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Short Timer
Price range: $3.99 through $26.99Short-Timer is a small part of the history of the Vietnam War; America’s longest war where for the first time, men of every ethnic background and color fought together side by side in fully integrated units. It is the story of one individual’s survival in a war where flashing the peace sign was perfectly acceptable, while waving a clinched fist in the air, the Black Power symbol, was a court martial offense. At times, it’s a frightening account of how, during combat, men bonded as one to fight the enemy, while back at base camps, the realities of the sixties caught up with everyone and whites openly called blacks “nigger” while blacks angrily cursed “honkies”.
It is centered around one Marine’s experiences in the service during troubled times. The story follows the Marine from boot camp to his tour in Vietnam. It graphically illustrates the suffering and horrors that are a part of war and the sense of humor necessary for survival under such adverse conditions. The plight of innocent, little children who are far too often the biggest victims of war, is brought home all too clearly by the central character’s encounter with a Frenchman who runs an orphanage in Da Nang.
The reader is exposed to all the realities of combat in a crazy war that by 1970 had clearly begun to mean very little to those who served except surviving the war and returning to the “real world”. For the central character in Short-Timer, his tour is cut short by President Nixon’s Phase I Pull Out from Vietnam. The central character’s war experiences take on an added craziness when he is forced to commit one last, horrifying act of war just a few hours prior to his scheduled departure from Vietnam. It is apparent that the life of the central character and all those he served with will never be the same after having survived the Vietnam War.
Short-Timer blends all aspects of life in a memorable story, too authentic for comfort. It is sensitive, tough, gutsy, draws the reader in, makes them
expend emotion and doesn’t let go.
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It’s Life Jim
Price range: $3.99 through $9.99This book is a journey through a life of battling homosexuality, self-hatred, religious obsession, suicidal desperation, guilt, shame, loss, and into a world of unconditional love and acceptance. It’s a spiritual journey that breaks through tradition and dogma to discover the depth of what it means to live loved.
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How I Took Bartender Course and Traveled for Seventeen Years
Price range: $3.99 through $12.99IT IS 1979 – the dawning of a new, exciting decade. On the cusp of the eighties, the path of unlimited possibilities is laid at the feet of a young man by the name of Steven. Fresh into adulthood and poised to embark on a wild, new direction, he takes a bartending course in the throbbing metropolis of Montréal. In a politically-charged region of Canada that is constantly on the verge of separating from the rest of the country, he sets a solid foundation for what will become a rich career in Hospitality. Upon entering this demanding but rewarding vocation, he thrives and excels-and, unbeknownst to him, will be catapulted to as-of-yet unimagined vistas.
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Shatter Some Worlds: Reinventing, Realizing, Reintegrating: A Sickness Begins
Price range: $3.99 through $9.99At the innocent age of ten, author Andrew Tirado is confronted with a life-altering, near-death experience after a bicycle accident leaves him with a collapsed lung and a traumatic brain injury. With remarkable fortitude and the support of his family, Tirado slowly begins the road to recovery. He relearns how to walk, how to eat, and even how to talk. Tirado perseveres despite these setbacks and returns to school with a determination to lead a life that is as normal as possible. During his teen years, Tirado has brushes with the law, experiments with drugs, and tries to understand the opposite sex. He graduates from high school and enrolls in a local community college. But he receives another drastic blow when he is faced with the sudden death of his fiancé. Tirado pens a touching, bittersweet memoir with Shatter Some Worlds. Tirado’s portrayal of his life is honest and frank and reveals his indomitable courage in the midst of grief and suffering. He uses his adversity as an accelerant that drives his consciousness to rise to the occasion and accomplish great things.
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My Fight to Survive: An Inspirational True Story
Price range: $3.99 through $9.99This book is about a chubby little girl who loves to run, jump and play. Then one day, she found herself trapped in a wheelchair and it will be forever. This
story tells of her trials and tribulations as she has gone through the past 20 years. Lisa’s story continues as she is 56 now. She was reacclimated into school setting and went on to college. The story will make some cry but also laugh as you go on some adventures with her. The book should motivate and
inspire as you read. It tells of her many challenges along the way and her never ending hope.
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Showdown with the Power of Darkness
Price range: $3.99 through $24.99Each day that passed, I was drifting deeper and deeper into a personal hell-unable to sleep or rest, seemingly helpless at the mercy of a sinister force that was literally trying to draw the life out of me.
On several different occasions throughout my life, I came eerily close to losing my life, yet each time I was miraculously rescued. Whatever the reason, I was sure of one thing: since I was a child, a negative force was operating in my life, and this time, it wasn’t giving up-not without a fight. The real questions remained. Why me? Could it be conquered? And most importantly, could I be free of it?
With the help of God and His Word, my husband, my friends, Christian radio, Christian literature, as well as some lessons I learned in Karate class, I would take a journey through my past, a journey in search of a key-the one and only key-that could seal the door shut on my oppressor, once and for all.
Truly, this was a showdown with the power of darkness.
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The extra ordinary life of an extra ordinary bear
Price range: $3.99 through $27.99Richard Henry was born, raised and educated in New York City. After his service in the United States Marine Corps, which included a tour in Viet Nam, he returned to New York where he worked as a teacher and coordinator of Alternative High Schools.
In 1983, he moved to Oklahoma to serve as the Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution for four counties under the direction of the Oklahoma State Supreme Court. In 1990, he moved to California and set up a training program for formally incarcerated youth. In 1992, he served as the “Economic and Business Development Coordinator” for military base closures.
He published his first book of poetry, “Beyond the Skull” in 1976. His novel, “Of Days Gone By” was first published in 1990, followed
by his second novel, “Short Timer” in 2002. His third book, “The Extraordinary Life of an Extraordinary Bear” was published in 2023.
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What You Should Know About Aliens and Clones
Price range: $3.99 through $7.99These are Gordon Semenuck’s experiences from being abducted. When they took his DNA, they realized he was different from most of the others. He is not an emissary but one who brings knowledge for the world to know. In years to come the ways of life here on Earth could change drastically.
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Bear Stories
Price range: $3.99 through $15.99“Bear Stories” is a collection of seventy-seven tales that are designed to be humorous while still speaking to larger issues and truths. This is a rich, multi-faceted manuscript that is designed to appeal to readers of all ages. Among his “Bear Stories,” Shaffer delivers the unknown biography of Smokey the Bear, he celebrates the cleverness of Wilbear and Orville Bear as they take to the skies, and he reveals how the assistance of a bear helped result in the invention of the light bulb. He tells the “true” story of the history of the home run – a bear named Homer who walloped the ball in every at-bat – as well as that of the discovery of electricity (by Bear Franklin), and the telephone (by Alexander Graham Bear).
In addition to his more creative stories (such as the aforementioned), Shaffer’s manuscript also draws its inspiration from current situations, as in “Bears in the City,” which is based on a headline seen to that effect. His stories capture the nature and setting of the Old West, small-town America, Nazi Germany, and Roaring Twenties’ Hollywood; in some ways, therefore, his work could help introduce young readers to certain periods and events in history.
Shaffer’s use of language is both enjoyable and humorous. In addition, his delightfully self-deprecating tone may appeal to readers. The rhyme and meter utilized throughout the manuscript help to move it forward effectively, while Shaffer’s use of personification is nothing short of masterful, and may further endear him to readers, both young and old. Ultimately, his work is a fun, smart collection that could have a wide appeal.
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The Open Road: An African Walking
Price range: $3.99 through $9.99The Open Road is a sojourner’s tale. Each day, an immigrant lands on America’s shores in search of opportunity. For Africans, coming to America has largely in the past been in search of education followed by a return to the homeland. While on the surface, The Open Road is the author’s experience and firsthand observations, it unfolds complex relationships that face immigrants of African origin as they struggle to get a slice of the American dream. It presents a close look at race, apathy and indifference toward an African immigrant, whose adjustment sometimes-alien environment is determined by the effects of the colonial culture. To cope, the author develops the ability to glide like a swan between white and black races without being a victim or captive of race. It is a quest that all might not achieve; but one that, despite all the bruises, is worth fighting for.
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Reinvented
Price range: $3.99 through $12.99This “pearl of wisdom” is derived from my need to leave some tales about my life as a legacy for my family. It has become my story for anyone who may venture to read it with the assumption that some folks out there either share my spirit or will identify with a time in my life.
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His Grace in the Midst of Tragedy
Price range: $3.99 through $11.99At this very moment you are not only holding a book; you are holding the testimony of my life and my struggle with schizophrenia.
If you should decide to read it you will take a journey through a horrific tragedy through the eyes and mind of a paranoid psychotic man, years of hospitalization; psychotropic medications with side effects that sometimes seemed worse than the schizophrenia, reconstructive surgeries and a trial that held my freedom in the balance.
You’ll read of the years of continued drug and alcohol abuse, the self defeating sabotaging of good things in my life, even when I was not aware of how I was destroying any hope of recovery. To be perfectly honest; I did not know if I wanted recovery. All I could feel was guilt and shame.
Then it happened; a supernatural experience with the Lord of all the earth. at night I received my salvation. Now I had hope! My life has not been the same since that night. Yes, there was still ups and downs and four more years of hospitalization, but this time it was different; I had a whole new outlook.
Today I am a totally free man and it is all because of Jesus.
If you decide to read this book I hope you will not be disappointed.
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Like a Tree Planted
Price range: $3.99 through $8.99Most Christians have had periods when they felt alienated from God. Circumstances and life situations propelled them into seeming darkness and despair. In such times Satan takes advantage of the Christian’s confusion and ignorance to launch a subtle attack. This book describes such a period in the author’s life, but focuses on God’s deliverance from the darkness via a powerful revelation – the revelation of the tree.
Jannah Mitchell was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Early education was in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jannah graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and Criminal Justice from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. She later completed her MEd at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MPA at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Jannah reconnected with her childhood religious roots at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois in 2000. She graduated from the Living Word School of Ministry in June 2002. Jannah has served with missions’ teams in Bogata and Cali, Colombia, S.A.; Hyderabad, India; Panama; and Haiti. Jannah has a heart for new Christians and any Christian who is struggling. She hopes that her works will speak to the commonality of obstacles confronted when Christians are moving from darkness into the Kingdom of God. Hopefully this book and her other works will point the way to victory through spiritual development and renewal of the mind.
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The Scars You Don’t See: Overcoming the Legacy of a Dysfunctional Family
Price range: $3.99 through $11.99“Normal” can be a mysterious, unreachable goal to people who grew up in dysfunctional families. The good news is, there’s a solution for adults who struggle in their relationships, their social interactions, and with their concepts of themselves. Negative childhood experiences teach developing personalities to misinterpret others’ motives and behaviors, making them stumble and blame themselves in situations when others wouldn’t. Feeling isolated and “different” becomes cyclical. So if you’ve been waiting to hear “I get you, because I’ve been you,” here’s how to change what your childhood experience taught you. Part memoir and part self-help, The Scars You Don’t See gives readers new understandings and new interpretations of a childhood filled with angst, confusion and embarrassment – and an adulthood of twisted perceptions and tortured social failures. Be cheered: a more enriching life awaits, minus the unhealthy childhood conditioning. Perceived liabilities rooted in the past can be turned into assets. The Scars You Don’t See is a candid, raw and honest, blue-collar first-person perspective, full of effective ideas and daily practices to help identify and overcome the damages adults face after a childhood in a dysfunctional family.
Not a lofty sermon from an onlooker, The Scars You Don’t See traces the path out of a dysfunctional upbringing, so others don’t have to experience what I did. The resonant tale of an escape from painful clenched confusion, The Scars You Don’t See shares validation and accessible practices to a path for self-acceptance and empowerment. It’s not academic or clinical, and it’s not just my story, it’s an alternative to the twisted lessons shared by so many. The solution can be approached through physical, emotional and spiritual practices. This book shares lessons from two decades of treating people with voice disorders, musculoskeletal problems and breathing impairments; restructuring “dysfunctional” into “productive and fulfilling” also requires recognizing the struggle with painful lessons of daily lived reality. I bring you the unique blend of personal perspective, training and experience that allows looking at the world through different lenses. That new vision makes it possible to start living more effectively, steering toward a not-painful “normal.” What this book shares will benefit anyone who spent their developmental years being shaped in a dysfunctional family, and help you move from painful to exceptional.
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Mississippi Girl
Price range: $3.99 through $16.99The Mississippi Girl is Ms. Whitfield’s fourth book. A well-written story of farm life in rural Mississippi, Circa 1940 through 1950, with great insight into rural life in our history. Filled throughout with wit and humor, you will follow the Blakney Family on their many everyday adventures. Never will there be a dull moment. It is Ms. Whitfeld’s wish that you enjoy the stories and tales of “Mississippi Girl” as much as she enjoyed writing them. She complimented throughout with poetry, written solely by Ms. Whitfield.