Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser

Coming May 2008 from Bethany House:

It has been said that without George Washington, there would be no United States. But without Martha, there would be no George Washington. He called her "my other self." Who was this woman who captured the heart of our country's founder? Martha Dandridge Custis was a wealthy, attractive widow and the mother of two small children when she was courted by, then married to the French and Indian War hero. Her new life as Martha Washington took her through blissful times at Mount Vernon, family tragedies, six years of her husband's absence during the Revolutionary War, and her position as a reluctant First Lady.

Known for moving first-person portrayals of Nannerl Mozart and Jane Austen, Nancy Moser now brings to life the loves, tragedies, and accomplishments of Washington's Lady, the mother of the United States.

Merciless by Robin Parrish (Book #3 in the Dominion Trilogy)

Coming in June 2008 from Bethany House:

Deep under the earth, Grant Borrows has supposedly fallen to his doom. But when something crawls out of that pit—something dark and merciless with unrestrained power—it proclaims itself "Oblivion" and begins molding the planet into a twisted, barren, dangerous world. A Dark World. Is it Grant Borrows, returned from the dead? Or something more sinister—something no human ever imagined possible?

As Grant's remaining friends finally learn the ultimate truth behind the events that have shaped their lives, they secretly gather for one last battle. A final showdown between good and evil that will prove to every soul on earth that even in the bitterest twilight, when all is lost, hope still lives.

Read our review of Book #1, Relentless here.

Author Chris Coppernoll on cover of Jan. Christian Single

Author, speaker, and radio host Chris Coppernoll appears on the cover of the January 2008 issue of LifeWay's "Christian Single" magazine, as his debut novel, Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance, from David C. Cook, goes into its second printing. Providence tells the story of a single, college pastor who pens a national bestseller that overturns his life during the Christmas season. The book has received exceptionally positive responses from reviewers and readers alike.

"The emails from readers have been amazing," says Coppernoll. "Both singles and married alike have connected with Providence and its story of forgiveness and the renewal of lost love. The story in ‘Christian Single’ talks about God's grace and His wonderful plans. Being single myself, I hope readers are inspired by it."

Coppernoll recently signed a new contract with David C. Cook for two new novels to be released in 2008 and 2009. Following the August publication of his debut novel, Coppernoll established the ““Providence Cares”” initiative to help raise money for families of children with catastrophic illnesses. Speaking and signing books at “Providence Cares” events, all proceeds go directly to benefit a family’’s health care expenses.

In addition to his work with “Providence Cares,” Coppernoll continues to make appearances around the country in support of Providence. He has appeared on Faith Café, The Harvest Show (LeSea Broadcasting), USA Radio Network, Moody Radio, WJIE, Deeper Life, WQME, Bridges, and has been featured or reviewed in HomeLife Magazine, CCM, and on numerous websites. He's been a guest speaker on college campuses, including Penn State in Altoona, Pennsylvania; Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana; and Taylor University in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, addressing audiences on Providence's themes of singleness, as well as creative writing and Christian broadcasting. Additionally, Coppernoll has appeared at book signings at Sam's Club and LifeWay Christian Stores, and at conferences like ICRS and the Global Missions Health Conference at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Coppernoll is the author of three nonfiction titles: God’s Calling: Searching for Your Purpose in Life; Secrets of a Faith Well Lived; and Soul2Soul. He is also the founder and host of the internationally syndicated Christian music radio program “Soul2Soul" and has conducted hundreds of interviews on faith issues with personalities such as Max Lucado, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Sheila Walsh. He also serves as a deacon at The People's Church of Franklin, Tennessee, and is currently working toward a Masters in Ministry Leadership degree through Rockbridge Seminary.

Learn more or buy Providence at Christianbook.com

Jerry Jenkins' next novel Riven

Described be Jenkins as, "...the novel I was born to write," his next novel from Tyndale is due in March 2008.

Riven tells the story of a man put on death row for murder who wants his execution to be a recreation of Christ's crucifixion.

Read our latest interview with Jerry and his film maker son Dallas here.

Read our full interview with Jerry here.

Anathema by Colleen Coble

Coming in March 2008 from Thomas Nelson:

An Amish Romantic Suspense Novel from Million-selling Award-winning Novelist Colleen Coble.

Hannah Schwartz slipped away from her Amish family to meet with her beau, Reece Ericson. When she returned, she discovered her parents murdered and their handmade quilts stolen.

Years later, a shunned Hannah returns to the scene of the crime in hopes of restoring her family and her faith. But while much has changed in Hannah's life, the danger at home now threatens with a vengence.

Thanks to our friend and contributor Rel Mollet for bringing this novel to our attention. Visit Rel at her blog Relz Reviewz here.

Nikki Arana's Winds of Sonoma to be movie

Nikki Arana has recently sold the film rights for The Winds of Sonoma to a production company. Shooting is scheduled to start next summer. She will be a script consultant for the project which is tentatively scheduled to release in early 2009.

Read our interview with Nikki here.
Read our review of Nikki's latest novel As I Have Loved You here.

Sibella Giorello signs with Thomas Nelson

Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of novel The Stones Cry Out (Revell) has just recently signed a 4 book deal with Thomas Nelson.

The first book is scheduled to to be a sequel to The Stones Cry Out.

Read our interview with Sibella here.
Read our review of The Stones Cry Out here.

Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock

The 4th and final installment of the Restoration series from Terri Blackstock (Zondervan) will hit shelves in May of 2008.

Summary:

As the Pulses that caused the outage are finally coming to an end, thirteen-year-old Beth Branning witnesses a murder. Threatened by the killer, she keeps the matter to herself. But her silence could cost her life.

Meanwhile, as Deni’s ex-fiancé returns to Crockett with a newfound faith and the influence to get things done, Deni is torn between the man who can fulfill all her dreams and Mark Green, the man who inhabits them.

As the world slowly emerges from the crisis, the Brannings face their toughest crisis yet. Will God require more of them than they’ve already given? How will they keep their faith if he doesn’t answer their prayers?

Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker

Coming in June 2008 from Zondervan:

Summary:

When Chloe Adams’ fiancé dumps her—the night before their wedding—two girlfriends from her book group decide it’s time to take charge, and suggest that a little adventure is in order for the three of them. After all, why let a perfectly good honeymoon cruise go to waste?

Adventure? Chloe Adams? No way! Chloe’s lived in one town her whole life. The closest she’s ever gotten to actual adventures is reading about them. But her girlfriends won’t take no for an answer.

One good adventure calls for another as Chloe’s friends try to coax her out of her post-dumping funk, and soon she finds herself living out the adventures in her book club’s latest selections. Hiking. Sailing. River rafting. Traveling to new places and eating exotic food. The play-it-safe Chloe begins to blossom into a new, daring Chloe. A Chloe who just might be ready to take on her biggest adventure of all …

Laura Jensen Walker has a knack for quirky heroines and real-life humor. In Chloe, she’s created another memorable character that will live on in readers’ hearts.

The Restorer's Journey (Book #3 in the Sword of Lyric series) by Sharon Hinck

Coming this February is the third and last installment of Sharon Hinck's wonderful Sword of Lyric series. *spoiler warning* You might not want to read the summary if you haven't read the previous books yet.

Summary:

From the innovative Sword of Lyric series comes an all-new fantasy adventure.

Back in our world with her teenage son, Jake, in tow, suburban mom Susan Mitchell is ready for life as usual. But when a foreign threat invades their comfortable home, Susan and Jake soon find themselves drawn back through the portal to the world of the People of the Verses. Now she will struggle to love a people who have become her captors, while Jake suffers a tragic betrayal and discovers his destiny as the next Restorer.

Filled with adventure, warmth, and humorous asides, the Sword of Lyric series offers readers an exciting reading experience unlike any other.

Read our review of Book #1, The Restorer here.

Barbour Publishing Confirms Commitment to Fiction

Demonstrating its continuing commitment to fiction, Barbour Publishing has signed five authors to exclusive, multi-book contracts. Current authors Mary Connealy, M. L. Tyndall, Christine Lynxwiler, and Kelly Eileen Hake, along with new author Marcia Gruver, will write a combined 30 books for Barbour over the next few years.

"Barbour has long been known for doing inspirational romance well, and we have plans to continue to grow that strength with the launch of our cozy mystery series in January 2008 and with more full-length fiction novels on each new list," said Rebecca Germany, fiction editor for Barbour.

Mary Connealy, whose first two books Petticoat Ranch and Golden Days released in February, is known for bringing humor to historical settings. Connealy has agreed to write nine books for release over the next three years, beginning with Calico Canyon in August 2008 and Gingham Mountain in spring 2009. Following that series, she will write a series of humorous romances set in Montana. Her next book, Of Mice...and Murder, releases in early 2008.

M. L. Tyndall, who earned a 2007 Christy Award nomination for her book, The Redemption, has agreed to a six-book contract over the next three years. Tyndall, who has written three inspirational pirate romance novels set in the Caribbean, will release The Falcon and the Sparrow in August 2008, a stand-alone novel set in England during the Napoleon Wars, followed by a sisters' trilogy set in Charleston, South Carolina, prior to the American Revolution.

Award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler is set to release six books starting in spring 2009. Lynxwiler, who won the Book of the Year award from American Christian Fiction Writers, writes lighthearted contemporary fiction. Barbour reports strong sales for her latest release, Forever Christmas, and her Arkansas story collection has become a Barbour bestseller. Her next book, Along Came a Cowboy, is due out in fall 2008.

Kelly Eileen Hake is a reader favorite of Barbour's Heartsong Presents program, where she has released several books. Currently a credentialed Secondary English teacher, she is pursuing her MA in Writing Popular Fiction. Her Prairie Promises trilogy, set in the 1850s Nebraska Territory, features her special style of witty, heartwarming historical romance. Barbour plans to release the first of this collection, The Bride Bargain, in fall 2008.

Joining the Barbour family will be new author Marcia Gruver, who has agreed to a three-book series. Gruver, who lives in Texas, found out about her contract when Germany made the annual surprise announcement at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in September. The first book in Gruver's historical Texas Fortunes trilogy, Diamond Duo, is scheduled for a fall 2008 release.

Publisher's Weekly names "Quaker Summer" by Lisa Samson one of the "Best Books of the Year"

In a starred review of Quaker Summer ($14.99; 978-1595542076; February 2007) earlier this year, Publishers Weekly hailed Lisa Samson as "one of the most powerful voices in Christian fiction" and "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." This month, the trade journal bestows another honor on Samson, naming Quaker Summer to their list of "Best Books of the Year."

The gold standard industry trade journal, Publishers Weekly reports to have reviewed a staggering 6000 books in 2007. Their "Best Books of the Year" list is a diverse compilation of the staff's favorite 150 titles across all genres. Three positions on this year's list belonged to religious fiction titles.

"We are thrilled for Lisa to have received this well-deserved honor from Publishers Weekly," said Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson's Fiction division. "Lisa continues to impress readers with her compelling writing. Her unique voice makes her a valuable asset in our mission to reach the broadest possible audience with the best stories always told from a Christian worldview."

Samson's novel is in good company. Among the honored selections were National Book Award nominees, Oprah picks, and highly-anticipated releases like J.K. Rowling's conclusion to the Harry Potter series.

Also honored as the 2007 Women of Faith Novel of the Year, Quaker Summer is the compelling story of Heather Curridge, the typical super mom living a life of privilege. But somehow at the end of the day, Heather feels so inadequate. When she wrecks her Suburban outside of Baltimore, things start to fall into perspective. Through this ordeal, Heather comes into close contact with an inner-city nun and a Quaker spinster. Inspired by their radical lives, Heather experiences a summer of awakening and grace. With the help of these remarkable women and her devoted friends and family, she discovers just how much she is able to give.

Lisa Samson is the Christy-award winning author of 19 books and lives in urban Lexington, KY, with her husband and three children. Quaker Summer is her first title with Thomas Nelson. Embrace Me, an intriguing story of love and belonging set in a traveling circus, releases March 4, 2008.

Read our review of Quaker Summer here.