FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER OF THE STORY PRIZE ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR From the universally acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of Fates and Furies and Matrix Florida is a "superlative" book (Boston Globe), "frequently funny" (San Francisco Chronicle), "brooding, inventive and often moving" (NPR Fresh Air) --as Groff is recognized as "Florida's unofficial poet laureate, as Joan Didion was for California." (Washington Post) In her thrilling new book, Lauren Groff brings the reader into a physical world that is at once domestic and wild—a place where the hazards of the natural world lie waiting to pounce, yet the greatest threats and mysteries are still of an emotional, psychological nature. A family retreat can be derailed by a prowling panther, or by a sexual secret. Among those navigating this place are a resourceful pair of abandoned sisters; a lonely boy, grown up; a restless, childless couple, a searching, homeless woman; and an unforgettable, recurring character—a steely and conflicted wife and mother. The stories in this collection span characters, towns, decades, even centuries, but Florida—its landscape, climate, history, and state of mind—becomes its gravitational center: an energy, a mood, as much as a place of residence. Groff transports the reader, then jolts us alert with a crackle of wit, a wave of sadness, a flash of cruelty, as she writes about loneliness, rage, family, and the passage of time. With shocking accuracy and effect, she pinpoints the moments and decisions and connections behind human pleasure and pain, hope and despair, love and fury—the moments that make us alive. Startling, precise, and affecting, Florida is a magnificent achievement.

American is what the reader wants. They want to know our history and stand proud. Many tales of the west have been written in the past, but none that equal the uniqueness of “The Western Western.” This 90,000-word epic takes the reader through the days of Wyatt Earp, Dodge City and taming the west. Every tale that thrilled most of us growing up is in this one book Federal Marshal Bill Elliot travels to Dodge City to assist Wyatt Earp in a town takeover of the corrupt saloon keeper who threatens to take land from the local cattle ranchers, oil wells and other business establishments throughout Ford County. Wyatt’s many friends come to his aid to help capture the election and rid Dodge of these famous villains. From bronco busting, train robberies, General Custer and Big Horn, a barn raising, a medicine show, shootings rustlers, gold mining, and even a little romance. This book will leave the reader wanting to learn

Early in my life, the written word took on a special meaning to me. It became my way of describing events, people, places, and most of all, feelings. It was also a way to collect old memories and preserve them with the words. This book contains a collection of such poems and prose. Some are very light in humor. They may poke a little fun at what is transpiring or even at me. All are based on the real happenings that I have encountered along life’s way. Others are more serious. These are the poems that try to capture the feelings surrounding a particular occasion. Some merely just pose questions—questions that may or may not have answers. Nonetheless, all are representative of the dreams and challenges of the writer. As such, some may offer comfort and/or solace, but all will certainly lead the reader to their own understanding. Capturing the reflections of life is not a simple task. But when the words come from the heart, they are written in a language that all can comprehend. From that which is the most beautiful or joyous, to that which may be the most frightening, we all live by way of our feelings. These are poems about life from the beginnings to its end. Along the way there are a multitude of events that shape our very beings. The poems selected for this book are meant to reflect the feelings we have as we go through life’s journey.

Through coincidences of fate and personality, some people seem to do the impossible and make it seem easy. Dan Mesa, former teacher and current Arizona Ranger, is just such a man. He never sought to become a hero; it just happened. A key member of the Rangers unit in Tucson, Dan is called on to head east, where he picks up William J. Ranson, transporting him to Arizona to testify against Carlos Meana, a trafficker in illegal aliens and murder for hire. Dans involvement earns him the notice of an eastern crime syndicate who also has ties in Dans hometown of Tucson. Suddenly, theres a price on his headbut hes not a man to go down without a fight. Despite dealing with the fallout of killing the man who was once his best friend, Dan will protect the people he cares about, including his son and neighbors at all costs. East meets west as the mob comes to Arizona, and only time will tell which will come out on top.

In 1855, the Great Spirit sends Leota, a psychic Blackfoot woman, on a mission to convince Chief Lame Bull not to sign a treaty. If she fails, the white man's government will steal all that belongs to the Blackfeet Nation. Lawyer Marsh Pepperhorn comes west to join his family and finds them murdered, except for his mouthy nephew Tanner, who's bent on revenge. Chasing the killers into the Mountains of the Bear's Paw, Montana Territory, their paths cross Leota's. Although Marsh and Leota distrust each other on sight, they work together to save an injured Tanner's life. As they face hardships and challenges, an unlikely romance blossoms between them. When traders abduct Leota, Marsh must track them down and bring the men to justice -- or lose the woman he loves. A sweeping tale of a changing culture, survival, discovery, adventure, and romance -- Wind Song has it all.

We live in a world in which the church inhabits a deep existential anxiety about its future, feels pushed to the edges of society and doesn’t deal well with its marginalisation. Kosuke Koyama’s writing most notably in his famous Three mile an Hour God acts as an antidote for the preoccupation with speed, size and the spectacular - “God walks slowly because He is love.” In The God Who Walks Slowly, missiologist Ben Aldous explores how Koyama’s theology encourages an approach to mission which truly reflects the rhythm, pace, vision and surrender of Christ.

A magazine of tales, travels, essays, and poems.