Two empty-nesters. Two bruised hearts. One chance to make things right.

Oliver expected to miss his daughter when she left for college, but he’s surprised by the size of the hole she leaves. Or maybe he hadn’t expected to spend his days watching grass grow and making sad cookies. Or to lose his job. Meeting Nick—the uncle of his daughter’s roommate—is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast. Nick is focused, talented, and as beautiful as the dollhouses he builds. Being near him might bring light and purpose to Oliver’s life.

Nick expected to miss his niece when she left for college, but he’s still figuring out how to cope with her absence, when his brother reappears after twelve years, complicating the emotional puzzle. Then there’s Oliver, the sweet, calm, and competent man who looks at Nick like no one ever has. Spending Sundays in Oliver’s company is the balm he needs, though Nick is waiting for Oliver to decide their relationship is too much work.

But just as Nick begins to get comfortable, Oliver’s need to provide for all of the people he loves threatens to pull them apart. If their relationship is to survive, they will have to learn to let go. For Oliver, this means asking himself what he really wants, this time around. For Nick, it means letting himself grieve the people who can’t come back and love the people who always will.

Pocono Liar Kelly Jensen‘s latest novel is now available in paperback and ebook formats!

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK | RIPTIDE PUBLISHING

“Kelly Jensen has written a beautiful book about two men struggling to find their place in the world. It was romantic, heartbreaking but ultimately joyful.” — Felice Stevens, Lambda Literary Award-winning author

“Sundays with Oliver perfectly blends romance with family responsibilities and everyday commitments, making it the sweetest of reads. Kelly’s writing is fresh and addicting and reminded me of why I love to read romance novels that feature a slow, gentle slide into love.” — Amy Aislin, author of the Lighthouse Bay series

“From peeved epic heroes coping with zombies and dwarves who dye their beards, to a pirate captain who refuses to learn the names of his new crew (they won’t be with him long), to a desperate time-traveling Jesus impersonator, to Groucho and Chico Marx gumming up the machinery of Hell — Michael Ventrella’s stories provide laugh-out-loud entertainment.” – Gregory Frost, award-winning author of Shadowbridge

Pocono Liars Club founder Michael A. Ventrella‘s latest book is a collection of 14 short stories that have previously been published in various anthologies and magazines, as well as 2 brand new ones written just for this collection. The first 6 continue the adventures of Terin Ostler from his fantasy trilogy.

The stories include:

The Further Adventures of Terin Ostler: The Zombie King’s Plan; The Mystery of the Black-Bearded Dwarf; Honor Battle; Remembering the Future; The Hidden Treasure of Pirate Percy; Confronting the Duke

The Adventures of Captain Irad and Greenie: X Spots the Mark; Get Kraken!

Other stories: Impersonating Jesus; Knowledge; More Hallways!; The Jesus Secret; 99 Pounds; The Mummy of Barnsley; Hell, I Must be Going

Nonfiction: Eating Authors

A short description of each story and details on how you can order the book can be found on his web page.

Adding humor to your work is important — funny things can happen even in a serious novel, and people can make witty comments even in the most desperate of times.

But writing a story whose point is to be funny? A lot harder than it sounds. “Funny” is subjective, and not everyone finds the same things humorous.

And there are decisions to be made. Are you writing satire? Are you attempting for Wodehouse wit or Mel Brooks slapstick? And, more importantly, can you carry it off?

Our experts will discuss writing humor — what works, what doesn’t, what to avoid. Questions are welcome!

EDIT: This was recorded and is now available in our “expert advice” section.

Jody Lynn Nye is the author of more than fifty books and 165 short stories. She has collaborated with many SF/fantasy greats including Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony, and Robert Asprin, with whom she wrote eight books, and took over the Myth-Adventures and Dragons series after his passing. Her own books are mostly of a humorous bent, such as the Imperium series (Baen). Her website is JodyLynNye.com.

Alex Shvartsman is a writer and editor known primarily for humorous short stories, such as the award-winning Explaining Cthulhu to Grandma. His latest novel is The Middling Affliction, which joins previous novels like H. G. Wells, Secret Agent and Eridani’s Crown. He has been editing the Unidentified Funny Objects anthologies, with the 9th edition coming later this year. His web page is www.alexshvartsman.com/

Pocono Liar Michael A. Ventrella is hosting. He has five humorous adventure novels published so far, including Terin Ostler and the Axes of Evil and Big Stick. He’s edited a dozen or so anthologies, including Release the Virgins!, Baker Street Irregulars, and the recent Three Time Travelers Walk Into … His web page is www.MichaelAVentrella.com.

On Wednesday, March 23rd at 8 pm EST, noted author Lawrence Watt-Evans will be discussing worldbuilding with the Pocono Liars Club and answering your questions.

Lawrence Watt-Evans is the author of fifty or so books, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and nonfiction about popular culture. He is best known for two fantasy series, the Legends of Ethshar and the Obsidian Chronicles, and won the Hugo award for his short story “Why I Left Harry’s All-Night Hamburgers.” 

EDIT: This was recorded and is now available in our “expert advice” section.

One barbarian tribe has a prophecy saying the legendary hero Bishortu will unite the three warring tribes. Another has a prophecy that directly contradicts this, and they want Bishortu dead. And a third, which may or may not be comprised of werewolves, refuses to let anyone know what their prophecy says. Meanwhile, the Duke on whose land the barbarians live wants them all gone.

In the middle of all of this is squire Terin Ostler, who has been mistakenly identified as the great Bishortu. Under the Duke’s orders to get rid of the barbarians, he heads to their lands without the slightest idea of what to do.

Along the way, he has to avoid assassins, werewolves, lovesick barbarian princesses, and confused goblins, while attempting to figure out the meaning of the magical and mysterious Wretched Axes.

Nobody said being a hero would be easy.

Pocono Liar Michael A. Ventrella‘s third novel in his “Terin Ostler” series is now available in paperback and ebook formats.

“Here Michael A. Ventrella takes up the mantle of Christopher Stasheff. Terin’s exploits are as entertaining as those of Rod Gallowglass, and fans of The Warlock in Spite of Himself will hugely enjoy The Axes of Evil.” – Gregory Frost, author of Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet

“The Axes of Evil is a taut nail-biter of a thriller. Edgy, funny and dark.” – Jonathan Maberry, multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of V-Wars and Rot & Ruin

“Humor, danger and a twisted tangle of unlikely prophecies make for a page-turning adventure.” – Gail Z. Martin, author ofThe Chronicles of the Necromancerseries

Cincinnati, August 1966 – After an eventful Beatles concert at Crosley Field, threatening (and badly-spelled) ransom notes begin appearing from unknown persons claiming to have kidnapped George Harrison. But the Beatles’ lead guitarist is not missing. The puzzled police, including Sergeant Malcolm Mitchell, at first dismiss the messages as a bizarre hoax.

Enter Malcolm’s irrepressible wife, Professor Augusta McKee—music teacher, singer, and amateur sleuth—who begins connecting the dots to identify the actual kidnapping victim, and even points the police to the possible perpetrators.

As always, Augusta is all in, dealing with bumbling but dangerous mobsters, disguises, guns, and even a heart-stopping car chase—in a race against the clock to keep what started as a bungled kidnapping from turning into a vicious murder.

THE CASE OF THE BOGUS BEATLE is Pocono Liars Club member Susan Moore Jordan‘s eighth novel in her Augusta McKee series, and is available now in paperback or on kindle!