A Victorian mansion in a swanky San Francisco neighborhood is the setting for The First Step, a recovery house for a colorful cast of female ex-felons. Florence, the wealthy octogenarian benefactress, has underwritten blue collar social worker Shalese's dream. At what price do our dreams come true? Is someone really getting away with murder? When Shalese's ex-lover Mab--lesbian bar owner by night, PI by day--uncovers Florence's unsavory history, the women of The First Step find themselves temporarily homeless. Turning grapes into wine, Shalese, her partner Jenny--a trust-fund baby and ex-felon herself, and Mab relocate their recovery house, renaming it The Next Step, to the vineyard hills of Santa Rosa, CA. In the transition, a moldy old cookbook surfaces, over which lives could be lost.

"Rosary Meditations: The Gospel in Miniature with Scripture, Art, Coloring Pages, and Bible Stories for Christian/Catholic Kids, Children, Youth, and Adults including How to Pray the Rosary" is a book to help children and adults learn the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. It covers how to pray and to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, which cover important events in the lives of Jesus and his mother, Mary. The interior of the book is in color and contains art masterpieces and coloring book pages for the 20 mysteries. Each mystery also has a Bible reading, Bible story (or other information), and a short reflection. The reflections are meant to be an encouragement to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to love God and others. There is a section explaining how the Rosary is a Biblical prayer, how to pray the rosary, ideas on how to pray as a family, and a brief overview of the Old Testament as an introduction to understanding the Gospel message. Also included is a short version of the story of Our Lady of Fatima and a coloring page of Jesus Blessing the Children with a Bible reading and reflection.

"How to Pray the Rosary as a Pathway to Contemplation (Color Version)" has the same content as "How to Pray the Rosary as a Pathway to Contemplation" with the addition of art in color on the inside pages. It contains Scripture passages and beautiful art to use as an aid in meditating on the twenty mysteries of the rosary, which are Gospel events from the lives of Jesus and Mary. Inspired by Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on "The Rosary of the Virgin Mary," this book gives instructions on how to pray the rosary for beginners to more advanced so that it becomes a "pathway to contemplation." This book also explains: -How to say the vocal prayers of the rosary -How to meditate on the mysteries -How to pray the rosary in a way to remain receptive to the highest form of prayer which is contemplation. -How to recognize the transition from meditation to contemplation from the teachings of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila -Insights on prayer and the spiritual life from Carmelite spirituality, the Bible and the writings of the Saints. -Tips on saying the rosary as a family -How the rosary is a Biblical prayer. The book has a short introduction by Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD. About the author: Kathryn Marcellino is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is a spiritual director with experience teaching formation lessons on Carmelite spirituality. Her website at www.CatholicSpiritualDirection.org offers instruction and resources on the Catholic religion, as well as offering spiritual direction and answering questions on the Catholic faith via e-mail. She is married to author and musician, Dennis Marcellino. Book Reviews: "This book contains a great, concise catechesis on contemplative prayer. It would be terrific for use in religious education programs." - Lonnie Sorensen, OCDS, Minnesota. "How to Pray the Rosary as a Pathway to Contemplation is a very kind book. I am not just saying kind in general terms. Kind as in very accommodating to those who have a genuine desire to pray the rosary. There are many books that teach the procedure of how to say the rosary but this one teaches about the disposition or motivation. This book is very easy to read and loving. I will promote it whenever I can." - Billie Vasquez, OCDS, president, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Carmelite Community, Portland, OR

"How to Pray the Rosary as a Pathway to Contemplation" contains Scripture passages and beautiful art to use as an aid in meditating on the twenty mysteries of the rosary, which are Gospel events from the lives of Jesus and Mary. Inspired by Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on "The Rosary of the Virgin Mary," this book gives instructions on how to pray the rosary for beginners to more advanced so that it becomes a "pathway to contemplation." This book also explains: . How to say the vocal prayers of the rosary . How to meditate on the mysteries . How to pray the rosary in a way to remain receptive to the highest form of prayer which is contemplation. . How to recognize the transition from meditation to contemplation from the teachings of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila . Insights on prayer and the spiritual life from Carmelite spirituality, the Bible and the writings of the Saints. . Tips on saying the rosary as a family . How the rosary is a Biblical prayer The book has a short introduction by Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD, Rector of the Carmelite House of Studies in Mount Angel, Oregon. About the author: Kathryn Marcellino is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is a spiritual director with experience teaching formation lessons on Carmelite spirituality. Her website at www.CatholicSpiritualDirection.org offers instruction and resources on the Catholic religion, as well as offering spiritual direction and answering questions on the Catholic faith via e-mail. She is married to author and musician, Dennis Marcellino.Book Reviews: "This book contains a great, concise catechesis on contemplative prayer. It would be terrific for use in religious education programs." -- Lonnie Sorensen, OCDS, MinnesotaReview: "How to Pray the Rosary as a Pathway to Contemplation is a very kind book. I am not just saying kind in general terms. Kind as in very accommodating to those who have a genuine desire to pray the rosary. There are many books that teach the procedure of how to say the rosary but this one teaches about the disposition or motivation. This book is very easy to read and loving. I will promote it whenever I can." - Billie Vasquez, OCDS, president, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Carmelite Community, Portland, OR