Taking place across the Midwest’s heartland of America, this collection of short stories offers nuance to the darker aspects of human relationships. Told primarily from the intoxicating beginnings of lust before progressing toward love, the stories fluidly transform into stark realities rather than romantic ideals. Each story provides an intimate look at how commitment and affection can turn into disloyalty or even hatred. With subtle mystery and humor sprinkled throughout, readers will be fascinated and shocked at where these winding plots lead, both physically and psychologically. Though at times jarring, the stories ultimately highlight the complexity of bonds between people in both their beauty and brutality.

For 16 years, Harry Spiller worked as a deputy sheriff, investigator, and sheriff in a place where murder isn't suppose to happen- Southern Illinois. Investigating murder cases mainly in Williamson County and assisting in other counties, he learned the hard reality that murder is all around us. The act is swift for the victim and can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It doesn't matter if you live in a big city or a small county, with brick-front towns, small farms, white church houses, lakes and ponds, the Shawnee National Forest, and the muddy rivers. All too often, victims fall prey in places that we think are safe to raise our families, places where we take walks on hot summer nights, where our children play in the park without concern, where we fish in the local pond hoping to land the big one, and where we leave our doors unlocked at night. In this book, Murder In The Heartland, there are 20 case files.

On May 12, 1978, a woman is assaulted and brutally murdered in her home. It happened in broad daylight, as her husband lunched with friends, and neighbors bustled in and out of their houses. -- Two nearby women have encounters with a strange man and remember him. Neither would have believed that they would be the only living survivors able to identify who was then an unknown serial killer in the midst of his most deadly killing frenzy. The two become part of a police investigation that ends up a cold case. -- It wasn't until 2007, when a detective working another murder ran a new DNA analysis on a piece of evidence, that a computer registers a hit on the killer's identity. This led to a convicted rapist who had no prior murder charges. Thus began the unmasking of a serial killer of nine women, and resolved sixty rapes and robberies. -- The true story of the dark life of Timothy Krajcir, who hunted his victims in parking lots and neighborhoods, ends with his sentencing at a federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on April 4, 2008.

The socialist agenda is being crammed down the throat of Americans in the veiled political movement called progressivism that has spanned many generations. The hated despots in power have conspired to infect the entire nation with PC (political correctness) poison brewed by the witches of the Left Coast, Great Flakes, and North Least. However, one man is immune to their poison because he has patriotic blood. This man begins a movement to counteract the psychos in power finding love, a revival of the true American spirit, and a course to take well into the future for all freedom loving people. This story brings to life some of the principles upon which the USA is built and a hope that the story line will bear witness to the reader. One must answer the question after reading: is it a nice little fairy tale or is it a fore tell of events to come if America continues on the course set by the polecats in Washington?

The second novel of the Codex of Souls furthers explores the strange occult world first introduced in Lightbreaker. Mark Teppo’s vision of a magical underworld is a non-stop adventure that continues to bring new light to the occult origins of our history. Markham returns to Paris where he lost his love, and nearly his life. The ancient order of manipulative magicians that once cast him out is now in turmoil . . . a turmoil made all the greater by the swaths of destruction that Markham tried to avert in the Pacific Northwest. Teamed with an unlikely partner, Markham seeks to overturn the corrupt remains of an order no longer able to police its own practitioners. Yet, he can't escape the feeling that he's still just a pawn in a larger game.

In a place where murder isn’t supposed to happen—rural Missouri and Southern Illinois—deputy sheriff and investigator Harry Spiller learned the hard reality: murder is all around us. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a big city or small county with farms and churches—murder is swift and can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. All too often, victims fall prey in places we think are safe to raise our families, where we take walks on hot summer nights, where our children play in the park or yard without concern, and where we leave our doors unlocked at night. Murder in the Heartland, Book 2 tells the stories of innocent victims in these seemingly innocent places. From his research and investigations of ten murder cases, Spiller recounts the gruesome details of a fraternity hazing gone deadly, teen killings, and even murders by those living and working with the victims. As much as we like to think we’re safe, murder can happen even in rural America—and it does. Join Spiller in the second installment of his three-book series of these horrifying murders in the heartland.

Falls City, Nebraska. Just a scratch on the Great Plains. To Billy tree, it's home--the last refuge for the ex-Secret Service agent scarred in body and soul by an unforgettable tragedy. But he's trading one for another. For the quiet burg of his youth has changed over the year. darkness has taken hold. And now, the killing secrets and terrible lies buried beneath the tranquil surface of Falls City are ready to erupt. Where it begins is with a shocking sniper attack at the local high school. No motive. No clues. Just two innocent teachers left dead, and a third injured. A woman with secrets of her own, she shares a place in Billy's heart, his past, and his fears, when a second murder paralyzes the town. Urged by the sheriff to help the investigation, Billy can't refuse. Even if it means seeing old friends in a terrifying new light, and exposing himself to the insidious rage of mysterious killer...

Five fantasy chapter books that are perfect for 9-14 year olds. 1143 pages of reading! Included in this 5-book Box Set: THE WAYFINDER – Book 1 Can Win find what his heart longs for—healing for his land and for his broken heart. This riveting middle-grade fantasy combines the intriguing abilities to Find what’s missing with pulse-pounding suspense. Read to discover what one person can accomplish. THE FALCONER – Book 2 She strode out of the north country and into legend, a courageous falconer and her bird. Together, they must leave behind all they know and stop the fierce Zendi who have invaded her country. Brittney must find a heart of courage to boldly defend the Heartland. LIBERTY – Book 3 When your heart dreams of the impossible, where do you find the courage to push forward? From the fascinating world of tall ships comes this unlikely tale of humble pigs who fight for their dream. Come and join Penelope and Santiago on their journey. GARGOYLES – Book 4 When construction on the Cathedral of St. Stephens stops because of lack of money, Laurel’s father, the architect, must move on. But how can Laurel leave the only home she’s ever known? In this rich, surprising tale, Laurel risks her heart to find a treasure large enough to finish building the cathedral. She needs not one, but two miracles. VAGABONDS – Book 5 Galen’s heart longs for a safe home for his family and his people. Instead, destiny thrusts him into a dangerous quest for a permanent home. Can he lead a band of armadillos to find the fabled Faralone Falls? Read this gripping American fantasy set in Ozark mountains, the heartland of America.

Struggle for the Heartland tells the story surrounding the military campaign that began in early 1862 with the advance to Fort Henry and culminated in late May with the capture of Corinth, Mississippi. The first significant Northern penetration into the Confederate west, this campaign saw the military coming-of-age of Ulysses S. Grant and offered a hint as to where the Federals might win the war. For the South, it dashed any hopes of avoiding a protracted conflict. Stephen D. Engle colors in the details that bring great clarity and new life to the scene of these battles as well as to the social and political context in which they occurred.