Two Arms and Ten Fingers

The fifth-century philosopher Plato was a beloved student of the great philosopher Socrates. In his Allegory of the Cave, Plato reasoned that one is presented with an incredibly distorted view of reality until released from deception by being placed in a clear-eyed position to see absolute truth.

As our lives unfold and present us with various issues requiring decisions, our character matters. Yet, sometimes people choose deceit rather than sound, principled reasoning, and the truth of their deception is never discovered.

In Two Arms and Ten Fingers, three well-respected professionals choose to create a distorted view of reality for their personal gain, only to experience the consequences of their actions. The truth, most times, has a strange habit of coming to light; however, “deceit can be beautiful – just depends on who benefits.”

In Two Arms and Ten Fingers, a doctor, a mortician, and a lawyer make life-changing decisions and share the consequences. Follow their journey from darkness to possible enlightenment.

Tides of Revelation

It’s been 10 years since Hanna, Derrick, Jane, and Pete have seen each other. They met in college but went their separate ways after graduation. Now they’ve reconnected and have decided to rent a secluded beach house to stay at for a long weekend of catching up. While they’re laughing and getting to know each other again, strange things start to happen that make them reconsider their life choices. As they reveal their secrets to each other, something big seems to be going on. What exactly is happening at the beach house? What does it mean for the four friends’ lives? Will they make it through the weekend, or will the tides change?

The Salt Shack Dweller

Once the institutions of his world proved untrustworthy, a young veteran leaves college and seeks refuge in a shack beneath a condemned train bridge along the depleted and abused Salt River. Here, he encounters those society deems invisible: Natives, migrants, and discarded souls. A makeshift clan forms as curious individuals are drawn to this enigmatic figure and his humble dwelling. Among them are a compassionate female doctor, a questioning priest, a lonely flour mill guard, a seventeen-year-old girl yearning for freedom, and a disheartened judge. Even scorpions, black widows, and countless butterflies find their place. To the Salt Shack Dweller, this motley group becomes a true family.

The Player's Brain

This book challenges the very foundation of traditional medicine with a controversial and fascinating idea: using neurosurgical intervention and behavior modification to reintegrate sociopaths into modern society. Written in accessible language, it explores the groundbreaking work of Dr. Antônio De Salles, who pioneers this approach at the intersection of medicine, science, technology, and human interaction.

The book’s thought-provoking content makes it a must-read for students and academics across various disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities. It illuminates the complex medical, technical, and moral implications of this sensitive issue, encouraging readers to grapple with the ethical questions raised by this emerging field of study.

“The field of psychosurgery promises to change how we think about science and mental illness. Already, brain surgery is safe enough, and implants are sophisticated enough, for alteration of the brain to be accepted as mainstream therapy.”

– Hays and Berenbein.

The Paisley Jubilee Story

At a mental health program in New Jersey, the colorful Paisley Jubilee brightens even the cloudiest days. A middle-aged gay man battling diabetes and depression, he empathizes deeply with fellow patients struggling to quiet inner demons.

Surrounded by a cast of endearingly quirky characters who speak and act outside the norm, Paisley discovers connection, community, and his own vibrant voice within a system that often overlooks people who think differently.

Through Paisley’s uplifting friendships and hard-won wisdom, The Paisley Jubilee Story delicately explores complex themes of mental illness, identity and stigma. But with humor and heart, these unforgettable personalities illuminate that hope can dawn in even the most broken of places when compassion kindles our shared humanity.

The Old Man and the Immigrants

This novel relates the life of immigrants in Montréal, Canada. Guided by a patriarch Daniel Sahel, known as the dean of the United Nations, a neighborhood dominated by newcomers. He was their eyes, their ears, their advisor. He defended them, comforted them in difficult moments. But eventually the integration became problematic, with diplomas and careers going unrecognized, and soon rags burn at the United Nations. A novel full of suspense to discover.

The Manhattan Smugglers

In the bustling atmosphere of a Manhattan bar, a talented bartender and economist hailing from the serene landscapes of Vermont unwittingly stumbles upon a web of deceit, orchestrated by an international syndicate of criminals. Unbeknownst to him, the peculiar acoustics of the bar grant him access to their covert conversations, setting the stage for a thrilling adventure.

Amidst this dangerous world, our protagonist finds solace in an unexpected love interest, whose unwavering support becomes instrumental in unraveling the nefarious plot of international arms smuggling. From renegades in the United States to shadowy figures in Russia, Chechnya, and Turkey, a captivating tale unfolds, weaving short, lively dialogues, high-stakes financial transactions, grisly murders, and intriguing historical and geographical references into a truly unique and exhilarating light thriller.

As a native of Northern Vermont, the bartender named Winkler brings a distinct perspective to the narrative. Drawing upon personal experiences biking through the breathtaking mountain trails of his homeland, as well as his encounters in the bustling streets of Manhattan, the author seamlessly integrates vivid descriptions and occasional historical insights, adding depth and fascination to the story. The arms smuggling operation spans across continents, taking the reader on a thrilling journey through Russia, Ukraine, and ultimately culminating in the heart of Africa.

Smitten: Beneath the Layers of the Holy Land

Beneath the layers of politics, religion, and history lies a social life often overlooked. Amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, people continue living their lives beneath the tumultuous surface.

Saba Salim finds herself living with the man she loves. However, the man she chose to be her husband and protector becomes her tormentor. The house she thought would be her sanctuary becomes her personal prison, where she endures physical abuse and constant verbal attacks.

Saba struggles to prove her abuse, facing interrogation by various men. Ultimately, she stands alone, presenting her case to the deciding elders of East Jerusalem.

The walls of Jerusalem feel suffocating, but they expand little by little as Saba gains her freedom. A feminist without realizing it, Saba discovers her strength and identity, breaking free from the chains of her oppressor and becoming her own person.

Slow Dance in a Winter Garden

Following Nathaniel Hawthorne’s footsteps in Rome, a disillusioned middle-aged writer seeks meaning in things of little value while mistaking the needs of the soul as trivial, and of the heart as unreliable. Inspired in part by Hawthorne’s The Marble Faun, this tale is also a bit of a travelogue, as significant events often take place in sites of historical mystery. Though somewhat dark and serious, Slow Dance in a Winter Garden is a story of contemporary people who find themselves – like Nathaniel – torn between the persons they had hoped to be and those they have actually become.

Sheikh Al Jin

The fantasy of exploring a different, enchanting cosmetic world is a dream many humans long to experience. Imagine acknowledging the existence of different species that share some human values yet are unique in their nature. It’s not every day we have the thrill of diving into other worlds, but the mysterious and unknown realm of the Jinn is something many seek to explore. This book offers a glimpse into a world beyond our wildest imaginations. Throughout history, stories of such worlds have captivated the minds of people, whether believed to be true or mere myth. Readers are encouraged to open their minds before opening their eyes and let their imaginations soar beyond all boundaries.

Party on the Moon

Party on the Moon follows the rise and dominance of the world’s top event producer as she navigates a corrupt industry, its insidious players, and the malcontent clients upon whose riches her empire is built.

Our mercurial lead character’s success is fully intertwined with the deterioration of her moral code, fueled by copious amounts of sex, drugs, and malicious behavior that only seems to enable her success. As she grows older, she starts to fear that her life has passed her by in one big party blur and she is lacking any real connection to the outside world, as well as a legacy that could potentially continue on.

The book’s curious title foreshadows an ending fit for a provocative and intriguing character that burns the candle at both ends…just long enough to hopefully find salvation.

Malkin

Malkin tells the story of a small-town girl with big dreams, who believes her aspirations can only be realized in the big city, just a few hours away by train. Despite her humble beginnings, she seizes every opportunity, holding steadfast to her ambition of becoming a ‘Malkin’ in the bustling metropolis. She understands that achieving her dreams comes with a price: giving others what they want in order to attain what she desires.

With unwavering determination, she navigates the challenges and tribulations of her nuclear family and the struggles of her childhood friend. The narrative offers readers a vivid portrayal of how often her dream teetered on the edge of disaster.

Her journey is marked by indomitable courage and a positive mindset, fortified through meditation and gratitude. These elements guide her, acting as her talisman, and show her the path to success. She learns to see things in their true reality, overcoming self-deceptions born from her background, family, environment, and preconceived notions. Perhaps this is what it takes to dream and make that dream come true.