My Roots, My Self

Clutching a childhood photo to her heart, Jenny asks, ‘Who is the real me?’ before setting off to find the parents who abandoned her. Centuries earlier, Macuya channels the courageous spirit of his father to survive being kidnapped into a hostile world.

Thus begins My Roots, My Self, a gripping historical novel intertwining two epic journeys from 1975 Minnesota to the blood-soaked origins of the Italian Mafia and Spanish Inquisition. A fresh and engaging story about a dual search for self-identity: one character searching back to remove the stains of her crime family, the other striving ahead to forge a family legacy in a racist society.

Jenny’s search starts in Boston, where the FBI detains her after an ill-fated meeting with members of the Anguilo crime family, people of her blood. Threatened but determined, she heads to Sicily and meets a mercurial genealogist who unlocks the secrets of her lineage and her path to freedom.

Macuya, a native of the West Indies, is torn from home and family by Columbus and taken to Spain, where Queen Isabella adopts him as a mascot. Later freed with a baron’s title, he secretly marries Beka, the Jewish love of his life. Together, they move from country to country to escape being burned at the stake.

With six centuries of separation, the reader is plucked from the now and wrenched into the mysteries of the past as both characters struggle forward to find the freedom to honor their true selves.

My Roots, My Self will appeal to fans who were enthralled with the search for faith and home in Scherman’s The Mapmaker’s Daughter, who cherished the journey of self-discovery in Shapiro’s Inheritance and loved the historical intrigue of Cornick’s The Winter Garden.

“I received an advance copy of My Roots, My Self and wow what an emotional ride. Jenny’s struggle to understand where she came from hit me hard; it made me think about my own family stories and what’s been passed down to me. I loved how the book shifted between her story and Macuya’s in 1492. At first, I didn’t see how the two connected, but by the end, it all came together beautifully. This is one of those books that stays with you long after you close it.”

– Abraham Alejandro, Member, Oprah’s Book Club.

“I was lucky enough to get a copy of My Roots, My Self, and I have to say, it’s one of the most unique family sagas I’ve read. I loved the cultural details, the Slovenian pastries, the Taino rituals, the Boston immigrant neighborhoods; they made the story feel alive. Jenny was such a relatable character: restless, a little lost, but determined. And Macuya’s chapters absolutely broke my heart. If you enjoy books about family secrets, ancestry, and identity, this is a must-read.”

– Betty Burgess, What’s the Name of the Book? Book Club.

Barb Wire Bible

Morgan Maguire ranched with her family along the highline between Montana and Canada. She worked with her father providing guide services for hunters and also assisted the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue as a tracker to apprehend criminals and return the lost to their loved ones. This cowgirl spent many years learning to cope with the Irish legacy of ‘second sight’ with the help of her mentor Charlie Many Dreams, a Blackfeet medicine man. Her peaceful world was torn apart when the drug dealer she was tracking shot her longtime friend, who was riding for the Blackfeet Tribal Police. Swearing to find this killer, her quest brings her into the steel and cement canyons of New York to obtain justice. A place as alien as the moon to her.

Made in the USA

Two workers get in an argument over who is the real “man”… 3rd shift employees engage in wild antics to pass the time… Misspoken and butchered common sayings and phrases… These are a few of the collection of humorous and outrageous fictional short stories about working in an American factory that are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud or, at the minimum, put a smile on your face.

The Search for Julia Garcia

A college student vanishes. Julia Garcia was last seen at a lakeside cottage on Seneca Lake, where she spent a weekend with friends. The routine police search comes up empty. Desperate, her parents turn to Frank Harris, a New York private detective, who takes the case, even though he doubts he’ll break even.

Harris suspects the police didn’t dig deep enough. But his decision to help isn’t purely professional. Having grown up in the Finger Lakes region, the case draws him back to his family. Yet both the search for Julia and his homecoming prove far more complicated than he anticipated.

As Frank follows Julia’s trail, he faces resistance from potential witnesses, including her new boyfriend and his wealthy family. It takes Frank time to grasp the background of Julia’s disappearance, namely the violent struggle between competing drug cartels. Was Julia abducted by gang members? Is she still alive?

Meanwhile, Frank’s return to his family gets him involved in the marital problems of his older sister for which he is unprepared.

Rethinking Race

Rethinking Race: A Memoir was written as an act of compassionate antiracism. The book invites people to better understand their role in fighting racism by calling them into the struggle rather than calling them out. It is the true story of everyday challenges and triumphs that an African-American mother and her husband, who is identified by most as white but is a citizen of an Indigenous tribal nation, encounter as they try to help their son develop a positive multiethnic identity. Rethinking Race illustrates how one person’s thinking evolved from taking race for granted, as an immutable part of our identity, to seeing it as a very impactful illusion. It is a story of how we can move beyond the false dichotomies of black and white, shaming and blaming to better articulate our rich individual uniqueness while acknowledging our common humanity. The book raises the possibility of becoming aracial, not through colorblindness, but rather by examining racism more closely and coming to understand how each of us creates race every day.

Windswept Tales: The McDougall Clan’s Women Enduring Strength

In the tempestuous heart of 17th-century Scotland, amidst the wild highlands and fierce clan rivalries, a beacon of resilience shines through the noblewomen of the McDougall clan. Windswept Tales: The McDougall Clan’s Women Enduring Strength introduces readers to the indomitable Lady Michelle; a matriarch whose intellect and fortitude guide her family through treachery and triumph.

Join Lady Michelle and her four fierce daughters—each a lioness in her own right.

As they navigate a world that seeks to confine them to the shadows of domesticity. Lady Kristen’s captivating insights into human nature make her a master manipulator of alliances. Lady Rachel’s eloquent oratory invigorates the hearts of allies and sways the minds of adversaries; her words can rally a clan, but her spirit can also brandish a sword. Meanwhile, the astute Lady Nikole deciphers legal complexities with precision, ensuring her family’s fortunes, as Lady Angela wields her unique combat skills to defend their heritage and carve out their destiny in a world eager to erase them.

As whispers of power intertwine with tales of valor and cunning, these formidable women redefine the role the nobility plays. In an age where strength is often judged by bloodlines, McDougall’s proves that true legacy is built on intellect, alliance, and an unyielding bond of loyalty.

Will they succeed in altering the fate of their clan, or will the encroaching darkness snuff out their light? With suspense, rich historical intrigue, and an ensemble of compelling characters, Windswept Tales beckons you into a realm where sisterhood conquers adversity and women shape history. Immerse yourself in a riveting saga of power, passion, and the enduring strength of the lionesses of Clan McDougall.

The Operator's Manual for the Human Body

Nothing you have been told about human health is true. All the so-called health information you are receiving is from people trying to sell you something. This book contains 12 years of trial and error and research-backed science that explains how to navigate an environment you are very poorly equipped to navigate without this information.

Red Wolf and the Summer Flower

A thousand years ago, two Cherokee teenagers were forced to endure hardship, danger, peril, natural and unnatural disasters, and scorn for simply being teenagers.

They lived in an unforgiving world run by a harsh and dictatorial society but still managed to find meaning in their lives. They found that a good friendship provides strength, and loyalty to one’s friend ensures survival. Then, through a series of unfortunate circumstances, they learned that they had what it takes to be an adult.

This is a story about one short summertime in the lives of a boy called Red Wolf and a girl named Summer Flower.

Night Night Bear and How He Came Alive

As everybody knows, Christmas Eve is a joyous and exciting time. But when the elf threw the stuffed teddy bear into the sleigh on Christmas Eve as Santa was leaving for his long trip around the world visiting the children and leaving gifts, he had no idea that something magical was about to happen. A magical bear was born that night, and for one little girl a very special friend came to live with her and her family, and things will never be the same again. Discover the magic that is all around us; maybe you too will experience the magical realm.

Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage

What happens when yesterday’s winning formula becomes today’s liability?

In this bold and thought-provoking book, Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage, the triumphs of Western democracies are reexamined as the seeds of their current struggles. Once hailed as the pinnacle of governance, freedom, and prosperity, the West now faces mounting challenges: unsustainable welfare states, deindustrialization, entrenched interest groups, and a paralyzing inability to adapt to shifting global dynamics.

Meanwhile, China has risen as a global powerhouse by learning from—and improving upon—the West’s model. By blending state-led planning with market innovation, China has avoided the pitfalls of short-termism and systemic inertia. Its unparalleled adaptability and strategic foresight have propelled it to the forefront of technology, infrastructure, and economic development.

But this isn’t just a story about decline or rivalry. It’s a call to action. The book argues that for Western democracies to remain relevant, they must rediscover the innovative spirit and pragmatism that once defined their success. It also challenges long-held assumptions about U.S.–China relations, proposing a future of collaboration over confrontation in addressing global challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic inequality.

Compelling, provocative, and deeply insightful, Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage will change how you think about the past, present, and future of global power. Will the West cling to its outdated playbook or dare to weave a new path forward? The answer may shape the 21st century.

The Scent of Wisteria in the Springtime

The fifteen stories contained in this collection are all individual. None of them are about the same characters or locations. Although they do share commonality: they are all based upon Southern personalities in various Southern locations. There is a slight bend towards autobiographical experiences in some of these stories. I’ll let the readers try to identify those particular stories themselves!The author’s attempt in writing these stories is to illustrate the frailties, the strength, and the inherent goodness of the human species. To show that all of us are endowed with the capacity to love, to hate, to daydream, and perhaps, to make our dreams come true.The story: Big Game Hunter is about a twelve-year-old boy in rural Mississippi who fantasizes of being a professional hunter in Africa. I know something of that dream and managed to actually participate in eleven safaris in six African countries. I lived my dream!The story, Requiem For A Romance That Could Never Be, is about the dark times in the South. The period that we all want to forget, that we wish had never happened. It’s about a sweet, biracial romance between teenagers when the South was segregated.Lost At The Falling Waters details a young woman’s quest to find her father… a young Southern American soldier. Her teenage parents were separated in Vietnam when that country literally fell apart. Her dream was beautifully realized!Aunt Sabbath Muggy and the Irreversible Hoodoo is a story about a Black-magic woman in coastal Georgia. Aunt Sabby brings two lovers together, inadvertently but very successfully!Cry Me A River is a story set in New Orleans. A young romance fell apart, but they reunited in very different circumstances many years later. One of the greatest inherent attributes as human beings is forgiveness; it’s warmly illustrated in this somewhat-tragic story.Whom Shall I Choose is about a young man named Jesse James Cuevas. He lived a hard life growing up, some of it in reform school and foster care. But when avaricious people tried to manipulate him, Jesse’s true character came through.In addition to these six stories, illustrated above, there are nine more of them. I had a lot of fun writing them…. I hope that you enjoy reading them.Jerry EdwardsSomewhere in the hills, north of Atlanta

Willey and Shelley’s Christmas Adventure

The reason I think everyone should read this book is that it has an amazing storyline and the most unexpected ending to the three-book series. Willey and Shelley’s friendship is a great example of what a good relationship between you and your friends could be. This story is a good representation of what it’s like to start a new job and get the most basic and mediocre positions. From my experience no job is too small. I think you should do every job to the best of your ability. Overall this story of Willey and Shelley’s adventure at the North Pole at Santa’s village is like no other story that I have ever read. The children should really enjoy this book, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

For all of you parents and grandparents out there, I just wanted you to know that I got my first book published when I turned 70 years old. No one I knew could even imagine that being a children’s book author was in my future. You are never too old to try something new.

Thanks and love you all. Grandpa Paul