Many years ago, an artist applied the final brush stroke to the portrait of a beautiful woman. The woman was very young, newly married, and as close to happiness as she would ever be again. Somewhere in the Soviet Union, the portrait still exists, hanging perhaps in a museum. The image belongs to another time. After it was painted, the world the young woman knew was irrevocably altered by revolution, war, and bloody struggles for power.
“McMahon unfurls a whirlwind of suspense...Combining murder mystery and coming-of-age tale with supernatural elements, this taut novel is above all a reflection on the haunting power of memory.” –Entertainment Weekly A woman’s past and present collide in terrifying ways in this explosive debut by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer McMahon. Forty-one-year-old school nurse Kate Cypher has returned home to rural Vermont to care for her mother, who's afflicted with Alzheimer's. On the night she arrives, a young girl is murdered—a horrific crime that eerily mirrors another from Kate's childhood. Three decades earlier, her dirt-poor friend Del—shunned and derided by classmates as "Potato Girl"—was brutally slain. Del's killer was never found, while the victim has since achieved immortality in local legends and ghost stories. Now, as this new murder investigation draws Kate irresistibly in, her past and present collide in terrifying, unexpected ways. Because nothing is quite what it seems . . . and the grim specters of her youth are far from forgotten. More than just a murder mystery, Jennifer McMahon's extraordinary debut novel, Promise Not to Tell, is a story of friendship and family, devotion and betrayal—tautly written, deeply insightful, beautifully evocative, and utterly unforgettable.
"In The Potter's Promise, Dr. Leighton Flowers reveals, by means of a refreshingly clear and persuasive writing style, the theological and philosophical arguments that compelled him to abandon his previously held Calvinistic convictions. While some Traditionalists have a tendency to avoid certain Bible verses, Dr. Flowers tackles them fearlessly, placing them in their proper context in a manner consistent with the entirety of God's Word. Calvinists have sometimes been known to object to Traditional writers and thinkers by making the claim, 'You just don't understand Calvinism.' Any such charge leveled against Dr. Flowers rings hollow. Having heard all the arguments Calvinism has to offer, he nevertheless disaffirms it. Every Calvinist needs to read this book to challenge their thinking and consider the other side. Every Traditionalist needs to read this book to become better equipped in defending their own view of salvation doctrine."--Dr. Rick Patrick, Executive Director of Connect 316 and Senior Pastor.
In her debut middle grade novel—inspired by her family’s history—Christine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets—and finds her own Native American identity. All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers. Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her. Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now?
Loyalty to family. Trusting instincts. The will to survive. These virtues are deeply embedded in a mature Dutch teenager, Annika Wolter. Her attributes prove useful as she navigates typical coming-of-age insecurities and a blossoming romance with a handsome lieutenant in 1939 Batavia, Java. Nothing prepares her for the distress of Hitler’s attacks on European countries followed by Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor, toppling her idyllic life in the Dutch East Indies colonial society and separating her from the man she loves. Uplifting events from a true story showcase how determination, nursing basics, and language skills keep a young woman and her mother alive in the worst Japanese internment camp in the Pacific. If you admire clever women and unfailing love in a tropical wartime setting, you will be captivated by Sapphire Promise. Here's what readers are saying: "This coming-of-age story occurs during a time of great turbulence. The author takes such care in reminding the reader about what it means to be human, love, care, survive, and heal." Jamie Stern-Member at Large, Director of Research, The Indo Project "I’m excited to share the compelling story of The Sapphire Promise with my book group! The study questions at the end will ensure a lively, thoughtful discussion of this fascinating memoir." Pat H. Member of 3 Book clubs “Don’t Despair.” Until 1950 this was the motto of the coat of arms of Batavia, once called the Queen of the East! The life of Annika Wolter, and the life of everyone else in Dutch East-India changed dramatically after the invasion of the Japanese in 1942. Sally Brandle carries us into Batavia’s pre-war daily life and into its architectural beauty. However, she also carries us, with Annika, into the darkness of Batavia’s Japanese camp Tjideng. This loss of her idyllic life caused despair but also hope." Dirk Teeuwen MSc, Nieuwpoort, The Netherlands
Hussey's memior begins with a letter to his son, Gregory written a few weeks before his first deployment to Iraq as a officer in the U.S. Army. Hussey flew to Ft. Hood, Texas to be with his son, meet his commanding officers, attend the briefing sessions, and meet the other soldiers as they prepared for the long journey to the deadly Anbar Province of western Iraq. Hussey handed his letter to his son as he exited the barracks for the short bus ride to the flight line. "I wanted to share my life, my growing-up years, with my son because I feared I may never see him again." Hussey's letter details a story of a young boy growing up in relentless poverty and abuse. "There were stories from my childhood that I had never shared with him, and he never asked. Hussey left high school to find work and support his mother and younger brother. His brother suffered continuously from bleeding episodes resulting from his being born a hemophiliac. In 1965, after serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Hussey was faced with the greatest series of challenges one could imagine. How he managed to navigate through that period has come to define him. This is a story of triumph over disaster...an unflinchingly honest memoir of a man with uncommon character who outwitted the odds to bring home his "ticket to ride."
Every preacher, teacher, or writer knows the value of a good illustration in helping connect the truth of the passage with the congregation or class—and how hard it is to come up with good illustrations week after week. This book contains the cream of the crop: 1001 illustrations carefully selected from among thousands on Christianity Today International’s popular website PreachingToday.com. These illustrations are proven, memorable, and illuminating. As the saying goes, they will preach! And they’re fresh, all written within the past seven years. Of course the best illustrations are no good if you can’t find the right one. These illustrations have been arranged according to twelve master topics, each divided into several subtopics. Further, they’ve been indexed according both to Bible references and to 500 keywords. A searchable CD-ROM is included, allowing you to get the illustration into your lesson or sermon with ease.
Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy and Erica James will love this collection of stories to suit the reader's every mood - tender, funny, romantic, ironic, bitter-sweet, nostalgic - multi-million copy seller Elvi Rhodes has captured them all. Perfect to settle down with... READERS ARE LOVING SUMMER PROMISE AND OTHER STORIES! 'A very easy and enjoyable read' -- ***** Reader review 'Excellent' -- ***** Reader review 'Wonderful' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************** These enchanting stories are guaranteed by turn to entertain, soothe, intrigue and touch you... The couple in Summer Promise are, at first glance, placed in an appalling situation, but nevertheless in the warmth of southern France, their relationship develops in an unexpected way. Be Your Age, Dear is a delightful tale of a generation gap which, in one family, seems non-existent - or has it gone into reverse? The Meeting describes the ten-yearly reunion of a group of friends which, for obvious reasons, dwindles each time. The two members most closely involved come to a decision that was, perhaps, inevitable. Model of Beauty is set in a painting class, where the temporary illness of the generously endowed model brings about surprising consequences. Summer Promise and Other Stories is a wonderful collection - the perfect dose of escapism and tonic to settle down with...
