Nauvoo: A City Set on a Hill

Brigham Young was the American Moses who led pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Colonizing vast tracks of the arid West, they made the deserts bloom. Few know of the beginnings and the crucibles forced upon early Mormons. And what of the drivings in the east and Missouri? What of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and new revelations from God, spreading across two continents, energizing thousands to leave their homes to build Zion, gathering to Nauvoo for the end of times? 1842 was an axial year. In England, Queen Victoria oversaw the industrial revolution that enriched some but unemployed millions. In America, people wrestled with slavery, Manifest Destiny, relocation of Native Americans, and religious awakening. Principled men and women rose to proclaim their vision, sacrificing reputations, lives, and wealth on the altar of convenience. Milena Stuart and her brother Diomedes were captured in the net of dreams, choosing to immigrate for opposing reasons, witnessing for themselves the turbulence erupting on the broad frontier. Would God allow this Camp of Israel to be driven from the States or would divine protection be manifest? Would that providence come in a timely fashion or in the form of isolating rag-tag refugees from the growing inferno that would soon consume the nation in the Civil War? Nauvoo is a victorious tale of joy and hope, fear and despair, sinners and saints. And the story goes on.

Scribbles

Scribbles is a collection of poems written to express feelings that come with intense love, anger, betrayal, trauma, confusion, trust, and worry, and to help make sense of things. Its goal is to shine a light on some thoughts and feelings one may be having when experiencing the worry for a friend’s death, death of a lover, falling in love, or being betrayed, or being abused, trying to figure out one’s own mind, or feeling as though one has lost their mind. It is gritty and emotional, even lurid at times, but serves its purpose of letting out what cannot be contained.

The Natural Order

One of the world’s top scientists, Nigel Mitchell, is driven by a nagging fear: that life on Earth is a cosmic accident, a mistake the universe is trying to correct. This compels him to make the most of every day, dedicating himself to helping friends, family, and society. His research at the world’s largest laboratory provides him the resources to pursue this goal, searching for signs of life in distant galaxies and striving to understand the universe’s origins. But a mistake in his lab threatens to destroy everything. Obsessed with enhancing life, Nigel now faces the possibility of destroying the planet. His search for a remedy takes him from the depths of the Earth to the surface of the Moon, all while wrestling with his fear of a cosmic mistake. As the clock ticks down, and with the lives of his loved ones hanging in the balance, Nigel begins to suspect that the very error that threatens Earth might be the key to restoring the universe’s natural order.

The Panacea of Life

A tale of triumph that paradoxically spirals into sorrow, bewilderment, and desolation – not because of the accomplishments, but due to the invaluable losses endured in the chase of a misguided belief that success guarantees joy. Amidst a backdrop of a neglected history, forsaken love, and a fractured spirit, a fortuitous meeting occurs with a family and vineyard that have strayed from their roots. By a stroke of serendipity, their paths intertwine, navigating through a poignant tragedy towards a rediscovery of what is truly precious.

The Thin Liners

Don Cammond was a successful businessman and an excellent athlete who, as a result of pain caused by a sports injury, becomes trapped in OxyContin and alcohol addiction. He manages to regain his sobriety but loses everything and winds up living on the edge of society with what he calls ‘thin liners’. Thin liners are not criminals per se but are walking on the thin line between honesty and criminality. Despite his best intentions, as he lives with them, he is drawn further and further into their lifestyle. Finally, as with his sobriety, he must find a way out.

Two'fer

Noah and Kaleb are best friends growing up in hard times. They live on adjoining farms, and both families are suffering greatly. Kaleb's dad has died, leaving Kaleb to take on the role of the provider at just seventeen years of age; the weight of caring for his five siblings and his mom is staggering. Noah, at only fourteen, has witnessed the daily verbal and physical abuse of his mother at the hands of his drunken step-dad. They realize that life on the farm is not an option. They must go where the jobs are. They must reach a small coastal village and secure jobs as fishermen. Trouble is, they have no money, no supplies, and have never been past their own gates. Noah full of youthful exuberance and is eager to begin their adventure, while Kaleb has reservations. After danger and exhaustion threaten their progress, they finally arrive at the village and secure jobs on a boat. Their happiness is shattered when tragedy strikes. Their promise to stay together forever is tested, and they begin to drift apart. As their lives take drastically different paths, they seem to accept that time and circumstances may weaken their bond. They have no idea their paths will cross many years later. Following the lives of each boy, we are introduced to their families and life choices. As their paths twist and turn, their stories lead the reader to a stunning reunion that is unexpected and almost magical.

A Comedy of Pretzels

When tradition twists with popular culture and lands on “people’s oral humor,” idealistic Reuben Lamberth finds himself in a mess. He is a young, progressive, inspired scholar teaching at a prestigious northeastern university, but his other unique self has another foot planted secretly in the world of standup comedy as Josh Sandburg. His stage name is a composite of ‘joshing’ and the renowned American poet Carl Sandburg. Neither his fully tenured professor wife Byrra who is enmeshed in a cabal of women’s faculty; his tough minor gangster-hood father Solly; his staid sociology chairperson and conventional colleagues; nor his tyrannical University President Jeremiah Brittle have any idea that he performs in comedy clubs as Josh Sandburg. Should he be outed, there is considerable doubt that he will be upgraded to the coveted position of tenure, and his marriage may suffer as well. Reuben wonders, Is it worth giving up academia and taking a flyer in the world of comedy culture? The finale in this novel reveals tantalizing internecine connections that land squarely the realm of people’s oral humor.

Claudette Monet in America

This novel by widely published author, London Fell, centers on Claudette Monet, a pseudonym of Claude Monet, the famous French painter who never came to America. Her travels will take you through France to America in search of her long-lost father. There, she experiences many memorable adventures such to interest general readers, art lovers, and those searching for history and historical romance, as well as those who are, like her, in search of themselves.

Hedonistic Propensities

From his darkest and most painful days to his bright and sunny days, this collection of poems embodies Issiac and the way he sees the world: painful and beautiful at the same time. 

Hedonistic Propensities takes a deeper look at what makes his soul shine. You can feel that he is most at home when he is writing.

This is Issiac’s first collection of poems, including the poems on his Instagram. He has been working on his craft.

On the Wings of an Angel

These poems capture my 35-year love affair with my wife, Anna Mae, who recently passed away from stage three ovarian cancer. She loved me unconditionally, and in return, I endeavored to give her countless reasons to feel cherished. Anna Mae was my everything, and her loss has left me devastated. Witnessing her battle with the illness and undergoing chemotherapy inspired me to write and express my emotions. In these poems, I weave our life story, celebrating the decades we shared.

We first came together when I was just sixteen and spent twenty years together before tying the knot in 2007. I suppose I wanted to be absolutely certain she was the one for me - though, in hindsight, there was never any doubt. In 2000, we expanded our family by adopting five nieces and nephews, three girls and two boys, embarking on an extraordinary journey together. I always strived to bring happiness to my wife, embodying the essence of the quote, ‘It doesn’t take much to make a woman happy, but it takes even less to piss her off.’

In January 2023, Anna Mae succumbed to her battle with cancer. To my loving wife, now in heaven, these poems are for you. Thank you for joining me on this incredible ride.

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…

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.