It is the ancient days of the Persian Empire. Hadassah was content in her quiet life in the Jewish quarter of the city of Babylon with her uncle Mordecai, who had raised her from childhood. But she was old enough to be married, and yet her uncle hadn't arranged a marriage for her. Meanwhile in Shushan, King Ahasuerus' marriage to the vain and selfish Vashti has ended, and a new wife must be found. Why not bring to him the most beautiful women of the kingdom, and let him choose? And so the loveliest young women of the empire are selected in local contests, and Hadassah is among those chosen to...

It is the time of the Judges in Israel, and famine has swept through the land. The family of Elimelech has come to the prosperous but alien land of Moab to buy food for their people. Their two sons, though suffering from chronic illness, thrive in this pleasant land, and wives must be found for them. In the same city, two sisters live in a cold and unfriendly home; while blessed with material wealth, they are starving for love and affection. A match is made, and Ruth and her sister Orphah join the affectionate and kind Hebrew family. But tragedy strikes after several happy years, and a long...

Betsy was a lovely young actress from England, alone and starving in New York City at the dawn of the American Revolution. It was an unenviable position, for actors were considered to be the dregs of society in the largely Puritan colonies, and were rejected and scorned by everyone. Dan was a young Colonial from a farming family in Connecticut, on his way through New York travelling to enlist with the American forces. A chance meeting in the street leads him to take responsibility for the newly orphaned Betsy, and take her home to his family in the only way he could in that Puritan society-as...

As the beloved daughter of the famous Marquis de Lafayette, Anastasia and her family lived a rich and happy life in France on the eve of the Revolution. Papa was often away from home, fighting for freedom in the American Revolution and then in the French Revolution he helped to start. But as France's initial quest for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood descended into the chaos of the Reign of Terror and the terrible guillotine, their lives were in great danger. As the people's cheers of admiration and love for Lafayette changed over the years to howls of hate and fury, the Lafayettes escaped...

Growing up in a village near the Sea of Galilee, the adored daughter of the wealthy and respected leader Jairus, Tamar was content with her place in her community. She knew that in her early teens she would be married to a suitable young man, and she would become a good Jewish wife and mother. She would adhere to the laws of her faith. But then a Teacher came to town, and began to speak of a way of life far different than what she and her society had been raised to believe. He preached love and acceptance and performed miracles of healing to hundreds... and in so doing made many enemies who...

It is the beginning of the War of 1812. America is still a young, uncertain nation, defending herself against the armies of England once again. In Washington, President James Madison and his popular wife Dolly welcome into their home the lovely Jeanne Siousat, niece of their Master of Ceremonies. Having travelled for months from her home in Louisiana to Washington with the reluctant Claiborne Kent, this young Frenchwoman becomes a companion to Dolly and eyewitness to the events leading to the capture and burning of Washington and the White House.

She was called "Alicia the Beauteous," and as a member of the nobility, she enjoyed privilege and adulation wherever she went. Her father, the Earl of Hastings and her extended family doted on her and she was surrounded by suitors. But then gentle King Edward the Confessor died, and life became much more uncertain. Duke William of Normandy declared his right to the English throne, and backed it up with a devastating army. The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Invasion put an end to life as Alicia had known it. Alicia, proud, defiant and brave, cannot bear to see her country bow to the Norman...

Thomas of Antioch, handsome, inquiring and earnest, is the youngest of the Twelve Apostles. He has come to be known as the ages have passed as "the great doubter." Around 50 years after his time with Jesus Christ, St. Thomas the Apostle was sent from Antioch to South India where he established seven churches before being martyred near modern day Chennai. This novel for young adults tells of Thomas' early search for a leader who not only would bring hope and joy to his followers, but would also prepare the way for the long awaited Messiah. How Thomas, in spite of his doubts, did find his...

Beautiful, impetuous and headstrong, Michal is the young daughter of Saul, the first King of Israel. As a woman of her society, she has a certain importance as a princess, but in all other respects, she has little control over her destiny. She and everyone else assume that she will marry whomever her father chooses. But then a humble young man named David is called to the royal court to play music for Saul, and Michal and the young shepherd are instantly smitten with each other. As David begins to rise in importance in the court and defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, his increasing...

Ann loved the old farmhouse. Since the death of her parents, she had struggled to keep her brothers and sisters together there. Life on the farm was hard and the boys were always threatening to leave. Ann lived in dread of the day which she knew must come when the family would be broken up, and her one consolation was the farmhouse. But New York was growing fast, spreading farther and farther north. The farms that stood in the way were to be torn down and that meant the Lawrence house too The farmers banded together, Ann and her brothers among them, to fight for the right to keep their...