July 2006

Discovering Books in the Rockies...

Last week I attended the International Christian Retailing Show in Denver. It's a terrific time to visit with authors that I know --- and meet new ones --- as well as plan out the upcoming months of FaithfulReader.com. I had the pleasure of attending the Christy Awards a week ago Saturday to kick off my time at this event. As fiction is a particular passion of mine, I enjoyed this opportunity to see Christian fiction honored. You can see the full roster of award winners here, and in the months to come, we plan to bring you excerpts from these award-winning titles. We also have links to the winners of the Christian Book Awards, formerly known as the Gold Medallion Awards. Both the 2006 winners and the runners-up are now up on the site. These lists provide some inspirational --- and entertaining --- reading for summer and beyond. 

This month we bring you two special Faithful Fifteen interviews. The first is Marcia Ford, one of our longtime contributing writers and the award-winning author of such books as MEMOIR OF A MISFIT and 101 MOST POWERFUL PROMISES OF THE BIBLE. Her newest release is THE SACRED ART OF FORGIVENESS and in her Faithful Fifteen interview she explores the role of faith in the book, explains why she loves C.S. Lewis and reveals her family's untraditional Thanksgiving tradition. I had lunch with Marcia at the show and she told me about the new book that she is writing on hope. I read THE SACRED ART OF FORGIVENESS and embraced her ideas on forgiving. Good reading.

Also, Christian Romantic Suspense author Susan May Warren answers our Faithful Fifteen, discussing her first Chick Lit book, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP JOSEY, her missionary work and the readers who have left her speechless and humbled.

We have discussion guides for six new Christian titles on ReadingGroupGuides.com, all worth taking a look at to enrich your reading experience. We also have a lot of interesting and exciting new features going up on ReadingGroupGuides.com this summer, including on going message board conversations about a wide variety of books, interviews with book clubs, booksellers and librarians, and the chance to win some truly unique and inspiring books. If you're in a book group, or simply want to go further in-depth into the books you read, make sure you visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.  

I hope you're having a lovely summer. Between the vast blue skies and the mountains of Colorado, getting to meet some wonderful authors and friends at the International Christian Retailing Show and looking ahead to the 10th Anniversary of The Book Report Network (the parent company of FaithfulReader.com), this summer has been wonderful for me so far. I hope it has for you as well. Here's to good reading.

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
 

Marcia Ford Answers the Faithful Fifteen

FaithfulReader.com's contributing writer Marcia Ford is the award-winning author of such books as MEMOIR OF A MISFIT and 101 MOST POWERFUL PROMISES OF THE BIBLE, and her newest release is THE SACRED ART OF FORGIVENESS. In this interview, Marcia describes the faith-based principles present in her work, talks about the rewarding aspects of working in hospice care, explains the influence of C. S. Lewis on her professional career, and recalls an emotional experience she had while at a book signing
 

Click here to read Marcia Ford's answers to the Faithful Fifteen.

Susan May Warren Answers the Faithful Fifteen

Susan May Warren, the author of numerous Christian Romantic Suspense novels, has written her first Chick Lit book, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP JOSEY. In this interview, Warren talks about her past missionary work abroad and how she views her writing career as a new kind of calling. She also credits two authors for majorly influencing her work, and shares touching stories about her family as well as encounters with her readers.

Click here to read Susan May Warren's answers to the Faithful Fifteen.

Award Winners

The 2006 Christy Award Winners
The Christy Advisory Board is pleased to announce winners in seven categories for the 2006 Christy Awards honoring Christian fiction. The 7th annual Christy Awards were presented on July 8th at the Denver Marriott City Center.

-Click here to see the winners.
 
The 2006 Christian Book Award Winners
The Christian Book Award winners were announced at the CBA & ECPA Awards Celebration held in Denver the evening of Monday, July 10th. The Christian Book Awards (formerly the Gold Medallion Book Awards) are given by the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association (ECPA) to recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books.

-Click here to see the winners.
 
 

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Now in Stores: SKELLS: Midtown Blue Series #3 by F. P. Lione

SKELLS: Midtown Blue Series #3 by F. P. Lione (Mystery)
In their third installment of the Midtown Blue series and their best book to date, the husband and wife team of F. P. Lione (Frank and Pam) offer an absorbing look at the New York Police Department while continuing the story of Tony Cavalucci and his new walk of faith. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

-Click here to read an excerpt from SKELLS.
-Click here to read our study guide for SKELLS.

Click here to read our review of SKELLS.

Now in Stores: A SOUNDING BRASS by Shelley Bates

A SOUNDING BRASS by Shelley Bates (Fiction)
Shelley Bates, author of POCKETFUL OF PEARLS and GROUNDS TO BELIEVE, concludes her Elect Trilogy with this engaging, competent novel that wraps up the stories of the members of a cultic Christian group and shows the freedom of faith without legalism. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

Click here to read our review of A SOUNDING BRASS.

Now in Stores: THE RAPTURE by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

THE RAPTURE: In the Twinkling of an Eye - Countdown to the Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (Fiction)
In the moments leading up to the Rapture, nobody knows it's coming as the clock silently ticks down. In the twinkling of an eye, loved ones disappear without a goodbye. Heaven rejoices as millions are welcomed into the unspeakable presence of God. But the darkest days may lie ahead for those who have been left behind. Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin.

Click here to read our review of THE RAPTURE.

Faithful Fiction Reviews

A TIME TO MEND by Angela Hunt (Romance)
Her mother's tragic death led Jacquelyn Wilkes to her career as a nurse, in hopes of saving others from similar sorrow. But her carefully built world was shaken when a new doctor, Jonah Martin, arrived at the clinic. Warm with his patients, yet coolly distant toward the nurses, his behavior fueled her mistrust, until she discovered a lump in her breast --- one that was malignant. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

SISTERCHICKS IN GONDOLAS! by Robin Jones Gunn (Fiction)
Jenna and Sue have been sisters-in-law for nearly 30 years but inseparable friends for only the last five. When Jenna is invited to a week's stay at a 15th century restored palace on a quiet canal in Venice, Sue is her travel companion of choice. The catch? They must cook for a group that is staying at the palace for a retreat. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

THE RECITAL by Robert Elmer (Fiction)
Gerrit and Joan discovered the beauty of second chances when they fell in love. But life isn't "happily ever after" when the widowed dairy farmer and big-city piano teacher get married. In this sequel to THE DUET, Robert Elmer pens a sweet story about the challenges of putting away the past, the transforming nature of love, and the power of faith. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

A STITCH IN TIME by Allison Bottke (Fiction)
Fundraising executive Dee Decker, who learns that her husband has been having an affair, embarks on a journey of transformational change and self-discovery. She becomes a new person inside and out, and the future looks bright. But then a job offer sends her life in a direction she hadn't expected. Her past and present are about to collide in a major way. Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin.

Christian Living Reviews

I CAN'T DO IT ALL! Breaking Free from the Lies that Control Us by Tracie Peterson, Allison Bottke and Dianne O'Brian (Self-Help)
Writing from their hearts, Tracie Peterson, Allison Bottke and Dianne O'Brian bring readers face-to-face with the lies women believe. In a transparent, vulnerable style, they address the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of life common to women. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

OCEAN STAR: The True Story of a Heart Lost and Found by Christina DiMari (Memoir)
Christina DiMari's inspiring memoir of overcoming a dark childhood of violence, abuse and substance addictions to find faith, love and the creative life offers hope and encouragement to anyone who has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

UNLEASHING THE FORCE OF FAVOR: Take Your Life to the Next Level by Duane Vander Klok (Christian Living)
Through biblical examples and powerful personal experience, Pastor Duane Vander Klok will help you realize that God means for you to enjoy His favor every day. Vander Klok offers practical, scriptural advice on the importance of raising your expectation of favor, believing God's promises about it and letting your faith move your mouth, so you can unleash the force of favor in your life. Reviewed by Michele Howe

DRIVEN BY ETERNITY: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever by John Bevere (Christian Living)
Bestselling author John Bevere delivers compelling principles on how to live with hope and assurance that will carry you through to eternity. He reminds us that all believers will stand before God and receive what they have earned in life. In building their lives to be ready for that day, and maintaining an eternal frame of reference, readers will develop significant lives. Reviewed by Margaret Feinberg.

RISK: Are You Willing to Trust God with Everything? by Kenny Luck (Christian Living)
Predictability. Control. Safety. Comfort. Jesus challenges God's man to throw all those words out the window. Because, when it comes to your faith, all the energy spent eliminating risk from your life actually becomes a barrier to progress in your spiritual journey. Reviewed by Michele Howe

SECOND CALLING: Finding Passion & Purpose for the Rest of Your Life by Dale Hanson Bourke (Christian Living)
"I believe God wants to take women on 'second half of life' adventures," writes Dale Hanson Bourke. And here she provides a basic blueprint for approaching this season with prayer, passion and purpose. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology by Eugene H. Peterson (Spirituality)
In conversational style --- with the heart of a kindly pastor and the knowledge and teaching skills of a seasoned professor --- Eugene H. Peterson explains what it means to let Christ play out His life in our lives. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

Marriage and Family Life Reviews

HOW TO WIN A FAMILY FIGHT by Will Cunningham (Self-Help)
If you can't seem to break the cycle of fighting in your marriage, Will Cunningham offers some solid tips on ways to make conflicts resolvable, and ideas on how to have less of them, in this light and funny self-help book updated from the original more than two decades ago. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

BETTER DADS, STRONGER SONS: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character by Rick Johnson (Self-Help)
Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, always striving to teach their sons the life skills they'll need to grow into honorable men. That may seem like a tall order. But, as Rick Johnson maintains, being a good father isn't so much what kind of parent you are as what kind of person you are. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

New Guides

The following Christian guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:

CLAIRE KNOWS BEST by Tracey Bateman 
DIVAS OF DAMASCUS ROAD by Michelle Stimpson
LIKE SHEEP GONE ASTRAY by Leslie J. Sherrod
RACHEL'S PRAYER by Leisha Kelly
A SOUNDING BRASS by Shelley Bates
SKELLS by F.P. Lione
 

Coming Soon on FaithfulReader.com

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 July and 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.

In the summer do you find yourself reading more?
 
Yes, I read more during the summer.
No, my reading habits don't change.
I am not sure if my reading habits change.
 
 
Do you read "lighter fare" during the summer?
 
Yes, I read lighter books during the summer.
No, my reading habits don't change.
I am not sure if I read "lighter fare" during the summer.

What book are you most looking forward to reading this summer?