Fiction and Non-fiction Books
Fiction Works
Blackhorse Road
Five Stars on AMAZON and Barnes and Noble
It's the turbulent mid-1960s, and Luci, an eighteen-year-old Southern California girl, is on the quest for self-determination and new beginnings. Three powerful forces influence her values: the grit of her Irish great-grandmother, Lucinda McCormick; the philosophy of choice of her father, Sam; and the 1960s ideals of equity and altruism. But potent foes thwart Luci at every turn. Her budding romance with a handsome United States Air Force Academy cadet sets the stage for conflict and deception that last for two decades. A betrayal set into motion by someone she should have been able to trust plunges her into despair. When Luci discovers how her autonomy and her love affair were hijacked, she struggles with anger and bitterness. But from a surprising source, she finds a forgiveness path that restores her well-being and hope and, in the end, faith in herself.
PRAISE FOR BLACKHOURSE ROAD
"Novel readers seeking a tale that closely considers deception and forgiveness, love gained and lost, and family ties will welcome the multifaceted Blackhorse Road's ability to come full circle in a satisfyingly unexpected way." Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Flower Girl A Novel
Suzanna Jordan's kindness leaves her believing she can be everyone's savior, but when she's the one who needs rescuing, can she find the strength to save herself? Unsure of the direction her life should take after graduating from high school in the 1970s, a chance encounter with Vietnam veteran Craig Fitzgerald while studying at The Ohio State University leads Suzanna onto the path toward following her "North Star." After graduation, Suzanna is filled with purpose and eager to help others as an Academic Counselor. Everything is perfect until Jonathan Herbert Spencer III crosses her path and derails her journey toward her North Star. Taken by his movie-star looks and suave personality, Suzanna is instantly smitten. But under his charming exterior lies a dark alter-ego of cruelty and intimidation that's waiting to emerge. Feeling isolated and emotionally broken, Suzanna is desperate to flee the man who has now become her tormentor. But can the contents in a 100-year-old diary, from a woman whose past life mirrored her own, be the source of her salvation? Or will Jonathan's persistence and obsession leave her ensnared in his trap forever?
PRAISE FOR FLOWER GIRL
"Merida Johns crafts an outstanding story of mistreatment, recovery, and growth . . . Its attention to realistic descriptions of this process and the changing momentum of Suzanna's world creates an outstanding inspection of the undercurrents and influences life holds as she strives to keep her personal North Star firmly in mind against all odds." -- Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"The perfect blend of lush literary style and modern punchy story." --Frani Bradley author I Dreamed I Was a Cockroach
Flawless Witness - A Flower Girl Sequel
Suzanna Jordan suppressed the memories of Jonathan's abuse for thirty-six years, but when a tell-all journal surfaces after his death, a legacy of cruelty haunts her from beyond the grave. Since fleeing her abuser's snare, Suzanna has led a flourishing life with a loving family, a circle of friends, and an accomplished career. But thirty-six years later, resentment and victimization come crashing down when she reads her ex-husband's obituary, praising him as a pillar of society. Four weeks later, an unexpected visitor knocks on her door, bearing her ex-husband's tell-all journal. Suzanna's impulse is to cast the diary aside. But her suspicions grow, suspecting the journal holds answers to secrets she must uncover. As Suzanna explores the dark corners of Jonathan's mind, she discovers sinister motivations, perverse actions, and the truth surrounding a gnawing mystery. But will Jonathan's darkness, bared for all to see, drag Suzanna into despair, or will these revelations free her soul to bear witness to his abuse and finally offer her the closure she so desperately seeks?
PRAISE FOR FLAWLESS WITNESS
"More so than almost any other book about predators and their victims, this intimate glimpse into the mindset of a stalker is compelling, absorbing, and frightening. Long after its reading, it lingers in the mind like a ghost. Libraries seeking women's literature that delves into the psychology of abusers and the reactions of their victims will find Flawless Witness devastatingly revealing, while book clubs or discussion groups addressing topics of dangerous relationships and survival will find A Flawless Witness packed with eye-opening revelations suitable for much discussion and debate." Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer - Midwest Book Review
". . . the author took the deepest, darkest fantasies from a man's mind and effortlessly translated them onto paper with an unbelievable degree of realism and authenticity." Esien Asian for Reader's Favorite Book review of Flawless Witness - Readers' Favorite: Book Reviews and Award Contest
". . . expertly explores the psychology of her characters and paints a spot-on picture of a narcissist." Melanie Kennedy for Reader's Favorite Book review of Flawless Witness - Readers' Favorite: Book Reviews and Award Contest
. . a fascinating story about a maniacal character all persons would do well to steer as far away from as possible." Penny Walker Veraan, author of Owl in the Oak Tree
". . . a chilling story that brings us into a relationship filled with emotional abuse and exploitation." Maria Victorial Beltan for Reader's Favorite Book review of Flawless Witness - Readers' Favorite: Book Reviews and Award Contest
Non-Fiction Works
High-Powered Teams
A Guide for Getting the Most Out of Your Student Team
Cringe no more at being assigned to a student team! This detailed manual will help elevate your college classroom groups into effective and efficient teams. Drawing upon decades of the author's team development experience and coaching, the Eight Key Actions for team success are illustrated through case studies and examples. The step-by-step approach enhances students' skills in organizing their course teams, conducting productive meetings, leveraging team member strengths, establishing ground rules for team operation, and managing course projects.
PRAISE FOR HIGH-POWERED TEAMS
"As a professional who leads and participates in a significant amount of projects, I strongly recommend this book for students looking to succeed in the professional world."
"This is a great text and is very informative and made me think how I could improve my own team meeting with my consultants."
"I just wish this body of work, with all the step-by-step build-out, the great examples and exercises, etc. was available throughout my career. It's not too much, it's not too little...it guides beautifully through creating/building teams, while managing success across unique individuals, including examples on how to avoid conflict &/or not pointing out any one team member when something fails."
Leadership Development for Healthcare
Five Stars on Amazon
A different type of leadership book, focusing on developing everyone's leadership potential.
Chapter by chapter is packed with evidenced-based methods, techniques, and exercises for developing good leader behaviors. Through sifting, clarifying and expanding and applying self-awareness readers develop their abilities to apply ethical practice to leadership situations.
The book is based on a leadership model that includes four dimensions: The authentic leader (leading self), the ethical leader (leading virtuously), the team leader (leading others), and the visionary leader (leading change). A separate part of the book explores each dimension.
A three-step process guides the reader through learning key concepts, discovering personal behaviors, and developing leader and leadership behaviors. Each chapter provides introductory material and foundational knowledge for recognizing and understanding leadership concepts. Through exercises and activities, the reader takes a step-by-step approach for changing or creating and practicing leader and leadership behaviors associated with each of the four leadership dimensions.
52 Week Game Changer How She Leads
A weekly companion for the leadership journey on reflection, identification, and action.
A guide for women who want to inspire, motivate, and lead others in being their best selves. Each week, the companion provides purposeful steps to develop an appreciation of one's personal potential, seeing possibilities, and seizing opportunities, while clarifying personal vision, purpose, and strengths to take action to turn dreams into reality.
Take the 52-week journey solo. or make it the next selection of your women's book club.