Well I couldn't post the link- but here's part of the aritcle;
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This story is from the Friday, January 1, 2010 edition of the Press Enterprise.
Nurse stitches novel elements together
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By GARY PANG
Press Enterprise Writer
BEAVER TWP. – Geisinger nurse Ann Simko has penned a thriller about a world where medical breakthroughs come from experiments on humans.
In "Fallen," a government agency uses soldiers as guinea pigs after listing them as missing in action.
It's Simko's first published novel, available as an electronic book online. She has three more on the way with the same online publisher, she says.
The story features gunplay, military tactics and police protocol, but Simko knew nothing about them.
So she consulted friends in the military and even the police chief of the town that serves as the backdrop for "Fallen."
As for some gory scenes, Simko, 48, relied on her work experience in the Intensive Care Unit.
Century-old Marine
Here's the plot:
A doctor in Caliente, Nevada, finds a young Marine suffering from a gunshot wound.
However, Michael Ricco's dog tagssay he was born in 1898, which makes him more than 100 years old.
Soon, Dr. Dakota Thomas discovers Ricco has been living so long without aging due to genetic experimentation.
The doctor and Ricco then try to get to the bottom of what's happening.
They get help from Thomas's brother, Montana, who is an investigator and a retired Army Ranger.
The Thomases are both Dakota Indians, the author noted.
"Fallen" is the first book in Simko's "Coyote Moon" series.
'Star Trek' dilemma
Simko's inspiration for "Fallen" came from a conversation with co-workers at Geisinger.
They were marveling at how a patient would be dead if certain medical procedures weren't developed and used widely today.
Simko started wondering what if every medical advance in the last century had resulted from something sinister.
She also considered Spock's question in "Star Trek," whether the majority's needs are more important than the minority's.
Research
Simko wanted to make the story believable, so she researched Nevada's climate on Google.
She quizzed two Army Rangers about their preferred weapon for going on patrols. She asked how they would clear a room of enemies.
Simko also asked Caliente's police chief how his department would have handled various incidents in "Fallen."
The author said she felt foolish at first. She had not planned to get her novel published.
Prequel, sequel coming
"Fallen" is being published in electronic form by Lyrical Press. The company is run by a married couple in Staten Island, N.Y., Simko said.
"Fallen" has adult language and violence, and Simko recommends it for readers older than 16.
Lyrical Press plans to publish a prequel and a sequel to "Fallen," and also an unrelated novel, Simko said.
Simko has worked at Geisinger for 26 years, including 10 in the ICU.
Husband Robert, 44, is a Geisinger nurse anesthetist. Their children are Noah, 12, and Maria, 11. The family has three dogs, five horses and four cats.
Simko has a Web site:
www.annsimko.com.
Gary
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