Monterey Shorts [Paperback]

Byron Merritt (Author), Mark C. Angel (Author), Shaheen Schmidt (Author), Walter E. Gourlay (Author), Chris Kemp (Author, Editor), Ken Jones (Editor), Frances Rossi (Editor), Dan Koffmann (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967684846 | ISBN-13: 978-0967684840 | Publication Date: October 10, 2002 | Edition: First Print

Welcome to the Monterey Peninsula you thought you knew, or imagined you did.

Where skin divers, burned out businessmen, Carmel Valley farm kids and middle class families rub shoulders with ghosts, Russian fugitives, homicidal maniacs and doppelgangers.

Where Dinosaur Town is just a midnight ride away.
Where the hot tubs talk to each other.
Where aliens threaten to overrun the human populace - in the future, at least.
Yeah. That Monterey Peninsula.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Monterey Shorts charms, chills, intrigues, and entertains. Enjoy!" -- Steve Sharon: Screenwriter of the Clint Eastwood film, The Dead Pool

"These stories are like time capsules filled with memories waiting to be discovered!" -- Robert Irvine: Author of the Moroni Traveler Series

"[Monterey Shorts has] delightful touches of John Steinbeck, Sam Spade and Frank Herbert." -- Brian Herbert: NY Times Best selling author of the Dune Prequels

...you come away [from Monterey Shorts] having been entertained and with the smell of the bay in your hair." -- Christopher Moore: NY Times Best selling author of Lamb and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove

About the Author

Ten local Authors -- writing stories set in or around this magical area -- have scoured their imaginations, pooled their talents and scrupulously critiqued each other's work to come up with (this) book.... Known collectively as the Fiction Writers of the Monterey Peninsula (FWOMP), their approach is as staggeringly diverse as it is unique, making "Monterey Shorts" a volume with something for everyone.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Thunderbird Press; First Print edition (October 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967684846
• ISBN-13: 978-0967684840
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,693,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I love dinosaurs. I can think of nothing more exciting than to ride them like we ride horses or elephants, or even tigers... That's why I wrote Rexrider and conceived of the scifi series, First World's End."

Mark Angel lives on California's Central Coast. His educational background in Psychobiology and Music, though not applicable to his day job (an EMT on an ambulance), colors his writing. His series "First World's End" depicts the world much as it likely was when dinosaurs walked the earth, and the dinosaurs are depicted much like they must have been. But in his world, people live and work with dinosaurs. To learn more about Mark C. Angel and what he has published, please visit markcangel.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine ,fresh, fun fiction from Monterey, December 14, 2002

By 

Dawn V. Cope (Monterey, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monterey Shorts (Paperback)

This book is great and I'm buying another copy for my sister. The stories are well-crafted, written in a variety of genres, and each writer captures a little of the essence of the Monterey Peninsula.
I found the lead story, "Reunion", a romantic fantasy by Walter Gourlay, to be especially moving and poignant, not only because I was around during the period (1943) in which the story is set, and I remember the old tunes, but because of the air of eerie mystery surrounding the two lovers.

The children's story by Mike Tyrrel is absolutely wonderful. I will read it to my grandchildren. I hope he writes more stories like this.
Byron Merritt's science-fiction spoof is hilarious, especially his sleuth's extra-terrestrial partner, a gelatinous blob in a coffee cup.
Mark Angel's scuba divers, Lele Dahle's tragic account of growing up in Carmel Valley, Chris Kemp's story of weird witchery, Francis Rossi's attempted murder, Ken Jones' Russian sub, Pat Hanson's hot tubs that talk, and Shaheen Schmidt's place to heal--each story has its own charm. Together they make a delightful volume to read and give as a gift.
The clever cover by local artist Dan Koffman captures the ambience of Cannery Row and is a fit introduction to the collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monterey Shorts a Treat to Read, November 25, 2002

By 

Linda and Clayton Anderson (Carmel, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monterey Shorts (Paperback)

Monterey Shorts is pure pleasure. Ten stories by different authors with varied situations and different points of view, all centered in the Monterey area, create a captivating read.

All of the stories are carefully crafted and well written. It is clear that this writers' group works at a professional and discriminating level.

We highly recommend Monterey Shorts for all who want to treat themselves or a special friend to hours of reading delight-a great idea for Christmas gifts!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monterey Shorts, December 7, 2002

By 

"vivsarub" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monterey Shorts (Paperback)

This book of short stories is a must have for people living on or visiting the Monterey Pennisula. It is a delightful mix of fantasy and fiction centered on happenings in the coastal towns surrounding the Monterey Bay. The book of short stories is written by a writers group, each story by a different writer. The stories range from a flavor of John Steinbeck to a comic science fiction to flights of fantasy--Definitely an enjoyable read.
I will be recommmending this book for my Book Club group to read in the future.
Waiting for Monterey Shorts #2.