A simple message on Facebook about observing used wedding dresses at thrift shops captured the attention and creative skills of 25 women who spontaneously gathered in one day to write their stories about "The Dress." Six weeks later, Mill Park Publishing had compiled the stories into a book.

Award-winning author Alan Heathcock wrote this review for the back cover: “If I learned something about women from this awesome little book, it’s that each has her own dress, her own story; some of hopes fulfilled, some tragic, some funny, all compelling. Little White Dress holds the truths of humanity stitched into every poem and story. It sometimes made me laugh, sometimes made me somber, but always made me consider how the value of the dress has little to do with the fabric.”

The book is available for $10.00 (plus Idaho sales tax) from Mill Park Publishing, Amazon.com, and some Boise stores.

The Backyard Chicken Fight - How Keeping Chickens in Your Yard is Ruffing Feathers Across the Nation and A Beginner's Guide to Hen Keeping is the book you need if you want to raise chickens.  Author Gretchen Anderson chronicles the stories of people who are fighting City Hall for the right to own chickens at home.  Also, she explains how to raise a healthy flock of free-range chickens in your own backyard.  With the growing emphasis on the importance of buying local, organic food, why not do it yourself? 

Find answers to these important questions:

"How do I build an atractive but efficient chicken coop?"

"What temperature is best for baby chicks?"

"Can I have free-range chickens and dogs?"

"How many eggs does a hen lay each week?" 

Gretchen Anderson is an award-winning humor columnist, author and former television news anchor/reporter.  Her news stories have been carried on NBC, ABC and CNN around the globe.  Gretchen has been published in various magazines and newspapers, and in 2010 she collaborated on a published book of poetry.  Her five children and one husband keep her going six different directions.

The book is available for $9.99 (plus Idaho sales tax) from Mill Park Publishing, from the author, and at Boise and Eagle Zamzow's stores. The book soon will be available on Amazon.com and at local Barnes and Noble bookstores.

We remember with fondness the sweet advice of our dear mothers:

"Haste makes waste."

"Don't make me stop this car!"

"You're running away?  Let me help you pack!"

"Just because Grandma farts at the table doesn't mean you can, too!"

Mother Knows Best - Wit and Wisdom from Idaho Moms will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone as several Idaho women and men recall words of advice they heard from their mothers.  Proceeds from this book will benefit the Women's and Children's Allliance in Boise in celebration of 100 years of public service for women and men escaping domestic abuse and sexual assault.  Quotes were compiled and edited by Patti Murphy.

Patti Murphy, an award-winning writer, is the author of more than 100 newspaper and magazine articles.  Her feature story, "Memories of Minidoka," about Idaho's WWII Japanese internment camp, has received statewide and national awards.  She owns Murphy Media Services, a public relations and freelance writing agency in Boise.

Purchase each book for $8.99 (plus Idaho sales tax) from Mill Park Publishing. The book soon will be available at area bookstores and on Amazon.com

Daily Erotica: 366 Poems of Passion

Looking for your lost libido? Read just one poem a day from this fabulous book!

Sample Poem: