My Favorite Mother-In-Law
How do you prepare for your own “Golden Years” when you’re still trying to figure out how to care for those who came before you?
When Mark Niemann-Ross realized he had “suddenly” become a senior, he didn’t look to brochures or retirement seminars for guidance. Instead, he looked to his mother-in-law, Greta.
“My Favorite Mother-in-Law” is a heartwarming and often hilarious memoir that explores the complex, beautiful, and sometimes taxing journey of aging and caregiving. Through a series of poignant vignettes, Mark chronicles Greta’s transition from a “spark plug” of a woman—ruling her kitchen and whipping up legendary custard cream pies—to a resident in assisted living and eventually memory care.
Discover a story about:
- Caregiving & Family Dynamics: The bond between a son-in-law and the woman who became his mentor.
- Memory Care & Dementia: A realistic but gentle look at “sundowning” and cognitive decline.
- Finding Humor in Aging: From Wisconsin Old Fashioneds to the “Official Memos” of assisted living.
- Legacy: Learning how to grow old with grace, dignity, and a little bit of mischief.
If you enjoyed “Tuesdays with Morrie” or “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?”, you will fall in love with Greta.
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Stupid Machine
Set in the year 2062, “Stupid Machine” is a gripping hard science fiction novel and cybernetic noir that explores a world where technology is supposed to be infallible. In this near-future AI dystopia, car accidents have been a thing of the past for over twenty years—until Jordan Bishop’s vehicle undergoes a fatal crash.
What looks like a simple malfunction to the world is, to former police detective turned insurance investigator Araci Belo, a clear case of corporate malfeasance and maybe even a murder. As Araci digs into the suspicious death involving an autonomous vehicle, his path crosses with Jupyter Fuertes, a specialized technician who spends her days coaching sentient but glitchy appliances back to life.
At the heart of this techno-thriller murder mystery is an unlikely witness: Soteria Reizoko, a smart refrigerator obsessed with a missing delivery of orange juice.
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Phantom Sense and Other Stories
Sgt. Kip McCorbin must choose a military sixth-sense or the love of his family.
Courtney Brandt lies frozen on a glacier, but warm to the touch. Her killer is already claiming another victim.
Valerie Akwasi stumbles into the deadly side of a vineyard.
Michael Graves could be your best friend or your worst enemy. Too bad you’re just an experiment.
Phantom Sense and other stories is a collection of science fiction stories from the pages of Analog magazine by the award-winning team of Richard A. Lovett and Mark Niemann-Ross. Includes NetPuppets (the 2006 Analytical Laboratory Award winning novelette), Phantom Sense (the 2011 Analytical Laboratory Award winning novella), New Wineskins, and A Dangerous Intent.
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Humanity By Proxy
The opposite of love isn’t hate. It’s indifference.
In this thought-provoking collection of Hard Science Fiction, award-winning author Mark Niemann-Ross explores the intersection of high-stakes technology and the human spirit. From the sterile corridors of deep-space outposts to the cluttered garages of future suburban engineers, these five stories ask: What happens when our inventions begin to reflect our own souls?
Included in this Collection:
- Humanity by Proxy: 111-year-old Tiffany Stott thought she was finally free of her controlling husband, Walter. But in the world of Artificial Intelligence and Sentient Machines, death is only a temporary setback. When Walter’s obsessive-compulsive personality is “programmed” into her household and a geriatric robotic assistant—a repurposed military LASSIE “Sawhorse”—Tiffany must confront the digital “ghost in the machine” that refuses to let her go.
- One Man’s Dignity: Survival on a spinning space station requires more than just oxygen—it requires navigating a crushing space station bureaucracy. Follow the “blue-collar” struggle of an engineer fighting for his professional soul against corporate management in a world where engineering ethics are often sacrificed for the bottom line.
- A Cup of Dirt: In the sterile, metallic environment of a colony ship, actual “dirt” is considered a biohazard. This Solarpunk-inspired tale follows Enzo, an engineer who risks a court-martial for the ultimate act of rebellion: growing a forbidden tomato plant to restore hope and morale to a weary crew.
- Plastic Thingy: A humorous and fast-paced dive into interstellar commerce. When an alien arrives at a local hardware store looking for a specific “red part” to repair a spaceship, it’s just another day on the job—unless that part is the only thing standing between Earth and a diplomatic disaster. Features the sentient alien plant, Ficus.
- The Music Teacher: An exploration of xenomusicology and the dangerous lure of the unknown. When an ancient alien artifact known as “Mr. Flat Five” begins teaching a musician complex, reality-bending compositions, the line between artistic obsession and madness begins to blur.
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Patches Catches the Sargo County Cattle Rustler
The quietest boy in the county and the smartest dog on the ranch are about to become legends.
In the dusty town of Sargo County, Old Mr. Smith has a story that every child wants to hear. It’s the tale of young John Stokerson, a boy who didn’t speak a single word until he was four years old. While his parents worried, John was busy watching, listening, and training his incredibly clever companion—a Border Collie named Patches.
When the notorious Rusty Dunan begins terrorizing local ranches, the adults are baffled. But John and Patches have a plan. This isn’t just another one of those typical cowboy books for kids; it is a high-stakes western adventure where brains beat brawn. Using a series of brilliant tricks and the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog, this duo proves that you don’t need a loud voice to stand up to a cattle rustler.
Why readers will love this book:
- A Great Children’s Dog Book: Perfect for families looking for heroic dog stories that emphasize loyalty and intelligence.
- A Standout Among Border Collie Stories for Kids: Patches isn’t just a pet; he’s a partner who uses his “smart dog” instincts to save the day.
- Authentic Ranch Stories for Kids: Captures the spirit of the American West with a plot centered on cattle rustlers and ranch life.
- Inspiring Themes: A touching narrative for “late talkers” or quiet children, showing that observation and patience are powerful tools.
Whether you are looking for western adventure books for children or an engaging read-aloud story for after dinner, Mark Niemann-Ross delivers a classic tale of justice and friendship. Join John Stokerson and Patches on their journey to protect Sargo County and discover why sometimes, the best way to catch a thief is with a wagging tail and a clever trick.
Written by award-winning author Mark Niemann-Ross and illustrated in full color by David Brandt, children will love the surprise ending.
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