Bøger af Patrick Marks

Years ago, I read SEABISCUIT, and loved it-all those stirring horse races-and it inspired me to write a racing book about humans, retaining the competitive atmosphere while adding in the complexity of human psychology. That's how THE RELAY TEAM was born. It's a coming of age tale about friendship, betrayal, identity, good parenting, bad parenting, living in a small town, being a sports fan, being an athlete, and being a troubled soul in a troubled world. And racing. There would be no story without the thrill of racing. The main characters are Ace, the star sprinter, who is so confused by his messed-up family that he doesn't recognize his own talent, and Luther, a restless soul, who, after being expelled from both Himstead High and a distant boarding school has found a home at tiny St. Tom's, or thinks he has. In Coach Helfin, Luther finds a replacement father, and in his fellow relay runners, he finds replacement brothers, but his compulsive skirt-chasing creates a love triangle that eventually leads to tragedy. The other runners are Keith, an A-student, who excels at everything except beating Ace, and Bob Brown, the only senior on the team, who is torn between the plain girl he loves and the rich beauty who promises entrée into a world of wealth and status. Mix in Ace's crazy mother, Luther's brutal father, a crippled brother, an obese agitator, bullies, peacemakers, heroes, hero worshippers, Katie Long, and the incomparable Mrs. Johnson, and you've got a whole world. It's a simple world, but it's complicated, and while the book reads like speed, what sticks in your memory is the people. They're both kind and cruel, doing noble things one minute and making giant mistakes the next, but no matter how selfish they are or how badly they screw up, it's hard to forget them. They're as real as the people you went to high school with.

Since I became a Christian the great love of GOD ,His Son JESUS ,and the HOLY SPIRIT Has inspired me to write poems in reverence to THEM, and also as evangelistic poems and songs To draw , appeal, make my fellow man aware of the Love of GOD ,and the need to come to GOD For salvation. Additionally , I have composed other poems in tribute, "BRIAN", as requested, "The Flowers of BELFAST", and fond encounters ,"My "Hollow "Ducks, lastly poem engendered by The sight of dead soldiers conveyed home in coffins from needless wars, and observing the laying of wreaths on REMEMBRANCE DAY by premiers who have sent soldiers to careless DEATH, "As if you care".

Israel, 30 A.D. The country is in turmoil. Conquered by an outside power, governed by a puppet king, taken advantage of by a corrupt high priest, the Jewish people long for redemption. And when a mysterious carpenter with a dark past performs a few healings, he is instantly proclaimed the Messiah. But he doesn't want the job. He "understands God no better than an ant understands Torah", but certain of his followers can't let go. They keep pushing him, despite his protests, until it all comes to a tragic end. Here's what readers are saying: "The atmosphere is incredible. You are right there." "A goldmine for those who glory in exposing historical inaccuracies." "A fitting book for atheists, agnostics, fall-away Catholics, Zen Buddhists, and the 'spiritual but not religious, ' but not for a serious Christian." "I've been a practicing Catholic for 78 years, and I loved this book." "He claims blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a grave sin, and then he proceeds to commit it." "Sacrilegious." "A profoundly spiritual experience." "I've read John's description of the crucifixion 40 times." "I was moved by the chapter where a roomful of disciples 'enter the kingdom.'" "John the Baptist is hilarious . . . I loved the cameo appearance of St. Paul . . . The apostle John is half St. Francis of Assisi and half trailer park trash . . . My favorite character is Peter . . . Andrew . . . Philip . . . Bartholomew . . . Judas . . . Zenobia . . . Mary Magdalene . . . Simon the Zealot . . . James, James, and Jimmy. . . Matthew's donkey . . . Jesus. Of course, Jesus." "A great book." "I never wanted it to end."