Nove

These nine stories, scenes from a now-faraway youth, necessarily would have been misremembered, truncated, and therefore come into the present morphed into an entity quite distinct and separate from what they once were; however, they still bear the better telling. Thus, memory often shall bend the tale into something new, and apart from mere fact. Still, their telling is well-warranted, since all nine tales, snatched away from Mercury, do knit and meld themselves together to form a better, more fanciful whole to create a most pleasing portrait of the distant past.

Ochala and The Pilgrims

As the Pilgrims anchor at Plymouth, ten-year-old Ochala becomes the first Native American to witness these intriguing newcomers. His discovery prompts him to rush back to his village and alert his family and the respected sachem Massasoit. Intrigued, the sachem sends Ochala and his father to discreetly observe the Pilgrims from the forest’s safety, seeking to understand these strangers.

Ochala and the Pilgrims places young Ochala at the forefront of key historical events that unfolded between the Pilgrims and his tribe. The story takes a significant turn when Ochala’s actions profoundly impact his life and those around him, following the disappearance of a Pilgrim girl in the woods — an event inspired by true history.

The book vividly portrays the Wampanoag way of life, from their skilled woodcraft and agricultural practices to hunting methods, tribal customs, and even their language. It offers insights into how the Wampanoags lived in harmony with nature, in stark contrast to the Pilgrims’ initial attempts to settle in Plymouth. The first Thanksgiving is featured near the end of the book.

Featuring historical figures such as Massasoit, Squanto, Samoset, and William Bradford, Ochala and the Pilgrims delves into themes of friendship, jealousy, decision-making, and patience.

Authored by Michael Tougias, an esteemed expert on this historical era, this meticulously researched tale provides young readers with a unique, enlightening perspective on the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth. Tougias has been recognized for his balanced portrayal of both Native American and Pilgrim cultures, earning accolades from Native American groups and the Mayflower Society.

Of the Sun Fire

Moonlight glints and winks with a soft hum as girls in soft satin dresses dance around the fire. I can taste notes of empty forests and flowers smeared with blood on my tongue. Different reasons of their betrayal plague my mind. I opt to scream inward and swallow the lump in my throat. I see the candles lighting the wooden staircases of the haunted castle as I step in. The sight reminds me of when I was a child and held bears made of cotton tightly out of fear when I was left alone. I look down at my feet to see pictures of old loved ones crushed under them like worthless blossoms. Do I feel happy? Sad? Gloomy? Maybe all of them at once. I guess that’s the life of a dandelion girl.

The poems and pictures in this book represent the struggles I felt as an outcast and how I learned to find an exit for myself in the wonders of the world. I tried to capture the feeling of being rejected and later accepted into a new world in the poems and pictures I gathered. I hope people with similar experiences can read my book and feel a little less alone than they did before. I hope they realize things will get better. Your wings of fire will emerge.

Ogmond

When the problems with the Earth’s inhabitants’ civilities, humanity and care for the planet reached it limit…When pollution, greed, selfishness, and lawlessness created a universal problem…One man had answers and took necessary actions, applying his special skills, discoveries, and knowledge to save and restore the civilizations and the planet. This man’s name was Ogmond.

Olive Everything

Olive is a young girl who loves everything. She loves all her clothes and wears more than she needs. She loves all the things her mother makes for breakfast and asks for some of everything. Rather than making a choice, Olive says yes to this, yes to that, and nothing is left out. This becomes a problem when she starts school and is expected to wear one outfit, have one breakfast food, and there are so many other things she must choose. Choosing one thing over another feels like something is being lost, and Olive worries that she’ll never get a chance to have the things she didn’t choose. Her father helps her see that making choices is a privilege, not a loss.

Ollie Gets Lost in Manhattan

Ollie, the little pot-bellied pig with a heart on his nose, so enjoys being a part of six-year-old Suzie Jones’ family. Little Ollie lives with the Jones family in a high-rise Manhattan apartment. He is happy and New York City is an exciting place to be, until something frightening happens, which causes Ollie to be alone and lost in vast, busy, and sometimes scary, New York City.

What was the terrible event that caused Ollie to be lost?

Will Ollie ever find his way home?

Will Suzie Jones ever find him in a city of more than eight million people?

Will Ollie be lost forever?

What happens to the sweet, little pot-bellied pig who is afraid, alone and lost in big New York City?

On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions

In his ground-breaking work The Confessions, Augustine of Hippo (AD 343-430), a prominent theologian and philosopher of early Christianity, paved the way for self-disclosure and the art of writing one’s life story. In On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions, Dr. Blom delves into Augustine’s role as both protagonist and reflective narrator, portraying him as Christianity’s original existential hero.

Blom draws parallels between Augustine’s journey and that of the wanton prodigal son, viewing Augustine’s address to God as the voice of an ‘everyday man’ struggling to find his way home – a spiritual homecoming. By masterfully weaving together Jungian archetypal psychology, mythology, biblical interpretations, and autobiography, Blom invites the reader to embark on a captivating journey that bridges the gap between Augustine’s musings and meditations from the fifth century and the present day.

On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions offers a fresh perspective on a timeless classic, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to explore the depths of the human soul and the enduring relevance of Augustine’s wisdom.

On the Road to Exile and Other Short Stories

This book contains seven of the most unusual short stories ever written.

In On the Road to Exile, a woman travels a thousand miles on her donkey, returning to the family she left a year earlier to find the only thing that has changed is her.

In The Accidental Transvestite, a man wants only to get in his ex-girlfriend’s pants but once he has them on, he soon realizes he would do anything to get them off.

In How Much Further to Insanity?, a woman boards a train that takes her to the edge of madness, confronted by the strangest circumstances that begin with the insults of an Amish passenger and ends with the deprivations of a simeopath.

In She Fell to Sleep, a man ruminates over the question of whether his girlfriend fell asleep or faked it.

In Six Kittens, Six Victims, a man and his two children stand outside a grocery store, trying to find homes for their kittens.

In This is Your Life, a man’s perfect life turns complicated when his girlfriend finds him sharing a joint with two fatties, who were at his house due to unexplainable reasons.

In Ode to a Shitonion, a man wakes from a coma and recalls the circumstances that led to him being charged with “...exhibiting a flagrant disregard for the sanctity of life while satisfying unnatural sexual impulses...” and the brief courtroom drama that follows.

One Heart

Vivian believed she had found love with Donovan, her partner with whom she renovated and shared a home, envisioning a future together. However, her dreams are shattered when Donovan abruptly ends their relationship. Refusing to drown in sorrow, Vivian sets out to find a new beginning and inadvertently stumbles upon a real estate office that would change her life forever.

There, she meets Andre, an irresistibly charming and strikingly handsome man who captures her attention like no one ever has. Andre is not just any real estate agent; he is one-half of the dynamic duo behind the popular home improvement show, House2Home. Just when Vivian thinks her luck couldn’t get any better, she encounters Sean, Andre’s equally captivating twin brother, adding an unexpected twist to her new venture.

To her astonishment, Vivian discovers she’s been selected to appear on their show. The twins are not only interested in transforming her living space but also, it seems, in winning her heart. As Vivian navigates this unexpected turn of events, she finds herself in a thrilling predicament: caught between two desires, each as alluring as the other.

Ooops!

Excited to own a brand-new pair of white sneakers, Turtle wondered if he should be careful with them. Will he able to run fast? Will he be able to jump high? Will his friends like them? Turtle just wants to test out and show his friends how special his new sneakers are!

Squirrel is busy climbing a tree, Rabbit is hopping around the carrot patch, Bee is buzzing through the garden, and Firefly is glowing his twinkling light.

Will Turtle get a chance to use his new sneakers? Will they be as good as he imagines them to be?

Opelika Opiate

“Opiate” – to induce sleep; to stupefy; to hijack the brain and change its normal function.

Opelika, Alabama – where cars, men, and race collide to unhinge the life of a young woman. Piecing it back together will require figuring out the role she played, and who she really is – or wants to be.  

Ordinary Kate

Kate, an ordinary woman, finds her world turned upside down when she becomes a widow and loses the comfortable life she’s always known. Suddenly, she’s faced with questions she never imagined: Did her husband have a second wife? Where did the money in his account come from? Is it hers? And who stole her identity?

As Kate searches for answers, she is befriended by a handsome US Customs Officer and an unorthodox neighbor. Her adventure takes unexpected twists and turns, leading her to a final choice that challenges her honor and integrity.