Johnny Standing Elk rolled his eyes and thought, This woman is a walking disaster area. Then he decided that he still had the rest of today and thirteen more to watch out for her. He made himself a heartfelt promise to never make a commitment to look out for someone again, even though this ladys brother, Brett, was a nice guy. Johnny finally had to ask her, What are you afraid of, Wednesday? Can you tell me? I can tell youre a professional woman, likely with a great career. I know it isnt any of my business why you are here or what is going on. But if it is going to affect how you treat me and everyone else, maybe we can talk about it. Okay? I give you my word. Ill keep it in total confidence. Okay? She thought over her situation. She had never been so out of control in her life. More importantly, her quandary was nowhere near remedied. She was rather certain that she could never last until Brett got back without falling apart. She could barely survive a simple day. Maybe it would better for everyone if she just left. But to do that, she would have to confide in Johnny.
May of 1972 finds the folks of the Engelmann clan preparing for the long-awaited wedding of Matt Harrington and Diane Waggoner. Numerous family members from out East will be attending the event. In the past, members of both their families had shown vehement objection to the wedding; but as of late, most of those things seemed settled. They had hopes of having a fun family reunion. As the event nears, other families appear and attend the wedding. There are many characters and subplots revealing themselves before the nuptials take place. In the end, the Engelmann clan learns to value their clan even more.
Ian Harrington had worked all his life in law enforcement, until a gunshot ruined his arm, rendering it almost useless. With the help of his family and friends, he was able to rebuild his life. Even though being an accountant was less exciting, it was much more stable. He was loved his new wife and the life they were building together. He was someone who felt family was the very important, so he welcomed the news that he and his wife were expecting their first child that fall. In the spring, his arm began giving him severe muscle spasms and his doctor thought he should go back to Boston to see the neurologist who had cared for him after the shooting. Hoping to get the arm all taken care of before the arrival of his child, he and his wife traveled to Boston for his medical care. Ian was a good, gentle and decent man, who always tried to live above reproach. He was not perfect and never claimed to be, but he tried to be honest and fair in all his dealings. He had left the police force with an excellent record. A chance encounter at a street bazaar shakes the very foundation of everything that he believed about his past, his life and himself. He soon realizes that no matter how straight forward and simple actions seem when one does them; they can have far, unintended repercussions. Handling them in a fair and decent manner can be much more daunting than the original intention.
Johnny Standing Elk’s family was normal, except for his father, Joseph Standing Elk. He was an elderly full-blooded Teton Sioux, stubborn as a mule and ornery as his ailing body would allow. He was not well and hadn’t been for some time, but he was one man not about to go quietly into the hereafter. In his late seventies, he seemed determined to raise as much hell as an invalid could do before his spirit returned to the Creator. Joseph was never happy about wasichu and even less so as time went on. He was raised in the reservation era, and he initially believed that some wasichu, or white people, were greedy, selfish people, but some were good people. After Johnny’s first white wife died, her wealthy father came after Johnny. That was the final blow. He despised these awful humans and all unredeemable. As things transpired, he had no choice but to go live with Johnny. He went to his place only because of his family, but not willingly. He didn’t and wasn’t about to like it. When he learned that Johnny was going to marry another wasichu, the poor man was distraught, but would not give up. It was his duty to teach his son how to live.
Throughout Rainbows and Rattlenakes, Dr. Zach Jeffries worked to overcome the trauma of his tortured childhood. He thought he had dealt with it and put it in the past. The young man was able to begin building a happy, quiet life adn looking forward to his future. That is until a phone call from his sister. The news of the death or disappearance of his father forced him to begin to unravel the mystery of his family. Even though it threatens his sanity, security and his new found happiness, he realizes that he has a responsiblity to himself, his fiancee and his family to investigate. He knows he will never be able to rest until he knows the truth. The investigation leads him and his Merton family to Masssachutes, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. He unravels unhappy truths about his family; including adultrous affairs, insanity, crime and hidden bank accounts, sadistic behavior and murder. Before the revelations are complete, his life is turned inside out and everything he ever believed is challenged. Will the months of anguish and pain be worth it all when the mystery is resolved? Will he and his sister have any part of their lives intact?
The public school music instructor Gary Larson was dismayed at the loss of his familys rented home. They lost everything, except their lives and that of their family dog. All they could salvage was in a cardboard box. Gary worried, however, that he stood to lose even more. He could lose his wife and beloved daughter in the ashes of the fire.
W. H. Crandall has been left as an abandoned child as an infant, and he grew up in the foster care system. When he became a teen, he migrated toward juvenile detention. Then as he was getting older, he was given the option of joining the military or going to jail. He chose the military. There he found a home of sorts and became a pilot. After the military, he and his friend Mick started a small private airline. While Mick began to put down roots, Crandall maintained his solo life. And jealously guarded his independence. Now in his late forties, his life had taken another turn. The independence had turned more into isolation, and he found he craved belonging more than ever. He had few close friends; however, after a close call with romance years before, he had decided he would be a bachelor all his life. Suddenly, the past he had put behind him was demanding his attention. It would require him doing all the things he thought he despised.
Miklos Sarantakis had always been a decent sort, quite religious, and believed strongly in family. He felt that family was the most important thing on earth—the love of a good wife and children. If blessed to have that, he would do anything to protect and maintain it. When his dream life was endangered, he began to make compromises to maintain his family. Then the compromises of moral standards went too far. After paying the consequences, his dream was even more diminished. Now it seemed that even having a normal life might be out of his reach. But the winter holidays, filled with families and love, renewed Mick’s desire. Would he ever have the life he craved? Or was it there, just in a different way than he had imagined?
Brett nodded in a daze. He knew in his heart that this was going to be more than just a few questions. A few minutes later, the deputy joined them in the car. He and Sheriff Bernard had a conversation that Brett couldn't hear. Bernard turned in his seat. I'm sorry, Brett. We are going to have to arrest you. Brett was almost physically sick as he was read his Miranda rights and handcuffed. He was grateful that Jen had taken Batman in so he wouldn't see it. In his entire life, he had never even received a parking ticket, and now he was being hauled to jail in the back seat of a sheriff's car! He had no idea what they could possibly think he had to do with Sheryl's death.
Matt Harrington had spent most of his life feeling certain of his direction and future. Suddenly the actions of others took his life on an unexpected turn. He was unable to stop the changes, or even anticipate them! He knew he had serious decisions to make and soon, but his life was spiralling out of his control. He had to make a decision about his profession, his lovely Diane and his future even though his life had become a fl ushing torrent into the abyss. With his loyal dog, Skipper, Matt blunders through his new life, relying on his faith, family, friends and pure luck to bring him through to a final outcome with some semblence of sanity. He soon understood what Grandpa meant when he said he would end up in a Pickle Jar.
Teased by his siblings for being a potato head, Andy Schroeder had been a good natured, optimistic young person. He was in college and deciding where to attend law school, when he received his draft papers. Soon, he was known as Spud by the guys in his unit in Vietnam. Even though he was the grenadier, he was of slight build. He was often called upon to be a tunnel rat, sent down dark, sabotaged, enemy tunnels to retrieve intelligence. By the time he was injured, the war had already taken a massive toll on Spud. He was no longer optimistic and doubted most of his previously held beliefs of life and God. He still loved his bride and his family, innocently believing that he could get home and go right back to the life he had left. Artillery fire changed all that. He did not return home as he had planned. Spud was an angry, bitter and frustrated person in a wheelchair. He doubted his beliefs, hated his situation and felt like a failure to everyone. He faced not only his visible wounds, but the ravages of the invisible ones. He tried not to be hateful, but not very successfully. After Vietnam, Spud felt his life was no more than a pile of useless potato peelings. He tried to put them together to get his life back, but found it a monumental task. With the help of his family, faith and friends, he began to put them back together-- one peeling at a time.
Rainbows and Rattlesnakes is the continuing story of the Praire Preacher family. This book is about the Pastor Byron's youngest daughter, six year old Ginger. In an attempt to overcome some difficulties, she takes an action that causes her life to change dramatically. Her family rallies around her to help her overcome the tragedy and rebuild her life. In the process, they all become acquainted with a young physician, Zach Jeffries. Zach is just starting out in his career, but is hampered by the memories of a horrendous childhood. In order for him to find peace, he must face and deal with the demons that have stolen his life and almost his sanity. He must learn to put his past into perspective so that he can enjoy his present.
Garrett Cameron is a successful businessman who has built a solitary lifethat is, unti l he receives a devastati ng phone callhis son and daughter-in-law have been in a horrible car accident. Garrett has always been busy building his fortune and, as a result, has paid the ultimate price with the loss of close relationships. As his son Jack clings to life, Garrett learns that his three young grandchildren have survived the accident, but his daughter-in-law has not. Even though her mother Meg is grief stricken, she is a pillar of strength for Garrett . As Garrett and Meg lean on each other for comfort, learns that he is battling more than just grief. Meanwhile, Garrett has his own problems. He has to face the decisions he has made throughout his life time. How much of the life he had so carefully built will he have to forsake? Will this tragedy force him to face the things he has fought all his life to avoid?
It had been an amazing year. Carl Kincaids entire life had changed. It was a far cry from that lonely Louisiana hospital room. Little did he know then, that some strangers would change his life! He was happier now than he had ever been, even though it required getting used to. Now he had a family and a pile of friends. He was stepfather to eight grown kids and all their families. Helping them face the changes in their lives while building a new life for his new wife and himself, required a lot of energy. There was always a challenge somewhere or something that made him proud, joyful or stark raving mad. He was aware he had become a petunia. It was the very thing that he had spent his life ridiculing. Now it meant a lot to Carl Kincaid, the loner who needed no one, to be the best petunia he could. Carl had never been one to settle for second place, and if he was going to have a life in a petunia patch, it would be the best Petunia Patch.
Prairie Preacher tells the story of a young Lutheran pastor who accepts his first call to a church in central North Dakota in 1955. Byron Ellison is assigned there for one year, at the end of which the congregation will vote to keep him on permanently. The year is full of trials and hardships for the rural church, even threatening its very existence. Pastor Ellison has much to learn about becoming an accepted member of the provincial area. He makes mistakes while helping his congregation deal with prejudices and the trials of life. He makes many good friends and at least one staunch enemy. The young man grows in faith as he is often tested. With humor and through tears, he grows in understanding about trust, forgiveness and acceptance as he shares tears and joy with his best friend and neighbors.
The entire group of friends in North Dakota were looking forward to the promised visit of their Caymanian friends. Schroeders had promised the teenaged boys, who were instrumental in saving their lives on the island, that they would have a great trail ride and campout on the prairies with cowboys and Indians. The solo pilot, Crandall, who lived on the Caymans, had befriended the Schroeders and had invited some of his own guests to the campout. No one knew, including the staff he invited, the reason for the invitation, but they thought it would be fun. On the way to the Dakotas, the plane was also stopping in New Orleans to pick up Father Landers twin brother and his kids. The two men had been separated as babies and were now going to become acquainted. They were all looking forward to a fun adventure.
Victorias Nest visits the North Dakota farming community of Merton, fifteen years after Prairie Preacher. This continues the story of the Schroeder Family as Victoria becomes an adult. It is about her struggles as she tries to find her place in her family and the world. It is necessary for her to forgive and accept herself and her short comings as well as those of her family and friends. She must learn to appreciate the real meaning of her faith and the important things in her life. She deals with abortion, death and true love.
Kartoffel Noggin, the fifth installment of the Prairie Preacher series, transports readers from the small North Dakota farming community the Schroeder family calls home to war-torn South Vietnam. The year is 1969, and Andy Schroder, the little boy we first met in Prairie Preacher, is now eighteen and has been drafted by the army to serve in the Vietnam War. During his tour of duty, Andy learns a lot about humanity, morality, and the will to survive. He worries about his family at home, especially his dear Annie who had promised to become his wife. He also befriends a wide variety of characters: Jackson, an Indian boy from South Dakota; Chicago, a young black man from Chicagos inner city; Swede, a tall kid from northern Minnesota; and Bandaid, the medic from Boston. Together, they face death, fear, and tragedy, and forge a special bond that can never be broken. Andys harrowing experiences force him to shed his simplistic attitude toward morality. He discovers that he is capable of things he never imagined, and he witnesses good guys succumb to hatred and bad guys display love and compassion. He soon realizes that when he returns to North Dakota, he will not be the same person he was when he left. Though he may leave Vietnam, Vietnam will never leave him.
A car accident on a Sioux Reservation leaves a young boy and his siblings homeless.They are sent to live on a farm, where his much older stepbrother is recuperating from war injuries. Clarence only agrees to move because of his brothers and sisters for whom he has been the main caregiver would otherwise be split up for placement. He finds it difficult to adjust. He never did well in school and hates it. He has trouble with cultural changes, new people and situation; but mostly, the stack of rules. His old life; though not the best, was a life he understood. He will give it a chance, nut seriously considers running away.
FBI Agent Carl Kincaid was doing his job when he saved a young girls life. Her name was Miriam, and she was the would-be victim of a religious cult leader who doled out more than his share of abuse. Before being caught by authorities, the evangelist had tried shooting young Miriam; Kincaid jumped in the way of the bulletwhich is how he ended his career and wound up in a hospital bed. Upon his recovery, Kincaid feels worthless. His career is over due to his serious injuries, and he is shipped to North Dakota to heal. He wouldnt mind riding off into the sunset for good, but theres still Miriam to care for. After he saved her life, Miriams aunt told Kincaid the little girl was his responsibilitya responsibility he was happy to accept, if only to give the girl a chance at a happy life. Even so, abuse leaves many scars, inside and out, as Kincaid comes to learn for himself. He doesnt like North Dakota, so he slips further away from emotional rehabilitation. Now this grumpy ex-FBI agent must learn to cope with being a victimas he finds ways to heal Miriams psychological scars and give her a normal life. He begins to befriend the new people in his life, and together their strength may heal both his injuries and the heart of a broken young girl.
Tia Howard had moved from her hometown in Minnesota to begin a life on her own. She had always been close to her family, except for one sister, Desi. She had kept contact with her mother and brother by phone and letter until the response was abruptly cut off after Mother's Day. All means of contact was thwarted, for no apparent reason. When she checked with her brother, Dave, who lived in Wisconsin, she learned he had the same treatment. Over the Fourth of July, Dave had gone to his mother's home and was told by Desi's boyfriend to leave or he would call the police. None of this made sense. Less than a week before Labor Day, Tia received an invitation to Desi's wedding and was asked to be a bridesmaid. She called her brother, to find that he and his wife had been invited also. They were shocked, and didn't want to go. However, because things had been so off in their relationship with their mother, they decided it would be a great opportunity to see what was going on. What they were about to learn was amazing and distressing.
The bullwhip cracked the frigid air and its end tore across her back leaving huge welts. The whipping did not stop until the young girl managed to stumble her way into a small log shed. She closed the door behind her. She heard her father wedge something against the door. He shouted, "You will stay there until you decided to obey your father!" What had precipitated his violent anger? Her father had always been strict, but never this way. Her mother never made a move to come to her aid. It was late afternoon and below freezing already. Leisel curled up, whimpering. She felt the blood oozing from the lash across her neck and throat. She lay there alone in the dark listening to the wind howl through the tress. Leisel didn't know that a person could feel so desolate.
Three days before her wedding, Autumns life fell in shambles. Emotionally distraught at Brads death, her parents felt it may be a good idea for her to visit relatives in North Dakota for a change of scenery. Her cousins became concerned about her use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills, and convinced her to get counseling. While sorting through the mysterious web surrounding Brads death, it became necessary for her and Father Landers to travel to the Deep South to investigate. There they unraveled not only the mystery of Brads life, but their own childhoods.
Diane Waggoner is on the cusp of finally finding happiness in her life. After becoming engaged to former priest Matt Harrington, Diane prepares to visit her invalid mother at a care facility in Portland, Maine-knowing that she is walking straight into a web of hatred. But until she has the courage to stand up to her mother once and for all, Diane knows she will never be able to reclaim he r life. Loretta Berg will do anything in her power to dominate her children with constant criticism and devious trickery. As her family arrives to visit, expectations are high on both sides. But as strong wills and conflicting desires surface, everyone questions whether the sniping, selfish Loretta will ever be capable of loving anyone, including herself. When one of Lorettas vindictive acts goes too far, action is necessary. Diane and her family must quell her hostility. In this emotional, wrenching novel, the future of a family led by a dysfunctional matriarch hangs in the balance as they consider their welfare, her punishment and salvation.
EARLY HARVEST 28th of the Prairie Preacher Series Darrell and Jeannie had a wonderful marriage and were looking forward to the arrival of their first child later this summer. However, this summer so far had been miserable. They had lost one of their best friends, Diane Harrington, who died from a fall while expecting their first baby. Diane died, but the baby, though premature, survived. The little girl, Dana, had recently come home from the hospital. Jeannie would babysit both babies while the men worked in the fields. Dana and her daddy, Matt, lived in the same yard with Darrell and Jeannie. It had been an extremely dry year with miserly rains in the spring. The crops were drying up in the fields. Farmers had been gathering every bit of hay or grain they could find. The men were hurrying to finish the last field before the long awaited rains began. It was supposed to be heavy and last a while, so the hay or crops would be ruined if left in the field. There was a rush to get it in. All was going well, and then in early afternoon, life took another tragic turn. In a matter of minutes, life at the Jessup place would change forever.
The seven-year-old boy went over a small rise to an old run-down farm surrounded by untrimmed trees and overgrown weeds. The barn was mostly collapsed and the roof of the house has a gaping hole on one end. He went around the house to the side window. Brushing the weeds aside, he tried to peek over the decaying windowsill. It was too high for him, so he moved a big rock over and stood on it to peer through the filthy glass. Everything was covered in a layer of dust and cobwebs except for a newer cot with a blanket and a backpack. On the table was a plate with a few eggs, a bucket and glass of milk. Next to that was a First Aid kit, a revolver and a box of shells. He had found the poacher’s hideout! He froze with fear. CJ swallowed very hard. He hadn’t thought this far ahead. What should he do? The poacher could be murderer. That’s when CJ felt a man’s hand squeezing his shoulder. His eyes opened wide and his mouth came open, but nothing came out. A man’s deep voice asked gruffly, “Whatcha doin’, kid?”
Matt and Diane Harrington were settling into their newly married life. Diane’s past had been hampered by a dysfunctional childhood, an abusive early marriage, and physical violence at the hands of her in-laws and even her own mother. Now she had a good, happy marriage, a relationship with her brother and her wonderful friends, and a great relationship with Matt’s family. All she needed to complete her happiness was to have a child. She had been pregnant while she was married to Dean. After a beating with a fireplace poker from her then mother-in-law, Diane not only lost her infant son but sustained serious damage to her ability to have another child. Matt was supportive, and he understood her position. He told her that she was more important to him. They could adopt. He didn’t want to lose her. She had always craved to be like the other girls. To her, this was the most important thing. She wanted to fix up a nursery, talk about baby showers, and then have the pride of handing a child to her wonderful Matt. Matt was reluctant, but he relented. He knew how much it meant to her.
The trip to the Black Hills and then Pine Ridge in South Dakota was meant to be an opportunity for the Grey Hawk children to visit their family home. Clarissa, a five-year old Sioux girl was excited to go, see her aunt and uncle and visit her parents' graves. Her foster parents took the motor home and they camped on the site of their old home. There, she had a frightening encounter with what she believed to be a Banshee. Not only did it lead to a terrifying experience for her, it left her with a deep dread of whose death the Banshee foretold. Death was not unknown to the young orphan and she did not want to lose any of her new family.
Three days before her wedding, Autumns life fell in shambles. Emotionally distraught at Brads death, her parents felt it may be a good idea for her to visit relatives in North Dakota for a change of scenery. Her cousins became concerned about her use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills, and convinced her to get counseling. While sorting through the mysterious web surrounding Brads death, it became necessary for her and Father Landers to travel to the Deep South to investigate. There they unraveled not only the mystery of Brads life, but their own childhoods.
Victorias Nest visits the North Dakota farming community of Merton, fifteen years after Prairie Preacher. This continues the story of the Schroeder Family as Victoria becomes an adult. It is about her struggles as she tries to find her place in her family and the world. It is necessary for her to forgive and accept herself and her short comings as well as those of her family and friends. She must learn to appreciate the real meaning of her faith and the important things in her life. She deals with abortion, death and true love.
May of 1972 finds the folks of the Engelmann clan preparing for the long-awaited wedding of Matt Harrington and Diane Waggoner. Numerous family members from out East will be attending the event. In the past, members of both their families had shown vehement objection to the wedding; but as of late, most of those things seemed settled. They had hopes of having a fun family reunion. As the event nears, other families appear and attend the wedding. There are many characters and subplots revealing themselves before the nuptials take place. In the end, the Engelmann clan learns to value their clan even more.
Rainbows and Rattlesnakes is the continuing story of the Praire Preacher family. This book is about the Pastor Byron's youngest daughter, six year old Ginger. In an attempt to overcome some difficulties, she takes an action that causes her life to change dramatically. Her family rallies around her to help her overcome the tragedy and rebuild her life. In the process, they all become acquainted with a young physician, Zach Jeffries. Zach is just starting out in his career, but is hampered by the memories of a horrendous childhood. In order for him to find peace, he must face and deal with the demons that have stolen his life and almost his sanity. He must learn to put his past into perspective so that he can enjoy his present.
It had been an amazing year. Carl Kincaids entire life had changed. It was a far cry from that lonely Louisiana hospital room. Little did he know then, that some strangers would change his life! He was happier now than he had ever been, even though it required getting used to. Now he had a family and a pile of friends. He was stepfather to eight grown kids and all their families. Helping them face the changes in their lives while building a new life for his new wife and himself, required a lot of energy. There was always a challenge somewhere or something that made him proud, joyful or stark raving mad. He was aware he had become a petunia. It was the very thing that he had spent his life ridiculing. Now it meant a lot to Carl Kincaid, the loner who needed no one, to be the best petunia he could. Carl had never been one to settle for second place, and if he was going to have a life in a petunia patch, it would be the best Petunia Patch.
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