Short Stories/Novellas
The miraculous sign of the Messiah's birth forever changed those who saw the star gleaming in the sky over Bethlehem. But for many, including Hannah, a young mother, the light of hope she glimpsed that night in the heavenly starlight was all but extinguished in the wake of King Herod's merciless reign. Through the years, Hannah has worked diligently to overcome the loss of her husband and baby son at the hands of the wicked ruler. Yet one question torments her: How could God allow such evil? Then one day, she hears whispers around town. He is here. The Messiah. Amid a group of followers filling the street, Hannah finds kinship with another mother, Mary a woman who understands the sorrow of sacrifice and the glorious hope of eternal life...
Stella Hollingberry boldly shatters every feasible hope for her own personal security when she refuses what society considers a perfect proposal of marriage. With little to her name and no practical means of supporting herself, she is left with the fear of ending up on the streets—along with her beloved friend and lifelong companion Patsy, for whom she feels responsible. A strange twist in the will of a distant relative leaves Stella unexpectedly in ownership of a faraway manor house, Ravensdale. Stella and Patsy arrive to find the house in dreadful condition, with only a few struggling servants there who are relying on their work at the manor for their own survival. Determined to make a suitable life for herself and all those who are depending on her, Stella rolls up her sleeves and digs in, putting her every effort into saving Ravensdale and making it a proper home. Stella finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious stable hand, Harland Leatherby. From him she learns the legend of Ravensdale, that only a person with the heart of a raven is worthy of being a steward of the manor. As Stella gradually comes to learn what that means, secrets unfold concerning the house she inherited, and the man who diligently works by her side to save it from a threat she never could have imagined.
Years ago, a whirlwind romance brought them together. In love as ever, Thomas Fitzbatten and his charming wife, Ruth, are delighted by the promise of another magical Christmas with their young children in Brownlie Manor. Yet, despite their anticipation of the lively celebrations that will brighten their home, they are deeply concerned for a recently widowed tenant on their estate who will spend the holiday alone. Inexplicably guided to the side of this frightened young woman late one night, Thomas and Ruth are drawn into a Christmas miracle reminiscent of that lowly stable so long ago. . .
It is just two days until Christmas. The lights are twinkling on the tree, music plays merrily in the background, and holiday goodies have been delivered throughout the neighborhood. But for Loralee, these jolly preparations ring hollow. Her longing to share Christmas with children of her own remains an unfulfilled dream, so when the Baby Jesus disappears from the manger scene outside her home, it feels like a painful reflection of her similarly empty arms. With hopelessness threatening to overcome her, it is only when she looks beyond her own heartache that she rediscovers the true spiritand peaceof Christmas.