An award-winning magical romantic comedy in which a bookstore owner must choose between fantasy and reality after realizing the men she's dating are characters she'd created years before... "Locke breaks down tropes--the popular jock and the thoughtful poet--and puts cracks in their shining armor with humor and insight...Blending romance with whimsical fantasy, Locke's story offers up a look at the expectations of youthful fancy vs. the realities of an adult love." - Library Journal _________________________________________________________________________ What would you do if you discovered the men you were dating were fictional characters you'd created long ago? Thirty-five-year-old Catherine Schreiber has shelved love for good. Keeping her ailing bookstore afloat takes all her time, and she's perfectly fine with that. So when several men ask her out in short order, she's not sure what to do ... especially since something about them seems eerily familiar. A startling revelation -- that these men are fictional characters she'd created and forgotten years ago -- forces Cat to reevaluate her world and the people in it. Because these characters are alive. Here. Now. And most definitely in the flesh. Her best friend, Eliza, a romance novel junkie craving her own Happily Ever After, is thrilled by the possibilities. The power to create Mr. Perfect -- who could pass that up? But can a relationship be real if it's fiction? Caught between fantasy and reality, Cat must decide which -- or whom -- she wants more. Blending humor with unusual twists, including a magical manuscript, a computer scientist in shining armor, and even a Regency ball, A Man of Character is a whimsical-yet-thought-provoking romantic comedy that tells a story not only of love, but also of the lengths we'll go for friendship, self-discovery, and second chances. ________________________________________________________________________ 2016 HOLT Medallion Certificate of Merit winner for Best First Book 2015 Lyra Winner for Best General Fiction Genre: Light paranormal chick lit / romantic comedy Magic of Love Book 1: 327 pages

Few men are born to be conquerors. Few men are born to be leaders of countries. But to conquer the realm of the soul, and to gain the crown of manly character, this lofty task awaits each one of us. Bishop Tihamer Toth was born towards the end of the 19th Century in Hungary and was ordained a priest in 1911. Devoted to the salvation of souls, Bishop Toth wrote profusely, as well as delivering weekly lectures at the University of Budapest where he was a professor of homiletics and of pastoral theology. By the end of his short life (he would die in 1939, the same year as his episcopal consecration) he had contributed greatly to the spiritual life of the Hungarian people. This book is his reflection on the virtues necessary to be a truly virtuous young man. In The Young Man of Character, Bishop Toth seeks to create real, manly character in the souls of the young, and does so by examining, point by point, each aspect necessary to the development of that character. Far from something belonging to another century or generation, this insigthful work has perhaps never been more needed than in our own age, when manly virtue is attacked, and true chivalry is scorned.

Honor, nobility, dignity and integrity seem more and more to be things from a bygone era. We find it harder and harder to trust a man's word anymore. It would not be difficult to paraphrase Solomon's proverb into this: "An upright man, who can find?"The Puritan Richard Steele deals with this problem in this never-before reprinted book. He addresses believers and unbelievers alike. The faithful Christian will find encouragement, strength and a road map to godliness; the backsliding believer will be able to see where to set his or her mark and the danger of delaying repentance; and finally, the unbeliever will notice the goodness, mercy and compassion of the Christian life, and may, by divine grace, be stirred to jealousy, to seek those things which are above."The consideration hereof, and also of the scarcity of sincere Christians compared to the plenty of hypocrites in the world, may make some tolerable apology for this small tract, which I most earnestly recommend, first to the blessing of the Lord and then to your diligent perusal. Read and think, and read and pray, and then through His grace it shall be useful to you." ~ Richard Steele

In this eye-opening book, Bruce Marchiano explores the humanity of Christ and the Jesus-qualities that we can emulate today While many books have emphasized Jesus as the Son of God, few have considered his identity as the Son of Man. As an actor who took on the role of Jesus for the acclaimed film Matthew, he encountered Jesus, the man, in a life-changing way and in this book shares his discoveries. Employing a friendly, conversational style, he explores a biblical view of manhood as evidenced by such characteristics as humility, passion, honor, selflessness, gentleness, and submission.

Newell Dwight Hillis' 'A Man's Value to Society: Studies in Self Culture and Character' is a compelling self-help and philosophical book that explores the elements of worth in the individual, character, aspirations, and ideals. Through an exploration of the physical basis of character, the duty of right thinking, and the moral uses of memory, Hillis helps readers understand the importance of the mind-body connection. As a conclusion, Hillis offers practical insights and guidance on how to cultivate character and live a fulfilling life.

The call of a Christian is to aim for righteousness, yet so few of us ask, “What is right? What is the ideal that we ought to aim for?” Ecclesiastes states there is a time for all things: “A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Yet, it is a rare man who will dare to ask, “When should I love and when should I hate? When should I forgive and when should I go to war?” Most prefer the simplicity of always choosing one, but the Christian is committed to pursuing righteousness. This book is a fierce dive into the depths of righteousness. It is not for those who prefer simplicity and easy living, but for those who are willing to bear the responsibility of righteousness.

Character actor Richard Jaeckel worked five decades in Hollywood alongside the industry's biggest names. Noted for tough-guy portrayals, he appeared in such classic westerns and war films as Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), The Gunfighter (1950), 3:10 to Yuma (1957), and The Dirty Dozen (1967). Bringing strength and integrity to his roles, he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Sometimes a Great Notion (1970). A World War II veteran and Merchant Marine, he was respected in the surfing and fitness communities for his ageless athleticism. His performance as Turk in Come Back, Little Sheba (1952) was groundbreaking for iron-pumping actors wanting to be taken seriously for their dramatic abilities. This revealing portrait of the life of a working character actor covers Jaeckel's noteworthy career through each of his film and television appearances, from Guadalcanal Diary (1943) to Baywatch (1994). Recollections and behind the scenes stories from those he knew and worked with offer an in-depth look at the dedication and professionalism it takes to make it in Hollywood.