M.R. Neer’s ‘The Elixir of Life’ first in ‘Light Finder Legends’ series

Fresno’s M.R. Neer has published “The Elixir of Freedom” (Veda Publishing, $11.95, the first in the “Light Finder Legends” series.

Neer says the book falls into the visionary fiction genre and is targeted to teens and adults who are interested in personal growth. The work is fiction, but the author suggests that the vision of a better tomorrow can become a fact.

“The Elixir of Freedom” follows Ravi and Verda on a quest to find the Heart of the Sun, a legendary way to defeat all enemies. Ravi is looking to rescue his twin brother who has been forced to work in the coal mines. The solution comes in the form of an elixir made of sap and sunlight.

Neer, who is a former English teacher and magazine publisher, wrote the book because he believes people remember deep stories more than speeches. The story is a reflection of those who are looking for answers to anything from bad habits to doubts.

The author says the story is a real experience that’s described in all cultures and traditions but is lost in our modern habit of lurching from one problem to another.

The book is available in paperback and ebook at Amazon.com and other online sites.

With a song in her heart

“Harry’s Songbook” (Creative Alernative Press, $25), is a collection of 20th Century fiddle tunes played by the grandfather of the author, Denise Sciandra✔. The Fresno woman says the tunes were played between 1911-1934 by Harry Lackey.

After purchasing his violin in Dalhart, Texas, in 1917, Lackey traveled to Enid, Okla., and then Baldwin Park, Calif. He died in 1934 and the instrument was not used again until the late 1980s. A list of songs found inside the case was used to put together the music in the self-published book.

The 55 songs, presented in a spiral bound book for ease of use to play or sing, includes Irish tunes, dances and music from Tin Pan Alley. They are written for fiddle with chords included so they can be played by piano and other instruments. Of the 55 tunes, 26 are included on a CD.

A limited number of books remain and are available by sending an email to denises@comcast.net.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "M.R. Neer’s ‘The Elixir of Life’ first in ‘Light Finder Legends’ series."