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So with the help of his identical twin brother Chad, the 30-year-old North Branch residents began work on "Secrets of the Hunt" in 2005. The book was published in January by Holy Fire Publishing.

"We try to illustrate the secrets that makes a deer hunter successful in the field are the same that makes a succesful Christian relationship in God," James said.

The book is geared toward hunters, not only for the comparison of deer hunting but in length as well. Not even 100 pages and written like a manual, Chad and James did this on purpose so the book could be easily read while hunting.

"We don't know a lot of hunters that read a 300 to 400 page book," James said. "Hunters can take it out and read it. They can learn while hunting."

Because both have a passion about God and hunting, the writing process between the both of them flowed smoothly.

"The book illustrates the same secrets learned to harvest a whitetail deer, or 'The Big One,'" Chad said. "These are the same secrets to fulfilling God's purpose and plan in life. It's the spiritual harvest. We compare the same secrets to bag the big whitetail deer, and it's the same as God's plan. That's the basic summary of the book.

"It was fun," Chad added. "It's better writing about a topic your passionate about."

Although this is James' first published book, Chad entered the book publishing world beforehand, penning "A Chase After the Wind," about the biblical King Solomon and how one should not pursue temporary things in life like money, fame, and success, but eternal aspects like God.

Chad graduated from Rochester College in Rochester with a degree in Biblical studies/Christian ministry. He is an associate pastor for Spring Of Life Community Church in Mayville where he directs Your Future Is Now Ministries, a non-profit outreach ministry. He is also the founder of The Believers Business Network, a Christian business advertising network.

James also graduated from Rochester College with a degree in Biblical studies. He is the founder of Huntin' The Truth Ministries at Spring of Life Community Church. The group's mission is to create and restore relationships with Jesus Christ through hunting and the outdoors.

Upcoming book signings include 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1 at Scrap Happy Store in North Branch; 4-8 p.m. March 6 at the North Branch Public Library; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 at the Book Shelf in downtown Lapeer. For more information on book signings, visit the Web at www.myspace.com/huntinthetruthministries.

"The main message is how to hunt God with all your heart, and be passionate about God like hunting," Chad said.

"Secrets of the Hunt" can be purchased on the Web at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and www.booksamillion.com.

Jeff Hoard can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8127 or jeff.hoard@lapeergroup.com.