{"title":"Shop all books by Hazel Mattice","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Hazel Mattice has a girl-next-door charm as an author.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Love reading books by this author! Can't wait for the next one!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This author gets inside your head and weaves a world you don't want to leave.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-dark-days","title":"The Dark Days E-Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShe stepped out to a strange people in a strange darkness…and she saw a stranger in her husband.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"This author gets inside your head and weaves a world you don't want to leave.\"- Miranda Townsend, Amazon Customer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"I'm so tired this morning because I stayed up much too late reading this thriller AND I kept dreaming about parts of it.\" -Shari Schwarz, Amazon Customer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeave it to her brother to invite crazy people over at the end of the world, her husband Richard, at the top of the list.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen the world is upturned when darkness falls five minutes past two—in the afternoon. But the real crisis begins when Charlie escapes the isolated farm during a riot with rugged cattle rancher, Nick Miller.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperatures plummet outside as heat turns up between Charlie and Nick. Then Charlie finds Richard at the National Guard Armory with other survivors. Ruefully, Charlie leaves with him. But something is wrong with Richard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eExperience the chilling thrills that will keep you up all night!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754520772978,"sku":"The Dark Days_Ebook","price":6.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-1911.png?v=1744600782"},{"product_id":"the-dark-days-paperback","title":"The Dark Days Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShe stepped out to a strange people in a strange darkness…and she saw a stranger in her husband.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"This author gets inside your head and weaves a world you don't want to leave.\"- Miranda Townsend, Amazon Customer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"I'm so tired this morning because I stayed up much too late reading this thriller AND I kept dreaming about parts of it.\" -Shari Schwarz, Amazon Customer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeave it to her brother to invite crazy people over at the end of the world, her husband Richard, at the top of the list.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen the world is upturned when darkness falls five minutes past two—in the afternoon. But the real crisis begins when Charlie escapes the isolated farm during a riot with rugged cattle rancher, Nick Miller.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperatures plummet outside as heat turns up between Charlie and Nick. Then Charlie finds Richard at the National Guard Armory with other survivors. Ruefully, Charlie leaves with him. But something is wrong with Richard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eExperience the chilling thrills that will keep you up all night!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754543645042,"sku":"The Dark Days_paperback","price":16.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-21-5527.png?v=1744599391"},{"product_id":"the-green-door","title":"The Green Door E-Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWHAT HAPPENS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eA coming-of-age novel about a young girl growing up in rural North Dakota in the 1980s. Beloved by readers of all ages, recommended if you are going through a hard time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This book was so good!! Well written and suspenseful! Characters are true to the area its set in. Definitely recommend\" -Amazon Kindle Customer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer 1985, ten-year-old Rosemarie Mattson is afraid to find out what goes on behind the green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosemarie Mattson isn’t worried when her parents offer next-door neighbors a place to stay. Then the Sims move with them at the family country home, and their presence appears to be permanent. And when family edges are blurred, Rosemarie is suddenly afraid to ask what happens behind the guarded green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears later, Rosemarie leaves home and becomes the owner of her own bakery. Then meets Rich, a charming and handsome man. Easy company turns to deep conversation, and Rosemarie believes she’s met the man of her dreams.\u003cbr\u003eBut that changes when she arrives at her bakery and discovers Rich has painted the front door green. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd Rosemarie discovers sometimes not knowing is better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eSeven-thirty. Rich was a no show. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI waited a half hour before texting, \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eWhere are you? I’m leaving. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThere were two ways out of town. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;\"\u003eOne by Hamill’s Bakery and the other a straight shot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eDon’t do it Rosemarie. Don’t…but of course I did. I went the bakery way. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI slowed down before Hamill’s. The storefront was a lonely, desolate place. Feeling foolish, I started to speed up when I caught a glimpse of his truck parked in the back. As was Holly’s SUV. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t see straight, only red. Spots danced before my eyes. I gripped the steering wheel with both hands. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eWhat does she have I don’t? Why can’t he love me? What makes her special? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI rushed to the stupid green door and pounded. “Rich! Open up!” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eEach minute, an everlasting eternity. They were in there, the two of them… \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eDefeated, I returned to the car. Several deep breaths later, a can rolled around the passenger side floor. It was the black spray paint Jim didn’t need for his shop project at school. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003ePerfect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eSweat beaded the back of my neck. I got out, shaking the can. The ball clanging around inside the metal container like images of Rich and Holly inside my head. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eRich will open the door now. Probably call the cops and have me arrested for vandalism, and…a bunch of other things. I don’t care. It will be worth it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI needed proof.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .1in;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eUncover the dark secrets that lie within the pages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754560848242,"sku":"The Green Door_Ebook","price":5.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-167.png?v=1775345996"},{"product_id":"the-green-door-paperback","title":"The Green Door Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWHAT HAPPENS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eA coming-of-age novel about a young girl growing up in rural North Dakota in the 1980s. Beloved by readers of all ages, recommended if you are going through a hard time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This book was so good!! Well written and suspenseful! Characters are true to the area its set in. Definitely recommend\" -Amazon Kindle Customer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer 1985, ten-year-old Rosemarie Mattson is afraid to find out what goes on behind the green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosemarie Mattson isn’t worried when her parents offer next-door neighbors a place to stay. Then the Sims move with them at the family country home, and their presence appears to be permanent. And when family edges are blurred, Rosemarie is suddenly afraid to ask what happens behind the guarded green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears later, Rosemarie leaves home and becomes the owner of her own bakery. Then meets Rich, a charming and handsome man. Easy company turns to deep conversation, and Rosemarie believes she’s met the man of her dreams.\u003cbr\u003eBut that changes when she arrives at her bakery and discovers Rich has painted the front door green. Rosemarie confronts him, and he claims innocence, even seems shocked she would think he had ill intent. Even as Rosemarie wants to believe him, she secretly worries he's done it on purpose. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd Rosemarie discovers sometimes not knowing is better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eSeven-thirty. Rich was a no show. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI waited a half hour before texting, \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eWhere are you? I’m leaving. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThere were two ways out of town. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;\"\u003eOne by Hamill’s Bakery and the other a straight shot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eDon’t do it Rosemarie. Don’t…but of course I did. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI went the bakery way. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI slowed down before Hamill’s. The storefront was a lonely, desolate place. Feeling foolish, I started to speed up when I caught a glimpse of his truck parked in the back. As was Holly’s SUV. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t see straight, only red. Spots danced before my eyes. I gripped the steering wheel with both hands. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eWhat does she have I don’t? Why can’t he love me? What makes her special? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI rushed to the stupid green door and pounded. “Rich! Open up!” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eEach minute, an everlasting eternity. They were in there, the two of them… \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eDefeated, I returned to the car. Several deep breaths later, a can rolled around the passenger side floor. It was the black spray paint Jim didn’t need for his shop project at school. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003ePerfect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eSweat beaded the back of my neck. I got out, shaking the can. The ball clanging around inside the metal container like images of Rich and Holly inside my head. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eRich will open the door now. Probably call the cops and have me arrested for vandalism, and…a bunch of other things. I don’t care. It will be worth it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI needed proof.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .1in;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eUncover the dark secrets that lie within the pages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754561175922,"sku":"The Green Door_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-21-5244.png?v=1744599225"},{"product_id":"where-there-is-no-whisper","title":"Where there is no Whisper E-Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"The book was tormenting me, and I stayed up much too late reading!!\" \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlashback to 1981: A nostalgic journey of love, loss, and self-discovery 📺\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet Eve Hofmann, a young girl coming of age under difficult circumstances. With a distant mother and dying father, she finds solace in her friendships with Silas Alder and Valerie Pleasant - or so she thinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA chance encounter on a snowy porch sets off a chain reaction of events that changes everything for Eve and Silas, two souls bound by fate but destined to be apart. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders rave about this heartwarming yet suspenseful tale:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A delightful character... I just wanted others to do right by her.\"\u003cbr\u003e\"Couldn't put it down!\"\u003cbr\u003e\"A breath of fresh air.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Eve navigates adolescence, first love blossoms between her and Silas. Years later, their paths cross again when he's hired to renovate an inherited schoolhouse into her home. Embers of passion reignite, but danger lurks nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValerie returns after years apart, stirring up memories and putting Eve on edge once more... \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGideon’s eyes were fixed on the corner of the coffee shop. “Don’t look now, Eve, but did you kiss a girl and like it?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eMy eyes automatically followed his to see Valerie sitting on a stuffed chair in the opposite corner, watching us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eI turned back around. “You know when someone says not to do something, it’s like a requirement to do it anyway.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“She’s on her way over here,” Dawn said through her teeth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eSuddenly, I recalled spilling my guts to Valerie about Clint Hammond. A reason, perhaps the best, why I didn’t drink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e“Hi guys.” Valerie approached with a smile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eDawn squinted up at her. “Valerie Pleasant?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Wait, you know each other?” Gideon handed Dawn a tall drink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“I’m excited to stay at the schoolhouse,” Valerie gushed. “I don’t know if I mentioned how sorry I am about your dad not being…your dad.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eSeriously\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e? “It’s okay.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eShe glanced at Dawn. “At least you got a place to live out of the deal.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Right.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Is six an okay time to come by with the rest of my stuff?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Sure.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eValerie gave a wry smile. “I won’t keep you. I wanted to say hi. I can’t thank you enough. You are a lifesaver.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eAs soon as she left, Dawn pounced. “Do my ears deceive me? Valerie Pleasant? Is she moving in with you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eI cringed at how it sounded. How did it sound? Like I made a whopper of a mistake. “How do I get myself into these things?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGideon sipped his coffee. “I don’t know, how do you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“You told her about Clint Hammond?” Dawn asked. “I mean, you can tell whoever you want.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“It’s a temporary deal. She’s moving to Texas at the end of the month.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGet ready for a thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754570809714,"sku":"Where there is no Whisper_Ebook","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-1713.png?v=1744600673"},{"product_id":"where-there-is-no-whisper-copy","title":"Where there is no Whisper Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI felt his solitude, longed to go after him. He had college ahead of him. I had a baby.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"The book was tormenting me while doing homework and I stayed up much too late reading!!\" -Teresa Risovi \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlashback to 1981: A nostalgic journey of love, loss, and self-discovery 📺\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet Eve Hofmann, a young girl coming of age under difficult circumstances. With a distant mother and dying father, she finds solace in her friendships with Silas Alder and Valerie Pleasant - or so she thinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA chance encounter on a snowy porch sets off a chain reaction of events that changes everything for Eve and Silas, two souls bound by fate but destined to be apart. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Eve navigates adolescence, first love blossoms between her and Silas. Years later, their paths cross again when he's hired to renovate an inherited schoolhouse into her home. Embers of passion reignite, but danger lurks nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValerie returns after years apart, stirring up memories and putting Eve on edge once more... \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eDawn sat down next to me. “We were just over at your place to check on you. Silas was in the yard. Said you would be here.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGideon’s eyes were fixed on the corner of the coffee shop. “Don’t look now, Eve, but did you kiss a girl and like it?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eMy eyes automatically followed his to see Valerie sitting on a stuffed chair in the opposite corner, watching us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eI turned back around. “You know when someone says not to do something, it’s like a requirement to do it anyway.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“She’s on her way over here,” Dawn said through her teeth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eSuddenly, I recalled spilling my guts to Valerie about Clint Hammond. A reason, perhaps the best, why I didn’t drink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e“Hi guys.” Valerie approached with a smile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eDawn squinted up at her. “Valerie Pleasant?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Wait, you know each other?” Gideon handed Dawn a tall drink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“I’m excited to stay at the schoolhouse,” Valerie gushed. “I don’t know if I mentioned how sorry I am about your dad not being…your dad.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eSeriously\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e? “It’s okay.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eShe glanced at Dawn. “At least you got a place to live out of the deal.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Right.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Is six an okay time to come by with the rest of my stuff?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“Sure.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eValerie gave a wry smile. “I won’t keep you. I wanted to say hi. I can’t thank you enough. You are a lifesaver.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eAs soon as she left, Dawn pounced. “Do my ears deceive me? Valerie Pleasant? Is she moving in with you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eI cringed at how it sounded. How did it sound? Like I made a whopper of a mistake. “How do I get myself into these things?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGideon sipped his coffee. “I don’t know, how do you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“You told her about Clint Hammond?” Dawn asked. “I mean, you can tell whoever you want.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e“It’s a temporary deal. She’s moving to Texas at the end of the month.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003eGet ready for a thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754575200626,"sku":"Where there is no Whisper_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-3-18-7-5426.png?v=1742302940"},{"product_id":"the-cup-of-life","title":"The Cup of Life E-Book","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"true\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eTwo futures. One woman. And one dirty secret.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA coming-of-age novel set in rural North Dakota in the 1980s, readers find Simon Anderson to be delightful and relatable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Gut wrenching, yet heart warming\" -SF, Amazon Customer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1984 Simon Anderson is falling in love. After finally working up the courage to tell Nora Toogoody how he feels, Simon finds himself emersed in a passion that feels heaven-sent. His black and white world erupts in a kaleidoscope of colors. But when Nora’s family moves away and his brother’s fiancé shows up at Simon's door with less than sisterly motives, he thinks he's died and gone to hell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHere's a glimpse into Simon's world:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eIn the new shop, I sat down at the card table. The stereo in the corner played “The Gambler.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eDoug slammed a glass of whisky down on the table in front of me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“What’s that for?” I asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Empty mailboxes,” Doug said. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShuffling the deck, I looked up and my gaze locked with a woman across the room. Her eyes were an uncanny silver shimmering against the feathers dangling from her ears. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“…\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eFor a taste of your whisky I'll give you some advice,”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e Kenny Rogers droned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eWho was she? I snuck another glance at her. She wore a powdered blue shirt clinging to every curve. Long hair swept down her back in cascade after cascade of rich dark chocolate. I wanted to plunge my hands in it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe sway of her hips sent more currents of fire through my body. When she walked toward me cards slid and burst from my hands. Blindly I gathered them up, my hands shaking. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eBefore I could come up with another thought, she sat down across from me. The small space became even smaller. My gaze dropped to her lips, the color of cherry wine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eI wondered what they would feel like beneath mine. My heart hammered hard in my chest. She caught my stare, a smile playing on her luscious mouth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“I’m not very good at cards,” she said.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eMy mind was wiped clean of all thought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Maybe you could teach me?” She giggled, and I didn’t even care. Scooting her chair around, she was sitting close enough to see the cards. “You are positively gorgeous.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eI glanced behind me, heart thundering. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Humble too,” she said in the same sultry tone. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eWas she for real?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“…know when to walk away and know when to run...”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“You from around here?” she asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eI thumped the edge of the cards on the table.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShe giggled. “You don’t talk much, do you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eCharles plopped down, draping his arm around her. “Hey bro, how’s Bible college?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShocked, I stammered, “G-good.” She must be Charles’ girlfriend. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“What do you got, another year?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“Two.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” the woman at his side asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eCharles gave her a heavy lidded gaze. “This is my brother Simon. He’s studying to be a preacher. Simon, Melissa Sutton.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShe looked at me with a mixture of intrigue and something else I couldn’t put my finger on. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet ready to be captivated, page after page.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754592272754,"sku":"The Cup of Life_Ebook","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-2038.png?v=1744600888"},{"product_id":"the-cup-of-life-copy","title":"The Cup of Life Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"true\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eTwo futures. One woman. And one dirty secret.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA coming-of-age novel set in rural North Dakota in the 1980s, readers find Simon Anderson to be delightful and relatable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Gut wrenching, yet heart warming\" -SF, Amazon Customer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1984 Simon Anderson is falling in love. After finally working up the courage to tell Nora Toogoody how he feels, Simon finds himself emersed in a passion that feels heaven-sent. His black and white world erupts in a kaleidoscope of colors. But when Nora’s family moves away and his brother’s fiancé shows up at Simon's door with less than sisterly motives, he thinks he's died and gone to hell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHere's a glimpse into Simon's world:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eIn the new shop, I sat down at the card table. The stereo in the corner played “The Gambler.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eDoug slammed a glass of whisky down on the table in front of me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“What’s that for?” I asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Empty mailboxes,” Doug said. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShuffling the deck, I looked up and my gaze locked with a woman across the room. Her eyes were an uncanny silver shimmering against the feathers dangling from her ears. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“…\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eFor a taste of your whisky I'll give you some advice,”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e Kenny Rogers droned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eWho was she? I snuck another glance at her. She wore a powdered blue shirt clinging to every curve. Long hair swept down her back in cascade after cascade of rich dark chocolate. I wanted to plunge my hands in it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe sway of her hips sent more currents of fire through my body. When she walked toward me cards slid and burst from my hands. Blindly I gathered them up, my hands shaking. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eBefore I could come up with another thought, she sat down across from me. The small space became even smaller. My gaze dropped to her lips, the color of cherry wine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eI wondered what they would feel like beneath mine. My heart hammered hard in my chest. She caught my stare, a smile playing on her luscious mouth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“I’m not very good at cards,” she said.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eMy mind was wiped clean of all thought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Maybe you could teach me?” She giggled, and I didn’t even care. Scooting her chair around, she was sitting close enough to see the cards. “You are positively gorgeous.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eI glanced behind me, heart thundering. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Humble too,” she said in the same sultry tone. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eWas she for real?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“…know when to walk away and know when to run...”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“You from around here?” she asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eI thumped the edge of the cards on the table.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShe giggled. “You don’t talk much, do you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eCharles plopped down, draping his arm around her. “Hey bro, how’s Bible college?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShocked, I stammered, “G-good.” She must be Charles’ girlfriend. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“What do you got, another year?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“Two.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003e“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” the woman at his side asked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eCharles gave her a heavy lidded gaze. “This is my brother Simon. He’s studying to be a preacher. Simon, Melissa Sutton.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .2in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"\u003eShe looked at me with a mixture of intrigue and something else I couldn’t put my finger on. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet ready to be captivated, page after page.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754592862578,"sku":"The Cup of Life_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-03.png?v=1744599639"},{"product_id":"sinking-sand","title":"Sinking Sand E-Book","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt was an angry kiss, one meant to punish. She was mad. Why was beyond me, but oh, what punishment! \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"From start to finish this page-turner will have you hooked!\" -Amazon Customer\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBold passionate Florence Solberg shares love for bees and her brothers with careful, purposeful Norman Miller. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYears later, Florence returns home. During honey harvest, their friendship is rekindled when his kids come to play with hers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNorman feels like he’s coming home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut what’s great for Norman has the opposite effect on Florence. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDive in...\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’m eighteen.” I squared my shoulders. “It’s 1994. Last I checked, there’s no crime against visiting a friend.” What would it be like to be kissed by him? My heart thundered in my ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI took a step toward him, close enough to see the brown flecks in his eyes. “Why not? We’re friends, aren’t we?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Of-of course. I said…” Norman took a step back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe obviously wanted to get away from me. Like he had for the past four years. He’d been with a ton of girls, not one of them good enough for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“You’re mine,” I said, grabbing the front of his shirt. “In my dreams you are, anyway, and no one touches you!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eWhatever he was about to say was cut off when I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, his lips on mine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe stiffened, grabbed both my arms to push me back, and I held on, kissing him like it was the last time, knowing it was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe pulled away, visibly shaken. “What do you think you’re doing?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I thought…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAnger flared in his icy gray gaze. “You didn’t think at all.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“What’s wrong with me?” I set my hands on my hips. There’s no way he knew about Jason. Was there?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe doesn’t have to know to see the stain of filth on you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Nothing,” he bit out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“There must be something. You’ve dated everything that moves since we’ve been fifteen years old.” His rejection stung like a salt lick in a gaping wound. I drew a deep breath. “Except me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“We’re,” he waved a wild hand between us, “not like that. We’ve never been like that.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’d like to be.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eShock registered in his face, he said, “I’ve never…Your brother is my best friend.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I thought I was too.” Each word, a flaming arrow to my heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Yes, a friend!” he shouted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHumiliation made me shrink back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” My voice sounded small, agony tearing me up inside. “You mean, all that I felt, that I hoped…I didn’t see at all?” The anguish must have been in my eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe winced. “I didn’t come here for this.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“What did you come here for?” I demanded, hurt turning to swift anger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe ran a shaky hand down the back of his head. “I came to say goodbye.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eMy heart was a lump in my throat. “What?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’m leaving Friday. I’m going to work in Alexandria for the summer. If you were my friend, you’d be happy for me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Why would I be happy for you?” I clenched both fists at my sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Do me a favor until then, Florence.” He pulled his cap down. “Don’t pay me a visit at my apartment. Not after the way you kiss.” He turned and made his way down the stairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Wait a minute,” I called. Hopping on one foot, I peeled my boot off and threw it at his head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUncover the truth, get hooked on the suspense!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754628055410,"sku":"Sinking Sand_Ebook","price":7.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-1027.png?v=1744600270"},{"product_id":"sinking-sand-copy","title":"Sinking Sand Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt was an angry kiss, one meant to punish. She was mad. Why was beyond me, but oh, what punishment! \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“From start to finish, this page-turner will have you hooked.”-Amazon Customer\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBold passionate Florence Solberg shares love for bees and her brothers with careful, purposeful Norman Miller. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYears later, Florence returns home. During honey harvest, their friendship is rekindled when his kids come to play with hers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNorman feels like he’s coming home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut what’s great for Norman has the opposite effect on Florence. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDive in...\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’m eighteen.” I squared my shoulders. “It’s 1994. Last I checked, there’s no crime against visiting a friend.” What would it be like to be kissed by him? My heart thundered in my ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI took a step toward him, close enough to see the brown flecks in his eyes. “Why not? We’re friends, aren’t we?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Of-of course. I said…” Norman took a step back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe obviously wanted to get away from me. Like he had for the past four years. He’d been with a ton of girls, not one of them good enough for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“You’re mine,” I said, grabbing the front of his shirt. “In my dreams you are, anyway, and no one touches you!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhatever he was about to say was cut off when I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, his lips on mine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe stiffened, grabbed both my arms to push me back, and I held on, kissing him like it was the last time, knowing it was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe pulled away, visibly shaken. “What do you think you’re doing?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I thought…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAnger flared in his icy gray gaze. “You didn’t think at all.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“What’s wrong with me?” I set my hands on my hips. There’s no way he knew about Jason. Was there?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe doesn’t have to know to see the stain of filth on you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Nothing,” he bit out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“There must be something. You’ve dated everything that moves since we’ve been fifteen years old.” His rejection stung like a salt lick in a gaping wound. I drew a deep breath. “Except me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“We’re,” he waved a wild hand between us, “not like that. We’ve never been like that.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’d like to be.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShock registered in his face, he said, “I’ve never…Your brother is my best friend.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I thought I was too.” Each word, a flaming arrow to my heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Yes, a friend!” he shouted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHumiliation made me shrink back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” My voice sounded small, agony tearing me up inside. “You mean, all that I felt, that I hoped…I didn’t see at all?” The anguish must have been in my eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe winced. “I didn’t come here for this.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“What did you come here for?” I demanded, hurt turning to swift anger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe ran a shaky hand down the back of his head. “I came to say goodbye.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMy heart was a lump in my throat. “What?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’m leaving Friday. I’m going to work in Alexandria for the summer. If you were my friend, you’d be happy for me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Why would I be happy for you?” I clenched both fists at my sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Do me a favor until then, Florence.” He pulled his cap down. “Don’t pay me a visit at my apartment. Not after the way you kiss.” He turned and made his way down the stairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Wait a minute,” I called. Hopping on one foot, I peeled my boot off and threw it at his head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUncover the truth, get hooked on the suspense!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754628743538,"sku":"Sinking Sand_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-117.png?v=1744599730"},{"product_id":"beneath-the-steel","title":"Beneath the Steel E-Book","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShe sees the man of her dreams at a New Year’s Eve party. Only she’s engaged.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"What a fantastic writer. I love her books\" Lisa-Shopify Customer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA literary journey beloved by readers who can relate to a life of faith while dealing with daily struggles and some other huge issues with grace, boldness, and honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I hated that I had to put this down this morning to get ready for work!\" \u003cbr\u003e\"This is a page turner from beginning to end!\"\u003cbr\u003e\"The best yet!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisionary and bakery owner, Rosemarie Hamill sees the man of her dreams at a New Year’s Eve party. Andrew Solberg, a man who lights up the room like sunshine on a summer day. Only she’s engaged to someone else. Sort of.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rosemarie quickly finds herself torn between her lean nonchalant cowboy, and dark hair, dark-eyed and most inquisitive chief deputy from the New Year’s Eve party. But Rosemarie is haunted by a shadowed past. She trusts no one with secrets, especially her son’s mental crisis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen an opportunity arises to tour a cold war bunker, Rosemarie is excited to meet the people who purchased the relic. Exploring a piece of the past, she discovers the chief deputy from the New Year’s Eve among attendees at the weekend events.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd the bunker also hides a dark history...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003ePour yourself something hot to drink, settle in, and indulge in this unputdownable read. Your emotions (and heart) are about to take quite the journey!\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003eTake a peek into Rosemarie's world...\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eIn the hot kitchen of Celebrate You, my successful business, I turned up the volume on my mixed tape and cleaned up after last night’s baking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe front doorbell jingled. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eI glanced at the clock. 6 a.m.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eVictor was here. He said he would stop by for a coffee on his way to Home of Economy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eStarship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” played as I wiped my hands on my apron. Caught up in eighties jams on the way to the front of the store, I sang, “…\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eIf this world runs out of lovers, we’ll still have each other\u003c\/i\u003e…” \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eMannequin\u003c\/i\u003e was a good movie.” Andrew Solberg stood in police uniform near the display case, studying the array of miniature cakes and cupcakes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMy face flushed. “I thought you were someone else.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“You mean that warm welcome wasn’t for me?” He grinned. “I thought not.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“I…did you…” I was ridiculously pleased to see him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet cozy with a good book and experience the magic of small-town living!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\" data-expanded=\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754655121778,"sku":"Benath the Steel_Ebook","price":5.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-9-20-13-4116.png?v=1758579026"},{"product_id":"beneath-the-steel-copy","title":"Beneath the Steel Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShe sees the man of her dreams at a New Year’s Eve party. Only she’s engaged.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"What a fantastic writer. I love her books\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA literary journey beloved by readers who can relate to a life of faith while dealing with daily struggles and some other huge issues with grace, boldness, and honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisionary and bakery owner, Rosemarie Hamill sees the man of her dreams at a New Year’s Eve party. Andrew Solberg lights up the room like sunshine on a summer day. But she's engaged to someone else. Almost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRosemarie quickly finds herself torn between her lean nonchalant cowboy, and dark hair, dark-eyed and most inquisitive chief deputy from the New Year’s Eve party. But Rosemarie is haunted by a shadowed past. She trusts no one with secrets, especially her son’s mental crisis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen an opportunity arises to tour a cold war bunker, Rosemarie is excited to meet the people who purchased the relic. Exploring a piece of the past, she discovers the chief deputy from the New Year’s Eve among attendees at the weekend events.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd the bunker also hides a dark history...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake a peek into Rosemarie's world...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eIn the hot kitchen of Celebrate You, my successful business, I turned up the volume on my mixed tape and cleaned up after last night’s baking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe front doorbell jingled. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eI glanced at the clock. 6 a.m.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eVictor was here. He said he would stop by for a coffee on his way to Home of Economy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eStarship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” played as I wiped my hands on my apron. Caught up in eighties jams on the way to the front of the store, I sang, “…\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eIf this world runs out of lovers, we’ll still have each other\u003c\/i\u003e…” \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eMannequin\u003c\/i\u003e was a good movie.” Andrew Solberg stood in police uniform near the display case, studying the array of miniature cakes and cupcakes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMy face flushed. “I thought you were someone else.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“You mean that warm welcome wasn’t for me?” He grinned. “I thought not.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e“I…did you…” I was ridiculously pleased to see him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .1in; line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: lines-together; tab-stops: 189.0pt center 3.25in;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet cozy with a good book and experience the magic of small-town living!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754655711602,"sku":"Benath the Steel_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-9-22-17-1234.png?v=1758579170"},{"product_id":"bent-trees","title":"Bent Trees E-Book","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"true\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" data-expanded=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShe's sucked into the past when she enters the neighborhood grocery store.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReaders of psychological and romantic thrillers alike rave about Bent Trees, a thriller based on actual events that occurred in a local neighborhood grocery store in Jamestown, North Dakota.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This is by far one of the best I have read!\"-Dennis Feiken, Amazon Customer \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing a near-fatal accident, Alice Olson inherits Olson Grocery, a family neighborhood grocery store in Jamestown, North Dakota.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlice stood in front of her inheritance: Olson Grocery, a fixture in Jamestown, North Dakota, since the 1920s. The abandoned store appeared both dead and alive.\u003cbr\u003eAlice watched a white pickup logo “Brown Construction” on the side, pull up in front of the abandoned property.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe man exiting the pickup had a clipboard. Soft looking dark blonde hair replaced a once greasy pile. Thick locks covered what Alice knew were large ears. Gerard could never be called handsome, but with a full beard, he resembled nothing of the pimple-faced teen she remembered.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHopefully he wasn't scared of a few ghosts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eExperience the chilling thrills that will keep you up all night!\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754668851570,"sku":"Bent Trees_Ebook","price":6.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-28-9-3336.png?v=1745853734"},{"product_id":"bent-trees-copy","title":"Bent Trees Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"true\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"true\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShe's sucked into the past when she enters the neighborhood grocery store.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReaders of psychological and romantic thrillers alike rave about Bent Trees, a thriller based on actual events that occurred in a local neighborhood grocery store in Jamestown, North Dakota.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This is by far one of the best I have read!\"-Dennis Feiken, Amazon Customer \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing a near-fatal accident, Alice Olson inherits Olson Grocery, a family neighborhood grocery store in Jamestown, North Dakota.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlice stood in front of her inheritance: Olson Grocery, a fixture in Jamestown, North Dakota, since the 1920s. The abandoned store appeared both dead and alive.\u003cbr\u003eAlice watched a white pickup logo “Brown Construction” on the side, pull up in front of the abandoned property.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe man exiting the pickup had a clipboard. Soft looking dark blonde hair replaced a once greasy pile. Thick locks covered what Alice knew were large ears. Gerard could never be called handsome, but with a full beard, he resembled nothing of the pimple-faced teen she remembered.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHopefully he wasn't scared of a few ghosts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eExperience the chilling thrills that will keep you up all night!\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754669212018,"sku":"Bent Trees_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-5-29-6-2441.png?v=1748519188"},{"product_id":"conventional-pursuit","title":"Conventional Pursuit E-Book","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe book ended and I'm devastated!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Good job Mattice for an entertaining, interesting book. I think you captured the mental illness aspect well.\" - Li Williams, Good Reads\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrady Webster is an independently wealthy marketer, and host of a seasonal duck hunting club. He approaches his decision to marry the same way he does business. After doing research, weighing pros and cons, he writes to Mavis Fischer upon a hunting guide’s recommendation, her stepbrother.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTherein, Grady proposes marriage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMavis Fischer is getting married. She knows Grady from his letters but has yet to meet him face to face. She may be a little impulsive. She might even be crazy, but for reasons that go far beyond a conventional pursuit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTake a peek inside...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThe peaceful rise of floor heat and the grazing cattle outside my egress windows made for a peaceful start to a new day. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eMy husband, sitting at the table dressed for church, did not.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI turned around and drove back to the house after imagining news headlines HIGH SPEED CHASE BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eGrady said very little as we entered the house. He didn’t need to. His clenched jaw, pajama pants, unbuttoned flannel shirt like he’d been in a hurry to get dressed, said it all. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI welcomed the heat, washed coffee cups, and put them away while Grady got ready for church. When he returned to the kitchen, I headed for the shower. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eNow at the breakfast table across from me, Grady was dressed in a blue shirt, matching tie, and gray slacks. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“No words,” he muttered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI smoothed my hair with a flat hand. “I suppose you wanted a wife that’s not silly.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“Too late to worry about that now.” He took a sip of coffee. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“So much for having no words,” I said.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“I don’t know whether to kiss you or strangle you.” He was nervous. Something I’d learned to detect in the short time I’d been married to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“Thanks.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“What were you thinking?” He held up his hand. “Sorry, what were you hoping to accomplish?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“I wanted to find the flippers to prove to you I’m, I wasn’t…I mean, I did something crazy. That is, sometimes I do crazy things, but I’m not crazy.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eHe blew out a breath. “It doesn’t change my commitment to you either way. You know that, don’t you?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGet ready for twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages until the very end!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754683203954,"sku":"Conventional Pursuit_Ebook","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-22-2252.png?v=1744600991"},{"product_id":"conventional-pursuit-copy","title":"Conventional Pursuit Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"comp-mgih1ccc\" class=\"q4cOmY\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"text-content-comp-mgih1ccc\" class=\"N8MGzv _v6ohL comp-mgih1ccc wixui-rich-text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"comp-mgih1ccd2\" class=\"q4cOmY\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"text-content-comp-mgih1ccd2\" class=\"N8MGzv _v6ohL comp-mgih1ccd2 wixui-rich-text\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eShe didn't have to be crazy to enter an arranged marriage, but it helped.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe book ended and I'm devastated!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Good job Mattice for an entertaining, interesting book. I think you captured the mental illness aspect well.\" - Li Williams, Good Reads\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrady Webster is an independently wealthy marketer, and host of a seasonal duck hunting club. He approaches his decision to marry the same way he does business. After doing research, weighing pros and cons, he writes to Mavis Fischer upon a hunting guide’s recommendation, her stepbrother.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTherein, Grady proposes marriage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMavis Fischer is getting married. She knows Grady from his letters but has yet to meet him face to face. She may be a little impulsive. She might even be crazy, but for reasons that go far beyond a conventional pursuit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTake a peek inside...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThe peaceful rise of floor heat and the grazing cattle outside my egress windows made for a peaceful start to a new day. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eMy husband, sitting at the table dressed for church, did not.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI turned around and drove back to the house after imagining news headlines HIGH SPEED CHASE BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eGrady said very little as we entered the house. He didn’t need to. His clenched jaw, pajama pants, unbuttoned flannel shirt like he’d been in a hurry to get dressed, said it all. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI welcomed the heat, washed coffee cups, and put them away while Grady got ready for church. When he returned to the kitchen, I headed for the shower. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eNow at the breakfast table across from me, Grady was dressed in a blue shirt, matching tie, and gray slacks. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“No words,” he muttered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eI smoothed my hair with a flat hand. “I suppose you wanted a wife that’s not silly.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“Too late to worry about that now.” He took a sip of coffee. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“So much for having no words,” I said.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“I don’t know whether to kiss you or strangle you.” He was nervous. Something I’d learned to detect in the short time I’d been married to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“Thanks.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“What were you thinking?” He held up his hand. “Sorry, what were you hoping to accomplish?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e“I wanted to find the flippers to prove to you I’m, I wasn’t…I mean, I did something crazy. That is, sometimes I do crazy things, but I’m not crazy.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eHe blew out a breath. “It doesn’t change my commitment to you either way. You know that, don’t you?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8 wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGet ready for twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages until the very end!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754683302258,"sku":"Conventional Pursuit_Paperback","price":18.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-4-13-21-5724.png?v=1744599495"},{"product_id":"the-darker-days","title":"The Darker Days E-Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"I want more!\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"100% recommend...I haven't sat down and read a book for over 20 years and now am hooked.\" JS, Shopify Customer\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet ready for a thrilling ride! A pandemic, worldwide darkness. And then her boyfriend disappeared...Dive Into the Darkness...Maybe she should apologize... But he was gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pandemic, worldwide darkness. And then her boyfriend disappeared. It had been a rough morning, even by her standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKimber Nilsen is a nurse during the worldwide pandemic, Nogoes, and handles the crisis with the same efficiency as any other day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen darkness falls in the middle of a hot July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKimber is afraid of the dark, so when her boyfriend, Jordan Lange, disappears, she's troubled by his last text: we need to talk. Plagued with fear and doubt, unspoken mysteries haunt and threaten to tear her apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quest to find Jordan takes her deep into a world of good and evil, distorted reality, and Kimber finds out the darkness brings out dangerous ideas and hive-minded reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd as she faces the most difficult challenge yet, triumph might mean simply getting out alive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDive Into the Darkness...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eMaybe she should apologize. Not that she did anything wrong, but he had seemed upset. She made her way to the bedroom, stopping abruptly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe door was open; the light was on. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Jordan?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe bed was empty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eKimber checked the master bath. “Jordan? You in here?” she called, retracing her steps, and continued her search throughout the quiet house.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eNo answer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eHe couldn’t have gone far. She pulled out her phone. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e5:20. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShe tried calling his number. It went straight to voicemail. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShe ended the call.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eKimber headed to the back door, slipping into the extravagant three-stall garage. His pickup was in the first parking spot closest to the door. The Mustang was in the far stall, and the Harley Road King was in its place in the middle. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eJordan said he was going to lie down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e Maybe he went to check on the cattle. She headed to the back door. No sign of him. A shiver ran up her spine. Where had he gone?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThere must be a logical explanation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eKimber searched the front entrance and found his work boots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e The tips of her ears burned. She tucked her phone in her pocket and went back inside, locking the door to the garage. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eWhen she found him, he was going to be in big trouble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Pour a cup of hot chocolate, settle in, and lose yourself in a darkness that lingers long after the lights go out...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52553731899762,"sku":"The Darker Days_Ebook","price":6.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-8-12-13-413.png?v=1755024078"},{"product_id":"the-darker-days-1","title":"The Darker Days Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"I want more!\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"100% recommend...I haven't sat down and read a book for over 20 years and now am hooked.\" JS, Shopify Customer\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pandemic, worldwide darkness. And then her boyfriend disappeared. It had been a rough morning, even by her standards.\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eGet ready for a thrilling ride! A pandemic, worldwide darkness. And then her boyfriend disappeared...Dive Into the Darkness...Maybe she should apologize... But he was gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKimber Nilsen is a nurse during the worldwide pandemic, Nogoes, and handles the crisis with the same efficiency as any other day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen darkness falls in the middle of a hot July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKimber is afraid of the dark, so when her boyfriend, Jordan Lange, disappears, she's troubled by his last text: we need to talk. Plagued with fear and doubt, unspoken mysteries haunt and threaten to tear her apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quest to find Jordan takes her deep into a world of good and evil, distorted reality, and Kimber finds out the darkness brings out dangerous ideas and hive-minded reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd as she faces the most difficult challenge yet, triumph might mean simply getting out alive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDive Into the Darkness...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eMaybe she should apologize. Not that she did anything wrong, but he had seemed upset. She made her way to the bedroom, stopping abruptly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe door was open; the light was on. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e“Jordan?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eThe bed was empty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eKimber checked the master bath. “Jordan? You in here?” she called, retracing her steps, and continued her search throughout the quiet house.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eNo answer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eHe couldn’t have gone far. She pulled out her phone. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e5:20. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShe tried calling his number. It went straight to voicemail. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eShe ended the call.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eKimber headed to the back door, slipping into the extravagant three-stall garage. His pickup was in the first parking spot closest to the door. The Mustang was in the far stall, and the Harley Road King was in its place in the middle. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003eJordan said he was going to lie down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e Maybe he went to check on the cattle. She headed to the back door. No sign of him. A shiver ran up her spine. Where had he gone?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThere must be a logical explanation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eKimber searched the front entrance and found his work boots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: MS-Mincho;\"\u003e The tips of her ears burned. She tucked her phone in her pocket and went back inside, locking the door to the garage. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eWhen she found him, he was going to be in big trouble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-indent: .3in; line-height: 115%;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Pour a cup of hot chocolate, settle in, and lose yourself in a darkness that lingers long after the lights go out...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52555078402418,"sku":"The Darker Days_Paperback","price":17.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2025-9-7-16-3134.png?v=1757280709"},{"product_id":"the-green-door-audiobook","title":"The Green Door Audiobook","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWHAT HAPPENS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eA coming-of-age novel about a young girl growing up in rural North Dakota in the 1980s. Beloved by readers of all ages, recommended if you are going through a hard time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This book was so good!! Well written and suspenseful! Characters are true to the area its set in. Definitely recommend\" -Amazon Kindle Customer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer 1985, ten-year-old Rosemarie Mattson is afraid to find out what goes on behind the green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosemarie Mattson isn’t worried when her parents offer next-door neighbors a place to stay. Then the Sims move with them at the family country home, and their presence appears to be permanent. And when family edges are blurred, Rosemarie is suddenly afraid to ask what happens behind the guarded green door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet ready to listen beyond the pages!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hazel Mattice Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61681760043378,"sku":"Green Door_Audiobook","price":6.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/files\/BookBrushImage-2026-4-22-12-241_edited.png?v=1776879171"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/5279\/0642\/collections\/BookBrushImage-2025-10-27-8-1150.png?v=1775068472","url":"https:\/\/shophazelmatticebooks.myshopify.com\/collections\/all-books-by-hazel-mattice.oembed","provider":"Hazel Mattice Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}