National Network for Equitable Library Service

Ann Burton pens a historical novel about the Biblical heroine who risks all by wielding a tent peg and mallet. In this compelling tale of faith, courage, and romance, Jael boldly seizes a pivotal opportunity to free Israelites--and herself--from years of oppression.

Burton's first novel in this Biblical series tells the fictionalized tale of a young Jewish lady who makes and markets pottery to support her family. But when her brother's huge gambling debt threatens to enslave them, she convinces his creditor to marry her and forgive the debt. After her husband sends her to manage his herds in the hills far away, Abigail grows fond of its rustic inhabitants--and of an enigmatic shepherd-soldier who's on a collision course with her husband.

When her husband locks her out of their Chicago penthouse and disappears with her sons, Gabby is left homeless and stunned. Taking refuge at the women's shelter where she works, she tries to salvage the shattered pieces of her life. There, her friends--Lucy the bag lady and the women of the Yada Yada Prayer Group--offer their support.

Jules Jackson has her life under control. There's no man in the mix--until Germaine comes along, and she falls hard. But when Jules discovers Germaine is hiding something big from her, she starts digging for answers. Soon, everything starts falling apart, and Jules must decide to take her new love on faith or risk losing it all.

Now engaged to hardworking Silas Good, Rose Kauffman struggles with her feelings for longtime friend Nick Franco, who left the Amish community under a cloud of suspicion. Meanwhile, Rose's older sister has returned to her parents' farm, hoping to re-establish her place among the People and to retain custody of her daughter.

Sixteen-year-old Elwyn Parker is dedicated to God. But when the one he loves marries another man, Elwin gets involved with a much older woman. Soon, his lust will test his devotion--and may alienate him from his congregation.

John and Abby Reynolds are back together and feeling like newlyweds after 21 years of marriage. They're convinced that together they can tackle anything, even the high school politics draining the joy from John's coaching career. But in the blink of an eye, disaster strikes--a kind of tragedy John and Abby never anticipated.

With the tales focusing on what happens when a character wins the lottery, the collection boasts hard-earned truths about Christian charity, redemption, and the place of the almighty dollar in people's lives. Angela Benson, Marilynn Griffith and Tia McCollors tackle, respectively, an assistant pastor with something to hide, a football player fallen on hard times, and a motorcycle rider with a heart of gold.

Widow Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her Colorado ranch afloat and provide for her young sons. When her cattle grow sick, she turns to Timber Ridge's doctor, Rand Brookston, for help. She tries to suppress her attraction to the caring bachelor, but when a wealthy tycoon begins to court her, she must choose between the security of riches or the risks of true love.

While a motherless girl longs for her daddy and a young lady hopes for a second chance at love, this poignant tale explores the uncertainty that stalks the homefront as the "War to End All Wars" rages in Europe.