Books and other works by Peter Shianna

Imperfect Acts A psycho killer has the police handcuffed. A teenage girl will be his next victim. Only her best friend can save her--and he can do it only by murdering the psycho. But the best friend is committed to becoming a priest.

2009

LOVE TAG Driven to prove he’s a winner, Phil Tag achieves financial, professional and personal success that most men would envy, but he’s not satisfied. He embarks on a mission to settle a grudge with an old adversary. With millions of dollars at stake, past dirty tricks pale next to present treachery.

Meanwhile, Phil and Ellen’s nineteen-year-old adopted son, with the aid of a memorably offbeat social worker, successfully locates his birth mother, a beautiful woman who becomes part of the emotional rip tides that carry the Tag family into uncharted waters.

As Ellen watches her family disintegrate, she immerses herself in church volunteer work—work that her all-too-handsome pastor appreciates far more than he should. Feeling neglected and overwhelmed at home, Ellen is drawn to the priest who earlier had helped her son battle alcohol and drugs.

A drama of pride, ambition and betrayal, LOVE TAG ultimately celebrates courage, love and hope.

What readers have said about LOVE TAG—

“It has been a long time since I’ve lost myself so completely in a novel. Shianna is a brilliant writer, a masterful weaver of words. His characters are blood-and bones real. There is not a false note between the covers of his beautifully crafted book.”
Esther Luttrell, author of Murder in the Movies

"LOVE TAG is a page turner. As a family copes with friendships, sexual exploits, adoption, temptation, marital strife and faith, we identify with their love, sadness, anger, disappointment and hope. I want a sequel!"
Lorraine Harris, author of Casserol Parade

“Peter Shianna weaves an engaging tale of deceit, betrayal and pride. Right from the beginning, the reader is deftly brought into the lives of a family in crisis. LOVE TAG’s intriguing cast of characters, and their journeys, kept me turning the pages to the very end.”
Lois Podoshen, author and essayist.

2008

This highly praised short story about a woman’s love and sacrifice for her family proves that Pascal was right when he said, “The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of.”

 The Gift is now a available, complete and unabridged, as a greeting card.

More than a card...
It's a tribute to women of every age

What readers have said about The Gift—

Appropriate for women of any age, at any time of year, for any occasion.
(Christmas, Mother’s Day, Birthday, Friendship.)

Your mother, sister, daughter or friend will be glad you gave it to her.
So will you.

2005

Take Off—A Time for War, A Time for Love. While millions around the globe fight the battles of World War II, Max Bonner, a young pilot, fights his battles on the home front. An attempted seduction, lies, small-town scandal and the murder of his brother propel Max to seek justice. When his plan goes awry, Max is forced to run for his life. He escapes at the expense of a powerful, bitter man and takes off on a picaresque journey of self-discovery.

Max meets a storm of challenges presented by his fugitive life. He encounters several memorable characters in the process, including a war profiteer, an unforgettable crop duster and an evangelist of questionable ethics. Most memorably, he meets the love of his life.

Max’s story comes full-circle as the war comes to an end. Matured in many ways, he returns home, not to a hero’s welcome, but to face what he’s been running from for years.

What critics and readers have said about Take Off—

“Sharp-edged and passionate in its intensity, Take Off is most assuredly a maturation novel reminiscent of Faulkner at his best. A first novel, Take Off shines with the promise of a bright future for its author, Peter Shianna. The writing is crisp, clean and refreshingly spare. Congratulations, Mr. Shianna; this book will be read and remembered!”
—Under the Covers Book Reviews

“Peter Shianna captures the feel of wartime America in Take Off. A sparse, straightforward narrative style pulls the reader into Max’s world and breathes life into the characters who shape that world.”
—4 Stars! – Affaire de Coeur

“Take Off is a gripping, action-filled story that got me turning the pages until I’d read it all in one sitting. The author captures a time in this country’s history that we should never forget, and provides us with a look at what things were like on the home front during the war. A good book to curl up with on a cold winter night.”
B. Curran, South Dakota

“My sister-in-law bought me Take Off for my birthday. Now that I’m retired, I read about 1.5 books a week. By comparison, Take Off is in the top five. It is a great read!”
G. Schmid, Arizona

“Hi, Patti. I can’t thank you enough for Take Off. I finished reading it last night and it was very hard to put down. It seemed like every page turned a new corner, and I couldn’t put it down. Ann was amazed that I didn’t watch TV or sit at the computer for so long.
Such a great piece of work. I will recommend Take Off.”
W. Boland, Illinois

“Wow! A great read all the way through. It took me back to the days and the culture my dad repeated so often. Once I started, I could hardly put it down.”
J.M. Steinhardt, Wisconsin

“I found Take Off to be a fun read, with diverse, well developed characters. I seldom got out of my chair until I was finished. After enjoying the ride, I purchased five additional copies as gifts for friends and family. Each recipient has told me they enjoyed reading Take Off.”
B. Walker, Florida

“Well written. Interesting. Strong writing style. To me better than almost any other I’ve read in a long time. A great piece of work.”
C. Lord, Florida