-- Anthology of writings about Florida -- a historical and literary introduction to our state's rich and diverse culture
-- From early Spanish myths and Seminole and African-American folktales to the latest descriptions of modern Miami
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, John James Audubon, Zora Neale Hurston, Zane Grey, Wallace Stevens, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Jose Yglesias, and Harry Crews

Jack and Rena Gilley first met as small children and were ultimately married May-27, 1954, a year after Jack was discharged from the army. The story covers the war & 56+ years of their life together which portrays the love that grows stronger with each passing day. The story covers highlights of the Gilley family (with two children) living abroad for more than ten years where they spent time in Libya and Brazil (Their son was born in Libya in 1959) where Jack worked for TI-GSI. After reassignment to Dallas headquarters in 1967 Jack traveled throughout the world visiting/inspecting their operations before resigning to attend their family business started in 1970. It also covers two tours of duty Jack served in Korea before discharge in 1953. In 1951 while in a military hospital in Japan, a wounded soldier from his brothers unit (The 187th Airborne) in the adjacent bed told him the unit incurred heavy casualties. Jack got an early release to search for his brother (during convalescence leave) who he feared had been killed. It is truly an unbelievable story. It also covers their time in Brazil during the military takeover in the 1960's and time in Libya during the Mid-East war where the families were evacuated to Malta. The story covers the starting of Gilley Properties Inc., a land development and building business in 1970 that included six land developments. The building business employed their family members and many long term sub-contractors who worked for them 20+ years. A second business Five Star Industries Inc. was started in 1997. The story covers an exciting life of love, world travels & war. Jack retired at the age of 55, but remained active in the family business. He and RENA have been married 56-plus years...

The primary character "Jim Lacy" portrays a "Gung Ho" young man who volunteered for the "Army Airborne" where he spent time in Korea during the war. Immediately prior to his deployment to Korea, he married a beautiful young lady "Teena" Roberts, whose wealthy parents were killed in a plane crash during his deployment. Since she was an only child, it resulted in a large inheritance settlement to his spouse. That, combined with the large settlement from the air crash made her an extremely wealthy young lady. They elected to place the inheritance in a trust fund for the family children in future years... After returning from his tour of duty he and his wealthy young wife both volunteered for a newly formed "Special Forces Unit" to be deployed in undercover work throughout the world. The unit ultimately evolved into the highly sophisticated US Secret Services Agencies (Un-named) that operate in today's world. Their positions required extensive long term training prior to deployment on field assignments. The story includes the "Romance, Love & Passions" enjoyed by all young married couples. Parts of the story are based on lives of real people. Many of the names used for the characters in the book "are real names" of the people depicted. It is a story of "mystery and intrigue" as they were assigned to special projects in various parts of the world. It relates to the True Real Life Passions shared by all young married couples. Additionally it includes actions in a world of special agents and intrigue of life most people only read or dream about. If you enjoy a book filled with action, love and romance...you will enjoy the story. A sequel of the story is planned.

Jack and Rena Gilley first met as small children and were ultimately married May-27, 1954, a year after Jack was discharged from the army. The story covers the war & 56+ years of their life together which portrays the love that grows stronger with each passing day. The story covers highlights of the Gilley family (with two children) living abroad for more than ten years where they spent time in Libya and Brazil (Their son was born in Libya in 1959) where Jack worked for TI-GSI. After reassignment to Dallas headquarters in 1967 Jack traveled throughout the world visiting/inspecting their operations before resigning to attend their family business started in 1970. It also covers two tours of duty Jack served in Korea before discharge in 1953. In 1951 while in a military hospital in Japan, a wounded soldier from his brothers unit (The 187th Airborne) in the adjacent bed told him the unit incurred heavy casualties. Jack got an early release to search for his brother (during convalescence leave) who he feared had been killed. It is truly an unbelievable story. It also covers their time in Brazil during the military takeover in the 1960's and time in Libya during the Mid-East war where the families were evacuated to Malta. The story covers the starting of Gilley Properties Inc., a land development and building business in 1970 that included six land developments. The building business employed their family members and many long term sub-contractors who worked for them 20+ years. A second business Five Star Industries Inc. was started in 1997. The story covers an exciting life of love, world travels & war. Jack retired at the age of 55, but remained active in the family business. He and RENA have been married 56-plus years...

The primary character "Jim Lacy" portrays a "Gung Ho" young man who volunteered for the "Army Airborne" where he spent time in Korea during the war. Immediately prior to his deployment to Korea, he married a beautiful young lady "Teena" Roberts, whose wealthy parents were killed in a plane crash during his deployment. Since she was an only child, it resulted in a large inheritance settlement to his spouse. That, combined with the large settlement from the air crash made her an extremely wealthy young lady. They elected to place the inheritance in a trust fund for the family children in future years... After returning from his tour of duty he and his wealthy young wife both volunteered for a newly formed "Special Forces Unit" to be deployed in undercover work throughout the world. The unit ultimately evolved into the highly sophisticated US Secret Services Agencies (Un-named) that operate in today's world. Their positions required extensive long term training prior to deployment on field assignments. The story includes the "Romance, Love & Passions" enjoyed by all young married couples. Parts of the story are based on lives of real people. Many of the names used for the characters in the book "are real names" of the people depicted. It is a story of "mystery and intrigue" as they were assigned to special projects in various parts of the world. It relates to the True Real Life Passions shared by all young married couples. Additionally it includes actions in a world of special agents and intrigue of life most people only read or dream about. If you enjoy a book filled with action, love and romance...you will enjoy the story. A sequel of the story is planned.