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Alec and Morp: Adventures in Imagination

Posted by Strad on March 28, 2009 at 2:54pm
Finished my second children's book - Alec and Morp: Adventures in Imagination.Check it out at Sharing Books.com (you can follow the address below to take you directly to it). Feel free to download and comment, as it's free to anyone interested! I wrote and hand illustrated it, inked and colorized in photoshop.Alec and Morp: Adventures in ImaginationThanks!
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Extra Sequential #2 Out Now

Posted by Kris Bather on March 28, 2009 at 3:19am
The second issue of my free on-line comics mag, Extra Sequential is now out. It's 88 pages long and has interviews, reviews and features, plus gorgeous full colour art. Read all about Flash Gordon, Joe Jusko, Hotwire, Kid Beowulf, Dawn of the Dread Force, Harker and so much more. Be warned though, as this ish is for mature readers, as it features some minor profanity and stuff-nothing too bad, just a warning! Hope you enjoy it! Cheers, Kris

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Seeking questions for a comics writing panel

Posted by Kevin Yong on March 27, 2009 at 6:52am
Hi all. I've noted this over in the writer's discussion area. but thought I would post it around for added exposure here too:As the organizer for our local southern California CCAS meetings, I'm trying to start up a project that may bring more interaction between the various areas of CCAS -- the online social networks and forums, the local group volunteers, the Alpha-Omega APA-zine, etc.We're organizing a series of workshops at our monthly local CCAS meetings in southern California, which we hope to record and eventually make available online as a resource for the rest of CCAS. The subject of our first "panel discussion" format will focus on writing and storytelling, and will bring together several of our local members from a diverse range of storytelling backgrounds. So far, our list of panelists includes myself and Ralph Miley from Newcreationnow.com; Eric Jansen (self-publisher of God & Country Graphics, and also tract writer for Foursquare Missions Press); Josh Burns (a script doctor, and leader of a church drama ministry); and Buzz Dixon (animation screenwriter, and creator of the "Serenity" Christian manga series.)Here's where I'm hoping for some feedback from the rest of CCAS. What subjects would you like to see covered in a panel discussion of Christian writers? Submit your questions here, and I'll collect them for our panelists. We'll try to cover as many as we can, and we'll share the results here online later. (At the moment, we don't have the resources to do live streaming of the workshops for "live" participation here, but we'll do our best to post the recording of the panel in a timely manner.)God bless!
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Best Mann 1.6: "Our readers will love you!"

Posted by Chris Well on March 25, 2009 at 4:44pm
Now posted online is the sixth installment of Erica's and my new crime/mystery series Best Mann For The Job. Updated weekly at TitleTrakk.com, this serial stars Grace Mann, a woman with a complicated past who returns home to become sheriff of the small town of Hope Falls, Tennessee. Even as Grace is sworn in to her new job, the deputies are grumbling ...

Direct link: http://www.titletrakk.com/index.htm#bestmann
Archive at comicspace.com/ericawell

Related links:
Preview #1: Sheriff Grace Mann
Preview #2: Deputy Todd Baxter
Preview #3: Rev. Hezekiah Mann
Preview #4: Elizabeth Mann
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Latest SpeedSuit Powers Update! March 23, 2009

Posted by Allen Weaver on March 24, 2009 at 3:12am
Hey Everybody,I'm back from my 14 day trip to Ghana. It was powerful. As some of you know, I'm a part of a N.G.O. (Ghana's version of a non-profit organization) called African Initiative Mission Foundation. We travel to Ghana twice a year and focus on providing help to children and families pertaining to 'education, health and business.' You just have to love these kids! Their level of joy and wonder while they have so little material possessions is humbling. Sometimes I get upset when the worker at McDonald's takes too long with my order. But in Ghana, I meet so many kids who only eat a small meal once a day... and sometimes it's once every few days! AND THEN when you give them some food to eat - they willingly share it with their siblings! I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it! We take so much for granted in America. I'm already thinking about what I can do to increase my level of involvement to help continue the work of bridging the gap between their reality and their dreams. More about that later... I didn't mean to go on about this...The team got back Sunday evening. I was so exhausted I didn't even check emails until this morning. AND I found a very favorable response waiting in my inbox! The editorial department of my publisher evaluated my 'SpeedSuit Powers' manuscript and think it has great potential to do well in the teen fiction market. They said that the story is original, unique and well told with believable characters.I just need to make a few revisions to several scenes and take care of some punctuation issues. (I should have paid more attention in English class, LOL! But that's what we have editors for, right?) Needless to say, I'm excited and look forward to getting the revisions done. The book is slated for a Summer release - barring no major surprises along the way.Also, the first cover art proof came back from the artist I hired. It looks REALLY good! Once it's finalized we'll see about providing a sneak peek look at the cover. :-)So things are moving - one step at a time. In reference to continuing my work with the children of Ghana - I'm connecting my writing to what I currently do. My plan is to use 'SpeedSuit Powers' to start a literacy campaign there (and here in America), where so many kids have big dreams, but poor reading & comprehension skills. So when 'SpeedSuit Powers' comes out this Summer and people buy copies, they''ll not only be helping teens in America, but also many teens in Ghana as well!Keep pressing forward in your endeavors to make a difference in the lives of others!God bless,Allen
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The Strange Thing about Press Releases is....

Posted by Bob Luedke on March 22, 2009 at 11:30am
I just wanted to share with you something which I came across a couple weeks back, that was the result of my mailing of my latest Press Release.On a Comic-Related Blog site "Eye on Comics", the moderator (who somewhere along the way got onto our comic media marketing database) received our latest PR about Rise of the Apostle, being chosen a finalist for the FOREWORD Magazine, Book of the Year Awards, 2009. He chose to use this information as the basis of a posting that not only attempts to diminish ForeWord Magazine's business ethics and the objectivity of their annual awards, but also to put down the Eye Witness series (and myself by extention) even though he has never seen a copy of the series, nor if familiar with my work.But this uninformed rant seems to have sparked a furry of posting (that I do not think this person expected) on both sides of this issue. Check out the thread at:http://www.eyeoncomics.com/?p=382....and if the spirit moves you, chime in!I have a sneaking suspicion that the author could be a bit threatened by the Christian foundation of the work and rather than attack that directly, he's chosen to rather attempt to diminish the importance of the foundation of the work, by scattershooting criticism about things he is (it seems) basically guessing about or just doesn't like (going so far as to challenge me on my intent of the phrasing of my own testimonial).In a final piece of irony, the author/host of this blog states up front that he normally doesn't publish any PR he receives, but by taking the time to attack my series and my integrity by doing so, he has driven a bunch of his readers to my site...a handful of which have even purchased the books!"HE" doth work in mysterious ways!bob-
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WonderCon 2009 Report, San Francisco by Ralph Ellis Miley

Posted by Ralph Ellis Miley on March 21, 2009 at 8:00pm
Though WonderCon has been around for about 20 years, this would be the first year the Christian Comic Arts Society would have a table at this long standing con. The con would be open to the public Friday through Sunday, February 27th to March 1st, 2009. I arrived on that Thursday before to set up the table and then have some time to relax afterwards.Thursday would also mark the first cold I would have in over two years. I did not know how to look at this. Was it a sign from the Lord that the CCAS was on the right track or that maybe I should have stayed home and rest my aching body?I had people from my Monday night prayer group pray, as I left that Thursday at 5:00am my wife, Desiree prayed, and I met with Clint Johnson to give him some New Creation products and he prayed. And I know that there were many other people praying.I arrived in San Francisco at the Moscone Center at about 11:30am. Upon arriving at the convention center I had to wait in line with other exhibitors. I talked with another exhibitor in Small Press who was excited about having his first table at WonderCon.When I arrived at the front of the line, I felt the mantle of Dave Porta fall on me as one of the Freeman dock workers offered me a ride on his electric cart to the location of the Small Press area. It was then I saw that neither Small Press nor Artist’s Alley had been set up and I was told that it wouldn’t be set up until Friday morning. This meant that I would have to get up early Friday morning to set-up. The dock worker kindly drove me back to the loading area, where I would go to check into my hotel, The Mosser, two blocks away from the con.After I had checked in, I thought I’d walk back to the con to get my exhibitor’s badge. By God’s divine providence I went to the exhibitor’s floor to find that the Small Press tables were now set up. So I went back to the hotel and drove back to the docking area. And it was the same dock worker who drove me around, who also allowed me to drive my car to the Small Press area to unload the materials. The CCAS would be between two other Christian publishers, Red Machine Comic and Crown of Life Comics. At my request, the conventions organizers graciously allowed our tables to be next to each other and I was definitely looking forward to meeting my other brothers in the Lord.One of the things I noticed was that Small Press space was much larger than San Diego. The tables are 8 feet long, as oppose to 6 feet in San Diego and that makes a BIG difference. There is also space between each table, so that the exhibitors have very easy access to their display, as oppose to San Diego, where you might have to crawl over several exhibitors to get your table. I definitely liked this aspect of the WonderCon.After I set up, had dinner, I retired for the night at the hotel. Several floors of the Mosser hotel are set up dorm style, where the people on that floor share a shower and toilet. Though the rooms are very small with a bed, closet, and sink, they were very clean and comfortable for one person. I will definitely be staying there next year, Lord willing.On Friday morning Peter Gonzalez and Greg Lucero of Crown of Life Comics arrived to set up their table. Then Bryan Mero, Troy Gustafson and his son Michael arrived to set up the Red Machine Comics table. Special thanks must go out to the con organizers Justin Dutta, Rod Mojica, and Sam Wallace putting us all next to each other.All during the day people were picking up the various tracts, many of them produced by the Foursquare Mission Press. I lost count on how many attendees did not know that Christian comics or the CCAS even existed. There were others who remembered purchasing books from our table in San Diego and were excited that we were in the Northern California area. Ramiro Amezcua from the CCAS network site and wife visited the table.Unfortunately, manning the table alone did not afford me the opportunity to venture out on the convention floor once the public arrived. The Crown of Life and Red Machine Comics people were able to give me a break to go to the restroom. The traffic in the Small Press area was very steady throughout the entire three days.When talking to the con organizers, they had anticipated larger crowds and increased the floor space by 15%, however they were surprised by the large Friday crowds. This easily has to be the second largest comic book con on the West Coast.That Saturday was extremely busy. There were times that it seemed to rival some of the crowds at San Diego. In talking with con organizer Sam Wallace, they ran out of badges on Saturday and had to use badges from the Preview Night of the 2007 Comic Con International.During one of my bathroom breaks I was able to meet with artists Danny Bulanadi (Good & Evil and Proverbs & Parables) and David Williams. Of course there were the looks of distain, some comments like, “It’s Jesus the Superhero” and “Oh my God, it’s the Christian Comic Arts Society!” But for every one negative comment, there were at least 20 positive comments from “Thumbs Up” signs to “Thank you for being here” just to name a few. One young man commented, “You guys got some guts to put up the word “Christian” here.” And once again the theme of the day was “I didn’t there were so many Christian books” and “I didn’t know you guys existed!”I was able to meet CCAS network site member Paul Lopez and his friend Don Delahunt. Even Rorschach of the Watchman and a Jawa from Stars Wars stopped by the table and wanted more info on the CCAS.For me, the highlight had to be Sunday before the con was open to the public. A woman came by the table on Saturday and picked up the “Lonely Lady” tract. This same woman came by the table on Sunday morning and shared how she believed in God and Jesus Christ, but had problems with Christianity. She had problems following all the rules and she didn’t feel worthy. The Lord had me share with her about God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. And I had the extreme privilege to pray with the woman and how the Holy Spirit ministered to her. It is moments like these that let me know that the Lord’s hand is on the CCAS. The rest of the day went by quickly. “I thought I was the only one!” and “How long have you guys been around?” rang throughout the day. I met with a local pastor who has a ministry that is aimed specifically at the artistic community. He said he often draws upon subjects in Science Fiction and comic books to preach his sermons. One attendee didn’t know what to choose from such a large selection of Christian comic books.This was an exceptional convention for me. And though I was behind the table most of the time, it was where the Lord wanted me. Lord willing, the CCAS will be at WonderCon 2010 and maybe we’ll be able to have a panel. Thank you to all those who prayed. I especially felt the prayers of the saints as I made the six hour drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Continue to pray for the CCAS as the Lord opens doors for us to be at other conventions.
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CCAS featured on HollywoodJesus.com

Posted by Scott A. Shuford on March 19, 2009 at 5:00am
I just found out that Maurice, who recently joined our group here, wrote up a feature on CCAS. We talked several months ago, and evidently that became an article. He's an editor over at HollywoodJesus.com, the #1 entertainment site for the Christian community. HJ features articles and reviews on all entertainment, not merely Christian entertainment, including comics, film, tv, books, music, video games and more. Unlike a lot of Christian sites, they don't count the # of swear words or expect that the entertainment will be Biblically compliant. Their approach is to open discussion around and draw out Christian themes in entertainment from the pop culture at large. They've been around for over 10 years! You can check out the article and the site at HollywoodJesus.com .
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Best Mann 1.5: "Why'd you stay on?"

Posted by Chris Well on March 16, 2009 at 9:19am
Now posted online is the fifth installment of Erica's and my new crime/mystery series Best Mann For The Job. Updated weekly at TitleTrakk.com, this serial stars Grace Mann, a woman with a complicated past who returns home to become sheriff of the small town of Hope Falls, Tennessee. Even as Grace is sworn in to her new job, the deputies are grumbling ...

Direct link: http://www.titletrakk.com/index.htm#bestmann
Archive at comicspace.com/ericawell

Related links:
Preview #1: Sheriff Grace Mann
Preview #2: Deputy Todd Baxter
Preview #3: Rev. Hezekiah Mann
Preview #4: Elizabeth Mann
Read more…

Facebook Comics Groups

Posted by Scott A. Shuford on March 16, 2009 at 7:00am
Facebook is my favorite social network. Back in 4th quarter 2008, I decided to use Facebook exclusively as my personal business and social network. It was a conscious decision to use their site for business not just social things. I picked them over the more business oriented networks like Linked In and Plaxo because I wanted the personal side to all my "friends." I want to know if their life revolves around their dog, or what is going on with their family. I want to spend time getting to know my Facebook friends as real friends, not merely people I'm "Linked In" to. FrontGate Media does social networking, so we will exist in all the social networking worlds, working on Fan Development in each one. However, I personally am only putting time into Facebook as my own personal page. That doesn't include niche networks like CCAS, but in terms of the big global networks, Facebook is where I'm spending my time. For comics industry people, Facebook offers a ton of groups. Here are just a few: Facebook Comic Con Self Publisher Association War of the Independents Free Lunch Comics Comicbook Artists Guild - Official Facebook Group Go into all the world and make disciples. Go into the Facebook world. Go into the Myspace world. Wherever you are, search out some comics groups and go into them.
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An Open Call

Posted by Josh Radke on March 16, 2009 at 6:35am
My publishing company, Grail Quest Books, is looking for two pencillers for our licenced comic book series, WARS. This is a science-fiction property taking place in our Solar System during the 24th Century. You can find out more about WARS at our website. (The property is licenced from the award-winning game company, Decipher Inc., who published the best-selling Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek collectible card games.)Unfortunately, we cannot offer any compensation up front for these assignments. I know that this is not optimal for many artists. For our part this is not our preference either, but we had two lucrative capital investments get scrubbed because of the current economic climate. We are actively soliciting for advertisement accounts to raise money that way. To say that we are frustrated would be an understatement, but my wife and I look at this company as our ministry and we must keep moving. If you know of a potential advertiser, or a penciller whose situation could allow them to work and receive payments from sales (at the least), then please do pass along their names to me and I will be happy to send them an inquiry.There is a signed contract which will establish the complete nature of the professional relationship. The comic series is slated to debut in the early part of 2010.This offer is for pencillers who are looking for a project that they can build their list of professional credits on. NO previous credits are necessary.This comic series will be printed and distributed by Ka-Blam Digital; our company does have contacts for the major bookseller chains, so we do expect to have the trade paperback collections placed in places like Borders and Barnes & Noble.This project will be in production for 12-14 months. Our company has to make regular reports to the licencer, therefore all artists must be able to complete their assignments within the contracted production schedule. Each of the two assignments will comprise 3-4 issues.Please send me a note if you are interested in being considered for this project or have a question. We look forward to hearing from all interested persons.Thank you.. and God's Blessings on all the projects that creators here are working on!
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Animation in my future

Posted by G. Raymond Eddy on March 14, 2009 at 3:11am

Much as it would be nice to be able to send Ralph Miley to the comics conventions with fresh Galen material, I feel it would be a waste of time, because comics doesn't enjoy the readership that it once did. Kids who a generation ago would read superhero comics ravenously are now leaving that medium for the computer-generated virtual realities of the Internet. Where they are going, I for one need to be.

To put it bluntly, animation is where I need to be. To set me off down that road, I've purchased a newer computer, a Dell Optiplex GX280, downloaded into it an open-source 3D animation software named Blender, and even as I write I'm learning as quickly as I can how to model 3D figures with an eye toward eventually being able to animate them.

My goal is to be able to animate short "commercials" for the two big screens at the front of the sanctuary of Christian Assembly in northeastern Columbus, OH by mid summer. It's hard, as I have to fight off my inner "Ed Gruberman", who wants to learn all the nifty moves up front and thinks that wearing the "pajamas" is all he needs to be ready for them.

I ask for your prayers and support in this. It's difficult to become a student again at my age.

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Eye Witness: Rise of the Apostle, Finalist for Nat'l Book Award

Posted by Bob Luedke on March 12, 2009 at 6:30am
ForeWord Magazine, just announced that the third book in Robert James Luedke's, Eye Witness series...Rise of the Apostle....is a finalist in the catgory of Graphic Novels in their 2008 Book of the Year Awards.This is the second industry honor to come to Luedke's Rise of the Apostle...which has already won The 2008 National Best Book Award (for Graphic Novels), sponsored by USABookNews.com.More than 1,400 books were entered in 61 categories for FOREWORD MAGAZINE'S annual book awards. These were narrowed to 668 finalists from 376 publishers. These books represent some of the best work coming from today's independent press community!The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers, selected from FOREWORD'S readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor's Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29, 2009. The winners of the two Editor's Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each. The ceremony is open to all BEA attendees.ForeWord's Book of the Year Awards program was designed to discover distinctive books across a number of genres. The list of finalists is searchable by category, publisher, title, and author.About FOREWORD MAGAZINE:ForeWord affects the choices of booksellers and librarians across the country who weekly advise millions what to read. Their typical publication reaches an audience of 20,000. Foreword also put the magazine in the hands of agents and editors at larger houses who are looking for leads to bring into their fold from the independent press sector. All told, readership is about 85% librarians, 12% bookstores, 3% publishing professionals…and of course, parents.Other Finalists for the Graphic Novel catagory:Cleburne by Justin Murphy (Rampart Press)Good and Evil by Michael Pearl (No Greater Joy Ministries)Gunnerkrigg by Tom Siddell (Archaia Studios)No Girls Allowed by Susan Hughes (Kids Can Press)1000 Years of Manga by Brigitte Koyana-Richard (Flammarion)The Clockwork Girl by Sean O'Reilly & Kevin Hanna (Arcana Studios)The Grand Inquisitor by John Zmirak (The Crossroad Publishing Co.)The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel by Will Eisner (Insight Editions)Congratulations to all these wonderful creators for their nominations, as any these books are worthy of winning an award. We advise any fans of graphic novels, comics and manga to check out as many of these as you can!
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Foursquare Mission Press Looking for Tract Submissions

Posted by Ralph Ellis Miley on March 11, 2009 at 7:51pm
The Foursquare Mission Press is looking to produce full color evangelistic tracts and is seeking submissions. The tracts are seven pages and are 4 ¾ x 7 ½. Interested parties should submit thumbnail sketches, along with a script.Tracts that are selected will be produced in the language of the native country of the artist. 3,000 to 6,000 tracts will be produced and the artist will receive 5% of that total. The tracts are to be evangelistic, meaning that they are to communicate the saving message of Jesus Christ to the reader. Some of the themes that can be covered are teenage issues, prison ministry, drugs, poverty, AIDS, etc. FMP is looking for culturally relevant and effective illustrated tracts to minister to people of all ages. Artists will be volunteering their time and talent and will not be financially compensated.Submissions can be sent to Eric Jansen at ericjansen@netzero.net and/or Ralph Miley at ralphellismiley@verizon.net. Then those submissions will be forwarded to FMP. The artists will be contacted to inform them if their submission is selected or not. Submissions will be considered as they are received. Since FMP plans to produce these tracts over an extended time period, there is no deadline to the submissions. Please do not send finished work because there is no guarantee that it will be selected. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
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Why should comics creators be at the Biola Media Conference?

Posted by Scott A. Shuford on March 10, 2009 at 4:41pm
My favorite event of the year is coming up on April 25th: the Biola Media Conference! The event takes place all in one day at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA. The Biola Media Conference is recognized as the largest and most influential national gathering for industry professionals of faith in the entertainment field today, uniquely providing spiritual inspiration alongside informative, creative and professional opportunities. These experts will share their thoughts and experiences in helping attendees to navigate the challenging world of film, TV and digital media, examining the conference theme “Closing the Deal.” This is a great event to attend to see and hear from professionals in Television and Film who are Christians. Notice that I'm not saying Christian television and film. While the event does include those folks, the emphasis is on being a Christian in the non-Christian atmosphere of Hollywood, and pursuing excellence in your craft. That's what makes this a great place for Christians in the Comix Industry to network with filmmakers for all 4 screens: Theater, Television, Internet and Mobile. This is the place to start to learn about the film industry and what it might take to get your project made for the screen, at least one of the four! This year should be particularly strong with the Keynote Speaker Joe Eszterhas, who has been called “The Che Guevara of screenwriters” (Daily Variety), “a living Hollywood legend” (ABC’s 20/20), and of whom Time Magazine stated “If Shakespeare were alive today, would his name would be Joe Eszterhas?” CCAS friends Buzz Dixon and Jerrell Conner have both attended. Buzz has been a consistent attendee and is the creator of the Serenity and the Goofyfoot Gurl manga series. Jerrell Conner, creator of The Red R graphic novel series, attended and had an exhibit booth in 2008. From his experience, "Being a independent artist/self-publisher I'm constantly searching for a new platform or avenue to get my art/books out the general populous. Doing local art shows, and all the comic cons I can make it to. That's why being part of the Biola Media Conference last year worked so well for me, it was new and different from the events that I normally do, and the fact that it was faith based really made it all the more fulfilling and in line with what I want and am doing. I feel that as a Christian artist I'm called to be involved with the entertainment community and make a positive impact stirring things up, that even though I'm not of this world, I still am part of it. That is what I got out of BMC '08." For more information, click a link below: Registration Information Exhibitor Information Come find me when you are there!
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Best Mann 1.4: "I Know It's Awkward"

Posted by Chris Well on March 9, 2009 at 4:48pm
Now online is the fourth installment of our new crime/mystery series Best Mann For The Job. Updated weekly at TitleTrakk.com, this serial stars Grace Mann, a woman with a complicated past who returns home to become sheriff of the small town of Hope Falls, Tennessee. Even as Grace is sworn in to her new job, the deputies are grumbling ...

Direct link: http://www.titletrakk.com/index.htm#bestmann

Related links:
Preview #1: Sheriff Grace Mann
Preview #2: Deputy Todd Baxter
Preview #3: Rev. Hezekiah Mann
Preview #4: Elizabeth Mann

Read more…

Guy in Ohio, saying hi.

Posted by GamaClone on March 8, 2009 at 3:10pm
Allow myself to introduce...myself..You can look me up online, I don't know how often I'll be on here. It's great to see other Christians wanting to use their talent for the Kingdom.
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