Chapter One is as innovative and provocative a concept as the name implies. The first section introduces the eight authors of the book to readers by means of an excerpt in the form of the first chapter of one novel written by each of those authors. The book then delivers an anthology of short fiction containing stories as diversified and engaging as its writers. The reader delves into stories that range from the life and death tension of battlefield action in Vietnam and World War II Europe to laugh out loud, outrageous, modern day satire. A poignant scene depicting a suicide phone intervention at a crisis center brings the reader to the edge of his seat and a piece of historical non-fiction takes him back into medieval times. There are tongue-in-cheek peeks at crime family escapades, eye-opening revelations of foster care atrocities and inspiring hero's journeys. Throughout, the stories are well crafted examples of the fiction writer's art. The broad scope of tales is balanced to hold interest and capture attention. Readers will constantly encounter an array of talent to make them laugh, cry, reminisce, or shake their heads in disbelief, but each turn of the page they will spark the craving for more. This is a book that is hard to put down, a book to make you want to read on and on into the wee hours.

Authors: Diane Barker, Beverly E. Kotch, Dennis T. Kotch, Greg Lane, Stephen Loomis, R."Duke" Liddell, Joan Vullo Obergh, James D. Robertson

Keywords: Anthology, Short Stories, Fiction, Long Island NY, Writers, Romance, Crime, Mystery, Viet Nam, Humor