Irene B. Brand

A NOTE FROM NERISSA BLANCHARDNow that my twin has found love, she wants me to be as happy as she is. She doesn't know how blue coming home to this empty house makes me. And our poor mother—I found her in the library, murdered. I'm thankful that Drew Lancaster was one of the first officers on the scene. He's encouraging and supportive (and he's handsome, too!). Lately, I've been hearing strange things around the house, and I worry that Mother's killer—or maybe someone else—is trying to push me over the edge of madness.

It's been a year since Paula Thompson's stepfather died, and the nephew he willed her home to has yet to show up. Paula's resentment toward this unknown man is growing as she waits to learn her fate. What will happen when he shows up? But what if he doesn't? If she inherits the Lazy R, can she manage it alone? Carson Hartley is a well-known traveling preacher and the son of a wealthy Kansas City merchant. When he arrives in Broken Bow, Nebraska, he finds himself drawn to Paula despite her lack of faith for the future. But Carson has a secret that could destroy any relationship they might begin. As Paula and Carson look for answers, will they find more than their hearts ever dreamed possible?

Eighteen-year-old Nancy Logan is enjoying her life, working for a wealthy family, and saving her money. She's heard talk of war, but disregards it as rumor. But when Virginia secedes from the Union, her little part of the world is torn apart. Friends become enemies, danger is everywhere, and Nancy must grow up fast. Heath Foster is a doctor, a Quaker, and a pacifist. The only thing that keeps him safe in war-torn Wheeling is his doctoring-but even that is dangerous as he refuses to differentiate between Union and Confederate. When Nancy's brother-a Confederate soldier from a Union town-is injured, Heath and Nancy must choose between what is safe and what is right. Will family and love win out, or will the war destroy everything?

Rainbows Always Follow the Rain. College sweethearts Amelia Stone and Chase Ramsey had married right after graduation, but infidelity destroyed their young marriage. Now, more than a decade later, severe flooding in West Virginia had brought them together again in their mellow years. They were older, wiser . . .and both had become Christians. Their working side by side for disaster relief rekindled the flame that had never been extinguished, and they learned what makes a marriage truly last -- patience and forgiveness. Was God giving this special couple a second chance at love?

As a teenager, Norah Williamson believed she had a calling from God, but she had put everything on hold for the sake of her family. Now her obligations were over, and she was finally ready to pursue her own dreams. Widower Mason King had lost all hope of ever seeing his dreams come true–dreams of a Christian wife, and of children growing up to inherit his family's ranch. The emotions his new cook, Norah, stirred in him were the last thing he'd ever expected to feel again. But whatever Norah and Mason had planned, it looked as though both their futures were in the capable hands of a higher power.

He had been her first and only love. Yet when Lorene Harvey met Perry Saunders again after twenty years, she was amazed by the emotions sweeping through her. She wanted desperately for them to have a second chance, but Lorene had a secret...one she feared Perry would never forgive. She was the love of his life. Or so Perry had thought in college. And when Lorene had suddenly disappeared, he had vowed to never love again. Now he knew his feelings had never died. But would he ever convince her that his forgiveness and love were hers for the asking?

NO ONE CAN CHANGE THE PAST… But after an eight–year absence, Autumn Weaver was finally home for a brief stay, and hoping to find forgiveness and heal family wounds. She never thought she'd run into the man who'd captured her heart as a young girl, and who'd permeated every dream since. Nathan Holland had awakened Autumn's eighteen–year–old love. Despite the strife that had plagued her family, with him, she'd been able to forget. But at a pivotal moment she'd made the wrong choice. And now–even with time passed–she wasn't sure if Nathan would forgive her. But with God's help everything was possible….

God must have a reason for sending Hester to Afterglow. As a freelance writer, Hester's six month assignment is to record the one-hundred-year history of a picturesque Appalachian town called Afterglow nestled in a deep valley. But in doing so, some of the town's questionable past comes roaring to the surface, shaking the very foundation of the little hamlet. As a daughter, suffering the recent loss of her mother, she is drawn to Afterglow to resolve the questions raised by the words in a long-lost letter delivered to Hester but addressed to her mother. As a single, unattached woman, Hester sees her journey as a welcome change, perhaps just what she needs to begin a new life. But on her way to Afterglow, Hester feels like she is being followed...or could this mysterious man be a link to her future?

From the corrupt imperial court of Rome to the savage battles of the Saxon frontier, Matthew Trento's search for his family's greatest treasure confronts him with the painful choice of pursuing God's will or his heart's own desires

From the blood-stained arena of Christian martyrs to the political intrigue of the imperial palace, two brothers must choose between the true spiritual power of Christ and the tempting political power of the empire's first "Christian" emperor. One faith, two brothers, three choices: the power of love, the power of Rome, or the power of Christ?

A collection of original fairy tales by ten science fiction and fantasy writers, including Isaac Asimov, Lester del Rey, and Anne McCaffrey.

WRITTEN UNDER THE NAME FERN MICHAELS - With her beloved mother gone, her twin sister about to be married, and no hint of Mr. Right on the horizon, Josie Dupre is lonesome. Luckily, she has her booming New Orleans catering business to keep her busy, and her fluffy white dog, Rosie, to keep her company...until an obnoxious Boxer brazenly captures Rosie's undying devotion. Even worse, the budding romance puts Josie in close proximity to the dog's owner--sexy, love 'em and leave 'em Cajun playboy, Paul Brouillette. Paul's all for l'amour, but ever since he came into Josie's life, strange things have been happening. She hears music that isn't there, and she smells her mother's favorite cologne in an empty room. Maybe her mom's trying to send her a message...something about finding love where you least expect it...and listening to your heart.

When Becky Nelson shoots an assailant, she and her half-brother, Matt Miller, are forced to leave behind their placid life on the Ohio River. Fleeing the retribution of the man's prominent family, the two head west. At Independence Becky and Matt join a wagon train bound for the conflict-ridden Oregon Territory. Surely, they think, United States law cannot touch them as long as England fights for control of that land. On the arduous journey, Becky feels drawn to the intriguing Maurie Davis, the wagon train's leader. But what does she know about this mysterious man? Can she trust him with the secrets of her past? As she seeks independence from her mistakes and Matt's overprotective love, Becky wonders, Will the promise of freedom in Oregon become a reality, or is it only an elusive dream?

She was born to be a queen, reared in luxury and manipulated by male relatives for their own welfare. But when her nobility, her wealth, her family, and her future were taken away by a cruel twist of fate, Hayley Douglas was left to her own devices -- and her faith in God. Sent from her native England to spare her life, she found herself in colonial Virginia, a strange land where she was without friends, family, or fortune. Almost before she had time to ponder what would become of her, once more a man took over her life. But Philip Lawrence was not like the men she had known in England. A true son of the new land, he asked nothing of her she was unwilling to give. He gave her those things she was unable to ask for but desperately needed -- protection, a home, a sense of belonging, a future. And most of all, he gave her his love.

Maggie Lawrence journeys to join her betrothed, Richard Shabedge, in the colony of Roanoke in 1587, where they plan to be missionaries to the Native Americans. But it is one Native American-Towaye-who challenges her emotions and spiritual strength more than any other man. When Richard sails for England, Maggie finds herself drawn to the company of this intriguing native. But his presence becomes more to her than pleasure. To marry Richard was a part of her duty to God, she thought. Towaye made her stop and wonder. In the perils of the American wilderness, her life depends on Towaye's strength even as his soul depends on her witness.