Opening sentences alert you to what is ahead for you to step into, or not! It lets you know that you have a reading experience that may impress you or even change your way of thinking! Words from fictional stories, essays, memories and poetry; each has its own unique emotion to share with you. Do you dare to step inside the mental workings of another? Are you up for the challenge? This wide collection of writings may make you smile, cry, laugh, cry, shout in horror or make you feel warmly ...

Callie has become successful: her marriage remains vibrant, her business is flourishing, her daughter is doing well, she still has her lifelong friends and the island hasn't undergone major changes. But life isn't static. She begins to experience losses and has to deal with changes in her relationship with her daughter, Kim.Kim has landed her dream job as a nurse practitioner, working with individuals with mental illness. She marries and starts a family. But she too, faces challeng...

Low Tide follows Callie's journey from a teenager to a young independent woman. After her marriage to Joe, her childhood sweetheart, the young couple move to Charleston, South Carolina to escape the mills which dominate life in Columbia. Working together the young couple refurbish the Caines Island house Callie inherited from her aunt. The young couple's life seems perfect with the birth of their daughter. Can Callie overcome the obstacles put in her way by her family and society?

Caines Island sits just outside the mouth of the Charleston River. Trees drip with Spanish moss and the scent of magnolia blossoms fill the air. After her husband' death in an accident, Callie has two things" the island house she inherited from her aunt and a fierce determination to raise her infant daughter on Caines Island. But even in this idyllic setting trouble comes Callie's way.While dealing with her own mental health issues, her mother launches a campaign for Callie to retu...

. A Crazy Quilt Life follows the author's zigzag path through life as she becomes a nurse specializing in psychiatric mental health. Along the way, she provides a historical context through commentary on global and national events, healthcare in the United States and social injustices which occurred during her lifetime. While not a "self-help" book, the author shares her journey to mental wellness in the hope she can encourage others to start their own journey to wellness.

Readers mourning the loss of a loved one will find solace and strength in these 101 emotional and inspiration stories from those who have gone through the grieving process. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery will help readers during this difficult time.Everyone grieves in their own way. While the hurt and sadness never completely fade, it eases with time. Contributors who have gone through the grieving and recovery process share their stories...

**,"Mallery beautifully illustrates the power of female friendship and the importance of reaching for one's dreams."—Publishers WeeklyBeloved bestselling author Susan Mallery brings readers an emotional, witty, and heartfelt story that explores the nuances of a broken family’s complex emotions as they strive to become whole in this uplifting story of human frailty and resilience.**Finley McGowan is determined that the niece she’s raising will always feel loved and ...

A true story of a mother’s love, kept alive through gifts, letters, and time.When Genevieve (Gwen) Kingston lost her mother at age eleven, she was left with more than memories. Her mother had prepared a chest filled with handwritten letters and carefully chosen gifts—for the birthdays and major life milestones they wouldn’t get to share.As Did I Ever Tell You? begins, only three packages remain: for Gwen’s engagement, marriage, and first baby. Thei...

Welcome to Ian, book 9 in Farraday Country, a twist on the favorite 7 Brides for 7 Brothers theme set in cattle-ranching west Texas, with all the friends, family and fun that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Chris Keniston.For Texas Ranger Ian Farraday, nothing beats catching bad guys, except family time in Tuckers Bluff. When fate steps in and brings him face-to-face with one curvy—and unforgettable—damsel in distress, all it takes is a stray puppy and a ...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: On Being a Parent includes the best selections on parenting from Chicken Soup for the Soul’s rich history, with 101 stories carefully selected to appeal to both mothers and fathers.Parenting is the hardest and most rewarding job in the world. Filled with stories on the humor, hard work, and joy of being a parent, this is a great book for couples to share, whether they are embarking on a new adventure as parents or reflecting on t...

Some summers will stay with you forever...Callie Weaver and best friend Olivia Dixon have finally done it: put their life savings into the beach house they admired through childhood summers, on the dazzling white sand of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They’re going to buff the salt from its windows, paint its sun-bleached sidings, and open it as a bed and breakfast.Callie’s too busy to think about her love life, but when she catches the atte...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People will encourage, inspire, and support readers through all types of difficult situations. Anyone dealing with financial troubles, illnesses, job woes, and/or grief will find this book helpful and uplifting.Tough times won’t last, but tough people will. Many people have lost money and many are losing their jobs, homes, or at least making cutbacks. Many others have faced life-changing natural disasters, such...