“I have not tried to paint the portrait of a man, but merely to present a personality and hazard a guess as to the motivation that makes Santa Claus the wondrous figure he is — a figure who more than any other exemplifies the beauty of selflessness.” — Seabury Quinn ​Drawing upon the original Christian legends that coalesced over centuries into the familiar, jolly form of Saint Nicholas, pulp fiction pioneer Seabury Quinn weaves a spellbinding new origin for this most beloved of children’s icons in his classic novella Roads.

Insights into the culture of pre-Christian Europe are provided as the author seeks out the origins and meanings of songs, food, legends, and other items associated with yuletide.

Holly Billingham is in seventh heaven - it’s her favourite time of year – and she’s determined to celebrate it properly. Her pine-scented house is festooned with tinsel and dripping with mistletoe… and no, she won’t apologise! All this sparkle is for her. Just her. And that’s okay. Really it is. Holly had almost forgotten what it felt like to celebrate Christmas. Her ex-husband, Colin, was the biggest scrooge she’d ever met. Now that she’s finally free of him - she's got a lot of making up to do for all those barren, tinsel-free years. Bouncing into Billingham’s Finest Chocolates, Holly can’t quite wrap her head around why everyone else looks like they’ve been bitten on their behinds by something far less fun than the festive spirit. Her grandad’s gorgeous little chocolate factory is her favourite place on earth. Sure… it’s taking her a while to get to grips with the fact that it’s her factory now… but she’s sure the rest of them will warm to her… eventually! Her grandad’s old workforce is a well-oiled machine – admittedly one that still runs on steam power – but they know better than her how to handle the holiday rush. Holly’s determined not to get in the way… until she hears something less-than-festive muttered on the breeze… something to do with Colin. Cue one seriously cute locksmith, an ancient Labrador with a thing for Christmas jumpers, and a whole lot of yuletide chaos as Holly makes it her mission to ensure that even the most ardent grump feels the full force of her season’s greetings. A feisty, funny, festive romance... for anyone in serious need of some holiday spirit! For fans of Heidi Swain, Holly Martin and Polly Babbington.

Divided into “Opening Acts” (appetizers), “Headliners” (entrees), and “Encores” (desserts), Mosh Potatoes features 147 recipes that every rock ’n’ roll fan will want to devour—including some super-charged Spicy Turkey Vegetable Chipotle Chili from Ron Thal of Guns N’ Roses, Orange Tequila Shrimp from Joey Belladonna of Anthrax (complete with margarita instructions), Italian Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs from Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society (a homemade family dish), Krakatoa Surprise from Lemmy of Motörhead (those who don’t really like surprises may want to keep a fire extinguisher handy), and Star Cookies from Dave Ellefson of Megadeth. Mosh Potatoes comes with a monster serving of backstage stories and liner notes, making this ideal for young headbangers, those who still maintain a viselike grip on the first Black Sabbath album, and everyone who likes to eat.

Each week brings a lighthearted opportunity to remember that humor and the gospel are not mutually exclusive. The Drawn to the Gospels series covers all of the Sundays in the lectionary year, as well as special days such as Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, and Ascension Day. Each entry contains a cartoon illustration of the gospel, a short paragraph of introduction, and some engaging questions. The cartoons are scaled so they can be reproduced for bulletins, inserts, or even posters, bringing weekly gospel readings to life. These amusing and original reflections deepen scriptural literacy and engagement among members of the Episcopal Church, including youth groups, and will inspire some fun in the process.

A thoughtful, real-world interpretation of the Rule of St. Benedict to guide us into a more balanced life. From informal versions of the Rule of St. Benedict to Twelve-Step groups and Weight Watchers, the basic human need for guidance and structure in the quest for wholeness is palpable and real. Out of her long experience as a spiritual director, mentor, and teacher, Margaret Guenther offers a warm and sensible guide for “the rest of us”—singles, couples, parents, extended families, members of churches—to create a helpful and balanced rule of life to help us in our search for faith. She explores ancient and contemporary meanings for the classic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, along with the distinctively Benedictine ethos of stability and conversion, pointing out the pitfalls of each. A series of short essays follows on the different elements of a rule of life—such as authority, money, pleasure, stinginess, friends, enemies, and living through hard times. The final chapter gives practical ideas for crafting a rule of life that encourages each of us to grow, stretch, and flourish.

Traces the history of this American harvest celebration and the development of its symbols and legends.

The writings of Sue Hiatt, considered “bishop to the women” and leader of the movement that led to the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. Quiet, introspective, passionate, strong-minded, Sue Hiatt’s road to Christian feminism began as a teenager. These writings, alongside material by Carter Heyward and others critical to the movement, are a vital source of study, reflection, and inspiration.

"Fae Malania's lovely book is a small offering, like a hazelnut. Like the hazelnut, this book is a reminder of God's love. And like a hazelnut, it can unlock a world."—Lauren F. Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Mudbath Sabbath As in Julian of Norwich's hazelnut story, the touchstones of Fae Melania's spirituality are ordinary, humble things. Christian life happens in the ordinary--when we do the dishes, when we garden, when we tuck our children into bed, even when we argue with our spouses. Fae Malania recognized this truth half a century ago. In these pages, you'll read about her kitchen epiphanies, and the spiritual insights that come to her while reading the newspaper. "To begin with, never mind pleasure," writes Fae Malania in her account of one woman's discovery of faith, "Search out joy." In this newly revived classic, the image of a hazelnut calls up Julian of Norwich and her vision of a God who holds the smallest thing in being, a hazelnut or a sparrow, by the sheer force of love. Whether reflecting on a pigeon crossing East 36th Street to the ironies of trying to live simply, from Scarlatti on the car radio to the secret life of insects, Malania's voice is unique and her vision clear.

Alice Merryfield’s plans for revitalising Upper Bamton Vineyard are starting to unravel… The new visitors’ centre is nowhere near being finished… She might have made a mistake when she hired her ex-boyfriend for the job… And now he and his team of builders have done a bunk! With the first Knit One Pour One wine and wool evening looming, Alice doesn’t have anywhere to host it – and her nerves are fraying fast. When she discovers a trespasser parked near the river, Alice’s first instinct is to kick the unwelcome visitor off their land. The only thing that makes her pause is the loud snoring coming from the back of the beaten-up old van. Maybe she’ll come back later! The vineyard has always been Alice’s home and she’s determined to make it the centre of the community again – just like it had been when her mother was alive. It has taken a lot to convince her father that it’s finally time to let people back into their little world. Now that she has his - rather grudging - blessing, she’s determined to make it happen… somehow. Is it too late for Alice to unpick the tangle she’s in? Could her ex spin a convincing enough yarn to win her back? One thing’s for sure – the vineyard’s future is hanging by a thread, and change is coming whether Alice is ready for it or not! A cosy story full of friendship, fun and laughter! A New Arrival in Upper Bamton is the first standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.