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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
Late May 2005
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Here Comes Summer...
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As soon as Memorial Day comes, it's summer. Forget what the calendar says; it's time to think about everything that the season brings --- family get togethers, relaxed vacations and for many, more time for reading!
Our goal with this issue is to share titles that will find a place on your summer reading list. Whether you are looking for a title to escape with, or one to improve your mind, body and soul, we want to get you inspired to read.
For those of you who have a dad to celebrate we have a selection of books to give. If you are a dad, you can read this same selection to get inspired about books that you may want to get. Happy Father's Day to the dads amongst our readers.
Happy summer to all of you...
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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FaithfulReader.com Talks to David Murrow, Author of WHY MEN HATE GOING TO CHURCH
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FaithfulReader.com contributing writer Marcia Ford interviewed David Murrow, author of WHY MEN HATE GOING TO CHURCH. Murrow explains the characteristics of a "female-friendly" church and his belief that the church system is designed to meet the needs of women but not men. He talks about his own attempts to engender male interest in Christianity and why he thinks that, without such participation, the church will never achieve real success.
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Read our interview with David Murrow here.
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Catherine Palmer Answers the Faithful Fifteen
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Catherine Palmer has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. Her latest novel is SWEET VIOLET, the final installment in the "English Ivy" trilogy. In this interview Palmer talks about how she espoused the Christian faith as a young girl in Kenya and what it means to be a Christian writer. She explains the significance of "teatime" between her and her husband and why she believes Christian fiction is such a powerfully affecting genre, using the true story of a woman and her ill spouse as a poignant example.
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Read the Faithful Fifteen interviews here.
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Father's Day Roundup: Great Titles to Give and Get
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Fathers unfailingly provide wisdom, comfort and support to their families, and they help shape the lives of the people around them with their love and guidance. To show our affection and appreciation for dads everywhere, FaithfulReader.com has compiled books that honor these influential figures and role models. Included are touching stories and quotations to share between father and child, devotionals to aid their spiritual lives, and thrilling works of fiction for much-deserved downtime.
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Click here to read our Father's Day Roundup.
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Coming Soon
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Wondering what books are just out, or coming out in the months ahead? Be sure to check out our Coming Soon section on FaithfulReader.com. We have titles from May thru August listed. Please note that we have not listed every book coming out, but rather some that caught our eye --- and that we thought should catch yours as well.
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Click here to find out what's Coming Soon.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews |
LAND SAKES by Margaret A. Graham (Fiction)
Reviewed by Marcia Ford
Esmeralda's indelible spirit and homespun wisdom have made her a trustworthy figure, as she's always willing to lend a helping hand. So when a friend asks for a favor, Esmeralda packs her bags for an adventure on the high seas. But is Esmeralda fit for such an escapade? She has no clue what awaits her...
A LAND OF SHELTERED PROMISE by Jane Kirkpatrick (Historical Fiction)
Reviewed by Maggie Harding
With the Big Muddy Ranch in southern Oregon as the setting, Jane Kirkpatrick presents three separate stories that span one hundred years. In each story a woman of faith demonstrates unique courage and strength that is rewarded with hope, miracles, redemption and love.
CHANGES OF HEART by Paige Lee Elliston (Romance)
Reviewed by Maggie Harding
Maggie Locke thinks her life is almost perfect. Living and working on her treasured horse ranch nestled deep in the Montana countryside, she couldn't be happier. But in the blink of an eye, Maggie is hit with a devastating blow that challenges her faith, threatens her home, and changes her life forever.
APRONS ON A CLOTHESLINE by Traci DePree (Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Traci DePree's warm, sweet and humorous tales of small town Minnesota farm life will engage the hearts of faith fiction fans everywhere. In this third saga, DePree continues the enjoyable stories begun in her debut novel, A CAN OF PEAS, and its follow-up, DANDELIONS IN A JELLY JAR.
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Our Faithful Fiction reviews may be found here.
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Marriage & Family Life Reviews |
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WHEN HE LEAVES: Help and Hope for Hurting Wives by Kari West and Noelle Quinn (Marriage & Family Life)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Divorced Christian women will find help and healing in this thoughtful book that combines the authors' personal experiences with practical ideas for taking small steps toward recovery.
NEW LIFE AFTER DIVORCE: The Promise of Hope Beyond the Pain by Bill Butterworth (Christian Living/Relationships)
Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin
Whether you are in the earliest stages of divorce, newly single again, processing an earlier divorce, or know someone whose marriage is ending, NEW LIFE AFTER DIVORCE offers encouragement and hope that this new life will be a good one --- and the promise that healing, strength, purpose, and joy are around the corner.
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Read our Marriage & Family Life reviews here.
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Christian Living Reviews
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WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE: Awakening and Achieving Your Unspoken Dreams by J. Keith Miller (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
In a fast-paced and suspenseful narrative J. Keith Miller takes his readers on a journey into the hearts and heads of his characters who are struggling to discern what to do with the rest of their lives.
UNDER GOD by Toby Mac and Michael Tait, compiled by LeAnna Willis (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Marcia Ford
Bestselling authors Toby Mac and Michael Tait of dc Talk urge readers to take their stand for America's future --- by examining our past. Using unforgettable accounts of both famous and little-known Americans, UNDER GOD examines the stories of men and women who forged our nation.
THE SOUL TELLS A STORY: Engaging Creativity With Spirituality in the Writing Life by Vinita Hampton Wright (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Creative work is soul work, and soul work is always creative work. Feeding one while neglecting the other will leave you restless and unsatisfied. Nurturing them both will lead you to new places of self-discovery and God-discovery. In these pages Vinita Hampton Wright leads readers through the process and practice of integrating the worlds of Christian spirituality and creativity.
THE CRIME OF LIVING CAUTIOUSLY Hearing God's Call to Adventure by Luci Shaw (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Luci Shaw has learned to act with discernment when it comes to motivation and calling. She has discovered a path of deep joy and fulfillment by risking the unknown in partnership with God. In this book you will find the way to break through the fear barrier and follow God to new levels.
WANTING TO BE HER: Body Image Secrets Victoria Won't Tell You by Michelle Graham (Self-Help/Inspirational)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Michelle Graham exposes the lies we buy from the media and contemporary culture, and helps women everywhere to discover the true secrets of a positive body image.
BREATHE: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life by Keri Wyatt Kent (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Based on Jesus's call "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," BREATHE shares true stories and practical examples of how to find the rest Jesus promised.
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Read our Christian Living reviews here.
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Reading Group Guides
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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. Read more 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. Read more here.
THE REVELATION by Beverly Lewis
The powerful conclusion to the blockbuster ABRAM'S DAUGHTERS series, THE REVELATION is bittersweet and inspiring. It's a suspenseful story of long-awaited forgiveness, undying love and elusive second chances in Pennsylvania's Amish country. Read more 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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2005 Gold Medallion Book Award Nominees
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The Gold Medallion Book Awards, established in 1978, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and significance of contribution, the Gold Medallion Book Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry.
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Click here to view the 2005 Gold Medallion Book Award nominees.
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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 |
