This is a story of tragedy, love, heartbreak, hope, humor, forgiveness, and the pure power of human compassion. An old man has been living on his own for many years. Although not considered a recluse or hermit, he does spend much time alone. He is guilt-ridden and has many regrets which he thinks about in his isolation. Mainly, it's the guilt of leaving his children on that day, those many years past. His guilt haunts him in the form of dreams and nightmares. The old man is a father whose heart aches with the love for his children, yet he finds it difficult to locate the level ground on which to have a relationship, as well as a level piece of ground to deal with the choices that he has made in his life. A bird of faith, not believed to exist, befriends him and stands by him, even to protect him from a near-death tragedy, and has the ability to locate him, no matter where he is. Although once a solid blackbird, it slowly changes to white as the man sheds his guilt. He develops a passion to make sketches of the bird, and this becomes a source that creates the problem. Due to certain circumstances, he ends up in a hospital mental ward. A continuous barrage of technicalities and other circumstances make it difficult for him to attain his freedom. He captures the love of a middle-aged, not-so pretty, recovering drug addict who along with her illiteracy had a speech impediment. A dedicated doctor finds he is not too old to learn a lesson about life from his patient. And two compassionate ward nurses befriend him and help him make life-changing decisions. His impact on them is no less life-changing. Hopefully, the man who dared to dream will capture your heart, as well.

Because Door County received its name from "Death's Door," the perilous strait with more freshwater shipwrecks than anywhere else in the world, it should be no surprise that the idyllic county has plenty of ghostly history. In the company of storyteller Gayle Soucek, meet lighthouse keepers whose sense of duty extends beyond the grave. Catch a glimpse of the phantom ship Le Griffon, never seen for more than a moment since it sailed through a crack in the ice in 1679. And it is not just the waters of Door County that carry the freight of haunted tales--Country Road T has its share of spooks, bizarre beasts have caused disturbances in the woods and there are whispered rumors that infamous gangster Al Capone added to the county's stock of ghosts through a handful of brutal murders, including an ex-girlfriend and two unacknowledged children.

It was the summer of 1991 and the weather was hot and still. Bernard and I sat in the shade of the back of our weekend home making small talk. We were at the height of our careers, prominent designers in the Canadian Fashion Industry, enjoying a fabulous lifestyle-dinners out every night, the finest wines, expensive watches, jewellery, and cars-everything one expects of a life of success. We were young, attractive and madly in love with each other. I made a move to go feed our dogs... Bernard went upstairs to shower... and died instead. It was the day that altered both of our lives forever. Written with the strong emotions of true love, this story takes you on a thoughtful, spiritual journey of love between two souls and a deep overall love of God. It is a story of life, absolute love, and immeasurable grief. If you had never known Shelley Wickabrod and Bernard McGee as a couple, nor felt the love between these two souls, this story makes you feel like you have known them all of your life... or possibly for many lives. -Katherine Goodes, Editor, MyEditor.ca This is a story of uncompromising and unconditional love... Shelley Wickabrod writes a compelling story that will touch us all. It reads like a movie. -Kirsten Scollie, Producer, Noumena Productions Inc.

Happiness is not about new cars and bigger houses, it's about contentment. Peace and satisfaction evolve out of contentment and laughter is the legitimate child of contentment. If I put a microphone in your face could you tell me without pause what makes you happy? Most people can't Why? Because it's not our focus We focus on what makes us unhappy How long has it been since you had a happy thought? Research shows that small children laugh 300 or more times a day while an adult laughs only 20 at most. What happened to our laughter?

Why Laugh? Humor is infectious and laughter is far more contagious than a yawn. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Other benefits of laughing instead of grumbling are: less pain, relaxed muscles, less heart disease and better moods. Now isn't that enough reason to make you smile?

This book takes an unusual slant on life, both from a socioeconomic and cultural standpoint. The underlying sense of humor leans towards Native American and the working class, you know the people that really built America and every other country on this planet. This being said, the reader will find a connection to the author and this book. The book takes the reader on a journey of discovery that opens that primal dormant eye of the hunter in all of us. The author was raised in a couture that is rich in oral history. Stories told around tables and campfires a couture that believes in signs and visions both are depicted in this offering. The author said that the family stories were wrote just like they happen only some of the names were changed. There are strong intelligent female characters through-out this book. The only character created was one to help explain a dream or vision depending on ones belief system. A vision that the author had while in the mountains. This book asks the reader to question everything around us, some questions are even quantum based. There is a freckle here and a wort there but overall this book is well worth the read. You will laugh and cry and your spirit will fly. Beneath Archers Tree has been read by some of the smartest people in this country, some worked for NASA, some were professors, one, is one of the author's hero's. This hero is Russell Means the Indian activist and actor and author of, "Where White Men Fear To Tread." A book every American should take a moment and read. Mr. Means read a chapter from Beneath Archers Tree, the chapter was Stain Glass Sky, he sent a note saying how much he liked it.

"Have you ever yearned to soar above a world of trouble? If so, prepare to fly Barbara Anne Rose tells a true story of childhood joy dragged to earth by the weight of confusion, pain, and betrayal. But she gives wing to a spiritual journey and, a little at a time, recognizes the heavenly nature within herself and all of us. And she begins to soar, finding success, renewed happiness, the peace that comes from loving forgiveness, and her own inner divinity (with the help of a very special spirit-friend). How this worked for her-and how it can work for you-is now revealed in "Angel Works.""

-Richard D. Smith

I remember being born. Feeling sensations and movements within my mother's womb. This is not just a story of events that I have lived but of victorious survival. Feel every emotion inside of you. Laugh, cry, vent, feel all emotions that run through your body. Feel the thoughts that go through your mind. Feel your heart beat, your ears open, your eyes widen, your lips open in wonderment. All of us are born perfect. I had many visions as a child, and still do now, where I could see parts of my future.

Jesus Christ is a close friend. Knowledge is something that everyone should continually seek. One can never have enough and should never be satisfied with that which they have already acquired. My own life has been spent constantly learning new things. We are all flowers. Once pure in spirit. Pure in love. We once knew all things good. When will you make your stand for spiritual freedom?

This book can change your life if you want it to. Where are you right now in your spiritual evolution? Do you hold hate and judgment or love and forgiveness?

EMBRACING THE JOURNEY Stories that will inspire you to start talking about the end of life without fear.What would it be like? To know you are dying and still live your life to the fullest? Death does not have to stun us with crushing grief, we can prepare for it and honor this important part of every one's life. The true life stories in Dying To Live are filled with love, challenges, tears and laughter. Dying To Live is a must read for anyone who will stand in the fire with loved ones leaving this world. Death is a part of life. Celebrate the process and learn from the experiences of these incredible people. You will: . Discover ways to experience life and death without fear. Be inspired by love and hope with each remarkable story. Laugh and cry as you see we are all intrinsically the same. Celebrate the possibilities in your own life and death. Learn that you get to make up your own rules"Dying to Live reminds us that the end of the road can be embraced with love, insight, compassion and even joy. A book to be read and remembered." Judy Reynolds, Author, Once Upon a Vine.Dying to Live is an extraordinary experience, revealing the soul's yearning for love, no matter what the circumstances may be. These stories will expand your heart into realms you never knew existed. Percy McManus, founder, Health Excellence, Inc.Joanne Harvey MSW is a Hospice Social Worker, Life Coach and Meridian Practitioner with years of experience guiding patients, individuals and families though the challenges of life, terminal illness and self-realization. "It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters." Mother Teresa