Ben Brown’s Adventure Beyond the Universe – The Return of the Nephilim is a unique fantasy/adventure novel by New Zealand author, Michael Thorp

It has 58 pen and ink illustrations and is set for release in January, 2009.

People can go into the draw to win an advance copy by correctly answering ten general knowledge questions associated with the book at: http://benbrownsadventure.bravehost.com

THE STORY

When the first manned mission to Mars mysteriously disappears and its crew explorer vehicle crashes onto the Brown’s wheat farm in Louisburg, Kansas, what Ben discovers changes his final high school year and the future course of mankind.

It is the story of Ben. A young man who has lived his life in the shadows of poverty on a struggling wheat farm and is still reeling from his father’s tragic death. What he discovers leads him to question everything he believes in and challenges him to take a major leap of faith and voyage beyond the end of the universe to a world all but destroyed. A world where he is forced to confront the tyranny of their rulers and make a stand to free its enslaved people in a destiny with time, which he knows could very well mean laying down his life.

It is ultimately a story of a son seeking redemption, love, and his place in the world in the face of extreme adversity.

AN EXCERPT

Smiles and applause broke out all around. And from the bells on the steeple of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church on south Elm street, just a few miles from the Brown’s farm, it rang out all across Louisburg and echoed on everyone’s lips with great pride that Ben Brown, their local son and hero, had put Louisburg on the map and maybe on the road to greater prosperity. Mrs. Brown received phone calls from all over town: the Mayor, Ben’s principal, the Louisburg Chamber of Commerce, the Mom’s Club, the Busy Bees of Liberty, and many others with vitations to join groups and charities that she had never heard of. She even received a call from her old insurance company, offering free insurance for a year, which she gratefully declined.

Yet beneath all the furore and the church steeple and bells and its arched wooden girders and white washed walls, sat a solitary figure in a centre aisle pew, weighed down in thought, staring beyond the altar at the arched stain glass window of Jesus the good shepherd holding a lamb.

A shutter slid back in the dark confessional box, revealing the outline of a priest.

“Father, I’m not part of this church,” Ben said in a weak voice. “But I was…”

“-God welcomes one and all.”

“Even if you’re not sure he exists?”

“Welcomes one and all. What’s on your mind, son?”

“I was wondering about god’s will. And… his hand, how far it might extend if he wanted to do something.”

“No one can presume the infinite power and wisdom of god.”

“He could use someone of little faith?”

“No one can presume the infinite power and wisdom of god. He can move in mysterious ways.”

“Which means what?”

“Which means with faith, anything’s possible.”

“If you have no faith?”

“Who doesn’t have faith? In the rising sun, the changing tides, changing seasons? To what extent, it’s just a question of knowledge and understanding.”

Ben contemplated his words and the priest looked around at him.

“If you don’t mind, I should be preparing evening mass.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

The shutter slid shut.

Source: Free House Publishing

http://benbrownsadventure.bravehost.com

By: Free House Publishing

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Mahindra Lifespaces Developers (MLDL), the housing and real estate arm of the $ 7.5 billion (Rs 30,566 crore) Mahindra Group, is planning to enter the business of building low-cost houses for the middle-income group. Low-cost houses have become a fad among young people, as they are available at an affordable cost of Rs 25-30 lakh.

The company has tied up with BE Billimoria and Co (BEBL), which specialises in construction technology, to bring down construction costs in the long run.

This means, in a horizon of five years, MLDL might be building flats or apartments targeted at the middle-income group. Though the group’s current focus is firmly on luxury and premium properties, the company is keenly watching these lower segments. “We are currently studying the opportunity, and we believe that is where the growth will come from,” Pawan Malhotra, MD and CEO, MLDL told Hindustan Times.

The tie-up with BEBL would be expanded to future projects and at the same time, MLDL would be open to other similar tie-ups in construction technology that would enable them to bring their costs down. “While most sectors in India have constantly upgraded their technological capabilities, real estate firms have lagged behind. We feel that is where the costs can be brought down by at least three to seven per cent,” Malhotra added.

The present plan though, would be to focus on premium housing for the company, which not long ago, was a focussed construction company – GESCO. The company, where Mahindras’ involvement began with a stake to stave off a hostile takeover bid by the AH Dalmia Group in 2001, was later bought over by the Mahindras. It later merged with Mahindra Realty, and was renamed MLDL in October 2007.

Since then, the group’s principal activity has shifted its focus to developing residential and commercial real estate, with a special focus on housing. The company has announced on Monday that it is going to develop 25 acres of land at the Multimodal Internal Hub Airport of Nagpur (MIHAN), at a total investment of close to Rs 500 crore.

The company’s two Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Chennai and Jaipur are well on its way, said Malhotra. 400 acres out of the 2500 acres in the Jaipur SEZ has already been contracted out, while the 1400-acre Chennai SEZ has already commenced operations, he added.

By: Property

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The US economy has been battered in the past years. According to economists and housing experts, the mortgage dilemma has contributed much to the degenerating economic conditions in the country. There are already over a million foreclosure cases filed against delinquent owners in the first quarter of the year and if the government has not acted to offer a solution, it would only cause the number to rise to more alarming heights. The Obama administration has taken measures in stride to make sure that this problem is addressed by instituting fixes such as the FHA housing loans and loan modification program. These programs are perfect for those who want to acquire a home and those who want to preserve their homeownership the legal way.

Loan Modification

Modifying loans has nothing but benefits for borrowers who are in deep waters because of foreclosure. Once the lender agrees to this restructuring, the borrower will be granted lower monthly payments, interest rates, longer loan term, and ultimately preserve homeownership.

There is no greater time to modify your loans than now. Lenders would rather restructure your mortgage than go through expensive and winding foreclosure cases. Moreover, the Obama administration has already rallied the support of major lending institutions, such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, in the country to modify problematic loans in the hopes of helping those threatened by foreclosure. The administration has already reached its target of approving 500,000 trial modifications this year.

If you are planning to try restructuring your mortgage, you have the option of hiring the services of a professional financial lawyer. A professionally licensed loan mod lawyer has both the experience and expertise to help you out of your financial dilemma. These lawyers have the right connections that could help you. You will also get good legal advice, hence lessening the chances of wasting time processing unnecessary papers. However, if you do not have the financial means to hire a lawyer, you have the option of doing the process yourself. You may approach your lenders and tell them about your hardship. The sooner you inform your lender about your troubles, the sooner you would be able to escape foreclosure. On the other hand, this DIY process might take longer compared to when you have the assistance of a lawyer.

FHA Housing Loans

The Federal Housing Authority has helped thousands of Americans afford a home through their FHA loan program. This mortgage program that aims to give assistance for Americans who belong to the low-income bracket to have a home to call their own. By insuring the loan, the FHA makes it easier for home buyers to have their application approved. The best thing about this is that it has more relaxed income and credit history requirements compared to conventional loans.

Because of approved FHA loans, it becomes easier for first-time home buyers to acquire a home. Down payments are lower and more affordable, monthly payments are reduced, requirements and rules on credit history and income are more relaxed, and on top of all, it is insured by the Federal Housing Authority.

These are just two of the programs established by the Obama administration to solve the housing crisis in the US. The government has been working hard to spread the word and reach out to those who are in most need of help with their mortgage.

By: Joyce Brady

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