Moving Stills

‘How did I go from a bold, sassy teenager to a woman afraid to get out of bed?’ laments Paula, 30 and desolate. These 38 strikingly diverse stories reveal the origins of her pain, then lead us through her sometimes difficult, often exhilarating journey toward health. Although inspired by events in her own life, Ms. Slatkin has created in Paula a vibrant fictional narrator. The writing is fast-paced, forthright, and laced with sometimes startling situations. Humour abounds. Paula is an honest spirit, and some stories deal openly with raw emotional experiences. The narrative texture, though rich in dialogue, is poetic in its use of imagery. Despite some difficult subject matter, there is an uplifting zest and vigour throughout the collection.

Murder and the Fairchild Legacy

When billionaire Houston socialite Richard Fairchild is found dead under suspicious circumstances, his wife Mariah refuses to accept the police verdict of suicide. Desperate for answers, she recruits small-town radio owners Delilah Morgan and Norma Davis to investigate. She offers the struggling entrepreneurs compensation they can’t refuse – $20,000 each, a bailout for their failing station, and an all-expenses paid trip to Mariah’s Hill Country resort.

At first reluctant, Delilah and Norma soon find themselves embroiled in the glitzy Houston elite circles the Fairchilds inhabited. With a list of suspects who had motive to kill Richard, the duo follow a trail of lies, affairs, and shady business deals. The stakes grow ever higher as it becomes clear the Fairchild legacy – and their own lives – are in danger. From Texas hill country horse ranches to slick Houston high-rises, Delilah and Norma uncover adultery, blackmail, rivalry… and murder. But will the radio sleuths solve the mystery before the killer silences them too?

Murder on Wolf Owl Bank

In the small Newfoundland fishing village of Slate Harbour, a profound disturbance erupts between two families. The murky waters of jealousy, stirred by suspicion, transform their normally calm seas into tumultuous waves of hatred. Under brooding skies and against swelling seas, the inevitable storm begins to rage, while villagers watch as two boats head out towards a ferocious tempest of vengeance.

At sea, amidst sharks circling the blood of revenge, two feuding fishermen refuse to ease their animosity. One man’s course is swayed by a priest, whose words fade swiftly in the roaring wind. The other remains driven by an unyielding hatred. Their precarious worlds are upended by an unexpected storm that emerges from the darkest point on the compass. In this furious ocean, both captains struggle against the sea’s mercy.

Back at the home port, families keep vigil for the two vessels. In the relentless rain, prayers are answered for one family, whose boat returns with a skipper bearing a shattered spirit. Meanwhile, another family waits in vain, never to see their skipper or the boat with the broken jib again.

Left in the aftermath of retaliation, the feud brews yet more dark clouds of revenge. Shaken by grief and desperation, a secret is inadvertently revealed. But it’s too late to stem the tide of vengeance, and too late to prevent… Murder on Wolf Owl Bank.

Murders in the Cascades

During a lucid moment, an Alzheimer’s patient tells amateur sleuth Biodina d’Angelo that 40 years ago he killed his lumberyard partner in the Cascades of Washington state. Biodina begins searching historical records, and a clever fraud scheme is uncovered, along with news articles about a missing lumberyard owner. Along the way, her intuitive nature and nosiness helps her uncover another murder of a well-respected record producer. Will the murderess be a starstruck performer, a jealous wife, or a vindictive assistant?

Mustard Earring

In Mustard Earring, emotions and logic intertwine as the book delves into the themes of personal values, inner struggles, anxieties, and unfortunate circumstances. While the narrative primarily takes place in the past, it also sheds light on hidden truths and realities, making for a sensitive and thought-provoking read. The book explores the search for happiness and comfort in a world filled with injustice and unaccountable actions. Through the author’s perspective, readers will gain insight into the objects of desire that shape our lives and the way we perceive the world around us.

My Mistakes and You

She grew up with a desire for her words to be read, unconcerned about whether others could relate to what she had to say.

She yearned to pour out her soul, even if it meant her cup would overflow.

She sought acceptance despite her flaws and mistakes.

Her words were written in the hope that others would understand the reasons behind her tears, which gave birth to rivers and lakes.

This book is for those who do understand.

Here is My Mistake and You.

Mystique

Experience the enchantment of Mystique, an exquisite collection of heartfelt poems that celebrate the beauty of life in all its forms. Evy Sackrider weaves a tapestry of emotions, inviting readers on a captivating journey filled with love, friendship, and the wonders of nature. Through her masterful use of plain and simple language, Sackrider infuses each verse with a delightful human quality that will resonate deeply with readers.

Within the pages of Mystique, you will encounter a rich tapestry of themes that explore the diverse spectrum of human emotions. From profound moments of introspection to soaring heights of joy, these poems embody a sincere and unwavering belief in the goodness that resides within every soul. With an empathetic voice, Sackrider captures the essence of life’s complexities, offering solace, inspiration, and a renewed sense of hope to all who embark on this poetic journey.

Nama

When we write the story of one person, we tell the story of all people who have lived through all times, across the entire geography of the universe. We borrow from the history of life and its footprints, emerging from the deep past and leading into the ever-receding future. One life is a mirror for all, in a very important sense, though not in every sense. In Nama, an ancient Native American woman recounts the mystery of life, weaving the tapestry of life – of birth and death, of brave battles to be won, dreaming of love and justice, of creating a heaven on earth. She sings of grief over loss of love, of greed and rivalry that tear us apart, pushing us to harm, and even to kill. Yet she is also firm in her trust in the affirmation of life. Battles are never lost, lives are never given in vain. She preserves her faith in the redeeming power of grace and self-expansion and is willing to wait patiently for future generations to pick up the cross and find the path of emancipation for imprisoned humankind. Should we join her march?

New Level

Where did we come from, and where are we headed? These age-old questions have been at the forefront of human contemplation since time immemorial. Could the answers lie dormant within the recesses of our minds?

As science evolves, it mirrors the evolution of the human psyche, revealing the mysteries and secrets that lie within. Were the geniuses of the Middle Ages truly distinct from the common folk, or did they simply harness the power of their minds differently? And as we peer into the future, imagining the humans of the next centuries, we must wonder: could some of them already walk among us?

Dive deep into an exploration of human evolution, potential, and the uncharted territories of the mind.

Nightmares of the New Order

Welcome to Nightmares of the New Order, a gateway into a new realm of surreal imagination and dark possibilities not too dissimilar from our own reality. Throughout nine chilling tales and six eerie poems, the newest face of horror, Norris Vaughn III will take you on a terrifying journey to this new world filled with monsters both new and familiar. Meet the Michaels, a newlywed couple, who, after taking a wrong turn in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, come across an abandoned gas station where monsters beyond their comprehension await (Haunted Mountain). A crotchety old man discovers a trail of cigarettes leading down the hospital corridor (Cigarette Butts). Beware of stranger danger, as the young victims of a serial killer return from the grave to exact revenge (The Missing Child Poster). Take a trip back in time as we explore the traumatic childhood experiences of the author himself that continue to haunt him into adulthood (Sunshine into Darkness), and the monster at his back grown from the darkness of anger and hatred of these events (The Crow-Man). An outgoing young woman gets her dream job at a high-end department store, yet she can't help but notices that the lone male mannequin seems to be watching her (The Mannequin). And Yuki, afraid of the outside world, suffers at the claws of the embodiment of her fears throughout her entire life (Agoraphobia), and many more. Norris Vaughn III welcomes you to the New Order; he hopes you enjoy your stay.

No Borders for Truth

Two disparate souls, a young Iranian woman with a promising nursing career, and an American collegiate athlete seeking a career in the intelligence field, meet by happenstance. Realizing their mutual passion to serve others, the two connect intellectually and romantically, not knowing they are both connected to secrets that will force their worlds to collide and reveal truths unknown to not only both of them, but also the world. 

No Borders for Truth explores love and loss within family and country, and the richness of the great people of the enduring nations of Iran and America. Through the characters of Richard Holmes and Shideh Ghasemi, the reader peers through a window of real people sharing human commonalities despite culture differences, transcending current stereotypes and biased cultural assumptions. 

No Good Deed

YOU WANT THE BEST WHEN THE WORST IS OUT TO GET YOU

Help. That’s what Matt Pearson, his wife Dana, and the rest of their team at the Pearson Group do every day: protecting the life of strangers at the risk of their own.

Guillaume De LaCroix helps as well. His company helps sick people get better; his foundation helps women in need. He has it all. Success at work, the respect of his community, and a beautiful family. But when someone launches a terror campaign against him and his loved ones, he turns to the Pearson Group for protection and to discover who is behind these attacks.

As the case evolves and suspects come and go, discovering who is behind the threats leads the Pearson Group down a path far worse than they ever could have imagined. Matt, Dana, and the team must tread carefully to avoid becoming the next target.

A powerful, contemporary novel with engaging characters and intertwined story lines, No Good Deed carries the reader through the dark side of human nature and back.