Showing results by author "John Isaac Jones" in All Categories

When his father died, Billy Johnson felt he would never lose the vicious, gnawing grief that had formed in the innermost recesses of his soul. His father had been his mentor, his adviser, his fishing buddy, his protector, and most of all, his dearest and closest friend all of his life. It was grief he felt he could never be totally free of. Then, without his direct knowledge, a miracle occurred!

Cousins Billy and Roy were just two mischievous boys - probably meaner than most - but still just bored, country kids looking for some adventure and excitement. During the nights they spent with their grandmother, their favorite pastime was spying on the tenants of their grandmother's rental houses. Over the years, the two had spied on all of their grandmother's renters at one time or another, but the one who provided the most fun and excitement was a desperate woman named Annie Atkinson.

In the rural Deep South, there are stories about people who, upon the approach of their death, have been greeted by dead loved ones who return as ghosts to lead them into the next world. This is one of those stories.

Archie Johnson thought he was prepared to meet his death in the electric chair. The sentence had been read; he had had his last meal and the prison chaplain had asked God to have mercy on his immortal soul. Then, just as they were strapping him into the chair and about to pull the switch, he suddenly realized there were a few things he wanted to do before he left this earth. This is Archie's story.

After the Johnson family learns the youngest daughter is pregnant and unwed, they devise an elaborate plan to keep it a secret from the outside world. Part of that plan includes a lavish lie which is designed to make the scheme seem more believable. Once the child was born, however, this lie would not only come true, but change the lives of every member of the family.

Thanks, PG!: Memoirs of a Tabloid Reporter recounts the life and adventures of reporter Billy Don Johnson during his 20 years (1975-1995) working for the fictional tabloid The National Insider. After his dreams of becoming a crusading journalist with daily newspapers are dashed, Billy throws himself into the wild world of diets, household tips, ghosts, UFOs, weird history, and celebrity scandal, all of which is designed to please Padrone Gallione (PG), the wonderful madman who was editor of the magazine. Like the tabloid industry itself, this book is a combination of fact and fiction.

When the Lazy B Ranch is sold as a victim of the computer age, it seems that J.L. Crockett's way of life as a cowboy in the United States is finished. So he decides to pack up and move to Argentina, where ranches are still run by human beings. As J.L. begins a cross-country journey to Miami so he can board the ship to South America, he meets Karina, another soul chasing after an elusive dream. The two join together in a wild and crazy trip where they encounter evangelists, con artists, thieves, ghosts, and drug lords as they bond together over hardship.

For years, the old men had been hanging around the country grocery store whiling away their days playing checkers and dominoes and talking about politics, women, drinking, and life experiences. All that time, the store owner readily approved their presence in the store and went on about his business as if they were not there. Then, one fateful morning in 1956, a new owner bought the business who was not quite as tolerant.

Grandfathers is a heart-warming story of grandfathers and grandsons told in two parts. The first part is set in 1946 and relates the experiences of five-year-old Billy Johnson with his grandfather. The second part is set in 1996 and tells of Billy's experiences with his own five-year-old grandson. What a difference 50 years makes!

When Becky Stokes learned that she couldn't have children, she was devastated. Doctors said corrective surgery could endanger her life and, after thumbing down several other options, she and her husband decided to use a surrogate to produce a child. After the papers were signed, however, nobody, including Becky, could have dreamed what happened next! A story of infidelity and just desserts!

This is the story of a dying little boy fighting to escape a very special hell!

Devoted mother Cassie Carter is hard working and dedicated to running her small farm in Georgia. She tends to her home and sickly son daily while her truck driver husband is away on long hauls across the country. Her life and values take a sharp turn when a handsome and intelligent construction worker disrupts her daily routine. Her priorities shift and everything she keeps in her comfort zone is threatened.

Tembo Makaburi, the Swahili term for “elephant cemetery,” is the stuff of which dreams are made for ivory hunters. This is the story of a greedy man's quest for riches and glory as he relentlessly pursues a bull elephant and his valuable ivory tusks across the vast expanse of the Serengeti plains. A chilling tale of greed and revenge!

Although they had always dreamed of having a family, tall, horse-faced Frances and stubby, one-eyed Jack had reconciled themselves to a lifetime of abject loneliness. Then one day, out of nowhere, an infant is dropped into their midst. A fairy tale for adults!

Jen and Shirley Ann had been best friends in Palm Springs, CA for more than 31 years. Jen later purchased a home in Colorado so she could be near her ailing mother Pauline. Once Jen moved, Shirley Ann made frequent weekend trips to visit and go hiking. During one of those weekends, Pauline suddenly died. Her insurance policy didn't cover the transportation for returning her body to Palm Springs for cremation. So, guess who was charged with that grisly chore? The spooky journey would not only test their friendship, but it would be an adventure they would always remember!

Here, ladies and gentlemen, you have "the kitchen from hell." This is a sordid, hilarious tale of what goes on behind the scenes in the kitchen of a hotel restaurant. After reading this story, you might never again eat in another hotel restaurant, or any restaurant for that matter. Unfortunately, this story was based on the truth!

A shy, lonely computer genius tries to find love in the digital age. He would never be the same! The story of Pygmalion for the 21st century!

When Alma Dawson, a middle-aged, hard-working single mother, sets out to get the tuition money for her daughter's last year of college, she never dreamed her entire world would be turned upside down. A poignant, inspiring story, this novelette is a testimony to a devoted mother's love!

For years, Big Walter had dreamed of becoming Georgia's Director of Public Safety. Now his big opportunity was before him. The governor's chief aide said all he had to do was find the body of the governor's college-age son who had been swept into the raging waters of the Tallulah River in north Georgia. After three days, however, Big Walter, armed with all of the body-finding technology the 20th century had to offer, came up with nothing. Then one of the locals suggested he talk to an old Indian who lived on the river. This is Big Walter's story.

One day in June of 1951, Billy Johnson's father delayed plowing long enough to teach his son how to trap a rabbit. In the past, he had never seen his father delay plowing for any reason, especially when he was using black hired hands. Over the years that followed, he always assumed the motive for the lesson was nothing more than a father who was an avid sportsman teaching his son to trap a rabbit. After his father died, he learned differently.