A loving husband finds his life cut tragically short. A lovelorn schoolteacher finds unexpected passion in stories she "red-pens." A down-and-out writer takes a chance on a dream. With humor, heart, and beautifully crafted prose, Dreams From the Heart is a collection of short stories by C.R. Sturgill that offers a fresh male perspective on love, romance, family, and hope. Anyone who has been in love, or seeks love, will find a treasure trove of compassion and tender expressions of emotion in this shimmering collection, whether he or she is single, married, separated, divorced, happy, or grieving. Brimming with positive, uplifting messages, the book was created to inspire hope by revealing the infinite capacity for love in the human experience. Each contribution features a distinctly different plot, original characters, and a diverse writing style. Topics covered include romantic love, family, and related aspects that resonate with emotion. The stories underscore how love takes work, especially when raising a family. Couples need to pay attention to, and take time for, each other, in addition to their careers and children. It is also never too late to rekindle a love grown cold. The author had planned to publish the collection in 2011 and give to his mother, Janet Sturgill, as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away before he could fulfill that dream. Now, he is publishing the book in tribute to her, and her love and support, and to help raise money to fight the disease that took her life. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the book will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in his mother's name. The donation tracking website is http: //www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/janetsturgill.