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November 2014

This Month on FaithfulReader.com November 2014

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Thanking Family, Friends...and YOU!
It’s hard to believe that the holidays are already upon us --- though the blustery weather this past week has certainly made it easier. As we near Thanksgiving, we at FaithfulReader.com feel fortunate that we have so much to be thankful for, including family, friends, colleagues and, of course, books! Though the season provides the perfect opportunity to show gratitude to the people around us, it’s also important to take time for prayer and self-contemplation. Fortunately, the Thanksgiving holiday break gives us just the right amount of time to refresh and regroup before diving into the hectic month of December. Although the coming months may be your busiest of the year, do take time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons --- along with a book or two!

We have some exciting news as we are debuting a brand new feature, "The Christmas Collection." We’re celebrating the start of the holiday season by offering five lucky readers the chance to win four featured holiday titles --- and some cheery treats. This year's prize books are THE DAUGHTER OF HIGHLAND HALL: Edwardian Brides, Book Two by Carrie Turansky, EVERGREEN: A Christiansen Winter Novella by Susan May Warren, A ROBERTSON FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Miss Kay Robertson with Travis Thrasher and WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin. To enter our first-ever "Christmas Collection" contest, please fill out this form by Wednesday, December 17th at noon ET.

With the holidays just around the corner, we are also pleased to present our annual Christmas Books Roundup. Full of both fiction and nonfiction selections, our jolly feature is the perfect way to start getting in the holiday spirit. Feel free to take time to enjoy these titles with family and friends, especially during this hectic time of year. And if you’re stuck for gift ideas, we’re sure our list will offer some wonderful suggestions for those closest to you --- and maybe even yourself!

One of the books in this year's roundup is MR. MIRACLE, Debbie Macomber's latest novel. On Saturday, December 6th at 8pm/7c, be sure to tune in to the premiere of Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle, a Hallmark Channel Original Movie based on the book and starring Rob Morrow, Michelle Harrison and Britt Irvin. When guardian angel Harry Mills arrives on Earth for the first time, he has a lot to learn about life as a human. But this miracle worker-in-training ignores the advice of his seasoned heavenly mentor, Celeste, to eagerly take on his first assignment --- helping a young woman named Addie find the confidence to change her life. Click here for much more about the movie.

In our latest monthly contest, we’re celebrating the release of WHEN MERCY RAINS, the first installment of Kim Vogel Sawyer's Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, by offering 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy. Suzanne Zimmerman was only 17 and pregnant when her mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community. Now, nearly 20 years later, she receives an unexpected letter from her brother, who asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, December 17th at noon ET.

We have 12 new reviews to share with you this month, including two devotionals: THE POWER OF BEING THANKFUL: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude by Joyce Meyer and EVERY DAY IN HIS PRESENCE: 365 Devotions by Charles F. Stanley. Other reviews include DECEIVED: A Private Justice Novel by Irene Hannon, TO EVERYTHING A SEASON: Song of Blessing, Book 1 by Lauraine Snelling, and A LIFELONG LOVE: What If Marriage Is About More Than Just Staying Together? by Gary Thomas.

As you prepare to spend Thanksgiving with your family and friends, overeating and catching up on reading, remember to thank the people around you for their kindness and generosity over the past year. We are grateful that you take the time to read our newsletter every month and hope you’ll find this month’s edition especially full of inspirational titles for your holiday reading. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! We look forward to seeing you next month and putting a nice bow on our 2014.

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

New Special Contest: The Christmas Collection 2014
To usher in the holiday season, we have a brand new feature for our faithful readers: "The Christmas Collection." In the spirit of Christmas, we are offering five readers the chance to win a copy of each of our featured titles, along with some festive goodies. To enter the contest, please fill out this form by Wednesday, December 17th at noon ET.

This year's prize books are:

Click here to enter the contest.
2014 Christmas Books Roundup
With the holidays just around the corner, we are pleased to present our annual Christmas Books Roundup. This year, we feature a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles that truly capture the spirit of the season. Among our offerings are SNOWFALL, a romantic novella from Shelley Shepard Gray's Days of Redemption series; SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT, a riveting collection of two Christmas Eve stories featuring some of Colleen Coble's most famous characters; and BELIEVE, a Christmastime booklet focusing on the joy that comes with celebrating our savior. Feel free to take time to enjoy these books with family and friends. And if you’re stuck for gift ideas, we’re sure our list will offer some wonderful suggestions for those closest to you --- and maybe even yourself!
 
Click here to see this year’s Christmas Books roundup.
FaithfulReader.com’s Latest Monthly Contest: Win a Copy of WHEN MERCY RAINS by Kim Vogel Sawyer
In FaithfulReader.com's latest monthly contest, 10 readers will win a copy of WHEN MERCY RAINS, the first book in Kim Vogel Sawyer's Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, December 17th at noon ET.

WHEN MERCY RAINS by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Romance)
Suzanne Zimmerman was only 17 and pregnant when her shamed mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community in Kansas. Now, nearly 20 years later, an unexpected letter arrives from Kansas. Her brother asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Kim Vogel Sawyer’s bio.
-Click here to visit Kim Vogel Sawyer’s official website.
 
Click here to enter the contest.
Now in Stores: THE POWER OF BEING THANKFUL by Joyce Meyer
THE POWER OF BEING THANKFUL: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude by Joyce Meyer (Devotional)
In this 365-day devotional, New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer offers an inspiring message that will spark an attitude of gratitude in our hearts. Through uplifting Scripture, she illustrates God's never-ending love, inexhaustible grace, and always-accessible presence in our lives. As we develop a renewed outlook, we will better recognize and be further blessed by God's abundant goodness. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: EVERY DAY IN HIS PRESENCE by Charles F. Stanley
EVERY DAY IN HIS PRESENCE: 365 Devotions by Charles F. Stanley (Devotional)
This brand-new devotional by Charles Stanley invites readers to step into the presence of an eternal God who is bidding them to find serenity and security in Him. With topics addressing all walks and phases of life, these 365 devotions include a scripture, a meaningful application, a short prayer, and an “In His Presence” takeaway for thought. This book provides a wonderful way to experience His presence and stay focused on His promises every day of the year. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE CRADLE, CROSS, AND CROWN by Billy Graham
THE CRADLE, CROSS, AND CROWN by Billy Graham (Christian Life/Inspirational)
Drawing from a lifetime of writings and sermons, beloved preacher and author Billy Graham pierces through the meaningless activity we get caught up in by taking readers back to the time when heaven descended to earth --- and the place where Christ was born. Included in this classic Christmas message are excerpts from THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT, Scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth, favorite carols, and beautiful poetry by Ruth Bell Graham. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: Two Christmas-Themed Fiction Titles: THE CHRISTMAS CAT by Melody Carlson and EVERGREEN by Susan May Warren
THE CHRISTMAS CAT by Melody Carlson (Romance)
After years abroad, Garrison Brown finds himself at the home of his beloved grandmother who has just passed away. He must sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends. Can he match the cats with the perfect new owners? And is it possible that he might meet his own match along the way? Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.


EVERGREEN: A Christiansen Winter Novella
by Susan May Warren
(Romance)

An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn’t be more excited about this new season of life. As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid’s marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
Now in Stores: DECEIVED by Irene Hannon
DECEIVED: A Private Justice Novel by Irene Hannon (Romantic Suspense)
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she's convinced it's her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating "accident" begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden --- and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: TO EVERYTHING A SEASON by Lauraine Snelling
TO EVERYTHING A SEASON: Song of Blessing, Book 1 by Lauraine Snelling (Historical Romance)
Although Trygve Knutson is devoted to his family and his community, he sometimes dreams of other horizons --- especially since meeting Miriam Hastings. Miriam is in Blessing, North Dakota, to get practical training to become an accredited nurse. Although eager to return to her family, Miriam is surprised to find how much she enjoys the small town of Blessing. And her growing attachment to Trygve soon has her questioning a future she always considered set in stone. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: A LIFELONG LOVE by Gary Thomas
A LIFELONG LOVE: What If Marriage Is About More Than Just Staying Together? by Gary Thomas (Love & Marriage)
In A LIFELONG LOVE, Gary Thomas focuses on three key elements to having a strong marriage: a magnificent obsession with God (creating a marriage that blossoms through worship), a passion to pursue a deeper kind of love, and intentionally pursuing oneness. The end game? Closer to God, closer to love, and closer to each other. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS by John C. Maxwell
LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS: Life and Leadership Lessons from the Bible by John C. Maxwell (Christian Life/Inspirational)
If you could spend a few minutes with the giants of faith in the Old Testament in person, what lessons would they share with you? In LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS, John C. Maxwell draws on 50 years of studying the Bible to share the stories of Elijah, Elisha, Job, Jacob, Deborah, Isaiah, Jonah, Joshua and Daniel. Through them, Maxwell explores timeless lessons we can learn about leadership, ourselves and our relationship with God. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE PATMOS DECEPTION by Davis Bunn
THE PATMOS DECEPTION by Davis Bunn (Mystery)
Economic chaos is threatening Greece's future --- and its past. Three distinctive characters are drawn to the storied isle of Patmos, and as they uncover a plot to plunder ancient religious treasures, the stakes are raised to a breaking point. A revelation from beyond time will give new meaning to the sacrifices all three must make...and hold a special promise for each of them. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: A PROMISE TO PROTECT by Patricia Bradley
A PROMISE TO PROTECT: Logan Point Series, Book 2 by Patricia Bradley (Romantic Suspense)
Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her --- or their whirlwind romance of 10 years ago --- out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task --- protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever. Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here for the study guide.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE WAY OF GRACE by Glandion Carney with Marjean Brooks
THE WAY OF GRACE: Finding God on the Path of Surrender by Glandion Carney with Marjean Brooks (Christian Living/Spiritual Growth)
When Glandion Carney heard his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, he plunged into denial and despair. With poignant vulnerability, he now describes his journey into a new land of grace, a journey that will inspire and inform your own times of difficulty. In each chapter, we are introduced to a spiritual practice that can carry us through difficult days. And a guide at the end of each chapter carries us into a brief and refreshing experience with each of the practices. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.

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--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

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