Christian Retailing

Bonus Web Review: Rooms Print Email
Written by Nicole Anderson   
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York
The suspense thriller Rooms by James L. Rubart challenges assumptions about the supernatural world while at the same time exploring decisions that people make in regards to their souls and eternity.
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Bonus Web Review: A Distant Melody Print Email
Written by Staff   
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York

In A Distant Melody, debut novelist Sarah Sundin mixes history, romance and a lesson on waiting on God for His perfect will to be fulfilled.

Sundin brings World War II-era England alive with romance. Allie, who is betrothed to Baxter in an arranged marriage goes off for the week to her college friend's wedding. Meeting a fighter pilot who shows her what love is all about, she begins to forget about her fiancé. Throwing caution to the wind, Allie finds the courage to follow her heart. As Walter honors his commitment to serve his country, Allie strives for love at all costs.

A Distant Melody is the first in the fictional "Wings of Glory" series centering on the three Novak brothers and the U.S. Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II. It's a great escape for readers, a romantic story filled with inspiration, love and adventure.
-Andrealynn Boyd

 

A Distant Melody
Sarah Sundin
Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
softcover, 432 pages, $14.99
978-0-800-73421-3
(March 1)

 
Jerry Jenkins not a fan of self-publishing Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Monday, 08 March 2010 11:47 AM America/New_York
Despite the recent influx of Christian publishers into self-publishing, one of the most successful Christian authors in today's market is no fan of the practice. "Left Behind" author and Christian Writers Guild owner Jerry B. Jenkins called self-publishing a "business transaction," speaking at a writers' group event in Oviedo, Fla., March 7.

Using an example to make his point, he said that if a writer sent a "blank book" with a title, author's name and payment to a vanity publisher, it would be published. Why? "Because it's a business transaction," he said. Jenkins didn't elaborate on the finer points that differ from company to company in the self-publishing world.

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Bonus Web Review: Once In a Blue Moon Print Email
Written by Tanya Ohle   
Sunday, 07 March 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York
Once In a Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis centers on Brynda Seymore, known to her friends as Bryn, a newspaper reporter and obituary writer. Orphaned at the age of 9 when her mother allegedly committed suicide. Bryn has never known her father's identity, being raised by her grandmother who never spoke of her mother.
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When 'Plans' come together Print Email
Written by Staff   
Friday, 19 February 2010 03:08 PM America/New_York

Which plan will you go with? The subtitle for Dwight Robertson's You are God's Plan A, releasing March 1 from David C. Cook, specifically says "there is no plan B" but Pete Wilson, who's releasing Plan B on May 4, apparently didn't get the memo.

 

 
Bonus Web Review: Beguiled Print Email
Written by Beth Anderson   
Sunday, 07 February 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York
Set in historic Charleston, S.C., this debut collaboration by Gist and Bertrand follows the life and trials of dog-walker Rylee Monroe. Rylee, an orphan raised by her paternal grandmother, Rylee a young woman who works only for residents of an exclusive neighborhood where she once lived in with her parents and grandparents. Due to tragic and puzzling circumstances, Rylee is left almost penniless and must work long hours to support her grandmother "Nonie," now an inhabitant at a local nursing home.

Known for her good reputation, Rylee is amazed when she is mistaken for the thief the newspapers are calling the "Robin Hood Burglar." The incriminating evidence, according to local detective Nate Campbell, is that most of the victims of the crimes are clients of Rylee's. As Rylee and her new reporter friend Logan Woods work together to solve the crimes, they deal with feelings of concern for each other and Logan's skepticism of those helping her.

A central theme explored in Beguiled involves trusting God to make things right, as well maintaining integrity and honesty. Although it end ups being a good love story, the twists and turns of the excellent plot make it a good read for anyone from young adult to adult.
-Beth Anderson

Beguiled

Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Bethany House Publishers (Baker Publishing Group)

softcover, 336 pages, $14.99

978-0-764-20628-3

 

 
Bonus Web Review: Listen Print Email
Written by Bonnie Bruner   
Sunday, 07 February 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York
Suspense author Gutteridge tells a convicting story of small-town gossip that mysteriously turns into public information on the Internet. Her latest novel, Listen, reveals the dangers of negative words.

As a columnist for his local newspaper, Damien Underwood makes his living through the power of words. With love for his safe and picturesque hometown of Marlo, he writes to influence his friends and neighbors in positive ways. Though his family, complete with a wife and two teenage children, is not perfect, they fit quite normally within the quiet town.

Strange happenings in Marlo begin with a few domestic incidents that catch the attention of Officer Frank Merret. As outbreaks of violence increase daily, the only evident source for all the conflict lies with a Web site where private conversations of the town's residents are being published for everyone to read. Though at first the site is only a menace, hardly warranting a serious police investigation, it eventually turns the town down an unforgettable path of hurt, resentment, fear and violence.

Listen offers readers a gripping plot and a significant message that spoken words carry more weight than anyone can know.
-Bonnie Bruner

Listen

Renee Gutteridge

Tyndale House Publishers

softcover, 432 pages, $12.99

978-1-414-32433-3

 

 
Bonus Web Review: The Pastor's Wife Print Email
Written by Beth Anderson   
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 11:40 AM America/New_York
In The Pastor's Wife, Maura Sullivan Shepherd is a "runaway wife." She forsakes her pastor-husband, Nick Shepherd, when her life becomes too much. After six years of separation, she is forced to return to him because of the reading of a will involving them both.

A parishioner has made them both joint beneficiaries of an old theater, but the conditions state they must live together for six months before they can inherit it. Now Maura must face both Nick and the congregation she left behind. Somehow, she doubts she can satisfy either of them, nor Nick's God whom she used to serve so fervently. Complicating matters, it appears that Nick may have a younger and much more suited love interest, even though he is still legally married to Maura. Although the plot is simple, the book is an interesting read, especially when Nick and Maura begin to realize their mistakes.

Embracing the sanctity of marriage as well as the concept of free will, this book would be a good read for most any woman, especially those who have sometimes felt that their marriage was not necessarily made in heaven.
-Beth Anderson

 

The Pastor's Wife
Jennifer AlLee
Abingdon Press
softcover, 288 pages, $13.99
978-1-426-70225-9

 
Audio Interview: Jon Acuff Print Email
Written by Staff   
Sunday, 28 February 2010 11:00 PM America/New_York

Jonathan Acuff, author of Stuff Christians Like (Zondervan), speaks with DeWayne Hamby, assistant editor about Christian humor and how his blog spawned the book and a fundraising effort.

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Read the related story, "Looking At the Lighter Side of Faith" here.

 
Bonus Web Close-Up with Charles Swindoll Print Email
Written by Staff   
Wednesday, 23 December 2009 09:31 AM America/New_York
Charles Swindoll, author of Christian bestsellers The Grace Awakening and Living on the Ragged Edge, recently spoke to DeWayne Hamby, Christian Retailing assistant editor, on his ambitious new Bible commentary project Swindoll's New Testament Insights (the first of which releases in January), his legacy and encouragement for retailers.
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Bonus Audio Interview: Beth Moore 'So Long Insecurity' Print Email
Written by Staff   
Monday, 14 December 2009 11:47 AM America/New_York

In an exclusive interview, Beth Moore explains the process behind her newest book, So Long Insecurity (Tyndale House Publishers), which releases February 2010.

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Bonus Web Close-Up with Austin Carty Print Email
Written by Staff   
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 11:00 PM America/New_York
Austin Carty, contestant on CBS' Survivor and Christian speaker, talks about his new book, High Points and Lows, releasing from Plume/Penguin on Jan. 26.
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Extended Audio Interview: John & Stasi Eldredge Print Email
Written by Staff   
Monday, 30 November 2009 11:46 AM America/New_York

In an exclusive audio interview, John and Stasi Eldredge speak to Assistant Editor DeWayne Hamby about their new book, Love & War, releasing Dec. 15, as well as Wild At Heart, Captivating and the ministry of Christian retail.

(photo by Joel Strayer)

 

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Jabez gets a makeover; upsizes Print Email
Written by Staff   
Thursday, 08 October 2009 11:13 AM America/New_York
To mark the release of Bruce Wilkinson's Sept. 15 release, You Were Born For This, Multnomah Books has repackaged the author's other popular titles in the same simple textual design of the new book.
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Adam McHugh on 'Introverts in the Church' Print Email
Written by Staff   
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 04:57 PM America/New_York
The author of the new book explains what it means to be introverted in an extroverted world and how the church can create a welcoming environment for all personalities.

Name: Adam McHugh
Current Project: Introverts in the Church (IVP Books)
Currently reside in: Claremont, CA
Currently reading: Tell it Slant by Eugene Peterson (Eerdman's), Culture Making by Andy Crouch (InterVarsity Press) and Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson (Zondervan)
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