The Nightingale Sings

On the Greek island of Lesbos, in the seventh century BCE, a young lyric poet hones her craft while navigating the world of love, loss, friendship and sex, after having suffered years of abuse by a member of her father’s household. After a series of attempts at a healthy relationship, all the while struggling with the effects of post-traumatic stress and profound grief, she is forced to leave her home for a faraway land across the sea. There she would make a name for herself as an artist that would spread all across the Mediterranean, continuing her search for love and friendship, and trying to raise her only child in a safe and nurturing environment – until her whole world is suddenly upended.

The Nightingale Sings is an imaginary tale of what might have been in the life of the historical Sappho of Lesbos, whose artistry would lead to her becoming one of the most revered poets of the ancient world, and would still be cherished today – more than two and a half thousand years after her death.

And so, the story begins with a simple celebration.

A birthday party for a nine-year-old girl…

80? Oh No!

Science, medicine, and attention to healthy living styles has created an ever-enlarging geriatric population. To arrive at this stage of development in reasonably good health is a blessing. Even so, one cannot escape the arrival of gremlins that enter the body uninvited and proceed to make renovations without permission. For example, they step in, mess around with hormones and cause hair follicles to pop out of a woman’s face and chin. Men may begin to bald while their ears sprout matted hair causing diminished hearing.

80? Oh No! presents an intriguing story about the aging experience with a powerful, authorial, bold, and endlessly entertaining voice. Whether discussing sexuality or mortality, this work is uniquely insightful and poignant. The writing style is unusual and dynamic.

The author hopes the reader will take a walk in her shoes and share her thoughts and feelings throughout the reading of each chapter.

This book is perfect for gift-giving and provocative reading for book club members.

Sincerely

Reign Williams Jr. has spent her life preparing to lead the family company, yet behind her achievements lies a haunting inner battle that leaves her questioning her place in the world. Ezra Hamilton, who was once the embodiment of joy, now isolates himself and refuses treatment as his illness consumes him. When their paths cross at the hospital, Reign and Ezra find unexpected solace in each other’s struggles.

Despite their vastly different backgrounds, an unlikely bond forms. When they discover Ezra’s bucket list, filled with memories he longs to relive, they set out on an exhilarating journey to complete it together. From adrenaline-filled adventures to resolving old conflicts, they confront the painful truths of their lives and face the fears that have held them back.

As they embrace the beauty and fragility of life, can Reign overcome her inner demons and find peace with those who hurt her? Will Ezra let go of his fear of regret and truly begin to live, even as his illness progresses? And as cancer threatens to cut their journey short, will they find the strength to keep moving forward when giving up seems inevitable?

The Things That Made Elliott Cry

A gentle guide for children aged 5-9 who struggle with the challenges of everyday life.

This heartwarming story follows Elliott, a young boy facing common difficulties like bullying, family troubles, shyness, and low self-esteem. As Elliott navigates his day, he encounters the emotions that can make life feel overwhelming. But with a little guidance, he learns valuable ways to manage his feelings and transform his outlook.

This book offers children a reassuring companion in understanding their emotions, helping them find hope and confidence in themselves and their world.

Skylar and Brother D's Adventure

Embark on a whimsical adventure with the adorable and inquisitive Skylar, her fun-loving big brother ‘D’, and their faithful canine companion, ‘The Doodle’! Join this delightful trio as they explore their neighborhood, uncovering the wonders of the world and encountering extraordinary creatures along the way.

With each step, Skylar’s heart brims with excitement and joy as she discovers something new and fascinating. Delight in the magic of exploration, friendship, and learning as Brother D shares his wisdom and teaches Skylar about the beautiful things that surround her.

Get ready for a heartwarming tale that will ignite your imagination, touch your soul, and keep you eagerly turning the pages, wondering what surprises await on the next adventure.

Dad: A Son Remembers

Dad was a proud member of the Greatest Generation. A navigator in the U.S. Navy during World War II, selected for his mathematical skills, he was assigned to transport ships plying the South Pacific Ocean. Even as a youth, his son quickly realized that Dad viewed the world as a place full of challenges and difficulties – interminable adversities that had to be anticipated, grappled with head-on, and surmounted. As a result, he had no patience for complainers, excuse-makers, or shirkers of responsibility. But more than anything, he couldn’t stand liars, prevaricators, or connivers; like many of his generation, Dad believed that “a man’s word is his bond.” He often said, “If you don’t give me ammo, I can’t fire the gun.”

Above all, he expected full effort in every action and could instantly tell if one of his children wasn’t giving their best. Throughout his 84 years, his staunch Catholic faith guided him, and by both example and word, he steadfastly imparted those principles to his six children.

The Clara Conjecture

The Clara Conjecture is a new interpretation of historical facts. In 1938 Germany occupied Austria. Professor Lise Meitner, no longer shielded by her Austrian passport from measures against Jews, was fired. An equal of Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein, she had led the world’s best theoretical physics institute for nearly 30 years. In Berlin she designed the experiment that would split the uranium atom to produce energy. Before it could be executed she fled to Sweden. Without the ability to continue her research, impoverished, fearing for her relatives in the Nazi Reich, she became depressed.

In the tiny community of women scientists in Stockholm she met a psychoanalyst, the Canadian Dr. Leone McGregor Hellstedt (alter ego “Clara”), who rescued Lise with psychotherapy and money. When her German colleagues performed Lise’s experiment, they asked her to explain the result: she did, in terms of Einstein’s E=mc², and called the new phenomenon “nuclear fission” in her article for Nature. Early in 1939 physicists everywhere grasped the menace of nuclear energy. From her former colleagues and students Lise received information about the Nazi atomic bomb program and relayed it to Clara, who then informed Allied spies including William Stephenson (“Intrepid”) of British Security Coordination and Ian Fleming of British Naval Intelligence.

Informed by this detailed knowledge of Nazi atomic bomb initiatives, the Allies were able to efficiently sabotage facilities, kill key personnel, deny resources, and thus cripple the German program that had begun more than two years before the Manhattan Project.

A Glutton for Punishment

Amidst the divisiveness of the latter stages which the 2020 pandemic presented in society, concerned citizen Alex Domingue takes it upon himself to become involved in local politics and affect positive change in his community. As a corporate professional, veteran, and well-educated man, Alex has developed an extensive resume of working with many people from different backgrounds and points of view to accomplish critical missions. He feels uniquely qualified to move the needle towards a better future.

What awaits him, however, are multiple ongoing political turf wars. As it becomes evident that local politics are no less combative than national affairs, Alex quickly learns that his fellow Republican candidate (Sam Demonikov) for the Board of Education is in the midst of a vengeance escapade towards several for whom he holds violent disdain.

Alex must navigate increasingly dangerous issues. Through hostile disagreements, threats to his safety, and eventual attempts on his life, Alex learns that apparent villains are decent. Apparent heroes are narcissistic villains. In the face of grave danger, he must make bold decisions which do nothing to appease violent opposition from those who were once his partners. The extremes of both sides, including his own as he would learn, threaten the opportunity for rational solutions.

Mr. Fullerman’s Flag Factory

A fuller is a person who works with cloth. In this book, Mr. Fullerman dyes his bolts of cloth different colors in preparation for making the flags that he will send all over the world. Join the fun as the friendly and playful bolts, led by the wise bolt Wooly, go through the process of becoming different after they have all been the same. It’s exciting, and sometimes scary, too. In the end, they realize that, just like people, even though they will represent different cultures and countries, they all came from the same cloth and are the same, but unique in their own way. The next time you see flags from different countries waving at each other, you’ll know the real reason why: because they were friends before they were flags.

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?

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.

Lost Boy

After being kicked out of his childhood home, Jamie Perkins finds refuge with local Presbyterian pastor Pete Gailey and his wife, Meg. Impressed by Jamie’s work ethic and character, Pete offers him a job at the church. Life seems to settle into a peaceful rhythm… until people in the community start dying.

Jamie has an unsettling habit of being the last person to see many of the deceased, particularly the elderly, alive. As suspicions grow, Pastor Gailey must uncover the truth. Are these deaths acts of murder, or could they point to something far more mysterious… and miraculous?

Set in a small Appalachian town nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio, Lost Boy introduces readers to a cast of eccentric and unforgettable characters. With humor and heartfelt poignancy, this story explores what happens when God’s presence defies expectations, challenging both faith and understanding.