Books published by publisher Wheatmark

When Ava's husband, Richard, is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she is shocked -- not only because of the bad news, but also because Richard was right. A bit of a hypochondriac, Richard often imagined he had contracted one deadly condition or another. Over their then nineteen years of marriage Ava had dismissed his concerns. But this time it was true. In fact, he had two horrible diseases: Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia -- a fate you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.For the next seven years Ava wages war against these bad boys, writing her reflections and journaling her experiences as she tries everything she can find to help Richard. Parkinson's: A Love Story with Dementia for Dessert is her brutally honest, yet beautiful portrayal of losing her soulmate and best friend. Deeply sad at times, but also inspiring and even humorous, this story is sure to warm your heart. About the AuthorAva S. Butler is an organizational development consultant based in Tucson, Arizona. Her first book, Mission Critical Meetings: 81 Practical Facilitation Techniques, was published during her husband's illness. For more information on her story, please go to: DementiaForDessert.com.

Jerry Hoover retired from the Coast Guard in May 2006 with more deployments than any other rescue swimmer in the history of the program. His career ended with the greatest search-and-rescue effort in the history of mankind, Katrina. In Brotherhood of the Fin, Jerry recounts his transformation from ordinary Joe to seasoned life-saving veteran. Narrow escapes and heartbreaking life-and-death decisions are a part of every swimmer's life. Jerry puts us in the middle of the action as we discover how he learns to overcome the fear of his own death, put mission above personal feelings, and live with the responsibility of being someone's last hope.

Not many industry revolutions begin with a typical married couple who risk everything to do something they've never done before. But that is exactly what Art and Lori Barter did in 2004 when they purchased Datron World Communications. The husband and wife knew everything about the power of strong values and the lack of values in modern corporations, but nothing about running a large-scale business that was -- at the time -- losing money. It was a test of faith and perseverance unlike any other. Everything from financial security to spiritual fulfillment was on the line. The Art of Servant Leadership II instructs modern business leaders on how to transform their businesses to servant-led organizations that prioritize integrity over profitability and never-ending quests to accumulate power. By integrating the servant-led paradigm into their inner lives and professional thinking, today's leaders can revolutionize heartless corporate strategies that reward the few at the expense of the many. Today, Datron World Communications is a multimillion-dollar, multicultural, international company with customers in more than eighty countries. That success is the result of the lessons taught in The Art of Servant Leadership II and proof that serving others with compassion and humility brings unprecedented rewards. About the AuthorPrior to reinventing Datron World Communications with Lori in 2004, Art spent eight years working with the Disney Corporation and more than twenty-five years employed in the manufacturing industry. As CEO of Datron World Communications, he is committed to servant-led leadership principles. Art is also the author of Farmer Able and The Servant Leadership Journal. He was recognized by the Trust Across America organization as a Trust Top Thought Leader for 2017 and 2018.

In the summer of 1941, the Schultz family lives a modest suburban life in a small town in central New Jersey–even as the shadow of war grows closer. Though painfully aware of the dire political climate of the time, they work hard to instill into their children wholesome American values rather than crippling existential fears. Lenny, oldest of the five children, succeeds at school, plays alley ball with his friends and siblings, and occasionally listens to the radio or his father's conversations, which all seem to center on the events in Europe. Life is good.That is, until the neighborhood bully, Louis, comes along. A neglected child doomed to inherit the violent, racist ways of his alcoholic father, Louis increasingly antagonizes Lenny, culminating in a foolhardy dare to see which of them is brave enough to enter the Prescotts' allegedly haunted mansion. Lenny accepts Louis's challenge not out of spite or a desire to be seen as brave, but out of a need to prove to the world what he already knows to be true: that Louis, like all bullies, tyrants, and war-mongering dictators, is a coward. The only hope for liberation lies in direct confrontation, not appeasement. Can Lenny keep the evil at home at bay while the forces of evil are gathering abroad?Lenny's Dare: A Novel of Youth in a Time of War captures the essential incongruity of pre-WWII American life–a world where children at home grew, played, and went to school while great forces abroad gathered like clouds portending the deadliest storm the world had ever seen.

Hollywood made him a blacksmith; Arab chronicles said he was "like a king." He served a leper, but defied Richard the Lionheart. He fought Saladin to a standstill, yet retained his respect. Rather than dally with a princess, he married a dowager queen— and founded a dynasty. He was a warrior and a diplomat both: Balian d’Ibelin Balian has survived the devastating defeat on the Horns of Hattin, and walked away a free man after the surrender of Jerusalem, but he is baron of nothing in a kingdom that no longer exists. Haunted by the tens of thousands of Christians now enslaved by Saladin, he is determined to regain what has been lost. The arrival of a vast crusading army under the soon-to-be-legendary Richard the Lionheart offers hope -- but also conflict, as natives and crusaders clash and French and English quarrel. This is Part III of a biographical novel about Balian d'Ibelin. The first two books in the series, Knight of Jerusalem and Defender of Jerusalem, were both BRAG Medallion honorees. Defender of Jerusalem won the 2016 Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction set in the Middle Ages and was also awarded the Silver (second place) for Spiritual/Religious Fiction in the 2016 Feathered Quill Book Awards. It was a finalist for the 2016 M.M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction.

The Elusive Purple Gang: Detroit's Kosher Nostra is a concise history of one of America's most notorious Prohibition gangs. The Burnstein brothers and their associates were the only Jewish gang in the United States to dominate the rackets of a major American city. From their meteoric rise to the top of Detroit's underworld to their ultimate demise, this is an episodic account of the Purple Gang's corrosive pursuit of power and wealth and their inevitable plunge towards self-destruction.About the AuthorLiterary Classics gold medal award-winning author Gregory A. Fournier received his bachelor and master's degrees in Language Arts from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. A writer of creative nonfiction, The Elusive Purple Gang is Fournier's latest book. His other titles are Zug Island, Terror In Ypsilanti, and The Richard Streicher Jr. Murder (www.gregoryafournier.com).Fournier writes short history posts for his blog Fornology.com, and he has appeared on the Investigation Discovery Channel as a guest expert on John Norman Collins for the series A Crime to Remember in an episode entitled "A New Kind of Monster."

Imagine renewal in fifteen minutes a day. This forty-day program includes simple, yet meaningful spiritual reflections and practices that will guide you on the path toward emotional, physical, and spiritual restoration. Simplicity reigns—just show up every day for forty days and trust the process. Living AWAKE is a gentle reminder that all in life is sacred. Busy, stressed-out people will welcome Living AWAKE’s clear and straightforward approach. Drawing from diverse sources and the author's own experience as a retreat leader and spiritual companion, Living AWAKE is accessible to all, regardless of faith or background.About the AuthorMary Bea Sullivan is a retreat leader, inspirational speaker, and spiritual companion. She lives in Northern Alabama with her husband, Malcolm, and children, Brendan and Kiki. She is also the author of Dancing Naked Under the Moon: Uncovering the Wisdom Within, a spiritual memoir.

Santa's Best Friend, Rovan is an extraordinary tale of loss, love, rejection, and heroism from the affection and loyalty of Rovan, the Italian sheep dog. Although little is known about him, Rovan is a true hero up at the North Pole. Learn about how this brave dog meets Santa and becomes an integral part of the Claus household. Find out about the love that develops between Santa and Rovan, and how misunderstandings and assumptions nearly cause their permanent separation from one another. Applaud when Rovan is able to prove his worth and his ability to adapt through his unselfish devotion and courage. Children who listen to or read this story will not only get a glimpse into Santa Claus's life during the off-season, but will also learn a lesson about the inherent dangers of prejudging and stereotyping others who are different from them. This is a must-read for all children and will surely expand their joy and understanding of what Santa Claus brings to the Christmas season.

In Winning Chess Traps for Juniors, nationally-renowned chess coach Robert M. Snyder takes his Chess for Juniors book a step further by covering sixty-four additional opening traps. . Traps are arranged by opening to help students improve their knowl- edge of the most important openings. . Traps contain important tactical themes designed to improve pattern recognition. . Students are challenged at various points to find the best move. . Written for the beginner to intermediate player-this book is clear and easy to read, though not just for juniors!

Hollywood made him a blacksmith; Arab chronicles said he was "like a king."He served a leper, but defied Richard the Lionheart.He fought Saladin to a standstill, yet retained his respect.Rather than dally with a princess, he married a dowager queen—and founded a dynasty.He was a warrior and a diplomat both: Balian d’IbelinBalian has survived the devastating defeat on the Horns of Hattin, and walked away a free man after the surrender of Jerusalem, but he is baron of nothing in a kingdom that no longer exists. Haunted by the tens of thousands of Christians now enslaved by Saladin, he is determined to regain what has been lost. The arrival of a vast crusading army under the soon-to-be-legendary Richard the Lionheart offers hope -- but also conflict, as natives and crusaders clash and French and English quarrel.This is Part III of a biographical novel about Balian d'Ibelin. The first two books in the series, Knight of Jerusalem and Defender of Jerusalem, were both BRAG Medallion honorees. Defender of Jerusalem won the 2016 Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction set in the Middle Ages and was also awarded the Silver (second place) for Spiritual/Religious Fiction in the 2016 Feathered Quill Book Awards. It was a finalist for the 2016 M.M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction.About the AuthorAward-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader has a PhD in history. She has published nonfiction books on the German resistance to Hitler, the Berlin airlift, and women in aviation in World War II. Her novels are set in ancient Sparta, the Crusades, and WWII. Visit her website, helenapschrader.com, for more information and reviews of her publications. Helena is a career diplomat currently serving in Africa. For more about the crusader kingdoms, visit defenderofjerusalem.com or follow her blog: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com.