October 2009
The following reviews, interviews and features are running on FaithfulReader.com for the month of October.
Faithful Fiction
LIMELIGHT by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone. Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
THIRSTY by Tracey Bateman (Suspense)
Struggling to recover from alcoholism, Nina Parker is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier. Her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone --- or something --- igniting a 250-year-old desire that rages like wildfire. Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.
FACES IN THE FIRE by T. L. Hines (Supernatural Thriller/Mystery)
Somewhere underneath the lives of the ordinary are the “bottom feeders,” those who blend in with everyone else but have something to hide or to run from. FACES IN THE FIRE enters the realm of the noir, telling a story of lost souls who have become trapped by their choices and whose experiences seem to be linked by one bizarre number. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God, by Jenny B. Jones (Fiction)
Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie is not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her. Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind…for a reason. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
Christian Living
IF GOD IS GOOD: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, by Randy Alcorn (Christian Living)
Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? How can there be a God if suffering and evil exist? Atheists and former believers answer the questions simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God. In this captivating new book, Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS: What I Learned While Editing My Life, by Donald Miller (Christian Living)
Two movie producers approach Donald Miller about making a movie based on his memoir. When they start fictionalizing Don's life for film --- changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative --- the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
TREASURED: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps, by Leigh McLeroy (Christian Living/Inspirational)
Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks. Sock drawers. Top shelves. These are the places we store our keepsakes. God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked into the pages of the Bible: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of God’s heart and reveals His love. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
OUT OF MY BONE: The Letters of Joy Davidman, edited by Don W. King (Christian Living)
Best known as the wife of C. S. Lewis, Joy Davidman was an accomplished writer in her own right. OUT OF MY BONE tells Davidman’s life story in her own words through her numerous letters --- most never published before --- that reveal the personality and perseverance of a spirited and spiritual woman. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
Marriage and Family Life
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE & RESPECT: Cracking the Communication Code with Your Mate, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (Love and Marriage)
Finally we have an answer for the number one problem in marriages --- communication! This analysis of the vital principles of cross-gender communication helps couples recognize they speak two different languages. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs's bestselling book, LOVE & RESPECT, launched a revolution in how couples relate to each other. In THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE & RESPECT, he shares how that message can be applied. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
Faithful Fifteen
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the author of five works of Christian fiction and nonfiction, including COPPER STAR, GRIT FOR THE OYSTER and FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS. In this Faithful Fifteen interview, Fisher discusses her latest book, AMISH PEACE, and shares a bit of her family's history that initially sparked her interest in Amish and Anabaptist culture. She also explains the role her calling as a writer plays in her faith and describes her community involvement, which includes once leading a Bible Study Fellowship and training guide dogs for the blind.
Special Contest and Feature
THE CHRISTMAS LAMP Giveaway
We are celebrating the release of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP by Lori Copeland --- a beautiful novella that sheds light on the real origins of Christmas spirit --- with a special contest. In a wicker gift basket, three Grand Prize winners will receive a signed copy of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP, as well as a large Christmas Eve-scented candle by Yankee Candle Company, two balsam- and cedar-scented Yankee car fresheners, a lamp ornament from Bronners and a container of Godiva Hot Cocoa. Fifteen runners-up will receive a signed copy of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP. Readers who answer the question correctly by reading an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS LAMP will be automatically entered to win.
THE CHRISTMAS LAMP by Lori Copeland (Fiction)
When the small town of Nativity, Missouri, loses its much-needed seasonal business, more than the economy suffers. Lifelong resident Roni Elliot clashes with the new outside consultant Jake Brisco, whose drastic budget-slashing threatens the traditions and spirit of Nativity. However, as forgotten joys rekindle and new traditions emerge, Christmas once again becomes a season of hope.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS LAMP.
- Click here to read an interview with Lori Copeland.
- Click here to read Lori Copeland's bio.
Study Guides
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH: A True Story, by Mitch Albom (Spirituality)
Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds --- two men, two faiths, two communities --- that will inspire readers everywhere.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.
- Click here to read an excerpt from HAVE A LITTLE FAITH.
- Click here to read Mitch Albom’s bio.
THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART: The Heart of the West Series, Book 2 by Maggie Brendan (Historical Romance)
Juliana Brady is alone in an 1890s Montana mining town, with few prospects for making a living. But she is determined not to be dependent on the charity of others.
Josh McBride is trying to scrape up a living from his sheep herd while he builds his ranch. But when he discovers some rare stones on his property, he’s tempted by the prospect of fast money.
When their paths cross, Juliana and Josh must make a choice --- the world’s riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.
- Click here to read more about THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART.
- Click here to read Maggie Brendan’s bio.
THE SWISS COURIER by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey (Historical Fiction)
It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich after an attempt on Hitler’s life. Gabi Mueller is a young woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) in Switzerland. When she is asked to put herself in harm’s way to safely “courier” a German scientist who is working on the atomic bomb out of enemy territory, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
- Click here to read more about THE SWISS COURIER.
Features
A LINEAGE OF GRACE by Francine Rivers (Historical Fiction)
In this compilation of the five books in the bestselling Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers, we meet the five women whom God chose --- Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. Each was faced with extraordinary --- even scandalous --- challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.
- Click here to read an excerpt from A LINEAGE OF GRACE.
- Click here to read Francine Rivers’s bio.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL by Susan May Warren (Fiction)
Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. But when her children begin to leave home --- and their traditions --- behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.
Heartwarming and hilarious, THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL is a story about family, traditions and rediscovering the real magic of Christmas.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL.
- Click here to read Susan May Warren’s bio.
EMMY’S EQUAL: Texas Fortunes Trilogy, Book 3 by Marcia Gruver (Historical Romance)
Strong-willed Emmy Dane didn’t want to journey to South Texas, and she vows to hate every minute of it. But when Emmy insists on going with ranch foreman Diego Marcelo to search for her missing family, she will find she’s met her match in the stubborn vaquero. Faced with a stampede and a wildfire, will Emmy and Diego be able to surrender their wills and recognize true love before it’s too late?
- Click here to read an excerpt from EMMY’S EQUAL.
- Click here to read Marcia Gruver’s bio.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: A Walk in the Park, Book 1 by Annalisa Daughety (Romance)
Take a walk in Shiloh National Military Park in this fun, fast-paced romance by Annalisa Daughety, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. Recent history has taught Kristy O’Neal not to believe in love or risk her heart. Ace Kennedy came to Shiloh to research his family history --- but it’s Park Ranger Kristy he’s studying. Using his own ancestors as an example, can he prove that true love really does exist before Kristy walks away forever?
- Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD.
- Click here to read Annalisa Daughety’s bio.
About the Books
DOUBLE CROSS by James David Jordan (Thriller)
DOUBLE CROSS follows the exploits of Taylor Pasbury, a young ex-Secret Service agent with a checkered past and a penchant for finding trouble. Even as a high school kid, Taylor knew she was not like most other girls. Raised by her father, a retired Special Forces officer, she learned to camp, shoot, and most of all, take care of herself. Now a young adult, Pasbury opens her own security agency and finds herself in the middle of a mysterious case full of danger and intrigue.
- Click here to read James David Jordan’s bio.
THE REST OF HEALTH: Learn the 7 Vital Strategies to Optimize your Well-being, by David and Sonya Cameron (Health)
In a new work of creative nonfiction, authors David and Sonya Cameron bring readers along as "Mike" confronts both the areas of conflict and the neglected facets of his life. THE REST OF HEALTH features a collection of helpful resources including worksheets and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making it an ideal vehicle for church small groups, recovery groups or support groups.
- Click here to read David and Sonya Cameron’s bios.
Click here to read the full newsletter.
Faithful Fiction
LIMELIGHT by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone. Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
THIRSTY by Tracey Bateman (Suspense)
Struggling to recover from alcoholism, Nina Parker is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier. Her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone --- or something --- igniting a 250-year-old desire that rages like wildfire. Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.
FACES IN THE FIRE by T. L. Hines (Supernatural Thriller/Mystery)
Somewhere underneath the lives of the ordinary are the “bottom feeders,” those who blend in with everyone else but have something to hide or to run from. FACES IN THE FIRE enters the realm of the noir, telling a story of lost souls who have become trapped by their choices and whose experiences seem to be linked by one bizarre number. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God, by Jenny B. Jones (Fiction)
Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie is not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her. Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind…for a reason. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
Christian Living
IF GOD IS GOOD: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, by Randy Alcorn (Christian Living)
Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? How can there be a God if suffering and evil exist? Atheists and former believers answer the questions simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God. In this captivating new book, Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS: What I Learned While Editing My Life, by Donald Miller (Christian Living)
Two movie producers approach Donald Miller about making a movie based on his memoir. When they start fictionalizing Don's life for film --- changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative --- the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
TREASURED: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps, by Leigh McLeroy (Christian Living/Inspirational)
Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks. Sock drawers. Top shelves. These are the places we store our keepsakes. God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked into the pages of the Bible: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of God’s heart and reveals His love. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
OUT OF MY BONE: The Letters of Joy Davidman, edited by Don W. King (Christian Living)
Best known as the wife of C. S. Lewis, Joy Davidman was an accomplished writer in her own right. OUT OF MY BONE tells Davidman’s life story in her own words through her numerous letters --- most never published before --- that reveal the personality and perseverance of a spirited and spiritual woman. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
Marriage and Family Life
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE & RESPECT: Cracking the Communication Code with Your Mate, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (Love and Marriage)
Finally we have an answer for the number one problem in marriages --- communication! This analysis of the vital principles of cross-gender communication helps couples recognize they speak two different languages. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs's bestselling book, LOVE & RESPECT, launched a revolution in how couples relate to each other. In THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE & RESPECT, he shares how that message can be applied. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
Faithful Fifteen
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the author of five works of Christian fiction and nonfiction, including COPPER STAR, GRIT FOR THE OYSTER and FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS. In this Faithful Fifteen interview, Fisher discusses her latest book, AMISH PEACE, and shares a bit of her family's history that initially sparked her interest in Amish and Anabaptist culture. She also explains the role her calling as a writer plays in her faith and describes her community involvement, which includes once leading a Bible Study Fellowship and training guide dogs for the blind.
Special Contest and Feature
THE CHRISTMAS LAMP Giveaway
We are celebrating the release of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP by Lori Copeland --- a beautiful novella that sheds light on the real origins of Christmas spirit --- with a special contest. In a wicker gift basket, three Grand Prize winners will receive a signed copy of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP, as well as a large Christmas Eve-scented candle by Yankee Candle Company, two balsam- and cedar-scented Yankee car fresheners, a lamp ornament from Bronners and a container of Godiva Hot Cocoa. Fifteen runners-up will receive a signed copy of THE CHRISTMAS LAMP. Readers who answer the question correctly by reading an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS LAMP will be automatically entered to win.
THE CHRISTMAS LAMP by Lori Copeland (Fiction)
When the small town of Nativity, Missouri, loses its much-needed seasonal business, more than the economy suffers. Lifelong resident Roni Elliot clashes with the new outside consultant Jake Brisco, whose drastic budget-slashing threatens the traditions and spirit of Nativity. However, as forgotten joys rekindle and new traditions emerge, Christmas once again becomes a season of hope.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS LAMP.
- Click here to read an interview with Lori Copeland.
- Click here to read Lori Copeland's bio.
Study Guides
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH: A True Story, by Mitch Albom (Spirituality)
Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds --- two men, two faiths, two communities --- that will inspire readers everywhere.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.
- Click here to read an excerpt from HAVE A LITTLE FAITH.
- Click here to read Mitch Albom’s bio.
THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART: The Heart of the West Series, Book 2 by Maggie Brendan (Historical Romance)
Juliana Brady is alone in an 1890s Montana mining town, with few prospects for making a living. But she is determined not to be dependent on the charity of others.
Josh McBride is trying to scrape up a living from his sheep herd while he builds his ranch. But when he discovers some rare stones on his property, he’s tempted by the prospect of fast money.
When their paths cross, Juliana and Josh must make a choice --- the world’s riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.
- Click here to read more about THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART.
- Click here to read Maggie Brendan’s bio.
THE SWISS COURIER by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey (Historical Fiction)
It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich after an attempt on Hitler’s life. Gabi Mueller is a young woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) in Switzerland. When she is asked to put herself in harm’s way to safely “courier” a German scientist who is working on the atomic bomb out of enemy territory, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
- Click here to read more about THE SWISS COURIER.
Features
A LINEAGE OF GRACE by Francine Rivers (Historical Fiction)
In this compilation of the five books in the bestselling Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers, we meet the five women whom God chose --- Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. Each was faced with extraordinary --- even scandalous --- challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.
- Click here to read an excerpt from A LINEAGE OF GRACE.
- Click here to read Francine Rivers’s bio.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL by Susan May Warren (Fiction)
Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. But when her children begin to leave home --- and their traditions --- behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.
Heartwarming and hilarious, THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL is a story about family, traditions and rediscovering the real magic of Christmas.
- Click here to read an excerpt from THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL.
- Click here to read Susan May Warren’s bio.
EMMY’S EQUAL: Texas Fortunes Trilogy, Book 3 by Marcia Gruver (Historical Romance)
Strong-willed Emmy Dane didn’t want to journey to South Texas, and she vows to hate every minute of it. But when Emmy insists on going with ranch foreman Diego Marcelo to search for her missing family, she will find she’s met her match in the stubborn vaquero. Faced with a stampede and a wildfire, will Emmy and Diego be able to surrender their wills and recognize true love before it’s too late?
- Click here to read an excerpt from EMMY’S EQUAL.
- Click here to read Marcia Gruver’s bio.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: A Walk in the Park, Book 1 by Annalisa Daughety (Romance)
Take a walk in Shiloh National Military Park in this fun, fast-paced romance by Annalisa Daughety, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. Recent history has taught Kristy O’Neal not to believe in love or risk her heart. Ace Kennedy came to Shiloh to research his family history --- but it’s Park Ranger Kristy he’s studying. Using his own ancestors as an example, can he prove that true love really does exist before Kristy walks away forever?
- Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD.
- Click here to read Annalisa Daughety’s bio.
About the Books
DOUBLE CROSS by James David Jordan (Thriller)
DOUBLE CROSS follows the exploits of Taylor Pasbury, a young ex-Secret Service agent with a checkered past and a penchant for finding trouble. Even as a high school kid, Taylor knew she was not like most other girls. Raised by her father, a retired Special Forces officer, she learned to camp, shoot, and most of all, take care of herself. Now a young adult, Pasbury opens her own security agency and finds herself in the middle of a mysterious case full of danger and intrigue.
- Click here to read James David Jordan’s bio.
THE REST OF HEALTH: Learn the 7 Vital Strategies to Optimize your Well-being, by David and Sonya Cameron (Health)
In a new work of creative nonfiction, authors David and Sonya Cameron bring readers along as "Mike" confronts both the areas of conflict and the neglected facets of his life. THE REST OF HEALTH features a collection of helpful resources including worksheets and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making it an ideal vehicle for church small groups, recovery groups or support groups.
- Click here to read David and Sonya Cameron’s bios.
Click here to read the full newsletter.
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