The Search for Christian America


Mark A. Noll - 1983
    and calling for its recovery. Through careful historical and contemporary analysis, the authors address such issues as: how much Christian action is required to make a whole society Christian; Puritan New England as case study; Christian principles vs. baptised ideology in the Revolutionary period; the stumbling block of incorrect views of America's history for effective Christian involvement in critical public issues; the relationship of Christian convictions to political or social agendas; learning to think historically as a guard against shortsighted or simplistic approaches. Ample footnotes and a bibliographical essay make this volume a helpful reference tool for further study of the Christian nation debate and related issues. Mark A. Noll is Professor of History at Wheaton College. George M. Marsden is Professor of the History at University of Notre Dame. Nathan O. Hatch is President of Wake Forest University.

Mommy Man: How I Went from Mild-Mannered Geek to Gay Superdad


Jerry Mahoney - 2014
    Hey, why not? It seemed much more attainable and fulfilling than the alternative coming out of the closet and making peace with the fact that he d never have a family at all. Twenty years later, Jerry is living with his long-term boyfriend, Drew, and they re ready to take the plunge into parenthood. But how? Adoption? Foster parenting? Kidnapping? What they want most of all is a great story to tell their future kid about where he or she came from. Their search leads them to gestational surrogacy, a road less traveled where they ll be borrowing a stranger’s ladyparts for nine months. Thus begins Jerry and Drew s hilarious and unexpected journey to daddyhood. From then on, they re in uncharted waters. They’re forced to face down homophobic baby store clerks, a hospital that doesn t know what to do with them, even members of their own family who think what they’re doing is a little nutty. One thing’s for sure. If this all works out, they re going to have an incredible birth story to tell their kid. With honesty, emotion, and laugh-out-loud humor, Jerry Mahoney ponders what it means to become a Mommy Man . . . and discovers that the answer is as varied and beautiful as the concept of family itself."

An Unexpected Treasure


Natalie Dean - 2018
    marshal. On the way to Cypress Creek, Texas to meet her intended, Louise Settelmeyer is in for a shock when her stagecoach is attacked by bandits. When the robbery is stopped by men from the U.S. Marshals Service, Louise has no choice but to rely on the escort of a cocky and childish deputy marshal, Andy Fulton. Upon reaching town, Louise is in for yet another shock when she discovers that her intended was none other than the man robbing her stagecoach. Deputy U.S. Marshal Andy Fulton can’t leave the beautiful woman he rescued at the stagecoach station without provision. He’s a man of integrity and, therefore, must do something to help—even if the woman won’t laugh at his jokes and insists she’s got everything under control. Unfortunately, he’s seen firsthand what happens to a woman on her own in the West and decides to intervene on Louise’s behalf, helping her obtain a position at the local hotel. Things seem to be going fine until Louise becomes a target for criminals in town and finds herself in need of rescue more than once. The dangers don’t stop there, as Louise realizes that seeing her handsome rescuer every day is putting her heart in danger of growing more attached than she’d like. Will Andy be able to rescue Louise, yet again—and learn to risk his heart in the process? And will they uncover the truth behind why outlaws are tracking Louise down? Only time, a little good humor, and a dollop of boldness will tell. . . Author’s Note: An Unexpected Treasure, Marrying a Marshal Book One is a PG-rated Western Romance short story of about seventy-five pages with plenty of Old West action and romance. There will be three more stories to follow this one, each of about 150 pages long, so if you like this one, and I’m sure you will, there’ll be some longer books to follow! This is also part of the Hero Hearts series which is a larger multi-author series about men who love, honor, and protect their families, all while having faith in God! Brought to you by Annie Boone, Kate Cambridge, Terri Grace, Misty Shae, Cat McGill, Hayley Wescott, and Natalie Dean! Enjoy!

Rory's Fortune


Catherine Cookson - 1972
    Whatever happens, nobody must know what you are carrying…’Life changes overnight for fifteen-year-old Rory McAlister, an apprentice wheelwright, when his master, John Cornwallis, who had been kind to Rory and his poverty-stricken family, is injured in an accident and asks Rory to take his place on a vital errand.With a secret letter hidden under a patch on his shirt, Rory travels south to meet the sinister Miss Bluett – who sends him off on a terrifying voyage across the seas to Jersey. But what is the mysterious ‘blue baccy’ he is to carry home? And why is it so important that they can only come for it by night? Plunged into terrible danger, Rory’s very life is suddenly at stake as he finds himself caught up in the dangerous world of smuggling.Set in the mid-nineteenth century, Rory’s Fortune is a dramatic and action-packed tale of one young man remaining loyal to his master only to find his life changed forever.

The Roots of Desire: The Myth, Meaning, and Sexual Power of Red Hair


Marion Roach - 2005
    From Judas Iscariot to Botticelli's Venus to Julianne Moore, redheads have been worshipped, idealized, fetishized, feared, and condemned, leaving their mark on us and our culture. Such is the power of what is actually a genetic mutation, and in The Roots of Desire, Marion Roach takes a fascinating look at the science behind hair color and the roles redheads have played over time. She discovers that in Greek mythology, redheads become vampires after they die; Hitler banned intermarriage with redheads for fear of producing deviant offspring; women with red hair were burned as witches during the Inquisition; in Hollywood, female redheads are considered sexy while male redheads are considered a hard sell; and in the nineteenth century, it was popular belief that redheads were the strongest scented of all women, smelling of amber and violets. Redheads have been stereotyped, marginalized, sought after, and made to function as everything from a political statement to a symbol of human carnality. A redhead herself, Roach brings candor and brilliant insight to the complicated and revealing history of redheads, making this a stand-out narrative and an essential tool in understanding the mechanics and phenomenon of red hair.

The Monsoon Murders


Karan Parmanandka - 2016
    The twist in the tale comes with themurder of a well-known man in the Mumbai finance circle. Roy is hired bythe self made tycoon Jayesh Kumar to probe the case. While Roy isexcited at the chance at redemption, he fails to understand why hebecame the chosen one.What looks at first an open and shut case, quite rapidly evolves into a taleof deceit and revenge. Roy must take care not to fall for the suspect, andnot to see things as they appear. As his personal life gets tied to thesuccess of the case, the question becomes, not whether he can havefaith in strangers, but whether he can trust his friends.Inspired from real life cases, The Monsoon Murders is afast-paced detective novel, taking the Indian crime fiction genre tomysterious depths.

Hope's Crossing Collection Volume 1: An Anthology


RaeAnne Thayne - 2018
    But when her friend’s sexy brother, Riley McKnight, is suddenly looking at her in a new light, Claire realizes that her life needs to change—and that the handsome younger police officer may be just the ticket! Woodrose Mountain Occupational therapist Evie Blanchard is recovering from an emotional year—and she’s vowed not to work again. But self-made millionaire and single dad Brodie Thorne has vowed to do whatever it takes to help his daughter, Taryn, recover from the accident that left Hope’s Crossing in crisis. And with laughter, courage and more than a little help from the kindhearted people of Hope’s Crossing, Taryn may get the healing she deserves—and Evie and Brodie might just find a love they could never have imagined. Sweet Laurel Falls Maura McKnight-Parker finds she cannot escape the past. Still reeling from one loss, she is stunned at the reappearance of her older daughter, Sage—and Jackson Lange, her first love. Jackson never knew she was pregnant when he fled Hope’s Crossing all those years ago—but he never forgot Maura. This fragile family has secrets aplenty, but Maura and Jackson—and Sage—have to face up to them to find the bright future that awaits them. Currant Creek Valley Workaholic chef Alexandra McKnight doesn’t need a serious relationship, she’s just been offered her dream job at an exclusive new restaurant being built in town. The construction foreman building the new kitchen, Sam Delgado, seems perfect for a fling, but the single dad wants more than she can give. Now it’s up to him to help Alex see that, no matter what happened in her past, they can build a bright future together

Sisters of Mercy


Andrew Puckett - 2014
     Sister Josephine Farewell has suspicions about the deaths on her ward. As another patient dies unexpectedly, Sister Farewell begins to suspect that a serial killer is at work in the Intensive Therapy Unit. After reporting her fears to the police, Home Office investigator Tom Jones enlists Jo’s help in his undercover operation. Jones is not convinced that the deaths are random. But what is the link? As Jones and Sister Farewell investigate they find sinister connections between the patients that lead them into a world of religious fanaticism and cold-blooded manipulation… ‘Sisters of Mercy’ is a chilling medical thriller. Praise for Andrew Puckett: ‘If medical mysteries are what keep you glued to your fireside chair… then look no further. Puckett, something of a master of the genre, has penned a cracker’ - Western Daily Press ‘a thoroughly well-worked mystery’ - Oxford Times ‘an interesting story with a very plausible plot and frightening overtones’ - Mystery News ‘A terrifying scenario made all the more chillingly believable by its similarities to real life situations’ - The Southern Daily Echo ‘the best thing about it is its remarkable feeling of authenticity’ - Birmingham Post Andrew Puckett worked in the NHS for twenty one years, fifteen of them as microbiologist for the Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre, before turning to writing and teaching. He has also written ‘Death Before Time’. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

Soul Obsession: When God's Primary Pursuit Becomes Your Life's Driving Passion


Nicky Cruz - 2005
    To truly know God, this must become our life’s driving desire as well… our Soul Obsession. And when we fall obediently in step with God, we’ll see Him perform miracles through us to rescue people and give them new life.In his powerful new book, internationally known author Nicky Cruz shares powerful personal stories of faithful obedience, even in the midst of difficult circumstances–including the amazing story of his mother’s deathbed conversion and healing. You, too, can move past doubts, understand both the natural and supernatural worlds, and develop a faith that can move any mountain, no matter how high or wide or difficult.“Do we truly understand the power we have at our fingertips? Do we grasp the significance of the message that we bring to a lost world? Do we comprehend how easily evil can be beaten and revoked by simply opening ourselves up to the moving of the Holy Spirit among us? Do we know what God is capable of doing among us?“If you want to change the world, begin by letting God change you. By letting the passion of Jesus become your passion. By letting the Holy Spirit be your only guide and mentor, every step, every minute of the day. By allowing God to set your heart on fire with a Soul Obsession!”–Nicky Cruz

The Sword Master


I.J. Parker - 2012
    Even the selfless physician who saves him cannot soften the boy's hardened spirit. Angry with the world and desiring vengeance against those who caused his parents' suicides, Hachiro feels rejection almost everywhere and reacts in kind. This anger he forges into an amazing skill with a sword. He becomes the most famous swordsman in the city. Many deaths are due to Hachiro’s reputation, until he seeks solitude and redemption by leaving the capital.The love of women proves even less kind than the cut of a sword. His obsession with a forbidden passion forces Hachiro to join the war between two powerful clans where he finds another dangerous woman and treachery.When at last he returns home, he finds Kyoto in ruin and his beloved master dead. In the midst of the tragedy of this ravaged city, he discovers his redemption, something he had given up hoping for. But first he must face the danger of losing all when a secret enemy sets his trap.

Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal


Ian Christe - 2003
    Contrary to popular belief, headbangers and the music they love are more alive than ever. Yet there has never been a comprehensive book on the history of heavy metal - until now. Featuring interviews with members of the biggest bands in the genre, Sound of the Beast gives an overview of the past 30-plus years of heavy metal, delving into the personalities of those who created it. Everything is here, from the bootlegging beginnings of fans like Lars Ulrich (future founder of Metallica) to the sold-out stadiums and personal excesses of the biggest groups. From heavy metal's roots in the work of breakthrough groups such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to MTV hair metal, courtroom controversies, black metal murderers and Ozzfest, Sound of the Beast offers the final word on this elusive, extreme, and far-reaching form of music.

The Anthropology of Performance


Victor Turner - 1993
    One of his last writings, "Body, Brain, and Culture" links cerebral neurology and anthropology studies in a fascinating interface.

Surviving the Fall


Stephen Cross - 2016
    Mac, an old landlord who locks down his pub with his wife and a few boozy locals to ride the coming zombie storm. Sergeant Allen finds himself fighting not only the undead, but also his conscience as the army goes rogue. Harriet becomes lost in the suburbs, now a dark, empty and sinister land. Sarah must escape from the channel tunnel when her train stops midway, a zombie on-board. Chris, a small town drug dealer and big time loser who takes on the council estate's undead once the apocalypse threatens his beloved Gran. Captain Andy Bracknell, whose holiday flight from Spain becomes death at 30,000 feet when a passenger goes full zombie. Dr Grace, a virologist in a secret underground research Facility that threatens to become her underground tomb when one of the research samples gets flesh fever.Would you Survive the Fall?

The Jaidyn Leskie Murder


Michael Gleeson - 1999
    the case involved a subculture which is stranger than fiction - a place where your mother could also be your aunt, where revenge was sought in a pig?head thrown through a window, and where the main suspect?obsession with aliens was not considered unusual. Greg Domaszewicz, the boyfriend of Jaidyn?mother Bilynda was tried for Jaidyn?murder. Contains detailed interviews with Jaidyn?parents, Domaszewicz?former lover and his friends (who all turned police informers virtually from day one). the author was granted unprecedented access to police diaries and files.

Deer Hunting with Jesus: Dispatches from America's Class War


Joe Bageant - 2007
    Bush to victory. That was ironic, because Winchester, like countless American small towns, is fast becoming the bedrock of a permanent underclass. Two in five of the people in his old neighborhood do not have high school diplomas. Nearly everyone over fifty has serious health problems, and many have no health care. Credit ratings are low or nonexistent, and alcohol, overeating, and Jesus are the preferred avenues of escape.A raucous mix of storytelling and political commentary, Deer Hunting with Jesus is Bageant's report on what he learned by coming home. He writes of his childhood friends who work at factory jobs that are constantly on the verge of being outsourced; the mortgage and credit card rackets that saddle the working poor with debt, i.e., white trashonomics; the ubiquitous gun culture”and why the left doesn't get it; Scots Irish culture and how it played out in the young life of Lynddie England; and the blinkered magical thinking of the Christian right. (Bageant's brother is a Baptist pastor who casts out demons.) What it adds up to, he asserts, is an unacknowledged class war. By turns brutal, tender, incendiary, and seriously funny, this book is a call to arms for fellow progressives with little real understanding of the great beery, NASCAR-loving, church-going, gun-owning America that has never set foot in a Starbucks.Deer Hunting with Jesus is a potent antidote to what Bageant dubs the "American hologram" the televised, corporatized virtual reality that distracts us from the insidious realities of American life.