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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
May 2005
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More News than Ever
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Our FaithfulReader.com newsletter grew in size by 50% this issue. We now have room for up to fifteen features each month. Given the way our features and review selections have been growing, we are excited that we are able to spotlight even more books and authors for you.
This issue has six terrific interviews, reviews of titles that we really love and a list of the Christy Award nominees. We think there is something very special about handing a person a book and saying, "We think you would like to read this." That is the kind of feeling we like to convey here at FaithfulReader.com. I thank our reviewers for their writing, which has inspired me to read so many of the books that we cover here.
Please share this newsletter with friends and fellow church members who you think will enjoy it. We'd like to grow our readers as we are growing our content. Thank you for helping us do that.
Our next website update will be done next week. This newsletter update was delayed as we worked on this new newsletter format.
Enjoy your reading.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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FaithfulReader.com Talks to Frank Peretti, Author of MONSTER
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FaithfulReader.com's contributing writer W. Terry Whalin interviewed Frank Peretti, the internationally bestselling author of THE OATH and THIS PRESENT DARKNESS. Peretti discusses the plotline of MONSTER --- his first fiction book for adults in six years --- the research he conducted for the novel, and his writing routine, which is always a four-step process.
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Read our interview with Frank Peretti here.
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Five Authors Answer The Faithful Fifteen
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Eric and Leslie Ludy are bestselling authors, international speakers, and recording artists who challenge young adults around the world to pursue a life completely devoted to Jesus Christ. In this interview Eric and Leslie talk about their latest book, TEACHING TRUE LOVE TO A SEX-AT-13 GENERATION, the significant role that writing plays in religion, and their encounters with young people whose lives have been changed because of the message in their books.
Kathleen Morgan, a registered nurse with a master's degree in counseling, is the author of numerous books --- including ALL GOOD GIFTS, THE CHRISTKINDL'S GIFT, the "Brides of Culdee Creek" series, and her latest, CHILD OF THE MIST. In this interview Morgan talks about the first installment of her new fantasy series, her calling as a writer and as a Christian, and some memorable encounters with readers that have especially touched her.
Charles Stone serves as senior pastor of the Ginger Creek Community Church, a church of 1,000 in the Chicago suburbs. He has collaborated with his daughter Heather to write DAUGHTERS GONE WILD, DADS GONE CRAZY. In this interview Charles talks about his church experiences, the importance of faith-based writing, and how he helped a security guard strengthen his relationship with God.
Heather Stone is a nursing student at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, specializing in pediatrics. She wrote DAUGHTERS GONE WILD, DADS GONE CRAZY with her father Charles. In this interview Heather talks about her relationship with God, her prayer habits, and how one of her best friends got saved.
Ellen Vaughn is an award-winning author and speaker. Her books include THE STRAND, GIDEON'S TORCH, and RADICAL GRATITUDE, her latest work of nonfiction. In this interview Vaughn talks about how she came to a saving knowledge of Jesus, explains the importance of the local church, and tells a touching story about her neighbor's gradual acceptance of Christ.
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Read the Faithful Fifteen interviews here.
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Special Contest: A THOUSAND TOMORROWS by Karen Kingsbury
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Enter our Contest to Win One of 5 Copies of A THOUSAND TOMORROWS
Best-selling author Karen Kingsbury delivers a major new novel about a young couple whose powerful love must face the ultimate challenge. Cody Gunner has no use for real love. Ali Daniels denies love as well. When Cody and Ali meet, their first instinct is to hide behind their emotional walls, seemingly doomed to repeat the patterns they have established for most of their lives.
To be eligible to win, read an excerpt here and answer this question by May 25, 2005:
What changed everything for Mary and her family?
Replies should be sent to [email protected].
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Read more about our Karen Kingsbury contest here.
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CHANGES OF HEART by Paige Lee Elliston is Now in Stores
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After the unexpected death of her husband, Maggie Locke's perfect life is shattered. With caution, she slowly finds solace in friendships and discovers that Danny Pulver, her ranch veterinarian, and Ian Lane, the vibrant new minister, both have feelings for her.
Then a terrible blizzard hits the town on Thanksgiving night while Maggie is away from home-and she finds she must rely on both Danny and Ian to fight the howling winds and rescue her livelihood. But will one of them rescue her heart instead?
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Read more about CHANGES OF HEART here.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews |
THE WARRIOR by Francine Rivers (Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Francine Rivers's second installment in the "Sons of Encouragement" series --- which chronicles the life of Caleb, a biblical man of courage --- will appeal to those who have read her "Lineage of Grace" novels.
THE LAST JUDGMENT by Craig Parshall (Legal Thriller)
Reviewed by Maggie Harding
In the fifth and final installment of Craig Parshall's "Chambers of Justice" series, Will Chambers is called upon to defend a young Christian convert against charges of terrorism.
KNITTING by Anne Bartlett (Fiction)
Women's work --- particularly knitting --- is the thread that binds together friends and helps to mend grieving hearts in this spare, moving debut novel from Anne Bartlett, a new Australian writer to watch. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
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Our Faithful Fiction reviews may be found here.
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Marriage & Family Life Reviews |
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DAUGHTERS GONE WILD, DADS GONE CRAZY by Charles Stone & Heather Stone (Parenting & Families)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Fifteen psychologists, twelve secondary schools, four expulsions, four rehabs, two house arrests, and innumerable arguments --- this was the real-life drama of Heather Stone's adolescence. Now in college, Heather, the once rebellious teen, has sat down with her father to pen an insider's guide for parents and teenagers alike.
A LEGACY OF LOVE: Things I Learned from My Mother by Ruth Graham with Stacy Mattingly (Inspirational)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Ruth Graham, third child and youngest daughter of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, shares sentimental insights, stories, and lessons learned from her mother through her childhood and into her adult life.
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Read our Marriage & Family Life reviews here.
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Christian Living Reviews
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RADICAL GRATITUDE: Discovering Joy Through Everyday Thankfulness by Ellen Vaughn (Christian Living/Personal Growth)
Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
A masterful storyteller and teacher, Ellen Vaughn shows that our blessings come not from sheer determination or positive thinking, but from God's refreshing gift of radical gratitude.
CAPTIVATING: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge (Christian Living/Spiritual Growth)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Bestselling author John Eldredge and his wife, Stasi, unveil the beauty and mystery of the feminine soul by showing readers the three core desires of every woman's heart.
PLAN B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (Essays)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Anne Lamott's lively essays tackle everything from parenting to the war in Iraq; from the collapse of the body in middle-age and racial tension at her small congregation, to angst over her departed mother. Readers who loved TRAVELING MERCIES will enjoy catching up with this talented Salon.com columnist.
GO GIRL: Finding Adventure Wherever the Road Leads by Marlee LeDai (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Whether you'd like to walk the warm sands of a Hawaiian beach, camp at a nearby lake, take a day excursion while on a business trip, or just read of such travels, Marlee LeDai can help you find adventure wherever you are.
GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK by John Ortberg (Christian Living/Spiritual Growth)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
The Bible is filled with examples of an intimate God who promises to be with us. Yet somehow, intimacy with God eludes us. So how do we attain it? GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK shows how you can enjoy a vibrant, moment-by-moment relationship with your heavenly Father.
THE HOSPITAL BY THE RIVER: A Story of Hope by Dr. Catherine Hamlin with John Little (Memoir)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Break out the Kleenex. This fascinating account of Dr. Catherine Hamlin's work with more than 20,000 women in Ethiopia suffering from devastating childbirth injuries is a compelling narrative that will break your heart --- and offer hope that even the worst circumstances can be changed if we care enough to help.
GOD AND THE OVAL OFFICE: The Religious Faith of Our 43 Presidents by John C. McCollister (Religion/History)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
This interesting glimpse into the faith --- and lack of faith -- of our 43 presidents by former pastor John C. McCollister should earn a place on any history lover's bookshelf as an essential reference book.
REAL SEX: The Naked Truth About Chastity by Lauren F. Winner (Sexuality & Gender Studies)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Lauren F. Winner, the highly acclaimed author of the memoir GIRL MEETS GOD, speaks candidly to single Christians about the difficulty --- and the importance --- of sexual chastity.
MEET ME IN THE MEADOW: Finding God in the Wildflowers by Deborah Hedstrom-Page (Inspirational)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Thirty-six informational essays on wildflowers with devotional thoughts and applications are beautifully presented here, along with wildflower recipes and craft ideas. Even those readers who already love and have a working knowledge of wildflowers will find new information and insights into the wonder of God's handiwork here.
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Read our Christian Living reviews here.
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Reading Group Guides
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Here are two books by Charles Martin that make perfect book club discussions. We also have links to discussion guides for them.
WRAPPED IN RAIN by Charles Martin
Charles Martin's tremendous talent is evident throughout this story of the power of forgiveness and sacrifice. This fine novel exemplifies many of the best elements of evangelical Christian fiction. WRAPPED IN RAIN is a tough and tender novel about weathering adversity and recognizing the many faces of love, regardless of who, how, where, or why. Love is a risk --- but it's far more dangerous to live without it. See the guide here.
THE DEAD DON'T DANCE by Charles Martin
Dylan and Maggie Stiles have a perfect life --- they have a terrific marriage and they are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. The day their son is born the world abruptly changes when Maggie lapses into a coma. Instead of Dylan celebrating he is now looking for himself --- and his faith --- a world without Maggie. This is the story of his finding his way back to life. See the guide here.
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See more discussion guides here.
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Christy Award Nominees
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Here are the nominees in six categories for the 2005 Christy Awards honoring Christian fiction.
2005 Nominees
First Novel
The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin (WestBow Press)
The Mending String by Cliff Coon (Moody Publishers)
There is a Wideness by Mark McAllister (RiverOak)
General
Bad Ground by W. Dale Cramer (Bethany House Publishers)
No Dark Valley by Jamie Langston Turner (Bethany House Publishers)
Tiger Lillie by Lisa Samson (WaterBrook Press)
Historical
King's Ransom by Jan Beazely/Thom Lemmons (WaterBrook Press)
Retribution by Randall Ingermanson (Zondervan)
Third Watch by Bodie & Brock Thoene (Tyndale)
Romance
Secrets by Kristen Heitzmann (Bethany House Publishers)
Wild Heather by Catherine Palmer (Tyndale)
Winter Winds by Gayle Roper (Multnomah)
Suspense
The Assignment by Mark Andrew Olsen (Bethany House Publishers)
River's Edge by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)
Tiger in the Shadows by Debbie Wilson (Kregel)
Visionary
Beyond the Summerland by L.B. Graham (P&R Publishing)
Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul (WaterBrook Press)
The Shadow Within by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers)
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FaithfulReader.com Poll: New Christian Authors |
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Do you enjoy discovering new Christian authors?
Yes
No
Not sure
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Answer the Poll here.
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FaithfulReader Question of the Month |
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Who are the Christian authors that you discovered in the past year?
Please note that the next Question of the Month update will be on June 22nd.
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Answer the Question of the Month here.
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Word of Mouth: What You're Reading |
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Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't. You could then be eligible to win VIENNA PRELUDE by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Please note that the next Word of Mouth update is June 22nd. |
Tell us what you are reading here to be eligible to win!
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As always, here are a few housekeeping notes. If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
Those of you who wish to send mail to FaithfulReader.com, please see the form on the Write to Us page.
Thanks for reading....and don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend.
--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107 |
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