Sarah Gray Boeken

In Urban Creatures, Sarah Gray's short stories shift from the unsettling to the surreal to the frightening, all cut through with her characteristic black humor. Urban survival makes creatures of us all.

"A donor mother's powerful memoir of grief and rebirth that is also a fascinating medical science whodunit, taking us inside the world of organ, eye, tissue, and blood donation and cutting-edge scientific research. When Sarah Gray received the devastating news that her unborn son Thomas was diagnosed with anencephaly, a terminal condition, she decided she wanted his death--and life--to have meaning. In the weeks before she gave birth to her twin sons in 2010, she arranged to donate Thomas's organs. Due to his low birth weight, they would go to research rather than transplant. As transplant donors have the opportunity to meet recipients, Sarah wanted to know how Thomas's donation would be used. That curiosity fueled a scientific odyssey that leads Sarah to some of the most prestigious scientific facilities in the country, including Harvard, Duke, and the University of Pennsylvania. Pulling back the curtain of protocol and confidentiality, she introduces the researchers who received Thomas's donations, held his liver in their hands, studied his cells under the microscope. Sarah's journey to find solace and understanding takes her beyond her son's donations--offering a breathtaking overview of the world of medical research and the valiant scientists on the horizon of discovery. She goes behind the scenes at organ procurement organizations, introducing skilled technicians for whom death means saving lives, empathetic counselors, and the brilliant minds who are finding surprising and inventive ways to treat and cure disease through these donations. She also shares the moving stories of other donor families. A Life Everlasting is an unforgettable testament to hope, a tribute to life and discovery, and a portrait of unsung heroes pushing the boundaries of medical science for the benefit of all humanity"-- Provided by publisher

Heathcliff, a young orphan brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw, has a complex background: his mother was a gypsy who fought vampires, while his father was one. This intriguing heritage sets the stage for the unfolding drama at the manor.

Faye Collins grapples with her past when she learns that her former abuser, Doctor Edward Vogel, is terminally ill. As a high school administrator and mother, she faces the dilemma of confronting or forgiving him for the abuse she suffered at 17. The narrative explores themes of trauma, consent, accountability, and mercy, as Faye navigates her feelings and the complexities of their shared history. This encounter at Vogel's bedside could offer a chance for redemption, challenging Faye's beliefs and shaping her approach to the new generation she influences.