THE FLOWER OF GRASS by James E. Robinson (Fiction)
John Allen had come home to say goodbye. But he was too late. Now faced with secrets and pain buried just beneath the surface, he begins to wonder if his homecoming was maybe a bad idea. Can he truly make amends with the people in his past?

This powerful, romantic novel depicts a prodigal's return to a small town in Tennessee --- and the emotions he must face once there. An exquisitely written, passionate and thoughtful novel, this classic love story frames deeper themes of mortality and the passage of time, the true nature of faith and the delicate balance of human relationships.

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HAZARDOUS DUTY: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 1 by Christy Barritt (Mystery)
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire dropped out of school and started her own crime scene cleaning business. But when a routine cleaning job leads her to a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. And the owner of the weapon --- the real guilty party --- is willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.

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SUSPICIOUS MINDS: Squeaky Clean Series, Book 2 by Christy Barritt (Mystery)
To pay off some bills, crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire takes a job doing mold remediation. But her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this? And what will happen when the ersatz Elvis's killer catches on to her investigations?

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! As Christmas approaches, we at FaithfulReader.com prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The books we’ve compiled in our special roundup will help you do this in a number of ways. In this feature, you’ll find fiction with an inspirational message, true stories of Christmas miracles, uplifting devotionals, picture books to share with children --- and even a guide to teas to suit the season. Our hope is that these titles will facilitate your Advent preparation and enrich your Christmas celebration. » Click here

WHEN THE HEART CRIES: Sisters of the Quilt, Book 1 by Cindy Woodsmall (Fiction)
Move over, Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter. Cindy Woodsmall’s debut novel gets the Sisters of the Quilt series off to a promising start, with plenty of Amish intrigue, romance and tragedy. The author leaves plenty of loose ends dangling, so you will want to read the entire series. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

WHEN THE MORNING COMES: Sisters of the Quilt, Book 2 by Cindy Woodsmall (Fiction)
The second book in Cindy Woodsmall’s Sisters of the Quilt series picks up where WHEN THE HEART CRIES ended and offers the same intriguing blend of Amish-themed romance and misfortunes. Hannah Lapp flees to Ohio and finds estranged family, healing, her identity…and new love. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

WHEN THE SOUL MENDS: Sisters of the Quilt, Book 3 by Cindy Woodsmall (Fiction)
After more than two years away from her Amish community, 20-year-old Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to face her family and estranged fiancé in Cindy Woodsmall’s intriguing third installment of love and forgiveness in the Sisters of the Quilt series. Will what she finds there change her life forever? Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

DARK PURSUIT by Brandilyn Collins (Suspense)
Kaitlan Sering’s estranged grandfather, novelist Darell Brooke, was the legendary King of Suspense --- until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Now she’s begging him to protect her from a real serial killer. Can his muddled mind devise a plan to catch the murderer? Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

SWEETWATER GAP by Denise Hunter (Romance)
When Josephine's family insists she come home to help with the harvest, the timing works. But her return isn't simple benevolence --- she plans to persuade them to sell the failing orchard. The new manager's presence is making it difficult. Grady MacKenzie takes an immediate disliking to Josephine and becomes outright cantankerous when she tries talking her family into selling. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

RHAPSODY IN RED: A Preston Barclay Mystery, by Donn Taylor (Mystery)
Mystery lovers, especially those who like their murders set in academia, will welcome Donn Taylor’s RHAPSODY IN RED, featuring a history professor with a penchant for getting into trouble. Preston Barclay is a recent widower who, with an attractive colleague, arrives first at a murder scene. The two must team up to discover the killer --- or be charged with the murder themselves. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

WAITING FOR DAYBREAK by Kathryn Cushman (Fiction)
When a young, dedicated pharmacist is used as a scapegoat in a wrongful death lawsuit, she moves headlong into a series of events that catapults her life from bad to worse. She continues to pray for strength, guidance and a miracle or two, but soon feels her requests are falling on deaf ears. How can she continue believing when even the new man in her life turns out to be a traitor? Reviewed by Susan Miura.

A CONSTANT HEART by Siri Mitchell (Historical Romance)
Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen is blessed. Her father is a knight, and now she is to be married to the Earl of Lytham. But when her introduction to court goes awry and Queen Elizabeth despises her, Marget fears she has lost her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she'll do whatever it takes to discover how she failed and capture again the love of a man bound to the queen. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS: A Regency Inspirational Romance, by Linore Rose Burkard (Regency Romance)
In her debut novel of what she calls “spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul,” author Linore Rose Burkard tells the intriguing story of Miss Ariana Forsythe, a young woman caught between her love for a man who doesn’t share her faith and her resolution to marry only a fellow believer in Christ. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

THE LOVE AS A WAY OF LIFE DEVOTIONAL: A Ninety-Day Adventure That Makes Love a Daily Habit, by Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford (Devotional)
To become a person who consistently loves others, you first need to be a loving person. In this companion devotional to LOVE AS A WAY OF LIFE, you’ll find inspiration for letting love guide the way you respond to others in every situation. The daily readings capture God’s wisdom and direction in practicing the seven traits of a loving person. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

ACEDIA & ME: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life, by Kathleen Norris (Memoir)
Kathleen Norris, the bestselling author of DAKOTA, brings her quiet wisdom to the problem of being unable to fully engage with life in ACEDIA & ME and illuminates it for a contemporary audience. She vulnerably traces her own journey with acedia, as well as explaining the history of acedia in literature and the church, and in light of theology and psychology. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

THE GREEN BIBLE: Understand the Bible's Powerful Message for the Earth, foreword by Desmond Tutu (Religion & Spirituality)
As it says in THE GREEN BIBLE, when Martin Luther was asked what he would do if Jesus was coming tomorrow, he responded, “Plant a tree.” It’s time for Christians to become good stewards of the beautiful world God has entrusted us with --- and THE GREEN BIBLE is a great resource to get started. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

WHY FAITH MAKES SENSE: Reasons You Can Believe God Is Real, by Will Davis Jr. (Christian Life)
Christians are often made to feel stupid, gullible, even irrational for their beliefs. WHY FAITH MAKES SENSE shows that believing isn't foolish at all. It counters common objections and encourages your faith by examining: why the Bible is a trustworthy source; six holes in the evolutionary theory; the problem with Humanism; how faith and reason fit together; and the undeniable evidence for God. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

THE RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS by Tom Holladay (Christian Living)
Nothing matters more than relationships --- and no one understands them better than Jesus. Based on an exhaustive study of what Jesus did and said about relationships, this book guides readers on a 40-day journey that will bring new health and richness to their marriages, families, friendships, and all the relationships in their lives. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

THE FIRSTBORN ADVANTAGE: Making Your Birth Order Work for You, by Dr. Kevin Leman (Self-Help)
Dr. Kevin Leman identifies the qualities of firstborns. But just because you're the firstborn child in your family doesn't mean you'll have a firstborn personality. Dr. Leman helps firstborns understand their natural advantages --- while becoming aware of their weaknesses and learning how to sidestep them --- for the highest level of personal success at home, at school, at work and in relationships. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

WHEN GOD BREAKS YOUR HEART: Choosing Hope in the Midst of Faith-Shattering Circumstances, by Ed Underwood (Christian Life)
Pastor Ed Underwood faced a challenge to his faith in the form of chronic leukemia. Though he prayed for and believed in God's healing, as the days slipped by and his pain became unbearable, Ed's heart was broken by a simple realization: The God who could do anything was not helping him. Yet a revelation from God's Word changed his heart and life forever. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

ASSAULTED BY JOY: The Redemption of a Cynic, by Stephen W. Simpson (Christian Living)
ASSAULTED BY JOY follows the growth and spiritual renewal of a self-proclaimed “jerk” who discovers the inescapable tension between joy and suffering. Each chapter recounts events --- from the suspenseful to the heartbreaking to the hysterical --- that teach lessons about God, life, love, marriage and the assaulting joy of being a new father. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

TELL IT SLANT: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers, by Eugene H. Peterson (Christian Living)
Consummate pastor and professor Eugene Peterson explores parables in Luke and Gospel prayers to show how Jesus used language when talking with His friends, His followers and His Father. What does it mean for us as we communicate with others and with God? Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

HOPEFUL PARENTING: Encouragement for Raising Kids Who Love God, by David Jeremiah (Parenting)
Parenting is far from easy. From first steps to first dates, parenthood is filled with unique challenges. Yet there is no greater joy than nurturing one of God's most precious gifts. New York Times bestselling author David Jeremiah presents a heartwarming look at adventures in parenting. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

Max Lucado
With more than 65 million copies of his 50-plus books in print, Max Lucado is arguably the hottest Christian author around. The three-time Gold Medallion Award winner has been called “America’s Pastor” by the media for his gentle and popular grace-filled stories. He still preaches part-time at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas and publishes at least one new book each year. In this interview, FaithfulReader.com’s Cindy Crosby talks to Lucado about his latest title, CAST OF CHARACTERS, his plans for the future and the one addiction he still enjoys.

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Tim Downs
Tim Downs is the author of several suspense thrillers, including SHOOFLY PIE, CHOP SHOP and PLAGUEMAKER. His latest novel, LESS THAN DEAD, features recurring character Nick Polchak, an offbeat entomologist who often finds himself embroiled in crime investigations and disaster sites. In this interview with FaithfulReader.com's Cindy Crosby, Downs describes how his career path took him from studying sculpture and drawing comics to writing full-length novels and speaking professionally, and discusses how he researched elements of this latest book, including visiting dog training centers and attending forensics seminars. He also explains what he hopes to achieve through his work and contemplates what's in store for the "Bug Man" in future installments.

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