The Christmas Shoppe

by Melody Carlson

Seasonal Fiction / Inspirational

Release Date: September 2011

Synopsis:

The small town of Parrish Springs is not quite ready for Matilda Honeycutt.

A strange older woman with scraggly gray hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matilda is certainly not the most likely person to buy the old Barton Building on the town’s quaint main street. When it becomes apparent that her new shop doesn’t fit the expectations of Parrish Springs residents, a brouhaha erupts. After all, Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life and healing.

Once again, Melody Carlson delivers a Christmas story that will touch hearts and delight the senses. Sure to be a classic, The Christmas Shoppe is filled with the special magic the best Christmas stories share—that intangible mixture of nostalgia, joy, and a little bit of magic.

My Thoughts:

Well, I don’t have a whole lot to say about this book, other than… it’s short, cute, and a lovely little diversion on a snowy day. Grab yourself a mug of tea, a blanket, and a comfortable spot on the couch, and curl up with this on a lazy Sunday afternoon during the holidays.

The story is full of quirky (and a little cliche, but still enjoyable) characters, a simple plot, and a heartwarming message that’s appropriate for Christmas. I’m afraid that if I say too much more, I’ll give the surprise away, so… all I can say is, if you’re feeling some holiday blues, or need a break from running around, pick up this little gem and breathe easier for a few hours.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, The Jerk Magnet, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon. For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Behind the Veils of Yemen:

How an American Woman Risked Her Life, Family, and Faith to Bring Jesus to Muslim Women

by Audra Grace Shelby

Memoir / Inspirational

Release Date: September 2011

Synopsis:

Women began to arrive in the entry hall, peeling away their black outer coverings. I watched in amazement as shimmering bodies emerged from the black shrouds. One woman sparkled in a purple silk caftan, her arms gleaming with gold jewelry. I smiled to myself. If people only knew what was under those veils. I looked at their faces, artfully painted with makeup, not at all how they appeared in public: dark eyes in narrow black slits. They were like the beauties of Arab folklore. I was awed by the transformation.

With only prayer and a faith that always seemed too small, Audra Grace Shelby departed with her husband and children on a one-way flight to Yemen…deep into the heart of conservative Islam.

With honesty and passion, she shares her harrowing journey as a Christian woman thrust into a culture dangerously different from her own. From the friendships she forged, to her gnawing doubt and fear, to her offers of hope when her new friends’ religion failed them, she gives us glimpses of a world most have never seen: behind the veils of real Muslim women–and how the grace of God touches lives in the midst of an Islamic stronghold.

My Thoughts:

While this wasn’t the most compelling book I’ve ever read on ministering to Muslim women, if this is a subject area that you’re interested in, I do recommend it. Shelby is honest, candid, and straightforward in her presentation of her experiences in Yemen, and she presents both her successes and mistakes with humility and gratitude—something I appreciate in memoirs, particularly in those dealing with mission-oriented situations.

I’m always a bit wary, going into books about ministering to Muslims, because I fear that I’ll end up reading something that poorly represents Christians and their relationship to Islamic culture. The good thing is, I haven’t read many of these lately, as it seems the concept of relationship and understanding has taken a front seat to everything else.

As well it should! Because, as we all know, if we want to help someone or share in their lives, we need to build trust and a relationship first. You may be looking at the title of the book and thinking “oh great, another Christian trying to convert everyone” and on some level, you’d be right. But at the very core, at the very heart of ministry to Muslims, is love. Shelby displayed this in her interactions with Muslim women in Yemen, and it’s something I think we can all do, even in our daily lives.

We need to love people who are different from us, who have different beliefs or who come from a completely foreign (to us) cultural background. Mutual love and respect go a long way in this life, and we’ll do no good in the world if we attack people who believe different things. Sharing our beliefs with love and respect, and engaging in dialogue instead of pushing beliefs on others, is what leads us to understanding—Shelby’s engagement of the Muslim women she interacted with stood firmly on this principle, while also trusting God to bring the opportunities she needed to share with the women and to be a part of their lives.

As for myself, I came away from the book with a greater sense of understanding of the daily lives of Muslim women in Yemen, an area I previously didn’t know much about. The traditions are strange to me, but we share a lot in common with women on the other side of the world: Care for family, a yearning to be loved, concern for our husbands / significant others, and a longing to belong. We are more alike than we often think.

About the Author

Audra Grace Shelby served nine years as a Southern Baptist missionary in the Middle East, alongside her husband and four children. The daughter of career missionaries, she speaks frequently at conferences and in churches across the United States, and she has been on local and national radio talk shows and broadcasts. Audra and her husband remain actively involved in reaching unreached people in the Middle East and around the world through ministries such as Faith Comes By Hearing.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Grace for the Good Girl

by Emily Anne Freeman

Inspirational / Women’s

Release Date: September 2011

Synopsis:

You’re strong. You’re responsible. You’re good. But . . .

. . . as day fades to dusk, you begin to feel the familiar fog of anxiety, the weight and pressure of holding it together and of longing left unmet. Good girls sometimes feel that the Christian life means doing hard work with a sweet disposition. We tend to focus only on the things we can handle, our disciplined lives, and our unshakable good moods.

But what would happen if we let grace pour out boundless acceptance into our worn-out hearts and undo us? If we dared to talk about the ways we hide, our longing to be known, and the fear in the knowing?

In Grace for the Good Girl, Emily Freeman invites you to release your tight hold on that familiar, try-hard life and lean your weight heavy into the love of Jesus. With an open hand, a whimsical style, and a heart bent brave toward adventure, Emily encourages you to move from your own impossible expectations toward the God who has graciously, miraculously, and lovingly found you.

My Thoughts:

You know what? I don’t have a whole lot to say about this book, and that’s because I think the title, trailer, and the synopsis speak for themselves. If you’re a Christian ‘good girl’ who has lived her life trying to attain perfection, this is a book for you.

Freeman is honest, caring, and not afraid to hit the ‘good girl’ with some hard truths. Chances are, if you’re a ‘good girl’, you need God’s grace just as much as anyone else, but you’re likely unwilling to admit it. It’s not failure if you can’t do it all on your own. It’s called being human.

If you’re a ‘good girl’, or you know of a ‘good girl’ in your life, I recommend picking up this book. Have your tissues handy, and come with an open heart. There is grace enough for all of us.

About the Author

Emily Freeman is a writer who loves to read and a speaker who would rather listen. She writes for DaySpring (a division of Hallmark) and has also traveled as a writer with Compassion International to raise awareness for the needs of children in poverty around the world. She attended Columbia International University to study the Bible and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned a degree in Educational Interpreting for the Deaf. She is married to John, a student ministries pastor, and together they live in North Carolina with their three children. Emily extends a daily invitation on her blog for women to create space for their souls to breathe. Come join the community of grace dwellers at www.ChattingAtTheSky.com.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Doctor’s Lady

by Jody Hedlund

Historical Fiction / Inspirational

Release Date: September 2011

Synopsis:

Priscilla White knows she’ll never be a wife or mother and feels God’s call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God’s leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My Thoughts:

I accepted this book for review because I used to read Hedlund’s blog on a regular basis, and I found her to be personable and very open about the writing process. I remember reading her agent post… and her selling post… and her post about having that first book out on store shelves. The Doctor’s Lady is her second book, and while I haven’t read her first, this sophomore piece is a clear indicator of the strength of her writing and storytelling ability.

Without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the story itself is based on a real historical figure, which I found fascinating. Hedlund includes a few pages at the back of the novel with details about the real person / journey her book is based on, and reading this after finishing the story really sold the book for me.

I’m typically very picky when it comes to inspirational historical fiction, but I found the characters in this book believable, likeable, relatable, and realistic. The journey the characters took, while slightly repetitive and monotonous in reality, was kept interesting and engaging by Hedlund’s ability to introduce conflict and romantic tension in a way that didn’t have me rolling my eyes or reaching for the cliche checklist.

All told, the book likely won’t be up the alley of anyone who isn’t a Christian or a regular reader of inspirational fiction, simply because of the pervasive Christian worldview and commentary, though this is reflective of the time period and expected of characters based on real missionary travelers (these aspects come directly from the historical document as well).

Overall, a worthwhile read. If her work continues in this vein, I expect Hedlund to become a respected and well-known household name for readers of this genre.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest in Historical Romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. Visit her website at JodyHedlund.com.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Realms Thereunder

(Ancient Earth Trilogy, Book 1)

by Ross Lawhead

Fantasy

Release Date: September 2011

Synopsis:

Ancient legend tells of an army of knights that will remain sleeping until the last days. The knights are waking up.

A homeless man is stalked by a pale, wraithlike creature with a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth. Maimed animals and a host of suicides cluster around a mountain in Scotland. And deep beneath the cobbled streets of Oxford, a malicious hoard besieges a hidden city.

Freya Reynolds is a university student with a touch of OCD and an obsession with myth and folklore. Daniel Tully is living rough on the streets of Oxford, waging a secret war against an enemy only he can identify. Years ago, they found themselves in a world few know is real. They have since gone their separate ways and tried to put that adventure behind them.

But the mythical world is now bleeding into our reality-a dark spiritual evil that is manifesting itself in forgotten corners of the British Isles. Alex Simpson is a Scottish police officer who specializes in hunting mythical creatures. Together, they must confront the past, the present, and points beyond to defeat the ultimate threat to humanity.

Nothing they’ve seen so far prepares them for what awaits . . . in The Realms Thereunder.

My Thoughts:

Well… I had high hopes for Ross Lawhead’s work. Maybe that’s not fair—how’d you like to spend your whole life being compared to your father?—but at least I’m being honest. I adore most of Stephen Lawhead’s work, and I think he’s a brilliant, highly imaginative writer. Did I happen to transfer some of these expectations to his son’s work? Yes. I did.

And it’s not that The Realms Thereunder is a bad book. It’s not. At no point did I say “I don’t like this” or “I want to stop reading”… but on the other hand, at no point did I say “I can’t put this down” or “what a unique concept”. Rather, I felt I was reading a mediocre debut novel from a new fantasy author.

I also have the sneaking suspicion that it might be an allegory. Please, for the love of all things literary, can we have ONE Christian fantasy novel that ISN’T an allegory?!?! PLEASE?!?! (Actually, I have heard there is one, and I plan to read it soon… *hint hint*… I’ll keep you posted.) I’m going to be very disappointed if I read the next book in the series and find out that it is allegory.

Not that there’s anything wrong with allegory, it’s just that… it’s been done before. And done VERY WELL by people like C.S. Lewis, Madeline L’Engle, and John White. It’s hard to live up to that or do so much better that you won’t get buried under their greatness.

Now, I realize this doesn’t tell you a whole lot about the novel, but let’s face it, you don’t read book reviews for full plot run-downs or potential spoilers, right? I will say this, though—I wasn’t sure, and still aren’t, who Lawhead’s target audience is for this series. The main characters are adults when we meet them, but the vast majority of this installment is spent in childhood flashbacks… and the writing style was reminiscent of YA novels. So, I’m not entirely sure where he’s going with this.

But that’s okay. I’ll give the next book a shot… and keep my fingers crossed that it isn’t, in fact, an allegory series.

PS: Also? There’s a total “what the… Voldemort?!?” moment about halfway through the book. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. That kinda ticked me off… I’m actually a little surprised it made it into the book. You’ll know what it is when you read it.

About the Author

Ross Lawhead comes from a literary household and has written since he could hold a crayon. He has collaborated with his father on a trilogy of speculative fiction, written and illustrated a graphic novel, and published two volumes of "awful" poetry in a series called "The Colour Papers." He lives in Oxford and this is his first full-length novel. For more on Ross’ musings on comics, movies, books and culture, visit www.rosslawhead.com/blog/

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.

A Great Catch

by Lorna Seilstad

Historical Romance / Inspirational

Release Date: May 2011

Synopsis:

She wants to change the world.
He wants to change her mind.

It’s the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham’s meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.

When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?

My Thoughts:

If you recall my review of this author’s debut novel, you’ll remember that initially, the cover image threw me off and I read the book expecting to hate it—and was pleasantly surprised to find it was one of the best Christian fiction books I’d read in a long time.

I had a similar negative reaction when I heard about the topic of this novel: baseball. Baseball?! Really?! I mean, I like sports, but if there’s one sport I’d pass up free tickets to—heck, I don’t know if you could pay me to sit through a game—it’s baseball. *hurk*

But, since I enjoyed the previous book she’d written, I gave this one a go.

I’m glad I did! Once again, Seilstad has created memorable characters with unique goals, and placed them back in the same very different setting as her first novel. In fact, without giving any spoilers, I’ll mention that since it’s set in the same place, a number of characters from Making Waves show up here in a very natural way.

As for the negatives, I did find that the main character’s aunts grated on me after a little while, and though I realize they were supposed to be frustrating, there were moments when it seemed to go beyond my ability to suspend disbelief. But that’s a very minor thing over the course of a whole novel.

It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly good reading! I’ll be sharing this one with others and recommending it to library patrons. I hope Seilstad brings us back to Lake Manawa next summer too.

About the Author

A history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer, Lorna Seilstad is the author of Making Waves and draws her setting from her home state of Iowa. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Lady of Bolton Hill

by Elizabeth Camden

Historical Romance / Inspirational

Release Date: June 2011

Synopsis:

When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain’s worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts–and lives–hang in the balance?

My Thoughts:

I’m sorry, team… but I didn’t make it through this one. *sigh*

There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the characters, or plot, or setting… in fact, the time period seemed well-researched, and the dialogue and characters authentic.

My problem? I just didn’t care. I got bored… it felt, well, bland. There was nothing about this story that set it apart from other historical romances for me, so by the time I got halfway through the story, I realized that I’d rather do just about anything than continue reading, and that I was probably the wrong target audience for this novel.

So I’ll say this: If you like historical romances that are traditional, with typical characters and black-and-white issues of right & wrong, this book is probably for you. I can think of a number of church library patrons who would enjoy this story, and I’ll recommend the book to them. It feels “safe”, if that makes any sense, and that’s not really the kind of inspirational fiction I enjoy.

To be fair to the author, I recommend that if this is in your reading genre of choice, head to this page and read an excerpt from the novel. See if it’s something you’d enjoy before giving it a complete pass. It’s also worth keeping in mind that this is a debut novel, and I imagine Camden’s writing and ability to develop complex characters and plot will only improve with each book.

About the Author

A research librarian and associate professor,Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Orlando, Florida. Visit her website at ElizabethCamden.com

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

An Unlikely Suitor

by Nancy Moser

Historical Fiction / Inspirational

Release Date: May 2011

Synopsis:

Spend a season in glamorous 1895 Newport in this compelling tale of friendship, devotion, and sacrificial love.

New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she’s designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy’s skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?

Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn’t love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?

And Lucy’s teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class–but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?

As the lives of three young woman–and their unlikely suitors–become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?

My Thoughts:

Yeah… you want to read this one. If you like Christian historical fiction, or just plain old historical fiction for that matter (with a touch of romance), this one is worth the read.

When the twist came, I sat up on the couch and gasped audibly, then shouted “NO! No WAY!”… and you know, it takes a lot to surprise me in inspirational fiction. I’ve been reading & reviewing these kinds of books for awhile now, and usually these kinds of stories are incredibly predictable (though that doesn’t make them any less entertaining, most of the time).

This one? Definitely didn’t see THAT twist coming.

I also liked the characters, the atmosphere, the setting, and the amount of historical detail that Moser included AFTER the story ended. There are pages and pages of annotations about real historical elements she included (or took liberties with), and she also provides old catalogue illustrations that show some of the dresses she had her characters wear throughout the novel.

There was one little thing I didn’t like… a secondary character who was mentioned just a few times suddenly becoming a big deal almost out of nowhere… but I could easily look past that for how much I loved the historical detail and the twist. It’s rare for me to love an inspirational historical fiction novel these days, but this one definitely fits the bill.

About the Author

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and a eighteen novels, including Mozart’s Sister, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest. Read more about her books at www.nancymoser.com.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

To Win Her Heart

by Karen Witemeyer

Historical Romance / Inspirational

Release Date: May 2011

Synopsis:

Do They Have a Fighting Chance at Love?

After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she’s reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi’s prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

My Thoughts:

I’ve enjoyed Witemeyer’s books before, and this historical romance is a well-crafted addition to the author’s bibliography. I much preferred To Win Her Heart over Witemeyer’s previous offering, and many of the things I liked about this book were similar to what I liked in her debut novel, so I’ll try not to repeat myself too much.

The heroine is, of course, a seemingly flawless heroine with a secret in her past, and the hero is a physically attractive man with an even bigger secret. The villain is relentless and clueless, and you know from the beginning how the story is going to pan out. Read the synopsis again—tell me you don’t know what’s going to happen (but I won’t believe you!).

Still, the characters are interesting, the setting feels realistic, and the romance is slow and sweet. Plus, I like the idea of the heroine running a lending library from home. This makes for some easily-relatable discussion about books, which adds a nice dimension to the plot.

I should also mention that Witemeyer changed her tactic for this novel—instead of a young woman coming into town/the area and meeting the geographically-established hero, it’s the hero who’s the new person around. I appreciated the change.

Overall, I’d say that if you enjoy historical romances, or Witemeyer’s previous work, this one is worth the read. I might not recommend it to someone trying historical romance for the first time, but on the whole it’s a nice diversion with good characters, and the kind of story that can be easily shared with friends, mothers, and grandmothers, and chatted about afterward.

About the Author 

Karen Witemeyer holds a master’s degree in psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and the Abilene Writers Guild. She has published fiction in Focus on the Family’s children’s magazine, and has written several articles for online publications and anthologies. A Tailor-Made Bride is her first novel. Karen lives in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.Visit Karen’s Web site atwww.karenwitemeyer.com.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".