What was life like for girls growing up in the South following the Civil War? Through many struggles and trying events, Dawn learns the truth of Romans 8:28, RAll things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

This second book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history combines rousing pulp action with steampunk style, bringing epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism. Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, Senator Clark. With the human alliance in disarray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria. As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind. If Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory would also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar. From the Trade Paperback edition.

The story of "The Rift in the Ocean" is full of the thrill of adventure, the comfort of friendship, and the bravery of taking risks. Finley, a happy teenage dolphin with a curious mind and brave limbs, is the main character of this story. Things change in his life when he finds a strange hole at the bottom of the ocean. This crack in the ocean floor is more than just a crack; it's the beginning of an amazing journey that lets Finley and his friends discover new places. Finley is very interested in everything, so he gets his best friends—Coral, a wise and experienced turtle; Squirt, a happy squid who is always up for a good time; and Shelly, a shy but caring seahorse—together to look into this strange split. They both dive down and find that they are in a secret valley that is much deeper than they thought. This valley is full of amazing things. There are bright corals, strange lights, and species that are so beautiful and rare that they look like they are from another world. Razor is a strong shark that wants to destroy this peaceful haven because he wants the valley's most valuable secret: a magical pearl that protects and charms the area. Razor and his gang's arrival is very bad for the safety and peace of the valley. Finley and his friends show what true bravery looks like when they are in such danger. They bring the animals of the valley together, building a relationship based on trust and the desire to protect their beautiful home. Because the valley is different, they use that to their advantage as they fight Razor with smart plans, unwavering bravery, and the power of their friendship. In the end, the fight makes their relationship stronger by pushing them to their limits and teaching them how important it is to stick together through tough times. Their adventure comes to an end in a sad way. Finley and his friends have to leave the beautiful valley, even if they win. They promise to keep the secret of the valley safe and will come back to their ocean, full of memories from the amazing trip. "The Rift in the Ocean" is more than just a story. It's a celebration of the amazing things that lie below the ocean's surface, the bravery needed to go into the unknown, and the strong bonds that make every journey worth it. Chapter 1: An Interesting Find Finley was a young dolphin who liked to explore. He lived in the deep blue ocean, where the waves whispered secrets and the sun lit up everything in golden hues. Finley was very interested in new things and was amazed when he found something new. He liked swimming across the ocean quickly and elegantly. Finley was having fun on the sand of the beach one day when she noticed something strange. She ran quickly between coral and rocks. Unlike the small holes and cracks, he had seen before, where crabs and fish loved to hide, this hole or crack in the ground was pretty big. This crack was different from the others because it was big and wide, going beyond Finley's view. Finley was most interested in the strange light coming from the crack. It wasn't the shine of the fish scales or the way the sand on the bottom reflected the sun. It was a soft pulse of light with colors Finley had never seen before. It was out of this world. The crack seemed to be alive because it was drawing light from deep inside the Earth. Finley was so happy and a little scared to keep this news to himself. He knew that his friends would want to see this interesting crack for themselves, so he thought about them. Each of them had their own skills and hobbies. He thought about how they would respond, what they would ask, and the trip they could take together. He thought, "What could be down there?" The thoughts came to him quickly, like light from the crack, making him want to look more closely and learn more. "Is it a hidden world, a treasure, or maybe a gateway to a place no dolphin has ever seen before?" he asked himself. Finley ran across the lake without stopping because he was excited to tell his friends what he had found. He thought that people who lived near water would tell stories about their trip into the unknown for many years to come. This crack in the sea floor was more than just a crack. It was a doorway to wonder and the unknown, just waiting to be found. Finley got very brave and determined all of a sudden. Finley wasn't just a dolphin; he was a friend, an explorer, and an adventurer who helped his friends find out about the secrets of the deep. He felt like the sea was pushing him to swim faster, and the waves led him to his friends and the beginning of their amazing trip. This was the start of something amazing that would change their lives forever. Finley couldn't wait to start this journey and find the wonders that lay beneath the calm part of the ocean where the sky and water were the same color. Chapter 2: Getting the Group Together Finley's friends crowded around, shocked and delighted by what he had found out of the blue. Coral, the old and wise turtle, gave a serious nod. Her shell was worn from years of exploring the water's wonders. She had seen a lot in her long life, but a crack in the ocean floor that was on fire was something she had never seen before. The squid named Squirt was having too much fun. He moved his limbs around in the water, making a kaleidoscope of bright ink clouds around him. Whenever there was a puzzle or an exciting adventure like this one, he was eager to take part. Then there was Shelly, the shy seahorse. Her tiny fins were moving back and forth in fear. She was the most private person in the group and often chose to be alone in the coral reefs for safety. Still, the thought of finding something new, something no one had ever seen before, gave her the bravery she didn't know she had. They paid close attention as Finley talked about the shining crack. His words made them think of riches and secret places that were just waiting to be found. The bond between these people lasted through the ocean's vastness and its many wonders and dangers. They were sure that they could handle any task that the deep water would bring.

Running the Rift follows Jean Patrick Nkuba, a gifted Rwandan boy, from the day he knows that running will be his life to the moment he must run to save his life, a ten-year span in which his country is undone by the Hutu-Tutsi tensions. Born a Tutsi, he is thrust into a world where it’s impossible to stay apolitical—where the man who used to sell you gifts for your family now spews hatred, where the girl who flirted with you in the lunchroom refuses to look at you, where your Hutu coach is secretly training the very soldiers who will hunt down your family. Yet in an environment increasingly restrictive for the Tutsi, he holds fast to his dream of becoming Rwanda’s first Olympic medal contender in track, a feat he believes might deliver him and his people from this violence. When the killing begins, Jean Patrick is forced to flee, leaving behind the woman, the family, and the country he loves. Finding them again is the race of his life. This is the third Bellwether Prize winner published by Algonquin. The Bellwether Prize is awarded biennially by Barbara Kingsolver for an unpublished novel that addresses issues of social justice and was previously awarded to The Girl Who Fell from the Sky and Mudbound.