Variety abounds for kids and adults in this year’s holiday offerings

Retailers are ever aware that Christmas is right around the corner. Many a shopper will be looking for the latest seasonal story, kid’s book or cookbook—and publishers stand at the ready.

“We are publishing books for people who may be overwhelmed by the busyness of the season,” said Pamela Clements, associate publisher for Christian Living and Abingdon Fiction at Abingdon Press.

Clements also pointed to a new novella called Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past.

“I really believe that people love to immerse themselves in the Christmas season, and there is nothing better than a good story,” she said.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes one or two new Christmas titles each fall that are “giftable,” as many holiday titles are.

“We are very aware that most of the print copy sales are for gifts,” said Lonnie Hull DuPont, executive editor at Revell. “Obviously many ways of buying books are changing with the world of e-books, but we think there is still a reader desire for a physical, handsome book to give away for Christmas gifts.”

Nola Haney, sales manager for Barbour Publishing, also understands the draw of beautiful books for the season, noting the popularity of the company’s historical Christmas collection.

“The beautiful packaging lends itself well as a gift, and the unbeatable low price allows for multiple purchases for book lovers in every family,” Haney said. “Many of our retail customers off-price it even more for great Thanksgiving weekend sales.”

Abingdon also took into consideration readers for whom Christmas is difficult.

“For some people, it is not all joy and laughter, and having the right encouragement and showing that the original Christmas was anything but tinsel and music can be a wonderful gift for a reader who might be struggling,” Clements said.

The following titles are some of this year’s Christmas offerings:

BIBLE STUDY

THE MESSIAH

Douglas Connelly
IVP Connect (InterVarsity Press)
softcover, 64 pages, $8
9780830831326
July

The Messiah: The Texts Behind Handel’s Masterpiece from the “LifeGuide Bible Studies” series explores some of the key passages in the Old Testament about the Messiah and their completion in the life and work of Jesus. These passages led George Frederic Handel to write his oratorio, parts of which are sung during the Christmas season. However, what many fail to realize is that the entire text of Handel’s “Messiah” is drawn from Scripture. This inductive study guide leads the reader through the Scriptures used in Handel’s work that highlight Jesus’ identity and work.

Orders: Call 630-734-4711 or fax 630-734-4200.

CHILDREN'S

CHRISTMAS DOMINOES

Juliet David; illustrated by Jo Parry
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
game, $9.99
9781781281420
Sept. 27

This first domino game and story booklet for young children will help them learn the story of Jesus’ birth. The large, colorful dominoes feature characters, numbers and animals.

Orders: 800-733-2607.

GOD BLESS OUR CHRISTMAS

Hannah C. Hall, Steve Whitlow
Thomas Nelson
board book, 20 pages, $9.99
9781400323999
Oct. 7

God Bless Our Christmas is the third title in the best-selling “God Bless Book” series. Its rhyming story will help children ages 1 to 4 focus on all the blessings of Christmas with family, including decorating cookies and trees, singing carols, giving gifts and celebrating Jesus. Animals such as penguins and polar bears each enjoy a different Christmas blessing or tradition. In the end, they gather around the tree, thankful for Jesus, the brightest part of the season.

Orders: 800-251-4000.

WHO’S COMING TO STAY?

Kregel Children’s Books (Kregel Publications)
board book, 12 pages, $5.99
9780825442063
Sept. 27

This small board book is also a Christmas ornament. Who’s Coming to Stay? tells the story of the animals in the stable as they make room for the baby Jesus. The book features layered die-cuts and sparkly foil.

Orders: 800-733-2607.

COOKBOOK

WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER’S AMISH FRIENDS CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK

Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
concealed spiral hardcover, 160 pages, $12.99
9781628363906
Sept. 1

From Barbour’s New York Times best-selling author of Amish fiction comes Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook. This new cookbook with a lay-flat binding includes homestyle recipes and insights into Amish life during Christmastime.

Orders: Call 800-852-8010 or fax 800-220-5948.

FICTION

12 STORIES OF CHRISTMAS

Robert J. Morgan
Thomas Nelson
hardcover, 256 pages, $14.99
9780718011963
Oct. 7
Morgan, pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, has more than 3.5 million books in print. In 12 Stories of Christmas, including six new stories, he offers the original works he shares with his church on Christmas Eve.

Orders: 800-251-4000.

CHRISTMAS AT ROSE HILL FARM

Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell (Baker
Publishing Group)
softcover, 240 pages, $15.99
Sept. 5

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn’t who she thought he would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler and wants nothing to do with Bess, so she said yes to Amos Lapp. But as the wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle. In the end, Bess, Billy and Amos see that Christmas truly is a season of miracles.

Orders: 800-877-2665.

CLARA’S WISH

Beth Shriver
Realms (Charisma House)
softcover, 304 pages, $14.99
9781621365976
Oct. 7

In Clara’s Wish: An Amish Christmas Romance, Lizzy Ryder is looking for a hardworking, God-fearing gentleman—everything that Zachariah Schrock is not! But when Zach’s sister and Lizzy’s best friend, Clara, takes ill, they come together to give her a Christmas she’ll never forget. As Clara’s condition worsens, will they learn to lean on God and each other? Clara’s Wish also includes bonus Amish recipes.

Orders: 800-283-8494.

EVERGREEN

Susan May Warren
Tyndale House
Publishers
hardcover, 208 pages, $14.99
9781414394015
September

An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the holidays, but her husband, John, couldn’t be more excited about this new season of life. As a blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over their marriage. Their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on embracing a new chapter of their lives.

Orders: 800-323-9400.

NORA BONESTEEL’S CHRISTMAS PAST

Sharyn McCrumb
Abingdon Press
hardcover, 160 pages, $18.99
(hardcover and e-book)
9781426754210 (hardcover)
9781426757655
(e-book)
Oct. 7

Nora Bonesteel returns in this novella from New York Times best-selling author McCrumb. When someone buys the old Honeycutt house, Nora is glad to see some life brought back to the old mansion, even if it is by summer people. But when they decide to stay through Christmas, they find more than old memories in the walls. In a story of spirits, memories and angels unaware, McCrumb’s characters know there is more to this world than the eye can see, especially at Christmastime.

Orders: 800-251-3320.

THE CHRISTMAS CAT

Melody Carlson
Revell (Baker
Publishing Group)
hardcover, 176 pages, $15.99
9780800719661
September

After years abroad, Garrison Brown heads home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother’s instructions don’t allow for speed. Garrison’s job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing a monetary gift. And along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him want to stay.

Orders: 800-877-2665.

THE WESTWARD CHRISTMAS BRIDES COLLECTION

Wanda E. Brunstetter et al.
Barbour Publishing
softcover, 448 pages, $14.99
9781628368123
September

Attempting a westward journey during the winters of the 1800s is either brave or foolhardy. But the promise of a new life is strong for those heading to new settlements, as well as those using any excuse to run from their pasts, gain adventure and find a place to call home. As Christmas approaches, will the couples find new hope in romance, or will they have to turn back?

Orders: Call 800-852-8010 or fax 800-220-5948.

WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN

Tricia Goyer,
Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin
WaterBrook Press
softcover, 352 pages, $14.99
9781601426482
Sept. 16

Set in 1940s’ Lafayette, Indiana, Where Treetops Glisten tells the tale of Abigail, Pete and Merry Turner, each of whom faces the uncertainty of life during wartime, but relies on faith and God’s leading to find lasting love and enduring hope. Where Treetops Glisten is a collection of three stories of courage and romance set during World War II.

Orders: 800-733-3000.

 
NONFICTION

NOT A SILENT NIGHT

Adam Hamilton
Abingdon Press
softcover, 144 pages, $13.99 (softcover/e-book), $17.99 (large print)
9781426771842 (softcover)
9781426793967 (e-book)
9781630882952 (large print)
Sept. 16

In Not a Silent Night by pastor and best-selling author Hamilton, readers will witness the life of Christ through the eyes of His mother, Mary, starting at the end of His earthly life and working back to His birth.

Orders: 800-251-3320.

Ray and Tina Houser
Warner Press
softcover, 152 pages, $12.99
9781593177393
July 1
With Egermeier’s Fun Family Devotions: 52 Interactive Devotions From the New Testament, families can read and enjoy the Bible in a fun atmosphere. The step-by-step approach to each lesson makes the family devotion process simple. The guide includes 52 lessons from the New Testament that correlate with Egermeier’s Bible Story Book, and each lesson includes Scripture references, background information and questions. Following each lesson are creative, engaging activities for preschoolers and older children that reinforce the story and can be done with simple objects.
Orders: Call 800-741-7721 or fax 800-347-6411.

Joy, laughter and friendship are celebrated in a new whimsical collection by renowned author and artist Mary Engelbreit, known for her New York Times best-seller The Night Before Christmas. Releasing July 29, The Blessings of Friendship Treasury (9780310745099, $17.99, hardcover, Zonderkidz) is filled with poems, sayings and Scripture verses that teach the true meaning of friendship and show the blessings of a life surrounded by love.

Orders: 800-727-1309.

Girls of all ages want to feel like Cinderella at the ball, but some feel more like Cinderella before the ball—overlooked, inadequate, hurting or maybe even used and abused. Best-selling author Serita Ann Jakes knows how past failures and present hurts can prevent believers from realizing their true identity in Jesus, and has helped hundreds of girls work through personal struggles such as poor self-esteem, difficult friendships, family problems and secret shame. In The Princess Within for Teens (9780764212048, $14.99, softcover, Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group), Jakes, wife of T.D. Jakes, sets out to help young women to walk in confidence, knowing her true beauty comes from a Christ-honoring life.

Adult editions of The Princess Within have sold nearly a quarter-million copies. The teen edition includes insights from her debutante program for young women.

Orders: 800-877-2665.

Veteran group Hillsong Live employs talent of many producers as they issue album number 23

About a Mile

About a Mile
Word Records (Word Distribution)
080688878627
July 15

About a Mile is comprised of three brothers—Adam, Levi and Luke Klutinoty—who embraced music early in life. Hailing from Butler, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, the brothers offer a self-titled debut featuring production from Ian Eskelin (Hawk Nelson, Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli) and Howard Benson (Skillet, Flyleaf, Daughtry).

Songs on About a Mile include first single “Satisfied,” “Who You Say You Are,” “Power of the Cross” and “S.O.S. (Hope Won’t Let Go).”

Regarding the band’s name, singer Adam Klutinoty said: “We learned from a study that Jesus carried His cross about a mile, and that’s where our band name comes from. When we felt called to play music for the rest of our life, there was never any doubt that we would do it for His glory and treat our ministry like He did when carrying the cross. He carried a cross that we deserved to be nailed to about a mile so He could die for us. We just want to serve others as best as we can and use all our strength and ability to honor God, carrying our cross as far as we possibly can.”

Order through worddistribution.com, or call 800-876-WORD (9673).

Crystal Clear

David Dunn
BEC Recordings (New Day Christian Distributors)
810539020666
July 15

New BEC Recordings artist David Dunn honed his craft moonlighting as a singer-songwriter while studying at Texas Tech University. After releasing a full-length independent project, more than a year of humanitarian and mission work in Africa and appearing on NBC’s The Voice, Dunn releases his debut label EP, Crystal Clear, on July 15. The album features Dunn’s distinctive vocals with a backdrop of modern pop.

First single “Today Is Beautiful” released to radio in May. Additional tracks include “Have Everything” and “Waiting for Love.”

Order through newdaychristian.com or call 800-251-3633.

No Other Name

Hillsong Live
Hillsong Music
(Capitol Christian Distribution)
602537398911
July 1

Hillsong Live will release this month No Other Name, recorded at the Hillsong Convention  Center in Sydney, Australia. The project—the 23rd album from the group that aims to resource congregations worldwide with worship music—features 11 original songs, including “No Other Name,” “This I Believe (Creed),” “Calvary,” “My Story,” “Broken Vessels,” “Heaven and Earth” and “Thank You Jesus.”

No Other Name features the music production team of Joel Houston, Marty Sampson, Ben Fielding, Taya Smith, Reuben Morgan, Simon Kobler, Joel Hingston, Harrison Wood, David Ware, Jad Gillies and Ben Whincop, among others.

The album’s cover art shows New York City’s Times Square billboards proclaiming “No Other Name.”

Order by calling 800-877-4443 or go to capitolchristiandistribution.com.

‘Awesome God’ singer-songwriter Rich Mullins’ life dramatized in new movie ‘Ragamuffin’

The music of singer-songwriter Rich Mullins continues to impact the world many years after his untimely death at age 41. Although already profiled in documentaries and books, The spiritual journey of the “Awesome God” songwriter and the Gospel Music Association’s Artist of the Year (1998) gets the big-screen treatment in Ragamuffin: The True Story of Rich Mullins (Millennium Entertainment/Capitol Christian Distribution), which also will be available on DVD at Christian retail July 8.

Actor David Leo Schultz, who co-wrote and directed the film, was one of the lives profoundly affected by Mullins’ music and philosophy. The idea for a full-length movie came to be in a meeting with Rich’s younger brother, David.

“I was merely an audience member to his life,” Schultz told Christian Retailing. “With the film, I want to give other people the opportunity for Rich to change their lives. [After I met David,] I started daydreaming about the movie, wondering what it would look like. I started imagining as I was listening to some of his music and old radio interviews.”

Schultz appears in a supporting role in the film, alongside Michael Koch as Rich. Schultz’s wife, Amy, also appears as singer Amy Grant. Also appearing are: Wolfgang Bodison as Bryan, James Kyson as Matt, Mel Fair as John Mullins (Rich’s father), Michelle Keller as Neva Mullins (Rich’s mother), Carson Aune as Justin, and Elizabeth Ann Roberts as Jess.

Being “honest” about the singer’s struggles with loneliness, alcohol and family issues was important, Schultz said, even though such portrayals may make some viewers uncomfortable.

“There’s this kind of thing in our storytelling, especially when it’s based on a true story, that says we shouldn’t talk about Christian struggles,” Schultz said. “But I thought that was the purpose of the testimony. For me, why would I not? Unless I was just trying to sell something to the Christian audience to make it more palatable. I think while it is a product that not only entertains, but challenges their faith, at the same time we had no desire to make something [that was] falsified to please the Christian audience.”

To promote the release, screenings of the film were held in churches across the country. Although Schultz was hopeful for positive responses, he said he was “overwhelmed” by the impact the film had on viewers.

“We didn’t expect the overwhelming positive response we’ve had,” he said. “There’s been a lot of cool God stories in people’s lives. We hoped for that, but we weren’t expecting that. God doesn’t need a movie, but we were really excited that He was using it to work in people’s hearts.”

To order, call 800-877-4443 or go to capitolchristiandistribution.com.

Charisma Media introduces new word-for-word translation to Christian retailers at special launch event

Charisma Media invited more than 20 key independent and chain-based Christian retailers to its Lake Mary, Fla., headquarters  May 22-23 for an event launching its new Modern English Version (MEV). Send The Light Distribution, Anchor Distributors and Ingram also were represented at the launch of the most modern translation produced in the King James Version (KJV) tradition in the last 30 years.

Releasing this fall under Charisma House Book Group’s Passio imprint, this word-for-word translation maintains the beauty of the KJV language, yet provides fresh clarity for a new generation of Bible readers.

Retailers will have ample opportunity to become acquainted further with the MEV at the June 22-25 International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta. Samplers of selected MEV passages also will be distributed.

Charisma Media plans a significant promotional campaign around the new Bible, including CBA store promotions; trade and consumer advertising in major magazines; product seeding to key pastors and ministry leaders; social media giveaways, blog tours; and drivetime Christian radio and TV spots promoting biblical literacy and engagement. Devotionals also will be delivered via email to more than 200,000 consumers, and an MEV mobile app will be created for users on the go.

Charisma Media also is involved in a strategic partnership with Bible Gateway, which will add the MEV to its online translations. Part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Bible Gateway reaches more than 14 million unique visitors per month.

Several MEV editions are coming out this fall, including the SpiritLed Woman Bible in printed casebound ($44.99) and lavender leatherlike ($64.99), releasing Nov. 4; the MEV Thinline Reference Bible in jacketed hardcover ($19.99), black and cranberry leatherlike ($29.99), releasing Sept. 2; and the KJV-MEV Parallel Bible in jacketed hardcover ($39.99), releasing Oct. 7.