Story Garden presents THE HEART’S BIDDING, Jordan Riley Swan’s debut novel–a slice-of-life family drama with a touch of gentle romance.

Kaylee Heart would rather run through a roaring fire than endure even a minute of public speaking. Put in an eighty-hour work week? No problem. Shut down her grandfather’s gold-digging girlfriend? Easy peasy. Stand in front of an auction crowd and call for bids? Show her the exit.

So she has no idea how Gerald, the golden-voiced auctioneer she’s been crushing on at the local auction house, can find the courage to stand on stage every week, with all those eyes on him. But as cruel fate would have it, she is about to find out.
Her family antique shop, the Vintage at Heart, has tripped over one financial hurdle too many and Kay is propelled, full speed, into her biggest phobia—the spotlight.

With terror chasing her, she’ll have to fight to keep the family business from closing forever. Even if the battle takes place in front of a live crowd…

Ella’s not your typical modern single lady. A delicate dilemma slaps her in the face once she gets unsettling word about her beloved place of employment. Bennett’s Chest, a chic urban boutique for men, is on the brink of closing, drowning in its pool of debts. Coupled with her own heartbreak from a recent breakup, the modern single lady has an erotic yearning that can’t be extinguished. That is, until rich, handsome, sugar sweet Knox Palistaire walks through the wooden door.

Knox bears a biting desire in the little menswear shop. It has nothing to do with clothing, footwear, or musk scented cologne. He wants Ella. And he wants her now.

Will Ella do what it takes to satisfy Knox’s craving? What about her own? She can save the menswear boutique but at what cost? Can the date lady date sugar of this magnitude? She realizes her approach may take more than a simple sales pitch, not when lust is involved. Does this necessitate lessons on how to be a call girl?

This book is for those who find themselves in a primary or secondary caregiving role for an aging parent or other loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or other type of dementia. Part memoir, part self-help guide, I hope it will serve as the roadmap I wish I had and help other caregivers know what to expect and how to plan for the challenges they are likely to face.

Managing the comfort, health, safety and finances of a loved one in their declining years is not easy. Especially if that loved one increasingly becomes depressed, agitated, delusional, or worse. The physical, mental and even spiritual demands can come on gradually, or quickly. They can re-open old conflicts within a family and usually do eventually take over the primary caregiver’s life.

In addition to presenting five rules for being a caregiver that I learned over the course of dealing with my mother’s 15-year plus struggle, in clear, plain, non-medical jargon I discuss the differences between the practical and the clinical definitions of Alzheimer’s and dementia for both the patient and the caregiver. I talk about the stages of being a caregiver in addition to the stages of the disease, the importance of coping with and managing the associated stress that comes with being a caregiver, the pros and cons of different types of care facilities and treatment options to consider, what to look for, what to watch out for and how to make the most out of the time you have left with your loved one.

I hope that by being honest about my journey and sharing tips for admitting to and coping with the stress of being a caregiver, other caregivers will understand the importance of caring for themselves on their own caregiving journeys. Because no matter how great a job you’re doing as a caregiver, a dead caregiver is the worst caregiver of all.

As the author of Include ME!, Melinda inspires people to be mindful of inclusion in their daily lives. From topics like supremacy, empathy, and grassroots organizing, she shines a light on the barriers that are put in place to exclude. She shows how these barriers can be removed by getting to the emotional core of inclusion, how it hurts when we don’t have it, and how rewarding it is when we do. She provides answers to the question, where does exclusion derive, and how can we overcome it?

Melinda creatively uses personal and historical storytelling to share ways people can proactively bolster inclusion at every step from the individual to the business world. True to its title, Include ME! is not exclusive to individuals with disabilities. The tools and stories are intended to inspire people of all ages, races, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities. Through Include ME!, Melinda paints a vivid picture for her readers of what it would look and feel like if we ALL would unite to ensure equity and inclusion for everyone!

When the body of a young man is found stuffed into the tomb of a medieval knight, Parish Constable Daniel Haze is tasked with investigating his first solo murder case. Suspicion instantly falls on the only stranger to arrive in the village of Birch Hill just before the crime took place, but the American captain proves to be an unexpected asset. A former soldier and a skilled surgeon, Jason Redmond is not only willing to assist Haze with the investigation but will risk his own safety to apprehend the killer.

With no suspects, no motive, and few leads to follow, Redmond and Haze must solve the crime before one of them becomes the murderer’s next victim.

Murder in the Crypt is the exciting first installment of this Victorian murder mystery series set in a quaint British village.

Pregnant by a loser. Stranded in a snowstorm. Rescued by a tall, dark, and handsome man already snagged by another girl. Due to her pregnancy, Darcy Rhodes’ is forced to remain in Garret Tulane’s hometown and their growing friendship brings nothing but scandal. Is it possible to fall for one man while carrying another man’s baby?

The answer is yes. But what will Garret choose with everything he holds dear at risk?