In this uplifting novel, a woman recovering from trauma finds compassion and connection with a rescue dog as they help each other overcome fear. Lila Elliot knows she's lucky to be alive. A shooting rampage at her office left several colleagues dead and others seriously wounded. Though Lila's injuries will heal in time, she's having trouble moving past her fear and anger. Being drafted into caring for Grace—a shaggy, formerly abused golden retriever—only adds to her stress. Lila has been terrified of dogs since childhood. But Grace, like Lila, needs time and space to recover. Grace keeps her distance, sensing Lila's wariness, and only perks up for Adam, the neighbor who rescued her. But as an accomplished artist, Lila begins to see the beauty in Grace's wisps of fur and haunted eyes. Each of them has suffered through no fault of her own. And in helping Grace to trust, Lila begins to develop the courage she needs to do the same. Includes reading group guide

From bestselling author Kristin von Kreisler comes a poignant, uplifting novel of one woman's journey to healing, and the surprising soul mate that helps guide her there. Lila Elliot knows she's lucky. A shooting rampage at her office left several colleagues dead and others seriously wounded. Lila's injuries will heal in time. Yet though she gratefully retreats to her best friend's house to recuperate, Lila can't quite move past her fear and anger. Being drafted into caring for Grace--a shaggy, formerly abused golden retriever--only adds to her stress. Lila has been terrified of dogs since childhood. But Grace, like Lila, needs time and space to recover. Grace keeps her distance, sensing Lila's wariness, and only perks up for Adam, the neighbor who rescued her. Though struggling to make sense of her recent tragedy, Lila, an accomplished artist, begins to see beauty in Grace's wisps of fur and haunted eyes. As Adam points out, Grace, too, has suffered through no fault of her own. And in helping Grace to trust, Lila is being gently nudged toward the courage she needs to do the same. Rich in warmth and humor, An Unexpected Grace is a story of compassion and connection, and of finding that what truly makes us whole again may be the love we give away. Includes Reading Group Guide

"Nina ... must face a recurrence of her leukemia while dealing with the news that she was adopted. As she works through her estrangement with her mother, Nina journeys from Indiana to Ohio in search of her Amish birth mother."--From introduction.

Grace has been at the heart of my ministry for the last five years its influence engulfs me more and more with each new day. I have known God's influence and His workings to bring me to a divine appointment, a divine mission all guided by the Master's hand. Yet one thing has nagged or robbed me of my destiny until now. That one thing was doubt... not in God! I could not see what God had planted in me. I lacked confidence in my abilities. Satan lead me to believe others where dismissing me by finding no value in my teaching or preaching. But... my years have taught me failure is not evil and not always bad. It also has taught me that success is not the standard for righteousness and certainly not to be idolized.

Unexpected Grace is the second book in the Crossed & Bared Duology.Landon Grace is a stand-up guy, but running about 7-bananas-strong, from tequila shots at Oscar and Hale's wedding reception, what happened between him and Sher Simmons was supposed to be a one time thing. A quickie, between the Best Man and Maid of Honor, at their best friends' wedding.But some one-night-stands refuse to be finished in one night.Especially when they return with a hard shot of morning sickness.Now, Landon is faced with a problem he never thought he'd have to consider...Just how much sway does a guy really have, regarding a woman's choice to pursue or terminate the pregnancy of his child?

When Eleanor Pfaehler and I met, we stood on opposite sides of an invisible, and seemingly insurmountable, wall," Sheila Walsh writes. "Eleanor and I talked over this wall. At times we reached up to hug. But the wall was always there. "Then Eleanor was diagnosed with liver cancer. Finally, by the grace and mercy of God alone, the wall came crashing down. Eleanor and I found ourselves swimming in the river of mercy with our arms around each other, holding each other, willing to give our lives for each other." Unexpected Grace is a tender account of the relationship between a mother and daughter-in-law and how they discovered extravagant grace in the midst of what could have been the most tragic experience of their lives. Their story will encourage you and help you see how God can bring good out of even the bleakest circumstances. Previously published as Stories from the River of Mercy.