Böcker av Doug Fowler

Alicia can't stand the horrible leaders who put on a great show with lots of glitz and glamour for everyone, but who also force kids like her sweet little sister to answer calls to the government as mimes. Not that callers like it either, but Alicia and the other questers are determined to stop the insanity. And, will a great feel-good story finally bring Cleveland a World Series? (Why is a baseball story here? See the Acknowledgements) First, though, who is the Mary Sue who will lead the battle. Is it Cat, whose parents died because of government hackers? Alicia's brothers think so, they can't stop their wacky one-upmanship to prove their love for her. Or maybe it's Evelyn, who has her own love interest and whose violin playing is ridiculed for... Okay, it really is that bad. The tyrant's decrees are ridiculous. Even going to the bathroom is unsafe for them - good thing noone does during a quest. Can they defeat the evil king, rescue Alicia's sister, and restore sanity to their world?

Joe learns time travel, while feasible, is also quite rude when he sends his mind back in time to Louis XIV, as he becomes absolute monarch in 1661. Louis can't believe what this brash fellow from nearly 500 years in the future is doing. Joe makes a number of flubs, infuriating nobles and nearly igniting a number of revolts as he tries to make the world better. When the pope calls him on the carpet he must flee for his life after what he says. The advances he introduces change the world, but he ends up creating a much different history than he knows, and must determine how France should respond to a number of events in Europe. Finally, he must decide whether to go back to his own history and a body dying without its brain and soul, or to stay in that past which he has created. Indeed, he wonders if he can be pulled back. Will Joe make it? What kind of alternate world will he create - and can he make it a lasting change?

Grace and Jimmy have allies helping them cope in their somewhat dysfunctional home, but even more struggles as they try to follow Jesus & share His love. And, that's not counting Jimmy being distracted by his first crush. There's Davey from one of their new dad's prior relationships. His mom is very sick, and their mom's general attitude causes six-year-old Erin to act out her frustration. There's Grace's battles with a very liberal Christian club and attempts to share Christ's love with Muslims, facing sometimes stiff opposition, even as one of those Muslims tries to break away. There's also Jimmy's crush's concerns about whether she's good enough since she doesn't look like a supermodel. Then, their new dad's health problems and several decisions regarding God's will for peoples' lives also cause confusion. Through it all, Jimmy and Grace learn what it means to be real leaders - not always having things easy or knowing the perfect solution, but still trusting Jesus to get them through.

Family problems thrust young Grace and Jimmy into helping with tons of issues after they find answers to life's questions. Their mom's repeat boyfriend wasn't faithful at first. His kids have loads of bitterness from his divorce. Grace has her own mixed feelings about him. She and Jimmy survive and try learn to love family members - all with issues of their own - as Jesus would. These members include a mom who would rather think about guys at times, a young sibling who tests Grace to see if there is unconditional love there, and Jessica, an older teen who stirs things up for her own reasons. Is it to taunt Grace or is she hiding something? Also, what's waiting on their vacation to cause even more turmoil? Readers of all ages will see how God brings good from the most imperfect situations when we trust Him. Grace and Jimmy learn some things take years of prayer, but God gives victories, too, as they explore the wonderful adventure that is the Christian life, and discover the riches of God's great grace.

Imagine no 1994/5 baseball strike/lockout, and steroids being fought in baseball a decade early. The rest of the 1994 season unfolds week by week. Highlights showcase the game's excitement, the coming storm, and the record chases whose results mirror the uncertain future which comes because of this history's steroid scandal. This 1998 will be memorable for an entirely different reason from ours, as owners act to cut costs one way or another. Seasons from 1994-2013 - with an emphasis on the earlier years - are discussed with fans able to consider the joy and sorrow different franchises would feel. 1981, of course, was also marred by a strike. The last section shows the 1981 division races month by month. Readers will see the pennant races of a completed 1981, with the playoffs and World Series, plus major award winners and statistical leaders. Changes to 1982 and beyond, minor as they are, are also discussed.