Category: Book Release

Triple Literary Honors for Fenton Kay!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Las Cruces Writer Fenton Kay has been named a finalist for not one, not two, but three of his children’s books from Literary Global Children’s Book Awards. Check out:

Dear Jennifer: The Jenny Princess Stories (Chap Book)

Chipmunk Jumped Over Him: A Coming of Age Story (Young Adult)

The Jaguar Drum: A Mayan Boy in the Spanish Entrada (Historical Fiction)

An amazing achievement and he has privately shared with me his intention to win every award in every category next year if he can ramp up to 10,000 words per day.…

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George Pintar Launches New Book About Las Cruces

Posted on by Mark Davis

Have you ever been to a book launch party? Whether you have or haven’t, you’re in for a treat!

The Doña Ana Arts Council and local author George Pintar invite all book lovers to the launch of Las Cruces: Traditions, Prosperity & Future.

📅 When? Friday, February 21st, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
📍 Where? Doña Ana Arts Council Building (230 South Water Street, Las Cruces)
📖 What? Enjoy opening remarks from the author, followed by insightful reviews from beta readers.

Join us in celebrating our beloved city’s rich history and vibrant spirit. Get your autographed copy, enjoy refreshments, and connect with fellow book enthusiasts.

We look forward to seeing you there!…

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Charmayne Samuelson Wins First Place!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Las Cruces Writer Charmayne Samuelson has won First Place (Craft/Arts category) in the 2025 Independent Press Award for her book Mata Ortiz Poetry of the Clay: Pottery. Poems. Artists. Here’s the synopsis:

In this new BILINGUAL photo and poetry book, MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY Pottery, Poems, Artists. and the bilingual Spanish title, MATA ORTIZ POESÍA DEL BARRO Cerámica. Poemas. Artististas., Samuelson features the stellar pottery of 24 Contemporary Mata Ortiz potters paired with original poetry by the author. She also includes poetry, thoughts and dreams of the artists.

This book has been hailed as unique and one-of-a-kind, with uplifting poetry about the pottery and the potters. “I often feel very moved,” the author says, “by art that soars above the rest, as does the brilliant Mata Ortiz pottery. I wanted to honor their work with original poetry.”

Samuelson has gone beyond what would be a normal book about pottery by offering bilingual passages throughout the book. “So many books printed in America cannot be read by people who do not speak or read in English around the world, and I wanted people on both sides of our American Southwest “Borderlands” to be able to enjoy this stunning book of photography and poetry,” Samuelson said.

The book is 144 full-color photo pages with poetry, is hardbacked case-laminate, matte finish pages, and 8.25″ x 11″. Samuelson describes the book as a perfect gift for those who have everything, and a perfect coffee-table book to proudly display.

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When Tough Cookies Crumble: New True-Crime Memoir by Eva Nevarez-St. John

Posted on by Mark Davis

Check out Las Cruces Writer Eva Nevarez-St. John’s exciting new memoir, When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing, now available on Amazon! Eva will be reading and signing her book at Downtown Blues Coffee on Saturday, August 24th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm.

Here’s the intriguing synopsis:

As young soldiers in Korea in the late 1970s, Janice Starr and Eva Booker found themselves on the front lines of the women’s liberation movement, pushing the boundaries of what women could do in their professional and personal lives. Navigating jobs, school, interracial dating, and a playgirl lifestyle were among the challenges they faced when they relocated to the Washington, D.C. area together, where their bond was often tested but never broken.

Three months after Janice moved to southern Virginia on her own in the summer of 1981, she disappeared without a trace. Eva knew Janice had been murdered—and who did it—but the only one who believed her was Detective Kay Lewis. Together these tough cookies wouldn’t stop until they found Janice … and justice.

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Charmayne Samuelson Goes Bilingual in Poetry of the Clay

Posted on by Mark Davis

Check out Charmayne Samuelson’s book signing event for Poetry of the Clay. The event will be held in Mata Ortiz, Mexico. In her words:

INVITATION!

I am thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of my new bilingual book, MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY, POESIA DEL BARRO, featuring the lives and pottery of 24 Contemporary Mata Ortiz Potters! 140 full-color photographs! 30 Original Poems written by me about the ‘visceral’ experience of beholding this stunning pottery! We are hosting a big ‘Mata Ortiz village event’ on Friday evening Oct. 4 at 5 pm in Mata Ortiz. 24 potters and I will sign your books for a true Collector’s Edition! The stunning cover of the book features amazing pottery by Hector Gallegos!

Meet these outstanding potters at the event: Laura Bugarini, Hector Gallegos, Paula Gallegos, Hector Gallegos III, Tati Ortiz, Lila Silveira, Jose Silveira, Jera Tena, Pilo Mora, Tavo Silveira, Miriham Gallegos, Adhilenne Figueroa, Miguel Lopez, Carlos Lopez, Estafania Lopez Figueroa, Ivonne Olivas, Lencho Sanchez, Betty Quezada, Oralia Lopez, Jorge Quintana, Eduardo Quintana, Ramiro Veloz Casas, Silvia Veloz Guillen, Valerie Veloz Guillen. Join us for wine and food at this true once-in-a-lifetime event!

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Fenton Kay: Of Rats and Drones!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Check out Fenton Kay’s newest O’Flaithearta Biological Consultants Mystery, available at Amazon. Here’s the gist:

Stephans kangaroo rats (SKR) are Federally protected. They are found in the same areas as unprotected Pacific kangaroo rats (PKR). A developer wants to build on a property that contains prime SKR habitat. The developer has filed a Federal lawsuit claiming that the kangaroo rats the Feds say are SKR are really only PKR – SKR don’t exist. Sean O’Flaithearta is contracted by the Metropolitan Water District (MET) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to prove that SKR and PKR are separate species and occupy different habitats found on the property. The developer is financed by a Mexican drug cartel. The developer hires a local illegal animal dealer and trapper to remove all of the kangaroo rats from his property and to scuttle the O’Flaitherta study. The trapper’s partner dies while pirating rats from the study site. The County Sheriff’s Department takes an interest in the study. Local environmental activists are attacked by unknown thugs. Unknown to the USFWS and the O’Flaithearta team, who are plotting to bust the rat trapper and the developer, the DEA, and the FBI are watching the developer and the cartel. Someone is watching the two women members of the O’Flaithearta team who are posing as researchers in need of kangaroo rats. The developer is nearly killed by the cartel. Other thugs try to intimidate the O’Flaithearta team. The rat trapper is shot while being arrested. All …

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When Kittens Take Over

Posted on by Mark Davis
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Renee’s latest book, When Kittens Take Over, is based on a true story. It’s a delightful and heartwarming tale about overcoming impatience. Jolinn wants something immediately. However, a series of events stop her from reaching her goal, and she experiences disappointment. Discover with Jolinn the value of appreciating every moment along the journey to achieving your goals.

Now available on amazon.com.

After you enjoy the book, please leave a review on Amazon.

More of Renee’s work will be available in 2024. Her much-awaited poetry book – light verse titled Brocade Waves and a YA graphic novel titled Light On The Ocean will be available in the spring of 2024. She will also have more children’s books available later in 2024.…

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Charmayne Samuelson has a Best Seller (and More!)

Posted on by Mark Davis

LCW’s very own Charmayne Samuelson is now a best seller on Amazon in the Latin American Biographies category with her new book, SPENCER MacCALLUM Memories-Mystique-Mata Ortiz. Here’s the synopsis:

Was it all destiny? The mesmerizing Spencer MacCallum story is the tale of an incurable explorer who meets his destiny! Charmayne Samuelson is an Award-Winning Author introducing this authorized and definitive biography of Spencer MacCallum, the American Princeton-educated anthropologist who discovered Juan Quezada and Mata Ortiz pottery. Buying three distressed pots in Deming, NM, he was sure they were prehistoric. When told they were not, he went on an adventure to find the potter and did not give up until he did. Praise for the book from Mata Ortiz experts hails it as “Wonderfully written!” and “An important book!” A biography in progress for many years, and after hundreds of interview hours and extensive research extracting his life story from audio and video tapes, this cross-border adventure is now available for all to enjoy. From childhood, each step of Spencer’s life seemed destined to take him to Juan Quezada and Mata Ortiz. His natural curiosity at a young age of discovering ancient relics continued on with this incredible tale of him trekking across Mexico to find one single potter, dirt-poor farmer/cowboy Juan Quezada, propelling him onto the world stage as an unlikely superstar artist. As time went on, and as Spencer’s legacy, thousands of village potters have found true artistic and monetary success in their once-dirt-poor village in Mata Ortiz,

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Desert Exposure Winners!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Southern NM’s Desert Exposure arts and culture magazine just selected LCW’s own Karen Ray for Grand Prize for her poem “Flying with Sheets” that recollects the idyll of youth growing up in the desert. It reminded me of hitching those spring winds with a sheet fashioned into a sail and attached to a ten speed, all part of my own crazy, experimental youth.

Multiple winner Efram Carrasco won Prose Honorable Mention for “The Desert Girl,” and many other local writers won awards as well.

Finally, LCW’s Charmayne Samuelson’s new biography Spencer MacCallum Memories – Mystique – Mata Ortiz is discussed in the same issue.

To check out all these great works, you can read the PDF or pick up a copy locally.…

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