April 2011

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

We're starting to get some warmer weather in the New York City area, which always puts people in a good mood. Most of our staff members have traded in their heavy coats, hats and gloves, which is great for office morale! We did see some flakes here and there last week, but I think Mother Nature was playing her own April Fool's joke!

Although it's still about two weeks away, I want to wish all of you a very Happy Easter! To get you ready for this solemn season, we have our annual Easter Roundup. There are titles for everyone in the family to enjoy. It's always a lot of fun putting this list together, and seeing the children's books really brings back memories of Easter celebrations of years past.

We are happy to announce four special contests that are currently running on the site. Our first featured title is THE CAREGIVER: Families of Honor, Book 1 by Shelley Shepard Gray, which is about two strangers who meet on a Cleveland-bound train and discover an intense connection. We have 20 copies to give away to readers who enter here by Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

We have 25 copies of A HEART MOST WORTHY by Siri Mitchell, in which a trio of seamstresses yearn to join the upper class society to which their shop caters. Enter here by Friday, April 29th at noon ET for your chance to win a copy. I had the pleasure of meeting Siri years ago at a conference and have always liked her writing, thus it's nice to share her latest book with you.

We also have 75 copies of ABIGAIL'S NEW HOPE: The Wayne County Series, Book 1 by Mary Ellis, which is about a midwife who begins questioning her skills and her faith after a particularly difficult delivery. Enter here by Friday, April 29th at noon ET to be in the running to win a copy.

TEA FOR TWO is the first book in Trish Perry's Tea with Millicent series, and starts with two parents bonding over their suddenly rebellious children. We have 75 copies to give away to readers who enter here by Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

We're also adding study guides for the Civil War-era romance THE DEEPEST WATERS by Dan Walsh (which is also the prize book in our Monthly Contest); THE DAWN OF A DREAM: At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1 by Ann Shorey, about a woman following her dream of becoming a teacher; and TOMORROW'S GARDEN, the third book in Amanda Cabot's Texas Dreams series of family and romance along the frontier.

As usual, we have our Faithful Fiction and Christian Living reviews, as well as the finalists for the 2011 Christian Book Awards. The winners will be announced on Monday, May 2nd.

Once again, here's to a happy, restful and reflective Easter celebration for you and all your loved ones!

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

 

As the time of year when Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter also serves as a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s faith and experience renewal and rebirth. Here at FaithfulReader.com, we have compiled a list of books that will help you do just that this Easter season. These fiction and nonfiction titles are sure to give you hope, inspire new beginnings, and most of all, remind you of God’s unending love. We wish you all a very happy and blessed Easter.
 

Special Contest and Feature: THE CAREGIVER by Shelley Shepard Gray

We are celebrating the release of THE CAREGIVER --- the story of two strangers whose lives fatefully collide when their train breaks down in the Midwest --- with a special contest. Twenty readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of this first installment in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Families of Honor series. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

THE CAREGIVER: Families of Honor, Book One by Shelley Shepard Gray (Romance)
Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while. The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.
 

We are celebrating the release of A HEART MOST WORTHY --- the tale of three Italian-American immigrants desperately seeking the posh lifestyle of their clients at a dressmaker in 1918 Boston --- with a special contest. Twenty-five readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of Siri Mitchell’s latest historical romance. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

A HEART MOST WORTHY by Siri Mitchell (Historical Romance)
The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream --- and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.

-Click here to read the study guide for A HEART MOST WORTHY.
-Click here to read more about A HEART MOST WORTHY.
-Click here to read an excerpt from A HEART MOST WORTHY.
-Click here to read an interview with Siri Mitchell.
-Click here to read Siri Mitchell’s bio.
 

We are celebrating the release of ABIGAIL’S NEW HOPE --- a midwife’s inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope after a fateful delivery --- with a special contest. Seventy-five readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of this first installment in Mary Ellis’s Wayne County series. To enter, fill out the form below by Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

ABIGAIL’S NEW HOPE: The Wayne County Series, Book 1 by Mary Ellis (Fiction)
As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies --- but the baby is saved. When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to care for her children while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who’s deaf and thought to be simple minded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents. While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining love.
 

We are celebrating the release of TEA FOR TWO --- a faith-filled novel that explores the delight of second chances, warm friendship, and unexpected romantic encounters --- with a special contest. Seventy-five readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of this first installment in Trish Perry’s Tea with Millicent series. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

TEA FOR TWO: Tea with Millicent, Book 1 by Trish Perry (Romance)
Counselor Tina Milano has been visiting Milly’s Tea Shop regularly for the past several months. She has many friends but no steady man in her life. Zack Cooper is a local farmer who provides Milly with fresh fruit and vegetables. As a single parent, Zack is doing his best to raise his teenage son and daughter on his own. When the kids get in minor scrapes with the law, Milly gently encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before their rebellious natures land them in even hotter water. At first Tina sees the relationship in only a professional capacity, but soon her friends notice the luscious scent of romance in the air and decide to help things along.

-Click here to read the study guide for TEA FOR TWO.
-Click here to read more about TEA FOR TWO.
-Click here to read an excerpt from TEA FOR TWO.
-Click here to read Trish Perry’s bio.
 

THE DEEPEST WATERS by Dan Walsh (Historical Romance)
What began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 for John and Laura Foster aboard the steamship SS Vandervere becomes a nightmare when a hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel any relief without her groom?

-Click here to read more about THE DEEPEST WATERS.
-Click here to read Dan Walsh’s bio.
 

THE DAWN OF A DREAM: At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 3 by Ann Shorey (Fiction)
Luellen O'Connell is stunned when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving --- and his reason devastates her. Deeply wounded by his betrayal, Luellen decides to follow her dream to become a teacher, a desire she had set aside when she married. But can she truly hide her past? Or will it destroy her ambitions forever?

-Click here to read more about THE DAWN OF A DREAM.
-Click here to read Ann Shorey’s bio.
 

TOMORROW’S GARDEN: Texas Dreams, Book 3 by Amanda Cabot (Historical Romance)
Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming the new schoolteacher in Ladreville, Texas, is just what she needs --- a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn’t count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood --- or the way he affects her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly conquer the past in order to find happiness?

-Click here to read more about TOMORROW’S GARDEN.
-Click here to read Amanda Cabot’s bio.
 

90 DAYS OF GOD’S GOODNESS: Daily Reflections That Shine Light on Personal Darkness by Randy Alcorn (Devotional)
When facing life’s hardest struggles, we often seek assurance of God’s presence and purpose. We may find ourselves asking: If God is good, why is there so much evil and suffering? Through thoughtful, inspiring devotional readings, Randy Alcorn brings clarity to the questions of God’s love and goodness, while helping us open a wide door to healing. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
 

BLESS THIS MOUSE written by Lois Lowry and illustrated by Eric Rohmann (Fiction)
Hildegarde is no run-of-the-mill mouse. In fact, some might call her a saint. As Mouse Mistress at Saint Bartholomew’s church, Hildegarde is responsible for keeping safe and hidden all the mice that live there, including Lucretia, a jealous mouse who tries to undermine Hildegarde’s authority whenever she can. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.
 

BATHSHEBA: The Wives of King David, Book 3 by Jill Eileen Smith (Historical Romance)
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars, she finds herself under the charming spell of powerful King David. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the king, their sin threatens to separate her from God --- and from David --- forever. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

ANOTHER DAWN by Kathryn Cushman (Fiction)
Grace Graham accuses her father of making poor choices that caused her mother’s death. But Grace is soon on the receiving end of those accusations when her decision not to have her son immunized puts other children in danger, including her own niece. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

HIS OTHER WIFE by Deborah Bedford (Fiction)
It’s bad enough that Hilary has to entertain her ex-husband, his critical wife and their kids when they’re in town for son Seth’s graduation. But when Seth makes a bad decision that results in tragedy, the exes must come together for the sake of their son. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

WORDS by Ginny L. Yttrup (Fiction)
Kaylee Wren is an abused 10-year-old who’s been abandoned by her mother. Sierra Dawn is a single 34-year-old artist who blames herself for her daughter’s death. Together, they find healing, freedom, and a love greater than they’ve ever experienced before. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.
 

LIFE PROMISES FOR WOMEN: Inspirational Scriptures and Devotional Thoughts by Cynthia Heald (Devotional)
Author Cynthia Heald offers yet another book for women, filled with wonderful encouragement from God’s Word. LIFE PROMISES FOR WOMEN provides fresh inspiration for grabbing hold of and living out the promises God has for us. Reviewed by Lynda Schab.

JESUS, LOVER OF A WOMAN’S SOUL: Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes by Dr. Erwin Lutzer and Rebecca Lutzer (Christian Living)
For centuries, Christian women have struggled to find their place in the church, and before God. Even when society may seem unfair or discriminatory, Jesus Himself affirmed women as equal partners in the family of God. Through His words and encounters with women during his life, His gifts of hope, healing, forgiveness and deliverance are still available to all women today. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

40 DAYS WITH JESUS: Celebrating His Presence by Sarah Young (Devotional)
Select devotionals from Sarah Young's bestselling JESUS CALLING are compiled in this gift book to create an experience of closeness with the Savior. To best honor the holy Lenten season, you can spend 40 days with Jesus --- from His death on Good Friday, to His resurrection on Easter Sunday --- and draw into worship and praise as never before. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
 

In our latest monthly contest, one reader will receive a copy of THE DEEPEST WATERS by Dan Walsh, a Civil War-era romance along the high seas. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

THE DEEPEST WATERS by Dan Walsh (Historical Romance)
What began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 for John and Laura Foster aboard the steamship SS Vandervere becomes a nightmare when a hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel any relief without her groom?

Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story through an intimate focus on two lost lovers. Inspired by real events, this moving novel will capture your heart as you dive into its pages.