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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
July 2007
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Fiction Wins
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Gee, but it's great to be back home! I love to travel, but after weeks of traveling around, I love getting back into a routine around the house again. Luckily I had my sons with me on many of my trips this summer. They both are avid readers and thus enjoy getting out to meet authors as much as me.
As you know I am a huge fiction lover. So I was thrilled upon learning that Karen Kingsbury had won the Christian Book of the Year Award for her book, EVER AFTER, thus making it the first novel ever to win this prize. Congratulations to Karen, and here's to more acknowledgment of fiction like this in the future. We also were thrilled to see Charles Martin, who has been a favorite author here at FaithfulReader.com, take the award for Best Fiction. At the same time the Christy Awards recognized another group of fiction winners this year. Take a look at both of these features for award-winning books to read.
We are in the midst of an office renovation that will keep us busy these next few weeks. I had envisioned this construction project as being a lot simpler than it is ending up to be, but I think that's how things go. Once we are done we will be able to hire some new staffers and get some much-needed breathing room. Most of the staff will be working from home these next two weeks. How I love the wired world!
Lots of good reading this month...I hope you enjoy this issue. Here's to summer reading!
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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Special Feature: CATCH A RISING STAR by Tracey Bateman
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CATCH A RISING STAR by Tracey Bateman (Fiction)
When thirtysomething Tabby Brockman is invited to rejoin the cast of the top-rated soap opera in the U.S., she figures this must be God's reward for her patience and relative good behavior.
But back on the set, she's faced with the same hateful head writer who killed off her character in the first place, kids who drive her crazy, a stage dad who rubs her completely wrong, and an unwanted boyfriend who can't seem to get the message. Faced with this dizzying roller coaster of challenges, Tabby has to wonder: is she finally a star on the rise, or just on the brink of another spectacular fall?
-Click here to read an excerpt from CATCH A RISING STAR.
-Click here to read Tracey Bateman's bio. |
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Click here to read more about CATCH A RISING STAR and Tracey Bateman.
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Special Feature: ONE STEP OVER THE BORDER by Stephen Bly
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ONE STEP OVER THE BORDER by Stephen Bly (Fiction)
Hap Bowman and his rodeo partner, Laramie Majors, set out to find Hap's lost childhood love and are soon chasing down every Juanita from Wyoming to the Mexican border. Every place they go leads to more trouble and excitement --- whether it's herding cattle across the Rio Grande, facing off against a crooked park ranger in the Chisos Mountains, or rounding up wild mustangs on a desert military testing ground. Though their search may or may not lead to Juanita, it will definitely be the adventure of a lifetime for these two modern-day cowboys.
-Click here to read an excerpt from ONE STEP OVER THE BORDER.
-Click here to read a Q&A with Stephen Bly.
-Click here to read Stephen Bly's bio. |
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Click here to read more about ONE STEP OVER THE BORDER and Stephen Bly.
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Special Feature: MISS KATIE'S ROSEWOOD by Michael Phillips
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MISS KATIE'S ROSEWOOD: Carolina Cousins #4 by Michael Phillips (Historical Fiction)
Winds of change are blowing over the Carolina cotton fields --- changes that will rock the lives of all those who live at the Rosewood Plantation. Katie and Mayme are young women now. Jeremiah has left to seek work in the city. Can change be far behind for the rest of the Rosewood family? Trouble lives not only in the South --- danger lurks everywhere. When Katie and Mayme travel north by train to Philadelphia, only one of them is still on board when the train reaches its destination.
-Click here to read an excerpt from MISS KATIE'S ROSEWOOD. |
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Click here to read more about MISS KATIE'S ROSEWOOD and Michael Phillips.
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FaithfulReader.com Talks to Athol Dickson, Author of THE CURE
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Athol Dickson is one of Christian fiction's most original suspense writers, and his latest, THE CURE, has as many twists and turns as a bagful of pretzels. As homeless pastor Riley Keep battles alcoholism and carries a suitcase full of good intentions that always seem to go awry, the author develops deeper themes about redemption, miracles, suffering and faith. In this interview, Dickson shares with FaithfulReader.com's Cindy Crosby his own experiences with meth addiction and homelessness, why he believes Maine is "one strange place," his views on suffering and worry, and the best advice he ever heard for writing suspense novels.
THE CURE by Athol Dickson (Thriller)
Athol Dickson is one of Christian suspense's star writers, and his latest spooky thriller continues his tradition of excellence. Themes of redemption, commitment and sacrifice make this a must-read novel for anyone interested in inspirational fiction. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
-Click here to read a review of THE CURE.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE CURE. |
Click here to read our interview with Athol Dickson.
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The 2007 Christy Award Winners
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The 8th annual Christy Awards were presented on July 7th at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, prior to the opening of the International Christian Retail Show. The Awards are designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview; bring a new awareness of the breadth and depth of fiction choices available, helping to broaden the readership; and provide opportunity to recognize novelists whose work may not have reached bestseller status. |
Click here to see the winners of the 2007 Christy Awards.
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The Christian Book Award Winners
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The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association has announced the Christian Book Award Winners for 2007, honoring the year's finest in Christian publishing. Since 1978 the Christian Book Awards (formerly the Gold Medallion Awards) have awarded excellence in six categories: Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Children & Youth, Inspiration & Gift, Christian Life, and Fiction. The Christian Book Award Winners and Christian Book of the Year were announced at the CBA & ECPA Awards Celebration held in Atlanta the evening of Monday, July 9th. |
Click here to see the winners of the 2007 Christian Book Awards.
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Now in Stores: PRIME CHOICE by Stephanie Perry Moore
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PRIME CHOICE: Perry Skky, Jr. Series #1 by Stephanie Perry Moore (Fiction)
High school senior Perry Skky, Jr. is handsome, popular, smart and the best football player in the state. But when he thinks about taking his relationship with his girlfriend, Tori, to the next level, Perry must choose between doing what feels good or doing right by God. |
Click here to read more about PRIME CHOICE.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews
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THE SCRIBE: Book #5 in the Sons of Encouragement Series by Francine Rivers (Fiction)
Bestselling Christian novelist Francine Rivers recounts the events of the life of the early church through Silas, the traveling companion of Paul and witness to Jesus's life and teachings. A Bible study section at the end of the book allows for greater exploration of the scriptures on which the novella is based and its application to Christians today. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
SPLIT ENDS: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning by Kristin Billerbeck (Fiction)
Wyoming hairstylist Sarah Claire Winowski is off to Hollywood to try her scissors on the rich and famous. But jealous co-workers make her look bad, her clothes are all wrong and she is forced to change her name to the trendier "Sarah Winston." Romance is hovering in the wings, however, as is a happily-ever-after ending. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
FINDER'S FEE by Alton Gansky (Thriller)
Veteran suspense writer Alton Gansky explores genetic engineering ethics and redemption in his latest thriller. Judith Find receives a frightening phone call that threatens to derail her success: "You know what you did… If you hang up he will die." She is led into a web of intrigue and romance with a man who has his own dark secret. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT by Jerome Teel (Legal Thriller)
When a Supreme Court justice dies, the pressure is on to fill the vacant seat --- a position that, if assumed by the right person, will tip the voting power on the issue of abortion and give conservatives the clout they need to overturn the classic Roe v. Wade ruling. The ensuing fallout threatens to rip the country apart. Reviewed by Maggie Harding. |
Click here to read our Faithful Fiction reviews.
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Christian Living Reviews
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COMPLETELY HIS: Loving Jesus Without Limits by Shannon Ethridge (Christian Living)
In a moment of distraction, 16-year-old Shannon Ethridge took her eyes off the road just long enough to cause a deadly accident, striking and killing Marjorie Jarstfer, who was out for her morning bicycle ride on the country road. In COMPLETELY HIS, Ethridge shares for the first time the amazing true story of the grace and forgiveness extended to her by the Jarstfer family. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
COMPLETELY FORGIVEN: Responding to God's Transforming Grace by Shannon Ethridge (Christian Living)
Does the abundant life Jesus promised seem like a distant dream, something that will always remain just out of your grasp? Do you wrestle with a sense of inadequacy, wondering how God could possibly use someone like you? Let this encouraging devotional serve as a daily reminder that God delights in using imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
COMPLETELY LOVED: Recognizing God's Passionate Pursuit of Us by Shannon Ethridge (Christian Living)
Did you know that God is pursuing you, not out of anger or disappointment but because He desires an intimate relationship with you? The Creator of the universe invites you to walk and converse with Him, and this devotional serves as your daily meeting place. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
THE VOICE OF LUKE: Not Even Sandals by Brian McLaren (Christian Living)
In this fourth installment of the multi-author The Voice series, emergent church "father" Brian McLaren tries his hand at retelling the Gospel of Luke while offering background commentary throughout. In the series, authors try to present the scriptural text as narrative story, including emotion, meaning, experience and more holistic communication. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
PRAY BIG: The Power of Pinpoint Prayers by Will Davis Jr. (Christian Living/Spiritual Growth)
Do we test the Holy Spirit's patience with prayer that asks nothing of him? Will Davis Jr., pastor of Austin Christian Fellowship, calls believers to a more risky and rewarding practice of prayer. PRAY BIG teaches readers how to pray with biblical, pinpoint accuracy. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
PURSUED BY THE SHEPHERD: Every Woman's Journey from Lost to Found by Karon Phillips Goodman (Christian Living)
At one time or another, most women feel like lost sheep desiring to be rescued by the Shepherd. Whether misguided by mistakes, lost in muddled priorities, or alone in denial, every woman needs encouragement, understanding and guidance on reuniting with God. This book explores how women become lost and reveals they are never so lost that the Shepherd won't search for them. Reviewed by Michele Howe. |
Click here to read our Christian Living reviews.
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Besides this website, where do you get information about new books? (Please check as many as apply.)
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Thanks for reading....and don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend.
--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
The Book Report Network
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