Spiritual Grief

In one of the strangest love stories of history or fiction, Allison Roarty (a.k.a. Allison Wonderland), a 45-year-old, divorced, wacky, sexually adventurous, somewhat overweight alcoholic with brain damage, takes up with Leigh Berry, a gangling, half-blind, reclusive, 62-year-old devotee of ancient music. Their friend Connie Bowers, a successful career woman, tries to guide them through their delusions and misadventures. In the process, all three characters discover emotional and spiritual depths that “normal” people seldom experience.

From the best-selling author of small-town romance novels and poetry, including Old Flame and Pieces of You, comes a new collection of reflective prose. Thoughtfully written, Echo explores the powerful and musing themes of love, life, loss and family ties from an intimate vantage point. This is real. It’s life. At times, it’s light. At others, it’s heavy. But we keep going because we must—because, frankly, it’s all we can do, sometimes. But maybe, just maybe, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll discover a quieter reason for trudging onward. Deep in our souls, I think we keep...

Suffering can strike anyone at any time - the death of a loved one, the loss of a job. No one would suggest that you should seek out suffering. And, no one would say that you should love suffering. In fact, suffering is not a being and, therefore, cannot be loved. But, these five insights about suffering will help you consider the value of suffering in a new light. Gerardine Guadagno shares stories of people who have lived through (or are still experiencing) suffering. She offers their examples of how to take a spiritual reality and put it into practice in a transformative way.

When the worst school shooting in history occurred, Pastor Jim Pace, a Virginia Tech alumnus, was front and center. Media, students, church members, and strangers asked him the same question: If God is loving, why doesn't He stop disasters before they start? Should We Fire God? is Jim's thoughtful, reasoned response to the idea that God isn't doing His job very well.

Catholic recording artist and popular blogger Susan Bailey reveals in this personal and moving narrative how several major losses helped her rediscover creativity and faith. Filled with powerful insights on the presence and action of grace - in the Mass and sacraments, in nature, in grief and even through the life and works of Louisa May Alcott - River of Grace guides listeners to strengthen their faith, discover their own hidden gifts and enjoy again a joy of living.

Mei sat in a dimly lit building. fighting the depths of unconsciousness. She was amazed that she hadn’t passed out by now. In the dimly lit building, Mei found herself in the throes of a harrowing ordeal, battling desperately against the encroaching darkness of unconsciousness. Though her body screamed for respite, she refused to yield, her willpower burning fiercely within her. Moments earlier, Thomas, a man twisted by madness and malice, stood before her, exuding an unsettling smugness as he glared down at his captive. The pain Mei endured was excruciating, and as another contraction ...

★★★★★ "The last time I felt this way about a couple was Edward and Bella in Twilight. Just like that book at the time, this feels unique and addicting." -T. Jones Mediocracy defines her past. Imminent death defines her future. In between, there’s Easton Green. The world turned its back on Everly Beck. At twenty-two, a matter of months is all she has left. She wants nothing more than time, but what she really needs is a second chance. Follow the tragic tale of a dying girl, and boy with an immortal soul. Together, they make a perfect, genre-bending paradox. Dive into The Tethered...

The apostle Peter described faith as "much more precious than gold that perishes". As gold passes through purifying fire, so Peter says a man's faith must be tried in order that it "might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7). While we address the crises in our lives that try our faith, we rarely praise God the way Job did, and we rarely submit ourselves to the purifying fire as Peter suggests.