That pretty much describes the writing of Jean Hull Herman. Of course, one could add compassionate, intuitive, and joyous to the list of adjectives that have been used to characterize Jean's approach to poetry as well as fiction.

Jean's latest book is a novel entitled When I'm Calling You: A Happy Ending for Hollywood's Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy. It is the story of a beautiful angelic movie star and her famous charismatic lover enmeshed in a love story as old as time – alongside the likes of Romeo and Juliet, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, and Tristan and Isolde.

The place is Hollywood and the time is the 1930s when the country was in the midst of licentiousness, poverty, and the making of fortunes, and studios were absolutely controlling their stars' lives. What is true and what is rumor or outright lies? Who knows? But, in real life, it all ended badly and sadly.

However, Jean felt strongly for these two fiery paramours, sympathized so completely with them that she was compelled to write the story that should have been theirs. The ending is magnificent – and wildly imaginative. Absolutely satisfying. A real page-turner and one that places you smack dab in the middle of the world of movies. Click here to read selections from this book.

Greek literature includes many stories of murder, incest, lust and longing lovers, occasional flashes of wisdom, and how storytelling and writing began. Among other things. Greek literature is the basis of our western literature. Its thoughts inspire ours today. And, every day, one, two, or three stories from Bulfinch's Mythology - our collection of these stories - is played out on television – on the Jerry Springer Show. Yup, Jerry Springer, the show that's been on TV for seventeen years that nobody watches.

Wife catches husband with some gorgeous girl (Hera/Zeus/any beautiful mortal). Husband abandons wife who has left her homeland and family for him and she certainly gets even with him! (Jason and Medea). Odd couples. Odd people. Who's your daddy? And all these topics are strung together in poems, set in chapters on the development of Grecian civilization, and relevance to the modern world.

There's an introduction in each chapter, then the poem and next a commentary that includes history, philosophy, cosmology, sociology, psychology, and even ethics. The follow-up includes Internet sites and suggestions for further exploration. No extra books needed. Just bring an open mind to one of the most unusual books you will ever enjoy. (And no bad words! Your children can read it.) Click here to read a chapter from this book.

Poems suitable for your dog, your cat, your Loch Ness monster. We've got red Cadillacs, woolly mammoths, Lochinvar, and Ray Charles. And heavenly bridge players, too. After seeing her poems published in a variety of venues over the years, Jean at last published a collection of her poetry in 2002. She chose the title Starving for the Marvelous for her first book because "we are in a world of people desperate for happiness and hope, for heroes and marvels. We have a commonality, we humans, in that we turn to poetry to explain love, loss, and hope. Everybody knows somebody who writes poetry!"

She requires only humor, wit, and intelligence for herself as writer and gives them to her reader in her poetry.   Click here to read selections from this book.