The Charm of the Defeated: A Collection of Southern Short Stories


Susannah B. Lewis - 2015
    Journey through the deep south and follow the lives of several families as they intertwine throughout the decades in this collection of southern short stories.

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues / Jitterbug Perfume / Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas


Tom Robbins - 2002
    

Nuclear War Club: Seven high school students in detention, who don't know, or like each other, get a pop test in survival


Colt Triarii - 2015
    They realize this was not another earthquake, but a Nuclear Attack. David knew they would have to work together to escape from the rubble, then shelter for 14 days to survive the fallout. If, as he feared, their parents were dead, then they should trek east,hopefully staying together.They would have to adapt, improvise, and overcome. They rescued a 4 year old orphan and realized how much they had learned from their parents. They became the Nuclear War Club. David had been the starting quarterback on his football team in Alabama.He had just transferred to this California High School as a Senior, when his Dad was reassigned to an Air Force Base. David organized the human chain to escape from the rubble. The clock was ticking, they would have to find, or make, a shelter from the fallout within 30 minutes or die from the radiation. David looked over the other 6 detention survivors and was disappointed at this soft, pampered, self centered, dysfunctional group. But you go to nuclear war with the survivors you have, he thought, as he explained what had happened and his plan. He invited them to follow as he began to hike to where his truck and camping equipment had been. Zeke's stomach churned, and he struggled to control his panic as he viewed the nuclear debris as far as the eye could see. What had happened to LeShawn and Monique? Were they trapped in rubble, crying for their big brother to come? His Mom was a drug addict, he was all his preschool brother and sister had. He would rescue them,or die trying. But he was miles away from home-the football boosters arranged for special transportation to get the heavily recruited, All State football running back, to this wealthy school everyday. He would stay with this group, they were his ticket, until he found a way to rescue LeShawn and Monique. Karen had grown up on a ranch where her father was hired to care for the horses. She was tough from working with the horses, self sufficient,and was instinctively wary of how David had just naturally assumed command. Karen had just transferred to this school under redistricting, and she didn't know any of them well.But the school, and the entire City were totally destroyed, there was no other option. Karen grabbed her backpack, stuck a knife from what was left of the underground school kitchen in her hiking boots, concealed it with her sock, then followed. Liu was a first generation Vietnamese immigrant who excelled at school. She had been utterly humiliated and shamed that she had even been sent to detention. Liu had carefully noticed how David had organized their evacuation and got everyone out. David was a natural leader, and he seemed to know a lot about Nuclear War. She would stay with this group until her Dad found her. Jorge was going to be an architect and was dual enrolled in engineering classes at the Community College. His leg had been broken when the ceiling collapsed, David and Karen had helped set his splint. He was all in, hobbling behind. Karen loathed Ashley Kensington, and wondered if the cheerleaders required DNA test confirmation that you had blond hair, blue eyes, long legs, and no brain to be the cheerleader captain. Ashley considered staying at what was left of the school. Surely her wealthy parents would send the maid or someone to get her. But David sounded like he knew all about Nuclear attacks when he told her that was stupid, and she was terrified of being left behind, alone. Doron was a genius who was also popular as the creator of the encrypted "geek.peek" homework school website.

Last Resort on the Coast


Sage Parker - 2021
    You have to come home. I can’t run this place on my own.”From Amazon #1 Best Selling Author...Sarah Edwards is living her dream as a highly acclaimed marine biologist, settled in a beautiful downtown apartment with nothing but a bright future ahead...That is, until she receives a phone call that changes everything.Her mother’s untimely death not only leaves her devastated - it leaves her with so many unanswered questions and responsibilities she’s not ready to take on. As an only child, she finds herself at the helm of a high-scale resort on the coast of California.Now she's faced with a life-altering decision. To sell the resort her mother dedicated her entire life to, or move back to California to run the resort - leaving behind the dream life she's worked so hard to build.While traveling across the country to comfort her grandmother, Sarah meets a charming stranger and offers him a complimentary stay at the resort in exchange for a lighthearted distraction.But when Sarah stumbles upon a letter written just weeks before the accident - her mother's final words leave her no choice but to continue on with the search in her place…Embark on this adventure filled with mystery, diversions, and unsettling details that might just be the answer to Sarah's biggest questions.This is Book 1 of 6 in the Search for Truth series.

Bringing Down the House


Richard P. Brickner - 1971
    Multibillionaire Goddard Moss has a vision: a city rising tall on the South Dakota prairie dedicated to Art. Not art of the staid, traditional, edifying, entertaining variety, but the Modern—modern painting, modern theater, modern sculpture, modern dance, all as obscure, pretentious, and offensive as its creators can make it (and with luck, government-funded). As Culture City rises from the grassy fields, playwrights, performers, and artists prepare for the gala opening week. Gregory Lubin's expansive stage re-creation of the Tower of Babel story is awaited with particular anticipation. But revolution is brewing just yards beyond the city walls and as far away as rural Maine. Despite the money being lavished on it, it becomes doubtful that "the Artland in the Heartland" will survive past its premiere.

Amish Ace of Hearts


Mary Lantz - 2020
    

Rivers Edge/Breakers Reef


Terri Blackstock
    

Summary: "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel" by Gail Honeyman | Discussion Prompts


bestof.me - 2019
    Nobody has ever told Eleanor Oliphant that life should not only be fine but better than fine.  Eleanor Oliphant is an ordinary woman who struggles with the appropriate social skills she needs to have on occasion. She has the tendency to say the exact words that she is thinking. Truth is, nothing is really missing in her carefully timetabled life that can be described as avoidance of social interactions. Her weekends are punctuated by frozen vodka, pizza, and phone chats with her Mummy. But everything will change for Eleanor when she meets Raymond in her office. He is the bumbling IT guy who is deeply unhygienic. When Eleanor and Raymond saw an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, together they saved Sammy. This became the start of the three’s friendship. They would rescue one another from the lives of isolation that they have each been living. And it is none other than the big heart of Raymond that would ultimately help quiet Eleanor to find the best way to repair her own profoundly damaged heart. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine will soon be a major motion picture that will be produced by actress Reese Witherspoon. This novel is a warm, smart and uplifting story of an unlikely heroine whose weirdness and unconscious wit would make an irresistible journey.In this comprehensive look into Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel by Gail Honeyman, you'll gain insight with this essential resource as a guide to aid your discussions. Be prepared to lead with the following: Discussion aid which includes a wealth of prompts and information Overall plot synopsis and author biography Thought-provoking discussion questions for a deeper examination Creative exercises to foster alternate “if this was you” discussions And more!  Disclaimer: This is a companion guide based on the work Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel by Gail Honeyman and is not affiliated to the original work or author in any way. It does not contain any text of the original work. If you haven’t purchased the original work, we encourage you to do so first.

The Byler Brothers: the complete series box set


Abigail Fisher - 2015
     Matthew hires Mandy Bowman, an Englischer in need of a place to live, to take care of the house and his youngest brother, John, who is blind. Mandy is exceptional with John and empowers him to do more for himself and build confidence and acceptance with his disability. Sparks fly between Matthew and Mandy, especially in a crisis, but when Mandy’s step-father arrives, everything changes. Will Matthew accept Mandy’s past and still love her? Will Mandy stay and accept the Amish way of life? Is there hope for two very different people to find love and happiness together? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 1: "MATTHEW" Book Two: MARK: (Mark's Story: The Calling) Mark clings to his Amish faith in the aftermath of his parent’s fatal accident. After experiencing a spiritual calling similar to Paul or Samuel in the Bible, Mark is convinced that God has a special plan for him. Is he God’s choice to be the next bishop in his community? Hannah Hershberger lives next door to the Bylers. She has loved Mark from the time they were children together in school. After seventeen years, he finally notices her and asks her to attend the Fourth of July celebration with her. Is Mark truly interested in her or does he just want time with her grandfather, the bishop? When the bishop falls ill, Mark and Hannah spend time together watching over him, and he asks her to marry him while her grandfather is able to perform the ceremony. Hannah happily agrees. But when something happens that causes Hannah to question Mark’s intentions, she must decide what to do. Will Hannah call off the wedding? Will Mark learn to let go of his own intentions and trust God’s plan? How will God’s plan be revealed? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 2: "MARK" Book Three: LUKE: (Luke's Story: Love on the Road) Two years after the devastating death of his parents, Luke Byler is sixteen years old and ready to get out of his small community and see the world. Amber Westbrook has graduated from high school and is determined to follow her dream to buy a trailer and experience life by travelling the country. Luke and Amber are joined by their sense of adventure and desire for new experiences, but when the world turns out to be more harsh than they expected, they turn to each other for support. How will a sheltered Amish boy and simple farm girl manage in a tough city? Will they stay strong with worldly temptations or learn from their difficult lessons? Where is peace found in the middle of chaos and trouble? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 3: "LUKE" Book Four: JOHN (John's Story: Gift or Curse?) Being blind since birth, John Byler has developed sensitivities that are unique and cause him to see the w

The Hawaiian Quilt, SAMPLER


Wanda E. Brunstetter - 2016
    But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

Summer's Reunion


Dora Hiers - 2020
    Beer and bitterness destroyed his marriage to his high school sweetheart, but he’s a changed man now. Solid, stable and sober, he’s finally ready to start a family of his own. But the only woman he can imagine spending his forever with filed divorce papers on him eight years ago.When Rowan Albright faces her groom at the end of the aisle, this time they’re not the ones getting married. She never stopped loving Mannix, but his weekend beer binges to mask the deep-rooted grief tore at the very fabric of her soul, especially since alcoholism decimated her family. But Aunt Ellie says he’s clean now, so when Mannix’s beloved Gramps offers her a job in the family business, she jumps on it. Working together will reveal her ex-husband’s change of heart, right? Or destroy hers…Is faith, hope and love strong enough to rebuild what was lost? Will God give them a second chance at love and a future, or will both their hearts be shattered once again? Will theirs be a summer reunion or a summer to forget?

Ore Oru Naal!


Rajesh Kumar
    Since publishing his first short story "Seventh Test Tube" in Kalkandu magazine in 1968, he has written over 1,500 short novels and over 2,000 short stories. Many of his detective novels feature the recurring characters Vivek and Rubella. He continues to publish at least five novels every month, in the pocket magazines Best Novel, Everest Novel, Great Novel, Crime Novel, and Dhigil Novel, besides short stories published in weekly magazines like Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan. His writing is widely popular in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka.

Amish Days: Replacement Wife: Hollybrook Amish Romance (Greta's Story Book 1)


Brenda Maxfield - 2017
    Is she serious? Is she really trying to force him to make such a promise? How can she possibly expect him to marry Greta Glick after she dies? How can anyone replace Betty as his wife? How can anyone replace her as the mother to their son? Isaac can’t even begin to think such thoughts. All he wants is for his wife to live. But Isaac’s prayers aren’t answered. Betty dies with Isaac and their baby son by her side. After the burial, Greta Glick assures Isaac that she will not hold him to the promise, even though she already loves his son. She suspects she might love Isaac, too, but she shoves her feelings aside. Later, when the local healer’s granddaughter begins to show interest in Isaac, Greta regrets how hastily she brushed the promise aside. Was she wrong to dismiss Betty’s dying wish so quickly? And now, Isaac is threatening to leave the state, and it appears that both Isaac and his baby son will be lost to her forever… Replacement Wife is a sweet, clean, inspirational Amish Romance—part of the much-loved Hollybrook Amish Romance series. Replacement Wife is a touching Christian story of loss, grief, and true love. Enjoy this tender romance today! Grab your copy now!

Step of Faith (Magnolia Gardens Book 1)


Michelle Stimpson - 2018
    She's always lived for her family, but apparently they aren't thinking twice about her. When she makes a sudden decision to make herself happy, for once in her life, she has to deal with the repercussions this new life brings with the children who were hardly even thinking about her. Step of Faith is the first book in the Magnolia Gardens series by bestselling Christian Fiction author duo Michelle Stimpson & CaSandra McLaughlin. You will enjoy this cast of lively cast of senior characters and grow to love them through their trials and triumphs.

True Republic (Novak and Mitchell Book 4)


Andrew Raymond - 2021