At Their Own Game (31 page)

“Bull” Porter seems like a prototypical macho hunter who owns a sporting goods store. But when his niece Taylor suddenly disappears, he plunges into the search for her with the same ferocity he stalks prey in the wilderness. The only difference is that this hunt takes place on the dirty streets of the city’s underbelly, and the hunted can turn the tables in an instant. How far will Bull go to save his niece?
 

As Gus and Bull battle with human traffickers to recover Taylor, both must face their own struggles and secrets…and eventually each other. Faced with political pressure and a ticking clock, they soon realize that nothing is free in this world. Nothing comes easy. For everything, there is a trade-off.
 

The Trade Off
 is a crime novel written with Bonnie R. Paulson. The book is written in a dual first person narrative format, giving the reader the intimacy of the first person as well as the breadth of knowledge that comes with third person narrations. An additional point of interest for the reader:  the male character of Bull was written by Bonnie R. Paulson, while Frank Zafiro wrote the female character of Gus.
 

As Frank Scalise
 

The Hardest Hit:
 

A Sam the Hockey Player Novel
 

Eleven year old Sam Parker loves to play hockey. But this is the year that he will start body-checking. His natural fear of getting hit is temporarily overshadowed by finding out his parents are getting divorced.
 

Determined to keep them together by being a hockey superstar, Sam instead suffers a bone-crunching check from the school bully in his first game of the season. The resulting pain and fear brings out the worst in Sam as one difficulty after another piles on. Even his best friend, Jill, doesn't always seem to understand what he's going through.
 

When will his head stop hurting? Will he ever be able to play hockey again? How can he keep his parents together? Or can he? It will take everything Sam has to bounce back. Every one of his problems feel like ...the hardest hit.
 

The Hardest Hit
is part of the Sam the Hockey Player series.
 

All That Counts
 

All That Counts
is a novel about life and a man's discovery about what is truly important in it.
 

Graham Wilson is a thirty-something recreational hockey player who decides to follow a long-held desire to become a goaltender. His transition is both comedic and inspiring as he seeks to challenge himself in the midst of a mundane life. Also on display is the curious paradox of the recreational game in American culture (i.e., it means everything, but it is only a game, but it is more than a game, but...). When his team's regular goalie leaves, Graham steps unsteadily into the crease, causing conflict on a team that is used to winning.
 

Graham's journey is a microcosm of life. Humor, inspiration, camaraderie, love and spite all make their appearances both on and off the ice as Graham struggles to learn what truly is "all that counts."
 

“With a nod toward Spokane’s long puck tradition,
All That Counts
is a book about life and hockey that you will love. Will Graham’s vision quest is something we can all understand and cheer for and his inspiring
journey reveals the wonder and absolute joy that hockey brings into this world.”
 

Mark Rypien
 

(NFL Quarterback and Superbowl XXVI MVP)
 

“
All That Counts
is a must read for anyone who has ever laced ‘em up. The locker room banter combined with the on ice antics are so true at all levels of hockey. The book made Eagles Ice Arena come alive in my hands. I can visualize the walk down the stairs and going down onto the ice. Nothing’s better in recreational hockey after the game than a cold shower topped off with a cold one. Frank does a great job combining the real life and on ice drama. No hockey fan should miss out on this entertaining read.”
 

Head Coach Bill Peters, Rockford Ice Hogs
 

(Spokane Chiefs, 1996-97, 1999-02, 2005-08)
 

“All That Counts
by Frank Scalise is an intriguing read for any avid hockey player, hockey fan, or sports fan alike. His ability to incorporate the intangible, unique elements of hockey with the always changing aspects of life outside of hockey provides an exciting read from cover to cover. Frank's writing style provided an easy read, as well as keeping me hooked until the very end. People will be able to draw connections to their own lives through Graham's experiences. I enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to anybody that enjoys sports and good books.”
 

Derek Ryan
 

(Spokane Chiefs, 2003-07)
 

"ALL THAT COUNTS is full of hard-hitting hockey action, great locker room banter, lots of laughs and realistic, touching relationships. Players at all levels,
hockey fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this Spokane hockey tale. Scalise really captures how hockey is a one of a kind sport that brings people together in a way that can't be explained until you slap some skates on and see it for yourself.”
 

Cam Severson
 

(Spokane Chiefs, 1997-99)
 

"Scalise knows what counts…from that insatiable itch that draws a wannabe goalie to the crease and into the inevitable struggles that come with the job. He’s captured the essence of goalkeeping in so many ways: the first infuriating attempt at strapping on the pads, the never-ending study of the game, and agonizing over those big, blazing scoreboard numbers. The reader grows convincingly with Gray through his self-doubt, embarrassment, and finally to the grains of confidence which soon pile up into a mountain of swagger that separates the goaltender from the rest of hockey. As I read this book, I can smell the stink of used gear, hear the crunch of steel blades on a fresh sheet of ice, and feel the thud of a hard shot well stopped. But while Scalise is obviously at ease in the Rangers' raucous rec league locker room, he is not the least bit afraid to peel off the stinky gear and expose Gray's tender side while he and his wife embark on a life-altering journey. Scalise shows us that what’s on the scoreboard is truly not all that counts."
 

Jill Maser
 

Goaltender, University of Pennsylvania (retired)
 

Author of the romance novel,
Red Passion
 
 

“This was a great book. It really highlights the challenges of a new goalie and how to work through them.”
 

Brad Moon
 

Former WHL goaltender
 

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Also, look for Frank Zafiro/Frank Scalise titles in audio book format!