In Castles in the Sand, the follow up to the first book in The Beach House series, author Sally John explores themes of forgiveness and redemption. When Susan and Drake Starr discover that their 20-year-old daughter Kenzie is pregnant, their lives are turned upside down. The news sends Drake, a pastor of a huge San Diego church, reeling-and he sends Kenzie packing. Susan finds herself caught in the middle. Does loving Drake mean cutting ties with her only child? What will this path mean for her daughter? For herself? When Susan seeks the refuge of a beach house, a secret from her past resurfaces. This is a captivating story of how God's mercy is evident when our foundations crumble.

Before Cara Fleming became a detective for the Chicago Police Department, she lived in the shadowy depths of homelessness. Now, when her apartment is set ablaze in an attempt to stop one of her investigations, she plunges undercover into street life again to protect herself. Bryan O'Shaugnessy, an Episcopal priest on the south side of Chicago, has a new project on his hands: the soup kitchen his church sponsors. Overworked, harried, and lonely, he finds himself surprisingly drawn to the new volunteer named Cara. Against this backdrop of hide-and-seek with criminals who will stop at nothing, Bryan unexpectedly meets the love of his life. Will he be able to convince Cara to accept the possibility of a home with him?

Never before has a family so desperately needed to gather.

Just months ago they were on the brink of marital disaster, now Max and Claire Beaumont are blissfully planning their re-wedding ceremony. But gathering the support of their children has been tough. Instead, Max and Claire are watching their children suffer hidden heartache. One is missing her soldier husband, another is drinking way too much, and another steadfastly hides her pain away.

Claire has no choice but to fall to her knees in prayer.

She daily reminds herself that "God is good," something her beloved mother-in-law taught her to do. And starting fresh at the Hacienda Hideaway is perfect--there Claire and Max fortify their strength to rebuild the family.

Then, in the midst of this deeply personal journey, two strangers enter their world unexpectedly, changing all they knew and trusted about each other. Whether they embrace or reject these women will impact their family bond forever.

With her Marine husband serving overseas, will Jenna trust God's plans for their marriage--or find comfort in another's arms?

Jenna Beaumont Mason had her marriage all planned out. But what she didn't plan was her husband, Kevin, unexpectedly reenlisting in the U.S. Marines--without her knowledge. When Kevin is assigned to serve in Iraq, Jenna struggles with loneliness and resentment at his lengthy absence. This is not the life she wanted.

With the support of other military wives and much prayer, Jenna tries to accept this new reality in her marriage. But when a caring, handsome--and very available--man offers Jenna the comfort she longs for, she struggles to stay faithful to far-away Kevin.

Things grow even more complicated for Jenna and her parents when a mysterious young woman named Skylar shows up at their home, the Hacienda Hideaway. When Skylar's past finally catches up with her, she puts the Beaumonts at risk not only of broken hearts, but of something even more dangerous.

As the Beaumonts grow in their love for God and each other, they learn that sometimes the best way to reconcile relationships is by surrendering control.

An unopened gift. A broken vow. A tragic fire. Sometimes there are wounds that even time can't heal.

Max and Claire Beaumont seem to have the perfect marriage. They live in a beautiful home, have four wonderful children and everything else that success and money can buy. Yet beneath this picture-perfect exterior, Claire's life is falling apart. She can no longer hold her peace and keep up appearances.

After all the silent years, she must speak the truth.

As their lives unravel, deep needs and even deeper hurts are revealed. Not only the wounds between husband and wife, but family wounds as well. Will this time of soul-searching and conflict bring them closer together--or tear their marriage apart?

It's a strange irony to leave home in search of a safe harbor. Yet that is often where the journey begins . . . especially when it is time to mend.

A Time to Mend is the first novel in the Safe Harbor series. Drawing on the insights of best-selling marriage expert Gary Smalley, the series explores the joys and struggles of marriage, family, and faith.