American Moon:
A Chinese Immigrant Story
Ethnic Family Saga NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
"This hard-luck story about a determined family battling, poverty, communism, corruption and their own fateful decisions, makes for an emotional, and uplifting read." - Publishers Weekly
American Moon is the true saga of one family’s struggle to escape Chinese Communism, survive unjust incarceration and homelessness in Taiwan, and ultimately move to America where they think the moon shines brighter.
As her father survives on death row, a strong-but-bitter daughter overcomes financial woes in an unhappy marriage, until risking a move to the U.S. Facing new struggles as an undocumented immigrant, she learns only she can make the American moon shine bright.
Inspired by the unjust incarceration in of my father-in-law and the family's subsequent struggles.
Recognition for American Moon
Ranked #5 on Amazon's HOT NEW RELEASES in the Asian Literature and Fiction category in its first week.
Semi-finals Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2008 Ethnic Family Saga
1st place 2005 Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest
Commercial Literary Fiction
finalist 2005 Colorado Gold Contest
Mu Shu Mac & Cheese
Asian American Literature/Humor NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
With her household the subject of a reality show, food writer Elaine’s professional dreams are about to come true. But her dominating Chinese mother-in-law shows up pureeing all hope with culture clash chaos.
Inspired by my life married into a Chinese family, told in eight days.
Purchase now on Kindle.
Recognition for Mu Shu Mac-N-Cheese
top 10 finalist (of over 2,400 entries)
HuffPost 50/AARP Memoir Contest
2nd place 2008 Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest
Novel of same title and previously titled: Culture Shock
Quarter Finals Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2010
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Fresh Starts: Tales From the Pikes Peak Writers
Anthology
NOW AVAILABLE NOW
Dancing With John Wayne
Book-length Nonfiction
Honorable Mention 2005 Writer's Digest Writing Competition - personal essay category.
Humorous Essays from the perspective of a White-bread Midwest woman marrying into a Chinese family.
Cooking in Leaves
Literary Cookbook
Food cooked in leaves around the world as well as folktales and legends from the regions where the leaves are grown and used in recipes. learn more by clicking here
The Last Taboo
(or Hot Flash) Lady Lit
2nd place 2005 Paul Gillette Memorial Writing contest - General Genre Fiction
Finalist 2005 Colorado Gold Contest
Sophie experiences “the change” in her mind as actual spontaneous combustion and leaving water puddles in her wake. It affects every aspect of her world leading to a failed search for a meaningful job and a disastrous misunderstanding
on the part of her children. During an unexpected visit to Area 51 Sophie learns that it is no coincidence that the average age of menopause is fifty-one. During her quirky search to re-discover herself, her marriage and her life, she finds within a person she learns to like. (Erma Bombeck meets Allie McBeal)
Catharsis
Book-Length Mystery
Lauren, a post doctoral student in Clincal Psychology works two jobs to keep her head above water - one in the research department of a nearby state mental hospital, the other managing a local crisis center. Disturbing events surrounding her doctoral advisor’s improprieties and possible connections to an increasingly twisted mystery threaten impending doom for Lauren’s career. Taking the emotional trial up a notch, evidence piles up implicating an ex-lover who suddenly appears on the scene. Lauren must find how increasingly ghastly crimes are related to each other to prevent further injury and death of her volunteers at the crisis center, and ultimately save herself.
Tunnel Worm
An Illustrated book for bridging readers, ages five to eight
Lady Bug encourages friend, Tunnel Worm, to play with her out in the sun. After Worm gives excuses after excuse, Lady finally realizes that Worm can’t play out in the warm air without drying up. She devises plan after plan until she enlists her friends to make it rain.
Short Stories
"Sushi in Bed"
1st place 2005 Paul Gillette Memorial Contest
A kinky sushi-making session goes terribly wrong for one unsuspecting young woman thanks to her lover’s obsession with his art.
"Easy"
Published Oct 2, 2011 White Cat Magazine
2nd place March/April 2008 Writer's Digest Your Story Competition
(over 1,100 entries)
First Round Finalist - Reading Writers Contest 2009
(Flash Fiction)
A homeless man falls in and out of love with an unsuspecting woman while regularly sneaking into her house.
"Snow Day"
Finalist
The Visual Narrative Project 2012
Second Round Finalist
Reading Writers Contest 2009 (Flash Fiction)
Second Round Finalist - Reading Writers Contest 2009
(Flash Fiction)
A husband loses his job. His wife behaves oddly. He follows her and discovers the sad thing she is up to.
"Spunk Flowers from Mercury"
Published Oct 31, 2011 Tawdry Bawdry
under pen name Libby Katz
(Erotica - Flash Fiction)
One man learns the weakness of his lover from Mercury.
"The Bubble"
Published Oct 31, 2011 Tawdry Bawdry
under pen name Libby Katz
(Erotica - Flash Fiction)
A prostitute tells of one evening in a "sex bubble" in which international businessmen enjoy her and others through a thin plastic barrier.
"More More More!"
Published Nth Degree Ficion and Fandom "Zine
(11/29/2012)
A strip tease act goes terribly wrong.
"Frankincense"
Mary is seduced in the locker room by a man who may be Jesus. So is she Mary Magdelan?
"Wiggle"
winner: Beyond War Contest, Los Altos, CA
A nervous soldier observes, catches, and releases a lizard outside the barracks just before hearing the scream of incoming mortar.
"The Importance of a Penis"
(Personal Essay)
Top 10 Boulder Writers' Workshop Make Me Laugh Writing Contest. Final judge top TV comedy writer Gene Perret.
Published in Issue 5 of Red Line magazine November 2013.