Lindsay and Amber Kellen yearn to escape from the secluded life imposed by their domineering father, Jonas Kellen, a brilliant scientist. Since their birth they have resided on Earth A-2, an alternative dimension where they have been "called" to cleanse infected words—their father's words. When they were 4 and 6, their mother died under unexplained circumstances. Their efforts at attending real schools, finding friendships and outside interests are all thwarted by their father who has trai...

We all experience grief. Often it comes through the death of a loved one—the most recognizable type of grief. Yet, loss takes many faces and creates sorrow in multiple ways, including burying our grief in silence. Many people do not realize how powerful other losses can be--the impact on individuals. For example, the death of a pet can be overwhelming. A missing child, a home lost to fire or a tornado, firing from an enjoyable job, a divorce and loss of child custody, a long-term relations...

"Mr. Living History"--that's what divorcee Lexi Feinstein dubbed Nate Wilcox from the moment she almost ran over him and his horse on her first day of work at Winstead National Park. Wilcox represents everything distasteful to her. Because he's a re-enactor, she is sorely reminded of her father's "wannabe" acting career, which provides painful memories of her childhood. Nate still struggles with the death of his wife in an auto accident, in which he was the driver. His son, Justin, was cri...

Little did Greg Bond realize the double storm he was in for when he moved his 15-year-old twin daughters to a small rural community during the midst of one of the largest blizzards to hit the area. The girls almost immediately stumble into a dangerous situation that leads them straight to counseling. Greg's meeting with the therapist, Joanne Keating, adds to the storm in his life. A single divorced dad with an ex-wife who is a drug addiction, an inherited bookstore in disarray, rebellious ...

Homeless, addicted, and helpless describes different characters who are struggling with hopelessness in Dumpsters. The eighteen short stories in this collection pinpoint a decisive moment in each person's life. The reader is introduced to a world of alcoholics and drug addiction, some who have no decision to change. For example, Pete wakes up in a snowstorm next to a dumpster, a six-pack nearby. He is homeless, as in Faye, who finds herself stuck in a small town with a bottle under her coa...

Caution! Detour ahead! This collection of 15 short stories emphasizes how life's detours can significantly alter the course of a person's life. Some detours may lead to positive outcomes, success, fame, wealthy. Other decisions can take a person down a destructive path, a path that can be irreversible. Detour is the third book in this author's Road Trilogy and much like the previous two, deals with characters who must live with the consequences of their decisions. The reader will find a va...

Ever stop at a construction zone and wonder who are these people? And who are those other drivers on the highway around you? This book of short stories focuses on the lives and conflicts of a diverse group. The reader is introduced immediately to Shrink Lady, an elderly woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Other tales include the Sign Holder, the wannabe country singer, the devoted state patrolman, a homeless boy and his faithful dog, and a lottery addict, plus several other rich char...

Passing like "ships in the night," we never realize just how much we influence other people. In a series of 14 short stories, the book emphasizes the significance of our encounters with others. Sometimes the influence is positive, with far-reaching effects. Sometimes the contact may be destructive, even evil. Yet lives are changed, altered in some fashion. The serial killer who lures his victims through old-fashioned snail mail, the doctor who must choose between his career and marriage, t...

Every wonder what it's like to work in a prison? Join the fun on this rollicking journey of one woman's experiences as she traverses through scanners, lockdowns, segregation, and a variety of exasperating decisions made by the Powers That Be. If the terms confuse you, just turn immediately to the dictionary at the end for instant laughs. You are not only in for a delighful treat, but will also find an undercurrent of serious concerns regarding system decisions made without consideration fo...

Can privatization really help solve America's prison problems? A mental health professional tells a compelling story of suicidal inmates and mistreated inmates, with staff working overtime without compensation while frustration grows.

What is the thin line that separates fantasy from reality? What marks the boundary between good and evil? The characters in this short story compilation Meltdown, all face crucial decisions, crossroads which will impact their destiny and the lives of those about them. Each of the 22 short stories stands on its own, with characters who are searching for meaning in their lives, agonizing over past decisions, or are experiencing a critical loss. Some struggle with their inadequacies. Some are...

Margaret Frazier struggles to hold onto her wheat farm, following the death of her husband. He had made all the business decisions and Maggie is having to learn from scratch how to budget and manage the farm. After two years, her efforts seem hopeless. On a late afternoon, during a fierce dirt storm, she almost runs Michael Warman down with her pickup. Once a successful songwriter, Mike no longer seems to fit into the new music business. Coming off a recent divorce, his finances are shatte...