News

Lyssa Kay Adams’ latest book inspires fans to read more romance

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Once a journalist and now a full-time romance novel writer, meet Lyssa Kay Adams. Photo by Julian Stainback. Lyssa Kay Adams wasn’t always into romance novels until she read her first one in the eighth grade. She was inspired to create more romance novels on her own ever since.  

Adams was an award-winning journalist of nearly 20 years who gave up the world of telling true stories to write her own romance novels. 

Some of her novels have gotten nominations by the RWA, or Romance Writers of America, like “Wild in Rio” and “Seventh Inning Heat.” Since then, she has been a full-time writer for romance. 

Her latest book, “The Bromance Book Club,” made its debut at Schuler Books in Okemos on Nov. 6.   

With romance and a little comedy, Adams expects her latest book to give everyone an important lesson to learn.

Environment

Great Lakes writer tackles tale of survival 50 years after Lake Huron shipwreck

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By NATASHA BLAKELY
Capital News Service

LANSING — Michael Schumacher was born and raised in Wisconsin and has been living right by the shore of Lake Michigan all of his life. “The lake means a lot to me so I won’t take it for granted, ever,” said Schumacher, 62. “I tried to read a lot of the history, learn as much as I can. The more I can learn the better, and I’ve learned the five Great Lakes have separate personalities; they’re all different in their own way.”
He should know. Schumacher recently wrote “Torn in Two: The Sinking of the Daniel J. Morrell and One Man’s Survival on the Open Sea.” It is his 13th published book, and the fourth in his series on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Arts & Entertainment

Flint through different lenses

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By DAVID POULSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — I got to know Scott Atkinson in a Land Rover rattling through the Australian Outback. That was in 2004 when he was a student in my study abroad class.  I figured him for Hemingway-like aspirations. Within days of our arrival, he bought a kangaroo-hide hat that rocked an Indiana Jones vibe. He wrote about our Aboriginal guide, a man who sought his ancient roots – connections that had been severed by a government policy that produced what is now called Australia’s Stolen Generation.

Arts & Entertainment

They’re back! 'A Beaver Tale: The Castors of Conners Creek'

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By AMANDA PROSCIA
Capital News Service
A beaver family’s reappearance near the Detroit River after the species’ disappearance more than a century ago inspired a book that appeals to both adults and children alike. Author and illustrator Gerald Wykes tells the story of the beaver family’s 2008 astonishing return in his book, “A Beaver Tale: The Castors of Conners Creek” (Wayne State University Press, $18.99)

Beavers appeal to children and adults alike, according to Wykes, who lives in Monroe, Michigan. “Beavers alter their environment to fit their needs, like people do, so it’s easy for readers to identify with them,” he said. His full-color illustrations and kid-friendly text create an easy-to-follow narrative of the discovery of beavers at the Conners Creek Power Plant on Detroit’s east side after residents noticed trees being mysteriously cut down. On the surface, it’s a children’s book, but Wykes’ storytelling is highly informative, even for adults.