To get one book published is an exhilarating experience; to get multiple books in the hands of the literary fellowship is not only rewarding but serves as a base line for future writers. Two of the 19 authors appearing at this Saturday's Author's Extravaganza have reached that lofty pinnacle.

H. Lee Barnes took his background as a deputy sheriff, a narcotics agent, a private investigator, a construction laborer and a casino employee and used the education to write several books.

Barnes also spent a tour with the Army Special Forces and earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Barnes teaches English and creative writing at the College of Southern Nevada and has a master of fine arts in creative writing (fiction).

"Dummy and Deal" is an inside view of the working lives of casino dealers. "The Lucky" (a finalist for the Western Writers of America Fiction Award) has been described as a "big, burly, thoroughly American book." "Minimal Damage" is a series of short stories that center on veterans of the wars and conflicts from Vietnam to the first Gulf War.

These are the stories of men who as civilians confront or avoid their demons.

Barnes' first book, "Gunning for Ho," was a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters First Fiction Award. Barnes' focus is more on the human aspects of men in armed conflict and families at home, than on the violent drama or political aspects of that war.

"Talk to Me James Dean" is another series of short stories, gritty tales that capture the shifting tides in the contemporary Southwest, as seen through the eyes of a hiker and motorcycle enthusiast who tours the highways and inviting back roads. Barnes focuses largely on the working class characters of the West and Southwest.

Kat Jaske, on the other hand, concentrates on the 17th century. Her books incorporate her love of the swashbuckling musketeers and her own prowess as a competitive fencer.

In "Gambit for Love of a Queen," Jaske poses the question, "Can one woman save a country? Twice? Can she do it as a lady musketeer (Laurel d'Anlass) and fencer in 17th century France and can she and the musketeers grant a hero's final wish?"

In "For Honor: An Adventure of What Might Have Been," Jaske again challenges her readers with the question, "Only a few will be found worthy. Will you? Could you do the honorable thing? Could you be strong enough? Brave enough? Would the musketeers call you friend?"

Jaske whets your appetite and hopes you'll be encouraged to accept the challenge and join the adventure.

"Righting Time" is the third book of "By Honor Bound," all of which are historical fiction works featuring the lady musketeer and her band of musketeers. This is no ordinary story, as circumstances conspire to plunge the young lady into a fateful position of saving France from the traitor. She cannot do it alone, but she will be a part of the battle. Feel the emotions of the musketeers as they are swept up in this battle.

Jaske is an athletic young lady who ran competitively in high school in Columbus, Ohio. She received her bachelor's degree in English and psychology from Wake Forest University. Jaske earned her master's degree in education at University of Las Vegas, Reno. She teaches French and English at Green Valley High School in Henderson.

Jaske lives by a rather simplistic code: "I consistently strive to accentuate the positive and to leave my corner of the world a little better place than I came to it."

Your chance to meet these highly acclaimed authors comes this Saturday, March 29, at the Author's Extravaganza at the Pahrump Community Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.