A picaresque first novel about a strange and lovable fifteen-year-old African-American boy whose innocence triumphs over all adversity. To read this novel is to enter into the mind and life of one of the most unusual characters to appear in recent fiction. ZigZag is a fifteen-year-old boy who may be mentally handicapped, but his uncanny ability with numbers and sort of sixth sense about people's motives more than make up for any shortcomings. He has recently escaped from the clutches of his abusive and neglectful father and sps most of his time with a big-hearted social worker named Singer, who at age twenty-six is battling cancer, even as he attempts to mentor ZigZag in the basic survival skills. Events take an ominous turn when ZigZag uses his special "powers" to unlock the safe at the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher and naively removes some money. At Singer's insistence ZigZag plots how to discreetly return the money, a complicated task that turns into a comedy of errors when he strikes up a friendship with a sympathetic hooker who recognizes his innocence. Their unlikely friendship and rollicking escapades will put a smile on the face of even the most jaded reader. Full of charm and youthful exuberance, ZigZag marks the auspicious debut of an engaging new writer.

ZigZag: A Novel

Literature & Fiction

Napoleon, Landon J.

United States

Henry Holt and Co.

When a taxi smashed into police officer Jason Schechterle’s patrol car, the fireball that consumed the vehicle should have killed him. But by a series of small miracles, Schechterle survived: Dying would have been easier. As he would learn only after his own horrific ordeal, law enforcement officers across the country were perishing in similar fires, trapped inside burning Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. Schechterle, who began a long, gruesome, and gut-wrenching battle back to health, would also take on Ford Motor Company to stop the heinous and ultimately preventable deaths. Interweaving narratives of human triumph and high-stakes legal showdown, this “inspiring true story” (Kirkus Reviews) reveals a rare human being with an undeniable will to live. "Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story" exemplifies the mystery and beauty of the human spirit, and the healing power of love.

Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Avery Press

It’s 1970, and America has a dirty secret. The author of "ZigZag"—“One of the boldest and most original first novels to appear in a long time” (Carl Hiaasen)—reinvents the legal drama popularized by Michael Connelly, John Grisham, and Scott Turow. Human beings are being warehoused in substandard nursing homes, neglected, and left to die under suspicious circumstances. But this is America in the 1970s, and no one seems to know about it, much less care. Rookie lawyer Connor J. Devlin discovers this secret underworld when he meets One-Armed Lucky, a cagey Vietnam vet and bail bondsman with an uncanny knowledge of the law. Lucky refers Devlin’s new client, a heartbroken but tenacious woman who’s convinced that neglectful nursing home care killed her mother Ann, a greyhound-racing devotee and Lucky’s best friend. But Devlin has a big problem. Taking on a nursing home for wrongful death in the 1970s—one backed by a corporation owned by a hardnosed Texas industrialist—will be almost impossible. Almost. In this "briskly told and well-drawn" (Kirkus Reviews) legal drama, Landon J. Napoleon offers all the thrills of John Grisham and other masters of the genre, while proving that "legal procedure can provide as much action, suspense, and whodunit excitement as any shootout or car chase." REVIEWS “Briskly told and well-drawn… this legal thriller does what many courtroom-based novels and television shows do not: It stays true to the actual practice of trial law… A fast-paced tale of justice in action and a remarkably accurate portrait of a trial lawyer’s daily grind…" "Prospective law students are frequently encouraged to read law-student memoirs or legal hornbooks, but for a realistic view of litigation and a great deal more action, they’d do well to add this legal thriller to their reading list.” —Kirkus Reviews “One of the most compelling and entertaining books I have ever read on the strategy and gamesmanship of the legal process.” —Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods PRAISE FOR LANDON J. NAPOLEON'S NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY "BURNING SHIELD: THE JASON SCHECHTERLE STORY": "This true story reads like a novel." —Kirkus Reviews “An inspiring true story of triumph.” —Publishers Weekly “Landon J. Napoleon displays a flair for detail in this fast-moving book… an inspiring read.” —The Arizona Republic “A powerful, inspiring story of one man’s will to survive and to thrive in the face of horrific injuries. It is also a keen look into the workings of our police men and women and the close bonds that knit them together. We admire them, and we especially admire Jason Schechterle.” —Janet Napolitano, former Arizona governor (2002-2009) and Arizona attorney general (1998-2002) “Sad, exciting, life-changing and emotional... an amazing story of one man’s triumph over tragedy with the support of an entire community.” —Jack Ballentine, former homicide detective and author of "Murder for Hire" PRAISE FOR LANDON J. NAPOLEON’S DEBUT NOVEL "ZIGZAG": “One of the boldest and most original first novels to appear in a long time. It’s also very funny, in a way that only the raw street-song of truth can be funny.” —Carl Hiaasen “A remarkable debut… An unaffected, moving, astonishing insight into the heart of a troubled, silent genius.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “… this mixture of comic adventure and paean to the values of volunteerism is a vivid read. An impressive debut novel…” —Library Journal (starred review) “Landon J. Napoleon conveys the strength of the human spirit through his wonderful creation, and in the process tells an engaging and enriching story.” —Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers “… a latter-day 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.' Like Twain’s classic, this novel excels at adolescent monologue.” —Arena Magazine “… an affecting tale of the triumph of hope over desperate circumstances… a modern day 'Of Mice And Men.'” —The London Times

The Rules of Action (Devlin)

Genre Fiction

FAST CARS, TALL CASH, A TICKING CLOCK and one of the most compelling women in contemporary fiction.   The author of ZigZag—“one of the boldest and most original first novels to appear in a long time” (Carl Hiaasen)—is back with a dizzying thrill ride that reintroduces a character from that acclaimed debut.   It’s a man’s, man’s, man’s world, and Jenna Jet is a twenty-something femme fatale on the run—literally. Trying to out pace the lingering effects of her troubled past, and desperate for cash, Jenna heads west to play a dangerous game: driving stolen, high-end imports across the nighttime desert from Phoenix to Los Angeles. She's made the run a harrowing nine times, and the big payout—a cool hundred large—is on ice until she delivers car number ten. One last ride before she's out of the game for good.   But nothing is ever that simple. And everything is about to go wrong, fast.   Along the way Jenna must negotiate highway patrol, police choppers, border checkpoints, and a nasty cop who's more interested in her than in the six-figure coupe she's driving. But the biggest roadblock of all? A family secret that might just slam the brakes on everything.   Strap in for this exhilarating road novel and experience a high-octane burst of riveting prose David S. Goyer calls “gritty, jagged and full of passion.”

Deep Wicked Freaky

"Haunting, yet inspirational." —Publishers Weekly “An absorbing read.” —Kirkus Reviews They were airborne for six minutes. And then they were gone. On Thanksgiving eve 2011, Karen Perry’s life changed forever when her three young children and their father died in a plane that crashed into Superstition Mountain in Arizona. The story made national headlines and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network as part of its Super Soul Sunday series. Everyone wanted to know—how does a mother comprehend, let alone process, such a loss? “Angels Three” takes readers deep inside Karen Perry’s world of aviation, the challenges of parenting special needs children, and the indescribable pain of every parent’s worst fear come true. This skilled pilot and grieving mother is left to search for clues about what happened that night, and why. Her search for the truth leads to a startling revelation, legal battle with the Federal Aviation Administration, and a troubling question: Was the crash avoidable? From the author of “Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story”—an “inspiring true story” (Kirkus Reviews) that “celebrates the resilience of the human spirit” (Publishers Weekly)—comes another gripping biography, a tragic and ultimately hopeful story of perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss. Reviews “Amid Karen Perry’s terrible tragedy is the inspiring story of the deep and passionate support she received from her colleagues at Delta Air Lines. Her journey is a remarkable one, and we are proud to have her as a member of the Delta family.” —Richard H. Anderson, CEO, Delta Air Lines “I read ‘Angels Three: The Karen Perry Story’ with a heavy heart. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) had concerns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airspace changes before this tragedy occurred. I applaud Karen for her bravery in writing this book and sharing the lessons to be learned. By telling her story I am hopeful the memory of the six victims—including her three children and their father—will make a difference by educating pilots and policymakers so this kind of tragedy never happens again.” —Mark Baker, President and CEO, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association “Karen Perry’s story is one of heartbreaking sorrow and transcendent strength. Her experience speaks to the resiliency of the human spirit, inspiring each of us to find that light within ourselves.” —Ashley Davis Bush, author of "Transcending Loss" “A wonderfully written book. As the author relays the details, you will be immediately immersed into Karen Perry’s life and personal journey. While it is an unfortunate and painful turn of events that take place, you are left inspired by the strength of the human spirit. Highly recommend.” —Gina Quarles, author of "The Accidental Purpose" “A life-changing story from a remarkable woman of courage, strength, and wisdom. The book has inspired me to dig deeper into my own spiritual search. Karen Perry’s breakthrough is a constant reminder of God's plan and love for all of us.” —Jonas Elrod, writer/director of “In Deep Shift” (Oprah Winfrey Network) “The poignant remembrance ‘Angels Three: The Karen Perry Story’ introduces us to the three loves of her life—Morgan, Logan, and Luke—her love of aviation, and reminds us of the beauty and frailty of life. The book is a story of finding purpose out of chaos and the courage and determination required to rebuild." —Suzanne Skeeters, captain, Delta Air Lines “‘Angels Three: The Karen Perry Story’ is a beautifully written book about a woman’s life journey, her incomprehensible loss and, ultimately, her extraordinary courage. This is a true story full of honesty and riveting detail that leaves you forever moved.” —Paul Babeu, Pinal County Sheriff

Angels Three: The Karen Perry Story

Community & Culture

"A remarkable debut..." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Dangerous turns and rites of passage- a Huckleberry Finn for the 21st Century. Published to widespread critical acclaim and made into a feature film, "ZigZag" is the namesake and touching tale of a strange and wonderful 15-year-old boy. ZigZag is autistic with an innocent curiosity and odd perceptions that give him keen insights into his oppressive world. His uncanny aptitude for numbers turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. Beset by his neglectful father, ZigZag finds refuge in his friendship with a volunteer mentor named Singer, a forklift driver who does his best to keep his unusual friend out of danger. But the action heats up when ZigZag naively steals thousands of dollars from the safe at the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher. With Singer's help, the unlikely duo plots to return the money and, in doing so, has to navigate a seedy underworld bent on bringing them down.

ZigZag

Literary

iUniverse

"A riveting legal tale..." -Kirkus Reviews It's 1983. And a wrongful death case looks like murder. When the police discover a federal bank examiner dead on a deserted city street on Christmas Eve 1983, there's no evidence, no leads, and no suspects. Street-smart lawyer Connor J. Devlin, now a decade-plus into his outside-the-lines career, reluctantly takes up the case - prodded by his unconventional mentor Phil Goldberg, aka Goldie, a sexist, cigar-chomping, foul-mouthed legal genius. To find answers, Devlin enlists the scary-smart and tenacious Sloane Monae, a former college volleyball player and an ex-cop turned private detective. As the new duo start pulling the threads of the case, they find themselves equally intrigued with each other. They also unwittingly stumble into the savings-and-loan debacle of the 1980s, one of the biggest financial scams in American history. And those running the far-reaching fraud will stop at nothing to protect their ill-gotten gains. "Utterly compelling, entertaining and stunningly grounded in exacting details, the Devlin series by Landon J. Napoleon ventures through uncharted terrain: a jam-packed journey through the entire career arc of a trial lawyer. Plan on staying up late." -Grant Woods, former Arizona Attorney General "Meticulous... The core of the story is procedure, and on that front Landon J. Napoleon excels. The depth of knowledge regarding legal matters... lend this procedural a refreshing, real-world feel that seasoned mystery readers will appreciate." -Publishers Weekly "Landon J. Napoleon's novel aptly showcases a lawyer's hectic workload... what truly propels the tale are the meticulous steps the lawyer Connor Devlin takes to reach resolutions. The author weaves distinctive characters into myriad legal wranglings. All of these cases generate an unwavering pace... A riveting legal tale that's more true-to-life than melodramatic." -Kirkus Reviews "I loved this book, which is unique in the way it accurately portrays the process of being a trial lawyer outside the courtroom. I read a lot of novels in this genre, and this was right up there with the best. Can't wait for volume 3." -Jeffrey Leon, past president American College of Trial Lawyers "Landon J. Napoleon has nailed it with rapid-fire and intriguing plot development wrapped in crisp dialogue. The book sharply illuminates the truth all actual trial lawyers know universally: justice is won or lost long before the judge ever swears in the jury... won or lost in the dramas and drudgery of indefatigable investigation and preparation with the inevitable set-backs awaiting. A riveting work." -A. Clifford Edwards, president (2019-2021) International Academy of Trial Lawyers

The Dark Action

Grinnin' Like a Jackass Eatin' Briars: A memoir of insanity, awareness and acceptance

LGBTQ+ Books

Batton, Jeff

Bowker

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LIFE.\nThat’s how this touching, humorous and ultimately poignant memoir begins, as Sandy Ranger—aka Snady—puts it all down to capture the time and sense of place and the energy of everything she’s experienced as a daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. After she learned a shocking truth at five years old, that she almost never was, Snady whisks us along to the “World of Tomorrow,” the 1939-40 World’s Fair, in a propeller plane piloted by her original hero Frank Park Fall. We meet her mother Ethel Catherine Fox, a Michigan native and self-professed “nervous Nelly” who, despite being born in 1894 in the Motor City at the historic dawn of the automobile age, never got a driver’s license.\nComing of age and moving into adulthood during the 1940s and 1950s, Snady experiences the postwar surge of American industrialism in Detroit, the epicenter of automotive ingenuity. She takes us inside one of her first jobs at the advertising agency Kenyon & Eckhardt in downtown Detroit, a workplace in parallel with the hyper-sexism of 1950s culture. When Snady meets Edward McDonald Ranger, the future course of her life—as mother and grandmother—is set.\nThe narrative travels far and wide from the verdant fields of Pennsylvania, to Michigan and the stark beauty of the Arizona desert. Lovingly told, with clear precision, "Snady" is a reflection on a life well lived, a memoir to keep it all alive to live and breathe again.\nABOUT THE AUTHORS 
GRACE SANDRA FALL RANGER was born in 1934 in Philadelphia, and in 1939 flew to the World’s Fair in New York with her father piloting his own plane. She has lived in Pennsylvania, Michigan and, since 1979, Arizona. She is the mother of five children and has thirteen grandchildren. She has traveled to more than twenty-five countries, experienced three earthquakes on two continents and, at age 69, became certified as a yoga instructor. She has hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice, including when she was 80 to celebrate her birthday. This is her first book.\nLANDON J. NAPOLEON is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books that have been translated into multiple foreign editions. He is a previous Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” finalist, his debut novel “ZigZag” was adapted into a film, and his nonfiction biography “Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story” was a “The Arizona Republic Recommends” selection. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in creative writing from University of Glasgow in Scotland. He lives in Arizona.

Snady: A memoir of a Grace Fall life

Ranger, Sandy

Memoirs

“Affectingly honest… A provocative memoir, refreshingly candid and thoughtful.” 
—Kirkus Reviews\nBy age 7 “Danny” Bolen knew he was different.\nThis was a perilous reality in the post-war years of 1950s America. Although a time of widespread economic prosperity and great technological advances, it was also an era of silent oppression, racial segregation, and real danger for anyone who fell outside of society’s legally allowed norms.\nDan married a girl in white go-go boots, dropped out of college to become a Jehovah’s Witness minister, and discovered he had a gift for employment recruiting that would make him a millionaire before turning 30 (something his Grandma Vera accurately predicted).\nLovingly told, with stark transparency and dry wit and humor, The Courage To Be Courageous is an important book about confronting our struggles, finding our success, and most importantly, stepping into our truth and embracing who we are each meant to be.\nDAN BOLEN was born in 1947, in Spokane, Washington, and grew up in Boise, Idaho, and in several places in Alaska. After marrying a girl in white go-go boots and dropping out of college to become a Jehovah’s Witness minister, he discovered he had a gift for employment recruiting, a passion that would propel him to great professional and financial success. From 1967 until 2019 he helmed the nationally recognized executive search firms Management Recruiters of Boise and Dan Bolen and Associates. This is his first book.\nLANDON J. NAPOLEON is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of fiction and nonfiction books that have been translated into multiple foreign editions. He is a previous Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” finalist and a Kirkus Reviews “Best of 2021” recipient. His debut novel ZigZag was adapted into a film, and his nonfiction biography Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story was an “Arizona Republic Recommends” selection. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in creative writing from University of Glasgow in Scotland. He lives in Arizona.

The Courage To Be Courageous: A memoir of struggle, success, and truth

Bolen, Dan

Leaders & Notable People

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