Ira Mittelman, the middle-aged hero of "A Box of Ashes," one of two novellas in Little Men, is wrestling with a dilemma: should he fulfill his late father's dying wish by taking the old man's ashes back to Missouri, to scatter them on the grounds of Camp HaHaTonka, the Boy Scout camp where Ira spent several summers as a boy? It's a long way to go just to dump some ashes, and if Ira makes this pilgrimage, his absence might jeopardize the fragile relationship he's managed to maintain with his ex-wife (they're still having sex every Friday night). In "Spivak in Babylon," Little Men's other novella, it's 1982, and Leo Spivak, an ambitious 30-year-old copywriter at a large Chicago advertising agency, is about to get his big break: a chance to go to Hollywood to participate for the first time in the filming of a television commercial. A week in Hollywood, on the company's expense account! A room at the fabled Chateau Marmont (Garbo's old suite, in fact)! The only problem is the subject of the commercial itself: a new feminine hygiene spray to be marketed to pre-adolescent girls. Hovering over all the proceedings in "Spivak in Babylon" is the genial, befuddled presence of President Ronald Reagan, the Leader of the Free World, who haunts Leo's dreams.

The alien who assumed a skunk's body in Stinker from Space is back, this time to conduct a madcap quest through Washington, D.C. — with the police and NASA officials hot on his trail.

Chunky Monkey. Pumpkin. Little Peanut. Are these the latest flavors of gourmet ice cream? Actually, they describe something much sweeter. They are all cute nicknames you might choose for the new baby in your life. But how do you know which one is just right? Little Snuggler will help you decide. Before a baby is born, parents spend an inordinate amount of time choosing just the right name--not too old-fashioned, not too trendy, not too common, not too made up. But soon after the child is named, it turns out they needn't have bothered to go to all the trouble. In no time at all, they'll be calling the baby Princess or Sweetie or Little Stinker far more often than her real name. Little Snuggler celebrates all the sweet (and sometimes cheeky) nicknames that parents, grandparents, friends, and caregivers bestow on the babies in their lives. Each nickname features a charming illustration and a description of its corresponding traits. Do you know a Little Tiger (aka Smalitus Growlus)? This baby is known to be swift, playful, and adventurous. Responds well to tickles, hugs, and general roughhousing. Or perhaps you have a Wiggle Worm (aka Undulus Squirmius) who, when confronted with a diaper, moves like a wrestler. And we all know a Binky Boy or Girl. Little Snuggler makes a delightful gift for new parents, whatever their baby's personality.

For eleven-year-old Tash, Cap’n Jackie isn’t just the elderly next-door neighbor — she’s family. When she disappears, only Tash holds the key that might bring her back. Tash didn’t want to go to camp, didn’t want to spend the summer with a bunch of strangers, didn’t want to be separated from the only two people she has ever been able to count on: her uncle Kevin, who saved her from foster care, and Cap’n Jackie, who lives next door. Camp turns out to be pretty fun, actually, but when Tash returns home, Cap’n Jackie is gone. And Tash needs her — the made-up stories of dolphin-dragons, the warm cookies that made everything all right after a fight, the key Cap’n Jackie always insisted had magic in it. The Captain always said all Tash had to do was hold it tight and the magic would come. Was it true? Could the key bring Cap’n Jackie back? In a heartfelt and stunningly written story, Pat Schmatz introduces readers to a tenacious, fiercely loyal girl struggling to let go of the fantasies and fears of her childhood . . . and say yes to everything that lies ahead.

When Anne Abbot moves to Brewster, Olivia Marsden takes an immediate dislike to the newcomer. Anne's perkiness really rankles, and Olivia finds the open way she talks about her faith very annoying. Overwhelmed with the prospect of making a good impression in this, her fifth town in eight years of not-so-happy marriage, Anne prays for a deep friendship and finds herself drawn to cool, aloof Olivia. One day, Olivia faces a family emergency and turns to Anne for help. In one evening, the two become fast friends. The fledgling friendship deepens when Anne is diagnosed with breast cancer. Misunderstandings, the shadow of death, and a beautiful new life play out in the alternating voices of the main characters. After Anne marks the first of an exceptional new novel series. Readers will be drawn to the intimacy of Libby and Anne's narratives and inspired by their story of friendship, forged by fire and inspired by God.

Jim Powell writes funny and warm tales about growing up in Chandler, Texas, in the 1940s, offering his readers many chuckles. His first book, Feed Sack Fashions and Other Childhood Memories, introduced readers to entertaining anecdotes about a slower and simpler time. Them's Funny Looking Catfish and More Childhood Memories, his second book, presents over 50 more delightful tales including, "Them's Funny Looking Catfish," "The Baby Sitting Bed," "Aunt Ruby's Chevy," "Sister Phoebe," and "Painting Chickens." He also takes us on an unusual adventure to Big D's Farmers Market, introduces us to gill net fishing, and guarantees a "syrup-sopping" good time. The lively and warm nostalgic stories Powell tells in his books bring back fond memories that appeal to many generations. Be sure to visit online at www.feedsackfashions.com to contact the author, to order books, or to receive information on speaking engagements and other upcoming books. Jim S. Powell grew up to be a loving husband, doting father and faithful employee with Brookshire Grocery Company in Tyler, Texas, last serving as Senior Vice President-Advertising. Jim is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, receiving a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1958. He received a Master of Arts degree from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. Some accounts of the author's childhood memories have been published in the Bullard Banner and The Chandler Statesman, two local East Texas weekly newspapers. Today, he and his wife Ann live in Tyler and enjoy their two daughters and one grandchild, Callie, for whom Jim's first book, Feed Sack Fashions, was originally written. They can often be found hunting bargains in antique shops, sipping lemonade at their cabin on weekends, or serving in their local church.

BY GEORGE is a delightful and heartwarming collection of childhood anecdotes and remembrances for readers of all ages and walks of life. After retiring, George Herbert Stansbury, Jr. penned his adventures as a young boy growing up in the heartland of America at the turn of the 20th century. They were part of his ongoing correspondence primarily with his older brother Paul Wood Stanbury. Along with excerpts from his letters, these recollections offer a unique perspective of what life was like for an adolescent boy growing up in Franklin, Pennsylvania and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Can things ever be the same again? Louise, Ellen, and Angel Bannister have enjoyed the comforts of a wealthy upbringing, but yearn for something more exciting than their anticipated lots in life. When The Great War rumbles through London, bringing with it social upheaval and unprecedented opportunity, the three sisters see their chance to shape their lives however they want to. But challenges lie ahead, ones that will test their resolve and strip them of their innocence. Will the sisters emerge from the war closer than ever before, or will it end up tearing them apart? Shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of Year award 1991, this captivating wartime saga of love, loss and friendship, is perfect for fans of Chrissie Walsh and Elaine Roberts.

Poetry by Robert Mark Schaeberle, Memoir by Jeanne Schaeberle What does a son do when he hears voices? Withdraw? Or use his sword, poetry to defend himself? How does a mother handle family life and death and work through horrible grief? Mom...Let's Talk offers insight to the power of healing through writing and the sense of chaos revealed in the poetry.

Blessings of the FatherBook Three is aptly subtitled: The Boys Break Out! Yes, this is still the continuing saga of Las Vegan billionaire, Marc Morgan; Americas leading Restaurateurand his kooky yet endearing family and staff. In this exciting episode however, we identify closely with Marcs sons, Trevor and Taylor as their dream of success as musical performers unfoldsbut will this be their time? We focus too, on the entire Morgan clan as they labor to propel the boys towards breaking out. Yet, like everything else in this family, it seems nothing attached to any Morgan comes easily or without trial, unintended consequences, or other fodder appearing first. The underlying message: That beyond coming to an understanding and appreciation of the many talents of these twin eleven-year-oldswe get an abundant view into their exceptional characters, as they fight for stardom. If you devour books on rock bands or the music industrythen read thisand live their storycomeride along with them! Here in Book Three, we build on events that began in prior volumes, and now we see firsthand through the Authors original and authentically casual writing style, just how challenging yet exciting, becoming professional performers perhaps is.