April 2007

Celebrating Mothers and Spring

Mother’s Day is May 13th. In honor of this special day, FaithfulReader.com has compiled a list of books that celebrates the joys and pays tribute to the struggles of motherhood, with everything from faith-nurturing devotionals, unique prayer suggestions and reflections on strong women from history and Scripture, to fun and inspirational fiction.

Anne Lamott tackles themes of motherhood, faith, love and self-discovery in her latest book, GRACE (EVENTUALLY). Cindy Crosby reviews the book and interviews Lamott --- chatting about raising her teenage son, the vitality of reading, and finding grace in unexpected places. We also have an interview with Nicole Young, author of LOVE ME IF YOU MUST, along with about the book info and an excerpt from the book.

Tom Donadio, our Editorial Manager, has updated the Coming Soon feature, so we now have titles from April through August listed. I’m always looking for an excuse to plan what to read next, and I’m excited to dive into many of the titles on the list.

Our review sections are full of books to read now --- Mark Andrew Olsen’s newest title, THE WATCHERS, is now available, and nonfiction fans will be inspired by YOU! GOD’S BRAND NEW IDEA by Max Lucado. Along with our Faithful Fiction, Christian Living, and Marriage & Family Life reviews, we also are spotlighting FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY by husband and wife team Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey, and SKIN, the latest from bestselling author Ted Dekker. SKIN is our Word of Mouth contest book for this month, so be sure to weigh in on what you’re reading to be eligible to win.

I hope you and your loved ones had a lovely and spiritually fulfilling Easter holiday. It’s still cold here in New York, but we’re looking forward to spring and celebrating all the blossoming crocuses and rays of sunlight that come with it.

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

 

FaithfulReader.com's Mother's Day Roundup

To be a mother is to undertake one of the most difficult yet rewarding endeavors that life can offer. Mothers wear many hats; not only do they bring the gift of life into this world, they also are responsible for childrearing and acting as emotional and spiritual beacons for their families, all the while managing households, working outside the home and facing challenges that today's changing world presents. FaithfulReader.com pays tribute to these extraordinary and inimitable women with a list of titles fit for today's busy moms. In this roundup, you'll find everything from faith-nurturing devotionals, unique prayer suggestions, and reflections on strong women from history and Scripture, to fun and inspirational fiction, as well as insightful how-to books on being the best parent --- and person --- you can be.

Click here to read our roundup of Mother's Day titles.

FaithfulReader.com Talks to Anne Lamott, Author of GRACE (EVENTUALLY)

Anne Lamott's writing is witty, often profane and deeply authentic. In GRACE (EVENTUALLY) she continues in the vein of TRAVELING MERCIES and PLAN B, chronicling her life as a Christian, liberal, parent and friend. FaithfulReader.com's Cindy Crosby chats with Lamott about middle age, living with a teenager, her new mellow outlook on life and what she considers the greatest joy of all.

GRACE (EVENTUALLY): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (Essays)
In her third book on faith, following TRAVELING MERCIES and PLAN B, Anne Lamott examines the ways we're caught in life's most daunting predicaments: love, mothering, work, politics, and maybe toughest of all, evolving from who we are to who we were meant to be. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

Click here to read our interview with Anne Lamott and a review of GRACE(EVENTUALLY).

Author Talk: Nicole Young, Author of LOVE ME IF YOU MUST

Click here to read an interview with Nicole Young and more about LOVE ME IF YOU MUST.

Now in Stores: FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance

Now in Stores: LOVE ME IF YOU MUST by Nicole Young

LOVE ME IF YOU MUST by Nicole Young
An old Victorian house with secrets buried in the basement…
A sassy renovator with a hidden past…
An unsolved murder for which there is more than one suspect…

Patricia Amble, Tish to her friends, just wants a little peace and tranquility while she renovates her latest project. But she’s barely started before she begins to suspect that there’s more to her Victorian than what was reported on the Seller’s Disclosure. Trying to overcome her own guilty conscience, Tish sets out to uncover what is really buried in her basement. Things get interesting when her search leads her to an unsolved murder case. Soon her list of suspects is as long as her tape measure --- and includes her very handsome neighbor who is vying for her attention. What is really going on just under the surface of this sleepy, small town? Tish isn’t sure, but she’s determined to find out.

-Click here to read an interview with Nicole Young.
-Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE ME IF YOU MUST.

On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi-truck that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music.

Click here to see a reading group guide for 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN.

Click here to read an excerpt from 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN.

Now in Stores: SKIN by Ted Dekker

SKIN by Ted Dekker (Thriller)
A freak storm has spawned three tornados that are bearing down on the town of Summerville. Yet under the cover of the storm looms a much more ominous threat: a vindictive killer who has left a string of victims in his wake and is now bent on exacting his final revenge on the unsuspecting town. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

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 April through 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.

Faithful Fiction Reviews

THE WATCHERS by Mark Andrew Olsen (Thriller)
For 2,000 years the Watchers have seen beyond the veil separating this world from the next, passing on their gift through a lineage mostly overlooked. Throughout history they've scouted the borders of the supernatural frontier, but now their survival hangs by a thread. And their fate lies in the hands of a young woman, her would-be killer and a mystery they must solve. Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick.

HIDDEN HISTORY: Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #3 by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
While giving the laundry room of Grace Chapel Inn a thorough cleaning, Alice Howard finds an old hatbox containing her father's teenage journal dating back to the early 1900s. As Alice reads it aloud each evening to her sisters, the hidden history of their beloved dad sheds new light on his life and their own. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

IN HIGH PLACES by Tom Morrisey (Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Patrick Nolan returns home from a father-and-son rock-climbing trip to discover his mother's apparent suicide. A heartbroken Patrick and his dad decide to leave Toledo to open a climbing shop in West Virginia, where Patrick must grow up fast in matters of family, faith and love. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

FLIES ON THE BUTTER by Denise Hildreth (Fiction)
As a high-powered child advocate in Washington, DC, Rose Fletcher has put her Southern upbringing behind her. But the peace and happiness she sought have eluded her. Now Rose must head South, where she'll face her demons and confront the issues that kept her away all these years. Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick.

WHISPERS THROUGH THE TREES: Mysteries of Sparrow Island #1 by Susan Plunkett & Krysteen Seelen (Mystery)
Abby Stanton, a noted East Coast bird specialist, rushes home to the magnificent San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest after a terrible car accident leaves her sister paralyzed from the waist down. While there, Abby spots a rare and endangered marbled murrelet and its mate. Determined to save them, she finds herself caught up in a fascinating intrigue about one of the long-time families on Sparrow Island. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN: Mysteries of Sparrow Island #2 by Ellen Harris (Mystery)
A small plane disappears from the sky above Sparrow Island, and Abby knows she must do something to help. Together, she and Sergeant Henry Cobb set off to hunt for survivors. They find the plane but not the passengers --- who it seems don't want to be found. Abby's wilderness skills are put to the test as she and Henry go on a chase to try to uncover the secrets of the passengers' hidden pasts. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

Christian Living Reviews

YOU! GOD'S BRAND NEW IDEA: Made to Be Amazing by Max Lucado (Christian Living)
In this upbeat and intriguing gift book, bestselling author Max Lucado praises the inborn purpose and potential God has packaged in every human being. Each person is a brand new idea from God, and the challenge is to live to the full potential of that idea. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

THE STRENGTH OF CHARACTER: 7 Essential Traits of a Remarkable Life by Charles R. Swindoll (Inspirational)
Beloved pastor and writer Charles R. Swindoll presents an accessible guide to choosing a life of strong character. In his no-nonsense, straight-shooting style, he invites readers to develop the character traits of a life lived to the fullest. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

SPIRITUAL PROGRESS: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be, by Thomas D. Williams (Christian Living)
Father Thomas D. Williams, the Vatican Analyst for NBC News, challenges readers to follow Jesus and discover the rich adventure of the Christian faith. He draws on the vast knowledge he's gained from his own spiritual journey to inspire others in the pursuit of progress. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

Marriage and Family Life Review

A SIMPLE WEDDING: A Faith-Filled Guide to Enjoying a Stress-Free Wedding by Sharon Hanby-Robie (Practical Life/Marriage)
Sharon Hanby-Robie brings an eye for beauty and a passion for simplicity into the wedding planning process. Her practical advice helps readers create a wedding ceremony that reflects who they are, while her biblically-based wisdom centers couples in their real goal --- creating a marriage that lasts. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

FaithfulReader.com Poll

Vote in our Poll here.

What Christian-themed title would you give a friend who is a non-believer to give them an idea of what your faith means to you?

Answer the Question of the Month here.

Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't. You could then be eligible to win a copy of SKIN by Ted Dekker.