What's Hot in Christian Publishing for Next Year

For this special edition of Faith and Fiction Saturday, I asked the editors and publishers of the Christian publishing houses what books they are MOST looking forward to in the coming year from their houses. Beth Adams of Guideposts and Desiree of Abingdon came back with some great choices. I hope this gets you excited about a great year of reading ahead!

GUIDEPOSTS

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo. This will be Beth’s third Jane Austen-themed book, and this one is about two sisters on the hunt for Jane Austen’s missing diary who ultimately discover how Jane Austen’s relationship with her sister Cassandra inspired the novel Sense and Sensibility. So fun, and really touching! (April 2011)

Shakespeare’s Lady by Alexa Schnee. A love story between William Shakespeare and the mysterious Dark Lady from his sonnets. This is grounded in historical fact—the main character is a real lady from Queen Elizabeth’s court who would have known Shakespeare—and rich with details about life in Elizabethan England, but is ultimately a heartrending love story. The author is a nineteen-year-old homeschooler who started researching Shakespeare’s sonnets for an English paper. (September 2011)

The Guardian Angel’s Journal by Carolyn Jess-Cooke. About a woman who dies and comes back as her own guardian angel. Told from the point of view of the angel, it’s ultimately a love story, and is just hauntingly beautiful. This novel had been sold in twelve countries around the world when we bought American rights. It’s reminiscent of The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Lovely Bones. (April 2011)

I have to agree with Beth that these all look FANTASTIC!



Fiction

Shrouded in Silence- releases March 2011 - I’m excited about this one because the author Robert Wise is an Archbishop for the Episcopal Church and with due to his intense seminary training the novel has an interesting breadth of scriptural history built into the plot. The author has a bestselling history with nonfiction but this is his debut fiction novel.
About the Book: ecognizing that for 2,000 years the actual ending of the Gospel of Mark has been a mystery, American biblical scholars Jack and Michelle Townsend struggle to find the true conclusion to the Gospel they contend is hidden in Rome. When their work becomes known, Jonus De Lateran realizes that a family secret holds the answer to the Townsends' quest, but he fears what may follow.

The Townsends don't realize how vulnerable they are to attack from two sides: Dr. Albert Stein, a German scholar envious of their successful projects and a terrorist group known as the "Scorpion" which wants to rid Italy of all Americans. Even when a bomb destroys the Townsends' office, Jack Townsend holds firm to a belief that humanity's struggles are the only way healing will ever come to the world.

In a riveting final confrontation beneath the baptistry of the Church of St. John of Lateran, an unexpected surprise is revealed about the ending of Mark's Gospel and the value of redemptive suffering.

Delivered with Love- releases April 2011 - we’re looking forward to this one because the story is one that will appeal to a younger audience. Having not published a novel thus far that had much intrigue with the young adult audience, we’re anxious to see how this fun contemporary story will do in the marketplace. The author’s background is tween nonfiction material so she most assuredly has the right voice.
About the Book: An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California. There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Claire James, age twenty-three, is ready to make it on her own. When she's fired from her job as a waitress and subsequently kicked out of her sister's home, she sees it as an opportunity to start over. But even before moving, a thirty-five-year-old love letter written to her mother keeps Claire stuck in the past. Michael Thompson, a middle-aged real estate agent, wants to keep the past where it belongs - at least until his grown daughter is married. But, then a young woman comes to town . . .

River’s Song, Book 1 in the Inn at Shining Waters series- releases fall 2011 - we’re most excited about this fiction title b/c we’re thrilled to have bestselling author Melody Carlson apart of our team! Melody is known for her gripping, heart felt stories and this inter-generational series based in an old rustic inn in the early 1950’s is no exception!
About the Book: Following her mother’s funeral, and on the verge of her own mid-life crisis, Amanda Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parents’ belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. This unique family home is situated on a picturesque coastal tributary and filled with an assortment of nostalgic memories. But Amanda soon learns that more than just her past resides along the banks of the Siuslaw River; her future will be discovered there as well. For the first time since childhood, Amanda begins to embrace her native heritage and river roots. She finds healing and hope, restores some old relationships, initiates some new ones, explores romance, and begins to grow into the woman that God intended her to be. By transforming her old family home into Shining Waters Inn, Amanda creates a place of healing—a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginnings.

Nonfiction
Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land by Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery (February 2011)
We are excited to publish with Dr. Lowery, as he is an activist of national importance who has inspired great change for our nation. Dr. Lowery, Civil Rights activist, is known most recently for delivering the benediction at President Obama's inauguration and for receiving the presidential medal of freedom. His first book chronicles his sermons and speeches throughout his journey down Freedom Road and inspires readers to see that social justice can be achieved and that one person can make a difference.

Digital Disciple by Adam Thomas (May 2011)
Digital Disciple explores the effects of technology on human relationships today. The title asks the question, "While we seem more connected than ever with technology, are we REALLY connecting with others?" Adam Thomas, an Episcopal priest, is one of the first millennials to enter the priesthood at age 27.

Date with Destiny by Rev. Joseph Walker III (February 2011)
Joseph Walker is the pastor of Mount Zion Church in Nashville, TN, a 23,000 member congregation. He is also a regular contributor on the Rickey Smiley's nationally syndicated radio show, where he is featured every Wednesday as the "Relationship Doctor". In addition, Walker has been chosen as a 2011 national spokesperson for the Association Marriage and Family Ministries. Date with Destiny provides readers with a guide to a healthy relationship. The book encourages readers to identify and begin pursuing God's purpose for their lives. Walker says that when members of a relationship encourage each other in pursuit of their individual destinies, they will find the love that they need.

Soo....what looks the best to you? Stay tuned in the coming weeks I'll introduce my personal list of most anticipated Christian fiction reads.