Homefront Cooking

Food brings families and friends together, providing not only nourishment for our bodies, but also the glue that holds our families and society together. It is around the dinner table that we interact and important announcements are made—it was chow time in the foxholes when soldiers came to know each other, forming bonds so strong they would risk their own lives for one another. Remembering the smells and tastes of home support many in difficult times, those memories captured here in photographs and recipes.

Homefront Cooking brings you a collection of treasured family recipes and photographs from military service members past and present, and their loved ones. Recipes are accompanied by brief stories and memories related to the recipe, military service, and/or lifestyle.

The stories range from anecdotes passed down from great-great grandfathers who served in the American Civil War, to tales of terrified family members caught in a foreign country when John F. Kennedy was shot, to the stories of service members serving in Afghanistan and Iraq today. Many are heartwarming, some are humorous, most are bittersweet. All are written with a sense of pride and passion, and offer a glimpse of a lifestyle that is as unique as it is challenging.

All authors’ profits will be donated to a charitable organization in support of veterans.

 Skyhorse Publishing Website

Purchase Homefront Cooking here.

Life Hacks for Military Spouses

Carol contributed to the stories in this as yet released book.

A colorful collection of tips and tricks for getting the most out of nomadic military lifestyle. Told through humorous anecdotes by those with years of unique experiences, these life hacks reveal a special culture with expectations and numerous obstacles to be faced along the way.

Military life boasts of travel to exotic places, immersion in the worldly cultures, and cuisine that most Americans can only dream about . . . and on the government’s dime, to boot!

At least, that’s what the common perception is. But those who have served know that while the above may be true, military life comes with its own set of challenges and can be a hardship as much as it is rewarding.

Here to help is the advice, guidance, and personal stories of spouses from all walks of life, in stages from the newlywed to the retired and properly salty. They share tips on overcoming the numerous obstacles, and navigating the special culture, traditions, and the one-of-a-kind lingo of military service.

Gathered mostly from those who are affiliated with the military, but also from those with similar diplomatic lifestyles, the anecdotes reveal the special bond they share with their fellow spouses, and the wisdom gained to pass to the next generation.

The very special illustrations were created by a talented Air Force wife, and reflect both the strong beauty and earnestness of those who are engaged in our nation’s most serious business, and yet, have learned not take themselves too seriously.

Skyhorse Publishing Website

Purchase Life Hacks for Military Spouses here.

The Watchers

A brutal hailstorm rains death and destruction on America as well as globally. But this is only the beginning. In the midst of the turmoil, extra-terrestrials proclaiming their desire to join humanity and await the return of the Messiah brings confusion and chaos to an already tumultuous world.

Alana Engles is a young upstate New York lawyer. Daniel Kelsey is a graduate student. John Culver a fire chief. All three, along with John’s daughter Lizzy and father Parson, meet at a town hall assembly in Leavenworth, Kansas. This small group and a straggler named Mitch Abbott decide to leave Kansas and seek refuge in a northern Michigan retreat.
Alien visitors along with mysterious and horrifying dreams plague the residents as they try to live like the survivalists they believe they must become. Their lives are further complicated by a love triangle that tempts even the most stalwart Christian among them.
Will the residents of Sleeping Bear survive in a world that is crumbling away? Will the attraction Mitch immediately develops for Alana lead him to sobriety? Or will his charm win her over despite her convictions? Can John overcome his own mounting attraction to Alana while he watches a relationship blossom between Alana and Mitch? And just what are those beautiful beings really doing here on earth and are they really what they say they are?