National Network for Equitable Library Service

Hurricane Katrina bares down on New Orleans, evoking in 95-year-old Louis Proby memories of the fateful--and life-defining--flood of 1927. And tied up in these memories are all the triumphs, missteps and family obligations that make up his life.

Hoping to atone for failing her sister Dilly, Hannah leaves her California life behind to return to the Illinois farm of her youth. Had Hannah only known the toll that caring for a daughter with cerebral palsy was taking on her younger sister, she might have been able to prevent the shocking acts that sent Dilly to prison. But as she takes her sister home and tries to shield her from the hatred of unforgiving hearts, Hannah is shocked to learn that Dilly has already found another savior.

Caught on the front lines of the Great War and torn by feuding families, the French village of Briecort is rocked by fear, suspicion, and blame. As the tale unfolds, the chaste and tender love of an adopted villager and a Belgian refugee shines brightly against a dark backdrop of pride, vanity and greed.

A busy single mom runs a Florida funeral home. But her mortuary work becomes even more poignant when her assistant discloses his terminal illness.

Now living in the Victorian funeral home she inherited, Jennifer struggles to rebuild her post-divorce life in Florida. But when this busy mother, mortuary student, and embalmer's apprentice learns her new friend's true identity, her faith is severely tested.

Now divorced and unemployed, a senator's no-nonsense chief of staff learns she has inherited a funeral home in Florida. Soon she'll learn some profound lessons from people dying to give her their business.

An FBI undercover operation gone bad convinces Rae Gabriella to move near her hometown and work as a private investigator with another former agent. But the small town of Justice, Illinois, is not as safe as she thinks. Attractive and stylish young women, just like Rae, are quietly dropping dead in their hotel rooms--with money and valuables still untouched. When the next victim turns up just a few rooms away from Rae's hotel room, the grieving parents hire her to investigate.

A single visit to a West Virginia prison can't resolve the tragic pasts of convicted child-killer Will Hatfield and his former sweetheart Karin. While she struggles with haunting regrets, Will vows to wait for her, no matter how long it takes.

Lowly editor Edwin de Valu's life moves at a pretty humdrum pace, until he discovers the manuscript for Tupak Soiree's book on his desk. This self-help tome is different--it actually works. And soon the world turns upside down thanks to the advice of this mysterious guru.

Precocious six-year-old Bertie joins the scouts to escape his mother, Matthew learns to handle the challenges of marriage, and Domenica deals with loneliness. Even four-legged Cyril gets in on the action, finding himself a bit of canine romance.