Rita Carter surprises her therapist by insisting that she is her own Great-Great Grandmother. This forces the therapist to treat not just Rita, but her ancestors as well, as she tries to get to the bottom of Rita's problems in the present time. Sins of the Mothers is a fictional narrative inspired by true events. What we do in life matters to those who come after us even though we may think it is our business and we should be able to act any way we want. Our choices affect not only us, but will affect our children and those around us, as well as those who are born long after our time on this earth. We all make both good and bad choices just as the characters in this work of historical fiction do.
When Victory England bought the house in Waverly, Ohio from Percy Justice, she had no idea that she was also purchasing a ghost, in fact two of them. The irritating and violent acts perpetrated by one of the ghosts sends her running back to her realtor, Gift Bradford, and to the people who sold the house to her, her neighbors Percy Justice and his terminally ill wife Catherine, for answers. With help from Gift Bradford she starts to research the history of the house and of the land the house sets on, trying to identify the ghost. Meanwhile, she has problems with an ex husband, struggles to help her dying neighbor, deals with personal issues between herself and her mother, and develops a special relationship with Gift Bradford, all of this while trying to diet! Can she protect herself from an angry ghost who claims her house as her own while working in opposition to that ghost by delving into issues the ghost wants to remain secret? This question builds the book Spooked to a crashing climax.
Dr. Kenton Foster, a child psychologist in Washington Court House, Ohio, becomes concerned about strange dreams he's been having, he goes to his own therapist, Dr. Steve Brennan and through regressive hypnosis he discovers he has lived before. A life on the early American frontier and that in that life he was a pedophile who was tarred, feathered and ostracized for molesting children. Kent believes his dreams indicate that he might at some future time become a pedophile again and he is desperate to prevent that from happening. He doesn't want to lose his practice which he believes is critical to his destiny and the righting of the wrongs he committed in his past life. This action opens up another set of problems for him. If his therapist believes that he poses a danger to others, the therapist has a duty to notify the authorities. Meanwhile two young girls, one of whom is his patient, come up missing. Everyone thinks at first that they are just runaways. Both have been refusing to attend school and one girl threatened to run away from home if she was forced to return. However, the mood of the town changes when one of the girls is found murdered. Did Kenton Foster harm the girls? Is he right when he says that the answer to their disappearance lies somewhere in the school they refused to attend? These are the questions that he struggles with as he tries to find the truth and save the girl who is still missing.
Sequel to Tempest Rider Slate Morgan and Silver Black are married now and have moved to a farm near Sinking Spring Ohio. When they bought the land, they didn't realize that the farm next door to them was occupied by a group of pagans who had come to the area in order to be near Serpent Mound, which they believe is a vortex. The farm, called The Garden of Eden by its serpent worshipping inhabitants, is host to beliefs such as Wicca, Celtic, Atheist, and Native American; all grouped under a pagan banner. The farm is located in a longtime Christian Farming Community which has recently had an influx of Amish residents as well. It would seem they are heading for a culture clash. When Anne Baxter, the leader of the group is found murdered there are many suspects in this diverse community where she'd made many enemies and seemingly no friends. When suspicion falls on the Morgan family, on whose land the body is found, Silver feels she must help investigate in order to remove the cloud over her family's head. She sets out to learn all the local gossip so she can pass it on to the Sheriff who is investigating the murder. However, her snooping has riled up someone who has her in his/her sights, considering her a threat. This is a Who Dunnit set in a small community. With so many suspects you will be guessing who the culprit is until the last minute.
Stacy Rhoades wants justice. When she is raped by an acquaintance she decides to make her rapist serve his time. Carefully she plots to abduct, maintain, and rehabilitate the villian. However, with all her careful planning, Stacy has not considered what will happen when time is served and she needs to release her prisoner. How can she release Daniel Strong from his prison without going to prison herself? Will she find a way to release him, or will she keep her rapist a prisoner for the rest their lives? How can she ever live a normal life with a man shackled in her basement? This dillema drives the story to its surprizing conclusion.
Zip Collin's troubled son, Boyd, is in prison for murdering his girlfriend Henrietta Davis.He writes to his father and to a mystery lovers group pleading for help to prove that he isn't guilty. This launches a search into the past and the uncovering of several potential suspects. Will one of them prove guilty and bring about Boyd's release or is Boyd guilty after all? The search leads into hazardous waters.
A Slow thinking ghost from 1930 encounters the modern world. Where has he landed and how did he get there? Those questions haunt Marvin, the ghost of a farm laborer from the past.
Zip Collins is a thief but when he breaks into Faith Robert's house he comes out with a different point of view. Determined to change direction, he obtains a job in a Salvage Yard where his duties include hauling trash to the local landfill. He's happy when his boss's new partner, Burton Miller, loads the dump-truck for him on two occasions leaving him with only the duty of taking the rubbish to the landfill and dumping it. However, when a body is found in the landfill a day later, Zip starts to suspect that maybe he was set up to dump that body. Anxious to keep his job, concerned that he'll take the fall if he reports his suspicions, Zip panics. He tells his new friend about his suspicions entangling her in the web of conspiracy he suspects his employers of. Are his suspicions real or has he let his imagination get the better of him? One thing is for sure, two men are missing and one was found dead in the landfill where he had just dumped a load of trash.
Carmel Simpson is having an affair with Carson Wetzel. Filled with guilt, she tells Carson that she wants to end their relationship and renew her efforts to be a good wife. Carson begs for just one more day with her; she agrees. At the end of this special day of driving along the Ohio River, Carson takes her to his home in Ripley, Ohio for the first time. There, without warning he locks her into a small apartment in the basement telling her he just can't let her go. Reported missing by her husband, the husband becomes a suspect in her disappearance. Carmel believes that everything she values is lost. She sinks into depression and suicidal behavior. However, the resident spirit of the house, Tut Jackson has other ideas about what she should do with her life. This book is about a ghost who is seeking his lost family, a ghost hunter who is seeking him, a depressed and desperate woman and her struggle for survival, as well as the swamp of personal relationships and how one can get bogged down in it.
Alicia Hart was finally getting herself together after the tragedy of her husband Nathan's murder; she was secure in the belief that her husband's killer had received justice. Then Nathan begins to appear to her in dreams demanding that she find the true murderer because the police have it wrong. Not happy with Nathan due to the lies that were uncovered after his death, Alicia is reluctant to do anything about this. Finally Nathan convinces her that if she refuses to help him she will never have peace as he will haunt her forever. She begins to investigate his death all over again putting herself in danger but learning some interesting things along the way. This novel is best described as a ghostly "Who Dunnit".Spirited Heart is the final book in the Questing Heart trilogy; you will want to read them all. Saundra will keep you in suspense and take you to interesting places in Ohio for her settings. You will be proud to add her books to your collection.Avis Mounts / BPC Book Reviewer
Hiding from a demented wife, Slate Morgan flees to the village of Peebles, Ohio where he obtains a job teaching in the school. He meets and befriends Silver Black, another teacher, who is also being stalked by an abusive past. Although they aren't lovers, someone thinks they are, and is determined to break up their friendship. A few rock throwing incidents, ghostings, drive by shootings and other acts of mayhem convince the two that their enemy will stop at nothing to separate them, not even murder, but did they learn this too late? This book is about small town gossip, violent spouses, victims of child abuse, and a missing child. It's a fast paced ride up and down the hills of Southern Ohio.
Kate, a new wife, became critically ill right after she moved to a remote mountain with her husband Jeffrey Cable. Soon she was beset with other concerns including reports of UFO activity, the story of her mother-in-laws death, and doubts about her husband.Left without a phone or a car, Kate is trapped with her memories and fears and yet she struggles to be a good wife, loving and supportive of a husband she has started to distrust. The final crisis occurs when her visiting mother disappears from Kate's house one night without explanation. Now in spite of her illness Kate must find out what has happened to the mother she adores.
This book is a composite of short pieces of writing that were inspired by writing prompts. When writing to a prompt it is amazing what the writer will come up with on a given day. The same prompt given a week later might have an entirely different result. Our minds have so many hidden thoughts and ideas that might never come to light without these little prods to our subconscious. The author has chosen to express these thoughts in short stories, articles, and in poetry form. It's not just that the ideas are different on different days but the form in which the writer will choose to express the idea is also different. I hope you will enjoy these fractured pieces of my mind.
Sheila, a mentally challenged woman, wants to become a witch but she's not sure how to do it. When unsettling things happen to people around her, Sheila decides to amend her goal to becoming a "Witch Detective". But the experiments she tries and the series of events that unfold mostly scare, rather than enlighten her. Will she learn who is hurting people in her social group or will she become a victim? This book is set in Yellow Springs, Ohio which is noted for it's liberal and free thinking ways. There are many different shops around town and classes at the local college that inspire Sheila.
Serial killer Joe White made the mistake of his life when he killed and buried psychic Dixie Jackson with other victims at an isolated and ruined old house. Temporarily Dixie is unable to function as she learns the new rules and how to function in her new situation, but she refuses to sink into apathy or give up. She wants justice and is marshalling the energies of the other women to achieve it. Somehow they have to stop the killer from killing again. Joe White and the Seven Ghosts is the thrilling and suspenseful story of a deranged killer and his victims' supernatural revenge emanating from beyond the grave.
Book Two of "The Questing Hart Series" Alicia Hart has researched a family mystery, written a book, and is now contemplating a reluctant return to her counseling practice when Thomas Camp comes to her with a proposal. "Act as a life coach while doing genealogical research for me to determine where the mental health problems in my family originated and what was the nature of my ancestors problems. Also I'd like to know if I am being paranoid or is someone really stalking me. In exchange I'll pay you for six months at the rate of income you earned on last year's income tax records." How could she refuse? Her quest takes her to the Old Athens Mental Hospital and to historical archives around the state. Meanwhile she finds that her actions have put both herself and her client in jeopardy. Only a miracle will save them. Will it come in time? What readers are saying: "Word by word, page by page, and chapter by chapter...good reading entertainment." Stephen Greer "Saundra Crum Akers has woven another novel in Hopeful Hart. It is so interesting one doesn't want to put it down." David Bell "I spent a memorable afternoon in the woods reading a great book. I guess if I'm ever to get my buck of a lifetime I had better leave Saundra's books at home." Mike Castle
Book 1 of The Questing Hart Series set in West Union, Ohio. After a shattering experience Alicia Hart goes off to solve a family mystery in Morgan-town, West Va. However she is pulled back to West Union, Ohio when police decide that her husband's death was not an accident but a homicide. She is facing mysteries on two fronts and at least one of them is putting her well being in jeopardy. As a lover of mystery and intrigue and a counselor, as well as an avid genealogy researcher, Alicia Hart is a different kind of protagonist. I hope you will enjoy her adventures as she moves through the Questing Hart Series searching for answers, but more importantly, for peace of mind. What readers saying about Shattered Hart: "Shattered Hart tells the story of a woman trying to escape a tragedy only to open up a new set of problems she could never have imagined. Shattered Hart will make you wonder who is in your family tree." Crystal Castle "Shattered Hart aptly describes the main character who encounters one shattering experience after another, with lots of mystery woven throughout. I can't wait to discover the next chapter in her life." Barbara Larue "Saundra Crum Akers teases with her tangents, weaving several plots together until they mesh into a great story." Sue Hamilton "Intriguing and concisely written. I highly recommend it." Linda Jacobs
Jenny Hummingbird is a zany but dedicated spy courier. She will take any action available to safely deliver the "package" she's been assigned to the contact she has been directed to. Although she's often way laid by enemy agents, she deals with them all as part of her job. However when she starts to find dead bodies at the end her journey, Jenny is spooked. Someone is killing couriers and they have her in their sights. Will she live long enough to find out why? Travel the roads of Ohio with Jenny as she runs up and down them delivering “packages" to her contacts. Like the Roadrunner, she has to run fast to escape being flattened on the highway. However if she is flattened, she won't be able to arise again like the cartoon character does.
This book is a collection of short stories inspired by the people and things I see around me. There is some philosophy involved, in that each story is designed to show a truth that I believe I have isolated. Often truths we all know and could repeat if asked are not really understood by us. Then suddenly, something happens and we experience the "aha!" of realization. It is hard for us to believe that we knew this all along, because while we knew it, we were not convinced of its truth. We did not feel the reality of it. I attempted to put myself in other people's shoes to illustrate ideas by drawing a word painting in such a way that others might see it also. Most of these characters are under intense stress. Most react in unusual ways. The character's concept of the truth may differ from yours or mine. Even so, I hope you will be able to see the meaning behind each story, and to aid you in that I have prepared an author's commentary section at the end of each story.
Alicia Hart has researched a family mystery, written a book, and is now contemplating a return to her counseling practice when she is faced with a different alternative. Thomas Camp proposes that she act as a life coach to him while doing genealogy research to determine where the mental illness in his family originated. Her quest leads her to Athens Mental Hospital and to archives all over the state of Ohio. In pursuing the answers to Thomas' questions, Alicia finds that she has put both of them in jeopardy. Only a miracle can save them but will it come in time?
Continues the story of George Jackson, a colored man, living in Washington Court House, Ohio in 1936, while the woman he loves lives in New York City. They have separate lives and it doesn’t appear they can ever be together. Will George and Naomi remain safe and someday find a way to be together? Can Naomi, a former nun find peace with her conscience and marry George?
Zip Collins is a thief but when he breaks into Faith Robert's house he comes out with a different point of view. Determined to change direction, he obtains a job in a Salvage Yard where his duties include hauling trash to the local landfill. He's happy when his boss's new partner, Burton Miller, loads the dump-truck for him on two occasions leaving him with only the duty of taking the rubbish to the landfill and dumping it. However, when a body is found in the landfill a day later, Zip starts to suspect that maybe he was set up to dump that body. Anxious to keep his job, concerned that he'll take the fall if he reports his suspicions, Zip panics. He tells his new friend about his suspicions entangling her in the web of conspiracy he suspects his employers of. Are his suspicions real or has he let his imagination get the better of him? One thing is for sure, two men are missing and one was found dead in the landfill where he had just dumped a load of trash.
Hiding from a demented wife, Slate Morgan flees to the village of Peebles, Ohio where he obtains a job teaching in the school. He meets and befriends Silver Black, another teacher, who is also being stalked by an abusive past. Although they aren't lovers, someone thinks they are, and is determined to break up their friendship. A few rock throwing incidents, ghostings, drive by shootings and other acts of mayhem convince the two that their enemy will stop at nothing to separate them, not even murder, but did they learn this too late? This book is about small town gossip, violent spouses, victims of child abuse, and a missing child. It's a fast paced ride up and down the hills of Southern Ohio.
Sequel to Tempest Rider Slate Morgan and Silver Black are married now and have moved to a farm near Sinking Spring Ohio. When they bought the land, they didn't realize that the farm next door to them was occupied by a group of pagans who had come to the area in order to be near Serpent Mound, which they believe is a vortex. The farm, called The Garden of Eden by its serpent worshipping inhabitants, is host to beliefs such as Wicca, Celtic, Atheist, and Native American; all grouped under a pagan banner. The farm is located in a longtime Christian Farming Community which has recently had an influx of Amish residents as well. It would seem they are heading for a culture clash. When Anne Baxter, the leader of the group is found murdered there are many suspects in this diverse community where she'd made many enemies and seemingly no friends. When suspicion falls on the Morgan family, on whose land the body is found, Silver feels she must help investigate in order to remove the cloud over her family's head. She sets out to learn all the local gossip so she can pass it on to the Sheriff who is investigating the murder. However, her snooping has riled up someone who has her in his/her sights, considering her a threat. This is a Who Dunnit set in a small community. With so many suspects you will be guessing who the culprit is until the last minute.
Sheila, a mentally challenged woman, wants to become a witch but she's not sure how to do it. When unsettling things happen to people around her, Sheila decides to amend her goal to becoming a "Witch Detective". But the experiments she tries and the series of events that unfold mostly scare, rather than enlighten her. Will she learn who is hurting people in her social group or will she become a victim? This book is set in Yellow Springs, Ohio which is noted for it's liberal and free thinking ways. There are many different shops around town and classes at the local college that inspire Sheila.
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