With a different take on the life of Benedict Arnold, Ben’s Tale reveals an epic story of greed and glory, family and friendship, treason and truthfulness. Told by a history buff who is also a London physician, the drama unfolds as the doctor gets an opportunity to treat—and befriend—the infamous general, and find out for himself whether Arnold’s story is one of slanderous legend or an extraordinary man wrongly accused. The so-called traitor unmasks his tale of woe–of jealous, ambitious founding fathers, doubts about the viability of the new nation and of his relationship with his beautiful wife, Peggy, and her role in facilitating his change of coat.

With a different take on the life of Benedict Arnold, Ben’s Tale reveals an epic story of greed and glory, family and friendship, treason and truthfulness. Told by a history buff who is also a London physician, the drama unfolds as the doctor gets an opportunity to treat—and befriend—the infamous general, and find out for himself whether Arnold’s story is one of slanderous legend or an extraordinary man wrongly accused. The so-called traitor unmasks his tale of woe–of jealous, ambitious founding fathers, doubts about the viability of the new nation and of his relationship with his beautiful wife, Peggy, and her role in facilitating his change of coat.

With a different take on the life of Benedict Arnold, Ben’s Tale reveals an epic story of greed and glory, family and friendship, treason and truthfulness. Told by a history buff who is also a London physician, the drama unfolds as the doctor gets an opportunity to treat—and befriend—the infamous general, and find out for himself whether Arnold’s story is one of slanderous legend or an extraordinary man wrongly accused. The so-called traitor unmasks his tale of woe–of jealous, ambitious founding fathers, doubts about the viability of the new nation and of his relationship with his beautiful wife, Peggy, and her role in facilitating his change of coat.

Not quite ‘Dante’s Inferno’, this is the odious account of Jacob Marley’s death. A man in total denial of his demise, that is, until the sound of the soil hits the top of his casket. Vince Graham twists this macabre account into the joyous tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his return to the world of the living. This book takes us from the distant past where we fi nd two spirits willing, to the near future to discover how the ghost of Marley conjures an apparition who will steer Scrooge off the path of damnation and into a love that is patiently waiting. This is a story that ends with a message, but only for those who fi nd the way and have learned to let go of their ego.

Not quite ‘Dante’s Inferno’, this is the odious account of Jacob Marley’s death. A man in total denial of his demise, that is, until the sound of the soil hits the top of his casket. Vince Graham twists this macabre account into the joyous tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his return to the world of the living. This book takes us from the distant past where we fi nd two spirits willing, to the near future to discover how the ghost of Marley conjures an apparition who will steer Scrooge off the path of damnation and into a love that is patiently waiting. This is a story that ends with a message, but only for those who fi nd the way and have learned to let go of their ego.

Set in the mid 1800’s, fifteen year old Nicolette Beal begins to squirm from her cocoon of childhood into adulthood surrounded by a loving, but poor family in Cincinnati. After the death of her father, she finds herself tossed from a sheltered world into the harsh surroundings of the pre-civil war era. Like a tiny moth, she flutters about feeling diminished by the butterflies that flit gracefully around her, trying to figure out who she really is through her many adventures. It is not until she is taken in by the mysterious Elijah Taylor the metamorphosis truly takes place. Even then, she finds herself tangled in the web of the Taylor’s schemes to keep her from a destiny that she is not so sure that she even wants in the first place. Enjoy this bittersweet taste of growing up during a momentous time in history before the Civil War.

Set in the mid 1800’s, fifteen year old Nicolette Beal begins to squirm from her cocoon of childhood into adulthood surrounded by a loving, but poor family in Cincinnati. After the death of her father, she finds herself tossed from a sheltered world into the harsh surroundings of the pre-civil war era. Like a tiny moth, she flutters about feeling diminished by the butterflies that flit gracefully around her, trying to figure out who she really is through her many adventures. It is not until she is taken in by the mysterious Elijah Taylor the metamorphosis truly takes place. Even then, she finds herself tangled in the web of the Taylor’s schemes to keep her from a destiny that she is not so sure that she even wants in the first place. Enjoy this bittersweet taste of growing up during a momentous time in history before the Civil War.

Set in the mid 1800’s, fifteen year old Nicolette Beal begins to squirm from her cocoon of childhood into adulthood surrounded by a loving, but poor family in Cincinnati. After the death of her father, she finds herself tossed from a sheltered world into the harsh surroundings of the pre-civil war era. Like a tiny moth, she flutters about feeling diminished by the butterflies that flit gracefully around her, trying to figure out who she really is through her many adventures. It is not until she is taken in by the mysterious Elijah Taylor the metamorphosis truly takes place. Even then, she finds herself tangled in the web of the Taylor’s schemes to keep her from a destiny that she is not so sure that she even wants in the first place. Enjoy this bittersweet taste of growing up during a momentous time in history before the Civil War.

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In 1940, Marco Tragoni, art historian in Florence, Italy, is drafted into Mussolini’s army, fights the British in Africa, is captured and escapes. In Sicily, he has a malaria attack and meets his love, Laura. He can’t help her leave the island as he is a deserter. He goes to Italy where there is more danger, but he must reach home. Once there, he returns to his work at the art superintendency, with a letter from a doctor stating he is no longer fit for military service. He helps move Renaissance art to safety and also tracks art stolen by the Germans. Colonel Eismann, is agent for Reischmarshal Hermann Göring and Hitler for the acquisition of art; he and Marco are bitter enemies. Hunger and danger haunt the Italian people. Then, the inevitable, Sicily is invaded. Marco is frightened for Laura; he and his family listen to the BBC news and know they are next. Marco is haunted by guilt that he was unable to help Laura and that he has not done enough for his country. After the fascist government in Italy surrenders, the country is invaded by the Allies and the war escalates. The Germans round up men and take them as slaves to Germany, Marco’s father is among them. Marco becomes a Partisan and his brigade is successful in raiding a dinner party at a villa where General Kesselring, commander of all German troops in Italy, is guest of honor. Stolen Renaissance art decorates the dining room. The Partisans recover most of the art but cannot get the symbol of the city of Florence, The Lion and the Lily. Marco’s friend, Benedetto, is arrested, tortured and killed. Marco’s former fiancé, Elena, who is a courier on horseback for the Partisans is caught and hanged by the Germans. Marco joins the American unit of MFAA officers, (Monuments, Fine Art and Archives), and works with Lieutenant Andrews to salvage art. It is a race with time as Germans continue to loot and retreat. In a final struggle with Eismann at a holy retreat begun by the Medici family during the Renaissance, at Camaldoli, Marco kills his enemy and recovers The Lion and the Lily. The war ends but Marco still mourns for Laura. He makes a useless trip to Sicily and searches for her, then returns to Florence, depressed. In the autumn he is exploring a seemingly forgotten piazza on the outskirts of the city and sits near an ancient Renaissance fountain. He hears children playing, then a mother calling, “Topolino! Topolino!” (little mouse). Marco listens carefully as a little boy comes to see the water splashing on the mermaids in the fountain. The call comes again. Marco turns, and sees her. Laura stops a moment, then they run to each other. The child is their son. Marco drives them to meet his mother, Marianna. When he introduces them, Marianna gives her grandson a hug, takes his hand and they walk down the hall. “When your papa and Uncle Giovanni were as big as you, they had a toy chest, and now it is yours.”

In 1940, Marco Tragoni, art historian in Florence, Italy, is drafted into Mussolini’s army, fights the British in Africa, is captured and escapes. In Sicily, he has a malaria attack and meets his love, Laura. He can’t help her leave the island as he is a deserter. He goes to Italy where there is more danger, but he must reach home. Once there, he returns to his work at the art superintendency, with a letter from a doctor stating he is no longer fit for military service. He helps move Renaissance art to safety and also tracks art stolen by the Germans. Colonel Eismann, is agent for Reischmarshal Hermann Göring and Hitler for the acquisition of art; he and Marco are bitter enemies. Hunger and danger haunt the Italian people. Then, the inevitable, Sicily is invaded. Marco is frightened for Laura; he and his family listen to the BBC news and know they are next. Marco is haunted by guilt that he was unable to help Laura and that he has not done enough for his country. After the fascist government in Italy surrenders, the country is invaded by the Allies and the war escalates. The Germans round up men and take them as slaves to Germany, Marco’s father is among them. Marco becomes a Partisan and his brigade is successful in raiding a dinner party at a villa where General Kesselring, commander of all German troops in Italy, is guest of honor. Stolen Renaissance art decorates the dining room. The Partisans recover most of the art but cannot get the symbol of the city of Florence, The Lion and the Lily. Marco’s friend, Benedetto, is arrested, tortured and killed. Marco’s former fiancé, Elena, who is a courier on horseback for the Partisans is caught and hanged by the Germans. Marco joins the American unit of MFAA officers, (Monuments, Fine Art and Archives), and works with Lieutenant Andrews to salvage art. It is a race with time as Germans continue to loot and retreat. In a final struggle with Eismann at a holy retreat begun by the Medici family during the Renaissance, at Camaldoli, Marco kills his enemy and recovers The Lion and the Lily. The war ends but Marco still mourns for Laura. He makes a useless trip to Sicily and searches for her, then returns to Florence, depressed. In the autumn he is exploring a seemingly forgotten piazza on the outskirts of the city and sits near an ancient Renaissance fountain. He hears children playing, then a mother calling, “Topolino! Topolino!” (little mouse). Marco listens carefully as a little boy comes to see the water splashing on the mermaids in the fountain. The call comes again. Marco turns, and sees her. Laura stops a moment, then they run to each other. The child is their son. Marco drives them to meet his mother, Marianna. When he introduces them, Marianna gives her grandson a hug, takes his hand and they walk down the hall. “When your papa and Uncle Giovanni were as big as you, they had a toy chest, and now it is yours.”

"...convincing and entertaining...many deep insights and messages about life...highly recommended." El Sun, Spain

"...brilliantly conceived, with an appeal to a wide range of ages...not for one moment does it fail to absorb the reader..." Keith Gilley, The Inquirer

In the mountain jungle of a Latin American country, where poverty and a history of oppression has blighted the landscape, Luis, a charcoal burner, terrorises the village of Rio Lejos. His cruelty and sudden violence is legendary, so when Hector, the shopkeeper, sees him coming, there is nothing for it but to caress his machete beneath the counter. Realising that not being beaten is a kind of victory on its own, he is forced to part with a parrot whose skill at imitating human speech is legendary.

The parrot is no ordinary bird, having spent many years learning the language of mankind and bitterly satirising them at every opportunity. But now, having fallen into the hands of the cruellest Man of them all, he needs to escape. The humans have, as always, clipped one of his wings so that he cannot fly. The plan is simple: he must threaten, bribe or cajole the weather-beaten donkey of his new owner into an unlikely flight through the danger of cities and the jaguar-ridden jungles to a place he remembers from his childhood, a valley where there are no Men.

The donkey, true to his race, is not easy to control. In matters of a problematic nature, he prefers the comfort of a kind of dream, in which he is neither awake nor asleep. Beaten and ill-used throughout his life, he has no illusions about magical rescues. The journey they begin together is full of obstacles and dangers. As they travel, they enter the lives of people, whose lives are as bitter as their own, and whose slavery seems to have no remedy. But when the two fugitives enter the scene, their lives are transformed forever.

Who could imagine that a pair of animal pilgrims could awaken people to their own need for freedom? And who could know that the things most feared often turn out to be the blessing you long for without being aware of it?

Nobody’s Ass asks the question, “What is freedom?” and then sets out on the journey that permits it to be found…

"...convincing and entertaining...many deep insights and messages about life...highly recommended." El Sun, Spain

"...brilliantly conceived, with an appeal to a wide range of ages...not for one moment does it fail to absorb the reader..." Keith Gilley, The Inquirer

In the mountain jungle of a Latin American country, where poverty and a history of oppression has blighted the landscape, Luis, a charcoal burner, terrorises the village of Rio Lejos. His cruelty and sudden violence is legendary, so when Hector, the shopkeeper, sees him coming, there is nothing for it but to caress his machete beneath the counter. Realising that not being beaten is a kind of victory on its own, he is forced to part with a parrot whose skill at imitating human speech is legendary.

The parrot is no ordinary bird, having spent many years learning the language of mankind and bitterly satirising them at every opportunity. But now, having fallen into the hands of the cruellest Man of them all, he needs to escape. The humans have, as always, clipped one of his wings so that he cannot fly. The plan is simple: he must threaten, bribe or cajole the weather-beaten donkey of his new owner into an unlikely flight through the danger of cities and the jaguar-ridden jungles to a place he remembers from his childhood, a valley where there are no Men.

The donkey, true to his race, is not easy to control. In matters of a problematic nature, he prefers the comfort of a kind of dream, in which he is neither awake nor asleep. Beaten and ill-used throughout his life, he has no illusions about magical rescues. The journey they begin together is full of obstacles and dangers. As they travel, they enter the lives of people, whose lives are as bitter as their own, and whose slavery seems to have no remedy. But when the two fugitives enter the scene, their lives are transformed forever.

Who could imagine that a pair of animal pilgrims could awaken people to their own need for freedom? And who could know that the things most feared often turn out to be the blessing you long for without being aware of it?

Nobody’s Ass asks the question, “What is freedom?” and then sets out on the journey that permits it to be found…