Helen Burns

In eighth century India, Andal is born into a world where girls are married and with child by fourteen. Defying the mores of her time, she refuses marriage to a mortal man. Only a god will do. Andal's imagination is boundless and her antics set the town's tongues wagging. As Andal becomes more and more absorbed by her visions, she composes songs to her divine lover. Saisha discovers Andal's songs in a book on a trip to India with her partner Marcus. The verses are confronting and unearth memories Saisha thought were long ago buried. Not only is she unable to conceive, for the past two decades Marcus has chosen celibacy. What defines her as a woman when these two primal desires remain unfulfilled? Andal's words are deceptively simple, yet shine a lamp on the labyrinths of Saisha's sexuality and her quest to find peace with the choices she has made.

Female readers will readily embrace this gentle yet strong exploration of the power of motherhood. Helen Burns confides that "every prayer I prayed, every bedtime story I read, every tear I kissed away, every encouraging word I spoke, every promise I kept, every memory I made -- all of these things truly mattered." Written in what she refers to as the "reward stage" of motherhood -- when all the seeds she has sown are reaping harvest in the lives of her now-grown children -- she rejoices that she can "fully understand the why behind the what in everything we do as mothers." Any mother will be refreshed as she is reminded of the value of the everyday miracles that result from expressing affection, being truly present in conversations, and demonstrating commitment in small ways.

It's a boy! New mothers welcome this announcement with both excitement and trepidation. It's the beginning of a great adventure, as well as one of the most challenging jobs a woman can face. Moms, your desire to understand your son can equip you with the power to influence his life for good, thereby influencing his family and generations to come. God made you this little boy's mom on purpose! And with John Burns's experienced help in this book, you can learn not only to endure it but to celebrate it. It's a girl! Those three little words create a rush of joy and anticipation for every new dad -- typically followed by a healthy dose of fear and apprehension. Dads, from God you can learn the qualities and characteristics that will make you the kind of dad your daughter needs you to be -- and the kind of dad God always intended you to become. And with Helen Burns's gentle advice about girls, it may be easier than you think. Join us now as we celebrate the divine differences in sons and daughters. Learn to be gentle, loving, and understanding dads and moms from the wise and gracious Father of us all.