Against All Expectations

Set in 1640s Puritan Massachusetts, this historical novel by Christy Award finalist Siri Mitchell delivers a heart-wrenching tale of true love and triumphant grace. While Susannah awaits an overdue marriage proposal, a powerful villager takes a fancy to her. But after a dashing military captain comes to town, she's unprepared for the sinister turn her life soon takes.

Siri Mitchell shows why she's acclaimed as one of Christian fiction's clearest and most original voices. As Clara Carter's social debut looms in 1890s New York City, the spotlight turns her into a society-page darling. Yet her new status rings hollow. When a man appears who seems to love her for who she is, Clara must choose the kind of life she really wants. But after a gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara's future and that of her own family depend on how shrewdly she plays the game.

Multiple Christy Award finalist Siri Mitchell is critically acclaimed for her sweeping historical romances. Setting this tale in 1918 Boston against the backdrop of the Great War and the influenza pandemic, Mitchell contrasts the traditional Italian upbringing of three young ladies with the bustling American lifestyle they crave. As they toil in an elegant gown shop, Julietta, Annamaria, and Lucianna hope one day to embrace the American dream and find true love.

The author of two Christy Award finalists, Siri Mitchell has earned widespread recognition for skillfully blending spirituality and rich storytelling. Set in Revolution-era America, The Messenger features Hannah Sunderland, who is devastated when her brother is jailed for joining the Colonial cause. Spy Jeremiah Jones sees in Hannah a way to access the prison to obtain valuable information, but Hannah's Quaker beliefs stand in the way. Nevertheless, Hannah and Jeremiah develop a mutual fondness even as they become caught in history's tumultuous churn.

Ellis Eaton has always felt she's been a disappointment to her stuffy, traditional Boston family. Her sights are set on something entirely different: Hollywood. Though she's captured the eye of Griffin Phillips, she knows that "dutiful wife" is one role she can't picture herself playing--even if he makes her head spin and her heart quicken. Besides, Ellis seems to make a mess of any situation, despite her good intentions. She's simply not worthy of an up-and-comer like Griff. When a look-alike childhood friend begs Ellis for a favor, Ellis finds herself working shifts at the city telephone exchange. At first Ellis believes this will be the acting practice she needs to prepare for life in the movies, but the job is far more complicated than she'd ever imagined, and Ellis finds herself in her usual scrapes. After accidentally overhearing a call that makes her blood curdle, Ellis fears for Griff's safety. Then handsome policeman Jack Flanagan comes to the scene, adding to the mayhem. With her job on the line and her heart all a-muddle, Ellis unexpectedly discovers what might be her role of a lifetime.