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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
April 2015 |
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Happy Mother's Day!
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Spring keeps trying to arrive; last weekend in the New York area, it was a beautiful 80 degrees and today it is 40. We see reports of snow on patio furniture all over the country. Come on, Mother Nature! After what felt like a particularly brutal winter, we at FaithfulReader.com are delighted to welcome the daffodils and forsythia --- and, of course, new books!
With Mother’s Day just two weeks away, we are happy to present our roundup of Mother’s Day-themed books. Our compilation includes both fiction and nonfiction titles from a variety of authors to enhance your seasonal reading and relationships with the special women in your life. Whether you are looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift or are in need of some encouragement yourself through some literary works, our roundup is sure to inspire and enrich.
For our latest monthly contest, we’re giving 15 readers the chance to win a copy of FINDING ME by Kathryn Cushman. For her entire life, Kelli Huddleston has been told the story of the fire that killed her mother and two siblings when she was only a baby. However, when her father dies, she finds hidden clippings about a boat accident that killed a young father and his infant daughter, leading her to question the truth about her birth. Armed with a few pictures of the people she believes may be her family, Kelli crosses the country to find some answers. But when the truth threatens her plans for the future, she must make a life-changing decision. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, May 20th at noon ET.
April is an especially busy month for us, as we have FOUR special features to share with you. First up is MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing, a remarkable true story by Christy Wilson Beam. Here, Beam relays the story of her daughter, a young girl who spent most of her childhood battling a rare and incurable digestive disorder. On a rare day when she was able to play with her sisters, she fell three stories headfirst inside an old, hollowed-out tree --- landing without so much as a scratch. While unconscious, however, she was able to visit Heaven and returned cured of her chronic disorder. Click here for more.
Next up is DOUBLE CROSS, a suspenseful new novel by DiAnn Mills. When FBI Agent Laurel Evertson is assigned to investigate a scam targeting the elderly, she is shocked when clues lead to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago. Although she has struggled to forget Wilmington, he is now her best lead. Meanwhile, Houston police officer Daniel Hilton has reason to believe his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’s willing to do anything to protect them. Drawn to Laurel’s dedication, he agrees to follow her lead and team up with Wilmington. As the unlikely trio digs deeper into the investigation, they find that the scam may be more deadly than they ever could have imagined. Click here for more.
We then move on to Allison Pittman’s latest work of historical fiction, ON SHIFTING SAND. Set in the 1930s, it takes readers to America’s Dust Bowl, where Nola Merrill has been suffering without affection since the death of her mother. Desperate to get away from her father, she marries Russ, a young preacher, and they have two children. Now it is 12 years later, and Jim, a drifter and long-lost friend of her husband’s, has come to visit. The longer he stays, the more alive Nola feels --- until a single encounter makes her betray her marriage. For months, Nola must deal with the consequences of her mistake until an opportunity arises that may allow Nola and her family to leave the drought and dust of Oklahoma. But first, she must confess her sins to Russ and hope that his love for her is stronger than her indiscretion. Click here for more.
Finally, we’re featuring BETTER ALL THE TIME, the second book in Carre Armstrong Gardner’s three-part Darling Family series, following ALL RIGHT HERE. Seraphina Darling has always wanted to stand out, but her weight issues have made her insecure and a bit of a wallflower. But when her best friend and older brother announce their engagement, Sephy vows to make a change in her appearance and attitude. Meanwhile, her younger sister, Amy, has landed her dream job coordinating the restoration of the community theater’s arts programs. Although she has never been happier, she finds herself running ragged as a result of her inability to trust others. As the Darling sisters experience successes and failures, each must struggle to find themselves under God’s watchful eye. Click here for more.
We have 11 reviews to share with you this month, including CHASING SUNSETS, the second installment in Karen Kingsbury’s Angels Walking series; WEARING GOD, Lauren F. Winner’s exploration of little-known biblical metaphors; and A HARVEST OF HOPE, a continuation of Lauraine Snelling’s Song of Blessing series.
And finally, we have big awards news to share with you. The finalists for this year’s Christy Awards and the winners of the Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Awards have been announced. Click on the award names for the complete list of honorees.
To all the mothers, grandmothers, moms-to-be, and important women in your life, Happy Mother’s Day! May it be a happy and healthy one, with much time for quiet contemplation, reflection, and quality time with your loved ones.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected]) |
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FaithfulReader.com’s 2015 Mother's Day Books Roundup
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In anticipation of Mother's Day, we at FaithfulReader.com have collected an assortment of books celebrating some of the most important women in our lives. Our well-rounded selection includes both fiction and nonfiction offerings from a variety of authors who understand the importance of a mother's love. Whether you are seeking guidance on raising your children with God's grace or simply looking for a new way to show your mom how much you appreciate her, you're sure to find the perfect title in our roundup.
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Click here to see our roundup of Mother's Day titles. |
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FaithfulReader.com's Latest Monthly Contest: Win a Copy of FINDING ME by Kathryn Cushman
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In FaithfulReader.com's latest monthly contest, 15 readers will win a copy of FINDING ME by Kathryn Cushman. After her father's death, Kelli discovers a shocking secret: She has a family she's never known. She may want answers, but are some doors better left shut? To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, May 20th at noon ET.
FINDING ME by Kathryn Cushman (Fiction)
All her life, Kelli Huddleston has been told the story of a fire --- a fire that killed her mother and two siblings when she was an infant. After her father's death, though, she uncovers evidence of a different story, including clippings about a boat accident that killed a young father and his infant daughter. And Kelli quietly realizes that the story of her life has been made up. When a trip to Tennessee to uncover the truth threatens to open doors to a past better left shut, and her plans for the future are jeopardized, Kelli is faced with an agonizing choice that will change her life forever.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Kathryn Cushman’s bio.
-Click here to visit Kathryn Cushman’s official website.
-Click here to connect with Kathryn Cushman on Facebook.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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Special Feature: MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN by Christy Wilson Beam
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MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing by Christy Wilson Beam (Memoir)
Annabel Beam spent most of her childhood in and out of hospitals with a rare and incurable digestive disorder that prevented her from ever living a normal, healthy life. When she was able to go outside and play with her sisters one day, she fell three stories headfirst inside an old, hollowed-out tree. Implausibly, she survived without a scratch. While unconscious inside the tree, with rescue workers struggling to get to her, she visited Heaven. After being released from the hospital, she defied science and was inexplicably cured of her chronic ailment.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Christy Wilson Beam’s bio.
-Click here to visit Christy Wilson Beam’s official website.
-Connect with Christy Wilson Beam on Facebook and Twitter.
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Click here for the special feature. |
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Special Feature: DOUBLE CROSS by DiAnn Mills
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DOUBLE CROSS by DiAnn Mills (Romantic Suspense)
FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family --- even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal, and agrees to follow her lead...even if it means teaming up with a felon.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read DiAnn Mills’ bio.
-Click here to visit DiAnn Mills’ official website.
-Connect with DiAnn Mills on Facebook and Twitter.
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Click here for the special feature. |
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Special Feature: ON SHIFTING SAND by Allison Pittman
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ON SHIFTING SAND by Allison Pittman (Historical Romance)
Long before anyone would christen it “The Dust Bowl,” Nola Merrill senses the destruction. She’s been drying up bit by bit since the day her mother died. A hasty marriage to a young preacher didn’t bring the escape she desired. Now, 12 years later with two children to raise, new seeds of dissatisfaction take root. When Jim, a mysterious drifter and long-lost friend from her husband’s past, takes refuge in their home, Nola slowly springs to life under his attentions until a single, reckless encounter brings her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Allison Pittman’s bio.
-Click here to connect with Allison Pittman on Facebook.
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Click here for the special feature. |
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Special Feature: BETTER ALL THE TIME by Carre Armstrong Gardner
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BETTER ALL THE TIME: A Darling Family Novel by Carre Armstrong Gardner (Fiction)
With her weight issues at the forefront of her mind, Seraphina Darling prefers to place herself comfortably in the background. But when her best friend and older brother announce their engagement, she vows to make a permanent change in her appearance and her life. Meanwhile, her younger sister, Amy, lands her dream job: coordinating the restoration of the community theater’s arts programs. As the deadline for the project’s completion approaches, Amy continues to run herself ragged, struggling to delegate and trust anyone but herself.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Carre Armstrong Gardner’s bio.
-Click here to visit Carre Armstrong Gardner’s official website.
-Connect with Carre Armstrong Gardner on Facebook and Twitter.
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Click here for the special feature. |
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The 2015 Christy Award Finalists
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The Christy Advisory Board has announced the finalists for the 2015 awards honoring excellence in Christian fiction. The nine categories cover stand-alone and series books, contemporary and historical novels, along with romance, suspense, visionary and young adult titles. The 16th annual Christy Awards will be presented at a dinner to be held on Monday, June 29th at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL.
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Click here for the finalists. |
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The 2015 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award Winners
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Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) has announced the winning titles for the 2015 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award. Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award honors books produced by small publishers each year for outstanding contribution to Christian life. Book lovers and retailers selling Christian products voted on the nominated titles in each of 13 categories.
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Click here for the winners. |
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Now in Stores: CHASING SUNSETS by Karen Kingsbury
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CHASING SUNSETS: Angels Walking Series, Book 2 by Karen Kingsbury (Fiction)
Mary Catherine lives in Los Angeles with her roommate, Sami, and volunteers at a local youth center with coach Tyler Ames and LA Dodger Marcus Dillinger. Despite Mary Catherine’s intention to stay single, she finds herself drawing close to Marcus, and their budding romance offers an exciting life she never dreamed of. That is, until she receives devastating news from her doctor --- news that alters her future and forces her to make a rash decision. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: WEARING GOD by Lauren F. Winner
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WEARING GOD: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God by Lauren F. Winner (Religion & Spirituality)
There are hundreds of metaphors for God, but the church only uses a few familiar images: creator, judge, savior, father. In WEARING GOD, Lauren Winner gathers a number of lesser-known tropes, reflecting on how they work biblically and culturally, and reveals how they can deepen our spiritual lives. Exploring the notion of God as clothing, Winner reflects on how we are “clothed with Christ” or how “God fits us like a garment.” She then analyzes how clothing functions culturally to shape our ideals and identify our community. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: WISDOM FROM WOMEN IN THE BIBLE by John C. Maxwell
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WISDOM FROM WOMEN IN THE BIBLE: Giants of the Faith Speak into Our Lives by John C. Maxwell (Christian Life/Personal Growth)
If you could spend a few minutes with biblical heroines Ruth, Sarah, Mary and others, what valuable lessons would they share with you? In the tradition of RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS and LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS, John Maxwell shares wisdom on life and leadership inspired by the Bible --- this time focusing solely on the stories of nine incredible women. Learn how God blesses the promises you keep to Him, why you should follow your heart to find your hope, and how not to miss your moment with God. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: THE CASE FOR GRACE by Lee Strobel
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THE CASE FOR GRACE: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives by Lee Strobel (Christian Life/Personal Growth)
In THE CASE FOR GRACE, Lee Strobel draws upon the inspiring stories of everyday people --- as well as never-before-told details of his own journey from atheism to Christianity --- to explore the depth and breadth of God’s redeeming love. Through his unique investigative approach and storytelling ability, you will see how God’s grace can similarly revolutionize your eternity and relationships…starting today. Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: A HARVEST OF HOPE by Lauraine Snelling
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A HARVEST OF HOPE: Song of Blessing, Book 2 by Lauraine Snelling (Historical Romance)
Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill. With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago. Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment. While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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More Reviews This Month
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LOVE GENTLY FALLING by Melody Carlson (Romance)
Rita Jansen's mother is healing from a stroke but facing a long recovery. Without being able to run their family-owned salon, she could lose the business. Rita decides to help, but only has until Valentine's Day to come up with a plan. She finds herself renewing friendships with her childhood best friend, Marley, as well as her classmate Johnny. Though Rita believes Johnny is only being kind, with romance kindling in the air, their friendship may just fall into something more. Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab.
I TRIED UNTIL I ALMOST DIED: From Anxiety and Frustration to Rest and Relaxation by Sandra McCollom (Christian Life/Personal Growth)
Many of us believe that in order to please God, we have to be perfect. In a culture that emphasizes accomplishment and ever-higher goals, we feel driven to do more, achieve more, be more. The result? Anger, frustration and anxiety that keep us far away from the life of peace that Jesus promised. For years, Sandra McCollom lived in this trap. In I TRIED UNTIL I ALMOST DIED, she shares how she left behind her burden of anxiety and fear, and shows you how to experience for yourself the freedom of trusting solely in the perfecting power of God’s grace. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
RESERVATIONS FOR TWO: A Novel of Fresh Flavors and New Horizons by Hillary Manton Lodge (Romance)
Food writer-turned-restaurateur Juliette D’Alisa has more than enough on her plate. While her trip to Provence might have unlocked new answers to her grandmother’s past, it’s also provided new complications in the form of Neil McLaren, the man she can’t give up. Juliette and Neil find romance simple as they travel through Provence and Tuscany together, but life back home presents a different set of challenges. Juliette has a restaurant to open, a mother combating serious illness, and a family legacy of secrets to untangle. How does Neil, living so far away in Memphis, fit into her life? Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.
THE UNDERTAKER’S WIFE: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Laughter in the Unlikeliest of Places by Dee Oliver, with Jodie Berndt (Memoir)
In THE UNDERTAKER'S WIFE, Dee Oliver draws from her wealth of experience to provide candid and often hysterically funny advice on dying well and surviving the loss of those who have gone before. Her insights on the common ground of grief, survival and the ever-present faithfulness of God (to all of us, regardless of our race, religious upbringing or socio-economic background) will help readers prepare for one of life’s only certainties --- and do it with wisdom, grace and a healthy dose of joy. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
A WIDOW'S JOURNEY: Reflections on Walking Alone by Gayle Roper (Devotional)
Have you recently lost your husband? Are there days when you feel so terribly alone --- and that no one else could possibly understand? As a recent widow herself, author Gayle Roper understands. Join Gayle as she draws on her emotions during the loss of her beloved husband, Chuck, and offers you a compassionate devotional to encourage you through your darkest days. Gayle knows a widow’s pain is deep. But she also knows God’s love is deeper still. And it’s in His love you’ll find your deepest comfort. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
WHAT’S IN A PHRASE?: Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre (Devotional)
Well-known biblical phrases --- "in the fullness of time," "fearfully and wonderfully made," "in the beauty of holiness" and others --- suggest and evoke and invite. In WHAT'S IN A PHRASE?, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre offers brief reflections on more than 50 such scriptural phrases that prompt readers to pay attention, to pause where we sense a beckoning. The three sections of the book --- "Assurance," "Invitation" and "Surprise" --- organize the reflections by tone as well as theme. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence. |
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--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
The Book Report Network
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