The Authors Show

Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience shares powerful true stories of individuals who have faced life's toughest challenges—loss, betrayal, disaster, and war—and emerged stronger by embracing the power of perspective. Through Heidi Siefkas' inspiring mantra, Look Up, this book reveals how resilience, hope, and determination can turn adversity into opportunity.

Set in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2010, A DRY HATE encapsulates the many forces at play when a popular sheriff arrests and accuses anyone in his crosshairs--Mexicans and brown-skinned people, activists, journalists, judges, elected officials. The climate is growing ugly as the Legislature is about to pass SB 1070--the state law that targets 'illegal aliens' on Arizona soil. Professor Ivan Wilder tries to cannot avoid scrutiny, having both students without documents and the son of the Deputy County Attorney in his summer course on "Politics and Propaganda." The university classroom is a point of departure to remind the reader how local journalists were jailed, factories were raided, and even a County Supervisor was unjustly arrested because of the sheriff's misuse of power. Twists and turns in the plot keep the reader wanting to know more. Surprises keep us alert--what next? Finally, a small statue of a Pascua Yaqui healing ceremony antelope dancer provides a clue

In a remote Canadian valley, a wildlife artist and her husband face a terrifying ordeal when forest fires drive fifteen bears out of the mountains, seeking refuge near the artist's home. Their presence sparks suspicion in a nearby religious community that has long labelled the artist a ‘witch.' Seizing on this as justification, the community unleashes a campaign of fear and violence, rallying around a hunting lobbyist who insists the bears must be killed. This story exposes how authoritarian mindsets and religious fundamentalism fuel aggression toward those seen as ‘different'—where anyone can be branded a ‘witch' and made a target. Through desperate efforts to protect the bears, the book highlights the devastating consequences of misunderstanding both nature and those who defend it. Each bear, shown as an individual with a painted portrait, stands as a testament to the need for coexistence and an end to hunting as wildlife faces increasing peril.

The evolution of Aaron is the fictional story of Aaron Hill and African American man living in Columbia, South Carolina. The story follows Aaron's life from the time that he is an adolescent until adulthood. During this time, Aaron experiences many things such as conflicts with his parents, relationship issues, alcohol abuse, employment and financial issues as well as problems in his marriage. Aaron also struggles with his faith and his relationship with God as time goes on. However, Aaron comes to realize that these experiences have helped him to grow mentally, spiritually and emotionally and have allowed him to evolve into the man that he has become by the end of the story

“Not Even Doctor Phil Can Fix This.” The Psychological Mystery series starts with a traffic stop and escalates into a web of twisted secrets and deadly consequences. Serial killers are exposed, and the existence of a Secret Army is threatened. A investigative journalist conspires to reveal more secrets and an assortment of characters and events propel Farmerville towards tragedy. More mystery unfolds with a pig farm, Gitmo, pedophiles, nightmares, ghostly therapy sessions, cave kids, a furnace, another serial killer, a table with a history, and an axe or two. Intertwining plots twists run rampant making it clear that something sinister is at play. Farmerville may be for you If you like the writing of Harlan Coben, Caroline Kepnes, and Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Welcome to 'Ranger The Bodacious Beach Dog'. Ranger (AKA Ranger Marley Wrecking-Ball Surf-Dog Doofus) is the quintessential dude. When he's not on duty he likes to play, eat, and chill. His hobbies are body surfing, chasing seagulls, stealing other dog's tennis balls at the beach, stealing children's toys at the beach, stealing food at picnics and peeing on surfer's backpacks, shoes ect... You've probably gathered by now that Ranger is a bit of an anarchist. He never fails to entertain the people around him and always seems to light up the room wherever he goes. The world is a better place for having his playful antics and loving mannerisms. This book is a collection of photos taken of this incredibly lovable goofball while playing at the beach.

Set in Rome and Venice - with a brief stop in Magallanes, Chile, and New York City - Vatican Daughter propels the reader deep into the heart of Italy. Ensnared by its vivid descriptive language, you will be transported and immersed in this plausible, suspenseful story as it takes you through various cities, tasting their foods along the way, with different characters. At the same time, you will meander along the medieval palazzos of Rome and Venice, sip the wine, explore the countryside, ride the train, step behind the walls of Vatican City and its papal gardens, and imagine experiencing the loss of a child at the hands of men who would go to any means to avoid the exposure of Vatican corruption, papal indiscretion, and the Vatican's long-buried secrets. A story of a young woman who relentlessly searches for her child while coming head-to-head with the most powerful entity on earth, Vatican Daughter focuses on serious female-centric issues and the Vatican's controversial behaviors.

Herded by Miracles: An only child, a burden to her single mother and born in South Africa in the middle of a war, the author had to discern life's purpose by living it. She rides through the widest emotional landscapes of contrast: the Apartheid conflict between black and white, between Boer and British, and the disconnect between African and European cultures, the generosity of strangers, the betrayal of friends, and rejection by family. Through all these mirrors, the patchwork pilgrimage is towards the transcendent lovingness of Creation. We all have a lamp to trim for the coming of our bridegroom. This harrowing but often humorous chronicle (God tells good stories with both wit and parody) is one such Trimming. Its natural mysticism emerges like smoke from damp leaves. Only the inspiration of George Eliot and her nostalgic portraits of England's ancient antiquity and its unsung heroes kept her company, affirmed her independence of mind, and fostered a new Book of Revelations

More than two centuries after the Age of Reason culminated in the French Revolution, society still operates based on assumptions and attitudes formed by our ancient myths. Propagated by organized religion, these myths not only hamper efforts to apply reason to our problems, but foster violent conflicts that threaten global security Myths of the Tribe: When Religion and Ethics Diverge illustrates the negative historical impact of our major religions and their detrimental impact on modern society. Author David Rich demonstrates how centuries' old philosophy, doctrines, and belief systems plague our everyday lives, our political arena, and the way we function in the modern world. As relevant today as it was when first published by Prometheus Books in 1993, Myths of the Tribe has been updated in its second edition with new data reflecting our views on religion and social mores/religious holidays in the twenty-first century.

Abandoned at birth and shuffled through the system all her life, Cinder is on the verge of being expelled from yet another school. Despite high test scores, Cinder's records show a penchant for fighting, defiance, impulsivity, and “an unwillingness to develop appropriate decision-making skills”―whatever that means. When a lunch-time brawl breaks out in the cafeteria, Cinder gloomily prepares for what has become all-too familiar. This fight, however, won't end like all the others. Allfather has dispatched his Predators, an elite team of bodyguards, to bring Cinder to the Proving Grounds, where she will be broken, disciplined, trained, and given her quest directive. Cinder may be in an alternate realm full of Valkyries, dark elves, and world-encircling serpents, but she still has a chip on her shoulder the size of Thor's hammer, and she's not about to let Odin or any other god push her around.

Part 2 of Series so far in conjunction with ChristiTutionalist TM Politics podcast providing historical context of America's Judeo/Christian Foundations based upon Biblical Community (Free Will, Charity, etc.) vs Worldly Communism (Force, Theft, etc.) as was already tried on our Soil back during the Bradford Colony Mayflower Communal Compact and they almost all starved to death. Bradford and the Colony then pivoted to Biblical FREE WILL (Freedom) and Personal/Individual Responsibilities and Rights over Collectivist one's (that fails to take in account Human Nature and some desires to do least possible, if not avoid shirking any responsibility at all, and eventually more in Cart than can pull the Cart and ATLAS SHRUGS); Private Property ownership, again over Collectivist concept which when no-one owns no-one has direct pride and taking actual ownership of the responsibilities for; etc.; and as they say THE REST IS HISTORY as our Founders learned from that initial Failure.

Can Aaron kill? According to research only 15-20 percent of the soldiers fired at the enemy in WWII. For soldiers with an aversion to killing, PTSD effects are more profound. Leaving his youth behind, Aaron is forced into manhood as he faces the horrors of war and searches to understand his Jewish heritage. Town after town, he sees churches and synagogues reduced to rubble and bible carrying Germans slaughtered on the battlefields, and he hears stories about Jewish concentration camps. What is being Jewish? What is being Christian? Why is he forbidden to marry the preacher's daughter? When he returns home, his personal war continues. Overwhelmed by the horrors of war, conflicted by religion, and ravaged by nightmares, he turns to alcohol and makes a painful choice. One particular battlefield experience, a reoccurring nightmare, and to protect his wife, he leaves her. Homeless, far from home, and numbed by alcohol, fate guides him to the man who is the subject of his war nightmare

Ellie is a curious 5-year-old girl with lots of questions. In GRATITUDE, she is frustrated when a playdate by her favorite magnolia tree is spoiled by a rainstorm and decides nothing goes her way. Her Mom encourages her to stay focused on all the good things she has in her life with an attitude of gratitude. Ellie realizes she is so thankful for her family, her home, and even the rain which helps flowers grow. She loves art so her mom gives her a set of paint along with stepping stones. Each time she reflects on something she is grateful for she paints a stone. She is thankful for her dog Rose, teachers, smiley-faced pancakes, her healthy body, and nature. Soon she has created a colorful path of stones that leads from her front door to the magnolia tree. She finds JOY in everyday things, no matter how big or small. She completes the path of stones and now sees beauty everywhere and no longer needs to paint a stone because she is practicing gratitude all on her own!

In River City, trouble isn't hard to find—and Jake Sledge, former cop turned private eye, knows it better than most. A prominent attorney is found murdered outside his River City office. Jake Sledge and his partner, Bobo Johnson, are drawn into a case that quickly spirals out of control. They uncover chilling connections to frozen evidence, shadowy underworld figures, notorious neo-Nazis, and a dangerous game involving the high-stakes casino industry. The lawyer's death is only the beginning. With every lead raising more questions than answers, Jake and Bobo navigate a tangled web of corruption and betrayal in a city brimming with secrets and lies. The body count rises as the pair comes closer to the truth. It becomes clear that this is more than a job. It's a fight for survival. And, for Jake Sledge, in the gritty streets of River City, survival means staying one step ahead of the enemy while keeping his own demons at bay.

Meteorologist and psychic Gayle Force knight, proves to be a force to be reckoned with once more. While sleeping, an angel sent her a vision of a future event. With her intuition, Gayle wonders will she really meet the dog in her dream and save another dog? With the help of her intuitive husband, Alex Knight, and friends, Gayle sets out on a course to rescue many more. But with surprising twists and turns of intrigue, both Gayle and Alex find there are always angels at the helm as they ride on their coattails.

As Rory proposes to Ingefaer, the alvae Shrine they're visiting is set ablaze. Ingefaer is arrested. Rory hunts for the true arsonist, but is shadowed by soldiers and makes little progress as most mages refuse to talk to him as it's beneath them and he's a human. One alvae mage talks to him and erases all the suspects on his list, leaving him with one option: to interview the chief healer of the Shrine that burned. Arabella puts Rory off at first, but he presses, threatening violence. She tells him she knows Ingefaer didn't burn the shrine, but refuses to reveal the culprit as it would reveal a sordid past. Arabella offers Rory a vial of invisibility that Ingefaer can use to escape...maybe. Rory takes the vial and gets it to Ingefaer. He sets up a distraction and Ingefaer makes her escape, buck naked. But instead of fleeing the city, Ingefaer wants to solve the case. The duo shave their heads and paints themselves green. They work the clues while in disguise and solve the case.

This inspiring collection of memories, stories, and tributes from colleagues in the entertainment industry, childhood and lifelong friends, Arabian horse enthusiasts, and fans is a homage to a man who not only was an immensely talented performer, but who also was a hero. Patrick has left a legacy of many works, including movies, television shows, Broadway shows, dance performances, and songs. Most important is that he lived a life in which he demonstrated courage in the face of adversity—time and time again— and showcased traditional values and beliefs such as loyalty, morality, and integrity. He was an advocate for dance and the performing arts, conservation, cancer diagnostic/treatment advances, and Arabian horses. He battled pancreatic cancer with his “never give up” determination, courage, and grace that has touched countless lives.

As a traumatic brain injury survivor, Saverio Monachino struggled to reconstruct the ‘here and now' within his head. The memory silos devoted to personal experiences had broken down and without their structured database in play he had to go searching for reality. TBI is unique to every individual, and some of those experiences defy explanation. When there is a disarray in the system it sometimes becomes impossible to separate fact from fiction or any form of temporal progression. Little Bit of Faith describes an individual's journey back while at the same time opening a door to all the possibilities a reimaging of one's life can bring.

In pursuit of a meaningful life, Jeff Richards and his friend Rick Sager decide to start a commune out in the Rocky Mountains. It doesn't go as planned. Instead of the self-sufficient ranch they envision, they can only afford a crumbling crash pad in Denver; half their friends who agreed to join them (including most of the women) decide to move to Boulder instead; romantic entanglements between group members cause disarray; drug-addicted drifters steal their record collections; and though Rick and Jeff fall in love with every hippie chick that crosses their paths, they rarely fall in love back. Through it all, they learn you don't always accomplish what you set out to do, but you can still take pride in the attempt.

Shaking Up the World is a collection of stories by the Naval Academy Class of 1957 members. Some classmates watched Japanese planes bombing Pearl Harbor (Tom Marnane). Walt Meukow spent the war as a prisoner in the Philippines; another Art Aronson, was a prisoner in the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz. The Shaking and shaping of four years at Annapolis molded men who would spend their lives shaking up the world, large and small, in uniform and as civilians. Brad Parkinson's architecture of the Global Positioning System (GPS) was monumental. Charlie Duke, an astronaut, spent 72 hours on the moon's surface. Jerry Barczak tells about being hijacked by Hezbollah terrorists in a fatal event. The War in Vietnam involved Leo Hyatt's account of imprisonment at the Hanoi Hilton, which is a classic in bravery and loyalty. Larry Bustle's account of being shot down over enemy territory brings back the terrific impact war had on all of us—Bob McElwee's story of his life as a National Football referee

Surrounded by the sounds of music in her small Louisiana town, she is thrilled when her school announces a new band class starting after summer break. But when a visit to the local music store with her mother reveals that the instrument she wants to play is beyond their budget, Florenda faces a tough challenge. Will she be able to play the instrument she's dreamed of, or will her musical aspirations have to wait?

An intense search to find, prove, and accept a past life as a Confederate from the Civil War is the author's memoir embedded within a novel about editing and publishing the book. Full of historical details, the book includes a twenty-page biography of a Confederate Major General, well known for his participation in the Battle of Gettysburg. The difficulty of accepting another person's life as your own led to a great spiritual lesson and an expansion of consciousness. The book's purpose is to be a guidepost for those that can't shake the feeling that they have lived before and what is possible when you accept history as your own. The book is an intense journey of self-discovery.

A feral child named Wolf is being raised by wolves deep in the forest, until he is suddenly whisked away to a subterranean netherworld by the Tuatha De Danann; a strange and elusive race. In this otherworldly realm, where mortal time moves imperceptibly quickly, these 'ever-living ones' raise and train the boy for their own ends; returning a formidable stealth-warrior, back to the world of men. In Wolf's absence, Ireland has become a more dangerous place, as the Vikings strive to gain control of the country. However, a young southern commander called Brian Boru and his enigmatic counsellor, Amergen, mean to thwart the Viking' plans. But they desperately need Wolf's particular set of skills for a perilous mission deep into enemy territory. And so they set a trap to ensnare Wolf and his daring band of Rangers.

Fueled by unrealistic expectations of Nicholas Sparks' novels, Scarlet moves across the country to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, after her thirty-year marriage ends. Seeking like-minded women, she joins a divorced women's book club only to discover they may not be so alike after all. She is befriended by Missy, who becomes a welcome ally as she navigates life in a small town. Scarlet's dormant desires are awakened when she meets Ben, an attractive younger man. But Beau, the self-assured, age-appropriate man, opens her heart to love. The unexpected arrival of the man who nearly broke her adds a complication she could not have anticipated. “The Scarlet D” follows Scarlet as she dissects her past, embraces new friendships and second chances, and finds herself open to the complications of starting over in her fifties. A later-in-life coming-of-middle-age romance.

Father Edward Thomas is an exorcist and Priest who fights to find not just his own salvation, but is presented with the question of whether or not a demon can be redeemed. What forces does God have in place to fight demons on earth? Where are they, and why have they seemingly abandoned us? Sara Baker is trapped by a deal she made long ago: A once promising medical student who finds that an event she thought was a dream in her childhood was indeed a reality. Now she must do her best to survive the fires of Hell and keep what little humanity she can hold on to… But will those in Hell allow such a thing? Jason Miller never knew his mother. But when a stunning woman appears at his doorstep claiming to be his long lost mother, Sara Baker, his world begins to unravel around him. What are the consequences of selling one's soul, even for the most innocuous of trades? Find out in three tales of woe in the first entry of The Guardian Temple Series.

Chronicles of a Dangerous Mind is a series based on real people and real-life events. "Fire of Mercy" is the first book in the series, and it's based on the life of an incarcerated patient the author treated several years ago. Jonas's story is a gripping tale of how he became a serial arsonist and killer; the devastating destruction for which he was responsible; his lost hope and faith; and his pursuit of understanding, healing, and redemption. All the names and settings were changed to protect privacy. Some of the plot lines were adapted for literary effect. The content included in this book is sometimes graphic, and it is geared toward adult audiences. Readers who enjoy reading true crime novels, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, and books that delve into the psyche of criminal minds will likely enjoy this book.

Did you know? ● It is Emotion that drives all behaviors and actions of each and every individual! ● The Emotions that drive each individual's every behavior and action originate from an inborn instinctual foundation of only FIVE primary Emotions! ● When an individual is subject to emotional repressions or a person has learned faulty beliefs about the emotions and as a result thereof exhibits incongruent behavior which now originates from a foundation of distorted emotional attitudes—then, the results of one's behaviors and actions may prove to be off-target of the expected or desired outcome, and further, prove to be disastrous to both oneself and others! ● By and large—in varying degrees—all humanity may be out of sync regarding natural rhythmic emotional behavior and expression! ● Emotional repressions and disharmonies form the behavioral foundation of the Modern-Day Liberal!

The Perils of Beginnings weaves two periods of history to tell the story of an ancestor, José Narciso Cavazos, one of the early Texas settlers. In 1969, 18-year-old Barbara, the narrator, hopped into her spicy Auntie Eloisa's new GTO to embark on a road trip from Texas to Tampico, Mexico. While searching for her baptismal certificate, Auntie shares the history of Narcisco, a bold visionary who, in 1793, left an aristocratic life in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to cultivate the 600,000 acres of land awarded to him by the King of Spain. As Narciso's story unfolds, so do the secrets of the two women. Barbara's humorous and warm tales told of a cow greeting her while using an outdoor toilet, Auntie dropping her bloomers while dancing with abandon to the mariachis' music, and a “gentle” horse baring her teeth before riding her into the river. The Perils of Beginnings has something for everyone; history, romance, and colorful characters.

Author Peter Ticktin was Donald Trump's former platoon sergeant at New York Military Academy when they were both 18 and to this day, they have remained lifelong friends and Trump occasionally as his lawyer. Peter outlines in this book why he always has and always will stand behind Trump, who is today President-elect of the United States, which will be his second term in this high office. In What Makes Trump Tick, Peter presents an eye-opening account of what made Trump the awesomely successful businessman, a U.S. President and simply the great man he is today. Ticktin was recently featured in a documentary film about Trump which was shown at Trump's stately home in Florida, Mar-a-Lago.

Breaking into Showbiz is like breaking into Fort Knox. Breaking out, we're talking Alcatraz. Abigail Paine, born Miriam Rosen, has been in love with Show Business since childhood, perpetually fantasizing herself as the Little Trouper Who Finds Stardom and True Love by the end of the movie. After a hundred shows and a hundred one-night stands, love and fame still elude her, and she'd rather suck a tailpipe than face another audition. Complicating her search for the Busby Berkeley ending is her primitive alter-ego- The Beast. This creature can track, kill, dismember and devour an entire cheesecake; can beat the hell out of smaller muggers on the sidewalks of New York; and can't say no to recreational sex with a famous director on the Third Ring of the New York State Theater while a public tour is in progress. When Abigail finds love at long last, she is faced with an agonizing choice: Showbiz or The Guy

FINDING ZACHARIAH hits a lot of tender spots: a homeless vet seeking solace in alcohol; two kids and their mom hurt and broken by an absent dad; a feral cat who knows everyone; and a wide array of community members who make this little book so touching and delightful. You'll meet Big Joe, a man with a past and a big heart; Darlene the dirt lady; Backhoe the mulch mover; Ike the irrigation expert; Latifa the beekeeper; Wiley the muralist, and more. When Zorro and CeCe, twin brother and sister, and their mom Otoña, come to the garden to work their own little plot, they find out a lot about themselves, their mom, and the mysterious man keeping away from others in the healing garden. As Zachariah talks out his sadness with the feral cat, Sebastian, and as he begins to work in the garden with Big Joe and other volunteers, we learn that people can make the best of second chances and find healing and reconciliation.

Shelby is a young flying squirrel who lives with his mother and his twin sister, Darby. This series of adventures includes necessary lessons for skills the young ones will need as adults, and endless fun and excitement as Shelby explores the world around him. Shelby hiccups and stutters when he is upset or nervous, trouble finds him much too easily, and growing up is not what he wants to do. The forest provides him with many good friends, but when their beloved meadow is changed forever they all move to the woods beside a farm, where Shelby meets and learns about farm animals; a whole new experience. The stories relate loosely to the realities of wild flying squirrels, but liberal poetic licence allows much more to happen. SHELBY F. SQUIRREL is the perfect introduction to learning more about real flying squirrels, one of nature's very little-known and most amazing creatures.

This book is about a man's journey from his hospital bed to his small hometown of Magnolia, New Jersey, where his journey to heaven begins as his guardian angel helps him answer questions that we all have about heaven. Questions such as: What will heaven be like? Will we meet relatives and friends there? Will there be food and wine? Will there be sex? Will we see our pets? How will we get around? Will we have bodies? In Magnolia, by going back there from my deathbed (or Lou's deathbed), I am setting up his journey to heaven – a new journey where time and life change. A joyful change. Guided by his guardian angel (Micah), Lou starts afresh, yet that start, for him, is very similar to the joys he experienced in Magnolia when he was nine years old. I don't go deep into religion or scripture in this book, rather I decided to “show” the reader via Lou's journey through the first stage of heaven – a stage that is almost comprehensible to us in the earthly realm.

In this fiery love story set in equatorial Africa, Peace Corps volunteer David Fields in on mission: to build a medical dispensary in a remote village where he seldom has his bearings and must fight a cocktail of tropical maladies and cultural taboos. He throws himself into work, which he's deliciously distracted from in his pursuit of a gorgeous African lady. In her vitality, Assam rocks with the energy of a dozen women and bye and bye David becomes the hunter captured by the game. And what a rollicking game of love it is with delicious “distractions” keeping the reader spellbound. With its hunting ventures into rainforest and original Bantu folktales recounted fireside, this is a novel that, in its haunting end, will strum elegiacally at your heartstrings. Resonating with Nabokov's truism, “The finest art is not simple and sincere but rather complex and deceitful.” Think of the Mona Lisa's smile. Think of Water Drumming in the Soul ... Your soul.

‘From Budapest to Hollywood: Searching for the Promised Land' is a story of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of a better life. Katherine MK Mitchell's memoir begins with her birth in Nazi-occupied Hungary. From there she survived war, the ill-fated S.S. Exodus, and communism before fleeing her home country once the Russians crushed the Hungarian Revolution. Her journey as a refugee brought her to New York, where she overcame countless challenges, ultimately making a name for herself in Hollywood. Katherine worked as an agent, writer, and story analyst, earning membership in the Writers Guild of America West. Throughout her life, Katherine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to honing her craft, sharing her stories, and inspiring others to live authentically and with purpose. Her memoir is a testament to what one can achieve when they refuse to give up hope and continue moving forward.

The mystery of what they endured as young children took a lifetime to unravel. MK-ULTRA, a covert CIA mind-control program, forces Tommy, Beth, and Curtis Matthews to take part in life-altering experiments during the late 1950s. The experience dramatically impacts their lives, but they don't remember it. As they come of age through the turbulent 60s and into the 80s, invisible strings pull them toward their preordained destinies. The Nazi-trained psychiatrist in charge of their CIA program harbors a secret agenda to turn Tommy into a future world leader, but forces surrounding him compromise his work. When the MK-ULTRA project is aborted, the siblings are left deeply damaged without access to the memories that can free them. It takes Curtis's psychotic breakdown and Beth's startling vision to open up the pathways to their buried past. These developments lead to the detective work of a diligent therapist. But will it be enough to unravel the hidden tapestry of deception?

To help people learn how to flourish, Alphonsus Obayuwana, MD, PhD, CPC, has developed a five-minute tool that can assign a numerical happiness score to any individual—whether a peasant or a millionaire—using a universal unit of measure called Personal Happiness Index (PHI). The scale was introduced in Dr. Obayuwana's new self-help book, The Happiness Formula, which teaches people how to create a self-help routine for achieving and maintaining true happiness. “Unlike other books about happiness, which are too often filled with dos and don'ts, wishful thinking, and empty aphorisms, The Happiness Formula breaks new ground,” said Dr. Obayuwana. “Despite its title, The Happiness Formula is much more than a mathematical equation for measuring happiness. It is a book about life, the relationship between human hope and happiness, one's overall feeling of personal satisfaction and subjective well-being.”

As November approaches, two near opposites clash for the nation's highest office. It's Ven Hess, firebrand populist breaking all the old rules, known as "The Hessian" for his intimidating tactics on the pitcher's mound, versus Democrat Alec Maynard, an African American Admiral with his own flaws but who offers the nation at least some hope of normalcy. Pete Vankov, a political operative known as the "Dark Angel" because of his reputation for winning at all costs, spearheads the Hess campaign. Meanwhile, an estranged colleague, David Gruber, together with The Globe's political reporter, Jane Berglund, devises a plan to thwart Vankov's march towards a dirty and dangerous victory. Who wins? With Guile, veteran political strategist Craig Snyder has written a thriller exposing the dark underbelly of American politics, a novel rich in suspense and intrigue that will have readers turning its pages quickly in rueful anticipation of the next election.

What was it like to be orphaned at birth in the winter of 1942 in Munich, to spend the next eleven years as a foster child in the family of a former SS-officer? What was it like, after the death of my foster mother, to live for seven years in a home for children under the aegis of Catholic Sisters? What was it like to immigrate to the United States at age eighteen without family support or knowledge of English? In telling my story, I draw portraits of people that have affected my life for good or ill. I describe the rooms and furniture as silent witnesses to our family's daily struggle. I book-ended my work with critical thoughts about nationality: Being considered German in the United States versus being American in Germany. I close with reflections on today's Germany, with the past intruding on the present, and with my inherited trauma and inherited guilt still pursuing me.

Unsung heroes and murderous villains, hidden forever in ancient shadows, now leap to life - blazing onto the pages of revelation. Gideon, a lowly woodcutter, is blessed by an angel to be the savior of all Israel. He does not know why or how and shrinks from this dangerous mission. The commandment to conquer the Midian Empire as one man seems all but impossible. But Gideon's confidence grows as God guides his every step until he stands fearless and faithfully fulfills his destiny as "A mighty man of valor." The fierce warriors, burning towers, and devastated cities contained in Gideon's Journey are but silver threads that weave into a sweeping tapestry of ancient intrigue. Running through and stitching together the entire saga is The Lord of the Covenant, or The Baal-Berith, also known as Gideon's mysterious Ephod of Gold. The Canaanite age of iron finds a simple woodsman lost in the forest of fear and doubt, challenging Ba'al, the Amorite god, to rescue his one true love.

Did a red fox pass this way? Could that be a bobcat print in the dirt? Do those tracks belong to a domestic dog or a coyote? Combining humor and lyrical memoir with an introduction to wildlife tracking, What Walks This Way explores the joys of learning to recognize the traces of the creatures with whom we share our world. Nature writer Sharman Apt Russell tells stories of her experiences tracking wildlife—mostly mammals, from mountain lions to pocket mice—near her home in New Mexico, with lessons that hold true across North America. She guides readers through the basics of identifying tracks and signs, revealing a landscape filled with the marks left by browsing deer, predatory weasels, and inquisitive bears, skunks, and raccoons. Closely observing these marks and passages, Russell also finds community, a sense of place, and a renewed connection with the nonhuman world. She explores the health of mammal populations in North America and questions common wildlife management practices, calling for new approaches that better reflect our current understanding of ecology. Above all, What Walks This Way is a celebration of all the wild animals secretly, stubbornly, and triumphantly moving through our cities, suburbs, and countryside.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2004. Shannon Dillon discovers a document in her grandfather's attic that appears to be written by beloved author C. S. Lewis. Oddly, the binder is covered with Occult symbols. Word leaks out, and within hours, three armed bandits burst into the house to steal the documents. Things turn sour when the American intruder shoots and kills Shannon's grandfather and brother. Shannon escapes out a window as the gooms take off with the manuscript. Traumatized, she vows blood revenge. Shannon travels to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and recruits a reluctant evangelical college professor of literature to help her bring the American killer to justice. Once trained as an IRA sniper, Shannon is driven by revenge while Simon Magister drags his feet. Still, against his Christian values, Simon is drawn by scholarly curiosity and a repressed attraction to Shannon. The couple enters a dark world where two factions are willing to kill for the ‘Belfast Document.' Simon and Shannon narrowly escape death several times while others die along the way. Meanwhile, a slow-burn romance emerges between the two. The conflict involves right-wing fundamentalists who believe that Lewis's fantasy stories are occult inspired. Conversely, some big evangelical publishers want to obtain and destroy the document for financial reasons.

Never married Aimee Dunsmore hides her identity as a successful Gothic Romance ghostwriter. Aimee got her start ghostwriting the autobiography of a reclusive movie star who is making a comeback in a major Hollywood blockbuster. Originally intended as a marketing piece to support the film, it becomes a bestseller. The movie star wants Aimee to come with her for support on the press tour, and the assignment takes Aimee from the Hamptons to Hollywood. Now back home, she's content to remain in obscurity and write her novels. Happily single, she meets Mitch and feels an immediate connection. Aimee decides to take a chance on love in real life, only his unstable ex-wife becomes determined to make it impossible for Mitch to ever find happiness again. She goes to extremes to drive Aimee away for good. Aimee needs to decide if Mitch is worth the drama or take a hard pass at what might be her last chance on love.

Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing” challenges both the parent and child/student to discuss what is the best career and educational path for every young person based on: • the youth's passion and natural talents and interests • the youth's innate method of learning new information and concepts • the family's financial resources and ability to afford appropriate education • barriers of entry into traditional careers based on pool of applicants & required experience • potential paths of enlightenment through internships and/or apprenticeships This book is a two-cover book with both a Parent & Student Edition, 180 degrees apart. The two intended reader groups meet in the middle with both having questions to start the interactive dialog that is absent all to often in the family dynamic – what is the best educational and career choice for each child? This is also meant to warn young people of the student debt trap and maybe MFG careers can offer an alternative path.

“LOVE In the Shadows,” the final book of the Passaic River Trilogy, takes the reader from 1947 Newark through the dark shadows where mindless brutes of all classes preyed on the helpless. Women were fighting back and for the first-time muscular feminism was changing the world with Rosie the Riveter pumping her biceps on posters from coast-to-coast. Men were no longer the only ones using their fists. Four battered women panic the city's elite when they enlist a mafia gangster to help exact vengeance on powerful men who escaped punishment despite years of brutal behavior. Newark's Police Homicide Chief is astonished to discover there is no difference in the battery and mayhem affecting the rich and poor. A physically abused rich and beautiful woman goes on a two-continent search after her wealthy aristocrat husband fatally beats a household member she had loved since childhood. Also tracking the husband are two international killers hired by the mafia after it was discovered he had embezzled mob money earned by investing in Hitler's war machines. The reader discovers that evil often masquerading as love lurks in the shadows around the world.

Eve is a frustrated sixteen-year-old who uncovers a dark family secret. Muriel is trapped in managed care by the son who stole her fortune. Taking advantage of a fortuitous moment, this unlikely pair embark on a murky mission in Muriel's rare Cadillac to rectify their wrongs. Together they confront Muriel's wavering cognition, Eve's emotional wounds, and sometimes each other. They're on the road to salvation—unless their families catch them first! Told from the unique perspective of the titular car, Michael Jai Grant writes a provocative, humorous and spirited journey that challenges our notions of dementia and elder care, sexuality, the difference between religion and spirituality, and the complex world of Teenagedom set against the tedium of late-Adulthood. Friendship, family and liberation quite literally drive the action of this cinematic new work.

Love the eighties? Love romantic adventures? How often have you looked back on your high school experiences and just thought . . . WOW. Last Exit to Montauk will take you there . . . and more. When he approaches her at the market, he has no idea the next three weeks of his life would change him forever. It's the late 1980s, summertime, on the North Shore of Long Island. The air stirs with possibilities as it often does during this time of year. And so begins the romance between one Hispanic seventeen-year-old male, on the verge of manhood and ready to conquer the world, and one beautiful and intelligent young woman named B. It is much more than romance, though. B will forever become a part of this young man's soul. He will never forget her. This is a coming-of-age story, a love story, replete with milestones, tangled emotions, and adventures that are the embodiments of first love. Not just for the young, but for the young at heart.

Joe Ecks: X Band's Rock and Roll Guitarist. Though a musical genius, he's tortured and miserable under the demands of the industry. Dogged by bad headaches and other ailments, Joe erupts in violent outbursts. Ultimately (on page 1), Joe has a breakdown that results in a complete personality change. Joe now thinks of himself as Mike Smith: Harvard Grad. Mike Smith is the opposite of Joe Ecks in nearly every way; he's no musical genius, and he can't play guitar, but he loves being a rock star. 'Xylene X Band' is the story of how the New Joe learns to live Joe's life, and, to a certain degree, how Joe's life adapts to his new personality. But to truly live Joe's life, New Joe must develop the skills, and they will be severely tested by the upcoming 'Xylene' tour. New Joe is no Old Joe, and X Band desperately needs Old Joe to return.

Hertell Daggett is not what he used to be: he'd once been married, he'd once been a physicist, and he'd once been shot in the head in a New Year's Eve accident. Or possibly the 4th of July, he could never quite remember. The doctors got most of the bullet out, but a few microscopic specks of copper remained floating inside his brain, connecting parts that are no longer connected in the rest of us, filaments of species memory going back to the beginning of time. He knew how animals thought and remembered the singing of dinosaurs, and the dry humor of mastodons, and the rubbery smell of trilobites. He'd once had a future, but he lived now on the outskirts of Bakersfield, California, a damaged caretaker of a run down, failing pet cemetery. And he's been hearing something....

In Chips We Trust. In the seaside town of Fry Cove, the seagull inhabitants enjoy plentiful chips, especially in the high season when the delightful bay is full of tourists. Steven Fitzgerald, a lowly member of the chip reconnaissance team, wishes he wasn't so useless at his job, but he dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. However, one day, the chips mysteriously disappear, and no one knows the answer to this chipocalypse. Who committed this heinous crime? Was it the Deny the Fry colony, who want all seagulls to quit chips and revert to eating fish? Or was it the seagull mafia boss, Stefano Giacomo, who has concocted a dastardly plot to convert all seagulls to pizza and pasta? As part of the newly formed CIA (Chips Investigation Agency), whose motto is 'In Chips We Trust,' Fitzy, Charlie, Steven Colton, the karate chopping Bart, and Steven Rhys pit their wits to solve the mystery. Along the way, they make enemies and forge alliances with a range of quirky characters. Join Fitzy in this feel good tale about self-belief and teamwork, while he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Carol Cooke thought her destiny was decided when she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, father and mother and joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force. An exciting career followed until one case got the better of her and she decided to take a year off. That year off led her down another path and into a world she could never have foreseen for herself. Travelling from one side of the world across to the other and finding love, heartbreak, illness and Paralypic gold. Through the life challenges Cooke faced, and the lessons learned from her family and her own policing caree, she was able to move forward with resilience, integrity and compassion.