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He Would Never Marry AgainAdrian Lapp had taken that vow after losing his wife and son. But the newest resident of the Amish community of Hope Springs captivates him from their first meeting. Widow Faith Martin is strong, courageous and determined to make her farmstead profitable. Her fight to raise her six-year-old orphaned nephew in the Amish community brings her closer to the members of Hope Springs…and Adrian. Now if only Adrian can open his heart to the possibility of love again….About the AuthorPatricia Davids was born and raised in central Kansas. Her career as a nurse spanned 40 years, most of that in the NICU, a place of miracles. Now, she's a full time writer. She enjoys traveling, but she loves spending time with her daughter, her grandchildren and one overgrown yellow Lab named Sadie, who thinks fetch is a game to be played day and night. When not on the road or throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.If the Amish farmer standing outside her screen door would smile, he'd be a nice-looking fellow—but he certainly wasn't smiling at the moment. His fierce scowl was a sharp reminder of all her life had been before—tense, fearful, pain-filled.Faith Martin thrust aside her somber memories. She would not allow the past to follow her here. She had nothing to fear in this new community.Still, the man at her door made an imposing figure blocking out much of the late afternoon sunlight streaming in behind him. His flat-topped straw hat sat squarely above his furrowed brow. That frown put a deep crease between his intelligent hazel eyes.Above his reddish-brown beard, his full lips barely moved when he spoke. "Goot day, Frau. I am Adrian Lapp. I own the farm to the south."His beard told her he was married. Amish men were cleanshaven until after they took a wife. He had his pale blue shirtsleeves rolled up exposing brawny, darkly tanned forearms folded tightly across his gray vest. A familiar, nauseous odor emanated from his clothes.Faith's heart sank. It was clear he'd had a run-in with one of her herd. What had he been doing with her animals?She managed a polite nod. Common courtesy dictated she welcome him to her home. "I'm pleased to meet you, neighbor. I am Faith Martin. Do come in."He made no move to enter. "Is your husband about?"It seemed the farmer next door wasn't exactly the friendly sort. That was too bad. She had prayed it would be different here. "My husband passed away two years ago. It's just me. How may I help you?"Her widowed status seemed to surprise him. "You're living here alone?""Ja." She brushed at the dust and cobwebs on her apron and tried to look like a woman who managed well by herself instead of one who'd bitten off far more than she could chew.His scowl deepened. "Your creatures are loose in my fields. They are eating my beans."Faith cringed inwardly. This was not the first impression she wanted to make in her new community. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how they could have gotten out.""I tried to catch one of them by its halter, but it spat on me and ran off with the others into the cornfield."She saw the green, speckled stain across the front shoulder of his shirt and vest. Alpaca spit, a combination of grass and digestive juices, was unpleasant but not harmful. What a shame this had to be her new neighbor's first introduction to her alpacas. They were normally docile, friendly animals.Faith never tired of seeing their bright, inquisitive faces waiting for her each morning. Their sweet, gentle natures had helped her heal in both body and spirit over the past two years."The one wearing a halter is Myrtle. She's the expectant mother in the herd. You must have frightened her. They are leery of strangers.""So I noticed," he answered drily."Spitting is their least endearing habit, but it will brush off when it dries." Faith's encouraging tone didn't lighten his scowl. Perhaps now wasn't the time to mention the smell would linger for a few days."What did you call them?""Alpacas. They're like llamas but they have very soft fleece, softer than any sheep. Originally, they come from South America. How many did you say were in your field?""I counted ten.""Oh, no!" Fear blotted out any concern for her neighbor's shirt. If all of her animals were loose in unfamiliar country, it would be difficult, even impossible, to round them up before dark.Her defenseless alpacas couldn't spend the night out in the open. Stray dogs or coyotes could easily bring down one of her half-grown crias, or they might wander onto the highway and be hit by a passing car. She couldn't afford the loss of even one animal. She had everything invested in this venture and much more than money riding on her success.Please, Lord, let me recover them all safe and sound.As much as she hated to be seen using her crutch, Faith grabbed it from behind the door. It was wrong to be vain about her handicap, but she couldn't help it. It was a personal battle she had yet to win.The pickup truck that had crashed into their buggy two years ago had killed her husband and left her with a badly mangled leg. Doctors told her it would be a miracle if she ever walked again, but God had shown her mercy. After a long, difficult recovery she was able to get around with only her leg brace most of the time. But chasing down a herd of frisky alpacas required exertion and speed. Things she couldn't manage without added support.She pushed open the screen door, forcing Adrian Lapp to take a step back. She didn't miss the way his eyes widened at the sight of her infirmity.Let him stare. It wasn't something she could keep secret. She knew her crippled leg made her ugly and awkward, a person to be pitied, but she wouldn't let it be her weakness. Right now, the safety of her animals was the important thing, not her new neighbor's opinion of her. "Where did you see them last?""Disappearing into the cornfield beyond the orchard at the back of your property.""I will need to get their halters and lead ropes from the barn." She left him standing on the porch as she made her way down the steps.Adrian quickly caught up with her. "I'm sorry, I didn't know… I will take care of the animals for you. There is no need for you to go traipsing after them."His offer was grudgingly given, but she sensed he meant well."I'm perfectly capable of catching them." She didn't want pity, and she wasn't about to leave her valuable livestock in the hands of a man who didn't even know what kind of animal they were.Hobbling ahead of him across the weedy yard, she spoke over her shoulder. "Once I catch them, can you help me lead them home?""Of course."Faith headed toward the small, dilapidated barn nestled between overgrown cedars some fifty yards from the house. In the harsh August sunlight it was easy to see the peeling paint, missing shingles and broken windowpanes on the building. The Amish were known for their neat and well-tended farmsteads. She had a lot of work ahead of her to get this place in shape.She didn't know why her husband had never mentioned owning this property in Ohio or why he had chosen to leave it sitting vacant all these years, but finding out a month ago that she owned it couldn't have come at a better time.She pulled open the barn door. Copper, her mare, whinnied a greeting. Faith spoke a few soft words to her as she gathered together the halters and lead ropes that were hanging on pegs inside the doorway.Adrian took them from her without a word and slipped them over his shoulder. She was grateful for his help but wished he wasn't so dour about it. Why couldn't her alpacas have chosen to eat the beans of a cheerful neighbor? Maybe she didn't have any.She led the way around the side of the barn to the pens at the rear. The gate panel that should have been wired closed had been pushed over, offering the curious alpacas an easy way out. Why hadn't she paid more attention when her hired help set up the portable pen and unloaded the animals? Now look what her carelessness had wrought.Adrian removed the thin wire that had proven to be an ineffective deterrent. "Do you have a heavier gauge wire than this or some strong rope?""I'm sure there's something in the barn that will work.""Then I should find it." He turned back toward the barn door.Faith called after him. "Shouldn't we find my animals first and then worry about how to keep them in? It's getting late."He didn't even glance in her direction. "It won't do any good to bring them back if they can just get out again."She pressed her lips closed on a retort. She had learned the hard way not to argue with a man. Her husband had made sure she understood her opinions were not valued.Leaving her new neighbor to rummage in the barn, Faith headed toward the rows of trees that stretched for a quarter of a mile to the back edge of her property, knowing he could easily overtake her. It was slow going through the thick grass, but at least she knew her alpacas would be well-fed through the summer and fall once she had her fences in place.It didn't take long for Adrian to catch up with her. As she expected, his long legs made short work of the distance she had struggled to cover. A twinge of resentment rippled through her before she firmly reminded herself it didn't matter if someone could walk faster than she could. All that mattered was that she walk upon the path the Lord had chosen for her without complaint.Adrian wasn't sure what to make of the woman charging ahead of him through the tangled grass of the old orchard. Her handicap clearly didn't slow her down much. He'd been curious about his new neighbors as soon as he'd spotted the moving van and large horse trailer inching up the rutted lane yesterday.The farmstead had been deserted since he'd been a lad. It hurt his soul to see the good farm ground lying fallow and the peach orchard's fruit going to waste year after year. He could do so much with it if only he had the chance.Even though he'd seen he had new neighbors, he hadn't gone to introduce himself. He didn't like meeting people or answering questions about his life. He liked being alone. He preferred to stay on his farm and work until he was bone-tired and weary enough to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow at night.Too tired even for dreams…or for nightmares.He wouldn't be here today if Faith Martin had kept her animals penned up properly. This was costing him an afternoon of work that couldn't wait.He glanced sideways at her. She was a tiny slip of a woman. She didn't look as if she could wrest ... Views: 17
The legend is whispered from one generation to another about the fate of two people who will save the lives of many. When the ground starts to shake and the ancient volcano god is warming below, needing to release his pressure once more, one woman and one man will come together, taking the fire and pressure into themselves, calming him once more.
But will the other six follow suit?
Bella Ozter hated her life. She always felt like an outsider, ignored to the point that even her mother and father couldn’t look her in the face and tell her what was wrong with her. Bella is ready to leave Ohio for someplace warm, to find that one special man who will love and cherish her, even though she is plump and geeky. But her plans changed when she died twice in the hospital after being hit head-on by a drunk driver.
Raul Lombardi was one of the most powerful of his kind—half-wolf and half-gargoyle—in the United States, and he loved his life in Vegas. With his family and the elders of his pack hounding him over and over again about fulfilling his destiny, whispers about his fate made him cringe. There was no way a single human female could please him and make him happy—or, for that matter, help him understand what he was. But if it meant saving his people, Raul would do anything, even sacrifice his life to the fires below. After all, gargoyles have been protecting the human race since the beginning of time. Views: 17
For years, the witness protection program has kept Gary Foreman safe from the horrors he left behind. He's got a new career and new friends, but they can never know his real name or where he comes from. But the program can't protect him from the relentless dreams of a young woman in danger. It's the same dream, night after night, and Gary is helpless, unable to stop the dream's inevitable and horrifying conclusion. The woman seems strangely familiar... is she someone from his dark past? Is she even real? All he knows for certain is that she needs his help, or she will die. Views: 17
The Ontarrin Galaxy is a rough and tumble place. Young Dar Meltom knows this for fact. As the half breed offspring of an incredibly unlikely joining between an Earthling male and a Satiren female, he knows what fighting is all about. Having spent his childhood on Erotis 3 getting into fights because he was different, Dar’s only solace comes from watching the stars. He’s crazy about them. He dreams about them, and secretly wishes to be among them.
His mother, Denrika, knows her son is at a disadvantage. Living in a purebred society, his chances for getting a job after he graduates school are slim. Until one day, a large alien strolls into the general store where she works. His name is Gwog, and he’s captain of the space freighter Cunik. Little does he know, Denrika will convince him that he needs another crew member—a seventeen year old half breed with his head in the stars.
Dar joins the crew of the Cunik and quickly learns that space life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. After being on board only a few days, he’s stricken with Skrinnian fever and nearly dies. Gwog and Karnis nurse him back to health, and then he learns more important lessons about death, pirates, love, and the value of the friends he’s made. Until such time as he’s on his own, Dar absorbs everything Gwog teaches him. Then, one night, a game of Sirrixian poker changes his life forever…
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Few authors have achieved such renown as World Fantasy Life Achievement honoree and Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master Andre Norton. With the love of readers and the praise of critics, Norton's books have sold millions of copies worldwide.She can see, but she cannot forestall . . . Gwennan Daggert, caught in an underworld of eternity, of hellish nightmares and beautiful dreams, of time and no time, must now fulfill the destiny she can no longer deny.Tor Lyle, a mysterious man of an ancient family, is a force of evil in an unbreakable cycle of doom. They descend from the here and now into a struggle between good and evil older than Earth. Against an apocalyptic dream of disaster and a battle to save those who will inherit the Earth, these two forces must solve the mysteries of the stars and of eternal fate. Deep within them, they hold the keys that unlock the future, but they must first break the chain of terror and destruction. Views: 17
It’s 1915, and newlywed Olivia Fitzgerald is leaving her affluent Seattle family to join her husband Frank in Canada, at the isolated mining community of Britannia Beach. Before she even has a chance to settle in, many of the people she meets are killed in a horrific natural disaster, triggering the first of a series of events about to befall the young Olivia, and the tightly knit community. Views: 17
*New Adult Romantic Comedy* Finding the perfect guy is like mixing the perfect drink. It's all about the taste and presentation. Views: 17
A special reissue of a powerful and haunting Australian classic from award-winning author Anthony Eaton You let your sister burn. When Vinnie's sister is killed, he runs away from the accusing eyes of his father to the isolation of the bush. There, he must answer a question ... was it his fault? In 1941, German soldier Erich is sent miles away from his family after being captured and interned in an Australian prisoner-of-war camp. Despite everything he's grown up believing, Erich must learn to co-exist with his sworn enemy and, in doing so, question his father's expectations that have defined his existence. Amid the rain soaked forests of South Western Australia, these two young men's lives collide across the years, changing them both as they struggle to escape their painful memories of fireshadow. Some battles are imposed on us, some fought within. Views: 17
What might we run into as we expand beyond Earth and into the stars? As we explore our own solar system and beyond, it seems inevitable that we'll run into aliens ... and what they've left behind. Alien artifacts: what might they reveal about us as we try to unlock their secrets? What might they reveal about the universe? In this anthology, nineteen of today's leading science fiction and fantasy authors explore how discovering long lost relics of alien civilizations might change humanity. Join Walter H. Hunt, Julie Novakova, David Farland, Angela Penrose, S.C. Butler, Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin, Juliet E. McKenna, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Andrija Popovic, Jacey Bedford, Sofie Bird, James Van Pelt, Gini Koch, Anthony Lowe, Jennifer Dunne, Coral Moore, Daniel J. Davis, C.S. Friedman, and Seanan McGuire as they discover the stars and the secrets they may hold—both dark and deadly and awe-inspiring. Views: 17
