Townsend uses stories and experiences to address readers who feel as if God is absent from their lives.

"We are living in hard times these days, all of us in our country, and all over the world," he writes. "And an incredible number of people, every day, are asking 'Where Is God?' They want to know what He is doing in these times, how He can make a difference, and what they can do in the process."

Townsend divides his book into three parts: Why does a loving God allow us to experience difficulties?, How is God active in the middle of our hard times? and How can I find God? Chapter titles include "Freedom in the Service of Love," "The God Who Suffers With Me," "The God Who Transforms You" and "The God of Faith When There Are No Answers."

"We must exercise faith," he writes. "We don't pretend we're fine. We don't deny it. But we trust in Him. The result is a double benefit: 'And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him' (Heb. 11:6 NLT). The first, that we please God. The second, that He rewards us in some form or fashion."

Thomas Nelson will support the release of Where Is God? with a national print and online campaign that will include ads for the American Association of Christian Counselors, Web sites, radio, television and newspapers. An unabridged audiobook (978-1-400-31622-9, $24.99) is also available.

To order, call Thomas Nelson at 800-251-4000 or visit www.thomasnelson.com.

John and Stasi Eldredge, known for their previous messages separately addressing men and women, unite their readers for Love & War: Finding the Marriage You Dreamed Of, their first book with publisher Doubleday Religion.

With what seems to be a new chapter in the couple's ministry, John initially expressed reluctance to the idea of a book about marriage.

"This is the last thing we wanted to do," he told Christian Retailing. "Can you imagine writing a marriage book with your spouse? But it was a conversational prayer, where we were praying about the next thing that was on our heart and where we felt God was moving us to. Much to our surprise, it was marriage."

John said that although they "came into it kicking and screaming," the couple was able to offer a unique take on the subject, which is not a book of "tips and techniques" or a "seminar in print form."

"It's a marriage book, like Wild At Heart was a men's book or Captivating was a women's book," he said. "It's really trying to get back to the heart of marriage and what God put in our hearts as men and women and why it's love and war."

Stasi, who said the book is "very honest, vulnerable and real," added that the title means that "every person's marriage is a love story, and it's set in the midst of war. Sometimes it's our spouse that we're warring with."

As the book is released through a general market publisher, John hopes it is able to reach new readers.

"It's an opportunity, frankly, for evangelism, for us to bring the hope of the resurrection side of the gospel to people who wouldn't have necessarily sought out a Christian answer to things," he said. "You start talking about marriage, and can you name one person's marriage that doesn't need help?"

Doubleday Religion's publicity campaign includes a Salem Radio Mega Weekend around Valentine's Day, direct-to-church promotions and a promotional insert for national conferences.

For an audio interview with the Eldredges, visit www.christianretailing.com.

For more information, visit www.randomhouse.com/crown/doubledayreligion, or to order, call 800-733-3000.

Editorial Portavoz's Christmas release for Spanish-speaking children ages 4 to 8, El burrito de Belén (Clopper, the Christmas Donkey, 978-0-825-41790-0, $9.99), taps into a rich vein of Hispanic tradition.

"Christmas in Spanish-speaking areas is a very important religious holiday and is celebrated in a variety of ways," said Cathy Vila, director of marketing for Editorial Portavoz. "One of the most beloved characters from the Christmas story is the donkey, known to Spanish-speaking children as El burrito de Belén, the Christmas donkey. Throughout all the Spanish-speaking countries of the world, children sing a song about the Christmas donkey."

The new, 32-page hardcover book "takes the story one step further with colorful illustrations and gives the donkey a voice to tell his tale."

El burrito de Belén tells the story of the greatest adventure of a hardworking donkey's life—escorting Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the dusty stable in which Jesus would be born, and the subsequent news from the angels that brought three shepherds to pay their respects.

Quotations from the Luke 2:1-20 passage are set throughout the book by scrolls that are drawn into the illustrations. The book is intended to both be read by young children on their own and enjoyed as a read-aloud with parents.

The original version in English was released by Kregel Publications in 2003 and has had tremendous success, continuing to be a best-seller for the past five Christmas seasons. Vila said that Editorial Portavoz had been very pleased with the initial response to the book: "It promises to become a new classic for Spanish-speaking children to read at Christmas."

The book is a collaborative effort by author Emily King and illustrator Ed Olson. They have also collaborated on two other English books in this series, Clopper and the Lost Boy and Clopper and the Night Travelers, both available in English from Kregel Publications.

For more information, call 877-733-2607 or go to www.portavoz.com.

Living with a kingdom focus is the theme of Until The Whole World Hears (6-02341-01352-9, Beach Street Records/Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution), the latest studio album from GRAMMY Award-winning group Casting Crowns.

"Our main purpose, above all else, is to know Him more," said singer-songwriter Mark Hall.

The title track comes from an e-mail signature from Roger Glidewell, Hall's mentor in student ministry, who closed his messages with the phrase, "Until the whole world hears." Hall said, "Those simple words are a challenge to be intentional with the way we live our lives."

"To Know You" centers on the apostle Paul's struggles and fears, and brings them down to a personal level, while "Always Enough" was inspired by a fellow churchgoer's death while serving in Afghanistan. "When things that are constants in our lives are stripped away, that's when we have to know He's always enough," Hall said.

Until The Whole World Hears showcases the signature sound of Casting Crowns and its members: Mark Hall, Megan Garrett, Melodee DeVevo, Hector Cervantes, Chris Huffman, Juan DeVevo and new member Brian Scoggin, who replaced drummer Andy Williams. For the first time on a Crowns' album, Cervantes and Juan DeVevo add their vocals to Hall's on the worshipful "At Your Feet."

In an effort to connect others to the powerful theology of hymns, the album includes modern re-inventions of songs Hall grew up with, including "Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)" (from the hymn "One Day"), "Joyful, Joyful" and "Blessed Redeemer," which features violinist Melodee DeVevo as lead vocalist and includes the group's home congregation from Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in the Atlanta suburb of McDonough, Ga.

To order, call 800-333-9000, or visit www.provident-integrity.com.

Album marks singer's return since family's loss of daughter last year

Beauty Will Rise is a collection of 12 songs from Steven Curtis Chapman, created in the 18 months since the loss of his daughter Maria in a tragic auto accident. Part lament, part praise, part grief, part hope, part wrestling and part pondering, the tracks are "personal psalms," Chapman said.

Vermont Christmas Company is expanding its offerings for the Christian gift market, with advent calendars that feature religious themes and Bible text—and a piece of chocolate behind each window.

Nativity (8-71241-00124-4)—by far the most popular of the chocolate advent calendars—is offered again for 2009, presenting a manger scene that features Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus surrounded by shepherds and the three kings. New designs for this year are Behold (-7-5) and The Stable (-8-2).

The chocolate-filled advent calendars, available now, contain 2.65 oz. of milk chocolate and retail from $5.95. Each case of 32 matching chocolate advent calendars ships in a Christmas-themed retail displayer.

"The advent calendar can represent a meaningful countdown to the birth of Christ," said Kathy Navarro, sales manager for Vermont Christmas Company. "Moreover, the enjoyment of advent calendars becomes a much-loved family tradition, returning to a simpler time and the core meaning of Christmas. Older folks recall fond memories of Christmases past, and children form memories that they'll treasure forever."

The advent calendars offer parents an opportunity to discuss the nativity story with their children during the season's 24 days, from Dec. 1 through Christmas Eve. Children hunt for the correct numbered window on the calendar, learn the true meaning of Christmas from the scripture and enjoy a chocolate treat.

For more information and to order, visit www.VCCwholesale.com or call 888-890-0005.