Books with author S. Hayes

Computer Science Engineer and Instructor, writer and artist, U.S. Hayes paints a vivid canvas in his collection of stories ‘The Mill at Caneyville.’ Based on the real lives of two brothers, Cricket and Little Bob Bowden, it is a memoir of events occurring around the family’s Mill at Caneyville, Kentucky in the 50s to mid-60s. With his wonderful re-creation of boyhood adventures and a remarkable ear for dialogue, he presents a small town way of life in an era of growth around family agriculture that has now largely disappeared. Moreover, these stories describe human nature in a childhood utopia where elders become teachers and customers become cherished friends. Surrounded by a great and colorful cast of characters from the ‘Greatest Generation,’ the boys learn from them all. They are Depression-era farmers and work hands, strong and independent men who possess "that great, good, common sense."Central to their lives is the unforgettable Toots Ray. As the ‘main hand,’ he holds forth with peculiar insight, character and wisdom from the loading dock doors. Only Toots can operate all of the ancient and contrary milling machines. An unschooled Baptist preacher, he is father figure and life guru to the boys.These stories tug at your heartstrings in ways you have forgotten in modern life. You will laugh until your sides ache and you will cry until your heart is broken. Beginning with Cricket and Toots in ‘Book One’ and ending with Little Bob and Toots in ‘Book Two,’ the stories make the full circle of life, ending where they began: at The Mill.

From the moment Katy sees Genevieve's beautiful face staring at her from a window, her life will never be the same. Wherever Katy turns, Genevieve is there - at school, with Katy's friends, and worst of all, in Katy's hot new boyfriend's life. But Genevieve has a menacing side, a dangerous side, a threatening side that she only reveals to Katy: I'm your worst nightmare. When Genevieve's behaviour becomes increasingly twisted, Katy delves into the girl's past, with the help of her best friend Luke. Nothing prepares her for the dark truths that she discovers, or the new romance she finds along the way. Is Genevieve a troubled girl with a difficult childhood? Or is the truth unearthly and much more frightening? Who is the real Genevieve? What are her secrets? Why is she determined to destroy Katy's life? A rich, twisting thriller of friendship, love and evil that you'll find impossible to put down.

Sinead has been taunted by her manipulative brother Patrick all her life. Now he is missing. But he hasn't stopped messing with her. Compelled to search for him by her overbearing mother, Sinead discovers a trail of sinister clues which she knows Patrick has left for her. They lead her to Benedict House: a place where time stands still and nothing is as it seems. There she meets James, who is also looking for answers about his troubled past. Together, James and Sinead will discover terrifying truths that will test them to the very limit. For Benedict House is not a place for the living, and Patrick will stop at nothing to bring them down...