“To spin a dip” is a popular sailor’s term meaning “to tell a story”—“salty” because they are of the very essence of the sea. "Who would have thought . . . I’d end up here" is the twelfth volume in the Salty Dips series that began in 1983. It brings together stories told by serving or retired Royal Canadian Navy sailors and details the surprising twists and turns that as members of the Navy they could not have imagined when they signed up to serve, plus a short story of a naval spouse’s experience to round out the volume. It is also an invaluable document in Canadian naval history and an absorbing anthology of real-life stories for anyone interested in daily life in the Canadian Navy.

The memories collected here cover a period of immense social and institutional change from post-WWII downsizing and the Korean War through the controversial unification of the armed forces in the late 1960s, the campaign to bring women fully and fairly into the service in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and the complex new challenges of the post-9/11 world.

Most of the stories in Salty Dips are the frank personal testimonies of the officers and enlisted sailors who participated in this rich history. Although the editors have worked hard to make sure the facts are correct, memories decades after an event can sometimes add a twist or two to a tale, so readers should not expect one hundred percent accuracy. What you can expect is twenty-one fascinating portraits of a changing Canadian Navy and some startling insights into the talents and mindsets that have enabled Canadian men and women to perform extraordinarily under often difficult or dangerous conditions.

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It is the year 2040, and the world has changed forever.

In the near dystopian future, climate change and illness have devastated humanity, leaving few habitable safe havens and even fewer resources for survivors. With the world divided into tenuous alliances, conflict is not just unavoidable. It’s a promise.

Eve wakes up injured in the medical unit of Vector Surge, one of the remaining alliances in the Atical safe land. Eve has no memory of who she is or where she came from. She later learns that she was spared a grisly death in the dead zone—a no man’s land between alliance bases—by Vector Surge members who found her. With a murky past, she’s met with scrutiny and suspicion by all but Olivia, a nurse practitioner who spends her days treating the injured and saving lives. With an undeniable attraction blooming between the two women, Eve questions if the past really matters, and if she could leave it behind for her newfound family.

Yet Vector Surge’s enemies are at the alliance’s doorstep, threatening to unravel everything Eve’s built. As the alliance suffers attacks from all directions, Eve must decide what’s more important: uncovering her past or protecting her present.

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This is a book about love—love you can carry with you everywhere, even when your loved ones aren’t there…

I Love You Everywhere is a poem for children struggling with separation anxiety. Whimsical imagery and clever rhymes paint a vivid picture of how to overcome feelings of fear, sadness, and anger when a parent is away. Ideal for readers under the age of seven, this book emphasizes the importance of love in every circumstance.

Read this book at bedtime or anytime your child needs a reminder that you care about them when you’re together and when you’re apart.

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Questioning life experiences - from British India to independent India; minority discrimination in the new land (USA). Entertains questions, as subtle as human nature to what’s hidden behind ultimate reality; perceived by an amateur philosopher-scientist. In various settings these constitute the subject matter of most poems. Partly autobiographical, it considers life and living in an analytical way.

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Before the convenience of the internet, accessing music wasn’t for the faint of heart: fans waited for their favourite songs to come on the radio so they could record them on cassette tapes, made sure they were home to watch genre-specific video programs, and spent endless hours—and part-time job money—at record and music merchandise stores; musicians worked relentlessly, creating demos in garages and playing gigs tirelessly, with the hopes of being famous. While it took a lot of time and dedication, it was also fun and rewarding, and no one loved it more than metalheads.

In Echoes from the Pit, Sean Murphy takes readers on a headbanging journey to the vibrant eighties and early nineties heavy metal scene in the Ottawa-Hull region, where he was both a consumer and a creator, sharing his rare insider perspective into the rise of the raucous guitar riffing era there in his youth.

This metal memoir is chock-full of stories, including firsthand accounts, of close to forty bands, some local—Exciter, Antix, Galleon, Witchkiller—and some more famous—Megadeth, Anthrax—who played there, the history of venues like Roxanne’s, Barrymore’s, and The Chaud that featured thrash on their stages, the fervent fans, and a variety of others who helped shape the metal underground in Canada’s capital.

Echoes from the Pit captures a time when heavy metal was more than just music; it was a community, a culture, and a way of life. It is a celebration of the legacy of an epoch that continues to influence and bring joy to many.

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Over three decades of global experience in asset management, maintenance, and reliability have shaped this deeply personal and insightful exploration of what is required to keep complex industrial systems running. From the oil fields to mines, from manufacturing facilities to utilities to municipal infrastructure, Emilio Sarno has worked with tradespeople, engineers, and executives, learning and sharing invaluable lessons about the operation and maintenance of the assets that move our world forward.

This honest reflection is an experience-driven guide to the dos and don’ts of reliability, drawn from a career that spans management, engineering, project leadership, and consulting across industries and continents. Mr. Sarno shares hard-earned insights, cautionary tales, and philosophical perspectives that may challenge conventional thinking. Whether you're a frontline technician, a reliability engineer, or a leader navigating the complexities of asset performance, this book offers practical wisdom from a seasoned professional. This work is also a tribute to the unsung heroes who ensure our physical assets perform as expected, day in and day out, even with limited resources and under immense pressure. Expect stories, not formulas. Expect disagreement, not dogma. Above all, expect a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing conversation about reliability within the broader context of asset management.

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“Searching for Sansai” is a book for anyone who is interested in local wild plants, foraging in general or Japanese Canadian cooking, especially those residing in British Columbia or the Pacific Northwest.

The book includes:

1. identification of species of interest

2. potential and actual locations to find these plants

3. examples of Japanese recipes for each plant

4. the historical and cultural importance of these “sansai” (wild mountain plants)

4. conversations about the past and future of foraging and the environment

In passing on this information, the author hopes to attract more people and newer generations to the culture and history of foraging locally, particularly those of Japanese descent.

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Human beings have pursued happiness since the beginning of time. Many believe that attaining happiness is the ultimate goal. In That Your Joy May Be Full: John’s Exposition on Joyfulness, the emphasis is on what the Bible considers more important: joy.

This biblical study explores what the author, Pastor Ohimai Musa, describes as “the deep and transformative concept of joy.” Pastor Musa analyzes the Gospel of John, the Johannine epistles, and key themes explored in the Book of Revelation to demonstrate the importance of joy in the Scriptures and how we may experience it in its fullness.

Those who seek a deeper understanding of biblical joy will benefit from the many contrasting perspectives on happiness found in Stoic, Epicurean, and other non-Christian philosophies. By setting these viewpoints alongside John’s writings, the author highlights John’s unique approach to the fullness of joy. Joy is not a fleeting emotion. Rather, it is a state of being that can be sustained, empowering us to remain steadfast in faith regardless of circumstances.

In the pages of this book, Christians who are seeking spiritual growth will come to understand joy as a divine gift rather than a passing feeling. They will learn about spiritual resilience, and discover how they can receive, retain, and restore joy in their lives. In a world in which many people seek happiness, this book gently urges you to aim for joy.

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When Nacho sets out on his morning walk, he has no idea who he will meet today! Will it be a new doggy friend? When he encounters new creatures in his neighbourhood, he greets them all with the same question: What kind of dog are you?

Nacho is surprised to discover that not all his friends are dogs like him. What animals will he meet on his walk? Join Nacho as he learns about the other animals that live in his neighbourhood. You just might meet a friend you recognize, too!

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Adeline is the sweetest girl, always ready to share her love and kindness with everyone she meets.

With a LEAP and a TWIRL and a WHOOP-DEE-DOO, Adeline knows just how to brighten someone’s day with her special SUNSHINE.

But what happens when Adeline loses her shine? When she needs help, what can her friends do? What would YOU do?

For ages 4-8. This heartwarming story celebrates empathy, friendship, and the power of kindness. Perfect for children and families, Adeline’s Sunshine reminds us all that helping others not only lifts them up but helps our own hearts grow.

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At a young age, Jim Shepard saw his family wealth and luxurious bayside home squandered away on alcohol abuse.

After several desperate downsizing moves with his family, young Jim found himself living in a run-down rooming house that became known as the “Snake Pit” as it was frequented by heavy drinking and seedy characters.

But Jim was not overcome by his circumstances; through his own efforts and with the help of those who saw a spark in him, Jim used adversity as a springboard to achieve astounding success.

The memoir of Jim Shepard, OBC, Resilience Required is a story of perseverance and a boy who can achieve whatever he puts his mind to. From the depths of the Snake Pit to UBC Engineering, from entry-level salesman to Chair and CEO, then coming out of retirement to save the largest lumber manufacturer in Canada from bankruptcy and starting a highly successful charity, to help crush Ovarian Cancer. Jim shows what it means to draw strength from hardship and create opportunity wherever you go.

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Anjulie is so excited to go for a picnic with her cousins and spend a fun day by the lake with her family. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough. But when Anjulie wakes up to a thunderstorm, the picnic by the lake is cancelled! No pretty flowers. No playing ball with her cousins. No fun. It’s going to be the worst day ever!

There’s nothing Mom or Dad can say to make her feel better about the day being ruined. Anjulie is ready to spend a boring day inside with her dog, Mocha. That is, until she looks out the window and sees three sheep grazing in the meadow nearby. The poor sheep must be so cold and wet from the storm, so why not invite them inside to warm up? Maybe Anjulie’s day won’t be so bad after all.

Anjulie’s Worst Day Ever invites children and parents to explore ways to manage big emotions and overcome disappointment. With a thoughtful narrative and a dose of comedy, the story encourages empathy and imagination to turn a bad day around.

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Are you navigating the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy or seeking healing after abortion?

This faith-based testimonial and inner healing workbook is designed especially for women who long for clarity, hope, and healing. Blending Biblical truths with a personal testimony of abuse, pregnancy, abortion, and choosing life, this book offers a safe, encouraging, and nonjudgmental space for women from every background to find guidance and support.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Biblical truths sentence

• Encouragement that breakthrough and joy are possible

• Biblical truths that affirm your identity and worth in God’s eyes

• Guided prayers, reflective questions, and journaling prompts to help process emotions and foster healing

• Hope-filled options and resources for adoption, foster care, parenting, and crisis support

Through God’s redemptive grace and the power of testimony, you will be led toward freedom, clarity, and renewed joy. Whether you are searching for answers, longing for healing, or simply need a safe place to begin your journey, you’ll find compassionate guidance and practical tools within these pages.

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“Nanny, why is your hair grey?”

“Well, there’s a story . . .”

As Nanny begins reading a story to her grandson, he interrupts with lots of questions about her body, such as why her hairs are grey and why she has two chins. These questions force Nanny to reflect on her personal journey through life and all the ways her body has changed over the years. Answering his questions in a light-hearted, positive, and sometimes humorous way, Nanny shows her grandson that every body has its own unique story.

Through a poetic conversation between grandmother and grandson, Rhonda Kay Comeau illustrates the importance of body positivity and the messaging we pass along to children in our responses to their natural curiosity.

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Freya and her sisters—Scara, Fina, Tauna, Pohla and Aidelle—escaped from slavery in Chimera and have proven themselves to be skilled warriors. Despite their prominence in the town of Haghill, Freya struggles to find meaningful work for her and her sisters—until their traveling companion, the halfling Fordoc, secures them a job: escorting a caravan of halflings to the city of Edradour and then back to their home in Cornerbrook. Relief at having work sours quickly as Freya clashes with the caravan leader, Bordoc. The halflings insist on stopping often and early, taxing Freya’s resources and the group’s safety.

The road between Haghill and Edradour is fraught with danger. Working together, the group must fend off deadly encounters from creatures, living and undead. But it is humans who prove the most troublesome. A rebel faction plagues Haghill and the surrounding areas. The rebel leader, Wolfric, has sent his heavily armored knights to steal, take hostages, and disturb the peace of the land. Wolfric, however, did not count on a group of resourceful half-orc caravan guards.

As dangerous as the roads may be, Freya and her sisters are confident fighters. However, out of armor, among the people of Edradour and Haghill, Freya must master the art of difficult negotiations with troublesome halflings and flirtatious scenarios with lieutenants and merchants. Freya must also contend with the fact that her party is growing. No longer the slave responsible only for the survival of her sisters, Freya is building her business, her connections, and her list of foes.

The Trouble with Halflings continues The Adventures of Freya and Her Sisters that began with Orc Hai!

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READ THIS BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK!

This book contains discrimination, emotional blackmail, self-sabotage, emotional pain, impulsivity, coarse language, scenes with substance use, sexual depravity, drug and human trafficking, childhood sexual abuse, suicidal despair, bipolar symptoms run amuck, involuntary commitment, the handcuffing of dreams, the shackling of dignity, and the final belief we are nothing - igniting one last burst of flame and falling breathless on the funeral pyre of our own making, If you are equipped to survive this most perilous journey, navigating corruption and spiritual death, then you may witness God stir the ashes and the redeemed rising joyful and spontaneous, fierce, strong, and beautifully enduring, as faithful as the Morning Star, and wildly laughing at the cosmic absurdity that the joke is on us.

"For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all."

~ Luke 8:17

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Forget the tuxedos and shaken martinis. This isn’t fiction—it’s colder, quieter, and much more real.

As an intelligence operator during the tense Cold War period, Mike served as a Peacekeeper and operated covertly behind the Iron Curtain, where silence spoke louder than words. Later, he participated in the Afghanistan War as an Electronic Warfare Intelligence Analyst. His story isn’t pulled from Bond movies or Smiley novels — it’s rooted in the real tension of secrecy, service, and warfare.

Mike is a founding member of the modern Canadian Intelligence Branch, established on October 29, 1982, as the successor to the former Canadian Intelligence Corps, and was assigned Intelligence Branch number 230. Hence the title of the book. This memoir unveils the hidden world of Canadian military intelligence, shaped in part by its first Colonel Commandant, the renowned Sir William Stephenson—code name Intrepid—whose influence went beyond ceremonial duties. From encrypted briefings to moral dilemmas, Mike offers rare insight into a profession rooted in trust, restraint, and the burden of knowing too much.

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When doctors, virologists, and health organizations make claims, we take them as scientific fact. But what if this is not the case? What if the medicine, as we know it today, is based on false principles?

Not Science, Not Scientists exposes how modern medicine and virology have falsely claimed the mantle of science, adopting its language, symbols, and authority while lacking its rigorous foundation. Challenging the popular belief that medical and biological disciplines represent genuine science, analytical chemist/scientist Saeed Qureshi shows how they rely on assumptions, opinions, and statistical manipulation rather than the direct, measurable study of substances. The integrity of true science, he argues, relies on chemistry, physics, and mathematics—the disciplines that deal with matter, energy, and the laws that govern their behaviour. Using laboratory theatrics and complex jargon, medicine and virology have dressed themselves up, distorting terms like “isolation,” “virus,” and “evidence-based medicine” to justify unscientific practices.

Drawing on real-world examples and his decades of experience in analytical chemistry, Dr. Qureshi show us how the misuse of science has misled the public, corrupted medical research, and corroded trust in what was once considered the most objective of disciplines. Ultimately, Not Science, Not Scientists is a call to restore intellectual honesty and scientific integrity to medicine by returning to chemistry—the true and original science—as its foundation. Only by grounding medical practice in genuine chemical understanding can it once again serve truth, reason, and humanity.

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A missing friend.

A fractured memory.

A past that refuses to let go.

Mackenzie Douglas wakes in a hospital in Istanbul with no memory of the night her friend Copper disappeared. Months later, unable to shake the trauma of Copper’s disappearance, she flees to southern Spain to lose herself in the Alhambra, the focus of her master’s thesis.

But the Alhambra’s legendary palaces hold secrets of their own. A seemingly harmless tisane, meant to quiet the nightmares that plague her sleep, instead draws Mackenzie into vivid dreams of a spirited Moorish princess navigating forbidden love, betrayal, and political upheaval in fifteenth-century Spain—a story that begins to intertwine with her own in ways she cannot explain.

As danger and intrigue close in around the princess, fragments of Mackenzie’s lost night in Istanbul resurface, revealing that the threat she escaped has followed her to Spain.

Caught between two timelines, two destinies, and lives that may span centuries, Mackenzie realizes that to survive, she must face the darkest truth of all:

Some histories return not to haunt us—but to claim us.

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In the second book of the Alchemy of Her Soul series, Where the Soil Remembers: Earth, C. Lynn turns inward to navigate the layers of her past. Through poetry and reflection, she explores the journey of self-discovery, resilience, and personal transformation. From the challenges of marriage and motherhood to the aftermath of trauma and the cycles of her past, Lynn’s voice is grounded, raw, and unflinching.

These poems are rooted in the Earth, drawing strength and guidance from nature as she pieces together who she is, learns to break generational cycles, and embraces the power of her own voice. Candid and heartfelt, Where the Soil Remembers is an intimate journey of reclaiming the self, finding inner strength, and learning to stand fully in one’s truth.

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