The Rain Ascends


Joy Kogawa - 1995
    Originally published to critical acclaim in 1995, The Rain Ascends has been revisited by the author, with substantive additions to the end of the narrative that bring to fruition the heroine's struggle for forgiveness and redemption.As a middle-aged mother, Millicent is confronted with the secrets of her father's past as she recalls certain events in her childhood-a childhood that, on the surface, was a blissful one. Disbelief turns to confusion as she faces up to the sins of her father and wrestles with a legacy of lies, silence and her own embattled conscience.In The Rain Ascends, Joy Kogawa beautifully sifts the truth from the past and the sinner from the perceived saint. The result is a sensitive, poetic, yet searing depiction of the wounds left by abuse and the redemption brought by truth.

Cotton Song


Tom Bailey - 2006
    Letitia Johnson, a young black mother and the nanny for one of the town’s most distinguished couples, knows this only too well when the couple’s baby is found drowned in its bath. Accused by the grieving family and the enraged townspeople, Letitia quickly sends her twelve-year-old daughter, Sally, out to hide in the brush before she is taken into custody. The angry mob would get revenge when they drag Letitia from her jail cell and hang her that very night. But they wouldn’t get Sally.Baby Allen, a courageous social worker, is assigned to Sally’s case, and gradually coaxes the young girl out of hiding, wins her trust, and secures her protection. But once Sally is safe, Baby is left with the greater mission of uncovering the truth about who is responsible for the infant’s death—a shocking revelation that will change the ways and attitudes of a town that has been long in need of changing. Beautiful and gripping, Cotton Song is the story of a woman’s fight to save the child left behind after the horrific lynching that took her mother’s life.

The Color Purple, Alice Walker: Notes


Neil McEwan - 1998
    

The Beauty Queen


Patricia Nell Warren - 1978
    William Laird is her devoted father who has kept a secret from his fanatical daughter.

Tree Surgery for Beginners


Patrick Gale - 1997
    A true misfit, he grows up happier communing with nature than with people. While he is straightforward, honest, and a doting father, he can be a difficult, taciturn husband - but he's the last person one would suspect of being a killer. Then he wakes in the woods one morning to find himself branded a wife-beater and under investigation for murder. Suddenly his small world falls apart as he loses wife, daughter, liberty, livelihood, and, almost, his mind. Bereft of his family - though cleared of wrongdoingLawrence undertakes a journey to the Caribbean, where a passionate encounter with an aging actress throws his life into further disarray. Meanwhile, the exasperated women in his lifemother, ex-wife, and enigmatic mistress - are forced to accept that their lives must feel the gardener's blade if they are to bloom afresh. Seeking sanctuary at an alternative therapy center among the giant redwoods of northern California, Lawrence finally stumbles upon the possibility of happiness, but not before some chance encounters and long-hidden secrets conspire to unearth the deeply buried roots of his misfortune.

When the Good Turn Evil


Austin Grayson - 2020
    After rescuing a woman who was held hostage by a band of banditos, he manages to arrive in town safe and sound. But little does he know that those banditos were only the beginning of the deputy's perilous adventure. When he discovers that his own boss might be behind a heinous crime, Nathan decides to fight corruption even if he will have to put his life on the line. Will he connect the dots, and uncover the truth about mysterious deaths and disappearance in the mountains?Being afraid to trust anyone, even the Sheriff himself, Nathan tries to get a grip of the crime that infests the town to the point of destroying it. Luckily for him, he soon finds love and support in the face of Eliza Gable, the daughter of the largest merchant in town. But as long as there are criminals out there, Nathan cannot find peace and live his happily ever. In the end, will Nathan's new love survive the onslaught? Will he serve justice and protect the innocent or will evil overpower good?Women are disappearing, Mexicans are closing in, and all things seem destined to collide in a fiery eruption of violence that will shake up a whole town. Will Nathan triumph over the ruthless criminals, or will it already be too late?A gripping, action-packed story of love, loss, and horror that will leave the reader breathless. A must-read for fans of Western action, with a touch of romance.

Honey Love


Shelli Marie - 2015
    For the past few weeks he hadn’t been able to keep Denise off of his mind. At first it was just a daydream here and there and it wasn’t much of a big deal. But, now he had fucked around and let her into his night slumber and he had no control whatsoever. Bolo didn’t mind at all, hell, he was enjoying himself. But the scorned woman that was standing over him with a bat wasn’t so happy. “Say that shit one more time,” Amanda mumbled as she tilted back the cold piece of aluminum. “Mmmmm Honey,” Bolo moaned once again. “Whack” Amanda connected the bat to his thigh which woke Bolo up immediately. “Say that shit again!” Bolo had no idea what she was talking about until after he snatched the bat and threw it to the floor. Then it clicked. He connected his dream with Amanda’s actions. He wasn’t ready to admit his feelings so he played dumb. “What the fuck is wrong with you Amanda?” he yelled loudly. “Have you lost ya fuckin’ mind?” “No, evidently you don’ lost yours!” she screamed as she grabbed her handbag. “I’m going to my mothers and when I get back I want that bitch gone!” Bolo stood there in his boxers speechless. He knew what he had done probably hurt Amanda, but there was nothing he could do. The damage was done. He didn’t even try to run after her.

Passionate Tales of Forbidden Highlanders


Lydia Kendall - 2020
    But she never expected to fall in love with him, or that the real enemy is common to both, and is getting even closer...The Highlander’s Secret MaidenAvoiding her fearful fate with a despised British Army Officer, Georgina Andrews escapes with two fearsome Highlanders. Torn between them, Marcas McGowan makes the decision for her, when he puts her needs above all...even his own brother.Highlander’s Love in CaptivityWhen Jane Keppel and her father get abducted by the powerful Laird Bhaltair McColl, her fate hangs from a thin thread. Realizing she has to pay for the mistakes of her family, one secret is enough to either fix or destroy everything...and it revolves around Bhaltair’s most profound pain: the death of his wife.Welcome to Scotland, a land of powerful romance stories, that contain adventure, drama, twists, and most of all, love. Enjoy!

Three Adventures of Sherlock Holmes


David Maule - 1995
    There are few cases that he cannot solve. In these three stories we meet a young woman who is terrified of a mysterious speckled band, a family who think that five orange pips are a sign of death, and a banker who believes that his son is a thief. But are things really as they seem?

Old Man Johnson (Kindle Single)


Andrew Kevin Walker - 2015
    in this off-kilter, coming-of-age romantic comedy.Abbie, a twenty-something free spirit who is dreading her looming parent-mandated enrollment in graduate school, makes a semi-annual pilgrimage to visit her perfectly well meaning and perfectly boring grandfather, Henry. But Abbie is roused out of her quarter-life crisis when she meets her grandfather's persnickety, oddball friend, Johnson. With his cane and elderly clothing, he is the very picture of a bitter old man. The problem is, Johnson is 23 years old, and apparently completely delusional. Also a problem: Abbie is falling in love with him. The first novel from screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, OLD MAN JOHNSON is for the old (and young) at heart.Cover design by Kristen Radtke.Cover painting by Mark Allison.

Our Man in Havana


Clive Francis - 2015
    So when the British Secret Service asks him to become their ‘man in Havana’ he can’t afford to say no. There’s just one problem…he doesn’t know anything! To avoid suspicion, he begins to recruit nonexistent sub-agents, concocting a series of intricate fictions. But Wormold soon discovers that his stories are closer to the truth than he could have ever imagined… In Clive Francis’ adaptation, Graham Greene’s classic satirical novel becomes a wonderfully funny and fast-moving romp.

Mail Order Brides Of Bridge Creek Boxset


Terri Grace - 2016
    Edna sends the young ladies West to marry strong faithful men whom she knows will properly care for her wards. Each book is a complete story of one of our Bridge Creek brides. Three Times Bride - The Story of Erin Hathaway & Ross Aldridge When Erin Hathaway is thrown out by her parents and abandoned with child by her dishonest husband, she is taken under the caring wing of of the widow, Edna White. When Edna dies, her will provides for Erin and her young son, Trevor, in a most unexpected way. To fulfil the will’s requirements Erin must travel West to meet and marry again the man who abandoned her 6 years earlier. Run Away Bride - The Story of Flora Wright & Jacob Jake Mackenzie Flora Wright’s mother has always wanted to be part of Boston’s elite, and is wiling to stoop to any measure to make it happen - even promise her 16-year-old daughter’s hand to Archibald Channing, a vile old man of questionable morals. When Flora flees after uncovering Archibald’s illegal dealings, she is taken under the caring wing of the courageous widow, Edna White. When Edna dies, Flora travels West with her two friends to meet a man of Edna’s choosing whom she is to marry. The Innocent Bride - The Story of Bernice Hallstead & Raymond Bridges Bernice Hallstead and her younger brother lived a charmed life, until their beloved pa dies an untimely death. When their mother remarries the new man of the house forces the two children into a life of petty crime. A bungled robbery leaves the young wards injured and homeless, fleeing for their lives. Terrified Bernice is taken under the caring wing of the courageous widow, Edna White. When Edna dies, Bernice travels West with her two friends, Erin and Flora, to meet a man of Edna’s choosing. It is only the power of unconditional love that has the strength to wipe away the shame of yesteryear and open the door to a bright tomorrow. Mute Mail Order Bride Speaks The Words I Do For The Very First Time (Valentine Brides Book 2) Clara Broadhurst never says a word. She cannot. And when she travels as a mail order bride to Valentine, a Western frontier town, she is soundly rejected by her would-be husband, who considers her silence burdensome. Will anyone have an ear to hear the longings of her heart? Or will Clara’s incredible love remain unspoken and unanswered forever? Miracles have been known to take place in valentine before, can Clara claim hers before it is too late? New Year Bride - A Gift For Jedidiah Abandoned by the man she thinks to be her God given partner, Salome Newton travels west to track him down. A trail of destroyed families, robberies and broken promises uncover that he is, in fact, an untrustworthy wife stealing huckster. Her heartbroken search leads her finally to the small town of Pine Wood, and to the storm lashed Starry Stud Ranch. Waiting there are two bruised but trusting hearts, believing God for a New Year’s day miracle.

On the Edge


Gillian Cross - 1987
    Tug wakes up in an unfamiliar place with people he doesn't recognize and is uncertain about his own identity. Meanwhile, Jinny knows that something strange is happening in the house and decides she must unravel the mystery herself in order to save the boy. She decides on a dangerous course of action to set Tug free, but will she be in time to save him . . .

Gangs of Bombay: From Failing a Million-Dollar Startup to Creating a Criminal Empire


Divyansh Mundra - 2019
     When the million-dollar stock prediction startup of Lakshya and Naman (two brilliant IIT-grads) tanks; they are taken in by Manav, their college friend who makes a living out of selling drugs. Debt-ridden and homeless, the two decide to help their friend in selling ‘The Holy Grail’, the newest drug in the Indian markets which is sold for margins never heard before, and the three end up making the quickest money they have seen. Lured and intrigued, they decide to sell and make as much as possible in two months before leaving the drug trade for good, and in that time, they expand their drug enterprise under Lakshya’s guidance by applying their startup strategies. Unknown to them though, they cross paths with the five infamous historical gangs of Bombay, who’ve survived and thrived since the British occupation of the city. Artavardiya, the powerful boss of the Parsi gang Surtis, takes interest in Lakshya and his drug enterprise after being charmed by his brilliance and vision. He takes him under his guidance and that is when Lakshya is able to gauge the extent to which the criminal underbelly of Mumbai is spread, spiralling down and knowing in his heart that he’d never be able to escape. In a tale of gang-wars and blood, love and loss, loyalty and betrayal, and mind-numbing revelations spread amidst brutal action and insane twists— explore the crime of the city that never sleeps. Will Lakshya and his friends expand their drug business like a startup? Will they succeed in dealing with mind-games and bullets of the five historical gangs of Mumbai? Will they survive the trials of their personal lives while the demons of their pasts try to catch up with them? And will these brilliant minds fall against the richest crime syndicates of the country? Read the crime-thriller that would keep you on the edge of your seats, about a few brilliant minds who lost their million-dollar startup and turned their skills to create a criminal empire.

Departmental Ditties & Barrack Room Ballads


Rudyard Kipling - 1892
    John Whitehead, critic and biographer who himself served with the Indian Army in Burma, has provided this in full measure in his entertaining and scholarly Introduction and comprehensive textual Notes. This Centenary Edition of the ballads is unlikely ever to be superseded.