Thin Places

Mary DeMuth

Zondervan

softcover, 224 pages, $14.99

978-0-310-28418-5

In Thin Places: A Memoir, DeMuth traces her life's influences, both positive and negative. The title refers to the times and places throughout her life when the everyday and the spiritual world seemed close enough for her to reach across and touch Jesus.

While the book is autobiographical, it is not chronological. Each chapter traces a particular facet of her character through various seasons of her life. One chapter, for example, chronicles the three divorces of DeMuth's mother and how the loss of each successive father seemed to rob DeMuth of something. Then she skips ahead to a troubling season with her own husband, showing how her childhood struggles gave her the strength to restore her marriage for the sake of her children.

Some of the chapters are disturbing, as DeMuth has experienced childhood sexual abuse and child pornography. Still, Thin Places offers a poignant look at the development of a well-known Christian writer.

—John D. Leatherman

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

Charles F. Stanley

Thomas Nelson

hardcover, 256 pages, $21.99

978-1-400-20092-4

Stanley continues to his writing on practical theology and the Christian life in How to Reach Your Full Potential for God: Never Settle for Less Than His Best. Deeply rooted in the Scriptures, the book enumerates the essentials of a rich, meaningful existence. A clean heart, a clean mind and a balanced schedule can do wonders to revive an arid soul, according to the author.

Stanley grapples with the existential issues that confront us all: questions of identity, meaning, purpose and destiny. He realistically and frankly discusses obstacles, setbacks and frustrations in the believer's path to reaching his or her potential—stress, alcohol, sexually transmitted diseases, broken relationships, fear and low self-value. More importantly, the popular Bible teacher inspires readers to learn about and exercise their spiritual gifts as well as to take risks—which is the essence of faith and trust in God.

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God makes for a good read when considering the new year and its resolutions.

—C. Brian Smith

Deliver Us from Evil

Robin Caroll

B&H Fiction (B&H Publishing Group)

softcover, 320 pages, $14.99

978-0-805-44980-8

The suspense novel Deliver Us From Evil sheds awareness about child sex trafficking within the United States. U.S.
Marshal Roark Holland is assigned the task of escorting a donor heart for a major witness that will open up a child trafficking case. Park ranger Brannon Callahan finds herself caught in the middle of Holland's case when she rescues him after a plane crash.

As they move through the woods, accompanied by Callahan's partner, Lincoln, they discover that someone is out to ensure their mission fails. Once they understand the mission is to save the life of innocent children, determination, teamwork and faith become their stablizing forces.

Caroll's action-packed adventure weaves together a mystery that keep the reader turning the pages and a lighthearted romance that builds between two strangers thrust together in life-threatening circumstances and loss.

—Nicole Anderson

Never Say Never

Lisa Wingate

Bethany House Publishers (Baker Publishing Group)

softcover, 352 pages, $14.99

978-0-764-20492-0

Wingate's Never Say Never is a "deep in the heart of Texas" thrill ride. It begins with 71-year-old Donetta Brandford and her two best friends, Imagene and Lucy, who decide to take a cruise to break the monotony of their lives in small town Daily, Texas.

At a country store, they encounter twenty-something Kai, a cruise line employee who reveals that the ship has already left to get out of the way of a hurricane. Everyone else is trying to get out, too, including some bad characters and a church from Louisiana.

As this group unites, chaos reigns, but in the midst, God shows all of them that miracles do still happen. The book ends with a surprise event and everyone is thankful to God for finding such great friends.

Women, young and old, will identify with the theme of the quest for true love and be met with the promise of perfect love in Christ.

—Tanya Ohle

A Year of Blind Dates

Megan Carson

Regal Books

softcover, 192 pages, $12.99

978-0-830-74810-5

Debut author Carson's A Year of Blind Dates: A Single Girl's Search for 'the One' is a comical account of her search for Mr. Right. Though she has always been blessed with a supportive family, friends and a life full of purpose, at age 28 she becomes more determined than ever to find the man of her dreams.

With the help of a dating service and friends who are all too willing to introduce her to potential mates, Carson embarks on a series of dates that will change her in a way she never expects.

The World's Best Dating Service—names changed to protect the innocent—promises 14 dates in the course of a year, surely enough to find the perfect match. From Penthouse Pete to Miguel the Matador, most of the dates simply go from bad to worse. The few that have potential still do not make it far.

After a heart-breaking year, Carson accepts that she cannot change or, much less, spoil God's plan for her life. Her story offers encouragement to those looking for "The One" and is a sure reminder of God's love and faithfulness.

—Bonnie Bruner

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes

Lisa McKay

David C. Cook

softcover, 208 pages, $12.99

978-1-434-76726-4

McKay, a blogger writing her debut book with You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes…And Other Great Advice From an Unlikely Preacher's Wife, didn't plan on becoming a pastor's wife. Her husband, Luke, worked in construction, and they were on the brink of divorce before he got saved. Then, when he sensed God's call to ministry, McKay wasn't too certain about this vocational change and especially not her new leadership role.

With humorously refreshing advice to her fellow pastors' wives, McKay shares some of her mishaps in trying to fit into a stereotype that did not suit her personality—and reveals how God set her free from that mentality.

But the book is not written solely to pastors' wives; rather, she addresses congregation members, giving helpful, realistic guidelines to all—pastor, pastor's wife and church member—on how to serve each other and together build God's kingdom.

—Deborah L. Delk

Dug Down Deep

Joshua Harris

Multnomah Books

hardcover, 256 pages, $19.99

978-1-601-42151-7

Harris, best known for the teen advice book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, draws from his experience growing up in the church for Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters. Opening with a look at Rumspringa, the Amish rite of passage, Harris explains his personal spiritual journey and why all believers come to a point of personal faith ownership.

The author credits notables such as J.I. Packer and John Piper for defining moments in the formation of his understanding of theology. He also focuses on why theology, along with orthodoxy, has been overlooked—to the detriment of the church. Some of the most memorable moments, however, center on times when Harris discovers his life should revolve around God and not vice versa.

Dug Down Deep is an easy, conversational read targeting those who, like Harris, have found themselves in a shallow spirituality. He stresses the relevance of Scripture in modern living and urges readers to know what they believe and why.

—DeWayne Hamby

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