Bartholomew 'Bat' Lynch is an Irish immigrant who comes to America with his older sister, Mary, during Prohibition. Bat is a rover, a philosopher and, in many ways, a child who never grows up. He's witty, light-hearted, quick to tell a joke and even quicker to have a drink or two. During his lifetime he works at numerous occupations, though most are short-term, and he has memorable experiences at each of them. An immensely likeable fellow, Bat is blessed with good luck and has an uncanny knack for landing on his feet. But his real fortune in life is Eileen, his wife, who stands by him through it all, unfaltering and steadfast. Bad blood exists between Bat and Eileen's brother, Jerry, who also becomes his brother-in-law when he weds Bat's sister. Over the years Bat keeps the dark secret he knows about Jerry to himself, and Jerry's hatred for Bat continues to fester. It all comes to a head during Bat's wake when divine retribution plays a hand in evening up the score. The Last of the Unicorns has anecdotes that will make you laugh out loud along with heart-wrenching passages that will evoke tears. It has innocence and intrigue, guile and goodness, decency and deception, mirth and mortality. Bat Lynch - like the fabled unicorn - is a unique and unforgettable character you'll be thinking about long after you read the last page.

In the spring of 2005, Tom Benford seemed to have it all: a successful career, a loving family and dreams of retirement. Then lightning struck: his daughter, Andrea, was diagnosed with small-cell ovarian cancer. Standing Tall is the story of Tom and Andrea's year together: the laughter, the tears, and most importantly, the lessons learned through a debilitating illness. Told lovingly through a father's eyes, Standing Tall is the story of family, love and a parent holding on -- then letting go.