The Harris Family : A Novel

Book Description

The unforgettable crew of characters from RM Johnson's bestselling debut novel, The Harris Men, returns in a riveting story of love, loss, and second chances.

Julius Harris walked out on his family twenty-five years ago -- and not a moment goes by he doesn't regret it. Five years ago, after learning he had cancer, Julius tried to make peace with his three sons. It didn't take. Now, the disease has gone into remission. Overjoyed, Julius is grateful for this miracle, and the time it affords him to make up for his past mistakes.

It won't be easy. In Chicago, life isn't exactly simple for his three grown sons. The oldest, Austin, a successful attorney, struggles to be a good father to his children despite his ex-wife's attempts to turn them against him. Marcus, the middle son, wrestles with a fear of commitment that drives away the woman he loves. And young Caleb, just released from prison, fights to rebuild his life and win back his wife and child. The three Harris brothers have a hard enough time being there for each other -- let alone a father they haven't seen in years. Nor are they sure they even want him in their lives.

Filled with intrigue, romance, and shocking twists, The Harris Family is a deliciously gripping novel of contemporary black relationships and, ultimately, a moving testament to the power of family, love, and forgiveness.

Download Description

The unforgettable crew of characters that made RM Johnson's debut novel The Harris Men a bestseller return in this riveting story of love, loss, and second chances. Life hasn't been easy for Julius Harris since he walked out on his wife and three sons twenty-five years ago. He may be blessed with the love of a wonderful new woman and a beautiful home in California, but not a moment passes that he isn't filled with regret for the fateful choice he made so many years ago. What's worse, he's now fighting for his life against an illness that leaves him with little hope of ever rebuilding the family lost to him. Julius has learned the hard way that there's nothing more precious than family -- and nothing more painful than being estranged from those you love. But suddenly Julius receives news that gives him fresh hope of making his family whole again: his cancer has gone into remission. Overjoyed, Julius is grateful for this miracle and the time it affords him to make up for his past mistakes. Fulfilling his dream won't be easy, however. Across the country in Chicago, life isn't exactly simple for his three grown sons -- now in their thirties and busy with families and romantic entanglements of their own. The oldest son, Austin, a handsome and successful attorney, struggles to be a good father to his two children despite his ex-wife's determination to turn them against him. Marcus, the middle son, a self-employed graphic designer, wrestles with a fear of commitment that leads him to drive away the woman he loves. And Caleb, the youngest, just released from prison for armed robbery, tries desperately to rebuild his life and win back the wife and son lost to him as a result of his past mistakes. Between the struggles of romance and career, these three brothers have a difficult enough time being there for one another -- let alone a father they haven't seen in so many years. Nor are they so sure they're ready to let him back into their lives.

Customer Reviews:

The Harris Family.......2007-01-16

I was hooked from page 1. This is an excellent book; fiction, but with a serious subject matter.

Family that prays together stays together.......2006-10-27

I read this author's book Father Found and didn't really like it. I just couldn't get into it. That happens sometimes. But just because I didn't like doesn't mean the next person won't. However, this one I found to be engaging. The author exposes the inside life of one family--namely the Harris family. There is turmoil, drama, protection and caring in this clan. The author's writing has really escalated from his previous novel. I look forward to reading the Harris Men.

I understood the themes, but storylines/plotting were obvious.......2005-07-16

I didn't finish the first novel that introduced these characters, but I did finish this one. It was a bit of work to get through this book and when I was finished, I didn't learn anything new or insighful about men who grow up without a positive male figure in their lives. What I did experience were a bunch of intelligent men who made silly choices for the sake of telling a story. All of the main characters were lacking in any "real" personalities; all manufactured to tell a tale lacking in drama or surprise. You don't have to be a rocket science to see some of the (obvious) plot lines coming a mile away. I laughed out loud in a number of places where characters said and did outrageously stupid things.

As for the writing: Mr. Johnson is not a bad writer. In fact, some of the passages were very good. However, his use of metaphors, quite often, did not work. And the constant flashbacks were annoying or, more precisely, were inappropriate in certain places. One last thing: For a book to about emotions, the writing is stilted in this regard and one doesn't really feel anything about the story or the characters. The book often reads like a screenplay - static, unmoving, and devoid of anything emotional. Perhaps if Mr. Johnson had focused on one or two characters and tightened up the plotting (or more inventive with the plotting), it might have been a better book.

Outstanding.......2004-02-14

I bought one RM Johnson book, and I've been hooked ever since. Every single one of his stories has great characterization, a smooth plot, and adult scenes without being vulgar and drawn out. I wish every fiction writer would master this craft! Anyway, this book is about three brothers, one an ex-con with a big heart and a hard head, one who would make a mule jealous because he is so stubborn about EVERYTHING including accepting his not-so-dead-beat-anymore Dad, and the third just can't make up his mind what he wants his future to be like--he wants a relationship, then he doesn't, he wants to have his kids around, then he doesn't want kids anymore. They're all trying to reach growing up goals but have a habit of being SUPER immature at times. Marcus reminds me a lot of me so it was funny watching him cause he was dead wrong most of the time.

waiting for the movie!!!!! and i want one!!!!.......2003-09-11

this book was the best. every man that is having these problems of not forgiving their abandoned fathers or fathers who have abandoned their childern should read this. ok the characters...ok the part of julius should be played by morgan freeman or ossie davis or charles dutton. the part of austin should be played by lawence fishburn or maybe denzel washington. the part of marcus should be played by eddie murphy. why? because he is a very good actor and he needs a good dramatic role and this character would be perfect for him. the part of caleb? there are many outstanding young black actors that can play him. will smith (i think he can play this role to the hilt!) taye diggs, lorenze tate, mikai Fifer. the part of cathy? if ossie davis plays the role of julis then ruby dee should play the part of cathy. trace could be played by vanessa williams. and the part of recie can be played by vivica fox. sonya? humm...maybe jada pinkett smith. but this is a wonderful book it is destined to be a movie!

Average customer rating:

First 5!
Great insight into why men sometimes do the things they do.
The Brothers
The Harris Men
Very Good Conversation Book

The Harris Men: A Novel
R. M. Johnson
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0684844702

Book Description

He took slow steps to the building, feeling as though he was being marched, blindfolded, to his place in front of a firing squad. Payment for the debt of leaving his children to grow up without a father, without love, without the knowledge that he even cared....There was no turning back at this point....He would handle the fear that he'd been escaping for twenty years, now.

From RM Johnson, a breathtaking new talent in American fiction, comes The Harris Men, the powerful, stirring portrait of one father and the three sons he walked out on years ago.

Fifty-five-year-old Julius Harris has one year to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Though devastated, he has known there would be some form of penalty to pay for leaving his wife and three sons twenty years ago. Since that time, he has made no form of contact with them. But now he has made a promise to himself: find his sons, reconcile with them, and make his family whole once more before he takes his last breath.

But there will be difficulties...

Marcus, the middle son, hates even the memory of his father and wrestles with fears of abandonment that prevent him from committing to the one woman who has turned his life around.

Caleb, the youngest son, couldn't care less about his father because he is too busy struggling to support his son, prove himself to his girlfriend, and make his way in a world that seems relentless in trying to keep him out.

And then there's Austin, the eldest son, who adores his father's memory and seems to be taking after him, abandoning his own wife and children as his father did twenty years before.

Drawing inspiration from experiences familiar to him, RM Johnson explores the world of the Harris men -- and the ever-growing problem of absentee fathers -- with arresting and deeply moving compassion. As his characters grapple with the fears that haunt them and the choices that lie before them, Johnson skillfully gets to the heart of a complex, real-life issue that will forever be the source of much debate: what it means to be a man.

Customer Reviews:

First 5!.......2007-09-05

I never thought I'd rate anything a 5. A 4? Sure! But a 5? Couldn't imagine until I read this book. I don't even know what to say about it. It was just great! There were times I had to catch myself from calling it stupid. I realized though that it wasn't the book, it was just my reaction to what some of the characters did and unfortunately people actually do those stupid things. I have to call this book reality-fiction because as far I know it wasn't meant to be non-fiction and it was so well done, I wouldn't feel right calling it just fiction. I can see this book as a movie and I casted everyone in my head as I read. Until then, you'll just have to settle for the book and I definitely recommend it!

Great insight into why men sometimes do the things they do........2007-04-28

After reading this book, I finally got to see why brothers sometimes behave the way they do when in a relationship. Though we don't always agree with the way that we're treated by someone who claims to love us, this book provided an insight as to why it often happens. It's a must read and I immediately bought all RM Johnson's other books.

The Brothers.......2005-10-18

I thought this was an engaging read. I enjoy reading about this family of men and their relationship with one another and their spouses. A good family drama worth reading.

The Harris Men.......2004-12-08

This is an all-too-familiar story of what can happen to a family when a parent walks away. These guys struggle with their own demons while trying to forget about the pain their father's abandonment caused for them. Though I was interested in finding out how this family makes out in the end and whether or not they could heal the rift between them, it was a struggle to get through. Caleb was my least favorite character but he seemed to be the star of the story, which bored me to no end.

Very Good Conversation Book.......2004-02-24

I had difficulty at first reading the first 100 pages and then couldn't wait to finish. The book was somewhat predictable when you learned a little about each character and believeable. I was able to identify someone I know with each character in the book. All of the characters had personal issues that were REAL to them!

I think the book was very well written with insight on how long people will carry baggage into their personal happiness. Although two brothers were what we would call 'successful' the third brother was also typical how one can fall through the crack.

It's amazing in each son's situation, they found someone who they loved and was loved in return, however, still let the baggage of the father's absence influence how they dealt with their own adult lives. It's unfortunate that men will WALK from their children and families, but somehow I even felt that the way Julius came back and explained why then and why now, that I would have even forgiven him because life is just what it is!

It was somewhat heartwarming to see how the brothers were very different but alike by the influence of the mother's raising. Children do know when one is loved more by a parent and too bad they felt the separation of love, especially Caleb. I was glad that Caleb finally admitted to himslef what he was about.

Amazon.com

Zurich Robinson is a young black starting quarterback for an NFL expansion team who, after refusing the sexual advances of a local sportscaster, finds himself accused of her rape. Readers know he didn't do it, because he's staying celibate while he figures out his sexual identity, a process complicated by the fact that he's got two different men interested in him--one just for the sex, and one for the love. His defense attorney has romantic problems of her own. Luckily, his grandmother has enough faith-driven wisdom to see everybody through. Overall, And This Too Shall Pass isn't quite as engrossing as Harris's Invisible Life series, although fans of that book will be intrigued by Basil Henderson's supporting role here.

Book Description

In And This Too Shall Pass, E. Lynn Harris takes us into the locker rooms and newsrooms of Chicago, where four lives are about to intersect in romance and scandal. At the heart of the novel is the gay but celibate Zurich, a rookie quarterback for the Chicago Cougars whose trajectory for superstardom is interrupted by a sexual harassment suit by Mia, a female sportscaster with her own sights on fame. With his career in jeopardy, Zurich hires Tamela, a high-powered attorney, to defend him, while Sean, a gay sportswriter, covers the story, and ultimately helps Zurich do the right thing.

Customer Reviews:

Boring!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-02-03

Sorry E. Lynn fans but I couldn't even finish this one whew! Thank God I got it from a thrift store for $1.00.

The characters draw you in.......2006-10-30

This is the first book by E Lynn Harris that I have read and it was actually better then I thought. I just finished reading a book called Passion Marks and saw this one pop up on a search. I truely enjoyed the character Zurich on his quest to find himself while being engulfed in the homophobic world around him. Then I felt a conection with Sean for some of his views on being black and gay and having faith. Most of all I liked the character Mama Cee, she really bought peace within the book...plus reminded me of some of my older family members. I think this was a very well written book and I'm now about to order Invisable life and start that series.

E got it going on.......2006-06-07

This book is soo good. I can't believe how this book ended. I love E. Lynn Harris' books.

Awsome!.......2005-12-10

I can not describe how good this book is, all I can say is AWSOME!!

The Sisterhood Journey Bookclub Review.......2005-07-12

This novel brought about a lively discussion as issues ranged from Gay Rights to Gays vs. Religion and family, from facing fears, to Male Dominance to Hetero-Sexual cultivation plus more. This book, which started off a little dry for most of us, was full of surprises and twists, not to mention love and romance. We voted this Novel as recommendable (2.5).

Dearest Chums and Partners: Joel Chandler Harris's Letters to His Children : A Domestic Biography

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Dearest Chums and Partners: Joel Chandler Harris's Letters to His Children : A Domestic Biography
Joel Chandler Harris
Manufacturer: University of Georgia Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Journalists | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Essays | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

United States | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0820314803

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A piece of life

Family Values: A Novel
Lawrence David
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Need

ASIN: 0671732153

Customer Reviews:

A piece of life.......2001-08-16

Lawrence David's outstanding first novel is a delicious piece of work which depicts the main events in the Wallaces' family life (it could be YOUR OWN family life) through the 70's and 80's. One of those thousands of families whose parents still wanted to keep loyal to the picture of the true American Family while their children had already inherited the 60's winds of change. In David's detailed, present-tensed, minimalistic writing, the reader is allowed to watch through a keyhole the Wallaces' struggling with incidents year by year, and above all, the mother's interior doubts, those who affected so many other women of the 70's who decided that being "a homemaker" just wasn't good enough anymore. Sandy Wallace is one of the best female characters I've read in a long time.

Book Description

Nineteenth-century fiction writer and journalist Rebecca Harding Davis (1831-1910) is best known for her novella Life in the Iron Mills. Its publication in 1861 launched her stunning fifty-year career that yielded a corpus of some 500 published works, including short stories, novels, novellas, sketches, and social commentary. Davis's unique mode of writing anticipated literary realism twenty years before the time usually associated with its genesis. Today, her life and work continue to figure prominently in the study of American literature and culture.

Rebecca Harding Davis: Writing Cultural Autobiography is the annotated edition of her 1904 autobiography, Bits of Gossip, and a previously unpublished family history written for her children. The memoirs are not traditional autobiography; rather, they are Davis's perspective on the extraordinary cultural changes that occurred during her lifetime and of the remarkable--and sometimes scandalous--people who shaped the events. She provides intimate portraits of the famous people she knew, including Emerson, Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Ann Stephens, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Horace Greeley. Equally important are Davis's commentaries on the political activists of the Civil War era, from Abraham Lincoln to Booker T. Washington, from the "daughters of the Southland" to Lucretia Mott, from Henry Ward Beecher to William Still.

Whereas Bits of Gossip expands our understanding of Davis as cultural critic and observer of life, the family history offers new information on Davis's early life and the influences that led her to become one of the nineteenth century's pioneering Realists and cultural commentators. Together they bring a human voice to the nineteenth-century American milieu.

Customer Reviews:

Leaning away from the traditional autobiographical format.......2002-05-06

Rebecca Harding Davis (1831-1910) was a fiction writer and journalist, best known for her novella "Life in the Iron Mills", and who published approximately 500 works in her lifetime. Deftly edited for modern readers by the collaborative efforts of Janice Milner Lasseter and Sharon M. Harris, Rebecca Harding Davis: Writing Cultural Autobiography is the aptly annotated version of the autobiography of Rebecca Harding Davis, originally entitled "Bits of Gossip" and intended for her children. Leaning away from the traditional autobiographical format, Ms. Davis' life story focuses upon the cultural changes that were taking place during her life time, from the political fallout of the Civil War to close portraits of famous people she knew, such as Louisa May Alcott and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Rebecca Harding Davis is highly recommended for American history and biographical studies academic reference collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.

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At The French Baron's Bidding (Harlequin Presents)
Fiona Hood-Stewart
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Harlequin Presents | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
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The Ramirez Bride (Harlequin Presents # 2487)

The Tycoon's Trophy Wife (Harlequin Presents)

The Italian's Marriage Demand (Harlequin Presents)

The Twelve-Month Mistress (Harlequin Presents)

Sale Or Return Bride (Harlequin Presents)

ASIN: 0373124902

Book Description

In this sequel to the book that first introduced Willie Juan, an orphaned boy who meets Jesus and learns the value of unconditional love, Willie Juan has become an adult and discovers that he has to relearn the lessons of his childhood.

Customer Reviews:

A First Draft Sorely in Need of Editing.......2003-01-08

This is not nearly the quality of "The Boy Who Cried Abba" or of Manning's non-fiction work. The story has promise but appears to be a first draft in sorely need of editing. The story jumps from event to event with little connection or character development. Situations pop-up full-grown with no warning. The protagonist grows up in a couple paragraphs, becomes a famous artists in a sentence or two, falls in love and loses her in a few pages, goes blind in a couple sentences yet can read a telegram. Where "The Boy Who Cried Abba" was a fantasy well told, this just doesn't make much sense.

What I've been hungry for!.......2003-01-05

A beautiful story! Brennan gives us a tale of a young man who grows up close to Jesus, drifts away into the hell only this world can provide, and the joyful coming back to faith. Awesome book!

Rebellion, Remorse, and Return: The Prodigal Son's Painful Journey Home

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Rebellion, Remorse, and Return: The Prodigal Son's Painful Journey Home
John A. Stroman
Manufacturer: CSS Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0788019961

Average customer rating:

Loved it!
It's worth a 2nd and 3rd look.
Great book
An amazing book
Must read for all

Prodigal Journey (Thy Kingdom Come)
Linda Paulson Adams
Manufacturer: Cornerstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Refining Fire: Prodigal Journey

ASIN: 1929281056

Customer Reviews:

Loved it!.......2004-06-14

This book was a really wonderful look at how things could play out before the Second Coming of Christ. The characters were well developed and the plot suspenseful, leaving wonderful clues throughout to tantalize readers about what was coming next. The treatment of so many sacred things was done in a wonderful, touching way, and Alyssa's struggles were dealt with very well. Enjoy!

It's worth a 2nd and 3rd look........2003-06-15

I have read Prodigal Journey, by Linda Paulson Adams, three times now, and enjoy it more each time I read it. The pace is fast, and the story is gripping. This is one book you may want to stay up all night to read.

Great book.......2003-01-30

I read Prodical Journey last year. It is great. The story moves along at a fast pace. I was left wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

An amazing book.......2002-11-16

This book is so great.
It's involved and inruiging and you find yourself wanting more.

Must read for all.......2002-11-16

This books brings Sci-Fi and the LDS religion together. This is not an easy task but Linda Paulson Adams is able to successfully accomplish it. I felt Alyssa's pain and cried when Alyssa couldn't due to losing the love of her life.

I had an extremely hard time putting this book down and hope to see many more books from this rising new author. Hurry up and complete another book!!

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My Prodigal Journey

Manufacturer: Instantpublisher.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1591965713

Product Description

A child becoming a prodigal is a concern for every christian parent regardless of the age of the child. What if the child is grown and what if the child is a minister? The pain, sorrow, and grief of both the prodigal and his parents is reflected in this book. They discover that God can take a broken pot and mend it into useable clay for his purpose.

Potholes & Pigsties: A Prodigal's Journey Home

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Potholes & Pigsties: A Prodigal's Journey Home
C. E. Lenamon
Manufacturer: Pippin Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0965896404

The Prodigal Daughter's Journey Home: Living Fearless

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The Prodigal Daughter's Journey Home: Living Fearless
Erica Samuels
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Substance Abuse | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysticism | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595341799

Book Description

With the introduction of The Prodigal Daughter's Tale, Erica Samuels examined her own discovery of her relationship to fear as hampering her success.

With Journey Home, the author invites further analysis to end the mind's distraction from holding one back from the enjoyment of living.

Erica Samuels resolves her issues with an open invitation to honest introspection.

The goal of success having been acquired, the author dissects the thought process supportive to failure and celebrates with her readers the break away from patterns of living set to avert available abundance.

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The Prodigal Son's Journey
Concordia Publishing House
Manufacturer: Concordia Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

Average customer rating:

The BEST book of our Time
AN INCREDIBLE BOOK!!!
Refining Fire--great read!
This book is awesome!

Refining Fire: Prodigal Journey
Linda Paulson Adams
Manufacturer: Lds Storymakers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Prodigal Journey (Thy Kingdom Come)

ASIN: 0974924113

Customer Reviews:

The BEST book of our Time.......2005-01-15

Alyssa's story is one of the most intrigueing and wonderful of our time. I have read this book several times and it gets better every time! I can't say enough positive comments about this story. It is a must read for everyone!!!!

AN INCREDIBLE BOOK!!!.......2005-01-10

This book was riveting from the first page! I couldn't put it down and ignored children, laundry, and dishes until I reached the end. Adams brilliantly weaves her characters through an 'end of days' experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat (At least it kept me on the edge of mine!) Can't wait for book three!

Refining Fire--great read! .......2005-01-06

"Refining Fire" held my interest right to the end. I didn't want it to finish. The characters are so real, I can't get them out of my head and I'm intrigued to see how the story progresses in Volume 3. Linda Paulson Adams is a writer to be admired and followed, in both the LDS and National market. She faces life square on--and deals with possible future events in ways that made me gasp. A galloping good saga!

This book is awesome!.......2005-01-05

Linda has done it again! Her first book Thy Kingdom Come: Prodigal Journey, the first in this three part story was awesome as well! But this one was even better! I am sooooo anxious for the last one!

Returning to the Father: A Healing Journey With the Prodigal Son

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Returning to the Father: A Healing Journey With the Prodigal Son
William Gaultiere
Manufacturer: Moody Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0802494838

The Prodigal Son's Journey (Bible Journey Board Book S.)

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The Prodigal Son's Journey (Bible Journey Board Book S.)
Charlotte Stowell
Manufacturer: Candle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

Board Books | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1859852017

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