Books with author J. Francis

Desperate to escape her abusive marriage, Lilly Crawford files for divorce, then slips away from her small east Texas hometown with little more than the clothes on her back. She points her twelve-year-old car east, hoping to find a new beginning. When her car breaks down in Louisiana, Lilly finds unexpected employment as the caregiver for a wealthy neurosurgeon named Adam Wakefield, who lost his sight in a recent carjacking. At first, this handsome, brooding man reminds her too much of the angry husband she left behind and she reminds him of how far he has fallen from the self-assured man he once was. But as the two spend long days together, an unexpected bond develops---one that will be deeply tested. For Lilly must confront her violent husband before she can ever hope to move on and truly discover a second chance at life and love.This stunning story is gripping and unforgettable tale told with Francis Ray's trademark emotion and passion.

Excerpt from Bobby in Movieland"Say, ma; honest, I don't want to go in.Just all I want is to take off my shoes and socks and walk where the water just comes up to my ankles."As the speaker, a boy of eight, was dressed in the fashion common to the youth of Los Angeles and its environment, it is but fair to state that with the taking off of shoes and socks the process of disrobing was really far advanced."My mother has let me take mine off," put in a bare-legged little girl. "We won't go into the water really at all, Mrs. Vernon. Oh, please let Bobby come along."The time was morning - a clear, golden, flower-scented morning in early July.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The perfect picture book for kids!Noah is in his bedroom, reading his favourite book, when something unusual happens. He runs to tell his mum and from then on the day just gets stranger and stranger… Repetitive texts are an essential part of every toddler and preschool library. A predictable story, repeated phrases and a simple pattern encourage children to become active participants as you read aloud to them. With all of these attributes, “They Can’t Talk!” is a perfect stepping-stone in the reading development process.

Excerpt from My Strange FriendThe cessation of my morning head ache was almost due when my sister, singing gayly, tripped into my room with a letter, which she handed me with a mock bow.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Read any good stories lately? I am sure you have. They sent you on a journey—perhaps to another place, a different time…somewhere you have never been before. Tales, yarns, legends and fables fill our human history, and stories are as powerful today as they have always been. Have you ever wondered why you can’t resist going? It’s time to find out… Breadcrumbs invites you to further adventures. Traveling across time, along crooked paths, wooded trails, and on mountain tops, you will discover: • Why stories are critical to well-being and the hidden mystery you are searching to uncover • How to interpret the twists and turns of life and find the meaning that makes all the difference • How to identify the breadcrumbs that reveal the most important story of them all In this collection you will meet some familiar friends and perhaps make some new ones: • In Breadcrumbs, we are on the yellow brick with Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and in the woods with Hänsel and Gretel. Two seemingly very different stories, but could there be a key that unlocks both? • The King’s Gambit (longlisted for the 2015 Notting Hill Editions International Essay Prize) takes us on a very different journey—into the complex world of chess. All kinds of characters appear, and one makes a fateful decision that may have changed history • Next, we are with Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring. Sitting on the mountaintop, staring at Mt. Doom, there’s a Crisis in Middle Earth and it’s not only the one you imagine • Slowing it down, join me and Timothy the Tortoise, as we travel through time to answer a question—are we humans truly making progress? • Picture this—you have been found guilty of a crime. Your execution is only moments away and your one hope is a wandering preacher your executioners dislike immensely. Just what was The Sandman doing? • If you feel your story has come to a grinding halt, read The Butterfly Effect, as it’s all about you, the most important room where you live, and what you may need to do to get your story moving forward if you are feeling stuck • Finally, join me and genius, Albert Einstein. I promise no theoretical physics skills are needed, because what I went seeking was a Special Theory of Spiritual Relativity. Did I find it? Ready for some adventures? There’s no need to pack. All you need is what every story asks of us—to be open to all the possibilities, because whatever we seek on our journey—inspiration, healing, hope, purpose…our answers are waiting and all we have to do is keep turning the pages.

"An old man once told me that if you sneezed five times in a row on a rainy day in May something strange would happen. I never really believed him, but his words remained tucked away somewhere in my memory for years.”When Garreth's mother receives a sinister and mysterious letter Garreth Williams, Busi Masimango and Anthea Poulos, the three young BAG-PI investigators, embark on their second case. This time it's personal. Once again the five sneeze theory leads them on an unexpected adventure.

What’s your biggest dream? What do you want to do more than anything in the world? Well, for one little dinosaur, a long time ago before you and me, it was to take to the skies and soar over the world like the flying reptiles of old. But how will he get up there? How will he take flight? And how will he get his big dream off the ground? Let’s jump on in and find out how this little day dreamer makes his goals a big reality in The Fantastic Flying Dinosaur!

Mrs. Vernon, a beautiful young woman, in half-mourning, was strolling with her only child and the girl, an acquaintance made on the train, along the sands. They were all transients, presently to take a train north.Bobby Vernon was a highly interesting child to look at. Rather small for his age, he was lithe and shapely. His complexion was delicately fair, his chestnut hair rather long. All these things were enough to attract attention; but above and beyond these were the features. Blue eyes, cupid mouth, a sensitive upper lip, an eloquent, chubby little nose—all had this in common that they were expressive of his every passing thought and emotion. He had a face, in a word, at once speaking and engaging.

William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances.” We spend our lives playing many roles; acting out comedies, dramas, and tragedies. We dress up in our perceptions of truth and illusion and despite a lifelong relationship with learning our lines, we struggle to play our most important role—being ourselves.We refer to our life as a journey, quest, and adventure—on stage, it’s a portrayal, performance, and recital—I call it…our Blessing Path and over 16 Acts, I invite you back on stage to prepare for your biggest performance, with you as director and in the lead role. Before the final curtain descends, you will have answered a mysterious question—is what we experience Good Luck? Bad Luck? Who Knows? and does it matter?

While everyone else prepares for war, Elaina is on a divine mission to restore peace. She grew up believing she was an orphan, but Elaina now knows who and what she is, and she’s learning how to use her new powers over nature, life, and death to achieve her goals.Heavy snow is falling in Arra, and its army and royal court are hiding in caves from the Destaurian invaders. Elaina, her mentor Alessa, and Queen Alethea have journeyed northward to secure allies for a counterstrike.Meanwhile, Elaina’s love Prince Jaimin learns how to inspire his people, and Jaimin’s best friend and advisor Nastasha struggles with her feelings for him.Even if the counterstrike succeeds, peace is not assured. Ultimately, Elaina must travel far into a hostile land to find and heal the enemy king. And she will need the help of a family she never knew she had.

Excerpt from His Luckiest YearChapter I no: Showing how Bob Ryan in trying to be kind is, in effect, looking for trouble chapter II Bob, bearding the lion in his den, and in dire danger, invokes the dove of peace with startling results 23.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.