Congratulations to Author Jay Harden!

November 15, 2020

Congratulations to Author Jay Harden!

Dear Creative & Literary Friends:

I am so very happy today to announce publication of Spirit on Fire: A Story of Love, Art & Healing by Jay Harden. Paperback and Ebook editions are available now on Lulu.com. An audio book is forthcoming later this week.

When Jay met his future wife, Shona, he never imagined that it would become a lifelong, passionate partnership. Her death in 2019 from cancer began Jay’s quest to share Shona’s inspiring story with others.

As an artist, as a survivor of trauma and abuse, as a mother to four children, and as a highly creative and spiritual being, Shona sought to embrace this life and all of its challenges fully.

Spirit on Fire is much more than a memoir—it is a profoundly moving love letter to the human spirit. I hope you will find it as impactful as I have and I invite you to share it with others you care about.

Peace, Love & Happiness,

Karen Mireau

Literary Midwife

AZALEA ART PRESS

Azalea.Art.Press@gmail.com

https://azaleaartpress.blogspot.com

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AZALEA ART PRESS TITLES

Azalea Art Press strives to bring you the finest of both new and established authors with books that are sure to whet your literary imagination. Here are a few titles you might find of interest . . .

COMING SOON!

CRACKER JACK-JACK

by Zoey Williams

Picture Book

A boy with a love for cheese crackers teams up with a mischievous mouse in this tale of the joys of friendship.

NOW IN PRINT 2020

SPIRIT ON FIRE: A STORY OF LOVE, ART & HEALING

Jay Harden

Biography

In 1997, when author Jay Harden met his future wife purely by chance, he never imagined that this would be the beginning of a deep spiritual connection and a life-long passionate romance. Much more than a biography, Spirit on Fire: The Adventures of Shona, is at its heart a tender, bittersweet testament to lasting love and a tribute to an unforgettable woman’s inspiring humanity.

ALL KINDS OF BEAUTY

by Marianne Gage

Novel

The joys and heartbreaks of life-long friendship and the process of an artist in search of herself create a compelling canvas in this tale of love, betrayal and redemption. The narrative encompasses the historical events of four decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is steeped in the world of art.

HOURS AND DAYS

by Kriti Mukherjee

Poetry

A young woman’s life is explored through the compressed lens of a day’s time in these sensitive poems about love, loss and survival.

2019

ALL THEIR YESTERDAYS

by Karen Mireau

Young Adult Novel

The past and the future collide for a young Mormon girl, her Paiute love and a lone cross-country wanderer from Berkeley in this time travel adventure set in Utah’s Canyonlands in the late 1800s.

EVER AFTER: AN ARTIST'S CHILDHOOD

by Cynthia Kozlowski

Memoir

The wild, untamed beauty of Upstate New York forms the backdrop for an idyllic childhood spent on the ever-evolving St. Lawrence River, where a future artist's life is forged by friends, family and early loves.

LOVING OSCAR

by Yolanda Lopez

Memoir

Filled with difficult choices, heart-breaking challenges, and tragic reversals while raising six children on her own, the life of Consuelo Maria Lopez is revealed for the first time by her eldest daughter.

SOARING CRIMSON TALES

by Tathagat Ghosh

Short Fiction

Stories that explore the magical, unexplainable, curious and mysterious aspects of the past, the present and the future—not only on earth but in space—form a riveting collection of original fiction, often with an unexpected twist.

2018

Growing up in the Hillsborough area of South San Francisco, Jeanne Poett Leonard dreamed of where life would take her. In this fast-paced memoir we are taken on a rollicking ride all over the U.S. and the world, settling (at least for now!) in the wine country of Sonoma.

THE HARROWED RUNNER

by Eric S. Kozlowski

Novel

The tumultuous worlds of sports gambling, horse racing and bootleg booze combine to create a potent cocktail of personal destruction in this story of love, addiction and redemption set in Prohibition-era Upstate New York.

NOT ABOUT ME

by Joe Malta

Memoir

In this privately-printed memoir, real estate magnate Joe Malta relates his life of love, spirituality and financial success.

THINGS I NEVER TOLD MY CHILDREN:

MY STORY OF LIFE, LOVE, LUCK, LAUGHTER & LOSS

by Jeanne Poett Leonard

Illustrated by the Author

WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING:

THE LIFE & TIMES OF HERMAN K. BAUER

by Herman Bauer

Private Memoir

This privately-published memoir is notable in that it documents a childhood growing up in war-torn WWII Germany. Although it is not for public sale, Herman K. Bauer's life after emigrating to the U.S. is a marvelous example of how hard work and determination can lead to success.

STUFF I SHOULD LEARN BEFORE I GO TO SCHOOL

by Cynthia Kozlowski

Picture Book

Illustrated by the Author

This collection of seven short stories for preschool children with retro-style illustrations by the late author and artist Cynthia Kozlowski are guaranteed to charm both you and your child.

2017

CHASING MOTHER: A MEMOIR

by Monique Parrish

Memoir

This arresting and intimate view of one woman's chaotic childhood and her triumphant final separation from her parents is an inspiration to all those grappling with dysfunctional families.

LETTER TO THE STRANGER WITHIN

by Maure Quilter

Illustrated by Barbara Bonds McDaniel

Memoir

Maure Quilter has had many diverse lives, each of them fascinating in their own right. In this brave and profoundly insightful book, she examines the death of her Mother, her early years as a Tuscan nun, her career as a therapist, and her 32-year marriage and unexpected divorce at age eighty. As she confronts each new Stranger Within, she reminds us that authenticity and a purposeful path can be discovered at any age.

MATZU.KAZE

by Karen Mireau

Illustrated by Carol VanZandt

Poetry

Matzu^.Kaze is a symphonic poem cycle rooted in the specific eco-scape of the longleaf pine forest of the North Carolina Sandhills where the ancient pines are both witness and healer in this journey through the realms of the human spirit. Illustrated with original Japanese brush paintings by Carol Van Zandt.

RHYTHMS PRIMEVAL

by Maya Mitra Das

Poetry/Haiku

Illustrated by Patti Edmon

The verses of Maya Mitra Das plumb the alchemy of primeval moons and mist-wrapped mountains; delving deep into the realm of personal myth. Spanning the arc of ecstasy and despair, her poems explore the boundaries of human loneliness as well as the healing power of love.

SNIFFY MCNOSE'S BEST THANKSGIVING

by Carla Rempp

Picture Book

Sniffy's large nose always seems to lead him into trouble, but it also helps him sniff out danger and show children how to use their senses to keep themselves, their friends and their family safe during a fire.

(Note: this edition is retired.)

2016

A SOUTHERN PINES LIFE

by Norris Hodgkins

Memoir

An idyllic boyhood in Maine and a lifetime of community service in Southern Pines make this rich, engaging memoir a perfect read for those interested in the history and economic development of North Carolina.

FROM THERE TO HERE

THE PLEASURES & PERILS OF THE IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESS

by Don Tickle

Memoir

From very modest beginnings in rural North Carolina, author Don Tickle made his mark on the international stage as one of the pioneers in the import/export furniture business. He now shares his unique view of international travel in these tales of the pleasures and perils of the furniture trade, a world that most of us have never imagined or encountered.

GROWING UP, GROWING OLD:

MY INCREDIBLE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE

by Tom Kessinger

Memoir

In this privately-published memoir, Tom Kessinger relates the fascinating trajectory of his life, from birth, to his career as one of the original "Mad Men" to retirement in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

THE LUMINOUS IN-BETWEEN

by Cynthia Leslie-Bole

Poetry

Cynthia Leslie-Bole's deeply perceptive poems address the spectrum of female and family life and our relationship to the natural world.

MY TAP ROOT

by Jennie Rose

Poetry / Self Help

Therapeutic poems that delve deep into the realm of recovering from abuse and trauma by noted therapist Jennie Rose make this collection a must-have for any interested in self-help or inspiration.

OH NO! EMMA!

by Grand Owl

Picture Book

Follow the adventures of a small, artistic and very intelligent stuffed rabbit and her best friend Zoey as they learn about one of the essential parts of life . . . that's right -- going to the potty!

SILHOUETTES OF TIME

by Maya Mitra Das

Short Fiction

Short stories that take the reader on a journey though space, time and the landscape of both contemporary and ancient India are showcased in this first collection by Maya Mitra Das.

TOY HOUSE AT TRYON

by Cos Barnes

Picture Book

A young girl works alongside her elderly neighbor creating hand-painted Christmas ornaments (and learning a bit of local toy making history) in this very special celebration of traditional craft and the sweetness of friendship between the generations. All ages are sure to enjoy author Cos Barnes’ colorful illustrations, which evoke the wonder and nostalgia of a North Carolina childhood.

2015

CLIFFHANGERS: SHORT TALES OF TERROR & TURMOIL

by Cynthia Kozlowski

Short Stories

In this entertaining collection of spine-tingling short fiction for middle grade readers, author Cynthia Kozlowski invites young people to stretch their imaginations beyond their daily lives.

OVER MY SHOULDER:

TALES OF LIFE, DEATH AND ALMOST EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

by Ann Murphy Robson

Creative Nonfiction

These wildly witty and contemplative tales offer zesty, bite-sized portions of the trials and tribulations of our daily experience—always served up with a tasty side order of Ann’s signature subversive humor.

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY:

50 YEARS LATER

by John Wedda

Karen Mireau

In 1965, artist, author and social activist John Wedda (1911-2014) privately printed and gave 5,000 copies of SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in response to the injustices in Selma, Alabama. This reprinted edition brings together John's original work with an introduction by civil rights activist Bob Zellner.

2014

OPENING

by Jean Lyford

Poetry

In this final collection of poetry by Jean Lyford, we travel with her as she discovers that questioning may be more important than finding answers and that curiosity and hope can carry us through the sacred metamorphosis that we call death.

SECRET CONTACT: JOURNEY BEYOND THE DREAMS

by Joan Bridgeman

Nonfiction

Author Joan Bridgeman chronicles her lucid dreaming and her experiences with extra-terrestial beings in this collection of her guided writings.

SWORD OF ALHAMBRA: A TALE OF ANCIENT SPAIN

by Joseph Anthony

Historical Fiction

This is the story of a mighty warrior who fought against all odds to preserve a civilization. Rich in the drama and intrigue of 15th century Spain, Joseph Anthony's cinematic debut novel poses challenging political and moral questions that are equally relevant today. If you crave action-packed historical fiction, this is one title you won't want to put down.

TREMORS: SHORT FICTION BY CALIFORNIA WRITERS

by Ken Branch, Douglas Burgess, Franklin T. Burroughs, Maya Mitra Das, Carlos de Jalisco, Sue Hummel, Cecilia Pugh, Lynne Grant-Westenhaver

Short Stories

A lively and far-ranging anthology of flash fiction by the members of the Pleasant Hill writing group in Northern California.

2013

BE HAPPY: LIFE AFTER LOSS

by Susen I. Hickman

Memoir

After suddenly losing her husband, Susen Hickman began the long journey back to a sense of self and personal peace. This story, seven years in the writing, speaks to anyone who has ever lost a loved one, or experienced grief.

BREATHE INTO THE KNOWING

by Corinne Stanley

Poetry

This long-awaited collection of poems celebrating the sacredness of the natural world by Corinne Stanley has been called transcendent, wise, delicate, strong and filled with evocative imagery and musical cadences.

THE CONSCIENTIOUS VISITOR:

25 WAYS TO REALLY HELP WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE

IS ILL OR DYING

by Marla Lay

Karen Mireau

Nonfiction

Simple, effective ways to be of service to loved ones when they experience a medical crisis or end of life.

THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD

by Carl W. Meisterlin

Memoir

Carl W. Meisterlin relates his personal friendships with politicians and Hollywood celebrities, including Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra, as well regaling us with stories of his own extraordinary and entertaining life.

THE PEPPERTREE KINGDOM

by Franklin Burroughs

Memoir

The Peppertree Kingdom is a glimpse of an unusual life formed by unusual circumstances shared with authenticity and wise reflection.

REMEMBRANCES

by Jean Lyford

Poetry

This second book by poet Jean Lyford continues her very direct and poignant observations of nature and human nature.

RIVER ALWAYS MOVING

by Cynthia Kozlowski

Poetry

In this first volume of poetry by Cynthia Kozlowski, we are given a portrait of a life in its most condensed essence. Here is the optimism of childhood; the reverie of a long and fruitful marriage; grief over a father's addiction and death; meditations on God and religion; and a celebration, above all, of the beauty and mystery of nature.

SEARCH FOR CONTENTMENT

by Ron Morton

Memoir

In the privately-printed autobiography, California native Ron Morton recounts his life as a family man and businessman up until age 75.

VOICES OF A SANDHILLS BABY BOOMER

by Bill Lindau

Essays and Short Fiction

This spirited anthology gives us an inside view of both the serious and often comic vision of the late North Carolina journalist, actor and musician Bill Lindau.

WAITING FOR THE WIND

by Jean Lyford

Poetry

Jean Lyford's third collection of poetry interweaves astute observations of the natural world with rare insight. Her poems give us unexpected flights of ecstasy and deep plunges into grief, as well as pauses of bittersweet nostalgia. The process of looking back over a lifetime of memories to create a meaningful narrative of one's time on Earth is beautifully portrayed in this luminous new work.

2012

A TIME TO REMEMBER

by Edith Foyer

Memoir

Edith Foyer's riveting memoir portrays her escape from war-torn Europe and her early life in South America to her finding happiness and a new home in San Mateo, California.

EMILY CHABOT: THE LIFE OF A CALIFORNIA LADY

by Lucy Rau Ferguson

Biography

This chronicle of the life of feminist and philanthropist Emily Chabot by her great granddaughter brings the flavor of turn-of-the century California into sharp focus. A must read for anyone interested in San Francisco and East Bay history

EXIT PATH : END OF LIFE STORIES

by Charlotte Cooper

Short Fiction

Startling tales of love, loss and redemption are told with wisdom and humor in this collection of short stories by Charlotte Cooper.

MARIENAU: A DAUGHTER'S REFLECTIONS

by Annemarie Roeper and Karen Mireau

Memoir

In 1929, Max and Gertrud Bondy opened the doors to Marienau, a progressive boarding school in rural Germany. These are Annemarie's intimate memories of her childhood at Marienau. They render a fascinating portrait of the milieu that would birth the Bondy/Roeper family's humanitarian philosophy-- one that would evolve to profoundly impact the history of education.

MURIEL ROBBINS' FACT BOOK

by Jana Rains

Middle Grade Novel

The irrepressible curiosity of a new kid in town leads to her solving a neighborhood mystery (and finding an unlikely friend) in this madcap middle-grade novel by multi-media artist Jana Rains.

NDA KU ONA:

I SEE YOU WITH MY HEART

Anthology

Edited by Mary Tuchsherer

In this collection of heartwarming and heartbreaking writings, nonprofit writing facilitators at VoiceFlame have gathered put into print the stories and poems of Malawi young women in Africa for the first time in history.

THE SAN FRANCISCAN: A LOVE STORY IN A TIME OF WAR

by Florence Gold

Novel

This coming-of-age novel set in 1940s San Francisco, is filled with sweetness, sorrow and redemption.

2011

ALL THE GOOD THINGS COME LAST

by Suki Patrick

Memoir

From her escape from Korea to America as a child, to her life as a neo-natal nurse in Northern California, Suki Patrick's life has been a series of challenges that she has transcended with grace and spirituality.

BEYOND OLD AGE: ESSAYS ON LIVING AND DYING

by Annemarie Roeper, Ed.D.

In this elegant, poignant collection of personal essays written over a ten-year period, Dr. Annemarie Roeper revisits the themes of love, life, and aging.

OMSTRUCK:

HEALING HEARTBREAK THROUGH YOGA AND MEDITATION

by Janice De Jesus

Nonfiction

Practical tools for dealing with heartbreak using proven ancient techniques are explored in this helpful relationship handbook.

2010

I NEED ALL MY TEDDYBEARS

THE PLANE WENT DOWN IN BUFFALO

SMALL & TALL

WHO STARTED IT

by Annemarie Roeper, Ed.D.

Picture Books

A series of four picture books that sensitively explore the inner lives or children were originally written and published in 1963 by educator Dr. Annemarie Roeper. They are now back in print.

2008

COLOR IN MOTION:

THE LIFE OF MIRIAM BRANDSCHAIN

by Miriam Brandschain

Artist Miriam Weiner Brandschain (1912-2013) studied with notables such as Roy Nuse, Morris Blackburn, Edward Warrick and Francis Watkins; later teaching her own art classes and owning an art gallery, the Fishman-Weiner Gallery, for over a decade, on Pine Street in Philadelphia.

All Azalea Art Titles are available at www.Lulu.com, most in both print and ebook formats.

ABOUT KAREN MIREAU

I am a “Literary Midwife” and small boutique publisher who specializes in helping my authors create beautiful, meaningful, imaginative books.

With over thirty years’ experience in book design, production and marketing, it’s my mission to inspire others to express themselves with maximum creativity and literary integrity.

I offer one-on-one support to authors. Whether your genre is memoir, poetry, novels, short stories or children’s books, I can help you bring your project to fruition, as well as successfully introduce it to the marketplace.

It is my impassioned hope that we all experience the deeply rewarding process of fully using our creative gifts. Let’s get in touch . . . and get started on seeing your personal literary journey unfold.