Most Popular Books by Joyce McDonald

You can’t change the past. . . . When Michael fires his new rifle into the air on his seventeenth birthday, he never imagines that the bullet will end up killing someone. But it does—and Michael’s world is changed forever. Desperate, he wrestles with his guilt and keeps silent as his life begins to fall apart. When Jenna’s father is killed in a freak Fourth of July accident, she’s devastated. As she grieves, she tries to understand why she no longer feels comfortable with her boyfriend, Jason, and why a guy named Michael keeps appearing in her dreams. . . . Swallowing Stones is a haunting novel about choices . . . and devastating consequences.

It’s 1959 in Benevolence, Florida, and life is as sweet as a Valencia orange for 15-year-old Dove Alderman. Whether she’s sipping cherry Cokes with her girlfriends and listening to the Everly Brothers, eating key lime pie made by her housekeeper, Delia, or cruising around town with the coolest boy in school in his silver-blue T-bird convertible, Dove’s days are as smooth and warm as the soft sand in her father’s orange groves. But there’s trouble brewing among the local migrant workers. Mysterious fires have broken out, and rumors are spreading that disgruntled pickers are to blame. Suddenly, black and white become a muddy shade of gray, and whispers of the KKK drift through the Southern air like sighs. The Klan could never exist in a place like Benevolence, Dove tells herself. Or could it?

Simon Gray is the ideal teenager — smart, reliable, hardworking, trustworthy. Or is he? After Simon crashes his car into The Liberty Tree, another portrait starts to emerge. Soon an investigation has begun into computer hacking at Simon’s high school, for it seems tests are being printed out before they are given. Could Simon be involved? Simon, meanwhile, is in a coma — but is this another appearance that may be deceiving? For inside his own head, Simon can walk around and talk to some people. He even seems to be having a curious conversation with a man who was hung for murder 200 years ago, in the branches of the same tree Simon crashed into. What can a 200-year-old murder have to do with Simon’s accident? And how do we know who is really innocent and who is really guilty?

Irene Sumner lives in a small town on the Treasure Coast of Florida. After years of teaching school she takes an early retirement, sells her house and moves into a retirement community. Her plans include traveling, spending time with her boyfriend, and enjoying the quiet life in her apartment at Peaceful Lakes, until an overheard conversation inadvertently involves her in a complicated plot which includes mysterious deaths. As the ex-wife of the chief of police and mother-in-law of the sheriff she has insight and first hand knowledge of what goes on in the small town of Littleton Beach. What Irene hopes to be a vacation to the mountains becomes complicated by a visit from her ex-husband. Her relationship with her boyfriend, Roger, is threatened by jealousy and physical distance. Banter, teasing, and sexual tension keep the reader entertained as Irene faces each obstacle and danger, with a sarcastic sense of humor, a zest for life, and determination.

Connecting Cather''s work to the southern literary tradition and the South of her youth A diverse and experimental writer who lived most of her life in New York City, Willa Cather is best known for her depiction of pioneer life on the Nebraska plains. Despite Cather''s association with Nebraska, however, the novelist''s Virginia childhood and her southern family were deeply influential in shaping her literary imagination. Joyce McDonald shows evidence, for example, of Cather''s southern sensibility in the class consciousness and aesthetic values of her characters and in their sense of place and desire for historical continuity, a sensibility also evident in her narrative technique of weaving stories within stories and in her use of folklore. For McDonald, however, what most links Cather and her work to the South and to the southern literary tradition is her use of pastoral modes. Beginning with an examination of Cather''s Virginia childhood and the southern influences that continued to mold her during the Nebraska years, McDonald traces the effects of those influences in Cather''s novels. The patterns that emerge reveal not only Cather''s strong ideological connection to the pastoral but also the political position implicit in her choice of that particular mode. Further analysis of Cather''s work reveals her preoccupation with hierarchical constructs and with the use and abuse of power and her interest in order, control, and possession. The Willa Cather who emerges from the pages of The Stuff of Our Forebears is not the Cather who claimed to eschew politics but a far more political novelist than has heretofore been perceived.

When ten-year-old Flip orders a fox through the mail, his experiences in attempting to tame it help him to better understand his newly adopted brother from Korea.

Betrayed by their homeland, the English, and the Catholic Church, the O Dwyer family of four brothers and a sister is torn apart and forced to flee early-nineteenth-century Ireland one by one. Their search for one another and their struggle to restore the family while spread over three countries challenge them to retain their faith and belief in the future. All four brothers are in love with lovely Marie Foley, and their feelings for her tear them further apart. Even Declan, the youngest, who has the gift of sight, never envisioned that within a year, cattle would be grazing where their home stood, his parents buried near Ringrone Castle, and the village destroyed. How could he have known Liam would be whisked out of the country with English soldiers on his heels or that Donal would destroy his life with drink? Could he have known that Niall would desert them and become a success on his own?

Gabriel, Lydia, Alex, and Hollis are four totally different teenagers who were thrown together by accident. Or maybe they were destined to meet, for they all share emotions that unite them--loneliness, frustration, and anger. Apart they are ordinary enough, unremarkable and not much noticed. Together, in the dark of night, they are drawn to violence like moths to a flame. Gem is a girl whose path crosses theirs when she falls in love with Gabriel. Will the whirlpool of destruction swallow her, too?

When her father loses his job, eleven-year-old Quinnella and her family move from the security of a company mining town to an uncertain future in rural isolation.

Abandoned when her family moves away, a thin gray cat persists in remaining near the house which she considers home, and she is eventually rewarded for her faithfulness.

''Stronger Together: Building Attachment Through Adoption'' is an enlightening Special Report that delves into the beautiful world of adoption. Be prepared to be touched and inspired by this heartfelt guide, a handy navigator for those contemplating, in the process of, or aiming to fortify the relationship with their adopted child. From understanding the impacts and insights of adoption, recognizing and overcoming associated challenges, to building emotional connections and a loving home environment, this report tackles important aspects of the adoptive journey. Curated by Joyce McDonald, a mother of an adopted child and accomplished author, ''Stronger Together: Building Attachment Through Adoption'' beautifully demonstrates the strength of adoptive bonds. Her real life experience serves as a backdrop for her empathetic narratives, helping to bridge the gap between intricate adoptive issues and the everyday reader. This Special Report includes chapters on: Recognizing Adoption-Related Challenges The Art of Bonding: Building Emotional Connections Adoption and Identity: Navigating Customs and Cultures Overcoming Obstacles: From Resistance to Resilience Creating a Loving Home: A Haven for Growth Whether you''re an adoptive parent, in the process of adoption, or simply interested in gaining insight into this life-transforming journey, ''Stronger Together: Building Attachment Through Adoption'' is your guide to understanding, learning, and growing stronger through love. Unveil the truths of adoption and allow it to encourage you towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

This text offers a spiritual exploration of dreams as channels of divine communication. It merges ancient psalms with contemporary insight, presenting a narrative rich with personal stories and biblical examples of dreams guiding and warning individuals. The reader is invited to recognize the significance of dreams in connecting the human experience with celestial wisdom, understanding life''s challenges, and embracing the journey of faith. It positions dreams as a source of comfort, guidance, and revelation, underscoring the importance of trust and obedience in deciphering the divine messages within our subconscious, and ultimately, in our relationship with God.

When Jacob Morrison North, well-known creator of the Dr. Norris Gray mystery series, wakes up in a motel room after an apparent blackout, he calls his ex-psychiatrist to help him sort out what is going on. Dr. Miles Whyte has not heard from Jacob for ten years, but he is aware of his success as an author. As Miles and Jacob are working together attempting to find out what caused Jacob to blackout, Jacob is questioned by the FBI about the death of a young man in Miami. The story revolves around the possible explanations for Jacob''s blackout. Was it a coincidence that Jacob''s blackout and the death occurred at the same time? Was the death accidental? Was it murder? Did Jacob do it, or was he set up?

"So Far" is my response to the perennial question, "What was it like in the olden days?" My "olden days" begin in the Great Depression of 1930.

Sam, a successful young research scientist, is troubled by recurring dreams, repressed memories, and panic attacks. He seeks help from psychiatrist Dr. Miles Whyte. Together they explore his early childhood and seek to uncover the mystery of the disappearance and possible death of his younger sister. It was assumed that his sister drowned with their parents when their car plunged into a river, but her body was never recovered. In searching for answers about his early childhood, the death of his biological parents, and the disappearance of his sister, Sam uncovers more about himself, his Native American heritage, and his adoptive family than he ever expected. Ashes of Yesterday is a romantic mystery, but it is also a story of hope and faith. As the story unfolds you will smile, laugh, and cry.

"Atlantis Uncovered: Untold Stories of a Lost Empire" is not just another report - it''s your ticket to an exhilarating journey deep into one of the most enigmatic puzzles in history. Prepared by celebrated author Joyce McDonald, this Special Report is a masterful blend of hard science, gripping narratives and irresistible intrigue. The report explores everything from the age-old legends and myths surrounding the sunken city to the latest underwater archeological findings. It stitches together a captivating account by integrating diverse perspectives on Atlantis, exploring ancient references, and unearthing its underlying mysteries. You''ll find it enriched by expert interviews offering a brand new take on the long-lost city. Joyce''s thoughtful discourse guides the readers through the legacy of an empire lost in time. Be prepared to uncover the societal norms, technology, and the possibly profound scientific knowledge of the Atlanteans. The report even fascinates by evaluating how current pop-culture and sci-fi have interpreted the storied city. Teeming with curiosities and innovative theories, this report is less a retelling and more a rediscovery. Written for the curious mind, this Special Report pulls you into the mesmerizing tale of Atlantis. From details to overarching themes, "Atlantis Uncovered: Untold Stories of a Lost Empire" is more than just a report - it''s an unforgettable experience. Brace yourself for a dive into history like you''ve never taken before!

Join a young medical researcher as he fights an unethical gang of white collar scoundrels who pull out all the stops to prevent him from continuing his research into finding a cause and cure for cancer. "Killing the Cure" is a novel of scorching indictment of the pharmaceutical industry which will go to any extreme to protect the billions of dollars being raked in from their treatment drugs. You will cheer from the sidelines as Dr. Gregory Ortel and his brother Jared refuse to give in to the pressures. Greg''s love for Serena Church, whose father controls the powerful Washington D.C. organization from behind the scenes, will keep you turning the pages into the night.