Vanished Beauty

Trials and Tribulations.

These are the things life is flooded with: disappointments, heartbreaks, and setbacks. These things can be quite annoying and bewildering.

However, it is not necessary to pick up arms and fight against the current. A shift in perspective with a calm mental attitude can be a more promising guidance.

Endeavor to stop and think. Re-evaluate what and where things spun out of control. Life is always in perpetual motion, just like the rise and fall of the ocean waves. To be steadfast is to view circumstances, both pleasant and otherwise, with revered detachment.

Fire Within

Ava Celeste Hennessey's Fire Within is a poignant and stirring memoir that delves into the tumultuous life of a family striving to keep afloat amid the challenging times of the 70s and 80s. Set against the contrasting backdrops of New England’s biting cold and Maui’s embracing warmth, this narrative unfolds through the innocent yet perceptive eyes of a child, Ava.

Ava’s childhood is marked by a series of escapes from literal and metaphorical fires, painting a vivid picture of a family often ensnared in chaos and struggle. Despite the hardships, her story is not just about the trials but also about the unyielding spirit of a young girl. Ava’s perspective, tinged with a child’s tendency to romanticize, provides a unique lens to view the odd and sometimes disturbing behaviors of her family members.

The Threat of Kierin

Branded by a curse that started in the past, Kierin grew up knowing that he was hated by his community. One night, though, it goes too far, and Kierin gives in to his fate, growing up to become a monster like everyone expected him to be. Years later, the citizens of Montoya hire a criminal to hunt down Kierin and put a stop to his killing spree. Moonshadow arrives and tracks him down, but instead of killing the fox, the wolf offers Kierin a deal instead. Kierin accepts the deal and follows Moonshadow, swearing loyalty to a group called The Order.

For a while he serves them faithfully, until on one mission he meets a turtle called the Shaman that leads him on a different path. Kierin’s eyes open up to horror as he fights to escape The Order and find allies that can help him repent for his past. A cobra named Coatl who was kidnapped by a cult for his ability to change in size, and a dragon named Giza who once worked with the Egyptian god Set to overthrow Ra.

Three cursed souls are now bound together, prophesized to protect the world from any evil that crosses their path. Will they succeed? It is up to them to find out.

Apollo the Angora Goat and His Friends – Book 2

Apollo the Angora Goat and His Friends – Book 2 is the continuation of Apollo’s adventures. In this new installment, Apollo introduces his new friends who live with him on the farm. As Apollo and his companions experience new adventures together, readers are invited to get to know each of Apollo’s friends and witness the special bonds that form among them.

Throughout the story, each of Apollo’s friends learns how to interact kindly and thoughtfully with one another. The book highlights the importance of showing consideration and understanding in building strong friendships on the farm. Readers will not only meet the new animals but also gain an overview of life on the farm.

This second book, Apollo the Angora Goat and His Friends – Book 2, serves as an introduction to new farm characters and sets the stage for future adventures. Apollo’s journey is ongoing, with more exciting experiences to come in forthcoming books.

Backyard Rehabbing

“Save some for Inky,” the Roper children chant at meal times after their father found and brought home an abandoned baby crow. Two years later, their parents find an injured wild bird, take it to a wildlife rehabilitator, and begin the process of becoming rehabilitators themselves. What they find is that the most difficult part of rehabbing is not working with the birds. The public, who know little about wild birds, can hamper a bird’s healing and even become a danger to their lives.

...a man saw an injured pigeon... “But I didn’t touch it,” the man said. “I didn’t want to catch rabies.” I explained to the man that rabies can be caught from...wild and domestic animals. Birds...cannot catch nor carry rabies. I then asked the man to pick up the bird and bring it to us in a covered box. “You want me to touch that bird?” the man asked...and hung up.

An injured bird may need immediate attention from the person who found it, and that could be YOU! Suggestions are included as to how to help the birds.

And So, We Dance

In And So, We Dance, Leigh loses herself in memories of her life and her wife’s cancer journey. The novel started out as a memoir, and then I began to hear Leigh (LL) and Lizzie’s (LiLiz) inner children talk to me. The magical elements that emerged soften the tragedy of losing a loved one. Blending emotional intimacy with quiet surrealism, the story explores lesbian love, grief, and the inner selves we call forth to help us navigate when everything else is lost.

Leigh finally comes out of the closet where she had lived since she was 15. She meets and marries the love of her life, Lizzie, only to face a battle much worse than closet dwelling. Lizzie’s cancer diagnosis turns their lives upside down. As Leigh loses herself in her memories, she finds her inner child in the body of a six-year-old hitchhiking on the highway, waiting for her. Little Leigh (LL) tries to help her through the battle she and Lizzie fight. Lizzie’s inner child, LiLiz, also joins, and the four struggle against the Stranger, cancer, who threatens their lives.

The author holds a PhD from Emory University, has studied under Anya Auchtenberg, and is a member of a weekly writing group and Pitch to Published. She is a published poet, and her book is entitled Journeys.

Scare Record

In the 1970s, a comic book ad promised a chilling record: sold alongside Sea Monkeys and a towering “you control it” Monster Ghost. These novelty ads were often more thrilling than the cheap trinkets they sold, and wise parents spared their children the inevitable disappointment.

But this ad was different. Its eerie artwork hinted at something far more sinister, and for $1.25, buyers got more than they bargained for. The mysterious Gayle House, the company behind it, vanished without a trace. Was it just another gimmick, or something cursed?

For 50 years, parents’ skepticism may have saved us. Or did it?

The Right Oath

What will you do for the person you care about most? How about what you’ll be willing to sacrifice to make amends? Gabriel Ern has committed himself to a troubled life all for the sake of one person. What it ultimately leads to is more tragedy than he has already experienced. He finds himself haunted by his own actions, all done with the best intentions, and is continuously haunted while awake with a girl named Raven he lives at home with. Gabriel wants to do what is right; he wants to feel he is doing the best he can. Instead, the sins he commits only pile up, and the only means of escape is through the truth, which would cost him dearly. For Gabriel, the question isn’t how far he will go, it’s now how much further in the hole he will bury himself in.

Nuworld Botanicals DIY Raw Skincare Recipes 2

Nuworld Botanicals DIY Raw Skincare Recipes 2 features simple, quick, and effective recipes you can easily create in your own kitchen. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts looking to experiment with vitamin-rich superfoods and natural ingredients for healthy, glowing skin, this book offers a practical guide to crafting high-quality skincare products.

Inside, you’ll find a handy how-to guide on natural plant-based AHAs and antioxidants, along with a superfood color guide for product inspiration. Whether you’re creating skincare for personal use or building a business, Natalie’s recipes are tested, proven, and retail-ready.

Reuben Raccoon

Meet Reuben Raccoon, the craftiest critter in the countryside! Every night, this determined raccoon steals more than just dog food – he steals the show with his clever antics! When Grandma Belle and Uncle Mark try to stop his midnight snack raids, Reuben won’t be outsmarted. With a hungry family to feed, Reuben rolls up his sleeves (well, paws) and hatches a plan that will have you giggling. Will Grandma Belle ever win, or will Reuben’s raccoon rascals outwit her every time?

A delightful tale of mischief, teamwork, and never giving up when there’s food on the line!

The Prophet

An accessible and inspiring adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s bestselling classic The Prophet for all ages, perfect for fans of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse.

A community facing uncertain times has questions. “What of love, of freedom, of friendship?” they ask, and more. And the Prophet answers with powerful wisdom, grace, and guidance.

This beautiful gift book illustrated with vibrant watercolors is perfect for all of life’s transitions, from birth to death and everything in between.

A Band Done

Imagine three unique high school friends brought together by their shared dream of starting a rock band. It’s the early 1960s, and with The Beatles’ influence sweeping the world, they decide to give it a try. But when they recruit an outsider to complete the band, chaos is quick to follow. Fights break out, trust is betrayed, and a high school romance complicates matters even further – leading to murder. But who is the killer?

As tensions rise and secrets unravel, a cunning city cop takes on the case. Can he piece together the truth, or will the mystery remain unsolved?

Drawing from his own years of playing in bands, Jim weaves a gripping and fast-paced story full of twists and intrigue. With a mix of short and long chapters and Beatles’ song titles cleverly interwoven throughout, this is a story you won’t want to put down. Will you spot all the hidden references?