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It’s the summer of 1976—the Bicentennial of America—and 13-year-old Mary is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime. With her father at the wheel, her twin younger sisters in the back seat, and their baby-blue Peugeot sedan—affectionately named Blue Pierre—as their ride, Mary sets off on a cross-country adventure filled with fireworks, flag ceremonies, and hard-earned truths. What begins as a patriotic escape from small-town Ohio quickly becomes a test of loyalty, courage, and growing up. As her father’s behavior turns more erratic, Mary must navigate not just unfamiliar highways but the shifting landscape of her own beliefs. When the journey takes a turn they never expected, Mary discovers that sometimes the people you love the most are the hardest to understand. Told with heart, humor, and a vivid sense of 70s nostalgia, Bicentennial Summer is a coming-of-age story about family, freedom, and finding your own way when the map runs out. Perfect for fans of The Glass Castle and The Bean Trees, this unforgettable debut explores the bittersweet moment when childhood ends—and independence begins. Whether you remember the Bicentennial or are just discovering it, Mary’s voice will linger with you long after the last mile is driven. -
No more diets, guilt, or shame. Instead—a step-by- step process of self-discovery to heal your relationship with food and your body.
The Cherry Pie Paradox will help you:
- Leave the self-critic behind; instead, engage your curiosity and your inner coach.
- Uncover and let go of the old stories, hidden beliefs, and toxic messages that have undermined your confidence and perseverance.
- Sharpen your taste buds and your attention, so you can savor the foods you love without feeling the need to overeat.
- Tune up your inner fuel gauge, so what you eat better matches your body’s needs.
- Nurture a kinder, more appreciative connection with your body, ”warts and all.”
- Put into daily practice 8 SuperTools that will help you eat wisely. For life.
- And so much more. You’ll soon realize this process also works on other life challenges. -
Amy O'Hanlon's excellent Sister Butterfly illustrations show Carla approaching a favorite corner of her garden where she feels safe and happy. Her vigilant brother knows that Carla can create beautiful fantasies as she twirls around and round to music only she can hear, engaged in quiet conversation with the small creatures such as butterflies and her favorite flowers. Mike Mirabella's children's book entitled Sister Butterfly, is a beautifully illustrated children's book based on a song from his 1998 CD entitled, Special People. Mike wrote Sister Butterfly song years ago for his daughter, Carla, when she was three years old. The theme of Sister Butterfly centers on Mike's abiding love for his daughter with Down syndrome and for self-discovery and the transformation of the hearts that surround her. Mike wrote in the song; "My sister is a butterfly who never learned to fly, ...”. Carla still wasn't walking or talking and Mike thought at the time, she would have little chance of accomplishing much of anything in her life. "How wrong I was; her life was a parade of accomplishments!” - Papa Mike. -
Does your child ever sit by themselves—alone and seemingly friendless? In I Used to Be Shy, meet Carla, our self-appointed social committee of one, who makes everyone at summer camp feel welcome. Carla spots a shy new boy who hides from others in his cabin, closing his curtain. Carla follows her heart and gathers a small group of fellow campers to coax him out to play games. With Carla’s encouragement, our new camper builds up his self-confidence, loses his fear, and learns to enjoy his new friends. The bonus song "Little Brown Pony" includes the lyrics and music notations as does "I Used to Be Shy." -
Follow the paths of Sarah and Will (or Sam) as they tell their stories of trust, secrets, and betrayal on the frontier in the old West. Their pioneer spirit helped to fuel the expansion into the Western territories of the United States. The two are historically on their separate journeys, yet they remain intimately connected. Through the fictionalized Western frontier tale of Sam and Sarah, the author, Beverly Scott, was inspired to reveal rumored secrets from her family history. In 1878, Will is on the run after killing a man in a barroom gunfight. He escapes the Texas Rangers by joining a cattle drive as a cook headed to Dodge City. He struggles with the dilemma of saving his life or attempting to return to his pregnant wife and five children. Just when he thinks he might be able to return home, he is confronted by a bounty hunter who captures him and plans to return him to Fort Worth, Texas to be hanged. Although Will changes his name to Sam, he remains an irresponsible, lonely and untrustworthy man on the dodge from the law who abandons the women he loves. He ultimately seeks redemption and marries Sarah. In 1911, Sarah, a pioneer woman and a widow with five children, struggles to find the inner strength to overcome betrayal, loneliness, fears, and self-doubt. Her husband, Sam, thirty years her senior, died with a mysterious and defiant declaration, “I won’t answer!”. Despite poverty and a crippling illness, she draws on her pioneer spirit to hold her family together and return to Nebraska to be near her parents and siblings. When Sarah returns to Nebraska she receives staggering news which complicates her efforts to support her children. She is shocked, angry and emotionally devastated. Since she is attempting to establish herself in the community as a teacher, she believes she must keep her secret even from her own family. Will Sarah find forgiveness in her heart and the resolve to accept her new life alone?
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What does it take to overcome deeply embedded family traumas, career-ending betrayals, and failed relationships? What is the personal cost of keeping secrets—and staying in the closet? These are questions that Mary Means explores in her memoir, as she navigates growing up as a young closeted lesbian in Georgia during the 1960s and learning to love—and be loved—as an adult. Through the deaths of loved ones, the fear of discovery, and the budding of a legacy that would come to change lives across the nation, Something Worth Saving tells a story of resilience and self-discovery perfect for anyone who has ever struggled to maintain a flawless facade when inside they were crumbling. Mary Means is an award-winning leader, founder of the Main Street revitalization movement that has brought vitality back to countless town centers. Her candor and vulnerability permeate her remarkable story. -
How to Master the Art of Being the Worst Salesperson: Funny Failings to Future Success is a humorous yet insightful collection of true, laugh-out-loud business stories that expose the unfortunate (and often cringe-worthy) realities of poor sales practices. Featuring contributions from senior executives at Fortune 50 companies, this book illustrates how misguided sales and leadership decisions can lead to disastrous outcomes for both the individual and the company. But don't worry-it's not all doom and gloom! The author lightheartedly shows how understanding and correcting those mistakes can lead to extraordinary success. The book kicks off with fifteen hilariously painful and humbling true stories, serving as a reminder that laughter is often the best way to learn from failure. In the later chapters, you'll find practical, action-oriented techniques and insights that can be immediately applied-whether you're part of a massive sales team or a solopreneur. The ultimate challenge for readers: honestly reflect on these stories, recognize where your own sales or leadership practices could improve, and turn those cringe-worthy moments into powerful success. -
Every family has a story. Every story, eventually, must be told.
For most of their lives, Julian Perel and his sister, Paula, lived in a house cast in silence, witnesses to a father struggling with a devastating secret too painful to share. Though their father took his demons to the grave, his past refuses to rest.
As adults, brother and sister struggle to find their voices. A scientist governed by numbers and logic, Julian now lives an ordered life of routine and seclusion. In contrast, Paula has entered the world as eagerly as Julian retracts from it. An aspiring opera singer, she is always moving, buoyant with sound.
Yet both their lives begin to change on a Wednesday, miercoles, the day that sounds like miracles.
Before embarking on a European opera tour, Paula asks her housekeeper, Sola, to stay at her place--and to look after Julian in the apartment above. Sola, too, has a story.
As Paula uncovers pieces of her father's early life in Budapest and the horrifying truth of his past, Julian bears witness to Sola's story--revelations that help all three learn how to both surrender and revere the shadows that have followed them for so long.
The Speed of Light is a powerful novel about three unforgettable souls who overcome the tragedies of the past to reconnect with one another and the world around them. Elizabeth Rosner has created a beautifully interwoven story of love and redemption that proves the pain of the untold story is far greater than even the most difficult truth.
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Tales from the Razor's Edge
"Some Cold War Blues" — A neighborhood snowball fight erupts into a thing as close to war as an 11-year-old American boy is likely to face.
"Dude" — A wanna-be cowboy confronts his last sunset on the ranch.
"On the Last Frontier" — Old and broke in Juneau with winter coming on.
"Dewdrops" —The life and death struggles of a charismatic but tormented drug rehab counselor and his patients. -
Prepare for an adventure beyond your imagination. Martial artist and fencer Lucian Stiles, longs for an exciting life and finds himself teleported from our reality to a realm that holds the Duras Kingdom. Caught in the middle of a war between a king and a powerful baron, Lucian finds excitement, love and danger in a world of sword fighting and sorcery. Joining the Duras Knights, he and his true love, Princess Raven, embark on an incredible journey full of terrifying creatures and deadly assassins. - Featuring original score by SOVAS-award winning composer, Daryl Bolicek at Wild Horse Recording To best experience the Cinematic Music & Full Sound Design, please listen with earbuds or headphones! Currently available exclusively on AMPlify Audiobooks! -
Have you ever had anger or resentment toward someone or yourself that just won’t go away? Does it keep you up at night as you toss and turn? If you answered yes to either of these questions, The Art of Forgiveness is a valuable book for you to read. It guides you on a journey that resolves your feelings of anger/resentment. It brings you peace and freedom from resentment, such that you gain a calm and serene attitude. The Art of Forgiveness: A Promise of Peace helps you heal from the wounds that started the anger/resentment to begin with. You may have struggled with these wounds for years, so when you begin to get relief, your wounds gradually resolve.
Throughout The Art of Forgiveness are tidbits of wisdom that CJ learned on her journey. Those bits of wisdom are life savers for you to use in your own journey to wholeness as you travel toward peace.
Currently available exclusively on AMPlify Audiobooks!
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“Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams – No Matter What” is an award-winning motivational book written for anyone who has a dream, lost their dreams along the way, or never knew how to dream. Rooted in the ebb and flow of Cheryl Melody Baskin’s life as an unstoppable dreamer, creative visionary, musician, and motivational life coach, Heart-Dreamer lights the way toward more moments of self-discovery, self-love, inner healing, soaring dreams, and hope. “As soon as I saw the sentence 'allow your heart to guide you,' I knew Heart Dreamer contained the truth about life." - Bernie Siegel, MD., New York Times best-selling author and physician As you listen to the author’s heart-centered and interactive presentation, breathe in all the support, journal writing prompts, life wisdom, self-talk dialogues, inner child healing, creative imagination, soothing visualizations and meditations, self-care strategies, life-changing positive affirmations, sound healing, inspirational songs, and transformational wisdom from people around the world. "This isn't just a book, it's a way of life." Ricky Kej, Grammy award-winner and United Nations humanitarian artist. With Heart-Dreamer by your side, discover how to believe in yourself and in new possibilities; release fears, doubts and the perfection syndrome; shoo away your inner critic; ignore the inner voices of naysayers from your past or present; unleash your creative spirit; tap into your inner child's imaginative side; experience nerve-busting tools and how to write effective positive affirmations; listen to the intuitive voice of your wise inner guru; learn how to become your own best friend; ignite a spark of adventurous curiosity and choose to begin again with new visions of hope. “Melody invites me to be gentle with myself and with everyone around me, and at the same time, she challenges me to dare to dream big.” Reverend Dr. Deborah L. Clark, Multi-faith coordinator, pastor, and yoga instructor Simi
