Are You Free?

The Morettis are a Sarasota family of Cafeteria Catholics, (rejecting some Vatican doctrines—mainly pelvic issue ones). Widower Dante goes to his first Confession in decades. He confesses gossip: telling his two daughters of his brother Nick’s fling with the caterer for his wedding vow renewal with Nick’s then-wife Rosemary. An unusual Penance surprises Dante. Tantrums of Nick’s ex-wife Rosemary impact events. Dante wants another good woman to love, but dating yields only stories that amuse his girls.

Dante’s gossip is repeated, changing with each teller. Floridians talk about freedom (yet yearn to mate). An undreamt-of source for finding love and fulfilling Dante’s Penance offers challenge and hope. Her name is Abigail.

Soon they’re doing everything in a pandemic. How could anything go right?

Are You Free? offers a witty rumination on family, religion, and the search for love in many forms – grief, longing, regret, surprise.

Around the World with AA, BB, and CC

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with AA, BB, and CC, three curious aliens from a distant planet, sent to explore the wonders of Earth. As shapeshifting beings of pure energy, they traverse all seven continents, visiting captivating places and encountering fascinating creatures along the way.

CC, a mischievous free spirit, leads the trio into a series of thrilling and educational misadventures. From narrowly escaping a leopard seal in Antarctica to riding a geyser in Yellowstone, conversing with polar bears, and becoming heroes in Amsterdam, their journey is filled with excitement and surprises. CC’s antics even lead to reports of a woolly mammoth roaming the countryside and someone being ejected from a volcanic eruption!

Throughout their escapades, young readers will discover various branches of science, including geography, climate, zoology, archaeology, paleontology, and volcanology. The aliens’ ability to change form allows them to interact with the colorful and quirky animals they meet, leading to delightful and informative conversations.

Basa, Swords, and Mayhem

The world fades as dragons, having turned on their human masters, seek to destroy civilization and rule supreme. Dragon Slayers – a cursed family with the power to steal dragon souls and abilities – stand as humanity’s last defense.

Basa Alkire emerges from hiding to join the Fallen Embassy, dragon-fighting warriors. But he soon discovers his uncle, their leader, is a dangerous zealot. Deception and betrayal lurk around every corner. Amidst the chaos, an even darker secret comes to light. Goddess Vulpecula deceived them all when she created Ashwick, a mighty sulfur dragon birthed pregnant with a vile demon child. Now, the moon goddess favors only darkness, and humanity’s days are numbered.

As the end nears, Basa must battle lethal foes from without and within. Will this world belong to dragons and demons, or can Basa turn the tide before all is consumed by death and deceit?

Below

Drawing inspiration from a chilling, real-life enigma of an airline crash in the Gulf of Mexico, this thriller plunges deep into the heart of the southern U.S.

What dark secrets did the passenger on the ill-fated flight harbor, and what unspeakable terror was he transporting?

Dive into a tale where every twist beckons a haunting question, pulling you deeper into the mystery.

Black Swan Impact

Creative, shocking, and constantly intriguing, Black Swan Impact is a taut geopolitical novel that features a bold but grim vision of a post-World War III future. The thrilling storyline never meanders, instead moving forward with purpose and keeping the reader in eager pursuit of it. Readers will enjoy this captivating, insightful, and detailed crisis that could only be created by an insider with many years of expertise in the subject matter.

A former government employee of the Department of Homeland Security, Helen Hynson Vettori delivers a credible and horrifying tale born from her consternation regarding the United States government’s suboptimal response to SARS CoV-2. Appalled that previous years of planning and preparation for biological incidents, to include pandemics, were overlooked, she wrote this sci-fi political thriller. As a result, readers will find unnerving truths woven throughout this terrifying fiction. Further, with her background as a Senior Medical Intelligence Analyst and paramedic, she provides graphic descriptions with visceral details that compel readers to turn each page with chilling captivation.

Bless Me Father

This is a tantalizing mystery driven by friendships and secrets. Maria-Teresa Rivera has no idea what’s in store for her when she arrives at her childhood church in Mesa, Arizona for a routine planning meeting with the hot new priest. The effect the handsome Brazilian priest has on the congregation of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic church is nothing less than murderous.

When a dead body is discovered at the church, Maria-Teresa fails to convince the police that, despite her blood-smeared appearance, she is innocent of the crime. As the body count rises in the church community, Maria-Teresa’s tenacious trio of multiracial girlfriends embark on a thrilling cat and mouse chase with a killer using wit, wisdom, and humor to absolve their friend of murder charges.

Through shudder-inducing twists and turns, these amateur sleuths uncover deep dark secrets about a plethora of suspicious characters. These ladies combine who-dun-it foundations with a contemporary empowering driven approach to crime solving only to leave one secret yet to be revealed.

Blood Summer 1862

1862 was the second year of the Civil War and a year when hundreds of European immigrants and settlers from the eastern United States were building cabins and clearing farmland in Minnesota.

It was also the year when the Dakota Sioux were starving on their reservation because the annuity from the federal government was late, and the traders refused to sell them food on credit. In August the smoldering firestorm erupted, and the Dakota Sioux went on a rampage that shook the state and the nation.

This is the story  of a newly-arrived Swedish family who suffered through it, of a devout Dakota Sioux man who helped them and many others survive, and of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who sought justice for 303 condemned Dakota Sioux prisoners in the midst of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.      

Bluejay in the Attic

Bluejay in the Attic is a captivating, thought-provoking, and highly contemporary read. Throughout Andy’s travels, there is a compelling honesty with his reflections on society and its impact on him throughout his journey. The development of Andy’s character creates a fascination and a compulsion that carries the reader to the edge of their seat beyond the final moments. The authorial voice is transfixing, evoking eras of history, and each layer of this evolving journey further engrosses the reader. Supported by a nuanced and complex cast and a layered narrative, Bluejay in the Attic is undoubtedly a well-written and beautifully crafted novel worthy of attention.

Bridge of Stones

In the simmering heat of August 1967, a kaleidoscopic minivan carrying a band of hippies – adorned with long hair, beards, beads, sandals, and granny dresses – pulls up at the gates of Ft. Gordon, Augusta, GA, then the heartland of the Military Police. Their mission is unconventional: to instruct the 25th Infantry Division, 60th Mine Scout Dog Platoon in harnessing the keen senses of dogs to detect landmines, trip wires, and hidden tunnels.

The air crackles with animosity as two worlds collide: the free-spirited and the regimented. Yet amidst the discord, Charlie Fasanaro, a young man with wisdom flowing through his veins, recognizes the crucial necessity of forging a bridge across the chasm of enmity that separates them. Their common cause is as clear as it is noble: saving lives in a theatre of war. Unbeknownst to Charlie, he is on the precipice of a spiritual catharsis that will redefine his very essence.

Volunteering to journey to the harsh landscapes of Vietnam alongside the 60th, Charlie is plunged into the visceral cruelties of war. Amidst the chaos, he witnesses acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that cast a new light on the soldiers he stands beside; a nobility and honor scarcely seen amidst the peace-loving circles of his civilian life. This revelation propels Charlie into a tumultuous voyage of self-discovery, as he grapples with his identity amidst a whirlwind of contrasting ideologies.

Bridge of Stones navigates through the turbulent waters of a time where ideologies clashed and the essence of humanity was put to the test. As Charlie endeavors to find his footing on the battlefield of conflicting beliefs, readers are ushered through a rich narrative that explores the profound essence of camaraderie, the unyielding spirit of sacrifice, and the indelible marks etched upon souls in times of war and peace.

Broken Tusk

Broken Tusk is a heart-wrenching tale that follows the trials and tribulations of a family of African elephants, narrated by the hero, a young male named Broken Tusk. From daily encounters with natural disasters to the cruel and devastating effects of human actions, Broken Tusk guides readers through the soulful journey of his family’s incalculable suffering. Alongside the hardships, readers also witness moments of joy, including playful games, mud baths, and even a bit of romance for Broken Tusk. With simple writing and short sentences, this absorbing story serves as an eye-opener for readers of all ages and provides an educational insight into the lives of African elephants.

Building 8

In the heart of a dystopian metropolis, Building 8 stands as a silent witness to the lives and struggles of its inhabitants. Anthony C. Mazzella’s gripping narrative plunges readers into a world where reality bends and the ordinary collides with the surreal. As the central business district is besieged by chaotic flying machines and destruction reigns, the top floor of Building 8 remains a curious sanctuary of calm. Within its walls, two men go about their business, seemingly oblivious to the mayhem below, embodying the eerie contrast between normalcy and chaos that defines the story.

Mazzella’s vivid imagination and keen insights into human nature drive this thought-provoking tale, weaving together elements of science fiction and psychological thriller. As the characters navigate a landscape of fear, uncertainty, and hidden truths, Building 8 challenges readers to question their perceptions of reality and the thin veneer that separates order from disorder. This novel is a powerful exploration of resilience, human connection, and the mysterious forces that shape our lives, making it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and those who enjoy a deep dive into the complexities of the human psyche.

Close Friends' Cathedral Adventure

Peat, a toad, and Paul-Paulette, an earthworm, live in the woods beneath the roots of their friend, Christy, a Christmas fern. One day they are dug up and carried away. Christy is replanted in a pot large enough to hold Paul-Paulette, but Peat is too big to get in and cannot completely hide. He stays under Christy’s fronds, but can’t disappear.Together with their wild flower friends, they are taken to the Washington National Cathedral to participate in the annual Festival of Flowers. While the plants are being carried into the cathedral, Peat is discovered, picked up and left in the Garth – the small, enclosed garden near the base of the stairs.This is the story of the little toad’s adventure as he tries to find his plant and animal friends in the huge building. It is a tour of the cathedral and an introduction to cathedral architecture inside and out. A short glossary of architecture terms is included.