Ray Wiseman's Professional and Personal Site

This anthology by 30 Canadian authors, all members of The Word Guild, appeared early in 2008.

What will you find in it? A middle-aged woman wakes up to discover her husband lying dead beside her in the Australian outback. A young doctor questions God's will after losing his devout grandmother to breast cancer. A lonely waitress stuck in a small town wonders how God could possibly use her. A missionary in Africa, dedicated to serving God, has a horrific car accident that leaves him brain damaged. A shy twelve-year-old girl struggles with the idea that God wants her to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper telling people God loves them.

In every instance these ordinary people discovered that God was waiting to dry their tears and help them see His plan for their lives--a plan where good eventually emerged from the hurt and confusion. Hot Apple Cider is an inspirational anthology by 30 Canadian authors who are Christian, including Carolyn Arends, Keith Clemons, Grace Fox, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Denyse O'Leary, Don Ranney and Ray Wiseman. The thought-provoking and honest accounts in this book will stir your heart and warm your soul. So unwind with a copy of Hot Apple Cider, and let the stories surprise you, make you laugh, and inspire you.

Originally written as newspaper columns for seniors, readers from seven to 100 appreciate this book on aging filled with insight and humour. Aunt Harri deals with surrendering a driver's licence, selling a home, dispersing her personal belongings, selecting a retirement home, and living with others. She overcomes loneliness, age discrimination, blindness, and illness--then faces death with faith and courage.

A former editor, Valerie Hill, said: I loved Wiseman's stories of Aunt Harri when they first appeared in the Seniors Magazine. When I re-read them, I realized how much the feisty oldster had insinuated herself into my life. In this book Aunt Harri and Bert give us their curmudgeonly wise view on life.

Editor, John Baptist, said: Our magazine readers loved Aunt Harri! So did I, for her message touched a nerve at a time of decision making. Anyone seriously considering a change in living accommodations for elderly parents or friends should read Aunt Harri Walks the Line.

This autobiographical account covers the years from 1936 to 1949. During those years the winter temperatures dipped to minus 40 and 60 degrees, freezing the water in the bedroom wash basins. In the summer the sun scorched the prairies and vicious dust storms blackened the sky and moved buildings off their foundations. Poverty reached extreme depths; we lived from the yield our gardens and barns. And then things changed--conditions got worse when mental illness struck.

David Beattie, historian and poet, said of this book: A Difficult Passage overflows with adventure, adversity, courage, and compassion. The author provides illustrated images of trials, tragedies and triumphs interspersed with stress and humorous happenings experienced during his boyhood. Ray Wiseman, in a humble, heart-felt and homespun manner, presents a picturesque portrayal of life on a prairie farmstead.