She’s a sheltered American. He’s a Middle Eastern diplomat.
Can their love lead to lasting peace overseas?
New York City, 1981. Dianna leaves her small southern town for the bright
lights and rich culture of the Big Apple and a prime job at the Met. Sparks
fly when she crosses paths with a charming Lebanese diplomat. A shared night
of passion launches her into an exciting romance and opens her eyes to a
bloody conflict far from home. But as warring factions take hold overseas, she
can’t shake the feeling that her new love is hiding dark secrets.
Qasim has never known peace. When he gets the chance to bring his
country’s troubles before the United Nations, he abandons his family
obligations to heal his war-torn homeland. But his true mission takes a detour
when he falls for a beautiful American woman. Against the urging of his
closest friend and mentor, he wants to share his heart and hopes with her.
In the face of cultural barriers and mounting war, can Dianna and Qasim find
the strength to stand up for their love and a lasting peace?
About the Author
KATHRYN BROWN RAMSPERGER is an award-winning author, editor, and
creativity coach. A former National Geographic writer and researcher and
humanitarian staff member for the International Red Cross, she has lived and
worked in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, regions that deeply inform her
storytelling. The Shores of Our Souls is a Foreword Indies finalist and a
finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom Literary Competition. She’s a recipient
of the Hollins University Fiction Award.
Having firsthand experience in the places she writes about, Kathryn brings a
unique authenticity to her stories, blending rich cultural details with the
universal themes of love, redemption, and peace. She studied creative writing
at Hollins University, and publications management at George Washington
University. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband. They have two
adult children, off to their own world adventures, but still parent a feisty
feline. Next on their bucket list: Croatia, Portugal, or Tanzania!
Gratitude is important to Nana Claus. Even the smallest act of kindness
spreads joy, like sending thank-you notes. Nana Claus helps some special
friends learn to write thank-you notes to thank others for what they do for
them. Nana and her friends learn about ways to say thank you using short
notes.
About the Author
Kelly Reddin is an award-winning writer and author of the Celebrating
Family Series, which highlights healthy relationships between children and the
Nana Claus Series, focusing on kindness and friendship. Her short stories and
essays have won numerous awards from writing organizations including the
Joplin Writers Guild and the Ozark Writers League.
Kelly is a former elementary, middle grade and college educator. Her work at
LEGO Education spanned two decades in a variety of positions from Curriculum
Specialist to Global Master Trainer. Kelly loves to travel, meet new people,
and learn about the world around her. She is active in her community, serving
on several non-profit boards.
Join her email list to get updates on her latest releases and her monthly
newsletter.
Join a curious child and their loving Ammamma on a joyful kitchen adventure
filled with crispy dosas, colorful chutneys, and heartwarming family
traditions. As they learn about different kinds of dosas, they discover that
the real magic isn’t just in cooking—it’s in the time spent
together.
Dosa Day is a playful children’s picture book celebrating Indian
cuisine, family traditions, and intergenerational love. With rhythmic
read-aloud text and vibrant illustrations, this story creates a rich sensory
experience that introduces young readers to culture, connection, and mindful
togetherness.
Perfect for children ages 3–7, this diverse picture book is ideal for:
Multicultural children’s books
Indian and South Asian culture stories for kids
Picture books about food, family, and traditions
Engaging read-aloud bedtime stories
Whether you’re introducing Indian cuisine like dosa for the first
time or building a more inclusive children’s library, Dosa Day is a
meaningful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
About the Author
In the quiet magic of the Mojave Desert, where the sky stretches wide and the
sunsets set everything golden, Veena Katikineni found the perfect place to let
her imagination wander.
Dosa Day was born from a heart full of cherished memories: big, bustling
family gatherings with her beloved Indian family, where the house was always
full, the food was always flowing, and the smell of something delicious was
always drifting through the air. Food wasn’t just food — it was
love, laughter, and the heartbeat of every gathering.
A physician by training, Veena has spent her career caring for others, but she
has always believed that stories heal in their own special way. This is her
love letter to dosa, to her roots, and to the joy of sharing both with the
world.
When she’s not writing or seeing patients, you’ll find her on her
yoga mat, planning the family’s next adventure, or exploring the world
with her loving husband and two spirited boys, her favorite companions in
wandering and in life.
She believes magic lives in the everyday moments, especially the ones shared
around a table.
Do you hear the voices? Listen if you dare . . . You’ll get both
the heebies and the jeebies in this unsettling new title.
A henpecked husband learns that “till death do us part”
isn’t the end of the story when his dead wife returns.
A newly retired couple uncovers a pestilent secret buried beneath their dream
home.
A young woman retreats to the countryside to discover herself, only to stumble
upon an unsolved tragedy calling out for justice.
Voices Carry Here is a collection of short stories steeped in mystery,
suspense, and the supernatural. Set against the beauty of Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula, these tales will reveal secrets just beneath the surface of
tranquil lakes, cries for help echoing from shadowed campgrounds, and
small-town characters experiencing extraordinary circumstances.
Blending chills with warmth, author Gail Galotta’s flair for
supernatural suspense is tempered with touches of humor, romance, and
nostalgia.
Excerpt from “The Pestilence House”
We moved into our newly constructed home in early June. The first nightmare occurred just two weeks later.
I awoke to the sound of heavy breathing. Thinking at first that it was Ken, I swept my arm across to his side, but it was vacant. I quickly realized that something else was present in the room, something that was steadily approaching the bed. I lay there paralyzed, my back to the presence that hovered above me for a moment and then lowered toward my head. I could feel the subtle waves of labored breaths against the nape of my neck. I tried to scream, but terror froze my vocal cords. Is this a dream? It must be a dream! Where is Ken! Then, another sound invaded my ears—a guttural noise, like that of an animal. A racoon? A coyote? I jerked my head around and opened my mouth to fend off the beast with a mighty shout. Instead, my lips encountered the extended tongue of a different creature. His distorted face—with its bulbous nose and bulging eyes—scarcely seemed human. His skin was dappled with bruises and only thinly veiled the skeletal frame beneath. Suddenly, the tongue retracted, and the jaw extended in an effort to speak—or bite. I screamed. A bloodcurdling scream that vanquished the intruder and sent my very human husband rushing upstairs.
Ken turned on the light and sat next to me on the bed while I attempted an explanation of…I wasn’t sure what. He suggested that my nightmare may have been prompted by something I heard from the movie he had been watching. My trembling eased as he continued. “Sometimes I wake up and think someone’s at our door. You know, like when our dog used to hear a doorbell on TV.”
The reference made me smile. “I didn’t bark, did I?”
Although Ken’s theory seemed plausible, I wasn’t totally convinced. Especially after I suffered a similar experience a few nights later.
Our cocker spaniel had been gone for several years, but when I felt the mattress yield to the weight of something at my feet, my first thought was of that beloved pet, and I instinctively adjusted my position to accommodate her. Then my eyes flashed open. Something was moving slowly along my body. I could feel the light depressions on the blanket, like footsteps in the snow. This time I didn’t scream. My breaths quivered as something pressed gently on my back and then my shoulder. I lay still, waiting to throw off the…squirrel? Rat? But when a whisper approached my ear, I bolted upright. Whatever noise I made alarmed Ken. This time the television was off, and the only ambient sound that could have possibly inspired my dream was
the rhythmic breathing of my husband, who had been asleep next to me in bed.
About the Author
Gail Galotta was raised in Chicago with childhood summers in
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
She’s always been drawn to the mystical pull of water, which often
shapes the settings of her stories. An award-winning writer and former English
teacher, she lives in Vulcan, Michigan, overlooking the same lake that
inspired her earliest work. When asked what inspires her latest fiction, she
offers only a cryptic smile.
What if your pain wasn’t holding you back… but pushing you
forward?
From abuse and neglect to crime, addiction, prison, and crushing
debt—Patrick Simiglai’s story is not just about survival.
It’s about transformation.
In Fueled By Pain, ultra-endurance athlete and mental performance coach
Patrick Simiglai shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up using
discipline, resilience, and 23 powerful mental techniques designed to help you
do the same.
This is not a motivational quick fix.
This is a blueprint for real, lasting change.
Inspired by elite forces like the Danish Frogman Corps, Patrick pushed himself
through extreme physical challenges—ultramarathons, rope climbs, and
marathon swims—discovering that the real battle isn’t in the
body… it’s in the mind.
Inside this powerful book, you’ll discover how to:
• Master your inner dialogue and stop self-sabotage
• Build discipline that lasts beyond motivation
• Develop unshakable mental resilience under pressure
• Break free from addiction, fear, and limiting beliefs
• Turn pain, discomfort, and resistance into your greatest advantage
• Create long-term success through integrity and self-trust
Patrick’s journey—from chaos to clarity—proves that no
matter where you start, you can rebuild your life. Today, he is a successful
entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and mentor helping others unlock their
potential and take control of their lives.
His message is simple—but powerful:
You don’t need a new life. You need a new relationship with yourself.
Pain, resistance, and discomfort are not signs that you’re on the wrong
path. Often, they are proof that you’re walking in the direction of
growth. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to show up honestly
and keep your word to yourself—especially on the days when no one is
watching.
About the Author
Patrick Simiglai is a Danish ultra-endurance athlete, mental performance
coach, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals transform their lives
through discipline, resilience, and powerful inner dialogue. As the author of
Fueled By Pain, Patrick shares a raw and deeply personal journey of overcoming
adversity and building mental strength from the inside out.
Competing in some of the world’s most grueling ultra-endurance
races—including 200- and 300-mile events across deserts, mountains, and
extreme terrain—Patrick has developed a unique approach to mental
toughness rooted in real-world experience. His work bridges the gap between
extreme physical performance and everyday personal growth, offering practical
tools for leaders, athletes, and teams to perform under pressure with
integrity and consistency.
Patrick’s path to success was anything but conventional. Growing up in a
childhood marked by abuse and later struggling with drug and alcohol
addiction, he understands firsthand the challenges of feeling trapped by your
own thoughts. His transformation—from chaos and self-destruction to
purpose-driven achievement—forms the foundation of his coaching,
speaking, and writing.
Through his work, Patrick emphasizes that true growth begins with mastering
your inner dialogue. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: you don’t
need a new life—you need a new relationship with yourself. By embracing
discomfort, taking responsibility, and committing to disciplined action, he
teaches others how to unlock their full potential and create lasting change.
Originally written in Danish and later rewritten in English as a personal
challenge, Fueled By Pain reflects Patrick’s belief that growth comes
from stepping outside your comfort zone and committing to the process, even
when it’s difficult. Drawing from years of journaling, coaching, and
extreme endurance experiences, the book delivers 23 mental techniques designed
to help readers build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and achieve long-term
success.
Today, Patrick Simiglai works with individuals and organizations worldwide,
inspiring others to confront their limits, strengthen their mindset, and turn
pain into purpose.
An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad
Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational
Date Published: August 4th, 2026
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young
lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.
On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation
saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he
discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in
spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to
believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of
reaching the stars.
Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart
of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to
human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His
unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him
from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were
personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled
and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.
Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became
launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part
memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s
quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that
bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an
extraordinary one.
About the Author
At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a
goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's
degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and
from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.
As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing,
he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.
Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring
them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's
beaches, where they live.
