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.

» Click here to read an interview and a review.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! As the Advent season 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

HOME ANOTHER WAY by Christa Parrish (Fiction)
Sarah Graham is living life hard and fast --- and she is flat broke. When her estranged father dies, she travels to the tiny mountain hamlet of Jonah, New York, to claim her inheritance. Once there, however, she learns that her plans for the future --- and her memories of the past --- are about to change forever.

Christa Parrish's debut novel is a captivating story of a broken, isolated woman and the flawed, faithful people who help her forgive and find peace.

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TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE BLUE MOON by Debbie Fuller Thomas (Fiction)
When Marty Winslow’s 13-year-old daughter dies of a devastating genetic disease, she discovers the truth --- her precious middle child had been switched at birth. After learning that her actual biological daughter was recently orphaned, she decides to fight for custody. Winning the court case would prove to be the easy part.

This still-grieving, single mom is torn between memories and realities. And she wants desperately for God to heal her family.

» Click here to see the study guide for TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE BLUE MOON.
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ONE HOLY NIGHT by J. M. Hochstetler (Fiction)
ONE HOLY NIGHT retells the Christmas story in a strikingly original way --- through the discovery of a baby abandoned in the manger of a church’s nativity scene. Destined to become a classic for all seasons, this book deals compassionately with the gritty issues of life --- war and violence, devastating illness, intergenerational and interracial conflict, addictions and broken relationships. This moving inspirational story will warm readers’ hearts with hope and joy long after they finish reading.

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IT’S NOT ABOUT ME: Second Glances Series, Book 1 by Michelle Sutton (Romance)
Annie has it all. She is attractive, graduated with honors, was accepted at the college of her choice, has supportive parents, good friends, and a steady boyfriend who loves her. But one night Annie’s safe world is shattered. As she fights to put the pieces of her broken life back together, against her will she is caught in a war between two brothers, both of whom claim to have her best interests at heart.

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RHAPSODY IN RED by Donn Taylor (Mystery)
It certainly was a bad day to find a corpse on campus. So, recluse professor Preston Barclay and an outcast co-worker must form an unlikely alliance to stay ahead of the police, the college’s wary and incompetent administration, and whoever is trying to get away with murder. Or else they both might end up unemployed, behind bars or worse…

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THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GABRIEL PHILLIPS by Stephen Baldwin and Mark Tabb (Fiction)
In a small Indiana town, a veteran cop gets a late-night call to an apartment complex where domestic disturbances are a common occurrence. This time, however, what he discovers inside will change his life forever. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

ONE PERFECT GIFT: A Culdee Creek Christmas, by Kathleen Morgan (Romance)
Prolific inspirational novelist Kathleen Morgan offers a light yet poignant seasonal romance for her fans in ONE PERFECT GIFT. Themes of new beginnings and the power of forgiveness carry the plot. Will there be another bride at Culdee Creek? Read on and find out. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

STEPPING INTO SUNLIGHT by Sharon Hinck (Fiction)
Victims of trauma, anxiety and phobias, as well as military spouses, will find hope and healing in STEPPING INTO SUNLIGHT. Penny Sullivan supports her husband’s career change from youth pastor to Navy chaplain. But when she is victimized in a convenience store, it sends her into a downward spiral just as her husband is deployed. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

O LITTLE TOWN by Don Reid (Fiction)
If you like the music of the Statler Brothers or the fiction of Debbie Macomber, you’ll be excited that Don Reid has made his first foray into fiction. The Grammy Award-winning songwriter pens a gentle inspiring story that will encourage readers who have challenges in their marriage, raising their children, or dealing with aging parents. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

MY MOTHER’S WISH: An American Christmas Carol, by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt (Fiction)
Plummeting economy? Grim global news? Here’s just the thing to get you into the holiday spirit. In MY MOTHER’S WISH, Jerry Camery-Hoggatt, a professor and professional storyteller, invites you to follow gentle renegade Ellie McKutcheon on a whimsical trip, in which she discovers the uniqueness and beauty of ordinary people, and that all roads lead to home. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

WHITE CHRISTMAS PIE by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Romance)
Amish-themed novels are hot, hot, hot, and Wanda E. Brunstetter, with more than two million copies of her books sold, is a familiar purveyor of the genre. In WHITE CHRISTMAS PIE, she bakes up sweet Amish romance and intrigue. Set in Middlebury, Indiana, her story explores themes of belonging, forgiveness and trust. And don’t miss the yummy pie recipe. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God, by Max Lucado (Christian Living)
Max Lucado is one of Christianity’s best-loved storytellers, and in CAST OF CHARACTERS he brings together Bible personalities from some of his bestselling books in a way that breathes new life into familiar stories. Each of the 22 men and women are chosen by Lucado to illustrate how God works through weakness to show His strength. Each has something to say to us today. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS: A Spiritual Confession, by Anne Rice (Memoir)
Anne Rice has written magnificent tales of otherworldly beings: novels that explore the realms of good and evil, love and alienation, pageantry and ritual, each a reflection of her own moral journey. Now, in CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS --- her first work of nonfiction --- she talks about her life as a Catholic. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile, by Rob Bell and Don Golden (Christian Living)
Rob Bell is back. After his wildly popular debut, VELVET ELVIS, Bell tackled the unmentionables in SEX GOD. Now he has issued a manifesto in his latest effort, JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS. Written with Don Golden, it claims to be a book of theology --- and it fulfills this promise by putting some of Bell’s take on God on display in an engaging way. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

ME, MYSELF, & I AM: A Unique Question and Answer Book: The Story of You and God, by Matthew Peters and Elisa Stanford (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
In Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Thus, as the title of this unique journal suggests, it expertly leads the reader to explore his or her own relationship with God. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN: Everything Jesus Said about You, Your Life, and Everything Else, by Steven K. Scott (Religion & Spirituality)
For the first time ever, all of the statements Jesus made in the New Testament have been brought together and organized under more than 200 topics. When you want to know His will in a specific area of life, or you’re seeking the answer to a perplexing question, or you’re desperate for His encouragement, comfort or wisdom, you can easily find the help you need. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.

FINDING CALCUTTA: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service, by Mary Poplin (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
Lifelong educator Mary Poplin spent two months working as a volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity several years before Mother Teresa's death. In FINDING CALCUTTA, she offers an account of the nuns' ministry to the poor from the perspective of a fellow worker. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

SOUL REPAIR: Rebuilding Your Spiritual Life, by Jeff VanVonderen, and Dale and Juanita Ryan (Christian Living)
Many Christians believe they are not good enough, and never will be good enough, to have a meaningful relationship with God. If you fear that He is angry with you, or wonder if He loves you, here you’ll find help to discover --- and recover from --- a distorted image of God. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

COMFORT FROM BEYOND: Real-Life Experiences of Hope in the Face of Loss, edited by Evelyn Bence (Inspiration)
In COMFORT FROM BEYOND, you will read deeply moving stories of those who have experienced joyous encouragement from loved ones who have passed on. These stories are powerful, mysterious and true. Our faith tells us that ultimately we will be reunited with those we love, but it never hurts to have a little reassurance. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES: True Stories of Joy and Wonder, from the editors of Guideposts (Inspiration)
Something special always happens at Christmas. It is a time for celebrating Christ's birth, for family and friends to get together, and for God's love and mercy to sweep over us all. In CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, readers will enjoy more than 35 true stories of the astonishing, often miraculous ways God works during this joyous season. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

IDENTITY: Who You Are in Christ, by Eric Geiger (Christian Life/Spiritual Growth)
IDENTITY by young pastor Eric Geiger (co-author of the multi-awarded national bestseller SIMPLE CHURCH) helps Christians clearly understand who they really are as defined by various Scriptures and unpacks the practical response that goes along with each wonderfully dramatic, empowering and liberating truth. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

THE SMART GROOM’S ANSWER GUIDE: An Eye-Opening Look at Your First Year of Marriage, by Phillip J. Swihart, Ph.D. and Wilford Wooten, Ph.D. (Family & Relationships/Marriage)
Based on the popular COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF MARRIAGE, this friendly resource will smooth the road whether you’ve been engaged for 10 minutes or married for 10 months. The experienced team of experts at Focus on the Family Ministries answers the questions a groom may have --- and many that he may not have discovered yet. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

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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