Blog Tour: The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

www.susanmeissner.com

www.susanmeissner.blogspot.com

(the following taken from Amazon)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Meissner's newest novel is potentially life-changing, the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges. Achingly romantic, the novel features the legacy of Mercy Hayworth—a young woman convicted during the Salem witch trials—whose words reach out from the past to forever transform the lives of two present-day women. These book lovers—Abigail Boyles, elderly, bitter and frail, and Lauren Lars Durough, wealthy, earnest and young—become unlikely friends, drawn together over the untimely death of Mercy, whose precious diary is all that remains of her too short life. And what a diary! Mercy's words not only beguile but help Abigail and Lars together face life's hardest struggles about where true meaning is found, which dreams are worth chasing and which only lead to emptiness, and why faith and hope are essential on life's difficult path. Meissner's prose is exquisite and she is a stunning storyteller. This is a novel to be shared with friends. (Sept. 16)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
“As raindrops become mighty rivers, Susan Meissner’s words seem simple in the beginning, but one thought builds naturally upon another, phrases and sentences flow together with effortless fluidity, and before you know it, you are totally engrossed by the powerful undercurrents of her story. To read Ms. Meissner is to put yourself into the hands of that rarest kind of author: an artist working in the medium of words.”
–Athol Dickson, Christy Award-winning author of The Cure and Winter Haven

“I loved The Shape of Mercy from beginning to end. Ms. Meissner’s prose sings, and her characters captured my interest from the start. As the story unfolded, those same characters captured my heart. I won’t soon forget Mercy, Lauren, or Abigail.”
–Robin Lee Hatcher, award-winning author of Wagered Heart and When Love Blooms

“The Shape of Mercy is vintage Susan Meissner: tender storytelling that keeps you hooked; living, breathing characters that capture your heart and madden you, too; and a message of redemption that sticks with you. Meissner deftly weaves the stories of three women of vastly different generations, connecting them perfectly and crafting a winsome, interesting, powerful read.”
–Mary E. DeMuth, author of Watching the Tree Limbs and Daisy Chain

“A compelling tale that will resonate long after you turn the last page. A haunting story, deftly woven, full of layers and textures that will quickly pull you out of the present and into the long forgotten past. Meissner recalls a tale that must not be forgotten, about the tragedies and senseless cruelties which happen when we abandon grace and turn our backs on mercy.”
–Siri Mitchell, author of A Constant Heart

“The Shape of Mercy is a truly lovely story, one to savor again and again. In a fantastic blend of old and new, this modern-day novel has the scope and feel of a historical. The characters and their journeys will touch your heart.”
—Mindy Starns Clark, author of Whispers of the Bayou

“A bit of mystery, fascinating history, and the biggest question of all: What would you do for love? I can't stop thinking about The Shape of Mercy.”
–Roxanne Henke, author of After Anne and Learning to Fly

“With a deft hand, Meissner blends an intriguing storyline, artful writing, and memorable characters for a truly delicious read. This one’s a keeper!”
–Denise Hunter, author of The Convenient Groom

Blog Tour: The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400074568
• ISBN-13: 978-1400074563

		Blue Heart Blessed Harvest House, 2007 Left standing at the altar, Daisy Murien, a wounded but hopeful romantic, opens a secondhand wedding dress boutique, hoping to soothe her broken heart while giving doomed wedding dresses a second chance at love. Her predictable days take a sharp turn, though, when the retired Episcopal priest who blesses the tiny, blue satin heart she sews into each dress falls ill. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] When the priest’s brooding and recently divorced son arrives with plans to take his ailing father away, a contest of wills begins between two stubborn—and hurting—souls. While fighting to keep Father Laurent close by, Daisy finally begins to understand why she has routinely convinced potential buyers not to buy the one gown that started her business—her own: She doesn’t want to give up on the dream of a fairytale romance. This compelling story is about the magnificence of unconditional love and God’s impeccable timing in bringing it about.
		Days & Hours Harvest House, 2007 When I was a guardian ad litem for the state of Minnesota, I was introduced to the world of the single mother who lives in poverty, dependent on the state, and often woefully unprepared for motherhood. I delved into that world in Days & Hours, my latest release, paying particular attention to the stigma we place on the stuck-on-welfare mom. They are not a one-size fits all demographic. Some cannot find success no matter how hard they try. Some simply don’t try. Most love their children as best they can.
		Sticks & Stones Harvest House, 2007 When I was a guardian ad litem for the state of Minnesota, I was introduced to the world of the single mother who lives in poverty, dependent on the state, and often woefully unprepared for motherhood. I delved into that world in Days & Hours, my latest release, paying particular attention to the stigma we place on the stuck-on-welfare mom. They are not a one-size fits all demographic. Some cannot find success no matter how hard they try. Some simply don’t try. Most love their children as best they can. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] Many know it takes more than love to raise a child, but they have no other resources at their disposal. I don’t pretend to offer answers in Days & Hours, but I do hope to raise awareness. This book is the third in the Rachel Flynn Mystery series and it hit Amazon's cyber shelves this month. Even though this is number three in the series, each story stands alone so you can enjoy it even if you haven't read the first two. The other titles in this series are Widows & Orphans (2006), which I am thrilled to say just took second place in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest in the suspense category, and Sticks & Stones (2007). The basic premise of the story is this: A newborn is found alive in a trash bin and a young, single mother insists her baby was abducted. While St. Paul police are skeptical, attorney Rachael Flynn’s strange dreams lead her to believe the mother is telling the truth. But who would steal a baby only to leave it for dead? When the baby disappears again, Rachael agonizes over her decision to allow the baby to be returned to his mother. Did she make a terrible mistake? And where is that missing baby? Who would wish the child harm? Rachael races to see past the deception that threatens to send a young mother to prison and a newborn to a terrible fate. Here’s what one early reviewer said of Days & Hours: (Kelly Kelpfer, Novel Reviews): "Days & Hours is tragic, beautiful, awful and realistic. Susan Meissner has done it again. This is the first of her Rachael Flynn series that I've read, and I will be picking up those I've missed. Meissner writes with depth and compassion, honesty, and a poignancy that wraps around the reader, bringing her characters to life in the reader's imagination."
		Widows and Orphans Harvest House, 2006 Widows and Orphans kicks off my legal mystery series featuring wife, mother and lawyer Rachael Flynn. In this story, Rachael’s ultra–ministry–minded brother, Joshua, confesses to murder. Rachael begs him to let her represent him, certain that he is innocent. But Joshua refuses her offer of counsel. As Rachael works on the case on her own, she begins to suspect that Josh knows who the real killer is, but she is unable to get him to cooperate with his defense. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] Why won’t he talk to her? What is Josh hiding? This book gets its title from that little verse in the book of James where we're told pure religion is to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Rachael’s brother has taken this verse to heart, literally, which is why she can’t believe he is guilty of murder. With this story I wanted to challenge our way of thinking about what God expects us to do for widows and orphans. They are mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, not just the little verse in James. I think we're called to care for them in a very specific, direct way. But what is that way? Have we stopped to consider it? One of my characters in this book took the verse to the extreme. But at least he took it. What about the rest of us? It's something to think about.
		A Seahorse In the Thames Harvest House, 2006 This is a story about a woman who is very much in need of an encounter with loveliness. Life has been unfulfilling for Alexa, sometimes downright tragic. She has lost her vision for finding extraordinary within the ordinary. The book begins with Alexa’s vulnerable, older sister Rebecca running away from her group home. Worried, Alexa sets off to find Rebecca with the help of her reluctant-to-get-involved twin sister, Priscilla. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] So really, Alexa’s on a dual-search. She wants to find her missing sister, and she wants to find a shimmer of hope that her life won’t always be the way it is right now. The idea for this story came about when I was reading the newspaper back in the summer of 2004. A London fisherman found a seahorse swimming in the weeds near the shoreline of the Thames. This made national news because a seahorse hadn’t been seen in the River Thames in decades. To me, that was a picture of finding beauty in a most unexpected place. I developed a story line around this idea that sometimes you have to bend down and look close for glimpses of loveliness, but they are there. They can be easy to miss, especially when life seems a bit chaotic. But they are there. I dedicated this book to a young friend of mine named Chelsey, whose life was drastically changed two years ago when a snowmobile accident took away her ability to walk, to speak and to see. Yet she finds little reasons to rejoice, every day. She amazes me. She is like that little seahorse sparkling in the water; a bit of loveliness in an otherwise dark place. . .
		In All Deep Places Harvest House, 2006 In All Deep Places is a story about the deep longing for heaven that God has placed within each one of us. Most of the story takes place in fictional Iowa town named Halcyon; a word that means peaceful. But for Luke Foxbourne, a successful writer who grew up there, the town is not very aptly named; at least not for him. He shook the dust off his feet when he left seventeen years ago and now lives with his wife and two daughters in Connecticut. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] But Luke has a problem. The deadline for his next book is fast approaching and Luke can’t get past Chapter 10. While struggling with this dilemma, his father suffers a devastating stroke and Luke finds himself suddenly back in his Iowa hometown. While keeping his father’s newspaper in print while he recovers, Luke is reunited with unsettling memories of Norah — the first girl he ever kissed — and her little brother Kieran. The seventeen years he has been away seem to dissolve as Luke spends night after night in his old bedroom, looking out his window to the empty house next door where Norah and Kieran lived; and where heartache found an easy home. To his surprise, Luke suddenly feels empowered again to write; empowered not to write the next chapter of his manuscript but to write something else instead: Norah's story. And his own.
		The Remedy for Regret Harvest House, 2005 Tess Longren is 28, single and at a crossroads in her life. She finally has a job she enjoys as well as a proposal of marriage from a man she loves, but Tess is unable to grasp this future that seems to shimmer with hope. Her mother's long-ago death, which happened six hours after she was born, is a constant, though subtle ache that Tess cannot seem to move past. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] Coupled with this is an inordinate sense of sadness for the regrets of others, including the remorse of a childhood friend, Blair Devere Holbrook. When Blair asks Tess to accompany her to their childhood home to resolve a situation left unsettled fifteen years ago, Tess falsely imagines that by helping her friend find peace, she will find contentment for herself. The Remedy for Regret is about finding the courage to change a painful situation but it is also about the courage to bear what cannot be changed. It is about understanding both the limitations of an imperfect world as well as the vast resources of a perfect God.
		A Window to the World Harvest House, 2005 One day in the spring of 2004 I was reading the newspaper and I read about a family who was led to believe that their kidnapped daughter had returned to them after years being missing. It turned out that the whole thing was a hoax — the woman who claimed to be their daughter was an imposter and the story had a very unhappy ending. Read More. [Expand/Collapse] This true story set me to thinking about what it would be like for a family to have their abducted child returned to them, which then led to thoughts about what is must be like for the friends of children who are kidnapped. When I began to consider this, I began to see the seeds of a story. I began to see that when a child loses a best friend to a kidnapping, that child becomes a victim, too, and I could imagine that no one really treats them like one, because, after all, that child isn't missing! I could imagine that this child might grow up not fully recognizing he or she has deep insecurities and doubts. And from there I could imagine that God could pave the way for healing and restoration because He is very good at that. The message of this story is that past experiences — even the sad, ugly ones — shape us into who we are. While we must move past the painful events in our lives, we mustn't forget God was in control when things went sour. He knows we live in a broken world where evil flourishes. But broken though the world may be, it is still subject to His might, majesty and mercy. The terrible things we experience or witness sadden Him, but they do not surprise Him. And if we don't get in the way, He often forges beauty out of ugliness. I grew up in San Diego, in the northern part of the county where this story takes place. The fictional neighborhood that Megan and Jen live in could be anywhere in North County . Rancho Hills High School does not exist, but it is much like Poway High School , where I graduated, and also Mt. Carmel High School , the cross-town rival when I was in high school. There are many canyons and ravines in the foothills of Poway where I lived, and yes, they are home to rattlesnakes, scorpions and black widow spiders. But they are also beautiful in a rough kind of way and are the warmest, toastiest shades of brown in the summer. La Jolla Shores , the coastal town mentioned in the story, boasts one of my favorite beaches. Like the canyons near my childhood home, the Pacific coastline, despite its dangerous vastness, riptides and chilly temperatures, is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a window to the world — majestic, stunning and wild.
		Why the Sky is Blue Harvest House, 2004 Why the Sky is Blue, my first novel, began as a personal challenge to myself to increase my compassion for women in crisis pregnancies. I have long felt a tremendous concern for the unwanted unborn and have found it easy to lend my support to pro-life endeavors. But when I was challenged a few years ago to measure my concern for pregnant women carrying children they did not plan to conceive and cannot keep or do not want,... Read More. [Expand/Collapse]

Blog Tour: The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

Praise for The Shape of Mercy:

"Life-changing" “Meissner's newest novel is potentially life-changing, the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges. Achingly romantic, the novel features the legacy of Mercy Hayworth—a young woman convicted during the Salem witch trials—whose words reach out from the past to forever transform the lives of two present-day women. These book lovers—Abigail Boyles, elderly, bitter and frail, and Lauren “Lars” Durough, wealthy, earnest and young—become unlikely friends, drawn together over the untimely death of Mercy, whose precious diary is all that remains of her too short life. And what a diary! Mercy's words not only beguile but help Abigail and Lars together face life's hardest struggles about where true meaning is found, which dreams are worth chasing and which only lead to emptiness, and why faith and hope are essential on life's difficult path. Meissner's prose is exquisite and she is a stunning storyteller. This is a novel to be shared with friends.” - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly "Insights... are stunning" “Meissner has a gift for intriguing, meaningful stories, and this novel is no exception. Lauren's present-day life is mirrored in elderly Abigail's and again in the diary of Mercy Hayworth, who lived in the 17th century. The spiritual content is light, but the insights into perception and prejudice are stunning.” - Romantic Times Magazine, 4 ½ stars

Winners of The Shape of Mercy

This was so hard, because there were quite a few of you that I really would love to send the book to. I'm sorry that I cannot send you all a copy, but I plead with you if you did not win and wanted to, go buy this book. It is so completely worth the money. I promise. You'll buy it, keep it, and tell others about it.

Without further adieu, the winners of two separate copies of The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner are:

Carole cjarvis

and

Elizabeth blueviolet

So, drop me an email with your snail mail addy, and I'll see about getting those books off to you!!! cherryblossommj (at) gmail [dot] com

Blog Tour: The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

Please post your comments between Monday and Friday (October 13th- 17th). This is The Shape of Mercy blog tour! Earlier, you may have seen my review, if not, go back and read it, click here. Also, please notice that I have two copies of this book to giveaway, coming straight from my mail box to yours.




Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?
In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.



About the Author:
From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego, California. Find out more about her at www.susanmeissner.com.

I will be giving away two copies of The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner. (These will be coming from my directly and not the publisher, but thank Waterbrook for providing them!) The winners for this giveaway will be picked on October 14th, 2008. To enter: Please leave a comment on THIS POST about what you have heard about this book and why you would like to enter.


Or you can purchase your own copy now! (Click here to do so) Or go to your local independent Christian bookstore, or CBD.com. Or click the cover of the book.

Extreme October Giveaways!!!

(books picture source unknown)

Due to the fact that I like you (my readers) and that I trust you to tell people about Creative Madness I have talked to a few people, begged a little, raised my hand when needed, and have for you a very large set of giveaways!

First, do not forget about the two coming straight from me: I have two copies of The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner and one copy of Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd. Click here to go back, find out, and enter for Bon Appetit. Contest ends on October 21st. Please click here to go read a review of The Shape of Mercy, this is a story that I loved and it will go on my keeper shelf permanently Click here to enter for a chance to win one of two copies. The two winners for this one will be picked on October 14th, 2008.

Then also a former giveaway, still going on, One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling, click here to enter into that giveaway that ends on October 17th. A review of this book is still to come.

Now, for the new giveaways... The way this will work is that to get an entry on the former giveaways you can go back to the original posts and follow the directions. It is usually to tell me why you want the book, and to leave at least three relevant comments on other posts. The more I can tell between now and the final date, the more likely you are to win a book on my blog. I have to admit that I do not choose by random counters or anything like that. I pick who I think really needs/wants the book, so it does pay to be active in my comment boxes or at least by emailing me (cherryblossommj (at) gmail [dot] com). Also, you may get an entry by commenting on this post (still for the above giveaways). Again, relevant comments count. Now, something new... Tell someone about the post and cc: that you told them. Blog about this giveaway and link back, or comment the link to your post. Twitter about the giveaway, and comment and [@]cherryblossommj the twit.

Each time you do something to promote this giveaway and tell me about it. The higher your chances are of winning for the former giveaways and the new. Now for the new: On this post tell me why you want it. Leave at least three comments elsewhere that are relevant to the subject matter. And get as many additional entries as you wish by what I just mentioned above.

This huge giveaway contest will end on October 31st, so you have several days to enter, and tell others about it to enter. Winners will be chosen and notified by November 3rd.

Also, you can grab the html on the top right for a button to my blog as well. *grin* (Any problems, let me know.)



Now you what to hear about the books to giveaway???

*Please Note* Some, but not all of these are Christian, some are general market. Please realize this while making your choices. I know that is important to some, and I do not want to mislead you. This is a Christian blog, with mostly Christian giveaways. I have not read all of these books, nor do I necessarily recommend them all. If you are curious on my thoughts of a book, please ask me directly, and I will let you know. Again, email me if need be: cherryblossommj (at) gmail [dot] com.

“We understand what we want to understand.”

Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with convention and her family’s expectations by choosing a state college over Stanford and earning her own income over accepting her ample monthly allowance. She takes a part-time job from 83-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles, who asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.

Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped in the worldview of the day, unable to fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstition, and Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy’s story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.

The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400074568
• ISBN-13: 978-1400074563

Pastries, Paris and romance–Lexi’s adventure has just begun!

Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.

As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisserie display window: her familiar home, friends, and family in Seattle or her new life in France. Lexi discovers that as she leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400073286
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073283

This is the story of two mothers, strangers to one another.

The first has two children--twins, a boy and girl, who are seniors in high school. She wants their last Christmas as a family living in the same home to be perfect, but her husband is delayed returning from a business trip abroad. And then there's an accident--a fatal one involving a drunk driver.

Meanwhile, the other mother has a daughter who needs a new heart, and so the loss of one woman becomes the miracle the other has desperately prayed for. While one mother grieves, and pulls away from her family, the other finds that even miracles aren't always easy to receive.

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446582107
• ISBN-13: 978-0446582100

Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn brings readers a poignant Christmas novella about a woman, desperate for a place to belong, who finds herself in London a few days before Christmas, looking for the father she never knew.In FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS, Miranda Carson's search for her father takes a turn she never expected when she finds herself in London with only a few feeble clues to who he might be. Unexpectedly welcomed into a family that doesn't recognize her, and whom she's quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can't bear to leave. Robin Jones Gunn brilliantly combines lyrical writing and unforgettable characters to craft a story of longing and belonging that will stay with readers long after they close the pages of this book.

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446526290
• ISBN-13: 978-0446526296

Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.
But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.
And yet . . . maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446179469
• ISBN-13: 978-0446179461

Many want a simple life, but find it difficult to actually live that way. They fight a constant battle to balance work, family, friends, and other demands on schedules stretched too thin. Joyce Meyer breaks it down to the simple principle of exercising faith rather than doubt and confidence rather than people-pleasing. She reminds readers that the Bible is full of examples of God's provision and His instruction to focus on one day at a time. She encourages readers to set themselves free by realizing they don't have to do, fix, or manage everything. By embracing the fact that God is on their side they will be encouraged that He will help find a way to live a simple life.

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (November 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446194166
• ISBN-13: 978-0446194167

International motivational speaker and sought-after business consultant Reverend Myles Munroe proves that true leaders empower others to discover their own leadership gifts.

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (November 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446580465
• ISBN-13: 978-0446580465

Father Williams explains how the conscience is formed through our training and experiences and informed by the Holy Spirit, making it an essential tool for daily living. He uses familiar and surprising characters to illustrate the positive choices conscience can direct--and the disaster that results when a conscience is undeveloped or ignored. Questions he tackles include "Is it more important to be smart or good?""Is there a morally right thing to do in every situation?" and "Is the Christian moral life an exciting adventure, or a necessary burden?" Rich, provocative, and practical for everyday decision making, KNOWING RIGHT FROM WRONG is a must-read for all who hunger for personal holiness.

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (September 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446582018
• ISBN-13: 978-0446582018

Do you find yourself picking through circumstances like children plucking daisy petals attempting to figure out whether or not God loves you? If you find yourself least certain of his love in those critical moments when you most need to trust him, there is hope for you. Where? At the one event in human history that forever secured your place in the Father s hear--the cross where Jesus allowed sin and shame to be consumed in his own body so that you could freely embrace a relationship with his Father. There you will discover that what he always wanted was not the fearful subservience of slaves, but the loving affection of sons and daughters. If your spiritual life feels more like performance than freedom, like an empty ritual rather than a joyful journey, let Wayne help you discover a Father who loves you more than anyone on this planet ever has or ever will and how you can rest in the confidence of his affection for you through whatever circumstances you face.

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Windblown Media; 2nd edition (August 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964729253
• ISBN-13: 978-0964729254

THE ROSARY is a beautifully illustrated practical and reverential primer to a centuries old prayer that has touched millions of lives. In the introduction, author Gary Jansen appeals to the universality of one of the original Christian prayers, "Though traditionally considered a Catholic act of devotion, the rosary with its primary focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus, is ultimately a . . . universal prayer--one that can appeal to Christians of all denominations."

Written for both Catholic and Protestant Christians, candid explanations on why and how to pray the rosary along with useful instructions on how to get the most out of the meditative and spiritual exercise of repeating prayers are in the first of two sections. Prayers including a visual and spiritual journey that illuminates the teachings of the New Testament follow in the second section.

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; 1st FaithWords Ed edition (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446535842
• ISBN-13: 978-0446535847

A woman who has experienced both tragedy and triumph, Paula White shares hope with those facing life's trials. Paula opens her heart to offer personal testimonies and key passages of Scripture that will equip readers to discover purpose in their pain and to overcome any challenge that crosses their path. It's not about what happens to us, it's about what happens in us. Failure is not final. We have the power to:
- Renew our minds
- Transition from trial to testimony
- Discover God's pattern for our lives
Most important, Paula teaches readers to never quit. Tough times don't last-tough people do! What are you waiting for? Grab hold of the victory God promises. It's time to MOVE ON, MOVE UP.

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446580457
• ISBN-13: 978-0446580458

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Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft.- He was known not only for his gargantuan homeruns, his speed on the bases and his fielding talent but also for his caring and humble character.-He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character " superstars.- But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors,-all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness.- What followed was a 4-year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.BEYOND BELIEF details the events that led up to the derailment. Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. He will chronicle the details of the depths of his addiction.But Josh's story is one of redemption and triumph. It is inspirational, life-affirming and, since Josh credits his finding faith in Christ for saving his life, it is also the memoir of a spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the rebirth of his major-league career. Josh Hamilton makes no excuses and places no blame on anyone other than himself. He takes responsibility for his poor decisions and believes his story can help millions who battle the same demons. "I have been given a platform to tell my story" he says. "I pray every night I am a good messenger."

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599951614
• ISBN-13: 978-1599951614

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In the hustle and bustle of today's busy world, sometimes it's hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God's voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. In How to Hear from God, Joyce Meyer shows readers that God reaches out to people every day, seeking a partnership with them to offer guidance and love. She reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice. Joyce asks the question, "Are you listening?" and shares how to do just that.

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (August 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446691240
• ISBN-13: 978-0446691246

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Seduction, black-market booze, burglary, and murder-not your ordinary fare for a division of peacekeeping officers, but Hollywood isn't your ordinary town. When a couple of LAPD cops find themselves caught up with a certain femme fatale, they're in for trouble. Meet Margot Aziz, the beautiful, soon-to-be-ex wife of Ali Aziz, proprietor of a Sunset Boulevard strip club. Ali has his diamond-studded fingers in multiple shady business deals-and he wants his lovely wife dead. Enter Hollywood Nate Weiss, a cop hungry for stardom and looking for love. Nate works alongside a squad of L.A.'s finest, including a duo of suntanned surfer cops, two tenacious women officers, and a wily veteran. As they all discover, Hollywood always deceives you, and love always comes packing heat.

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044650582X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446505826

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These hard-hitting, deeply felt stories follow straight arrows and outlaws, have-it-alls and outcasts, as they take stock of their lives and missteps and struggle to rise above their turbulent pasts. A salesman re-examines his tenuous relationship with his sister after she is brutally attacked. A house painter plans a new life for his family as he plots his last bank robbery. A drifter gets a chance at love when he delivers news of a barfly's death to the man's estranged daughter. A dissatisfied yuppie is oddly envious of his ex-con brother as they celebrate their first Christmas together. Set in a Los Angeles depicted with aching clarity, Lange's stories are gritty, and his characters often less than perfect. Beneath their macho bravado, however, they are full of heart and heartbreak.

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316018805
• ISBN-13: 978-0316018807

An unparalleled look inside the brilliant mind of one of America's most revered rock legends, Cobain Unseen collects previously unseen artifacts and photographs from the estate's archives to form a fascinating portrait of the creativity, madness, and genius of Kurt Cobain.
Personal items and photographs take readers deeper inside Cobain's life than they've ever been before, and interactive features, such as Kurt's handwritten sticker-sheet of Nirvana name tags, facsimiles of unseen journal pages, and gatefolds of his graffiti-embellished guitars make this an essential keepsake. An audio CD showcasing spoken-word material by Cobain, some of it never before released, will be included. Accompanying the previously unpublished images and memorabilia is a compelling biographical narrative by New York Times-bestselling author Charles R. Cross.

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316033723
• ISBN-13: 978-0316033725

Sooner or later, we are all called to lead in some capacity. Leadership skills are vital in corporate settings, small businesses, church or community organizations, and even within the home. Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward have recognized this need and have jointly created an in-depth, step-by-step guide for developing leadership skills.

Utilizing an abundance of historical examples, the authors have developed a unique 5-step plan that charts a course for creating and maintaining strong leadership in any organization. The plan guides the reader through the "Five Levels of Influence":

- Learning: a leader must be able to learn from anyone
- Performing: perservere through failure to find success
- Leading: extend your ability by expanding your team
- Developing Leaders: learn to trust your people
- Develop Leaders who Develop Leaders: create a legacy

This book is full of prescriptive advice, quotes and anecdotes that illustrate their principles.

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus; Reprint edition (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044669956X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446699563

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Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.

Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.

Bringing together Michael Connelly's two most popular characters, The Brass Verdictis sure to be his biggest book yet.

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316166294
• ISBN-13: 978-0316166294

Theodore Mead Fegley has always been the smartest person he knows. By age 12, he was in high school, and by 15 he was attending a top-ranking university. And now, at the tender age of 18, he's on the verge of proving the Riemann Hypothesis, a mathematical equation that has mystified academics for almost 150 years. But only days before graduation, Mead suddenly packs his bags and flees home to rural Illinois. What has caused him to flee remains a mystery to all but Mead and a classmate whose quest for success has turned into a dangerous obession.

At home, Mead finds little solace. His past ghosts haunt him; his parents don't understand the agony his genius has caused him, nor his desire to be a normal kid, and his dreams seem crushed forever. He embarks on a new life's journey -- learning the family business of selling furniture and embalming the dead--that disappoints and surprises all who knew him as "the young Fegley genius."

Equal parts academic thriller and poignant coming-of-age story, LIFE AFTER GENIUS follows the remarkable journey of a young man who must discover that the heart may know what the head hasn't yet learned.

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446199710
• ISBN-13: 978-0446199711

Dr. Christopher Ringle is the last person you'd expect to find moonlighting as Santa Claus at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is there that he meets a young man named Molar Alan, who desperately needs a new perspective on the underlying value of Christmas. Dr. Ringle recruits Mo and his older brother as volunteers at a nearby children's hospital for the holiday season. At the hospital, Mo is tasked to help bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients on the fifth floor. His biggest challenge is befriending a decidedly angry girl who is so embarrassed by her scarred appearance that she hides her face behind the safety of a paper bag. Almost in spite of himself, Mo finds that Christmas joy emanates from a source far greater than the North Pole, while the young girl learns that she is more beautiful than she had ever imagined.

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (October 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599950731
• ISBN-13: 978-1599950730

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Lizzie Buckley has a life many women dream of - a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home and darling (when they're not fighting) three-year-old twins. But ever since the birth of her children, she's had a fantasy about locking herself in her bedroom for twenty-four hours with a good book and a box of chocolates.


Unfortunately, her husband James doesn't understand her feelings. And when Lizzie unburdens herself in a flaming email to her sister Janie, then hits send at the wrong moment and accidentally shoots it off to James instead, her fairytale life gets a big dose of reality. With the word "divorce" ringing in her ears, Lizzie finds herself moving out and embarking on a totally different life - working hard to reinvent herself as a runner, a gardener, and a writer of children's books.


But despite transforming her body, her neglected career, and her libido (courtesy of the local landscape gardener), Lizzie can't get over her soon-to-be ex. As Lizzie discovers, sometimes the fairytale ending is just the beginning of the real story.

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: 5 Spot (October 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446178144
• ISBN-13: 978-0446178143

Having lost their mother in early childhood, the Gabaldón sisters consider Fermina, their elderly Pueblo housekeeper, their surrogate Grandmother. The mysterious Fermina love the girls as if they are her own, and promises to endow each with a "special gift" to be received upon her death.


Mindful of the old woman's mystical ways, the sisters believe Fermina's gifts, bestowed based on their natural talents, magically enhance their lives. The oldest sister, Bette Davis Gabaldón, always teased for telling tales, believes her gift is the power to persuade anyone, no matter how outlandish her story. Loretta Young, who often prefers pets to people, assumes her gift is the ability to heal animals. Tough-talking tomboy, Rita Hayworth believes her gift is the ability to curse her enemies. And finally, Sophia Loren, the baby of the family, is sure her ability to make people laugh is her legacy.


As the four girls grow into women they discover that Fermina's gifts come with complicated strings, and what once seemed simple can confuse over time. Together they learn the truth about their mysterious caretaker, her legacy, and the family secret that was nearly lost forever in the New Mexican desert.

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446699217
• ISBN-13: 978-0446699211

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Best of luck to you all!! Remember entries can be made until October 31st. Oh, and if you so desire, you can come back more than once. But realize only relevant comments will count. :)