It's the Christmas season-"the most wonderful time of the year" for most people in River City, California. But for Jehovah's Witnesses Lawrence and Brad, it's a time for them to try to explain "the truth" about this holiday season to the people of the community. Their earnest efforts may earn them ridicule, disagreement, or a door slammed rudely in their faces, but they persist-and are sometimes able to find a mind and heart receptive to their urgent message about Jehovah's coming Kingdom.

Whereas for Elders Skousen and Marshall-two Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionaries-the season is another opportunity to share their Church's distinctive interpretation of the Christian gospel; but their efforts are often rebuffed, as well.

In the course of their work, these two pairs of men engage in dialogue with traditional Christians, as well as members of the Church of Christ; the Community of Christ (RLDS); Seventh-day Adventists; and "Oneness" Pentecostals-not to mention skeptics, atheists, and the increasing numbers of people who lack any particular religious beliefs.

But when a local church brings in a researcher to give a series of lectures on "Cults"-and specifically targeting the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons-a confrontation is ensured, where theological and biblical concepts collide in a public forum.

Who, if anyone, really has "the Truth"? Can one still discover the "true meaning of Christmas" in the midst of passionate disagreements over the validity of the holiday season? Are objections raised about the secularization and rampant commercialism of the modern celebration valid?

Spend a holiday season (or any other season) with some interesting and intellectually-stimulating characters, as they explore these and other challenging questions.

(Readers of the author's earlier novel, "A Multicultural Christmas," will be pleased to see a brief reappearance of two characters from that book.)

Thomas Anderson has just graduated from CSU Stentoria, with his degree in Political Science. It's an election year, and as a young "progressive" in California who has been raised by equally progressive parents, he is very much concerned with the political issues currently being discussed in the mass media.

A chance encounter with a fellow graduate named Kelly Kelso, however, shakes up his sett led view of the world. He is challenged to examine the rising number of alternatives to the two-party system presented by "third party" movements such as the Libertarian Party and the Green Party, and is forced to acknowledge that there is far more to politics than simply Democrat versus Republican, and liberal versus conservative.

Thomas delves energetically into not only the growing Libertarian movement, but the free market perspective of the Austrian School of economics, as well as the rigid yet compelling view of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. His explorations grow wider, now encompassing the Tea Party movement and the Christi an Right; tax resisters and gun rights advocates; survivalists and militia members; anarchists, communists, and Democratic Socialists; as well as the Occupy Wall Street movement.

He debates the radical environmental views of animal welfare and animal rights advocates, and challenges opponents of corporate globalism as well as deniers of global warming, as he struggles to reformulate and articulate his own developing beliefs, while coping with a sea of conflicting ideas and opposition.

But this abstract political theory is brought into sharp encounter with concrete political reality, when Thomas hears a news report of an armed conflict with authorities taking place just outside of town, involving someone with whom he has become emotionally involved...

It's been two years: the grandkids are growing, and there is a new addition to the family: "Ravishing Rhea" Nana and Papa are now blessed to witness (and occasionally assist with) the growth and development of six grandkids: three boys, and three girls. But the world is also changing: there are new challenges, as families must cope with increased financial pressures, juggling work and school schedules, and even temporary separations, not to mention dealing with the normal difficulties experienced by young people as they are growing up. In addition to playing sports, video games, celebrating birthdays, participating in Spelling Bees, making movies, and doing homework, the kids keep Papa and Nana busy trying to answer questions such as, "What kind of pet should I get?"; "How long does the moon stay full?"; "Are all ladybugs girls?"; "How come we don't get presents for all the Twelve Days of Christmas?" and of course, "Are vampires real?" Whether they're walking to the park, building "special projects" for school, preparing for Halloween, or revising their Christmas lists for the sixth time, the kids both grow and learn, as well as help the adults around them to appreciate and celebrate the joy, wonder, and beauty of children living in a new, and exciting world.

Who says it's easy to raise kids these days?

Certainly not Nana and Papa, the proud grandparents―and definitely not the parents, other grandparents and great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles of 7-year old Deion and his younger cousins Joshua and Donovan.

But "Life is for learning," and that's just what takes place: whether it's while going to the park, playing on the computer, talking a walk, making music, playing football, eating fast food, playing board games, going to the State Fair, or just doing homework―not to mention celebrating birthdays, and observing holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. The lessons of life may involve the miracle of new birth, or the passing away of a loved one―but they are always shared in a gentle and loving way.

Inspired by the real-life adventures, trials, and tribulations of real-life kids, Family Lessons is a heartfelt celebration of the joy, wonder, and beauty of children, told from the perspective of "Nana" and "Papa Teague"―who undoubtedly learn more lessons from their grandchildren than they ever impart to them.

Does God exist? Is there life after death? Do we have free wills? What is consciousness? Are animals and computers

It's 1971, and Silas Baker is a high school senior in California, whose main interests are basketball, and weekend parties. But his life takes a dramatic turn, when he encounters a group of committed Christians, who soberly inform him that "Jesus is coming soon "

They enroll at Riverstent Bible College. It's an exciting time, as leading Bible teachers have predicted that Jesus will return to Rapture his Church within "one generation" of the 1948 formation of the State of Israel. Popular movies further inflame this passion, as the eager students study Apologetics and Biblical Archaeology; aberrant theologies such as the "Death-of-God" movement; and even conflicting interpretations of the End Times. An activist spirit develops within evangelicalism, culminating in the so-called "Christian Right," as the evangelical world is rocked in the aftermath of the televangelist scandals.

Confronted by world views such as Calvinism and Christian Reconstruction, the characters passionately debate controversies such as Biblical Inerrancy and the age of the cosmos, in addition to challenging evangelicals who deny traditional doctrines such as that of "endless punishment" in Hell, or who promote an "Open" (yet limited) concept of God himself.

As society evolves, so does evangelicalism: "seeker sensitive" megachurches appear, while Postmodernism and the "Emergent Church" become realities. Theologians wrestle with the question of divorce and remarriage, and the role of women in the church, as well as the divisive issue of homosexuality. As they struggle with life's realities, they ultimately must also respond to nonchristians who are alienated, indifferent, or engaged in active opposition to Christianity, while searching for the meaning of Christian faith in the modern world.

Can you create an ideal world of your own? A utopia? In 2022, the administration and staff of the University of Northern California think so; that's why they've created a cozy little campus in the hills of Placerville, secure (behind thick concrete walls) from the social chaos that prevails in the larger society. Here, they can devote themselves wholly to the life of the mind. However, problems soon appear: "Generation Z" students chafe under the campus restrictions (including mandatory use of sexual suppressant drugs), and begin an "Underground" movement of protest. History Professor Morton Thompson finds himself in the middle, as well as coping with violent attacks on the campus. A quasi-governmental agency called UniCom (creators of a database called "The BEAST" that is a terrifying violation of civil liberties) enters the picture, determined to use the situation for its own ends, leading to a thrilling and unexpected climax. Discover the difficulties in trying to flee from the problems of the world, as Professor Thompson and others await the appearance of the mysterious "Generation A..". Eight lectures: The core of Professor Thompson's course in American Utopian Communities, are also appended, presenting an outline of the history of "utopian"/intentional communities in this country.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke O'Sullivan are triplets-whose pious Catholic mother passed away during childbirth, but whose family sees to it that they are firmly raised in the faith. Upon graduating from high school, all three of them have a vocation to the priesthood. It's an exciting time-The Vatican Council has concluded, the Mass is now said in English, and Catholic priests are going to jail for protesting the Vietnam War . but the Papal encyclical Humanae Vitae has caused division in the Church, as well. Always mindful of their father's counsel that "Brothers come first ," the three of them attend college and then seminary during a time of unprecedented change in the Catholic Church. The Mass ritual itself is changed, the Roe v. Wade decision legalizes abortion, and the Charismatic Renewal sweeps the world, while Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre is disciplined for stubbornly opposing the significant changes taking place. Yet after ordination, the pace of change only increases: Pope John Paul II is elected, but there are increasingly bitter divisions in the Church over ecumenism, feminism and the ordination of women, clerical celibacy, and the place of gays and lesbians in the Church. Amidst a society torn by protests about nuclear arms, abortion, and the AIDS crisis, the three brothers challenge each other in basketball, as they challenge each other's arguments over birth control, the death of Terri Schiavo, and The Passion of the Christ, but especially over the clergy sexual abuse scandal and what it means for the priesthood. Then Benedict XVI is elected Pope, further threatening the ability of dissenting Catholic theologians to freely express their views. In reading this thought-provoking book, you may discover that the most pressing issues affecting the Catholic Church are really the same issues that affect us all.

Hypatia Washington is 22 years old; an unemployed widow, living on welfare, and estranged from her four-year old daughter, she is profoundly alienated from life-when she enrolls in a community college course in Philosophy . thus beginning a profound journey of the mind and heart. She debates skeptics as well as Christian apologists about Evolution, Islam, Womanism, and God, while lecturing about ethics, science, consciousness, and the meaning of human history. She analyzes not only philosophers such as Russell, Rawls, Wittgenstein, and Sartre, but wrestles with such questions as: Which famous philosophers were racists? Was Heidegger a Nazi? Was Wittgenstein homosexual? Did Foucault know he had AIDS? Were any important philosophers women? Or black? Professor Washington is no "ivory tower" philosopher: she agonizes over the Rodney King trial and its aftermath; The O.J. Simpson verdict; the death of Tupac Shakur; the "Black Athena" controversy, and the publication of The Bell Curve-as well as the horrors of September 11, 2001, and its consequences. Join Hypatia, in her pursuit of the Amor Dei Intellectualis ("intellectual love of God").

Who says it's easy to raise kids these days?

Certainly not Nana and Papa, the proud grandparents―and definitely not the parents, other grandparents and great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles of 7-year old Deion and his younger cousins Joshua and Donovan.

But "Life is for learning," and that's just what takes place: whether it's while going to the park, playing on the computer, talking a walk, making music, playing football, eating fast food, playing board games, going to the State Fair, or just doing homework―not to mention celebrating birthdays, and observing holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. The lessons of life may involve the miracle of new birth, or the passing away of a loved one―but they are always shared in a gentle and loving way.

Inspired by the real-life adventures, trials, and tribulations of real-life kids, Family Lessons is a heartfelt celebration of the joy, wonder, and beauty of children, told from the perspective of "Nana" and "Papa Teague"―who undoubtedly learn more lessons from their grandchildren than they ever impart to them.

Who is this man? Josue is locked up in Shalem State Prison, a maximum-security institution. He had never attracted much attention to himself before, and was content to just 'do his own time. But then something happened to him; and now, he's on a mission to share it. 'Man, I ain't never heard nothin' like this guy exclaims Jamal, one of the twelve prisoners that Josue has appointed to be his 'Reps, and to share the Word about his message with the other prisoners. Josue freely gives of himself, praying for the healing of the many troubled people who flock to him, and telling them stories about the 'New Order that God is going to establish very soon. But the authority figures in the prison can't stand this arrogant challenger to their own power. They try to embarrass Josue publicly, and fail utterly. But then, when one of Josue's own followers offers to turn on him, betrayal and greed lead to a violent climax. Does this story sound familiar? Then come and read an all too well-known tale told in a fresh, exciting way . and maybe see some things in the story that you'd never noticed before.

What is your attitude toward the holiday season? Do you have the 'Christmas Spirit? Do you refuse to observe such 'pagan celebrations? Or do you just say, 'Bah, Humbug ? Rosemary St. Nichols is a single mother (and a 'Recovering Catholic) who has just moved to River City with her son Jonathan. Here, she meets Teniqua Johnson and her son Mychal, who celebrate Kwanzaa rather than Christmas. After a Nativity Scene placed outside City Hall causes controversy in the community, Rosemary wonders, 'If even churches can't agree to cooperate, how in the world will all the people in River City ever learn to put aside our differences-if even for one day? There are no angelic visitations or 'Christmas miracles here, but the residents of Riverside Apartments receive a lesson in cooperation, not to mention living together in harmony and mutual respect. Learn more about your own holiday traditions, and those of others-as well as about those who don't celebrate the season at all-in this moving journey of discovery and rediscovery of what the holiday season is all about. (Readers of the author's earlier novel Tattered Pilgrims will be pleased to see the reappearance of several of its character

Can you create an ideal world of your own? A utopia? In 2022, the administration and staff of the University of Northern California think so; that's why they've created a cozy little campus in the hills of Placerville, secure (behind thick concrete walls) from the social chaos that prevails in the larger society. Here, they can devote themselves wholly to the life of the mind. However, problems soon appear: "Generation Z" students chafe under the campus restrictions (including mandatory use of sexual suppressant drugs), and begin an "Underground" movement of protest. History Professor Morton Thompson finds himself in the middle, as well as coping with violent attacks on the campus. A quasi-governmental agency called UniCom (creators of a database called "The BEAST" that is a terrifying violation of civil liberties) enters the picture, determined to use the situation for its own ends, leading to a thrilling and unexpected climax. Discover the difficulties in trying to flee from the problems of the world, as Professor Thompson and others await the appearance of the mysterious "Generation A..". Eight lectures: The core of Professor Thompson's course in American Utopian Communities, are also appended, presenting an outline of the history of "utopian"/intentional communities in this country.

Have you ever wondered what happens to us when we die? What if you really HAD to know? When tragedy strikes the family of young Jobran Winter, he is forced to confront these questions directly. Undertaking a feverish Quest, he explores various branches of Christianity; Judaism; Islam; Hinduism; Buddhism; Sikhism, as well as the religions of China and Japan. His search encompasses the New Age, Reincarnation, Spiritism and Psychical Research. Attending channeling sessions and seances, investigating haunted houses and Near-Death Experiences, he examines spiritual traditions ranging from Swedenborg to Scientology, from Jodo Shinshu to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Finally, the Quest brings him into direct contact with Hospice work; physical disability; child abandonment; abortion; suicide; euthanasia, and even cold-blooded murder. Encounter the doctrines of Purgatory and Predestination, Universalism and Annihilationism, as you journey in a novel that will make you reexamine your ideas about religion, skepticism, love, death ...and LIFE.

Does God exist? Is there life after death? Do we have free wills? What is consciousness? Are animals and computers