With this book, J.H. Soeder continues his tradition of amazing his readers with gems plucked from his grab-basket of very out-of-the-ordinary true experiences. Who ever heard of a heartwarming, belly-laugh-provoking, reality-stretching, conscience-pricking, stereotype-busting true ghost story about a 150-year-old African American nanny ... who slept in the author's and his wife's bedroom closet and promised not to "peek"? Who ever heard of a pious ghost who turned on a bone-chilling deep freeze whenever you tried to turn on the TV, yet who had such insatiable curiosity about the modern world and its other marvels that she rode to work with you and plied you with nonstop questions-in front of your boss? Better yet, who ever heard of a ghost nanny who could get your very real children to behave-indeed, completely turn their demeanor around overnight? Surely not I, before I began reading this amazing ghost story from J.H. Soeder. Shades of Nanny McPhee! With this little book you are in for a ride at the same time hilarious and poignant-and you will hear a tale scarcely believable, yet from a talented author known for his sincerity and dedication to sharing truth about spiritual matters, not to mention his sensitivity to the communications of the animal world. It would be inconsiderate of me to include any more of what are commonly called "spoilers" in this foreword, so I won't. But I will mention one other important fact: Haddie's mannerisms and language are not the author's invention, but his best effort to replicate the speech of this African woman who lived and died a slave in the American South of the middle 1800s. This should never, ever be considered an attempt to stereotype, for her language and personality were pure expressions of her spirit. This is the story of an irrepressible ghost named Haddie, who, with the help of her new friend Jon, found ways both to enrich and enliven his and his wife's lives and make things better for others in a world she was unable to physically touch. This story will bring a few tears to your eye, but more than that it will make you laugh, and it will make you stop and marvel at the miracle and wonder that is life.
About the Author: Jon Soeder has in many ways lived many lives, all in one lifetime. A resident of Southern California since birth, except for his studies at the University of Miami in Florida, he initially intended to become a marine biologist. The story of how he arrived at a different calling is revealed in one of his stories of amazing sequential events which are described in Fingers in the Light. These events led to his decision to become a fine artist and commercial graphic designer-a profession that became lifelong. During the 1970's Jon also participated in a 9,500 mile run marathon, called "Liberty Torch" in which he placed a foot in each of the continental United States. He also taught math and coached swimming at a private school in Florida, and worked as a missionary in his church, as well as having traveled the world. But the external biographical facts don't necessarily reflect a person's inner life or what is most important. Jon's real story is about his quest to understand his true path and his place in life in relation to his amazing experiences of divine guidance and his God-given gifts and abilities. This quest and all that he has learned through his experiences is now being told for the first time in his books. Jon's love for and advocacy of marine mammals continues, as does his sensitivity to the natural world and its creatures. These avocations are explored in True Tails, which was his first autobiographical book and centers around his gift of coherent two-way communication with animals and other many-legged creatures. He also works for the preservation of marine mammals-his gently persuasive and rational arguments for ending the killing of whales and other sentient marine creatures are expressed in his popular website blog, The Whale People (www.thewhalepeople.com). And although his first books are of a non-fiction nature, Jon has begun working on a five series, science fiction adventure called "A Tin Can for Christmas." The first volume he plans to release on Christmas of 2011 - watch for it! His author website: jhsoeder.com also has links to his short stories, both fiction and non-fiction. Jon's graphic design company, Soeder Designs, Inc. is located in Port Hueneme, California (website: www.jonsoeder.com), and Jon lives with his family in Ventura County. His books are widely available in softcover and e-book format. You can follow Jon on Twitter or Facebook.