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Max Brinkley’s Military Brat Mysteries: The Case of the Cursed Curtain Call
$14.95
Written by Kim Roedl
Illustrated by Mindy J.B. Whitten
Seventh-grader Max Brinkley has absolutely no intention of trying out for the middle school play—until a chance encounter with eighth-grader Savannah Montgomery changes his mind. One audition later, Max is plunged into a world of cues, crushes, and questions, as a series of mysterious notes warn of a cunning plot to sabotage the play. Soon strange accidents begin to plague the rehearsals, and amid the chaos, Max becomes a suspect.
Max could never have imagined that a play would involve this much drama! Can Max and his mystery-solving crew—his neighbor Mrs. Needlemeyer, Max’s genius little brother Knox, and a surprising new friend—discover who is really responsible before the play’s opening night is ruined?
Find out in this second installment of Max Brinkley’s Military BRAT Mysteries!
The Perfect Dozen
$16.95
Written by Gail Nelson Canada
In 1997, Gail Canada encountered an abandoned black Lab puppy running along the country road near her house. She took him in and named him Jake, having no idea of the journey she’d begun. Eight years later, she and her husband Randy would bring home a yellow Lab puppy named Hannah, and Hannah and Jake would become the parents to a litter of twelve tiny Labradors: six yellow, six black; six male, six female. A perfect dozen.
This is the story of a bustling canine family and the humans and animals whose lives they touched. It’s a book for anyone who has ever loved a pet like a family member. And it’s an exploration of the touching behaviors and antics that make our pets so much like us, and what we can learn from animals to help us be more like them.
One-Week Odyssey: A Blackwater Lake Cozy Mystery
$9.99 – $17.95Price range: $9.99 through $17.95
Written by Carolyn Brodeur
Kat Normand, a seasoned portfolio manager of community associations, never expected to trade her busy career for the mysterious lakeside town of Blackwater Lake. But when the homeowners association offers her a six-figure salary, a cozy home, and the role of general manager, it feels too good to pass up—even if the HOA barely seems to exist online.
Soon, Kat discovers her predecessor vanished without a trace, and the residents are harboring
secrets they won’t easily share. With the help of her quirky assistant Babs and Jet, her loyal English Springer Spaniel (who may be more than he seems), Kat sets out to unravel the unsettling mysteries hiding beneath the town’s polished surface—before she disappears, too.
Witching Moon
$8.99 – $31.95Price range: $8.99 through $31.95
written by K. E. Bonner
Every once in an eon, when the Earth eclipses the moon on a winter solstice, an immortal is born under a witching moon. Anne has always had the strangest feelings--memories she couldn’t place; strangers she inexplicably yearned for. After she rescues the enigmatic Phillip from a shipwreck, her comfortable life on the island of Cusabo is shattered, and the mystery of her destiny starts to fall into place. Anne leaves behind the life she’s always known and sets out with Phillip on an arduous journey to Amaranth, where her ancient family awaits her. But the path is dark and daunting, and Anne’s powers have only just begun to manifest.
Vanished!
$4.99 – $21.95Price range: $4.99 through $21.95
written by Steven Vaitonis
illustrated by Lindsay Wallen
When Kristen’s beloved Bear vanishes, she’s willing to do anything to find him. Looking under her bed for Bear, she finds a mysterious hole in the floor full of glowing light. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s falling into another world!
She lands in West Wind, the place where all broken and unwanted toys live. And now, to find Bear, she must face explosions, magic teapots, forest mazes, flying furniture, talking boats, and a building that loves to play Monopoly. Along the way she meets Cymryn the Tinker, serendipitous Stanley the talking toy, a wise teddy bear named Granther, and Mr. Benjamin, Recorder of Things Important and Trivial.
Come along with Kristen on this fantastical journey as she discovers what it means to be a true friend.
The Secret of the Legendary Tribe
$7.99 – $16.95Price range: $7.99 through $16.95
written by John Roche
When Marci’s brother, Hector, gets hurt in a car accident, it seems the doctors won’t be able to help him. Marci and her friends take matters into their own hands and search for a magical artifact, the ancient Spearhead, which is rumored to have healing powers. Unfortunately, the spearhead’s whereabouts have been lost to time—but these kids won’t let anything stop them! Join Marci, Kay, and Archie at landmarks around the nation’s capital as they hunt for clues and dodge their sinister competitors who have nefarious plans for the Spearhead. It might be the only thing that can save Hector.
The Mystics’ Treachery
$4.99 – $16.95Price range: $4.99 through $16.95
written by Eric S. Michlowitz
Anna Volkov has a lot on her mind. Her father has just been appointed Russia’s ambassador to the UN, uprooting the family from Moscow to Manhattan—and with her relationship with her twin sister already on the rocks, it’s shaping up to be a lonely, boring school year.
However, when a strange old woman appears on the street one night to deliver a cryptic warning, Anna finds herself thrown headfirst into a war that has been raging in secret for hundreds of years—a power struggle between the evil Mystics, and the Aura Readers who oppose them. Unsure of whom to trust or what to believe, Anna must rely on her wits as she masters an ancient power, and put a stop to a conspiracy that could change her fate—and the fate of the world—forever.
The King of the Stars
$2.99 – $15.95Price range: $2.99 through $15.95
written by Brandon Layne
In the land of Kama, the stars are magical and constellations determine the future. Stars can even grant a person the power of astromy, enabling them to manipulate elements of nature. However, only one person is destined to be king. But of course, not everyone believes in the stars, and dark forces lurk with their own plans for the world.
Brian, the teenage son of a legendary warrior, is fated to possess the gift of earth astromy, but he can barely lift a rock. With a villainous overlord ruling the town, Brian needs to develop his skills—and quickly. But then a strange boy appears in the woods, and Brian has the feeling there's more to this kid than meets the eye. It's a race against evil and against the odds to rightfully throne the king of the stars.
Phen
$5.99 – $16.00Price range: $5.99 through $16.00
written by Lorin Adegbenro
Eric’s life sucks. Born without the use of his hands and treated like a burden by his adoptive parents, he finds himself haunted by frightening spirits—until an altogether different sort of spirit appears to him, in the form of an old man. The old man has a story to tell—the story of a boy named Phoenix . . .
After losing his mother when he was just three, Phoenix knows he has to fulfill her last wish: protect Hali, a young girl who came to Willow Oaks Orphanage along with Phoenix and his twin sisters. But fourteen years after her adoption, Phoenix has no idea where she is. To find her, and his own purpose, he’ll have to follow his instincts and heart—perhaps straight into the ocean.
And along the way, the lives of Phoenix and Eric will intertwine in a way that Eric never imagined.
Peter Polo and the White Elephant of Lan Xang
$7.99 – $25.95Price range: $7.99 through $25.95
written by Craig Bradley
illustrated by Laurie A. Conley
Peter Polo is off on another thrilling mission for the Great Khan! This time, Peter and his friends travel across the rivers, mountains, and cities of ancient China to the kingdom of Lan Xang, to try and stop a war over a rare white elephant. According to legend, whoever possesses the elephant will rule over all the Tai people—and the sinister King Naja, ruler of neighboring Lan Na, will stop at nothing to steal it.
Noble
$6.99 – $14.95Price range: $6.99 through $14.95
written by Stephanie Parwulski
Every town in the kingdom of Ansel has a storyteller, a man who weaves threads of magic into stories to share with the men of the community—and only the men, for in Ansel, women are forbidden from learning to read.
Elbon doesn’t know why Storyteller chose him as an apprentice. After all, he has no family, no friends, and not much talent for hearing the words woven into the colorful threads strung on Storyteller’s magic harp. Still, Elbon does his best to make his teacher proud . . . even if he doesn’t feel confident that he can.
But when Elbon meets a frightened boy named Freddie who claims to be running away from home—and when agents from the royal palace arrive not long after in search of a missing princess—Elbon and his new friend must work together to uncover the secrets that have shaped both their lives . . . and maybe right a few ancient wrongs along the way.
Max Brinkley’s Military BRAT Mysteries: The Case of the Ding-Dong Ditcher
$14.95 – $24.95Price range: $14.95 through $24.95
written by Kim Roedl
illustrated by Mindy J. B. Whitten
Eleven-year-old Army BRAT Max Brinkley is less than thrilled about his family’s latest military
move—a move that will once again take him away from the people and places he has grown to love. Max feels like his world is already complicated enough as he deals with his father’s deployments and surviving middle school.
Things soon get interesting in the Brinkleys’ new small South Carolina town when a cunning ding-dong ditcher targets their quiet neighborhood. When his friend Finn Harper is named the culprit, it is up to Max and his genius seven-year-old brother Knox to figure out who’s really behind the pranks. And to do it, they’ll need the help of the cranky and mysterious war widow next door, Mrs. Needlemeyer.
Can Max and his team solve the case to clear his friend’s name?
Lemon and Cedar
$14.95 – $25.95Price range: $14.95 through $25.95
written by Christel Dyer
illustrated by Eric Freeberg
Cedar the red wolf has always wondered if there are other red wolves like him in the wild. So when a plucky cottontail rabbit named Lemon stumbles into his clearing and takes him up on his offer for an adventure, an unlikely friendship is formed as the pair embark on a journey, leaving their home at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge for the first time. Along the way, Lemon and Cedar meet a seabird on the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks, discover large, winged predators while traveling through a swamp, and have a close call with a four-legged foe in a cornfield. Despite the obstacles they face, Cedar and Lemon persist on their quest, searching for red wolves and finding friendship along their way to the Great Dismal Swamp.
Conservation of wildlife is important. Ten percent of the author’s proceeds will be donated to the Red Wolf Coalition.
John Marshall: Champion of Justice
$16.95
written by Lynn Brackenridge & Barbara Schneider
illustrated by Dennis Auth
From his boyhood days on the Virginia frontier to his thirty-four years as chief justice of the United States, John Marshall was a person of intelligence, integrity, and vision. He was one of America’s Founding Fathers, and his leadership of the Supreme Court helped make the judiciary the powerful branch of government it is today. In this beautifully illustrated chapter book, you’ll get to know the man behind the historical figure. You’ll meet John Marshall the boy, soldier, husband, father, lawyer, congressman, community member, and chief justice. You’ll learn why John Marshall was beloved by those who knew him, and how he became a true Champion of Justice.
Joe and Urzab the Robot
$23.95
written by Dorothy Fleming
illustrated by Maa Illustration
Can a robot and a dog become best friends? Read on, and find out!
Joe is a rascally puppy who enjoys biting, chewing Mrs. Jennifer’s shoes, and peeing on her beautiful rug. Desperate, Mrs. Jennifer shouts to the sky, “I need help with Joe!” The last thing she expects is the sky to answer back.
When a robot named Urzab shows up at Mrs. Jennifer’s door, she’s not sure what to think. He’s from planet Brillianti, and wants to take Joe there so he can learn to be a more loving puppy. Even though she’s skeptical, Mrs. Jennifer agrees, and Joe and Urzab set off on their journey.
But Queen Mirthless has another plan when she intercepts their spacecraft, dumping Joe and Urzab into the Violent Ocean. From there, they’ll team up with dolphins, monkeys, pigeons, and a rat named Jerboa to battle a masked soldier with a whip, a dragon, a bird of prey, and Queen Mirthless herself.
Join Joe and Urzab as they try to find their way to safety before interplanetary war breaks out. Along the way, they might just develop a friendship that unexpectedly teaches them both how to love.
Happy Tails: Jitterbug Makes a Name for Herself
$16.95
written by Joy Metzer
Jitterbug lives in a modest cabin in the Ozarks of Arkansas. The runt of a litter of dachshunds, she’s hopelessly at odds with her surroundings and can’t help but dream of making a name for herself in the big city. When opportunity knocks, Jitterbug escapes her pet carrier and lands herself in show business. Her impromptu adventure takes her across the country, acting on stage, on TV, and in commercials. But how fabulous is a life of work, work, work? And how long before she starts to miss home?
A Chookamook Came Over for Breakfast
$13.95
written by Clifford Davis
illustrated by Heidi Gibson
Lizzie Lewis hates breakfast. She’d rather eat candy and other sweet treats. But then Mama brings home a new box of cereal for Lizzie to try—magic cereal. With one bite, she finds herself shrunk down to a few inches high and entering the world of Breakfastland, where mountains are made of marshmallows and palaces are made of pancakes. There she meets the Chookamooks, tiny mouse-like creatures that help make breakfasts for the whole world. Can the Chookamooks teach Lizzie that breakfast isn’t so bad? And can she help save Breakfastland from the evil Dr. Darktooth?
You’re Not From Around Here, Are You? Notes from a Naturalized Southerner
$16.95
written by Martin Lehfeldt
More than five decades ago, Northeast native Martin Lehfeldt was so captivated by the South that he made it his home. Reflecting on his experiences in the aptly titled You’re Not From Around Here, Are You?, Lehfeldt has assembled a uniquely diverse collection of impressions that embrace an overview of the region’s historically Black colleges and universities, the unequaled pleasure of sipping a Bloody Mary on a rainy Saturday morning in New Orleans, the joys of 1960s-era first-class air travel, the discovery of a coonhound cemetery, a revelatory visit to Key West, throwing a good party, brushes with celebrity, and plenty more. Open Lehfeldt’s witty collection of sketches at virtually any page and find a story that lyrically captures a moment, a feeling, and possibly a piece of your heart.
Why Men Don’t Ask for Directions
$15.95
written by Roger Loring
Roger Loring shares wisdom gained from years of keen observation about many of the difficult questions we all must answer: why spitting has helped make baseball the slowest game on the planet, how a bill becomes a law, assuming Congress ever actually votes on a bill, why children should give up their textbooks for sports equipment, the importance of pocketknives at Christmas, and much more. He unravels complex issues that have remained unsolved for far too long, such as the role of psychic predictions in society, the value of DNA testing on reality TV, the significance of astrology, and the value of making lists. Proving that nothing is beyond his discerning eye, he explains why auto mechanics are more frightening than clowns and reveals the hidden dangers of political campaigns. But perhaps his most important accomplishment is that he settles, once and for all, the age-old question of why men don't ask for directions.
When Love Sticks Around
$6.99 – $14.95Price range: $6.99 through $14.95
written by Danielle Dayney
Hand-me-down pants that don’t quite fit, twilight bike rides down sleepy neighborhood streets, sweaty family camping trips, the things that almost break you, and the things you barely notice—it’s hard to see the shape of your life until you’re looking back on it.
In this collection of short essays, Danielle Dayney recounts her experiences as an awkward child in the piecemeal family that raised her. From her biological father’s absence to her mother’s battle with cancer to the birth of her daughter, Dayney’s stories venture beyond anecdote to nest safely among the tangled experiences that shape the people we become. With a keen eye for the pebbles of humor and glimmers of beauty along the rough roads of her life, Dayney has crafted a book that feels as familiar as a home-cooked meal and as exciting as the first night in a new city.
When Love Sticks Around is a memoir of love, loss, humor, identity, and above all, family—the one you’re born into and the one you gather along the way.
Those are the things worth sticking around for.
Wacky on the Junk
$4.99 – $14.95Price range: $4.99 through $14.95
written by Kathy Varner
In this hilarious debut memoir, Kathy Varner reflects on a life lived on the fringes of ordinary. From an awkward childhood as the youngest of five, living off sweets and processed foods, to a wild adolescence of drinking, drugs, and Deadhead hijinks, to a harrowing career with social services, Kathy takes it all in stride, embracing the beauty and pain of life with a sardonic wit and a sense of adventure that remains undampened—no matter how wacky things get!
The Princess Rancher
$15.00
written by Kelly Gray Williams
Kelly Williams wasn’t born into ranching. Before she ever learned to ride a horse, her life was one of globe-trotting and high comfort as a national food distributor. But when her marriage fell apart, it set her off on a new path that would lead to open spaces, tangles of barbed wire, and the sweat, dust, and tears of cattle ranching.
Through it all, the thing that remained constant was Kelly’s love for food, and her memoir serves as an ode to the ages-old tradition of the men and women who toil from sunup to sundown to put beef on our dinner tables. It’s a story of risk, reward, and reinvention that captures a disappearing, American way of life.
The Hay-Wagon
$6.99 – $14.95Price range: $6.99 through $14.95
written by Abigail Olson
After graduating from high school, Abigail achieves her childhood dream of getting her CDL and learning to drive 18-wheelers. That’s where she meets a big roadblock: due to federal age restrictions, she’s too young to drive trucks across state lines. Unsure what to do next, she works as a part-time dump truck driver and part-time receptionist. That is, until she quits her job and relationship on the same day and takes the next flight to Mexico, where she lives for the next four months. Come with Abigail on a journey to self-respect and self-discovery.
Redeemed by the Light: With the Faith of a Mustard Seed
$14.95
written by Keith W. Rustin Jr.
In Redeemed by the Light, author K.W. Rustin tells the story of his harrowing journey through a blur of alcohol and drug addiction, broken marriage, serial housing situations, unemployment and the inevitable depression and loss of self-esteem that accompanies a life gone wrong.
Along the way, he is blessed by the mercy and grace of God, so this is also a story of his redemption. As he writes, “the dark veil of alcohol covers a lot of people, and the testimonies of Christ are for all who will hear. If I can help one person shake off the weight of depression and save one child from hopelessness, I will have done my part, because we are not alone. There is hope in the words of Jesus Christ.”
Join Keith as he travels from the darkness into the light.
Panic: One Man’s Struggle with Anxiety
$3.99 – $14.95Price range: $3.99 through $14.95
written by Harry Floyd
Anxiety and panic are a part of life for almost everyone. They can come without warning, and for many people, facing and overcoming these conditions can be a lifelong battle. In Panic, author Harry Floyd shares his own struggle with anxiety in an effort to guide others who suffer with this often debilitating condition. To combat anxiety in his own life, for years he explored myriad approaches and treatments, including counseling, medication, behavioral techniques, meditation, and spiritual practices, all of which he shares in these pages. Join Harry on his personal journey from anxiety and the paralysis of panic, to self-understanding and acceptance.
Among other topics, Panic discusses
- Anticipation and its role in anxiety
- How to react when anxiety strikes
- Understanding the lifecycle of a panic attack
- Trying new habits to combat the condition
- Trusting oneself
- How openness can make a difference
My Turn on the Couch: Our Cancer Journey
$4.99 – $16.95Price range: $4.99 through $16.95
written by Carol, Tony, Christopher, and Darcy Alimenti
My Turn on the Couch covers the span of nine years in the Alimenti family, during which three family members each face a shattering cancer diagnosis. This is a true story of how that family confronted these challenges, drew closer as a family, and remained resilient despite the hardships. The primary author, Carol Alimenti, tells the story of her mother’s struggle with cancer, coping, caring, and fighting for her son, Chris, who was diagnosed with leukemia, then having to face her own terminal diagnosis. While caring for her son, she must come to accept the finality of her own life. The book began as a journal and as therapy, but transformed into a collaborative project among the family members as they united to help Carol finish this book and cross the final goal off her bucket list. All the family members who ultimately contributed to this story learned what it meant to be “on the couch.”
This compelling story is a testimony to the power of love, family, hope, and an unbridled faith in God. These key ingredients have allowed the Alimentis to defy the odds in the hope that one day they will reunite again in a land without suffering, tears, and pain—and most of all—without cancer.
My Life According to Rock Band: Or Fifty-Eight Short Stories About Life, Love, and the Greatest Video Game Ever Made
$9.99 – $20.95Price range: $9.99 through $20.95
written by Cade Wiberg
When fifteen-year-old Cade first laid eyes on the box that held the video game Rock Band under his family Christmas tree, he could see his whole future: the face-melting guitar solos he’d play to stadiums of screaming fans, the fame and glory that would follow him like an entourage, the girls that would beg for a night with Cade the Rock God . . .
But that’s not exactly how it went.
Instead of a packed stadium, it was a packed college apartment, and girls didn’t exactly beg him, although he did find himself in the highs and lows of love a few times. He didn’t get to play to thousands of screaming fans either, but the few real friends he found along the way, well . . . that part turned out to be just as epic.
With a story for each of the fifty-eight songs available on the original Rock Band, Cade Wiberg dives headfirst into the brutal and beautiful years that shape us into the people we become, and the music that gets us through it all.
Morning on Solomons
$5.99 – $11.95Price range: $5.99 through $11.95
written by John "Sonny" Robinson
“In this book are gathered short stories relating my recollections of true events from my early years.”
So begins Sonny Robinson’s touching and personal collection of tales from his childhood and young adulthood on Solomons Island, a pipe-shaped piece of land located near the mouth of the Patuxent River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Filled with tales of survival and innovation, tragedy and triumph, holiday celebrations and simple vignettes of everyday island life, this collection offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era, while giving hope and encouragement to the next generation to inherit the Bay.
Ever This Night
$17.95
Written by Molly Sions
SYLVIA AND DANIELLE worry a lot. They worry about Danielle’s hard-won career in the fickle world of interior design. They worry about harsh judgment toward Sylvia, a transgender woman who longs to be unremarkable. They worry about their Catholic faith—about what it means for their marriage; about what their marriage means to their faith.
Lately, they’ve been worried about fertility. They’re not sure they can have a baby together, but Sylvia’s trying to make it happen, messing with her own hormones like a science experiment, no matter the impact to her mental health.
When Danielle’s old friend, Preston Elridge IV, moves to town and asks Danielle to design his trendy new restaurant, it seems like much-needed good news: a financial windfall, flexible hours, and a crowning achievement for her portfolio. There’s just one small problem. Preston is in love with Danielle, and he hardly bothers to hide it. To him, Sylvia’s transition represents the opening he always hoped for, and he’s not going to let it pass.
As Sylvia’s mental health worsens, Danielle’s pregnancy fails to materialize, and Preston’s overtures grow more aggressive, each of them delves deeper into their fears and desires, risking more with each step forward.
At a Snail’s Pace: A Stroll Around the Garden Through Poems
$4.99 – $28.95Price range: $4.99 through $28.95
Written by Kim Fisher Wynn
Gardening and poetry come alive in this whimsical account of a day in the life of a garden. From the rising sun to the setting moon, through the eyes of a lowly snail to the view of fanciful fireflies, read and watch this garden blossom through the beautiful imagery and majesty of poetry.
Living Tidal
$6.99 – $17.95Price range: $6.99 through $17.95
written by Sheena Jeffers
On a frigid November night at high tide, a young woman unties the dock lines and watches the land recede as the sailboat she’s standing on floats out to sea. She has a jacket, a scarf, and a deep need to reinvent herself. Living Tidal is part adventure, part love story: a coming-of-age memoir that captures the hearts and minds of readers with each page. Journalist Sheena Jeffers addresses the curiosity, self-doubt, and the desire we all have to deeply experience the world as we embark on the lifelong journey to know ourselves.
Life Is Here, and I Have Been Away
$9.99 – $24.95Price range: $9.99 through $24.95
written by Dan Bessie
When Mary Burnett finds herself at the very end of her rope, she musters the courage to repel her suicidal
demons and commits herself to psychiatric care. And so, her life-saving journey begins—one she vows to take without self-deception, as though looking into a truth-telling mirror.
While she reads decades of her old journals about long-forgotten incidents, the past comes alive—the good times and the bad: growing up with a petulant mother, failed marriages, the birth of two sons while living in poverty, and more.
Resolving her long stream of memories and banishing self-doubt as she completes therapy, Mary zeroes in on three goals: secure a home for her little family, see her boys launched into the world as self-assured young men, and find a way (in her own words) “to be of use, to serve some purpose in this life.”
In Life Is Here, and I Have Been Away, Mary Burnett’s son Dan Bessie weaves his mother’s narrative with his own perspective, and in so doing explores exactly how one woman was able to reinvent herself and rebuild her life.
Impressions Beyond the Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
$15.00
written by Norma Woody
In this collection, as in her first book, Impressions Behind the Pink Ribbon, Norma explores a range of emotions and trials only a woman facing her own death can experience. A true and rich testament that only the examined life is worth living, she probes the depths and meaning of honesty, hope, friendship, and faith, as well as her own fear, isolation, heartache, and failures. For Norma, life was a kaleidoscope of miracles and experiences she felt compelled to capture in her writing, and had she lived, she would have penned many more books. We regret that this is her final manifesto of life, love, and hope.
Impressions Behind the Pink Ribbon: Writing Through the Laughter and Tears with My Metastatic Breast Cancer
$15.00 – $23.95Price range: $15.00 through $23.95
written by Norma Woody
Following her diagnosis with an aggressive form of metastatic breast cancer, Norma Woody found herself the bearer of two seemingly unendurable burdens: the knowledge that she was dying, and the realization that too much of the life she had left would be spent in solitude and pain. Yet as the door to her physical life was closing, a window to her inner life was flung open. In her time spent alone wrestling with thoughts and disappointments, Norma found solace in writing, and was able to explore her creative mind and unlock feelings long denied her. In the process, she plumbed new depths of forgiveness, releasing expectations and uncovering within herself a greater childlike wonder for the world and a deeper respect for the God she had always believed in. Impressions Behind the Pink Ribbon is her record of that journey through hardship to peace, and it stands as a gift bestowed in unending faith and love.
Harper: 48 Days to Change the Lives of Millions
$15.00
written by William Stanfield
Harper Ann Stanfield came into the world on August 20, 2012, a beautiful newborn with brown eyes, a strong will, and a life-threatening condition known as a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)—a hole in her diaphragm that permitted her abdominal organs to migrate into her chest cavity, obstructing her left lung. For weeks after—and through multiple surgeries—machines would be her constant companions, breathing for her, circulating her blood, and removing toxins from her body. Her parents, William Stanfield and Erin Byers, watched on and waited, helpless to change their daughter’s circumstances and often unable to even hold her.
To keep their community of family and friends informed and to help raise awareness about CDH, they started a Facebook page and posted daily updates on Harper’s struggle. These posts are compiled here, in Harper, a tribute to a tiny fighter and to all the children like her, both among us and in our hearts and memories.
From Morning ‘til Evening: The Autobiography of Grady W. Powell, Sr.
$16.00
written by Grady Wilson Powell
From Morning ’til Evening traces the life of Rev. Grady Powell, Sr., a devoted man of God, who has served as pastor of churches in Virginia for more than fifty years. This vivid and personal story chronicles Rev. Powell’s journey from his upbringing in Brunswick County, Virginia, through his marriage to Bertie Jeffress of Pittsburgh, the raising of five children, and the challenges and rewards of a rich professional life. Ultimately, we join him as he stands in the pulpit of Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia, where he ministered to hundreds of parishioners.
This is the story of a man whose faith and family are truly his touchstones. We follow him on his journey from youth to his professional and personal destiny and, finally, to his dance with retirement, where in the evening of his life, he reflects on the deeper meaning of God, the importance of family, and the people he serves.
From Basketball to Bow Ties: A Journey in Leadership, Self-Discovery, and Success through Service
$7.99 – $29.95Price range: $7.99 through $29.95
written by Harold E. Harris Jr.
What do basketball and bow ties have in common? More than you’d expect. Namely: leadership. Part memoir, part self-help book, From Basketball to Bow Ties follows Harold E. Harris Jr. from his tumultuous youth spent playing and eventually coaching basketball to his adulthood as a successful businessman who is never without his signature bow tie. Harris’s journey through the hoops helps to shape his ultimate career path, where he leads a team with the foundations of teamwork and diligence. He skillfully translates lessons learned on the court to actionable tips for professional leadership. Leaders, professionals, sports fans, and students will find this book an invaluable resource for developing their leadership skills.
The Gift of Time
$18.95
Written by Missy Balusek
In a world full of schedules and plans, life can seem to go by much too fast. But as surely as Mother Nature moves from summer to fall without worry or regret, you can live in the moment and make the most of it if you try.
The Gift of Time sends a positive, mindful message to young readers, reminding them that every day is a treasure, that every life is a special journey, and that with the gift of time and the courage to be yourself in this moment, your dreams can take you anywhere!
Waiting for Scotland
$15.95
Written by S.A. Borders-Shoemaker
Waiting for Scotland is a poetry collection about reconciling the past with hopes for the future. Within these pages is the direct confrontation between youthful expectations and sobering realities. Born from the labors of deep soul work, it is all at once a comprehensive story and a series of meditations on identity. This collection acknowledges what has come before and how the past contends with a very real and powerful present. Borders-Shoemaker’s words declare a hope for a different future, rooted in honesty and compassion.
Virginia Leaf: Ballads, Odes, Lyrics, Stanzas & Lines in Three Books
$16.95
Written by Edward Wright Haile
The poet’s foreword says he began all this on one fine day. It must have been finer than morning in an adjacent state by the looks of the result. What a sweep! What a breadth! What a memory! Who’s left out here? Nobody I know. Virginia is 475 miles long but averages half that, which means here we have about one page per mile of her right across. He cautions that a reading voice with the proper pronunciation of “Hanover” and “Henrico” is advisable. So try this —
THE POLECAT PRIZE
RAN OFF ALL OTHERS
Some versifier came and sowed
many a thunderation ode.
This got the Golden Polecat Prize,
the one that draws the market flies,
awarding a chief excellence
that chases all the others hence;
puts to shame and in the shade
the Armadillo Accolade,
and that eternal charnel foist
so-called the yearly critics’ choist.
It strands our thunderation moot
what’s really worth a second hoot.
For some ’twill always be roast beef,
but, after that, Virginia leaf.
The Song of Circe and Other Simple Musings
$6.99 – $14.95Price range: $6.99 through $14.95
Written by J. Matthew Helms
Twilit dreamscapes unfold across J. Matthew Helms’ debut collection of poetry, revealing new worlds beyond the veils of myth. From the shores of Valhalla to the great halls of Mount Olympus, these unique poems guide the reader through the mists of time and legend like a lantern, casting tales of the old gods in a new light. Interwoven with themes of earthly nature and celestial warfare, The Song of Circe reflects the joy and sorrow—the pain and healing—the love and disdain that define the human soul, beckoning us to explore within ourselves the darkest corners of our oldest legends.
The Pond That Ripples
$13.95
Written by Tammi Summers
The Pond That Ripples represents a person who experiences disruptions and changes in life. Ripples on a pond, on an otherwise smooth surface, may be perceived as calming or disturbing, depending on the perspective of the gazer. It is this realization—that how we relate to change in our lives, whether we row with the current or against it—that determines the extent to which we evolve as people.
Through the ups and downs of life
And the challenges we face
We learn
We grow
But most importantly
We heal.
On Sale
The Nest: An Anthology of the Unreal
Compiled by Jade Miller and Christine Stoddard
Imaginary. Nostalgic. Otherworldly. These are the words that inspire the creators of Quail Bell Magazine every day. Since 2010, The Quail Bell Crew has explored the arts, history, folklore, and other oddities through a variety of fiction and non-fiction forms. This anthology represents a sampling of their favorite short stories and poems from 2010–2012.
The Land of Opposite Attractions
$4.99 – $11.95Price range: $4.99 through $11.95
Written by Catherine Carson
From debut poet Catherine Carson comes an examination of everyday life, as seen through the lens of a mentally ill young woman navigating her twenties. Full of persistent optimism and honesty, this collection celebrates the tragedy and beauty to be found, not only in the world around us, but in the worlds we carry within ourselves.
You’re Bringing Me A Baby?!
$15.95
Written by Sarah Berkheimer
A new baby's coming, and changes abound! Will there be enough love left for the hound? Expectant parents, dog lovers, and big-siblings-to-be will delight in the worrywart dog who finds out that while he's not the baby anymore, that just might be a good thing!
Wholehearted Day
$13.95 – $24.95Price range: $13.95 through $24.95
Written by Elizabeth Dodson
Take a journey through Wholehearted Day, a book that dually comforts guardians and children who face separation. Explore why we work and what it means to be apart. Dive deeper into concepts of curiosity, security, development of self, and contribution to society. Observe how small daily actions can create wonder-filled experiences with a person you greatly hold! Let this tool curate a moment in time, a space, in which you can snuggle together to speak beautiful words, investigate intricate paper cut illustrations, and be reassured that your efforts are as important as your bond with each other. Discover hearts, symbols, and animals along the way!
Where Do They Go?
$14.95 – $25.95Price range: $14.95 through $25.95
Written by Carolyn Sullivan Moore
Where do frogs snooze when the pond freezes over? Where do butterflies land when flowers lie dormant? Curious children want to know where animals and other creatures go when summer fades and chilly temperatures send us all inside for the cozy winter months. Written in verse, Where Do They Go? is a delightfully illustrated study on hibernation, written for young children, that introduces the idea of changing seasons in a rhyming sing-song style. This is a title kids will insist on reading, “one more time!”
When Mama Grows with Me
$14.95 – $25.95Price range: $14.95 through $25.95
Written by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler
In When Mama Grows with Me, a mama and her son create their own garden, starting with just a few small seeds and ending with a beautiful display of flowers. They observe how pollinators help the earth stay healthy, learn how to care for plants, and meet other critters that live in their garden, all while playfully shaping their bodies into yoga poses inspired by nature. Not only do Mama and her son learn valuable lessons about their garden, but along the way, they also learn to practice patience. By pairing lessons with movement, Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler helps young readers make connections between the natural world and their own emotional experiences. Learn the value of patience and practice some fun yoga poses in this beautifully illustrated children’s book. Includes a step-by-step guide to each yoga pose!
When Daddy Shows Me the Sky
$13.95 – $23.95Price range: $13.95 through $23.95
Written by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler
In When Daddy Shows Me the Sky, a father and daughter spend their evenings practicing yoga together under the night sky. Through spring, summer, fall, and winter, they learn the names of the constellations and model their yoga poses after the stars’ unique shapes.
Brought to life with bright and bold illustrations, this simple father-daughter story combines yoga and astronomy to help children see the wonder in the world around them—and within themselves.
Read along with your child to learn mindfulness, astronomy, and yoga together!
Includes a step-by-step guide to each yoga pose!
What Has Eight Arms and Lives in the Sea?
$2.99 – $22.95Price range: $2.99 through $22.95
Written by Carolyn Hoy
What has eight arms and lives in the sea?
I can say, surely it’s not you or me.
Dive in! Float around! Splish-splash! Doggy paddle! Swim on over!
What Happens at School When You’re Not There?
$5.99 – $16.95Price range: $5.99 through $16.95
Written by Edward J. Denecke
Do you want to know what janitors see
when children are gone? Then listen to me.
I’ll tell you right now what happens past three,
when teachers go home and students run free . . .
Longtime elementary-school janitor Edward Denecke knows the secret of what unfolds in the magical hours between last and first bell. Now, he’s excited to share it in this imaginative story about the amazing visitors that turn schoolrooms topsy-turvy when nobody’s there to see it. Nobody, that is, except the night crew of custodians who are the guardians of this whimsical world.
What happens at school?
It’s time that you knew!
Waiting for Adeline
$4.99 – $22.95Price range: $4.99 through $22.95
Written by Lauren Oakey
When Mama and Daddy bring home a new baby, Adeline, big sister Alice isn’t too sure about her. At first, there’s too much crying, and later, Adeline struggles to speak. But as Alice watches her sister grow, she comes to realize that words aren’t the only way to understand her. Waiting for Adeline is a story of patience, connection, love, and the bonds that can grow from adversity.
Twelve Dogs a-Howling
$20.95
Written by L. Meredith Averitt
Author and licensed veterinarian L. Meredith Averitt puts her own twist on the classic Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In this collection of children’s stories, travel back in time to China’s Forbidden City, visit the Aztecs, catch a boat to the Port of Antwerp, race in the Iditarod, and take a spaceship to Camp Mars, all with your favorite four-legged friends. Each tale comes with an original doggy song set to the music of a favorite seasonal tune. “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? This year, it’s Twelve Dogs a-Howling!
Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos
$15.95 – $26.95Price range: $15.95 through $26.95
Written by Drew Palacio
With a sigh she went pacing before a large mirror that stood
Remarking: "Ugh! I'm hideous! None of this looks very good!"
After struggling to find the perfect outfit, Emily Soo dances the night away at a fun party. But when she gets home, her inner voice Emily Two tries to put a damper on her evening.
Confronting our thoughts, fully facing tough emotions, and affirming ourselves can be difficult.
Can Emily Soo find it within herself to squash her Worry and Woe?
There’s an Elephant in My Bathtub
$4.99 – $22.95Price range: $4.99 through $22.95
Written by Connie Bowman
There’s an ELEPHANT in the bathtub!
And a CAMEL in the study—and a LION on the couch—and a GORILLA in the kitchen! When wild animals make themselves at home, what’s a dad to do?
The Wi-Fi Is Out
$4.99 – $23.95Price range: $4.99 through $23.95
Written by Tim Lane
“The Wi-Fi is out! What will we do? The Wi-Fi is out, and the Internet too!”
Dad’s done everything he can, but there’s no way around it: the router is down, the Wi-Fi is out, and one brother and sister’s lazy weekend afternoon is now ruined! That is, until they remember that there’s still a whole world of adventures for them to explore in the great outdoors—and beyond!
The Very Nice Family
$4.99 – $23.95Price range: $4.99 through $23.95
Written by Diane Forti
There once was a very nice family, with a Mommy, a Daddy, and two young boys. They were very busy, with church and school and work and sports, but something was missing. Was it a dog? No, it wasn’t a dog. Finally, the Mommy figured it out: what they were missing was a little girl!
Join the very nice family as they bring a baby girl into their home and hearts, learning to rely on God's plan as she grows into her own person. Based on author Diane Forti's true-life adoption story, The Very Nice Family reminds readers that love is full of surprises!
Teddy Lou, Bell Guru
$15.95
Written by Chris Demeropolis
With fun rhymes and bell chimes, follow young Teddy Lou as he explores his fascination with
bells. When Teddy questions whether bells have strange smells, he must leap to learn more and even work out a scientific solution to ensure his safety. But will our favorite bell explorer find
his answer before the bell rings?
The Grit and Joy of Being
$4.99 – $22.95Price range: $4.99 through $22.95
Written by Anne Poarch
There is grit and joy in life.
You can eat a peach,
taste the soft silky sweetness of the fruit,
and still catch a flake of pit in your mouth.
I’ll take the unwelcome to get at the heart.
Come and visit the orchard with me;
We’ll shake the trees and give out bushels of joy.
(“Grit & Joy” by Anne Poarch)
Assis sur un Rocher (Sitting on a Rock – French Edition)
$14.95
Written by Gary L. Brinderson
Affirmation, kindness, love, and self awareness are the touchstones of Gary Brinderson’s poetry. In a deceptively simple, Zen-like style, Sitting on a Rock offers wise counsel, teaching us—just as he taught his students—that all of life's answers can be found within. We only need to go and sit on a rock, and listen to our hearts.
Sitting on a Rock
$6.23 – $25.95Price range: $6.23 through $25.95
Written by Gary L. Brinderson
Affirmation, kindness, love, and self awareness are the touchstones of Gary Brinderson’s poetry. In a deceptively simple, Zen-like style, Sitting on a Rock offers wise counsel, teaching us—just as he taught his students—that all of life's answers can be found within. We only need to go and sit on a rock, and listen to our hearts.
Short Pump Bump!
$2.99 – $22.95Price range: $2.99 through $22.95
Written by Angie Miles
Illustrated by Scott DuBar
Just about anywhere you go in Virginia’s capital city, you find history, beauty, and interesting stories just waiting to be told. Whether you read the sweet, silly, and poignant collection of poetry on your own or share it aloud with little ones dear to you, Short Pump Bump! will entice you to play a little, smile a little, and forevermore see the place Richmonders call home in a new and endearing way.
Seven Songs for Seven Dogs
$19.95
Written by L. Meredith Averitt, DVM
Illustrated by Maegan Penley
As a veterinarian and lifelong animal lover, Meredith always knew she’d have dogs. But seven? It turns out that when it comes to a family of wriggling, happy dachshunds (and their poodle big brother), more really is merrier. In Seven Songs for Seven Dogs, you’ll get to know Lexi, Topher, Caddie, Carly, Sera, Chester, and Grady; gain a glimpse into the world of dog showing; and delight in seven silly songs inspired by this canine crew.
Roads Taken
$15.95
Written by Tucker Carwile
Roads Taken is a collection of some of Tucker Carwile’s favorite poems. They were selected because they show the roads he has taken, whether right or wrong, and express the emotional range of a life well lived. Written over a period of years, this collection of work is the expression of his true vocation. These are poems of sorrow and pain, battles and spirituality, the loss of friends, the beauty of nature, humor reminiscent of the past, changes over time, and love and joy found. Tucker’s decision to pursue a career instead of following his passion for writing led him down many roads away from poetry, and away from his true soul mate. The fifth and powerful final section of poems, “Roads to Happiness,” captures the long-awaited reunion with his beloved. After traveling miles of roads, they both ultimately discover the true contentment that only real devotion can give.
Poems of the Day: The Ramblewood
$14.95
Written by Courtney Jett Walker
In life, you ramble along, learn to live with intention, get lost along the way, and often find yourself back where you started. Poems of the Day: The Ramblewood is an individual expression of these lived experiences, finding the beauty in the messy process. It illuminates how our lives connect and disconnect with others; how, in our aloneness, we can connect with nature like an old friend and learn more about ourselves; how we can soak in the sunshine and breathe in the moonlight. These poems are a journey through being human, a woman, a mother and a wife, and they ask meaningful questions about our sense of worth at every step in life—with each step taken through the dewy morning grass. Inside these pages, through the solitary practice of reading poetry, you may discover togetherness anew.
Pirates and Spooks, Beware!
$4.99 – $14.95Price range: $4.99 through $14.95
Written by Susan Weiner
Illustrated by Bobbie Kogok
Shiver me timbers! Pirates and parrots, mummies and mermaids—get ready for these fun and funky creatures to tickle your funny bone and send a chill down your spine! Between the lines of these eerie poems, a lady pirate fights her battles in stolen ball gowns, a cannibal decides to become a vegetarian, and a ghost hitches a ride in the family car. You’d better get started: it’s all hands on deck!
Myriad of a Soul
$13.95
Written by Sydney Gallagher
Myriad of a Soul is an insightful look at the mind of poet Sydney Gallagher during 2020 and 2021. Thought-provoking, meditative, as well as lighthearted, the poems tell the story of a teen who is struggling to understand herself and her place in a rapidly changing world and society.
Written from the perspective of a young woman who understands the value of a self-examined life, this collection will surely inspire other teens to explore their own identity.
Magical Moments: Poems for Kids of All Ages
$16.95 – $27.95Price range: $16.95 through $27.95
Written by Mary Culleton Dunn
Illustrated by Natalia Logvanova
Magical Moments is a book of rhyming story poems about children noticing the world around them both inside and outside the home. It is about caring and sharing with parents, grandparents, and other family members. Throw into the mix a little bit of fantasy, a lot of fun, and hopefully a broadening of the imagination. Accompanied by many colorful illustrations, we hope your children feel safe and loved as they explore this magical collection.
I Just Met a Dinosaur!
$18.95
Written by Helen L. Williamson
Illustrated by Nancy Taylor Atkins
If you met a dinosaur, what would you do?
Play hide-and-seek or go to the zoo?
Who knows if their skin was pink, purple, or blue?
Or if they squawked, roared, or mooed?
Did they polish their nails and feathers and scales,
And sharpen their teeth with the ends of their tails?
When you open this book of dinosaur rhymes
You’ll meet some of those creatures from long-ago times!
** Please contact the publisher at admin@brandylanepublishers.com if you are interested in purchasing this book. Thank you!
Eleven Dollars and a Half Tank of Gas
$4.99 – $15.95Price range: $4.99 through $15.95
written by Greg Drost
In this candid memoir of a classic American boyhood, Greg Drost—teacher, family man, and self-taught surfer—takes a moment to look back on the events that led him to where he is today. From summer hijinks and schoolboy woes, through hardship and heartbreak, and down the long and winding road to self-discovery, this delightful collection of anecdotes is more than the story of one man’s coming of age. It is an examination of all those moments, great and small, that shape us into the people we grow up to be.
Flight: of butterflies and robins and other winged dreams
$23.95
Written by Anne Poarch
Illustrated by Sander Gibson
Flight: of butterflies and robins and other winged dreams is a very personal collection of forty-eight poems. This thoughtful work chronicles the voice of a maturing young woman as she reawakens her heart and soul to the beauty of God’s natural world. She uncovers love, grief, self-awareness, and a happiness for which she is utterly unprepared. Bridging an out-of-doors childhood and the death of her father at age eleven, to a motherhood in which she longs to share all of nature with her young sons, the pages will surprise you and inspire you. To open these poems is to take a walk through the seasons, to pause and reflect on the intersection of the spiritual and physical, the love of parent and child. Placed mostly within the backdrop of Richmond, Virginia, words are arranged, not by academic instruction, but by feeling and emotion. Poems are shared with a voice of appreciation and awe, all the while wondering if the ephemeral dreams of love, joy, and beauty can be sustained. Or is that the lesson the young woman learns from her butterfly? As Anne Poarch expresses, none of us need try and hold beauty, because we all carry her in our hearts and souls.
Echoes in Ferryland
$15.95
written by Nancy H. Clark
Echoes in Ferryland offers the rich perspective of a woman looking back at her life and describing history as she saw it unfold before her very eyes. Author Nancy Clark fondly reminisces about her childhood and memorable life spent in Virginia’s Northern Neck, a region of rivers that witnessed the rise and ultimate decline of the steamboat. Her story tells of a simpler life—and the “unabashed naïvete that came with it,” she writes—where there is a deep respect and honor for the past as well as the acceptance of inevitable change that comes with modernity. Join author Nancy Clark on her life journey through Virginia’s “Land of Pleasant Living.”
Benjamin E. Mays Institute: Educating Young Black Males
$15.95
written by Sadiq Ali
For many young black American males, the future seems bleak at worst, uncertain at best. The challenges seem frightfully beyond the reach of society’s current institutions. Realizing the state of emergency firsthand, educator Sadiq Ali successfully established an African-American all-male school in Hartford, Connecticut. In Benjamin E. Mays Institute: Educating Young Black Males, Ali describes the creation and life of the school, its successes and struggles. Perhaps most importantly, Ali uses his knowledge and experience to address ways that others around the nation can use education to improve the future for today’s young black men.
A Young Life of Light
$22.95
written by Harry Hathaway Warner
What constitutes a life well lived? It’s a question often pondered in the wake of loss, and it’s one that catalyzed Harry Warner to write this book following the death of his grandson, Patrick Gorman, at age seventeen. Patrick’s life was brief and far from easy. Born with Marfan’s syndrome and severe respiratory complications, he was given a fifty-fifty chance of survival; at eleven months, he contracted a virus that would leave him deaf in both ears. His early years consisted of a string of hospital visits and struggling to communicate in a hearing world. Yet through it all, a remarkable young man was formed—a talented artist and sportsman with a love for the outdoors and an ability to inspire his peers in ways that would only be fully revealed upon his passing.
In A Young Life of Light, his grandfather memorializes Patrick Gorman’s life, person, and achievements, and proclaims a simple, valuable truth: that the good life is measured by the impression it leaves in the hearts of others.
A Whistleblower’s Requiem
$7.99 – $16.95Price range: $7.99 through $16.95
written by Michael K. Willis
Michael K. Willis never imagined he’d become a whistleblower when he accepted a position as the assistant administrator at Bradley Memorial Hospital. This memoir details the real-life events that led him to file a lawsuit against his boss under the Tennessee Whistleblower Act. This news rocked the small southern town located in the Appalachian Mountains’ western foothills, as the hospital was a renowned institution. Hospital Administrator Jim Whitlock was under indictment, and Willis’s ethical standards would not let him look the other way. He would not be blamed or become the scapegoat. Instead, he would act to save his job and ensure the truth prevailed.
Curious Design
$14.95
Written by Bonnie Stanard
We don't all think alike, but to some of us, life is an ever-present enigma. Stanard writes that life “chases me in cycles defying viewpoint.” With Bracelli's cubist art as inspiration, she skillfully renders compositions that introduce us to an original and unexpected reading experience. This is a mix of pithy poems, some profound and others amusing.
Before the Foundation of the World
$2.99 – $12.95Price range: $2.99 through $12.95
Written by Susan Weiner
Before the Foundation of the World examines the nature of good and evil in God’s creation. Using poetry and song lyrics, this collection offers a celebration of joy in response to God’s covenant with man. From Christmas poems to simple lullabies, the author paints a vivid picture of the incredible experience of wonder in a world of God’s design. An extended exchange in Appendix I with “The Father of Lies” (“Pater Mendaciorum”) and the promises of Christian faith reflects our reconciliation with God and explores the redemption of mankind in the face of radical evil. Journeying from the psychology of evil to the good news of the spirit, Before the Foundation of the World speaks to the ways of God, embodying gratitude and love as the foundation for mature Christian belief.
All This and More
$13.95 – $24.95Price range: $13.95 through $24.95
Written by Susan Weiner
From the wise to the just-plain-silly, the poems of All This and More open up to a world of marvel and wonder. Frolicking pirates sing side-by-side with shimmering octopuses in the sea, occupying a world where God beckons you, where splendor still exists despite its brokenness. Let your heart exult in poetry that presents God's creation as wonderfully bright and full of promise, through all the happy and the sad.
Airborne: An Anthology of the Real
$15.00
Compiled by Julie DiNisio and Christine Stoddard
Imaginary. Nostalgic. Otherworldly. These are the words that inspire the creators of Quail Bell Magazine every day. Since 2010, The Quail Bell Crew has explored the arts, history, folklore, and other oddities through a variety of fiction and non-fiction forms. This anthology represents a sampling of their favorite essays and articles from 2010–2012.
Shroud of Ice
$7.99 – $18.95Price range: $7.99 through $18.95
Written by Sharon Krasny
Guided only by the stars and the memory of Mara’s eyes, Ankwar’s village pariah Gaspare forges paths over desolate mountains and raging rapids to find his way back to his village. If he loses his focus or abandons his nerve, he will never know the freedom and power of being Ankwar’s destined redeemer. Yet if he succeeds, Gaspare risks losing forever his chance at happiness with the one whose eyes haunt him and lead him home. Gaspare’s greatest fear becomes his looming reality as he claims his calling and risks losing Mara once again. Based on the real life of Ötzi the Iceman, murdered over 5,000 years ago, the historical fiction Shroud of Ice searches for answers to the haunting echoes of will we ever be enough. Gaspare in the role of Ötzi is a call to stand one last time against the darkness because not all who are dead are silent.
Verities: A Journey by Tracks
$4.99 – $17.95Price range: $4.99 through $17.95
written by Randy White
“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Take a ride down the train tracks in the small town of Verities, and you’ll see one young man’s quests for meaning in his troubled life. Follow Sam’s journey as he grows up facing ugly truths about love and loss on the wrong side of the tracks. Verities is a hopeful story of rising above one’s circumstances, even in the cruel face of social injustice.
The Man Called Jesus
$15.00
written by T. F. Lloyd
The Romans rule Israel with an iron fist, and young Hanan is angry and conflicted. The soldiers murder his father and take their livestock, and he becomes sole provider for his mother. Yet without the cattle that had been his family’s livelihood, Hanan turns to a secret life of thievery. He manages to care for the family while keeping his ways hidden – until he pilfers a valuable Roman necklace and becomes a wanted man. Riddled with guilt and fear, he believes his fate is sealed. Only one beacon of light shines to give Hanan hope for removing his guilt and cleansing his soul: the man called Jesus. Hanan follows the teacher, feeding on his every word and miracle, hoping to find the salvation he craves, before it’s too late.
That You Remember
$7.99 – $30.95Price range: $7.99 through $30.95
written by Isabel Reddy
In 2019, Aleena Rowan, adrift in the wake of a failed marriage, receives a box of her father's desk diaries from the years he worked as a coal executive. She expects to find nothing more than the cost of business lunches and meeting notes. Instead, she finds a mysterious name, Sara, scrawled on a slip of paper in her father's handwriting.
Frank Rowan meets Sara Stone while fishing on a frigid January day, and sees her again waiting tables at Otter Creek’s only restaurant. It is 1970, and Frank and Sara’s relationship grows despite the impossible distance between a New York corner office and a Kentucky coal hollow. Initially, Sara sees Frank as her ticket to a better life, but other forces compete with her dreams—like protecting her town from the increasingly perilous coal slurry dam.
In her debut novel, told from both sides of the coal industry, Isabel Reddy brings to life the conflicts and undercurrents of an Appalachian mining town on the eve of disaster.
Raptors in the Ricelands
$10.99 – $32.95Price range: $10.99 through $32.95
written by Ron Daise
In the twenty-first century fictional community of Georgetown, SC, a story unfolds revealing family secrets and conflicts that challenge cultural beliefs. With bighearted intention, newlyweds Florence and Chadwick Wineglass attempt to promote economic legacy, but their unconscious motives often ensnare those they assist. The Wineglasses become raptor-like in their generosity at a moment when other community members’ intentions also prove to be menacing.
Conveyed in four acts and with chapter names that follow the production stages of Carolina Gold Rice, Raptors in the Ricelands spans the future, the present, and the past, and fosters a message of connection with African diasporic communities around the globe. Historical accounts include the Orangeburg Massacre; Black church life, particularly in Oconee County, SC as begun during slavery; the launch of White supremacy in Fort Mill, SC; the Reconstruction Era; and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
From Chaos to Connection: A Marriage Counselor’s Candid Guide for the Modern Couple
$8.99 – $17.95Price range: $8.99 through $17.95
Written by Lori Epting
Get inside the mind and marriage of Lori Epting, an experienced marriage counselor, wife, and mother who has guided thousands of couples from disconnection, heartache, and fighting to connection, security, and safety. Through the stories of her couples—and yes, even her own relationship—learn how she protects her marriage and helps couples survive during their most vulnerable times. You’ll walk away with candid advice that can help you and your loved one find connection amid the chaos.
Papa’s Obsession
$15.95
written by Philip Iovino
“Papa,” the Santo family’s protective and eccentric patriarch, is a man of many obsessions. As he struggles for control in the lives of his loved ones, he’s driven to meticulously collect the items that make up the world around him. But no amount of obsessing can give him what he desires most: a grandson to carry on the family name. Or can it?
When Papa’s carefree son Ricky finds himself the beneficiary of a beautiful girl’s indiscretion, he soon learns he might be the father of Natalie’s growing child. The possibility sparks a high-stakes game in which Ricky and Natalie are pawns to Papa’s ambitions. The Santo legacy hangs in the balance, but so do the futures of all involved.
Jill’s Trials
$9.99 – $18.95Price range: $9.99 through $18.95
written by Peter H. Meyers
In her final year of law school, Jill Hansen’s greatest joy is representing criminal defendants in court through her school’s criminal justice clinic. But when she’s appointed to represent Carl, a handsome, charming man who’s been charged with assault, she and her supervising professor face dangerous challenges and choices that could threaten their careers.
Jill’s Trials, a courtroom drama, follows Jill’s path from law school, to the public defender’s office, to a prestigious law firm. She fights for her clients, victims of drug abuse and domestic violence, in a criminal justice system that is stacked against them. Her searing cross-examinations bring her success in the courtroom—but will her dedication to her clients and professional ambition come at the cost of poisoning her personal life?
Folly
$8.99 – $19.95Price range: $8.99 through $19.95
written by Daniel “Seth” Holliday and Daniel “Wayne” Holliday
Ezra Magee has worked hard to make a good life for himself as a professor, husband, and father. He’s even made peace with the fact that he can’t remember any of his childhood in the small town of Folly, Alabama, before a traumatic event at the age of twelve erased it from his memory.
But when his own son turns twelve and exhibits symptoms of an illness Ezra thought long gone from his life, Ezra is suddenly caught between the lies he’s told and the events of his past he was grateful to forget. For the sake of his son and his marriage, he returns to Folly to search for answers: for the truth about his eccentric father, his own history of mental illness, and the harrowing event that robbed him of his family and his childhood.
Fireflies and Zeroes
$4.99 – $17.95Price range: $4.99 through $17.95
written by Liz Larson
February 2018, Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Generation is back—finally. Over the course of a yearlong hiatus, the pop-punk trio has seen their beloved hometown rocked by racist violence and endured months of radio silence from their brilliant yet volatile front man, Max. But guitarist Jason is ready to put all of that behind him when a late-night call from Max reconnects the lifelong friends and reunites the band.
At a party on the eve of the band’s reunion tour, Jason watches in horror as Max is thrown to his death off a balcony. Or so he thinks. In the chaotic hours that follow, two things become clear: the victim on the balcony was an imposter, and—as usual—there are no simple answers when it comes to the real Max. He’s just . . . gone.
Troubled by the emotional storms that drove Max away even before his disappearance, but desperate to bring him home, Jason resolves to find Max himself. In the long winter shadow of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Jason sets out on a race against time to save his friend. In doing so, he unravels a series of surprising personal truths about the people and places he cares about most.
Dust on the Bible
$7.99 – $17.95Price range: $7.99 through $17.95
written by Bonnie Stanard
To Lily, truth is out of reach and elusive, especially the reason for her father’s absence from her extended family. As clues multiply, she discovers that the people in her family are less easily known than she previously imagined. What she learns about them and about her father sets in motion questions about life itself.
Desperate Endeavor
$9.99 – $20.95Price range: $9.99 through $20.95
written by Glen Olson
If only Humanity knew what sense to make of the fight with AranthChi, the future would be less bleak.
Thirty-five years after the only interstellar war Humanity has ever fought—with the only aliens Humanity has ever met—one man has wondered his entire adult life why the hell that war happened. As part of the peace, the AranthChi hired Humanity to do scientific research for them, and Mikail's job is to ensure the safety of Humanity's secrets. But the AranthChi's long-term conspiracy is beginning to unravel, and Mikail knows something is very wrong. He sets out on a quest to find answers and soon learns that Humanity is in more danger than ever before . . . and time is running out.
City in the Sky
$9.99 – $21.95Price range: $9.99 through $21.95
written by Luke Yesbeck
“Freedom. Must. Fall.”
For Ryan Kendrick, being mugged on the way home from work is the perfect end to another terrible day. So when a stranger appears just hours later with a job offer from a mysterious organization, Ryan accepts without knowing anything more than the company’s name: Atlantis Technologies, Inc. But Atlantis is no ordinary company. In fact, it’s not a company at all—it’s a civilization.
Atlantis, thought to be long lost to legend, has been hiding in plain sight for millennia, and Ryan has been offered a chance to be part of it. Now, Ryan must adapt quickly to life on a city floating thousands of feet above the Atlantic Ocean, where telepathy and flying soldiers are commonplace. But even as he makes friends and strives to build a life for himself in this new world, Ryan soon realizes that Atlantis is not quite the utopia it claims to be.
And far worse, an ancient enemy known only as the Order has finally emerged from the shadows, vowing to destroy the Atlantean way of life. The Order sank Atlantis once before, thousands of years ago. Now, Ryan must do what he can to protect his new home and stop the Order from doing it again—this time permanently.
A Little Rebellion Is a Good Thing: Troubles at Traymore College
$4.99 – $17.95Price range: $4.99 through $17.95
written by Duncan L. Clarke
When David Pritchard is hired to teach political science at a remote women’s college in 1969, he anticipates a quiet year before moving on to bigger things. However, it soon becomes apparent that all is not well at Traymore College. President Barton and his administration curtail basic academic freedoms, harass tenured professors, and impose tight constraints on students’ personal lives. Appalled, David engages in intimate alliances with sympathetic faculty and several members of student leadership to stand up to the school’s administration. Together, they aim to ignite the press and spark far-reaching legal action. But Barton will not go down without a fight.
Mining Your Past
$17.95
Written by Richard Lee Zuras
No one has ever seen the world the way you have.
This is a truth that noted author, poet, and professor Richard Lee Zuras knows well. Mining your past—for its characters, its lessons, its regrets, and its joys—can feel intimidating, but it leads to authenticity in a writer’s written work that cannot be replicated. No one has seen the world the way you do, and so learning how to tap into that world as you create new stories is an invaluable way of finding your voice.
In this accessible and informative writing guide, Zuras skillfully combines his previous written works and personal histories with concrete tools for any reader looking to integrate their own
pasts into authentic writing. Refreshingly reader-focused, Mining Your Past provides its audience tangible methods for uncovering their unique worldview in order to create more compelling and genuine storytelling. Readers will step away with a greater faith in their potential as a writer and a better understanding of their own pasts, presents, and futures, making this an essential read for novice writers searching for a way to share their stories, as only they can tell them.
The 3rd Option (Second Edition)
$7.99 – $18.95Price range: $7.99 through $18.95
Written by Ben A. Sharpton
Allan Chappel enrolled in seminary to change the world, but people lied and people died, and he turned in his clerical collar for an office cubicle. Now, years later, the ghosts of his past are back to haunt him, and they’re uglier and more powerful than ever. When an old college friend invites him to apply for a job with a new medical think tank called Inc.Ubator and the office is destroyed in a fiery blast, Allan finds himself the target of an international manhunt as an Eric-Rudolf-style domestic terrorist and abortion clinic bomber. Forced into hiding, he sets out to find those responsible and clear his name. But his quest for answers only leads to more questions. What were the researchers at Inc.Ubator hiding? Who was willing to spill blood to keep their work a secret? Allan must stay alive long enough to uncover the truth. Unfortunately, the forces opposing him will stop at nothing to prevent the release of The 3rd Option.
Murder on the Appalachian Trail
$7.99 – $28.95Price range: $7.99 through $28.95
Written by Duncan L. Clarke
After several brutal murders on the Appalachian Trail—a place of solace for grieving criminal law professor Dell Peterson and his late wife—Dell reluctantly joins the investigation with his German shepherd. Dell soon encounters Willow, a runaway teen, and together with the FBI and state police, they restore peace to the trail and to themselves.
Fish-Eye Lens
$15.95
Written by Jody Rathgeb
When Cherry arrives on the island of East Taino as part of an ecological documentary film crew, she has two things on her mind: proving to her boss and male colleagues that she can handle anything they can throw at her; and figuring out what to do about her husband back home, whose notions of wifely duties have become increasingly stifling. Her job is to interview the women on the island to document how they drove out a seedy land developer named Benny Royston. Cherry delves right in—only to discover that the real story is far more complex than it appears. She quickly finds herself sucked into an insular world of booze, gossip, sex and religion—a world in which she might lose herself or find a sense of purpose and a place within the unlikely Taino sisterhood. If only she can stay out of trouble and root out the secrets no one’s telling her.
Smashwords ebook available here (Free)
Before White Night: Rescue from Jonestown
$2.99 – $15.95Price range: $2.99 through $15.95
Written by Joseph Hartmann
Bill Hausman, an American diplomat in Guyana, has scarcely heard of Jonestown, the religious “paradise” that has recently established itself deep in the Guyanese jungle. He knows very little about the Peoples Temple or their leader, Jim Jones, a passionate, pro-integrationist minister with a vision of a harmonious future for all God’s children—and dark personal demons that will twist that vision into a horrifying nightmare. Yet Bill quickly becomes acquainted with all these things when his world collides with that of John Olsen, an American businessman whose ex-wife has moved to Jonestown, taking their daughter, Katrina, with her. As rumors surface of hunger, beatings, manipulation, and other strange abuses within the closed cult settlement, John grows increasingly frantic to get Katrina out of there, before the cruelest of these rumors comes to fruition…before Jim Jones’ long-awaited White Night.
Set in the truth of history, with detail that comes from the author’s firsthand experience, Before White Night is a fictionalized account of courage at the threshold of one of the twentieth century’s most shocking and unsettling tragedies.
Smashwords eBook available here ($2.99)
The Age of Dinosaurs in Virginia and Nearby States
$7.99 – $16.95Price range: $7.99 through $16.95
written by Dr. Robert Weems
Although the fossil dinosaur deposits of the western United States are justly famous and widely appreciated, the fossil deposits of the eastern United States have received much less publicity. The Age of Dinosaurs in Virginia and Nearby States is intended to provide a detailed guide to the little-publicized history of the age of dinosaurs from the perspective of the Mid-Atlantic states. This book focuses primarily on Virginia, but also extensively covers the age of dinosaurs in North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. This has resulted in a more comprehensive view of the age of dinosaurs in the Mid-Atlantic region than has ever been previously attempted.
Richmond’s Unhealed History (1st Printing)
$15.95
written by Ben Campbell
In a detailed look at the history of Richmond, Benjamin Campbell examines the contradictions and crises that have formed the city over more than four centuries. Campbell argues that the community of metropolitan Richmond is engaged in a decisive spiritual battle in the coming decade. He believes the city, more than any in the nation, has the potential for an unprecedented and historic achievement. Its citizens can redeem and fulfill the ideals of their ancestors, proving to the world that race and class can be conquered by the deliberate and prayerful intention of honest and dedicated citizens.
Damage note: The spine of these books have been printed slightly off-center. The interior of this book and its readability are not affected by this damage.
** Please contact the publisher at admin@brandylanepublishers.com if you are interested in purchasing this book. Thank you!