Eleven-year-old Alex learns about heavenly treasure as she gets to know a classmate and her family and helps catch a group of bicycle thieves.

Apple Turnover Murder The Luscious Los Angeles Times And USA Today Bestseller! Early summer brings plenty of work for baker Hannah Swensen, even before Mayor Bascomb's wife drops by The Cookie Jar to place an order for her charity event. . .for eleven-hundred cookies! And Hannah almost flips when her business partner, Lisa, suggests setting up an apple turnover stand. But she places her faith in Lisa and agrees to be a magician's assistant in the fundraiser's talent show. . . Key Lime Pie Murder New York Times Bestseller It promises to be a busy week for Hannah Swensen. Not only is she whipping up treats for the chamber of commerce booth at the Tri-County fair, she's also judging the baking contest;acting as a magician's assistant for her business partner's husband;trying to coax Moishe, her previously rapacious feline, to end his hunger strike, and performing her own private carnival act by juggling the demands of her mother and sisters. With so much on her plate, it's no wonder Hannah finds herself on the midway only moments before the fair closes for the night. After hearing a suspicious thump, she goes snooping–only to discover Willa Sunquist, a student teacher and fellow bake contest judge, dead alongside an upended key lime pie. But who would want to kill Willa and why? Cherry Cheesecake Murder Hannah Swensen and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, bask in the glow of Hollywood glamour when Main Street becomes a movie set. And although tensions simmer as the cameras roll, no one expects the action to turn deadly. . .until it's too late. . . There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever since she got not one but two marriage proposals. Movie mania soon shoves Hannah's marriage dilemma into the background and even gives her cat a shot at stardom. The Cookie Jar serves as snack central with Main Street rented out for the week. She stirs lots of fresh gossip, whipping up treats for cast and crew, including demanding director Dean Lawrence's favorite--cherry cheesecake. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder Hannah Swensen thought she'd finally discovered the recipe for a perfect life. But her sometime beau Norman Rhodes tosses a surprise ingredient into the mix when he phones to tell her he's just bought a house from local drugstore clerk Rhonda Scharf--which he plans to tear down in order to build the dream home he and Hannah designed. It seems the plan has been cooking for quite some time, and Hannah's shocked. Especially since her ring finger is still very much bare. . . The good news is that the soon-to-be-torn-down house is full of antiques--and Norman has given Hannah and her mother first dibs. They uncover some gorgeous old furniture, a patchwork quilt. . .and Rhonda Scharf's dead body. A little more sleuthing turns up the half-eaten remains of a very special dinner for two--and one of The Cookie Jar's famous lemon meringue pies. Now it's up to Hannah to turn up the heat--and get busy tracking down clues. Starting in her very own kitchen. . .

IACP AWARD FINALIST • The expert baker and bestselling author behind the Magnolia Network original series Zoë Bakes explores her favorite dessert—cakes!—with more than 85 recipes to create flavorful and beautiful layers, loafs, Bundts, and more. “Zoë’s relentless curiosity has made her an artist in the truest sense of the word.”—Joanna Gaines, co-founder of Magnolia NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME OUT Cake is the ultimate symbol of celebration, used to mark birthdays, weddings, or even just a Tuesday night. In Zoë Bakes Cakes, bestselling author and expert baker Zoë François demystifies the craft of cakes through more than eighty-five simple and straightforward recipes. Discover treats such as Coconut–Candy Bar Cake, Apple Cake with Honey-Bourbon Glaze, and decadent Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake. With step-by-step photo guides that break down baking fundamentals—like creaming butter and sugar—and Zoë’s expert knowledge to guide you, anyone can make these delightful creations. Featuring everything from Bundt cakes and loaves to a beautifully layered wedding confection, Zoë shows you how to celebrate any occasion, big or small, with delicious homemade cake.

Finally, a summary section provides a brief synopsis of at least one title, representative of the author's style, and several of the writers have provided personal annotations of their works."--BOOK JACKET.

In 'The Big Book of Christmas Treasure Tales', Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson compiles an expansive anthology of the most beloved Yuletide narratives, encompassing a variety of genres including novels, short stories, poems, and carols that have shaped the literary canon of Christmas. Readers will discover a rich tapestry of festive classics, from the poignant 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry to the venerable verses of 'Ring Out, Wild Bells' by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Bjørnson's curatorial finesse is evident as he interweaves timeless works with lesser-known gems, all while capturing the diverse cultural essence of Christmas through the prism of literature. The collection is presented with an eye for both literary quality and seasonal charm, offering an immersive experience into the spirit of the holiday. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, a revered figure in Norwegian literature and a Nobel laureate, perhaps found inspiration for creating this collection from his own engagement with themes of identity, community, and tradition — concepts deeply entwined with the Christmas season. His personal literary footprint, characterized by a poetic realism and national romanticism, echoes through the selections, hinting at the universal longing for warmth, generosity, and connection during the holiday period. By encompassing works from international literary greats, Bjørnson underscores the shared human experiences central to Christmas, transcending any one tradition or geography. 'The Big Book of Christmas Treasure Tales' is a must-read for aficionados of classic literature and anyone looking to rekindle their holiday spirit. It is a literary hearth around which readers of all ages can gather, finding solace and joy in tales that celebrate the profound simplicity and deep complexities of the human experience. It is an invitation to revisit the storied past of Christmas traditions and to instill new memories with the turn of each page. For the literary connoisseur and the Christmas enthusiast alike, this anthology is a treasured addition to any winter library, promising to delight and inspire for generations to come.

This is the story of a family caught in the throes of war, a family with a 165 year tradition of service to their country. Sam is torn between his love for his family and his sense of duty to his country. His decision takes him from the quiet hills of Pennsylvania to the torrid jungles of Burma. While his family struggles with shortages and rationing, he fights to survive the terrors of war. This story is based on actual experiences and official records from World War II.

The Santa's Great Treasure Chest: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends represents an unparalleled assemblage of literary jewels, carefully curated to capture the essence and breadth of Christmas literature. Spanning centuries and encompassing a wide range of genres from poetry and carols to legends and novels this anthology celebrates the multifaceted nature of Christmas storytelling. The collection weaves together the traditional and the contemporary, the celebratory and the reflective, encapsulating the spirit of Christmas in its myriad forms. Standout pieces traverse the emotional landscape of the season, offering readers a panoramic view of Christmas through the ages and across cultures. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from diverse backgrounds and periods, bring a rich tapestry of voices to the anthology. From Dickens' quintessential Victorian Christmas to Andersen's poignant fairy tales, and from the reverent compositions of Isaac Watts to the pioneering realist narratives of Tolstoy and Chekhov, the collection underscores significant historical and cultural movements. It reflects the evolution of Christmas literature, showcasing how each era's social, political, and religious contexts have shaped storytelling traditions. This confluence of perspectives creates a unique narrative harmony, deepening our understanding of Christmas and its impact on the literary canon. For readers seeking to explore the depth and diversity of Christmas literature, The Santa's Great Treasure Chest offers an unrivaled opportunity. This anthology not only provides a compendium of festive stories but also serves as a lens through which the evolution of the holiday and its literature can be viewed. It invites readers to embark on a scholarly journey through the snow-draped landscapes of literary history, uncovering the myriad ways in which Christmas has inspired some of the greatest writers across time. Engrossing, enlightening, and profoundly moving, this collection is a must-have for anyone wishing to delve into the heart of Christmas storytelling.

This winter, we are offering to you our own Christmas box – filled up to the top with the best Christmas novels, classics to read during holidays, magical Christmas tales, legends, most famous carols and the unique poetry of the giants of literature dedicated to this one and only holiday: The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) The Holy Night (Selma Lagerlöf) A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott) A Letter from Santa Claus (Mark Twain) Silent Night The Night After Christmas The Child Born at Bethlehem The Adoration of the Shepherds The Visit of the Wise Men As Joseph Was A-Walking The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) Where Love Is, God Is (Leo Tolstoy) The Three Kings (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) A Christmas Carol (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum) Christmas At Sea (Robert Louis Stevenson) The Savior Must Have Been A Docile Gentleman (Emily Dickinson) The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Fyodor Dostoevsky) The Little City of Hope (F. Marion Crawford) The First Christmas Of New England (Harriet Beecher Stowe) Christmas in the Olden Time (Walter Scott) Christmas In India (Rudyard Kipling) A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) The Twelve Days of Christmas The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) Ring Out, Wild Bells (Alfred Lord Tennyson) Little Lord Fauntleroy (Frances Hodgson Burnett) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) The Christmas Child (Hesba Stretton) Granny's Wonderful Chair (Frances Browne) The Romance of a Christmas Card (Kate Douglas Wiggin) Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) The Wonderful Life - Story of the life and death of our Lord (Hesba Stretton) The Christmas Angel (A. Brown) Christmas at Thompson Hall (Anthony Trollope) Christmas Every Day (William Dean Howells) The Lost Word (Henry van Dyke) The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann) The Little Match Girl The Elves and the Shoemaker Mother Holle The Star Talers Snow-White The Christmas Hirelings The Blue Carbuncle An Exciting Christmas Eve The Spirit of Christmas…

In the 1960s, Edna Staebler moved in with an Old Order Mennonite family to absorb their oral history and learn about Mennonite culture and cooking. From this fieldwork came the cookbook Food That Really Schmecks. Originally published in 1968, Schmecks instantly became a classic, selling tens of thousands of copies. Interspersed with practical and memorable recipes are Staebler’s stories and anecdotes about cooking, Mennonites, her family, and Waterloo Region. Described by Edith Fowke as folklore literature, Staebler’s cookbooks have earned her national acclaim. Including this long-anticipated reprint of Food That Really Schmecks in our Life Writing series recognizes the cultural value of its narratives, positing it as a groundbreaking book in the food writing genre. This edition includes a foreword by award-winning author Wayson Choy and a new introduction by the well-known food writer Rose Murray.