Sunday, January 3, 2010

Knoxville's World's Fair--book by M. Woodward

John Duncan III

Books written by Martha Rose Woodward

Seven Minutes in Hell: the Eric McLean Murder Case
by Martha R. Woodward

"Love Triangle" or "Deadly Teacher-Student Murder Case"--the death of Sean Powell came to the attention of the nation in 2007 when the man who pulled the trigger of a 360 Marlin rifle killed the eighteen year old with one shot to his head. Woodward's research follows the characters in this story through over two years of events. After the murder, a wild-haired man was taken into custody while his wife fled town with her children. The man accused of murder filed for divorce against his cheating spouse.

Next, bizarre tales floated through the community as a young women moved from town to town on the lam with her young children. Eventually,the shooter faced charges for first degree murder as he squared off in court against a determined District Attorney. In a shocking ending the victim's families watched as the man who killed their child skated through the court system with the lightest of sentences.

Available at all local bookstores and Long's Drugstore, or on line from www.authorhouse.com (search the bookstore tag). $10 to $14

Even Wounded Birds Fly
by Martha R. Woodward

Even Wounded Birds Fly--a novel by Martha Rose Woodward www.evenwoundedbirdsfly.com
When a group of young boys in rural Alabama become aware of the sexual abuse of their most vulnerable comrade, Milton, they decide to take matters into their own hands. At a time when such matters were not discussed openly, the boys scheme to prevent the town’s highly respected preacher from any possibility of furthering Milton ’s darkest nightmare.

Are these boys conspiring to commit an act of murder or is the elimination of this spiritual vampire an act of justice? Whatever the truth, the boys decide to bludgeon the preacher and throw his body down an abandoned well. Having also tossed their innocence and youth into that dark pit, they must then live the remainder of their lives burdened with this ghastly secret.

Enter into the picture Rita Belew, a young woman living a fairy-tale marriage until an unexpected revelation shatters her world. The heartbreak of her failed marriage renders her sexually and emotionally vulnerable, and she must somehow fashion a future out of the ashes of this tragedy. It is in this fragile state of mind that she meets Rodney Edgely, a professional speaker who presents himself as a sincere gentleman. However, Rita slowly begins to question the mysterious behaviors of her new companion while struggling to admit what is plainly before her eyes. Could the very person that she should most be able to trust be leading a double life?

Eventually the past, present, and future collide and expose unimaginable secrets and long-buried fears. The explosive combination of shocking lies and shattered egos fuels a showdown where hasty decisions become a matter of life and death. While the colorful characters struggle with their naked pasts and uncertain futures, in the end, their intertwined lives illuminate the deepest meaning of love.


Knoxville’s Sunsphere; Biography of a Landmark , a 208 page, nonfiction book, was published in September 2007,by Video Publishing and Printing, Schaad Road, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tim Carroll, publisher. The author is Martha Rose Woodward, a retired school teacher, who turned her creative talents into a part-time career by going to work for a local newspaper, The Knoxville Journal. Woodward's book uses personification to turn the unique tower which was built as the theme structure for the 1982 World's Fair, into a person. "The Sunpshere has had an interesting life during the last 26 years and I thought it was a story that needed to be told," said Woodward. With input from the architect who dreamed up the building, William Denton, former Mayor Randy Tyree, and Jesse Barr, financial advisor to the Sunsphere, Woodward conducted most of the research for her book at the East Tennessee History Center as well as through personal interviews. "If anyone has walked in and out of the Sunsphere during the last twenty-five years, Martha has interviewed them," said William Denton of Woodward's attention to detail.

The book is available for sale at Amazon.com; Carpe Librum Bookstore, East Tennessee History Center Gift Shop, Knoxville Tourism and Sports Alliance on Gay Street, and from the author by e mail at Sunspherebook@aol.com

Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair

Martha Rose Woodward's latest book, Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair ,debuted on February 16, 2009 to brisk sales. From May 1 through October 31, 1982, Knoxville hosted the world’s fair based on the theme “Energy Turns the World.” Expo ’82 was the first world’s fair to be held in the southeastern United States in 97 years, hosting 22 countries and more than 11 million people. Once referred to as the “scruffy little city by the Tennessee River,” Knoxville provided one big party for people to visit from all over to witness the live entertainment, parades, displays, exhibits, musical and sporting events, food, costumes, rides, games, and arcades. The news reports of the day declared the “World Came to Knoxville” as it hosted the official international exposition, fully licensed and sanctioned by the Bureau des Expositions Internationales in Paris, France. The 128 page Images of America book has become one of the newest of the 3,500 titles produced by Arcadia Publishing from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

To order your copy please visit www.arcadiapublishing.com or e mail Martha Rose at Sunspherebook@aol.com for an autographed copy. The price is $22.