Rene Gutteridge
Rene Gutteridge is the author of such novels as GHOST WRITER, MY LIFE AS A DOORMAT and the titles in the Boo series. In this interview with FaithfulReader.com's Cindy Crosby, Gutteridge describes how her initial idea for a series about undercover police officers eventually grew to what is now the Occupational Hazards series --- which includes her latest release, SKID --- and shares her thoughts on the difficulties of being categorized under specific literary genres. She also explains how she is able to naturally incorporate her spiritual beliefs into her writing, discusses details about future projects, and reveals how the 1980 comedy Airplane! impacted her writing career. » Click here to read an interview and a review.

TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN HEALTHY SEXUALITY: A Biblical Approach to Preparing Them for Life, by Jim Burns (Parenting)
Thanks to the Internet, graphic images in the media and their "know-it-all" friends, kids today grow up earlier than ever. They have questions, and as a parent, your responsibility is to clear up the mixed messages and lead them to a healthy, value-centered view of sexuality. Sure, conversations with your kids about these topics can be uncomfortable --- but they don't have to be. Jim Burns gives expert advice on how and when to talk with your children, and he provides answers to the most difficult questions your kids and teens might ask.

» Click here to read more about TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN HEALTHY SEXUALITY.

REVISITING THE LAND OF NARNIA

May 16th marked the release of Prince Caspian, the second movie adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series, which holds the challenge of adapting a tougher story than THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.

The seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series were first published between 1950 and 1956, and have been translated into almost 50 languages and sold more than 100 million copies. Since then, they’ve captured the imagination of children and adults, and have spawned numerous commentaries and guides.

With the film in mind, FaithfulReader.com’s Cindy Crosby browses through a few of the new books about all things Narnia. Grab some popcorn, settle into a comfortable chair, and enjoy discovering more about this enchanted land and its characters. » Click here

SKID: Occupational Hazards #3 by Rene Gutteridge (Fiction)
Fasten your seatbelts low and tight across your lap, break open that bag of tiny peanuts and get ready for a rollicking fun flight as Rene Gutteridge, the funniest inspirational novelist in the business, pens SKID, the third installment in her Occupational Hazards series. This time, Gutteridge turns her pen to the airline industry, managing to incorporate enough wacky characters and oddball situations to fuel a year-long television sitcom. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

DEEPER WATER: Tides of Truth Series, Book 1 by Robert Whitlow (Fiction)
In the murky waters of Savannah's shoreline, a young law student is under fire as she tries her first case at a prominent and established law firm. A complex mix of betrayal and deception quickly weaves its way through the case and her life, as she uncovers dark and confusing secrets about the man she's defending --- and the senior partners of the firm. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE by Pamela Binnings Ewen (Fiction)
Family history and fiction mingle together in former lawyer Pamela Binnings Ewen's THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE. Ewen sets her second novel in Siam during the Roaring Twenties and bases the protagonist on her grandmother, a suffragette and an aspiring opera singer who gives up everything to follow her new husband to the medical mission field. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

PERFECT by Harry Kraus, MD (Mystery/Suspense)
The talented Harry Kraus crafts this absorbing, suspense-filled story of Wendi Stratford, a surgeon's wife who has the perfect life and everything money can buy --- but finds it is not enough. Her husband is frustrated by her lack of attention and vulnerable to sexual temptations that lurk right around the corner. Will their marriage be able to stand up to the mayhem about to be unleashed? Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

ANATHEMA by Colleen Coble (Romantic Suspense)
After years of running, Hannah Schwartz has finally built a life for herself --- far from the insecure husband who bullied and abused her, and far from the close-knit Amish community who raised her, then shunned her. Only love can bring her home again. But can love heal old wounds…or keep the community safe from a deadly danger? Reviewed by Susan Miura.

THE ALMOST TRUE STORY OF RYAN FISHER by Rob Stennett (Fiction)
Rob Stennett, an award-winning screenwriter and a playwright, knows how to craft a good scene, and the pacing of his debut novel never falters as the story pushes to its inevitable conclusion. This sparkling addition to Christian fiction will provide plenty of thoughtful introspection about churches, worship services and pastors today, even while it succeeds as pure entertainment. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

FATHER & SON: Finding Freedom, by Walter Wangerin Jr. and Matthew Wangerin (Memoir)
Award-winning novelist Walter Wangerin Jr. and his adopted son, Matthew, share their deeply personal story. Each in his own words, father and son narrate the history of their relationship and how they found new meaning --- and new identities --- through times of brokenness, hope and rediscovery. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

THE ATTENTIVE LIFE by Leighton Ford (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
If you're busy, distracted and rushing through each day, you might be feeling disconnected from God, unable to see how He's working. You might be missing Him. But the way toward Him starts with a pause and a prayer --- with intention and attention --- and becomes a way of life, awake and alive to the peaceful, powerful presence of God. Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel.

HOW WOMEN HELP MEN FIND GOD by David Murrow (Christian Life)
In this follow-up to his bestselling WHY MEN HATE GOING TO CHURCH, author David Murrow speaks directly to women to help them understand the real reasons men resist Christianity. He offers a way of talking about faith that intrigues men instead of repels them and then challenges them to bring more risk and adventure to their own walk with the Lord. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

PERSONAL GOD: Can You Really Know the One Who Made the Universe? by Tim Stafford (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Even though Tim Stafford grew up in evangelical circles, he often wrestled with this question and its implications. In PERSONAL GOD, the co-editor of THE STUDENT BIBLE and regular contributor to Christianity Today tackles the question of what it means to know God and to live in relationship with Him. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

40 DAYS LIVING THE JESUS CREED by Scot McKnight (Christian Living)
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And...love your neighbor as yourself." Scot McKnight has come to call this vital teaching of our Lord the Jesus Creed. He recites it throughout the day every day and challenges you to do the same. Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel.

RAISING UNSELFISH CHILDREN IN A SELF-ABSORBED WORLD by Jill Rigby (Parenting)
After decades of experimenting with child-focused parenting, parents are beginning to realize that the result is often self-centered children who tend toward narcissism, selfishness, mediocrity and dysfunction. Jill Rigby espouses a new goal of parenting: gently bumping children off self-center and teaching them to be unselfish givers instead. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

The 2008 Christy Award Nominees
The nominees for the 9th annual Christy Awards were announced recently. Established in 1999 and named in honor of Catherine Marshall's novel, the Awards recognize excellence in several genres of Christian Fiction, and aim to encourage creativity and quality in the writing of fiction with a Christian world view, broaden readership, and spotlight novelists whose work may not have reached bestseller status. This year's winners will be announced at a dinner held on July 12 in Orlando, FL. » Click here for more.

The 2008 Christian Book Award Finalists
On May 12, 2008, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the finalists for this year's Christian Book Awards. Established in 1978, the Award recognizes both editorial excellence and sales achievements in Christian Literature, honoring titles in the categories of Bibles, Reference & Study, Christian Life, Fiction, Children & Youth and Inspiration & Gift. The winners will be announced at the CBA & ECPA Awards Celebration, to be held on July 13th during the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, FL. » Click here for more.

Jim Wallis
If religion and politics are the two topics you’re supposed to avoid talking about in polite company, then Jim Wallis is in big trouble. His book, GOD’S POLITICS, articulated the concern that many evangelicals felt about their faith being co-opted by the Religious Right. And now, as the 2008 presidential race heats up, Wallis is back with THE GREAT AWAKENING, a powerful work that challenges people of faith to speak out on issues of social justice, get involved and effect change. In this interview, FaithfulReader.com’s Cindy Crosby talks with Wallis about what has changed in the political landscape since he wrote GOD’S POLITICS, why he believes America should not be “a Christian nation,” the toughest issue for people of faith to embrace and how coaching his son’s Little League baseball team offers a few insights about life. » Click here to read an interview and a review.

Gary Thomas
In this Faithful Fifteen interview, Gary Thomas --- the author of SACRED MARRIAGE, SACRED PATHWAYS, SACRED PARENTING and SACRED INFLUENCE --- explains that his calling as a writer is to help his readers use their relationships as an aid to personal and spiritual growth. He discusses how some of his fears about Christianity today can be remedied, as described in his latest book, THE BEAUTIFUL FIGHT, recounts his own faith journey and shares a touching experience with a reader whose marriage was saved with the help of his writing. » Click Here

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