Disenchanted Minnesota voters repudiated both major political parties and elected a handsome star of motion pictures and television to be their governor. It fell to the suave double-dealing state ombudsman to protect not only the governor but those in the legislature who sought to replace him.

In the Depression ravished 30's did a poor farm boy or girl have a greater love than their pony or dog? The author recounts his experiences and those of his neighbors in and around Manning, Iowa, the author's hometown. In carefully crafted fiction, boys attempt to win a race with plow horses. In a true story, hear the words of his father instilling a horse-trading reality in him and how his father managed to keep his cool when a team proves smarter than his son, an honor student. In larger-than-life stories, a plodding horse halts a runaway boy; a colorful team of horses promotes romance and...

75-year-old Jack Barret returned for the office Christmas party and met Cydny, less than half his age. They loved dancing and entered a relationship.

Cyd had multiple secrets. As a baby, someone abandoned her on a roadside near Harlan, Iowa. Now an accountant in Phoenix, she had changed her name. Cyd had a darker secret she dared not reveal to anyone.

Housewives, Barbara, Jackie and Monica, who paid blackmail for years, decided to silence the blackmailer. Meanwhile, Monica's son, Ken Shubert, a reporter on a small town newspaper, sought an older sister that his mother refused to admit...

Who hasn't questioned, 'Who were my great-grandparents?" 'Where did they live?" 'What did they do?" My daughters asked these questions and more. At their requests I began to write a family history, including successes and failures. No pirates were found lurking, but I located two murders. Families do not live in a vacuum. I included in-laws, friends, neighbors and strangers who touched our lives. As stories and traditions molded the family, so did the times in which we lived. The story of our family is part of the history of our town, state and nation. This saga is a microcosm of the nation,...

During the war, soldiers shared newspapers and magazines. A coed pictured might be elected, "The Sweetheart of the 116 Infantry," or "The Girl Company B would most like to take to the movies." Election frequently resulted in letters and pinup photos. The Flying Tigers, the l4th Air Force, had Chinese speaking American, Dorothy Yuen, "in the flesh." Her dedication, courage, and devotion to duty earned Dottie-as they called her-medals and their utmost respect. Dottie shared their hopes and dreams-and their fears. Sometimes she joined their poker games. Dottie was the girl they dreamed of...