The Good, The Bad, and the Tragic

This is Don’s third book of adventure tales. But unlike his first two books, The Idling Bulldozer and The Seventy-Thousand Dollar Outhouse, which focused exclusively on kayaking, the tales in this volume go beyond kayaking to include adventures on the land and in the air, finally ending with a tragic story that gives the book its name. Through these stories, the author has shown that adventures are not vacations, that sometimes things can and do go wrong, and that they may even end in tragedy. This is a powerful and immersive collection of stories which take the reader on a journey through the excitement and tragedies of new adventures.

The Goodwill Mission

In 1982, a young girl joins an elite chorus called the Singing Pines from a high school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After performing at a Miami Dolphins football game, the group catches the attention of the CIA, who invite them to appear on the Today Show. The group is soon sent on a State Department-sponsored goodwill mission to Poland, unaware of the ulterior motive behind their tour.

As they perform for captivated audiences, the Singing Pines encounter challenges from Polish authorities, student unions, and hostile regimes. Despite the language barrier and danger, the group realizes their strength and what they can accomplish.

Based on a true story, this novel follows the journey of 16, 17, and 18-year-old American teenagers as they unwittingly become part of a plan to help Poland achieve democracy through the subtle art of influence and music. Narrated by the 17-year-old heroine, Jordan Davis, the story is set in Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., and various cities in Poland. Interspersed throughout the narrative are historical references to real events, giving an accurate picture of the U.S. government and Vatican involvement in the first cracks in the iron curtain.

With themes of bravery, diplomacy, and the power of music, this is a captivating and inspiring story of how a group of young Americans helped to bring down the iron curtain.

The Grandfather Paradox

In a race against time, could you be the savior the world needs? Faced with a one-way journey to the past, would you dare to reshape the world or be tempted by personal desires? As the sands of time slip away, powerful forces rise against you. The question remains: what would you sacrifice for a chance to rewrite history?

The Great American Pie Contest

Disappointments are inevitable. What happens when a joyous event filled with magical expectations is suddenly interrupted? Do we give up? Or do we seek a solution, something new that might be better?

Through the magic of her beautiful, whimsical paintings and heartwarming story, Olivia Thomason takes children of all ages along for a wondrous adventure filled with brilliant colors and interesting people, where flavors and aromas sustain the joy of good intentions. All of this provides a lesson: The greater good can be found when we search for it.

The Grocer

Ever pondered the art of acquiring a business, or the knack of seamlessly accumulating rental properties? Delve into this riveting narrative that not only educates but also captivates.

Journey with Antoine ‘Tony’ Ferducci as he steps into the bustling world of a local grocery store half a century ago. Starting as a humble 16-year-old employee under the mentorship of three Italian entrepreneurs, Tony’s ambition quickly becomes evident. Even before his high school graduation, he is determined to immerse himself full-time in the grocery trade.

Witness Tony’s business acumen in action as he transforms from a young shop boy to a business magnate. His empire expands to include not just the original grocery store, but three more, alongside six ‘Gas & Goes’, a major construction company, twin liquor stores, a pair of used car outlets, multiple hair salons, duo of restaurants, a bustling shopping center, a dedicated dry cleaner, and an impressive portfolio of nearly 200 rental units.

Dive into The Grocer and discover the exhilarating world of enterprise, growth, and the relentless spirit of ambition.

The Grumpkin Gang and the Rusty Key

They were normal kids in a normal backyard club, and then their mothers disappeared.

A beautiful, dark-eyed fairy chose them to bring their mothers home. Each of them chose something special to help them in their quest, except for their leader, Elaina, who forgot. The guiding fairy comforted Elaina and gave her a rusty key with special powers that would be discovered when she needed them.

Their journey was long and hard with many obstacles to overcome. Each child came through in their own way to bring them to their destination. Through forests and rivers and hills they traveled until they came to their final challenge, the Gorfinbobble who had taken their mothers and would not let them go.

The Heartbreak Adventure

The journey of divorce is not an easy one, but usually a necessary one. A profound journey that forces you to look deep within and be truthful and raw in order to be reborn. Avoiding truths, ignoring signs, and suppressing gut instinct will rarely result in finding the path to your authentic self. I quieted my own soul for a very long time until my whole world came crashing down and I could no longer ignore what had been right in front of me all along. The journey was heart-breaking, yet healing, debilitating, yet empowering. I felt deep despair and deep relief all at the same time. My mind, heart, and soul were forced to walk through intense pain. Yet through it all, I also experienced intense joy and soul healing moments. This anthology of poems is about my own Heartbreak Adventure and all the feelings that accompanied me along the way.

The Honeybee Rivals the Spring

The Honeybee Rivals the Spring is a poignant collection of poetry that invites you, the reader, on a transformative journey alongside the author. As you traverse the pages, you’ll find your perspective broadening, compelling you to delve into the depths of your own thoughts and emotions. This compilation serves as a supportive companion, empowering you to connect deeply with the vivid portrayals of self-discovery and personal insight. Through its verses, you’re encouraged to embrace a journey of understanding, reflecting on your innermost sentiments and experiences.

The House Where Dirt Grew

In a town where secrets are kept hidden no matter the cost, elderly widow Mae Reese discovers that her house seems to be growing “dirt.” No matter how hard she scrubs, scours, mops, and cleans, the “dirt” is everywhere, consuming her once immaculate home. Over time, she begins to see the connection between this mysterious onslaught of filth, and the long-ago murder of teenager Betsy Palmer, and learns that even the dead can exact revenge.

The Human Mind

Delve into a transformative read that offers more than just words: it offers a path to understanding. This book provides invaluable guidance on achieving health and longevity while also exploring the deep-seated roots of our environmental dilemmas. Venture on a journey of self-discovery and grasp a more profound understanding of your essence. Beyond the personal, uncover the core reasons behind humanity's persistent divisions and the recurring battles they incite. A must-read, this work is a compass for anyone seeking clarity in our complex world.

The Illustrated Book of Medicine: Joey and the Cough

Embark with Joey on a captivating voyage through the human body! One night, after Joey had settled into bed, a persistent cough piqued his curiosity. Driven by an insatiable need to understand, Joey delves into one of Papa’s medical books. Soon enough, he embarks on a thrilling adventure, journeying through the intricate mazes of the body. Together with Papa, uncover the wonders of our internal universe, from organ to organ, revealing their unique roles and mysteries. Dive in from the tip of the nose and spiral down to the depths of the lungs!

The JailBird Diet

Shaped by the unique stories of my time in federal custody, the JailBird Diet takes the reader into the world of incarceration that challenges the mind, body, and spirit at every turn. Out of the “shock and awful” of prison’s daily rituals comes a radical life change: the cleansing regimens, “superfoods,” and feeding disciplines I used to confront this new world and achieve radical weight loss. JailBird defines the tools of my diet journey that drove my 100 pound weight loss and shaped a new me.

Based on the food and activity logs I kept in my daily prison journal, the JailBird Diet also provides a week-by-week story of the journey from my first day of surrender to the last days when the pandemic and solitary confinement threatened to leave me just pounds from my weight goal. In so doing, it provides the tools to replicate this kind of weight loss in the free world.