What has freedom wrought for these would-be slaves? Adula Sanfra has now been leading his group of African villagers and former captors on their island home in the ocean for six years, and the island bears his name. How have they improved their situation? What delights and dangers have they faced? Which visitors are welcome, and which are feared? In this sequel to Slave Trade Interrupted, we become better acquainted with the villagers and the captain and crew who first sought to sell them into slavery. In her seventh book, author Doris Johnson once again wields her descriptive talent and fertile imagination. She depicts how the villagers interact to protect this once uninhabited island and harness its resources to help their settlement thrive.

Tragedy turns to freedom and redemption. One fright-filled night, the peaceful villagers of seaside Parsui in Africa are torn from their way of life. They are forced to board a slave ship bound for an unknown land called America, where they are to be sold like cattle. The slave boat captain and crew soon discover they underestimated the ingenuity of their captives. A forced landing on a tropical island creates a new and challenging set of circumstances for everyone involved. How can they all live together and survive—much less thrive? Author Doris Johnson displays her characteristic deep understanding of the challenges posed by the human condition as well as the courage, tenacity, and creativity of which people are capable.

Emil Costa is forced to flee to the United States with his two sons to escape retaliation and possible death at the hands of a brutal regime. Accused by a scurrilous guard of illegal entry at the border in spite of his papers, Emil is separated from his sons and called a criminal. He manages to escape the border guards but then is faced with how to live and not get caught and how to find his sons and get them back. He also wants to bring his wife and two daughters to the new country—but when and how? His first priority is survival.The story of Emil and his family is both harrowing and heartwarming. It’s one of treacherous challenges that test his courage and ingenuity but also one of kindness, generosity, perseverance, and hope.

Calvin Corner comes from a supportive small-town family. He has everything going for him as he graduates from high school and prepares for a career as a veterinarian. He marries his high school sweetheart and has children of his own.Life is looking good until, unexpectedly, Calvin's livelihood evaporates, and he's faced with financial disaster. How will he take care of his beloved family? Trying to be responsible, he acts out of desperation and ends up in prison—for life. What transpires for Calvin is a tale of catastrophes turned to hope and triumph through love and family unity. The result is an unusual and surprising redemption.

The Mansion: Retired Seniors Find a New Life in an Old Governor’s Mansion

A touching tale about being human in the golden years. Back in her late twenties or early thirties, Doris Johnson had an elaborate vision of a model retirement community that included shops and businesses and a large central courtyard. Now in her seventies, Doris has simplified her vision and added the warmth, interaction, and activities of the residents who live there. The community now resides in an old governor's mansion, which provides the perfect genteel setting for this retirement "family." This heartwarming story follows the residents through their first year in The Mansion, revealing their quirks, sorrows, joys, and, most of all, caring.

Just as everyday life can elicit wide-ranging emotions that let us know we’re human, so these verses and tales spotlight moments of elation, grief, confusion, frustration, anguish, curiosity, satisfaction, and lightheartedness. They encompass heartrending human dilemmas as well as downhome adventure, inspiration, and humor, leaving indelible impressions on the mind.

"Who's been eating my garden?" Children as well as the adults who read it to them will enjoy this real-life story of Bunny, an escaped pet who ends up in Doris's vegetable garden. Doris tries many ways to keep Bunny from eating her tender new plants, but Bunny is clever! Finally, Doris makes peace with her new friend and both of them benefit. Many photographs chronicle Bunny's escapades, and Bunny even "comments" from a rabbit's point of view. Bunny, Queen of the Garden is a heart-warming tale.