After the Fire

That fire can cleanse as well as destroy is no mystery to J. A. Jance. Before she found fame as a best-selling mystery author, Judith Jance wrestled with the personal anguish of being married to an alcoholic. For years she composed poetry in secret and kept it locked away. Finally it was published as After the Fire in 1984, the year before her debut novel. After the Fire chronicled the death of a relationship as Jance's marriage to her first husband gradually collapsed under the weight of his addiction—aided and abetted by her own unwitting denial and co-dependence—while she struggled to find herself. "I will not be the price of your redemption," she wrote then. "I will not pay my life to ransom yours." Now this deeply personal work is available in a new annotated edition. In it, Jance offers unblinking insights into where she was and what was happening when each of these searing poems was written—remaking After the Fire as more than a collection of poetry. Now it is a portrait of addiction and the insidious ways in which it destroys relationships. As Jance now observes while reflecting on these poems, "I could remember that spring morning sitting at the Formica table in my Phoenix kitchen and writing 'The Collector' while bags of unpacked groceries waited on the table beside me. I recalled everything about that long, long New Year's Eve vigil at my dying former husband's bedside. I felt once again the velvet smoothness of 'Fog' as I walked through a Seattle September morning on my way to a new life. . . . My life is far richer because of this book. My hope is that others will find answers here as well—answers and their own share of strength and courage." A work of crushing defeat and ultimate triumph, After the Fire relates an emotional journey that will be readily recognizable to anyone who has seen love destroyed and then found the strength to go on. It will inspire others who are struggling with similar issues as it allows fans of Jance's mysteries to better know the mind—and heart—of a favorite author.

Biographies & Memoirs

Jance,J.A.

Community & Culture

University of Arizona Libraries

Sometimes, maybe far too often, what your feelings want you to do and what your mind tells you to do are polar opposites. Usually, it is no big deal. These opposites either reconcile themselves or are of little consequence in daily living. However, this is not always the case. When they cannot be reconciled and one or the other must drive a decision, the results of that decision may not bring relief or create a readiness to move on. Decisions that cause an undeserved and lasting harm are examples of this. It is especially true when the person harmed is someone the decision maker truly cares for. After making such a decision and seeing the results, there is only guilt, shame, and a lasting hurt that cannot be escaped. What Do I Do Now tells the story of one such decision and the lives and loves that led up to it.

What Do I Do Now?

Crenshaw, William V.

Romance

2084 is a story of the life as it came to be in a time far in the future. It tells of the changes that occurred to make life in that future time possible and what caused these changes. It is a tale of governing, and the obedience necessary to be, and remain, a part of that life. Everyone always obeyed and for this they were rewarded, but then there came a change. Once man stopped obeying and took control of his life, or at least thought he did. He sought to live in freedom as they did the long destroyed world that existed before 2084. It is this man that tells the story of his life in two worlds. It is told in his own words, and the way he wanted it told. Sometimes the way he tells it is hard to follow, but it can be done. It is hoped that the readers will accept his apologies for telling the story his way. It is also hoped that readers of 2084 will take time to think about his story after they have finished the book. The question they may want to ask themselves in which is better; life in what the teller of this tale calls the Dark Times, or in the wondrous world of 2084?

2084

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Science Fiction

Innocence Lost is a study of the price the innocent pay in our new world. In this book of short stories we look at love, relationships, and consequences from a variety of viewpoints. These stories share a common purpose and point. Some readers will not understand, Their reactions, perhaps , will feelings of time wasted to experiencing literary bullying. Readers who do understand, may and probably will find the tales unpleasant because individually and collectively they force unwanted truths, usually covered in darkness, into the bitter brightness of understanding. These stories are about us. They tell of the bite of our emotions in a structured society. They illustrate on the most basic levels how the emotions that define personal relationships fit into a rule driven world. It is possible that readers will see something of themselves in a character or story, or perhaps the same regarding someone they know. The tales illustrate on the most fundamental of levels and in the most diverse of circumstances the helplessness of the innocence in both personal and titles relationships.

Innocence Lost

Literature & Fiction

Short Stories & Anthologies

The 1920's in America was a time of great change. The 20's are often referred to as "The Roaring Twenties". Indeed, it was a time when these changes make certain aspects of American society a bit loud. However, the noise from "talkies" , movies, the radio, scandalous fashions for women and other political, scientific and social happenings were not the only sounds of the incredibly interesting decade. For many women, it brought a new level of freedom that sang its own sweet song. My Diary is an illustration of the lyrics this sweet song change. It is a moment-in-time peek into the lines of four happy, carefree young women. The diary describes the delightful few weeks they spent cruising and then touring Western Europe. These young women, Marguerite Wilhelmina Vanderclock, who kept the diary and her three friends were recent college graduates. It is a humorous, interesting, fascinating look at the hopes and values that reveals far more than intended.

My Diary: The Most Exciting Time Of My Life

Vanderclock, Marguerite W.

Memoirs

Eddies' Story is one story of Helen and Eddie who share both professional and personal relationships. It tells of what brought them together and what happened to each as a result. Helen was a mature woman whose family connection got her a job a top investment firm. All too soon her return percentages fell well below market averages. The partners told her that if there weren't improvements she would be terminated. Then Eddie arrived. He was young, brilliant , small town boy who graduated with honors. This was his first job. His giftedness soon became apparent, as his star rose, Helen's fell. He was a threat to her future. She devised a plan that would eliminate this threat. Eddie's Story tells how the plan was implemented and the results.

Eddie's Story

"Goodbye, Spidee Idee” is about a spider who appears in Carly’s bathtub drain (the narrator), and the lovely friendship that blossoms. As Spidee tries to prepare Carly for Spidee’s eventual demise, Carly must develop a way to accept and explain how to deal with the sadness of loss.

Goodbye, Spidee Idee

Tendick, Anita

Parenting & Relationships

We’ve all heard them – unexplained noises in the night. Some loud, some soft; some near, some further away in another part of the house, or even outside. They either awaken us, or they keep us awake, as we try to answer the proverbial question: “WHAT’S THAT NOISE???!!!”I call them Creakits, and I have written this story in their honor.The child in the story, Alex, is visiting his grandmother and hears scary, unfamiliar noises. Alex's wise grandmother (that would be me!), explains the concept of Creakits, and thus the story, “The Creakits,” was born.

The Creakits

Children's Books

Activities, Crafts & Games

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the University of Arizona Libraries publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by University of Arizona Libraries