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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
February 2009
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Welcoming Spring and Lent
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I have decided winter has been long enough and we all need something to smile about. With that in mind, we are hosting a special contest for A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE by Robin Lee Hatcher, which will be available in stores in May. FIFTY readers will have the opportunity to preview the book and comment about it on their favorite blog and/or online retail outlet. Click here for more details.
For those of you searching for your next book club pick, we have added five new discussion guides in this month’s update, including EVE: A Novel of the First Woman by Elissa Elliott, which is a bold reimagining of the life of the first woman and one of this month's Word of Mouth titles; KISS ME IF YOU DARE, the third installment in Nicole Young’s Patricia Amble Mystery series; AGE BEFORE BEAUTY, the second installment of Virginia Smith’s Sister-to-Sister series and a lighthearted story of family and finding focus; AGAINST ALL ODDS, the first title in Irene Hannon’s Heroes of Quantico series; and THE DESIRES OF HER HEART: Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1 by Lyn Cote, which is our second Word of Mouth title. We also are featuring an author talk with Lyn Cote, which you can read here.
Among our other featured titles this month are KIDNAPPED by Dee Henderson, a romantic suspense novel in which an FBI agent embarks on a desperate search for his cousin’s kidnapped wife and son; THE RETURNING by Ann Tatlock, a moving novel about faith, family and reconciliation; and GINGHAM MOUNTAIN by Mary Connealy, a delightful, suspense-filled historical romance. Please visit the FaithfulReader.com homepage to see all of this month’s featured titles.
In addition to our special features, we also encourage you to browse through our new Faithful Fiction, Christian Living, and Marriage and Family Life review sections. TUCK: King Raven Trilogy, Book Three - The Legend Triumphs by Stephen R. Lawhead, DAYS OF DEEPENING FRIENDSHIP: For the Woman Who Wants Authentic Life With God by Vinita Hampton Wright and FROM ANGER TO INTIMACY: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham are among the many titles featured in this month's update.
We’d love to see your responses to this month’s poll, which asks about your beverage consumption habits while reading. Our question also addresses your reading habits by asking about your favorite spot to read in your house. I’ll certainly make use of mine until it becomes warm enough to read outside.
Lent officially began on Wednesday, and in March we will be bringing you our annual Easter roundup. This is something we look forward to sharing with you every year, as it includes books perfect for the Lenten and Easter seasons, full of inspiring devotionals, enlightening historical perspectives, and thrilling and thought-provoking fiction and nonfiction.
Here’s to a swift arrival of spring. May the thoughtful and inspirational titles included in this month’s update provide good company in the remaining winter days ahead.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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Special Contest and Feature: A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE by Robin Lee Hatcher |
We are celebrating the upcoming release of A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE by Robin Lee Hatcher, an intriguing novel about a woman running for mayor in the “man’s world” of 1915, with a special contest. We have 50 advance copies of A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it on their favorite blog and/or online retail outlet. A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE will be available in stores on May 1st.
Enter between now and Monday, March 16th by filling out the form found here.
A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs by Robin Lee Hatcher (Historical Romance)
Beautiful and single, Guinevere Arlington knows her “place” in the early 20th century. She just refuses to stay there. Gwen loves her life in Idaho --- the mountains, the town, her independence. But when she runs for mayor --- and falls in love with her opponent --- Gwen realizes winning may come at too high a price.
-Click here to read more about A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
-Click here to read Robin Lee Hatcher’s bio.
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Click here to read all the contest details.
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Now in Stores: KIDNAPPED by Dee Henderson
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KIDNAPPED by Dee Henderson (Romantic Suspense)
FBI agent Luke Falcon is searching for the person who kidnapped his cousin’s wife and son, and he’ll do anything required to get them back alive. Will he be able to solve the crime and save his family as he realizes he’s falling in love with the only witness?
With over 15 bestselling romantic suspense novels, author Dee Henderson delivers another tale of intrigue in KIDNAPPED, previously titled TRUE COURAGE.
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Click here to read more about KIDNAPPED.
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Study Guide Now Available: EVE: A Novel of the First Woman, by Elissa Elliott
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EVE: A Novel of the First Woman by Elissa Elliott (Historical Fiction)
It is the world’s oldest tale: the story of Eve, her husband, Adam, and the tragedy that would overcome her sons…. In this luminous debut novel, Elissa Elliott puts a powerful twist on biblical narrative, boldly reimagining Eve’s journey. At once intimate and universal, timely and timeless, this unique work of fiction blends biblical tradition with recorded history and dazzling storytelling. And as it does, Eve comes to life in a way religion and myth have never allowed --- in a novel that explores the very essence of love, motherhood, faith and humanity.
-Click here to read more about EVE.
-Click here to read an excerpt from EVE.
-Click here to read Elissa Elliott’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for EVE.
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Study Guide Now Available: KISS ME IF YOU DARE by Nicole Young |
KISS ME IF YOU DARE: Patricia Amble Mysteries, Book Three by Nicole Young (Mystery)
On the run from a backwoods Michigan drug ring that wants her dead, Tish Amble finds herself in sunny California with an assumed identity and a mysterious benefactor. All she wants to do is lay low for a while, then return to her family --- including her almost-fiancé Brad. But her past soon catches up with her...
Full of fast-paced action and nail-biting suspense, KISS ME IF YOU DARE is the thrilling conclusion to the Patricia Amble Mysteries.
-Click here to read more about KISS ME IF YOU DARE.
-Click here to read an excerpt from KISS ME IF YOU DARE.
-Click here to read Nicole Young’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for KISS ME IF YOU DARE.
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Study Guide Now Available: AGE BEFORE BEAUTY by Virginia Smith
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AGE BEFORE BEAUTY: Sister-to-Sister, Book 2 by Virginia Smith (Fiction)
Allie Harrod is ready for a new career. She doesn’t want to go back to full-time work and risk missing her baby’s first smile, but she does want to contribute to the family income and a home-based business seems like the perfect solution. Still, the challenges Allie faces seem to be rising as fast as her credit card balance.
A lighthearted story of family and finding focus, AGE BEFORE BEAUTY is the second book in the Sister-to-Sister series.
-Click here to read more about AGE BEFORE BEAUTY.
-Click here to read an excerpt from AGE BEFORE BEAUTY.
-Click here to read Virginia Smith’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for AGE BEFORE BEAUTY.
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Study Guide Now Available: AGAINST ALL ODDS by Irene Hannon
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AGAINST ALL ODDS: Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 1 by Irene Hannon (Romantic Suspense)
For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, Monica Callahan isn’t making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father --- who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East --- she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States. That is, until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real --- and escalating.
-Click here to read more about AGAINST ALL ODDS.
-Click here to read an excerpt from AGAINST ALL ODDS.
-Click here to read Irene Hannon’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for AGAINST ALL ODDS.
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Author Talk: Lyn Cote, Author of THE DESIRES OF HER HEART
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In this interview, award-winning inspirational romance author Lyn Cote discusses what prompted her to write her latest novel, THE DESIRES OF HER HEART, and describes her fascination with the rapidly changing history of Texas, where the book takes place. She also credits both C. S. Lewis and Charles Dickens as personal influences, reveals her weakness for homemade pie à la mode and shares the most rewarding aspect of being an author.
THE DESIRES OF HER HEART: Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1 by Lyn Cote (Historical Romance)
A beautiful historical romance between a woman forced to make a new life on the Texas frontier and the scout who leads their wagon train through the uncharted territory. Set in 1821, Dorritt Mott is anti-slavery, a woman ahead of her time. When events make it impossible for her family, including an overbearing stepfather and a spoiled half-sister, to remain in New Orleans, they head to Texas on foot to join Stephen Austin’s settlement and recoup their fortune in virgin Texas.
-Click here to see the study guide for THE DESIRES OF HER HEART.
-Click here to read more about THE DESIRES OF HER HEART.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE DESIRES OF HER HEART.
-Click here to read Lyn Cote's bio.
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Click here to read an interview with Lyn Cote.
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Now in Stores: THE RETURNING by Ann Tatlock
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THE RETURNING by Ann Tatlock (Fiction)
Andrea knew when she married John Sheldon that her love was not returned, but they both stayed in the marriage for their own reasons. Now John is returning home from a five-year stint in prison, and while Andrea wants him home, she knows his return will upset the life she and the children have adjusted to in his absence. But John is returning a different man, resulting in mixed emotions from his family. Can John and Andrea mend the rifts that have torn their family apart?
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE RETURNING.
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Click here to read more about THE RETURNING.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews |
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TUCK: King Raven Trilogy, Book Three - The Legend Triumphs by Stephen R. Lawhead (Historical Fiction)
Filled with unforgettable characters, breathtaking suspense and rousing battle scenes, Stephen R. Lawhead's masterful retelling of the Robin Hood legend reaches its stunning conclusion in TUCK. Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Lawhead's trilogy conjures up an ancient past while holding a mirror to contemporary realities. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
WHEN LOVE BLOOMS by Robin Lee Hatcher (Historical Romance)
When Emily Harris takes a job in the rugged high country of Idaho, she is about to discover that changing the heart of one man may be the destiny she has been in search of all her life. Bestselling author Robin Lee Hatcher writes about the true heroes and heroines of the American West, the everyday people who came and lived without fanfare. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
CRY IN THE NIGHT: A Rock Harbor Mystery by Colleen Coble (Romantic Suspense)
A mysterious crying in the night leads search-and-rescue worker Bree Matthews and her dog Samson to an abandoned baby in the woods outside of Rock Harbor, Michigan. Quickly she begins a search for the mother --- presumably the woman reported missing just days earlier. While teams scour the wintery forests, Bree ferrets out clues about the woman. Everything Bree thought she knew about her life is turned upside down with the sound of a CRY IN THE NIGHT. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
DOUBLE MINDS by Terri Blackstock (Suspense)
Struggling to succeed in the Nashville music scene, talented singer/songwriter Parker James finds the competition fierce --- even deadly. A young woman’s murder, industry corruption and a menacing stalker draw Parker into danger and intrigue. Nothing is as it appears, and unraveling the truth challenges everything Parker believes about her talent, her future and her faith. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
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Click here to read our Faithful Fiction reviews.
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Christian Living Reviews |
DAYS OF DEEPENING FRIENDSHIP: For the Woman Who Wants Authentic Life With God by Vinita Hampton Wright (Christian Living/Spirituality)
Is it really possible to participate in a living, breathing friendship with God? Can a woman bring her true self to this encounter with the Divine without any fears or apologies? The answer, clearly revealed in DAYS OF DEEPENING FRIENDSHIP, is yes! Not only does God welcome a woman’s presence and invite her utmost honesty, but God desires that she bring the whole of her experience to this relationship. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
UNCOMMON: Finding Your Path to Significance by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker (Self-Help)
Tony Dungy believes that his primary job as a coach is to build men worthy of being role models to a nation of boys who look up to them: Men of character, integrity and courage. Men with both confidence and humility. Men who know the value of family and faith as well as career. In a culture that defines success by the size of your salary or by the media frenzy surrounding you, Dungy offers valuable insights on achieving uncommon success and real significance. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT: The Power of Pentecost Every Day by Henry and Melvin Blackaby (Christian Living/Spiritual Growth)
The first Christians “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) shaking the gates of hell even in the face of severe persecution. The result: People all around “were filled with wonder and amazement” (Acts 3:10). What can give Christians today the same impact? God’s Holy Spirit is ready to answer that for us in an awesome way, as Henry Blackaby and his son Mel Blackaby make clear in EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT.
Reviewed by Margaret Oines
BECOMING THE ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (Christian Life/Prayer)
Activists Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove show how prayer and action must go together. Their exposition of key Bible passages provides concrete examples of how a life of prayer fuels social engagement and the work of justice. Phrases like "give us this day our daily bread" and "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" take on new meaning when applied to feeding the hungry or advocating for international debt relief. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
PRAYER POWER: 30 Days to a Stronger Connection with God by Peter Lundell (Devotional)
Intensely practical and straightforward, PRAYER POWER helps you improve on 30 essential facets of prayer such as passion, routine, fasting, praying with others, listening to God, handling distractions and spiritual warfare. In each brief chapter you'll be inspired by stories of people whose lives of prayer give us powerful examples. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
LINKING ARMS, LINKING LIVES: How Urban-Suburban Partnerships Can Transform Communities by Ronald J. Sider, John M. Perkins, Wayne L. Gordon and F. Albert Tizon (Christian Ministry/Social Justice)
Step across the urban-suburban divide and make a difference today. In LINKING ARMS, LINKING LIVES, four respected ministry leaders offer solutions that have already transformed communities and have potential to allow many more people to fulfill the biblical call to compassion and justice. Here they make a compelling case for how partnerships that cross the urban-suburban divide can minister to the poor. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
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Click here to read our Christian Living reviews.
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Marriage and Family Life Reviews |
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FROM ANGER TO INTIMACY: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham (Love & Marriage)
Did you know that spiritual, emotional, physical and relational exhaustion lead to anger? And unresolved anger leads to sin. All couples deal with anger, and how they respond can make all the difference in their relationship and in their lives. In FROM ANGER TO INTIMACY, Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham explore this often maligned and God-given emotion that unless dealt with can strip us of everything we love. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
FINDING YOUR CHILD’S WAY ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM: Discovering Unique Strengths, Mastering Behavior Challenges by Dr. Laura Hendrickson (Parenting)
Building on Dr. Laura Hendrickson’s medical background as well as her practical experience, FINDING YOUR CHILD’S WAY ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM presents autism spectrum disorders as a different developmental pathway rather than a disability. Dr. Hendrickson has seen that those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders can make significant contributions to their world. And as a parent of an autistic child, she is able to offer practical solutions to the problems parents face. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
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Click here to read our Marriage and Family Life reviews.
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FaithfulReader.com Poll |
What is your beverage of choice when you are relaxing and reading a book?
Water
Coffee
Tea
Hot chocolate
Soda
Mineral water
Wine/Beer/A cocktail
Other (Please specify)
I am not sure I have a favorite.
I never drink when I read.
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Vote in our Poll here.
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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.
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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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