A Trunk in the Basement

Relationships involving love, lies, loss and loyalty are everlasting stories throughout Southern Culture. Marriage, affairs, relationships, friendships and life’s dreams never come out perfect or last forever. It becomes a growing and changing experience where the characters learn as they come and go in time and importance to others, while still managing to make a difference.

This collection contains ten short stories of such change, lament, and brief happiness, all by circumstance, and rarely planned. The characters adapt and try to maintain their uncertain world, always hoping for the best but rarely achieving it.

Come along as they deal with these changes the best way they can and experience life, seemingly always on the edge. While they may always seem flawed, the reader will come to love these characters for who they are regardless of the stage of life or circumstances they currently live within.

A View of the Meadow

David Sellers can’t stop thinking about the beautiful California Napa Sonoma Mendocino Coastline, even though he’s never been there before. He’s grateful for the opportunity to go, thanks to a suggestion and a pair of tickets from his boss’s secretary. It’s a welcome distraction from the dangerous situation he’s currently embroiled in back home. He had planned to return soon, but that all changed when he met Charlotte Von Shillingsfurst.

Meanwhile, Jasper Symthe and Otto Weinberger are puzzling over a relic or artifact found on the Von Shillingsfurst estate. Jasper, an architect tasked with remodeling the estate, and Otto, a university professor of archaeology and theology, are both intrigued. Jasper has no idea what the object is, and Otto is hesitant to investigate further.

As it turns out, Charlotte, an heiress who has never been in danger before, suddenly finds herself under attack. Someone or something is determined to protect her, and the quiet town she’s lived in her whole life is not what it seems. 26 years ago, the town welcomed a wealthy royal couple and their child, Charlotte. But now, things have taken a dangerous turn.

A Walk Among Heroes

In this skillfully crafted narrative, Cecil Pickler transports you to the iconic fields of the Gettysburg Battlefield through the eyes of a modern-day visitor named Pick. In an extraordinary turn of events, Pick is whisked back in time to march alongside the troops during the historic battle, courtesy of an invitation from the spirits of fallen soldiers. This unique opportunity allows him to witness the conflict unfold firsthand and engage in conversations with soldiers from both sides, all while being assured of his safety amidst the chaos.

Many visitors to Civil War battlefields report a palpable sense of connection with the past, including sightings of spectral soldiers and horses captured in photographs, and mysterious voices carried by the wind. Through Pick, who adopts the role of a correspondent, readers are offered intimate insights into the thoughts and experiences of men clad in both grey and blue.

If you’ve ever felt a deep resonance with these sacred grounds, or pondered the messages the spirits of these soldiers might impart to us today, this book promises to be a profound and enlightening addition to your collection.

A Way to Wisdom

In our age of endless quest for timeless truths about life amidst numerous fronts of worldly endeavors and crises, this publication is timely. This is an inspiring and educative treatise by its own right for the rapidly increasing global adults, men and women of all walks of life with inquiring minds seeking for an attractive read which relates to the essence of our lives on earth. The book exposes the knowledge gaps to build on for self-fulfillment before the sunset of one’s life. The author, Cletus N. Chukwu, is a professional philosopher, mystic, theologian, and prolific writer. He has earlier published three philosophical books and several articles. From the author’s exalted encyclopedic mind, he masterfully takes all categories of readers and audiences on board in this book in an intelligible way into the multifaceted nature of what we are, the dynamics and nature of our cosmos and spirituality. He elucidates the nature and approaches to spiritual enlightenment and its purpose. Being mindful of the issues about God’s existence in our times he writes in a manner that transforms one’s curiosity into inspiration, motivation and hope for human beings.

The book presents a unified approach encompassing and synthesizing science, philosophy, arts, mysticism, and inspired religions of Western and Eastern traditions geared towards expansion of our consciousness or awareness of universal reality. The author points the way for all God seekers and people of goodwill to that exalted state of mystical consciousness, which breeds virtuousness, wisdom, humanism, and environmental stewardship to enhance the pedestal of global civilization. He brings meaning into human life and stirs courage and aspiration to know thyself and its potential benefits to individual and global wellbeing as we strive to live in harmony with God or Universal Divine Logos. The author shows how our thoughts and inner desire vibrate to shape our future in accordance with Divine Will and universal cosmic laws. The book is replete with intrigues of life that are fascinating, yet they are at hand not afar.

A Widow's Awakening

A Widow’s Awakening tells the story of how Krista triumphed through a fairy-tale love that quickly became a toxic, turned fatal marriage at an early age, and how losing a husband at 23 years old transformed her outlook and attitude on life. With the many highs and lows of any marriage, she had to learn to live with the physical and emotional abuse that came with being married to an addict. As she coped in a marriage based around alcohol and drug addiction, she had to overcome her own battles of misuse to regain her life.

Struggling through battles of addiction and mental health issues, with not only herself but loved ones, her journey through the years taught her a great deal on healing, self-awareness, and self-love. After shutting out many emotions for years throughout her childhood, she had to relearn to be vulnerable and open with herself and others.

Krista spent her childhood lacking the emotional guidance most children learn which left her fighting to understand her emotions for many adolescent years. Feeling empty for so long, she searched for any relationship that would make her feel whole but found it in all the wrong places. Learning to rely on her own individual capabilities was something that took years to adapt to as she went through many obstacles to find her inner strength.

Krista wrote this book in hopes that other people struggling with similar situations would be able to relate to the hardships that can happen in life and to gain a spiritual perspective to become resilient.

A Widow's Kiss

Cara Danforth, a beautiful young woman with a fiery temper and the tenacity to match, is setting out to save her beloved home, Danforth House, and protect her three siblings from the ruination left in the wake of their father’s death. Piecing together reasons for their current economic state, Cara devises a plan to take back what was rightfully theirs.

Arriving home after years in the field, Roland Acworth, the Duke of Fairhaven, pondered his current situation. He was a spy not a guardian. What on earth was he going to do with four small children? It would appear, he would have time to figure it out. For before he could venture to Danforth Estates, Roland’s superiors tasked him with finding the thief responsible for a string of robberies amongst England’s elite.

A Year of Engineering Fun for Beginning Classroom STEM

A Year of Engineering Fun For Beginning Classroom STEM is the ultimate resource for teachers seeking to engage their students in exciting and educational STEM challenges throughout the year. With seven thrilling categories, including towers, cars, boats, and solar cookers, this book caters to students from second to sixth grade, providing them with hands-on activities that foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Each category offers variations in materials, encouraging students to engage in repeated iterations – the essence of the engineering design process. As they tackle these challenges, students will not only deepen their understanding of science and math concepts but also develop crucial skills in collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking, known as the four Cs. The book includes handouts for each lesson, helping students organize their ideas and better understand the design process.

Whether you are a seasoned STEM educator or just starting out, this comprehensive resource is perfect for you. Packed with easy-to-use, hands-on activities that are both educational and fun, A Year of Engineering Fun For Beginning Classroom STEM will help teachers and students alike gain confidence with each challenge.

A Young Person's Field Guide to Finding Lost Shipwrecks

A Young Person’s Field Guide to Finding Lost Shipwrecks is an autobiographical account of a nautical archeological expedition. Written by the marine geologist in charge of the survey, it discusses and explains the science behind a multibeam sonar and other technology used for the expedition, as well as describing the day-to-day operations aboard a 37-meter research vessel. The story begins alongside a dock in Cadiz, Spain, where three archeologists, two college students on a summer internship, three captains, one cook, one engineer, two scuba divers, one able-bodied seaman and the author, a marine geologist, are aboard the Hercules getting ready to set sail in search of the Santísima.
Readers learn a lot more than science in this true-life account of a scientific expedition. They learn history, eat tapas, and even dance the flamenco, all while in search of a 200-year-old shipwreck.

Abby May and the Very Big Day

Embark on a heartwarming journey with Abby May’s First Day, as Abby steps into a new school, eager to make friends despite feeling a tad different.

As she hops onto the school bus with hopes soaring high, little does she know, a world of discovery awaits.

Through the lens of youthful camaraderie, explore the beautiful tapestry of diversity and the magic that unfolds when children embrace the uniqueness within and around them.

Together with her newfound friends, Abby May uncovers that communication, inclusion, and acceptance can unfurl delightful surprises, making the world a smaller, happier place.

Abduction

“What a day!” Rachel wrote in her journal while seated cross-leg on the cool, dry floor with her back against the refuge cave wall. “Today, the crew was chased by malevolent aliens for the sole purpose of capture and torture. They succeeded in stunning Zar-ra, and I took several hits to my torso. Fortunately, I was not harmed permanently, but my shoulders and chest still felt seared where the bruises were located.” Rachel smirked, for she fared better than her attackers.

After a thoughtful pause, she continued with her writing, “This war has changed me. I have discovered capabilities unknown previously drawing from inner strength that I never knew I had. Love makes one capable of extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Even the two least trusting gentarians, Pel-ban and Arana-hiz, now see me in a different way. I am hopeful that their change in attitude towards me will make my job easier in the future. We shall see.”

Academic Overtures

For twenty-five years, Lola has endured a tumultuous marriage marred by her husband Jack’s infidelities and abuse. Despite his betrayals, she clung to the hope that things would change when Jack landed his dream job as university president.

However, Jack’s new position thrusts them into a sordid scandal involving the sexual exploitation of student athletes by the athletic director. Haunted by his own history of misconduct, Jack resorts to his usual tactics: bribery and cover-ups. But when one of his past victims surfaces as a faculty member, the web of deceit threatens to entangle them both.

As the stakes escalate, Lola finds herself at a crossroads. Will she continue to enable Jack’s misdeeds, sacrificing her dignity? Or will she summon the courage to break free from the cycle of abuse and help others find their voice?

Actualitas: Philosophy-Art for the 21st Century

Philosophy offers more than a momentary diversion; it provides valuable insights for gaining personal control and making important decisions. Imagine a lone leaf drifting in an autumn breeze, coasting on an updraft before floating to the ground, eventually broken down by the elements and recirculated into the soil. Embracing personal responsibility without scapegoats exemplifies the essence of carpe diem – seize the day.

Throughout history, philosophy has grappled with the concept of fear, though modern times have seen this domain largely conceded to pseudosciences, often offering solutions through natural and synthetic drugs.

Aristotle had much to say about fear: ‘…the things we fear are fearful and such things are, broadly speaking, evils: e.g. disgrace, poverty, sickness, friendlessness, death… Probably one ought not to fear poverty or disease, nor in general anything that is not… one’s own fault…’