Books with author Paul J. Willis

Thirteen-year-old Erica Pickins does not want to play the piano—and she definitely does not want to go to England. But her father must take family and students for a fall semester abroad, and her mother insists she still practice, every day. In England, their new home becomes Hengrave Hall, a sixteenth-century manor house presided over by a group of nuns. While exploring with her new friend Pedro, Erica walks through a chamber door…into the Year of Our Lord 1578. There she is startled to find a music master in doublet and hose impatiently waiting for her. He mistakes her for Margaret, the elder daughter of the house, who is late for a lesson on the virginal—a forerunner of the piano. It seems that in a matter of days Queen Elizabeth will arrive on a formal visit, and the girl is to play for her as part of the planned entertainments. Erica has no choice but to play along and pretend that she is Margaret. With a little help from her brainy friend Pedro, and after making a few whopping social blunders in welcoming the Queen of England, Erica manages to pull off her final performance—but not before the real Margaret reappears at exactly the wrong moment….

Thirteen-year-old Erica Pickins does not want to play the piano--and she definitely does not want to go to England. But her father must take family and students for a fall semester abroad, and her mother insists she still practice, every day. In England, their new home becomes Hengrave Hall, a sixteenth-century manor house presided over by a group of nuns. While exploring with her new friend Pedro, Erica walks through a chamber door…into the Year of Our Lord 1578. There she is startled to find a music master in doublet and hose impatiently waiting for her. He mistakes her for Margaret, the elder daughter of the house, who is late for a lesson on the virginal--a forerunner of the piano.It seems that in a matter of days Queen Elizabeth will arrive on a formal visit, and the girl is to play for her as part of the planned entertainments. Erica has no choice but to play along and pretend that she is Margaret. With a little help from her brainy friend Pedro, and after making a few whopping social blunders in welcoming the Queen of England, Erica manages to pull off her final performance--but not before the real Margaret reappears at exactly the wrong moment….

Samuel Orzabal is celebrating his fifteenth birthday with his mom and grandfather. He is given an old envelope and is told it is from his long-deceased uncle Rufus who requested that Gramps give it to Sam on his Fifteenth birthday. The envelope reads 'Open in Private' - It includes a map, two keys and a letter. Sam discovers that his dear old uncle was working on a mysterious project before he died. A project he wants Sam to complete. Sam discovers his Uncle Rufus was a genius inventor and created some extraordinary machines - One turns ordinary rocks into gold, another can transport him to an alternative dimension. What is the plight of this other world and why is it so important Sam connect with them? Sam knows he will need the help of his two best friends, Sean and Curt to continue this quest.

Lethal persecution. Haunting decisions. Death just a whisper away.Jack grew up concealing his faith, but now the persecution of Christians has turned lethal. After inadvertently putting his family in danger, Jack becomes aware of a covert agency dedicated to protecting Christians. The agency takes his mother and sister to safety and offers him a position as an emergency medic within their ranks.Caring for the injured allows Jack to help their cause without violating his pacifistic beliefs, but he stands at odds with tough resistance fighter Britain. Grueling firefights, severe losses, and desperate choices test their beliefs as each of them seeks to save lives no matter the cost. But what is that cost?

Lethal persecution. Haunting decisions. Death just a whisper away. Jack grew up concealing his faith, but now the persecution of Christians has turned lethal. After inadvertently putting his family in danger, Jack becomes aware of a covert agency dedicated to protecting Christians. The agency takes his mother and sister to safety and offers him a position as an emergency medic within their ranks. Caring for the injured allows Jack to help their cause without violating his pacifistic beliefs, but he stands at odds with tough resistance fighter Britain. Grueling firefights, severe losses, and desperate choices test their beliefs as each of them seeks to save lives no matter the cost. But what is that cost?

Samuel Orzabal is celebrating his fifteenth birthday with his mom and grandfather. He is given an old envelope and is told it is from his long-deceased uncle Rufus who requested that Gramps give it to Sam on his Fifteenth birthday. The envelope reads 'Open in Private' - It includes a map, two keys and a letter. Sam discovers that his dear old uncle was working on a mysterious project before he died. A project he wants Sam to complete. Sam discovers his Uncle Rufus was a genius inventor and created some extraordinary machines - One turns ordinary rocks into gold, another can transport him to an alternative dimension. What is the plight of this other world and why is it so important Sam connect with them? Sam knows he will need the help of his two best friends, Sean and Curt to continue this quest.

In June 1876 the 7th U.S. Cavalry was savagely defeated at the Little Bighorn in the Montana wilderness during an attempt to seize Sioux and Cheyenne hunting grounds. Three years later redcoats mirrored this utter disaster with an equally high-handed grab for Zulu lands in South Africa. Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony W. Durnford had much in common, from modes of dress to the way they died. This book interweaves the stories of the two soldiers and their final battles, revealing how, to an astonishing degree, similar personalities, aims, tactics, weapons, stupidity and a gross underestimation of the powers of the native people led to calamitous defeat.

In June 1876 the 7th U.S. Cavalry was savagely defeated at the Little Bighorn in the Montana wilderness during an attempt to seize Sioux and Cheyenne hunting grounds. Three years later redcoats mirrored this utter disaster with an equally high-handed grab for Zulu lands in South Africa. Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony W. Durnford had much in common, from modes of dress to the way they died. This book interweaves the stories of the two soldiers and their final battles, revealing how, to an astonishing degree, similar personalities, aims, tactics, weapons, stupidity and a gross underestimation of the powers of the native people led to calamitous defeat.

The sword quivers in Alaina's hand. With one final stroke she can slay the gladiator, win back her freedom ... and lose the trust of her people forever.The Kingdom of Falyncia is caught in a war between a guardian spirit and a powerful demon. Alaina barely escapes with her life, yet she vows to one day claim the throne. When she finally returns home, the enemy has her in his grasp. Now she must choose between freedom and staying true to her people. If she fails to kill the gladiator, torture awaits. Can she find the courage to face it? Or will the demon triumph again?

Sam Orzabal and his buddies are out playing in the backwoods when they stumble across an old, decrepit shack. Curiosity gets the better of them and they enter without knowing the consequences of this decision. Nothing seems unusual at first but after they leave, they discover their world is not the same. It will take perseverance, trust, ingenuity, as well as battling sinister beings to get back to the life they knew...