His Christmas wish is to marry the woman he loves. But where has she gone? Andrew Roberts hasn’t felt such anticipation for Christmas day since he was five years old. This year he has plans, life-changing plans. He is going to propose to Allyson Flanders, the woman of his dreams. He’d lived his first thirty years as a confirmed bachelor, contented with dating, managing the family’s fleet of ships, fishing, and sailing anywhere he wanted, whenever he wanted.Until . . .One date with Allyson, and Andy was hopelessly caught by the smartest, kindest, most beautiful woman he’d ever met. He had no complaints. Life with Allyson was better than anything he’d ever imagined. They spent hours of every day together, casting lines into the waters off the shore of Martha’s Vineyard, talking, laughing, and dreaming. He hadn’t spent a day without being in Allyson’s company.Until . . . Something happened after Thanksgiving. Something he can’t figure out. Something he can’t name. But that something has created more distance than a two-month sail from Vineyard Haven Harbor to Sri Lanka. Allyson had no time for him, barely spoke to him, and made secret plans without him.The diamond and sapphire ring resting in the black velvet box looked lonely, but not as lonely as Andy felt. Where was she spending her time? Why didn’t she return his phone calls? Had she found someone else? Was there any hope his Christmas wish might still come true? A Vineyard RomanceRomance, Faith, and Adventure on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard

    No one who met Ben was ever quite the same. So how could he cause so much trouble?

    But when her lightkeeper father rescues a young man from the lake, her sheltered world is turned upside down.Bestselling author Jody Hedlund's Out of the Storm is her first ever novella and introduces readers to Beacons of Hope, a new series set in the 1800s amid the romance, history, and danger surrounding the Great Lakes lighthouses of Michigan.

    She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends. When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye–but even may not be who he seems to be!So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting God with her future–très bon!This book is written from a lightly, organically, Christian world view.

    But a paralyzing encounter with a can of frozen apple juice in the supermarket shatters the faCade, forcing her to admit that all is not as it appears. When her best friend gets in Leah's face about her refusal to deal with her life, Leah is forced to make an agonizing decision. Can she sacrifice what she wants to get what she needs? Joy, sadness, and pain converge, testing Leah's commitment to her marriage, her motherhood, and her faith.

    So what is Maryann Flemming's obituary doing on Page 4 of the Fiddly Falls Citizens Gazette? Folksy and fun, this 7,000-word short story is a quick read featuring Christian themes and a touch of romance. Download it now to enjoy during your next coffee break or at bedtime. (Goes great with cookies!) Brenda Coulter's first four novels were published by Harlequin's popular "Love Inspired" imprint; one was a finalist for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award (Best Inspirational Romance). Her first self-published work, Her Minnesota Man, is a longer Christian romance novel that's getting rave reviews at Amazon and elsewhere online. "Living it Up in Fiddly Falls" is her first short story. Read long excerpts from all of Brenda's books at http://BrendaCoulter.com

    The observant nurse who’d followed Sara as she dashed down the hallway like a specter found her there, fists clenched against her chest, struggling to breathe, her face as white as the hospital wall she was leaning against, her lips bloodless. “Dr. Strampein, what’s wrong?” the nurse cried. Sara turned toward the woman. “Oh, God,” she moaned as the nurse opened the door and shouted for help. Mt. Carmel Monastery, with its stone towers, seems more like a castle tour stop then a place Sara might find healing. But its abbess/therapist is Sara’s last hope. Can Mother Elizabeth dispel the darkness in Sara's mind? A promise of healing and love await her. If only Sara can remember…

    Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond—of travel and adventure and romance.When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for—the truth of the past and a love for the future?

    All the people in her life who love her can see her dilemma but they can’t help her see the way clear to a life with the Doc. Will she let him go as the love of her life? Not if Joshua has a say in it. A sweet Christian romance!

    In this case, however, it is the small town of Jerusalem, Georgia, to which the women journey, each expecting to find happiness at last. But to find their utopia, they must overcome the social and racial estrangements that isolate them from each other. Mamie Johnson, an African-American woman who is fleeing from an abusive relationship, desires an existence in which she will be free not only from abuse but also from centuries-old racial stereotypes. Maybelline, in exquisitely polite Southern terms, "has not had advantages, " but despite her lack of "good blood, " formal education, or fine manners, she determinedly pursues a course of service to the others. Miss Amelia, a small-town dowager who finds herself suddenly bereft of the social and economic security she has enjoyed all her life, makes a dual journey - one in the company of Mamie and Maybelline, and another, more reluctant journey back in memory to a summer of her childhood.

    Mother of three, Sarah Glen, loses her life under unusual circumstances when her car is forced from the road in what appears to be a random act of road rage.What follows is a breathtaking story of adventure and excitement as Sarah explores the limitless wonder of her new home, Paradise.The Throne Room, New Jerusalem, departed loved ones, all these and more are unveiled in this thought provoking tale.While Sarah's remaining family and friends struggle to come to terms with the passing of the popular mom, angels, good and evil, fight for supremacy in the age-old battle between the kingdoms of darkness and light.

    Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn't take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities--and their hearts.Dangerous Passage exposes a fully-realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. Romantic suspense fans will be hooked from the start by Lisa Harris's first installment of the new Southern Crimes series.

    He left the Amish to join a biker's club, leaving her heart-broken. However, handsome Amish man, Jeremiah Troyer, fills in the gap that Elijah left; however, there is a major problem: Rachael's grandfather, Ben, keeps comparing him to Elijah. Setting out to prove himself fit for taking Rachael's hand in marriage, Jeremiah moves to Shipshewana to work on her brother's dairy farm. However, there are secrets that Jeremiah is keeping from Rachael. One winter morning, Rachael comes head-first with Jeremiah's secrets and is faced to deal with her own transgressions. Can God help her heal? Will he forgive her for her sins? Will she forgive herself and find true love?

    Scotty is determined to discover what she wants from life. She’s even documenting the journey on her “Hollywood Nobody” blog. But as Scotty begins to ask tough questions, will her story have a happy ending?

    . .A beautiful glass paperweight . . .Escape to the wilderness."Don't bury yourself in that wilderness!" her relatives say. "Even though you're a widow, you're still young." No matter what they think, Madeleine decides to go. She'll help her aunt restore the old house; she'll sign up for an online baking course; and she'll bury--yes, bury--those terrible memories. ''From now on," she tells herself, "I'm going to be strong and independent." Her plan seems to be working, except for the panic attacks, until she has to deflect the attentions of two men.The doctor, who has a fire-scarred past, is not upset by her panic attacks and knows he can help her to heal. The writer, who conceals more than one secret, admires her spirit and is certain that she needs him.God uses both men and her father's gift of a floral paperweight to remind her of His enduring "forever love," and as she yields to Him, she finds the courage to take a new and challenging path.