(Every week I send an email to my family member who own a Kindle on my account. I copy it here for the blog readers. Enjoy!)
Dear Dad, Jennifer, Mike, Jessica, Dave, Jillian and Tim: It's Monday so it must be time for our weekly Pierce Family Kindle Book club email!
First the news: I'm now an iPad owner! A parishioner and friend gave it to me on Saturday and I've been having lots of fun with it. I shared this news with Jennifer on Saturday and her first question to me was: "Are you giving up on the Kindle? I just got into the club!?" No worries. I'm still a BIG Kindle fan! In fact, the second app I downloaded for my iPad was the Kindle app. (My first app? The YouVersion Bible app!)
I really love the iPad, but I can now see how it's not a real competitor to the Kindle for long form readers. The iPad is bigger and heavier and, because it's backlit, has a pretty nasty glare from surrounding light. Also, like all backlit screens, it doesn't show nearly as well as the Kindle in direct sunlight.
Having said that, the iPad is WONDERFUL for anything with graphics and color. A child's book, for example, would be awesome on the iPad. Also, I love the news on the iPad. I'm subscribing to a daily newspaper/magazine named simply, "The Daily." It's a highly entertaining mix of news, pictures, movies and other creative graphics produced 365 days a year. So far it's my favorite thing on the iPad.
New Books Available in Our Archives: (click continue reading to see the books.)
(In the email I show pics of books and links. They don't copy over well for the blog. But you can easily search for any title you may be interested in.)
Love Wins (Digital Audiobook)
Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived
Paid for by Mark
UNABRIDGED
by Rob Bell
Narrated by Rob Bell
Regular Price:$13.22 Member Price:$9.25 or 1 Credit
Millions of Christians have struggled with how to reconcile God's love and God's judgment: Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to heaven and everyone else to suffer forever in hell? Is this acceptable to God? How is this "good news"?
Troubling questions, so troubling that many have lost their faith because of them. Others only whisper the questions to themselves, fearing or being taught that they might lose their faith and their church if they ask them out loud.
But what if these questions trouble us for good reason? What if the story of heaven and hell we have been taught is not, in fact, what the Bible teaches? What if what Jesus meant by heaven, hell, and salvation are very different from how we have come to understand them?
What if it is God who wants us to face these questions?
Author, pastor, and innovative teacher Rob Bell presents a deeply biblical vision for rediscovering a richer, grander, truer, and more spiritually satisfying way of understanding heaven, hell, God, Jesus, salvation, and repentance. The result is the discovery that the "good news" is much, much better than we ever imagined. Love wins.
Complete Without Kids: An Insider's Guide to Childfree Living by Choice or by Chance
Walker, Ellen L.
Price $0.00 / Paperback $10.17
Nonfiction
In Complete Without Kids, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Ellen L. Walker examines the often-ignored question of what it means to be childfree, by choice or by circumstance, in a family-focused society. Recognizing that there is no one childfree adult, the author guides the reader through the positive and negative aspects of childfree living, taking into consideration the different issues faced by men or women, couples or singles, whether gay or straight. As a woman who is childfree by choice, Walker draws upon her personal experience while also offering the reader numerous interviews with other childfree adults, revealing behind-the-scenes factors that influenced their personal journeys. She approaches the tough-decision making process of whether or not to have children from a biological, historical, and societal perspective, offering valuable information on: - The unique set of problems that childfree adults face simply due to living in a culture that celebrates babies and traditional families - Methods to cope with the pressure to have children from media, family, and friends in a healthy way - How to create balance and approach the leisure time allowed by a childfree lifestyle - Financial, health, and personal benefits associated with childfree living Offering support, guidance, and thought-provoking questions, Complete Without Kids is a productive guide for any reader considering the childfree path.
The Maverick Experiment
Berquist, Drew
Price $0.00 / Paperback $10.21
Thrillers
Breaking all the rules, a battle-hardened group of fighters confront Afghan terrorists on their own terms In wartime, some operations have to be conducted outside the normal lines of authority. Nowhere is this more true than in modern Afghanistan, the setting for this riveting military thriller. Derek Stevens is an experienced interrogator fluent in multiple languages and highly trained in weapons and escape and evasion techniques. He is the ideal candidate to lead a crew on a top-secret mission into Afghanistan to neutralize Taliban leaders. That mission, as it turns out, is much more challenging than even he had expected. Stevens’ assignment leads him and his maverick warriors through the most dangerous prison in Kabul and into the Pakistani heartland of the terrorist resistance. Working deep undercover, they deliver tough justice to the world’s toughest terrorists. Drawn from the author’s own experiences with the U.S. intelligence and Special Operations communities, The Maverick Experiment reveals the inner workings of the international intelligence machine and the gritty, blood-soaked reality of life on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan.
Truth and Consequences: Hearts of the South, Book 1
Winfree, Linda
Price $0.00 / Paperback $12.33
Mysteries and Thrillers
When deceit and desire collide, the results can be deadly…
Book One of the Hearts of the South series.
For undercover FBI agent Jason Harding, coming face to face with the grown-up version of his adolescent dreams is a nightmare. Kathleen Palmer sees him as a despicably corrupt small-town law officer and a murder suspect. Trapped in a web of his own making, he must see his mission through to the end and bring down the crooked cops who’ve run Haynes County for decades. To do so, he must betray the only family he’s ever known and fight his growing love for Kathleen, a relationship that could get one, or both of them, killed.
Determined to uncover the truth, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Kathleen struggles with her attraction to the one person who’s awakened her since she buried her heart and emotions in her son’s tiny grave. Listening to her heart could destroy all she has left in life—her career and reputation. When the truth about Jason’s identity surfaces, they both face unimaginable consequences: Jason may lose his life and Kathleen the man she loves.
Elisha's Bones
Hoesel, Don
Price $0.00 / Usually $13.99
Thrillers / Archeology Adventure
Every year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he's offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.
Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are--bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. A born skeptic, Jack doesn't think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth. But he's not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.
Homecoming, The: A Novel
Walsh, Dan
Price $0.00 / Paperback $6.00
Historical / Romance
No sooner is Shawn Collins home from the fighting in Europe than he's called upon to serve his country as a war hero on a USO bond tour. Others might jump at the chance to travel all around the country with attractive Hollywood starlets. But not Shawn. He just wants to stay home with his son Patrick, his aging father and to grieve the loss of his wife in private. When Shawn asks Katherine Townsend, Patrick's former social worker, to be Patrick's nanny while he's on the road, he has no idea how this decision will impact his life. Could it be the key to his future happiness and the mending of his heart? Or will the war once again threaten his chances for a new start?
The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1)
Shorey, Ann
Price $0.00 / Paperback $11.41
Religious Fiction
It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children. But when Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey and Molly has to leave her old life behind. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, keep her family together, and fend off some over-eager suitors. Book one in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Edge of Light will captivate readers with the true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive.
From the Back Cover: She's determined to make it--and she doesn't need a man's help to do it. It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but resolves to take care of herself and her children. When Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey, and along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors. Book one in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Edge of Light will captivate you with the true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive. "A stirring story of hope and deliverance that touches the heart."--Tina Ann Forkner, author of Ruby Among Us "Shorey's captivating debut novel is a must-read. With her marvelous gift for words and superior storytelling, readers will be hooked from the first page to the last."--Bonnie Leon, author of Sydney Cove series "A page-turning story about a young mother's determination to keep her family together against all odds."--Leslie Gould, award-winning author of Beyond the Blue and Scrap Everything Ann Shorey has published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul. Shorey lives with her husband in Oregon. This is her first novel.
Paper Roses (Texas Dreams Trilogy #1)
Cabot, Amanda
Price $0.00 / Paperback $11.24
Romance
The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, Austin Canfield, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem--he has died. And Sarah cannot go back East. As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother, Clay, struggles with his own muddled plans. Though he dislikes working on the family ranch and longs for a different life, Clay is driven to avenge his brother's death. But something between them is growing and neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit it. Book 1 of the Texas Dreams series, Paper Roses will sweep readers into the Hill Country with a tale of love and loss, closed doors and beautiful possibilities that will leave them wanting more.
From the Back Cover: Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky. But a storm is coming. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom--a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem--Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East. As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the Texas dust from his boots, but first he must find his brother's killer. And then there's Sarah. Something is blooming out in the vast Texas landscape that neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit, and the promise of redemption blows like a gentle breeze through the prairie grasses. Book 1 of the Texas Dreams series, Paper Roses will sweep you away with a tale of love, loss, and tantalizing possibilities. Amanda Cabot is an accomplished author under various pen names. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, the co-founder of its New Jersey chapter, and an avid traveler.
The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules
James, Carolyn Custis
Price $0.00 / Paperback $10.19
Christian Nonfiction
The Gospel of Ruth sparkles with cultural insights and contemporary illustrations that bring the biblical story of Ruth into direct contact with the lives of women in the twenty-first century. -- Robert H. Gundry, Professor, Scholar-in-Residence and Professor Emeritus, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California
Carolyn Custis James refuses to reduce Ruth to a pretty story with a nice moral lesson. Instead, she makes this ancient woman of faith come alive for women--and men--today. A work of theological insight and practical Christian wisdom. -- Timothy George, Dean of the School of Divinity, Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and a senior editor of Christianity Today
In her gutsy profile of biblical Ruth, Carolyn Custis James challenges old religious mind-sets about gender, how God uses women, and how men should respond to the Holy Spirit's work in women. The Gospel of Ruth is one of the richest and most insightful books I've ever read about any woman in the Bible. Carolyn is to be commended for making such a valuable contribution to biblical theology. -- J. Lee Grady, Author, Author of 10 Lies the Church Tells Women
This is not a woman's book...it is a powerful book that I wish every man and woman who call themselves Christian would read. Carolyn Custis James peels back the familiar story of Ruth and shows us the undeniable story of courage, equality, and partnership that reflects the gospel and that the world is hungry to see. -- Nancy Ortberg, author of Looking for God and Founding Partner of Teamworx2.
Writing in an engaging and winsome style, Carolyn Custis James considers the intriguing question, "Is God good for women?" through an in-depth study of the book of Ruth. Women who want to live for Christ will appreciate her critique of the biblical concept of submission in light of the gospel. But don't leave the men out! They, too, will better understand what it means to be a Christian man through her solidly Christian discussion of male-female relationships in Christ. -- Karen H. Jobes, PHD/Gerald F. Hawthorne, Professor, Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis, Wheaton College
What's the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?
Thielen, Martin
Price $0.00 / Paperback $10.20
Christian Nonfiction
"This is a fine resource for clergy and laity alike, particularly those who have wondered: 'Do I have to believe that?'" John M. Buchanan, Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Illinois
"Thielen engages the kinds of questions people actually ask. He combines theological acumen, a pastor's heart, and a knack for story-telling to fashion one of the most useful books I've read in a long time." Michael A. Smith, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
"For anyone still trying to get out from under that old, hard brand of Christianity that clinches its fist against science, women, or other faiths, and for those trying to sort out the simple basics of what we believe is at the heart of the Christian faith, Thielen's book is clear, accessible, down to earth, and reliable." James C. Howell, Senior Pastor, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, and author of The Will of God
Product Description: Pastor and author Martin Thielen has compiled a list of ten things Christians need to believe and ten things they don't to qualify as Christians.This lively and engaging book will be a help to seekers as well as a comfort to believers who may find themselves questioning some of the assumptions they grew up with.Many people in the twenty-first century hunger for an expression of Christian faith that is different from the judgmental and narrow-minded caricatures they see on television or in the news. With an accessible, story-telling style that's grounded in solid biblical scholarship, Thielen shows how Christians don't need to believe that sinners will be "left behind" to burn in hell or that it's heresy to believe in evolution. And while we must always take the Bible seriously, we don't always have to take it literally. At the same time, Christians do need to believe in Jesus--his life, his teachings, his death and resurrection, and his vision for the world. A great benefit of those beliefs is that they provide promising answers to life's most profound questions, including: Where is God? What matters most? What brings fulfillment? What about suffering? And is there hope? Thielen articulates centrist, mainline Christianity in a way that's fresh and easy to understand and offers authentic Christian insights that speak to our deepest needs.This is an ideal book for individual, group, or congregational study. A FREE Leader's Guide, featuring unique and easily implemented aids for carrying out a seven-week, congregation-wide initiative that will help local churches reach out to their communities, is available.
Market Upside Down: How to Invest Profitably in a Shrinking Economy
Tran, Vinh Q.
Price $0.00 / Hardcover $21.67
Business Nonfiction
Review: "The author provides readers with a realistic assessment of the economic and financial implications of existing government policies going forward, as well as the turbulent stock market history and performance. With this knowledge, coupled with the author’s recommendation of an absolute return strategy, investors will have the insight necessary to set appropriate financial goals and manage their assets in the upside-down stock market." Futures Magazine
Product Description: The U.S. economic crisis of 2008 isn't over! The next bubble, explosive government debt, is brewing. At the same time, the economy can't generate growth, the treasury is exhausted, the Fed's balance sheet is over-stressed, consumers remain deep in debt, and short-term interest rates are at near-zero. Intelligent investors can't just mourn the death of easy profits: they want and need new strategies for success through history's potentially worst equity market. In Market Upside Down, Dr. Vinh Q. Tran presents those strategies. Tran begins by explaining why the U.S. financial crisis will only get worse. He then provides professional and active investors a comprehensive framework for profiting in an upside down market that could last for decades. Drawing on his market expertise, as well as experience as money manager to institutional and wealthy investors, Tran shows how to build wealth and generate return in times of crisis with a focus on what will matter most in the coming years: liquidity and risk management. Tran helps investors explore global investments and opportunities that won't depend on the troubled U.S. economy or a reinvigorated market soaring, and shows how to profit from the coming age of scarcity. Along the way, he demonstrates how to use fixed income, hedge funds, and non-traditional investments, with minimal equity risks to create a portfolio that is positioned to provide liquidity, profits and importantly to weather future crises.
