A New Featured Title!

This week's featured title is:
Among the Magnolias by Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver
978-1-61626-244-0
HP 943
Romance

Abigail won't be hindered by marriage.

In spite of the love she sees between her parents, Abigail LeGrand is determined never to marry. Intelligent and opinionated, she fears marriage will quash her personality and keep her from supporting the causes that matter most to her.

Nathan Pierce is desperate to hide his past. An itinerant preachers, he's convinced that he is not worthy of God's forgiveness - or of the love of a good woman. But from his first sight of Abigail, carrying a basket of white magnolias, Nathan resists a growing attraction to the spirited young woman.

As they debate slavery and are drawn into mystery shadowing the local orphanage, will Abigail and Nathan accept each other's love and respect, or will they stubbornly cling to the fears that threaten to keep them apart?

Book Excerpt
Nathan stood as a young woman enter the room. At first glance he might have mistaken her for a scullery maid. Her dress was dirty and torn, her auburn-hued hair was tangled, and she was carrying a large basket of white flowers. Yet something in her carriage, some look in her wide dark eyes drew his attention.

"Brother Pierce, I would like you to meet my daughter, Abigail." His hostess retained her seat on the sofa, nodding toward the woman who was putting her basket on a table that stood inside the door.

He stepped forward with a box. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss LeGrand. Your mother has been saying some nice things about you."

She looked past him with a frown. "I see." She executed a graceful bow in spite of her appearance. "I hope you will make room for a parent's bias as I doubt I can eve measure up to whatever she has told you."

Nathan's mouth dropped open. So much for the demure young woman he'd pictured. While Mrs. LeGrand was the epitome of grace and refinement, it was obvious to him that she had failed to install the same qualities in her offspring. Even though he had been raised in a far more rustic environment than this young woman, he was surprised by Abigail LeGrand's lack of sophistication. Or was she merely flouting parental control? She was certainly old enough to have a household of her own. The Shakespearean tale of the shrew came to mind. Perhaps all she needed was a strong man to take her in hand as Petruchio had done with his Katherine. He wished the man the best of luck.

About the Authors
Diane Ashley, a "town girl" born and raised in Mississippi, has worked more than twenty years for the House of Representatives. She rediscovered a thirst for writing, was lead to a class taught by Aaron McCarver, and became a founding member of the Bards of Faith. Visit her at http://www.bardsoffaith.homestead.com/m/.

Aaron McCarver is a transplanted Mississippian who was raised in the mountains near Dunlap, Tennessee. He loves his jobs of teaching at two Christian colleges and editing of Barbour Publishing. A member of ACFW, he is co-author with Gilbert Morris of the bestselling series, The Spirit of Appalachia.

Have you ever been in a situation with someone who was very opinionated?