Kirjahaku

This book draws on a study of the Sunday Assembly- a "godless congregation"- to reflect on how the Church might better deal with suffering, lament and theodicy. Against a backdrop of a shifting attitudes towards religion, humans are now better connected than ever before. It is no exaggeration to suggest that we carry the suffering of the world in our pockets. In the midst of these intersecting issues, the Sunday Assembly provides insight into how meaning-making in times of trauma and crisis is changing. Drawing on practical theology and using ethnographic tools of investigation, this book includes findings from interviews and observation with the Sunday Assembly in London and Edinburgh. It explores the Sunday Assembly’s philosophy of "celebrating life," and what this means in practice. At times, this emphasis on celebration can result in situations where suffering is "passed over," or only briefly acknowledged. In response, this book considers a similar tendency within white Protestant churches to avoid explicit discussion of difficult issues. This book challenges churches to consider how they might resist the avoidance of suffering through the practice of lament.The insights provided by this book will be of particular interest to scholars of Religious Studies, Practical Theology, Secularism and Atheism/Non-religion.

This book draws on a study of the Sunday Assembly- a "godless congregation"- to reflect on how the Church might better deal with suffering, lament and theodicy. Against a backdrop of a shifting attitudes towards religion, humans are now better connected than ever before. It is no exaggeration to suggest that we carry the suffering of the world in our pockets. In the midst of these intersecting issues, the Sunday Assembly provides insight into how meaning-making in times of trauma and crisis is changing. Drawing on practical theology and using ethnographic tools of investigation, this book includes findings from interviews and observation with the Sunday Assembly in London and Edinburgh. It explores the Sunday Assembly’s philosophy of "celebrating life," and what this means in practice. At times, this emphasis on celebration can result in situations where suffering is "passed over," or only briefly acknowledged. In response, this book considers a similar tendency within white Protestant churches to avoid explicit discussion of difficult issues. This book challenges churches to consider how they might resist the avoidance of suffering through the practice of lament.The insights provided by this book will be of particular interest to scholars of Religious Studies, Practical Theology, Secularism and Atheism/Non-religion.

*Winner of IAN 2015's Outstanding Fantasy Book* Never underestimate the power of a determined witch. Letum Wood is a forest of fog and deadfall, home to the quietly famous Miss Mabel's School for Girls, a place where young witches learn the art of magic. Sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe has inherited a deadly curse. Determined to break free before it kills her, she enrolls in the respected school to confront the cunning witch who cast the curse: Miss Mabel. Bianca finds herself faced with dark magic she didn't expect, with lessons more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Will Bianca have the courage to save herself from the curse, or will Miss Mabel's sinister plan be too powerful? Miss Mabel's School for Girls is the first novel in The Network Series, an exciting new fantasy collection. A gripping tale about the struggle to survive, it will take you to a new place and time, one you'll never want to leave.

Never Underestimate the Power of a Liberated Witch. Despite swirling rumors of war, seventeen-year-old Bianca Monroe is living without restraint for the first time. With no curse to hinder her and her enemy, Miss Mabel, imprisoned in an impervious dungeon, she's finally free. Nothing lasts forever. The Southern Network attacks, launching Bianca, her beloved father, and everyone she cares for into a war controlled by the clandestine witch Angelina. Chatham City burns, Guardians die, and Bianca soon realizes the only witch who can save the Central Network is the conniving Miss Mabel. Will setting Miss Mabel free save everyone she loves, or unleash a greater evil on the Central Network and all of Antebellum? Is Bianca strong enough to make the right choice? The High Priest's Daughter is the third book in the thrilling new fantasy collection The Network Series. It's a haunting tale about growing up and finding the strength within.

Never Underestimate the Power of a Desperate Witch With the Central Network entrenched in war and teetering on the brink of destruction, eighteen-year-old Bianca Monroe is determined to defeat Mabel's powerful Almorran magic by finding the Book of Light. During an attempt to save a burning orphanage, Bianca finds herself caught in a trap. Mabel kidnaps her, taking her to the hot sands of the Western Network where things are not as they seem. Mabel is more dangerous--and unhinged--than she's ever been before. War of the Networks is the fourth and final book in the thrilling fantasy collection The Network Series. It's a gripping tale about compassion, forgiveness, and surviving against all odds.

Isadora can see into the heart of every witch she meets. She's a quiet, old Watcher living alone in the fog-strewn forest of Letum Wood. Her magical power is great, but her foresight is even greater. As a Watcher, Isadora has the ability to see into future possibilities, a talent that makes her the perfect guardian of the prestigious Miss Mabel's School for Girls. Any witch that wants to enter the school must first pass an interview with Isadora. No secret insecurity or sinister motivation can be hidden from a Watcher, as four teenage girls will soon find out. Join Leda, Camille, Michelle, and Priscilla, as they each encounter Isadora in their quest to join Miss Mabel's School for Girls. It's a collection of short stories that fans of Miss Mabel's School for Girls can't afford to miss.

Absolute Power Corrupts Even the Best of Friends. Mildred Graeme is a witch that knows what it's like to fail. She loathes small talk, struggles with magic, and grew up wretchedly poor. What's easy for her best friend Evelyn, a wealthy, powerful socialite, is difficult for Mildred. The two lifelong friends reunite at Chatham Castle where they fight together for the dream of a better world. Mildred wants to save the Network from political elitism, while Evelyn encourages it. When Evelyn gains power and threatens to obliterate the Network, Mildred realizes that she must overcome her fear of failure to save the lives of those she loves, even if it means betraying her best friend. Mildred's Resistance is the prequel to The Network Series and a gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and unexpected romance that defies all odds to rise above the ghosts of failure.

Lexie Greene has always had such a pretty face. Unfortunately, that's where it seemed to stop. She's grown up hearing her Mother constantly remind her that she needs to lose weight. And twenty-two-year-old Lexie knows she's overweight. With her younger sister's wedding on the horizon and a crush to stalk on Facebook, Lexie's had enough. She gives up her constant daydreams about food and joins a dieting group. As the pounds melt away at the gym, she finds that life on the other side of junk food isn't what she thought. Bon Bons to Yoga Pants is an inspirational hit about a girl coming to terms with herself, and her past, all while navigating a world of food and fitness.

Cardiac nurse Megan Bailey has it all. Until she doesn't. Thanks to a string of horrible relationships, an unexpected twist in her career, and mounting credit card bills, Megan escapes to Adventura Summer Camp to work as camp chef. Instead of a relaxing summer in the mountains, she faces a persnickety oven, squirrels in the kitchen, and a host of uncertain staff. With the help of her twin brothers and a quiet, blue-eyed camp ranger named Justin, Megan will have to navigate the treacherous waters of a storm she never expected: her parents possible divorce. I Am Girl Power is the second book in the quirky new Health and Happiness Society series. Join Megan as she experiences heartbreak, laughter, and the frightening winds of change.

Rachelle Martin is a hot mess. After losing 110 pounds, she expected to be happily flirting her way through countless dates, not lost as a college dropout. Now that she's arrived at her ideal weight, why isn't she happy? When an injury prevents her from running her dream race, she realize she can't run from her ghosts anymore. Rachelle must take the one step she's sworn she'd never take: professional therapy. Can Rachelle push herself through pain and let go of the past? Or will her demons continue to haunt her one bad decision at a time? You'll Never Know is the unforgettable novel in the groundbreaking Health and Happiness Society series. It tackles the false idea of conditional happiness and the exhausting path to self forgiveness.

Bitsy Walker is a woman in control. She eats 1200 calories a day, prepares three rounded meals on a budget, runs her own cleaning business, and never leaves the house with an unmade bed. When her ex-husband crashes back into her immaculate world, her daughters fall in love with their father all over again. Rumors of joint custody surface, driving Bitsy to the edge of dieting desperation. Can she handle losing control without giving into binge eating? Or will losing the battle make everything unravel--even her? Join Bitsy in her journey through calorie counting, the intricacies of self care, and surrendering control in the fourth book in the Health and Happiness Society Series.

Mira Montgomery is the only one left. Her brothers unexpected death leaves her tragically alone. No kids. No husband. No family. Fifty-one years of unrealized dreams crash down on her when a real estate development company threatens the only stability she has left: her store. To make matters worse, her friends in the Health and Happiness Society have more good news than ever before. Mira is faced with the decision to walk away and start fresh, or stay and fall apart. Can she survive life without the comfort of her friends? Or will she fall farther into her depression than ever? Join Mira on her new path through old grief, new loss, and the burning importance of gratitude in the fifth and final book in the Health and Happiness Society series.

Lizbeth: There's one thing I'm absolutely convinced of: romance is real, and true love is a force for good in the world.I have 957 paperback romance novels in my attic bedroom that prove it.When my world crashes down around me and JJ Bailey shows up, he lays down the ultimate challenge: prove romance is real. The fact that JJ thinks romance is a farce only makes me more determined to prove him wrong.Romance is real and love saves the day.Hold my spreadsheets.JJ: Life has gotten kind of stagnant. Then Lizbeth literally crashes into my world with her ideas of storybook romance and love. Her silky red hair drives me to distraction.What the hell is a meet-cute anyway?Romance does not save the world. I've been there. Failed at that. My parents divorce has convinced me that not even love can survive real life. Perpetual bachelorhood looks pretty safe to me.Except Lizbeth is determined to help me see the light of love. I'm not about to let her win our little challenge, because I know the truth.Forget her books. I'll show her that romance is a construct, and love hurts.LOVESICK is the second novel in the Coffee Shop series. This is a clean, standalone (second in series) contemporary romance with sizzle and spice-but no sex scenes. Guaranteed bantering and happily ever after.

A companion novella in theDragonmaster TrilogyCan read at anytime, but is best read after the second novel, FLIGHT.What do you do when the world is afraid of magic? They burned my brother on a stake.For this reason, my grief and questions drive me to study his "mental condition," starting in the Northern Network. I must scour Alkarra from top to bottom in my search to understand his life and decisions.My burning questions cannot be ignored-my restless heart and soul crave answers. He died from this strange ailment. Or, rather, because of it. His confinement was wrong. He was not crazy. Something was different, yes. But not harmful. Not dangerous.Something gave him sight into the future, and his murderers called it madness. I will figure it out in his name.I am naive to the ways of the world. I have never slept under the stars or hunted for my own food or traveled on my own, despite being twenty-four years old and only a scholar.Still, I go. I must.Redemption isn't free.The Ronan Scrolls is a companion novella to the Dragonmaster Trilogy. This riveting short story will sweep you across the world of Alkarra and into the depths of a terrifying mystery. Fans of FLAME and FLIGHT can't afford to miss this installment.

When love and logic collide.The third book in the Coffee Shop Series. Stella Marie: I didn't ask for my life to be uprooted, but won't sit by while my creepy ex-boss destroys everything-himself included.Except . . . there's only one person that can help me disappear for a while, and I'm pretty sure he groans every time he sees me calling. Being Mark Bailey's accountant isn't easy. When Mark helps me escape into his mountain world for a while, the very last thing I expect is to fall hard. Now ghosts from my past are following and I'm not sure there's a happy-ever-after waiting at the end of this nightmare. Mark: My accountant is the most frustrating woman on the planet. She infuriates me every time we speak, but I will never, ever fire her because she is the only thing standing between me and utter bankruptcyNow I'm not so sure I know her after all. The woman that arrives on my doorstep in the middle of the night is surprisingly bright, beautiful, and frightened. Being the good guy in the past hasn't gotten me anywhere, but this time, I have a good feeling about Stella Marie. Which is why I'm happy to step up when that psycho ex-boss of hers tracks her to my doorstep. No one is getting near Stella Marie while I'm here.RUNAWAY is the third book in the Coffee Shop Series. It can be read as a standalone, but maximum enjoyment comes from starting at the beginning. This is a sweet-but-spicy romance with no sex-scenes and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

The Fourth Book in the Coffee Shop SeriesSerafina: The small mountain town of Pineville had my heart from the moment I stepped in it. Maybe Benjamin Mercedy did too.Too bad he's way out of my league.When things escalate to an unsafe situation at home, I have no choice but to ask the town MMA fighter to teach me self-defense.When we're together on that mat, there's a whole lot more spark and bang than I thought. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say Benjamin Mercedy is hiding some ghosts in his gloves.Ghosts I'm ready to help tame.Benjamin: What am I supposed to do? Serafina shows up with a fat lip and a request for a self-defense class. Of course I'll help her.Then everything changes.She is bright-eyed brilliance in my cold, uncertain world. I can't stay away, even if I wanted to. Serafina has her own devils to deal with, and it's been a while since I'd had a good fight.Then she edges her way into my past with her light and warmth and cookies, and my bruised heart doesn't have a fighting chance.Serafina is mine.FIGHTER is the fourth book in the Coffee Shop Series. It can be read as a standalone, but maximum enjoyment comes from starting at the beginning. This is a sweet-but-spicy romance with no sex-scenes and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Andrei is more than just a swordmaker. He's a legend.Members of the legendary silkmaking clan in the Southern Network understand one thing: the clan keeps the Sirilas magic in balance by obedience to its rules, and the Sirilas magic keeps them alive. When loyal, steady future Guide to the Clan Andrei Kuzmin finds a sword that stands in his way to ease and prosperity-quite literally-he's shoved out of his stable world and into a new magic. A magic that doesn't care about the requirements of the Sirilas magic. While Andrei grapples to rid himself of the meddlesome sword, a new foe enters the stage. Alek Popov, High Priest to the Southern Network, a witch hungry for the well-kept secrets of the silkmaking magic. Can Andrei keep both magicks happy while forging the path required of him? Or will Andrei's faltering loyalty destroy the clan from the very center? THE SWORDMAKER is the second novel in the Historical Collection. This thrilling story will sweep you away to the arctic lands of the Southern Network, where magic teems and mysteries abound.