Real life and fiction meet as Angelica Garnett vividly evokes what it is to grow up in the shadow of artists. Her family appear in different guises in the stories, but at the centre of each one is Garnett herself. She is naïve and foolish as Bettina, desperately seeking acceptance into the grown-ups circle ('When All the Leaves Were Green, My Love'); shy and cautious, but finally disloyal, as Agnes ('Aurore'); a hesitant, uncomfortable Emily ('The Birthday Party'); and a contemplative, even witty older woman, full of appetite and guilt, as Helen ('Friendship'). Spanning an entire life, each story reveals a figure trying to understand her place not only within the polished circle of her family, but in an ever-changing world. Sharply observing a colourful social milieu and the vibrant characters that populate it, these are stories about family and friendships, yet also curdled relationships and small betrayals. A fictional counterpoint to her acclaimed memoir, Deceived with Kindness, here is a portrait of a woman seeking an understanding and acceptance of her past.

An intriguing journey that uncovers the scandalous and thought-provoking tale of family secrets, lies, lust, and abuse! Three marriages, racial tensions, a baby, and a secret affair are only some of the things that have unknowingly plagued Shyrell's family for decades. She's always asked herself, "what" and "why?" Never in a million years would she or her siblings imagine there is a "who?" n this true story, travel with Shyrell as she discovers the truth about her mother's secrets, her marriage, her family, and ultimately herself. After suffering decades of abuse at the hands of her mother, the answer to "who" would surprisingly come through a social media platform five years after her mother's death! The "what" and "why" would take years to finally come together... All the answers to "who, what, and why" had laid dormant for almost 60 years, embedded in the heart and soul of the one person still alive who would unlock Pandora's box to the "Unspoken Truth" of her mother's turbulent past from Charleston to Philadelphia regarding her unknown baby born in 1957. Will Shyrell find the answers to her past?

The year is 1927. The Jazz Age is in full swing, its intoxicating rhythm pulsing through the veins of society, creating an atmosphere of both exhilarating freedom and unsettling uncertainty. But in the quaint village of Ashworth, nestled along the windswept cliffs of the English coast, a darker current flows beneath the surface of this vibrant era. A murder, shrouded in mystery and long forgotten, casts a chilling shadow over the community. Enter Eleanor James, an aspiring writer with a thirst for adventure and a keen eye for detail. She finds herself drawn to the allure of Hartwell Manor, the grand estate overlooking the village, where the renowned mystery novelist Jonathan Hartwell resides. Driven by her ambition and a desire to escape the confines of her mundane life, Eleanor accepts a position as Hartwell's secretary. Little does she know, this decision will plunge her into a world of secrets, danger, and the enduring mystery that haunts Ashworth. As Eleanor diligently types out Hartwell's latest manuscript, a chilling realization dawns upon her—the story eerily parallels the unsolved murder that has been a source of whispered tales and lingering fear within the village. She becomes consumed by the intrigue, her curiosity fueling her desire to uncover the truth behind the decades-old crime. But as Eleanor delves deeper into the secrets of the manuscript, she uncovers a new layer of intrigue – a murder at Hartwell Manor itself. The scene mirrors a chapter from Hartwell's book, leaving everyone in the house, including the enigmatic Hartwell himself, under suspicion. The atmosphere thickens with dread, as a web of motives and hidden desires intertwines, creating an intricate puzzle that only Eleanor, with her sharp intellect and unwavering determination, can unravel.

"Time differences: Adjusting schedules and adapting to separate rhythms" delves into the complexities of maintaining relationships and managing work across different time zones. It explores the impact of time differences on various aspects of life, including long-distance relationships, business communication, and remote work. Through real-life stories and practical advice, the document addresses the challenges posed by time disparities and offers strategies for overcoming them. It emphasizes the enduring power of love, the resilience of commitment, and the ability to adapt to new rhythms in the face of distance and separation. The narrative weaves together themes of love, communication, and perseverance, illustrating the ways in which individuals can navigate the obstacles presented by time variances and ultimately thrive in their personal and professional lives.

In the gripping fourth installment of The Leclair Witch Chronicles, "The Saturnian Talisman" plunges readers back into the enchanting and perilous world of The Enlightened. As the saga of Cassandra, Alistair, and their coven continues, they find themselves in a reality fractured by time loops and overshadowed by an unseen menace. The once-familiar town of Ravenswood now harbors a secret, set into motion by the enigmatic Saturnian Talisman, an artifact with the power to manipulate time itself. The Enlightened face a formidable challenge: to unravel the mystery of the recurring loops and confront the sinister forces that manipulate them from the shadows. In a race against time, where each loop brings new threats and uncovers buried betrayals, the group's loyalty and resolve are tested. The discovery of an old hermit in the mountains, who holds the key to the Talisman's true power, adds a glimmer of hope. But as they edge closer to the root event that triggered the temporal chaos, they find their path fraught with deception, danger, and the resurgence of old foes, including the formidable Kokb'ael and Cordelia Blackwood. "The Saturnian Talisman" is a tale of magic, mystery, and the enduring battle against the darkness within and beyond. With the fabric of reality at stake, The Enlightened must navigate through treacherous alliances, confront their deepest fears, and face a future where the boundaries of time and reality blur. The journey to restore balance demands sacrifices, and some may be pulled into realms beyond comprehension. Prepare for a mesmerizing adventure where each twist and turn leads to a revelation, and the fate of worlds hangs in the balance. This is a story that will leave readers questioning the nature of time, power, and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

I CAN ́T MAKE IT O.K.! A STORY OF DEPRESSION, MARRIAGE, AND DISCOVERY is about the destruction that uncontrolled depression unleashes within families. This is a true story about the author’s struggle to help manage his wife’s depression and his quest to understand its cause. Examined are possible genetic connections that might link their children to an increased sensitivity to depressive illness and possible origins from his wife’s traumatic and dysfunctional childhood. Whatever the cause, this illness tore their family apart as they struggled to hold together their lives and sanity as they searched for hope. Hope is always needed, and, once gone, there is only despair to be endured--the everyday reality for families overwhelmed by depressive illness. While the intent of this story is not to condemn all medical treatment or all therapists, it is critical of the over use of the medical model with the identified individual patient to the exclusion of family, who are also in need of help. It is meant as an awakening for those who are in similar situations and an encouragement to demand from your community mental health service providers the help everyone needs. I believe this story will resonate with experiences of other families caught in the crossfire of competing needs of the patient, psychiatrists, psychologists, and self. Lastly, this story is for my adult children to increase their understanding and comprehension of what happened to our family during their childhood. A forward by Thomas C. Kneavel, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, addresses the tragic impact of depression on effected families. The author´s email is [email protected]

Unbroken Roots by Denise Portillo is a captivating work of fiction that explores the transformative journey of a woman as she confronts the generational trauma and family secrets that have defined her life. In her search for healing, she embarks on a path of self-discovery, facing the shadows of her past while uncovering the hidden strengths within her family’s complex history. As she navigates through emotional turmoil and deep-rooted family bonds, she learns to embrace forgiveness, uncover her true identity, and find the resilience to move forward. Unbroken Roots delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, mental health, and the courage it takes to break free from the past. Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Denise Portillo delivers a novel that resonates with readers who appreciate stories of personal growth, emotional resilience, and the enduring power of hope. Unbroken Roots invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the path to healing.

"In the picturesque town of Willow Creek, where antique shopfronts and Victorian homes conceal whispers of a centuries-old curse, journalist Alex Ryder stumbles upon a cryptic message that sets him on a perilous quest to unravel the town's darkest secrets. As he digs deeper into the heart of Willow Creek, he discovers a labyrinthine web of mysteries that threaten to shatter the fragile balance between reality and the unknown. From the eerie, abandoned mansion on Ravenwood Hill to the mysterious, symbol-etched stones hidden in the town's ancient cemetery, Alex must decipher a series of cryptic codes and ancient runes that hold the key to unlocking the truth. But as he delves deeper into the shadows, he's confronted by malevolent forces that will stop at nothing to keep the secrets of Willow Creek buried. As the stakes escalate and the lines between reality and the supernatural blur, Alex finds himself entangled in a desperate race against time to expose the truth before it's silenced forever. Will he be able to unravel the tangled threads of Willow Creek's dark history, or will the forces of darkness consume him, plunging the town into an eternal abyss of terror?"