Coming April 2008   Coming Home  Maggie thought she’d finally found her home Maggie Gregory was pretty comfortable with the life she’d made for herself, until her elderly friend and landlord, Allene Rogers, passed away. Then Allene’s son arrived and accused Maggie of taking advantage of his mother.  Dillon Rogers had been out of the States for years. Returning to handle his mother’s estate proved stressful, especially when dealing with Maggie Gregory. He suspected that she was trying to cheat him out of his inheritance. But now Dillon just wants Maggie’s forgiveness. And her love. After such a rough start to their acquaintance, would God really bring these two independent people together in love? Will they follow His leading, or each follow their own wisdom? "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];  Ephesians 2:19-20

EXCEPT FOR GRACE Kim Elliott is a bad-boy magnet! Hurting and ashamed, Kim has vowed she will never again allow herself to become involved with someone who isn’t a true, walking-with-God Christian. But then she finds herself attracted to dark, brooding Wyatt. . .and she’s sure he can’t be good for her. Wyatt Alexander has lived a life of quiet desperation since the accident that killed his wife. He’s cut himself off from friends and family and from the God he feels would judge him harshly. He has no time for fun or romance, so why can’t he get Kim out of his mind? Will Kim give God control of her life and dreams? Can Wyatt forgive himself? Would God really bring these two together despite their troubled pasts? "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:3

Christmas Mommy  Auntie Julie is the Christmas Mommy  That's Julie Dennis' role for the next two weeks to her nephews and niece, while her brother and his wife enjoy a much-needed getaway. Her only support is the assistant pastor – her former boyfriend who left her behind as he chased after God. She's got enough money and ideas to distract the kids, but not her heart.  Noah Loughlin has loved Julie for a long time. Now that the Lord has brought her back into his life, Noah feels confident he can pursue her as his future wife. But she has wounds she's never revealed, and the reality of his calling is a threat to her sense of stability.  Can Noah compete with the mayhem of caring for five kids and reach Julie's heart with only fourteen days until Christmas?  "For the Lord is a God of judgment:  Blessed are all they that wait for Him.  Isaiah 30:18

Look to the Heart With a great circle of friends and a successful child care business, Diedra Pierce has what seems to be a complete life.  but when a new client appears with the most beautiful baby she's ever seen -- and enough mystery to raise questions - Diedra finds herself reaching out to the father-daughter duo.  Will her compassion force Diedra to face a past that she prefers to keep buried? Eli McKay has had many hurts in his life - but no longer.  He has his daughter, and that's all he needs - or so he believes until he meets Diedra.  Her love and self-sacrifice are almost enough to persuade him to reveal his own secrets.  But the tension is destroying his peace of mind. Can faith bring these two together? "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Close Enough to Perfect  Genny Has Booked a Permanent Gig in Stephen's Heart Backstage after a country music concert, Genny Smith goes into premature labor. The young widow, a guest of the band, is helped by Stephen Camden, the lead singer, who goes out of his way to show Genny continuing kindness. But wanting not to become a burden – or to unveil her ugly past – Genny tries to keep Stephen at a distance. Stephen, who can't help but love Genny and her preemie son, Jonathan, longs to leave the secular country music scene. Yet he can't deny his obvious gift for creating music. Could God have something in store for him that would include both of his loves? Can Genny surrender her burden to God and accept His loving hand in her life? If He casts her as Stephen's leading lady, will Genny's insecurities cause her to cancel the show? "Finally, Brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."  2 Corinthians 13:11

CAROLINA PRIDE Can a city boy and country girl make things work? Liza Stephens couldn't be more delighted to be rescued by a truly nice guy--until she discovers his real identity. Suddenly, he's not exactly the enemy, but he's certainly not ...well, she can't be sure what he is. How can she deal with a new boss who's so hard to work for but so fun to play with? Lee Hayden can't figure out what to do with this spirited country gal. She's everything he wants and needs, but the vexing woman simply won't think straight. If only she'd give up farming and return to the office, he'd be waiting with arms open wide. A farmer's daughter and a big city lawyer are as different as two people can be, but they discover that opposites do attract. Will God help them trample the seeds of doubt and overcome their differences? "At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Galations 6:9

DOUBLE TAKE Casey Taylor-Bordeaux wants to know why her husband left. Zachary Taylor did a double take the first time he saw Casey. He won her heart, married her -- and then ran away, overwhelmed by a personal crisis. Now, back in line with God's will, he's hoping she'll give him a second chance. Zach wants to convince his wife that what they have is worth keeping. But he'll have to do that from a hospital bed. Hurt and angry, Casey isn't sure she can handle Zach's true confessions, but she reluctantly agrees to serve as his nurse to aid in his recuperation. Will they recover the joy they once knew? Or is Casey giving Zach a second chance to break her heart? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1"

A SENSE OF BELONGING Death is her business...life is her joy. Sharley is a fun-loving mortician who is completely at home with the tradition and sense of belonging she feels in the small North Carolina town settled by her ancestors. Kenan Montgomery is a Boston CEO who fears death. How can such opposites attract? Kenan throws Sharley into a whirlwind from the moment he lands his chopper in her funeral home parking lot. He has come to make advance funeral arrangements for his eccentric, wealthy employer who, Sharley is surprised to find, is the grandfather she only recently learned existed. Can Kenan overcome his fear and survive Sharley's practical jokes? Can Sharley forgive her grandfather for neglecting his family? It will take more than love to overcome the differences that keep them apart. And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

North Carolina Opposite Hearts Collide Three couples face overwhelming odds in North Carolina.  Liza Stephens could be more delighted to be rescued by a truly nice guy – until she discovers his true identity. Big city lawyer Lee Hayden can't figure out what to do with Liza, a spirited farmer's daughter.  Can a city boy and country girl find common ground?  With a great circle of friends and a successful child-care business, Deidra Pierce seems to have it all.  But when Eli McKay appears with his infant daughter – and enough mystery to raise questions – Diedra's world is turned upside down.  Will love force hearts to reveal secrets that are better left hidden?  Fun-loving mortician Sharley Montgomery is completely at home in the small town settled by her ancestors.  Enter fearful-of-death Boston CEO Kenan Montgomery, who has come to make advance funeral arrangements for his eccentric employer.  Can love find a way into the hearts of this unlikely pair who share a common last name?  Will the power of faith and love overcome the differences that keep these couples apart?

Home for Christmas Memory-or the lack thereof-is a powerful thing. One distant, shared memory binds four siblings, separated early in life and reared in different families. This year, a new memory could begin for them, as one determined friend, a short Internet message, and God's miraculous timing bring them Home for Christmas. Don't Look Back (Terry Fowler) is Angelina Collier's motto as she struggles to raise her two children alone. When she finds the ideal nanny, she is determined to keep her, despite the objections of the girl's father. Can Angelina learn to lean on her friends-and her Lord-and accept that God still has miracles in store for her? See how faith, love, and romance combine to bring Eden, Crista, Angelina, and Tim together again-to begin a whole new collection of special memories. Other novellas in the collection: Heart Full of Love - Colleen Coble, Ride the Clouds - Carol Cox, To Keep Me Warm - Gail Gaymer Martin

Dear Miss Lonely Heart How many times will Shelby Tate, editor of Agape Today magazine, place the ad for a “Dear Miss Lonely Heart” columnist? Not just anyone will do. The magazine’s owner requires the person to be single—after all, who better to advise single people? But keeping her columnists single is proving to be a challenge as one by one they find love. It seems that as soon a new Miss Lonely Heart begins writing, a reader's letter captures her attention...and before long, the author of that letter captivates her heart. Three of Shelby's best writers--women who wrote with godly insight--have turned in resignations, along with wedding invitations. How can this stress possibly be from God? And how will he complete the quartet of romance. Wait for Me by Terry Fowler Cathy Burris meets with an accident, which puts her in the lap of an old school acquaintance. Champion of the underdog, she holds Austin Collins’s bullying in the past against him, even though he does seem to be trying to show her how he has changed. Her tendon injury doesn’t keep her from answering magazine letters with advice on love. One regular writer intrigues her. Could he be. . .?