Stories by Laura Chester.

In this remarkable one-year journal, skilled horsewoman and adventurer Laura Chester brings us into her world, where we deeply connect with the earth and its seasons, with beauty and sometimes danger. While riding in places as far-reaching as Mexico, Australia, and India, Chester is always grateful to come home to the comforts of her familiar horse. As they cover the borderland of Arizona and the hills of Massachusetts, we get to know Barranca as intimate companion, mediator between soul and nature, whether entering the wilds of Cochise Stronghold or picking Berkshire apples from the saddle. Carried along on waves of memory, released by the gaits of her smooth-moving fox trotter, this literary memoir takes us on a personal exploration as well—where family relationships are fractured by anger, jealousy, illness, and death. With the help of her big-hearted animal, Chester is able to retrieve the past and find forgiveness. For as she says—"Riding Barranca puts me in the moment, which is where I want to live."

The literary history behind this beautiful mountain region. The Massachusetts Berkshires have long been a mecca for literary greats, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edith Wharton to Sinclair Lewis and Joan Ackermann. The Green River in Great Barrington inspired William Cullen Bryant’s poetry. Charles Pierce Burton’s childhood hometown, Adams, became the setting for his frolicking Boys of Bob’s Hill children’s books. During an interlude in Lenox, Patricia Highsmith consulted a local undertaker for details to use in The Talented Mr. Ripley. In this book, Bernard A. Drew brings together a fascinating chronicle of some 250 wordsmiths who took inspiration from the hills and valleys of the Berkshires.

"Holy Personal" begins with the design and construction of the author's own private chapel and activities that compelled her to set forth on a pilgrimage to 28 other private places of worship--temples, chapels, stupas and shrines. DeMari's luminous photos reveal the personal and private nature of these unique places. 100 photos, 60 in color.

Poetry. Photography. SPARKS marks the second collaboration (after Holy Personal) of author Laura Chester and photographer Donna DeMari. Here, prose poetry and sepia-toned photographs combine to tell a story. "THE SPARK SO quickly becomes the fire becomes you. Your face is shining with the light all around, like a mane. Aura, luster, a polished egg"-from Part One. Laura Chester has written many books of poetry and prose, including FREE REIN, ALL IN ALL, and MY PLEASURE, all available at SPD.

The possibilities of friendships are endless, and friends that are true and authentic toward one another last the test of time. Friendships are the pearls which we string together as our lives move forward. If we are lucky, these friendships teach us things that only they can. Some call it karma. The Bitches That Brunch with Kaptan Krunch tells the story of such friendships between the best of women and men. They quickly learn how their lives are hinged upon one another so that it all works and no one truly ever gets sick and tired of one another. What happens in this book will surprise you as you begin to relate to many of these characters and those friends who could be in your actual lives. Uncover their successes, hopes, and dreams. Life is just that a journey, and even though these women and men have learned so much about themselves and their lives, there still are many twists and turns. Can money, power, and fame be handled in a reasonable fashion for all of them, or are there dark clouds that seem to follow some with a dark hunger to damage and take them down one at a time? Miracles can happen, but that means truth shall set them free. Stay tuned for the ride that only these friends can share together as well as apart! You’ll find yourself being a cheerleader, wanting what you believe the ending should accomplish. Will it? You’ll just have to read and see if they will become your heroes. Or will darkness claim their spirit? One thing will be for sure—around each bend is another thrill, because these characters just don’t give up or give in. They are in it to win it!