Manifesting Memories

What does a memory look like? Often it will appear personal and sacred because we have created it ourselves with every sensual focus we brought to our experience. Then, we sprinkle our thoughts and perspectives on it. A memory will reconnect us to the past for a  reimagining, a review, and a reframing. It will end up looking very much like who we are.

I hope the stories on these pages will entice you to return home to your own memories. Will you be stirred by how your memories have shaped you? Do they help reveal to you how unique you are? How have you chosen to be in life because of your memories? Reflecting on our memories may reveal how we truly belong to ourselves and to one another.

Enjoy the journey,

 Darlene

March on the Arch

Andi and Tony find themselves reduced in size to just nine inches tall. Mom and Dad have disappeared. What’s happening? Andi believes they must hike up the mountain behind their home, up to the monument known as the ‘Arch,’ to solve the mystery.

Being small makes everything so different! Mom’s garden, the fields, the woods, once so familiar, are transformed into a world of magic and danger.

Along the way, fun, friends, and surprises await. Brother and sister will need all of their courage and wits on their quest to save themselves, their folks, and even the planet.

Join them on this fantastic adventure filled with laughter and excitement!

Maria's Backpack

Sarah, Aleena, and Maria are best friends. They do everything together – they even share their hijabs!

But what happens when Maria disappears from school for a few days, and wants to be alone? Does that mean she no longer wants to be Sarah’s friend?

Join Sarah as she learns what it means to look after one’s mental health, which is just as important as taking care of our bodies.

Marvin Just Can't Score

Marvin loves basketball and is praised for his skill. There's only one problem… he just can't score!

After playing a full basketball season and finishing with zero baskets, a disheartened Marvin quits basketball, his favourite sport…

Marvin needs your help! Encourage him to keep trying and keep playing the game he loves!

Max's Manual for Good Manners

Children need to learn basic etiquette beyond saying, ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’

In recent years, rude behavior and bullying have become the ‘new norm’ while common courtesy seems to be a thing of the past.

What separates humans from animals is our ability to reason and manage our emotions.

Yet, what if children could learn manners from a story about a dog who struggles with the same emotional challenges as they do?

Training children and dogs is not an easy task.

This book aims to teach children manners through the eyes of a dog named ‘Max,’ who is modeled after my own dog, ‘Mad Max.’

McKenna Goes Home

The Civil War has ended, and McKenna is drawn back to Charleston, the cradle of her childhood and the echoes of a tumultuous past. As she steps into the post-war remnants of her once-beloved city, questions haunt her—does her home endure, or has it succumbed to the ruin? Are the ghosts of her youth lurking in the shadows of devastation, or will the rubble reveal secrets long buried? Returning to the city of her youth, now marred by the tragedy of conflict, McKenna must summon her resilience to confront the Charleston that awaits her, forever altered by the War’s relentless tide.

McKenna's Return - Unfair Contempt

In McKenna’s Return – Unfair Contempt, the second book in the McKenna Trilogy, McKenna is determined to reunite with her father in Washington D.C. after the end of the Civil War. However, her journey is not without its challenges as the post-war citizens of D.C. are quick to condemn her for the cause of the war and its devastating effects. Despite facing these tough encounters, McKenna uses her quick wit, cleverness, and strong faith to navigate through these difficult situations. Follow McKenna on her journey of resilience and determination as she tries to make a new life for herself in the aftermath of the war.

Me, Myself & I Remember Decatur (and Beyond)

This fun, engaging memoir is about a clever, strong-willed, mischievous, creative gutsy gal who was always out of the box. She proclaims she never saw that silly box! She has always questioned societal norms and injustices, insisting life should make more sense. This resulted in interesting, amusing experiences with fascinating people from diverse walks of life and cultures. For seventy-seven years when the world said ‘No’ she persevered with a resounding ‘YES!’

She has retained a childlike wonder and delight for life that is bold and entertaining. She has tried to make her planet kinder, especially for the downtrodden. Difficult setbacks only made her more determined to enjoy life to the fullest with meaningful lifelong relationships. Often, she’s had to pick herself up and dust herself off! Shunning bitterness, clinging to faith, she has showed the world real love. An encourager gifted at teaching, she has quick wit and is great fun.

Meant to Be

History unravels such irony. During World War II, a dutiful son wearing an American soldier’s uniform sat in a detention camp across the table from his father, a declared enemy. The war later brought together two identified adversaries across a vast ocean. Governments may declare hostile parties, but humans cross those boundaries.

Medicine Park

Medicine Park is a compelling small-town murder mystery that takes place in southwestern Oklahoma in the historically pivotal year of 1963.

As the town’s high-school history teacher reminds us: “People have lived here all their lives, but they have no idea what goes on beneath the surface.”

Medicine Park uniquely blends engaging characters, humor, romance, suspense, and Native American tribal culture – with a splash of metaphysics, a dash of the macabre, and an onslaught of surprising twists and turns.

Buckle up!

Meeka and Mallard

In the tranquil waters of a serene pond, Meeka, a curious little turtle, feels a pang of loneliness. With a heart full of questions and wonder, he seeks answers from the turtles, pond crabs, and even the graceful egrets and herons that frequent his watery haven. However, the bustling world around him seems too preoccupied with their own pursuits to lend a listening ear. Undeterred and fuelled by a deep-seated belief, Meeka embarks on a heartfelt quest to find a friend who understands. Dive into Meeka’s journey, a tale of persistence, hope, and the timeless search for connection.

Meet the Knoggins

Life can be tough, especially for kids. Problems at school, issues at home, and an uncertain future can make any child feel overwhelmed. But with the right mindset and support, every child has the potential to thrive.

In their new book, Meet the Knoggins provides children with the encouragement and practical advice they need to tackle life’s challenges head-on. Through relatable stories and easy-to-follow exercises, kids will learn how to identify their passions, appreciate their own self-worth, and pursue their goals with confidence.

The Knoggins understand that while we can’t shield children from all the world’s difficulties, we can equip them with the resilience, grit, and self-belief to overcome any obstacle. This empowering book will help kids silence their self-doubt, find their voice, and take charge of writing their own story – a story filled with purpose, joy, and achievement.

Because the only limits in life are those we place on ourselves. It’s time to dream big!