Writing

Lynn Dayton Thriller #4: This newsletter is a few weeks later than usual so I could announce I have finished a key draft of the fourth book in the Lynn Dayton series! Both I and others still need to edit, format, (and market) pre-pub, no publication date or title reveal yet.

STRIKE PRICE, Lynn Dayton Thriller #2: The second in the Lynn Dayton series, with primary settings in Oklahoma, ties in with the just-released KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON movie, directed by Martin Scorsese. The original true-crime book is by author David Grann. I recommend both. STRIKE PRICE references the subject Osage killings. Settings in both KFM and STRIKE PRICE are driven by early oil and refining ventures in north central and northeastern Oklahoma. While KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON focuses on the Reign of Terror that afflicted the Osage, STRIKE PRICE turns on the economic wherewithal and cultural presence of the Cherokee Nation, while mentioning three other First American nations (of the 39 headquartered in Oklahoma), including the United Keetoowah Band, the Osage, and the Poncas.

A local Ponca City, Oklahoma philanthropist arranged a limited premiere showing of the KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. I was fortunate to be invited and attend. One sentence for this 3.5-hour film: Lily Gladstone is Oscar-worthy as lead character Mollie Burkhart.

RECKLESS IN TEXAS, Metroplex Mysteries Volume II: This North Dallas Sisters in Crime mystery short story anthology was published in March 2023 as described in my last newsletter. Along with Karen Harrington, Barb Spencer, and several other North Dallas SinC members, I enjoyed marketing the anthology. One highlight was a panel discussion by all (of us) short story authors at the new Frisco, Texas public library.

Reading

In the last eight months (since the spring newsletter) I read thirty-two books, six non-fiction and twenty-six fiction. I am just finishing THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE, the newest from Richard Osman. I highly recommend LAST DEVIL for both the characters and the dry humor. Others I also highly recommend are OATH OF LOYALTY by Kyle Mills for Vince Flynn, THE ISLAND, by Adrian McKinty, SIBERIAN DILEMMA by Martin Cruz Smith, ZERO DAYS by Ruth Ware, THE RED QUEEN by Juan Gomez-Jurado, THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda, and EXILES by Jane Harper. All my book reviews can be found at Goodreads.

This list would be incomplete without mentioning the fascinating short stories (including my own, “Risk Reduction,”) in the North Dallas Sisters in Crime second anthology, RECKLESS IN TEXAS, edited by Barb Goffman. Get your copy if you haven’t already.

Energy

The energy sector is influenced by everything from US public policy to the Russia-Ukraine and Hamas-Israel wars. Particularly, after Iran-backed Hamas’ attack on Israel, major exporter Saudi Arabia is now moving away from its proposed rapprochement with Israel, which may have been the point for Iranian-backed Hamas. This appears to be a factor even though Saudi Arabia and Iran are historically at odds over religion, politics, and regional power. Both are OPEC members while Russia is an OPEC+ member.

I write three paid articles a month for the public (free) Seeking Alpha platform and six a month for a Seeking Alpha Marketplace subscriber platform, Econ-Based Energy Investing (EBEI). The public platform link:  Laura Starks’s Articles | Seeking Alpha

Until next time.

L. A. Starks

Fiction (books) by L. A. Starks– in reverse order:

THE SECOND LAW: Lynn Dayton Thriller #3
Print ISBN 9780991110742, published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group LLC, October 2018, $18.95. E-book ASIN B07JLDGTVL, published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group LLC, October 2018, $8.12.

STRIKE PRICE: Lynn Dayton Thriller #2
Print ISBN 9780991110704, 2nd edition published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group LLC, March 2014, $18.95. E-book ASIN B01K5Y406A, published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group LLC, August 2016, $8.99.

13 DAYS: THE PYTHAGORAS CONSPIRACY-Lynn Dayton Thriller #1
2nd Print ISBN 978-0991110711, published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC, August 2016, $18.95.
E-book ASIN B015LI65GI, published by Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC, September 2015, $7.99.

Short stories by L. A. Starks on Amazon Kindle, in reverse chronological order

  • “Risk Reduction,” in RECKLESS IN TEXAS, Metroplex Mysteries Volume II, March 2023. Print ISBN 979-8385749362, $11.99. E-book ASIN: B0BW2KJPJW $4.99.
  • “Incurable” bubbled up as I developed one of the antagonists in THE SECOND LAW. 2020. ASIN: B08L9RY4T5, $0.99.
  • “Josh Rosen & Bubbe” gives additional background on series character Josh Rosen and insight into his relationship with his grandmother when she falls ill. 2014. ASIN: B00O854YKA, $0.99.
  • “Gumbo Filé” in DREAMSPELL NIGHTMARES, 2010. (out of print)
  • “A Time for Eating Wild Onions” introduces two key characters in the second Lynn Dayton book, STRIKE PRICE. The tragedy that befalls them profoundly shapes the next generation. 2007. ASIN: B003NE6DGA, $0.99.
  • “Robert and Thérèse Guillard: Choices” is a story about 13 DAYS’ Parisian antagonist and how it feels to fly in a wing suit. 2007. ASIN: B003NE6D74, $0.99.

Flash Fiction by L. A. Starks

“Why Are You Running?” in A YEAR OF SHORTS and DOG DAYS OF SUMMER anthologies.

*A YEAR OF SHORTS: FLASH FICTION, Print ISBN: 979-8519555579, June 2021, $5.99. E-book ASIN: B096Y7WBH6, June 2021, $1.99.

*DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: FLASH FICTION, May 2021, E-book ASIN: B095J998Q9, $0.99.

Thank you for your support of the early editions. The covers have changed but the books and short stories are the same. Electronic and print editions published by L&L Dreamspell, Brown Books, and StoneThread Publishing are out of print and so are collectors’ items.