Full of Grace and Mischief

From the moment they meet at a Catholic summer camp in Savannah, Georgia, Mary Margaret and Theresa, polar opposites, become inseparable. Each summer, they embark on wild adventures, exploring waterways, pulling pranks, and challenging boys to daring contests. But one prank too many gets them banned from camp, and the nuns can’t shield them from the real world forever. As tragedy strikes, their friendship is forged in both joy and hardship.

The girls carry their bond to the beaches of Tybee and through the trials of a Catholic high school, where they face bullies, first romances, loss, and heartbreak. As their lives begin to diverge, Mary Margaret and Theresa struggle to hold onto the friendship that once seemed unbreakable. Can they find a way to salvage their connection as they enter the unpredictable world of adulthood?

The first in a generational trilogy, Full of Grace and Mischief vividly captures the coming-of-age experiences of two young women in the Deep South, celebrating their resilience and the enduring strength of friendship.

The Four Points of the Compass Society: Chapter 1

This is a story of hope for those lost in a world of pain. Four strangers find themselves drawn into a desperate search for an elderly, suicidal millionaire. Racing against time, they must uncover the man’s location before his inner darkness consumes him. With only four geographical clues to guide them, their journey begins.

Along the way, they join an organization called the Four Points of the Compass Society, a group dedicated to helping those in need. The Four Points of the Compass represent the mathematical meaning of life, offering direction and purpose.

Where do we turn: North, South, East, or West? Which path will guide us through life?

The compass not only points the way but serves as a symbol of helping one another along the journey.

Conflict & Peace: At Home with Jesus

Those of Christian faith and those without all carry personalized perceptions about Jesus of Nazareth – some form of god and/or man who sojourned briefly on earth 20 centuries ago. Perspectives vary wildly. But few, whether of Christian or non-Christian persuasion, feel comfortable characterizing this Jesus as one who brashly declares that he came not to bring peace on earth… but rather division.

In this book, author Eric Hovee traces a seemingly never-ending Christian dialogue and practice that may espouse peace but often engages in conflict. The author explores this interplay through the lives, beliefs, and practices of 12 pioneers who helped shape Christianity as it has been handed down to us today. We begin with the contrasting perspectives of the four gospel writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – and continue with pivotal, yet sometimes conflicted, early church leaders such as Paul, James, Peter, Thomas, and Mary Magdalene. The journey then skips forward three centuries to the Roman Emperor Constantine, who sought to marry church and state, before moving another millennium ahead to Martin Luther, who sought to radically reform it all, and finally circles back to our starting point: Jesus, as the one who intended it all.

How best to experience conflict, and yet find peace? Every day and through every phase of human existence, there is an opportunity for resolution and partnership, in step and at home with Jesus. We seek a Jesus who consistently demonstrates that, just when we think we have the answers, new questions arise. When we feel we’ve run the race, we find we’ve only just begun.

2024 In Poetry

This collection of poetry is anything but tedious. Accessible and lively, each poem invites readers with a friendly, approachable style, offering a reading experience that feels both effortless and deeply engaging. Without appearing complex or intimidating, these poems reveal layers of meaning beyond the words on the page, making it easy for readers to connect and find significance in each piece.

Featuring over 30 poems, this book offers an extra dimension that enhances its appeal, ensuring a rewarding experience for any poetry lover. Each verse is crafted with sharp poetic insight, bringing abstract ideas to life in just a few words. It’s a collection that promises no disappointments: only impressions that linger and truths that emerge as you read.

By Appointment Only

By Appointment Only marks the thrilling return of Grace, Sam, Maria-Teresa, and Margot—the fearless, wacky sleuths we’ve come to love. Thanks to Grace, the ladies can now proudly call themselves professional investigators. While three of them are content handling routine cases at the newly formed Liu Jones Group Investigations Agency, Grace Liu craves more to fuel her adrenaline.

Grace’s ambition leads her to pursue a high-profile murder case, one she hopes will cement the agency’s reputation as one of the best in Mesa, Arizona. But as the women soon discover, you should be careful what you wish for. They’re hired by an unusual client to solve the murder of local celebrity author Ainsley Chao.

The case pulls the team into a labyrinth of psychological and emotional motives behind Chao’s death. At the same time, Grace privately wrestles with unanswered questions about the reported death of Rhys, her long-time black ops handler and former lover.

Amid the twists, turns, and shocking revelations of the Chao murder, the women face personal growth, forge deeper bonds, and experience heart-pounding excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This second installment masterfully continues the series’ signature blend of intricate mysteries, engaging character narratives, and unwavering honesty.

Hey There It's Me

Ideal for all ages, "Hey There It’s Me” is more than just a picture book, it is a wellness tool that beautifully weaves rhythmic poetry and heartwarming illustrations to gently guide readers through the emotional weight of depression, loneliness and negative self-talk, offering a relatable and accessible approach to these challenging topics.

Jerry and Selema

Jerry always trusted his friends, no matter how poorly they treated him. He’d do anything to make them happy, blindly believing in their goodness. But his naive loyalty leads him into a trap. A supposed friend lures him into a dark wood, a place of shadows and whispers, then abandons him with no escape. Now, alone and surrounded by unseen dangers, Jerry must confront the truth about his friendships and find a way to survive the night.

How I Became Orange

How I Became Orange is a children’s book that is both enjoyable and informative. Designed for young readers aged five to eight, it gently explores common childhood experiences, including blended families, in a way that is easy to understand.

The story also lightly touches on themes of love, marriage, and even loss, offering a tender and reassuring perspective. At its heart, the book focuses on a child from a previous relationship adjusting to life in a blended family and the emotional impact of that transition. Through the guidance of Mama Yellow, young Orange learns to embrace her uniqueness and recognize her worth, ultimately finding her place in her new family.

A Tale of Prima Facie

Murder. Deception. Abandonment.

Mila Taylor is a commander in the Chicago Detective’s Bureau. The recent murder of Sullivan Maxwell, a local bookstore owner, leaves Mila with little detail and no obvious suspects. Mila’s initial investigation leads her to Davis Parks, the former partner of Sullivan, and a search for a woman that none of Sullivan’s family and friends have ever met.

Growing up on the outskirts of Chicago, in Sycamore, Mila’s family life was chaotic at best. Raised by her father, after her mother’s passing, Mila and her sister were left fending for themselves, until a disturbing event sent her on an unexpected path.

Through years of working on the police force and then the Detective’s Bureau, Mila built a credible career on solving cold cases. However, as her current case evolves, Mila is confronted with the twisted and terrifying secrets buried within the recesses of a merciless and sadistic mind.

When There Are Two Patients in One Body

In When There Are Two Patients in One Body, an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse shares a collection of birth stories, some joyful and others harrowing, that reveal profound life lessons from one of the most intense human experiences. While babies arrive either by vaginal delivery or caesarean section, each birth unfolds uniquely, whether as a momentous and thrilling event or an unexpected and life altering ordeal.

This book follows the author’s career, presenting a chronological journey through a diverse array of births, from routine and uneventful to tragic, each story interwoven with her personal reflections. Readers are drawn into the delivery room to witness the intimate details and drama of the birthing process, revealing the complexities of patients’ lives and circumstances.

As these stories unfold, readers gain insight into how factors such as healthcare access, race, culture, socioeconomic status, and education profoundly shape each birth experience. Beyond the joys and challenges, the author reveals that being a Labor and Delivery nurse is far more than just ‘a great job where you get to cuddle babies.’ It is a vocation that demands resilience, empathy, and an unflinching dedication to supporting patients through life’s pivotal moments.

Endorsement:

“Twenty-six years ago I was a brand-new intern on labor and delivery. The nurses rightfully didn’t trust us newbies.

Over the next four years, I became an OB/GYN under the direction of the attending doctors and hands-on nurses. In our first two years as fledgling doctors, we quickly learned that the nurses knew more than we did, and could make or break our experience. As we became part of the team, we all supported one another through the best days and the worst, for our patients and for us. I still hear some of their voices and advice.

Steph’s is one of them. Her stories are written just as they would sound over a beer or cup of coffee.”

– Jeanette Thomas, MD. Author of the blog Healing Is Hard. (www.healingishard.net)

Todor Todorov Karagochev

The pages of the novel resurrect before the reader the events of a hundred years ago from 1912 to 1925 in the Balkans, in particular, in Bulgaria during the two Balkan wars, the echo of which was the Great War, which drew all countries and continents into its orbit and gave birth to a lost generation.

Three wars led to dramatic events in Bulgaria: a coup d’état and the establishment of despotism, against which the heroes of the country rise to fight. Brave, fearless, daring, elusive, they defy the executioner’s power and prepare the people for the uprising to overthrow the junta. The noble at heart and free spirited, they wage a heroic battle for freedom, risking their lives to save the life of another.

It is a hymn to the beauty of nature of the Balkans. It is a wide panorama of life of the era and society. It is based on real events. It is dedicated to the memory of Alexander Stamboliysky, it is dedicated to the memory of all the freedom fighters of all the times and countries.

Sex

Sex is not just a biological drive; it’s a powerful force that has shaped human evolution, relationships, and social dynamics for millennia. From ensuring the survival of our species to influencing social norms and cultural beliefs, sexual behavior plays a crucial role in our lives. Darwin’s theory of sexual selection highlights how humans, driven by the need to choose the right mate, have shaped the course of evolution. But sexuality has always been a subject of conflict. Religious and regulatory institutions have worked tirelessly to control it, often turning sex into a “problem” rather than understanding its vital role in our development. These efforts have reached deep into our personal lives, attempting to regulate even the most private aspects of human existence.

This book delves into the complexities of sex, exploring its impact on human psychology, mental health, and social order. It looks at how centuries of influence and restriction have left an imprint on our collective unconscious, embedding themselves into the very fabric of our being. By understanding sex through the lens of science rather than restriction, we can uncover a deeper truth about its role in human life. Drawing from evolutionary psychology, sociology, history, and beyond, this book offers a fresh perspective on a subject that has been both celebrated and censored. The journey of understanding sexuality, and its place in human progress, is far from over. This book serves as a preface to the conversations and deeper research that must follow.