Praise for Our Authors
Our authors are amazing and we know it!
Turns out, so do you!
Check out the reviews we've received for our many projects and stay tuned for many more.
Brothers of the State
Holy shit. I read it all in a few hours, which is rare for me. I couldn't put it down. - Goodreads Reviewer
This is a tough one to read; the author's own story of how the foster system failed he and his brothers when they were supposed to be loved, protected, and taken care of. Instead, at ages 9, 7, and 5, they were worked hard, barely fed, and tortured. Reading this book sets off a rollercoaster of emotions. I was tearful one moment, livid the next, and chuckling at the lighter moments of little boy humor interspersed throughout. The author tells his own story in his own style. The writing is vivid, sucks you in and won't let you go until the end. Having worked in Healthcare for 40+ years, I know that the foster system is underfunded, and there are not enough social workers to keep up with the load. Kids fall through the cracks. I applaud those workers who care and work hard to make sure their wards are treated well, but there are not enough of you. I also applaud Darrell Lacey for writing his and his brother's story. Perhaps readers will pay more attention to what is going on in their communities with foster kids. Language warning: There are some instances of "colorful" language. - Goodreads Reviewer
I got this book in the afternoon and read a few pages…. I couldn’t put it down and read all of it that night!! What a wonderfully written book! The sad story is told with such emotion and detail, yet you hear bits of humor to lighten the mood. I laughed and I cried throughout the book. This story needs to be told more so that children don’t have to spend their whole lives healing from foster care experiences. How the writer ties it all together at the end with his brothers is beautiful. This book is a treasure and a must read!! - Amazon Reviewer
This is a captivating book! When I started it, I wasn't sure it would be of interest to me, but the author's storytelling ability drew me in. I soon found that I didn't want to lay it down. I have vivid images in my mind of all the characters and the house, where much of the story took place. What these young boys went through in the foster care system with so-called "good" people is sad and baffling. If you enjoy books that stimulate all of your emotions, this book is for you! I look forward to the author's next offering! - 3rd Party Reviewer
How Wise Old Owl Got His Name
Linda Laughlin's How Wise Old Owl Got His Name is a delightful tale of adventure, exploration, and self-acceptance. Recently, Mountainburg Elementary School hosted Ms. Laughlin for an engaging author visit, where she shared her enchanting story with Pre-K through 2nd graders. One of the remarkable aspects of Laughlin's storytelling is its ability to resonate with young audiences by tapping into their existing knowledge of nature and wildlife. As they followed Hector on his adventure, the students found themselves making connections to the world around them, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of nature. Additionally, the students were drawn to the beautiful, life-like illustrations, which not only enhanced their understanding of the story but also sparked their imagination. While the vocabulary occasionally stretched beyond the typical level for the target age groups, Laughlin's thoughtful approach ensured that all students could fully engage with the story. She took the time to explain unfamiliar words, fostering a supportive learning environment where young readers could expand their vocabulary while enjoying the story. Moreover, the inclusion of a glossary of higher-level vocabulary words demonstrates Laughlin's commitment to empowering independent readers and supporting classroom instruction. Teachers, in particular, will find How Wise Old Owl Got His Name to be a valuable addition to their literacy curriculum. The book's rich storytelling, coupled with its educational components, makes it an ideal resource for integrating into lesson planning and instruction. By incorporating this book into literacy units, teachers can not only promote a love for reading but also facilitate meaningful discussions and learning experiences for their students. - LMS at an elementary school
Last Dance With Annie
A gripping story. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. Very well written story dealing with the eating disorder anorexia. I highly recommend this book. - Amazon Reviewer
As far as I am concerned this is a very important book. It shines the light on eating disorders through everyday regular folk. I generalise when I say the first image that comes to mind when we hear anorexia or bulimia is a teenager or young woman. We don't immediately think of a forty-two-year old woman, wife, mother of two. Or a mid-thirties ex-gymnast woman or an 18-year old male ballet dancer. Annie will dance with anyone willing to listen to her lies. Rochelle opens our eyes with a gut-wrenching story that also has us laughing and hoping and crying along with Elise and her family and friends. I have technically read this book for the third time and still got all teary-eyed at parts of it. The short chapters move this story along at a wonderful pace and you don't get lost in all the characters because they are each given their proper allotment. A beautifully written book that I would recommend to anyone willing to listen. - Goodreads Reviewer
Elise is a 40-some year-old mother of a college-aged son and high-schooler daughter whose eating disorder finds her in an inpatient EDU (eating disorder unit) after starving herself to the point of being at death's door. Elise's husband, Tony, a VietNam vet and now Navy recruiter, is loud and chastising but is hiding some issues of his own from his family. Last Dance with Annie is a very well thought-out narrative that examines the condition of anorexia nervosa from many perspectives, including from the patient; the support staff there to help the patient through; and the other patients and how they support or don't support each other. Rochelle does an excellent job of teasing apart the mixed emotions of the immediate family members who are co-dependent on how the patient does in treatment. In addition to Elise's story, the lives of several of the other patients are examined in an attempt to see where some of the roots of eating disorders might have started. She makes sure to show that each patient is an individual with their own story to tell. Some descriptions of trauma that the patients suffered as children may be triggering. I found myself in tears several times while reading the book. One writing device that Rochelle uses very effectively is using Elise's internal voices. Annie is the voice that encourages the starvation; but Annie is not the only voice Elise has in her head. I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters, their mannerisms, their struggles, and how they met or didn't meet their challenges. I very much liked the positive regard given to the helpers in this story. Prescription and over-the-counter medication permeate the story. Much of it is to help individuals in pain and fear attempt to alleviate it, albeit in harmful ways. The book does a good job of showing that listening and caring are the real healers, as well as exploring creative outlets such as art and journaling. Rochelle, thank you for writing Last Dance with Annie. - Goodreads Reviewer
I believe that novels reveal more truths than nonfiction. In this story, Elise struggles mightily with her eating disorder, and like most addicts, she's tried to beat it more than once. This facility surely must be the last time. When she finally breaks through her past and reveals why she wanted her body to be skeletal thin, I was stunned. The abuse and the eating disorder were cause and effect. Elise's struggle is beautifully written, and I'm glad I read this book. You will be, too. - Amazon Reviewer
Esoterica Mysteries
Pathetic Poetics is a beautifully written poetry booklet that is absolutely soul crushing to read. Caleb's expression of the pain he has experienced is clear in his writing. Very good poetry and for less than a dollar! - Amazon Reviewer