John Nickel is a black ex-jazz musician who only wants to be a good father. But when his son is taken away from him, he's left with nothing but the Memphis bar he manages. Then he hires Fay, a young white waitress, who has a volatile brother named Carl in tow. Nickel finds himself consumed with the idea of Taft -- Fay and Carl's dead father -- and begins to reconstruct the life of a man he never met. But his sympathies for these lost souls soon take him down a twisting path into the lives of strangers...

When someone tries to kill her best friend's husband-to-be during the wedding ceremony, assistant hairdresser and bridesmaid Jenny Branch is in pursuit of the prime suspect, Kevin Stone, a sexy undercover agent who takes her on a wild ride filled with super spies, danger, and passion.

The Catholic Church needs to be reformed in order for all Christians to be united as Christ calls the church to be inclusive rather than exclusive accepting gays, lesbian, married priest, women priest into the priesthood. No longer will the orthodox and conservative elements within the church prevent a worldwide rebirth of the church from the scandals that have dominated the church in recent past.In this novel the elements that have cause the church to lose millions of members worldwide and lack luster participation by existing members who have lost their true faith, calls for a new spirit in faithfulness from the church episcopacy to follow what Christ intended for his church. It bids to show how the church episcopacy has failed in its mission to evangelize in Christ' name. Jesus appears during the conclave to elect a new Pope. He ask the American Cardinal if he will accept. Then Jesus introduces the new Pope to the crowd in St Peter's Square. Jesus puts forth the necessary changes within the Catholic church in order for all Christians, protestants, and jews who believe in Jesus and God the means to unite all into one Universal Catholic Church. These changes include women priests, married priests, gays and lesbians able to receive sacrements of the church. Members of these minority groups, and delegates from other non-Catholic churches who want to become part of the new Universal Catholic Church will be invited to become Bishops or Cardinals. All church doctrines, regulations, and liturgical functions will be changed to all for full inclusion rather than exclusion as is the current case. A "gang of five" Cardinal, and the Illuminati plot to have the new Pope killed by whatever means to stop the church from making these changes occur. The Cardinals even hire the Sicilian mafia to attempt an assassination. The Pope goes worldwide to meet with all the major church denominations leaders to pave the way for unification talks, leaving no stone unturned.The church has changed from being exclusive to inclusive.

Christina's left and right brain argue about her boring life and how to change it.Christina's mind is spit into two. One half is the conservative, rational thinking version of herself. The other half is her true artistic nature. Together they complain and argue about the choices they've made in Christina's life as they prepare her for the day. But as they continue, they realize that she's living a boring, pointless life without love, friends, or even fame. They must come to an understanding. A truce, if you will. They must find a way to return Christina into a real person. Can they do it? Can they work together and make her whole?

Jesse Ellsworth is just another girl who's mission was lost in translation. Her story isn't a complicated one, but that doesn't make it happy. We've all known of a girl like Jesse Ellsworth..“The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four” is the second thrilling adventure of the “Jenny In Space” series. This episode continues the heroic efforts of a 13-year-old named Jenny Thompson. In episode one, a mysterious housekeeper named Relli is hired to bring order to a household in chaos. Relli quickly becomes Jenny’s devoted friend, plus one more complication; she is able to predict the future. Relli reveals visions that change Jenny's life forever. "I see the name 'Jenny of Earth' emblazoned across the cosmos,” Relli tells Jenny. The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four is the first step in fulfilling Relli’s outlandish prophesy. While delivering water from Earth, Jenny and Born are kidnapped and held for a ransom of water, the most precious commodity in our area of the galaxy. While a hostage, Jenny forms a special bond with a creature that initially terrifies her. Naming him 'Grakar', Jenny and her battle snake fight ravenous Rachars on their way to saving the Treech race from extinction. Share in the laughter and friendships Jenny forms and the bond of respect she unconsciously forges between her and a worthy race of beings that live in the depths of Spacemark Four.

Sandra Lamb thought J.B. was one of the good guys. After all, he was fighting terrorism, wasn't he, bringing the full arsenal of the government's surveillance apparatus to bear on those who would do us harm.But knives have two edges,and they can turn on the attacker as well as the victim. So strap your tin foil hat on a little tighter, and see what Big Brother is up to in .Gov.Sandra Lamb thought J.B. was one of the good guys. After all, he was fighting terrorism, wasn't he, bringing the full arsenal of the government's surveillance apparatus to bear on those who would do us harm.But knives have two edges,and they can turn on the attacker as well as the victim. So strap your tin foil hat on a little tighter, operate your microwave with the door open to counteract the government-zombie-death-ray, and see what Big Brother is up to in .Gov.In honor of Wikileaks Vault 7 release, dot Gov is presented for your pleasure. For those of you who poo-pooed my metallic choice of headgear, "Who's crazy now?" ;-)

A simple game turns into tragedy, when an 8-year-old girl who has a fascination with animals and insects, takes an unplanned truck ride down a hill and into a pond, leaving her in a coma. As her family gathers around her worriedly, her dreams and imagination carry her into an adventure like she's never known!Mother thought it would be a simple day of shopping and ice cream. But when Shirley and her brother again get into an spat over her favorite toy, things take a bad turn. In the hospital, nearly drowned and in a coma, Shirley's dream will bring her face to face with many of her favorite animals...and a few surprises that will bring her the assurance that the great I AM is indeed with us, always.

Desperate not to end up just like his father, a felon struggles with what may turn out to be the worst decision of his life. This story was my second round entry in NYC Midnight‘s 2017 Short Story Challenge. The writing prompts in my brief were: Historical Fiction | A Tunnel | A New Father.Desperate not to end up just like his father, a felon struggles with what may turn out to be the worst decision of his life.This story was my second round entry in NYC Midnight‘s 2017 Short Story Challenge. The writing prompts in my brief were: Historical Fiction | A Tunnel | A New Father.

***New York Times* bestselling author Jaci Burton breaks the rule of mixing business with pleasure when two professional rivals cross paths at a tropical resort...** Since Ella Hick’s husband died five years ago, she’s thrown herself into her work, resisting every thought of getting involved with someone new. Now she’s finally ready for a man’s touch. And where better to indulge her desire for an anonymous hook-up than at a Hawaiian resort? So she’s stunned when the first man she runs into is her number one business rival, Clay Mansfield. Clay’s determined to be the man to introduce sex back into Ella’s life. He’s been by her side ever since her husband died, but only in friendship. Now he can finally release the desire he’s held in check all these years. Ella’s had plenty of fantasies about Clay over the past couple years and now she can indulge. As long as Clay plays by her no-strings rule: when the vacation is over, they’ll go back to being friendly rivals—business only. But they’re both about to learn that when it comes to business—and pleasure—rules are made to be broken. NOTE: *No Strings Attached* previously appeared January 2010 in the trade paperback anthology, *Laced with Desire*. Includes a preview of Jaci Burton’s *Thrown by a Curve*.

Grace, dignity, and eloquence have long been hallmarks of Maya Angelou’s poetry. Her measured verses have stirred our souls, energized our minds, and healed our hearts. Whether offering hope in the darkest of nights or expressing sincere joy at the extraordinariness of the everyday, Maya Angelou has served as our common voice. Celebrations is a collection of timely and timeless poems that are an integral part of the global fabric. Several works have become nearly as iconic as Angelou herself: the inspiring “On the Pulse of Morning,” read at President William Jefferson Clinton’s 1993 inauguration; the heartening “Amazing Peace,” presented at the 2005 lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House; “A Brave and Startling Truth,” which marked the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations; and “Mother,” which beautifully honors the first woman in our lives. Angelou writes of celebrations public and private, a bar mitzvah wish to her nephew, a birthday greeting to Oprah Winfrey, and a memorial tribute to the late Luther Vandross and Barry White. More than a writer, Angelou is a chronicler of history, an advocate for peace, and a champion for the planet, as well as a patriot, a mentor, and a friend. To be shared and cherished, the wisdom and poetry of Maya Angelou proves there is always cause for celebration. From the Hardcover edition.

A story about the sacrifices we make for love... He's the son of a mafia foot soldier. My father is the boss. I shouldn't even know Giovanni. And I definitely shouldn't kiss him. Our relationship is doomed to fail, but that won't stop me from trying. I sneak out of my room every night. My father's guards don't see me. My sister doesn't see me. No one sees me, except him. Not every girl wants to be a princess. I just want to be free. Tough Love is the prequel novella to the sexy Stripped series. Fair warning: Contains a dark hero who will do anything to keep his girl safe and an ending that will make you gasp! Praise for Skye Warren and the Stripped series: "I've always been a fan of Skye Warren ever since I read Wanderlust. Her writing is flawless and tales captivating. Love The Way You Lie is no exception. 5 Stars." - Pepper Winters, New York Times bestselling author of Tears of Tess "It's gritty, edgy, and sexy, served to you in the well-written, absorbing style that Skye is so talented at delivering. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the Stripped series." - Shameless Book Club "It's dark, mysterious, sexy, and I loved every page of it! There were twists and turns that I never saw coming! I love when an author is able to keep me guessing until the very end of the book." - Book Fancy Book Blog

A luminous young adult novel that evokes Judy Blume’s Forever for a new generation. Ever since Sarah was born, she’s lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Scarlett. But this summer on Cape Cod, she’s determined to finally grow up. Then she meets gorgeous college boy Andrew. He sees her as the girl she wants to be. A girl who’s older than she is. A girl like Scarlett. Before she knows what’s happened, one little lie has transformed into something real. And by the end of August, she might have to choose between falling in love, and finding herself. Fans of Jenny Han and Stephanie Perkins are destined to fall for this story about how life and love are impossible to predict.

The Little Town Where Time Stood Still contains two linked narratives by the incomparable Bohumil Hrabal, whom Milan Kundera has described as “Czechoslovakia’s greatest writer.” “Cutting It Short” is set before World War II in a small country town, and it relates the scandalizing escapades of Maryška, the flamboyant wife of Francin, who manages the local brewery. Maryška drinks. She rides a bicycle, letting her long hair fly. She butchers pigs, frolics in blood, and leads on the local butcher. She’s a Madame Bovary without apologies driven to keep up with the new fast-paced mechanized modern world that is obliterating whatever sleepy pieties are left over from the defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire. “The Little Town Where Time Stood Still” is told by Maryška and Francin’s son and concerns the exploits of his Uncle Pepin, who holds his own against the occupying Nazis but succumbs to silence as the new post–World War II Communist order cements its colorless control over daily life. Together, Hrabal’s rousing and outrageous yarns stand as a hilarious and heartbreaking tribute to the always imperiled sweetness of lust, love, and life.