Love Lies And Fireflies

Didi O'Brien is engaged—at least she was an hour ago. Now she's not so sure. Her fiancé, the suave Kevin Cabot, has just revealed that he's been unfaithful, and he's not the least bit sorry. Reeling from the betrayal, with her plans for a happily-ever-after life in doubt, she prays for direction. The answer comes as a complete surprise. God has someone better in mind. Middle school teacher, Jake Montgomery, is struggling with some issues of his own. Sadly, a year previously his fiancée had been killed in a car crash. Battling anger and despair, in a mountain-top experience, Jake wrestles with the Almighty, and is ready to live again. In his youth, he'd felt an unmistakable call to the ministry but, like the prophet Jonah, since then, he's been running hard in the wrong direction. Through a crisis of faith, and glimpses of mercy, Didi and Jake find each other. But can they find the strength to resolve the many obstacles that conspire to keep them apart?

An informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look at the beloved firefly For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In Silent Sparks, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies. The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways—and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list. A passionate exploration of one of the world's most charismatic and admired insects, Silent Sparks will inspire us to reconnect with the natural world.

When Love Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Pie. Ambitious pastry chef Mila Warner dreams of winning the Taste of the North Shore Festival bake-off, hoping it will catapult her onto the regional food scene once and for all. Maybe claiming the top prize will be her ticket to earning a livable income without holding down three jobs, including the pleasant but stagnant job of overseeing the kitchen staff at Blueberry Point Lodge. Her only problem is paying that hefty entry fee. As interim editor of the Lakeshore Weekly, Cam Beckett is sticking around long enough for his publisher to find someone else to fill the role. He has four weeks to plan a special supplement for the local food festival. His first task—interviewing Mila Warner who has charmed the local food scene—and him—with her custom picnics and sought-after pastries. When a mysterious benefactor steps forward to sponsor Mila, her dream is within reach. But the gift comes with a condition, one Mila isn’t sure she’s willing to meet, especially if the strings are attached to someone’s heart. Love, Lies and Lemon Pie is a sweet, small-town romance with endearing characters and an oh-so-satisfying happily ever after. You’ll love this addition to the Blueberry Point series. Start reading today!

A class reunion. An unrequited love. And the small-town roots that never let go of the heart. When big-city accountant Wynne Terry dreamed of her future, it looked like the one she’s living. Then an invitation to her high school reunion lands in her mailbox and curiosity beckons her to return for the first time in fifteen years. It has nothing to do with seeing her childhood best friend who unwittingly stole her heart. At least, that’s what Wynne tells herself. Chase Ford’s regrets come back to haunt him when Wynne walks into his life again. Marrying the first girl who turned his head in high school was mistake number one. Turning his back on Wynne when she needed him most was another. If it’s forgiveness he’s looking for, Wynne may give it to him. But raising his daughter and keeping the ever-elusive Wynne from turning his loveless life upside down take precedence over pleasing his conscience. When Wynne discovers there’s more to Chase’s story than she bargained for, she wonders if her heart can stand being broken again. But maybe a once-in-a-lifetime love is worth the risk. Revisit the Blueberry Point series and find out why readers love these sweet, light-hearted romances.

When paramedics find a malnourished six-year-old boy near a burning car that holds a dead woman, they wonder who he is—and why he won't speak. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mountain Between Us comes a story of self-discovery, healing, and hope. On a stifling summer day, an old Chevy Impala ignored the warning signals and was annihilated by the oncoming train. What no one realized until much later was that the driver had paused just before entering the tracks and kicked a small boy out of the car. A small boy with broken glasses who is clutching a notebook with all his might . . . but who never speaks. Chase Walker was one of the lucky ones. He was in foster care as a child, but he finally ended up with a family who loved him and cared for him. Now, as a journalist for the local paper, he’s moved on and put the past behind him. But when he’s assigned the story of this young boy, painful, haunting questions about his own childhood begin to rise to the surface. And as Chase Walker discovers, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive—and as magical—as chasing fireflies on a summer night. “Martin understands the power of story and he uses it to alter the souls and lives of both his characters and his readers . . .” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author Full-length emotive Southern fiction Bonus excerpt from The Water Keeper Includes discussion questions for book clubs Also by Charles Martin: The Water Keeper, The Mountain Between Us, Send Down the Rain, and When Crickets Cry

A broken dream. A chance to heal. And the lakeshore inn where love might bloom. Hilary Larkin knows one thing: spending a week at an idyllic lakeshore inn in the Minnesota Northwoods is the last place she wants to be. But refusing her sister-in-law’s help when the woman offered to pay for the small farms conference is out of the question. The only bright spot of the dreaded week is the handsome lavender farmer distracting Hilary from the crushing reality of trying to keep her late husband’s inn-keeping dream alive. Dane Porter locked up his heart after his ex-wife betrayed him. Even literally colliding with the beautiful and intriguing woman at this conference can’t make him forget that trusting another woman will only lead to heartbreak. But amidst the conference gardening workshops and lectures about raising alpacas, Hilary makes him wish he could finally let go of the past. When Hilary’s meddling sister-in-law arrives unexpectedly at the inn, Hilary and Dane are forced to confront their pain—and hopes—for the future. Will a family confrontation help them find happiness or ruin their opportunity for a second chance at love? Love, Lies, and Lavender is a light-hearted romance with charming characters and a touch of intrigue. Start reading today and fall in love with Blueberry Point.

One Spark Is All It Takes For A Chance At Forever Despite her ace matchmaking skills—four weddings to date!—Bethany Marconi and relationships don’t mix. With trust issues and a long list of ex-boyfriends, she’s an expert at dousing the spark of love before it catches fire. There’s little risk of rejection teaching yoga and looking after her grandmother who lives right next door. When freelance writer Nate Ransom returns to his hometown to settle his grandmother’s estate, his rekindled feelings for Bethany take him by surprise. Nate remembers all too well how the charismatic spitfire of a girl ignored him in middle school before his family moved away. But Nate’s far from that boy now and more determined than ever to win Bethany’s heart if she’ll give him the chance. After a family crisis pulls Bethany away from Nate, their relationship seems to be headed for the back burner. Will Nate turn into Bethany’s newest ex-boyfriend, or will her self-imposed dating rules finally go up in flames? Love Like Fire is a sweet, small-town romance with endearing characters, plenty of laughs, and an oh-so-satisfying happily ever after.

Stealing Her Heart Was Not In His Job Description Romance is the last thing on Carmen Navarro’s mind. Up to her neck in student debt, she needs a teaching job, and she needs one fast. As if that wasn’t stressful enough, she’s also overseeing her parents’ renovation project—which would be easier if the carpenter on the job had a little more work ethic and a lot less swagger. She has no time for his flirty banter and affable charm. So why can’t she get him out of her head? Matt Stetman is a catch. Everyone in Hendricks knows he’d give the shirt off his back to help a friend in need. He’s been told a time or two that he’s pretty delightful to be around too. But for some reason, the enigmatic Carmen seems immune to his charms. Just as Matt begins to make headway—with the project and with Carmen—a secret from his past threatens to ruin everything. Can Carmen find the courage to trust Matt and take a shot at love? Or is the foundation of their relationship now broken beyond repair?