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Like The Moon, Mr. Purple
Price range: $3.99 through $39.99God creates the human families and grants them the ability to weave stories of their own existence. The Morada Clan of Bicol, therefore, as any family in the world, cannot claim a monopoly on life’s blessings and crucibles. But let me tell our peculiar stories just the same.
We are neither perfect, nor are our stories grandiose, but it’s our imperfections and their simplicity that make our stories more compelling and relatable. Even before the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, we told ourselves that someone had got to narrate them, or they could lapse and fade into insignificance and oblivion. That’s how and why my role came into being.
At work in Texas, they called me Mr. Purple. from an obscure corner of the Third World came this educator with his bio, love affair, work exploits, bittersweet memoir, and family history replete with actual events and genuine people, rolled into one. With the pandemic as standpoint, here is a look-back at the itsy-bitsy events that form the collective tale of my family and me – and my pursuit of the American Dream.
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Just Passing Through: A German-American Family Saga – Revised Edition
Price range: $3.99 through $29.99In this updated and revised edition of Just Passing Through: A German American Family Saga, first published in 2011, the author tells the story of several generations of his unique but dysfunctional family spanning over a hundred years including the two world wars. Peter Zell was eight years old when World War II ended and in a prologue entitled A German – American Childhood recounts his boyhood experiences that included the apocalyptic firebombing of his hometown of Stuttgart by the western Allies, the postwar occupation of Germany, and his family’s emigration to America. The book centers on the author’s mother, whom her children called Mutti, and her ordeal during the Nazi era for having been married to a Jew, the son of prosperous Frankfurt business owners, with whom she had two children. With anti-Semitism on the rise in Germany, her husband decided to emigrate to America but Mutti chose to remain behind to take care of her ailing father. The couple had an amicable divorce and while her ex-husband
took their son with him, their daughter remained with Mutti in Germany. Under the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, mother and daughter now found themselves classified as non-Aryans which meant that Mutti could not remarry while their teenage daughter, being half Jewish, was put in dire jeopardy of her life. At this point Mutti’s older brother, himself a dedicated National Socialist, proposed an unconventional solution that ensured her survival. Following his advice, Mutti had more children, fathered by so-called Aryans, who were eventually all brought to America. The book follows the lives of the five siblings, all half-brothers and half-sisters, and their difficult relationships with each other as each sought to achieve his or her version of the American Dream.
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God Shall Wipe Away All Tears: A Mother’s Journal of Caregiving, Tragedy, and Hope
Price range: $3.99 through $27.99“God Shall Wipe Away All Tears is a fascinating look into the life of a courageous woman who suffered unimaginable personal tragedies. Readers will find insight, inspiration and strength from Colleen’s faith-based perspective on confronting difficult life problems. To those who have a loved one with an immunodeficiency, her story will show that you are not alone. Her non-sense chronology sheds light on very rare medical condition.”
–Ulrike Ziegner, M.D., PhD., Allergist/Immunologist
“Thank you for your wonderful book! Your insight into life and death, and your terrible experiences from which you have learned patience and understanding, will help us all to become better people.”
–Paula Bjornn, Registered Nurse
It was dusk as my husband and I entered the small cemetery to place flowers on the three graves-Jonathan, our firstborn son who died at eight months from a rare pneumonia; Michael, our violinist son who left us at age sixteen due to pancreatic cancer; and Seb, a loving son who trained hawks and suffered blindness and neurodegeneration after thirty years of immunodeficiency. As the sun set with crimson colors. I placed bright summer flowers on each grave. ‘Help me to do what I should do with my life,’ I said to my sons. It was clear what my path should be. I could not let their lives be lost in vain! I should write stories of struggle, love, and faith. “They are doing work now in heavenly spheres, and I must do mine while I still have time!” I said to myself. It all seemed so clear.
This powerful memoir describing Colleen Openshaw’s frequent encounters with illness and death will convey important insights when we experience these unwanted sorrows in our own lives. Losing her parents to cancer and old age, a sister in a car accident, her husband to organ failure and Alzheimer’s, as well as her three precious sons to hyper-IgM Syndrome-has given Colleen unusual understanding in facing end-of-life issues. Relying on her faith in God as well as her own grit and determination, her experience can give us a unique comprehension of how to confront these inevitable trials common to all mankind.
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Unusual Attitudes: Flight Instructor Memoirs
Price range: $3.99 through $26.99Captain Ed (Edwin D. Armbruster) lived a fascinating life as he flew thousands of hours over the jungles of Panama and the Caribbean in single engine planes. Over seven hundred students called him their instructor as he piloted them from Atlantic to Pacific over and along the Panama Canal, through Panama, Central and South America. Beginning with the halcyon days of Canal Zone life and navigating more troubled times as the drug wars escalated, adventure calls on every page.
As exciting and spell-binding as the tropical background is beautiful, “Captain Ed” regales and inspires with his stories of crashes and near-misses, student antics, hair-raising escapes and unusual friendships, all as the glory days of the Panama Canal slowly faded into memory.
For those who fly and those who long to fly — this book soars with adventure. -
Bring Back Summertime
Price range: $12.99 through $26.99When Jeanne Starr Gater picks up the phone one morning, she receives the shock of her life. Her strong, robust, athletic husband, Dr. Julius Gater, is in the hospital! — comatose, suffering from a stroke, broken bones … Dr. “J” IS DYING!! A car accident that morning has left her husband unconscious, though still alive and hanging on for dear life! ..And it had been a good life — full of sunshine! Why this! .. Dear GOD! … Why this?! She knows she must get to him — and fast! They had come through too much together. If she gets to the hospital in time, they will come through this awful thing too But she needs all her resources now. In her inner spirit, she petitions her God for mercy and compassion and strength to bring Dr. ‘J” back from near death. Next, over time, she contacts her family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers. She begins her long hard journey to “BRING BACK SUMMERTIME.” Thus begins the remarkable true story of one woman’s courage and faith in the face of the bitterest of odds, and one man’s miraculous recovery despite doctor’s dire predictions. Family, and friends, new and old gather round to offer support, faith, and love, as the Gaters’ begin their trek back to a normal life. They encounter incredible (and numerous) obstacles from resistant medical personnel and uncooperative rehabilitation staff to other family misfortunes. Their very survival as a family depends on their determination to hold fast to their hopes and faith. BRING BACK SUMMERTIME is a soul searching story of a family’s struggle for the restoration of physical strength, grace, and human dignity. A story that portrays the power and strength of human bonding, prayer and the belief in the power of God to sustain and revive. This family somehow does not allow itself to be thrown even by this devastating accident. They continue their noteworthy accomplishments, as they struggle to deal with the prolonged recovery of Dr. “J”. Their story is truly an inspiration to all.
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The Myth Of Being
$25.99While The Myth of Being is a gentle recording of the authors earliest impressions and memories transcribed when she was a young adult, these verses, from the period of three or four years of age until her second marriage and especially difficult struggle with bipolar illness (1970s), an aside might be added; at a level beyond effective description and playful illustrations, which do reveal the activity of beautiful memory, one can find very early, deep pondering of the meaning of our existence being its beauty to hold briefly, but ultimately for the author, coming dark.
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A Lyricist is Born
Price range: $3.99 through $24.99For more than twenty years, a dedicated lyricist has chased his dream of becoming a recognized artist, pouring his passion into every line and verse. However, as reality sets in like a sunset, he realizes that the bridge to success and greatness is long, challenging—and at times, seemingly impossible.
This memoir reflects on the struggles, setbacks, and quiet moments of doubt that shaped his journey, revealing the resilience needed to keep creating when the dream feels out of reach. More than a personal story, it serves as a reminder to artists and dreamers everywhere that greatness requires consistency, patience, and unwavering perseverance—even when the finish line seems distant.
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Aloha Nui Loa: A Pineapple Plantation Story
Price range: $3.99 through $24.99It was going to be a great summer on O’ahu, enjoying, working, a part timr job, while relishing time off from college life on Maui. Yet culinary student Eden Andres didn’t foresee that her return to her beloved plantation home, after two years away at school, would change the direction of her life. In Aloha Nui Loa, local girl Eden Andres Meets Ben Alexander. She is the daughter of the union representative, and he is the son of the chief stockholder of the corporation which owns the pineapple plantation where her father is employed. They couldn’t be more contrasting in their backgrounds and lifestyles. But frequent encounters cause sparks to fly, and with more lengthy time spent together, love blossoms.
As their relationship deepens, Eden and Ben must face what seem like insurmountable obstacles to their happiness. Ben has ghosts from his past that will challenge the trust and respect they have for each other. It will take a steadfast belief in their love to weather the impending storm in their paths. Will love conquer all?
Aloha Nui Loa paints an accurate and insight picture of pineapple plantation living in Hawaii in the mid to late 1900s. Manu details are provided that could only be known to someone who lived them. This is part pf the real Hawaii, and you’ll be grateful to have an inside view.
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To Be a Rose
Price range: $3.99 through $23.99Ed is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel working for a defense contractor. He has been hired as a Senior Logistics Expert to work with the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense as an advisor and mentor to two senior Afghan officers.
Ed first appears telling an Army Combat Medic he can’t breathe. He is transferred to Camp Phoenix just outside of Kabul for further treatment. Over the next twelve hours, he is treated by a “tag team” of nurses and doctors. During this time he remembers the sights, smells and sounds of Afghanistan and his journey there.
Mr. Mason uses vivid imagery and character portrayals to tell his story from his arrival in Dubai up to the beginning of his eight week dream. Ed describes his day-to-day routine at Camp Eggers, his fellow officers, his family and the dedicated medical teams he encountered on his journey. Ed’s story is straightforward, powerful, yet humorous account of his experiences in Afghanistan and how his battle for survival changes his life forever. -
Freddy B: My Last Encounter With the Law Got Me A Trip for a One Year Stay at a Department of Corrections Facility
Price range: $3.99 through $22.99I believe Freddy B will open the eyes of young men and women-“There are consequences to your actions in life.” My hope is this book will continue his ministry to others. His struggle may help parents realize, no matter how difficult, to find a way to break the wall of silence that teens frequently suffer when they think their parents do not understand.
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Hard Way Jay
Price range: $3.99 through $22.99The title of this book tells the reader that in America the American dream could be obtained by anyone in America, even a poor farm boy born in a barn and struggled through hardships without a mentor from childhood to a good life as a nuclear weapons engineer the hard way.
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Abundant Blessings From My 60 Years of Ministering
Price range: $3.99 through $21.99This book share over 60 years of my ministry in four churches and traveling ministry of 20 years. It is also a look into my 90 years of life which should teach some wisdom as Job 32:7 says. There are many seeds to be sown into your life from these pages which I hope will bring forth good fruit into your life like I have experienced. There will be treasures that will surprise you and bless you.
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Parables for Purposeful Walk
Price range: $3.99 through $21.99Parables For The Purposeful Walk follows in the tradition of Jack Worril’s first two books, “Parables for Plain People” and “More Parables for Plain People,” offering brief devotional messages for daily encouragement and inspiration. It was in the metropolitan Atlanta area that he made his living, raised his own family, carried out his various ministries, and witnessed the events and news items that have served as the basis for his writings. Since 2012, Jack’s ministry opportunities have expanded to include medical and evangelistic missions to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Myanmar and Brazil, as well as several local Mission projects. Each of these personal experiences has added new perspective to the concept of walking the Purposeful Walk, and contributed to the enrichment of Jack’s observations of the working of God in the everyday lives of those with whom he has come in contact. The result is a collection of articles composed with the objective of focusing the readers’ attention on the Presence of God in each day’s events, whether personal, local, or worldwide. Jack’s desire is that these Parables will serve to give encouragement, guidance and inspiration to each one who engages in the purposeful walk through life.
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Decisions Matter: Ninety-Three Years of Experiences, Surprises, and Joys Beginning in Poverty on a Primitive Pioneer Farm: Ninety-Three Years of Experiences, Surprises, and Joys Beginning in Poverty on a Primitive Pioneer Farm
Price range: $3.99 through $19.99THE FIRST NINETY-THREE YEARS!
This is a true and inspiring story of one woman’s quest not only to survive against the formidable odds of her pioneer beginnings but to rise to relative prosperity and is looking forward to the day when she will meet her Savior! She shares her life learnings and adventures, including:
- How she rose from great poverty as a pioneer as an orphan at a young age in extreme backward condition during the great depression in Northern Saskatchewan to relative prosperity and very comfortable retirement years.
- How a child of Canadian immigrants became a successful citizen of both Canada and the United States.
- Why she switched from being a Roman Catholic to becoming a Protestant.
- How she struggled, having married a devout Christian who became an ardent agnostic believing principally in reason; and finally, after fifteen years, returning to his faith.
ENDROSEMENTS OF BOOK REVIEWERS
“You story shows what can be accomplished in spite of great odds when a clear goal is pursued with determination and sincerity and with unwavering commitment to a clear and specific standards.”
“This is fascinating! I love how it’s history, an autobiography, and a testimony all at once.”
“All future generations should read this si they understand how difficult life can be and how one may overcome those difficulties. I can’t wait to read the finished book. I am so proud of you, especially having written this at age ninety-three.”
“I thank you for writing this slice of North American history. Quite thrilling.”
“You story and writing are amazing!”
“My summation of your book: “An inspiring story of faith, struggle, and determination to never give up.”
“Your story is captivating! What you’ve achieved in writing your story is quite an accomplishments! Congratulations.”
“We wonder what will be the next for her.”
“IT’S A PAGE-TURNER. I JUST LOVE IT.”
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To Then and Back Again: A Memoir Part One A Collection of Uh-Oh’s, No No’s and A Few OMG’S
Price range: $3.99 through $19.99To Then And Back Again is a memoir written in two parts. It’s a book for those who enjoy the trials and tribulations of real-life people and feel they can or would like to relate to those whom they are reading about. It’s a memoir about only those richest, most interesting details concerning my life…or so I would like to think. It was written to convey those sometimes simple, sometimes complex, but many times emotionally charged experiences I’ve had during my life. Whether these emotions were elicited by the harsh realities of adversity that I, like many, have faced and overcome, or by the personal triumphs achieved through perseverance, and at times, through sheer willpower alone is for the reader to decide. I will, however, try to express them in such a manner as to allow the readers the chance to decide for themselves. We will embark on a journey to then and back again; an odyssey that will encompass a multitude of adventures that are at times disturbing and chaotic, and at other times fascinating and humorous. These adventures will range from overcoming desperation and loneliness as a result of a hidden identity, to the anguish of a best friend and his suicide that served absolutely no purpose nor had any meaning; a suicide that gained nothing for anyone…especially himself. From an insidious monster’s theft of a child’s innocence to things that just happen; catching you unaware, then kicks you right square in your pearly whites. The journey will certainly run the gamut of human experiences and emotions, and I will share my life with the reader if they wish to take the ride. And of which I’m also certain, if I do it suitably, then they will vicariously become the reader’s adventures as well. The first part is about my life from the time I was about eight years old, when our family home was destroyed by fire to when I was just out of high school and first went out to live on my own. The second part will be about my life from when I was about twenty until I was thirty something. It will begin when my dad and I built my first home until I finally moved from my hometown to go off to medical school.
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Shadows Over The Sun
Price range: $3.99 through $19.99This compulsively readable autobiography traces the journey of a remarkably courageous woman from a childhood under Nazi Germany, through her marriage and then emigration to Australia to make a new start by developing an organic winery in McLaren Flat in South Australia. After traumatic experiences she has had to battle with bipolar mental disorder. Giselle tells her story in flawless prose and with compelling honesty. This is the story of a strong woman adding to the growing literature on women’s lives. The story takes you in from the first page and never lets you go.
DR. BASIL MOORE, PHILOSOPHER/LECTURER
An honest and precise account of a life journey, demonstrating life struggle and immense resilience of the author to bounce back and reinvent herself. Great buoyancy shown for the life by Giselle as she immerses herself in her many endeavors.
VESNA ILICIC, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WRITERS CENTRE
Triumph of the spirit over adversity.
BILL GUY, JOURNALIST, EDITOR AND WRITER
I cannot believe the strength and courage of Giselle.
MEMBER OF UNITY HOUSING COMPANY
I found the story most informative and have enjoyed reading it.
LORRAINE ROSENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ONKAPARINGA
Giselle’s story is a story of the triumph of determination and optimism in the face of tougher challenges than many of us could imagine surviving. An interesting read indeed.
JENNY RUSSELL, EDITOR AND FOUNDER OF THE GREEN DIRECTORY TRADING CO. PTY LTD
What a truly amazing life Giselle has led. Her book is bursting at the seams with the full panoply of what life can bring – or throw at us. Giselle’s story has it all. I was warmed by her spirit in truly tough times and her irrepressible sense of adventure that has helped her to pick herself up and get on with life. After her difficult journey through episodes of mental illness which led to spiritual healing she has no doubt much wisdom to share with others on a similar journey.
ANNA BYAS, MENTAL ILLNESS FELLOWSHIP SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A life with so much sadness and trauma begs the question of how Giselle Robin survived. However, she not only survived but has ultimately triumphed over a mental illness – which was mismanaged most of the time. Again and again Giselle has picked up the shards, worked out how to piece them together and then got on with life. Her story – in all its innocent frankness – is an inspiring one.
HON. SANDRA KANCK, MEMBER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT FOR 15 YEARS.
