The Perils of Beginnings weaves two periods of history that tell the story of 18-year-old Barbara invited by her Auntie, Eloisa Cavazos Diaz on a road trip in 1967, from San Antonio, Texas, to Tampico, Mexico. Auntie wants to find her official baptismal certificate left behind or lost when her birth father is murdered in Tampico and her mother escaped with her life. Auntie pulls all the stops to search for this elusive document.
They say that authors write the books they want to read. If so, this poignant memoir “Choosing Magic” delivers author Karina Pacific much of the insight and guidance she so desperately needed as a child.
Born in Mexico to a father never knew and an overworked, reticent mother, Karina’s story unveils a childhood filled with colorful characters, dark secrets of abuse, and a nomadic existence that bounced her all over her native country eventually leading her to the land of opportunity – America.
After appearing to have had a stroke, nineteen-year-old Grant Galvin has been approved for the Tampa General Hospital's Rehabilitation Center. But no sooner is he gazing out over the sparkling river when he has a heart attack. Mom, the ex-husband, and the boyfriend find themselves in ICU on a diagnostic merry-go-round with baffling symptoms spinning out of control. Buckle up, Buttercup. This is one crazy ride.
As a student of the world with a mischievous, curious nature, Grant pushes the envelope at every turn leaving trouble and laughter in his wake.
Glorious Times… tells the fascinating story of an American clan of Scots-Irish origin that settled in and near the South Mountain “Cradle of Conservation” close to nature. The inspiring lives of the famous twins, known from their many publications, documentary films, and ground-breaking conservation efforts; as well as that of their award-winning sister, Jean Craighead George, are explored in rich detail.
They were supposed to stay home cooking and cleaning while wearing pearls. They got it half right; they did wear pearls…
Molly: All alone she protected her land and children from treasure seekers, holding them off only with her courage and a shotgun.
Mary: She came with her husband as he drove the first train into Miami in 1896 when the Magic City was nothing more than a collection of wooden shacks and mud streets.
Helen: A flapper, she knew what she wanted and went out and found it.
The Pianist’s Only Daughter is a frank, humorous, and poignant exploration of aging in an aging expert's own family. Gerontologist Kathryn Betts Adams was the only daughter of colorful and talented parents: her mother an English scholar/poet, and her father a concert pianist/music professor. Their dramatic emotional lives, marital instability, and eventual break-up provided backdrop for her youth. Nearly thirty years after they divorced, her parents reconcile and decide to live together again. As her mother’s Parkinson’s disease progresses, Kathryn steps in to manage her care.
This book honors Patsy Swayze who was the mother and mentor of her beloved son Patrick. Patsy was an icon in the dance and performing arts world for decades as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and choreographer. Her work includes founding the Houston Jazz Ballet, teaching at the university of Houston, and choreographing for Hollywood movies and Houston's main theatre companies. She inspired thousands of dance students, many of whom went on to become professionals in the performing arts. With that said, she was most proud of being the mother of five children.
