Michael B. Koep's The Newirth Mythology: Leaves of Fire

Barnes & Noble Corte Madera will host Michael B. Koep, author of The Newirth Mythology: Invasion of Heaven (Part One) and Leaves of Fire (Part Two), for a book talk and signing on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

About Michael B. Koep: Koep has been called an Inland Northwest “Renaissance Man.” An avid world traveler, educator, visual artist, and a touring rock musician, Michael’s spirit is imbued in the arts. He is a co-founder of a North Idaho fencing consortium, but he is best known as a drummer and lyricist for progressive rock group KITE, as well as the percussionist for the power trio The RUB. He is a winner of a Costello Poetry Prize. He lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with his wife and son.

About The Newirth Mythology, Invasion of Heaven: In part one of The Newirth Mythology, The Invasion of Heaven, a mystery unravels through a battle of wits between two psychologists. It is filled with a mind-bending cast of double-crossing characters bent on destroying what was thought to be beyond the reach of human treachery, the hoped for life behind death’s door. Dr. Newirth must elude supernatural kidnappers and real life police detectives as he learns the harrowing truth about his place in existence. The journey takes him from the mountain lakes of Idaho to Northern Italy to across the astral plane – sometimes at the heels of a swashbuckling, poetry-spouting patient who often speaks in anagrams and claims he’s more than 600 years old. The narrative will leave readers with plenty to think about.

“I wanted to play with those age-old questions: Why are we here? Where are we from, and where are we going? To see if I could put another spin on them—and even attempt an answer in the form of a new mythology. I’ve always been fascinated at how stories can change the way people believe—even change their very behavior. This tale is about challenging what is real and what is made up,” says Koep.

About The Newirth Mythology, Leaves of Fire: In the spring of 1338, young William of Leaves knows only of remedies, herbs and his mother’s kindness. When he is forced to watch as she is dragged to a witch’s pyre by a mob led by the Bishop of London, the mysterious immortal apothecary, Albion Ravistelle, promises the boy a chance at vengeance. In the summer of 1972, Helen Storm is a stoned groupie on the sunset strip with a very special condition: she is immortal. When her life intersects with a famous guitar player, she is introduced to her future as a deadly and remorseless assassin. In present day, psychologist Loche Newirth and Julia Iris must come to terms with Loche’s prophetic writings that have changed the course of history and shaped the lives of William, Helen, and countless others. As a war breaks out between the immortals on earth and Albion Ravistelle, Loche must accept the realities he has authored and cross over into death—he must enter again into Basil Fenn’s paintings to find a way to end the conflict. In Part Two of The Newirth Mythology, Leaves of Fire, Koep entwines these lives and lifetimes as he explores myth, memory, revenge and the hope of forgiveness.

Barnes & Noble Corte Madera events are free and open to the public. Barnes & Noble Corte Madera is located at 313 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925. For information about these or other events at Barnes & Noble Corte Madera, please contact Laurel Kidd, Community Business Development Manager, at crm2274@bn.com.

To connect with Barnes & Noble Corte Madera and stay up-to-date on our news & events:

Twitter: @CorteMaderaBN

Facebook: facebook.com/CorteMaderaBN

Full Calendar: store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2274