In this charming collection of novellas, join three generations of residents from Mapleview, Michigan, who are longing for love—and finding it—during the most wonderful season of the year.
'Hopes and Fears' by Amanda Wen
Emma Trowbridge is determined to give her students the Christmas pageant of a lifetime. The last person she wants to encounter in her one-room schoolhouse is her childhood rival, Frederick Oberstein. Truth be told, he would rather be far
away himself. Can they learn to see each other in a new light—and embrace a new season of hope and faith together?
'While Mortals Sleep' by Janyre Tromp
While World War II rages overseas, reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home from the West Coast where she faces the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the home front isn’t safe either: a bomb has landed in the
middle of the US, right on the Sweers family property. Now news-minded Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.
'The Wondrous Gift' by Deborah Raney
High school football coach Caleb Janssen and music teacher Rachel Hamblin bond when they both lose their jobs at the county’s Christian high school. But when they discover their plans for the future are mutually exclusive, the fallout threatens to tear them apart.
There’s one thing she’s vowed to never abide in a man … could the horrible rumors be true? Is her life repeating itself? Eight years ago, Vienne Kenney moved away from Clayburn and all its gossip to pursue a law degree in California. But now she has failed the bar exam again. Is she destined to be stuck forever, a failure—just like her father—in this tiny Kansas town? Nine months ago, Jackson Linder left Clayburn with no explanation to anybody. Now he, too, is back. He isn’t sure he’s ready to face the rumors and well-meaning questions of the town’s busybodies. Yet he’s determined, once more, to make his art gallery a success—despite the secret that haunts him every day … This novel was originally published in 2008 under the same title.
Facing an empty nest for the first time since the death of her husband, Dan, three years ago, Tess Everett immerses herself in volunteer work for the Winterset public parks, home of the famous covered bridges of Madison County, Iowa. But when former resident J.W. McRae shows up at one of the bridges with paintbrushes and easel, sparks fly-because J.W. was once married to Tess's late friend Char. Worse, J.W. was a deadbeat dad to Char's son, Wynn-then a college student-who Tess and Dan took under their wings after his mom's death.
In the four years since her husband's death, Melanie LaSalle's life has been consumed with managing the family design firm and caring for her five-year-old daughter, Jerica. The possibility of a new relationship is the last thing on her mind. But when Melanie meets Joel Ellington, a new staff member at her church, she is instantly attracted to his warm spirit.
As their friendship deepens, however, Melanie is troubled by something she can't quite understand or explain. Joel's past seems to be off-limits, even to Melanie. Because of her growing feelings for him, Melanie pushes her doubts away. But when Joel disappears, along with the contents of a church bank account, she can no longer ignore her suspicions.
Now, torn between her feelings for Joel and the evidence mounting against him, Melanie faces a heart-wrenching decision: to forget the man who gave her reason to love again or to trust Joel enough to give him her heart.
Exploring themes of the importance of truth, loyalty, and trust, A Scarlet Cord illustrates that who we truly are depends little on outward appearances and solely on our relationship with God and on the fact that through faith in Him, we can find places of comfort, healing, and selfless love.
A shocking revelation could tear them apart ... or open their eyes to a whole new world.
Olivia Cline has followed her husband to a new town, hoping for a fresh start after Derek's affair with a coworker. But even before they move into their new home, tragedy strikes, and Derek is gone. With no job and precious little money, how will she cope? Going back to Chicago isn't an option. Especially not after Olivia's shocking discovery only weeks after Derek's death. Her answer comes in a job posting-and the handsome, brooding artist who posted it.
Acclaimed artist Reed Vincent has recently regained his eyesight, thanks to a corneal transplant. But to help him through the transition, he needs an assistant in his studio. Olivia, an aspiring artist herself, is just what Reed was looking for. And easy on the eyes, too. Through Reed's eyes, Olivia begins to see the possibilities before her. Before them. Until, in a flash of insight, she knows why his signature is so hauntingly familiar ... The revelation could tear the couple apart ... or open their eyes to a new journey from sorrow to joy.
This novel was originally published in 2009 under the same title. It has been updated from the original and includes an all-new epilogue!
“Dr. Botox” to the bored rich women of Chicago, plastic surgeon Max Jordan is shocked by his son Joshua’s decision to focus his medical degree and talent on Haitian orphans. Embittered by Joshua’s sudden death, Max searches for resolution in the place his son called home—an orphanage outside of Port au Prince.
The selflessness of Joshua’s coworkers stuns Max. He is particularly taken with American volunteer Valerie Austin, whose dream of a tropical honeymoon has been crushed, replaced by a stint working in the impoverished orphanage. But Valerie’s view of Joshua’s sacrifice—and her own—challenges everything Max knows. Have the doors to his gilded cage finally opened to a freedom he’s never known?
As she waited in the darkness of the auditorium to watch their youngest son take his diploma in hand, Ellen Brighton had taken her husband's hand and squeezed it. She realized again how right she had been to marry the man seated beside her. She could think of no one she would rather be marooned on a desert island with than this man who was her husband, her friend, her lover. Suddenly, the empty nest before her had felt wonderfully full. But that bright anticipation of the future is cut short when Ellen's health begins to fail. A devastating medical diagnosis is followed by a heart-rending search to understand why God would allow this to happen to them. Yet Jake's love remains strong, even when he is overwhelmed by the changes and adjustments he must endure. Then, quite innocently, Jake meets Julia Sinclair, a young widow who understands his struggle as no else can. And as their friendship grows, Jake finds himself faced with the most difficult decision he can ever make regarding his love Ellen.
They were on their way to being a real family ... until she came into their lives.
Expecting their first baby, Judd and Evette McGlin are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents. But their marriage faces the ultimate test when Judd learns he already has a child: a six-year-old biracial daughter, born amid secrets and lies. Now, Evette must decide if she can accept the child-and forgive Judd. She thought she was open-minded-until hidden prejudices threaten the future of an innocent little girl, Evette's marriage, and the very notion of the woman she's believed herself to be.
Above all things, this child needs acceptance and love. She needs Evette to discover what being a mother truly means. She needs Judd to face his past. And she needs them both to discover what it truly means to be a family.
Anna's life changes forever on one horrific night when she is assaulted and left for dead.Anna Marquette has everything to live for. Her daughters are in college and, with the support of Paul, her loving husband, she is pursuing her dream of a career in counseling. Then one night, while on a trip to Orlando, the unimaginable happens. She takes a shortcut to an evening out with Paul and is brutally assaulted.
When Anna suspects the attack has left her pregnant, her faith is put to the test. As Anna and her family confront the heart-wrenching decisions that lie ahead, Anna gradually comes to realize that God has a plan for her and that she must trust Him. But will her family accept the choice she makes? Will her husband's love for her prevail? And will her marriage survive this ultimate test?This novel was originally titled In the Still of Night. It has been expanded and updated from the original edition.
His fiancée was the one woman he'd loved.Her children are all he has left.Reserved contractor Wade Sullivan never expected to fall in love with Starr Parnell or to love her three small kids as if they were his own. But that's exactly what happened. As their wedding draws near, however, tragedy strikes-and Wade must put aside his own grief in order to help Starr's children cope. As Wade focuses his efforts on caring for the children, he discovers that their tender, young lives give tremendous meaning to his own broken one. Then Starr's abusive ex-husband shows up to claim the offspring who barely remember him-and Wade prepares for the fight of his life.Will anyone believe his claim to love the children more than their father loves them?A powerful novel of loss and discovery, courage, and grace, A Nest of Sparrows masterfully illustrates one man's struggle to know when to fight, when to let go, and when to simply wait.
Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman's initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans' son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington's friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless-and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk. With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?
Now that Audrey & Grant's five kids are grown, they are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast in the heartland. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a visit. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home and where is her husband, Chase? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
