Fiction: mystery, humour, and Magnolia Bluff.

  In Book 6 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, an elusive and sadistic murderer emerges to terrorize the faculty and students of Burnet College. Suspicion falls on Dr. Michael Kurelek, clinical psychologist and archer. Tormented by grief, and a secret that could destroy his academic standing, he is determined to turn the tables. Someone in Magnolia Bluff is killing without remorse, but Kurelek is now the hunter. 

 In Book 14 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, Dr. Michael Kurelek is caught unawares when his father appears in Magnolia Bluff, just released from sniper duty in Ukraine. When a stranger turns up dead shortly after, shot through the heart in a field outside of town, Mike needs to act. His investigation will place him in the sights of a deadly adversary. Everyone has a secret, but someone is killing psychologists, and Michael Kurelek could be next on the list.  

Book 28 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles.  When clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Kurelek’s elderly best friend is savagely beaten in a home invasion, rage pushes him to the limits of his emotional control. After nearly choking a woman abuser to death in O’Garas bar, he turns his attention back to the new students at Burnet College, and his pregnant wife, Sue. But his anger – and the sociopathic attackers – don’t go away. Locked out of the investigation by the Magnolia Bluff police department; Mike goes rogue, enlisting the help of friends, family, and two troubled young women with their own reason for vengeance. 

 Chris Allard, disgraced Toronto social worker, finds work in a remote northwestern Ontario community. He is quickly embroiled in a series of murders that tax his marriage, challenge his sanity, and put him in grave peril. Unique in style, locale and characterization (and surprisingly funny) the Death in Sioux Lookout Trilogy will thrill mystery readers, or anyone familiar with the desolate beauty of the boreal 

When all hell is breaking loose call on Tony Price: vodka soaked social worker and paranormal detective:

Scarborough: Confidential

Sioux Lookout: Confidential

Kingston: Confidential

 A farmer is murdered in 1809.
A secret plasma weapon is accidentally discharged in 1999.
And, in the summer of 2017, post-doctoral researcher Courtney Snow is hired into the ichthyology lab of Dr. Fredriche Messi.
Located at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Messi – brilliant scientist and dedicated stoner - is the leading authority on control of Petromyzon marinus – the sea lamprey.
When a Queens student is savagely killed by an unknown serpentine monster, Courtney is thrust into an escalating series of events that may result in the extinction of the human race.
Though intelligent and dauntless, shadowy forces are conspiring against her success. But she has a unique advantage; the ability to see and communicate with the dead.
Set on the Queens campus, Lake Ontario, and Lemoine Point conservation area; in Herkimer’s Nose award winning indie author Richard Schwindt has - again - fashioned eccentric characters and multiple genres into a techno-thriller, monster story, ghost story, love story and comic novella.
Be prepared for amusing banter, cartoonish violence, puerile sexual innuendo and swearing. 

 It’s all rum, sun, and fun until somebody gets murdered. Two couples in late middle age take an all-inclusive vacation in the Dominican Republic. What could be more ordinary than that? Not much, unless the group includes social workers, Chris Allard and Tony Price. An idyllic getaway is soon disrupted by the unexpected death of an old acquaintance. The Dominican National Police dismiss it as an accident but Chris won’t let go. Chris and Tony, aided by their long suffering wives, investigate a malignant evil that hides in plain sight. And it doesn’t take long before they find themselves at grave risk. Help is coming from some unexpected places but will it be in time? A Killing in Samana is a story of deception, ghosts, and large glasses of rum; bringing together a familiar cast of characters in a dark and funny murder mystery. 

 Melanie Moon in love during a lost summer in Wasaga beach... Miranda Crane through the eyes of those who lose her... A young Bay Street trader who finds his soul with the help of a boy, a dog and a ghost on the winter streets of Sioux Lookout, and Joshua McKay who stands up against an abusive Residential School priest in 1966... Finally, one hundred years in the life of a divided family and ... a teacup. These atmospheric stories of love and loss in Northern Ontario are written with compassion and an eye for the beauty of the boreal backdrop. 

One of the best selling books ever written on recovery from workplace aggression. Also available in paperback, audiobook,and Spanish language ebook. 

A guide for therapists addressing the complex issues unique to workplace mobbing. 

Practical advice on addressing anxiety when it arises in day to day life.

The disclosure of an affair is a major emotional crisis in the life of a couple. This is a clear step by step approach to saving your marriage.

Congenital Heart Disease is the most common birth defect. This is a guide for everyone who cares about CHD: patients, families, and spouses. How to live your best life, no matter the challenges posed.

 There are few more difficult tasks than raising a troubled child: toddler, teen or young adult. For parents it can mean sleepless nights, endless fear, conflict with school staff, and exposure to human service workers and the legal system.
It pressures your relationships and work life, often leaving you overwhelmed, in a continuing crisis.
Whether due to behavioral, emotional or developmental issues, mental illness or addiction, their pain puts you at the centre of a storm that threatens your way of life.
Award winning writer, Richard Schwindt M.S.W., R.S.W. has been a working therapist for thirty-five years. He has written this book for you – mom, dad, stepmom, stepdad: how to manage yourself in the midst of a child’s struggle.

  Written by an experienced marital therapist, Emotional Recovery from a Troubled Marriage provides help understanding: The normal problems that accompany life stages How successful couples address health and mental health issues How to accept your partner’s humanity and put them first The importance of recreational activity and time for you. Problems with sex and intimacy When to bite your tongue and how to get comfortable with awkward Issues with children, extended family, and second (or third) marriages The emergency created by spousal abuse When to leave a marriage Where to find helpful resources There are excellent, more academic books on marriage but Richard Schwindt M.S.W., R.S.W. provides a place to start your recovery. The Emotional Recovery from… series; practical help when you need it.

The breakdown of a marriage can be overwhelming; involving a complex array of emotional and instrumental tasks. Emotional Recovery from Marital Separation gets you started, with an overview of the issues associated with separation and divorce. Richard Schwindt is a working therapist with more than thirty years of experience. He gives direct advice for helping your children, becoming a stepparent, managing your emotions, seeking help, reengaging in the sexual marketplace and maintaining your health. From the author of Emotional Recovery from an Affair this book provides straightforward assistance to men and women facing the crisis of marital separation. 

  With an unsolicited, preemptive strike, Richard Schwindt, author of Social Work for Fun and Profit has turned his attention to everything watercolor. In a torrent of cheap shots, mean spirited digs, unfair characterizations, and the occasional helpful tip, he has fashioned a devil’s dictionary of the “watercolor-industrial complex” you never knew existed. Adopting the persona of an embittered, potty-mouthed retiree and amateur painter, Schwindt launches a mad rant in full attack mode, starting with Albrecht Dürer: “An early proponent of making ordinary people feel stupid…” He recklessly moves forward, addressing everything from brushes: “Like political prisoners and unidentified cadavers, most are assigned numbers.” To the color wheel: “…green … it’s leering across the wheel, like a stalker released from detention, desperate to penetrate the red. It just knows they belong together.” And the colour purple: “Approaching a purple painting at an art exhibition, I am unconsciously patting pockets for Prozac.” Eccentric, irreverent and always hilarious, Weasel and Rag is written for every hobbyist who has ever managed frustration with laughter.

 Life comes with problems – minor, major, sometimes life threatening. Faced with these dilemmas, people turn to friends for support and advice. When your friend breaks up with a partner or fights anxiety, do you know what to say? If they are suicidal or being abused, do you know what to do? Richard Schwindt is an award winning writer, and social worker, who has spent 35 years helping people in crisis. He offers direct assistance to the caring friend who wants to do the right thing.
How to talk to a distressed person.
When a friend offers the best help.
When professional help is required.
When to talk – and when to act.
Set boundaries that keep you safe.
Recognize when you are over your head.
How to support your friend through illness, mental illness, addiction, trauma, break ups, and other struggles.

 Should drinking only be a pastime for the well to do? Do unintended consequences follow exorbitant pricing and taxation on your favorite beer, wine and liquor? Home wine maker Richard Schwindt believes most people can safely make a quality product in their home, using inexpensive equipment, and easily available raw materials. Funny, focused, and always practical, Richard is an award-winning author of more than 30 books. He provides all the information you need to make affordable beer, wine and liquor at home.