The Things He Lost There

Vietnam. The word still resonates with powerful emotions: death, lost souls, devastation – both human and material – shattered men, and a country equally broken and horribly divided.

Into this turbulent backdrop steps Jack Houston, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina. Thrust into the heart of the conflict, Jack’s journey encapsulates the grim realities of the Vietnam War and the crucial role of the surface Navy. After fierce combat in places like Phu Quoc, Rach Gia, and Hue during the Tet Offensive, Jack’s ship, the highly-decorated Black River, faces a new challenge. A new commanding officer, Cork, takes over, driving – what the crew calls ‘corkscrewing’ – the ship into both operational and morale disasters.

This narrative explores the impact of Captain Cork’s leadership on Jack and the crew, filled with moments of profound sadness and unexpected hilarity. The climax comes with the Black River, now under Jack’s command, confronting six Chinese gunboats in the Taiwan Straits: a hopelessly mismatched battle, given the ship’s unsuitability for naval combat. The survival of Jack and his ship hangs in the balance as they navigate this deadly encounter.

Parallel to the war story is Jack’s poignant love affair with Melanie Lawton, a spirited graduate student back in Carolina. Through her perspective, we witness the defining events of 1968 and 1969: antiwar demonstrations, the chaotic 1968 Democratic Party Convention in Chicago, Woodstock, drug culture, and political assassinations. One devastating decision made in the midst of war shatters Jack and Melanie’s relationship, leaving Jack to question if he can ever reclaim what he lost in Vietnam – his love, his peace, his future.

The Three Labrador Puppies

Three Labrador Retriever puppies have come to visit Miss Lizardo’s classroom. One is black. One is yellow. One is chocolate. The children have many questions to ask their owner. Their owner has many answers to give them. To their surprise, it turns out that the three puppies have the same mother and the same father. How can that be? The reason leads to lots of discussion. And by the time Mr. Porter leaves with Lou, Blue and Sue, the class has learned that these three puppies have something very important to teach people.

The Timeless Love of Billy B for Scheherazade

Balthazar dreams of the perfect woman, one he can summon or dismiss at will on his computer screen. But as time passes, he becomes ensnared in his own creation, consumed by an obsession with this non-existent figure. As Balthazar spirals downward, losing everything from his identity to the use of his body, reduced to just his mind and the fingers tapping at the keyboard, she, in contrast, rises. She transforms into a modern-day Scheherazade, learning to command her prince.

Baltha B was unaware,
No more sits he upon the chair.
The relics of his body’s ruin,
Are the one last bastion
Of his undoing.
Death beckons when the hands they clap,
To say, ‘Enough! Your time is up’

The Tisperer

The Tisperer is a gripping Irish novel that follows the journey of a lone nationalist sniper who takes on the British Army during the turbulent times of the ‘dirty war’ in the Six Counties of Ireland. The story is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, which led to a violent conflagration that intensified after the shooting of thirteen unarmed protestors by members of the notorious Paratroop Regiment of the British Army in Derry.

At the heart of the book is the unwavering spirit of the Irish nationalist, who refuses to be subjugated by the British and instead fights back with everything they have. The central character of the book, Scran Donaghey, is working on the family farm when a foot patrol of British paratroopers shoots and kills his only brother, Scruff. This tragic event shatters Scran’s world, leaving him with post-traumatic stress disorder but determined to seek retribution.

Scran faces two formidable foes - the British Army and the harsh Irish winter - as he wages his war for justice. The novel explores the dark corners of the Irish psyche, revealing the deep-seated need to fight back against historical oppressors like the British. The Tisperer is a complex and emotionally charged story that blends elements of mysticism, humor, sadness, hope, hopelessness, and anger.

The Treasure

Child is in search of a treasure and sets out on their own to find it. Child does not know what the treasure looks like, nor do they know where to find it. Child goes into the forest to search for the treasure and enlists the help of many animals that live there. Each animal assists Child by offering their own special wisdom and support. It is not until Child meets Brother Wolf that they are led to the discovery of a treasure so surprising and amazing that they can hardly believe it… for it is a treasure that can change the whole world.

Come and travel with Child to find this treasure. You will be surprised and amazed too.

The Truth About the Tooth Fairy

Have you ever wondered about the Tooth Fairy’s magical world? Where does she live when she’s not collecting teeth? How does she know the exact moment a tooth falls out, no matter where you are? And what happens to all those pearly whites she gathers?

The Tooth Fairy herself is finally ready to reveal all her secrets! Prepare to step into her enchanting world and discover the answers to all of your questions that have puzzled children for generations. Are you ready?

The Turkey with Sneakers on His Feet

As you read this funny book about a turkey running through the streets, not only does he talk but he also wears red tennies on his feet. A man sees this turkey and wonders what the turkey is up to, so he follows him through the streets. Why is this crazy bird roaming the streets? Looking for a treat maybe? Let’s read and find out what the turkey is up to.

Your little ones, along with the entire family will enjoy this funny bird, the bright colors and the cute animation along with a special message. I hope your family enjoys this story and the message that the turkey brings to you.

The Two Sides of Yourself

If you find yourself as a main character in any of these stories, you are only human.

If you don’t, you are in denial.

This intriguing and powerful collection of prose reflects on the many complex facets of the human experience. The diverse narratives, perspectives, and characters in the stories touch on a number of experiences and emotions that everyone will relate to at one point or another in their lives, which is what makes the stories so captivating.

From family to love to loss to religion, the stories are sure to draw readers in and allow them to truly contemplate about what it means to be human, and the many shared experiences and emotions we have that make us so.

The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve

On the Great Plains, we find Grover, a donkey and Steve, an ostrich, who are the best of friends despite their differences.

The other animals on the plains just cannot understand how they are even friends. Donkeys and ostriches are just too different!

For Grover and Steve, while there are many differences between the two, what's most important to them is the bond of friendship.

The Warriors of Raw

When Lord Devon, the king of Old York New, chooses a new heir in the line of succession, everything goes awry. Demons known as the ‘Black Shadows’ corrupt the new heir, and the king is dethroned. After a rebellion fails, three children—Isaiah, Brandon, and Madison—reform a secret group known as the ‘Warriors of Raw.’ It is up to them to retrieve the ancient holy and mystical weapon called the ‘Eye of God’ and fight these demonic foes.

A percentage of the royalties will go to the charities the LUMOS Foundation and Red Nose Day.

The Warriors of Raw: The Battle for Souls

In the Kingdom of Old York New, ancient demonic adversaries rise once more, casting shadows of chaos. The new generation of the Warriors of Raw is humanity’s last line of defense. Their mission? Locate the elusive Shaft of Light, reforge the legendary Spear of Destiny, and turn the tide of the impending Demon War.

But with the very fabric of time hanging in the balance, can they prevent the malevolent forces from rewriting the past, present, and future? Dive into a tale where every battle is a race against time and destiny itself.

The Who Onstage 1969-1971

The Who achieved legendary status from their Woodstock 1969 concert. With truly groundbreaking music and theatrics to match, this performance brought about a great era for The Who, where each concert reached the height of visual and musical perfection.

During 1969–1971, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwisle had no equal onstage. Some of their greatest music was performed at the Woodstock Music Festival, Fillmore East, Tanglewood Music Shed, and the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. The photos within this book have captured their magic.

The Who were unpredictable, always pushing the limits musically, led by a powerhouse of four unique individuals the likes of which the world has never seen since.

This is The Who!