Irene Brand – författare

A new hope for the holidaysHis Holiday Family by Margaret DaleyWhen a hurricane tears through a small Mississippi town, a daring rescue unites two heroes. Nurse Kathleen Hart is a single mom racked by guilt over her husband’s death. Firefighter Gideon O’Brien—orphaned as a young boy—has lost too many people he cared for. As Gideon helps Kathleen and her sons rebuild their home, they might learn that a romance built on faith can withstand the strongest of storms.The Christmas Children by Irene BrandAll Carissa Whitmore wanted for Christmas was to regain her faith. Spending the holidays at a friend’s home in Yuletide seemed the perfect answer. But Carissa didn’t count on sharing the house with Paul Spencer, her friend’s brother, or the motherless family who’d been hiding out there. Could the miracle of the season give Carissa the family she’d always longed for?

His faith was being tested for the first time: Chad Reece's promising pro football career was cut short by a devastating accident, and then a kidney transplant revealed his biological parents were a couple he'd considered family friends. Shaken, Chad was determined to recover on his own, when he met Vicky Lanham, a pretty hospital volunteer. Vicky's passion for mission work impressed Chad, who felt a call of his own to assist others. Perhaps it was the start of God's new plan – a life together helping others.

Single mother doesn't seek love Raising a teenager kept widow Aimee Blake too busy for a relationship. Or so she said. Her daughter was trying–with all her rebellious might–to cut the apron strings. So Aimee took some "me time." She attended a singles group and met a handsome counselor as not interested in romance as she was.With his painful family past and a failed engagement Jacob Mallory was a one-date kind of man. These days he committed only to his work. Problem was Aimee had discovered that she and Jacob were made for each other…

Laurel Cooper was too busy planning her only daughter's wedding to make time for romance. But the fortysomething widow couldn't ignore the rugged photojournalist who'd appeared on her doorstep to photograph her antebellum home-turned-boarding house. Especially not when they spent so much time together as she gave him tours of other local historic homes.Micah Davidson made himself indispensable, even covering the wedding as a favor for his lovely new landlady. Yet just as Micah was about to propose, a shocking photograph surfaced, turning Laurel's world upside down. Could their love outlast the long-buried secrets from Laurel's past?

A NOTE FROM NERISSA BLANCHARD Now that my twin has found love, she wants me to be as happy as she is. She doesn't know how blue coming home to this empty house makes me. And our poor mother–I found her in the library, murdered. I'm thankful that Drew Lancaster was one of the first officers on the scene. He's encouraging and supportive (and he's handsome, too!).Lately, I've been hearing strange things around the house, and I worry that Mother's killer–or maybe someone else–is trying to push me over the edge of madness.

To Linc Carey, Maddie Horton had always been a gangly kid with braces. So when a gorgeous woman walked off the plane, Linc was stunned at the changes in his late commanding offi cer's daughter. The Hawaiian holiday was his belated graduation present to Maddie, who'd been thrilled when her former crush invited her for a Christmas visit.Neither expected romance to blossom in such a short time. But Maddie's dream trip soon turned ugly when the people responsible for her father's murder set their sights on her. Can Linc protect Maddie from her yuletide stalker?

Laurel Cooper was too busy planning her only daughter’s wedding to make time for romance. But the fortysomething widow couldn’t ignore the rugged photojournalist who’d appeared on her doorstep to photograph her antebellum home-turned-boarding house. Especially not when they spent so much time together as she gave him tours of other local historic homes. Micah Davidson made himself indispensable, even covering the wedding as a favor for his lovely new landlady. Yet just as Micah was about to propose, a shocking photograph surfaced, turning Laurel’s world upside down. Could their love outlast the long-buried secrets from Laurel’s past?

As a teenager, Norah Williamson believed she had a calling from God, but she had put everything on hold for the sake of her family. Now her obligations were over, and she was finally ready to pursue her own dreams.Widower Mason King had lost all hope of ever seeing his dreams come true—dreams of a Christian wife, and of children growing up to inherit his family’s ranch. The emotions his new cook, Norah, stirred in him were the last thing he’d ever expected to feel again.But whatever Norah and Mason had planned, it looked as though both their futures were in the capable hands of a higher power.

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASONRural North Carolina was the last place military man David Brown ever expected to call home. Brought here by tragedy, he now shared guardianship of his niece and nephew with a woman he’d never dreamed would share his home—or his attraction….Wall Street banker Summer Weaver had never asked God for anything. Now she prayed for strength to care for her sister’s orphaned children—and found herself leaning on their uncle for support. Summer never imagined that footloose David could ever become so steadfast—or that she’d be willing to give up everything that had seemed important for something that mattered far more….

College sweethearts Amelia Stone and Chase Ramsey had married right after graduation, but infidelity destroyed their young marriage. Now, more than a decade later, severe flooding in West Virginia had brought them together again in their mellow years. They were older, wiser…and both had become Christians. Their working side by side for disaster relief rekindled the flame that had never been extinguished, and they learned what makes a marriage truly last—patience and forgiveness. Was God giving this special couple a second chance at love?

MARIE BOLDEN MIGHT BE LEARNING MORE THAN SHE’S TEACHINGWealthy, privileged Marie Bolden lives a life of comfort. So her father can’t understand why she’d leave her family in North Carolina to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. After all, there couldn’t possibly be anything to capture her interest in isolated Cades Cove, Tennessee. Except for the mysterious Daniel Watson.Daniel is a jack-of-all-trades. He’s a farmer, a rancher—and possibly a moonshiner. But he is not a believer. And that makes him the wrong man for Marie. Yet their affection for each other cannot be denied. When Marie is suddenly kidnapped, Daniel must turn to God for help before he loses the only love he’s ever known.

NO ONE CAN CHANGE THE PAST… But after an eight-year absence, Autumn Weaver was finally home for a brief stay, and hoping to find forgiveness and heal family wounds. She never thought she'd run into the man who'd captured her heart as a young girl, and who'd permeated every dream since.Nathan Holland had awakened Autumn's eighteen-year-old love. Despite the strife that had plagued her family, with him, she'd been able to forget. But at a pivotal moment she'd made the wrong choice. And now–even with time passed–she wasn't sure if Nathan would forgive her.But with God's help everything was possible….

LOVE FOUND He had been her first and only love. Yet when Lorene Harvey met Perry Saunders again after twenty years, she was amazed by the emotions sweeping through her. She wanted desperately for them to have a second chance, but Lorene had a secret…one she feared Perry would never forgive.She was the love of his life. Or so Perry had thought in college. And when Lorene had suddenly disappeared, he had vowed to never love again. Now he knew his feelings had never died. But would he ever convince her that his forgiveness and love were hers for the asking?

As a teenager, Norah Williamson believed she had a calling from God, but she had put everything on hold for the sake of her family. Now her obligations were over, and she was finally ready to pursue her own dreams.Widower Mason King had lost all hope of ever seeing his dreams come true– dreams of a Christian wife, and of children growing up to inherit his family' s ranch. The emotions his new cook, Norah, stirred in him were the last thing he' d ever expected to feel again.But whatever Norah and Mason had planned, it looked as though both their futures were in the capable hands of a higher power.

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON Rural North Carolina was the last place military man David Brown ever expected to call home. Brought here by tragedy, he now shared guardianship of his niece and nephew with a woman he' d never dreamed would share his home–or his attraction….Wall Street banker Summer Weaver had never asked God for anything. Now she prayed for strength to care for her sister' s orphaned children–and found herself leaning on their uncle for support. Summer never imagined that footloose David could ever become so steadfast–or that she' d be willing to give up everything that had seemed important for something that mattered far more….

MOTHERLY MIRACLES Childless, widowed and at loose ends, Alice Larkin prayed only to be of service. And if ever a family needed her help, it was handsome, tormented ex-minister Mark Tanner and his two motherless children….Alice agreed to be their live-in nanny for a time, hoping to perform some motherly miracles, then move on. She'd turn their untidy house into a home. Make two lonely kids healthy and happier. Alice never expected to lose her heart to the blue-eyed pastor and his little flock. Yet soon this temporary "mom" longed for a miracle of her own: to restore Mark's troubled soul to the Lord…and to love.

All she' d wanted for Christmas was to regain the faith she' d had as a child. Spending the holidays alone at a friend' s home seemed the perfect answer for forty-something Carissa Whitmore– and what better town than Yuletide to help her find the holiday spirit she sought?But Carissa didn' t count on sharing the house with Paul Spencer, her friend' s brother, temporarily home from an overseas construction job… or the motherless family who' d been hiding out in the house. Acting as parents brought the former fashion designer and the handsome forty-something engineer together. Could the miracle of love bring the joy of the season back to Carissa… and give her the husband and family she' d always longed for?

SPIRITUAL HEALING When Joseph Caldwell started the New Life Center's program, he wanted only to regain mobility in his leg. He didn't realize the center's philosophy was to rehabilitate the body…and the soul. He also didn't know he'd have such a tough–and caring–trainer.From the moment he met Connie Harmon, Joseph had a feeling he faced much more than physical therapy. For lovely Connie believed that, more than anything, Joseph had to regain the faith he'd lost. And though he protested, he knew if anyone could help him, it was this kind and compassionate woman.But Joseph wasn't sure he could overcome his mental wounds, and accept the love Connie felt he deserved….

Love is patient… With her warmth and grace, Violet Conley easily captured the heart of her neighbor Roger Gibson. Yet, the handsome law officer believed she'd always think of him as merely a friend. Love bears all things… Suddenly Violet faced stunning news. News that tested her faith and challenged her courage. And when so many abandoned her, Violet turned to Roger, her one true companion. Love is always hopeful As he sheltered beloved Violet, Roger considered Heaven's mysterious ways. Could such stormy nights give way to a glorious wedding day?

HER BABY…OR HER MARRIAGE? Sonya Dixon thought her marriage was perfect. Her handsome and successful husband, Byron, truly loved her. Or did he? The night Bryon learned she was pregnant, Sonya's world fell apart. He demanded she choose: her baby…or their marriage.Sonya could never give up her baby. But with no home and little money, her life seemed hopeless. Then Daniel Massie, a kind and tender attorney, showed her that strength and hope were just a prayer away. Was her life truly over, Sonya wondered…or was it just beginning? Welcome to Love Inspired™–stories about life, faith and love that will lift your spirits and gladden your heart. Meet men and women facing the challenges of today's world and learning important lessons about life, faith and love.

HER LIFE CHANGED OVERNIGHT…. Unbelievable…but true! Allison Sayre woke one day to learn she was a millionaire. Yet Allison never dreamed that her legacy would include a shocking secret about her own identity. Or a reunion with Benton Lockhart, the man whose powerful spiritual convictions had inspired her faith.But Allison knew that all the money in the world could never soothe Benton's troubled soul–or heal his battered spirit. She prayed to understand the meaning of her new life–and to find a way to touch Benton's heart.

COMING HOME… Beth Warner had pledged she'd never return to Harlan County. But when a twist of fate brought the beautiful nurse home, she faced reawakened memories–and the only man who had ever won her heart….Clark Randolph hadn't changed. Handsome, strong and kind, he was still all Beth had ever wanted. Secure in his faith, he'd never given up on their hometown. Deep in his heart, he'd never stopped loving Beth….Now Beth was again faced with the same dilemma that had torn her apart as a teenager. And as she struggled to understand heaven's plan in bringing her home again, she prayed that it was not too late to embrace a future filled with Clark's love.

When Janice Reid and her younger sister, Brooke, moved into their ancestral home, threatening letters and ominous phone calls made it obvious they were not welcome in Stanton, West Virginia. But Janice had always dreamed of providing a stable, safe home for Brooke, and she was determined to stay, no matter who wanted them out.For the first time, Lance Gordon, Brooke's principal, was worried about someone outside his small world–a beautiful woman and her little sister. He was afraid the "pranks" would escalate–and Janice would get hurt. Lance was determined to discover the source of the trouble, no matter what the cost.