Staff Picks
At FriesenPress, we celebrate each and every book we help our authors publish. Here are some of our team’s recent favourites – happy reading!
What The Callen Women Know
by
Karen Anne McCullough
Nula Callen knew two things for certain: she would escape her oppressive County Cork village, and she would not be like her parents. Armed with nothing but dreams of who she can become and an iron will, Nula flees to America. She’s determined to change her future and become a strong, independent, fun-loving version of herself. But life as a new immigrant is challenging, and not at all what Nula envisioned. Shunned, poor, and dependent on others for her livelihood, Nula finds herself with six children to raise and a husband she doesn’t love. But nothing and no one will stop Nula from fighting to make her dreams come true. Her plans and secrets are her weapons. They are all she has. What the Callen Women Know is an enthralling, epic debut novel about an Irish-Catholic family, their brave matriarch, and the courage it takes to change your life. Nula learns that nothing is impossible if you have hope and determination. She vows to share what she learned with the women in her family. No Callen women would fail.
Conscious Living
A collection of wholesome, plant-based and gluten-free recipes to nourish your mind, body and soul by
Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie
Conscious Living: A collection of wholesome, plant-based and gluten-free recipes to nourish your mind, body and soul is much more than a cookbook filled with healthy, nutrient-dense, and delicious plant-based foods. It is also about creating a strategy and philosophy for being aware of how we live life and being fully conscious, connected, and grateful for each moment of the journey. “Conscious living” is embodied by eating only healthy, nutritious food to fuel the body’s cells, and best-selling cookbook authors Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie walk readers through everything they need to know to do this—from filling the pantry with the right foods to having the right kitchen tools on hand. Perfect for both those new to conscious living and eating and also for those who know their way around a plant-based kitchen, this incredible cookbook contains recipes for everything from smoothies to entrees, and from snacks to desserts. These vegan, gluten-free, allergen-friendly recipes will nourish both your body and your soul. Skinny Cookies or Mermaid Bowl anyone?
The Eagle's Last Flight
by
Colby Mihulka
Despite his weakening wings, broken beak, and dull talons, Eagle stubbornly clings to his pride and independence, refusing to acknowledge his growing age and declining abilities. But when wise Dragonfly gently nudges him to confront his fears, Eagle begins to reflect on his life, his loved ones, and the legacy he will leave behind when he chooses to travel to the next world. Through their conversations, Eagle learns that embracing memories and love is far more important than clinging to the past. With newfound courage, he spreads his wings and takes flight toward the horizon, finding peace in the journey. This touching tale is a comforting companion for anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one. The Eagle’s Last Flight reminds us that even in our darkest moments, love endures, and cherished memories guide us forward.
Scattered Garbage
by
Dawn Rodger
Growing up in the 1980s in Scarborough, Ontario was simply the best, it was freedom. Children woke at dawn to watch Saturday morning cartoons. They would put on their Walkmans, jump on their bikes and stay out all day until the streetlights came on; stopping at the local variety store for popsicles, Nerds or Bubblicious. They would play by the lake on the train tracks, or even stop off at the local library to get the latest Nancy Drew book. There were no cell phones, no social media … just baseball diamonds, skipping ropes, pools and dirt to play in. But that all changed for teenagers Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Samantha when the Scarborough Rapist started terrorizing their city. No one knew who he was, and the number of assaults and rapes were rapidly growing. All three girls were scared, and their idyllic city was not safe anymore. Jennifer is attacked in the parking lot of her high school, Elizabeth starts dating an abusive narcissist, and Samantha is raped by her boyfriend. What the women don’t realize, is that the real monsters are men they all know. Years later, as they try to rebuild their lives, they must hatch a plan to finally take revenge, and make the men pay for what they did.
Autumn
by
Marc MacDonald
For Alex Chambers, the burden of past mistakes hinders his ability to move forward in life, stifling his readiness to embrace the present. His journey to Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre was meant to be a path to redemption, a chance to make amends for youthful errors. Little did he know that fate had a different plan in store. From the moment he steps into the facility’s weathered corridors, Alex is greeted not by the easy path he envisioned but by a series of challenges that test his resolve in ways he never anticipated. His hopes of finding forgiveness from the woman he wronged are dashed, replaced by a new, unexpected purpose: caring for Mae Seasons, a plucky, foul-mouthed, unapologetic senior resident of Silver Springs. With her sharp wit and disregard for social niceties, Mae becomes Alex’s unlikely companion on a journey of self-discovery. As he struggles to unearth Mae’s secrets while guarding his own, Alex finds himself gradually unravelling the knots of his past, reevaluating his present, and tentatively embracing a future filled with newfound hope. Through laughter and tears, trials and triumphs, Alex and Mae form a bond that transcends age and circumstance, forged through a series of comically bizarre, heart-warming, and enlightening adventures that prove one can find friendship and love when least expected, in the strangest of places, and with the most unlikely people. Autumn is a poignant tale of forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative power of human connection. It reminds us that, no matter our past mistakes or present struggles, love and friendship can bloom in the unlikeliest of places, bringing light to even the darkest corners of our lives.
In the Fog
by
B. de S.S.
I reach for my scotch glass. Empty. I slam it down and check my pockets. My hand fumbles with my pack of Woodbines. Damn. I need a ciggy, bad. I shake a smoke out and put it to my lips. I strike a match, light, and inhale. Ah, that’s the ticket. Nothing better than a few drags to calm the nerves. I’d pour myself a drink too. I wouldn’t mind some Vat 69, but I’m fresh out. I look at the photograph again from the case file. It looks like someone I used to know a long time ago. A person who is now long dead, murdered in the same way—a stab and gunshot wound to the stomach. Memories flood my mind of a time that was forgotten. A time briefly filled with hope before being abruptly crushed. A time now best left buried. Long-gone and bygone. No, after looking at this image, no longer bygone. Damn it all. I crush my cigarette into the ashtray on my desk. A ciggy won’t be enough. I am thirsty now, and not just for some Vat 69. My thirst will not be quenched until that bastard is brought down. No way I’m going to let this go. Not this time. I was given this case on purpose. This is my second chance. My chance for redemption. My chance to finally put this godforsaken story to rest. No doubt about it: the Bayonet is back.
You Are Simply Enough
A Journey to Remembering and Recognizing Your Self Worth by
Carly Robinson
When you wake up in the morning . . . When you’re working hard at school . . . When you’re running and playing at recess . . . When you fall asleep at night . . . In each moment, remember, you are enough! This gentle message of mindfulness is a celebration of self-worth and gratitude.
homecoming
tales of travel, discovery, & self acceptance by
Teri Hofford
In this deeply personal account, Teri Hofford takes you on a rollercoaster ride through her past, chronicling her evolution from a young and curious girl to an empowered feminist, photographer, and woman brimming with self-confidence and self-worth. This memoir is not just a recounting of her vibrant adventures and the life-altering experiences she encountered along the way, but also a brave exploration of the often difficult path to self-acceptance. Through her candid narrative, Teri invites you to accompany her as she navigates the tumultuous landscape of societal expectations and the pursuit of authenticity. Experience her joys, challenges, and lessons learned, all woven with a thread of wry humor and unflinching honesty. From her encounters with casual sex and assault, her grappling with grief, and her yearning for true love, Teri leaves no stone unturned. This is more than just a memoir. It's a beacon for those struggling with self-acceptance, a compass guiding you along the path towards inner healing. Journey with Teri as she returns home, not just to her roots, but to a profound reconnection with her soul. It's a journey of self-discovery you won't want to miss.