Collections of a Filthy Heart

I have a filthy heart.

It’s been bruised,

and broken,

and houses secrets best left in the dark.

These are its collections.

Courtney Jones lives in downtown Toronto, working in content creation and digital strategy. An avid lover of the written word, she prefers to pass her free time reading a good book while enjoying a glass of even better red wine.

Columbus, Slave Trader

Columbus, Slave Trader delves into an eye-opening exploration of history as it uncovers a seldom-told truth: the initial transatlantic slave ships did not traverse from Africa to America with captive Africans. Instead, the journey took a different, darker turn. The very first slave ships embarked from the New World to Europe, carrying a harrowing cargo of 500 captured Native Americans. Their enslaver? Christopher Columbus himself.

As the narrative unfolds, we confront the chilling reality of this early chapter in the slave trade, where these Native Americans, originally destined for Seville’s slave auction, endured unimaginable hardships. Only 80 would emerge as survivors, highlighting the heart-wrenching toll of this historic voyage.

Columbus, Slave Trader is a stark, essential and accurate historical fiction account that challenges prevailing narratives, shedding light on a pivotal moment in history and reevaluating our understanding of Columbus as not just an explorer but also a slave trader.

Confidence Matters

This book can help you to develop your self-awareness, your self-belief, and your sense of self-worth so that you can feel confident whenever, wherever, and with whomever.

Go on a journey of self-discovery with practical step-by-step exercises, and develop and strengthen your authentic motivation and self-confidence with techniques based on the powerful behavioural science of neuro-linguistic programming.

Confidence Matters by Dr. Louise J. Goddard EdD is for everyone – from teachers to business leaders, entrepreneurs to coaches, parents, and people from all walks of life. It goes beyond positive thinking. It contains no-nonsense step-by-step exercises for self-discovery, transcendence of unconscious limiting beliefs, and enhancement of mental clarity, self-awareness, motivation, gratitude, and self-empowerment.

Connections

I am a practicing psychotherapist with over fifty years of experience, still actively seeing patients in the San Diego area. I currently specialize in those needing treatment for long-term care, chronic conditions, and PTSD.

I returned to my roots in writing Connections. I expanded upon the developmental frameworks I taught in my UCSD courses; my students encouraged me to adapt these core psychological constructs into a matrix encompassing my other passions, like physics and spirituality. I believe we need an ongoing inner Renaissance if we hope to spark one in the wider world.

Conscious (R)Evolution, Humanity, Insanity, and the Planet

In Conscious (R)Evolution, Humanity, Insanity, and the Planet, the author brings together two powerful insights: that all life on this planet is interconnected, and that humanity’s current path of consumerism and industrialization is leading to catastrophe. From deforestation to pollution, we are damaging the very environment that sustains us. This book asks us to stop and consider the bigger picture: as an intelligent species, why would we willingly destroy the planet that gave us life? With urgency and clarity, the author calls for a new way of living, one that recognizes our place in the natural world and uses our intelligence to create a better future for all.

Conundrum Murders

Detective George McCraken is on a dangerous mission to solve the murder of Hampton socialite Rosalie Stevens, who has been found slumped over the steering wheel of her BMW with roses in her hand and a bullet in her head. McCraken must outsmart a Russian mob henchman while navigating the complex motives behind the murder, which remains a mystery as Rosalie had no enemies and no involvement in criminal activities. The investigation heats up with the potential for a romantic entanglement for McCraken and a connection to a money laundering scheme in the family’s real estate business. The Conundrum Murders will test McCraken’s detective skills as he races to uncover the truth.

CRO'67 a Golden Bear Story

Buckle up for a thrilling journey through the vibrant 1950s and 1960s with this riveting coming-of-age memoir. Echoing the nostalgia and charm of classics like American Pie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Stand by Me, American Graffiti, and Pleasantville, this graphic memoir offers a unique blend of heartfelt stories and vivid adventures.

Set in the idyllic suburb of Upper Arlington, Ohio, during a Camelot era, this tale follows a group of friends navigating the exhilarating highs and lows of adolescence. From mischievous escapades to moments of poignant self-discovery, the narrative captures the essence of youth, marked by friendships, first loves, and unforgettable parties.

Against a backdrop of significant historical events – social pressures, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War – our protagonists brush shoulders with the elite, all while experiencing the raw and joyful transformation from childhood to teenage years.

Crystal Palace

In 1910, Charles Francis Richter was a very curious 10-year-old boy. His curiosity would one day lead to the creation of a way to measure the size of an earthquake. As a boy though, Charlie’s curiosity leads him on an adventure that introduces him to Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, Robert Koch, Rudolf Diesel, and Joseph Tyrrell.

Travel with young Charlie Richter to Crystal Palace, in England, for a historical re-imagining of the greatest scientific exhibition of the 20^th century that never actually happened, and explore some of the ideas that launched the modern world.

Daddy Said I Need a Parachute

Funny things happen every day. Just stand and stay quiet for a full minute and listen to the things around you - the sounds and the voices. There are instances when you believe you've heard someone say one thing and the person actually said something very different.

In this story, you will find that although Andrew is planning to enjoy his day at school, he has heard his dad say something to the teacher. Now, Andrew's day is full of wondering, imagining and excitement! He cannot wait to get home to get his surprise from his dad.

What do you think Andrew heard his dad say to the teacher?

This is a fun read about a great way to ask questions and be clear in what we believe we have heard others say. Read on to see what happens.

Daisy

Have you ever wondered what happened to Daisy Buchanan after the Great Gatsby was murdered in his swimming pool on Long Island in the summer of 1922? She and Tom Buchanan fled to Europe where they met almost everybody worth knowing in the roaring twenties: the Hemingways, the Fitzgeralds, Pablo Picasso, who painted her portrait, Gerald and Sara Murphy, as well as the Prince of Wales.

After years of interviews and with the help of Daisy’s diaries, her daughter, Pamela, has reconstructed Daisy’s life in Paris, in England, and in Spain where Daisy left the privileged life she had known to become involved on the loyalist side of the Spanish Civil War.

DAMN: An Emotional and Physical Journey Through the Corridors of the Justice System

DAMN: Emotional and Physical Journey Through the Corridors of the Justice System uncovers the hidden and taboo stories of gay relationships within the prison system. Venturing into a world often associated with violence and isolation, this book offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of individuals seeking love, intimacy, and self-authentication under the harshest of conditions. Drawing on firsthand accounts, research, and personal experiences, the author delves into the labyrinth of emotions, charting both the struggles and the triumphs that defy the barriers of incarceration.

This compelling narrative serves not just as a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of love, but also as a call to action. Addressing the systemic issues that exacerbate the hardships faced by LGBTQ+ individuals behind bars, it challenges us to confront our biases and advocate for a more inclusive and empathetic prison system. A catalyst for meaningful conversations and reforms, this book reminds us of the inherent worth of every human being, urging us toward a more equitable and compassionate society.

Dancing with the Devil

In a desolate stretch of highway on the southwest side of Chicago, a young blonde woman known only as ‘Mary’ has been haunting the living for decades. From police officers to cab drivers, and from airline pilots to curious teens, many have reported chilling encounters with her. But there’s a twist: Mary has been dead and buried since 1936. Why does her restless spirit persist in making such frequent appearances even nearly a century later? Trapped in a web of dangerous political intrigue in life, what is it that Mary so desperately seeks in the afterlife? Why can’t she find eternal peace? As the sightings continue to unfold, this gripping tale unravels the mystery behind Mary’s ceaseless wanderings on this lonely, otherworldly expanse of Chicago roadway.