Meet Christina Aguilera through a thorough and honest portrayal of her life and career and the things that have influenced both. Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search when she was eight years old and hasn't stopped performing since. Christina Aguilera: A Biography traces the life and career of this exceptional performer, looking also at the historical, political, and philosophical influences that have affected and motivated her. Readers will learn about the little girl who used music to drown the horrors of domestic abuse, about the young television star who wowed audiences with a voice that spanned four octaves, and, of course, about the wildly successful artist of today. Offering a complete and balanced portrayal, the book begins with Aguilera's childhood and ends with her current activities. It discusses early influences on her music, her father's role in fostering her interests, her evolution from squeaky-clean singer to sexy siren, and her maturation as a performer. In addition, readers will learn about her many awards and accomplishments, her generosity, and the importance of Latin culture to her work.

In her lifetime, Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, took many journeys. Between her first journey to Jerusalem for her Presentation when she was four years old, and her last journey to Jerusalem a year and a half before her death, Mary traveled throughout the Holy Land and into Egypt. Following in the footsteps of her son, she witnessed his ministry as he taught and healed. When he was condemned to death, she followed him to the foot of the cross. In The Journeys of Mary Part III, the story that is told in Part I and continued in Part II are brought to conclusion. In The Journeys of Mary Part I, St. John, in order to protect Mary from persecution, leaves with Leah, her maidservant, and Mary for Ephesus. On that journey, Mary recalls her early life which included trips to Jutta, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Egypt, and finally Nazareth. In Part II, Mary is living in Ephesus. Mary Magdalene comes for a visit and helps Mary to create a Way of the Cross. Along with St. John, the women journey back in time and recall the agonizing passion her son suffered for the salvation of all. In Part III, Mary returns to Jerusalem with John to join the gathering of the Apostles to discuss the problems facing the Christian communities as the message of Jesus spreads throughout the known world. As she journeys to Jerusalem, Mary remembers the events that occurred during the three years of the ministry of Jesus. In Jerusalem, as she walks the Via Dolorosa, she relives his death on the cross and his Resurrection. After a final trip to Jerusalem with St. John shortly before her death, Mary returns to Ephesus. With her Assumption of body and soul into Heaven, Mary's earthly journeys end. The Journeys of Mary is the story of both the interior journey Mary takes as the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, and the exterior journeys she takes as she lives out a life fulfilling the will of God.

At age four, Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, made her first journey. Mary traveled with her family to Jerusalem for her Presentation to the Temple. Some of the other journeys taken during her lifetime included trips to Jutta, Bethlehem, Matarea, and Heliopolis, as well as many other trips to Jerusalem. When her son Jesus began his public ministry, Mary moved from Nazareth to Capharnaum. With her friends, the Holy Women, she followed Jesus as he traveled around Galilee and throughout the Holy Land. Ultimately, Mary followed Jesus to the foot of the cross. To protect Mary from the persecutions that followed the death and Resurrection of her son, St. John the Evangelist took Mary with him to Ephesus, Turkey to live. Mary journeyed to Jerusalem and back to Ephesus before ending her earthly life in Ephesus. The Journeys of Mary is the story of Mary's life and the life, Passion, and death of her son. In Part II of the trilogy, Mary arrives in Ephesus and establishes her home there. With the help of St. John and Mary Magdalene who comes to visit, Mary creates a "Way of the Cross" as a reminder of the suffering her son endured. As she walks the path, Mary recalls the capture, trials, and judgment of Jesus, as well as the details of his Crucifixion. Other events that occur as part of her life in Ephesus trigger memories of her earlier life in Nazareth and Capharnaum. The Journeys of Mary is the story of both the interior journey Mary takes as the mother of Jesus and the exterior journeys she takes as she lives out her life fulfilling the will of God.

At age four, Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, made her first journey. Accompanied by her mother Anne, her father Joachim, her sister Mary Heli, and her niece Mary Cleophas, Mary went to Jerusalem for her Presentation to the Temple. Some of the other journeys that folowed included trips to Sephoris, Bethlehem, Matarea, and Heiropolis as well as many other trips to Jerusalem. When her son, Jesus, began his public ministry, Mary moved from Nazareth to Capharnaum. With her friends, the Holy Women, she followed Jesus as he travelled around Galilee and throughout the Holy Land. Ultimately, Mary followed Jesus to Golgotha and the foot of the cross. After the Crucifixion and Ascension, Mary relocated to Ephesus, Turkey. She travelled to Jerusalem and back again to Ephesus before ending her earthly life there. The Journeys of Mary is the story of Mary's life and the life, Passion, and death of her son. In Part I of a trilogy, Mary leaves for Ephesus. As she travels with St. John the Evangelist and her maidservant Leah, Mary reflects on her early life and the journeys she took with her husband, St. Joseph. With him as her escort, Mary travelled to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country around Sephoris. As the wife of Joseph, she travelled to Bethlehem where her son was born. When the life of Jesus is threatened, Joseph takes Mary and the child to Egypt where they lived for many years until their return to Nazareth. The Journeys of Mary is the story of both the interior journey that Mary takes as the mother of Jesus and the exterior journeys she takes as she lives out her life fulfilling the will of God.

"On November 27, 1830, Catherine Laboure, a Sister of Charity, saw a remarkable vision of the Blessed Mother. 'She was of medium height and her dress was all white, the whiteness of dawn. A white veil covered her head and fell on either side to her feet. Her face was so beautiful that it seems to me impossible to express her beauty. Her feet rested on a globe.There was also a serpent, green in color with yellow spots.'" Thus, begins one of the stories retold in the book, The Visits of a Very Special Lady. From her first visit to her cousin Elizabeth recorded in the Gospel of Luke to the present day, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been reaching out to those who need her help. Throughout the ages there have been many accounts of Marian apparitions. This book focuses on the major visions that occurred in Mexico City, Paris, Lourdes, Knock, Fatima, and Medjugorje. These six places have become popular destinations for pilgrims from all over the world. Miraculous healings have been documented at these sites. But what really happened there? The stories behind these apparitions and the people who witnessed them have been passed down through the years. On the pages of this book, the accounts of the events are retold in simple language, in many cases in the words of the visionaries themselves, making the stories appealing to people of all ages. In each of these apparitions or visits, a message or messages were given to those who witnessed the vision. The predictions, the words of warning and admonition, the deeper meanings behind the messages, and the directives given to the visionaries so that they may be spread to the entire world are explored in The Visits of a Very Special Lady.