Could you use a hug? When we began to create Hot Apple Cider, our task was to produce a gift book filled with stories ordinary people would enjoy reading. So 30 writers and 2 editors looked at our own lives and shared our pain, our fears, and our hope. We opened up about our feelings of loneliness, times of depression, unfair treatment, and the peace we feel when we pour our hearts out to God. We shared our times of helplessness and abandonment, and our faith that God never leaves us alone. We talked about our longings and our times of loss, our feeling that no one else had ever been in our shoes, and our belief that every person matters. When the book was finished, we hesitantly sent it out, and were delighted to discover that readers feel our simple book is actually a comforting hug. "A collection of short stories, poetry, and wisdom seeking to heal and mend the soul of the reader after difficult and stressful situations... Highly recommended." Midwest Book Review "If you're looking for inspiration, something to breathe in for reassurance that you're not alone, something to remind you to hear God's voice in acts of compassion, spend an afternoon with Hot Apple Cider. It could just change your life." Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author. Over 45,000 print copies in circulation. Has a companion Discussion Guide for personal reflection or group exploration.