Storybook style, fairy tale, Disneyesque, Hansel and Gretel-these are all synonyms for what is surely the most delightful residential style of the twentieth century. With their romantic evocation of faraway lands and eras, storybook homes were created by architects and builders with a flair for theater, a love of fine craftsmanship, and above all a sense of humor-attributes that make them especially endearing to the jaded modern eye. The storybook style was born on the backlots of Hollywood in the 1920s, where brilliant set designers first learned to evoke the exotic architecture of medieval Europe and the Middle East. Movie-going Americans became fascinated with these settings, and architects and builders were quick to capitalize on this enthusiasm. The whimsical style soon spread from coast to coast, and the unforgettable results are portrayed here.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Mother Russia was in turmoil. After Tsar Nicolas abdicated in April, 1917 and the Bolsheviks seized power, jewels and gold bullion streamed out of Russia. In July, 1918, the tsar's family was gunned down, but it took more than one volley of bullets to kill all of them, since hundreds of jewels had been sewn into their clothing. What became of the jewels? In 1920, photographs were taken of the most important pieces of the Russian Crown jewels, but four of the pieces, a brooch, a necklace, a bracelet and a tiara were missing by 1923. What became of the jewelry? Acting of a tip, in late summer 1920, United States agents in Brooklyn, New York boarded a ship that had originated in Vladivostok, Russia in search of contraband. What they did not inspect, was the coffin merchant seaman who had died under mysterious circumstances off the coast of Gibraltar. That coffin, now buried in a cemetery in Brooklyn, was unearthed by United States Treasury Office agents in January 1923. It was supposedly lined with bags of the jewels. The head Treasury Department agent, William B. Williams, then left for Los Angeles. In 1993, during a funeral service in a cemetery in Hollywood, California, a man named Anatoly Romanov tossed a mysterious pouch into the open casket. That pouch had been spirited away from a prison camp in Siberia decades before. What was in the pouch? In 2009, a woman whose stepfather helped transport seven coffins full of jewels to the Gobi Desert claimed that a map to the jewels was buried in Hollywood Forever cemetery. Will the boneyards give up their secrets? Join Chick Corbett and Tom Twotrees as they try to solve the mystery of the missing Crown Jewels of Russia.

HEART-LAND: GROWING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING After authoring and co-authoring over three dozen books, critically acclaimed writer-photographer Douglas Keister looks back at his childhood years growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska in the 1950s. Keister was the middle child growing up in the middle of the century in the middle of the country. HEART-LAND: GROWING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING, is a magical blend of humor, insightfulness and heartfelt memories. The stories range from laugh-out-loud funny to rueful recognition of the pains of growing up. All of them are full of heart, and never fail to entertain. Among the stories are tales of childhood games, the first television programs, weather, the Birds and the Bees talk, insects, a trip to California, adventures as a Cub Scout and much more. If you grew up in the 1950's and 60's you'll love this book.

Percy Peabody has it all, a spectacularly beautiful wife, a well-paying job, two picture-perfect children, a designer house in the suburbs, a ready smile and a firm handshake. He has everything but his heart. A mysterious symbol tattooed on the leg of a young woman named Autumn take him on a journey to a place where most journeys end. A place where he has a chance to find his heart. Autumn in Summer's theme of love, loss and redemption will appeal to anyone who has ever wanted a second chance. Douglas Keister has authored and co-authored thirty-nine critically acclaimed books. Autumn in Summer is his second novel. He lives in Chico, California. Visit him at www.douglaskeister.com.