The Nightingale Sings

On the Greek island of Lesbos, in the seventh century BCE, a young lyric poet hones her craft while navigating the world of love, loss, friendship and sex, after having suffered years of abuse by a member of her father’s household. After a series of attempts at a healthy relationship, all the while struggling with the effects of post-traumatic stress and profound grief, she is forced to leave her home for a faraway land across the sea. There she would make a name for herself as an artist that would spread all across the Mediterranean, continuing her search for love and friendship, and trying to raise her only child in a safe and nurturing environment – until her whole world is suddenly upended.

The Nightingale Sings is an imaginary tale of what might have been in the life of the historical Sappho of Lesbos, whose artistry would lead to her becoming one of the most revered poets of the ancient world, and would still be cherished today – more than two and a half thousand years after her death.

And so, the story begins with a simple celebration.

A birthday party for a nine-year-old girl…

80? Oh No!

Science, medicine, and attention to healthy living styles has created an ever-enlarging geriatric population. To arrive at this stage of development in reasonably good health is a blessing. Even so, one cannot escape the arrival of gremlins that enter the body uninvited and proceed to make renovations without permission. For example, they step in, mess around with hormones and cause hair follicles to pop out of a woman’s face and chin. Men may begin to bald while their ears sprout matted hair causing diminished hearing.

80? Oh No! presents an intriguing story about the aging experience with a powerful, authorial, bold, and endlessly entertaining voice. Whether discussing sexuality or mortality, this work is uniquely insightful and poignant. The writing style is unusual and dynamic.

The author hopes the reader will take a walk in her shoes and share her thoughts and feelings throughout the reading of each chapter.

This book is perfect for gift-giving and provocative reading for book club members.

The Clara Conjecture

The Clara Conjecture is a new interpretation of historical facts. In 1938 Germany occupied Austria. Professor Lise Meitner, no longer shielded by her Austrian passport from measures against Jews, was fired. An equal of Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein, she had led the world’s best theoretical physics institute for nearly 30 years. In Berlin she designed the experiment that would split the uranium atom to produce energy. Before it could be executed she fled to Sweden. Without the ability to continue her research, impoverished, fearing for her relatives in the Nazi Reich, she became depressed.

In the tiny community of women scientists in Stockholm she met a psychoanalyst, the Canadian Dr. Leone McGregor Hellstedt (alter ego “Clara”), who rescued Lise with psychotherapy and money. When her German colleagues performed Lise’s experiment, they asked her to explain the result: she did, in terms of Einstein’s E=mc², and called the new phenomenon “nuclear fission” in her article for Nature. Early in 1939 physicists everywhere grasped the menace of nuclear energy. From her former colleagues and students Lise received information about the Nazi atomic bomb program and relayed it to Clara, who then informed Allied spies including William Stephenson (“Intrepid”) of British Security Coordination and Ian Fleming of British Naval Intelligence.

Informed by this detailed knowledge of Nazi atomic bomb initiatives, the Allies were able to efficiently sabotage facilities, kill key personnel, deny resources, and thus cripple the German program that had begun more than two years before the Manhattan Project.

A Glutton for Punishment

Amidst the divisiveness of the latter stages which the 2020 pandemic presented in society, concerned citizen Alex Domingue takes it upon himself to become involved in local politics and affect positive change in his community. As a corporate professional, veteran, and well-educated man, Alex has developed an extensive resume of working with many people from different backgrounds and points of view to accomplish critical missions. He feels uniquely qualified to move the needle towards a better future.

What awaits him, however, are multiple ongoing political turf wars. As it becomes evident that local politics are no less combative than national affairs, Alex quickly learns that his fellow Republican candidate (Sam Demonikov) for the Board of Education is in the midst of a vengeance escapade towards several for whom he holds violent disdain.

Alex must navigate increasingly dangerous issues. Through hostile disagreements, threats to his safety, and eventual attempts on his life, Alex learns that apparent villains are decent. Apparent heroes are narcissistic villains. In the face of grave danger, he must make bold decisions which do nothing to appease violent opposition from those who were once his partners. The extremes of both sides, including his own as he would learn, threaten the opportunity for rational solutions.

Full of Grace and Mischief

From the moment they meet at a Catholic summer camp in Savannah, Georgia, Mary Margaret and Theresa, polar opposites, become inseparable. Each summer, they embark on wild adventures, exploring waterways, pulling pranks, and challenging boys to daring contests. But one prank too many gets them banned from camp, and the nuns can’t shield them from the real world forever. As tragedy strikes, their friendship is forged in both joy and hardship.

The girls carry their bond to the beaches of Tybee and through the trials of a Catholic high school, where they face bullies, first romances, loss, and heartbreak. As their lives begin to diverge, Mary Margaret and Theresa struggle to hold onto the friendship that once seemed unbreakable. Can they find a way to salvage their connection as they enter the unpredictable world of adulthood?

The first in a generational trilogy, Full of Grace and Mischief vividly captures the coming-of-age experiences of two young women in the Deep South, celebrating their resilience and the enduring strength of friendship.

Lost Boy

After being kicked out of his childhood home, Jamie Perkins finds refuge with local Presbyterian pastor Pete Gailey and his wife, Meg. Impressed by Jamie’s work ethic and character, Pete offers him a job at the church. Life seems to settle into a peaceful rhythm… until people in the community start dying.

Jamie has an unsettling habit of being the last person to see many of the deceased, particularly the elderly, alive. As suspicions grow, Pastor Gailey must uncover the truth. Are these deaths acts of murder, or could they point to something far more mysterious… and miraculous?

Set in a small Appalachian town nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio, Lost Boy introduces readers to a cast of eccentric and unforgettable characters. With humor and heartfelt poignancy, this story explores what happens when God’s presence defies expectations, challenging both faith and understanding.

The Four Points of the Compass Society: Chapter 1

This is a story of hope for those lost in a world of pain. Four strangers find themselves drawn into a desperate search for an elderly, suicidal millionaire. Racing against time, they must uncover the man’s location before his inner darkness consumes him. With only four geographical clues to guide them, their journey begins.

Along the way, they join an organization called the Four Points of the Compass Society, a group dedicated to helping those in need. The Four Points of the Compass represent the mathematical meaning of life, offering direction and purpose.

Where do we turn: North, South, East, or West? Which path will guide us through life?

The compass not only points the way but serves as a symbol of helping one another along the journey.

The Loura Lure – Book 2

Dr. Shamus Bergin and his former patient Erladoch Dunbar have leapt into a time portal hurtling them backwards 20,000 years to Loura, a time and place erased from history. Before the seas rose up to separate Ireland and the British Isles from the rest of Europe, the Kingdoms of Loura thrived in peace.Much has changed since Erladoch’s departure four years earlier. Enilorac, the Evil King of Treborg has already begun his invasion. He has come looking for the last Angel’s Itavo stone. If found, Enilorac will use it to open the gates of Hell and usher in the end of times.Having accepted that his parents were descended from the Sacred Order of Keepers, Shamus must find his place amongst this army of part-human, part-angel warriors in their struggle to repel the encroaching darkness. Can this man of science come to terms with a world filled with magic, or will he lose his sanity in the presence of so many emerging voices seeking to direct his Will? These voices, whispers from the past and echoes of future battles, threaten to overwhelm him.Burdened with so much, the answers he seeks may lie in the hands of a woman he has never met. He doesn’t know her, but her call grows stronger in his mind with every passing danger. With the weight of obligation crushing down on him, he must have faith that his allegiances will hold and that not all paths laid before him will ultimately yield the same destiny.

The Journey

High-schooler Jack wanted to escape his life at home, so he moved in with a caretaker in a quiet town in the middle of Pennsylvania. At first, everything seemed normal – he was living an ordinary school life and even made some friends. However, everything changes when Jack encounters a mysterious woman who awakens a latent power within him that he never knew he had.

Determined to fight the evil lurking inside people’s minds, Jack embarks on a journey across Pennsylvania, seeking allies and battling dangerous foes. He joins a secret organization dedicated to combating these evils, but he soon uncovers its dark and shady past.

As Jack’s mission intensifies, he finds himself facing the son of a powerful and malevolent organization. At the same time, he struggles to keep his double life hidden from his girlfriend, Audrey, who knows nothing about his secret battles. As relationships begin to crumble, Jack is torn between his growing responsibilities as a hero and the personal life he desperately wants to protect.

2024 In Poetry

This collection of poetry is anything but tedious. Accessible and lively, each poem invites readers with a friendly, approachable style, offering a reading experience that feels both effortless and deeply engaging. Without appearing complex or intimidating, these poems reveal layers of meaning beyond the words on the page, making it easy for readers to connect and find significance in each piece.

Featuring over 30 poems, this book offers an extra dimension that enhances its appeal, ensuring a rewarding experience for any poetry lover. Each verse is crafted with sharp poetic insight, bringing abstract ideas to life in just a few words. It’s a collection that promises no disappointments: only impressions that linger and truths that emerge as you read.

By Appointment Only

By Appointment Only marks the thrilling return of Grace, Sam, Maria-Teresa, and Margot—the fearless, wacky sleuths we’ve come to love. Thanks to Grace, the ladies can now proudly call themselves professional investigators. While three of them are content handling routine cases at the newly formed Liu Jones Group Investigations Agency, Grace Liu craves more to fuel her adrenaline.

Grace’s ambition leads her to pursue a high-profile murder case, one she hopes will cement the agency’s reputation as one of the best in Mesa, Arizona. But as the women soon discover, you should be careful what you wish for. They’re hired by an unusual client to solve the murder of local celebrity author Ainsley Chao.

The case pulls the team into a labyrinth of psychological and emotional motives behind Chao’s death. At the same time, Grace privately wrestles with unanswered questions about the reported death of Rhys, her long-time black ops handler and former lover.

Amid the twists, turns, and shocking revelations of the Chao murder, the women face personal growth, forge deeper bonds, and experience heart-pounding excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This second installment masterfully continues the series’ signature blend of intricate mysteries, engaging character narratives, and unwavering honesty.

For All Our Relations

The book is in two parts, the first, The Nilgiri Elegies, document my experiences as a veterinarian at the animal refuge in the Nilgiris, S. India, India Project for Animals & Nature, founded and directed by my wife Deanna L. Krantz. We provided free care for the domestic animals kept by villagers and poor tribal communities, vital to their economy and health; and faced corruption and death threats in saving the last of the elephants and other wildlife.

The second part are poems written over several years from the deep heart’s core of empathy and reverence for all life in a world in need of compassion and spiritual inspiration for all creatures great and small.