More New Books from Elk Lake!

The groundhog didn’t see his shadow here, but March is roaring in with three snow storms in ten days. We’re hoping Winter is having her last hurrah! And we’ve been busy here at Elk Lake, publishing wonderful new books for your reading pleasure. From a hike on the Appalachian Trail to an ocean voyage by sailboat–from spies in World War II Philadelphia to a pregnant single mom who finds aid from an unusual source–from an encouragement book for pastor’s wives to a newlywed who’s juggling stepdaughters and an evasive husband. Wow! We’ve been booking!

New releases are When Valleys Bloom Again by Pat Jeanne Davis, The Sailboat and the Sea along with The Sailboat and the Sea Study Guide by Peter Lundell, By the Sea by Claudette Renalds, Joy After Noon by Debra Coleman Jeter, Sweet Moments: Insight and Encouragement for the Pastor’s Wife by Shelley Pierce, and When Sunday Smiled by Andy M Davidson. There’s something for everyone with more exciting books coming in March!

World War II Interrupts Romance

As war approaches in 1939, Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home?

With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty, and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the US Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

$12.99 paperback, $4.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-948888-91-2 (trade) | 978-1948888-92-9 (POD) 978-1-948888-93-6 (e-book)

LittleBoat Sets Out to Sea …

LittleBoat sets out to the open sea and is surprised to find BigSea talking to him. And very surprised BigSea knows him better than he knows himself! Their interactions are at times heartfelt or snarky, comforting or tense, happy or sad, intriguing or challenging, and always instructive. Each day of the journey opens a desire, emotion, hope, or fear common to all humanity. You will certainly identify with LittleBoat throughout his deeply and universally felt emotions, thoughts, and actions. And as you do, prepare for a unique personal encounter with BigSea.

$14.99 paperback, $9.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-948888-83-7 (trade) | 978-1948888-84-4 (POD) 978-1-948888-85-1 (e-book)

Go Deeper with BigSea and LittleBoat.

LittleBoat sets out to the open sea and is surprised to find BigSea talking to him. And very surprised BigSea knows him better than he knows himself! Their interactions are at times heartfelt or snarky, comforting or tense, happy or sad, intriguing or challenging, and always instructive. Each day of the journey opens a desire, emotion, hope, or fear common to all humanity. You will certainly identify with LittleBoat throughout his deeply and universally felt emotions, thoughts, and actions. And as you do, prepare for a unique personal encounter with BigSea. Study Guide has discussion questions for each section as well as space for personal journaling and prayer.

$9.99 paperback, $4.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-950051-09-0 (trade) 978-1-950051-10-6 (POD) 978-1-950051-11-3 (e-book)

Newlywed Struggles with Stepdaughters and an Evasive Husband

Joy marries a widowed bank executive caught in an ethical dilemma. She misreads his obvious frustration while at the same time, struggles to integrate into her new family. Inspired in part by Love, Come Softly and in part by Rebecca, this novel explores the challenges of second marriages and dealing with stepchildren during the crucial years of puberty and teenage angst. A college professor coming up shortly for the huge tenure decision, Joy finds herself falling apart as her career and her home issues deteriorate and collide. The truth about Ray’s relationship with his first wife hovers in the background adding to Joy’s difficulty in adapting to her new life.

$12.99 paperback, $9.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-948888-97-4 (trade) | 978-1-948888-98-1 (POD) 978-1-948888-99-8 (e-book)

Twin boys adopt a dog and its reclusive owner.

Walks along the shore inspired much of Alex Caine’s successful writing career. But today, he had no ambition but to romp with his dog, Bailey, and bask in the early morning sun still low on the horizon. He’d found the perfect life.

Alex found himself near the row of cottages beyond the dunes and spotted a scene so unusual he removed his sunglasses for a clearer view. Rarely was anyone stirring so early in the morning, but there in the sand sat two young boys—not more than three or four years of age. Concerned for their safety, he scanned the area for adult supervision. Why are these boys out alone?

Very pregnant Sarah Stuart trembled as she called the children inside. Thank God, the stranger left before she had to waddle out on the beach. Though the man appeared harmless, she refused to take a chance. A recent widow, Sarah struggled with her feelings of loss and trying to make her way with the twins on her own.

They make a strange pair, Alex and Sarah, but the twins are a channel for them to find themselves and each other.

$12.99 paperback, $3.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-950051-00-7 (trade) | 978-1-950051-01-4 (POD) 978-1-950051-02-1

Welcome to Sweet Moments! It’s time to put your feet up and allow me to minister to you.

She stood before me with wide eyes and an open heart. She would soon marry the love of her life. She had one question of me: “What advice will you give me before I marry into the ministry?

“Run!”

Of course I didn’t say that. Truth be told, I wanted to cry for her. Young and in love and clueless as to the days and years ahead. Instead of telling her to run like the wind, I gave her the best biblical advice possible …

Life as a pastor’s wife has been a lot of fun, filled with new friendships and many learning opportunities. This life has also brought much heartache. I suppose we can quote Dickens and say it is the best of times, it is the worst of times.

With each lesson learned, I have thought of you and wondered—are you all alone and longing for a friend? Are you earlobe deep in ministry and wondering where your joy went? Are you enjoying this distinct calling? Do you know how very special you are to God?

Welcome to Sweet Moments! It’s time to put your feet up and allow me to minister to you. Let our friendship begin …

Grief Provides the Impetus to Hike the Appalachian Trail

When his son Aaron died in a motorcycle accident, Andy found that nothing else mattered—nothing. He lived five months on the Appalachian Trail while dealing with his grief. The wilderness is the backdrop for what he found: “God’s world opens up when everything you need is on your back and your only concern is the next white blaze.”When Sunday Smiled is a poignant tale of a father’s journey on the Appalachian Trail as he seeks to heal his wounded heart. This unique memoir is not just another adventure tale. It is a transparent view into someone who has experienced deep loss as he tries to make sense of his world. As Andy travels the A.T. he is confronted with how to live with others, how to relate to God, and how to live with himself.

$12.99 paperback, $5.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-948888-94-3 9 (trade) 978-1-948888-995-0 (POD) 978-1-948888-96-7 (e-book)