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July 2011

This Month on FaithfulReader.com July 2011
 
It's Time for Some Rest, Relaxation and (Of Course) Reading

After a few whirlwind weeks of conferences and business trips, I'm finally able to catch my breath. I'm happy to be able to spend some time at home now, especially with the pool open for business and the fridge stocked with lemonade.

Recently I visited New Orleans for the American Library Association's annual meeting. Although I was a little wary of spending time in New Orleans in late June, I had a wonderful time and survived the humidity. This was a special trip as my son, Greg, accompanied me and played unofficial tour guide. When not in meetings, we got to experience a lot of the city's rich history, culture, music --- and food. One day I think I ate five meals! We crammed a lot into our schedule --- and I'll definitely be back, but maybe not in June! Upon my return, there were two more industry conferences in New York City that let me catch up with lots of friends and colleagues from all over the country. It's been a memorable few weeks, but I think a weekend in the hammock is in order before I head back on the road on Monday.

This month's update features three special contests that give you a chance to win books to enjoy this summer. THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall is a thrill-a-minute ride as special agents race to stop a radical terrorist attack. LaHaye is one of the co-authors of the hugely popular Left Behind series, and this new End Series should be just as exciting. We have 25 copies for readers who enter here by Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET. In addition, we're giving away a copy of the book in our monthly contest.

LION OF BABYLON by Davis Bunn is another thriller with a plot ripped right from the headlines. A special operative is racing against time and the Taliban to uncover a kidnapping plan that involves some unlikely conspirators. We have 15 copies of LION OF BABYLON to give away to readers who enter here by Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET. You can also read a special interview with Bunn here.

SHADOWS ON THE SAND is the first book in Gayle Roper's new Seaside Mystery series and follows a cafe owner who's caught in a web of murder and kidnapping along the New Jersey shoreline. The only one willing to help is a mysterious --- and handsome --- patron who's struggling with his own demons. We have five copies of SHADOWS ON THE SAND to give away to readers who enter here by Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET.

We've also added study guides for CHASING SUNSETS by Eva Marie Everson and THE BLESSED by Ann H. Gabhart. Some other featured titles to check out this month include LOOK TO THE EAST: The Great War, Book 3 by Maureen Lang, FREEDOM'S STAND by Jeanette Windle, GROWING UP AMISH: A Memoir by Ira Wagler and PATTERN OF WOUNDS by J. Mark Bertrand.

As always, we have our Faithful Fiction and Christian Living reviews for you to check out, which this month include LOVE LIVED: Experiencing God's Presence in Everyday Life by Max Lucado, HUNGRY FOR GOD: Hearing God's Voice in the Ordinary and the Everyday by Margaret Feinberg and BROKEN WINGS by Carla Stewart.

We also have the complete list of 2011 Christy Award winners, which you can see here. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees; some great books and authors are on this list!

We hope you enjoy this latest FaithfulReader.com update and that you'll find some new books to enjoy in the summer sun!

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

 

Special Contest and Feature: THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall
We are celebrating the release of THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall --- the second installment in The End Series, a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller about one special agent's race against the clock to thwart a doomsday plot --- with a special contest. Twenty-five readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the latest book from the bestselling co-author of the hugely popular Left Behind series. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET.

THUNDER OF HEAVEN: The End Series, Book 2 by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall (Thriller)
The End Series by New York Times bestselling author Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall is an epic thrill ride ripped from today's headlines and filtered through Scriptural prophecy. As world events begin setting the stage for the “end of days” foretold in Revelation, Joshua Jordan must weigh the personal price he must pay to save the nation he loves. THUNDER OF HEAVEN appeals to the tens of millions of readers who have already made Tim LaHaye a household name and one of the bestselling authors of all time.

-Click here to read more about THUNDER OF HEAVEN.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THUNDER OF HEAVEN.
-Click here to read Tim LaHaye’s bio.
-Click here to read Craig Parshall’s bio.

 
Click here to read all the contest details.

 
Special Contest and Feature: LION OF BABYLON by Davis Bunn
We are celebrating the release of LION OF BABYLON --- a fast-paced thriller that finds a U.S. operative racing against time and the Taliban --- with a special contest. Fifteen readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of Davis Bunn’s latest novel. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET.

LION OF BABYLON by Davis Bunn (Thriller)
Marc Royce has been a State Department agent involved in covert operations---that is, until personal issues lead to his dismissal. When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is a CIA agent---and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight---a nurse, an aid worker, and a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.

-Click here to read more about LION OF BABYLON.
-Click here to read an excerpt from LION OF BABYLON.
-Click here to read an interview with Davis Bunn.
-Click here to read Davis Bunn’s bio.

 
Click here to read all the contest details.

 
Special Contest and Feature: SHADOWS ON THE SAND by Gayle Roper
We are celebrating the release of SHADOWS ON THE SAND --- a rare mix of love story, spiritual warfare and crime drama all rolled into one fabulous tale set in coastal New Jersey --- with a special contest. Five readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the first installment in Gayle Roper’s Seaside Mystery series. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET.

SHADOWS ON THE SAND: A Seaside Mystery by Gayle Roper (Mystery)
Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals, although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children --- and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin. When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries…and into her life.

-Click here to read more about SHADOWS ON THE SAND.
-Click here to read an excerpt from SHADOWS ON THE SAND.
-Click here to read Gayle Roper’s bio.

 
Click here to read all the contest details.

 
Study Guide Now Available: CHASING SUNSETS by Eva Marie Everson

CHASING SUNSETS: A Cedar Key Novel by Eva Marie Everson (Romance)
Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her two sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and sometimes you do get a second chance at love.

-Click here to read more about CHASING SUNSETS.
-Click here to read Eva Marie Everson’s bio.

 

Click here to read the study guide for CHASING SUNSETS.

 
Study Guide Now Available: THE BLESSED by Ann H. Gabhart
THE BLESSED by Ann H. Gabhart (Historical Romance)
It is 1844 and Lacey Bishop’s life is a tangled mess. Estranged from her own family and married to a man she can never love, Lacey’s only comfort is being mother to a little girl who was left on the doorstop. When her husband decides to move the family to a Shaker village, Lacey is not prepared for the new life that awaits her. In the midst of her deep loneliness, Lacey finds herself drawn to a young Shaker man. But of course any notion of love between them is only a forbidden dream. Not only is she already married, but the Shakers believe marriage is a sin. Will Lacey ever find true happiness in this strange place?

-Click here to read more about THE BLESSED.
-Click here to read Ann H. Gabhart’s bio.

 
Click here to read the study guide for THE BLESSED.

 
The 2011 Christy Award Winners

On July 11th, the winners of this year’s Christy Awards were announced at a ceremony held in Atlanta, Georgia during the International Christian Retail Show. The banquet featured a keynote address by celebrated screenwriter and director Randall Wallace and was emceed by New York Times bestselling and Christy Award-winning author Liz Curtis Higgs. Named in honor of author Catherine Marshall’s novel, and of her contribution to the genre, the Awards celebrate excellence in recently published fiction with a Christian worldview.
 

Click here to see the winners of this year's Christy Awards.

 
Now in Stores: LIVE LOVED by Max Lucado

LIVE LOVED: Experiencing God's Presence in Everyday Life by Max Lucado (Devotional)
Bestselling author Max Lucado’s latest release is a collection of brief devotions from six of his previous books. In typical Lucado-style of wisdom, wit and truth, you will discover how you can experience God’s love and presence in your everyday life. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

 

Click here to read a review of LIVE LOVED.

 
Now in Stores: LOOK TO THE EAST by Maureen Lang
LOOK TO THE EAST: The Great War Series, Book 3 by Maureen Lang (Historical Romance)
At the dawn of the First World War, the French provincial village of Briecourt is isolated from the battles, but the century-old feud between the Toussaints and the de Colvilles still rages in the streets. When the German army sweeps in to occupy the town, families on both sides of the feud must work together to protect stragglers caught behind enemy lines.

-Click here to read an excerpt from LOOK TO THE EAST.
-Click here to read Maureen Lang’s bio.

 
Click here to read more about LOOK TO THE EAST.

 
Now in Stores: FREEDOM'S STAND by Jeanette Windle
FREEDOM’S STAND by Jeanette Windle (Fiction)
Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, but villagers and authorities in the hills of Afghanistan respond with skepticism…and even violence. Relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization --- changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant, Jamil, weighs heavily on her heart.

-Click here to read an excerpt from FREEDOM’S STAND.
-Click here to read Jeanette Windle’s bio.

 
Click here to read more about FREEDOM'S STAND.

 
Now in Stores: GROWING UP AMISH by Ira Wagler

GROWING UP AMISH: A Memoir by Ira Wagler (Memoir)
One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life --- from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26.

-Click here to read an excerpt from GROWING UP AMISH.
-Click here to read Ira Wagler’s bio.

 

Click here to read more about GROWING UP AMISH.

 
Now in Stores: PATTERN OF WOUNDS by J. Mark Bertrand
PATTERN OF WOUNDS: A Roland March Mystery by J. Mark Bertrand (Mystery)
It's Christmas in Houston, and homicide detective Roland March is on the hunt for a killer. A young woman's brutal stabbing in an affluent neighborhood bears all the hallmarks of a serial murder. The only problem is that March sent the murderer to prison 10 years ago. Is it a copycat---or did March convict the wrong man?

-Click here to read an excerpt from PATTERN OF WOUNDS.
-Click here to read J. Mark Bertrand’s bio.

 
Click here to read more about PATTERN OF WOUNDS.

 
Faithful Fiction Reviews
BROKEN WINGS by Carla Stewart (Fiction)
Everyone believes Brooke Woodson has found the perfect man --- a handsome lawyer with sights on becoming Tulsa's next District Attorney. If only Brooke felt more sure. If only her fiancé could control his anger. If only love didn't come with so many scars. With singer Mitzi Steiner's help, kindness and insight, Brooke will learn how to pick up the broken pieces of her life. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

DOUBLE TAKE by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
Rich city girl Madison Van Buren and plain Amish girl Anna Fisher are unhappy with their lives. When they happen to meet one day and realize how much they look alike, they decide to switch identities for one week. Will becoming someone else provide the contentment they seek? Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

DESERT GIFT by Sally John (Fiction)
Jillian Galloway is an expert on marriage. At least that’s what she thought before her husband announced he wanted a divorce. A trip to the desert gives Jill fresh eyes to see how she might be able to breathe new life into her dried-up marriage. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

 
Click here to read our Faithful Fiction reviews.

 
Christian Living Reviews
HUNGRY FOR GOD: Hearing God’s Voice in the Ordinary and the Everyday by Margaret Feinberg (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
With rare insight into Scripture, human nature, and the heart of God, Margaret Feinberg invites you to discover the ways in which God speaks to you --- not from the top of a holy mountain, but in the midst of everyday life. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

LET GOD CHANGE YOUR LIFE: How to Know and Follow Jesus by Greg Laurie (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
Imagine what it would have been like to be a follower of Jesus; first-century Christians walked away from their old lives just to be where He was. The good news is that we, too, can participate in this lifestyle. Greg Laurie drills it down in three simple ideas: get to know Jesus, follow His plan for discipleship, and use it to tell others what we know. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

THE WAITING PLACE: Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays by Eileen Button (Christian Living/Essays)
In this beautiful collection of essays, author Eileen Button takes us on a journey through her life. Along the way, you’ll laugh and cry, but most of all you’ll learn to slow down and appreciate life’s little delays and recognize God’s hand in the waiting places. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

OVERCOMING ANXIETY, WORRY, AND FEAR: Practical Ways to Find Peace by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD, with Ann McMurray (Self-Help)
A compassionate combination of common sense, biblical wisdom and therapeutic advice will free you from constant worry. Trusted author Dr. Gregory L. Jantz will help you identify the causes of your anxiety, assess the severity of your symptoms, and start down avenues for positive change. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

 
Click here to read our Christian Living reviews.

 
FaithfulReader.com's Monthly Contest: THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall
In our latest monthly contest, one reader will receive a copy of THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall, a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller about one special agent's race against the clock to thwart a doomsday plot. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, August 10th at noon ET.

THUNDER OF HEAVEN by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall (Thriller)
The End Series by New York Times bestselling author Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall is an epic thrill ride ripped from today's headlines and filtered through Scriptural prophecy. As world events begin setting the stage for the "end of days" foretold in Revelation, Joshua Jordan must weigh the personal price he has to pay to save the nation he loves.

THUNDER OF HEAVEN appeals to the tens of millions of readers who have already made Tim LaHaye a household name and one of the bestselling authors of all time. This book is a return to form for Tim LaHaye, whose previous prophetic fiction series, Left Behind, has sold roughly 70 million copies. Those who have read Left Behind and are eager for more highly charged fiction based on biblical prophesies will embrace THUNDER OF HEAVEN for the same reasons that turned Left Behind into the world's most celebrated publishing phenomenons of the last two decades.

 
Click here to enter FaithfulReader.com's monthly contest.

 

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--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

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