Katie Ganshert

A Novel

No One Ever Asked

Challenging perceptions of discrimination and prejudice, this emotionally resonant drama for readers of Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult explores three different women navigating challenges in a changing school district—and in their lives. WINNER OF THE CHRISTY AWARD® When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones--the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into. Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as "this" or "that", when such complexity exists in each person?

"An intense novel of loss, betrayal, and rising to face the ashes, Christy Award-winner Katie Ganshert's powerful contemporary fiction reminds readers that there's always a chance at new life and love...It could have been me. Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city's transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost. A year later, Autumn Manning can't remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief--by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest. Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she'll bring more wreckage in her wake. In Life After, Katie Ganshert's most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale"--

Life After

"Darkness is a tricky thing. Especially when it cloaks itself in light." Luka isn't dead. He's not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she's sure of one thing: If they don't rescue him soon, Luka won't be Luka anymore. If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They're not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they're preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl who never asked for any of this. K.E. Ganshert's final installment in The Gifting Series brings readers on an action-packed journey through loss, sacrifice, betrayal, and the impossible choice between what we want most and what we know is right.

The Gathering

In a world of haves and have nots, where petty crime is punishable by death and magic is forbidden, a deadly contest unfolds in secret. Twelve competitors are mysteriously invited. The winner gets one wish. For 17 year old Briar Bishop, this means saving her brother from execution by guillotine, and she's not going to let anything or anyone get in her way. Especially not Leo Davenbrook, the handsome High Prince, who has grownup with everything she never had and whose presence threatens her chance at survival. She has no idea a darker battle wages in secret, one that could lead to a fate far worse that the death of her brother.

The Contest

Becky Wade

Betsy St Amant

Three Autumn Love Stories

To Have and to Hold

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender? A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides. So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight. As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own. With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

Wishing on Willows

Janice Thompson

Melissa McClone

Rachel Hauck

Betsy St. Amant

Amy Matayo

Robin Lee Hatcher

Cheryl Wyatt

Cindy Kirk

Ruth Logan Herne

Kathryn Springer

They’ve helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. Love at Mistletoe Inn by Cindy Kirk Sometimes the road to happiness is paved with youthful mistakes. A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love. Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it’s served up on a silver platter? All Dressed Up in Love by Ruth Logan Herne Tara walks into Elena’s Bridal and finds her dream job—and a handsome man to match. In Tune with Love by Amy Matayo April knows her job as maid of honor is to fulfill her sister’s every wish—whatever the bride wants, she will have. Unless it involves Jack Vaughn. Never a Bridesmaid by Janice Thompson Mari wants her sister Crystal’s wedding to be perfect. But a poorly-chosen maid of honor may turn it into a disaster. Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart. I Hope You Dance by Robin Lee Hatcher Can two left feet lead to one perfect romance? Love on a Deadline by Kathryn Springer MacKenzie thought writing wedding stories was beneath her journalistic abilities. Until one love story rekindled an old flame and opened her heart to love once more. Love Takes the Cake by Betsy St. Amant She’s known for her delicious cakes, but there’s no recipe for dealing with the new man in her life. The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert Meeting Nate was truly an accident—but Amelia finds that he’s one of the few people she can count on. Love in the Details by Becky Wade Holly ended things to give him a better life, but she was the future he’d always dreamed of.

Twelve Love Stories

How to Make a Wedding

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she's learned a sacred truth-appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows-so when it starts to unravel, she'll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother's bridal wear line-an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. If only her tenuous future didn't rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her-a woman stained and broken by the world-yet wants her still?

Like the winter, grief has a season. Life returns with the spring. A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park. An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan. Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away. For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

Wildflowers from Winter

They’ve helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. Meeting Nate was truly an accident—but Amelia finds that he’s one of the few people she can count on. Amelia Woods is a small-town wallflower and the proud owner of Forget-Me-Nots, a quaint flower shop that once belonged to her mother. Despite her success in business, her love life has always been a bit lackluster. Until she spies on her ex-boyfriend’s wedding and ends up in a horrifyingly embarrassing fender-bender with handsome wedding guest, Nate Gallagher. Meanwhile, Amelia’s younger brother, William, has proposed to his girlfriend. Amelia would be excited except she has evidence that the fiancée is not who she says she is. How can she be supportive and yet be the protective big sister too? It seems Nate is the only one available for any advice-giving, and he’s good at it—and pretty fun to talk to, too. Amelia and Nate strike up an online relationship, but always lingering in Amelia’s mind is the fear that he’ll realize she’s not nearly as appealing in real life. As Amelia works to craft the perfect flower arrangements for other people—including a ninety-year-old “fairy godmother” named George—she begins to wonder if real love is better than the dream. And if it is, will Nate still be interested when he learns who she is?

An October Wedding Story

The Perfect Arrangement

From three bestselling authors come sweet stories about love, friendship, and happily ever after. A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck (also published in A Season to Wed) Ginger emerges from the pain of a childhood tragedy with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. Despite her prestigious partnerships and clients, Ginger can’t help feeling like she’s on the outside looking in. But Ginger will have to rally her confidence when she’s asked to be the “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade. Then her high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and asks her for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love. Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again? Love in the Details by Becky Wade (also published in To Have and to Hold) Eight years have passed since Holly last saw her high school sweetheart, Josh. Now his best friend’s wedding has brought Josh back to Martinsburg, Texas. His duties as best man and Holly's as the church's volunteer wedding coordinator link them together. She never told him the true reason for their breakup all those years ago, but it’s hard to keep the secret as feelings reemerge. And with those feelings comes the fear that held her back the last time. Not a day's gone by since Josh parted from Holly that he hasn't thought about her. He doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to her again, but the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to deny the love he still has for her. As the wedding approaches, both Holly and Josh will have to decide if they want to risk everything for love. An October Bride by Katie Ganshert (also published in Autumn Brides) Emma Tate has just ended an engagement. So when she suddenly announces that she’s engaged—again—this time to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in town is talking about it. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason they’re getting married: so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her down the aisle. But while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan and frantically organize an October wedding, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications—the biggest being their true feelings for each other. With dubious friends, ecstatic parents, and nosy neighbors, Emma and Jake have a lot to contend with if they’re going to pull this off. The real question is who wants this wedding more, Emma’s dad or Emma?

Three Wedding Stories

Say I Do

What if the only way you could make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to marry the man of your dreams? Emma Tate has just moved on from one fiancé, so when she announces a sudden engagement to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in Mayfair goes into high alert. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her down the aisle. But while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan—and frantically plan an October wedding—it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications . . . the biggest being their true feelings for each other. With dubious friends, deliriously thrilled parents, and a town that won’t keep its nose out of their business, Emma and Jake will have a lot to contend with if they’re going to pull this off. The real question is: Who wants this wedding more, Emma’s dad . . . or Emma?

An October Bride

Denise Hunter

Marybeth Whalen

Deborah Raney

Lenora Worth

Debra Clopton

Beth Wiseman

Beth K. Vogt

Meg Moseley

Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at a year of weddings . . . A January Bride Madeleine Houser’s pen-pal friendship with a lonely widower has taken an unexpected turn. A February Bride Allie left the love of her life at the altar—to save him from her family curse. A March Bride Susanna found her prince, and happily ever after is just around the corner. But first, they must pass one final test. An April Bride Weeks away from the wedding, Stella and Marshall must choose between faith in their past love or a very different future than either imagined. A May Bride Ellie has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but she's forgotten the most important part. A June Bride The reality show ended with an engagement, so why doesn’t this feel like the fairy tale Wynne thought it would be? A July Bride In a moment of total panic, Brendan left Alyssa at the altar. What will it take for him to win her back? An August Bride As far as Kelsey Wilcox is concerned, her last cowboy was the last cowboy. A September Bride Annie is ready to call this new town home, but one handsome policeman is ready to stand in her way . . . even if it means walking her down the aisle. An October Bride What if the only way to make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to marry the man of your dreams? A November Bride Can a decades-long friendship marred by romantic missteps ever lead to happily ever after for Sadie and Erik? A December Bride What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement in Chapel Springs this holiday season.

A Year of Weddings

To Have and to Hold: Three Autumn Love Stories By Betsy St. Amant, Katie Ganshert & Becky Wade They’ve helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. Love Takes the Cake: A September Wedding Story by Betsy St. Amant Charlotte Cantrell is always the baker; never the bride. When Will, a regular at Charlotte’s bakery, catches her attention, she can only hope that he is the reliable man this single mother has always hoped to find. The problem is that he’s regularly stopping in to buy cookies for another girl. But when Charlotte is hired to bake a host of wedding goodies for a difficult bride and finds out Will is the best man, she has the perfect opportunity to get to know him better—and find out how serious Will is about this other girl in his life. The Perfect Arrangement: An October Wedding Story by Katie Ganshert Amelia Woods is a small-town wallflower and the proud owner of Forget-Me-Nots, a quaint flower shop. Her love life has always been a bit lackluster—until she ends up in an embarrassing fender-bender with handsome Nate Gallagher. Meanwhile, Amelia’s younger brother, William, has proposed to his girlfriend. Amelia would be excited except she has evidence that the fiancée is not who she says she is. It seems Nate is the only one available for any advice-giving, and he’s good at it—and pretty fun to talk to, too. As Amelia works to craft the perfect flower arrangements for other people, she begins to wonder if real love is better than the dream. And if it is, will Nate still be interested when he learns who she is? Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story by Becky Wade When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over. Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she longs to be with Josh but doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small-town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at three autumn weddings . . . A September Bride by Kathryn Springer When Annie moves to Red Leaf, she’s ready to call the little town home, but Deputy Jesse Kent can’t believe his mother has handed the keys to her bookshop over to a woman she met on the internet. Jesse has seen his mother taken advantage of before, and he decides to keep a close eye on this Annie Price. But when a close eye turns into a historical wedding reenactment with Jesse and Annie as the couple, make-believe nuptials quickly give way to real-life emotions. An October Bride by Katie Ganshert No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father can walk her down the aisle. While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications—the biggest being their true feelings for each other. A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt Having celebrated the big 3–0 by ending a relationship, Sadie is tired of romantic relationships-by-text. The only man she knows willing to put down his iPhone and have face-to-face conversations with her is Erik. It’s time to put a 21st-century twist on the Sadie Hawkins’ tradition of a woman going after her man. But when he realizes he’s fallen for her, can Erik convince Sadie his just-for-fun dates were the prelude to “’til death do us part”?

A Year of Weddings Novella Collection

Autumn Brides

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed. Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together. But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore. Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole? — Carol Award: Contemporary Fiction Winner

Katie Ganshert

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