All in a Lifetime

It has taken over 40 years to piece together the story of Anya, Willi, and the Icon, like trying to put together a priceless Faberge egg shattered intentionally without a clue as to how it once looked. Anna (Anya) and Wilhelm (Willi) lived in a small German village when we met half a century ago. Their remarkable life stories are the heart of this novel. Real life has many detours and contradictions, each piece of their stories led to another story. An Icon hung on the wall of the entry to their home and it was there that fact met fiction. Weaving related stories into this novel, preserving the memory of each individual and the times in which they lived, required some manipulation of facts. It is the story of a much-travelled Icon and a treasure (not an ARC “Traveling Treasure”) including the lives it touched. And it is a story of love found late in life.

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.