Books with author Alan Collins

The fifth book in The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb series picks up right where the fourth book left off. With many questions about what really happened in the Sonoran Desert still unanswered, Archibald and Jockabeb's family head to the island of Jamaica for spring vacation. What begins as an idyllic stay at a secluded beachfront inn soon takes a turn for the worse when the boys and the inn's proprietor, Salty, charter a fishing boat for the day. The captain of the boat is none other than Tommy Nat, Mr. Natonto's estranged son. The violent storm that follows turns out to be only the first of many unexpected events that quickly propel the two brothers toward an unexpected showdown on another Caribbean island. The elusive Tommy Nat, a mysterious island doctor, a giant Haitian named Maurice, and unseen zombies all combine to set the stage for another classic clash between the forces of good and evil. While the final confrontation that unfolds inside a deserted café ultimately provides answers to the remaining mysteries of Lizard Flats, it also places the boys in untold danger. The book contains a number of interesting facts about the Caribbean, its culture and religion, and a bit of the occult. As in past books, the reader observes firsthand how Archibald and Jockabeb grow as brothers and young teens, all the while learning the true meaning of friendship.

A CBA Bestseller Why do we use red and green at Christmas? What is the origin of the Christmas tree? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? The birth of Christ was filled with beauty and wonder. Do you ever feel its meaning has been lost amid our customs and cultural mores? This book will help you and your loved ones reclaim the sparkle and spirit of our holiday traditions as you discover the truth that lies behind them.

Whereas the settings for the first two books in The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb series were inside the United States, the third book shifts to Brazil. When the two brothers fly south to visit their Uncle Charlie, a retired Merchant Marine who'd travelled all over the world before putting down roots in the Amazonian Rainforest, they have no idea what lies ahead. As the boys and their uncle travel further up river toward a remote village inhabited by the Minauri tribe and its wise old shaman, Hutano, the mood shifts and takes on a more foreboding nature. Jockabeb's clairvoyant dreams once again foreshadow the danger lurking in the jungle outside the Minauri village. As a confrontation with the rival Wikola tribe and its evil shaman, Vengolus, draws closer, the boys learn a terrible secret that only their uncle and his good friend, Hutano, know. When Uncle Charlie and a Minauri war party head into the jungle in the dead of night, the boys are left alone with only women and children. Far from home, and with no one to protect them, Archibald and Jockabeb both hope that the blue feather dust will once again work its magic. In addition to learning interesting facts about the Amazon, the reader witnesses the classic battle between good and evil play out as the two brothers continue to mature and learn what true friendship really means.

The sixth book in The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb series finds the two brothers and their younger sister travelling to New York City to spend a long weekend with their aunt. After finishing a wonderful dinner at Sardi's the first night, the boys become separated from Tess and Aunt Claire in nearby Times Square. Events quickly take a menacing turn when a mysterious person from the past suddenly appears with two henchmen in tow. Frantically trying to escape, Archibald has no idea what he'll find when he leads Jockabeb down the stairs into a nearby subway station-and what the boys do find launches one their strangest and most electrifying adventures to date. A beautiful young girl named Willow, a one-armed man called Meatloaf, and a dangerous gang leader who goes by the name of Shabazz are just a few of the characters who the boys meet in the abandoned subway tunnels far below the streets of Manhattan. As Archibald and Jockabeb try to make their way safely back to Aunt Claire, they only move closer to a final confrontation with their pursuers, both human and non-human alike. The reader will learn interesting facts about America's largest city while once again watching the teenage brothers' personalities evolve. As in all the previous books, the forces of good and evil are pitted against one another-this time, above and below the streets of "The Big Apple!"

The first 2 books in Collins General Knowledge Quiz series, Quiz Night and Pub Quiz are packaged together in an attractive gift set. The ideal gift for the serious Quiz enthusiast or Pub Quiz Team.• Over 8000 general knowledge questions• Quizzes are graded so you can work your way up• Answers to questions are easy to find• Rounds covering all the major themes as well as questions on bizarre trivia• Perfect for family and friends

The most honored mystery series in the history of the Shamus AwardsIn this ingenious new novel in the Shamus Award-winning series, detective Nathan Heller tries to solve the greatest mystery of the century--the unexplained disappearance of Amelia Earhart..."One of Collins' best...a terrific novel of what really might have happened when Amelia Earhart disappeared."--Detroit Free Press"Highly entertaining."--Los Angeles Times"Compelling...Collins, who has been nominated for an unequaled eight Shamus Awards, could be in line for number nine."--Booklist"Buckle your seatbelt and get ready for a journey into a world of intrigue, espionage, betrayal and a rousing good time. Collins is at his best."--Mostly Murder"An entertaining and pro-vocative look at Earhart... highly successful."--Publishers Weekly* Max Allan Collins has been nominated for the Shamus Award an unprecedented eight times for his Nathan Heller novels, and has won twice* The new Nathan Heller novel, Majik Man, is available in hardcover from Dutton* Available in Signet paperback: Carnal Hours, Blood and Thunder, Damned in Paradise