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Christian Fiction May 2009

"Good fiction must be entertaining, but what makes fiction special--and true--is that the realness of a novel allows it to carry a larger message."
~ Jerry B. Jenkins, co-author of the bestselling Left Behind series

New and Recently Released!


The Inheritance - by Tamera Alexander
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/10/2009
ISBN-13: 9781595546326
ISBN-10: 1595546324
Historical Romance. Hoping to steer her rebellious younger brother, Robert, onto the right path, saddlemaker McKenna Ashford accepts an invitation from her cousin to move to Copper Creek, Colorado. But when McKenna and her brother reach their destination, things are not what they expected. Their cousin is dying, leaving her ranch and young daughter in McKenna's care. Meanwhile, McKenna's friendship with U.S. Marshall Wyatt Caradon begins to blossom into something much deeper. Set in the rough-and-tumble world of 1870s Colorado, The Inheritance is "a fast-paced, often poignant, and always hopeful tale" (Booklist).

Deceived - by James Scott Bell
Publisher: Zondervan
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/1/2009
ISBN-13: 9780310269045
ISBN-10: 0310269040
Thriller. Liz Towne's life is turned on end when she and her devout husband, Arty, encounter two corpses--one with a saddlebag filled with diamonds--in an isolated canyon outside of Los Angeles. After making this shocking discovery, Liz, her sister-in-law Roxanne, and a Gulf War veteran recently released from prison are drawn together in a tangled web of deceit, lies, and foul play. If you like books that get your adrenaline pumping, don't miss Deceived; Publishers Weekly says that this "heart-whamming" novel will "keep readers awake at night."

A Cousin's Promise - by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/1/2009
ISBN-13: 9781602600607
ISBN-10: 1602600600
Amish Fiction. In this 1st book in a new series set in Indiana Amish country, Loraine Miller's world is upended when her fiancé, Wayne Lambright, is involved in a serious accident. Crippled both physically and emotionally, Wayne feels unworthy of Loraine's love and uncertain that he can provide for her. Complicating matters is Loraine's former beau, Jake Beechy, who once abandoned her but now hopes to renew their courtship. If you like this sweet story, don't miss A Cousin's Prayer, the next entry in the Indiana Cousins series, which publishes in September.

The Passion of Mary-Margaret - by Lisa Samson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/10/2009
ISBN-13: 9781595542113
ISBN-10: 1595542116
General Fiction. Raised in a convent off Chesapeake Bay, Mary-Margaret Fischer wants nothing more than to become a religious sister herself. But before Mary-Margaret can take her final vows, she hears a divine voice telling her that she must marry her childhood friend Jude Keller. Troubled, promiscuous, and utterly gorgeous, Jude has spent the last few years in Baltimore's red-light district; his conflicted soul is the exact opposite of everything Mary-Margaret thought she wanted. A well-written and intelligent story, The Passion of Mary-Margaret features "characters so fresh, funny and indelible the reader wants another 50 pages" (Publishers Weekly).

The God Cookie - by Geoffrey Wood
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/17/2009
ISBN-13: 9781400073443
ISBN-10: 1400073448
General Fiction. Fresh off the success of his debut novel, Leaper, author Geoffrey Wood is back with another quirky and entertaining book. Longtime friends and coffee-shop coworkers Parrish, Mason, and Duncan are enjoying lunch at Mr. Wu’s Imperial Buffet when the conversation shifts to whether or not God still talks to people. Soon after, Parrish opens his fortune cookie and reads three words--"take the corner"--that change his life forever. If you enjoy this book, check out Steven Cleaver's Saving Erasmus for another offbeat, hilarious, and thought-provoking read.
Focus on: Weddings


On This Day: A Novel - Melody Carlson
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/21/2006
ISBN-13: 9781578568413
ISBN-10: 1578568412
General Fiction. While attending a wedding at a remote lakefront resort, five women take stock of their lives and relationships. Elizabeth, the bride's aunt, believes her own marriage is doomed; family friend Suzette hides from the cracks in her marriage with designer clothes and alcohol; grandmother Margaret mourns her husband, who died the year before; new mother Laura feels inadequate around her wealthy in-laws; and bridesmaid Ingrid has doubts about her own upcoming wedding. Readers who like books about the power of love and friendship should check out On This Day.

The Wedding Machine - by Beth Webb Hart
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/5/2008
ISBN-13: 9781595541994
ISBN-10: 1595541993
General Fiction. In Jasper, South Carolina, four lifelong female friends--Ray, Sis, Kitty B., and Hilda--preserve long-standing Southern traditions by helping brides plan their weddings at All Saints Episcopal Church. But this summer, as their own daughters prepare to walk down the aisle, the ladies of the Wedding Guild discover that life is a lot more complicated than organizing the perfect bridal tea. With a focus on the ups and downs of women's relationships with each other and their husbands and daughters, The Wedding Machine will appeal to readers who liked Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Three Weddings and a Giggle - by Liz Curtis Higgs, Carolyn Zane, and Karen Ball
Publisher: Multnomah Publishers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/1/2001
ISBN-13: 9781576736562
ISBN-10: 1576736563
Short Stories. In this anthology, three noted Christian romance authors offer lighthearted and upbeat wedding-themed stories. In Liz Curtis Higgs' "Fine Print," a speech coach and a businessman--each suffering from a broken heart--find true love with the help of their matchmaking families. Carolyn Zane's hilarious "Sweet Chariot" features two elderly women who buy an RV and drag their adult grandchildren along on a cross-country trip. And last but not least, Karen Ball's "Bride on the Run" stars a runaway bride who believes God has something--or someone--else in mind for her. Pick this one up for a fun and zany read.

A Common Life: The Wedding Story - by Jan Karon
Publisher: Viking
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/2001
ISBN-13: 9780670894376
ISBN-10: 0670894370
General Fiction. In the small town of Mitford, North Carolina, 62-year-old bachelor Father Tim Kavanagh has just proposed to his neighbor Cynthia Coppersmith. There’s music to select, floral centerpieces to arrange, and a honeymoon to plan. As Father Tim and Cynthia hammer out the details, the rest of Mitford is abuzz over the impending nuptials; what will Miss Sadie Baxter and her friend Louella decide to wear? Can Esther Bolick create the perfect wedding cake? Readers who enjoy gentle humor won’t want to miss this delightful story, author Jan Karon’s 6th entry in the Mitford series.

Sunrise - by Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Tyndale House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/8/2007
ISBN-13: 9780842387477
ISBN-10: 0842387471
General Fiction. Hollywood actor Dayne Matthews and his fiancée, Katy Hart, are determined to keep their wedding day in Bloomington, Indiana, a secret from the paparazzi. But as their big day nears, Dayne and Katy realize that they will need the help of their friends the Baxters if they are going to succeed. This 1st book in the Sunrise series (next up is Summer) continues the saga of Dayne Matthews and the Baxter family, who were first introduced in bestselling author Karen Kingsbury's Redemption and Firstborn series.

Wedding Bell Blues - by Linda Windsor
Publisher: Avon Inspire
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2007
ISBN-13: 9780061171376
ISBN-10: 0061171379
Contemporary Romance. Successful interior designer Alex Butler is certain that she can help plan the perfect wedding day for her sister, especially with the help of her girlfriends Jan, Ellen, and Sue Ann. But when Alex's ex-husband, Josh Turner, who broke her heart 16 years before, returns home to Piper Cove as the best man in the wedding, Alex's heart is thrown a major curveball. If you like this 1st book in the Piper Cove Chronicles, check out the 2nd in the series, For Pete's Sake, which features Alex's friend Ellen.
Contact your librarian for more great books!

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