 |
|
  click to enlarge |
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t On a quiet night in Santa Town, something terrible has happened. The reindeer are nowhere to be found! Can Santa Claus and his resourceful elves find the reindeer in time to save Christmas? This holiday book is about what happens on the day before Christmas Eve when a jealous cousin wreaks havoc with the reindeer. The book offers a contemporary twist because Santa’s Global Positioning System and personal computer end up helping to save the day. The elves wash their dishes, a helpful touch for parents who want to instill personal responsibility in their kids. Bill Turner, a Cornelius resident, wrote the story, which is colorfully illustrated by Jeane Kendall of Clayton. Published by Warren Publishing, which is served by EnergyUnited, of Cornelius. Softcover, |
 click to enlarge |
The Golden Ring It is just days before Christmas in 1918 in Meyersdale, a picturesque township nestled in the dense snow-covered mountains of western Pennsylvania’s coal country. Anna, an idealistic nine-year-old, has an especially close relationship with her father, Joseph, a hardworking engineer on the B&O railroad. One of Anna’s most precious possessions is a golden ring given to her on her ninth birthday by her parents. A series of puzzling dreams are shared by Joseph and Anna about Jesus, and the giving and receiving of a ring. Their search for the dreams’ meaning leads them to share an emotional and bonding Christmas experience and they learn much about the human potential for generosity, love and faith. Author and EnergyUnited member John Snyder lives in Mocksville. Published by Warner Books. Hardcover, 165 pages, $15.95. |
 click to enlarge |
Love Without The Drama Why settle when your relationship can sizzle? In this book, radio host and motivational speaker Lynetta Jordan offers biblical and practical wisdom toward helping readers heal from heartbreak and move toward better relationships. Chapter titles include “Deliver Me From Drama,” “Three Things Every Woman Wants,” “Three Things Every Man Needs” and “Marriage Truths, Myths and Mysteries.” The book also encourages strategies and hope for singles, with tips for how to unmask what she calls “haters and disguised destiny stealers.” Jordan, who lives in Elizabeth City, is an Albemarle EMC member. Published by Speaklife in Wilmington, Del. Softcover, 224 pages, $12.99. (888) 596-3882 (LYNETTA) |
|
|
 click to enlarge |
Dogs of Meadowbrook The setting is a former cornfield surrounded by 36 acres of hardwoods, in north-central North Carolina. The period is 1987–2001. And the characters are a unique pack of brave, playful dogs who share adventure, tragedy, joy and humor with a working married couple. Written by Blue Ridge EMC member William Schwenn, “Dogs of Meadowbrook” looks at how canines touch and alter the lives of those around them. The couple’s intimate bonding with their distinctive and engaging dogs ultimately encourages readers to increase joy and a sense of purpose in their own lives. Published by Strategic Book Group of Durham, CT. The book is no longer being published in print form but is available for $9.99 by ordering on the Internet in electronic format through e-book vendors. Kindle (through www.Amazon.com) |
 click to enlarge |
Hunting & Fishing in the Great Smokies Filled with anecdotes, fishing and hunting stories, and recollections of legendary local sportsmen and guides, “Hunting and Fishing in the Great Smokies” presents a social history of these activities before the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. This classic book by the late Jim Gasque, first published in 1948, offers a period portrait of outdoor life in the Great Smoky Mountains just prior to an era of significant development. The guide covers trout streams and trout fishing, lake fishing and hunting. A new introduction by book author and sportsman Jim Casada provides a profile of Gasque, puts period ethics into perspective and offers Casada’s thoughts on fishing in the park today. Thanks to preservation, the streams that Gasque describes still draw sportsmen today. Gasque’s tips on prime fly-fishing spots remain up to date for contemporary anglers. Hunting is now prohibited within the park, but in surrounding areas it is still common. Published by UNC Press of Chapel Hill. Softcover, 248 pages, $19.95. |