Writing
With superb guidance from a third-party editor, I’m close to finishing revision of the third book in the Lynn Dayton thriller series. The book is a story about deadly cyberattacks prompted by all-too-human ambition and betrayal. Thanks for your patience, and stay tuned.
Reading
If you haven’t already, please also join me at Goodreads!
Since the last newsletter six months ago, I’veread 31 books. In fiction I recommend the first two of an excruciatingly suspenseful new Rachel Caine series: Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek. The Weight of Blood and Arrowwood, both by Laura McHugh are excellent novels set (for a change) in the middle of the country. Crux, second in the Ramez Naam trilogy, is satisfying science fiction, while the two latest books from Meg Gardiner and Michael Connelly live up to their superb previous books: Into the Black Nowhere and Two Kinds of Truth, respectively. Finally, my favorite find of the last six months is the enchantingly accurate San Francisco-set novel, Sourdough, by Robin Sloan.
In non-fiction, I highly recommend The Fear Factor by Abigail Marsh. The title doesn’t do the book justice: Marsh writes accessibly about brain differences between altruists and psychopaths, including her own rescue by an extraordinary altruist. To understand how New Orleans (and the US) won the War of 1812, read Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger. The you-must-read pick continues to be Killers of the Flower Moon about the Osage Indian murders by David Grann. Another difficult but informative northern Oklahoma-connected book is the true story of two Holocaust survivors from Poland, Until We Meet Again by Michael Korenblit and Kathleen Janger.
The investor website Seeking Alpha asked me to become a more frequent contributor. With a total audience size of ten million generating forty million visits per month, the site allows my energy economics analysis wider exposure. I am now writing about three new articles a month for approval and publication at the website address shown above.
More good news! Seeking Alpha also invited me to add a Marketplace platform for subscribers. I’ve done so. Information about Econ-Based Energy Investing (EBEI) is here:
https://seekingalpha.com/author/laura-starks/research
EBEI articles (also three a month) focus on investing in oil and gas producing and refining companies, while the free articles continue to tackle topics like airline, utility, and chemical company investing.
Until next time,
L.A. Starks
http://lastarksbooks.com
Fiction (books) by L. A. Starks–in reverse order
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, $6.99.
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, $4.99.
Please note all L. A. Starks electronic and print editions published by L&L Dreamspell and StoneThread Publishing are no longer available. Both companies have gone out of business. Also, new copies of the first print edition of 13 Days (ISBN 9781933285450) published by Brown Books Publishing Group in May 2006 are no longer available. They are replaced by the August 2016 edition.
Short stories by L. A. Starks on Amazon Kindle, in reverse order
- “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.
- “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.
