Bounty of Beauty

The Bounty of Beauty explores the societal differences between the families of Mackuel, the cattle keeper, and Maluaac, the fisherman. When their sons, Nguac and Nguoi, both fell in love with an elegant Atuot girl, each proposing to marry her, a rare traditional marriage competition sparked a fierce rivalry and divided the community in two. Mackuel’s family, with their staggering wealth in cattle, won the race by arranging to marry a daughter from their rivals, Maluaac’s family.

Beyond his large family of 17 sons and daughters, Mackuel’s immense wealth in cattle was a symbol of great influence and fame. He arrogantly proclaimed that no one in the community had the power to challenge his son Nguac in marriage. Stubbornly, he declared, ‘A hatchling is no match for a calf,’ comparing himself to a calf and Maluaac to a hatchling. By this, Mackuel meant that fishermen held no social, economic, or political standing to win a marriage competition within the Atuot community or beyond.

Unfortunately, Mackuel’s extreme remarks became public, generating negative sentiment toward his family. Fearing the damage these sentiments might cause, Mackuel’s wife grew anxious and believed something must be done to change the public’s perception. She called a meeting with elders and her family members, proposing an extravagant dowry of 250 cows to be paid to Maluaac’s family for their daughter, Monica Ichut. She presented this as a way of retracting her husband’s harsh words during the intense competition between their sons, Nguac and Nguoi.

The elders from both families agreed to the marriage of Maluaac’s daughter Monica Ichut, and soon the community, once divided, witnessed a vibrant traditional wedding celebration.

Descent of the Mighty Beast

In the heart of Kwetu, where tradition holds firm, Bratha Mine’s world shatters. His hopes for a better future crumble when he is framed for a murder he didn’t commit – until vengeance becomes his purpose. He turns his fury on the Security Council, a ruthless cabal pulling the strings of power. But an even deadlier enemy lurks: Thanatos, a tech-savvy assassin who never misses his mark.

As the stakes soar, Bratha is thrust into a battle where truth is treason and survival itself is rebellion. Navigating courtroom showdowns, political intrigue, and deadly pursuits, he must outwit an empire built on deception. Alongside fierce allies like Madam Mboya and Simba Wanje, he unearths secrets that could topple the entire regime.

But will his defiance spark a movement, or will the weight of ambition crush everything in its path?

Descent of the Mighty Beast is a pulse-pounding political thriller steeped in African mythology – an electrifying saga of resilience, rebellion, and the unbreakable spirit of a man who refuses to kneel. A masterful tale of courage and destiny – one that will keep you riveted to the last page.

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.

The Sea of Stars Beneath Our Eyes

Beneath a sea of stars, a journey of love and heartbreak unfolds. This is a story of finding oneself amidst life’s challenges, where a path of flowers and thorns leads to self-discovery. These pages give voice to the unspoken feelings that battle within, revealing the beauty in every emotion. And through the healing scars, a path home finally emerges.

“At its birth and to its fall, we are all connected to each of them.” She pointed at the sky. “Do you know… we could find them in our eyes when they’re lost?” She paused and smiled. “For they are us and we are them.” She tilted her to the side.

The stars.

Suddenly, the whole sky breathed above her eyes. They sang and danced gracefully that it stole his breath away.

So ethereal.

They were as if—
A whole universe
Eagerly waiting with open arms
To welcome who she is becoming.

Young Vincent

Young Vincent offers a sweeping and intimate exploration of the life and loves of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, tracing her journey from a latchkey child to a defiant Vassar graduate and literary icon. In this compelling work, Hood masterfully blends fact with imagination to present a uniquely personal portrayal of Millay’s creative process, gritty personal struggles, extraordinary strokes of luck, and her complex bisexual romantic life. Drawing from first-hand interviews with her sister Norma, lover Catherine Filene Shouse, and other close friends, as well as the poet’s letters, journals, and poems, this book vividly captures the essence of Millay’s remarkable world.

Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Millay’s story resonates with the challenges of our own tenuous times. The forces that sought to stifle free expression, limit opportunities, and deny civil rights echo through history, allowing modern readers to better understand Millay’s transformative era of groundbreaking art and technology. Through her struggles to reconcile her bold nature with the rigid constraints of her society, Millay becomes a timeless companion, inspiring empathy and reflection in today’s rapidly changing world.

Har Megiddon

Damien planned a night out with his friends, but his father is murdered, and they’re running for their lives. Their only hope: find a woman named Mira. After finding her, they learn trouble has been brewing for a year. Their mysterious enemies track them down, and they flee to the place that links all the chaos: Har Megiddon dyson swarm. While there, they ‘fit in like tourists’ and covertly try to figure out what’s going on. Their cover story gives them a reason to enjoy some night-life, but when they start getting close to answers, their progress is slowed by friendly, but uncooperative, administrators. Danger mounts, and they learn it’s not just their lives at stake, the events unfolding around them threaten to plunge their benevolent Empire into a war that could destroy everything.

The Musician’s Brain

“As in his earlier novel, The Players Brain, Love and Soccer, Antonio exercises his natural gift of translating hermetic neuroscientific concepts into colloquial language without belittling them for the sake of simplicity. Readers will be taken to the edge where fiction meets reality, pointing to the infinite possibilities now within our reach to give life back to legions of people who have lost all hope and, worse, their dignity. The Musician’s Brain is an ode to music, faith, and creativity.”

– Dr. Ricardo de Oliveira.

Maestro João Carlos Martins demonstrates resilience and a deep love for music throughout his more than 70-year career as a successful musician, sharing his journey of overcoming Musician’s Dystonia.

The Illusion Factor

The illusionist Ivan Ellzey is a former government intelligence agent turned self-employed security specialist. Now, he advises businesses on protecting their corporate intelligence. But Ivan has a darker side – he’s also a gun-for-hire specialist. His wife once dubbed him “neither here nor there,” a description that fits his shadowy existence perfectly.

When his former mentor and boss, Fulton Andrews, becomes embroiled in domestic and international chicanery and comes under investigation by the Justice Department, Ivan finds himself caught in the web of scrutiny by association.

In The Illusion Factor, bodies begin to surface – but the question remains: did all of them truly die?

A Journey of Finding the Light Through the Dark

Embark on a powerful journey of self-discovery with A Journey of Finding the Light Through the Dark. In this moving and introspective book, we follow a person’s path through the darkness as they struggle to find their way in a world filled with lies and deceit.

As they search for answers and meaning, they come to realize that the truth has always been there, hidden just beneath the surface. Along the way, they must confront their own fears and doubts and learn to let go of the past in order to embrace a brighter future.

Through this inspiring and heartfelt journey, readers will be uplifted and inspired to find their own light in the darkness. Whether you are searching for meaning in your own life or simply looking for a story of hope and redemption, A Journey of Finding the Light Through the Dark is a must-read.

Inside the Grotto

The 1940s and 50s were an era of profound change, a period bridging the aftermath of war to a new and expanding epoch of conflicting values. In the midst of this transformative time, Katie and Carson, along with their two distinctly different daughters, find themselves navigating the tumultuous currents of these reactionary years. While Carson confronts his own personal battles, Katie endeavors to steady her family’s ship amidst these shifting tides. Serendipitous encounters with two enigmatic strangers bring unexpected turns to their journey, as they all strive to keep their family united in an era marked by rigid stigmas and social upheavals. This story delicately weaves together themes of secrets, betrayal, and passionate resolve, celebrating the enduring resilience of the human spirit. It’s a poignant narrative of a family’s struggle and triumph in a time of sweeping change.

James the Games

Join James and his vibrant group of friends in the dazzling city as they navigate heartbreak, cherish friendship, and embark on a transformative quest of self-discovery.

Through laughter, delicious cuisine, and the allure of the city lights, they find solace, challenge gender norms, and embrace the true essence of authenticity.

An unforgettable adventure awaits in James the Games.

Live a Great Story: Dancing Through the Rain

They were real people; you can read about them in the author’s first non-fiction novel titled A Boy And His Comet: Dancing Through the Rain. Eventually they would pass away. But with a love and a faith so strong, so committed, so undeniably right for each other, they find themselves together again. You will adore this love story between two people, the author’s dynamic writing style, and unique perspective on this fictional spinoff of a true-life story. An intriguing story that you will find yourself immersed and invested in between two worlds – the real story, and the next real story to come.