Staff Favorites

Gina Holmes

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.

Pub. Date: May 2010

Recommended by staff
If this is Gina Holmes' first attempt at writing fiction, she's got a follower in me.  I can hardly wait for the next one.  Jenny left her family and home, never to look back.  But -- sickness and her precious daughter were the two reasons she returned after many years.  You'll love the journey that the author takes you on.  You'll laugh when you read about Jenny's grandma and you'll cry when Jenny has to face her past, making decisions for her her future.  This is a great summer read for ages 18 to dead.  Try it you'll love it!  ~~ Carol Dyck

Mary E. DeMuth

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.
 
In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.
 
Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.

Pub. Date:  March 2009
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Recommended by staff
The first in the Defiance Texas Trilogy.  A picture perfect small town hides more secrets than the curved petals on a red rose!  Jed Pepper is convinced its all his fault!  Pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crises, this beautiful of a family in crises, this beautiful southern coming of age brings to life God's sometimes confusing but always present redemption!  This author is a first class word-smith!
 ~~ Jenny

Mary E. DeMuth

Emory Chance needs to find who killed her daughter Daisy and unravel the mystery behind a sickening premonition—a man with a snake tattoo. The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, A Slow Burn is a suspenseful story about courageous love, the power of forgiveness, and the bonds that never break.

Pub. Date: October 2009
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Recommended by staff
This is the second book in the Defiance Texas Trilogy.  Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter's murderer.  This suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret and bond that never break!  About beauty and pain, most of all it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive! ~~ Jenny

James Rubart

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend. When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

Pub. Date:  April 2010

Recommended by staff
What an unusual and thought provoking book!  Part allegory, part suspense thriller, part spiritual warfare handbook - completely engrossing.  The main character finds himself in a mansion bequeathed by a long lost relative.  Located on Oregon's Coast, the house seems to be expanding and interacting with the character of the inhabitant.  Choices have to be made and the consequences faced.  Loved it!  ~~ Becky

Hannah Shah

My Desperate Flight to Freedom

Hannah Shah is an Imam’s daughter. She lived the life of a devout Muslim in a family of Pakistani Muslims in England, but behind the front door, she was a caged butterfly. For many years, her father abused her in the cellar of their home.
 
At sixteen, she discovered a plan to send her to Pakistan for an arranged marriage, and she gathered the courage to run away. Relentlessly hunted by her angry father and brothers, who were intent on executing an “honor” killing, she moved from house to house in perpetual fear to escape them.
 
Over time, she converted to Christianity and was able to live and marry as she wished.
 
Hannah found the courage to live her life free from shame, free from religious intolerance, and free from the abuse that haunted her childhood. This is a remarkable true story of how a young girl escaped a life of torture … a story you won’t forget.

Pub. Date: April 2010

Recommended by Staff
I couldn't help but mourn with Hannah over the loss of her childhood as she suffered at the hands of her father, a respected Imam in her Muslim community.  Her journey from abused daughter to a runaway to a healthy individual is amazing.  The way God worked in her life as she became His is wonderful.  She escaped torture and found true love in Jesus and her future husband! ~~ Denise

Tom Davis

A Novel on the Edge of the World

A photojournalist on assignment in Russia finds himself a key player in rescuing young girls from the tragic sex-slave trade. Author Tom Davis, returns with Priceless, the second release in a fictional series that explores real-world issues through the eyes and lens of an international photojournalist. Stuart Daniels has found purpose in life. After suffering the fallout of a tragic assignment, Daniels rediscovered faith and hope after a chance encounter with an extraordinary African orphan. Now his photo work also carries a personal mission: To educate people on the devastating effects of AIDS around the world. But when Daniels receives his next assignment to Russia, he unwittingly finds himself a key player in rescuing young girls caught in the tragic sex-slave trade. Equal parts suspense and drama, Priceless is a provocative thriller that will open reader's eyes to what's happening in the world today.

Pub. Date: June 2010
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Recommended by staff
I was captured by Tom Davis when I read his first novel Scared, I was not disappointed when I read Priceless.  He weaves his real life experiences into tales that are sure to impact all who read them!  Set in Russia, Stuart Daniels embarks on an assignment that will shake his faith & endangered his life as he finds himself immersed in rescuing a special young lady from the sex trade industry.  ~~ Denise Ramsay

Kristen Jane Anderson

She wanted to die. God had other plans.

Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.
 
Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.
 
One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.
 
But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.
 
In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.
 
Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured. 

Pub. Date: May 2010

Recommended by Staff
I rarely read biographies, but this book drew me in.  The sheer joy in Kristen's face caused me to pause every time I walked by.  Her story is an amazing journey through an unplanned suicide attempt, her survival, healing (physical, emotional and spiritual) and a deep deep desire to know God and His will for her.  Written with a fiction author Tricia Goyer (one of my faves) this easy reading story will captivate you and enlighten you to the emotion struggles of self worth that can lead to suicidal thoughts.  As an excellent help Kristen also writes not to the reader to help encourage them.  ~~ Adelle

Cathy Liggett

Four American women, all with their own challenges, embark on a mission trip to South Africa. Their lives are changed as they encounter a group of South African women who suffer from AIDS yet demonstrate great joy and faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. When the Americans discover the amazing beadwork that has been taught to generations of women in the community, they uncover a way to help these proud people support their families by selling their craft.

Pub. Date:  March 2010

Recommended by staff
This is a wonderful story of friendships and God's grace!  As four women embark on a missions trip to Africa, they find themselves impacted and changed through a group of African women affected by AIDS.  While the African women demonstrate amazing faith during difficult circumstances, these friends find new insight and hope as well.  This is a worthwhile book to read!! Enjoy :)   ~~ Denise

Lynn Austin

"Thank goodness you're such a plain child. You'll have to rely on your wits."

So went the words of Grandma Bebe. And for all of my growing-up years, I scoffed at the beauty of my sister and what I saw as her meaningless existence. But my wits hadn't served me well in this instance, for here I was, in jail. And while I could have seen it as carrying on the family tradition (for Grandma Bebe landed in jail for her support of Prohibition), the truth is, my reasons for being here would probably break her heart.

So how did I end up becoming a criminal? I've been pondering that question all night. Perhaps the best way to search for an answer is to start at the very beginning.•

Pub. Date:  October 2009
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Recommended by staff
Lynn Austin consistently writes powerful historical fiction and this one is no exception.  Her passion for history and the relationships and connections between generations shines through and keeps you fascinated from start to finish.  You'll find strong female characters with Grandma Bebe petitioning for women's civil rights mother Lucy who fights for the woman's vote daughter Harriet who gets involved in the prohibition movement.  ~~ Jacelyn Pankratz

Stephen R. Lawhead

From the dreaming spires of Oxford, Lewis Gillies drives north to seek a mythical creature in a misty glen in Scotland. Expecting little more than a weekend diversion, Lewis finds himself in a mystical place where two worlds meet, in the time-between-times--and in the heart of a battle between good and evil.

The ancient Celts admitted no separation between this world and the Otherworld: the two were delicately interwoven, each dependent on the other. The Paradise War crosses the thin places between this world and that, as Lewis Gillies comes face-to-face with an ancient mystery--and a cosmic catastrophe in the making.

Pub. Date:  September 2006

More by Stephen R. Lawhead
More in the Song of Albion Trilogy

Recommended by staff
This is one of my favorite series ever!  Great for those who love Tolkien, Lewis and well written fantasy books.  Young adults will also love this amazing Celtic tale that spans two worlds.  The message of the gospels and the resurrection are clear and gripping.  If you have never tried Stephen Lawhead's books, this is a wonderful start!!  ~~ Denise Ramsay

Robin Caroll

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

Recommended by staff
Although it was the cover that first caught my attention, it was the plot twists and characters that kept me reading.  Set in the Smoky Mountains, this story starts when a helicopter carrying a US Marshall and a donor heart crashes.  When Brannon Callahan heads to the rescue, sparks fly.  This was a great curl up on the couch and escape for a day kind of book.  ~ Denise Ramsay

Jenny B. Jones

New York's social darling Isabella Kirkwood just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her. Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.

When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less! Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for her down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers. At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets. How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

Pub. Date:  May 2009
View more in the Charmed Life Series.
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Recommended by Staff!
Kim says, "If you're a big Melody Carlson fan like I am, then you will absolutely love Jenny B. Jones! Like Carlson, Jenny B. Jones writes great "chick fiction" for teens that deals with relevant issues girls face today. Add some brilliant wit and sass and you'll be giggling your way through "So Not Happening." I can't rave enough about this book ... it is an AWESOME read from beginning to end, and girls 14, 25 or 50 years old will enjoy it. I'm already looking forward to book #2 in this series releasing this fall. I think she is my new favorite "chick fiction" author!"

Noel Hynd

When a mysterious relic is stolen from a Madrid museum, people are dying to discover its secrets. Literally.
 
U.S. Treasury agent Alexandra LaDuca returns from Conspiracy in Kiev to track down the stolen artwork, a small carving called The Pietà of Malta. It seems to be a simple assignment, but nothing about this job is simple, as the mysteries and legends surrounding the relic become increasingly complex with claims of supernatural power.
 
As aggressive, relentless, and stubborn as ever, Alex crisscrosses Europe through a web of intrigue, danger, and betrayal, joined by a polished, mysterious new partner. With echoes of classic detective and suspense fiction from The Maltese Falcon to The Da Vinci Code, Midnight in Madrid takes the reader on a nonstop spellbinding chase through a modern world of terrorists, art thieves, and cold-blooded killers.

Recommended by Staff!
James says, "Alexandra LaDuca: Special Agent for the U.S. Treasury – she is on vacation leave in Spain when she receives a call from Washington about the theft of the Pieta of Malta from the Museo Arqueologico Nocional in Mandrid. When she finally tracks down the thieves she realizes that they sold the Pieta twice already and are planning a terrorist attack in the city … PS: If you are still reading then just buy the book!"

Timothy Keller

Debbie Thomas

Raised to be a "new woman" by her mother and three college roommates in the 70s amid anti-war protests, feminist rallies, and finals, Rain Rasmussen discovers that putting her career first has left her overdrawn at the egg-bank, and her baby fever has now driven off her significant other.

When her terminally ill mother demands a Celebration of Life before she dies, they all confront ghosts from the past on a stormy weekend in Monterey. Bebe, the roommate closest to Rain's heart, revisits choices that have impacted Rain the most, raising doubts about God's - and her own - willingness to forgive and to be forgiven.


Recommended by Staff~
A story of secrets, regret, friendships and forgiveness. I enjoyed this unique book that takes a look at the lives of 4 college roommates. The present day story is filled with flashbacks  to the 70's as the group gathers for Jude's 'Celebration of Life'. Terminally ill, she calls her friends together causing them all to confront the past and move on to the future.
~Denise

Kristi Fluharty, T. Lively Fluharty

Through this rhyming, rollicking tale about the moon stealing the sun’s glory, children learn about the importance of humility and the dangers of pride. Written and beautifully illustrated by a husband-and-wife team.

Our Children's Department Manager, Kim, says:
"This is my new favorite book!!! The artwork is simply amazing, endearing, and captivating for kids young and old. The story reads beautifully and is based on 1 Corinthians 4:7, from the NLT. It's a great lesson and a gorgeous book from beginning to end."

Pub. Date: September 2009

Francis Chan

Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe-the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor-loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you've verbalized it yet or not.we all know something's wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.

Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Recommended by Staff!
Meagan says, "God's love: unfathomable, all-encompassing, self-sacrificing. What do we do about it? For some, it's hard to receive the love that God offers; for most of us, it's difficult to duplicate it. In our 'busy' lives, we don't often take the time to appreciate His love. And, because we 'don't feel called,' we don't live it out. In vulnerable honesty, Chan encourages us to take our relationship with God to a deeper level - by choosing to live with a Crazy Love. "

Mike Mason

An orphan faces an evil magician in this literary fantasy for readers of all ages that probes the depths of good and evil.

When Zac Sparks's mother dies, he's sent to live in Five Corners with his cruel old Aunties. It isn't long before Zac knows something strange is going on. Five Corners is populated with weird characters – a midget butler, a girl who doesn't speak, a blind balloon seller, a mysterious singer, and the Aunties' father, Dada. Zac's first encounter with Dada is so terrifying he faints dead away.

The one bright spot is Sky Porter, a friendly soul who encourages Zac and shows him kindness. But Sky isn't what he seems either, and when Zac learns Sky's amazing secret, he sees that this wonderful man may have a very dark side as well. Discovering that Dada is an evil magician who has found a way to live forever, Zac knows many lives are at stake, including his own.

Pub. Date October 2009
View more by Mike Mason

Staff Recommend:
"Like all the best kids' books, this one will be loved, read and re-read by adults as well. It is a grand fantasy adventure story that also contains truths about 'the problem of pain' & where is God when it hurts? Join Zachary as he meets an amazing array of characters-some super naturally good & others just downright mean! I loved it"
~Becky

Terry Brennan

History's greatest secret could be tomorrow's greatest threat More historically and biblically accurate than The DaVinci Code and just as adventurous as an Indiana Jones movie, The Sacred Cipher combines action and mystery to draw readers into a world of ancient secrets and international escapades. When an ancient scroll appears in a secret room of the Bowery Mission in New York City, Tom Bohannon is both stunned and intrigued. The enigma of the scroll's contents will send Bohannon and his team ricocheting around the world, drawing the heat of both Jewish and Muslim militaries, and bringing the Middle East to the brink of nuclear war in this heart-pounding adventure of historical proportions. The Sacred Cipher is a riveting, fact-based tale of mystery and suspense.

Pub. Date:  July 2009

Recommended by Staff
"1889, Alexandria, Egypt, Charles Spurgeon finds a scroll in the Attarine District that is valuable enough for someone to try to kill him to possess it.  Only he can't read it, nobody can.....   Present day, New York City, Tom Bohannon just heard that the repairmen found a secret room hidden behind the organ pipes in the chapel of the Bowery Mission - a room he later found to be the office of Dr. Louis Klopsh, the first president of the Bowery Mission.  Tom Bohannon decides to put together a team to decode the scroll and discovers a secret that has the power to destry the fragile peace that Israel grips with all her might." -- James

Scott Rigsby, Jenna Glatzer

After losing both of his legs in a car accident at age 18, Scott Rigsby battled his way back from depression and addiction to achieve the unthinkable—become the first double-leg amputee ever to cross the finish line in the sporting world’s most grueling and prestigious competition, the Ironman Triathlon. Scott has since become an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of physically challenged and able-bodied athletes the world over.

Unthinkable documents Scott’s remarkable journey. From the scene of the devastating crash that claimed both of his legs, and his subsequent battle with depression and alcohol addiction, through his dawning realization that God has a greater plan for his life, readers will be inspired. From his decision to participate in the Ironman competition, to the moment he crossed the finish line, readers will engage with Scott’s unthinkable courage, determination and faith. Unthinkable releases simultaneously in both hardcover and softcover. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Scott Rigsby Foundation, a Georgia-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspire, inform, and enable physically challenged individuals with loss of limb or mobility to live an active lifestyle.

Pub. Date: October 2009

Recommended by Staff
"At age 18, Scott was in an accident that changed his life forever.  He lost his right leg and in the next 12 yrs had 26 surgeries - including the removal of his left leg.  He journeyed through 12 years of depression and substance abuse until discovering triathlons gave him purpose in life.  Despite the disapproval of his father, he began to compete in many smaller triathlons and in 2007 he became the first double amputee to complete the world famous Hawaiian Ironman at 39 years old.  How did he do it? It's beyond me!  It had to be God's grace because I was only reading the book and wanted to give up!  This is a great read for someone needing a huge dose of encouragement!"  - Marilyn

Chris Fabry

June Bug believed everything her daddy told her. That is, until she walked into Wal-Mart and saw her face on a list of missing children. The discovery begins a quest for the truth about her father, the mother he rarely speaks about, and ultimately herself. A modern interpretation of Les Miserables, the story follows a dilapidated RV rambling cross-country with June Bug and her father, a man running from a haunted past. Forces beyond their control draw them back to Dogwood, West Virginia, down a winding path that will change their lives forever.

Pub. Date:  August 2009
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Recommended by Staff
"Imagine walking into a Walmart store and seeing your face on a 'missing child' poster!  Imagine doubting everything the man you love,who says he's your Dad, has ever said.  Relax and enjoy the journey as June Bug's story unfolds- the rejection by her mother, the grandmother who never gave up hoping and believing that the grandchild she loved so much was still alive.  Learn to love the 'father' who loves her enough to do the right thing -- who loves her enough to give her up."  -- Marilyn

Nonna Bannister

The Secret Holocaust Diaries is a haunting eyewitness account of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a remarkable Russian-American woman who had seen and survived the unspeakable evils of the Holocaust as a young girl. For half a century, she kept her story secret while living a normal American life. She locked all her photos, documents, diaries, and dark memories from World War II in a trunk. Late in life, she unlocked the trunk, first for her husband, and now for the rest of the world.

Nonna’s story is one of suffering, torture, and death—but also of incredible acts of kindness that show the ultimate triumph of faith and love over despair and evil. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is in part a tragedy, yet it’s also an unforgettable true story about forgiveness, courage, and hope.

Born into an aristocratic Russian family, Nonna Lisowskaja fully expected to enjoy a cultured, privileged life. Her family had many advantages at a time when other Russians struggled to buy food. By her sixth birthday, Nonna spoke four languages. She had a good life.

But then her life fell apart.
The Nazis invaded Russia.
And, though her family was not Jewish, she lost everything . . . except a few family photos and scraps of a journal hidden from the Nazis in a small pillow.

This is her story.

Recommended by Staff!
Adelle says, "Nonna’s story is one of pain, loss, confusion and God’s undying faithfulness. Saved from death by a starving Jewish boy named Nathan, she endures and witnesses many horrors. Watching her father slowly die over six weeks, she learns patience and peace through trials and to totally rely on God. Follow her journey to the end of the war and his eventual trip to . Be ready to be moved and blessed by this story."

Karen Kingsbury

In between a checkered past and a fairytale future, a decision awaits.
 
Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all—a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancée, and a fairy tale life ahead of him … when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must go back to the shores of Holden Beach in search of his first love, and a forgiveness neither of them has ever known.
 
Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

Pub. Date:  October 2009
View more by Karen Kingsbury

Staff Recommend:
"Karen is a GREAT author but I especially enjoy her stand alone books! They hit me hard each time, each with their own heart wrenching theme. This particular story gets to the core of what is needed....a close and personal relationship with Christ. Entwined with that is all our human emotion and ideas on what should happen. This story hit me on so many levels emotionally, I was a mess (in a good way). Most important there is no sin too big for His grace, nor any forgiveness not worth giving."
~Adelle

Matt Bronleewe

August Adams has failed his family before. He's sacrificed relationships in pursuit of adventure, fame, and money. Now the very lives of those he loves depend on his ability to decipher a centuries-old puzzle encrypted in the colorful hand-painted illuminations that adorn three rare Gutenberg Bibles.

It's a secret that could yield unimaginable wealth, undermine two major religions, and change the course of Western civilization. Two ruthless, ancient organizations are willing to do anything to get their hands on it. And August has the span of one transatlantic flight to figure it out.

If he fails, those he holds most dear will die. If he succeeds, he'll destroy a national treasure.

The clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.

Recommended by Staff!
James says, "This book went by way too fast. Matt Bronleewe has started a trend that I'll gladly follow forever. Here we go! August Adams, sought after archaeobibliologist, is flying his new find to New York when two ancient organizations intercept him and his family to steal some of the rarest books in the world - three Gutenburg Bibles. This Indiana Jones/ National Treasure genre has quite a kick if you ask me."

View more by Matt Bronleewe

Stephen Lawhead

Hood:  Hood is a completely re-imagined story of the man known as Robin Hood—told in a far more earthy, eerie, and elemental way than ever before. The Robin Hood legend has popular appeal, as is evidenced by many theatrical and television releases of the story, and Lawhead brings the legend to life.
 
Scarlet: After losing everything he owns, forester Will Scarlet embarks on a search for none other than King Raven, whose exploits have already become legendary. After fulfilling his quest -and proving himself a skilled and loyal companion—Will joins the heroic archer and his men. Now, however, Will is in prison for a crime he did not commit. His sentence is death by hanging— unless he delivers King Raven and his band of cohorts. That, of course, he will never do. From deep in the forest, King Raven and his men form a daring plan for deliverance, knowing that failure means death for them all.
 
Tuck: As King Raven, Bran is Lord of the Forest. But his true crown seems out of reach. Bran is still fighting to bring his people justice from the shadows of the green wood. But Abbot Hugo is used to playing the long game and has been watching and learning. Abbot Hugo plans to bring the invading Norman marchogi to the forest in force, heralding the start of a campaign to wipe out King Raven and his band once and for all. Their merciless attack, the first of many, marks a dark day for the realm. And the dream of seeing a true king take the throne of Elfael seems increasingly remote. Bran and his few stalwarts desperately need encouragement and reinforcement if they are to survive. But Friar Tuck, a most unconventional priest, may just have a solution to their dilemma.

Tom Davis

Stuart Daniels has hit bottom. Once a celebrated and award-winning photojournalist, he is reeling from debt, a broken marriage, and crippling depression. The source of Stuart's grief is his most famous photo, a snapshot of brutality in the dangerous Congo. A haunting image that indicts him as a passive witness to gross injustice.

Stuart is given a one last chance to redeem his career: A make-or-break assignment covering the AIDS crisis in a small African country. It is here that Stuart meets Adanna, a young orphan fighting for survival in a community ravaged by tragedy and disease. But in the face of overwhelming odds, Adanna finds hope in a special dream, where she is visited by an illuminated man and given a precious gift.

Now, in a dark place that's a world away from home, Stuart will once again confront the harsh reality of a suffering people in a forgotten land. And as a chance encounter becomes divine providence, two very different people will find their lives forever changed.

View more titles by Tom Davis.

Recommended by Staff!
Denise says, "This is a gripping story of redemption, healing and hope. Tom Davis has run a ministry in Africa for years called 'Childrens Hope Chest' and the experience he's had comes through this amazing book. As you follow Adanna's life and the people she touches, you won't want to put it down."

Noel Hynd

A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she?
 
While on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to accompany a Secret Service team during an American Presidential visit to Ukraine. Her assignment: to keep personal watch over Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region.
 
Against her better judgment—and fighting a feeling that she’s being manipulated—she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future.
 
Conspiracy in Kiev—from the first double-cross to the stunning final pages—is the kind of solid, fast-paced espionage thriller only Noel Hynd can write. For those who have never read Noel Hynd, this first book in The Russian Trilogy is the perfect place to start.

Pub. Date: October 2008

Book of the Month - August 2009

Donald Miller

Full of beautiful, heart-wrenching, and hilarious stories, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details one man's opportunity to edit his life as if he were a character in a movie.

Years after writing a best-selling memoir, Donald Miller went into a funk and spent months sleeping in and avoiding his publisher. One story had ended, and Don was unsure how to start another.

But he gets rescued by two movie producers who want to make a movie based on his memoir. When they start fictionalizing Don's life for film--changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative--the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. It shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around.

Pub. Date:  September 2009
View more by Donald Miller

Staff Review
"Miller has gifted us with his autobiography, written in the same style of blunt honesty and laugh-out-loud humour as Blue Like Jazz (his New York Times bestseller).  Miller allows us to travel alongside him as he searches for meaning in his life.  His stories and the lessons he learns parallel his journey of making a movie out of his besteller.  Miller shares his discoveries of what makes life meaningful, worthwhile, and a story worth telling.  He says, "the principles that make up a good story are important because the same principles that make a good story also make a good life."  Enjoy this book!  Miller has a grift of writing in a way that allows his reader to feel with him, so laugh, be nervous, but also let this book challenge you to make your life a story with meaning -- a story worth telling."    --- Meagan

Thomas A'Kempis

Of all the factors influencing our spiritual growth and development, pivotal books play a key role. learning from those who have walked the path and fought the fight brings wisdom and strengthens resolve. And hearing the familiar chords of kingdom living sung by voices from other times can penetrate cultural barriers limiting our allegiance to the King.

Pub. Date:  October 2007

Recommended by Staff!
Esther says, "If you think classics are irrelevant, think again! I have read "The Imitation of Christ" a few times and am constantly challenged to live whole heartedly for God. It's amazing to be able to chew on the concepts in this book and find them still as relevant now as when they were written in the 1400's! Even makes for good devotional reading!"

Andrew Klavan

Charlie West just woke up in someone else's nightmare.

He's strapped to a chair. He's covered in blood and bruises. He hurts all over. And a strange voice outside the door just ordered his death.

The last thing he can remember, he was a normal high-school kid doing normal things--working on his homework, practicing karate, daydreaming of becoming an air force pilot, writing a pretty girl's number on his hand. How long ago was that? Where is he now? Who is he really?

And more to the point . . . how is he going to get out of this room alive?

Pub. Date: April 2009

View more in the Homelanders Series.

Recommended by Staff!
James says, "What would you do if you woke up and were being tortured by terrorists? The last thing Charlie West remembers is a normal day. Homework, school, karate, hangin' with his friends and dreaming of becoming an air-force pilot ... This book is completely riveting!"

Randy Alcorn

Have you ever wondered . . .

What is Heaven really going to be like?
What will we look like?
What will we do every day?
Won’t Heaven get boring after a while?

We all have questions about what Heaven will be like, and after twenty-five years of extensive research, Dr. Randy Alcorn has the answers.

In the most comprehensive and definitive book on Heaven to date, Randy invites you to picture Heaven the way Scripture describes it—a bright, vibrant, and physical New Earth, free from sin, suffering, and death, and brimming with Christ's presence, wondrous natural beauty, and the richness of human culture as God intended it.

God has put eternity in our hearts. Now, Randy Alcorn brings eternity to light in a way that will surprise you, spark your imagination, and change how you live today.

If you’ve always thought of Heaven as a realm of disembodied spirits, clouds, and eternal harp strumming, you’re in for a wonderful surprise.

This is a book about real people with real bodies enjoying close relationships with God and each other, eating, drinking, working, playing, traveling, worshiping, and discovering on a New Earth. Earth as God created it. Earth as he intended it to be.

And the next time you hear someone say, “We can’t begin to imagine what Heaven will be like,” you will be able to tell them, “I can.”

Recommended by Staff!
James says, "Everyone wonders at one time or another whether they will go to Heaven, what it will be like, and just as many are confused about what the Bible says about the topic. In this book not only does Randy tell you what the Bible says, but he helps you understand what the Bible means when it says what it says. I'll be the first to admit that it's complicated, but it doesn't have to be. If you want to understand and learn more about heaven, then I highly recommend this book!"

Donita K. Paul

Trapped in an evil spell… can the knights of Paladin be rescued?

Before vowing his allegiance to Wulder as a knight, Bardon heads to the mountains for solitude. His life is suddenly complicated by a woman and her granddaughter, N’Rae, on a mission to rescue the woman’s son trapped in a chamber of sleep. Bardon learns that more of Paladin’s knights are imprisoned–and suspects one of them is Dragon Keeper Kale’s missing father.

The secret is in their hands–and hearts.

The band travels north, uncertain of their destination and encountering numerous perils. When they unlock the chamber, they discover a dozen knights–who cannot be awakened. The journal holding the secret to rousing them is in an unknown language. How can they find the help they need, and overcome even graver obstacles, to rescue the knights?

View more in the DragonKeeper Chronicles series

Recommended by Staff!
Sandra says, "Through a magical tale of dragons and other imaginary creatures and people, the author brings across the message that if you trust in God and do His will, He always comes through in the end, looking after you and answering your prayers. Along the lines of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but the Christian metaphors are less veiled. I really enjoyed reading a book that is so full of action and that has a happy conclusion – especially the unexpected revelation at the end! Although Dragon Knight is part of a series, it also works as a stand-alone read, with a list of characters and a glossary of terms as additional helps."

Nicole Baart

Julia DeSmit can’t wait for her life to begin. After her mother leaves when Julia is nine years old, she’s raised by an unassuming, gentle father and a saintly, matriarchal grandmother until her father dies just as Julia is becoming a young adult.

On the cusp of womanhood, Julia feels jaded by her circumstances and longs for a new identity. College seems like the perfect place to start over. But when Julia makes a mistake that will change her life forever, she returns to her grandmother’s farm, defeated and convinced of her own worthlessness. Only through the gentle prodding of her loving grandmother does Julia begin to accept the imprint her childhood has left on her life and look for hope in a loving God who longs to make all things new.

Staff Recommended!
Carissa says, "The first book published by my Grade 9 English teacher! Nicole taught at MEI High School for a few years before moving back to the States with her husband and kids. Her unique writing style captures your attention and emotions as you connect with Julia as she grows up and reinvents herself at college before making a decision that will change her life forever. Julia's struggles will tug at your heart as she starts over. Don't forget to read the sequel, "Summer Snow"(though I probably don't have to remind you).

Stephen Lawhead

The final installment of a completely reimagined epic of the man known as Robin Hood-told in a far more eerie, earthy, and elemental way than ever before.

The story of Rhi Bran y Hud-Robin Hood-concludes as Abbot Hugo and the Norman invaders attempt to wipe out King Raven and his flock once and for all. Their merciless attack, the first of many to come, heralds a dark and desperate day for the realm of Elfael. Bran and his few stalwarts desperately need encouragement and reinforcement if they are to survive. But Friar Tuck, a most unconventional priest, has a daring solution to their dilemma that will radically alter all we've known about the legendary figure known as Robin Hood.

Recommended by Staff!
James says, "Meet Bran Brychan, Prince and heir to the trone of Elfael, Britian. When neighboring Wales is invaded by the Norman’s army, Bran’s father goes to swear fealty to the King in Lundein and is ambushed and killed. Bran loses his inheritance and flees to the forest and begins his journey to regrain his kingdom. He encounters many friends along the way and also the inevitable: enemies. Based on the legendary story of Robin Hood, this series reads like history!"

Jerry B. Jenkins

When a condemned man with nothing to lose meets one with nothing to gain, everyone washed by the endless ripples of that encounter will forever recall the day a little bit of heaven invaded a whole lot of hell. Brady Wayne Darby and Thomas Carey could hardly have been more disparate individuals. Yet when Darby, a no-account loser raised in a dingy suburban trailer park, encounters Carey, a weary man of God, an entire--state indeed, a nation--is affected. Embark on a wondrous journey where death, guilt, and despair are unfathomably trumped by rebirth, forgiveness, and hope.

Available: July 2008

More by Jerry B Jenkins

Recommended by Staff!
Rick says, "This is an engaging, absorbing and well written book about the horrific abuse a pastor can endure – and the redemptive power of God in the midst of it all. I wept through the final chapters; I will never forget how the two main characters’ lives intersect and the amazing results. It is definitely a “must read” in my opinion."

Tony Anthony & Angela Little

This fast-paced, compelling and chilling account, is the deeply moving story of a three-times Kung Fu World Champion. With fascinating insight into the traditions of China's martial arts, it documents the abusive upbringing that turned a four-year-old child into a hardened, professional killer. From China to Europe and across the Meditarranean, we follow Tony as he becomes an elite bodyguard, protecting some of the world's most powerful people. Following personal tragedy, Tony's extreme discipline and the philosophy of his art is quickly turned. He begins to use his skills for illegal means and highly destructive, bloodthirsty pleasure. Eventually incarcerated in jail in Cyprus, Tony hits rock bottom. Through the visits of a stranger, he is introduced to the reality and life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Though the prison walls hold him, he finds himself a free man. This is just the beginning of a complex and fascinating testimony.

Book of the Month - August 2009