A Blossom in the Desert showcases exquisite paintings and inspirational writings of Lilias Trotter from her many devotional books, journals, and letters.

Isabella Lilias Trotter (1853-1928) was an artist and a missionary for over 38 years to the Muslims of Algeria. John Ruskin, the famous art critic, didn't believe that ladies could paint before he met Lilias. He changed his mind after he met her and believed that if she would give her life to painting she could become the greatest painter of the nineteenth century. Ruskin believed that if she would devote herself to art "she would be the greatest living painter and do things that would be immortal. " He was unhappy that she was spending so much time on the streets of London, helping with the YWCA, when he thought she ought to be painting. Lilias, however, decided to give up her career in art in order to serve God. She always remained a good friend of Ruskin's though, and they wrote many letters when she was in Algeria. She also wrote several books - beautifully illustrated by herself, including: Parables of the Cross (1894), Parables of the Christ-Life (1899), and a book for Sufi Muslims, The Way of the Sevenfold Secret.

These are the stories of five ordinary women-Sarah Edwards, Lilias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim, and Helen Roseveare-who trusted in their extraordinary God as he led them to do great things for his kingdom. Noël Piper holds up their lives and deeds as examples of what it means to be truly faithful. Learning about these women will challenge readers to make a difference for Christ in their families, in the church, and throughout the world.

Set up in 1975 to jump-start India's power sector, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) soon became the largest company in the field. With thirty-two plants currently operating across the country and twenty-two projects under construction, it meets close to a quarter of India's demand and is among the top five power utilities in the world. This phenomenal success story is seen in large part as a result of the processes and work culture put in place during the early years by Team NTPC, led by its founding chairman and managing director, D.V. Kapur, who was described as a 'model manager' by the board of executive directors of the World Bank. In The Bloom in the Desert, Kapur offers first-hand insights into a uniquely Indian style of management of large corporations that holds lessons for management students and professionals across the board. During his time at NTPC, he demonstrated visionary leadership qualities by devising an ingenious workflow. The 'systems culture' that he introduced helped run the organisation smoothly, without missing deadlines or incurring extra costs, while increasing its output and meeting global standards of excellence. If these achievements were rare for Indian public sector enterprises in the 1970s and '80s, they continue to remain relevant, especially today, when the emphasis is on selfsufficiency and 'Make in India'. Kapur also demonstrated his sharp managerial instincts in his later stints-with the various departments of the government of India as well as other public and private sector enterprises. The Bloom in the Desert distills the experiences of his long and distinguished career to not only celebrate the foundation of a towering institution but also inspire the present generation of managers to transform and reinvent their styles of functioning.

"Parables of the Christ-life" by I. Lilias Trotter offers readers a collection of insightful reflections that delve into the spiritual significance of Christ's parables. Trotter's unique perspective and profound understanding of biblical teachings shine through as she explores the deeper meanings behind the parables. With eloquence and spiritual depth, the author invites readers to contemplate the timeless lessons embedded in these narratives. Trotter's thoughtful interpretations make "Parables of the Christ-life" a spiritual guide that encourages personal reflection and a deeper connection to the teachings of Christ.

40 inspirational reflections exquisitely illustrated-for personal or group contemplation."During a visit to Venice in 1876, the mother of Lilias Trotter heard that John Ruskin, then fifty-seven, was in the city to work on drawings and to revise his book of 1851-53, The Stones of Venice. Carefully drafting a letter of introduction, she must have hoped that Lilias might receive some instruction in drawing or at least some general commendation from the foremost writer on art of his day. Probably she was expecting no more than that, although there would have been the obvious excitement of personal contact with one of the most famous people in the English-speaking world. Having given 'somewhat sulky permission,' Ruskin was surprised to see 'extremely rightminded and careful work,' and asked 'that the young lady might be allowed to come out sketching with me.' 'She seemed to learn everything the instant she was shown it,' he recalled, 'and ever so much more than she was taught.'"Stephen Wildman, Professor of History of Art, Lancaster University, Director, Ruskin Library and Research Centre

This bright, gentle, thoughtful picture book explores friendship and natural life cycles for readers young and old Cactus and Flower spend their days in the desert, side by side. They watch the sun come up; they watch the sun go down. They play with their animal friends. And they grow, slowly but surely. Then one day, Flower loses a petal. Cactus and Flower know what this means. But they know, too, that this is the way life goes: Slowly but surely, petals will fall, and new buds will bloom.

When a powerful desert spirit kidnaps her sister, Cece Rios must learn forbidden magic to get her back, in this own voices middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of The Storm Runner and Aru Shah and the End of Time. Living in the remote town of Tierra del Sol is dangerous, especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits roam the desert and threaten humankind. But Cecelia Rios has always believed there was more to the criaturas, much to her family’s disapproval. After all, only brujas—humans who capture and control criaturas—consort with the spirits, and brujeria is a terrible crime. When her older sister, Juana, is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura, Cece is determined to bring Juana back. To get into Devil’s Alley, though, she’ll have to become a bruja herself—while hiding her quest from her parents, her town, and the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans and agrees to help her on her journey. With him at her side, Cece sets out to reunite her family—and maybe even change what it means to be a bruja along the way.

This visually magnificent book unveils the alluring world of uncommon botanicals, including a prickly cactus that played a storied role in the founding of an ancient city, a tiny pink mushroom that glows green in the dark, and a magnificent blue cactus with rows of golden spines. Celebrated paper designer Kate Alarcón reveals the rich histories and unique characteristics behind 30 remarkable plants alongside instructions for crafting stunning paper versions of each one. These eye-catching creations make perfect wedding centerpieces, beautiful arrangements (that never wilt!) to brighten a home, and cheerful gifts for any occasion. Brimming with fascinating botanical trivia, vivid photography, and essential design techniques, this is a breathtaking resource for flower lovers, crafters, and anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the natural world.

"Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change" is a 12 x 12'' beautifully illustrated and designed 264 page coffee table book created by conservation photographers Rob Badger and Nita Winter.Illustrations: 190 stunning images of California's diverse wildflowers and their habitats, from high mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada mountains to below sea level in Death Valley National Park.Essays: Sixteen talented and diverse authors and scientists, most of whom are women, wrote 18 storytelling style essays (1,200 to 1,800 words) about nature, conservation, climate change or taking action. The two younger authors write about hope and action, and what people can do to help create positive change. The book has three sections: The Gift of Beauty, The Human Connection and Ensuring the Future.Because people are constantly hearing about all the negative things going on in the world, Nita and Rob believed there was a need for a different, softer approach to grab people's attention and center it on the climate-change story, and conservation and population issues. They engage their audiences by first inviting them to experience the splendor of the natural world through a universal symbol of beauty, the wildflower, and then educate and inspire them to take some of the simple actions they provide to create positive change and a healthier planet. Their goal is to spread conservation and climate change ideas far beyond native plant and nature lovers, and to plant the seeds to foster action."Beauty and the Beast" is a 27 year photographic journey into the public lands of California. Lands we all own, lands under constant threat of development or resource extraction, impacts of global warming, sea level rise and wildfires. This book is as much a treasure as the flowers and creatures which are featured within its pages. Nita and Rob extend a hand to you to come in and take a long, slow look around and see what they have seen, experienced and have learned. Book includes two comprehensive indexes and a glossary.Co-published by WinterBadger Press and the California Native Plant Society