Mareen Silver can get any horse to dance to her tune. But when a damaged soldier rescues her, will she allow him to side-step her away from a previous attachment? Mareen Silver is used to being hurt—by her cold as ice mother, by her half-sisters who she’s longed to be closer to, even by her distant army general father. However, with her family in danger of losing the ranch they all love, Mareen is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice and marry a wealthy man she doesn't love to save their home. But after taking a nasty tumble, she finds herself falling hard for the wounded soldier who just saved her life. Wilson Michaels can't escape the guilt that has plagued him every day since surviving the blast that took the general's life. If he can’t find absolution, he’ll find purpose, and—after a series of incidents—it’s looking more and more like that purpose is keeping the general’s daughter alive. Protecting Mareen is one thing, but falling in love with her is not a possibility, especially when her marriage could be just the thing to save the ranch. Wilson can't afford to get in the way again or this time all the Silvers could lose everything. And now that Mareen has tasted true happiness and is finally bonding with her sisters, can she bear to lose the man who’s shown her how to love? Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Protect is the third in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

Argues that for the first time in history we're in a position to end extreme poverty throughout the world, both because of our unprecedented wealth and advances in technology, therefore we can no longer consider ourselves good people unless we give more to the poor. Reprint.

From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves real-life love letters into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of the Civil War. “Beautifully-drawn characters and rich history in With This Pledge work seamlessly to demonstrate that Christ’s love and romantic love can triumph even in our darkest moments.” —Lynn Austin, bestselling author Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston’s quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause—but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home where she is governess is converted into a Confederate field hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend. As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie’s arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy’s first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg. Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers’ respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton’s walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn’t realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie’s heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers that his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and promises made, she struggles to be true to her heart while standing for what she knows is right—no matter the cost. From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war. “Alexander’s With This Pledge dusts off the archives and breathes life into the Battle of Franklin: believed to be the most brutal battle in the Civil War. Through Tamera Alexander’s indomitable heroine, Lizzie Clouston, who transforms from governess to nurse out of necessity, we find ourselves contemplating our own inner strength should we also be faced with the unthinkable. Tamera Alexander’s With This Pledge is not only historical fiction at its finest, but its most compelling.” —Jolina Petersheim, bestselling author of How the Light Gets In “Tamera Alexander has once again given readers a beautifully written story full of strong characters and tender romance—all while staying true to the actual history of the people and events she describes. From the horrors of war to the hope of blossoming love, Lizzie and Roland’s story will live in my heart for a very long time.” —Anne Mateer, author of Playing by Heart

Tilly Silver can get any horse to eat its curds and hay. But when her mouth begins to water for the soldier who's promised to marry her twin, can she convince her family to change what's on the menu? Artillery “Tilly” Silver needs to get married, quick. If she’s not hitched in just a couple of weeks, her family will lose the ranch they've lived on all their lives. But when yet another date goes bust, she’s rescued by an unexpected hero, a man who is perfect marriage material, except for one thing—he’s already engaged to her twin sister. Carter Shane agreed to marry a woman he’s never met. Getting close to his fiancée’s sister wasn’t part of the plan, but now Tilly is all he thinks about. Well, her and the addiction to pain medication he just can’t shake after a wartime injury. Getting clean is a lot more difficult than running off one of the jerks Tilly’s been dating, and when he steals a forbidden kiss, he realizes which twin he’s supposed to be with. Between her sisterly loyalty and the secret he’s keeping, they’re off to a rocky start. And now Tilly’s stepmother is on a warpath, determined to prove all the Silver girls' marriages are fraudulent in order to gain the ranch for herself. If her stepmother can convince the judge of wrongdoing, the girls won't just lose their home and the horses they care for, they'll each lose the loves of their lives. Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Have is the fifth in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

Gunnery Silver's lifelong mission is to protect the lands where wild horses run free. But when a wounded soldier sets his sights on her, will she allow herself to be corralled into setting down roots with him forever? Gunny Silver returns home just in time to meet her father's dying demand and marry a stranger in order to keep her childhood home. But this animal rights activist is none too pleased to find that the soldier her sisters have picked out for her is a gun-toting, animal hunting, sniper. All Truman Bates wants is his job back. Unfortunately, with his shoulder injury, he no longer makes the cut as a precision sniper. To remain useful to his former unit, he agrees to marry the last Silver sister. It's clear the mouthy protestor will keep him on his toes with bailing her out of the trouble she can’t stop getting into. As these two clash on their way down the aisle, they begin to realize they have more in common than they thought. But the road to “I do” is strewn with landmines. With the deadline looming and the future of the ranch on the line, completing their vows will be a battle like no other. Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Hold is the sixth in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

AARP Digital Editions offer you practical tips, proven solutions, and expert guidance. Successful people don't sit around waiting for everything to be "100%" right or to be "absolutely sure" they will succeed. They don't need absolute assurance, because they realize life doesn't provide any. To get what they want out of life, they set specific goals and put together a formal plan to achieve those goals, one step at a time. Successful people know that the cost of failure is modest compared to that of inaction. Failure means they are smarter the next time. Inaction means there is no next time-there's only a lifetime of regret. In The Pledge: Your Master Plan for an Abundant Life, author Michael Masterson reveals how to become successful-and not just financially, but in every area of life. The book Offers simple tips to making immediate changes and to establishing long-term goals Details strategies on becoming more productive at the office and defeating depression Explains why simplifying goals into four major ones makes them much easier to achieve The Pledge teaches readers how to start and finish projects they have been dreaming about for years, boost confidence, strengthen skills, build wealth, and enjoy life.

Saylor Silver has a magic touch when it comes to healing abused horses. But when a disabled soldier reaches out to her, will she allow him to rein in her heart? Veterinarian Saylor Silver can sense an animal's illness with just a look or a touch. Too bad she's not known for taking as good of care of herself, and neither is her wayward boyfriend who is known as the town flirt. But if Saylor learned anything from her parents' multiple remarriages, it’s to never give up on your first love. No matter how much love hurts. Jefferson Moore’s arm is still numb after an injury on his last military mission. But he’s filled with feeling the first time Saylor touches him. He’s on the Silver Star Ranch to keep a promise to his general, Saylor’s late father. In order to save the ranch, each of the six Silver sisters must marry. Jeff would leap at the chance to marry Saylor, if only she’d drop her deceitful boyfriend. When Saylor catches her boyfriend cheating—yet again—her dreams of a future together wither. She agrees to a marriage of convenience with the kindhearted soldier Jeff in order to save her family's ranch. But after years of neglect and mistreatment, she’s not sure what to do with a man who treats her with care and kindness. Jeff pretends he’s just honoring the terms of their deal, but the truth is he's fallen hard for Saylor. When the conniving boyfriend returns begging for another chance, will Jeff admit to his true feelings or risk losing the woman he wants to cherish? Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Cherish is the second in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

When Brigadear Silver meets a wounded warrior whose injuries leave him feeling all washed up, she'll need to prove she's grown up enough to get him on bended knee. Brigadear Silver might be the youngest of the five Silver girls, but it's clear she's the smartest. Well, clear to everyone except her sisters, who still treat her like a baby. When Brig sets her sights on Jackson Michaels, she longs for him to see her as she is—a fully grown woman. But if her sisters don't stop treating her like an infant, she's liable to throw a tantrum. Jackson Michaels thinks he’s past his prime. Booted out of the military with a knee injury, he feels useful working the ranch of his former commander. Entering into a marriage of convenience with one of the late general’s daughters to meet the requirements of the man's will is no problem. But he's sure the gazes he keeps sneaking at Brig, who’s far too young for him, are not a part of the general's last wishes. The closer he gets to her, the more he realizes she is the woman he needs. But with his body so battered and bruised, his doubts are even louder than his aches and pains. And if Brig can't get Jackson to commit to their love in sickness and health, their relationship will never stand the test of time. Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Obey is the fourth in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

Follow the journey of families while they complete the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. Parents/caregivers pledge to read to their children about colors, shapes, animals, cars, nature and adventure with the goal that one day their children will be reading to them.

Scout Silver can rehabilitate the most wounded of horses. But when an injured soldier shows up at her ranch, will she follow his lead down a trail of love? Though she’s the daughter of a general, Scout Silver is used to giving orders, not taking them. That's why horses thrive on the rehabilitation ranch she runs with her half-sisters. Over the years, her absentee father’s many divorces created a patchwork family, held together by their love of the ranch. But his last will is an order that threatens to rip their lives apart. As the leader of an elite group of soldiers run by the brilliant tactician General Abraham Silver, Lincoln Rawlings has set out on his final mission—to fulfill the dying wish of his commander by ensuring that the general's six daughters are taken care of. When Linc arrives on the Silver Star Ranch, he learns that what the Silver sisters need are husbands, else they’ll lose their beloved business. Instead of doing an immediate about-face, Linc's heart stands at attention under the assessing gaze of Scout, the eldest Silver. Unwilling to let her father once again interfere in her life, even from the grave, Scout has no plans to give in to the general’s demands. But when she meets the handsome and accommodating Linc, she has a hard time reigning in her heart. Letting down the general is not an option, but Linc is hiding a secret from Scout. And if she learns of the deep wounds he bears, he might lose everything—the ranch, his honor, and the woman he’s falling for. Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Honor is the first in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.