Yes, there is a town in Texas with the unlikely name of Uncertain.  Don’t ask me where the name came from and I won’t even bother making a bad pun.  Here is a topographic map showing Uncertain on the west flank of Caddo Lake.

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What do a Vietnam Vet, Shangri-La, raw, uncut diamonds, and a female poet-cop have to do with one another? They are huge parts of Eric Wilder's latest novel, "A Gathering of Diamonds." Wilder has written his most exciting story yet!

Tom Logan receives a large uncut diamond in the mail from his brother, who has turned up missing. Being in the hospital for his flashback nightmares, Tom feels that he was unavailable to his brother Bill when he was most needed, and so he sets out on the literal trail to discover what has become of him. It is a journey that will make him face his worst fears from his Vietnam days, meet challenges he'd never dream of being able to accomplish, and possibly find a soul mate along the way. Leaving New Orleans to head into the hill of Arkansas, Tom encounters two of the strongest women characters I have read about in recent years. And he's going to need both of them to make it through.

This work of fiction brings readers right into the heart of the mountains, where people take care of things in their own way. This side of Wilder's writing is so pinpoint perfect that you'll think twice before traveling into the hills alone. I live in it - I know. The suspense of the story is nicely balanced with the flashbacks Tom has of his hell in Vietnam, and just as nicely in balance with the romance of what the group discovers hidden deep in the valley, cut off from the rest of the world, by choice. Just when you think there are no new, original stories to read, Eric Wilder brings out a tale that will capture your attention and never let it go.

Review by Heather Froeschl, Bookideas.com

http://www.ericwilder.com

  Available at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Alibris.com, Powells.com, Buy.com, target.com, abes.com, Lulu.com, and many more places.

Here is a poem read at my Mother’s funeral.  The author is apparently unknown.  http://www.ericwilder.com

A Couple of things:  Today is Veteran's Day and I have a few comments.  My Mother Mavis passed away yesterday.  She and my Father Jack were married 63 years.  They were married during the early years of World War II.  My Father is a veteran.  He has progressive Alzheimer's disease and his short-term memory is zippo.  Still, he has vivid memories of his service in the Big War.  He was a code clerk, not a foot soldier, but he saw plenty of action and I am proud of him.  My brother Jack Jr. was also in the army - artillery, during the Vietnam era.  I am also proud of him.  I was also in the army.  I served for 14 months in Vietnam, part of the time as an infantry foot soldier.  Yes, I am proud of my own service.  Today, there are almost 150,000 troops serving in Iraq, and quite a few in Afghanistan.  The Iraq War has already lasted longer than World War II.  These men and women are wonderful and, yes, I am very proud of them.  I am also proud of the veterans of Korea, the forgotten war.  I will not forget the time, many years ago as a young college student that I listened as a Korean vet recounted the story of horrendous human wave attacks.  Let's even go back further - the Civil War.  My great-grandfather, a Confederate soldier, lost a leg in that bloody war.  He hiked back to east Texas with a crutch and a wooden leg.  My Mom, Mavis, also lived the Big War.  Yes, I am proud of my Mom.  Thank you veterans.  This country would not be here without you, and thank you Mom.  Without your guidance, I would never have had the values that I feel are so important to this entire country.  http://www.ericwilder.com

  Mavis Pittenger, 03–21 – 11–06.  I love you Mom.