How does this series differ from Gigi?
“The heart behind Gigi is to let little girls know that as they are right now, they are loved by God and are truly princesses because God our Father is a King. Gabby’s focus is to let them know they are never alone, that God and His angels are watching over them.”

Why did you write a new series of books for girls 3-7?
“There was such an overwhelming response to the Gigi series of books I wrote for girls ages 3-7, so I set out to develop a new character that young readers would embrace and delight in.”

How did you come up with the theme of God’s love and ever-presence?
“I’m moved by God’s passion for children. We live in a crazy world, but we serve a God who loves us and our children with a relentless passion. What a gift to let our children know that they are never alone, that they are always loved. That is a story worth telling!”

Why did you want to write about angels from a child’s perspective?
“There is a lot of interest in angels in our culture, but so much of it is based on fairy tales and not the truth of God’s Word. In Matthew, Jesus draws a child to his side and says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

.

Tosca Lee is the critically-acclaimed author of Demon: A Memoir–Christy Award finalist and ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award winner–and Havah: The Story of Eve, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and 4.5 stars from Romantic Times.

Fisher uses anecdotes from real Amish families to illustrate principles even modern families can adopt. In this inspiring and practical book, readers will be charmed by true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what’s truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

An Interview with Author Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and nonfiction and sold over 350,000 books in less than two years. She is the host of the widely popular weekly radio program Amish Wisdom. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. She lives in California with her family where she raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind in her spare time.

Q:  What is the inspiration behind Amish Values For Your Family?

After Amish Peace released, I had a number of speaking engagements to groups interested in the Amish. There was such interesting feedback—parents wanted take some principles from Amish Peace into their home. But how? That’s how this book came into being. I think of Amish Peace as a book where you are peeking in the windows of an Amish farmhouse. In Amish Values for Your Family, you’ve been invited in for dinner.

Q:  What are clues that we might need to incorporate some Amish principles into our family life?

One of the keys to contentment in the Amish life seems to be the commitment they have to filter every decision through a set of questions: what will the impact be on our family? Will it bring us closer to God? Closer to each other? Adopting that kind of decision-making helps to keep the demands of life in their proper perspective.

Q:  What makes Amish Values For Your Family unique from other parenting and family life books?

During these speaking engagements, there was always a moment when the audience stilled, leaned forward in their chairs, and began to scribble notes. It happened when I made this statement: “Children are loved but not adored.”  The Amish have a different way of relating to their children—they highly value children, but they have clear expectations in their home. I think they provide a better balance of loving children, yet raising them with an eye on adulthood.

Q:  Explain the Road Map sections of the book. (LOVE these by the way!)

The Road Maps are a practical way to take some principles of the Amish life and weave them into your family’s life. After a story about an Amish family that loves to go bird watching together, there are suggestions to encourage your children to be knowledgeable about nature. Another story describes a father and son who build a rabbit hutch rather than buy it. The Road Map gives some of the benefits of what happens when a parent slows down and takes the time to teach a skill. Wonderful things happen!

Q:  What are one or two principles you talk about in Amish Values For Your Family that families could easily adopt into their lifestyles right now?

There’s a theme of revering nature that runs through many stories. The Amish are outdoorsy—they are so aware of nature! I think that is one thing we parents can do a better job of—turn off the TV or computer, take a walk, plant a garden, provide a backyard bird feeder, stargaze at night. Get outside! And start to notice this beautiful world God has created.

Q:  In the introduction, you introduce a concept you call the “disappearing childhood phenomenon.”

There are quite a few studies that show some alarming trends in modern American families. Children’s free time has declined by twelve hours a week in the last twenty years; time spent on structured sports activities has doubled, family dinners are down by a third, and the number of families taking vacations together has decreased by 28 percent. Parents now spend 40 percent less time with their kids than they did thirty years ago. And another study found that the higher the income, the less time a family spends together. These findings are troubling. By contrast, the Amish maintain one of the most stable family systems in America. They’re doing something right!  And I think it has something to do with the amount of time they spend with their children.

Q:  You’ve spent a lot of time researching today’s families and family dynamics for this book, what are some of the major struggles families are facing?

The pressure to succeed, to be the best. Many parents place their need for significance onto their children. Here’s where the Amish differ from modern America—we have a focus on raising children who are special. Unique. Admired and respected. They have their focus on pleasing God.

Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell Books/August 1, 2011
ISBN: 0800719964/paperback/$12.99
www.RevellBooks.com ~ www.SuzanneWoodsFisher.com

About the Book: It is the dawn of a new century and Olivia Stewart is heiress to an empire. Her family numbers among the Four Hundred – those considered the wealthiest and most distinguished in America. Unfortunately their wealth has nearly disappeared, and now their security rests solely on the Stewart daughters’ marrying well.

Olivia’s sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation’s wealthiest men, but has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor’s fiancé. Using her family’s long-forgotten English title, Olivia travels to Mercy Falls, California, as Lady Devonworth, hoping to learn more before committing to marriage. There she finds that Eleanor’s death was no accident. And Harrison is not the man she thought he would be.

When Mercy Falls holds a charity ball masquerade to raise funds for the new lighthouse, secrets–and truths long hidden–will be revealed. But can Harrison really love Olivia when he finds her true identity? Can she live with the repercussions of failing her family, or will she finally realize that nothing–not money, family, or romance—will ever compare to God’s unconditional love?

About Colleen:Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

The Mercy Falls series centers on a small town in California and its lighthouse. Coble uses the lighthouse as a reminder that Jesus is our lighthouse always leading us home. In her latest addition to the series, the main characters must wrestle with their desire to find fulfillment in more than their work and money while being hunted by those who are holding on to resentment and unforgiveness.
With murder, suspense and desire, readers will enjoy peeling back the layers and discovering that this is more than your average romance novel. They will be perched on the edge of their seats trying to solve a mystery while discovering that the true worth of an individual never comes from a name or accomplishments. True worth can only be found in Christ.

An interview with Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper’s Ball

Q: Did you always dream of becoming a writer? Why did you choose the romance genre?

I wrote my first story in the first grade. It was about a horse that had twin colts. The teacher praised it and the writing seed was planted. I love illustrating God’s love through romance. I especially love the suspense I put into all my books as well. I have a strong streak of justice and it plays out in the suspense element.

Q: What inspired you to write a historical series based in the early 1900’s? What would you have enjoyed about living in that time period and what would you have found the most difficult?

I happened to read an article about the Gilded Age and it mentioned how that era was so similar to today’s. I was intrigued with that, plus I wanted to choose a time period that wouldn’t be too much of a departure from my contemporary books. In that era, there were still cars and telephones!

I would have loved the simpler lifestyle. However, I would miss my jeans! How vain.

Q: Society at the turn of the century was very preoccupied with appearances and impressing other people. How is that not so different than our society today and how can we keep from falling into that same trap?

That’s exactly right! The parallels between the two eras are astounding. I’ve been at the cancer hospital this week with a dear friend, and it was a reminder of how fragile this life is. We seek THINGS when God wants us to seek Him. We need to keep our eyes set on eternity and remember that THIS life is the real dream. When we reach heaven, we will finally start to really live.

Q: Bitterness and unforgiveness led to the death of Olivia’s sister. Why is it so important to forgive those who have wronged us?

An unforgiving spirit hurts us much more than the person we hate. It makes us ugly and crowds out the love we want to show other people. God is love, not hate. Bitterness is the very opposite of the attitude God wants us to have.

Q: This is the third book in your Mercy Falls series. Addie and Katie were the main characters in your first two books. Olivia was given a true gift in the friendship of Katie and Addie. What does it take to find trustworthy and loyal friends? Why do you think that we all desire to find friends like these?

You have to first be a friend. You have to be open and giving of yourself to have those kinds of friends. A true friend tells you the truth in love, and that’s an important component of the give and take of real friendship.

Q: What do you hope that your readers will take away from reading The Lightkeeper’s Ball?

I hope the readers who feel they have to earn love will take away the realization that their true worth is that Jesus loves them and died for them. They are valuable beyond comprehension. When we can step into the role of daughters and sons, we can realize our true potential.

The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson/April 19, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-5955-4268-7/304 pages/paperback/$14.99
www.thomasnelson.com ~ www.colleencoble.com

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?  When did you first begin to write?

I’ve always been an avid reader, but I didn’t start dreaming about writing a novel until I was in my early twenties.  By then I was married and busy pursuing a degree.  I put writing on the back burner until my grandfather became fatally ill.  While I was visiting him in the hospital, I was struck by the brevity of life and felt God pressing on my heart to take the first step.  I started my first novel a couple weeks later.  I had two small children by this time, so I wrote while they napped.  I wrote my first four books that way.  Even if you can only write a page a day, by the end of a year you’ll have a complete manuscript!

Q: Are you a small town or a city girl?  What inspired you to write a book about the life of a cowboy?

I’m a little of both.  We live in a country setting just outside the city.  It’s the best of both worlds.  There’s something very earthy and organic about a cowboy’s life.  I was drawn by the idea of living off the land.  I think it takes us to a simpler time and place—even though the life of a cowboy is not necessarily simple!  And Montana is such a beautiful state.  I thought my readers might like to journey there with me through story.

Q: Can you tell us a little about what you have learned about the cowboy lifestyle while doing research for this book?

I learned a lot of fascinating details about the workings of a ranch: branding, breeding, cattle disease, etc.  But what I came away with is a great respect for cowboys and their families.  Those who choose this way of life do it because they love it.  It’s not easy, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Q: Abigail’s title at her job is “the Truthseeker.”  What is the significance of this title, and what do you think a real truthseeker does?

I thought it would be interesting to write about a protagonist whose job was to seek the truth and have her find out that she was missing the real Truth the whole time.  Since Jesus is the Truth, a real truthseeker follows Him.

Q: Forgiveness seems to be a recurring theme in your books.  Why do you feel it is so important?  Your main characters both dealt with forgiving their past mistakes.  Do you think that it is just as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive the mistakes of others?

With sin rampant in all of us, this is something we need to get good at!  Eventually, someone’s going to do something you struggle to forgive.  I think this is partly because forgiveness is easily misunderstood.  It’s not saying that what they did is okay.  It’s saying that you’re not going to hold it over them anymore.  I do think it’s just as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive others.  Oftentimes, it’s even harder.

Q: Abigail and Wade both threw themselves into their work in order to escape their pasts.  Do you believe it is easy to find an escape in work in order to hide from our problems?

No one likes to hurt, so I think the tendency is to avoid it however we can.  Throwing ourselves into our work is certainly one way of doing so.  But these things have a way of bubbling up to the surface eventually, no matter how hard we try to avoid them.

Q: What would you like your readers to take away after reading A Cowboy’s Touch?

Abigail was essentially trying to work off her guilt.  She thought if she could just keep exposing other peoples’ wrongs, it would appease her own guilt.  I’d like readers to see that only God can redeem us.

In her best-selling series of Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience God’s grace anew. Her best-selling historical novels, which transport the stories of Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Dinah, Naomi, and Ruth to eighteenth-century Scotland, have also helped her readers view these familiar characters in a new light. And her nonfiction book, Embrace Grace, winner of a 2007 Retailers Choice Award, presents her message of hope in an engaging and personal way, speaking directly to the hearts of her readers.
A veteran speaker, Liz has presented more than 1,600 encouraging programs for audiences in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries: South Africa, Indonesia, Germany, France, England, Canada, Thailand, Ecuador, Scotland, Portugal, and New Zealand. In 1995, she received the Council of Peers Award for Excellence from the National Speakers Association, becoming one of only 32 women in the world named to their CPAE-Speaker Hall of Fame.

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America’s #1 inspirational novelist. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 50 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.

Like Dandelions Dust is the first feature film created from a novel by Karen Kingsbury, America’s #1 inspirational author. With more than 20 million copies of her 50-plus award-winning books in print, nine of which hit #1 on national best-selling lists, Karen’s novels have long attracted film and television producers.

The film features a strong ensemble cast including Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite), Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan, *61) and Cole Hauser (2 Fast 2 Furious), among others and is a compelling drama about the intertwined lives of two families and the struggles of parenthood. Joey has had a picture-perfect life with the privileged Campbell family until the day they receive a startling phone call telling them that Joey’s birth parents want him back. Now a judge’s decision could tear him away from the only home he has ever known. Each character will be tested as one family fights to keep the son they love and the other to begin a new life.

Like Dandelion Dust DVD also includes special features, such as:

• Like Dandelion Dust Comes To Life

o Interviews with author Karen Kingsbury and producers

• Karen Kingsbury: Adoption Story

o Interview with Karen Kingsbury about the adoption of her three sons

• Kevin Downes: Adoption Story

o Interview with producer Kevin Downes about the adoption of his son

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

This quote from Stephen King’s novella, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, sums up the goal of every single one of Travis Thrasher’s novels: providing hope. As the novelist of twelve works of fiction, Travis has spent a decade fighting against being typecast and labeled. 2010 will mark a decade of publishing for Travis. It will also be a significant year with the release of BROKEN by Faithwords in May and SOLITARY by Cook in August.

“I’m excited about these two upcoming stories that will surely surprise and move readers,” Travis says. “BROKEN is about a young woman who is just that—broken and bruised by this world. SOLITARY is the first in a teen series that combines a love story with the supernatural. Both are powerful stories.”

His goal continues to be to tell powerful and moving stories that will reach fiction readers of all types. As a fulltime novelist for over two years, Travis feels he’s still just warming up.

“There are things I learn about the writing process and about myself with every novel. I believe my best stories are still in front of me, waiting to be discovered like a buried treasure. I’m thankful that I’m able to dig a little more every day.”

Travis lives with his wife, three-year-old daughter and brand new twin daughters in a suburb of Chicago.

View the Solitary book trailer!

Hidden secrets provide the magnetic force that draws Chris Buckley and Jocelyn Evans together in the town of Solitary, North Carolina.  There is no resistance strong enough to prevent these two young people from being pulled into the terrifying reality that has remained hidden in this town for so long.  Travis Thrasher brings his talent to the young adult market in his latest horror tale, Solitary.  Blending the sinister power of secrets with the unyielding power of young love, Thrasher creates a tale that will draw readers deep within this rural town and into the darkened hearts of the people who reside within this isolated mountain community.

Sixteen-year-old Chris Buckley has moved to the town of Solitary, North Carolina, with his mother, and he immediately senses that there is something dark lurking beneath the surface of the community he now calls home.  Chris also discovers something far more powerful and unexpected than the unusual people of Solitary.  He discovers that it is possible to love someone else enough to risk everything—even life itself.  Jocelyn Evans repels Chris with as much power as she draws him to her heart when they first begin their relationship.  As their emotions strengthen and grow, Chris learns that Jocelyn harbors terrifying secrets about the town and the evil that lurks within its residents.  By the time Chris faces the horrifying reality of the evil forces at work around him, he realizes that living a life without Jocelyn is even more frightening.

I can only hope to be like my parents. They had strong faith and always encouraged me and my brother to work hard and pursue our dreams. They believed anyone could do anything if they set goals and worked hard enough to achieve them. I would amend that and say anyone can accomplish anything God has planned for them. Too often, we think we know what we’re supposed to do, and we make our own plans. Then we wonder why our lives become unfulfilled and unmanageable. We’re living out of the will of God. When we pursue God, He lights the path He wants us to take. The spiritual gifts come when we accept Him as Savior and Lord. We learn to use the talents and abilities God gave us for His good purpose. Even with Christ at the helm, sailing the seas of this life is never easy. Every day can be a challenge. But walking with Jesus is more exciting and fulfilling than living any other way. I don’t want to merely talk about these things with my children and grandchildren but have them see these things in the way I live.

What has God been teaching you as you’ve journeyed through writing these books?

God showed me how important “backstories” are in helping us understand one another. It was difficult for my grandmother to talk about her childhood or to say she loved anyone. I’ve learned from others that this was common among members of her generation. It took me a long time to convince her to write about her life, and when she did, she summarized eight decades in a few pages. I could see how she glossed over major events in her life: being taken out of school, the death of her sister, the struggles of her family, the decision to set off on her own in her early teens because she wanted a better life. It’s important to share these things with family members. This information is part of our heritage. We may also find common ground and see patterns in the way we think and act.

It’s important to tell your children how much you love them and offer them a blessing. My grandmother wanted the best for her children, but my mom longed to hear the words “I love you.” She told me she knew she was loved, but I could see how much the words would have meant to her. To say “I love you” is a blessing bestowed on our children. Sharing feelings can be risky, but not sharing them leaves us with regrets.

What would you like people to walk away with from these books?

Put fear aside and tell family members you love them. Without casting blame, share the experiences that shaped your life. If you were to lose a loved one today, what would you wish you had said? Don’t wait. Say “I love you” without expectations. Don’t let fear keep you from reaching out to one another. If there are broken relationships in your family, pray, forgive, and work at building bridges. It can be hard to listen and not want to interrupt with your point of view, but practice active listening. We waste so much time wishing or playing the “if only” or “what if” game. Please, please offer a blessing, even to those who have hurt you most. Love others the way Jesus loves each of us. It’s not easy, but it brings peace and a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus.

You’ve been interviewed many, many times through the course of your brilliant writing career. Have you ever been completely stumped by a question from an interviewer? (If so, what was it?) If not, what’s the strangest comment/question that you’ve ever been asked?

I think this is the first question that has completely stumped me.

With so many profound accomplishments under your belt as a writer, is there anything new that you’d like to try? (Screenwriting? Different genre? Something that might surprise people?)

The story that is playing in my mind now will stretch me as a writer. I’m not sure where to begin or how to proceed, and it doesn’t fit any genre. Fantasy? Allegory? I don’t know. The characters are already alive to me, and I dream scenes. Right now, I will continue to read and study the Bible, write down ideas, and see where all this will lead.

When you need downtime, what do you do? Read? Watch a movie? Go for a walk? Long hot bath?

All of the above. I am always reading something, alternating between fiction and nonfiction, general market as well as Christian. I love movies but prefer renting rather than going to a theater. If there’s a scene I don’t want to watch, I can press the fast-forward button. Sometimes I’ll have a movie marathon. For example, I’ll watch all three Lord of the Rings movies back-to-back or go through my collection of Jane Austen stories. My husband, Rick, and I also love to travel and do as much as we can when time permits. While writing Her Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream, we visited Switzerland and Italy. When I finished the project, we went to France and the Netherlands. We have a long “bucket list” of places we would like to see. It seems to be getting longer rather than shorter.