Joy and Sorrow: The life story of an Exclusive Brethren survivor by Joy Nason

Joy and Sorrow is the true story of a young woman who escapes from a religious cult in Australia in the 1970s. She subsequently does her best to build a life for herself, knowing she will never have contact with her family again.

In her memoir Joy and Sorrow, Joy Nason takes us into her world of humble working class origins. Born in the UK during WW2 into a fundamentalist Christian cult of the Exclusive Brethren, (EB) her family migrated as economic refugees to Australia in the 1950s.



Joy was one of eight children brought up in the strict world of EB until her early 20s when she made the courageous decision to flee the restrictions and demands of the church. The decision was not easy as she left home knowing that she would be cut off from contact with her parents and other family members from that moment on.



Yet her story is full of surprising optimism in the face of terrible odds - starting from scratch, Joy had to learn live alone 'in the world' with no family support. Even though she was finally away from the Brethren faith, her fear of their retribution kept her awake at nights with nightmares for many years.



And so, Joy slowly but surely made her way in the world, with work stints with kind employers who encouraged her to gain skills, to friends who helped her with socialising, travel and new-found enjoyment of life. Through many jobs and disappointing liaisons that didn't last, to finally becoming a mother of a baby boy, Joy picks herself up after each failure and faces the world with determination and a positive attitude.



Overcoming her trepidation, Joy entered the world of higher education that denied her by her sect and attains teaching degrees, first at TAFE and then at university level preparing her to become Senior Head Teacher of Administration Studies at Ultimo TAFE, all the while juggling the upbringing of her young son.



Having absented herself from any contact with the EB sect for many years, Joy finally determines to "come out" to join the human rights protests being made by investigative journalists, documentaries and other exiled EB members telling their story. In doing so, Joy finds the support of a great many others who have each suffered as she did and together, they create a network to reach out to those who need it.



Joy made the decision to go public with her life and experiences with the EB, not only to give inspiration to young innocents who may be trapped in similar situations but to add to Media exposure of the hypocrisy of the EB in the new public persona they have devised in order to maintain their Charitable status and keep their tax-free millions.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

About Joy Nason

Joy Nason was raised in the fundamentalist Christian cult, Exclusive Brethren (EB) before choosing to leave in her early 20s. She made the decision to go public with her life and experiences with the EB to give inspiration to young innocents who may be trapped in similar situations. Joy was a TAFE Lecturer/Project Manager for 30 years. This is her first book.

First 20% Sample: epub mobi (Kindle) lrf

Read more...

The Gnome Tome by Adrian Bell

This book contains a collection of poems by Adrian Bell. Brilliantly and sometimes outrageously funny, they are written in a true down-to-earth, Aussie-style sense of humour. Their themes concern mostly the antics and events of everyday life amongst Adrian's fellow members of the Leather Artisans & Digital Guild (a Facebook group, a.k.a. The Squirrels).

This book contains a collection of poems by Adrian Bell. Brilliantly and sometimes outrageously funny, they are written in a true down-to-earth, Aussie-style sense of humour. Their themes concern mostly the antics and events of everyday life amongst Adrian's fellow members of the Leather Artisans & Digital Guild (a Facebook group, a.k.a. The Squirrels). Adrian is not only a very talented leather worker whoe uses a well-honed eye for detail in his art, but also in his writing, picking up on every opportunity for a funny story. You don't have to be a leather worker to appreciate these wonderful odes.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

Read more...

Southern Raised in the Fifties by Ralph Hood

Ralph Hood, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame member, was called “a funny man” by Oprah Winfrey. A master storyteller, he writes of his youth in coastal Georgia, making a Molotov cocktail, robbing a prison and painting “Zorro” on a water tower. His stories touch on music, morals, poetry, young love, first dates, religion, being “raised right," and one risque tale he left unfinished. You figure it out.

Speaker/writer Ralph Hood, member of the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame, was called “a funny man” by Oprah Winfrey. A master storyteller, he writes of growing up in coastal Georgia, during which he exploded a self-made Molotov cocktail, robbed a prison and allegedly painted “Zorro” on a tall water tower. His stories touch on music, morals, poetry, young love, first dates, religion, being “raised right,” and a voyeuristic tale that he left unfinished. You figure it out.

Though the stories stray to later times and faraway places, they never escape the influence of the Deep South in the 1950s. Ralph has traveled to all fifty states and several other countries, but he is still a product of the basics he learned and the people he knew in Brunswick and Glynn County, Georgia. He includes many of the local folk in this book. Are the stories true? Ralph says they are, “to the extent possible while avoiding lawsuits.” That makes sense, as the stories were first published in the Brunswick News.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

About Ralph Hood

Ralph Hood, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), has spoken for hire from Alaska to Puerto Rico and from Hawaii to Spain. After he was on her show, Oprah Winfrey said "Ralph, you are a funny man."

Ralph, a commercial pilot, is a member of the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame and has written a regular column in every issue of Airport Business Magazine and its predecessor since 1986. He taught a college course in aviation management and has spoken for hundreds of aviation audiences including employees of Cessna, Lear, Boeing and Piper, plus hundreds more groups in other fields.

First 5% Sample: mobi (Kindle) lrf pdb Online Reader

Read more...

Standing In The Shadows “The Light” by Ray R. Ellis

The long-awaited and much-requested autobiography of Canadian psychic medium Ray R. Ellis. A fascinating story of a man with extraordinary gifts, including previously unpublished stories involving major celebrities

This book is the life story of world-renowned psychic medium Ray R. Ellis. A life which has been a spiritual journey lived to the full. It has confirmed, through much evidence, that life continues beyond the physical death we know. Using my many gifts, has enable me to help many other beautiful souls, both living and passed, on their journey to a greater level of understanding that we as God's children are all one. Direct communication with the holy spirit has shown me many times life and its essences within a blink of eternity.



This fascinating account of a life lived in close communication with Spirit is a must-read. The author has had much communication with celebrities over the years – find out what really happened to Elvis Presley and Brian Jones among others

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

About Ray R. Ellis

Ray R. Ellis is a world-renowned Canadian psychic medium

Read more...

Soft Machine: Out-Bloody-Rageous by Graham Bennett

The biography of the pioneering band who shaped psychedelic rock, progressive rock and jazz-rock. It recounts Soft Machine’s colourful career and unravels the mystique behind this elusive band. This revised and updated edition includes over a hundred illustrations, a concert file and discography. The first edition won an Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research..

The definitive biography of this ground-breaking band that played a pivotal role in shaping psychedelic rock, progressive rock and jazz-rock fusion. Based on lengthy interviews with the band and their associates, it recounts the lives of Soft Machine’s members, pieces together the band’s formation and colourful career, and unravels the truth behind the enigma that was Soft Machine. This revised and updated edition includes over a hundred illustrations, a complete concert file, discography and sessionography. Graham Bennett witnessed many of Soft Machine’s concerts in their peak years and has produced a probing and thoroughly researched account of one of the great mythic bands of the Sixties and Seventies. The first edition won an Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

Read more...

My Life, The Puzzle. by Sean Souels, Sr

from a discombobulated past, inclusive of hurts,pains, drug abuse and jail to preaching of the gospel. this book speaks of a young mans battle with poverty, drugs and a physically abuse past and how he used those things to make him better. what he thought church was about and the great problems he ran into going there and how those were overcome.

About Sean Souels, Sr

Dr. Sean A. Souels, Sr.



Dr. Sean Souels is a well sought after International evangelist whose unique style and unfathomable anointing has graced him the opportunity to mount many platforms to win countless souls for the cause of Christ.

Dr. Sean Souels was the Senior Pastor of the Friendship Rebirth Word and Praise Ministries, Inc which began in North Brunswick, New Jersey for 15 years and has now answered the call of Full-Time evangelism on a greater scale.

Dr. Sean Souels education began in 1998, with an earned accredited degree in Theology, followed by a Master’s in Bible Studies and finally in 2009, receiving his earned Doctorate degree in Religious Education from the Lighthouse Seminary, of BeBe, Arkansas, under the direction of Dean Smith of Irvington, New Jersey.

Dr. Sean Souels intellect, charisma and submission to the leading of the Holy Ghost have proven to push him to new heights beyond his wildest dreams. Dr. Souels has founded four Accredited Bible colleges in four different states wherein his love for teaching has helped to empower those thirsty to cultivate their gifts as well as guide them to their destiny.

Dr Sean Souels is a very approachable human being, who believe that your character should determine who you are and not your title, one of his favorite sayings is, your gift will make you money, while, your character will help you make heaven.

Read Sean Souels, Sr's Smashwords Interview

Price: $4.99 USD

First 10% Sample: epub mobi (Kindle) lrf

Read more...

Full Throttle by John Deakin

Full Throttle is an entertaining account of an amazing man’s life in aviation that is sure to leave the reader laughing and head-shaking as the pages turn quickly. It is a compilation of short stories told by John Deakin over the years on Compuserve's AVSIG Forum. Some of Deakin’s stories are funny, some are sad, and a few are shocking for the amount of trouble Deakin managed to get himself into.

Full Throttle is an entertaining account of an amazing man’s life in aviation that is sure to leave the reader laughing and head-shaking as the pages turn quickly during this enjoyable read. It is a compilation of short stories told by John Deakin over the years on Compuserve's AVSIG Forum, the oldest aviation forum in the world. Some of Deakin’s stories are funny, some are sad, and a few are shocking for the amount of trouble Deakin managed to get himself into and (barely) out of over the years. His professional career consisted of flying an assortment of airplanes for Air America in Vietnam and as an airline pilot for Japan Airlines. Non-professionally and for fun Deakin flew a wide assortment of WWII fighters and bombers.



Young Deakin started as a line boy in his teens before working as a freighter pilot (B-25 captain at 19), corporate pilot, spending five years with Air America, the CIA airline, and 32 years as a captain for Japan Airlines. His last 29 years with JAL were spent Captaining the 747; the last five years of which, John was #1 in seniority system-wide.



The first half of the book tells of Deakin’s training as a budding pilot and the experiences which formed the skills he later needed to survive the rigors of flying in a combat zone. A few of these experiences could easily have been fatal, but through them all, the young aviator maintains his sense of humor about how he got himself into such a mess! There were more than a few “messes” on various continents as he learned to survive.



Deakin’s intense experiences while flying for Air America in Vietnam are always colored with the morbid humor that accompanies stressful situations. His part ownership of the Kontiki Lounge in Gia Dinh, Vietnam, presents its own special view of life “in country.” After his Air America experience, he expounds upon his experiences as an airline captain, which range from hysterically funny to the high-stress situations that accompany weather and diversion decisions as well as dealing with unruly passengers.



The later chapters of the book are first-hand accounts and detailed descriptions of what it’s like to fly some of the World’s most interesting and rare airplanes. For those who are likely to never get the chance to do so, Deakin gives them a first-hand glimpse into the details known only to those who’ve flown such aircraft as the Constellation, Bearcat, Japanese Zero, C-46, B-24, and B-29.

About John Deakin

John always said “Get a job doing something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” After a few attempts at actually working, mostly imposed by his father in his early teens, John eased into flying airplanes, and sure enough, found the saying to be true. He started out as a line boy in Sarasota, Florida, and began collecting money for his flying addiction by age seventeen and never looked back. He blew all of his money on aviation ratings and restaurant food, and, as a result never learned to cook beyond frozen meals and the occasional peanut butter and jelly sandwich.



John hated high school, and by his own assessment, barely made it through. He never darkened the door of college, being convinced that he’d learn more at the airport. He applied for the airlines early on, but they all wanted applicants with college diplomas and high grades at that. John railed against this at the time, but finally decided the airlines were not for him, since he’s never appreciated the union mentality. He banged around in odd jobs as a budding pilot, until he landed a job overseas for which he lusted greatly, being young, adventurous, and naive. The young lady he’d been dating for a year or so apparently had other plans for him, and was quite upset at his sudden overseas departure. John was greatly relieved, and smugly pleased to be out of that situation!



The dream job turned out to be with Air America, which John later discovered was a CIA Proprietary Airline. He spent about five years with Air America in various “garden spots” of Asia and the Pacific, had many adventures, cut a wide path through the fleshpots, and thoroughly enjoyed the massive amount of flying time in wonderful airplanes. As many Air America pilots did, John learned to do strange and amazing things with those airplanes. John has often said that that was the happiest time of his life. In 1968, Air America was failing, and the lure of jets was strong. John had an opportunity to join Japan Airlines as “Christmas Help” as a 727 captain, figuring he’d build experience for three to five years, and move on. To his surprise, his advancement to DC-8 captain, then 747 captain was very rapid. JAL was growing monstrously, and there were not enough Japanese pilots available to fill the slots. John spent the next 32 years with JAL, for the most part very happy ones, acquiring a wife and two fine sons who live and work in Seattle today. Amazingly, he only married the once, when everyone he knows has been divorced—some multiple times.



When age forced John to retire from JAL, he became a Gulfstream captain. He loved the airplane, but other issues somewhat “reduced his enjoyment.” The stress and being slightly overweight forced his blood pressure up and he suffered a stroke in 2008 at the age of 69. The after-effects of the stroke were minor, and much to his surprise he happily enjoyed being retired and now admits that he wishes he’d retired sooner. John now lives fairly reclusively with his wife in Southern California and spends his time on the business aspects of Advanced Pilot Seminars, handles a steady flow of email, and is thoroughly enjoying life, as he always has.



The Prologue mentions that he refused to write this book. "Refused" is accurate, but "too lazy" is more descriptive, and he’s amazed that Walter took the time to compile some of his stories. John hope you enjoy them, but if you don’t blame Walter, not him!

Price: $9.99 USD

First 20% Sample: epub mobi (Kindle) lrf

Read more...

See You Further Down the Road by Nancy Griffin

Dorothea and Nancy are two best friends of thirty years: bellydancers, psychic readers, observers of the mystical in the mundane. In their lives and in dance, spontaneity often creates magic! Follow these amazing ladies to find the magic of fun and adventure in their wild, wonderful journeys through life and the American bellydance culture.

Meet Dorothea and Nancy, two best friends of thirty years. In their first book together, they share true stories of their adventures as bellydancers, psychic readers, and observers of the mystical in the mundane. Humorous, honest, and entertaining, their offbeat yarns tell of life at home and on the road. Share their laughter and bemusement as these working women use their positive outlooks to solve some unique problems. What unexpected surprises will life bring them next?

In life and in dance, spontaneity often creates magic.

Like these two friends, find that magic: joy, fun and adventure in their wild, wonderful journey through life and the American bellydance culture.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

Price: $8.99 USD

First 20% Sample: epub | mobi (Kindle) | read online

Read more...

Dammit, I Learned a Lot from That Son-of-a-Gun by Brandt Street Press

What happens when someone shares a story with us—a true story, a story from their heart-of-hearts? We feel connected. We realize the commonality of our emotions. How we are, as human beings, all the same. We all falter. We all fear. We all stumble. And we can all come back stronger. This book contains those stories.

“These stories are as compulsively 
readable as popcorn in a scary movie!”


Sue Stauffacher, Children’s Book Author



“A quick and riveting read, one with
 which you’ll be happy to have spent time.”


Drey Samuelson, U.S. Senate Chief Of Staff





“You’ll find yourself turning around, 
perhaps glancing over your shoulder.”


Patricia Menick, Sculptor & Installation Artist





“Read one, you’ll come back for more.”


Ron Steffens, Educator/Author/Forest Firefighter



What happens when someone shares a story with us—a true story, a story from their heart-of-hearts?



We feel connected. We realize the commonality of our emotions. How we are, as human beings, all the same. We all falter. We all fear. We all stumble. And we can all come back stronger.



Every son-of-a-gun in this book of twelve new, true stories is different, but you’ll recognize each one. We’ve all had them in our lives, these sons-of-guns. And whether we love them or we hate them, they are our teachers. They impart some kernel of truth that we carry with us always.



You may not know these people, but you will know these stories. They’re about emotions we all feel—fear, anger, temptation, even those times you slap yourself on the forehead and call yourself an idiot. The circumstances may be different, but the pain, the heartache and the triumph, those remain true.



Enjoy these stories, dammit!

About Brandt Street Press

Brandt Street Press is an independent book publisher located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Price: $8.99 USD

First 7% Sample: epub | mobi (Kindle) | lrf

Read more...

Walking The Crooked Path by Corey King

Diagnosed with an incurable, degenerative disease, a successful businessman and engineer confronts a troubled past and an uncertain future and finds an unexpected path to faith and hope.

Corey King was unprepared for Parkinson’s disease, but even more unprepared for the harsh light the diagnosis cast on buried secrets and unresolved problems from the past. This life-changing truth called everything he believed into question, and forced him to confront even deeper truths. On a crooked path from a childhood history of abuse to the cockpit of a military jet and the boardrooms and laboratories of the high-tech business world, Corey struggled to answer questions that plague all of us. Who am I? Why am I here? How do I keep going when there seems to be no hope? 'Walking the Crooked Path' is Corey’s story of confronting a devastating diagnosis with painful honesty and wry humor, but is also the more important story of forgiveness, redemption, and newfound faith.

About Corey King

Corey is a volunteer Assistant Director for the State of Texas for the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN), a Congressional lobbying organization focused on the needs of the Parkinson disease community. He is also the past president and chairman of the board of the Alamo Area Parkinson’s Support Group and past board member of the Comal County Parkinson’s Support Group and the Lone Star Parkinson Society.



Corey is a U.S. Air Force veteran and served as a space operations and engineering officer. Following his Air Force career, Corey was a project manager and system engineer for government and commercial development projects in computer network design, large-scale database system design, and technical and operational security. He was the senior leader at a telecommunications and computer research laboratory, a vice president for a high-tech defense contractor, and was one of several principals in a computer security start-up company. His company was acquired by Symantec, where Mr. King served in senior management, sales, and marketing roles until 2006. Corey also worked with Southwest Research Institute, where he led an organization of scientists and engineers performing research and development.



He retired from his professional career in 2011, after he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009. Since then has been active as an advocate for the Parkinson’s community, and volunteers for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the US CyberPatriot Program, a high-school cyber security competition. He writes a blog about his experiences in life and with Parkinson’s, at http://cdkingcrookedpath.com.



He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife Amy and their dog Izzy. The children, although children no longer, come home regularly and regale their parents with wonderful stories of their achievements.

Price: $4.99 USD

First 15% Sample: epub | mobi (Kindle) | lrf

Read more...

Picture Perfect? by Kordale Lewis

Picture Perfect? is an honest, soul-bearing memoir that pulls back the curtain on the story behind a family picture that went viral. With inspiring candor, Kordale Lewis describes his struggles with childhood sexual abuse, a drug-addicted mother, suicide, the trials of teen fatherhood, and more. His story provides a bold challenge for readers to redefine their own meaning of a perfect family.

It was just a selfie. At least, that’s what Kordale Lewis thought when he snapped a picture of him and his partner caught in their morning ritual of brushing their daughters’ hair. But when he followed the precedent of his straight-couple friends and posted the family photo on his social media accounts, he did not anticipate the response. The image—two gay, black dads parenting their young daughters like, God forbid, any other couple—went viral. Kordale and Kaleb were instantly overwhelmed with the overnight backlash of negativity and the warmth of support that came with their worldwide Internet recognition.



If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the viral buzz that surrounded the photo only scratches the surface. Picture Perfect? is an honest, soul-bearing memoir that pulls back the curtain on the story behind a family picture that went viral. With inspiring candor, Kordale Lewis describes his struggles with childhood sexual abuse, a drug-addicted mother, suicide, the trials teen fatherhood, and more. His story provides a bold challenge for readers to redefine their own meaning of a perfect family.

About Kordale Lewis

After 20 years of silence, Kordale Lewis bares all in his debut memoir, Picture Perfect? He is more easily recognized as one of the “two gay, black dads” whose picture of a daily family routine went viral. He currently lives with his partner, Kaleb, and their three children in Atlanta, Georgia, where they continue to do their part to inspire and support the LGBTQ community.

Price: $6.99 USD

First 15% Sample: epub | mobi (Kindle) | lrf

Read more...

Encounters with an Inexplicable Man: Stories of Osho as Told by his People by Savita Brandt

Osho, then known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, drew world attention by driving Rolls Royces, dressing in otherworldly robes and attracting vast numbers of red-clothed followers. Savita Brandt brings together stories of those who lived through extraordinary times close to this man whose views so challenged Indian and Western society and whose hundreds of books continue to sell in scores of languages.

What was it like to live in the community of a spiritual anarchist? To be buffeted in the energy-field of the most controversial mystic of the 20th century? Osho, then known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, drew world attention by driving Rolls Royces, dressing in otherworldly robes and attracting vast numbers of red-clothed followers. His iconoclastic views punctured the serenity of both Indian and American society, and the world press had a field day attempting to discredit him. Yet the power of his radical spiritual vision has infiltrated the 21st century in broad swathes, his hundreds of books still sell in scores of languages and his work continues to be celebrated worldwide.



These simple tales of the jolts and joys along the way to transformation give us an intimate glimpse into the relationship between this rare contemporary mystic and some of his thousands of ‘sannyasins’, who came from all walks of life and several continents to live and work around him.

Tweet

Share on Google+

Save this on Delicious

Price: $14.90 USD

First 15% Sample: epub | mobi (Kindle) | lrf

Read more...