Cecil Murphey
Former pastor, school teacher and speaker Cecil Murphey has written over 100 books, including the Don Piper collaborations 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN and HEAVEN IS REAL. In this interview with FaithfulReader.com’s Marcia Ford, Murphey reveals what inspired his most personal work yet --- WHEN A MAN YOU LOVE WAS ABUSED --- and explains what he hopes readers will learn from his difficult experiences. He also sheds light on some of the popular misconceptions about victims and perpetrators of abuse, shares his thoughts on the need for forgiveness, and discusses several projects currently in the works.

WHEN A MAN YOU LOVE WAS ABUSED: A Woman's Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation, by Cecil Murphey (Christian Living)
For all women who know and love a survivor of sexual assault, bestselling author Cecil Murphey has penned WHEN A MAN YOU LOVE WAS ABUSED, an honest and forthright book about helping the man in your life survive --- and thrive --- despite past abuses. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

» Click here to read a review of WHEN A MAN YOU LOVE WAS ABUSED.
» Click here to read our interview with Cecil Murphey.
» Click here to read Cecil Murphey’s bio.

Tessa Afshar
Tessa Afshar’s PEARL IN THE SAND is a historical romance set during biblical times in ancient Israel about a former courtesan who finds true love with one of the leaders of Judah. In this interview, Afshar discusses the themes of love, desire and redemption found throughout the book, as well as the trip she took that inspired her debut novel. She also talks about the heavy research she conducted not just on the history and geography central to the story, but also on the languages, and her future writing plans.

PEARL IN THE SAND by Tessa Afshar (Historical Romance)
Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes. Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.

» Click here to read more about PEARL IN THE SAND.
» Click here to read an interview with Tessa Afshar.
» Click here to read Tessa Afshar’s bio.

ANGEL SONG by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman (Fiction)
When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master's degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before. Neighbor Ethan McKinney is there to lend a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. Reviewed by Susan Miura.

RESURRECTION IN MAY by Lisa Samson (Fiction)
After graduating college, May Seymour vigorously celebrates and winds up on the side of a rural Kentucky road, too hung over to even stand. Only God could have sent Claudius Borne down that street, setting in motion a series of events and a lifelong friendship between the impetuous graduate and the aging farmer. When a trip to Rwanda shatters May’s world and leaves her half dead, that friendship becomes her lifeline. But is it enough? Reviewed by Susan Miura.

NAOMI AND HER DAUGHTERS by Walter Wangerin Jr. (Fiction)
Imagine Naomi as a young mother in Bethlehem, long before her widowhood and before Ruth joined her family. Walter Wangerin Jr. uses the biblical books of Judges and Ruth to explore themes of love, faith, grief and community during a time of war and political instability. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

NEVER LET YOU GO by Erin Healy (Thriller)
A rare novel that will satisfy a wide range of readers, NEVER LET YOU GO explores the high-stakes decisions played out in the thin spaces between heaven and earth. As the enemy's grip tightens around protagonist Lexi Solomon, she will have to decide what's truly worth holding on to. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

FRIENDSHIP FOR GROWN-UPS: What I Missed and Learned Along the Way by Lisa Whelchel (Christian Living)
An actress since childhood, Lisa Whelchel (of “The Facts of Life” fame) knew how to put her best face forward. But eventually she realized how lonely she was and risked being vulnerable. Her journey of friendships with women shows pitfalls to avoid and graces to gain. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: How Your Life Matters by Andy Andrews (Self-Help/Motivational)
Speaker Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it's had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It's a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

JESUS DIED FOR THIS?: A Satirist’s Search for the Risen Christ, by Becky Garrison (Christian Life)
Who is Jesus, really, and what is he up to these days? Becky Garrison invites you to laugh and ponder in her self-proclaimed “travelogue of a religious satirist’s search for the risen Christ.” At the crux of this sojourn is thoughtful and articulate consideration of how we “lost” Jesus in the first place. Garrison suggests that real spiritual discernment involves looking for Jesus rather than serving him up. Reviewed by Evelyn Bence.

PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace by Anne Jackson (Religion & Spirituality)
In May 2008, Anne Jackson asked a question on her blog: "What is one thing you feel you can't say in church?"The question came from Jackson's experience of being afraid to reveal herself to other Christians. PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY is the unique project from Jackson, who is finished with keeping brokenness in the dark. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

UNTAMED: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love with Abandon by Lisa Harper (Christian Living)
Too many people settle for relating to Jesus merely as a comfortable friend and companion, when what we all need is an untamed Savior, a fearless champion tough enough to conquer our shame and compelling enough for us to follow him without hesitation. Lisa Harper invites you to engage with the Jesus of the gospels, a person so provocative that no one left an encounter with Him unchanged. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

HEART OF MY HEART: 365 Reflections on the Magnitude and Meaning of Motherhood: A Devotional, by Kristin Armstrong (Devotional)
Whether God is using Kristin Armstrong to raise children or the children to grow Armstrong, He is present in every moment and every page. This warm, real and insightful devotional celebrates the journey of growth mothers take with their children. It is on this intimate, daily walk that mothers can gain the courage to rely on God and emerge as a better woman. Reviewed by Michele Howe.

Kathleen Y’Barbo
Kathleen Y’Barbo is the author of numerous contemporary and historical romances, including GOLDEN TWILIGHT, CAJUN HEARTS and BUILDING DREAMS. The second installment in her All That Glitters series, ANNA FINCH AND THE HIRED GUN, centers on an independent and headstrong young woman with an inconvenient attraction to the detective hired to protect her as she pursues her journalistic aspirations in 1885 Colorado. In this interview, Y’Barbo explains how she first became interested in tales of the Old West and discusses how a visit to author Margaret Mitchell’s house served as inspiration for this story. She also shares some fascinating but little-known facts about legendary figures Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, elaborates on the role faith plays in the lives of her characters, and hints at what readers can look forward to in the next book in the series. » Click here to read an interview and about the book.

Linda Lee Chaikin
Linda Lee Chaikin has written over 30 books, including The Silk House series and FOR WHOM THE STARS SHINE, a finalist for the prestigious Christy Award and a story that introduces the main characters in her latest title, THE SPOILS OF EDEN. In this interview, Chaikin explains her interest in Hawaii, which became a state when she was growing up. She also discusses the novel’s emphasis on the sometimes-misrepresented Hawaiian Christianity and the theme of God as a loving father who is actively involved in our history. » Click here to read an interview and about the book.

Siri Mitchell
Siri Mitchell’s most recent novel, SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY, is an historical romance set during the Gilded Age in New York City, about a young debutante torn between her social obligations and the need to follow her heart. In this interview, Mitchell discusses the ways in which life during the 1890s mirrors many of our attitudes and practices today, and describes what baffled her the most about typical 19th-century behavior. She also shares what contemporary people can learn from young society women at the turn of the century and elaborates on the message she hopes readers will take away from the book. » Click here to read an interview and about the book.

Back to top.