Bookshelf: Three New Releases!

Three of my favorite authors release new books this week. Jackina Stark, Mary DeMuth and Donald Miller wrote on forgiveness, redemption and living a good story. Read about each book, and then go buy them. All of them. Immediately.

Book #1: Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark (Bethany House)
Kendy and Maisey Laswell's close mother-daughter bond is severed by unfaithfulness. For a restored relationship, they must let go in forgiveness, and hold on to "things worth remembering". Following both mother and daughter during Maisey's wedding week, Things Worth Remembering is an intimate look at the ups and downs of forgiveness. Jackina's first novel, Tender Grace, is beautiful, but Things Worth Remembering is my favorite of the two. As in Tender Grace, Jackina's characters are so well-developed that I ached for them, understood them, celebrated with them, and perhaps most importantly, learned forgiveness right along with them. Thank you, Jackina! This one is a treasure to me.

Book #2: A Slow Burn, by Mary DeMuth (Zondervan)
In Book Two of her Defiance, Texas trilogy, Mary DeMuth tells a suspenseful story of shame and grace, of sin and redemption. And although sin is ugly...the story includes murder, addiction, abuse and more...Mary's characters paint a picture of Romans 5:20. "Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." I look forward to the final book in Mary's page-turner trilogy, due to release next spring. Congratulations on another great book, Mary!

Book #3: A Million Miles In a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life, by Donald Miller (Thomas Nelson)
While writing a screenplay for his memoir, Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller realized that his "story" wasn't all that he wanted it to be. Even more, his life wasn't everything that God intended. So, Miller set out to live a life that mattered--to write a meaningful narrative. With the perfect blend of honesty, humor, and humble wisdom, A Million Miles inspires readers to create a new story--a better story. To be a character who makes a difference and glorifies the Author. Last night, Andy and I heard Donald Miller speak about this book, when his A Million Miles tour came to Hollywood. He and Susan Isaacs did a great job. If the tour visits your city, don't miss it.