Classic fairytales get a refreshing satirical twist in this collection of illustrated stories in which gnomes, pixies, and other fairy folk share tall tales of the strange and unbelievable human world and its inhabitants. Brimming with keen observations and wild assumptions on human anatomy, customs, languages, rituals, dwellings, and more, The Land of Stone Flowers is as absurd as it is astounding, examining contradictory and nonsensical human behaviors through the lens of the fantastic: from the bewitching paper wizards who live in humans' wallets to their invisible hats, known as "moods," which cloud their view of the world. Bursting with intricate and evocative illustrations, The Land of Stone Flowers will draw readers into a world of fantasy and fable that slyly reveals many hidden truths about human existence.

Arlington Walk among the gardens of stone Evenly spaced white rows as far as the eye can see Watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown Honoring the nameless heroes' memory See the small flags flutter here and there Faded by years of rain and sun Hear a somber gathering murmur a solemn prayer For a fallen hero whose journey's done Walk softly by an old woman Bent and scarred by the unforgiving years As she pauses to remember what might have been Her sad eyes filled with unrequited tears And when you leave these hallowed acres Where the stone flowers grow Remember the fallen peacemakers Whose sacrifice bought us our tomorrow

Chrysanthemum stones are so called due to their unique mineral formations that resemble chrysanthemum flowers. A rarity in nature, they are found primarily in East Asia, where they have been admired for nearly three centuries; they are now are achieving notice among Western collectors, and recently have been found in the United States. Chrysanthemum Stones is the first comprehensive presentation of these extraordinarily beautiful stones, and sets a new standard for books relating to the art of stone appreciation that has flourished in Asia for over 2,000 years. The authors traveled extensively in China and Japan to bring historical information together with new data, which is generously illustrated with over 120 full-color photographs. Readers are shown the full range of chrysanthemum stones, from the rarest and most valuable to those more frequently encountered in the marketplace, and are provided the most complete set of published references to chrysanthemum stones available. Book jacket.

For Darl Union, life in Burnt Stand, North Carolina, has always been a mixture of wealth, privilege, loneliness and sinister family secrets. Even her childhood love for Eli Wade, the son of a stone cutter, was tangled in a web of deceit and murder. His father, an innocent man, died for killing her great aunt. Now Darl and Eli must come to grips with the past and all its mysteries.

Why should there be just one answer...? asks Phiz Tarleton, the hero of All Flowers Die. Phiz, also known as The Optiontunist due to his passionately inquisitive nature, is in search of all life's options. But when his eager questioning leads to his teacher's fatal heart attack, he blames himself for cutting short the options of another. Greatly affected by this tragedy, Phiz carefully manipulates his destiny to preach the importance of gasping all that life has to offer. As the leader of the successful rock band, Brian's Sandbox, Phiz attempts to spread his message through his music. But when circumstances beyond his control thwart his plans, Phiz's mission takes a devastating turn, resulting in his most poignant gift and ultimate sacrifice.

A passionate love story set in the rowdy raucous honky-tonks of Texas in 1970. A veteran Texas musician and nineteen-year-old fledgling go-go dancer fall head-over-heels in love. They couldn't have been more opposite and the love ignited into an ever-burning flame. This story takes you up and down the roads of Texas with the hottest country band of the time. It includes bits and pieces of music history throughout. The two lovers embrace life together, only to be torn apart by fate and circumstance and separated by walls and bars. This is a story filled with passion and peril.