December 2006

Merry Christmas

We bring 2006 to a close on FaithfulReader.com first by acknowledging you, our readers, with a heartfelt "Thank You" for all the ways you've made this year truly special. As you know we celebrated our 10th Anniversary as a company, and with the turning of any milestone comes a time for reflection on how far we've come and how far we can go. Thank you for joining us in this journey, and we hope to have you with us along the way for many years to come.

We are filled with holiday spirit this month on FaithfulReader.com. Firstly, we were thrilled that Cindy Crosby had a chance to talk to bestselling author Max Lucado, whose newest exploration into living life to the fullest is FACING YOUR GIANTS: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You. His interview is just like his work: honest, introspective, unexpected and filled with humor and compassion.

Max is also the author of THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE --- a tale of grace, forgiveness and all the small miracles that happen every day. This, along with other seasonal works from Catherine Palmer, Robin Lee Hatcher and Karen Kingsbury, are featured titles in our 2006 Christmas Roundup. We know the books in this compilation will give readers the chance to reflect on the richness of this meaningful holiday. We know how easy it is to get swept up in planning for the holidays, and we think all our readers will welcome the chance to take a step back and return to the sacred and joyous nature of this much-loved holiday.

Speaking of reflection, we compiled all the author interviews and Faithful Fifteens that were featured throughout the year. We invite you to take a look and revisit some favorites or read ones you may have missed.

Have you seen The Nativity Story? I've been hearing some wonderful things about the film, particularly that it is both beautifully shot and wonderfully cast. We were also pleased to hear that, to coincide with the film's release, Tyndale House Publishers has made available five tie-in books, including a novelization of the major motion picture and a gift book that features exclusive photos taken on the set of The Nativity Story. These might be just the thing to add to your holiday list.

We've also updated our Coming Soon section on FaithfulReader.com through April. There are some wonderful books coming in the months ahead, so be sure to take a look.

Finally, best wishes to you and your loved ones from all of us here at FaithfulReader.com. We look forward to having you with us in 2007.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

FaithfulReader.com Talks to Max Lucado, Author of FACING YOUR GIANTS

Max Lucado is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 40 million copies of his books in print. By turns funny, warm and serious, he has won a place in the hearts of Christian readers for his fresh prose, emphasis on grace, and ability to pen applicable concepts. As the minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, a prolific writer and the father of three girls, Lucado has no problem staying busy. Here, FaithfulReader.com's Cindy Crosby chats with Lucado about his writing life, his recent health challenges, and the best joke he's heard lately.

FACING YOUR GIANTS: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You by Max Lucado (Christian Living)
New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado has a knack for figuring out what readers are grappling with in their lives and addressing their needs in a way that engages and entertains while not sacrificing spiritual content. In FACING YOUR GIANTS, Lucado is at his best, spinning yarns while pounding home scripture and retelling biblical anecdotes. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

Click here to read an interview with Max Lucado and a review of FACING YOUR GIANTS.

2006 Christmas Roundup

During the month of December it's difficult not to get swept up by the superficial aspects of the holiday season, such as planning parties and shopping for presents. We often forget that Christmas is a sacred and joyous time steeped in spirituality, history and custom, which is meant to be cherished and celebrated.

This year, we at FaithfulReader.com have compiled a list of books perfect to share with the whole family that reflect the richness of this meaningful holiday. In this roundup, you'll find inspirational, heartwarming and humorous stories, faith-stirring devotionals, and thought-provoking history and trivia, as well as guides to keeping old traditions alive and creating new ones in both the home and the community. We're also featuring five books from Tyndale House Publishers that tie in perfectly to the December 1st release of the major motion picture The Nativity Story.

With these fiction and nonfiction titles, readers can nurture their faith, indulge in the joys of simple pleasures and cultivate the spirit of giving this holiday season.

Click here to read our 2006 Christmas Roundup.

Interviews of 2006

As 2006 comes to a close, we invite you to take a look at the author interviews and Faithful Fifteens that were featured throughout the year on FaithfulReader.com. This is a great way to catch up on the discussions you may have missed --- and to re-read what some of your favorite authors had to say about their books.

Click here to read our roundup of 2006 interviews.

New Guides for Christian Book Clubs

We are now featuring the following two new study guides for Christian book groups on FaithfulReader.com:

THE FAITH CLUB by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner

JESUS LAND by Julia Scheeres
 

Now in Stores: THE CHRISTMAS BUS by Melody Carlson

THE CHRISTMAS BUS by Melody Carlson (Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
This sweet tale by prolific author Melody Carlson entertains while encouraging readers to embrace the true spirit of Christmas. She reminds us that one of the gifts of the holiday season is reaching out to those in need, and perhaps entertaining angels unawares.

Christian Fiction Reviews on Teenreads.com

In March 2006 we began running reviews of Christian Fiction for teens on Teenreads.com. From popular Christian series like TrueColors by Melody Carlson and Payton Skky by Stephanie Perry Moore to stand-alone titles like A FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT by Caroline B. Cooney, we have books that will inspire and enrich the lives of teen readers.

Books Into Movies: The Nativity Story

The Nativity Story
Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ciaran Hinds, Shaun Toub
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Distributor: New Line Cinema
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: December 1st (wide)

The Nativity Story chronicles the two-year period of Mary and Joseph's life, which culminates in their leaving Nazareth and journeying 100 miles to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

To coincide with the film's release, Tyndale House Publishers has made available five tie-in books, including a novelization of the major motion picture and a gift book that features exclusive photos taken on the set of The Nativity Story.

Faithful Fiction Reviews

THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE by Max Lucado (Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Beloved bestselling author Max Lucado spins a light but enjoyable tale of an angel visitation in a small town. It encourages a belief in miracles and offers (as you would expect from Lucado) opportunities to ponder one of the greatest miracles of all: grace and forgiveness.

ABRAHAM'S WELL by Sharon Ewell Foster (Historical Fiction)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
In ABRAHAM'S WELL, Christy Award-winning author Sharon Ewell Foster returns to her best style of work: historical fiction focusing on racial prejudice --- the same genre she used in her debut novel, PASSING BY SAMARIA.

TRIAL BY ORDEAL by Craig Parshall (Legal Thriller)
Reviewed by Maggie Harding
Following the completion of his Chambers of Justice series, the latest book from Craig Parshall --- an attorney for many years and an advocate for religious freedom --- combines a realistic story, characters who are carefully drawn, and an underlying force that people of faith portray so well.

THE SHADOW AND NIGHT: The Lamb Among the Stars Series, Book 1 by Chris Walley (Futuristic Fiction)
Reviewed by Michele Howe
On the faraway planet of Farholme, humans live in peace under the gentle rule of the Assembly. War and evil are ancient history. But suddenly, almost imperceptibly, things begin to change. Slowly a handful of men and women begin to realize that evil has returned and it must be fought. THE SHADOW AND NIGHT was originally published as two separate volumes --- THE SHADOW AT EVENING and THE POWER OF THE NIGHT.

THE DARK FOUNDATIONS: The Lamb Among the Stars Series, Book 2 by Chris Walley (Futuristic Fiction)
Reviewed by Michele Howe
THE DARK FOUNDATIONS is part three of The Lamb Among the Stars series --- picking up where THE SHADOW AND NIGHT left off --- which weaves together the worlds of science and the spirit, technology and the supernatural, into something unique and haunting.

Christian Living Reviews

SOUL CRAVINGS by Erwin Raphael McManus (Spirituality)
Reviewed by Marcia Ford
SOUL CRAVINGS is a powerful, down-to-earth exposition that interprets our need for intimacy, meaning and destiny as common sense apologetics pointing to the existence of and our need for God. This book will deeply stir the reader to consider and chase after the spiritual implications of their soul's deepest longings.

WE HEAR THE CHRISTMAS ANGELS: True Stories of Their Presence edited by Evelyn Bence (Inspirational)
Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Collected in the pages of this volume, edited by FaithfulReader.com's Evelyn Bence, are 60 true accounts of people who have been touched by Christmas miracles --- everyday individuals who have been brought tidings of comfort, protection and joy by God's messengers.

THE SIMPLE HOME: A Faith-Filled Guide to Simplicity, Peace, and Joy in Your Home by Sharon Hanby-Robie (Practical Life)
Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Designer, author and TV personality Sharon Hanby-Robie helps readers put into motion a plan to make their homes a pleasing, practical and spiritual place to live. The text is organized into short chapters and provides guidance on how to live simply and from a faith-filled perspective.

WHAT JESUS DEMANDS FROM THE WORLD by John Piper (Spiritual Growth)
Reviewed by Margaret Oines
In WHAT JESUS DEMANDS FROM THE WORLD, John Piper has gathered many of Jesus' demands from the four Gospels. He begins with an introduction that puts the demands in a redemptive-historical context, and then concisely examines each demand.

THE DIVINE EMBRACE: Recovering the Passionate Spiritual Life, by Robert E. Webber (Spiritual Growth)
Reviewed by Marcia Ford
In THE DIVINE EMBRACE, part of his acclaimed Ancient-Future series, Robert Webber lays the foundation for understanding Christian spirituality by tracing it from the ancient church to the present, showing how biblical teaching has been developed theologically and informed by changes in culture.

HELPING THOSE WHO HURT by H. Norman Wright (Religion/Christianity)
Reviewed by Margaret Oines
People often fail to reach out to their hurting friends or family members for fear of saying the wrong thing. From his years of counseling experience as well as his personal experience, H. Norman Wright provides simple ways of helping and the right words to help Christians reach out to those in need.

THIS BEAUTIFUL MESS: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God by Rick McKinley (Christian Living)
Reviewed by Michele Howe
How does the beauty of Jesus' reign break into the mess of our broken lives and world? What if we lived as though a world other than this one was here today? THIS BEAUTIFUL MESS launches a paradigm-shifting journey inviting us to experience the kingdom of God in the ordinary miracle of our everyday lives.

Marriage and Family Life Reviews

RESPECTFUL KIDS: The Complete Guide to Bringing Out the Best in Your Child by Dr. Todd Cartmell (Parenting)
Reviewed by Michele Howe
Family coach and child psychologist Dr. Todd Cartmell offers a guide on raising respectful kids. With great parental involvement, some focused pre-planning, and lots and lots of role-playing practice, Cartmell demonstrates simple ways for moms and dads to lead their families in a healthier (happier) direction.

STICKING WITH YOUR TEEN: How to Keep From Coming Unglued No Matter What by Joe White with Lissa Halls Johnson (Parenting)
Reviewed by Michele Howe
Joe White has made it a career of investing in the lives of youth via his written texts and acting as president of Kanakuk Kamps. White now teams up with another prolific young adult author, Lissa Halls Johnson, to offer parents tried-and-true practical ideas for sticking with teens during the most emotional (good or bad) spaces of time.

Coming Soon on FaithfulReader.com

Wondering what books are just out, or coming out in the months ahead? Be sure to check out our Coming Soon section on FaithfulReader.com. We have titles from January through April listed. Please note that we have not listed every book coming out, but rather some that caught our eye --- and that we thought should catch yours as well.

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