Lawfully Held

Dive into a world of high-octane action and blossoming romance with this gripping FBI-centric romantic suspense novel. Special Agent Justine Gillespie is a whiz when it comes to disarming bombs, but her personal relationships? That's a different story. A surprising arrest in Arizona throws her into ...

The Widow's Cloak: A Russell Family Novella

A prisoner alone in a land far from home… A woman who has learned she must rely on herself… Ian MacLeod loses his father in the bloody battle on Culloden moor. Captured, he is transported on a slave ship to serve an indenture of seven years. Now he struggles with bitter memories of a failed wa ...

Barbara's Amish Truth Exposed

Barbara Wagler is filled with shame over dishonoring her husband’s memory. While the young Amish woman is devastated after her husband of five years dies in a farming accident, she is left to raise their sons alone. When her first love, Joseph Wagler, returns to Willow Springs, can they bury the pas ...

Salvaged Hearts

Bridget Wilson is a street-smart city girl. It's the one skill that's sustained her since her roommate threw her out when she fell on hard times and couldn't pay the rent. With no place to go and no one to count on, she makes a deal with a salvage-seeking cowboy and finds herself living in a rundown ...

The Air I Breathe

One moment of weakness…

…destroyed everything.

 

She upended her life and must start ...

Kate's Crucible

Would you leave your loved ones to fight slavery?
 
In 1855, pro-slavery and free-state people flock to the Kansas Territory bent on winning the slavery issue for the new state--the conflict dubbed "Bleeding Kansas."
 
Nineteen-ye ...

Sand Dollar Cove

Escape to the shores of Sand Dollar Cove, a quaint beach town on the North Carolina coast. When Elli Eversol returns to Sand Dollar Cove to rebuild her grandparents shops on the old fishing pier following last fall’s hurricane, she’s faced with bigger problems. For one, the pier has taken a much ...

The Wanderer Reborn

Awan is reeling in agony. The man she loved has murdered her twin brother then disappeared. Tormented by his actions, recovery seems an impossible dream. When her well-meaning father tries to marry her to someone else, Awan refuses, knowing her heart is broken beyond repair.

Questioning t ...

Changed Through Faith Action Plan: 30-Day Activation Guide

YOUR ACTION PLAN FOR CHANGE

To experience a change in your life, you have to do things differently. This Changed Through Faith Action Plan is your personal 30-day guide to help you grow in your faith in God and activate change in your life.

This is not in ...

The Bethany Tales

A young woman, cast out by her father and shunned by her family, wanders the streets of Jerusalem... ...selling her body to survive in a cutthroat city that has no mercy for the downtrodden. When one man promises her a different way of life, she overcomes her doubts and opens her heart to him. A ...

Perfectly Placed

Her Hometown Dream

Amy Parker returns to her hometown for a two-week visit before moving on to take a job she really doesn’t want. But when the historic mansion that sparked her passion for history hits the market, she thinks she’s finally found a ...

Ben in Trouble: A Ben Mitchell/Titus Ray Thriller

CIA covert operative, Titus Ray, agrees to help his protégé, Ben Mitchell, out of a tough spot, by accepting an assignment to Venezuela, but when the operation takes a deadly turn, Titus is forced to do something he’s never done before—rely on Ben to bring them home.

Myth or Mysteries

The apostle Paul and Jesus spoke of deeper knowledge, which the Church of their time wasn't ready to receive. But recently that information has finally begun to flow in preparation for the return of Christ. This book is the result of decades of study, and a special calling from God. Deep mysteries o ...

The grandparents are about to arrive! Mom is nervous about being judged by her mother, but Mary Lou is excited to see her grandparents. Will the visit go smoothly or will Grandma’s critical nature rear its ugly head? Find out in this heart-felt family-friendly short story. Word Count: 2,546

Discover how heaven having no Bibles could have a life-changing impact on your relationship with God now. Explore God’s relationship with His children in heaven and throughout history, which dramatically changed starting in the fourth century, profoundly impacting how we commune with the heavenly ...

Silenced

A serial killer is on the loose in Chicago. Social worker Cassandra Welton and Detective Logan Trenton team up to follow the evidence. Will they be able to find the killer before he strikes again? Will Cassandra allow God to lead her in the important areas of her life?

Unexpected Finish

Where do you turn when the past comes to call? Cara Alexander wants to live life on her terms, but her paltry attempts at adulting have left her world a mess, unable to trust God, who has done nothing but let her down in the past. Will God be faithful despite her rebellion and save her from herse ...

Hannah's Courage

A loaf of fragrant cinnamon bread for breakfast a sweet and creamy custard pie for dessert. In 1912 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery has something to delight locals and visiting Englischer alike. And within this warm, welcoming community, theres always room for love to grow Hannah Lapps life, like a ...

Love in the Headlines

A Bride for Harley - Proxy Bride Coming of Age Novella

They expected a proxy bride—and got more than they bargained for. ~ Loretta is a daddy’s girl who loves hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. Unfortunately, she’s also spoiled and easily frustrated. When tragedy strikes, everything she’s depended on is instantly gone, and her only hope of survi ...

College Life of a Retired Senior: A Memoir of Perseverance, Faith, and Finding the Way

Seven years after she retires from the Royal Bank of Canada, ending a thirty-seven-year career, banker/author Yvonne Blackwood surprises her friends and family by returning to school at sixty-four to pursue an English degree. She craves knowledge and is motivated by four powerful reasons: to add tex ...

Deadly Christmas Cipher

Jack and Bryn’s December wedding is fast approaching.

But a blackmailer’s plans threaten to derail the Christmas-themed ceremony before it starts.

Two days before the wedding, the caterer attracts a sniper, and Jack needs to know if the woman baking their wedding ...

Calm & Bright

Even a matchmaking grandmother and an adorable four year old might not be enough to help this couple reunite! This Christmas, Brad Hughes hopes he can convince his ex-wife Maddie he’s not the unreliable, workaholic charmer she married young and then divorced. They’ll be together over the holidays, ...

Glimmer in the Darkness

Nothing could get her home…but this. Cassidy Leblanc worked hard to shake off her tragic childhood. As a foster child with a mother in prison for murder, she was an outcast in her small New Hampshire town until she met James. But she and James’s sister, whom she was babysitting, were kidnapped. She ...

Alaska Chance

I’D BOUGHT INTO THE EXCITEMENT OF A CHANCE TO MOVE TO ALASKA, THEN LIFE’S UNEXPECTED TWISTS CHALLENGED MY FAITH IN DESTINY.  After our wedding rehearsal, my fiancé, James, suggests we roll the dice to decide our fate for his next teaching job. Leaving life’s decision to chance sounds like fu ...

Song of Sugar Sands

In the fictional beach community of Sugar Sands, folks live, love, laugh, and die. They also fight, invite trouble, and seek redemption. The people who inhabit this idyllic community make plenty of mist ...

The Redemption

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Charlisse f ...

God Ordains Marriages

In modern times, the phrase "till death do us part" transcends its religious origins and is now often included in wedding vows as a customary expression of commitment and endurance in marriages. Many couples, regardless of their religious beliefs or practices, choose to include this phrase in their ...

Saving Taylor

Is her faith bigger than her fear? She is a woman on the run… Taylor Allen is an eyewitness to a double murder. Raised in the church, she sang for the Lord to raise money for the community. Taylor’s voice is a magnet that draws in crowds but not even her talent can save her from a murderer. After ...

Isaiah Light and the Sea of Darkness

For readers who can't get enough of thrillers and suspense, with a Christian twist, Sea of Darkness will have you hooked from the first page. It's 1962, and Isaiah and Rebecca Light have built a small, yet steadily growing church in the North Florida area, living a quiet life devoted to worshiping G ...

Defending the Soul: Winning the War Against Spiritual Attack

Spiritual attack comes in many forms. The reader will be shown the methods to overcome through Jesus Christ. Satan may rule this world, but he doesn't rule God's people. This book includes special meditations, prayers, and memory Scriptures to help strengthen your faith. The first topic touches o ...

Visible and Invisible

Eva’s life takes a chilling turn when haunting dreams and shadowy figures invade her reality. As the terrifying visions intensify, she uncovers a century-old secret buried deep within her seemingly quiet small town.

Joined by unexpected new friends, Eva must decipher the cryptic clues bef ...

Three Confess: A Silas McKay Suspense

When Silas investigates a case of intellectual property theft, he has too much of everything. Too many suspects. Too many distractions. Too many feelings. Circuitry Innovations of Dallas has developed a new type of semiconductor. Sales are pouring in, but when the CEO learns a Chinese tech comp ...

NEVER FORGET THE TRUTH

When the forces of darkness masquerade in the light, is your sword sharpened in TRUTH and wielded to fight? After another clash with evil, Ellie is back as a special agent with the FBI, and she and Steve are expecting their first child. Ellie should be enjoying the happiest time of her life, but i ...

A Far Way To Run

A Far Way to Run is a compelling story about overcoming the past to discover your purpose. This novel chronicles what happens when a woman traumatized by a sexual assault must make a life-defining choice to continue hiding, or stand up in the face of evil to save a stranger. Shayne Wright returns to ...

Bridges of Hope

In Tennessee, where the heart of country music and the warmth of family traditions blend seamlessly, country music mega star Rheann "Ray" Rhodes receives a devastating diagnosis. With her life hanging in the balance, Ray decides to embark on a poignant journey that will not only define her legacy ...

Safe In His Arms

She's determined to escape her past. He's looking to build a future . . . with her. Will she open her heart and let him help, or keep on running alone?

Anna Henderson is guilty of one thing: trusting the wrong man. Now she’s running for her life from an ex-boyfriend who ...

The Book of Merla Meadows

BRESCIA, ITALY - 1413 In an isolated village concealed among the rugged cliffs and dense vegetation of Lake Iseo, Merla Meadows cares for the elderly in a community that considers them a burden. James Kempe harbors no fantasies about marriage. Having always seen his deeply religious mother shy ...

Weapons of Remorse

WINNER OF TWO INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING AWARDS! Hank Phillips makes his living defending the right to bear arms. Privately, he doesn’t ever want to touch a gun again. Hank is an ex-Marine whose heroism in war earned him the Medal of Honor and a high-profile job with Armed and Ready, America’s most powe ...

The Angelic Realm: Discovering The Spiritual World and Its Healing Powers

This captivating and enchanting book takes readers on a journey through the spiritual realm, sharing true stories and revelations that will inspire and uplift you. Dennis Macy takes you on a personal journey that will leave you feeling full of hope and connected to the spiritual world. With its ...

The Dog Snatcher, A Christian Children's Action-Adventure

Get ready for a thrilling adventure that will take you through time and space in this Christian high-action, illustrated series, perfect for readers ages 8 -11.

Join 11-year-old twins Jake and Ava, as they race to save their beloved dog from a scruffy teen who snatched him away. But when ...

Alight

Three friends. Evil seeks to corrupt them. If they survive... what will it cost? Twins Cataleen and Aodan share a connection through their supernatural abilities. They have the potential to do great things with their gift—if they can resist the evil that seeks to corrupt them. Their friend, Fa ...

Discover how to ride the supernatural wave of God’s presence and experience miracles from Heaven following you every day. Do the miracles of Jesus and even greater things as you learn how to follow God everywhere. Learn the secret of how to catch the supernatural wave of God’s presence and move in a ...

All Things New Again

They both have good lives, and yet, something is missing… Or someone. A partner and co-owner of Oceanside Inn for five years now, Molly Hessinger is happy with her life and her job as a head of accounting. What’s not to love, when she’s doing it with her best friends, and they’re all in it together? ...

The Billionaire’s Secret: A Christian Romance

Stranded with the woman of his dreams... but will his big secret break her heart?

 

Winner of the Selah Award for Contemporary Christian Romance!

 

Inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9, The Billionaire’s Secret is a sweet inspirational romance with a swoony hero ...

Eighth Dimension - Frequency: A Young Adult Fantasy

Chumana is a young woman trapped in a life of caretaking, questioning her origins and convinced the God of Israel has abandoned her—if he ever existed. But her world is about to shatter.

What if a hidden race, a superior intelligence, exists beyond our reality, acting as agents of the ...

The “Gospel” of Divine Abuse: Redeeming the Gospel from Gruesome Popular Preaching of an Abusive and Violent God

From Amazon: Don't let the scandalous book cover fool you because The "Gospel" of Divine Abuse is not a clichéd Christian novel. On the contrary, it is a book that seeks to expose the most significant, dangerous, and widespread heresy of the 21st century, slowly taking over Christianity and causing ...

A Place to Belong: Josephine’s Story – A Shumard Oak Bend Companion Christmas Novella

When a scandal forces Josephine Blake to flee everything she’s ever known, she arrives in a snowy frontier town with little more than a secret and a swollen belly. Shumard Oak Bend wasn’t her destination—but it just might be her rescue. Faced with town gossip, an uncertain future, and a past she ...

Magnify (Storm & Spire Book 1)

The dragons have fled the skies. A noble House is clinging to life. The God of gods is rising. As the Envoy of the Four Kingdoms, Wes has had his purpose decided since birth: sacrifice the treasures of the people to the dragon gods, and they will keep Kaveryth safe. For five years, he’s been forced ...

How much trouble can a misunderstanding cause?

It’s a hectic morning as usual for this typical family. Lost keys and running late are the norm. But the rush always subsides, making way for a smooth, productive afternoon for wife and mother, Jessica. Except today ther ...

Ariboslia: A Christian Fantasy Adventure (The Complete Trilogy)

Faith vs. Fangs. One teen's fight to save a world.
Fallon Webb, an ordinary teen, discovers a hidden legacy and a world on the brink. Thrust into a war between good and evil, she must embrace her newfound family—shapeshifters locked in a struggle against monstrous fasgadair. ...

A Christmas Inheritance

His Christmas Refuge
He came home to leave it all behind.
She’s convinced he’ll run again.
But when a little boy’s identity is revealed and the true spirit of Christmas comes calling, will Kurt find the refuge he never believed he deserved… in the heart of the woman he’s always lov ...

Depths of Deception

Her parents are dead. And Bryn Marsh doesn't want to believe allegations from the FBI--and known criminals--about her deceased mother.

Then her uncle reveals an old secret.

And her world turns upside down.

Jack McKerrick would do a ...

Love in Disguise

Who knew concealing one’s true identity could be so disastrous? Who knew asserting one’s independence would cause such embarrassment? If only Almira “Emilie” Crawford Wheeler hadn’t insisted upon carrying her own stack of parcels, she wouldn’t have landed in an unladylike heap on the boardwalk. A ...

Roots of the Kingdom

The establishment of nations, governments, and the shaping of our world system evolved around historical incidents of good and evil. Roots of the Kingdom is a captivating chronology about humans, heavenly hosts, and supernatural phenomena that unveils the spiritual network. Revealed is the chain of ...

Love From Afar

What happens when two little sisters become self-appointed matchmakers? Best friends Tillie and Lula are tired of watching Tillie’s older sister and Lula’s older brother admire each other from afar. Determined to bring their siblings together, they hatch a most brilliant plan. After all, it’s perfec ...

Jacob’s Well

As newly appointed small-town Sheriff Angus Reid settles into Weyport, it doesn’t take him long to discover just how corrupt his new town is. With a desk full of suspicious open cases and too much to prove, he is determined to rid his town of crime and win the hearts of his people. But when two teen ...

The Amish Baker's Secret Courtship

A promise brought him home… Will a pretend courtship make him stay? Cassie Weaver dreams of opening a bakery—but that dream hinges on her good friend Martin Beiler. Martin once fled their Amish community due to his struggles with autism. Now he’s back to fulfill his promise to help Cassie set up ...

Three Weeks in Washington: A Titus Ray Thriller

CIA intelligence operative, Titus Ray, arrives in Washington, D.C. on the day a terrorist enters the Washington Navy Yard and murders five people. Convinced the incident is connected to a Hezbollah pl ...

Is Christmas Satanic?

Is Christmas really a holy celebration—or a pagan deception?

Most Christians celebrate Christmas without ever questioning its origins. But what if what we’ve been taught is a lie? Is Christmas Satanic takes you deep into Bible study and spiritual warfare, uncovering the d ...

The Third Dawn

Would you like to walk alongside the Messiah in His early years, talk and listen to Him, and experience His gentle, simple humanity, divine power, and authority? Award-winning mystery author Thomas J. Nichols tells one of the greatest mysteries of all time, the private life of Jesus, the Messiah. ...

Dane's Dream

In the heart of Wyoming's untamed wilderness, Hannah Sullivan’s world is thrust into chaos when her father, fueled by alcohol, puts her up for auction at the trading post. Hannah's journey becomes one of survival, strength, and the pursuit of a life beyond the shadows of her father's actions. Can sh ...

Alaska Calling

I’D REACHED MY DREAM CAREER AS AN RN  THEN THE DOUBT OF MY CALLING CHALLENGED MY FAITH. After two years of working in a small city close to my family in Canada, my heart remains unsettled. Now, I find myself at a crossroads, not knowing which way to turn.   My calling seemed certain, ...

Divine Detour: The Path You'd Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You've Always Wanted

After discovering a life-limiting illness almost too late, Lori Ann Wood began a faith detour she never saw coming. A lifelong believer, she felt profound disappointment in the God she thought she knew. Divine Detour is a result of a risky decision to embrace difficult faith questions. Forty vuln ...

Ben in Love: A Ben Mitchell/Titus Ray Thriller

Titus Ray isn’t interested in getting involved in Ben Mitchell’s romantic entanglements. Not until he discovers Ben is lying about being in love with the daughter of a Turkish cleric. Ben’s love life is complicated . . . Ben claims to be in love with Kamila Hanim, the daughter of an exiled Muslim cl ...

TRUTH IN THE NAME

What if someone erased your memory? Would you still know God? President Denali's war on crime has yielded unprecedented results, but its consequences are far from anticipated. As he wages war against every remaining criminal, he forms his own personal army—at a cost. When Ellie Hatcher fin ...

Something is moving into the barn next door. Is it friend or foe?

The new owners are moving in at the hobby farm next door. But John is worried about what might be moving into the barn. Can you guess what it is? Find out in this comical, family-friendly short story, ...

120 Day Micro-Blessings Journal: Your Journey of Reflection, Prayer, Gratitude, and Personal Growth

Unlock the power of gratitude and joy in your life with the "120 Days of Micro-Blessings" journal. This unique journaling experience will take you on a transformative 120-day journey of self-discovery, reflection, and spiritual growth. With insightful prompts and meaningful messages, you'll gain ...

Eli's Road Less Traveled

In this sequel to I AM ELI, read how Monty's new lifestyle brings him, and others, to the foot of the cross over and over again. After hanging up his rodeo spurs, Monty must trust God though marital hills and valleys, physical brokenness and financial bankruptcy. In the process, Monty finds the road ...

Christmas isn’t merry for everyone—especially for those carrying heavy grief. When widow Cathy Fischer crashes into a stop sign on her way to work at Christmas Ridge Community Church, she’s helped by David Martin, a man also navigating profound loss. As Cathy offers David comfort and draws him in ...

Over the Horizon

A most unusual proposal… Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement. During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three childre ...

I Am: An 8-Session Study of John

Yearning to deepen your relationship with Jesus? I Am: An 8-Session Bible Study of John invites you to explore the profound “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John, revealing the essence of who Jesus is.

Author and long-time Bible teacher, Sarah K. Howley guides you with warmth and insigh ...

The Heart I Rescue

She lost everything… and buried her heart beneath the wreckage.
When Niki is forced to work with the man who made her high school years unbearable, she braces for frustration. Kyle—a once-cocky tormentor turned skilled helicopter p ...

We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection

Best-selling romance authors Caudill, Putman, and Strong follow three generations of the Weise family in this third collection of Christmas novellas from Kregel that will prove just as popular as the previous award-winning volumes. "Star of Wonder" by Crystal Caudill The Christmas-themed mai ...

Keys of Deception

The shocking true story of a sociopath’s wife and the miraculous healing power of prayer. Keys of Deception is an emotional page turner filled with shocking twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

After struggling with debilitating health issues, Becca Bailey is resigned to li ...

Matters of the Heart: Discerning God's Best Series  Novel BOOK 3

In the aftermath of the Civil War, where wounds of the heart cut as deep as any battle scar, comes a tale of resilience, faith, and the unyielding power of love. ~ Irish immigrant Katie Murphy embodies the spirit of compassion, fighting against injustice with a determination that knows no bounds. ...

Calvin Quinn is a long way from the corn fields of Nebraska. The rookie canine journalist is eager to start a new life in the metropolitan city of Bowwow. He dreams of busting bad guys with front page headlines alongside Bowwow's famous investigative journalist team, Mittens Meow and Alex Digger. Bu ...

One Wonders: A Silas McKay Suspense

Silas McKay, the head of a corporate security company, is a grieving widower with no desire for female companionship. Ashley Davenport, the daughter of Silas’s highest-paying client, is a newbie private investigator who wants Silas to become her mentor. How can he say no? He can’t. Thus, Silas allow ...

Touch of Innocence

How can she protect the child if nobody believes her? Grace used to try to save people, but that was before she realized how powerless she is. Now, she avoids emotional ties, working from her secluded cabin, content with her aloneness. When eight-year-old Lily starts hanging around, Grace enjoys ...

A Truthful Man: A Modern Catholic Novel: Book 1

He would rather risk losing his vocation than lose his soul. In his tiny parish on the English coast, Father James has remained untouched by the modernizing of the Catholic Church. But when he’s handed evidence of serious wrongdoing by Mark Boulder, an ex-university friend, he is obliged to take it ...

Her Homegrown Christmas Wish

All five-year-old Olivia Beacon wants for Christmas is a dad… 

 

How on earth is single mom Hannah Beacon supposed to ma ...

The Carpenter: A Retelling of the Story of Joseph of Nazareth

Joseph, a master craftsman and carpenter, stokes the ire of his family when he weds his pregnant (and seemingly unfaithful) betrothed, Mary. Pious, devout, and guided by the dictates of Heaven, Joseph has no issue with taking Mary – who still claims to be a virgin -  as his wife and committi ...

Worth the Risk: A West Texas Romance

For single mom Cara Gallagher, her desk job with an Alpine, Texas, assistance ministry is both a fresh start and a letdown. A lover of the great outdoors and ancient Native American history, she still regrets not completing her doctorate and pursuing an anthropology career. Six years ago, however ...

The Seafaring Women of the Vera B.

Nate and Hailey A Sunnydale Wedding Novella

Spirit in Truth

The Lord Jesus predicted that our generation wouldn't pass until certain end times signs were fulfilled. Wouldn't you like to know when the end times actually began, and exactly how long our generation can last? Have you ever wondered about the garden of Eden? How could it have existed 6,000 years ...

Between the Rivers

Chanoch’s family live in fear of the people dwelling in the land between the rivers – those who hunt them, seeking vengeance for old wounds. But when the time comes for Chanoch to find a wife, Yahweh's call leads him directly into the heart of enemy territory.

There he meets a woman whose ...

Marrying Mandy

A marriage of convenience might be crazy...or an answer to both of their prayers. 

Mandy Hudson swore she'd never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy is sho ...

Out of the Ashes (Danger in Destiny: Book 1)

He thought it was just a structure fire.

As a firefighter, Bryce Keyes is no stranger when it comes to running into a burning building. What he didn't expect was coming face-to-face with the woman he loved years ago. Getting her out safely is one thing, but when it looks like she was t ...

The weatherman says the storm will pass to the north, but dark clouds are rolling in. Tom is concerned that this may be a big one. Is he prepared for a severe storm, or is his family about to face a dangerous situation that he didn’t prepare for? Find out in this engaging, family-frien ...

Sweet Christmas Joy

A Christmas story of faith, hope, love…and the greatest of these is love. It’s Christmas and Blue Moon is playing on the record player. All of the friends and relatives have gathered to spend Great Aunt Dora’s eighty-sixth birthday with her. Blue Moon is the song that resounds with her like no other ...

The Forgotten City

What lies at the heart of the forgotten city?

When a deadly plague ravages their village, siblings Clem and Asi must venture into a dying forest to find the antidote. But the woods are full of dangers, and a sinister secret is hiding amid the ruins of a once-great city....