Doketo: The 1960s Story of a Thoroughbred Racehorse

This story is about a thoroughbred racehorse named Doketo, who was owned and trained by the person telling the story. Doketo was a good racehorse, though not exceptional as he might have you believe. However, as the racetrack saying goes, he was better than an empty stall.

Life is like that. Friends and associates may not be exactly what you want, but in a very real sense, they can still be better than an empty stall. Doketo’s eventual owner learned this lesson as a 20-year-old boxer competing in the fiercely contested featherweight division of the 1954 Golden Gloves, where winners qualified for the Pan American Games.

The late veteran boxing judge Billy Oaths believed the young fighter had a strong chance of winning his division. His confidence came from the boxer’s previous bout, a stunning televised victory over a top-ranked U.S. featherweight in the opponent’s hometown just three months earlier. As the young boxer climbed the steps to the ring for his first Golden Gloves match before a large crowd, Billy called out, ‘C’mon, let’s get the ball rolling!’ The boxer, full of confidence, shouted back, ‘Don’t worry, Billy. This won’t last long.’

And it didn’t.

The referee stopped the fight in the first round, awarding a TKO win to the boxer’s opponent. While disappointed, Billy would likely have summed it up with the same racetrack wisdom: his boxer and Doketo were both better than an empty stall.

Seven Recipes for Success in Business – 2nd Edition

Quality customer service is not a difficult concept to understand. In fact, when applied correctly, it is one of the simplest and most effective aspects of business.

How many times have you asked yourself what went wrong with a customer interaction? Have you ever felt frustrated by the size of your commission or the lack of referrals? Many so-called customer service professionals fail every day when dealing with the public, often because they lack essential customer service skills.

Within these pages, through the fictional lives of Eric, Jamie, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Sternhaven, you will embark on a journey that highlights both the good and bad sides of customer service. The story reveals what happens when professionals lose focus on what truly matters for success.

We all strive to be the best at what we do, but in the process, we sometimes forget why we are there. Losing sight of the most important factor, the customer, weakens our ability to build lasting relationships. When we prioritize the customer’s needs, we reshape how they perceive us and increase their willingness to do business with us.

If you are ready to take your customer service skills to the next level, your journey starts here. Are you ready to begin?

A Secret No More

His mother dead, 16 years old, Clay Trent knew he had to run away when he shot the plantation’s overseer and then his cruel father. His half-brother, Luke, ran with him.From Georgia, months later, hungry and in their ragged clothes, they end up in Arizona where they meet Dan Driver, owner of Double D Ranch. Dan hires them, but Clay needs to confess his crime to Dan. Now, only three people knew his secret: Clay, Luke, and Dan. Still, the secret stayed with Clay, who was unable to forget.Clay and Luke became exemplary cowboys, honored and trusted, fast with a gun, yet they never abused the privilege. Then it happened. Clay’s past was suddenly exposed for all to hear and see. Shamed, Clay did the only thing he could. He had no other choice.

The Grody Gang of Mosswoods

Adventuring out on a rescue mission, Fiorello, a garden gnome, quickly finds himself in a few pile ups and in need of his own rescue. Coming face to face with a Grody Gang Troll of Mosswoods will certainly test your courage!

The two fairy sisters, Marigold and Sweetpea, did give warning of the monstrous creatures. Wanting to help, the pair set out to find Poppy, the other garden gnome, who was patiently standing by.

A few surprises await the reader, who will learn that something bad can turn into something good.

The Grody Gang of Mosswoods is an adventurous story and a sequel to The Garden of Calilily.

Talia’s Tapestry

What does a young girl do when she discovers that the mother she believed dead is actually alive? She faces every challenge and overcomes every obstacle to find her.

Prepare for an adventure filled with love, intrigue, and friendship as Talia embarks on a journey that tests her strength and determination. Along the way, she learns that not everyone can be trusted, and dark forces seek to interfere with her quest.

This is a story of resilience, love, and the power of true friendship. As Talia searches for an ancient treasure, she uncovers her roots, discovers her true purpose, and crosses religious boundaries to experience deep connections that transcend differences.

Join Talia on this unforgettable journey, and immerse yourself in a tale of courage, compassion, and the breathtaking beauty of Israel.

Goodnight Little Bunny

Goodnight Little Bunny is a short, simple and cute story about a little bunny and her mom getting ready for bed and performing their bedtime routine as they normally would, ending with them playing outside in the sunshine together the next day! Goodnight Little Bunny is a great beginner book for younger children learning to read as this book includes simple words and rhymes that are fun and easy for younger children to read and sound out. Goodnight Little Bunny contains visuals that are soft and not visually overstimulating, as it features various cool tones like purple, blue, and green. These low stimulation visuals are perfect for younger children allowing them to relax and go to sleep easier while you read to them or while they read to themselves! Goodnight Little Bunny is the perfect book for any occasion but is also a great Easter basket stuffer!

Grind it Out

Up until now young Timothy’s childhood has been a breeze, but when life throws him a curveball, he’s faced with a problem he wasn’t ready for. In a world full of mystery, Tim goes on an unexpected journey. He finds himself in a strange, yet magical place with an oddly familiar companion and is met with even more unforeseen challenges only he can overcome. Will Timothy persevere and beat the game? Or will the game leave him going home defeated?

Weasels Always Win

This step-by-step guide is clear and thoughtful. We have all faced the Weasel, and most of us have fallen prey to their scams.

The only time you get stepped on is when you are lying down.

In Weasels Always Win, Paul and Ross provide sound advice to beat the Weasel. They recommend keeping a copy handy whenever you are considering any kind of business deal.

Ross and Paul present the reader with a “paint-by-numbers” approach to ensure the Weasel doesn’t win.

They first paint a clear picture of who the Weasel is and the types of Weasel activities that occur in various situations.

Ross and Paul then offer solutions to protect yourself and defeat Weasel aggression.

Dolls for my Daughter

The Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia during the Second World War brought death, fear, and hopelessness to the country. Already dealing with a broken heart, Marie’s only purpose becomes keeping her daughter Janina alive and safe. Once the war is over and dangers seem to settle, Marie is met with a new threat: keeping her daughter safe from the man she is supposed to trust.

Two decades later, Janina and her own family have their lives brought to a halt with the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia. Once the dangers in the streets awaken the dark, buried memories of her childhood, Janina does whatever she can to keep her family, and daughter Pavka, safe and free, even if that means starting over again in a foreign land.

Young Pavka is blissfully unaware of the true horrors of war, but due to her mother’s only choice, she must learn to face her own fears: living life as an unwelcome refugee in a country far away from the only home she has ever known.

Through generations of struggle, war, heartbreak, and holding onto hope, one thing always remains true: the strength and sacrifice of a mother’s love.

Incredibly Blessed

An 89-year-old Roman Catholic priest from Minnesota fell in church and required surgery to repair a neck injury. During his recovery in a rehabilitation facility, he did not dwell on bad luck or misfortune but instead reflected on how blessed his life had been.

Born in Indiana, he arrived in Minnesota in a shoebox at just three weeks old and grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. The smallest boy in his class and extremely shy, he first felt the call to the priesthood in sixth grade at his Catholic school. He attended high school and two years of college at a minor seminary in St. Paul, where he gradually overcame much of his shyness. He then continued his studies in philosophy and theology at a major seminary in St. Paul before being ordained as a priest.

His ministry took him to parishes in western Minnesota and to chaplaincy roles in Catholic nursing homes. Over the years, he traveled extensively, visiting Rome, the Holy Land, and a mission parish in Guatemala. His journeys also took him to 22 countries, including the Galápagos, the Amazon, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Easter Island.

This is the story of a life filled with challenges, adventures, and countless blessings.

If Only Time Could Tell

Jamil Gammoh’s collection of short stories offers a vivid and detailed account of his childhood and Jordan’s history, enriched with fictional characters who either reflect real people he encountered or embody prevalent archetypes. Woven into each narrative is the author’s personal critique of socio-cultural, religious, and historical issues in the country.

Each story carries a distinct moral, seamlessly integrated into the plot through folk anecdotes, local sayings, and deeply rooted traditions—some still familiar to older generations. Gammoh’s writing blends cynicism, irony, and sarcasm in his critique of societal flaws, yet beneath the sharp observations lies a deep love for his country, its heritage, and its people.

With a mix of humor, nostalgia, and cultural insight, this collection brings Jordanian life to the forefront, capturing its traditions, folklore, and everyday moments in a way that speaks to universal truths.

“Many are those captivating stories that express the variety of human situations. They can be dramatic, moving, realistic, sarcastic, or even infused with imagination. They pass us by without documentation and so are lost in the folds of time. The author, Jamil Gammoh, did not wish for time to tell these stories; rather, he became the voice through which time-old tales were told, tales he had lived and experienced, in his collection If Only Time Could Tell.”

– Basem Al-Zo’bi

“We journey through the stories and their characters, diving deep into their souls. We travel through time like tourists, experiencing their emotions with raw authenticity—sometimes infused with the subtle and touching humor that is so characteristic of Jamil Gammoh. We see ourselves in them, as if life itself were a game woven from fragments of stories and memories. Every moment shapes us, reminding us that the absurdity and universality of existence are what connect us all.”

– Dalizar Damak

“Very impressive! I enjoyed reading the stories, the thoughts, and the challenges. The flowery style of writing reminded me of ancient stories from Persia, to which we had access many years ago. Situations and issues are well-described in a very personal way.”

– Els van der Wilden

“I must say, I really enjoyed the collection. It made me smile and think…so much wisdom may be found in the didactic stories.”

- Ulrike Kreysa

Miss Daisy Weed's Slow Walk to Heaven

Lucy never knew the date she officially died, but she knew that love had bound her to the earth.She never left her daughter’s side. She was there when Daisy cried for her mother, or for a teddy that had fallen from her cot and landed out of Samuel’s sight, while he was desperate to comfort his crying daughter. Lucy was able to attract Samuel’s attention to the teddy by tickling his bare feet.Another time, after Samuel had prepared Daisy’s bottle and was about to give it to her, the phone rang. No one was there at the other end of the phone line, and as Samuel walked back into the child’s bedroom, the baby’s bottle tumbled off the small table and spilt on the floor. It was only as the steam rose from the milk that he remembered he had not waited to cool the milk. Samuel knew, without doubt, that this was Lucy looking after them both. He always felt her presence, and as the years passed by, he felt her more and more, sharing his thoughts, his dilemmas, and always receiving an answer. Daisy likewise knew this was mummy, letting them know she was there, sharing all their laughter and tears.