Patriots and Rebels is a true story, imagined, set in the years 1863-65. In it we encounter the stark reality of patriotism and rebellion played out in the words, thoughts, experiences and emotions of Thomas Files and his fourteen-year-old daughter Mary Francis. Born and raised in the hill country of north Alabama, Tom is determined to defend the United States of America as his ancestors had done in 1776. His strong sense of patriotic loyalty places him and his family in situations of profound conflict and danger. After Tom's one-year enlistment with the First Alabama Cavalry, United States Volunteers, his return home would place him and his family in great jeopardy. For two years he seeks safety and finds adventure in the wide-ranging company of Northern compatriots. These adventures place him in positions to experience some of the most interesting minor and major events near the end of the war in the Deep South. Among these are Streight's Mule Brigade, General Nathan Bedfort Forrest's Fort Pillow Massacre, the Battle of Nashville (depicted on the cover) and heavy handed Federal military rule in Kentucky. He is captured by General John Bell Hood's troops near Nashville, from whom he escapes only to be arrested by Union forces at Decatur, Alabama on suspicion of being a Confederate spy. Meanwhile, Fannie, her little sisters and mother struggle to survive under dire circumstances of persecution, isolation and hostility. In different ways and circumstances all of them come to grips with what it means to be a patriot or a rebel, or both, and endure the consequences of well-meant plans gone awry. Patriots and Rebels is based on the actual records of real people, as found in the National Archives and published biographical sketches. There were at least a hundred thousand men like Tom Files - white Southerners fighting for the Union -- from every Confederate state except South Carolina. Their story has been largely neglected, particularly in historical fiction.

Marriage and families are becoming increasingly complex. No longer can any of us speak with simplicity about what a "typical" family is like, now that our vocabulary includes words like "single parent," "blended," and "multi-faith." "Inerfaith Families" is a brief, usable book designed for ministers and priests to use with congregants who are entering into, or are already in, an interchurch (Reformed-Catholic) marriage. It can also be useful for laity involved in interchurch families.