General-Literary-Historical-Womens Fiction

Age and wealth are just numbers, right? Twenty-four year old Claudia has always been the sensible one. From her boring call centre job right down to her practical wardrobe; flash and extravagant are not part of her normal vocabulary. She may live in Ascot, the home of British horse racing, but the presence of all the moneyed revellers blocking her route home from work are more of a nuisance than a thrill. Until one of them catches her eye... Peter’s life couldn’t be more different. All his life he’s worked hard to make it in the banking industry, to give his wife all she’s ever wanted. After a day of sipping champagne and watching the races, an indiscretion of hers with Peter’s colleague changes this picture-perfect vision of middle class life forever. He decides to cut and run, only, he hasn’t a clue where he’s going. A chance meeting by the side of the road brings them together, making them forget their opposing backgrounds. Is passion alone enough to overcome their differences? Chance Encounters is a series of stand-alone novellas set in jolly old England, following a set of loosely connected people as they find love in unexpected places. Can love conquer all, from class differences to age gaps? Read on and find out.

A novel is a marriage. A short story a love affair. Many prominent authors have been enthusiastic writers of short stories, describing them as the most disciplined and difficult form of prose writing. Short stories are "tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams," "journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and be back in time for dinner" [Neil Gaiman]", the way we live…what our friends tell us, in their pain and joy" [Andre Dubus];. Bronwyn Elsmore’s collection These Islands Here – Short Stories of the South Pacific, includes 32 fictional tales that present the varied facets of living in the South Pacific. Reviewers say: "the author has mastered the art of the short story"; "they all have one common factor – they are each beautifully crafted". Most have been published previously, several have won short story competitions. These Islands Here is available in print and as an ebook for Kindle.

A fictitious journey of an exceptional female and her adventurous spirit. Allow 'Tessa' to share with you a tormented yet wondrous life of failures and success. Conquer the life of poverty and then be seduced by a life of power. Share the memories and secrets of a fascinating woman. Escape for a time with 'Tessa'.

DON'T CALL ME CHIP is a tale about Timothy: a chipmunk who protects an elderly man and a host of woodland creatures from the wrath of a family of nasty neighbors, who seem determined to drive out everyone Timothy cares about. Timothy might seem like your average chipmunk who loves seeds, sunbathing and enjoying a quiet life in the suburbs. But after the new neighbors move in and wreak havoc, they will have to come face to face with his wit and resourcefulness. The last straw is that the new neighbors keep calling him CHIP. Convincing all manner of rodents and other small wildlife to work together, Timothy launches an assault against their invasive neighbors.

Maid Takes Marquess is the novella prequel to Halley Larkin's historical romance series. A marriage of convenience with benefits... Maggie Doyle’s service at Cortwood Manor is supposed to be temporary. She works as a maid only to fund her dream of securing a spot on an expedition to Egypt. Marriage has no place in her future. However, when she meets the Marquess of Cortham, her carefully laid plans abruptly turn. Abandoned at a young age, Robert Brightley never wanted his father’s inheritance, nor does he trust anyone who claims to love him. But after his father dies unexpectedly, Rob is under pressure to assume his primary duty to marry. When Rob returns to Cortwood to settle his father’s affairs, he doesn’t expect to find a woman like Maggie Doyle working as a maid. Irresistibly drawn to her, Rob offers Maggie an unusual proposal: a quick wedding followed by a brief marriage that will allow her to leave her position in service once and for all. Robert Brightley can help Maggie achieve her goal faster than she thought possible. Although she has only agreed to a marriage of convenience, her feelings for the marquess soon grow passionate. Unfortunately, his family might destroy the marriage before it even starts. Maggie’s dreams and her heart are in danger of being crushed. Unless she can convince the marquess to let go of the past and embrace a match made in haste but destined to last.

Second poetry collection by Zarina Macha, published 2019. Delves into themes of relationships and femininity using dry wit and satire.

In 1970, Lenny can no longer deny that his wife is undergoing a profound change. Despite her relatively young age, her mind succumbs to forgetfulness. Now, he goes as far back as the moment he met Natasha, when he was a soldier and she a star, brilliant yet illusive. Natasha was a riddle to him then, and to this day, with all the changes she has gone through, she still is. Digging into the past, mining its moments, trying to piece them together this way and that, dusting off each memory of Natasha, of how we were, the highs and lows of the music of us, to find out where the problem may have started? To their son, Ben, that may seem like an exercise in futility. For Lenny, it is a necessary process of discovery, one that is as tormenting as it is delightful. He often wonders: can we ever understand, truly understand each other - soldier and musician, man and woman, one heart and another? Will we ever again dance together to the same beat? Is there a point where we may still touch?

Whenever You're Ready tells the story of Dyana Jackson, who never thought the impromptu performance at her brother’s wedding would turn into an opportunity to sing professionally. And she never thought accepting would cause problems within her marriage. Somehow, she has to decide between living out her long-buried dream, or giving into the demands of those she loves most. It's What We Do features Layla Blue, who has always had one goal. Use her gymnastic skills to earn a college scholarship. But somehow, she finds herself a member of her new school’s cheerleading team. And dating the quarterback. Will she thrive in her new situation, or will the longing for her old life ruin what she’s found?

Under the Oak collects poems previously shared, and some that will be new to readers. We have tried to include a broad sample, hoping to find something for everyone to enjoy and re-read in the future. Although his poetry has been published in several anthologies with other poet’s work, it has never been collected in a book of his own. This is the first.

Fictional tales presenting the varied facets of living in the South Pacific – pleasure, pain, calamity, comedy, fun, misfortune, loss, triumph – as in any part of the world, of being human. Most have been published previously, several have won short story competitions.

WARNING to prospective readers as to this title’s potentially shocking and disturbing (read: X-RATED!!!) graphic and literary content: A reviewer at LITERARY TITAN, though giving this book a five-star rating, finalized his review with the caveat: “To the intrigued reader, beware, this book is quite a dirty sex crazed romp. Conservatives better brace themselves, keep a bible handy, and an open mind because you will hate how much you enjoy the erotic quality of this book … The erotica may be a little strong for some but if read with an open and relaxed mind, this is a very enjoyable and entertaining ride.”


This musically and graphically enriched chamber novel is an over-the-top black and blue comic extravaganza about the conspiratorial undoing of a teenage entitlement princess. The story throbs throughout with an undercurrent of apocalyptic motifs related to the extinction of art, fall of empire, and coming of the Antichrist. It is an epic farce that reads like an erotically supercharged psychological suspense thriller. The narrative takes the reader/audient on a veritable boomerang roller-coaster ride (with multiple inversions) through a reputational strip-and-whiptease of the novel’s malignantly artful (albeit ingenuously doe-eyed) protagonist: a wealthy young heiress and socialite who boasts an exclusive claim to her progenitors ...

You can’t go back. So everyone says. But Mary is back in her old hometown. That’s because of two women she hasn’t seen for decades – one of them pushing her, the other holding back. A plum tree has gone, but a lemon tree thrives. The mystery surrounding the boat with painted eyes may never be solved, but if Ana returns too some things from the past can be recovered. Can’t they?

Fear made her run - A second chance at love made her stay After receiving life-changing news, Kyla Nolan ran away from her life as a top model in New York and left her fiancé, Luke Bradford, behind. Now, almost two years later, Kyla has a rebuilt her life as the successful owner of Tea & Comfort on Madrona Island. She lives in a cozy home behind her tea shop, has great friends, and a community where she belongs. But Kyla's life is thrown off balance when Luke moves to the island. Luke has purchased the local vineyards, just like he and Kyla had always dreamt of. But Luke is not here just for the grapes. He is determined to discover why Kyla left him, if she still loves him, and if the future they planned is truly over. Kyla must face her past and make a decision. She knows that this time around if they have a chance at happiness she will have to reveal her true identity and the secrets that drove her away... Tea & Comfort is the second novel in the Madrona Island series and follows the Amazon bestselling novel, The Guestbook. Escape to the enchanting island where comfort food and serenity await.

FIVE STARS *****: A swirling mix of political intrigue, vivid action sequences, and lighthearted romance makes Forbidden Ties a delight for medieval fiction lovers. Author Kyrie Wang's tale of two people from opposing factions finding themselves forced to work together under extraordinary circumstances is captivating from start to finish. - Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite Reviews

FIVE STARS *****: The characters are well developed, the scenes are described with attention to detail, and the history is well researched. Interspersed between the battles and the growing need to find clarity between what is good and what is evil, romance blossoms with a subtlety that will have readers sitting on edge, wanting to learn more. - Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite Reviews

The orphaned. The outcast. In a country torn by rebellion, they will rise as heroes.

Synopsis:

1075 A.D. England

Nine years after the Norman Conquest Orphaned during a rebellion against William the Conqueror, Heather is thrust into another revolt when her childhood sweetheart disappears to save the son of a murdered Norman knight.

This quarrelsome son, Matthew, is determined to destroy the English rebels who decimated his household. Heather stays out of it- until she is accidentally entangled with a young rebel leader named Toby. As she is whisked off through the forests of medieval England, inhabit ...

It's 1985 and keyboard player Jonnie Cole's dream of playing in a band revolves around girls, money, girls, travel, girls, drugs, girls - oh, and music too. But the band's first single has stalled at number 40 in the charts. Still, with new hit producer 'Magic' Dan McCloud on board, 1986 looks like being their year. They set off for Europe with a new single about to be released and Magic Dan at the soundesk. Foul-mouthed manager Degsie Daniels attempts to keep their wilder excesses in check while his photographer daughter, Amanda, attempts to remain aloof from the mayhem. Intent on success in the synth-pop heaven of 1980s Europe, they have reckoned without Magic Dan’s murky past. Join them on their first tour of Europe as they discover themselves, each other and the dangerous cargo they have unwittingly stowed on the tour bus. CAUTION: This tale of sex, drugs and synthesisers contains all three, plus a lot of swearing.

This book is my journey, from awakening to present day. This book is meant as a catalyst for spiritual growth, the goal being to ignite the fire that lies dormant. We are all called to serve, to serve ourselves and then the world. Let this be a message to all that would choose the path of service, the true path. As each fear disintegrates we walk closer to the truth of our nature, and this is my truth. You feel the call so fly with me, I know in truth I set you free.

When young, New York plastic surgeon Jack Donahue’s reputation is destroyed, he changes his name and makes a fresh start in Sydney. Blessed with unique surgical skills and driven by greed and lust, it’s not long before Donahue is a multimillionaire but he wants more – much, much more. Handsome, narcissistic and cruel, when Donahue sees the opportunity to become super-wealthy, he seizes it. Will greed be his downfall?

Pomeroy, a towering street musician on parole, is out of the clink for the umpteenth time and wants to become a rock star. With fame and fortune in mind, he heads to Occupy Oakland, hoping to get on television, attract an agent, and score a million dollar contract for Ants in My Pants, his marathon ditty. Pomeroy is a skirmish-loving, dumpster-diving, narcissistic crazy who thinks he can sing like Pavarotti and that all women want to jump his bones. His parole officer, a street-smart Hispanic woman, tells Pomeroy to quit staring at her alligator pumps and get himself a real plan. But Pomeroy has schemes of his own and more wisdom than we'd like to admit. You may find his egocentric opinions politically incorrect. ("There ain't a dyke alive ol' Pomeroy can't turn straight.") You may find yourself laughing when you shouldn't. ("A good strong piss is better 'n sex. Lasts longer too.") But don't blame yourself if you start rooting for this antihero. You'll have lots of company. "Laugh out loud funny yet so insightful, Call Me Pomeroy could easily end up a classic. Read it before everyone else does" - James L. Woolridge, Vine Voice. "It's a fart in the scuba tank of institutional decorum. A bawdy brawling middle finger to the vapidity of modern civilization." - Robert McGuill, author of The Outskirts of Nowhere. "Hanna has created a character in Pomeroy that is destined to work its way into the permanent iconography of contemporary literature. He is everything our id screams and o ...

Gracie Sandridge fell in love with Danny Harbaugh the first time she laid eyes on him. He was the most spectacular creature she’d ever seen, and she loved him from the seventh grade on. The trouble was that her daddy, the most steel-hearted, iron-willed man in southwestern Virginia, disapproved of Danny's family and was determined to keep them apart. But Daddy had also taught her that if she wanted something, she should “go the hell after it as hard as you can, and you just might get it”—so she did. The Princess of Sugar Valley is a heartwarming, endearing story about hope, heartache, and the strength of the human spirit, right when we need it the most.

There’s something hidden behind the walls of the hurricane damaged house Jolie bought in her New Jersey beach town. Something someone seems willing to kill for. After Jolie and Scoobie find a small sack of jewelry as they do a mold attack on her bungalow, Jolie is pursued by a purse thief and a burglar. But the guy she’s most worried about is the one who left an elderly auctioneer dead on her porch swing. Are they willing to kill again to get to the hidden riches? Her friends and local police warn her to butt out, but that’s just encouragement for a woman who likes to get to the bottom of things. Jolie wrestles with fear as she tries to get her cat, Jazz, to feel at home in the new house. Maybe an unexpected visitor can be a substitute for Aunt Madge’s golden retrievers. And then there’s her love life.

'In Short' is a compilation of four stories in forms of short stories and novelettes including the titles, 'The Dream Chant', 'Anabia', 'Vicious Bottles', and 'Unearth'. The stories endeavor to explore themes like surrealism, psychology, love, science, religion, politics etc and tries to paint a perspective through each with tales of love, friendship, heartbreak, betrayal, power, lust and war. 'The Dream Chant' is about him who one day finds what he's been longing for all his life. But when he gets it, he's unsure of its reality and is lost in a swirl of dreams and illusions mingled with pain and confusion. What is it that he longs for? Will it stay a part of his life or leave him broken again? 'Anabia' is an average teenager with braces poking out of her mouth and hair tangled down her back. Her life is changed when a series of events drastically shape her life and she meets someone who would or wouldn't be the one for her. She must tackle the storms of life and find herself again. 'Vicious Bottles' is a tale of Satwik and Ani who have been sweethearts since the time they could speak. But does time guarantee a strong relation? Faced with abuse, addiction, lust and madness, will they be able to stand the test of time? It is the year 2157 and the world is at an end. Survival is only possible by breathing through masks as the air is poison while water is a treasure. Journey with Solo as he tries to find meaning in the dead where half the population has moved to the Red Planet a ...

"Money isn't everything, unless you don't have any', -Justin Wolfe The party in power has revised the Constitution so that Harold Spade might secure a third consecutive term as president. Supported by his political protégé Amy Billings, a New York media mogul searches desperately for a candidate to depose Spade. Meanwhile, self-made billionaire Justin Wolfe sets out on a tour to promote The Big Solution, his book that outlines a simple economic platform that would turn a corrupt system on its head. Despite the urging from his best friend, Federal Reserve Board hopeful Evan White, Wolfe has no intention of running for office. But when his ideas begin to catch fire with the masses, the two friends find themselves swept up in a presidential campaign that threatens not only their public standing but their very lives. "Our world is remarkably automated. Resources remain in abundant supply. And by most standard measures, the economy appears to be humming along. Life should be so simple. So prosperous. And yet the vast majority of people still aren't making a decent living. America's promise of equal opportunity has become a distant memory. But I, Justin Wolfe, have a plan to finally change the dynamics that have been holding this country back. Imagine a simple idea that could change the world forever. An idea that will deliver us from this economic train-wreck and prevent further hardships from falling on the shoulders of future generations. Shouldn't we get started?" - Justin Wolf ...

One life ended in tragedy. Another challenged by a promise. Will a teen’s twenty-year journey to make his dad proud change him into the man he’s meant to be? In 1966, Jim Pepperman comes home from practice to the news that his dad has died in an oil rig accident. Not only has the high school football star lost his mentor and best friend, but when his mom moves the family from Texas to New Jersey, he’s forced to say goodbye to his home, his team, and his chance for a football scholarship. Facing senior year in a new school with no friends, Jim struggles to keep the promise he made after his dad died to be a substitute father for his two younger sisters and a shoulder for his mom. But stepping into his dad’s shoes at seventeen feels impossible, the same way giving up the dream to play pro ball is harder than Jim thought. And senior year is just the beginning.

After recovering from the shock of her parents perishing in the basement of their home, Grace Lindroth discovers a box in their attic that contains enough suspicious items to cause her to believe that the people she had called Mom and Dad her whole life may not have been her real parents. Tormented by the uncertainty of her identity, Grace searches for answers, and when certain clues draw her to a boardinghouse once owned by Anna Vargas, she becomes convinced that Anna was her real mother. Grace believes the boardinghouse walls have been harboring vital secrets over the years that could help her in her quest for the truth, but when she meets up with the cantankerous old woman who had bought the place after Annas death, she questions whether shell ever be able to peel back the layers surrounding her parentage. But she does, and no one is more stupefied by the truth than Grace.

"Circle in the sand practically screams quality from the first page...It is sensational...If you're looking for beauty, then this is it." ~Mia's Point of View From Bestselling Author, Lia Fairchild Four Friends. Four Different Paths. One Unwavering Friendship. Two decades of love, laughter, promises, and secrets hold together four friends pursuing different paths in life. Jax always lived on the edge, skating through life with no apparent ambition, yet remained the energy and emotional cement of the group. She longs to be accepted. Sage, career-driven, has always followed a carefully laid out plan for her future. But one look at the sexy ex-con staying on her friend's sofa has her questioning everything. Emily, the college drop-out, has three children that are her whole life. She's slowly lost herself, subconsciously seeking dangerous ways to cope. Ned yearns to stand up and be counted. But his new feelings for one of the girls has him pulled in different directions. These four friends will test the ties that have held them together for so long, and in the process unveil truths about themselves they never knew existed.

Dive into the first installment of this gritty slow burn college romance series about love, loss, and second chances. Introverted Billie Dixon has life planned to a T, and Bradford College is her chance for comfortable solitude. Her best friend lives across the hall, her roommate ignores her, and to pay for textbooks, she puts her math skills to good use as a tutor. But Billie is in for a rude awakening. Life rarely goes according to plan. Her sister wonders why she never calls. Her best friend nags like a mother hen. Plus, sharing him with his playboy roommate, who uses every opportunity to infuriate her, wasn't part of the deal. And that tutoring gig? Her only pupil complicates their business arrangement when he develops a crush on her. If she thought this couldn't get worse... Then, she runs into the Math Department Head. Her father--and the only reason she can afford Bradford. He wants to rekindle their relationship after years of radio silence, but Billie isn't fully on board.

A famed pirate relic—the Star of Atlantis—lies forgotten on the rugged Welsh coast, where waves and stone clash and where creatures of legend hold sway. When thirteen-year-old Swift finds a map to the treasure, he sets out to claim it and prove his worth to his skeptical brothers who seem determined to thwart his every step. To tease out the secrets of the Star of Atlantis, Swift must take on the gallant Celtic Sea with its azurite waves, its capricious winds, its enigmas… its monsters. And to realize his dream, he must face the most formidable challenge of all—his own father. A masterfully written YA literary fiction story of a boy finding his own way.

Newlyweds separated by war. A bride left behind. Can she achieve greatness on her own? 1951. Harriett Bailey desperately wants her happily ever after. Shocking her small town by marrying a well-known womanizer, the shy girl’s plans are shot down when her groom is immediately drafted and sent to fight overseas. And her dreams of wedded bliss crumble as months pass without any word from her soldier husband… Determined to move out of her parents’ house, the brilliant hard worker earns promotion as the first female executive in her company. But as she juggles a bitterly jealous mother, a doting father, and silence from the man she hopelessly loves, Harriet makes a choice that drastically shapes the rest of her future. Can she turn her life into the one she fiercely desires? Hill House Divided is the heartbreaking third book in The Women of Campbell County: Family Saga women’s fiction series. If you like strong heroines, real-world situations, and multigenerational drama, then you’ll adore S. Lee Fisher’s moving tear-jerker.

From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Lynne Gentry comes a small-town family saga filled with humor, heart, and hope. When tragedy strikes Leona Harper, the shocked pastor's wife is forced to summon her estranged children home. But parenting young adults in a nosy, small southern town proves more difficult than reinventing herself. Determined to give her broken family a shot at a second chance, Leona begins the painful journey of putting one foot in front of the other. Reconciliation and healing won't come easy in this zany, trouble-filled, and hilarious walk-through-grief adventure. Brimming with wit, authenticity, and southern charm, WALKING SHOES explores the inspirational and emotional healing of a family. You’ll have to laugh to keep from crying. The Mt. Hope Southern Adventures Series is a touching addition to the small town, generational series of favorite authors like Ann B. Ross, Jan Karon, Philip Gulley, and Fannie Flagg.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU WATCH YOUR CHILD DIE TO SAVE THEIR LIFE? All her life Dawn has been troubled by lost time. She awakens suddenly in strange places far away from her last conscious memory. Kylie's over her dead-end job. As she drives away from the worst work day ever, she picks up her cell to send a text, a decision that will change her life when Dawn's and her world collide. The ensuing tragic accident takes Dawn's only child, but ten days later, inexplicably, her lost time becomes a gift, when she finds herself back again on the morning of the accident. Now Dawn can save her son and change fate. Only one problem ... fate doesn't want to be changed.

How far would you go to help a close friend? Is there a place where you might draw the line and simply have to say no? Eight women. Four decades of friendship. One unimaginable request. Where can you find a story about friendship, laughter and the good things in life that also touches on alcoholism, infidelity, porn addiction, illness and grief? For many women, it's often within their own circle of friends. Whether your BFFs are in their twenties or are seniors, everyone has a story. The Bridge Club reminds us of the complexities of women’s friendships through an entertaining and often moving tale of eight women whose lives intersect once a month initially to play the game of bridge. What began as one night turns into four decades that span the segments of a woman's journey from youthful optimism to embracing the challenges and opportunities presented in life's later years. Based loosely on the author’s own bridge club, the story weaves the reader through a maze of life's inevitable scenarios. This is a novel for anyone who values friendship. Not simply the "Hi, how are you?" type of friendship but rather the kind that weathers all sorts of storms, unselfishly celebrates triumphs, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist. If you have such a friendship in your life you will relate to the women in The Bridge Club. If you don't, perhaps the story will inspire you to search for it. Throughout the story each of the characters faces challe ...

Charles Roster has been living the good life of pleasure, involving wine and women - well one woman in particular - however when struck by a personal tragedy - he finds he has to dramatically change his lifestyle - except that may be easier said than done!

A story about life, though perhaps not the one you would choose to live. inspired by the characters from the Harry Chapin song of the same name, 'A Better Place To Be’ is a story of love, loss, and the ability to overcome the worst that life can throw at someone and come out the other side.

Our earth mother, Gaia, foresaw a definitive epoch when the survival of humankind and her precious planet would be at issue. That day is upon us. Earth is enveloped in environmental and social crises. Unless humankind serves as stewards for Earth and themselves the planet may be despoiled. Gaia could not sit by and observe the destruction of her beautiful blue planet and the clever beings she found intriguing. This is the story of the gifted population of women she reserved in the sea who are dedicated to safeguarding the future of humankind and Earth.

My enemies wish they had never met me, and women wish they could forget me. I'm busy carving a name for myself in the mafia underworld, and I don't have time for the women who chase after me and wanna tie me down. They can get in line for the wildest f*ck of their lives and then they can get lost. I trusted the Sanatores and they ran their mouths. Six years in jail was a long time to plan my revenge, and now nobody will stop me from getting the payback I deserve. Not the bastards who are out to kill me, not the women who want to find out if the rumors about the size of my... ego are true. Nobody. Until I set eyes on her. Callie’s running from her filthy-rich, abusive, ex fiancé, and he’s not letting her go without a fight. She wants a new life and the last thing she needs is me in it, but I’ve never let that stop me before. I shouldn’t have touched her. I knew a woman like her would cause me trouble. But I couldn’t resist. One taste and I’m addicted. Her ex wants to get her back and my enemies want to use her to hurt me. F**k that. Anyone who wants to come between us better bring a body bag. She’s MINE. This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy. Happily ever after guaranteed.

In his new life, Charlie falls for Gypsy, a house cleaner, slash-street-walker he believes he is in love with, but without a solid sense of self, Charlie's love is a futile endeavor. Still, he thinks he can save Gypsy from herself. He is also convinced they will marry and live happily ever after, in his misguided, emotionally bereft perception of love.

When drugs, and guns become a routine part of life, Charlie is in over his head. He walks a fine line between reason and despair.

A poverty of spirit shines through in both wealth and poverty, in this gritty novel, where morals are not an underpinning of behavior, and the value of life is negligible.

Ever since the act of disobedience, man has been at constant war with his greatest adversary, his EGO. The more he gives in to his ego, the farther he gets from his divine self. His materialistic motives, quest for power and gross indifference alienate and isolate him. Enslaved by ego, the man delights in false pride, falser glory and falsest security. The quest never ends. The thirst is never quenched. Mind remains pre-occupied. The heart seethes in turmoil. Cold reason clouds wisdom and the human birth crave for justification. Yet, the benevolent lord has a master plan. We are all endowed with his kingdom within. The moment we begin our journey inwards, the mist begins to disappear. Infinite wisdom dawns. All noise cease and calmness seeps in. Real joy springs from the heart leading to peace, harmony and poise. All it takes is just a pause and a peep within. Each poem contains a story in itself and will take you deeper and nearer to your real and the conscious soul.

From Book 1:Librarian Janet Johnson is puzzled when she is invitedand practically draggedto her first meeting of the Rejected Writers Book Club. This quirky group of women would much rather celebrate one anothers rejected manuscripts over cups of tea and slices of lemon cake than actually publish a book. But good friends are exactly what Janet needs after moving to the small town of Southlea Bay, Washington. Just as the ladies are about to raise a teacup to their five hundredth rejection letter, they receive bad news that could destroy one members reputationand disband the group forever. To save the club, Janet joins her fellow writers on a wild road trip to San Francisco in search of the local publisher who holds the key to a long-buried secret. As they race to the finish line, theyll face their fearslandslides, haunted houses, handsome strangers, ungrateful childrenand have the time of their lives.

A collection of poems to celebrate National Poetry Month; a poem a day for 30 days. Themes of nature, people and observations are covered here- from the quirky to the ephemeral. There's no doubt a poem in here for every mood, every thought and unspoken sigh.

Stephen Bell wants to be forgiven for reading his daughter’s diary. But he’s compelled to dredge every secret as her world changes. This is the story of how Sarah’s perfect existence is shattered when everything trusted is stolen from her. Dad’s quit his job. Mum’s got pregnant and gone mental. But the boyfriend is a welcome distraction…until crazy is dialled to the max. Sarah tries to be normal among her peers—but normal won’t let her be. In a change from Black’s usual style, she breathes life into a family at breaking point. But readers will be left with no doubt that this is Katherine Black at her psychological best. In her trademark signature of getting into the darkest corners of the psyche, she takes them one step closer to the very brink of dancing with the crazies. This is no Disneyland. This is Nowhere Boulevard.

No Way. I can’t be falling for him. No freaking way...,. Alexandria I’ve been the acting chief at this station ever since they let Larry go. There’s no reason why they shouldn't make my position official. I’m a seasoned firefighter and I’m the best man for the job. Besides, I need the raise that comes with the promotion. It's the only way I'll ever be able to afford to leave my alcoholic husband and put my daughter in a private school. The last thing I need is someone coming along and screwing it all up. Chance When they asked me to leave my small town fire hall and head on out to the big city, I wasn’t keen on the idea. I can think of a million places I’d rather be. But, the ex-wife’s harassing phone calls and visits finally did me in. Before I knew it, I was starting a new life fighting fires in Karawa, New York. It's too bad one of the men on my team keeps challenging my every move. Only, it's not a man. It's the girl I've had a crush on my whole life, the girl I grew up next door to, the one I went all through school with. Sparks fly, tension explodes, and flames ignite. Will muscular Chance Friedman win the heart of the girl he’s always dreamed about? Or will curvaceous and sassy Alexandria O’Neil come out on top?

Featuring real life historical intrigue and real characters, Ruby Redlick investigates murder and occult doings in a thrilling high society mystery. This third in the series is another absorbing mashup of true life and fictional set in Golden Age London. 1913 Ruby has returned to London with anarchist friend Mimmo and lady’s maid, Silver Spoon, to start her detective agency. The secretive Thin Man from the Ministry retains a strong hold on her services, but his demand that she spy on the gentry affords her entry into a luxurious world. With new beau, Lord Lincoln, she soon builds her name as private investigator to the aristocracy. Dark events are brewing in Europe, and when a friend is arrested for a murder in Paris, Ruby and Mimmo set off to investigate. After encountering fascinating real life characters from the Bohemian world of art and dance, the trail leads to a King’s bedroom and intrigue that includes Mata Hari. Back in England, Lord Lincoln takes Ruby on a country estate weekend that includes some notorious names. But it isn't all charades and she's soon called upon to investigate a heinous crime. When a murder is committed Ruby suspects the Paris case is somehow linked. They must uncover the culprit before all hell breaks loose.

From the writer of the ‘Engaging and Uplifting’ (Daily Mail) HELEN AND THE GRANDBEES… Bernie is plunged into turmoil when her step-brother is born, too vulnerable to leave, too vulnerable to risk loving. And she is confused when she falls into love with mosaicist Robin, his soulful artworks and tales of Ethiopia. All this because a family tragedy has left her resolved to remain adrift from emotional attachment.

Against her own instincts, she pushes her father away to his new wife, and pushes Robin away into the arms of a mutual friend. But as she reaches the pinnacle of her desired isolation, she realises that she might have made a mistake. Can she learn to trust in a human connection that might just let her down?

Alex Morrall explores themes of love and isolation in ADRIFT - THE STORYTELLER & MOSAICIST. Follow Bernie’s story from the coast to early 2000’s London.

A MAGICAL LOVE STORY... Memory House is a place where friendship turns to love, love lasts forever, and memories outlive their owner. Ophelia Browne knows this because she's been granted the unique gift of finding and caring for those forgotten memories. But now she's nearing ninety, and needs to find a successor - soon. When broken-hearted Annie Cross shows up on the doorstep of The Memory House Bed and Breakfast, Ophelia knows she is the one. The two women forge a bond of friendship as they sip magical dandelion tea and share stories. When Annie starts to uncover new memories Ophelia is delighted, but then a thread of violence begins to unravel and she fears things have gone too far. Winner of the 2015 FAPA President's Book Award Silver Medal

The events of a typical Autumn Friday night rock a typical small town American family to the core as tragedy strikes them from out of nowhere. Will their lives survive this ordeal as they change from a functional to dysfunctional family? This event has changed and altered their direction, but will this be permanent? The ways the family deals with the loss of a loved one can either make them stronger or crush them in their hope for their small town future. The bonds of love and friendship are stretched to see how far they can go. Will the development of the surviving sibling’s progress with growth or be stifled as the family dynamic is pushed to the edge? One’s concept of justice is put to the test and their faith in God may never be the same. Actions, reactions and their consequences are exposed for you to see but don’t judge too harshly. You may agree or disagree with their actions but ask yourself, if you were in their situation, would you do the same?

Sometimes we can’t escape the webs we are born into. Sometimes we are the architects of our own fall. Akash Choudry wants a love for all time, not an arranged marriage. Still, under the weight of parental hopes, he agrees to one. He and Jaya marry in a cloud of colour and spice in Bombay. Their marriage has barely begun when Akash embarks on an affair. Jaya cannot contemplate sharing her husband with another woman, or looking past his indiscretions as her mother suggests. Cornered by sexual politics, she takes her fate into her own hands in the form of a lit match. Nothing endures fire. As shards of their past threaten their future, will Jaya ever bloom into the woman she can be, and will redemption be within Akash’s reach?

Maggie's in love, just not with the man she married, a situation the uber-capable HR officer never anticipated having to face. And when civil engineer Grayson travels to a remote Queensland town to relieve for six weeks, he isn't expecting to have to summon the Flying Doctors, survive a tropical cyclone, or lose his heart. By the time he sets off on the long journey home, Maggie also finds herself on the road ... the long road to loving Grayson. And like Australia's outback highways, there are plenty of road blocks and obstacles to be negotiated along the way, so she'd better buckle up.

Southlea Bay's favorite sweethearts, Flora and Dan, are getting married and the members of the Rejected Writers' Book Club are excited to help. Especially the group's head honcho, Doris Newberry, who, much to Flora’s frustration, wants to control every detail, attempting to strong-arm Flora into accepting ridiculous wedding vows, wayward bongo players and into wearing a huge, old-fashioned wedding dress. But when a new resident arrives in town with information about Flora's past that threatens her chance of happiness, the overwhelmed bride-to-be disappears overnight. To find her, The Rejected Writers set off on yet another zany road trip adventure, this time to a make-believe Bavarian town. Where they meet lederhosen-clad, young men, are entertained by oompah bands, go on wild sleigh rides, and sing in a yodelling competition. But when they eventually find the bride and the bridegroom learns the truth about her, will he still want to marry her or will all the wedding plans be in vain

Event planner Eve Canaday and her secret crush, Dr. Ben Tyler, are unexpectedly drafted to help a little girl fulfill her late mother’s wish—a magical Christmas to create some happy memories. Eve sees this opportunity as a sign; Ben, as a glitch in his plan to leave Marietta behind for good. As the trio checks off the to-do list of Christmas fun, Ben’s ‘bah-humbug’ opinion of the holiday fades, along with ideas about keeping his distance from Eve. Getting involved is the last thing he wants to do but, alas, there’s no accounting for cosmic interference. With the season of miracles upon this jewel of a town, will Eve find it’s possible that Christmas wishes aren’t only for little girls?

2022 EDITORS CHOICE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

“This effervescent historical novel paints a richly detailed portrait of the enterprising Veuve Clicquot. The twinned plots of Clicquot and Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise and fall are filled with detail that give life to this far-off time. The prose is light, yet detailed, and peppered with moments of wry humor. Napoleon's characterization is well-crafted and give his character new life. Clicquot’s character is charming, and readers will love getting to know her. Rosenberg has a superb eye for blending humor with drama.” ~Publisher’s WeeklyBookLife Prize

From triple-gold award-winning author, Rebecca Rosenberg: Champagne, France, 1800. Twenty-year-old Barbe-Nicole inherited Le Nez (an uncanny sense of smell) from her great-grandfather, a renowned champagne maker. She is determined to use Le Nez to make great champagne, but the Napoleon Code prohibits women from owning a business. When she learns her childhood sweetheart, François Clicquot, wants to start a winery, she marries him despite his mental illness.

Soon, her husband’s tragic death forces her to become Veuve (Widow) Clicquot and grapple with a domineering partner, the complexities of making champagne, and six Napoleon wars, which cripple her ability to sell champagne. When she falls in love with her sales manager, Louis Bohne, who asks her to marry, she must choose between losing her winery to her husband, as dictated by Napoleon Code, or losing Louis. ...

Forensic accountant Maggie Martin survives the sudden death of her husband, the charismatic President of Windsor College, only to uncover the secrets of his carefully concealed double life. Dealing with the financial and emotional wreckage left in Paul's wake, she is stunned to learn he inherited an estate known as Rosemont in the seemingly serene Midwestern town of Westbury. Why had he never told her? Maggie travels to Westbury for the stated purpose of listing Rosemont for immediate sale, but what she really seeks are answers to her all consuming questions about her sham of a marriage; her sham of a life. She never anticipated the seductive charm of Rosemont. Throwing her trademark caution to the wind, and over the objections of her opinionated grown children, she pulls up stakes and moves halfway across the country, determined to make a fresh start in Westbury. Behind closed doors, however, lurks a cadre of evildoers, playing with multiple wild cards of fraud, embezzlement and arson. With a quiet, orderly -- and distinctively solitary -- life in mind, Maggie is instead thrown headlong into a crusade against political corruption, where defeat and retreat are not an option. Still bearing the scars of betrayal, will she find joy, romance and possibility in Westbury? This fast-paced, smart novel has enough twists and turns to make the reader want to buckle in!

Ten-year-old Swift is weary of being “the Lad,” and he longs to feel a sense of belonging with his three older brothers. When a chance strikes to go night fishing together on their father's mighty brigantine, the Regulus, it seems the perfect chance for Swift to prove himself. When night falls, however, when stars rise and the fishing begins—as Swift ventures into the wilds of the sea and its creatures—a sense of alienation creeps in. To realize his place in the strange water world, he must summon the courage to confront the North Atlantic with all its savagery. And to learn what it means to be one of four brothers, Swift must rally the bravery to reveal to them, at the heart, who he is. Come sail the North Atlantic with Swift and his family in this poignant coming-of-age novelette.

Stowaways in lifeboats? Germans claiming deckchairs? When passengers from many places are together on a cruiseship, there's gotta be fun – through 10 countries, 15 ports, across 17 seas. Readers say: “a very amusing fiction-from-fact traveling journal…sailing through seventeen seas, stopping at exotic ports…we view the cruise through the eyes of a cross section of passengers.” “I have recommended the book both to my friends who cruise as well as people who have never cruised and would like to. This book gives a realistic view of what cruising is like in a fun and fictionalized manner.”

"A lively beach or commute read, this quick, cheerful parody of aging, capitalism, and marriage offers a little bit of everything--comedy, suspense, romance--and even some insights into the meaning of life."
-Booklife by Publishers Weekly
 
"A mysterious author delivers the comical tale...a raucous adventure around the globe...brisk, debaucherous, and cheeky sense of humor...fast-paced, modern, and world-spanning..."
-Kirkus Reviews
 
"Readers looking for a rollicking adventure...intrigue and action will love Powerballs...where romance, adventure, and greed intersect in a world-hopping journey of lives gone awry." 
-D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

A sudden windfall and the money to make every dream come true…

With finances and marriage strained to the breaking point, Rose and Henry Ball dream of new lives filled with romance and adventure. Then Fortune takes a hand. Against all odds, the couple win a record Powerball lottery. The sudden windfall is the answer to all their prayers. Or not...

Helpless to resist the siren's song, the Balls leap feet first into the intoxicating world of the super-rich. Henry drifts into treacherous waters on a mad Russian oligarch's yacht, while Rose throws caution to the wind and rushes headlong into the arms of a beautiful, dangerous ...

Burned by his faith. Abandoned by his family. Coming out was nothing compared to finding forgiveness…

Lawrence Greene churns with bitterness. Regretting his dead-end job and excruciating love life, he’s exhausted by the world tearing him down. And when his religious mother returns begging for reconciliation, he’s torn apart by resentment and his own need to heal.

With his estranged family’s proximity dragging up memories of his painful revelation of being gay, Lawrence escapes to his anti-church group sanctuary. But when a better future finally comes knocking in the form of Hakee Mitchell, a sexy and good-hearted man, Lawrence must bare all to claim true absolution.

Will Lawrence let go of his grief and put a firm grip on a fresh start? The Freed Church Boy is a stirring LGBT contemporary fiction novel. If you like complex characters, heart-rending conflict, and new beginnings, then you’ll adore Lloyd Johnson’s powerful tale.

When a young Hittite charioteer discovers that the chariot accident that killed his father and maimed his grandfather was sabotage aimed at the king, he sets out to find the killer. Facing the loss of everyone he holds dear, he learns that good and evil are often not what they seem, and he must struggle to adjust to a new identity.

Troy is afflicted by a condition that lets him live out different futures --- lots of them. Jaded by all these possibilities, he drifts from day to day never knowing if what he's living is real life or just a possible one. When he first meets Cat, it's not even close to love at first sight. She pepper sprays him and steals his phone. But then he meets her again, and again. Finally, he becomes convinced that this funny, crazy, woman might be just what he needs. But in his strange world of possibilities nothing is straightforward.

On the Steps of St. Dymphna tells a story of transformation. John, a normal cubicle slave with a bland and ordinary life, is transformed by an enlightenment experience. Or, did he just go crazy? He’s not really sure, but either way, he becomes a dramatically different person. From bored support representative at GMC Megatronics, he transforms himself into Pastor John, a flamboyant free spirit spouting spiritual nostrums and intent on not only radically transforming his own life, but bringing joy and purpose to the lives of others. To this end, he joins forces with a rag-tag group of homeless and starts The New Life Church of the Godhead of the Bed, so named for the locus of his awakening — an ordinary bed. John and his following set their sights on St. Dymphna’s House of Hope, a local sanitarium ran by the authoritarian Big Mama, where they attempt to help the needy and comfort the afflicted. They face numerous obstacles that threaten to derail their mission, but with the help of a local religious radio station and a large group of feisty supporters, they persevere and ultimately triumph. For a while. Steps explores the emptiness of modern life and the desperate lengths necessary to live a life of purpose. It deals with themes of spirituality, alienation, faith and compassion. It is truly a tale for modern times.

Forced to choose between cultivating a satisfying life for himself and rescuing his dysfunctional family members from their certain demise causes Markus to question the importance of family. Does he save his relatives from their ill-fated lives, or save himself from entering into a life of self-sacrifice and missed opportunities? Painful soul-searching and late-night talks with the captivating tenant downstairs guide him to an unexpected decision and discovery of his true purpose in life.

London, 1909 Ruby Redlick is a young woman with a passion for reading, who yearns to break free of her constrained life in Upper Norwood and go on the stage. She dreams of playing dramatic characters like her idol Sarah Bernhardt. But the West End is full of lords, predators and courtesans. Ruby almost comes a cropper until a new friend comes to the rescue and introduces her to the music hall as a Gaiety Girl. Swept up into the bright lights of 1900s Edwardian London, she's barely navigated the Stage Door Johnnies when a Maharajah's fabulous jewels are stolen and a murder occurs. When the police, more interested in rooting out foreign spies, close the case abruptly, Ruby is driven to follow another idol, Mr Sherlock Holmes, in some amateur sleuthing. With the help of Soho's Italian anarchists and a couple of militant suffragettes, she investigates the crime.  Ruby unravels the complicated web of deceit but when she comes a little too close to exposing the criminal’s deadly secret, her own life is put in peril. Will she find a way to bring about justice before it's too late?

A powerful, unrelenting page-turner. Highly recommended Wishing Shelf Awards

Sad, uplifting, shocking, funny, hopeful and frustrating. Bookmuse

A wonderful book...Helen Baggott

I have to give this five stars and I hate doing that because the ending made me cry and I don't easily forgive the author for that...The word “gritty” will probably be used, though it doesn’t quite fit – but life is hard for the young Billy...Amazingly, in all this there is also tenderness and humor. A lovely book. In fact, a wonderful book. Strongly recommended....S F Hopkins

John Lynch has found his literary voice in this life story of disadvantaged soul, Billy McErlane. Having a harlot for a mother doesn’t make life easy and nor does going to jail at fourteen, but when he is reunited with his childhood sweetheart peace enters Billy's heart. Then fate deals a wrecking blow. The book shows Billy through his own eyes and words as he learns to forgive, let go of the bad things in life, accept with grace the good things and finally reach out to others. It’s a coming of age book that begins in tragedy and ends in hope. A bittersweet story of love, loss and one young man's refusal to accept what life offers.

'Tis the Season for Chaos Wedding bells will soon be ringing in the Lowcountry. All Sam Sweeney wants is to marry her man on Christmas Eve surrounded by family and friends. But emerging complications, some humorous and some not so humorous, threaten to converge and derail the best-laid plans during the busy stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Amidst the chaos—dealing with real estate, planning a wedding, running a seafood market, honoring traditions, and contending with teenagers—even the weather rears its head when the weatherman forecasts a white Christmas. Never has family support been more needed, but will it be enough to restore order and save the day? Escape to the Lowcountry this Christmas where romance, intrigue, and holiday merrymaking await you.

Cat and Mouse is the gripping tale of two sisters fighting for their ideals in the turbulent year of 1914. When Sarah, a militant suffragette, is arrested for a dramatic protest for women's rights, her sister Deborah tries to rescue her from prison. But what will her husband, and secret lover, do?

Len Holder thinks his mother is dead – until she reappears one morning in his living room. She doesn’t remember being dead. She’s just confused. And instead of her burial clothes, she’s wearing a Dallas Cowboys warmup suit. At seventy-eight, Len considers himself a failure. He spent years taking care of Mom while his brother Joey became a famous sportscaster. Now he lives alone, tinkering with a novel he can’t seem to finish. For a week, Len relives a strained relationship with Mom while other mysteries pile up. He keeps hearing fragments of Joey’s radio show. His sister reports disturbing phone calls. Strangers he meets look like people from his past. Another stranger has taken over his insurance office. Then Len gets word that his beloved boss Miranda has been gravely injured in a car accident. Eventually, Miranda’s fate and a shocking secret from the past reveal that Sharon Holder’s resurrection is not what it seems to be. The Seven-Day Resurrection is a must-read for anyone who has been thrust into the role of caregiver.

What links a webcam girl, a cross-dressing police chief and an escaped ferret? A British nation torn by Brexit staggers on. Frankie Ferret, a pre-school children’s TV celebrity escapes into sewers of London and surely is dead. The people unite in grief. Police Chiefs, counselors and politicos stand in tear stained sincerity with the common people. Viktor Pinupskin of Russia offers a genetically modified bear cub with his own face as a substitute. Internet bots urge a vote and attempt to sway the masses. Chaos and panic threaten to destroy the economy. Into the mix steps young police inspector Crispin Bissel. His mission is to lead the search and target PR for the cops. His ex girlfriend, Selena Fontesse is a mature ex web cam girl specializing in veggie porn. She has the looks and the bosom to comfort a people broken by sorrow. Could love be re-kindled over an open drain? Could Frankie be alive? Could a billionaire, a hot air balloon, a pop star, and a staring messianic child bring happiness back to a population in despair? And what if the big plans were to fail? What if there were a cover up? A deplorable basket case of a book. All right thinking people should be offended. Cross dressing vegan cannibals will love this story. There’s no safe space on campus when a ferret like Frankie gets into the pipes. A tender love story, an outrageous unfair satire, an expose of the media-cult whirl in which we live where news, fake news and spin are the currencies of coercion. Buy this b ...

Business owner Paige West misses the closeness she had with her now-deceased father. Jessivel Salter, a single mother on the brink of becoming homeless, also misses her dead father, but for very different reasons. When fate unites the two women, Paige is drawn to Jessivel from the start and wants to help her. But Jessivel doesnt trust Paige or her intentions and rejects her many helping hand offers. The two women eventually connect and when certain disturbing truths are unveiled, they discover they have something in common that is inconceivable and shocking. Each has to decide whether to take the easy way out and part ways forevermore or face up to the adversity that fate has thrown at them.

And it all started with the ring.

Collin Griffin has changed. His wife, Jolene, suspects infidelity. His mother sees him lash out at his beloved dog and wonders what could be wrong. His father sees Collin as a disappointment for refusing to live up to his view of what a “man” should be. But no one suspects his downward spiral will lead to murder. Collin, incarcerated and in the grips of psychosis, is unable to explain what went wrong. Convinced he has found a link between Collin’s work for Monarch Industries pig slaughterhouse and his mental decline, Collin’s attorney, Cam Burton, prepares to make an unprecedented defense. To save his client from the death penalty, Cam seeks to implicate Monarch Industry’s dehumanizing work in his client’s breakdown. Set against the backdrop of tension and polarity in the summer of 2016 in Mosier, North Carolina, Quiet Man explores the interconnection between addiction, capitalism, speciesism, racism and various forms of oppression. Quiet Man was a Finalist in the Siskiyou Prize in Environmental Literature.

A GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER Can a psychologist, still grieving the loss of her husband, save a traumatized war veteran who is planning his own death? Stories Untold explores the devastation of loss, the struggle to find meaning in life, and the enduring power of love that transcends boundaries between past and future. They’re both strong and fearless, determined, relentless. He’s a decorated war veteran and he wants to die. She’s a prominent psychologist and she won’t give up on him. When a suicidal client seeks her help, Dr. Angela Blackwell cannot turn him away, despite the fact that he isn’t seeking the kind of help she normally provides her clients. The man, who won’t fully identify himself, wants the distinguished psychologist to stand witness after his planned death in six months’ time, ensuring his wife will not be charged as an accessory or be hindered from collecting the death benefit he carefully provisioned for her. He calls himself DJ and won’t willingly share anything about his past. As Dr. Blackwell is struggling to reconstruct her own life after the loss of her husband, she recognizes his unusual request as a subconscious cry for help and embarks on a relentless effort to guide the reluctant stranger in uncovering the trauma that has permanently altered the course of his existence. Playing a deck of cards stacked high against her and rushing against time, she has no other option but to intervene, pushing the ethical boundaries of the therapist-client rela ...

*This is General-Literary fiction and Magical Realism or Science Fiction. Death parts us all. A magical real quest to find home in a place no one can see. When a combat cameraman falls into a coma, the military takes advantage of his state by implanting new technology into his brain—technology that captures and records his thoughts. But when he wakes up two decades later, he’s left to grapple with this decision that was never his to make. Death is swift, easy. Dying? Now, that’s the hard part; stuck in limbo between painful life and merciful death, unable to move or control the outcome. It’s the ultimate torture, and something Newman Jones has had to experience for twenty years. A combat cameraman serving his last mission in Iraq, Newman is ready to finally settle down with his fiancé. But on January 1st, 2002, an IED explodes, overturning his uparmoured Humvee. Death meets all his comrades while Newman falls into a coma. Under the order of an anonymous CIA director, Newman is hidden from the world and sent to a Top Secret research facility where he is implanted with a device to capture and record his thoughts. And for twenty years, he remained there—until the day he awakened. Awake and confused, Newman’s world is shattered. When the implanted device malfunctions and Newman is called back by the doctors, he ignores their request, following the soft whispers of a sacred crow to guide him home. The device continues streaming his thoughts to the military so the doctors sent for ...

Hassan symbolizing the silent majority of the clan youth strives to change his community’s stringent marriage rules not through passive resistance and dialogue but through an actual confrontation. Hassan’s community is divided into conservative hardliners and moderates whose intention is the initiation of social change through gradual step-by-step deconstruction of the current tribal autocratic beliefs.

"Everything happens for a reason." It's 1972. Raymond Mann is seventeen. He is fearful of life and can't get off buses. He says his prayers every night and spends too much time in his room. He meets Ernest Gardiner, a gentleman in his seventies who's become tired of living and misses the days of chivalry and honour. Together they discover a love of sunflowers and stars, and help each other learn to love the world. Ernest recounts his experiences of 1917 war-torn France where he served as a photographer in the trenches … of his first love, Mira, and how his life was saved by his friend Bill, a hardened soldier. But all is not as it seems, and there is one more secret that will change Raymond’s life for ever. Cold Sunflowers is a story of love. All love. But most of all it’s about the love of life and the need to cherish every moment. Find out more about the book and its author, Mark Sippings, at www.coldsunflowers.co.uk.

2017 Distinguished Favorite Award-Independent Press Awards A Tea Party activist discovers that he is growing another head. A playboy befriends a fickle female only six inches tall. A lonely librarian answers a matrimonial ad from a demonic farmer. Darkness abounds in James Hanna's cryptic stories. In these nineteen piercing tales, Hanna skewers the human comedy and makes reading dangerous again. "A Sinister sense of irony pervades the stories in this perverse, darkly fantastic anthology. Author James Hanna has a unique insight into the most curious aspects of the human condition and does not shy from exploring these to their shockingly logical conclusion. A Second, Less Capable Head is exceptionally memorable from beginning to end." - Midwest Book Review. "The mark of an author at the peak of his literary powers, there are scant few tales that won't linger beyond the page. Without a doubt, A Second Less Capable Head delivers one of the most powerful and cutting collection of stories you will ever read." - Book Viral

Savannah Santos is on the run. She fled everything she ever knew to follow her career dreams. But she wasn’t expecting her new roommate to be her dream guy. For Cooper Quin, being any girl’s dream man is nothing new, but he’s determined to stay exactly that: a dream. His focus is on killing it in the brutal MMA ring. But his sexy new roommate is nothing like one of his usual one-night stands. With her, it feels safe to let his guard down.

Fans of Jodi Picoult and Elin Hilderbrand will fall in love with this new series that sets the stage for her upcoming novel, Stillwater Rising, from NY Times bestselling author Steena Holmes. Before the first shots are fired within the walls of Stillwater Elementary School, life went on as normal for five women who were close friends. Their monthly girls' night was coming up and they couldn't wait to get together. They all needed this night to run away and be carefree - from their husbands, their children, their church - with no expectations, no responsibilities, where they weren't mothers or wives. No one expected their lives to be torn apart, their friendships tested in one short minute when their town is rocked by a danger lurking in their tight-knit community. This novella gives you a glimpse into the town of Stillwater Bay and its residents. You will see what their lives were like BEFORE the storm that rocked their little community descended upon them. This is a novella and comes before Stillwater Rising.

Book Two in The Gift Saga: The continuation of Evanthia’s Gift…



In 1961, five little girls moved into a suburban neighborhood and became inseparable, lifelong friends. They called themselves the ‘Honey Hill Girls,’ named after the street on which they lived. As teenagers they shared one another’s ambitions and dreams, secrets and heartaches. Now, more than thirty years later, they remain devoted and loyal, supporting each other through triumphs and sorrows.



Evanthia's Gift follows the life of Sophia Giannakos. In Waiting for Aegina the saga continues from the perspectives of Sophia and her friends as the story drifts back and forth in time, filling in the gaps as the women grow to adulthood.



Naive teenage ideals are later challenged by harsh realities, as each of their lives takes unexpected turns. Now nearing their fiftieth year, Sophia, Demi, Amy, Mindy and Donna stand together through life-altering obstacles while they try to regain the lighthearted optimism of their youth.

...

Picasso’s Motorcycle is an affectionate paean to pre-war life in a sleepy, sun-drenched village in the French countryside in the 1930’s. It chronicles the escapades of a precocious group of boys, centering on ten-year-old Daniel, a half-French, half-German orphan being raised by his distant and sometimes brutal uncle, Emil. Put to work in Emil’s shabby bicycle repair shop, Daniel must navigate the often treacherous waters of boyhood initiations to eventually become accepted by his gleefully delinquent peers. As Daniel slowly wins them over with his loyalty, courage, and good character, things begin to change in the quiet hamlet. An unexpected gift of an old motorcycle with a tragically romantic past sets Daniel on the road to becoming a national racing champion – at least in his own mind. Meanwhile, talk of war with Germany looms like a storm cloud over the village, bringing full-scale panic when the German panzers finally cross the frontier and roll nearly unopposed into Paris. When things settle down into the familiar routine of German occupation, Daniel decides to strike out on his own with his motorcycle. With the reluctant blessing of his uncle, Daniel rides out of the village with little more than the clothes on his back, a few francs in his pocket, and a burning desire to make his name as a national motorcycle racing champion. But little does he know, this is just the beginning of his adventures…

Jack Miller is a friend, a father, and a therapist. When he learns that he has a brain tumor, his only hope is an expensive and experimental drug. Even though there are no guarantees, Jack decides to take the risk, but he has to revisit his shady past to come up with the money. While keeping the man he loves in the dark about his condition, he dedicates the rest of his life to helping other people. But it means destroying himself – and lying to the people he loves – in the process.

In the Bronze Age Syrian kingdom of Ugarit, a eunuch slave mistakenly believes his mistress the queen loves him, so when asked to spy on her under threat of punishment, he finds a way to avoid it. When she shows she cares nothing for him, he justifies reporting her disloyal activities but cant escape agonies of conscience. As her sentence of divorce turns into execution, he decides he must avenge her and expurgate his own guilt.

Two friends. Two journeys. In the quaint town of Nicolet, on the shores of Lake Superior, two friends help each other face the past and embrace the future. Widowed and disenchanted with love, Olivia Reeves is tired of living life in half measure. Though still disillusioned and scarred from her marriage, she’s finally ready to move on. At least, she thinks she is. But moving forward means forgiving past wrongs and trusting once again. Can it be done? When Sean, an old friend, reenters her life unexpectedly, Olivia is put to the test, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Love and happiness are on the line. Anna Davis, Olivia’s young friend, has always lived in the shadow of her family’s past tragedy, but after a series of events, the storm of the past blows into the present and the Davises have no choice but to finally confront their loss. The question is—will it unite them together or break them apart? Experience the special bond between these two extraordinary women as they hold out hope for a better life in this idyllic little beach town.

When it’s your 10th year of fundraising for charity it’s hard to find a new idea. The women come up with a scheme to benefit the local hospice but it goes way past their comfort zone. Can they, should they, go ahead? Then there’s the matter of the Board of Trustees – men who are bound to oppose the women on anything that steps out of the domestic sphere. A humorous story for readers of women’s and contemporary fiction.

Ties That Bind is one woman's quest to find out the truth involving her adoption. Secrets can't remain hidden forever. At what lengths would you go to find out the truth? Romantic, and suspenseful, Ties That Bind will have you swiftly turning the pages to find out.

Winner of the 2016 Golden Crown Literary Society Award. Runner Up for the 2015 Rainbow Award. This sweeping novel follows childhood sweethearts Rona and Shelli as they come of age and face impossible choices. Passion and heartbreak come alive in this lyrical exploration of love, friendship, and family in Israel. A Small Country about to Vanish is Rona and Shelli's love-hate relationship with an ancient piano, each other and their difficult homeland - a country physically too small and politically too volatile to maintain its own existence. Wise and compassionate Rona believes in fairness and equality and shows a rare ability to feel empathy for her supposed enemies, while her friends and family want security first. Shelli, an avid reader of Holocaust literature, raises old but relevant questions. Must history repeat itself? How do we know when the political pot of hatred has boiled beneath us, making it necessary to leave our belongings behind and relocate, to save ourselves and our family?

Jeff Bailey is turning 40. Settled and happily married, he spends his nights writing unsold screenplays while working security at a remote desert nuclear power plant after 9/11. Surfing the web one night, he sees the name of his first love, Shelley Dawson, pop up on a high school website. Bailey offers to dig out his journals and take them both back to the summer of 1981 in Ohio. She never knew he kept a detailed journal about his time with her so, uneasy but curious, she allows him into a past she can’t remember to see what he finds. Surprised by how much he’d forgotten, Bailey returns to the single summer that first broke his heart and made him a stranger to his own life and to the only world he’d ever known. The end of his childhood and the beginning of what his young parents always warned him about: dreaded adulthood. Transcribing his journals to a distant lost love, the adult Bailey follows his doomed teenage self, reliving the discovery and pain as he retraces his first feelings for Shelley, unearthing and unleashing emotions that hold consequences for them both all these years later.

“the most dangerous journey a man could ever take The most extraordinary love story you’ll ever read.” 'A magisterial tale.' - UK Daily Mail The Holy Land, 1260. Josseran Sarrazini is chosen to escort the Pope’s emissary on an embassy to the all-conquering Mongol horde in an effort to save all Christendom from destruction. But although he serves as a Templar warrior, Josseran is not all that he appears to be - and he despises the Pope’s man on sight. Now they have to spend nine months in each other’s company on the most dangerous and most inhospitable journey on the earth - across the legendary deserts of Persia, through the horrific black hurricanes of the Taklimakan, along the entire spider's web of the Silk Road to Khubilai Khan’s legendary capital at Xanadu. When he sets out, Josseran cannot know then that he will never see Christendom again. Meanwhile, somewhere near the Roof of the World, a Tatar princess possessing a gift for prophesy, defies her father’s attempts to marry her off to the sons of other tribal chiefs. She does not belong in her world any more than Josseran belongs in his. Now fate will bring their paths on a collision course somewhere on the Silk Road and change the course of her life, and Josseran's, forever. From the Storehouse of Winds to the Palace of Myriad Tranquillities, from the Pamirs and Hindu Kush to the legendary Xanadu and the dazzling court of Khubilai Khan, this is romance and adventure on a breath-taking scale. "Callous executions, one-ey ...

Camille Prescott and Jude Coleridge—estranged ex-best friends—confront each other and their past when they break into an abandoned boarding school where years before they were targeted by a sexual predator. As teens, they’d been gaslighted and labeled ''the crazy girls, the ones who lie." No one believed them. They even questioned themselves as they were pulled toward a fiery danger. Told in dual timelines with Jude and Camille as women and as teens, the women emerge as survivors with successful careers yet still remain maimed by their past. Can they find healing together? ''Grab a copy, a box of tissues, and the phone number of your oldest friend, because you're going to want to talk about this one after you turn the last page. It's a terrific book.'' ~Mary Anna Evans, award-winning author and creative writing professor. “The careful unfolding of the truth as the story moves back and forth in time is a testament to the skill of these talented authors. ...a compelling novel, one worthy of wide readership and a lasting place on bookshelves." ~Southern Literary Review Read of the Month.

Amina prepares for college on what is expected to be an exciting first day of higher learning. When she steps onto the university campus for the first time, however, she bumps into Raja Gupta, a young, persuasive, and hot-headed university intellectual who lures her into joining a student group whose cause is the liberation of East Pakistan from West Pakistan. What follows is a stormy and passionate romance detailing the lives of both Raja Gupta and Amina Mitra as they both attempt to survive from one of the worst genocides of historical record—a genocide that ultimately leads to the birth of the poor and crippled nation known today as Bangladesh. This novel is written with historical accuracy and is Book One of a trilogy that charts the rise and fall of these two characters, as well as the son that is orphaned after Amina Mitra is forced to abandon him in the Great Mosque of Mecca.

Uqnitum is a singer from a famous musical lineage in the kingdom of Mitanni. When the fall of their city to the Assyrians costs her the life of her husband and her youngest child, she and her pregnant, widowed daughter flee to the court of Ugarit. Haunted by guilt over her part in her husbands death, Uqnitums increasingly unhinged personality becomes dangerous to the peace of her remaining family. Only by succumbing to her weakness does she learn the real nature of strength.

They Called Him Marvin: A History of Love, War and Family by Roger Stark “They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years.” Bill Clinton Such a man was 1st Lt Dean Harold Sherman, B-29 Airplane Commander. “They Called Him Marvin” is a history. A history of war and of family. A history of the collision of the raging politics of a global war, young love, patriotism, sacred family commitments, duty and the horrors and tragedies, the catastrophe that war is. They Called Him Marvin by Roger Stark is a merger between American and Japanese events during WWII, and the very human reality of one American pilot and his love letters to his wife. The candor in their loving correspondence, and the stark reality of war, clash against each other within the pages of this book. Like the major and minor notes being pulled from an orchestra by a master conductor, history is brought to life and the full impact of war is felt.

When twelve-year-old Ben’s parents don’t come home from work one day, he doesn’t know what to think—they’ve shown lack of responsibility before, but nothing like this. His six-year-old sister Lucy is more scared than he is and clings to him for support. Unwittingly fearful of the police and Child Protective Services, the children don’t want to end up in foster homes and will do anything to avoid being separated. Their journey—fraught with obstacles and people who may not have their best interests at heart—plays a significant role in building Ben’s character and eventually determining his fate.

A Top Ten Women's Fiction Title in Booklist, this novel takes place in New York and Northern California. Julia, a poet with writer’s block, attempts to choose between Ben, a professor at Princeton whom she sees as good husband material, and Michael, a charismatic composer who inspires her yet is also a destabilizing influence. Realizing that Michael is too wounded to make a commitment, Julia turns her triangular situation into a square by setting him up with a cousin. This psychological tale explores the assumptions and fantasies that determine romantic choices as the narrative takes us from one decision in the 1980s to an opportunity to reverse it in the twenty-first century.

Telma confidently marches over the bridge of her life and then… Telma is an opinionated little girl who doesn’t quite fit into the world around her. She becomes a physics professor, happily married to Uri, a bridge engineer, whose life seems secure as the bridges her husband builds. However, the little girl is not quiet; she reflects on the successful adult life from her unique point of view. Gadi, a genius from Berkeley is attracted to Telma's distinctive view; he hopes he has found in Telma someone to lean on. An emotional-roller-coaster-like relationship develops between them. But Telma prefers the stable ground Uri has built for her. Can she pull together the pieces of herself and emerge whole? Yet bridges can collapse, and Uri is involved in a serious accident that crushes not only him but Telma’s entire world. When their lives become intertwined with those of Gadi and Yael, his beautiful wife, Uri’s story, revealed to her with brutal honesty, shreds Telma's life to pieces. Gradually, Telma reconstructs herself anew, forming a more inclusive, complete, and accurate picture. A picture in which there is no need to hide behind long black hair and one in which the little girl goes back to seeking out the emerging whole. But will she ever again find peace?

In a dystopian future where humans have foolishly squandered Earth’s natural resources, the few remaining people are becoming desperate. Crowded in huge underground cities, they’ve finally come to the end of the line and they must decide whether or not they will trade the only valuable resource Earth has left... Women. Being the daughter of a wealthy diplomat, Rose is blissfully ignorant of how the less fortunate live. Desperate to escape to a planet where she can enjoy the sun on her face and swim in clear unpolluted oceans, she vows to make herself the first bride to be mated to off-worlders. When the Krylon delegation arrives, she realizes that in addition to being good stewards of their planet, eager for female companionship, and polite to a fault, the Krylon males are also drop dead gorgeous. Unfortunately, Earth’s population is vehemently opposed to the galactic mate’s treaty... will Rose and her soon to be Hot Alien Husband be able to make their escape from Earth?

Nothing Forgotten, Winner of Next Generation Indie Book Award. "An intricately layered, deeply heartfelt, and bittersweet novel," Starred Review, Booklist. "Delicious insights into Italian life," San Francisco Chronicle. When Anna is contacted by the Italian lover she knew decades before, she recalls their affair and the child she gave up for adoption. As the episode returns to haunt her—threatening the life she's built in California, including her marriage—the story moves back in time to her youth in Europe. Rome, 1979. Anna, twenty-two and living abroad, is involved with a man already engaged to be married. When she meets and befriends his fiancée, she is forced to confront the moral consequences of her actions. An unexpected pregnancy, an anonymous letter, and threatening relatives complicate the picture. Layered and provocative, Nothing Forgotten is the story of an unconventional heroine who is forced to reckon with the judgment of others—and find her own path.

A novel told in short stories, follow young protagonist Ellen as she narrates each story of love, loss, longing, friendship, and entrapment. Inspired by the artistry of the Beatles, each story is framed by a Beatles song or actual Beatles event. Follow Ellen's journey from 1976 to 1990: Her beloved brothers' disappearance from the family when she is 11, an event she carries with her throughout the whole book; her navigation through high school as she searches for friendship and love (and a musical instrument), loses her innocence in more ways than one, and is scarred by John's death; her challenges in the 1980s workplace as she confronts sexual harassment; her growth as a young woman taking charge of her life. Meet her friend, Joan, who Ellen thinks of affectionately as the \"fool on the hill\"; Kevin, the rich neighborhood boy whose façade betrays his reality; Perry, her dark, moody, and much older first love. Ellen injects insight, wisdom in hindsight, and humor into these slice of life stories.

Lee Winekoop feels like an outsider in his own family. Now twenty-sixconfused and emotionally bankrupt after suffering a childhood fraught with criticism and isolationhe leaves his dysfunctional upper-class family to find his true self. Determined to cultivate a meaningful life, Lee discovers a world poles apart from the one he had left behind. But just when things start falling into place, he is made aware of an alarming family secret that causes him to question who he is and where hes going.

His Gift is inspirational historical fiction for most all ages. It is a fast-paced story of a young woman's determination to see her dream come true. On the cusp of the stock market crash of 1929, seventeen-year-old Molly has aspirations for a career in music after high school. With the passion of an athlete preparing for the Olympics, she trains relentlessly to become the best she can be. As her world collapses in unimaginable ways, she is left to find peace and purpose in the midst of her crisis. The message of His Gift is universal to anyone who has ever dared to dream in spite of uncontrollable circumstances. The reader will discover with Molly the hope and peace in a life when yielded to the Giver of all gifts.

Author, illustrator and humanist thinker Jeff Stilwell takes us on a journey that begins in ancient history, in the land of Ur, where God making was all the rage. Pursuing that thread through the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the present day, we discover that we don't need to make up gods to explain things anymore. Since we all come accessorized with an expiration date, Stilwell encourages us all to make the most of this life we have to live, here and now. Starring Stilwell's freethinking alter-ego Thrashin' Jack and his friend Lotus, Here and Now features over one hundred delightful and charming comics illuminating the story.

Lillian Hawthorn did all the things her parents told her to do. She went to finishing school. She married one of the most eligible bachelors in New York. But she was not happy. One night she took her courage and made a snap decision that would make her realize why she was not happy. And why she was done playing by rules that her parents and society gave her. In 1964 it might be a man's world, but as Lillian soon grows to understand, you don't have to play by those rules.