Of Roses and Poets is a collection of photographic rose portraits and vintage poems. The portraits are the work of J. Franklin Willis and the poems date from the mid-sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. Also included is a brief exploration of rose mythology: Greek, Roman, Hindu, Arab, Jewish and Christian. Why roses and poems now? In a time otherwise shattered by violence, messages of beauty, love and honor are whispered to the very soul of humanity through the presence of roses and the words of poets. When images of terrorism flood the media, we may find comfort in these verbal and visual images. Some roses speak of beauty, some of pride or even honor, while others hold a mischievous quality that flirts with our essence. Some roses remind us of romances and lovers, while poets gift us with words that bring to life emotions, the vapors that inhabit the soul and the very spirit of humanity that can lift us above a sometimes cruel world. This collection of poems has only two common qualities: I like each poem and each poem speaks to something within me. I hope these images and poems speak to something within you and you find your private conversation with this volume adds to your peace of mind.

Don’t miss Elizabeth Wein’s stunning new novel, Stateless While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery, and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that’s in store for her? Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival. Praise for Rose Under Fire * “Wein masterfully sets up a stark contrast between the innocent American teen’s view of an untarnished world and the realities of the Holocaust. [A]lthough the story’s action follows [Code Name Verity]’s, it has its own, equally incandescent integrity. Rich in detail, from the small kindnesses of fellow prisoners to harrowing scenes of escape and the Nazi Doctors’ Trial in Nuremburg, at the core of this novel is the resilience of human nature and the power of friendship and hope.” —Kirkus, starred review * “Wein excels at weaving research seamlessly into narrative and has crafted another indelible story about friendship borne out of unimaginable adversity.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

This wholesome family story begins with the question of whether a white Southern family could adopt their Negro friends' surviving child in the 1940s. Was this the child that was promised to Eunice Miller, or was her out-of-body experience not really a visit to heaven, but only a dream?