Showing results by author "Steve Stroble" in All Categories

Well, far away you’re willing to go... For treasures and fool’s gold... Yet here we stand with outstretched hand... The seed of Heaven to sow Seventeen-year-old Thomas Schmidt loves his beer. But too much of it one night and a tragic fight at the local Gasthaus sends him fleeing from his tiny village in 1830s Germany. He is so desperate to outrun the avenger (Rudolph Stein) pursuing him that Thomas becomes an indentured servant to buy passage to America. Eventually, their misadventure leads Thomas and Rudolph to the 1849 California Gold Rush. There they join one from China, an ex-slave,...

For Jason and his fiancé Thelma, the bomb meant he never had to invade Japan and maybe die or at least be wounded. For Fred, the bomb means guilt and fear, wondering why it had to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as his wife Sally tries to help him. For Soviet and East German scientists trying to develop a sufficient weapon of mass destruction means involuntary servitude to a nation intent on catching America in an arms race. For a federal employee who worked where the first bomb was developed, life spirals into a search for an escape from nuclear annihilation. When Jason discovers ...

“Inside every man dwells two wolves.” – Cherokee legend “The howl of the wolf echoes humans crying for a place to belong” – Gray Wolf, Kentucky, 1899 Political movements demand government ownership of businesses, less immigration to America, universal health care, and other reforms as the 1800s become the 1900s. Eventually, a movement to prohibit alcohol succeeds even as middle-aged women are the ones most addicted to legal opium based elixirs. Members of Congress call American soldiers fighting in the Philippines "murderers." A presidential candidate rails against what he calls...

In 2096 just staying alive is hard enough. But trying to keep your daughter alive when she has a potentially fatal disease with no known cure is worse for Brent Fulsome. Should he trust their family doctor, who wants to help? Or should Brent and Karla keep living in isolation, off the grid? Then, a drone comes looking for Brent. It narrows down his options to only one.

In 2095, becoming and being a parent is complicated but eliminating grandchildren is profitable. Bud Lee believes he has proof that his boss is plotting to decide Earth's fate by recruiting surrogate children into a think tank named The Club. Only one other agrees to help him, a ghostwriter more convinced that computers control him, Bud, and everyone else. Family relationships are anything but pleasant for the unlikely pair because of expectations placed upon them, so exposing a conspiracy, no matter how far-fetched, is welcome relief from the constraints of a micro-managed existence. Their...

1966 proves to be the "make it or pack up and go home" year for The Aspirations. They are four high school students whose favorite extracurricular activity is playing the Top 40 hits of the day at parties and dances and getting paid to do what they love. Their leader Frank has the highest hopes. The other three -- Sy, Chris, and Ralph -- chafe under Frank's demands. Will they rise above the other more mediocre garage bands and hit success? "1966" is Book 4 n the Americana Series, which takes a look at America during different phases of its history. Each book in the series can be read as a ...

A collection of short stories: "The Extra" -- A movie extra who never fulfilled his expectations begins to feel like an extra to everyone around him. Then, an unexpected phone call revives his dream. "The Case of the Alphabet Killer" -- Private investigator Bobbie Heck's latest client is convinced someone is murdering his former classmates. She attends his 10 Year High School Reunion searching for suspects and finds a L.O.S.T. boy, touchy/feely faculty member, and another teacher who is a perfect gentleman. Her client needs Bobbi to solve this case in a hurry because his fiancée won't ...

1838 proves to be the turning point in Dan "Beaverman" McDaniel's life. At first, he thinks he is always a day late when he misses fighting in The Battle of the Alamo. But tragedy then makes him think life's burdens have been dumped on him at too early of an age to endure them. He seeks comfort by retreating to the wilderness and life as a mountain man. "1838" is Book 3 in the Americana Series, which takes a look at America during important phases of its history. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone.

It's been said, "If you can remember the 60s, you weren't there." The saying "If you can remember the 70s, you were there" is even more true. On the eve of 1970, four former bandmates of the rock group The Aspirations have their lives changed forever by the war in Vietnam and draft lottery. All of that is only a prelude to what they will encounter during the turbulent decade when the Me Generation seemed to say: "Ask not what you can do for anyone else. Ask what they can do for you." "Me" is Book 2 in the Americana Series, which takes a look at America during different phases of its history...

A collection of short stories: Pink Belly Man -- One of bully Pink Belly Man's victims seeks revenge years later. Working by Committee -- Three men and three women report to find answers about UFOs and Alien Abductions. I Quit -- Guitar player and singer is odd man out as his bandmates harass him. Don't Believe Them -- POTUS's departure from office leads to nationwide marital law. The Case of the Wayward Grandson -- A grandfather hires P. I. Bobbi Heck to save his grandson. The Review -- A review inspires a new author to higher expectations of turning her book into a movie. The Last Move --...

Collection of short stories: The Conqueror Earthworms -- Granddaughter's fascination with earthworms brings grieving widow back to the land of the living. You Asked for It -- New pastor tries to cure church of "But we've always done it that way before." Something Smells Good; It Has to Be Brownies -- Struggling writer and artist team up to sell their wares. The Case of the Rich Dead Mom -- P I Bobbi Heck is asked by one of the heirs to investigate a rich woman's death. Carrier Pigeon -- Fledgling missionary is recruited by an organization that is not what it appears to be.

Wayne Sundowner's life unravels after his mother abandons him at the police station and only his Grandma Cathy agrees to take custody of him. Stuck in Bakersfield, Wayne learns details of his past that enrage him even more. An acquaintance, Rex Lafyte, tries to mentor Wayne by offering him work and a lot of advice. But Rex has problems of his own, including trying to help his dying mother and as a result, owing a lot of money to unseemly characters. And why is a federal agent after Rex? Bakersfield is Book 1 in the Americana Series, which takes a look at America during different phases of ...

Join the Hope family for part two of their adventures as missionaries when Missionary Aviation Assistance Program reassigns them from Nigeria to the Philippines.Fourteen-year-old Derek Hope is the most surprised of the four when he meets a group of kids that is much larger than the one he belongs to, MKs, short for missionary kids. It seems like MBs, short for military brats, have the same sort of expectations placed on them. And there are thousands of them throughout central Luzon, the Hopes' new home.Now twelve, Jolie Hope continues her flying lessons with her father Doug. She learns just...

When their parents feel called to Africa as missionaries, their two children react in different ways. Ten-year-old Jolie cooperates and does her best to adapt to a strange new land, Nigeria. But her older brother Derek rebels, angry at having to leave his friends and comfortable home in Prairie Lake, Minnesota. When Derek meets a native boy about his age, he learns more about life than he ever thought possible as they encounter a witch doctor who wants them dead and poachers who kidnap them. Assignment Nigeria is Book 1 in the Missionary Kids Series.

Collection of short stories: What Smells? -- Little girl's fascination with garbage trucks takes her on a wild ride. Revenge of the Undead -- Promoting and marketing self-published books turns out to be harder than it seems for an author and her book's marketer. Riding the Bullet -- Casual conversation on a high speed train escalates into unexpected consequences. The Case of the Missing Sophomore -- Frantic mother hires P.I. Bobbi Heck to locate her missing daughter. OFFAL's Last Stand -- Changes intrude on a fraternal organization's longtime members, threatening their number one source of ...

COVID. World War III brewing around the world. Brother and sister Derek and Jolie are grown now. At times, memories of being missionary kids haunt them. Then a mysterious friend of their recently deceased dad shows up seeking volunteers for a mission he claims could help save "hundreds of millions, maybe even billions of people." Derek welcomes the opportunity. Jolie has doubts.

Before she becomes a slave to the Romans who have invaded her land, Celtic maiden Ladica has a vision of a fiery bird that inspires her to write a song about the invaders, "Why Have You Come to Our Land?" Somehow, the song survives through the centuries, passed down from generation to generation. Millennia later, the song helps America and Israel to defend against new invaders intent on destroying them.

This is a learn to read picture book featuring some of God's happiest creatures. For ages 2 to 6.

Collection of short stories: "The Fixer" -- Vacation to Mount Rushmore is ruined by protestors "If It's Thursday, It Must Be Jordan" -- Son tries to convince ex-pat parents to move back to America "Earth, This Is Mars Base 3" -- A case of space psychosis upends Mars Base 3 "The Case of the Lost Child" -- P. I. Bobbi Heck takes on a case as a favor to a crush of hers from high school days This is Book 5 in the Short Stories Series.

Derek and Jolie Hope finally grow up as West Germany and East Germany reunite in this climax to their years of service as missionary kids in three distant foreign lands.