Sonoma tour guide Taylor O’Brian uncorks another intoxicating wine country mystery after discovering the body of an FDA inspector . . . in a tank of squashed grapes Taylor O’Brian, founder of “Off the Beaten Path”, takes small groups on wine country tours of romantic Sonoma County. Friends are everything in the tour business, so Taylor is happy to guide investors to the winery owned by her friend Tim Slade. But vintage turns to vinegar when an FDA inspector is found floating face down in one of Tim’s vats of squashed grapes. Tim is arrested on suspicion of murder, and Taylor and her friends rally to prove his innocence. But it’s not an easy task, especially since the winery proprietor’s acidic sense of humor tends to reap a harvest of sour grapes. Taylor’s investigation is withering on the vine until she discovers that Tim’s girlfriend, Mandy, is having an affair with a self-help guru. But before she has a chance to confront Mandy, Taylor finds Tim standing over the body of the dead guru. This tart-turn of events sends a bottle shock through Sonoma. Might Taylor’s friend really be a Zin-ful killer? If so, could Taylor be the next victim? The tour guide and her friends come to realize that the true murderer’s scent is obscured by an unsavory bouquet of red herrings. A complex mystery designed to delight the palate of wine and cozy mystery enthusiasts alike, Seven Deadly Zins is the second quirky installment in Nancy J. Parra’s Sonoma Wine Country mysteries.

Drawing on centuries of wisdom from the Christian ethical tradition, this book takes readers on a journey of self-examination, exploring why our hearts are captivated by glittery but false substitutes for true human goodness and happiness. The first edition sold 35,000 copies and was a C. S. Lewis Book Prize award winner. Now updated and revised throughout, the second edition includes a new chapter on grace and growth through the spiritual disciplines. Questions for discussion and study are included at the end of each chapter.

This volume offers a fresh consideration of role played by the enduring tradition of the seven deadly sins in Western culture, showing its continuing post-mediaeval influence even after the supposed turning-point of the Protestant Reformation. It enhances our understanding of the multiple uses and meanings of the sins tradition.

Everyone likes to be kissed. Whenever Jesus graces us and gives us the kiss of friendship, we must respond. Do we give Him the kiss of gratitude or, like Judas, the deceitful kiss inspired by the seven deadly sins? Spencer F. Stopa (MA sacred theology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is a retired psychiatric and rehab nurse. His hobbies include gardening and reflecting on the human condition through a Christian lens. He lives in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife of thirty-nine years. 120

Julia Roberts on the red carpet at the Oscars. Lady Gaga singing “Applause” to worshipful fans at one of her sold-out concerts. And you and me in our Sunday best in the front row at church. What do we have in common? Chances are, says Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, that we all suffer from vainglory -- a keen desire for attention and approval. Although contemporary culture has largely forgotten about vainglory, it was on the original list of seven capital vices and is perhaps more dangerous than ever today. In Vainglory: The Forgotten Vice DeYoung tells the story of this vice, moving from its ancient origins to its modern expressions. She defines vainglory, gives examples from popular culture, explores motivational sources, and discusses other vices associated with it such as hypocrisy and boasting. After exposing the many ways in which vainglory can rear its ugly head, she explores personal spiritual practices that can help us resist it and community practices that can help us handle glory well.

Chronicles Godards journey from troubled childhood through his rise to the worlds best-selling artist. With a Foreword written by Ozzy Osbourne, it includes a gallery of over 136 paintings plus numerous projects for celebrities and rock stars. Depicted are many of his closest friends and fans; Chris Angel, Gloria Estafan, Arnold Schwartznegger, among others. Oversized, coffee-table. Paper and Cloth available.

For true oenophiles, there is discipline, devotion, and strict traditions to follow. For the general population, oenophilia is simply "the love of wine". By nature, wine lovers are collectors: bottles, vintages, countries of origin, and more. Wine Lover's Devotional is a year-long collection of insight and eclectica for the passionate wine lover. Each day of the week is given a wine-themed category: Monday: The Language of Wine; Tuesday: Wine Grapes; Wednesday: Wine & Food; Thursday: Putting Wine in its Place (Wine Geography); Friday: People Make Wine, Wine Makes People; and Saturday + Sunday: Weekend Wine Adventure. Wine Lover's Devotional uses hundreds of years of tradition, tasting notes, recipes, colorful trivia, and intriguing histories to inspire the oenophile in all of us.