Books published by iUniverse

As Hurricane Gladys bears down on Shadow Bayou, Fontaine Varney's ex-husband, lusty porn star Travis Coltrane, is shot to death in a fishing boat near Maison Fontaine, the luxury hotel Fontaine owns. Coltrane's reputation for chasing anything that catches his eye, male or female, makes him ripe for killing. The list of people with motives for murdering the bayou stud is as long as a gator's tail. Among the list of suspects is Travis's widow, Fontaine's mother, who spitefully married Travis before the ink dried on the papers nullifying his marriage to her daughter. Football-hero-turned-private-eye, Ace Chapelle, is hired by Fontaine's wealthy father to protect her. Ace is just too handsome, too cocky, and too blatantly sexy for Fontaine's taste. Fontaine cannot ignore her attraction to the roguish jock, but instinct warns he is a dangerous man. Meanwhile, she is equally drawn to the bayou's handsome and charming new doctor, Dan Birdsong, a far more fitting mate for a Creole princess; however, the young physician clearly has a past he wants left undisturbed. Sheriff Cheyne Delacroix's investigation leads him from the bayou into the fleshpots of New Orleans, where, he finds a spicy gumbo of suspects, most of whom voice the opinion that Coltrane wasn't worth killingyet somebody violently murdered him. Suspicions of blackmail, rumors of illicit affairs, and stories of past killings simmer in the sultry heat of Shadow Bayou's dark, murky waters, when, without warning, an attempt is made on Fontaine's life. Tension and tempers rise, heightening the fears of the stranded inhabitants of Maison Fontaine, as the storm approaches and the identity of the killer remains unknown. At the peak of the storm's fury, yet another murder is committed. A terrified Fontaine realizes most of the people surrounding her harbor secrets, secret lives, and hidden agendas.

This is a story of a prophecy told millennia ago and handed down mother to daughter. The reopening of Pandora's Box unleashes monsters and mayhem on the English countryside. But the event also releases magic into the world. The gathered companions must find and destroy the Orb, but first, they must set their own house in order. Merriam finds herself mated to four strong, caring men who will do anything to protect her. The group finds events spiraling out of control as they fend off monster attacks and make friends with new races never seen before.

"e;My Poems & Short Stories"e; book is about the gathering of various writings and collections after all these years. I wrote some of my poetry while I was in high school. I have compiled a great deal of my own family research however, I discovered my husband, Gene Fritz had more pioneer genealogy records from both sides of his family, than I did. And now, from within our own family home events, these short stories proceed onward, into our senior citizen status of today also.

As is the case with Doug's other poetry collections, Angels at Midnight, the fourth installment of poetry, tends to be a collection of "e;snapshots"e; of life that most of us can easily relate to. The poetry in Angels at Midnight is easy to understand, and will cause the reader to reflect and to feel.

Gary Hausmann breaks down the challenging and wonderful joy of successful parenting into fundamental building blocks in Joy and Peace in Raising Christian Children. With rich examples from both his life and his children, each chapter offers the reader proven biblical keys to unlock a fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle for the entire family. Learn how to tackle parenting challenges such as: correcting children God's way building mutual love and respect family communication finances ethics for livingThe author addresses the Christian's most vital relationship, fellowship with the heavenly Father, God. This becomes the foundation and springboard for all other relationships in the family and is the key to successful parenting. Whether you already have children or are thinking about starting a family, you'll find this book to be an essential reference on raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Finding your Soul Mate in the mist of the storm is amazing, but when things start to crumble, will he stay or will he disappear? Amira lost her mother at a young age and battles with her father's physical, mental and emotional abuse everyday. Her father, who manipulates her every chance he gets, as well as making her do unspoken actions to fulfill his drug habit. She fights and prays for a way out and for support. Wishing she had a Knight and shining to come save her but realizing she has to do things on her own to get out. Becoming a detective of her own life she finds out so much of the past that she had no clue about. For her father to say he loves her but has caused so much heart ache, Blows her mind. Will she make it out or will she stay and continue to go along with his manipulation.

The book Dreams, Revelations, and Manifestations is a continuation of the book: A Dreamer's Journey, written several years ago, and is an expansion and enlargement of the authors understanding, research, and experiences in the areas of dreams, revelations, and manifestations. This book seeks to encourage and assist the reader, as they seek out their own path, and provide tools, information, and a road map for experiencing their own cosmic experiences, links and understanding in these realms.

New Paris York is a love story that explores the histories, cultures, politics, art and architecture of its three geographic locations: Paris, New York and New Mexico. The story begins before the Covid pandemic and continues into the spread of the virus around the world. There's sexual and romantic intrigue as well. Before meeting Taos Pueblo artist Betty Lujan in New York, history professor Kiloran Hamill has a complicated relationship with a fashion journalist who lives in his East Village building. And Betty is pursued in Paris by a wealthy French high-tech executive who is obsessed with art and with her. As French author Anatole France observed, a tale without romance is like beef without mustard -- an insipid dish.

The brilliance of a lone white horse grazing on a hillside pasture of lush green grass dotted with scarlet sumac. And like the horse; I too would be alone, (without the light of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ), amid the bountiful beauty of the land. With each new twist in the molding of life, lamplighters gently guide others through crossroads and obstacles, while providing hope at every turn. In a six-decade cultural collection of campfire tales and gatherings around winter's wood stoves, and fishing and hunting campfires while working at a farm and in barnyard lots, Albert Allen shares an inspiring and sometimes amusing glimpse into the goodness and kindness that permeates the peacefulness of Southeast Missouri's Carter County. Within short stories presented in alphabetical order, Allen casts a spotlight on the heartbreaks and sorrows that include accidental tragedies and the loss of community family members, and the poignant moments that include the beauty of nature and its creatures, the outpouring of kindheartedness toward the misfortunate, and the passionate prayer requests raised to God, the Heavenly Father. Life's Lamplighters is a volume of short tales that reflect on love, goodness, faith, hope, and all the gifts nature and life provides for the blessed residents of Southeast Missouri.

Beans signify the human kidneys. My professional development through advancing my understanding of Nephrology has allowed me to showcase my ability to serve those who are in need. This becomes my MEANS to achieve success on a job I learned to love and helped me appreciate the things I didn't in the past and things I have shared with people who benefited from my experience. A job that means so much to me and with a significant impact personally for me and my wife. It means bringing joy to our household, to procure the essentials on the table, and to see it as a reason why I have given up the supplementary idea of laboring more hours to live the most comfortable life but rather find solace and peace to see my effort done things I could never imagine. Dialysis Nursing is my calling, GOD has called me indeed, to foster the passion that lives in me. Someday I can say that I have fulfilled my dreams because of the "e;Beans"e; that give me the "e;Means"e; to sustainability. The life in a world where I matter and have made a difference on the lives of others.

Looking Forward is a short read with veins of gold, upbeat and written with humility. Most approaches to death planning are disease focused. Looking Forward applies to everyone in every situation. - Zail S. Berry, MD, PMH, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Physician, Burlington, VermontYou put into words what many of us struggle to know how to approach, and you do so in a way that is practical and comforting. I will share this with many people. - Marilee J. Aronson, Licensed Clinical Psychiatrist, Washington, DC I absolutely love the format and tone of Looking Forward. By leading with your curiosity and with the questions that you asked yourself, you offer a warm invitation for readers to engage with death and planning for it. - Mike Young, Executive Director, Hope and A Home (retired), Washington, DC That was a beautiful read. Your words open a lot of important conversations. - Mark Gabel, UVM Health Center Hospice Volunteer, Colchester, Vermont. Our Couples Group appreciated Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Your book seems like a natural follow-up. - Sally Dowling, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (retired), Gaithersburg, Maryland Is there such a thing as dying well? Can we prepare for that? Here are stories about the author's quest for answers and the "e;saints"e; who offered help along the way.

377 people find themselves in the distant past by scientific accident. not by plan. They must stay alive and take care of each other until they can find a way to return home.

When she is born to a manipulative mother and alcoholic father, Keira unwittingly becomes part of her parents' abusive relationship. After numerous attempts to escape, Keira becomes deeply depressed. But what she does not know is that she has a unique destiny. After her mother murders her abusive husband and becomes involved with a self-professed sorcerer, Keira is assaulted in the middle of the night by a man who, while attempting to escape through a window, allegedly falls to his death. Unfortunately, her traumatic experiences continue as her younger brother is hit and killed by a drunk driver. But when she learns she may be in some way responsible for the horrific events, Keira becomes receptive to deception and uses her anger as the fuel to endure her challenges. As she practices her own brand of justice not based on the courts, she transforms into the judge, jury, executioner, and incubus's daughter who must battle her own darkness, all while searching for a soul mate. Whom Shall I Serve? is the thrilling tale of a young woman's dark journey to claim her destiny and retrieve what was taken from her as a child.

There is a weight to being alive. Everyone bears life's stones: some stones are light, others heavy; some are significant, others miniscule. They are our upbringing, environment, memories, mental and physical health, decisions we have made, lessons we have learned, people we interact with, experiences we have had, and other factors-for better or worse or with no particular outcome at all. Carrying Stones into the Colorful Unknown presents one man's exploration in verse of his stones and the life he has lived thus far through various tones and experiments in style and format. These poems consider the monotony, struggles, uncertainties, humors, and joys he has experienced and people he has interacted with in life, complemented by photographs from his own collection. This poetry collection seeks to serve as a companion to contemporary poetry lovers and to anyone who ponders the weight of being alive for all life is in our modern world.

After the death of her husband of forty years, sixty-year old Nanette Brinson sells her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, moves to Pleasantville Florida, and begins the process of starting her life anew. She hires a handsome handyman, sixty-four-year-old Devin McCortland, for a project at her new home and soon a romance develops, along with Nanette resurrecting a career on stage that she abandoned after marriage. But when a smooth-talking beau from Nanette's past enters the scene, with promises of a Hollywood audition, all bets are off, as Nanette must decide on fame or love.

In the winter of 1993, Don Neworth, international dead-beat, and Ruth Cohen, infamous double agent, are having a stand-off on the snow and ice-covered stairs that lead up/down the famous HolmenKollen Ski Jump in Oslo, Normandy. They are not there to sight-see. She wears gloves. Don doesn't. To Don, that's not fair. Ruth is an undercover Hamas operator passing herself off as Mossad, the Israeli FBI. Don is a newshound who wants the big story so he can return to the USA in an explosion of literary fame instead of being a guy who dodged the Vietnam draft, drinks too much, and is always, always on the make. They met in Frankfort where Don worked for Stars & Stripes, Europe. He was covering an anti-Semitic incident involving him and she was posing as a member of the Mossad. Ruth's extraordinarily beauty mesmerized Don into forgetting his quest for the big story. Maybe, he should have guessed something was wrong after the third time she drugged him and set him up ala Lee Harvey Oswald, "e;Deranged American Newsman Blows Up Oslo Accords."e; He'd take the blame for the explosion that was designed to wipe out the Arab and Jewish peace negotiators. Don, in spite of his avowed cowardice, reluctantly tries to save their lives by driving them in a beat-up taxi with a blown-out windshield, through a snowstorm, dodging Uzi bullets, playing bumper tag at high speeds, and hiding in the famous Vigeland Park. All of which leads to the two antagonists' rendezvous on the icy ski jump stairs. Really, it would only be fair it he had gloves too. Maybe he can take hers after she's dead.

Victor the black cat is the class mascot for Miss Cater's students. To learn responsibility, each student gets the chance to take Victor home for the weekend and care for him. Mary turns out to be the last. She is shy, keeps a low profile at school, and often feels left out. With Victor at home, Mary begins to change through a series of amazing adventures with her cat friend. They play in the barn together and run through sunny fields. Mary is sad come Monday when she must return Victor, but when they show up with Victor walking obediently at her side, her classmates are amazed. Shy little Mary now believes in herself and her abilities as both a friend and artist. With Victor's help, she has found her own voice and is surprised other students want to learn from her. Mary blooms as her positive qualities shine, all with the help of a kind kitty.

At a time of peace during the Napoleonic wars, James Jenkins, aRoyal Navy captain, is found suspended under a dockyard pier in a cage. He is rescued just before the tide drowns him. Jenkins, driven mad byhis ordeal, is confined to a private asylum by the Admiralty. Admiral William Burns, suspecting that this attempt on Jenkins'life is tied to the loss of his ship and its cargo of gold, tasks ayoung commander, Albert Walker, to investigate the incident. This compellingstory of theft, murder and betrayal moves from London to the dockyardsto the high seas and the Caribbean as the commander and a trustedfriend, Lieutenant Samuel Mink, risk their lives to unravel the mystery.

The Third Verse of the hymn "e;How Firm a Foundation"e; describes the author experiences in Thailand. The challenges the author faced have driven her to pray more and seek the Lord's guidance more earnestly and to realize more and more how God was using them to "e;consume the dross and refine the gold"e; in her life. The author was blessed to have help and guidance in working with the ethnic Karens of Burma, then Thailand, and the Karens living in the USA. God used her to help in Christian Education, Healthcare, Women's Work, in preparation of language lessons, both for those needing to learn the language and for Karens illiterate in their own language.

With a shattered heart and yearning for more, author Rachel brings pen to paper as a means of survival. She illuminates the beauty found in chaos through her words. She is passionate about pulling on the heartstrings of others with her experiences with the ultimate goal of connection. She soars off of that cliff, leaving behind toxicity. She lets the wind carry her to the next step, where she is light. She is shedding away layers of repression, and the outcome is liberation. Soaring from the Midwest to the West Coast above the skies of societies expectations, this collection of poems sheds light on a sequence of hope, chaos, and resilience. Silk and Magnolia is a declaration of endurance and authenticity found in a world of madness and uncertainty. Home at LastWaves of emotion fill my chestAs I read your letter. Lips sealed shut from the love written in ink. Sleeping with paper under my pillowIn hopes you'll find meIn my dreams. Reaching out your hand,Bringing me in for a hug,I fall asleep to the soundOf your heartbeat. Home at last.

When Athenas Hernandez is murdered for the bloodthirsty monster he is, history is changed forever. Before his death, he promises to return from the depths of hell for his vengeance. He will wage war on the children of his captors and their children after that. He appears to die, and peace is found-but it doesn't last. Born again, Athenas becomes the owner and bartender of a place called Black Phallus. Those who visit discover hedonism at its best and bloody worst. This is a dark side walked by both the brave and sexually curious, but the cost is to cheat death. Not all will make it out alive. Deadly Desires is a thrill ride that captivates the mind, teases the senses, and seduces the body. This is a nightmarish tale of blood, sex, evil, and pure cruelty. At the helm is a devil once killed but now raised for revenge and the feeding of his debauched fantasies

Also by Chris Hoffman On the Way (poetry)Chris Hoffman voices an essential message for our time and he does so in a profound and beautiful way. I live in a demanding noisy world but suddenly found myself stopping and closing my eyes and going beyond the words to the truth that lies behind them. There are not many authors who silence me so that I make the time to dive below the surface of my life to see what mystery lies in the depths. Relish this sumptuous meal but eat slowly dear friend for it is full of the finest ingredients. - John Brierley author of the Camino Guides:Practical and Mystical Manuals for the Modern Day Pilgrim REALIZATION POINT (poetry)A rich volume of poetry about life's flourishing. - Roshi Joan HalifaxI especially enjoy the tone of the poems in Chris Hoffman's book, the union of his voice with the details and individual lives of his surroundings."e; - Pattiann Rogers Cairns (poetry)Every page of Cairns conveys the sacral, as revealed by the indwelling spirit of deserts, glacial fjords, kittiwakes, bald eagles, bears, and pine forests. - Reg Saner, poet and essayist, winner of the Colorado Book Award I take this book on the road with me, read the poems around sunrise and sunset, and feel both comforted and refreshed as I wander into wild places. - Stephen R. Jones, author of The Last Prairie and The Peterson Field Guide to the North American Prairie THE HOOP AND THE TREE (psychology/spirituality/native wisdom)Integrating modern psychology and the world's wisdom traditions, The Hoop and the Tree describes the deep structure of psychological and spiritual wholeness and shows how understanding and embodying that structure can help us lead lives of balance and fulfillment. "e;This 20th anniversary expanded edition is even more beautiful and enlightening than the original."e;- Anita Sanchez PhD, author of The Four Sacred Gifts

Dare Two Pray Salvation Basics is a simple guide that provides Biblical principles to follow when starting, renewing, or even cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ. In this day and time, knowing Jesus as your personal Savior is so important; so many have the question, where do I begin? This easy to follow workbook lays out steps to receiving salvation, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the formula on praying effectively. It will be amazing to have such a resource at your fingertips. It will challenge you to change your life. Enjoy this study guide with a group or in your alone time. This workbook walks you through knowledge checks and faith based activities to ensure that this valuable information is taking root in your hearts. Open your hearts and minds as you learn and put into practice these foundational steps to living an enlightened and liberated life for Christ. I dare you to take a chance on this workbook, Jesus Christ, and know that your life will never be the same. Bonus: Do not miss out on the additional Psalm Overview Bible Study

Prodigious software developer Jake Coltrane lives with an inoperable malignant brain tumor. He's spent the last several years building a sophisticated spy program to search for the man who's rumored to have an unconventional cure for the cancer in his head: enigmatic billionaire Jericho Black, a man so powerful and inaccessible that only a risky theft of epic proportions will grab Jericho's attention. Jake's successful heist of $400 million does get Jericho's attention-and the attention of someone else: the Russian mob. Specifically, Alexei Voznesensky, an upper-level hitman known for his dark disposition and cruel tendencies. Unaware of the real danger Jake has put himself in, he checks into a posh hotel to celebrate pulling off the heist of the century with some fine dining and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle's 20. There he finds the not-to-happy Alexei and the formidable Jericho waiting for him. Alexei wants the mob's money back, but Jericho's curious why Jake would take such a drastic chance for a mere rumor of a miracle cure. He also wants to know more about the spy program Jake has developed. Bargaining for his life, Jake offers a deal to Jericho: the mysterious cure for Jake's software. Jericho agrees and cures Jake, but the cure comes with a twist and a cost. Jake now has the ability to come back to life. The problem is, he keeps dying, and when he does, he finds himself in the bowels of hell, on the run from demons set on torturing him for eternity. And every time Jericho's "e;cure"e; brings him back to life, he finds the Russian mob hot on his heels and an angry Alexei ready to destroy Jake and everyone Jake loves. If he wants to survive, Jake must escape the eighteen levels of hell, pacify the mob, figure out just who and what the shadowy figure Jericho Black is, and why the cure that keeps bringing Jake back to life is inundating him with visions of a tiny man with a nasty sense of humor.

Mina May is a fluffy orphaned kitten who is attempting to survive in the big city. Protected by her beloved friend, Dot the dinosaur, Mina May is trying to be the best kitty she can be. But as she is about to discover, it is much harder to keep her gigantic best friend hidden in Central Park than she ever imagined. After Dot steps in and rescues Mina May from a gang of bully cats, they both notice a strange-looking creature in the tree above them. Curious, Mina May decides to climb up and investigate. Soon, she and Stanley, a genius sloth with a thirst for adventure who has just escaped the zoo, become friends. But when Stanley decides to fulfill his mission of changing the lives of animals in captivity and Mina May is separated from her dinosaur caretaker, their lives and futures hang precariously in the balance. Will they find a way to avoid the humans who want to capture them and reveal their secrets to the world?Mina May and the Great Escape is the charming tale of an orphaned kitten whose life is turned upside down by a bully, a zoo escape, and a separation from her dinosaur best friend.

We are all experiencing "e;CONNECTIONS"e; which enriches our lives!! We are blessed by our families, careers, relationships and challenges. Our connections expand our horizons personally and professionally. As a multi-disciplinary Professor and Ordained Minister, I continue to learn the exciting "e;connections"e; with a wide range of people including friends, family, students, global colleagues and new experiences. While engaging in relationships, many facets of growth emerge. Global relationships occur when we travel, watch television, and pursue our professional opportunities. This book helps to expand the benefits by being open to engage in wide varieties of people and places. CONNECTING hopefully invites you as readers to enlarge your awareness of opportunities to open new doors. Both young and maturing persons will discover avenues of growth, service and relationships. Yes, this book will help you to stretch your mind, body and spiritual life. This author invites readers to share their impressions for others to engage in making connections in their communities, families, careers potentials and challenges. By CONNECTING, we expand our lives of both ourselves and others.

Unnatural behavior is a book that shows the progression of sexual behaviors that were once deemed twisted and reprehensive to us in America, as something our minds transform to accept as natural over time. It's designed to explore how the mind transforms its beliefs due to influence through media, government, and peers in our changing times. This book is a deep dive into the most extreme types of sexual behavior and how more and more people are getting into these types of behavior as time progresses. This book is a must have on everyone's book shelf. This is a great read and will open your mind and make you question, think and explore more. The Author is Michael Walker. This is the first of his 3 books thus far. This book has received great reviews through several book experts online. Follow the Author on his Instagram at michaell4297 to see book reviews, and the other books he has available.

I have been on a long spiritual journey studying Christian theology. Overtime, it became abundantly oblivious to me that if the Christian faith is really true, it is not being given the weight suggested by what we profess to believe. There are aspects of what we profess to believe that are very comforting, the Love of God for one. There are aspects of Christianity that are hard to understand, Hell as another example. These two aspects of our faith coexist in the immutable nature of God. Neither of these aspects of God's nature can ever be diminished or compromised. Since God cannot compromise His intrinsic nature, these truths give rise to our need for a all sufficient Savior. This book is exploring the wonders of God's salvific work to bring sinners into a right standing with our Heavenly Father.

This story began in a small community on rural Long Island, continued to Europe, and returned to the United States to the place that was her dream. It was always author Patricia Dammier's vision to be able to look outside and see her beloved horses, to not have to worry about finding the next boarding stable. In All for the Love of Horses, she shares her story about all the wonderful animals and people that comprise more than thirty-five years of traveling through Europe to return to her farm in the United States. Dammier offers a reflective review of the cheerful and funny stories through a historical lens. The stories recount the thoughtfulness and generosity of others as she pursues her dream. The included photographs convey the various light-hearted moments of Dammier's journey but also document the dedication it takes to accomplish any difficult skill or goal.

"e;Ken Hill has published a book of short plays."e;"e;I thought he was dead."e;"e;Nope. Not yet."e;"e;You say they are short?"e;"e;Yes."e;"e;That's good."e;"e;Ten-fifteen minutes they're done. I could say they're like a box of chocolates but I'd rather not."e;"e;Wouldn't any play be better seen and heard?"e;"e;Yes."e;"e;What's he thinking?"e;"e;They have to start somewhere."e;