Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future. Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined. Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,” and “Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain. In, I Give Up, Laura explores: How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances. Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process. The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word. Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others. How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory. As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up.

The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.

When it rains in life--it pours. With each wave of resistance in life, it can be so tempting to simply give up. To quit the difficult calling. To leave the meaningful relationship. To walk away from the dreams God placed on your heart. If this is where you find yourself, take heart. Nick Connolly has also been there--and he's written Don't Give Up Just Yet for you to find the motivation and encouragement to help you to keep going. Together, we'll discover: Seven different areas of our lives where resistance shows up and wreaks havoc How to work through struggles like doubt and seasons of waiting What the Bible has to say about dark nights of the soul When walking away is actually the right and healthy choice How to make difficult times work for your faith, not against it. God hasn't let go of you. The other side of this hard time is closer than you think. Join Nick in the journey to choose persistence in the face of resistance; find renewed energy and faith; and confidently pursue the promise of who God made you to be.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The twentieth anniversary edition of the classic story of an incredible group of students and the teacher who inspired them, featuring updates on the students’ lives, new journal entries, and an introduction by Erin Gruwell Now a public television documentary, Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart In 1994, an idealistic first-year teacher in Long Beach, California, named Erin Gruwell confronted a room of “unteachable, at-risk” students. She had intercepted a note with an ugly racial caricature and angrily declared that this was precisely the sort of thing that led to the Holocaust. She was met by uncomprehending looks—none of her students had heard of one of the defining moments of the twentieth century. So she rebooted her entire curriculum, using treasured books such as Anne Frank’s diary as her guide to combat intolerance and misunderstanding. Her students began recording their thoughts and feelings in their own diaries, eventually dubbing themselves the “Freedom Writers.” Consisting of powerful entries from the students’ diaries and narrative text by Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary is an unforgettable story of how hard work, courage, and determination changed the lives of a teacher and her students. In the two decades since its original publication, the book has sold more than one million copies and inspired a major motion picture Freedom Writers. And now, with this twentieth-anniversary edition, readers are brought up to date on the lives of the Freedom Writers, as they blend indispensable takes on social issues with uplifting stories of attending college—and watch their own children follow in their footsteps. The Freedom Writers Diary remains a vital read for anyone who believes in second chances.

Something’s stirring the waters of Emma’s Cove. Viola Valentine and her husband start over on their dream houseboat along the Tennessee River but evil lurks beneath their peaceful cove. The folks in the neighboring town of Lightning Bug look with suspicion on the newly relocated couple — not to mention the other residents of Emma Cove, a highly secretive group of women. To top it all, ghosts of the past continue to hound the couple, including one live entity hoping to use Vi’s power for his own good. With her family at stake Vi must learn to harness her supernatural powers, face her fears, and fight the evil that threatens to unravel them all. Book Five in the Viola Valentine Paranormal Mystery Series. BOOK DETAILS • Contemporary paranormal mystery • Book Five of the Viola Valentine Mystery Series • A full-length novel of approximately 80,000 words • R-rated content: Mild sexuality • Set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee Books by Cherie Claire: The Viola Valentine Mystery Series A Ghost of a Chance Ghost Town Trace of a Ghost Ghost Trippin’ Give Up the Ghost The Ghost is Clear (novella) Ghost Fever Ghost Lights The Cajun Embassy Ticket to Paradise Damn Yankees Gone Pecan The Cajun Series Emilie Rose Gabrielle Delphine A Cajun Dream The Letter Carnival Confessions: A Mardi Gras Novella Non-fiction titles by Cheré Coen: Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets with Jude Bradley Exploring Cajun Country: A Tour of Historic Acadiana Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History

Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life lessons "should be read by every leader in America" (Wall Street Journal). If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments. "Powerful." --USA Today "Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." --Washington Post "Superb, smart, and succinct." --Forbes