"A deftly written, entertaining, and ultimately thought provoking read, 'Beyond His Mercy' is unreservedly recommended..." --The Midwest Book Review

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The American Civil War claimed and destroyed lives, stealing fathers and sons from those they loved. The horror caused many returning to cry out for death. They carried the festering scars of battle and were unable to overcome the torment of their souls. This is the story of Thomas Wilson, a soldier who returns home haunted by the destruction and devastation he both witnessed and caused. Although his regiment respects and reveres him as a sharpshooter, each man he has killed condemns him to a life of terrifying dreams and troubled days where forgiveness can never be obtained. Neither the love of his family nor the affection of a woman with sparkling dark eyes and soft black hair can chase his war demons away, for he is beyond mercy. Includes Readers Guide.

As a child Johnny Neil Smith often sat at his grandparents’ fireplace listening to stories of their parents’ struggles while pioneering south Mississippi in the eighteen hundreds. Now a retired educator with an ardent interest in early American history, Smith weaves the stories he heard as a child into all his novels. In Beyond His Mercy, he tells the story of his great-great grandfather, Lott Williams, who located the children of his murdered son-in-law and deceased daughter who lived in Cass County, Texas, and who then brought his grandchildren to live with him in Mississippi. In all of Smith’s writings, he captures the emotions behind the events that were passed down to him from his grandparents. His wife, Susan Cruce Smith, also a retired educator, takes his stories and brings them to life by adding spiritual meaning, literary style, and a woman’s perspective. They are also the authors of Beyond the Storm, and Johnny Neil is the author of Hillcountry Warriors and Unconquered, all from Sunstone Press.

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Hardcover:
6 X 9
ISBN: 978-1-63293-232-7
280 pp.,$28.95

Softcover:
6 X 9
ISBN: 978-1-63293-187-0
280 pp.,$22.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-523-5
280 pp.,$4.99

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Desperate to be free of a terrifying food addiction and driven by a terrible longing to find God, whomever and whatever that meant, Virginia began a ten-year journey that covered more than 10,000 miles by bicycle and countless inner miles of self-discovery and transformation. Her search takes her from a well-ordered, happy married life into divorce, chaos, confusion and despair—and ultimately to the unexpected and profound answer to her quest. This story follows a modern-day seeker as she bicycles her way—alone on back roads and in long distance races—all the way home, where she finds herself as she finds the God she is seeking.

Virginia Mudd, a California native, has followed her heart into many diverse arenas—politics, business, education, the arts—as well as numerous bicycling adventures. Beneath it all has flowed the deeper call to self-discovery and personal knowledge of the divine. Virginia is also the author of Across America on the Yellow Brick Road. She lives in New Mexico with her husband and family of beloved animals.

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Website: http://www.virginiamudd.com

Softcover:
8 1/2 x 8 1/2
ISBN: 978-0-86534-997-1
242 pp.,$28.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-289-0
242 pp.,$22.99

Mildred Cram, the famous American author of the long-time best selling Forever and Kingdom of Innocents applies her special magic to a re-telling of the traditional Christmas Nativity story in modern terms. In addition to her many novels and short stories, Mildred Cram was known for her work in motion picture scripts as well as radio and television scripts. Her short story “Stranger Things” was included in the O. Henry Award story collection. She is also the author of another book from Sunstone Press, Sir, a political thriller.

Mildred Cram was born in Washington, DC, and educated at Barnard and abroad. “Love Affair,” “Wings Over Honolulu,” and “Stars Over Broadway” are some of the notable motion pictures she scripted.

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Softcover:
6 x 9
ISBN: 978-1-63293-131-3
34 pp.,$14.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-469-6
34 pp.,$4.99

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Here are words of hope and inspiration. Decades have passed since their author, Robert Whitfield Miles, preached these words, but their value endures to benefit all who seek spiritual substance and focus in their lives. Firmly grounded in a vibrant Christian faith, the messages breathe optimism. The theme, which knits them together, is that God’s purposes for human beings shall triumph ultimately over evil. These purposes will grow steadily clearer to a person as God’s relationship with that person evolves. Graphically articulated, these messages offer compelling alternatives to fanaticism, exclusion, and bigotry. To read them is to glimpse the possibility of a future in concert with an accessible God who cares. The twenty-five sermons, or messages, are representative of Dr. Miles’ preaching in a ministry that spanned thirty-four years. Transcribed from recordings, their voice and cadence exemplify the great oral tradition of preaching in America and show remarkable literary vitality in addition to biblical interpretation and spiritual guidance.

Robert Whitfield Miles, Presbyterian clergyman, scholar, and writer, devoted his pastoral career to the furtherance of God’s kingdom on earth and to building unity and ecumenism in the Christian community. Were he alive today, he would approach the future with the same optimism that so characterized his life and work in the past. Throughout his ministry he served four congregations: First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, as assistant minister; First Presbyterian Church, Auburn, Alabama; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, Virginia; and First Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Kentucky, as minister. In addition to his sermons, Dr. Miles published numerous articles and two books: That Frenchman, John Calvin and Christian Reconstruction.

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Website: http://books.google.com/books?id=dvIJAAAACAAJ&dq=0865342962&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HO7PT9nIGoqo2wWxhtytDA&ved

Softcover:
6 x 9
ISBN: 978-0-86534-296-5
222 pp.,$24.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-943-1
222 pp.,$4.99

In this stunning collection, the photographer/author has fulfilled a long-term mission to photograph the captivating and evocative historic Catholic churches of the state of New Mexico. The mission became a journey that covered the highways, back roads, and SUV trails of the state, from north to south, east to west. He has driven these roads, photographing these churches that reflect New Mexico’s complex history and beautiful landscapes, and talked to many people who attend, maintain, and love them. His descriptions of the churches reflect that complex beauty and provide enough information for the reader to find each of them. The photographs and descriptions also reflect an urgency: many small, rural, historic churches in New Mexico lack funds for maintenance as rural populations decline, and some of them are at risk of disappearing forever. This volume covers the churches along the Rio Grande, a transportation and trade corridor for millennia and home to many of New Mexico’s oldest Catholic churches. The churches include famous and imposing ones like Holy Cross in Santa Cruz de la Cañada, with its glorious artwork, and more-modest ones off the beaten track like San Antonio Mission Church in Alamillo. They include churches from near the Mexican border in the south to Taos County in the north, covering not only a geographic span but a time span from the early 1700s to the 20th century. The churches reflect the diversity of New Mexico’s communities and history. Each is unique and each one claims the Land of Enchantment as home.

David Policansky was born in Cape Town, South Africa and came to the United States for his higher education. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University and masters and PhD degrees in biology from the University of Oregon. He taught biology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston and did research, and has published more than 35 scientific papers. He later worked as a staff officer and scholar at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC where he directed or contributed to about 60 published reports. After living in Washington for many years, he and his wife spent more and more time in New Mexico, where they now live for half of the year, attracted by its spectacular landscapes and diverse and fascinating history and cultures.

David has been interested in churches, especially Catholic churches, for many decades. He began photographing New Mexico’s historic adobe, stone, and brick churches in 2005 and has continued to do so, with increasing urgency as it becomes clearer that these churches do not last forever. He says that he is not a historian or a regular church-goer, but photographing New Mexico churches together has deepened his appreciation of New Mexico’s marvelous cultural and natural landscapes, including the fact that the descendants of these New Spanish/Mexican colonists have been here as long and are just as American as the descendants of the Mayflower pilgrims. He adds that when you consider the even longer history here of the Native Americans, you can begin to understand the complexity and profundity of the factors that have led to the presence of these beautiful buildings all over New Mexico.

Hardcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-368-3
126 pp.,$50.00

Softcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-364-5
126 pp.,$40.00

In this second collection, the photographer/author has continued his long-term mission to photograph the captivating and evocative historic Catholic churches of the state of New Mexico. The mission became a journey that covered the highways, back roads, and trails of the state, from north to south, east to west. He has driven these roads, photographing these churches that reflect New Mexico's complex history and beautiful landscapes, and talked to many people who attend, maintain, and love them. His descriptions of the churches reflect that complex beauty and provide enough information for the reader to find each of them. The photographs and descriptions also reflect an urgency: many small, rural, historic churches in New Mexico lack funds for maintenance as rural populations decline, and some of them are at risk of disappearing forever. This volume covers the churches in central and southern New Mexico, churches south of Interstate 40. The churches include famous and imposing ones like San Esteban del Rey in Acoma Pueblo, and more modest ones off the beaten track like San Isidro Mission Church in Borica. They include churches from near the Mexican border in the south to the Arizona border in the west and the Texas border in the east, covering not only a wide geographic span but a time span from the 1600s to the 20th century. The churches reflect the diversity of New Mexico's communities and history. Each is unique and each one claims the Land of Enchantment as home.

David Policansky was born in Cape Town, South Africa and came to the United States for his higher education. He received a bachelor's degree in biology from Stanford University and masters and PhD degrees in biology from the University of Oregon. He taught biology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston and did research, and has published more than 35 scientific papers. He later worked as a staff officer and scholar at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC where he directed or contributed to about 60 published reports. After living in Washington for many years, he and his wife spent more and more time in New Mexico, where they now live for half of the year, attracted by its spectacular landscapes and diverse and fascinating history and cultures. David has been interested in churches, especially Catholic churches, for many decades. He began photographing New Mexico's historic adobe, stone, and brick churches in 2005 and has continued to do so, with increasing urgency as it becomes clearer that these churches do not last forever. He is not a historian or a regular church-goer, but photographing New Mexico churches has deepened his appreciation of New Mexico's marvelous cultural and natural landscapes, including the fact that the descendants of these New Spanish/Mexican colonists have been here as long and are just as American as the descendants of the Mayflower pilgrims. When you consider the even longer history of the Native Americans, you begin to understand the complexity and profundity of the factors that have led to the presence of these beautiful buildings all over New Mexico.

Hardcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-394-2
150 pp.,$60.00

Softcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-393-5
150 pp.,$45.00

In this third stunning collection, the photographer and author continues his long-term mission to photograph the captivating and evocative historic Catholic churches of the state of New Mexico. The mission became a journey that covered the highways, back roads, and 4WD trails of the state, from north to south, east to west. He has driven these roads, photographing these churches that reflect New Mexico’s complex history and beautiful landscapes, and talked to many people who attend, maintain, and love them. His photographs and descriptions of the churches reflect that complex beauty and provide enough information for the reader to find each of them. They also reflect an urgency: many small, rural, historic churches in New Mexico lack funds for maintenance as rural populations decline, and some of them are at risk of disappearing forever. This volume covers the churches in northeastern New Mexico, churches north of Interstate 40 and east of Santa Fe County and of the western half of Taos County. The churches include famous and imposing ones like San Francisco de Asís in Ranchos de Taos, and more modest ones off the beaten track like the Chapel of San Isidro in Tinaja. They cover not only a geographic span but a time span from the early 1700s to the 20th century. Each church is unique, each has its own story, and each one claims the Land of Enchantment as home.

David Policansky, born in Cape Town, South Africa, came to the United States for his higher education. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University and master’s and PhD degrees in biology from the University of Oregon. He has published more than 35 scientific papers. He also worked at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, where he contributed to about 60 published reports. He and his wife have long loved New Mexico, where they now live for half of the year, attracted by its spectacular landscapes and diverse and fascinating history and cultures. David began photographing New Mexico’s historic adobe, stone, and brick churches in 2005 and has continued to do so, with increasing urgency as it becomes clearer that these churches do not last forever. This interest in New Mexico’s churches led to his previous books, Historic Catholic Churches Along the Rio Grande in New Mexico and Historic Catholic Churches of Central and Southern New Mexico. He says that he is not a historian or a regular church-goer, but photographing New Mexico churches has deepened his appreciation of New Mexico’s marvelous cultural and natural landscapes, including the fact that the descendants of these New Spanish/Mexican colonists have been here as long and are just as American as the descendants of the Mayflower pilgrims. He adds that when you consider the even longer history here of the Native Americans, you can begin to understand the complexity and profundity of the factors that have led to the presence of these beautiful buildings all over New Mexico.

Hardcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-543-4
156 pp.,$65.00

Softcover:
11 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-63293-542-7
156 pp.,$50.00

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In the face of frequent and sometimes loose contemporary usage of the term “born again” (which is the King James version of the Bible’s rendering of a phrase from John 3:3), the authors of this book attempt to examine what the New Testament reveals about the process of being “born from above” (which is a preferable translation of the Johannine phrase). The third chapter of the Gospel of John, with its grounding in old Testament prophecy, is examined in detail in order to see what Jesus says about this process of birth. Then four New Testament characters are discussed as “test” cases. On the basis of their analysis, the authors believe that “birth from above” is not some sudden cataclysmic and definitive alteration in the life of an individual but rather the beginning of a process which takes place in company, and sometimes in conflict, with others, in order that the divine society envisioned by Jesus may come into existence and thus replace the wrangle of warring element into which the world has been fractured. It is a means of bringing peace, which in the deepest Hebrew sense means ultimate well-being, into the world. This purpose of this book is to illuminate the possibility of establishing a world society that understands itself to be the family of God.

William Orr is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is, with James A. Walther, the author of the Anchor Bible volume on I Corinthians. William Guy is a poet, novelist, and translator, and an avid student of languages and literature.

Website: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZlCdAAAACAAJ&dq=086534132X&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FXrWT6_GEIXc2AWB2ZSDDw&ved

Softcover:
5 1/2 x 8 1/2
ISBN: 978-0-86534-132-6
198 pp.,$22.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-989-9
198 pp.,$9.99

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Have you ever wondered about Nazareth as a place to live in the first century? How about Jesus the miracle worker: how did he do the great deeds reported of him in the New Testament? A Man Called Jesus answers these questions and more. It recreates Jesus as a Jew in contrast to the first Christian of the early church. It’s a novel that makes one central assumption about the historical Jesus. He was a man all about love. In doing so it creates a Jesus that is relevant for all times and all places.

Rick Herrick (PhD, Tulane University) is a former tenured university professor and magazine editor. He is the author of three published novels and a work of nonfiction entitled The Case Against Evangelical Christianity. His musical play, “Lighthouse Point,” was performed as a fundraiser for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in 2013.

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Email: rherrick86@gmail.com

Softcover:
ISBN: 978-1-63293-021-7
136 pp.,$19.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-315-6
136 pp.,$4.99

"This is a wonderful book for anyone on the brink of spiritual awareness because it encourages you to find the way through the meditations of your own heart." (INNERCHANGE MAGAZINE)

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Before there is ever an assumption about anything or anyone, perhaps we could ask the question, why did God create diversity? Here in simple language the author presents a collection of questions that may provide an opportunity for meditation, a sharing of sincere thoughts and a willingness to set aside the practices of prejudice, condemnation and fear. The author presents no answers, but he reveals the accumulation of many questions about the beliefs of God, the importance of having love for all mankind, the uniqueness of our individuality, and the bond that is shared with creation throughout the spiritual journey.

The author feels that "answers to all our questions will come from the God one loves if only one is willing to listen deeply to the creation known as you. When it is said that heaven is within you, perhaps the word truth could replace the word heaven. The truth is within you. God has created who you truly are," he says, "and you will find the answers."

The experiences in this life's journey for the author, Brian G. O'Rourke, have included two countries, twelve different schools, thirty plus residences and countless "incredible creations" he calls family, friends, and those who have touched and enriched his life, some for only the briefest moment. Brian is a product of determination, a desire for self-taught continuing education and the inward flame that life is beautiful, wonderful, playful and must be shared with all of God's people. Brian has spent years earning a living, while like many, searching and challenging the questions of life and meaning.

Please accept your imagination,
expand the horizon of your thoughts
and listen to the sound of inspiration--
the soul of your spirituality.

The answers will not surprise you.
The God of creation is a wonderful teacher.

Be a gift to every life you touch,
And graciously accept the gifts,
Of those lives that touch you.

Softcover:
5 1/2 X 8 1/2
ISBN: 978-0-86534-334-4
74 pp.,$16.95

Illustrated by the Author

The young daughter of a local saint maker, a Santero, takes it upon herself to finish the carvings which her father is unable to complete for the new church because of illness. She discovers the task is not as easy as she hoped. But a stranger knocks at the workshop door and kindly volunteers to help her. Later she is surprised to find out who the stranger was.

Marie Romero Cash’s story of love and determination along with her beautiful illustrations will delight readers of all ages. An award winning Santera herself, she has inside knowledge on the subject of saints which is dear to her heart.

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Marie Romero Cash has been a Santera (saint maker) for over forty years. Her award-winning works are in major museums and private collections throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe and The Vatican. She has written several books and magazine articles on the culture and religion of Northern New Mexico and has lectured widely on the subject for the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities. Her other books from Sunstone Press are The Word Thief; Santos, A Coloring Book of New Mexico Saints and Lowrider Blues, Cantando, Gritando y Llorando, a Collection of Short Stories and Observations from My Inner Barrio.

Hardcover:
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 Illustrated, Color
ISBN: 978-1-63294-284-6
40 pp.,$24.95

Softcover:
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 Illustrated, Color
ISBN: 978-1-63293-261-7
40 pp.,$16.95

“Dr. Chesser has done a wonderful service in writing Seven Steps for Handling Grief. She has faced the specter of loss with authority, compassion, reality, and hope. At some time—sooner or later—everyone will need this helpful, heartwarming book.” —L. Johnson

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“Let me know if there is anything I can do.” This well-meaning offer is frequently expressed when a relative or friend suffers a death or other heart-wrenching loss such as divorce, termination of a job, having to put a parent in a nursing home or Alzheimer’s facility, loss of one’s home, or the “empty nest” syndrome. This book moves beyond that offer and other platitudes and gives practical steps to take to help alleviate the pain of loss—the heartbreak from a variety of shattering experiences. These steps are drawn straight from real-life experiences; the stories of people demonstrate how one or more of these seven steps helped them turn grief of futility and despair into understanding, faith, and hope.

The New York Times bestselling author Barbara Russell Chesser is uniquely qualified to write this book. She has personally triumphed over a variety of griefs, and as a university professor, she conducted research on grief and taught courses about it. Her work with families and individuals has taken her to the African countries of Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Morocco, and to the Philippines and Greece. The sole author of four books and co-author of four other books, Dr. Chesser is also the editor of several volumes and author of numerous articles, including features in Reader’s Digest.

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Website: http://books.google.com/books?id=KpmgxxFHBIQC&dq=9780865347052&cd=1

Softcover:
6 X 9
ISBN: 978-0-86534-705-2
246 pp.,$24.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-106-0
246 pp.,$9.99

The timeless questions that nag us all, those that ask about our origin, essential nature, way to live a good life, and final destiny, are explored through the ancient traditions of world religions in a probing dialogue between a knowledgeable professor and a persistent, unidentified questioner.

Timeless questions are the questions asked as we confront the mysteries of life: What is our origin, essential nature, best way to live a good life, and final destiny? The questions are timeless because each generation keeps asking them, and their mysteries are never fully resolved. The world religions, in their ancient forms, explore these mysteries and provide not so much answers as useful insight for thinking about human existence. Each chapter in this book explores a particular mystery and its related questions, drawing in the ideas of the religions as needed. These include chapters on God, creation, human nature, social order, the good life, suffering and death, and the fate of the world. Through the persistent inquiry of the “questioner,” in dialogue with a knowledgeable professor, the mysteries are explored in a practical way, relevant to life today, but leaving room for further discussion. Because there is often little opportunity to study religion in school, many people, through no fault of their own, don’t know much about religion, especially world religions. This is not a book to foster belief or doubt. It is designed to provide basic information, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and aid in the development of a philosophy of life. Here you can feel the joy of learning something new while examining the mysteries of your own life through the timeless questions that nag us all.

James R. Davis is a professor and dean emeritus of the University of Denver. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University Divinity School, and Michigan State University and is the author of eight academic books on college teaching, training, and leadership. A sequence of graduate courses taken at Miami University (Ohio) inspired a life-long interest in world religions. Jim lives at home in a suburb west of Denver, Colorado, with his wife Adelaide, who is originally from Brazil. His novels, Ranch Without Cowboys and The Last Resort are also published by Sunstone Press.

Hardcover:
6 x 9
ISBN: 978-1-63293-486-4
256 pp.,$36.95

Softcover:
6 x 9
ISBN: 978-1-63293-362-1
256 pp.,$22.95

eBook:
ISBN: 978-1-61139-641-6
256 pp.,$6.99

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Since the release of the author’s first book, Questions, A Journal for Exploration of Oneness, Brian continues his pursuit of understanding life's spiritual journey. Within the bond of family and friends, the author finds the need to express and acknowledge the feelings of peacefulness, the struggle of society’s structure, the joy of togetherness, the pain of prejudice and the love of life’s uniqueness.

In Touched By A Thought, the author offers a new collection of personal thoughts, created with the guidance of God and presented to you with the hope that you will be touched in a meaningful way. May your thoughts bring you enlightenment, happiness and an acceptance of the beauty of your spiritual journey. In all that is good or perceived to be not so good, there is always our ability to create, to choose our next step, to grasp our next lesson whether with enthusiasm or reluctance. In the silence of life listen to your heart, to your soul and to your God. God's voice can be heard expressed in all that we do, in all that we wonder about and in all that we choose to happen throughout this endeavor known as human life. Appreciate the expression of your lives with the creativeness found throughout your eternal journey.

The experiences in this life's journey for the author, Brian G. O'Rourke, have included two countries, twelve different schools, thirty plus residences and countless "incredible creations" he calls family, friends, and those who have touched and enriched his life, some for only the briefest moment. Brian is a product of determination, a desire for self-taught continuing education and the inward flame that life is beautiful, wonderful, playful and must be shared with all of God's people. Brian has spent years earning a living, while like many, searching and challenging the questions of life and meaning.

Website: http://books.google.com/books?id=kCtXRD2Km5gC

Softcover:
6 X 9
ISBN: 978-0-86534-335-1
108 pp.,$10.95