With exuberance and joie de vivre, author Joan Hough Harrington explores the twists and turns in the hearts and minds of women in this unique compilation of her writing. By turns romantic, sad, amusing, and philosophical in tone, Harringtons work considers a wide range of topics, including friendship, familial and romantic love, inspiration, conflict, and everyday life. Her clear perspective relies on neither rose-colored glasses nor the murky lens of disappointment and depression. In her verses Harrington shares the occasional sly smile along with the experiences, heartaches, wishes, and dreams of women of various ages, as well as her own understanding of deaths effect on the living. She also presents a selection of narrative poems and a series of brief prose essays. Created with women in mind, this collection of light poetry and prose offers a look into the hearts and minds of women, indulging in thoughts of romance and of lifes joys and sorrows.
WHAT’S GOD DOING IN YOUR STORY? Our kids beg us for stories at bedtime or while we drive; we gather around firepits and dinner tables to tell and retell our favorite tales—the more dramatic the better. But when it comes to our actual lives, we prefer something less sensational, even boring—sunny skies and smooth sailing, please and thank you. We want our own stories to be predictable, safe, controllable, and catastrophe-free. When plans fall apart, jobs are lost, kids wander off, doctors give bad reports, we often wonder, "What are you doing, God? Are you sure you have this under control? It doesn’t really seem like it right now." God is the master Storyteller. He’s writing your story and it’s a part of His bigger, grander, eternal Story. But we’re still in the middle. We haven’t gotten to the happy ending yet, and it can be hard to trust Him in the thick of our struggles. That’s why Robert and Nancy share their own story, friends’ stories, and the stories of people in the Bible who have faced life-altering challenges, but, in the end, have found God to be faithful. Learn why you really can trust God to write your story—no matter what plot twists you may encounter along the way. "This is a unique and charming book, integrating stories of God’s providence from His people and His Word. Nancy and Robert write personally and beautifully, infusing readers with a Christ-centered vision, hope, and trust for the future." -Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven, Giving is the Good Life, and Deception "You Can Trust God to Write Your Story is an amazing book whose title says it all. For if you are a follower of Jesus, every day of your life—whether you feel like it or not—is weighted with kingdom purpose, eternal significance, and a royal destiny filled with joy and contentment. Let my dear friends, Robert and Nancy, help you embrace the mysteries of the Lord’s Providence. For when it comes to happy endings, you can’t find a better Author than the God of the Bible. Happy endings are His forte—turn the page, trust Him, and discover it for yourself." -Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Mrs. Louise Mallard, afflicted with a heart condition, reflects on the death of her husband from the safety of her locked room. Originally published in Vogue magazine, “The Story of an Hour” was retitled as “The Dream of an Hour,” when it was published amid much controversy under its new title a year later in St. Louis Life. “The Story of an Hour” was adapted to film in The Joy That Kills by director Tina Rathbone, which was part of a PBS anthology called American Playhouse. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.
Whose truth is the lie? Stay up all night reading the sensational psychological thriller that has readers obsessed, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Too Late and It Ends With Us. #1 New York Times Bestseller · USA Today Bestseller · Globe and Mail Bestseller · Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her.
This story provides an intriguing glimpse into the life of its protagonist, Sevyn, from her humble beginnings growing up in the Cabrini Green housing projects of Chicago all the way to her current status as a billionaire transgender businesswoman living in an opulent mansion in Dubai. The narrative seamlessly jumps between the present and flashes back to Sevyn’s childhood, painting a picture of how she has risen from nothing to achieve immense success against all odds. From the very first chapter, the author establishes Sevyn as a strong, driven woman who hasn’t let her past hold her back. We find her waking up beside her loving husband Rich in their sprawling Dubai estate, but even amid this life of luxury, the scent of coffee and bacon takes her back to memories of her grandmother’s kitchen in Cabrini Green. These glimpses into Sevyn’s childhood highlight the grit and resilience she developed early on, traits that would serve her well on her journey. Despite everything she endured growing up in such an impoverished environment, she has never stopped believing in herself or her ability to make her dreams a reality. After reconnecting with memories of her family and upbringing over breakfast, Sevyn begins to open up to Rich about her history, hinting at secrets from her past that will alter their understanding of who she is. This sets the stage for what is sure to be a revealing tale of Sevyn’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I’m eager to learn more about the obstacles she had to overcome to reach her current position of wealth and influence. Her determination to keep striving despite facing adversity serves as an inspiration. That night, Sevyn has another taping of her show “SS Diaries,” though she neglects practicing her monologue as ghosts from her past resurface. Through the description of her silhouette dancing in the mirror fragments cast by the chandelier, the author builds an evocative sense of the inner turmoil Sevyn feels as her demons emerge. But she is able to channel her memories of poverty and homelessness into finding her voice, and delivers a passionate speech touching on themes of perseverance that resonates with her massive global audience. After filming, Sevyn and Rich retreat to the secret cellar chamber of their mansion, where in addition to cannabis and music, they keep priceless works of art, family portraits, and evidence of their philanthropic ambitions. Sevyn’s successful career has clearly provided rich material comforts, but her history still haunts her as she gazes at photos reminding her of harsher times. Rich remains devotedly by her side, supporting her through the resurfacing of painful recollections. Their loving relationship, established family, and hopes for the future offer rays of light amid the shadows of Sevyn’s past that continue emerging. I’m left wanting to know more about the specific hardships she faced and how she was finally able to overcome them. Her journey seems sure to inspire with its message of empowerment and achieving the impossible through grit, resilience and an unbreakable spirit. The author provides vivid sensory details that transport the reader directly into Sevyn’s lavish yet conflicted world. From the scents and sounds that transport her back to her childhood, to the reflection of her quivering form in the mirrors as trauma resurfaces, one can feel the visceral experience of Sevyn’s memories and emotions. The interweaving of flashbacks with the present day also builds engaging dramatic tension, making me eager to watch as more of Sevyn’s history is revealed piece by piece. Both Sevyn and Rich come across as complex, multilayered characters, and I appreciate the glimpses into Rich’s background and support of Sevyn that help balance the focus on her experiences. Their caring partnership serves as a strong foundation that clearly played a role in helping Sevyn achieve all she has. Her determination to keep growing in her philanthropy work despite struggles with her past shows an evolved character who wants to use her platform to help others facing similar adversity. In summary, this novel introduction draws the reader deeply into Sevyn’s intriguing world through vivid sensory storytelling and bits of mystery surrounding her past. Both the present-day scenes of luxury and the historical flashes back to harder times feel richly realized. Sevyn emerges as a compelling protagonist whose journey of perseverance through challenge upon challenge promises to hold inspiration. I look forward to seeing how the author continues to peel back the layers on Sevyn’s history while advancing the engaging plotlines of her marriage, career, and philanthropic ambitions. This shows great promise as a story of empowerment and overcoming the odds through grit and resilience.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, his lack of intervention hurtful, and his promises doubtful? Lysa TerKeurst unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances, inviting you to live assured when life doesn't turn out like you expected. Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a season, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned at best and overwhelmed and hopeless at worst. We quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness and why he allows us to suffer and experience grief and loss. Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But after many tears, godly counseling, and prayerful seeking, she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps us to: Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations. Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy, so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes. Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give us more than we can handle. Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us. Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth, the Bible. Look for additional biblically based resources and devotionals from Lysa: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes Forgiving What You Can't Forget Uninvited You're Going to Make It Embraced Seeing Beautiful Again
The world tells us that the way to make all our dreams come true is to set our own course and strive every day. But when it's all on us, we end up feeling exhausted, frustrated, and, disappointed when things don't turn out as we'd hoped. Have you ever wondered if there was a better way? There is. God knows the desires of our hearts--he put them there. And he calls us to trust, to lean on him, and sometimes . . . to wait. Weaving together her unique perspective as a professional ballerina with profound truths drawn from Scripture and the life of faith, Sarah Beth Marr reminds us that we are not dreaming alone. If God has given us a dream, we can be sure that he will come alongside us as we work toward realizing it. Using her own story as a catalyst, Marr encourages women to surrender their plans to God, to stay in tempo with his Spirit, and to step into a deeper relationship with Christ. When they do, she says, they will be able to move confidently into the future, knowing that their dreams and God's desires are aligned in perfect harmony.
