Check Out My Catalog of Fictional Books
“Ghosts of Petra” tells the story of an unexpected encounter in a once thriving city. This city exists in modern-day Jordan, just south of the Dead Sea. Sam and his girlfriend, Jill, on summer break from college between graduation and graduate school.
They encounter the question of what is life? Does the soul physically exist? And can the soul be reborn? This book is a suspenseful spiritual event that takes place from 106 A.D. to the era of nanoscience.
This is a historical fiction satire story written based on my feelings and views gathered in the workplace of both the civilian and military environment. It may even present itself as anti-war to some. However, it is just a conglomeration of my thoughts after spending much time within the military and always wanting to make it a lifelong job and adventure.
I had spent many years working in the field of performance and productivity with both the military and civilian workplace. I attended many schools and classes outside of my college classes which focused somewhat on anti-micromanagement. While taught and preached, micromanagement is one aptitude I failed to see disappear while I worked in the military or civilian positions as a soldier and as a leader from the end of the Vietnam era to today. I wrote this satire set in the military realm with influence from one of my most favorite television shows and movie, which was M*A*S*H* 4077.
I recall one time, while working as a field consultant for the military productivity division coming into the classroom, we were to teach a class on leadership. The lead instructor had written on the board: “Perception Is Reality.” I was a newcomer to the division and only a lieutenant at the time but opened my mouth as I read the board out loud. "Wow, whoever wrote that did not know apples from oranges.
I did not realize the department staff was sitting in the adjoining room having coffee and reviewing for the class. As I entered the room, all eyes were upon me, and I was asked if I had a problem with today's lesson. Knowing I was in the doghouse, I said no. I was then asked by the lead instructor to define the topic written on the board. I said. "Well, I think reality can be deceived by one's perception based upon the angle their senses absorb the event."
I added that it was a great topic and that we should teach this great relationship between the brain and the outside world. "We could add to the comment that all apples are fruits, but not all fruits are apples," was my final comment for the day as I sat down for the meeting to begin. I soon learned that I would not be teaching that day. One of my most favorite songs, “Don't Rock My Boat” by Bob Marley, began playing in my head and still is today.
So this book, as well as some of my others, will most likely rock someone's boat. As an anthropologist by degree, I did want to participate in war as my father and other family members. This is a human characteristic that will be with mankind for many years. I do see it as a profit in the area of capital gain for some as well as a gain of dominance for a few others.
I also have learned from studies as well as experience that some wars are a waste of human life along with the destruction of social and material products of nature and humans. I probably have watched all of the good old TV series and movie M.A.S.H. and sometimes caught myself saying, "Ah hell, there is no way that could really happen." Well, I have learned; yes, it can and unfortunately will continue as abusive power exists.
This is the story of Billy Ranhalt, who is struggling with one of the most difficult challenges one can face. He is in defense at a trial within himself as well as in a society that came about in the prime of his life. He is being tried for an injury, or as some would say, an illness that can be found in every society throughout the world. He is guilty before his trial.
His offense is almost invisible to himself as well as many others that may suffer from his offense. His injuries are almost invisible to those surrounding him, yet he sees them himself but does not want to see them. Billy Ranhalt tries to overlook the impossible but must face trial. The injury Billy suffered is one that has become more prominent to our society in the past few years with the growing number of war veterans.
The character, Billy Ranhalt, is a person most people have seen or may see someday within their job, their friends or among family, and very well themselves. The intent of this story is to open the eyes and minds of people incurring awareness and respect to those suffering as Billy did from an incurable but not untreatable suffering. The only cure Billy finds is not what he really wanted, which is carried out by those unwilling or failing to see his injury.
The setting takes place in the modern-day United States, among a typical American family. It has a strong emphasis on a Gulf War veteran, yet similarities are found throughout the world in various surroundings. The ending is not a good ending for Billy, his family, or his friends. However, an ending that foresight and forethought could have been prevented.
“This Land is My Land” is a historical fiction story about the life and adventures of the soldiers, artisans, and clergy under the leadership of Hidalgo Don Hernando De Soto, beginning in the year 1538 and coming to a tiring end in 1542.
The theme illustrates the difficulty of men and women in the first exploration of La Florida and its damaging effects on new lands and the indigenous people who had founded the land many years earlier. It elaborates how exploration is irresistible to human beings and will always have its good and bad outcomes. They begin with about seven hundred and fifty men and women of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, mostly Portuguese and Spaniard. The route of exploration went through Cuba, 10 states, and Mexico ending with about two hundred and twenty-six survivors.
The protagonist is the gold and land-seeking explorer and Adelantado Don Hernando De Soto searching for new lands and riches to aid in his own as well as his countries profits. After his death, Luis de Moscoso follows him as the leader to get the remaining explorers safely to the city of Mexico.
It does not demonstrate one-sided wrongdoing but the unethical and unfair actions that come about when differently cultivated humans meet. It is not a heartwarming story of great adventures, which leads to a thanksgiving. It describes the four-year march across the interior of today’s southeastern United States based on information the author gathered from translations of four of the original notes and writing of the original company.
Children’s book I wrote along with my illustrations to encourage two-year olds to about seven-year olds to take up a challenge.