Sonoma tour guide Taylor O’Brian uncorks another intoxicating wine country mystery after discovering the body of an FDA inspector . . . in a tank of squashed grapes Taylor O’Brian, founder of “Off the Beaten Path”, takes small groups on wine country tours of romantic Sonoma County. Friends are everything in the tour business, so Taylor is happy to guide investors to the winery owned by her friend Tim Slade. But vintage turns to vinegar when an FDA inspector is found floating face down in one of Tim’s vats of squashed grapes. Tim is arrested on suspicion of murder, and Taylor and her friends rally to prove his innocence. But it’s not an easy task, especially since the winery proprietor’s acidic sense of humor tends to reap a harvest of sour grapes. Taylor’s investigation is withering on the vine until she discovers that Tim’s girlfriend, Mandy, is having an affair with a self-help guru. But before she has a chance to confront Mandy, Taylor finds Tim standing over the body of the dead guru. This tart-turn of events sends a bottle shock through Sonoma. Might Taylor’s friend really be a Zin-ful killer? If so, could Taylor be the next victim? The tour guide and her friends come to realize that the true murderer’s scent is obscured by an unsavory bouquet of red herrings. A complex mystery designed to delight the palate of wine and cozy mystery enthusiasts alike, Seven Deadly Zins is the second quirky installment in Nancy J. Parra’s Sonoma Wine Country mysteries.

Drawing on centuries of wisdom from the Christian ethical tradition, this book takes readers on a journey of self-examination, exploring why our hearts are captivated by glittery but false substitutes for true human goodness and happiness. The first edition sold 35,000 copies and was a C. S. Lewis Book Prize award winner. Now updated and revised throughout, the second edition includes a new chapter on grace and growth through the spiritual disciplines. Questions for discussion and study are included at the end of each chapter.

This volume offers a fresh consideration of role played by the enduring tradition of the seven deadly sins in Western culture, showing its continuing post-mediaeval influence even after the supposed turning-point of the Protestant Reformation. It enhances our understanding of the multiple uses and meanings of the sins tradition.

Everyone likes to be kissed. Whenever Jesus graces us and gives us the kiss of friendship, we must respond. Do we give Him the kiss of gratitude or, like Judas, the deceitful kiss inspired by the seven deadly sins? Spencer F. Stopa (MA sacred theology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is a retired psychiatric and rehab nurse. His hobbies include gardening and reflecting on the human condition through a Christian lens. He lives in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife of thirty-nine years. 120

Julia Roberts on the red carpet at the Oscars. Lady Gaga singing “Applause” to worshipful fans at one of her sold-out concerts. And you and me in our Sunday best in the front row at church. What do we have in common? Chances are, says Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, that we all suffer from vainglory -- a keen desire for attention and approval. Although contemporary culture has largely forgotten about vainglory, it was on the original list of seven capital vices and is perhaps more dangerous than ever today. In Vainglory: The Forgotten Vice DeYoung tells the story of this vice, moving from its ancient origins to its modern expressions. She defines vainglory, gives examples from popular culture, explores motivational sources, and discusses other vices associated with it such as hypocrisy and boasting. After exposing the many ways in which vainglory can rear its ugly head, she explores personal spiritual practices that can help us resist it and community practices that can help us handle glory well.

Gluten-free baker Toni Holmes may not cook with wheat, but when there’s a criminal on the loose, she’ll do what it takes to figure out who has their finger in the pie… Even though Toni is used to going against the grain by preparing allergy-safe, gluten-free products for her online bakery, Baker’s Treat, opening a storefront in the middle of wheat country Kansas might be biting off more than she can chew. The town is already skeptical of her flour-free ways, but when a local wheat farmer is murdered outside her patisserie, skepticism turns into outright suspicion. With the help of her eccentric grandmother, her handsome lawyer, and the sexy new widower in town, Toni is determined to find the real criminal before bad publicity and increasingly personal acts of vandalism shut her down. But when another suspect winds up dead, Toni realizes that this half-baked killer isn’t just trying to get her to close shop—he’s trying to make sure that she’s made her last gluten-free cookie…forever. INCLUDES GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES

For true oenophiles, there is discipline, devotion, and strict traditions to follow. For the general population, oenophilia is simply "the love of wine". By nature, wine lovers are collectors: bottles, vintages, countries of origin, and more. Wine Lover's Devotional is a year-long collection of insight and eclectica for the passionate wine lover. Each day of the week is given a wine-themed category: Monday: The Language of Wine; Tuesday: Wine Grapes; Wednesday: Wine & Food; Thursday: Putting Wine in its Place (Wine Geography); Friday: People Make Wine, Wine Makes People; and Saturday + Sunday: Weekend Wine Adventure. Wine Lover's Devotional uses hundreds of years of tradition, tasting notes, recipes, colorful trivia, and intriguing histories to inspire the oenophile in all of us.

A fascinating and interesting journey through the wine world that began in the pioneering days of the Napa Valley in the 1960's and continued through college, then a wonderfully successful award-winning restaurant. Most recently, John has been consulting about wine and writing in sundry publications.

Great Wines Under $20 offers select wines (100 red, 100 white) from around the world and organized by type: Chardonnay, Riesling; Merlot, Shiraz, etc., with suggested food pairings. Elyse Luray writes in clear and simple language, avoiding the arcane "wine-speak" that many beginning wine buyers find intimidating. The handy and portable size makes it an essential reference, whether browsing the local wine shop or ordering online. A color-coded index provides handy icons that quickly identify food pairings -- beef, chicken, fish, pasta, salad, etc., and the perfect wineglasses and tips from experts.

Drink up this snobbery-free guide to quickly finding which wines are worth your money. Buying a popular wine should be simple, not pretentious and expensive. In this completely revised second edition, wine expert Carolyn Evans Hammond compares the bestselling wines in North America by price (up to $15) in many wine styles, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. The listings reveal the distinct smell, flavor, and texture for each wine as well as the alcohol content by volume to help you choose the right wine for you. Whether you’re rushing to find the right wine for a summertime backyard BBQ, New Year’s Eve celebration, or a dinner party or you’re planning the wine choices for an upcoming wedding or other fancy soirée, this book gives you everything you need to know to make the perfect selection. Every bottle or box of wine is shown in vivid color, and because this guide is also small enough to pop in your pocket and take with you anywhere, you can easily find the wines that suit whatever occasion calls for wine. In this way, this book can also help you look like a wine expert at any event you host. You’ll never make a bad wine choice again and you’ll never spend more than you want—all thanks to this guide and Carolyn’s extraordinary wine knowledge. “They’re big, they’re out there, but they’re not all the same. This book cuts a sure course through the ocean of popular wines. Carolyn’s enthusiasm and stylistic panache tells you what you need to know—and fast.” — Andrew Jefford, columnist for Decanter and chairman of the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards