most beloved doo-wop vocal groups - Dion and the Belmonts.

THIS WINTER'S EVE... is a delightful tale of a young boy's life as summer passes and Christmas nears. Meet his family and friends and explore his neighborhood as a new school year begins. Watch as summer eases into autumn, trees shed their leaves and blustery winter arrives. Excitement ensues as new Christmas catalogs appear in the mail. Shortly, the small town readies for the approaching season. Decorations go up on streetlamps and in the festive shops that line Main Street. Experience the child's thrill of going with his father to get a tree, his joy assembling the family's raggedy old Nativity set, and gaining a small part in the church Christmas play.Frigid conditions make for father's ingenuity to save the family's baby chicks.But, wonder and disappointment mark the boy's days as Santa's visit nears. THIS WINTER'S EVE... is small town Christmas at its finest.