by Tim Wilson Her first mother called her Kiserian because she was a peaceful baby. She would follow her mother, as a young girl, listening carefully as her mother showed her how to check for disease and wounds in the cattle and goats. Together, they would milk the cows. After the milking and inspections, her mother would signal her brothers, who would drive the cattle out of the enclosed manyatta for grazing in the grasslands.  She would help her mother set the milk filled gourds in the sun and drop smoldering charcoal in each to maximize the curdling process during the day. She would often sit with her mother on…

by Thomas Brown An Honest Man is the tale of two down-on-their-luck Alaskans trying to sell a stolen 13th century Arabic philosophical manuscript on the black market in Anchorage.  The book is divided into three main parts: 1) the obstacles and dangers facing the Anchorage duo while illegally selling a priceless antique, 2) the philosophical premise and pedigree of the manuscript itself and, 3) the journey of the manuscript through history from 13th century Muslim Spain to 21st century Anchorage.   This prologue sets up two major themes of the novel while establishing the historical and philosophical roots of the many historical scenes as well as that of the 13th century…