What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? The Dawn of Hawaii series by Linda Lee Chaikin

The Spoils of Eden - Rafe Easton rescued an abandoned baby from certain death on a forbidden island. Now that courageous act could cost him his pending marriage and reputation. The Hawaii of 1891 is not untamed as it was when the first missionaries arrived, but the dangers haven’t disappeared. Power, wealth, and ambition still drive the affairs of island life, and Rafe Easton is poised to win big on all three—except for one thing. The woman he loves is walking away from their promise of life together on account of a baby boy…and the forsaken people of the island he came from. For her part, Eden Derrington must choose between her father’s life-long dream of curing leprosy, and a life of privilege with the man she’s loved since childhood. Will Rafe wait for her while she serves alongside her father? And what if she herself falls victim to the dreaded disease that took her mother many years ago? Set against the backdrop of tropical paradise, revolutionary intrigue, hidden motives, and deadly secrets, The Spoils of Eden sheds light on Hawaii’s colonial era and the men and women whose sacrifices yielded such unexpected results. 

Hawaiian Crosswinds - Torn between family loyalties, political ambitions, and their commitment to each other, Rafe and Eden must fight to protect the people and place they care about so deeply. The year is 1892 and the small island nation of Hawaii is in turmoil. Rafe Easton and a small but influential band of Hawaiian patriots are quietly pursuing annexation to the United States out of concerns that the monarchy will fall to a less noble power. But Rafe is not the only one with secrets. And as political tensions mount, some of the island’s most prominent families are faced with revelations that could unravel everything—the future of the country and Rafe’s future with his beautiful and beloved fiancee, Eden Derrington. Just as the enemy of righteousness stalks his prey, danger prowls Hawaii’s beaches and pineapple plantations. The man who murdered Rafe’s father now threatens his mother and adopted son. And Eden is compelled to join her father in the noble yet dangerous work of medical research among a shunned leper community—a community that shelters the mother she never knew.

What's New? Two Awesome Kid's Books about Jesus & Prayer!

Sammy and His Shepherd - Sammy the sheep lives happily under the care of his faithful shepherd. But one day he meets a sheep from another flock, one who lives in misery because her shepherd is not so caring. Eventually, to the delight of both of them, Sammy’s shepherd buys the needy little sheep for his flock and gives her a name—Precious. Thereafter, Sammy tells Precious all the wonderful things about their shepherd. At first, Precious has a hard time believing that the shepherd can be so good. But as she sees the shepherd pouring out his energies for the good of his flock, she comes to trust him, for she sees that he loves his sheep unconditionally and sacrificially. Sammy and His Shepherd is a delightful journey through Psalm 23. As families read through the book, children will grow in their understanding of the metaphors the psalmist used in composing this beloved poem. But more important, they will gain a deeper appreciation for the one who is the subject of the psalm—the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ—and will learn what it means to be a part of His flock.

Fritz and the Midnight Meetup - It’s midnight at the orphanage, and a group of children are sneaking to the kitchen to pray together. Would anyone else come too? they wonder. Night after night, more children join the fireside prayer meeting. But a bully named Fritz threatens to disrupt the group. When he sneaks down to scare the other children, will Fritz be the one who is surprised? In this heartwarming story, readers will share the excitement as the boys and girls creep down the dark stairs, and they will feel the tension of the bully’s threats. But most of all they will discover the difference children can make when they pray together. Based on a true story from a German orphanage in 18600, Fritz and the Midnight Meetup celebrates the blessing of corporate prayer—and how children play a valuable part.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? New Suspense Novels by Susan May Warren

Flee The Night - When Lacey Montgomery boarded the train she never expected to wake up hours later handcuffed to a hospital bed and under investigation by the National Security Agency. Lacey, an ex-CIA operative, is a liar, a murderer, and a fugitive. Or is she? With nowhere to turn for help, Lacey contacts the one man she believes she can trust. A man who is convinced that Lacey betrayed her country and murdered her own husband. Now Lacey must prove to Jim Micah, an ex-Green Beret, that she is not who he thinks she is. As Micah is drawn further into Lacey’s world of aliases, covert ops, and espionage, he must face the questions and pain of his own past. Only by trusting God and daring to trust each other can Lacey and Micah flee the secrets of the night. 

Escape the Morning - Homeland Security Agent Will Masterson has been operating under some guise or another most of his life—sheriff’s son, troublemaker, Green Beret, and now homeland hero. Working undercover as a journalist, Will’s on the hunt for a terrorist cell threatening U.S. security. Search and Rescue worker Dannette Lundeen has one mission: track a teenage girl lost in the woods. The last thing Dani needs is a nosy journalist on her trail. She’ll ditch him before she’ll let a reporter destroy another person’s life. As Will’s and Dannette’s missions collide and the clock to disaster ticks down, they must find a way to work together. But if they’re not careful, they might find that in the darkest hour they need each other…and the love is waiting if they can just escape to morning. 

In Sheep’s Clothing - On the run from the murderer of her best friends, missionary Gracie Benson is all alone in Siberia. What she doesn’t know is that she has in her possession a medical secret that will save millions of lives—or cost hers. Trying to keep her alive is an FSB agent, a man pursued by his own demons, including a killer who destroyed his father’s life. He and Gracie find themselves in a decades-old mystery of betrayal and Cold War secrets. Only with the help of their friends—a group of Americans and Russians committed to freedom—can they outwit the old guard…and save Gracie’s secret, as well as her life.  

Sands of Time - An inexplicable ailment was striking down the children of Russia; in less than  forty-eight hours, American medical missionary Sarai Curtiss had watched two young patients slip away, and she feared she might have an epidemic on her hands. Yet how could she help anyone in the middle of a violent coup? The new leadership had demanded all foreigners leave the state—on pain of death. Unwilling to leave her clinic, but unable to combat her enemies alone, Sarai had to join forces with an unlikely ally—Roman Novik, the rebel Cobra Captain who broke her heart. Faced with a corrupt government, a brutal military and the truth of their own deepest feelings, it would be a race against time to save the lives on  the line—and an entire country at risk.

A New Big Book of Biographies for The Cross Reference Library

50 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren W. Wiersbe - We all need inspiration to lead lives that honor God. When our faith is weak or the pressures of the world seem overwhelming, remembering the great men and women of the past can inspire us to renewed strength and purpose. Our spiritual struggles are not new, and the stories of those who have gone before can help lead the way to our own victories. 50 People Every Christian Should Know gives a glimpse into the lives of such people as:

Charles H. Spurgeon A.W. Tozer Amy Carmichael Jonathan Edwards And many more

Combining the stories of fifty of these faithful men and women, beloved author Warren W. Wiersbe offers you insight and encouragement for life’s uncertain journey.

Memorable Quotes About These Remarkable People - “George Matheson was blind, yet through his books he helps us see better.” “Don’t hunger for books,” wrote Alexander Whyte to a minister friend. “Get a few of the very best, such as you already have, and read them and your own heart continually.” “The news flashed around the world that America’s beloved composer of gospel songs, Fanny Crosby, was home with Lord and at last could see.” “Dwight L. Moody’s campaign seemed a failure at the start, but God worked in a remarkable way and gave Britain perhaps the greatest spiritual movement since the days of George Whitefield and John Wesley. And He did it through two ordinary men who would not quit, but who trusted God to bless His Word.”

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? The Legends of the Guardian-King series

The Light of Eidon - Abramm has dedicated the last eight years of his life to becoming worthy to touch and tend the Sacred Flames of Eidon, and he expects to be blessed for his devotion and sacrifice. But on the eve of taking the vows that will irrevocably separate him from the life he was born to—as Abramm Kalladorne, fifth son of the king of Kiriath—he is betrayed by his spiritual mentor and sold into slavery by his brothers. Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete as a gladiator. When the oppressed masses rally around his success, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever thought possible—to serve a purpose he never imagined. Set in a world of swords and cloaks, of glittering palaces and mystical temples, of galley ships and ancient mist-bound cities, The Light of Eidon is the first volume of an epic series, Legends of the Guardian King. 

The Shadow Within - Abramm Kalladorne has returned to Kiriath to claim the crown he thought he would never wear and to prepare his people for the inevitable attack of the Armies of the Black Moon. Though fiercely opposed by his own kin and reluctant to thrust his country into civil war at the worst possible time, he nevertheless believes this course of action is Kiriath’s only hope of salvation. In the midst of this turmoil, a headstrong princess from a neighboring realm endeavors to uncover Abramm’s secrets—including his heroic exploits as the White Pretender and the fact that he wears a golden shield upon his chest—and her interference threatens to destroy any chance he has of maintaining his rightful place as king. Against a backdrop of somber council meetings and back-alley sword fights, of magnificent ballrooms and windswept mountain fortresses, plots and counterplots unfold as old alliances dissolve and new ones form. If he is to succeed, Abramm must come to terms with his own limitations—and the sufficiency of the one who controls his destiny.

About the Author: Karen Hancock has won Christy Awards for each of her first four novels—Arena and the first three books in the Legends of the Guardian-King series, The Light of Eidon, The Shadow Within, and Shadow Over Kiriath. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in biology and wildlife biology. Along with writing, she is a semi-professional watercolorist and has exhibited her work in a number of national juried shows. She and her family reside in Arizona.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? New Novellas by Francine Rivers

Unveiled - Betrayed by the men who controlled her future, she fought for her right to believe in a loving God. Meet Tamar, one of the five women in the lineage of Christ. She risked her life and her reputation to be the woman she was called to be. Her story serves as an example of how God uses our circumstances and our steps toward Him, however faltering, to fulfill His plan. Unveiled is book one in the popular Lineage of Grace series about five unlikely women who changed eternity.

The Prince - Jonathan’s humility led him into friendship with the man who would become king in his place. David was a man after God’s own heart. But it was the courage and selflessness of his best friend, Jonathan, that opened the door to David’s rule. A man of honor and deep faith, Jonathan’s zeal carried him into battle; his faithfulness won him honor among his people. Includes an in-depth Bible study, perfect for personal reflection or group discussion.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Christian Suspense in Orange

The Mermaid in the Basement - It’s 1857, and everything is a stake for Serafina Trent. A woman of means…but not the typical Victorian lady who feels her place is to be seen and not heard. When her brother’s most recent female dalliance, a beautiful actress, is found murdered, all evidence points to him. Especially since the actress had just rejected him in a most public manner. Now everyone believes Clive is headed for the gallows. Everyone, that is, but Serafina. Determined to prove her brother’s innocence, Serafina finds herself working with unlikely allies—including Dylan Tremayne, a passionate storyteller and actor with a criminal past. This novel will hold fans of mystery and history spellbound until the very last page. 

Betrayed - Deadlier fires seethe beneath the tenuous calm of a nation recovering from brutal civil war. Anthropologist Vicki Andrews is researching Guatemala’s “garbage people” when she stumbles across a human body. Curiosity turns to horror as she uncovers no stranger, but an American environmentalist—Vicki’s only sister, Holly. With authorities dismissing the death as another street crime, Vicki begins tracing Holly’s last steps. A pilgrimage leading from slum squalor to the breathtaking and endangered cloud forests of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere. But every unraveled thread raises more questions. What betrayal connects Holly’s murder, the recent massacre of a Mayan village, and the long-ago deaths of Vicki’s own parents? Nor is Vicki the only one demanding answers. Before her search reaches its startling end, the conflagration has spilled across international borders where powerful sectors have far too much at stake to allow Vicki Andrews to expose long-buried truth. With no one turning out to be who they’d seemed, who can Vicki trust and who should she fear? A politically relevant tale of international intrigue and God’s redemptive beauty and hope. 

When the Lion Roars - When a sixteen-year-old girl is abducted into slavery in southern Sudan, her future depends on the unlikely partnership of three individuals who are distrustful of each other. Dr. Larson Kerr, American physician; Paul Farid, an Arab-born Christian; and Colonel Ben Alier, a commander in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, have little in common except their individual hopes for the people of Sudan. But when slave traders take Ben’s sister, these three must find a way to overcome their fears and prejudices if there’s to be any hope of rescue. Award-winning author DiAnn Mills weaves a moving and unforgettable novel about the redemptive power of sacrifice.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Hope in Dark Places

The Gathering Storm - As Nazi forces tighten the noose, American-born Loralei Kepler, daughter of a missionary family, flees Brussels ahead of the Blitzkrieg. But is anywhere safe from Adolf Hitler’s evil grasp? Loralei’s harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret. 

Born from the highly acclaimed and best-loved novels of three generations of readers—The Zion Covenant series and The Zion Chronicles—Zion Diaries ventures into the lives of the lives of the inspiring and intriguing characters who loved intensely, stood up for what was right, and fought boldly during Hitler’s rise to power and the dark days of World War II. 

A Bright Tomorrow - The days before you are full of great possibilities—and life’s great unknowns. But the good news is that God holds tomorrow in His hand, and in His unending faithfulness gives you not only strength for today, but bright hope for tomorrow. You can find tha hope in this collection of encouraging thoughts about direction and purpose, true success and leadership, keeping the faith, and more. Let the words of God speak to your soul, and let your heart be cheered by the insights of authors you know and trust, including John MacArthur, J.I. Packer, John Piper, Tony Evans, Adrien Rogers, and Sheila Cragg.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? A New Literary Classics Display

Let Me Explain - I was looking through our shelves the other day, and having just added a few new donated books, something had caught my eye. Amongst some of the Christian romance and Biblical fiction novels was a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. Now, I thought to myself, “what is this classic, known for its themes of betrayal & revenge, doing among these other novels?” But as I looked around some more, to my surprise, I found more than 10 literary classics in the midst of the many other novels in the library. There’s Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, My Antonia by Willa Cather, The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, and so many others. Through this post, I’m going to share what a couple of these are about, and which ones I would recommend to our patrons.

The Basket of Flowers by Christoph von Schmid - James, the king's gardener, teaches his 15-year-old daughter Mary all the principles of godliness through his flowers. She is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Mary remembers her father had taught her: that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie, and that the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience! 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - A nineteenth-century boy from a Mississippi River town recounts his adventures as he travels down the river with a runaway slave, encountering a family involved in a feud, two scoundrels pretending to be royalty, and Tom Sawyer's aunt who mistakes him for Tom.

What I would recommend - I’ve always had a special place in my heart for stories that weren’t written during our time. There’s a certain comfort that can be found in the way they were written, and who they were written for. And they’re called classics because they have stood the test of time, and kept the love of thousands of readers worldwide. With that being said, I’m not sure if I can recommend any specific ones. They all deserve to be read and experienced. But if you wanted something in particular to start out with, I’d recommend The Trail Stopped Here. That one is special because it was written by our previous director, Glenn Hascal. It’s a sweet story about a family that stops in Nebraska after being on the Oregon Trail. But please, come take a look at the amazing books recently found in the crevices of The Cross Reference Library.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Donita K. Paul Fantasy Novels

Dragonspell - Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service. . . And so the desperate search begins. A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger, but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect…Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a core of eternal truth, Dragonspell is a finely crafted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction. 

Dragonlight - The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside. As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon—despite physical limitations—has become a leader, serving under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon join the dragons on a quest to find a hidden colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy…can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see? Prepare to experience breathtaking adventure and mind-blowing fantasy as never before in this dazzling conclusion to Donita K. Paul’s DragonKeeper chronicles.  

About The Author & Her Five-Book Series - Donita K. Paul comes from a family of storytellers and teachers, so it is only natural that she loves spinning imaginative tales interwoven with lore. Her first seven books were Christian Romance, but then later discovered that she really enjoyed writing Christian Fantasy. A retired schoolteacher, Donita keeps herself busy by being one of the professional storytellers in the Sunday-school department of her church. And when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading all genres, from picture books to biographies.

In the year of 2010, book five of The Dragon Keeper Chronicles was put into The Cross Reference Library. A few people checked it out over the years, never knowing what happened before the events of Dragonlight. Well fifteen years later, book one has been donated and put into the library. So, if our patrons enjoy Dragonspell, we’ll maybe consider purchasing the other three books that come before Dragonlight. Fly into The Cross Reference Library and check out these fantastical gems.