Meet the Vista del Lago Authors
by Diane Heckman
Love of books is the best of all.
– Jackie Kennedy Onassis
The Vista de Lago community is filled with people with many talents. Three published authors are profiled: Cathrine E. Robinson, a romance novelist; Kevin Shorkey, a children’s book and spiritual book writer; and Richard Tizzano, with an informative estate planning book.
Books are a uniquely portable magic.
– Stephen King
Cathrine E. Robinson, a Canadian native, recently accomplished one of her dreams, finishing her first novel, Embrace the Lonely Heart, published during October 2023 (Sterling Hearts Publishing: paperback). The novel is presented as a “steamy” Victorian romance, that takes place in the mid-1800s, mainly in England. The story essentially begins in a solicitor’s office to read the will of a British Lord, a landed-gentry father, who has managed to dissipate the estate, engaging in a life of debauchery, after the death of his wife, who died in childbirth. He has no male heir to assume his title. To obtain needed funds, the Lord had entered into an agreement with the second son of a wealthy family to marry his only child, Lauren Berwycke, whereby this gentleman will receive the Lord’s title upon his death. While at the British attorney’s office, the young girl, now 13-years-old, is married. She has essentially become a chattel, subject to the vagaries of her new husband. The book details what occurs thereafter, including her life in a French convent, her return to London, and subsequent return to life at her family’s estate, and all the machinations that entails.
Cathrine bred Champion Labrador Retrievers and was an artist in Ontario, Canada. She began this novel during the COVID-19 lock-down period. The writing of this book came naturally and sequentially. When asked if she knew at the start how the book would end: Cathrine immediately responded with “happily-ever-after,” in recognition of the romance genre. She credits the following in accomplishing this dream: perseverance, support from family and friends, and time. She is at work on her second novel dealing with the Babington Plot, to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. Cathrine would extend dinner invitations to two of the former Grande Dames of romance fiction, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers, along with Julian Fellowes, the screenwriter for Downton Abbey, among other works. She has always been drawn to romance novels and the British aristocracy. Her book is available on Amazon. Cathrine may be reached by e-mail at: CathrineERobinson@yahoo.com. Note: there is no “e” after “th” in her first name.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)
Kevin Shorkey has written a number of children’s books, collaborating with his grandsons, Caleb and Kevin Larkins for the most recent book, Snow Dwight Princess Protector (paperback 2020) (and second collaboration), and granddaughter, Natalie Rodriquez, for the earlier tale, The Adventures of Natalie the Dolphin Girl and Annie the Mermaid (paperback 2019). Kevin, a retired pastor, previously published two religious books: J.O.B.: The Legend of Jonathan Oliver Biggs (2010), his first foray into publishing, about a Tucson cattle rancher — a modern day Job; followed by Sin Makes You Stupid: There’s a Better Way to Live! (2013). The first children’s book has a clever premise introducing the lead character, Snow Dwight, the twin brother of Snow White. Adventures ensue! The second book is charming; it features a dolphin, mermaid, and giant squid.
Kevin worked in a management position for General Motors Company in Michigan, before transitioning to become a pastor, and moving to a number of different states. Kevin engages in “zone writing” and is routinely involved with other writing projects. He credits detailed planning, good editing, and getting the manuscript to the right people to create the finished product. He would invite C.S. Lewis, C.S. Forester, and Elmer L. Towns, author of Theology for Today, the best theology book Kevin has read, to his literary dinner. Kevin’s novels are available on Amazon.3 He may be reached at: Kshork726@outloook.com.
“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”
– Napoléon Bonaparte
Richard C. Tizzano is a Washington state attorney. His book, Accidental Safari: A Guide for Navigating the Challenges that Come with Aging (paperback 2017), features a man on an elephant, posed to go on a safari. The question will be: Are you ready or not? In this case, it is navigating the elements that come with successful estate planning. Written in accessible prose for all, Richard presents the different aspects that one should consider including understanding the basics for Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance. In general, state law will govern the valid execution of documents, such as wills. However, the essence for such documents traverses geographical boundaries. This is the type of book that one should have in their library to read and refer to at regular intervals to make certain that one understands the various issues and has executed and updated necessary documents, like a will, living will, and health proxy.
Richard is an estate attorney in Washington, with a wealth of experience in the area. The impetus for writing this book was to provide vital information connected to the arena of choices. The main aspects that drove him were: discipline and passion, his hope to make a difference, and setting an example for his children that sometimes endeavors involve a long process. It took him about a year to finish his book, getting up at 5 a.m. and writing for an hour. His wife, Gloria Tizzano, acted as his editor. Richard would invite the novelist Lee Childs, and Lloyd John Ogilvie, the former chaplain to the U.S. Senate, to a dinner party. Richard’s daughter, Carly Tizzano, recently published her first book, The Sustainability Project: My Journey from Toxic and Throwaway to Clean and Green. Richard’s book is available on Amazon. Richard may be reached at: Tizzanog@gmail.com
Note: This article has been reformatted to fit on this webpage.