In this “compelling, bighearted, emotionally precise page-turner” (Sunday Times), the New York Times bestselling writer and acclaimed television host explores the aftermath of a tragedy on a small-town to illuminate the shame and longing that can flow through generations—and how the secrets of the heart cannot stay be buried forever. It is 1987 and a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the ceremony, a group of young friends, including the bride and groom, are involved in an accident. Three survive. Three are killed. The lives of the families are shattered and the rifts between them ripple throughout the small town. Connor survived, but living among the angry and the mourning is almost as hard as carrying the shame of having been the driver. He leaves the only place he knows for another life, taking his secrets with him. Travelling first to Liverpool, then London, he eventually makes a home—of sorts—for himself in New York, where he finds shelter and the possibility of forging a new life. But the secrets—the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind—will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to confront his past. A powerful and timely novel of emigration and return, Home Stretch demonstrates Norton’s keen understanding of the power of stigma and secrecy—and their devastating effect on ordinary lives.

Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier believes that our contemporary world desperately needs to hear the central message of the final chapters of Matthew's gospel. In this wonderful sermon series based on Cycle A lectionary gospel texts, Dreier deftly uses clear examples to shed light on the biblical text. Her focus is on Jesus' call to serve while at the same time keeping our vision on the promised fulfillment. Like Matthew's community, today's church also needs an active faith that is rooted not only in the here and now, but also the parousia. Readers will discover that Dreier's insight into these readings makes the scriptures understandable and relevant to modern Christians -- she has a flair for communicating the gospel to the everyday person in the pew. Pastor Mary Sue Dreier is a preacher who preaches up on her toes, not from her heels. She hits the biblical texts straight on, and it results in a hands-on experience with God. She preaches to all, and her words confront and inspire. Her parishioners know from her preaching what they are called to do. You will be convicted of your failures in your life of discipleship, but her declaration of God's grace enables her hearers to act in this world as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It has been a joy for me to follow Pastor Dreier's growth as a pastor and proclaimer of the gospel. She is a committed disciple of Jesus Christ and a gifted proclaimer of God's word. Glenn W. Nycklemoe Bishop, Southeastern Minnesota Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pastor Mary Sue Dreier has a wonderful talent for taking a Bible passage we've all heard a hundred times and making it come alive through detailed personal stories. Her sermons help me understand what the Gospel means to me today and what I can do about it -- how God is calling me to a life of Christian servanthood. Kathleen Creager Rochester, Minnesota Along with her husband Gary, Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier is the co-pastor and mission developer of People of Hope, A Lutheran Church in Mission (ELCA) in Rochester, Minnesota. Active in their synod, the Dreiers have also served two other Minnesota congregations. Mary Sue is a graduate of Valparaiso University (B.A.) and Luther Seminary (M.Div.).

This book triggers laughing out loud, turning to spinal shivers as the gripping drama of Alma and Will's stories unfolds. A fascinating and emotional true-life story packaged in a fun filled holiday diary with detective elements. Discover how an uneasy truce between a mother and son is threatened when a visiting friend accidentally unlocks secrets that have poisoned their lives. Discover too how the visitor, Sue, draws on her own life experiences to help troubled friends come to terms with their harrowing past, on a paradoxically hilarious yet traumatic joint holiday. Wefound much to admire in HomeStretch Juliet Pickering, AP Watt & Co. Literary Agents, London Lively and well written Henry Dunow, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency, New York very competent and compelling Lee Brown, Assistant Editor, Tindal Street Press, Birmingham

Grace Street is Jeff Blakes home, just as Grace Street is home for all of us. His gift is to remind each of us of that. His words are filled with wisdom with which we can resonateits deeply human. He offers the insights that have arisen in a life lived fully and mindfully and gratefully. In this new book, Jeff inspires, encourages, and welcomes us all back to Grace Streetthe neighborhood we all share. Kathleen Dowling Singh, author of The Grace in Aging, The Grace in Dying, and The Grace in Living

In 2002, Lynn Reardon quit her Washington DC area office job and moved to rural Texas to open a racehorse adoption ranch, LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers). Since then, LOPE has helped transition more than 425 thoroughbreds into new homes. These are some of their stories.