Mike and Scrag: The Avalanche

A huge snowstorm passes through town leaving it buried under a deep blanket of snow. After his mom gives Mike the good news that there is no school today, he can't wait to take his dog Scrag to Miller's Peak where all the kids in town will be heading with their sleds and snowboards in tow.

Not wanting to spoil his plans, his mom decides it's all right for Mike to join them. But there's a dangerous situation that no one is aware of: an avalanche could strike at any moment.

After Mike and Scrag are long gone, the town's emergency siren goes off. Mike's mom panics. Are Mike and Scrag OK?

Steve R. Romano, science fiction and juvenile fiction author: Steve's fascination with science fiction started as a child after watching the premiere episode of Star Trek. In high school, he became a bigger fan after being assigned to read many of the well-known classics in a science fiction English class. His interest in science fiction was further heightened when his sci-fi heroes--Gene Roddenberry, Theodore Sturgeon and Ray Bradbury--spoke at his high school at one of the assemblies. Mr. Roddenberry showed the students a film of Star Trek bloopers, it being a treasure from Gene's private collection, never shown before publicly. Steve's pastime entertaining guests at renaissance festivals as his witty, costumed character "Laktos the Intolerable" inspired the characters in his "Dreams of Betrayal" series. After his friends read several of his amusing stories that were written for their benefit, they encouraged him to take things a step further. He then turned the series of tales into a short novel. After an editor critiqued it and gave him valuable pointers, he was ready to start the long journey ahead that led to Steve finding his passion, being a full-time author. Steve's Other Direction, Children's Books: Steve and his wife Heidi decided that there was a need for family-oriented children's books that are not only entertaining, but also teach values. They are currently writing two types of books: children's picture books for the younger kids, and action-adventure stories geared towards older elementary school kids.

Heidi Bosch Romano is an artist who enjoys creating traditional and digital art; nature photography; writing, editing and illustrating books; and designing websites. Heidi's parents were talented artists who encouraged her to draw and paint at an early age. At various well-known animation studios, she learned tips about storytelling, and at a global provider of publishing and educational services, she learned print production: the process of turning rough manuscripts into camera-ready art for professional four-color printing. Between her upbringing and on-the-job training, she's well-suited for her favorite creative endeavor: co-producing with her husband Steve R. Romano, family-oriented books for children, action-adventure stories for middle-grade kids, and sci-fi novels for adults. Heidi feels that every person should do their part to make a positive difference in our world. She adopts unwanted adult pets; she writes to the appropriate groups to alert them of issues that need their attention; she creates websites and writes books to help others deal with life's issues; and she does everything possible to promote peace and understanding.

Heidi Bosch Romano is an artist who enjoys creating traditional and digital art; nature photography; writing, editing and illustrating books; and designing websites. Heidi's parents were talented artists who encouraged her to draw and paint at an early age. At various well-known animation studios, she learned tips about storytelling, and at a global provider of publishing and educational services, she learned print production: the process of turning rough manuscripts into camera-ready art for professional four-color printing. Between her upbringing and on-the-job training, she's well-suited for her favorite creative endeavor: co-producing with her husband Steve R. Romano, family-oriented books for children, action-adventure stories for middle-grade kids, and sci-fi novels for adults. Heidi feels that every person should do their part to make a positive difference in our world. She adopts unwanted adult pets; she writes to the appropriate groups to alert them of issues that need their attention; she creates websites and writes books to help others deal with life's issues; and she does everything possible to promote peace and understanding.