Unexpected Valentine

Kari has plans to spend a relaxing Valentine's Day with Garret. Just as friends, since there's never been the slightest spark of attraction between them, and both of them are currently single. But when the evening arrives, it isn't Garrett who shows up at her apartment. Instead, it's Garret's stepbrother Stefan at her door. The last person she wanted to see. Kari's never forgiven Stefan for breaking her heart all those years ago, yet their unexpected reunion quickly makes it clear that her body still yearns for his. And he seems to think they can just take up where they left off--that she'll simply tumble back into bed with him. But things aren't that simple. Or are they?

His rules of engagement Miami’s steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of Nicole LeBlanc. She’s just landed a coveted gig as lead makeup artist and hairstylist on a series of Valentine’s Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. And once she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she’s certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn’t do relationships, despite their over-the-top chemistry. After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge Cupid’s arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off the set, Nicole’s fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career…and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he’s ever met.

When Mackenzie Montgomery's boyfriend dumps her two days before Valentine's Day, she doesn't know what to do. Luckily, her friends talk her into taking her already paid for romantic weekend getaway in Georgia. If anything, she can have a weekend of pampering and relaxation to help mend her broken heart. Her weekend was supposed to be time for her to be by herself, to unwind and decompress after her catastrophic breakup. Although, that isn't what happened -- meeting him wasn't in the plan. Weston Callahan is in Georgia for business and business alone. The only place in town where he's able to get a room is a bed and breakfast full of happy couples celebrating Valentine's Day. Being surrounded by those evidently in love, constantly gushing over one another only brings him pain and anger. All it does is remind him of last years fiasco, something he'd rather forget. He considered it torture until he met her -- afterwards, it became pure serendipity. One weekend is all they have. Or at least, that's what they originally thought. Fate intervenes, bringing these two star-crossed lovers back together to only reveal how their families have a long lived feud. Everything they thought they knew changes in an instant. Now they have to decide if fate will keep them together, or if their families will tear them apart.

The romance holiday can be a lot less exciting than movies and our daydreams make it out to be. But with our guidance on romance, relationships, sex, and true love, teens don’t have to fall prey to the disappointment, pressure, or sadness. Parent Guides are your one-stop shop for biblical guidance on teen culture, trends, and struggles. In 15 pages or fewer, each guide tackles issues your teens are facing right now—things like doubts, the latest apps and video games, mental health, technological pitfalls, and more. Using Scripture as their backbone, these Parent Guides offer compassionate insight to teens’ world, thoughts, and feelings, as well as discussion questions and practical advice for impactful discipleship.

Three women discover they have secret admirers who have chosen the day of love to reveal themselves. Forever Mine Elyse Bauer is surprised when she receives a mysterious valentine card invite. She hasn’t been out on a date in months, but she’s intrigued enough to find out who her secret admirer might be. So she follows the instructions on the card in a precise manner and hopes that this isn’t the worst Valentine’s Day date ever. But she’s in for the shock of her life when she shows up to find the one man she’s had the biggest crush on for years, Brody Kaplan, her brother’s best friend. The Perfect Proposal Valentine's Day is fast approaching and love is in the air—but not for Qiana Fields. Her heart has been locked away behind a frozen solid wall since the love of her life walked away from her, choosing his career over her. She’s vowed to never open herself up to that sort of rejection again. Yet, when she receives an unexpected Valentine’s Day invitation, she’s more than curious. When she shows up at the restaurant she astonished to find the man who’d left her three years earlier, Lincoln West. Be Mine Tonight Vania Wallace doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. Not since she’d caught her ex-fiancé cheating on that date two years ago. She vowed to never celebrate February 14thagain. When the date rolls near, she makes plans to pig out on pizza and watch horror and action flicks in her pajamas. Vania is shocked when she comes home after work one evening to find a valentine’s card attached to her door. She has no idea who her secret valentine is, but the only way she can find out is to follow the instructions and show up for the date.

The stories in Three Short Stories are offshoots of the two novels To Bind Fast and Four People on a Marsh. The three stories are about the further experiences and growth of the two main characters in those novels as they search to make sense of the world in which they find themselves. They never find their universe to be without surprises, sometimes horrendous, and sometimes delightful; but they continually find that universe to be very quiet, perhaps silent, when it comes to values and directions for living. And they wonder if it isn’t more hostile than friendly.

This book goes beyond the sauerkraut and knackwurst stereotype to unveil the often overlooked diversity of German cuisine. 170 regional recipes range from classic dishes, such as spaetzle with cheese and sauerbraten to forgotten delicacies like Westfalian pumpernickel pudding. Numerous profiles, anecdotes, and food lore complete the book.