Laura Smile

Savor some bite-sized horror stories along with your candy this Halloween. This collection contains six haunting tales of witches, monsters, magical tunes, and black cats—everything a person needs to sit back and enjoy the Halloween spirit. Laura’s Smile—A prisoner about to get parole contemplates his bloody crimes. He’s ready to move on, but is his victim? Imaginary— The teen years are a time to leave the past behind. But some things refuse to be forgotten. After The Piper—When the piper’s song takes the world’s children, all that’s left for the rest of humanity is empty spaces. One man, haunted by dreams of death, takes matters into his own hands. What Starts with a Black Cat… — A grieving scientist tries to avenge the death of her cat. But meddling in matters of life and death can bring unexpected consequences. Witch—Some monsters follow us from childhood. The witch under a woman’s bed followed her… and in their stalemate, the woman may be the one to change. Miles to Go—The house in the country was supposed to be her sanctuary from the prying eyes of the city. But one night when her husband is away, a surprise visitor disrupts her peace. Read this collection of dark, disturbing, and delightful tales… if you dare!

We do not get to choose our parents or the families into which we are born. That is predestined by God, for those who believe it. We are all born innocent, but for many, that time of innocence passes much too quickly. Such was the case for Laura Faye Flannery (Red), nicknamed for her thick copper red mane. Her days of childhood innocence came to an abrupt ending when she was thrown into a life that she did not want or ask for. Red would spend the next twenty-five years trying to escape from her life, living on daydreams and secrets to ease her sadness, while raising the children that were brought into that life. They too were innocent. Red had hoped that she might write a book one day about what had transpired from the first day she married Louk Papadakas, a domineering Greek man, who had many secrets of his own. But as the years disappeared, so did Red's mind. As dementia and later full Alzheimer's took over the memory of this brave and determined woman, her daughter, Melina, decided to write the story for her. Melina and her siblings had been raised in this fallacious marriage but held a loyalty for both parents, even though they had each suffered the brunt of it. Though Melina had lived through much of it herself, there were missing pieces that still lay hidden in her mother's memory. As Melina wrote the final chapters of her mother's story, she received a great gift, a deeper love and forgiveness, and she knew that God had shown her the reason for it all. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16)

From viral Instagram sensation, lifestyle photographer, and mommy blogger Laura Izumikawa comes Naptime with Joey, a ridiculously delightful photo book of her now internet-famous daughter dressed up in various pop culture costumes—a perfect gift for new parents everywhere. Lights, Camera…Nap! Joey Marie wears many hats (or, rather, wigs): she’s dressed up as Inigo Montoya, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Pikachu, Anna Wintour, Moana, and Barb from Stranger Things. She’s taken trips to Hawaii, baked croissants, and blasted off to the moon as an astronaut (at least, in her dreams). She’s held occupations such as pizza chef, aerobics instructor, and handy-dandy-fixer-upper (figuratively, of course). She’s inspired a parenting blog, been the face of her mom Laura Izumikawa’s Instagram account—and for the first time, she’s taken the leap from the ranks of internet-baby-snoredom to the pages of a book. Naptime with Joey is chockablock full of over a hundred deliciously adorable photos of Joey dressed up as various pop culture characters, movie stars, musicians, vacationers, and holiday-goers, making this the most fun, festive, and downright delightful gift under the sun!

Laura Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps acting and selling one's favors are not so different—for Laura must feign pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death's door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright. . . Adam Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to love—or destroy all their dreams. . .? 83,000 Words