[The Fred Books 01] • Welcome to Fred

# 2 in Fiction / #1 in Christian Fiction (December 2012)

Can you keep a secret? Mark Cloud isn't sure he buys the whole God thing anymore. The problem is, he can't really tell anyone. Especially not his dad, the Baptist preacher.

As the last of the modern nomads, a preacher's family is always on the move, and Mark has learned to cope with life as the new kid in town. At least he's in a town.

Until he is whisked away behind the Pine Curtain of East Texas to the microscopic community of Fred. There, his urban coping skills fall flat as he fumbles every attempt to fit in. And the girl of his dreams is immune to his Sixties counterculture charm.

But these frustrations fade in comparison to the crisis prompted by a dusty book he finds lodged between the stacks on the library. Before it's over, Mark will have to face his doubts. And his father.

This award-winning novel is a moving and hilarious coming-of-age story set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1960s and rural America.

eBook extras: Reader's Guide, 900+ SAT words, Preview of Living with Fred

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### Review

An enjoyable, literary story . . . definitely a novelist to watch. -- *Publishers Weekly*

Brad Whittington is an artist with the pen. -- *Ethan C. McDonald, DancingWord.com*

I gobbled up the book in a couple of enjoyable evenings. -- *Wanda Adams, Honolulu Advertiser*

Welcome to Fred should win fans for this new author. -- *Bookpage*

Whittington's gift with words is reason enough to enjoy Fred. -- *John Bernstein, CBA Marketplace*