Memories of the past. White wine. A simple vase of colorful roses. Meet Paul Summer, a divorced author who has lost his way. Earlier in his life Paul was a player, a metro-male, someone in total control of his actions. Now, as a fifty-something middle-aged man, he is just a shadow of his previous self, only going through the motions of living. On a routine book signing trip through Albuquerque, New Mexico Paul meets two ladies who want to help him regain his lost mojo. Shelby allows him to feel things he never thought he would ever feel again while she gets exactly what she wants from him. Kathy, an acquaintance from his past, reminds him about the things he used to believe in, how he influenced her life, and what a colorful vase of roses once meant to him. Another 'real-life' fiction tale from award-winning author Philip Nork.

Thundering hooves. Shouts and cheers Quickly spoken words and moments of anticipation. Flashes of the lean creatures as they go by being directed by focused riders in colorful silks. That unmistakable scent of dust and horse. And the lure of money, lots and lots of money.Many people enjoy the sport of horse racing. Then there are the others, those who go too far. Bobby Tucker is one of them. Once he was a casual fan, but then something came over him- 'the fog' is what his father, an ex-gambler himself, called it. 'Your demon' is what someone else tells him he needs to get under control. A friend tells him the truth, "You're an addict, a simple gambling addict and you're sick." Only one old man, long since dead, can help Bobby understand The Other Side of Horse Racing. But can he escape it?

The journey of self-discovery is a lifetime trip; and just like the fingerprints you possess, yours will be uniquely different than anyone else's. There are things that are common in each-such as good and bad times, emotional highs and lows, and choices that will need to be made. These choices that are presented to you can greatly define how you live your life. They may be influenced by the people you meet, symbols that are strategically placed along your journey, and especially by however you choose to worship your idea of God. Being that no choice ever comes without consequence, there really is no right or wrong answer; either road taken will eventually get you to where you're supposed to be. Although some roads take longer than others in order to reach your final destination.

The journey we are on is a difficult one, even more so for those from a broken family. Follow one boy as he searches for the two desires we all have in common: to be accepted by others, and to be truly happy. Life continues through the good and the bad, and each and every person you meet along the way leaves pieces behind, like a jigsaw puzzle, for you to piece together as you grow and learn. And as you put those pieces together, you hopefully become a better person for it. We are indeed all connected, and everything you do really does matter and will always affect someone else in one way or another.

Growing up in the 1970's was memorable. The free love era of the 1960's was still around and growing and the sexual diseases of the 1980's hadn't surfaced yet. Still, being a teenager during this time period was difficult, and being a child of divorce didn't help the situation. Teenage years are difficult ones... Trying to find yourself and the self-discovery of who you want to be can be time consuming. Throw in searching for acceptance and happiness missing from your home and you're looking at a complicated set of years.

Age 13+ Grandparents and Great-Grandparents are the foundation of a family. Come read about "Gramps and Nana," their family and a very special summer cottage tucked away in rural Wisconsin. This is a story about nature, fun and relaxation ... but it also tells about the special relationship a boy of divorce has with his great-grandparents. Share the legends or myths he heard while growing up every summer at this special retreat. Be there when Nana teaches him many valuable life lessons that he uses his entire life. Share in the happiness and the sorrow of one family as they truly experience the love they have for each other. Legends of the Lake is a lazy Sunday drive through time, involving generational memories and shares the joy and sorrows of one family, a summer at a time. Family vacations can bring back a lot of memories. This story lets you follow the summers vacations of one family. Come feel like a part of the family enjoying the lake, fires, fresh lemonade, and learning from life experiences with the characters. The memories of youth, once you are older, leave you wishing you could go back. This truly is a book to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. It's a quaint story about a family, the Krons, and their generational memories starting with the great grandparents and ending with the last generation's character. It begins in the earlier 1900's and concludes in 1984, describing their colorful life details and traditions, ending with the main character coming back on his 50th birthday to relish the lasting memories of his past. This book is one of the ones that give you that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Growing up is difficult. It can be a lonely and frightening experience if you let it. It's even harder if your parents are divorced. And although there are times when you'll do things you know aren't correct, remember you're never alone. In life each of us is on a journey. It's filled with questions and answers, rights and wrongs; choices and lessons. It often goes by the name "self discovery." No two lives can ever be totally the same, nor are any two journeys; like fingerprints, yours is totally unique to you. But there is one common bond in all of our paths and that is the presence of other people. How you decide to perceive, interact with, and learn from them greatly shapes the true you that will emerge.