End of Year Book Sale!!

Ready to add some books to that new Kindle you got for Christmas? Here are a couple of Countdown Deals to end 2015.

Starting Wednesday, December, 30th:

The e-book version of Ninety Feet Away is only $2.99!

The e-book version of The All-American King is only 99 cents!

Don't delay. The Countdown Deal for both books ends on Sunday, January 3rd.

Grading the Royals

Writer Rany Jazayerli recently posted his grades for the 2014-2015 Royals. Looks like the team had a good couple of years.

Check out the report card here.

Taking the Crown

Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals

2015 World Series Champions

Countdown Deal

To celebrate the Kansas City Royals advance to the ALCS, the Kindle edition of Ninety Feet Away is on sale for only $2.99 this weekend. Don't delay though, this Countdown Deal ends Sunday at midnight.

Click here to get your book.

The Origins of Fantasy Sports

I'm pretty sure some form of fantasy football existed in the 1960s. But fantasy sports didn't really take off until Dan Okrent created the Rotisserie Baseball League before the 1980 season.

Read about the "Godfather of Fantasy Sports" in this article in the Boston Globe.

NFL

The NFL season started this past weekend.

Dave King thought you should know.

Self Editing

Writing a book? Here's a list of 21 self-editing tips to improving your work before publication.

I'd write more here, but I'm trying to apply #4.

Softball Champions

Last week my softball team, Homze's Heroes, won our summer league tournament championship. It was the team's third title in 18 years of playing, and the first time we'd won a summer title. Gotta love those blue championship T-shirts!

Book Signing - July 18, 2015

On Saturday, July 18th, author Scott McPherson and I will be signing copies of our latest books at From Nebraska Gift Shop (803 Q Street) in Lincoln, Nebraska. This event runs from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Witness in the Window - This sequel to McPherson's first novel, A Step Ahead of Death, tells the story of a Korean War veteran who witnesses a mysterious and dangerous bike path attack. With police focused on that case, an old enemy reemerges to threaten Lincoln physician Jack Sharp and his new family. Will Jack survive another encounter with this nefarious foe determined to have his revenge?

Learn more about Scott and his mystery novels at his website.







Ninety Feet Away - Kansas City baseball is back! Battling to the final pitch of Game 7 of the World Series, the 2014 Royals completed one of the most memorable campaigns in baseball history. Relive this epic season and learn about the players whose championship quest ended just Ninety Feet Away.



In addition to these two books, our other novels are also available at From Nebraska Gift Shop. Scott and I will be happy to sign those for you too!

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Men Among Giants

"Will Eileen be there?"

You bet she will! And so will Sam, Boo, and the rest of the Lincoln Giants.

The second edition of Men Among Giants is now available as a paperback and a Kindle e-book.

Come on down to Sherman Field. The guys have saved a seat for you right behind home plate!

So, you want to write a novel ...

Click for a list of 12 books that bestselling author Jerry Jenkins recommends for writers (veterans and novices alike) looking to hone their skills.

Number 5 is a favorite of mine.

Review of Ninety Feet Away

Author Scott McPherson posted a book review of Ninety Feet Away.

Check it out at Scott's website.

Win a free copy of Ninety Feet Away

Click to enter an Amazon Giveaway for a chance to win: Ninety Feet Away: The Story of the 2014 Kansas City Royals.

https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/1ba8e687bfd641bf

No purchase necessary. This giveaway ends the earlier of Jun 11, 2015 11:59 PM PDT, or when all three prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.

Old Time Baseball

This weekend I traveled back to 1870 to play in an old time baseball game at James Arthur Vineyard, north of Lincoln, Nebraska. A splendid afternoon of 19th century fun.

Free Book

Celebrate Mother's Day weekend with a free book. The Kindle edition of my novel Behind in the Count will be FREE Saturday and Sunday (May 9-10).

Find out what happens when aging hurler Zane Fischer tries to resurrect his pitching career and reconnect with his daughter.

Goodreads Giveaway Completed

The Goodreads giveaway for Ninety Feet Away has ended. Congratulations to the winners! Your books will soon be in the mail.

Thank you to everyone who entered. Happy reading!

Win a Free Copy of Ninety Feet Away

Click below for a chance to win a free copy of Ninety Feet Away from Goodreads.

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Don't wait too long to enter. The giveaway ends on April 16th.

All-Time Greatest Kansas City Royals

Four years ago I posted my picks for the all-time greatest players for each Major League team. With a new season upon us and my new book about the 2014 Kansas City team about to be released, I thought I would revisit my selections for the greatest Royals at each position. Players from the 1970s and 1980s still dominate, though I've now got Gordon ahead of Tartabull in the outfield. In a couple seasons, Perez could claim the catcher spot and Holland could surpass Quiz. Hosmer and Cain also have a shot at cracking this lineup, but it would be a few years down the road. As for Billy Butler, a case could be made for putting him ahead of Beltran in the bench spot. 

1B  Mike Sweeney – Five-time All-Star; drove in a bunch of runs (144 in 2000) for some bad KC teams. 
2B  Frank White – Excellent range; won eight Gold Gloves; hit a few HRs late in his career.
SS  Freddie Patek – Good glove; stole 30+ bases 8 times for KC (led league with 53 in ’77). 
3B  George Brett – One of the best 3B ever; 3,154 hits, 317 HRs, three batting titles; Gold Glove; came through in the clutch.
OF  Willie Wilson – Incredible speed; led AL in triples five times; stole over 600 bases for KC; won AL batting title in ’82.
OF  Amos Otis – A complete player; could field (three Gold Gloves), hit, and steal bases (52 in ’71).
OF  Alex Gordon – Four straight Gold Gloves and counting; career OPS of .781 (through 2014); driving force in the resurgence of KC baseball.
C  Mike Macfarlane – Decent hitting catcher with power; penchant for getting HBP boosted his OPS numbers; Porter played only four seasons in KC.
DH  Hal McRae – The first great DH; drove in more than 1,000 runs for KC; career .290 hitter.
Bench  Carlos Beltran – Power and speed; drove in 100 runs in four of his five full seasons in KC.
Pitcher  Bret Saberhagen – Two-time Cy Young Award winner; 1985 World Series MVP.
Pitcher  Dennis Leonard – Workhorse who won 20 games three times for the Royals.
Pitcher  Paul Splittorff – Holds the franchise record with 166 wins; won 15+ games four times.
Closer  Dan Quisenberry – Led the AL in saves five times; provided the missing piece KC needed to reach the World Series.

Men Among Giants, 2nd Edition

Men Among Giants is no longer available from its original publisher. But don't worry, Sam, Boo, and Eileen won't be on the bench for long. The second edition of the novel will be available later this spring.

If you are interested in the first edition, I still have a few copies available for sale. Contact me through my website and your book will be on its way!

Coming Soon

Yes, a blanket of snow still covers the ground outside my window. But spring training is just two weeks away!

In other news, progress continues on my new book. It should be available by Opening Day!