Books published by iUniverse

This book of poems is a rollercoaster of pure unadulterated emotions tethered with innermost thoughts poured onto paper for the world to see. It contains words of agony, joy, self-realization, quiet prayers and deepest sentiments for others; together with the knowledge that God and time will see one through life's long journey. Intentionally and for personal reasons, the poems are not completely aligned in chronological order; so just enjoy the ride!

1955: Rose Thorne, high school student, genius auto mechanic, and aspiring rock 'n' roller, catches sight of a mysterious object in the hills behind her house. Tracking down the anomaly, she makes a discovery that will drastically and forever change her world. 2444: A massive spaceship nears the end of its 250-year journey across the galaxy. Onboard are the last remnants of human civilization. What happened to cause Earth's demise? And what awaits as the ship approaches its final destination? The answer to these questions just might be found on the outskirts of town, at Big Al's Wrecking and Salvage. Hots rods, rock 'n' roll, girl power, and interplanetary space travel. It's the new novel from the author of Teatime At The Gryphon's Claw, Angels' Keep, The Komodo Caf Sleeping Gods, and the Elvis trilogy.

IT ISWHATIT ISBYMaria Franciscus2020A compelling story of a child sexually abused, physical and mentally abused throughout her life moving into a troublesome marriage that ends in a rocky divorce. Raising four kids herself, she demonstrates courage, determination, motivation and resolve despite health setbacks and a frugal lifestyle. Through it all, her faith keeps her anchored when all else fails. After reading you will feel blessed with your own life as you absorb her tid-bits of humor and wisdom.

From the award-winning author of Paradise Boys, Scotch and Oranges, Ghost Dancer, End of the Road, and The Oakland Quartet comes Reunion, a striking new collection of 16 stories. Subtitled Americans in Exile, Reunion chronicles the lives of Americans torn from their places and their pasts. Set in a wide variety of locales - England to Hawaii, Venice to Vietnam, Park Slope to Prague, Block Island to Hoonah, Alaska - the stories go where Americans find themselves searching for connection, coping with aging and loss. Military men and missing persons, foreign service officers and fashion models, friends and lovers, grief groups and high-school reunions, Reunion presents a stunning series of portraits of characters and concerns, living and dying, present and past. People wrestling with the concerns of age and of our age. People living on edges, seeking to return, yearning for reunion.

The Journey Home is a novel narrated through 35 engaging vignettes involving a son's relationship with his parents during their final year of life. Using amplified recollections, vivid dreams, and impressionistic illustrations. The Journey Home leads the reader on an amazing pilgrimage of discovery and healing. Staring with the onset of his mother's Alzheimer's and proceeding through the eventual admission of both his parents to nursing homes. The Journey Home explores the complex and intimate process of evolving relationship in the final passage of life. Immersing the reader in the experience of caring for someone facing physical decline and dementia, this novel offers encouragement for all caregivers of the elderly. Told with the warmth and humor, each vignette invites the reader to understand the bittersweet emotions that are part of grieving and healing. Through making honest connections with the past and present, the Journey narrative demonstrates how life-altering challenges can be faced with openness, dignity, and grace.

If you're going through any traumatic, life-changing experience (mental or physical illness, joblessness, homelessness, incarceration, stress from a family member incarcerated, loss of a loved one, depression caused by anything from systemic racism, sexism, ageism to uncertainty about tomorrow), believe you can overcome it, and know you're not alone. Trust, you have what it takes to press forward. Remember, the hard times you overcame before, and yet "e;somehow"e; you're still here. Believe if you did it before, you can do it again. Take a journey with me as I discover strategies, including changing past behaviors, developing faith, and self care tips, to get through even in the most challenging times with a peace that transcends understanding.

The alcoholic that comes into the rooms of recovery will drink again if they do not change. This warning caught my attention as a newcomer, and launched me into a process of transformation that included the Twelve Steps, 10,000 meetings and intensive work with over 500 alcoholics and addicts of all types. Oldtimer Said is an accumulation of wisdom passed down to me over the course of 29 years of recovery from the AA Big Book, the rooms of AA, NA, CA and other 12 Step fellowships I have attended. I it will aid alcoholics and addicts in the transformation they need to undergo for recovery from their addiction.

Shaking your family tree might uncover Black slave and plantation owners. White people might find their Black relatives. Black people might discover that Black free men fought gallantly as officers and gentlemen in the Confederate army. Marie Claire DeCuir's most unusual precise memory of an excellent story teller unfolds the lives of immediate and extended family members as racially mixed slave owners of vast and wealth producing plantations. The following are just a few of the families that she remembers and relates their stories: RICARD, LA COUR, PORCHE, SEVERIN, DE BEAULIEU, MAYEUX, DESNOYERS, CADET, TOUNOIR, LABBE, PROVOST, PATIN, CARAMOUCHE, BOULIGNY, FAZENDE, CHARBONNET, DREUX, BERNOUDY, PIERRE, RICHE, TREPAGNIER, CHAUVIN, LANGLOIS, DUBUCLET, GRAY, FORTIN, POLLARD, BEAUVAIS, DESLONDE, HONORE, DESTREHAN, VERRET, SOLOMON, ROBERT, ALLAIN, MORGAN, POREE, DUGUE, REUTER, DAIGLE, LAFITTE, LEJEUNE, BROYARD, BARRE, GASPARD, GUILLOT, HIGBEE, ZERINGUE, ROY, DEJEAN, DUVAL, DE CHARLEVILLE, DE LERY, DE LA FRENIERE, DE MONTPELIER, BARRAS, HOPKINS, TRUDEAU, PURNELL, RABALAIS, BORDELON, GAJEAN, WALTERS, DUPERON, JEANSOMMES.

After Sergeant Bill Miller is injured while serving his country in southern Afganistan, he is flown to Germany where he undergoes surgery to repair his spine. While military doctors are operating on him, Bill has an out-of-body experience where he meets Mr. Wonderful, Kevin O'Leary, and obtains tips on how to pitch his idea on Shark Tank. Three years after the strange event, Bill, his brother, and Bill's wife appear on the popular show to pitch their company and idea. When the trio fails to obtain investors, Bill is helped by Steve Ballmer, a former Microsoft executive and current owner of the LA Clippers. Six decades later, Bill appears on a television show to explain how he has transformed into the world's wealthiest person amid an ever-changing world where robots, AI, and machine learning have replaced humans in the workforce, sports betting has exploded, cyborgs have increased, Las Vegas is the second largest city, and Mark Cuban has somehow become the gold standard for America's presidents. 2084 is the enlightening tale of one man's journey to become the world's wealthiest man after a failed attempt on Shark Tank leads him in a new direction.

The book examines the impact of the Civil War on Quincy, Illinois. Quincy, in 1860 the third largest city in Illinois, is situated on the Mississippi River across from slave state Missouri, thus exposing it to the uncertainties and potential strife of a border region. Quincy entered the war with a rich tradition of providing influential political leaders. In 1860 Quincyan John Wood was the governor of Illinois and the Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, during his first two congressional terms, recognized Quincy as his home district. Quincy had the distinction of providing two U.S. Senators during the war, Orville Hickman Browning and William Richardson. Quincy served as a muster and training site for both white and black troops. Some of the latter served for Massachusetts, and the 29th U.S. Colored regiment trained at Quincy and, after moving out, fought the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Virginia in July 1864. In addition, Quincy served as a port of entry for blacks fleeing the South in the aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation. The city experienced discord related to the influx, but also a measure of altruism appeared among some dedicated to helping blacks make the challenging transition from slavery. Women of Quincy banded together in three organizations designed to serve the needs of Soldiers and their dependents. Economically, the city experienced an early downturn, but rebounded strongly to achieve growth during the war. Quincy and its hinterland in northeast Missouri strove mightily to restrain friction so as to protect the economic vitality of the region.

After a stressful day at the office, graphics designer Andrew White heads home for the day but is followed by a series of strange happenings. A night of unrest soon becomes morning when an unexpected business trip sends him to Vegas. Unfortunately, circumstances out of his control have him stranded on a deserted highway, pitting him against the elements of nature in the scorching heat. Seeking refuge from the torturing sun, his attention is summoned by a mysterious cave. But when he crosses the darkness, what he discovers next is something he never should have stepped into-another world. A world beyond an eerie cave where the inhabitants live only to succumb to the evil therein. A world where creatures of the night await their prey. Not to mention Zyprexela, the mysterious vixen who is not always what she appears. Escape is not an option and Andrew must fight the wicked warrior Drago. However, if he can befriend an old prisoner who holds a deadly secret that could save him from a certain death, he just might live. But then again, can he ever escape the wicked world?

The book is divided into two parts. The first one talks aboutmy mystical experiences in relation to four Marian apparitions. It talks about almost a uniform warning about a period ofchastisement and how current events seem to fit the bill. The second part of the book deals with what four saints havetalked about pertaining to the anti-Christ. There was a prophecythat the Vatican will apostatize. Some references by the Saintsseem to reflect it so.

When a young courious boy looks for adventures and ways to help others ends up in situations that will keep you questioning how he will ever manage to get back on the right track of life. Thunder keeps readers eager to read on so they see what happens next.

This is a story about a young man who keeps a terrible secret from those who love him. Although, he seems to have open and honest relationships with his guardians, he is still driven to keep a horrible secret from those who love and support him. In his early days, he would have trusted his family completely. But over time, the young man showed troubling behavior, even though he enjoyed advantages in life. Maybe the signs were ignored, as he spiraled downward in his behavior. What influcened him to change his behavior? Why didn't anybody seem to think that, one day, a bad thing would happen? Then, there was a horrible incident that seemed to bring it all to the surface.

"e;Atlantis...?! You're kidding."e; "e;No, I'm not,"e; Doctor Wolfcub retorted. "e;Examine the facts, Falcon. Other than this single recollection, we know nothing about you. Except, that a team of assassins put a slug through your brain! That the damage was extensive! That you've spent the last twenty-six years in a coma, and awakened with no memories of your past life! In fact, if not for your medical bracelet, we wouldn't even know your name. And lastly, or perhaps a better word would be strangely, your appearance hasn't changed since the day you were shot!"e; "e;But coma or not, Doctor... We're talking about me participating in events that took place thousands of years ago!"e; I countered, rolling my eyes. "e;Which suggests that either I'm an immortal, or else we must consider this recollection as an imaginative fantasy."e;"e;And yet, as inexplicable as it may be, I am serious!"e; the doctor insisted. "e;What you've described, through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old, is no less than the creation, history and culture of the legendary Atlantis."e;Join Falcon on her exciting journeys. As a young girl, we follow her tribe's transformation from European cave-dwellers into the Island's advanced society. As a teenager, she sails to ancient Egypt as a seeker of knowledge and technologies, ending up participating in activities that lead to the elevation of Osiris, Isis and Horus to the status of gods. And upon maturity, she witnesses events that are enshrined in the Bible.Are these journeys just a convalescing woman's hallucinations, or is Falcon an immortal?

As I write these poems and the stories of others that desperately need to be told, I find strength and desire to give others a voice that do not have one, those that have not found it yet. I write so that you may find hope and access a power in yourself that you didn't know was there. No matter the season of life, I encourage you to find grace for yourself and confidence in your search for strength within to create something positive with what you have been given. Value yourself with your imperfections because you have a place and have much to offer with the gifts you have. It is okay to rest, to not feel okay, and be right where they are at in the moment-it is okay to be human.The following is a compilation of poems titled "e;Currents and Tides"e;. The chapters being "e;Reef "e;, "e;Low Tide"e;, "e;Rip Tide"e;, and "e;High Tide"e; represent landmarks in our life, the highs, struggles, and pains. Each poem in its designated chapter provides insight via stories on how to navigate the waves of that particular season in one's life. What is your "e;wave"e;? How do you face it head-on?

Everyone has at one time or another pondered the idea of becoming a police officer, to protect and serve. Many have wondered if Police work is really like that portrayed in movies such as "e;Training Day"e; or NYPD Blue. Mike Osuna became a police officer to find out the truth about police work and set off to save the world and become the greatest self he could become. Police work did not become the catalyst of his character building endeavors, but it became the end to a new beginning. He discovered the ancient secrets used thousands of years ago as the standard for creating the best person society can produce as well as the best police officer or politician. Today, the prevalence of corruption exposing politicians, bad cops, and police brutality demand police reform, defunding and a call to a new standard of training.

To a regular passerby, the ship seemed as if it was a lonesome thing, abandoned and forgotten. The disarray of normally taut lines and sheets that hung loosely from their spars suggested the ship had been inactive and somewhat neglected. A traditionally active sailing vessel, normally full of human activity, was now quiet and dormant, aching for action and people to occupy her decks. The wind from the busy harbor whistled by her wooden masts and through her hundreds of lines making an eerie sound. The gentle rocking of the ship creaked in unison as the waves lapped against the wharf's old wooden piers. The Defiant waited. Soon there would be an opportunity.

There are few things that Jorge Hernandez thrives on more than being in the spotlight. Whether it's his revealing docuseries, Eat the Rich Before the Rich Eat You, his short stint in politics, or his occasional live stream interviews, Jorge thrives on public admiration despite his insistence that fame is silly. However, his wife Paige has concerns that his need to be the center of attention might one day shine a light into some very dark corners. When rumors that a tell-all book about the former cartel leader and his ruthless ways start to surface, Jorge is livid. On a mission to find the author that plans to expose him as a bloodthirsty vigilante who uses intimidation and corruption to rule his empire, he encounters numerous roadblocks in his race to stop the book from going to press. How underground must you go to get away from Jorge Hernandez and his rage? Will a counter book telling a fictional account of his life help to alleviate the problem?In the tenth book in the Hernandez series, Jorge fears he could drown under the potential media glare. But could a shark like him ever sink, especially when psychopaths rule the world?

In a future world where the myths of ancient times have come to life, a young Elf is traded as a hostage to their enemies, the Asuras. Living with the enemy leaves him wondering just how good or evil his enemies are, and how just his cause is. When an act of cruelty galvanizes him, he realizes he's the only one who can assassinate the ruler and stop the Perpetual War. If he can.

George Took the right steps to have a comfortable life, unfortunately his path became a bumpy road, of many hardships that beat him down mentally. Eventually the demons became more than he could bare. He sadly sent his body and heart to heaven but left his soul and knowledge for a young boy's conscience to make it through life without self-harm.

Will Harris, a legendary gun fighter and one of the last living Confederate veterans, turns 100 on July 3, 1939. A parade is held in his honor, and newspapers and magazines from across the country send reporters to cover the event. Charles Case, a reporter from the Dallas Morning News, is one of these. He finds much more than he expected: two families involved in a blood feud that goes back to a train robbery in 1868; and to complicate matters, a boy from one of the families in love with a girl from the other. The book has an epic, mythical quality, reminiscent of Raintree County and Look Homeward, Angel.

INDIAN WARFARE Is a story about two Indian tribes that has been at war for years. The Kwawpaw tribe is the good tribe. They only fight when they're attacked. The Ahshitaw tribe are the bad tribe. They will fight if they're attacked or not. Chief White Eagle is the leader of the Kwawpaw tribe. Chief Serpent is the leader of the Ahshitaw tribe. Chief White Eagle has a medallion around his neck that has Chief Serpent's ancestor's soul in it from a previous war. Chief Serpent wants his ancestor spirit freed from the medallion. Chief Serpent tells Chief White Eagle he wants one last duel with him for his land. Chief White Eagle knew what he really wanted. He told Chief Serpent that if the medallion is removed from his neck, mankind will be cursed with animal instincts again. This means if a person gets angry, they will turn into an animal. Chief Serpent knew, but he didn't care because all he wants is his ancestor's soul freed from the medallion. They have their sons with them as witnesses. Gray Wolf is Chief White Eagle's son. Redd Lion is Chief Serpent's.Chief White Eagle and Chief Serpent fought and killed each other in battle.Gray Wolf and Redd Lion ran towards their father's to help them. Gray Wolf was knocked down. Redd Lion snatched off Chief White Eagle's medallion as bright red smoke came from it covering earth and everybody on it with animal instincts. Redd Lion is recruiting different nationalities of fighters to take over the Kwawpaw tribe and other businesses. Gray Wolf is recruiting his own fighters to stop Redd Lion and to get the medallion back. If the medallion is not back in two days, mankind will be cursed forever.

This is my fourth and final book on poetry. I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C, Canada. I am retired and now have the "e;time"e; to really relax and grasp the meaning of "e;living in the moment"e; and cherish each and every day given. Any spare time I do have is spent reading books, going for my walks, enjoying nature and music. I had not counted on publishing another book, but sometimes 'life' has other ideas. This book you now hold was written during a very difficult period in my life. I was struggling with recovering both emotionally and physically. From these struggles this book was born. You will see many of my poems reflect the challenges I faced and my feelings that ensued. It is my hope that if any of you are facing difficult times...then my poems may help you relate. For those of you that are not faced with life's challenges, then by reading this book, you may be more prepared. Truly my poems were 'inspired' and I hope the poems will leave "e;footprints"e; in your heart.

At ten years old Stan Teasley has already published two books. He thought they would be as popular as the Harry Potter books, but they were not. At least on earth, they were not. When the plane that he, his dad, and some other interesting kids are on is kidnapped by aliens, he finds out that his books on this alien planet are just as popular as the Harry Potter books are on earth. In fact, the aliens on this planet have made movies about both of his books and the movies are the hottest thing going on the planet.Stan is super famous on the planet Matonian so you would think that he would want to stay for a while and enjoy his time there. However, the planet has a dictator as a King and to Stan it is something not right about this King and something not right about this planet.

That nostalgic feeling where "e;I've got to read it to the end"e; type of energy. Guaranteed to make you mmm or snap your fingers more than once like a musical beat. High and low intense feelings grasping you at the edge of your seat.

There are many facets of forgiveness. With this book, I pray it will give the understanding that unforgiveness can and will hide. The person will think they have forgiven; however, they are only tolerating their offender. I want it understood that we must forgive. Although we sometimes struggle with forgiveness, when we understand God's love and His continuous forgiveness then we will forgive sooner. If we do not forgive, God will not forgive us. In addition, to hold a grudge brings hatred and bitterness. These infirmities can bring illness and even death. When we forgive, we become a free person with peace and joy.

1969. Gary Daniels leaves his boss's apartment certain that he has lost his job because he failed to satisfy her love. Two days later the F.B.I. arrests his roommate and charges him with her murder. But Gary knows that his roommate could have committed the crime and is being framed. But why? Because he is black?Gary and his roommate had been working on legislation for a Senator from Utah and had uncovered a mysterious email of land speculation thus involved a soccer U.S Army unit during World War II, a V.P. of investment for the Mormon Church and his affair with Gary's boss that ended bitterly years ago. What tied all these events together and why was the F.B.I involved?When Gary discovers the answer to these questions he tried to go public using his revelation as a lover to free his roommate. But the F.B.I threatens to arrest Gary as an accomplice to the murder if he doesn't suppress what he knows. How does Gary prove his roommate's innocence, satisfy the F.B.I's demand to hide the truth and keep himself from being imprisoned?

Raw is a collection of pure, unadulterated thoughts and feelings translated into poetry. Dive in to Ahn's world as she writes about family, love, and current events.

"e;The Boxer"e; is a fictional crime novel based on Detective Ellis H. Parker's career, a real detective who was commonly called America's Sherlock Holmes during his lifetime. He solved 288 of the 300 major crime cases he investigated. He also handled thousands more in his career as the Chief of Detectives in Burlington County, New Jersey. Later in his life, when the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped allegedly by Bruno Richard Hauptmann, Parker was asked by the New Jersey Governor to join the New Jersey State Police to find and return the child, Charles Lindbergh Jr, to his parents. In "e;The Boxer,"e; Detective Parker is tasked to discover why the newly crowned United States Heavyweight Boxing Champion Albert Smith was found dead in his hometown soon after winning his title. We learn that Smith had character flaws that may have attracted the killer to him and other victims. The suspects are many with their own suspicious stories to tell. Detective Parker has a lot of evidence to figure out until the novel's surprising conclusion shocks you.