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In October of 1918, the world, still in the midst of a massive war in Europe, is experiencing a new challenge—a pandemic of what came to be known as the Spanish flu. But Cotella Barlow, living in an isolated county in Appalachian Virginia, has only heard rumors about it. Cotella, known as "Telly," makes her way in the world taking care of the families of new mothers who are "lying in" after their labors and deliveries. She travels home to home, eeking out a living, loved by many but always conscious of the stares and winces caused by her disfiguring condition.
Until she enters the home of her next "momma," who, days before delivery, is dying in a strange new way, her husband missing, and her four other children frightened, uncared for, and hungry. Telly must meet the challenge with no knowledge of the outside world that is shutting down while people suffer, die, and quarantine. Winter is coming, and there is no one to help, or so it seems.
This is a story of devotion, courage, strength, and love with iconic characters readers will come to cherish.
In October of 1918, the world, still in the midst of a massive war in Europe, is experiencing a new challenge—a pandemic of what came to be known as the Spanish flu. But Cotella Barlow, living in an isolated county in Appalachian Virginia, has only heard rumors about it. Cotella, known as "Telly," makes her way in the world taking care of the families of new mothers who are "lying in" after their labors and deliveries. She travels home to home, eeking out a living, loved by many but always conscious of the stares and winces caused by her disfiguring condition.
Until she enters the home of her next "momma," who, days before delivery, is dying in a strange new way, her husband missing, and her four other children frightened, uncared for, and hungry. Telly must meet the challenge with no knowledge of the outside world that is shutting down while people suffer, die, and quarantine. Winter is coming, and there is no one to help, or so it seems.
This is a story of devotion, courage, strength, and love with iconic characters readers will come to cherish.
Your thoughts, dreams, and experiences deserve to be heard — especially by you. In just fifteen to twenty minutes each week, Write Your Heart Out invites you to come along on a journey of self-discovery through the simple, powerful act of putting pen to paper. Author and publisher Vickie McEntire has crafted 52 thought-provoking prompts that guide you to explore your inner landscape and uncover insights you didn’t know were waiting.
Journaling isn’t just about recording events; it’s about understanding yourself more deeply, processing emotions, and gaining clarity on what truly matters in your life.
Whether you’re seeking to heal from past wounds, find motivation for new beginnings, or simply process life’s daily challenges, this journal offers a safe space for honest reflection. Writing has an extraordinary ability to reduce anxiety and frustration, and help you move forward with greater balance. Write Your Heart Out removes the guesswork from journaling with structured yet flexible exercises that meet you exactly where you are. No experience necessary — just an openness to explore, discover, and transform through the therapeutic power of your own words.
Your journey to a more empowered life begins today.
Deep in the Northern Thicket, a cold wind blows. Tradition mandates the flock remain through the winter, and The Elders are big on following the rules. Wooblers are a serious breed who spend most of their time attending to important matters requiring somber faces. But Leader of the Flock has a deep, dark secret . . . and their most misunderstood member has uncovered it. Will the Wooblers have the faith to change? Things are about to get more colorful.
"Freedom's Eve" is a historical fiction children's book that follows Layla, a little mouse living in an antique shop, who is magically transported back to a South Carolina plantation during the Civil War era by the spirit of Hawa, a young enslaved girl. Through Hawa's guidance, Layla witnesses the realities of slavery from New Year's Eve 1862 (when the Emancipation Proclamation took effect) through the eventual freedom that came in 1865. The story explores the daily lives, struggles, and resilience of enslaved people, their rich Gullah culture and language, and their journey to freedom. Written by Dawn Caldwell with illustrations by Bryce Caldwell, the book aims to teach honest history about slavery while honoring the strength and cultural heritage of the Gullah people.
Jeanne Cahill’s story will take you from a childhood in Dixie Union to a life of service and resilience. It’s a memoir of history, hardship, and hope.
Conversation is more than just words being spoken, interpreted, and acted upon by others. Conversation is also the ultimate human interest activity, bringing people into direct contact with people in all of their complexity and vulnerability. The main characters in Parker's ten multi-genre stories set in the heart of Appalachia want to be heard; to have others listen to them—really listen—and understand their needs and concerns.
The characters in these stories do not always get listened to, and many of them find that the need for attention comes from aggression. A woman confronts her father about his dementia. Two fathers whose guilt and shame over the disappearances of their sons hide more sinister motives. A young boy frustrated with a ring appraisal learns a lesson about how people and things can be valued equally. Each of the characters in the collection is faced with a balance of talking and listening with a need for action, which often leads to manipulation and coercion.
The characters in these stories want to be heard; to have others listen to them—really listen—and understand their needs and concerns. However, when they do not get listened to, there is often an attempted persuasion by aggression. One character often finds himself/herself faced with another character who believes that conversation has no place in their lives.
The belief of the antagonists in these stories is that- who needs to talk when there is action that needs to be done? The antagonists believe that there is no need for conversation when the protagonist can be manipulated, coerced, or discredited by actions. Each story is a thrilling adventure with unexpected turns. Parker's honest and provocative prose will captivate readers with its urgency.
Sandra Gail, a charismatic dreamer. Taught to work hard by her caring father, she believed she could have anything she wanted.
Charles Black, her knight in shining armor. He was everything she ever wanted, the answer to her most important dream.
Or so she thought.
The dream was to be an adored wife, loving mother, and exceptional nurse. A dream that would be quickly haunted by a reality she could have never imagined. She would soon find herself caught in a webbed triangle of three main characters that would change the course of her life forever.
Slowly taken captive with no escape in sight, Sandra struggled through the darkest days of her life. Battered and beaten down, emotionally and physically; wounded from torture, deceit, and betrayal, she still prayed for a way out.
Before long, she found she had two reasons for living: Alex and Little Noah. Now she had a reason to fight, even if the cost was her life, determined to have peace at the Final Curtain Call.
Andre Collinger, a teen heroin addict, is marked as disposable by the gang that trafficked him for profit. He goes on the run, abandoning his infant daughter, hoping she can remain safe. Leaving Charlotte, he finds himself in Atlanta where he befriends Leo, a hardened veteran with a heart for struggling youth, and Rax, who has chosen to leave his faith to enjoy his life. When two detectives show up questioning Andre about a dead prostitute and a missing baby, he is forced to make some hard decisions while Rax comes to realize that in some situations, God is the only answer.
Andre and Rax can’t wait for their work-study in Alaska, but everything falls apart when their plane crashes. With their bosses critically injured, the boys must face Alaska on their own. But it isn’t the wildlife that threatens them. For Andre, it is a mysterious woman from his past with a dire warning about his daughter. Rax must face his toxic, abusive partner and be forced to choose between obeying his lover or risking a provocative video being leaked. Amid the chaos, Andre encounters strange, new feelings toward Leo’s niece and Rax must plan a fast wedding. When a friend confesses she had the urge to pray for them, Andre wonders if this God, and his friend's love, is legit. But when a trafficking gang comes after his daughter, he realizes he needs something bigger than himself to fight this battle.
Kevin Elcott likes to think he's on the right track to success: influential position, attractive and uber-competent female friend Felicity, and career prospects. When his mother asks him to put family responsibilities above his own desires and plans, he steps, fully resistant, into a new life. Will he find a way out of his promise to his mother? What will it mean to him and the others in his life?
I bet you’ve heard it said a thousand times, and it sounds something like this, “Social Media is a weapon, used to bully, spread rumors, and give a false perception of reality.” But how many of us hear what is being said but continue to feed into the lies of those hidden deep behind a keyboard?
After 6 years of suppression and censorship, Andy Turner, husband of the late Heather Turner, is breaking his silence. For the first time, Andy will speak about his wife’s suicide in a book that begins with a small-town boy fighting his way out of poverty. It will show the story of a tumultuous first marriage, the late effects of abuse that would go uncorrected by a failing court system, and a secret life that would be uncovered by officials looking for answers.
This book provides a deep look into the family and shines a light on those who twisted facts and spun tales for their own fifteen minutes of fame. The book lends itself to be a voice for Andy and the Turner children who are finally free to share intimate details of all they have been through.
After 6 years of suppression and censorship, Andy Turner, husband of the late Heather Turner, is breaking his silence. For the first time, Andy will speak about his wife’s suicide in a book that begins with a small-town boy fighting his way out of poverty. It will show the story of a tumultuous first marriage, the late effects of abuse that would go uncorrected by a failing court system, and a secret life that would be uncovered by officials looking for answers.
This book provides a deep look into the family and shines a light on those who twisted facts and spun tales for their own fifteen minutes of fame. The book lends itself to be a voice for Andy and the Turner children who are finally free to share intimate details of all they have been through.