January 2005

When You Love a Book....

Over the holidays we saw some friends. Presents were piled underneath their tree and I found myself in the role of "gift voyeur" trying to figure out who in the extended family had gotten what gift, especially the books that I was familiar with. I saw a copy of Joel Osteen's book, YOUR BEST LIFE NOW, and asked my friend Beverley who had received that one. She said, "My brother, Graham. In fact, he got three copies." I smiled at this knowing how many times I had almost done the same thing when I knew a book was just "perfect" for a person --- and so did everyone else. When I see Osteen's book so high on the bestseller list I wonder how many people are getting more than one copy, knowing someone just perfect to share the book with.

I love when that happens with a book. There are so many books that I have bought extra copies of since I knew it was something I really wanted to share. I'm sure that many of you have done the same thing.

One of our reviewers, Marcia Ford, loves Tim Downs' books. This month she interviews him and he discusses his inspiration for Nick Polchak --- the protagonist in the Bug Man series --- the unusual research he conducted for these books, and details of his next novel, PLAGUE MAKER. He also describes the process of co-writing two nonfiction books with his wife, Joy, and talks about the marriage and parenting conferences that he and Joy conduct throughout the country. Good reading.

Wanted to get you excited now about a book I read two weeks ago called WRAPPED IN RAIN by Charles Martin, who also wrote THE DEAD DON'T DANCE, which was a favorite of mine last year. It's coming in March. Many people will get this one from me.

Have a great month. If you have a moment, write and let me know some of the authors who you love to give as well as get.

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

Diana Keough, contributing writer to FaithfulReader.com, interviewed Joel Osteen, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller YOUR BEST LIFE NOW: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. Osteen explains why he decided to write the book, addresses critics who believe that his overall message is too positive, and discusses what he hopes readers will take away from his writing.

More about YOUR BEST LIFE NOW: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, by Joel Osteen
Do you often dream of living a more rewarding life? Do you aspire to a better job, a stronger marriage, a happier home? Do you wish for more gratifying relationships with your family and friends? Perhaps you simply want to accomplish more and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. In this remarkable book, Joel Osteen offers you unique insights and encouragement that will help you overcome every obstacle you may encounter.

About the Book
Read an excerpt
Listen to an audio excerpt

FaithfulReader.com Talks to Lurlene McDaniel About Her New Series for Teens: Angels in Pink

This month we are sharing a new series that we think will be of interest to teens.

FaithfulReader.com Talks to Lurlene McDaniel
FaithfulReader.com contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed McDaniel about the development of this trilogy, the research she conducted in order to ensure that the medical details in KATHLEEN'S STORY were accurate, and the importance of incorporating humor into stories that deal with serious issues.

KATHLEEN'S STORY by Lurlene McDaniel (Fiction)
KATHLEEN'S STORY is the first book in the "ANGELS IN PINK" trilogy about three best friends who find that volunteering at the local hospital changes their lives in unexpected ways. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna and excerpted.

Read our interview with Lurlene McDaniel, our review of KATHLEEN'S STORY and more about the Angels in Pink trilogy here.

TERRIFY NO MORE by Gary A. Haugen

The news about childnapping for sex rings and other methods of exploitation in Southeast Asia after the tsumani inspired us to look more closely at this book:

TERRIFY NO MORE by Gary A. Haugen (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
This true story is set in Svay Pak, a remote village in Cambodia known for its child sex trade. Gary Haugen and the International Justice Mission (IJM) take readers on an undercover investigation as they infiltrate brothels to gather evidence that many Cambodians and Westerners alike are buying and abusing young girls.

LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING: A Story about Living, by Michael Morris (Fiction)
Reviewed by Marcia Ford
Nathan Bishop has worked hard to become a personal, professional and financial success --- to the detriment of his family and friends. But when a hospital stay following an accident on the job reveals a growth on his lungs, Nathan decides it's time to start rebuilding long-neglected relationships.

THE LISTENER: What If You Could Hear What God Hears? by Terri Blackstock (Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
What if God gave us the gift of reading people's innermost thoughts? This is the question bestselling author Terri Blackstock tackles in this slim novella, a beautiful story that will be appreciated for its motivational possibilities in spurring Christians to evangelism.

PAPER MOON: Moonstruck Series #1 by Linda Windsor (Fiction/Romance)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
This first installment in the "Moonstruck" series is a pleasant, uncomplicated love story with a dollop of suspense that should appeal especially to middle-aged single moms longing for romance.

THE DEUCE: Midtown Blue Series #1 by F. P. Lione (Mystery)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Readers who love "NYPD Blue" but like their stories free of sex and profanity, less violent, and with faith themes, will enjoy this first installment in the "Midtown Blue" series, which is rich in detail and resonates with authenticity.

WHY CHRISTIAN KIDS REBEL: Trading Heartache for Hope, by Dr. Tim Kimmel (Parenting & Families)
Reviewed by Diana Keough
Dr. Tim Kimmel, author of GRACE-BASED PARENTING and the bestselling LITTLE HOUSE ON THE FREEWAY, helps Christian parents avoid the potential problems their well-meaning parenting styles could create. This important book offers a new way to look at the "ideal" Christian home and shows why "Cocoon Christianity" doesn't always work.

PRAYERS FOR MOTHERS OF NEWBORNS by Angela Thomas (Parenting & Families/Spiritual Growth)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
This companionable gift book contains first-person narrative prayers for Christian moms who are looking for help articulating the joys, exhaustion, anxieties and delight that only a newborn baby can bring.

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES FOR SINGLES by Gary Chapman (Relationships/Love & Romance)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Gary Chapman first penned the bestselling THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES more than ten years ago. He now tackles the unique circumstances that singles face, and integrates how the same five love languages apply in their relationships.

Have you read more Christian Fiction in the past year?

Yes
No
Not sure

What, besides the Bible, was the best book you read in 2004?

Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't. You could then be eligible to win ALL THE WAY TO HEAVEN by Elizabeth Sherrill.

Please note that the next Word of Mouth update is February 26th.