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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
March 2008
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Celebrating the Easter Season...
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The Easter season always has been one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to it not only because Easter is the most holy day on the Christian calendar, but because the Easter season (which ends on May 11th this year) ushers in the beginning of spring and all of the things I love about this time of year --- longer, brighter days, as well as the promise of warmer weather.
As many of you probably know, this year Easter was quite exceptional because of the early date on which it fell. The next time Easter will fall this early will be in the year 2160.
To celebrate this holy season, we at FaithfulReader.com are pleased to bring you our 2008 Easter roundup, which includes books that are perfect for this very special time of year. In this feature you’ll find themes of personal betterment and renewal, inspirational stories of Jesus and His disciples, and encouraging messages from fellow Christians. With these titles, we invite you to explore the origins of your convictions, evaluate your current relationships with both God and those around you, and lay the groundwork for a hopeful future in faith.
This month, we are featuring new study guides for CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA, which is the second novel in Anne Rice’s ambitious and courageous series about the life of Christ, and BETRAYED by Jeanette Windle, an international thriller set in Columbia. (BETRAYED is also our current Word of Mouth book.)
We have some fantastic new featured titles this month, including ALWAYS GRACE by Tim LaHaye and Gregory S. Dinallo, a moving epic spanning two continents and three decades; TROUBLE THE WATER by Nicole Seitz, which takes on some darker themes but leavens them with quirky characters in a story that will engage faith fiction fans; and WE THE PURPLE by FaithfulReader.com reviewer Marcia Ford, an analysis of independent voters who are neither Republican red nor Democratic blue.
We are also pleased to announce the winners of the special contest we held last month for TALK OF THE TOWN by Lisa Wingate. Click here to see the names of those lucky readers.
For our younger readers, we have an ever-growing selection of faithful literature to share. Read on to see our newest Christian fiction reviews on Teenreads.com and a series update for The Wormling by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry on Kidsreads.com.
Among the reviews in our Faithful Fiction, Christian Living and Marriage and Family Life sections this month are EMBRACE ME by Lisa Samson, a story of the power of forgiveness; THE FAITH: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters by Charles Colson and Harold Fickett; and HIS BRAIN, HER BRAIN: How Divinely Designed Differences Can Strengthen Your Marriage by Walt Larimore, M.D. and Barb Larimore.
We invite you to weigh in on our new poll, which asks if your women's or men's ministry groups have book clubs, while our question asks what books you would like to read with your ministry group.
During this holy time of year, may our featured books help you examine your beliefs, deepen your prayer life and find peace in your hearts. Here’s to a productive spring full of rejuvenation and spiritual enlightenment.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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FaithfulReader.com's Easter Roundup
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Hallelujah, He is risen! To celebrate the Easter season, FaithfulReader.com offers a roundup of titles perfect for this very special time of year. In this feature you’ll find themes of personal betterment and renewal, inspirational stories of Jesus and His disciples, and encouraging messages from fellow Christians. May these books help you examine your beliefs, deepen your prayer life and find peace in your hearts. |
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Click here to see our roundup of Easter titles.
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Study Guide Now Available: CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA by Anne Rice
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CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA by Anne Rice (Fiction)
Anne Rice’s second book in her hugely ambitious and courageous life of Christ begins during His last winter before His baptism in the Jordan and concludes with the miracle at Cana. As with OUT OF EGYPT, the opening novel, THE ROAD TO CANA is based on the Gospels and on the most respected New Testament scholarship. The book’s power derives from the profound feeling its author brings to the writing and the way in which she summons up the presence of Jesus.
-Click here to read more about CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA.
-Click here to read a review of CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA.
-Click here to read an excerpt from CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA.
-Click here to read Anne Rice’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA.
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Study Guide Now Available: BETRAYED by Jeanette Windle
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BETRAYED by Jeanette Windle (Thriller)
This action-packed international thriller brings readers to Guatemala, where anthropologist Vicki Andrews discovers that her sister has been murdered. Guatemalan authorities dismiss her death as another of the country's frequent muggings or a kidnap-for-ransom, but Vicki refuses to accept their verdict. She launches her own investigation and uncovers corruption buried so deep that crossing international lines may cost Vicki her life.
-Click here to read more about BETRAYED.
-Click here to read an excerpt from BETRAYED.
-Click here to read Jeanette Windle's bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for BETRAYED.
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Now in Stores: ALWAYS GRACE by Tim LaHaye and Gregory S. Dinallo
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ALWAYS GRACE by Tim LaHaye and Gregory S. Dinallo (Romance)
In trade paperback for the first time, New York Times bestselling authors Tim LaHaye and Gregory S. Dinallo’s parable of love and faith spans two continents and three decades as it tells the unforgettable story of soul mates separated by fate and circumstances.
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Click here to read more about ALWAYS GRACE.
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Now in Stores: TROUBLE THE WATER by Nicole Seitz
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TROUBLE THE WATER by Nicole Seitz (Fiction)
In her sophomore stand-alone novel (following THE SPIRIT OF SWEETGRASS), Nicole Seitz takes on the grim themes of terminal illness, divorce, alcoholism, suicide and sexual abuse, but leavens them with quirky characters in a story that will engage faith fiction fans. The setting of the lovely South Carolina low country --- and its Gullah culture --- is an intriguing backdrop for the relationships between the protagonists. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
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Click here to read a review of TROUBLE THE WATER.
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Now in Stores: WE THE PURPLE by Marcia Ford
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WE THE PURPLE: Faith, Politics, and the Independent Voter by Marcia Ford (Current Events)
In WE THE PURPLE, journalist, editor and author Marcia Ford describes and interprets her fellow "Purple" voters --- independents who are neither Republican red nor Democratic blue. Through dozens of interviews with independent voters and candidates, politicians, political observers and activists of many stripes, she explains how these citizens eschew partisan politics, guided instead by their core values, their faith and their experience. Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel.
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Click here to read a review of WE THE PURPLE.
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Series Update on Kidsreads.com: The Wormling by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
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THE MINIONS OF TIME: The Wormling, Book IV by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
Throughout his search for the King's Son, Owen has been eager to see who will be the one to unite the Highlands and Lowlands. Once Owen discovers his identity, will the Son be ready for the challenge? Will he be prepared to battle the Dragon and win? Owen has always believed his only gift is his ability to devour books, but the battle he finds himself in will affect two worlds: his and the Lowlands. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
-Click here to read a review of THE MINIONS OF TIME.
THE AUTHOR'S BLOOD: The Wormling, Book V by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
As the final battle approaches, Owen remembers these words: "Some may trust in their strength, in their weaponry, in their number of soldiers, but I will trust in the love of my father, who delights in crushing the mighty by using the weak. He will defeat the enemy with the good-hearted friends he has given." Reviewed by Michele Howe.
-Click here to read a review of THE AUTHOR'S BLOOD.
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Click here to read the Wormling series feature on Kidsreads.com.
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Christian Fiction Reviews on Teenreads.com
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In March 2006 we began running reviews of Christian fiction for teens on Teenreads.com. From popular Christian series like TrueColors and The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor by Melody Carlson, Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen by Robin Jones Gunn and Payton Skky by Stephanie Perry Moore, to stand-alone titles like A FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT by Caroline B. Cooney and MY BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Michelle Buckman, we have books that will inspire and enrich the lives of teen readers.
-Click here to read our most recent reviews.
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Click here to see all our Christian fiction reviews on Teenreads.com.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews
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EMBRACE ME by Lisa Samson (Fiction)
In EMBRACE ME, Lisa Samson pens a story of the power of forgiveness, full of surprises and a cast of interesting characters --- including one making a return appearance from a previous novel. She shows that every person is beautiful and loved in the eyes of God, and all might find forgiveness --- or offer it to another --- if it’s their true desire. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
BLUE HOLE BACK HOME by Joy Jordan-Lake (Fiction)
In Pisgah Ridge, North Carolina, during the summer of 1979, a “mangy pack” of high schoolers befriend “the new girl,” with deeply colored skin, faltering English and a different faith. She changes the landscape of the town, simply by accepting a ride on a hot summer day to the local swimming hole. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
WHEN BOBBIE SANG THE BLUES: A Cozy Mystery, Book 2 by Peggy Darty (Mystery)
If you have an eccentric aunt or two in your family tree, then you’ll certainly enjoy this second installment in Peggy Darty’s cozy mystery series. When a dead body turns up in her Aunt Bobbie’s storage unit, amateur sleuth and mystery novelist Christy Castleman is determined to clear Bobbie’s name. But how well does she really know her aunt? Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
WHEN ZEFFIE GOT A CLUE: A Cozy Mystery, Book 3 by Peggy Darty (Mystery)
Fans of the cozy mystery genre who have enjoyed Peggy Darty’s series will find that this third installment chugs along in the same gentle vein as its predecessors in the enjoyable setting of Summer Breeze, Florida. When a young girl gives up her most precious possession, it holds a clue to a long-ago unsolved murder. Will amateur sleuth and mystery novelist Christy Castleman be able to solve the crime? Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
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Click here to read our Faithful Fiction reviews.
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Christian Living Reviews
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THE FAITH: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters by Charles Colson and Harold Fickett (Spiritual Growth)
Rightly understood and rightly communicated, the Christian faith is one of great joy. It is an invitation to God's kingdom, where tears are replaced by laughter and longing hearts find their purpose and their home. This is the heart of the gospel: God's search to reclaim us and love us as His own. But have we truly grasped this? Reviewed by Michele Howe.
ONE MONTH TO LIVE: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life by Kerry and Chris Shook (Christian Living)
What if you only had one month to live? How would you make each day meaningful? With eye-opening insights and soul-inspiring truths, ONE MONTH TO LIVE will challenge you to embrace the life God has entrusted to you and you alone, and to live it out moment by moment with wholehearted authenticity, honesty and integrity. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.
LOST & FOUND: One Daughter’s Story of Amazing Grace by Kathryn Slattery (Memoir)
In LOST & FOUND, Kathryn Slattery shares a hopeful journey that reveals the family secrets --- including alcoholism and eating disorders --- that distanced her from her mother. She also walks through the baby boomer conflicts of caring for family, caring for an aging parent and caring for one’s soul. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
PAGAN CHRISTIANITY?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices by Frank Viola and George Barna (Church History)
Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles. Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence in the first-ever book to document the full story of modern Christian church practices. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
CREATING A PRODIGAL-FRIENDLY CHURCH by Jeff Lucas (Christian Life)
CREATING A PRODIGAL-FRIENDLY CHURCH looks at why people leave the church, how we can retain them, how we can reach those who have already gone, and how we can help those who return feel like they belong. Jeff Lucas offers no easy recipes for success, but plenty of truth-telling, hope and encouragement. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, A MAN OF FAITH AND COURAGE: Stories of Our Most Admired President by Joe Wheeler (Biography)
Author, historian and scholar Joe Wheeler brings to the pages of this insightful book the knowledge gleaned from over 10 years of study and more than 60 books on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Skillfully weaving his own narrative with direct quotes from the 16th president and poignant excerpts from other Lincoln biographers, Wheeler has produced a refreshingly friendly rendition of Lincoln's life, faith and courage. Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel.
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Click here to read our Christian Living reviews.
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FaithfulReader.com Poll
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Does the women's or men's ministry group at your church have a book club?
Yes
No
Not sure
If your group has a book club, do you read fiction?
Yes
No
Not sure
Our ministry group does not have a book club.
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Vote in our Poll 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. This contest period, one winner will receive a copy of BETRAYED by Jeanette Windle. To put your name in the hat, submit your current reading list and ratings by completing the form here. |
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
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