Finding Christmas

I have had so much fun bringing the Revell Christmas releases to your attention this week. Today I want to tell you about Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap.

Christmas is everywhere . . . even where you least expect it.

Join award-winning author and storyteller James Calvin Schaap as he uncovers the grace, joy, and love of the season through seven heartwarming tales of miracle moments in a messy world. This beautiful and inspiring collection of contemporary Christmas stories will remind you what grace looks like--and where to find it.

Click here to read an excerpt from the book.

Endorsements
"Jim Schaap knows our lives. He re-fires our memories. He draws us into settings familiar. He causes us to inhabit the worlds of plain folk struggling with the problems of an ordinary life--and he makes it all so very, very important. . . . Schaap writes sacred mystery into our common lives."--from the foreword by Walter Wangerin Jr.

James Schaap is a professor of English at Dordt College and president of the Chrysostom Society and the award-winning author of twenty-two books. He lives in Sioux Center, Iowa.

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

I received a review copy of The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh a few weeks ago. I immediately fell in love with the story and couldn't wait to let readers know about it.

From the back cover: Can a gift from the past mend a broken heart?

Ian Collins is an old man without his son. Patrick Collins is a young boy without his father. On his Christmas list are only three items. He wants the army to find his father. He wants to leave his grandfather's house. And he wants the dusty wooden soldier in Grandfather's attic--the one he is forbidden to touch.

Set at Christmastime in 1943, The Unfinished Gift is the engaging story of a family in need of forgiveness. With simple grace, it reminds us of the small things that affect powerful change in our hearts--a young boy's prayers, a shoe box of love letters, and even a half-carved soldier, long forgotten. This nostalgic story of reconciliation will touch your heart.

It is easy to let little hurts and misunderstandings escalate into huge obstacles in relationships with the ones we love most. This is the case of Ian Collins and his son Shaun. When Ian's daughter-in-law dies unexpectedly, his grandson Patrick has nowhere else to go except to Ian. Out of obligation to his late wife's wishes, Ian begrudgingly accepts the boy into his home.

Thus begins The Unfinished Gift and a relationship that will change both of them forever.

One for the keeper shelf! Dan's book is a fabulous story of redemption and forgiveness. I couldn't put it down, and it made me cry, which is hard to do. ---Colleen Coble, author of the Rock Harbor and the Lonestar series

Click the link below to read an excerpt from The Unfinished Gift.

http://www.revellbooks.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780800719241.pdf

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

I recently received a review copy of The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson from Revell Books. I'm always in the mood to read themed books this time of year, and I gobbled this one up in no time.

From the back cover: Betty Kowalski isn't looking forward to the holidays. She just cant seem to find Christmas in her heart. Maybe it's because her husband is gone. Maybe it's because she's missing her children. Or maybe it has something to do with her obnoxious new neighbor, who seems to be tearing his house apart and rearranging it on the lawn.

But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn what Christmas is really all about.

If not for a commitment to plan her friends' anniversary party at her church, Betty would've skipped out on the Christmas season altogether. Then her son calls to tell her about his missing stepdaughter, Avery. Avery's mother is frantic over the missing young woman, although Betty figures it is more for her own gain than actual concern over her daughter. Avery shows up at Betty's, but her parents want her home. As if she doesn't have enough to contend with before Christmas, Betty is suddenly in the middle of a family crisis.

All she wants is to be left alone to plan the anniversary party and get through the holiday.

A Christmas Dog will provide a fun respite from the malls and will surely help put you in the holiday spirit.

Click to read the following exerpt from Revell The perfect gift idea for the readers on your Christmas list.

A Passion for Writing

Last weekend I attended a writers' retreat in Dayton, Ohio. I came home pumped and ready to tear it up on my lastest manuscript. Then, guess what, the week got in the way. Between cleaning, shopping and preparing for the 30+ guests who will descend upon my home tomorrow, I barely wrote a word. While I look forward to holiday guests and all the parties and celebrating that come with the Christmas season, I tend to stress over my writing schedule and all the things I still haven't done.

In the midst of my frustration over what I need to do--update my website, add layers to my current romance, better illuminate my hero who is such a great guy, and perhaps sell a book or two--but can't seem to find the time, I was reminded of what a very sweet, astute lady wrote to a group of writers not long ago.

Just when I needed encouragement in this writing journey, I read these words by Lea Ann McCombs: "I just wanted to encourage every one of us with the reminder that it is God who has placed this passion for written expression in our hearts. It is He who gives the story, the twists, and the truths that we weave into the lives of our characters. So it is also He who will see it through to whatever end He had in mind in the first place.

Whether it becomes a bestseller or one little old lady's favorite book, God's purpose for our writing is what we must desire. We study to to our very best, but in the end, it is up to God what happens to it. And that's all right with me. Take heart today as you struggle with whatever writing phase you are in at the moment. The result is not really up to you. This is God's show. Write for Him today."

Thank you, Lea Ann. And thank you, Heavenly Father, for using your people to encourage us in just the way we need at just the right time.

You can learn more about Lea Ann at her blogs.

http://leaannsgarden.blogspot.com/
http://learntowritecreatively.blogspot.com/

And a very happy Thanksgiving to All.

Mothers of the Bible--free book

Between now and December 15 my good friend Kathi Macias is hosting a Christmas promotion for her beautiful hard cover, gift/study book Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today. Buy one copy of this wonderful book to give to someone special in your life, and receive a free copy to keep for yourself. Or go in with a friend and get two books for the price of one. What could be better? With Christmas right around the corner, here is a great opportunity to give a gift that will touch someone's heart.

Contact Kathi for ordering information or visit her website.

Soldier Daddy by Cheryl Wyatt

I am excited to present Soldier Daddy by Cheryl Wyatt, available in bookstores and online now. What a perfect gift for the upcoming Christmas season.

The following interview is with Sarah Graham, the heroine of Soldier Daddy

1. Hi, Sarah. What made you want to be a nanny?

I've always loved children and I have a secret in my past tied to a tragic event involving a child. It changed my life and caused me to give my life to helping children.

2. What do you think about Aaron Petrowski, your new employer?

First of all, wow! Is he tall and handsome. Reminds me of Kevin Costner as he played in The Guardian. He's very brave too. And he's such a wonderful dad to his boys. He leads three pararescue teams, an amazing job. I feel blessed to have gotten this job. Mina, the housekeeper says it's just a matter of time until I fall head over for Aaron...errr Chief Master Sergeant Petrowski. But I told her to put her cupid arrows away.
At least for now...

3. What's your favorite part of taking care of Aaron's sons?

That they are so full of life and fun and laughter despite that they lost their mom in infancy. Aaron has done so well raising them alone despite that he thinks at times he hasn't. The twins are almost four and we're planning a great big party. If only Aaron's sister wouldn't have gotten the kids guinea pigs for their birthday. I'm not fond of rodents. Of course Ash knows that which is why she probably got the boys the pets.


4. Sounds like there's some animosity there between you and Ash?

Oh, definitely. Only I can't figure out why. Unless she has used her skip tracing abilities to uncover a past I'd rather stay buried...

If that's the case, my days as the nanny may be numbered.

I hope you will pick up the book and see how our story unfolds. Most people laugh about the bubbles. And there is an imaginary set of geese one of the boys has that you won't want to miss. Hope to see you soon inside the pages of Soldier Daddy.


About the book

U.S. Air Force commander Aaron Petrowski leads pararescue teams, yet can't find one nanny for his three-year-old twins? The widowed father is returning to duty, but not without the best care for his beloved boys. So when Sarah Graham applies, the young woman surprises everyone by passing inspection. Until Aaron discovers Sarah has a secret tied to a tragedy in his past. He can't keep her in his employ—or in his heart. Until his brave little soldier boys teach him a thing or two about love.

Soldier Daddy-4 Stars-Romantic Times

About the Author

Born Valentine’s Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers.

Join her newsletter mailing list by visiting her Web site and signing up in the space provided if you’d like Wings of Refuge recipes, new release news and goodies exclusive to newsletter subscribers.

Book purchase link:

Soldier Daddy on Amazon

Seattle, WA - Critically acclaimed author, Athol Dickson's writing has been favorably compared to the work of Octavia Butler (Publisher's Weekly), Daphne du Maurier (Cindy Crosby, Christianity Today fiction critic) and Flannery O'Connor (The New York Times).


Although a work of fiction, Athol's LOST MISSION, touches on some of the hot-button issues being discussed in the media today! Dickson explores 1) The personal costs of our immigration policies, asking difficult questions about our ethical and moral obligations as Americans and as Christians. 2) It forces readers to consider the logical end result of the spiritual decisions being made by most Americans today, which are slowly driving American into a post-Christian era. 3) LOST MISSION digs deep into current debate within the American church between the emergent movement and the traditional evangelical community, exposing strengths and weaknesses in both ways of "doing" Christianity.

About LOST MISSION:


What haunting legacy awaits deep beneath the barrios and wealthy enclaves of Southern California?


An idyllic Spanish mission collapses in the eighteenth century atop the supernatural evidence of a shocking crime. Twelve generations later the ground is opened up, the forgotten ruins are disturbed, and rich and poor alike confront the onslaught of resurging hell on earth. Caught up in the catastrophe are...

· A humble shopkeeper compelled to leave her tiny village deep in Mexico to preach in America
· A minister wracked with guilt for loving the wrong woman
· An unimaginably wealthy man, blinded to the consequences of his grand plans
· A devoted father and husband driven to a horrible discovery that changes everything


Will the evil that destroyed the Misión de Santa Dolores rise to overwhelm them? Or will they beat back the terrible desires that led to the mission's good Franciscan founder's standing in the midst of flames ignited by his enemies and friends alike more than two centuries ago?


From the high Sierra Madre mountains to the harsh Sonoran desert, from the privileged world of millionaire moguls to the impoverished immigrants who serve them, Athol Dickson once again weaves a gripping story of suspense that spans centuries and cultures to explore the abiding possibility of miracles.

About Athol:

Athol Dickson is an award-winning author of several novels. His Christy Award-winning novel River Rising was name one of the "Top Ten Christian Novel of 2006" by Booklist magazine. He lives in California with his wife.

Dickson's They Shall See God was a Christy Award finalist. River Rising was selected as one of the Booklist Top Ten Christian Novels of 2006 and was a Christianity Today's Best Novel of 2006 finalist. Both River Rising and The Cure won Christy Awards for best suspense novel.


His latest novel, Winter Haven was a finalist for the 2009 Christy Award in the suspense category, making four novels in a row to receive that honor.


And now Athol is back with a gripping tale with an epic sense of the passage of time and the way events and choices impact people across generations.

Visit his website for more information.

What people are saying...

Athol Dickson is a breath of fresh air in a market that is often saturated by manufactured plots, spurious characters, and inauthentic spiritual conversions. Lost Mission is redemptive storytelling at its highest level and once again Dickson proves that he is a true master of the craft. -Jake Chism, Fiction Addict


The story is filled with compassion and truly reaches to the heart of human kind and it's frailities and reminds us that we are not alone and that God will direct us if we choose to follow his ways and not our own selfish desires. And when we sin we can ask for and recieve His forgivness. This is such a beautiful story that you simply MUST read. -Kim C., Book Reviews Today