Political turmoil during the life of Jesus affected his ministry and caused him deep concern that he was not reaching the people with God’s message of love. Leaders in Palestine had been corrupted with Greek and Roman influence, causing a growing divide between the rich and the poor. Pharisees were fighting the trend by demanding a harsh adherence to Mosaic law laid down in Leviticus, which caused a greater burden on the poor, who could not follow the law of sacrifices for atonement. The people were desperately hoping for the messiah. After Herod Antipas had John the Baptist beheaded, Jesus knew of the real dangers he faced by those in power and by the Pharisees who saw thousands following him as a loss of their influence. After the second year of his ministry, Jesus knew that there were plots to have him killed. As a result, he shifted his ministry into areas away from Galilee and Judea, and he pleaded with people not to call him the messiah, the savior the people had been hoping for. The Last Shepherd is a story of how politics during the life and ministry of Jesus influenced his mission. But the gospels give only two of the events recorded in Luke 13:1–5. This novel records them all.

    Growing up in a religiously strict home caused Dallas to do whatever it took to please her parents – even if that meant marrying her high school sweetheart, Seth, right after they graduated. Dallas and Seth had a genuine connection, but she didn’t think he was the man she was supposed to spend her life with. Still, she married him to make sure they didn’t have sex and start a family without making vows before God. After almost twelve years of hell on earth, Dallas is tired of the happily married First Lady façade that has been forced upon her. Just when she thinks she’s about to break free, tragedy strikes, and Seth’s evil deeds and enemies become her own. Silver lining? Ra Jake. When Ra Jake returns home, he has only two priorities – fix things with his ex, Cree, and successfully protect the Pastor’s wife. Under different circumstances, Ra would have turned down the job. Losing his last client has caused pain to plague Ra in a way that he never thought was possible. Had it not been for a favor being owed to an old friend, Ra would have never taken on the responsibility of guarding another human being’s life. Upon first meeting, Dallas and Ra would rather be anywhere than with each other. As time progresses, they create a genuine bond so deep it’s hard for anyone, Seth and Cree included, to be able to reach. But the old saying is… all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, this rings true for Dallas and Ra, and they will have to fight for their hearts and their lives before Seth’s horrible decisions rob them of both.

    She’s happy to be back in Darius’ arms and spend time with her girl Draya after being confined. Things were starting to change, but her luck soon changes when she realizes that Carl isn’t through with her. Bodies start turning up dead, and not only is Tiffany in danger again but so is Darius, and anybody that comes in contact with her. Carl is beyond the point of stalking and won’t stop until Tiffany is dead. He is now out for blood and Tiffany soon finds out how sick and twisted her ex best friend truly is. Carl is so wicked that Tiffany wishes that she was back in jail or dead.

    How will these church families handle the sins of their past and the challenges that life is giving them?Stacy Wilmington is on her way to college when a devastating secret from her father’s past threatens to ruin her relationship with him and causes her to commit a sin of her own. In hiding his past for so long, will Stacy’s father lose the two most important people in his life — his wife and his daughter?Terrence Montague, a man committed to providing for his wife, Stella, and daughter, Monica, finds himself caught up in an illegal drug delivering business that he knows is against the law and against his Christian convictions. Will he choose to love God and be true to his family over loving money?Meanwhile, the new assistant pastor of New Mt. Zion Missionary Evangelical Church, Dwayne Reynolds, believes he has left his past behind…only to discover that it has found him again. Will he choose to face it head on or hide it from the congregation that has come to love and trust his family? In the middle of all this drama, is Reynolds’ son, Jonathan, and Montague’s daughter, Monica. What does the future hold for them?

    Will Emily’s new identity be revealed? Will her mission be in jeopardy? It has become evident to all of them, that they have become the hunted instead of the hunters. Dante Adal and the Sons of Nimrod set their sights on the White House and the elimination of Jack, Frank and Emily.

    71 pages of summaries and analysis on Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. This study guide includes the following sections: Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.

    Will they allow faith and forgiveness to heal their wounds and learn to love again? BOOK 1 : LEAST EXPECTED Can such complete opposites find a way to make their love work? When Maggie Golding, unconventional and artistic 50-something, agrees to help a friend by working as a window dresser at Pettett & Mayfields London department store, she never expected to fall in love with Edgar Pettett, staid and sensible heir to the business. Nor did she expect that he’d still love her when she revealed her past, the consequences of that long-ago sunflower summer working in Tuscany. Her daughter, Rachel. Between her shaky faith, their huge differences, and his mother’s disapproval, how can they possibly work things out? BOOK 2 : DOLCE VITA (Sweet Life) La dolce vita, a sweeter life of love, awaits Rachel. But can she accept it? Rachel Golding loves her uncomplicated life in Wales, until the trip to Italy to meet her Italian grandmother for the first time stirs unwelcome emotions. Between her cousin’s accusations, her mother’s wedding, and her realisation she feels way more than she should for her best friend Jonathan, Rachel’s organised life is spiraling out of control. Always ready for adventure, especially with the woman he loves, Jonathan Davies gladly accompanies Rach on a return journey to Tuscany. But now she needs his friendship and support more than ever, revealing his love is a risk he dare not take. Not without some sign she wants more. A sign she may never give. In the haze of a sunflower summer, can Rachel learn to surrender her hurts and fears to God and so embrace the life He intends for her? La dolce vita, a sweeter life of love. BOOK 3 : LA RISPOSTA (The Answer) One marriage ends, as another begins. Or can faith and forgiveness bring a troubled couple back together? When the harvest celebrations and a family wedding bring the entire Rossi family back to the villa at summer's end, along with their new loved ones, the final secrets are revealed. But can these secrets be forgiven, healing old wounds and mending broken hearts, or will the mistakes of the past be repeated? The future of a marriage about to crumble depends on the answer! BOOK 4 : INNAMORATA (Sweetheart) Too old for love? Widowed Isabella Rossi is content with her life at the villa. In the past year, all her grandchildren have discovered faith and love, and huge family heartbreaks have been healed. But what about her? When a beau from her teens returns to Tuscany, can the flame of love be rekindled? Or is eighty-something too old for romance? NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR Please be aware that Books 1 & 2 use British spelling and grammar. All four books are previously published. Least Expected is also in my London Loves boxed set, and the remaining three books were part of the A Tuscan Legacy boxed set.

    But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

     But hold everything! The Mothers’ Board has been quiet for too long, and they refuse to lay down after seeing their beloved pastor vanish. What follows is a rollicking adventure with the mothers sticking their noses in plenty of people’s business and causing a fuss wherever they go—whether it’s breaking and entering a house to search for clues … or investigating the seemingly psycho church secretary. Along the way, the mothers show a heap of God’s love to some hurting folks—and put the smack-down on the devil every chance they get. It’s their church, after all, and mothers know best!

    By fleeing New York's clutches Trina thought that she would be able to start fresh. Currently sitting as the Queen of Houston Texas by playing wifey to its king, Omari, she is led to believe she has it all. From the big house, lavish clothes, and being with the love of her life she is happy and living her dream. But when her big brother brings war to Houston's front door that dream soon turns into a nightmare that she can't wake up from. Knowing that someone is coming for his head it is proven that Trina's Prince Charming has a side so dark that not even she is safe from his aim. Gunning at Omari's crown, Chase is determined to knock him off his throne and sit as the new king of the city, but Omari has other tricks up his sleeve. Meanwhile Trina is caught in the bloody crossfire and knows she has to make a decision. Love or family?

    He played a sold-out show, and I had front row tickets. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.Micah said some things to the audience near the end of the performance—some personal things about his own life. I wasn't normally the type of person to follow clues, but Micah's songs and his life before stardom seemed interesting.I was curious about the mysteries of his past. I thought I might try to find out more. I had no idea that the search and events that followed would change my life forever.

     Matthew hires Mandy Bowman, an Englischer in need of a place to live, to take care of the house and his youngest brother, John, who is blind. Mandy is exceptional with John and empowers him to do more for himself and build confidence and acceptance with his disability. Sparks fly between Matthew and Mandy, especially in a crisis, but when Mandy’s step-father arrives, everything changes. Will Matthew accept Mandy’s past and still love her? Will Mandy stay and accept the Amish way of life? Is there hope for two very different people to find love and happiness together? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 1: "MATTHEW" Book Two: MARK: (Mark's Story: The Calling) Mark clings to his Amish faith in the aftermath of his parent’s fatal accident. After experiencing a spiritual calling similar to Paul or Samuel in the Bible, Mark is convinced that God has a special plan for him. Is he God’s choice to be the next bishop in his community? Hannah Hershberger lives next door to the Bylers. She has loved Mark from the time they were children together in school. After seventeen years, he finally notices her and asks her to attend the Fourth of July celebration with her. Is Mark truly interested in her or does he just want time with her grandfather, the bishop? When the bishop falls ill, Mark and Hannah spend time together watching over him, and he asks her to marry him while her grandfather is able to perform the ceremony. Hannah happily agrees. But when something happens that causes Hannah to question Mark’s intentions, she must decide what to do. Will Hannah call off the wedding? Will Mark learn to let go of his own intentions and trust God’s plan? How will God’s plan be revealed? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 2: "MARK" Book Three: LUKE: (Luke's Story: Love on the Road) Two years after the devastating death of his parents, Luke Byler is sixteen years old and ready to get out of his small community and see the world. Amber Westbrook has graduated from high school and is determined to follow her dream to buy a trailer and experience life by travelling the country. Luke and Amber are joined by their sense of adventure and desire for new experiences, but when the world turns out to be more harsh than they expected, they turn to each other for support. How will a sheltered Amish boy and simple farm girl manage in a tough city? Will they stay strong with worldly temptations or learn from their difficult lessons? Where is peace found in the middle of chaos and trouble? Find out now in THE BYLER BROTHERS Series: Book 3: "LUKE" Book Four: JOHN (John's Story: Gift or Curse?) Being blind since birth, John Byler has developed sensitivities that are unique and cause him to see the w

    He is confronted by a Jewish cleric while he is photographing the area for a story he will be doing for a magazine. The Rabbi says to him: “Israel is the sign of the end.” A blind writer in the genre of Bible prophecy is later interviewed for a book in his study by Greyson, who is a television reporter for a nearby TV station. The writer tells the story of the interview and the young reporter informs him that he is now interested in Bible prophecy. Greyson tells the writer he intends to go to Patmos in the Aegean to visit the cave of the Apocalypse where John was given the Revelation. Greyson is given a new job as an anchor for a local station in New York City. While doing broadcasts, Greyson has episodes, that bring on visions. While on air, he makes predictions that come true. He becomes well-known as excerpts of his “prophecies” go viral. Greyson must fulfill the destiny appointed to him as one who is of Jewish parents. The blind writer wraps up the story in a twist that confirms it is all part of human history’s consummation. It is a story that both he and Tyce Greyson know must be told.

    Charity and Brittany are close cousins who are used to sharing everything except the one thing that's off limits, Derek. Derek and Dune are set to get married in a few months but will that marriage ever happen? Dune is Derek's best friend who is a man of sound morals and thinks his friend is a dog. Will Dune help change his best friend before it's too late? Will Charity and Derek call it quits before the love affair blows up in their faces? Find out in this intriguing tale of love in the fast lane.