Davis Bunn Libri

The story of the discovery of the True Cross, featuring one of the most important women in Christian history. Abandoned by her husband, in danger because of her faith, but determined to do what God calls her to, Empress Helena sets out on pilgrimage through the ancient landscapes of Caesarea and Judea.

Julia has everything money can buy...except for acceptance by either the Gentiles or the Jews. Her Greek father already has a wife and family, leaving Julia and her Hebrew mother second-class citizens. But when they are introduced to followers of the Way, they become part of that community of believers.Abigail's brother, Jacob, now a young man, is attempting to discover his own place as a Christian. He is concerned that being more serious about his faith means trading away the exhilaration of his current profession as a caravan guard. Hired by Julia's father to protect the wealthy merchant's caravans on the secretive "Frankincense Trail"--undercover transport of this highly valuable commodity--Jacob also passes letters and messages between various communities of believers. He is alarmed to find out that Julia, hardly more than a girl, is also a messenger. Can their immediate mistrust be put aside to finally bring their hearts together?

A few months before his twenty-first birthday, Ethan missed the chance to save his brother's life. Adrian was murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. Ever since that fateful day, Ethan has sensed a deep disconnect between the man he should have been and the one he has become. His days play out a beat too slow, his mind rehashing the scene of his failure again and again.

The festive season is marred by illness and disappointment, casting a shadow over what is typically a time of joy. Characters grapple with personal struggles, highlighting the contrast between expected merriment and the harsh realities they face. As they navigate their challenges, themes of resilience and hope emerge, suggesting that even in difficult times, the spirit of Christmas can inspire healing and connection.

Abigail loses everything and is left with little promise of a normal life. When she discovers the Messiah and joins his followers, she also discovers new meaning and purpose. Maybe she does have a future after all. But increasing persecution is scattering the burgeoning group "to the ends of the earth." And Abigail may have given her heart to the wrong man. Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. One is a successful Hebrew merchant and widower looking for a mother for his children. On the other side is the Roman soldier Linux, who is captivated by her winsome charm and could offer the sanctuary--maybe even the love--for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neither of these. Stephen, one of the leaders of The Way, has a character and a faith that move her deeply, but his outspoken preaching has marked him for assassination. Will her faith and courage withstand a heartbreak beyond comprehension? And then a glimmer of hope appears, one she never would have foreseen.

Escalating global tensions arise from the threat of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for crude oil. As sanctions against Tehran tighten, Iran considers retaliatory measures that could disrupt vital trade. Meanwhile, the possibility of a preemptive Israeli strike adds to the anxiety among U.S. officials, who are working to prevent a catastrophic conflict from unfolding.

"Ryan Eames is a policewoman and single mother dedicated most of all to her lonely, uniquely gifted son. Stretched thin by double shifts and grappling with an out-of-season coastal wildfire, Christmas cheer feels as far away as a distant carol on a winter night. Until duty draws her into the life of a stranger. Ethan Lange is alive because Ryan reached his canyon home before the blaze. Christmas is only days away, and Ethan has lost everything. A man reckoning with a painful past, it's not the first time he's been forced to start over. At least now it's in the redeeming embrace of Miramar Bay. Forging an animal rescue operation, Ryan and Ethan first unite by their cause and the rally of a close-knit community. But it's Ryan's extraordinary child who draws them into something deeper and surprising. Something to be thankful for. Now with every beat of their hearts, Christmas in Miramar Bay looks to be a season of love, healing, and sweet mercies that will be remembered for a lifetime."-- Provided by publisher

The narrative follows a gripping journey that intertwines personal struggles with broader themes of faith and resilience. Set against a backdrop of conflict, the characters face moral dilemmas and the quest for redemption. The author skillfully weaves a tale of courage and hope, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the impact of war on individual lives. With rich storytelling and well-developed characters, this book offers a profound reflection on the strength of the human spirit.

"Four years after his wife's death, art history teacher Derek Gaines has finally made a kind of peace with himself. He tries his best to stave off memories. His days are ones of familiar routine. Guarded against further pain, he keeps relationships at a safe distance. It's all part of his necessary transition to surviving alone. If anything is truly responsible for Derek making it back from the brink, it's his edifying work as a consultant for auction houses--and indulging a consuming sideline job: tracking stolen art. But Derek's latest hunt will lead him toward challenges both professional and personal that he's not prepared to face. He discovered the art of falling in love again . . . Joining Derek on his quest is Kelly Reid, the new junior vice president of gallery operations at Christie's Los Angeles. She is driven, ambitious, fiercely passionate about her work--and a fellow wounded kindred spirit. Bitterly immune to men's promises, she's never letting herself be vulnerable again. Yet even as trust and affection remain frightening territory, a tenuous start to her partnership with Derek slowly builds toward something more. And soon, both will be tested beyond anything they could have imagined--in the deepening mystery of a lost painting, and in matters of the heart, which can be the greatest mystery of all."-- Provided by publisher

"Six years ago, Daniel was a Los Angeles financial analyst who was too handsome for his own good. Too smart for his anchor job on the nightly news. And too enamored with the heady addictions of the high life. That man died in a tragic accident with his fiancée. With grief and guilt battling for control, Daniel moved to the quiet California seaside town of Miramar Bay with his best friend--a rescue Labradoodle who still sees him through rough times. Daniel's a different man now. Clean, sober, and taking things one day at a time with no commitments to anyone except himself. And just as his solitude begins to chafe, two souls in need of fresh starts unexpectedly enter Daniel's life . . . Daniel's self-centered sister has dissolved several longtime relationships. Theirs included. The latest? Her restless teenage daughter, Nicole, whom she's dropped off in Miramar Bay without a backward glance. For Nicole, who's never felt at home in the world, it only confirms the disconnect she's always had with her mother. Now, left with an uncle she barely knows, Nicole is more adrift than ever. Yet to Daniel's surprise, playing surrogate father is forging a bond that he needs, too. More difficult for Daniel is the possibility of romance with lovely and fragile Stella Dalley. Struggling with a trauma of her own, the single mother is as cautious about love as Daniel is--no matter how healing it could be. But for Daniel, Stella, and Nicole there's still hope for a tomorrow they can call their own. All they have do is to learn to trust in each other, and in themselves."--Provided by publisher