As that is Halloween weekend, Connie’s other books of that season will be available, including all three volumes (I, II and III) of Ghostly Tales of Route 66 and the short story collection Hellfire & Damnation. Also available will be It Came from the ’70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now, which chronicles the rise of horror films in the ’70s, with 50 reviews that ran in the Quad City Times, 76 photos, major cast and trivia. Winner of 5 national awards, the perfect nonfiction gift for the movie buff in the family.

“This book of humorous essays was probably extra-funny for me because I
live in the same geographic area the author does and recognized many of
the situations and characters.  I’m more like her politically too, so
her ruthless commentary on that front amused me.  However, her childhood
experiences, dinner party foibles, cell phone aggravation, and medical
malfunctions should be universal in reader recognition.  This was an
easy-to-read book perfect to have at your bedside table to dip into just
before going to sleep.  What could be better than a good chuckle at
that time of day?” (Hedy Hustedde, Amazon reviewer and Bettendorf, IA Librarian).

A second reviewer noted: ‘Humor and foibles abound in this work by Connie Corcoran Wilson…Her first several essays cover some common stresses, things we know like exercise classes and how so many of us can’t stand the things. I could relate, so I gave the book to my wife, and shes reading it now.”
Laughing Through Life also follows Connie as she followed the 2004 presidential campaign, especially the Iowa caucuses. This is a particularly timely topic right now, just before the 2012 presidential campaign.

The book concludes with the deaths of 2 Elizabeths: Taylor and Edwards. It spans many decades of funny happenings in classrooms where the 33-year veteran teacher spent her career teaching English (composition, literature, etc.), whether at the junior high school level or the college level.

Ava Wilson (left) and Elise Wilson (right) laugh through life in Nanna Connie's back yard.

Some of the domestic adventures remind of Erma Bombeck. The more bizarre anecdotes involving golf and life make the book resemble the essays chronicling the experiences of David Sedaris. Hence, the  critics who have dubbed the book “Erma-Bombeck-Meets-David-Sedaris.”

If you enjoy either of those humorous writers, there is a good chance you will enjoy this short book of essays and anecdotes, available as an e-book for $2.99 or a paperback for $10.95 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. [The book's cover warns, however, that the writer has a left-leaning political stance. Be warned.]

Connie (Corcoran) Wilson will be signing copies of the book at a Barnes & Noble the Saturday before Halloween (October 29th) at Northpark Mall in Davenport, Iowa. Her other “scary” works, such Ghostly Tales of Route 66, Vols. I, II and III (www.GhostlyTalesofRoute66.com)  and Hellfire & Damnation (www.HellfireandDamnationtheBook.com) will also be available at Halloween,  the creepy time of year.

Connie will also be signing books at Barnes & Noble during the holidays (first 2 weekends in December), with a brand-new children’s book (The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats) to add to the fun. The illustrated children’s book underscores the value of trying to get along with one another in a rhyming Dr. Seuss fashion.

Check out all the different books by this writer at Amazon’s books category by typing in Connie Corcoran Wilson. Also check Connie’s own blog (www.WeeklyWilson.com), her Associated Content pieces, or the websites mentioned.

Latest review (Amazon, J.R. Comeau): 

A Gift for Laughter,October 15, 2011

By 

J. “www.CountGore.com Book Reviewer”

 

This review is from: Laughing through Life (Paperback)

Connie Corcoran Wilson connects dead-bang with readers’ funnybones with her hilarious takes on the absurdities of life. Like Erma Bombeck and Jean Kerr before her, Ms. Wilson excavates the funny from life’s reversals, frustrations and revelations. With a strong progressive slant, the author takes on politics, teenagers, grandparenting, friendship and the foibles of being a human being on planet Earth in the 21st century. If you’re looking for a laugh, you find plenty in LAUGHING THROUGH LIFE.

For now please be aware that a story that will be featured in “Hellfire & Damnation II” (the sequel), entitled “The Bureau” has gone up on Kindle (and priced right at 99 cents). It illustrates the 9th Circle of Hell, Treachery, especially treachery towards a family member.

6,500 word short story now on Kindle....

April 18th, 2010 | Author: Colin

Hellfire and Damnation

by Connie Corcoran Wilson

Published by Sam’s Dot Publishing, 2010.

I have to be upfront and say I was a little suspicious of this book. It appeared to have some great reviews on the back from the likes of William F. Nolan, Scott Eddleman and Gary Braunbeck (and if anyone knows good horror its Gary Braunbeck). These seemed slightly at odds with the homespun production values and I have to say the slightly garish cover. Was this a case of excessive hyperbole?

In Hellfire and Damnation Connie Corcoran Wilson takes us on a trip through the nine circles of hell by creating a series of stories (or in some cases a single story) to illustrate each. Many of the stories are also based on true life tales of crime and horror adding a little extra spice to the mix.

Standouts for me were -

Hotter Than Hell – where we hear the tragic tale of Big Jim Bingham as he awaits his fate on death row. A series of tragic letters to his son reveal some deep and powerful truths behind both his and his sons actions. It’s typical of the book, having a King like sense of down home characterisation where real life just touches the boundaries of something darker.

Amazing Andy, The Wonder Chicken – This surreal, if not in fact completely bonkers, tale concerns a chicken who loses his head but goes on to become a star bringing all the pressures of fame down on his owners. At times humorous and at others stomach wrenching but always inventive  and well written.

The Ghost Girl of Howard “Pappy” Litch Park – features strange goings on in the eponymous park when a father threatens a fellow visitor and things get out of hand. It bears all the tragic hallmarks of a real world tale but is told in an interesting and thoughtful voice.

We also get to meet ghost children (Rachel and David), the zombie prostitutes of Pompeii (Love Never Dies), serial killers (Going Through Hell) and fantastically creepy clown Pogo (Living In Hell).

A couple of weaker stories exist among the fifteen ( Queen Bee, Effie We Hardly Knew Ye!) but otherwise we are taken on a roller coaster trip with laughs (Hell to Pay features an amish mobile phone owner) and tears (On Eagle’s Wing’s a tragic tale of child abuse). Even the weaker stories are well enough written though and given the variety of styles at play here your personal favourites are likely to differ.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable, well written anthology. Gary A. Braunbeck’s blurb on the back claims that, “never have the 9 circles of hell been so much fun”. As I said Mr Braunbeck knows his stuff, this is a journey into hell that will intrigue, disgust and excite you, often at the same time, excellent stuff. Just shows, don’t judge a book by its cover!

You can find out more here.

Rating 4 out of 5

Connie will also be signing copies of Hellfire and Damnation at the BEA (Book Expo America), the largest book event in North America, which will take place in New York City from May 25th – May 28th. Connie’s assigned signing time at Booth #2951 is 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 27th. She follows Jonathan Maberry (Patient Zero, Ghost Road Blues), who signs from 1 to 2 p.m. There will also be other notables at this large event, including Jon Stewart introducing the morning breakfast speaker, Condoleeza Rice.

On May 8th, Connie will be present at the first annual Quad City Book Fair inside the River Music Experience at 2nd and Main Street in downtown Davenport. She will present an AV presentation of her three most recent books at 11:30 .m.

In June, Chicago’s Printers Row Book Fair beckons (June 11 , 12) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All of Connie’s books will be available at the River Music Experience on May 8th from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Quad City Book Fair, where she will present an AV look at same onstage at 11:30 am. (followed by Max Allan Collins at 1:30 p.m., after lunch.

Come and join the fun!