Free/Bargain Christian Interest, December 2013

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We point out free and bargain Christian titles to each other. Please don't post any self-published books, and please do a search before posting to avoid duplicates.

Be aware that many freebies are only free for a day, so grab them fast!

New freebies for December 1:

Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood Book #1) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
B&N Amazon

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon marry. She dreams of a charming prince, but when her first suitor arrives, he's not what she'd hoped. Prince Aethelbald of mysterious Farthestshore has travelled a great distance to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be on the hunt and blazing a path of terror.

Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his cautions with dire consequences. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in his sights. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

Prophet (Books of the Infinite Book #1) by R. J. Larson
B&N Amazon

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified, bad tempered, and only seventeen--not to mention that no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as the elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Istgard has turned their back on me. See the evil they do.

Yet after experiencing His presence, she can't imagine living without Him. Determined to follow the Infinite's voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite's word to a nation torn apart by war. Here she meets Kien, a young Traceland ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela must surrender to her destiny...and determine how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

Will you accept the branch and speak my will? Will you be my prophet?

The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson
B&N Amazon

Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all.

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot
B&N ($9.99 at Amazon)

Years of Nazi occupation have stolen much from Brigitte Durand. Family. Freedom. Hope for a future, especially for a woman with a past like hers. But that changes the day American fighter pilot Tom Jaeger is shot down over occupied France. Picked up by the Resistance, Tom becomes the linchpin in their plan to infiltrate a Germans-only brothel and get critical intel out through Brigitte, a prostitute rumored to be sympathetic to the Allied cause.

D-day looms and everyone knows that invasion is imminent. But so is treachery, and the life of one American pilot unexpectedly jeopardizes everything. He becomes more important than the mission to a man who cannot bear to lose another agent and to a woman who is more than just a prostitute, who finally realizes that her actions could change the course of history.

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Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
B&N Amazon

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.
When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

The Light Of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King Book #1) by Karen Hancock
Looks like it's only free at Amazon

Book 1 of Legends of the Guardian King which follows the life of Abramm Kalladorne in his turbulent search for truth and self--a search that will transform him from a sickly, head-in-the-clouds youth to a legendary hero of strength and courage. Set in a world of swords and cloaks, of glittering palaces and mystical temples, of galley ships and ancient, mist-bound cities, his journey illustrates how God pursues and how He uses suffering to mold His children into something greater than was ever thought possible.

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New freebies:

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher
B&N Amazon

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation by Dianne Neal Matthews
B&N Amazon

There is no better way to know God more intimately than to immerse yourself in his Word , and Designed for Devotion helps you do just that. Combining fascinating historical background information about the Bible with practical application you can implement in your life each day, Dianne Matthews takes you through the Bible from beginning to end. Guiding your journey, she highlights key stories, characters, and basic teachings
explores Old Testament passages that reveal Jesus as the Messiah
offers historical background about each book of the Bible, including author, theme, and purpose
ties the Old and New Testaments together to show the Bible as a single story
shows you how to apply each day's lesson to your own spiritual journey

Sixty Acres and a Bride (Ladies of Caldwell County Book #1) by Regina Jennings
B&N Amazon

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa can't keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can't help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

The Gate: A Novel by Dann A. Stouten
B&N Amazon

When a planned getaway with his wife turns into a shopping trip for the girls, Schuyler Hunt finds himself looking for something else to do. An ad for a vacation cottage catches his eye, and he sets off in search of a much-needed break. When he arrives, he finds something far different from the typical summer home experience. In fact, he may have found a little slice of heaven.

The proprietor--along with a number of unexpected and yet familiar guests--welcomes him with food, rest, and conversation, until what started out as an escape from everyday life turns into something much, much more . . .

Touching Wonder by John Blase
Publisher page

This bold retelling of Luke 1–2, based on Eugene Peterson’s Message translation, reads like a novel and invites readers to experience the Nativity with fresh wonder.

To Eugene Peterson’s Message Bible translation, John Blase adds his own storytelling voice, exploring the familiar events from multiple first-person viewpoints. What emerges is the intimate story of unlikely people—a frightened teenaged girl, a worried carpenter, a collection of senior citizens, a disillusioned young shepherd—meeting up with the divine as they bumble and stumble toward the realization that the little one just born is the One.

This retold story of Word made flesh invites readers to react appropriately—with eyes opened wide in wonder, jaws dropped in amazement, and hearts rejoicing. The beautiful design and Amanda Jolman’s lively line drawings make this book a fitting gift as well as a Christmas tradition that families will treasure for years to come.

Marriage Matters by Winston T. Smith
Publisher page

He snapped at her during breakfast. She brought up a past mistake. He walked out angry. She left without saying good-bye. An ordinary day in an ordinary marriage. But what if things could be different? What if the moments that seem the most ordinary moments of annoyance, conflict, pain, or cold indifference could become moments in which you're able to understand God's incredible agenda for love and begin to do something new?

Winston T. Smith, drawing on his extensive experience as a marriage counselor, offers a simple yet powerful prescription for changing your marriage. He shows how examining the everyday disappointments and irritations in your marriage will help you understand yourself, your spouse, and your need for God's love. Change begins with seeing day-to-day interactions from a different perspective, taking simple steps to love one another more effectively, and then learning how to take those steps over and over again. Interactions that used to devolve into pointless annoyances and fights can become an opportunity for God's activity and love to become increasingly evident and powerful.

The principles in this book will take your marriage to extraordinary places and lead you into a deeper relationship with an extraordinary God. Don't settle for an ordinary marriage, learn to live out God's extraordinary love in your most intimate relationship.

What's Your Secret? by Aaron Stern
Publisher page

Shhhh…. Is there something about you that you hope no one else ever finds out? You’re not alone. Everyone has secrets—hurts, abuses, bad habits, fears. Big or small, secrets can destroy you from the inside out. The good news is that confession is more powerful than secrets—or the fear that keeps you from telling them.

True Religion by Palmer Chinchen
Publisher page

Give your life away to change this world and God will change you … for the best.

A rising voice in the missional movement, Palmer Chinchen challenges Christians to a new kind of spiritual formation—one focused on pouring out our life for others and radical dependence upon God. When we get out of our comfort zone, our souls are awakened—everything seems more alive and vibrant. So why don’t we live our faith that way? Why is it that our faith can easily become an old, tired routine instead of an exhilarating, God-honoring lifestyle?

Discover why true religion involves engaging the problems in our world as we go with the good news of the gospel. And in the process of pouring ourselves out for others, we’ll see God radically transform our own hearts as well.

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Thomas Nelson's The Voice Bible: Step Into the Story of Scripture is $4.99 at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Everyone else has it listed for $19.99.

Kobo's 50% off 50Dec coupon code is multi-use and works on Thomas Nelson books, though, so here's the Kobo link in case the price drops.

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Freebies:

Angels in the Fire: The Dramatic True Story of an Impossible Rescue by Dann Stadler
B&N Amazon

There was no way Dann and Tracey Stadler could avoid the drunk driver speeding toward them. Moments later, with Tracey trapped in their burning car, a lone figure walked out of the nearby woods and saved her from certain death. Seconds later, he was gone. But the disappearance of this stranger was not the end of God's tangible intervention in their lives.

As the Stadlers struggled through grueling recoveries and heartbreaking setbacks--even years after that fateful crash--the miracles and divine encounters continued. For the first time, the Stadlers share these incredible moments, offering an inspiring testimony to anyone enduring heartache and loss.

If you are facing hard times--if you need assurance that God still ministers through His angels today--let this true story provide the hope and encouragement you need.

Made to Last (Where Love Begins Book #1) by Melissa Tagg
B&N Amazon

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

Bargains:

Introducing the New Testament by Joe Blair is $0.99 at Christianbook (where it's also DRM-free), B&N and Amazon. The regular price is listed as anywhere between $14.99 and $29.99, but it's $18.59 at Kobo right now.

The blurb is short:

Helps students understand the New Testament by introducing its contents and principles for its interpretation.

It's published by B&H Academic and is listed as a "study guide."

Against All Odds: My Story by Chuck Norris with Ken Abraham is also $0.99 at B&N and Amazon.

A New York Times best seller. Millions of people worldwide know Chuck Norris as the star of more than twenty motion pictures, a martial arts expert, and the only man in the Western Hemisphere to hold an eighth degree Black Belt Grand Master in Tae Kwon Do. Countless others see him daily in syndicated reruns as the hero of the longest running CBS series to date, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” What many don’t know is that Chuck Norris is a sincere Christian–a man whose faith plays a role in everything he does. Against All Odds is the inspirational story of how Norris overcame abject poverty from childhood, the effects of his father’s alcoholism and desertion of the family, and his own shyness and lack of strength and ability early in his life. Norris writes candidly about the past and gives God full credit for where he is today.

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Ligonier Ministries has a new free book this month:

A Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture by Dr. Keith Mathison

In A Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture, Dr. Keith Mathison tackles a topic that has long been a subject of debate, aiming to enable believers to approach questions pertaining to science and Scripture with grace, humility, and patience.

It's available in Ligonier Ministries' online store as DRM-free epub and mobi (Kindle) files or at Amazon.

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A couple of Kindle-only freebies from Destiny Image:

Supernatural Destiny: Answering God's Call on Your Life by Don Nori
Amazon

Supernatural Destiny is the true story of a man’s unique and deeply personal encounter with God. The author’s destiny was played out for him by God in a vision that led him through the most difficult struggles of his life to emerge from the other side as a loving husband, a respected father, and a very successful businessman. Supernatural Destiny teaches readers how they too can live a victorious life by keeping God’s vision at the forefront in their bodies, minds, and spirits. This personal journey reveals the true grit of a man whose grandfathers emigrated from Italy with nothing but hope for a better life for their families. With God, all things are possible, as is proven true throughout the amazing story.

The Single Parent's Guide to Raising Godly Children by Shae Cooke
Amazon

Break out of single parent dysfunction junction and have the family of your dreams.

Your children are destined to be more than "kids-gone-wrong" society statistics. They have infinite potential to rise far above loneliness, rejection, dejection, depression, stigmatized traits, and disadvantage.

Single-parented children can make sound choices, respect others, resist negative pressure, and create an uptrend of doing the right thing. It starts with your determination to say "no" to the status quo and your resolve to give new and significant meaning to the term "family."

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New freebies:

Love at Any Cost (Heart of San Francisco Series #1) by Julie Lessman
B&N Amazon

Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Jilted by a fortune hunter, Cassidy travels west hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. Can love prevail when Jamie discovers that Cassidy is poorer than he is? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?

Remembering Christmas: A Novel by Dan Walsh
B&N Amazon

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanksgiving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is more than a little reluctant. He's never liked Art and resents the man's presence in his life, despite the fact that his own father abandoned the family when Rick was just twelve. When what was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keep hanging about, Rick's attitude sours even more.

Still, slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons--as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day--work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas. With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story will have readers remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.

Too Close to Home (Women of Justice Series #1) by Lynette Eason
B&N Amazon

When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, the FBI sends in Special Agent Samantha Cash to help crack the case. Her methods are invisible, and she never quits until the case is closed.

Homicide detective Connor Wolfe has his hands full. His relationship with his headstrong daughter is in a tailspin, and the string of unsolved murders has the town demanding answers. Connor is running out of ideas--and time.

Samantha joins Connor in a race against the clock to save the next victim. And the killer starts to get personal.

Too Close to Home ratchets up the suspense with each page even as love blossoms in the face of danger. Read this one with the lights on!

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren
B&N Amazon

Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

[KyBunnies]

Thanks

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Originally Posted by KyBunnies

Thanks

You're welcome!

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The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
B&N Amazon

Betty Kowalski isn't looking forward to the holidays. She just can't seem to find Christmas in her heart. There's church, of course. But who can she bake for these days? And who would care whether or not she pulled out the Christmas decorations?

Her new neighbor just adds to the problem. He's doing home improvements that don't appear to be improving much of anything. These days when Betty looks out the window, she sees a beat-up truck, a pile of junk, lots of blue tarps, and--horror of horrors--an old pink toilet.

But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn a very important lesson about what Christmas is all about. This contemporary Christmas story is a timely yet gentle reminder that God can work miracles through something as seemingly insignificant as a little brown dog.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Isaiah by Warren W. Wiersbe
Publisher page

The book of Isaiah has been called “the Bible in miniature.” Both are comprised of sixty-six sections—chapters in Isaiah, books in the Bible. Isaiah first chronicles a holy God’s need to judge sin, reflecting the Old Testament, as latter chapters preface the New Testament, revealing the mercy to come through God’s Son. This study examines a sweeping narrative of Israel, and explores the very arch of God’s redemptive story, as sin and judgment are defeated through the grace of our Savior.

[KyBunnies]

[QUOTE=Difflugia;2704529]The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
B&N Amazon


Thanks downloaded to my mom's account. She will love this.

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Free:

Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot
B&N Amazon

Celia Anderson doesn't need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

The Risen Christ by Leith Anderson from the Ebook Shorts series
B&N Amazon

An expanded retelling of the life of Jesus, including all the details from the Gospels in chronological order, the geopolitical scene, the historical and cultural setting, and the likely emotions and motives of those who interacted with Him. Here is a great introduction to the greatest man who ever lived for those who don't know much about Him, and a fascinating read for those who have grown up in the church and are very familiar with the Gospel accounts. Leith Anderson's conversational storytelling style makes the book appealing to a wide range of audiences and ages.

Bargain Bible:

The NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted is $4.99 at B&N, Christianbook and Amazon. It's still $16.99 at Kobo, but Zondervan books have been coupon eligible in the US, so you might want to check the price over the next few days.

Do you believe that God not only loves you, but that he also likes you?
It's just one of the soul-searching questions posed by bestselling author Brennan Manning who confesses he has been 'John the beloved, Peter the coward, and Thomas the doubter all before the waitress brought the check.'
The NIV Ragamuffin Bible offers a collection of Manning's raw, painfully honest, yet grace-filled devotions, meditations, and reflections of his journey limping back to---like the prodigal son---his overjoyed father. When you journey through this Bible, you will likewise find yourself returning to your Heavenly Father, basking in the knowledge that God not only loves you, he delights in you.

Features:

• Complete text of the world's most popular modern-English Bible, the NIV
• 104 Devotions guide you into a deeper connection to God and his Word
• 250 Reflections help you understand what it means to be a child of God
• 150 Quotes offer short but thoughtful insights into God's kingdom

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The NIV Ragamuffin Bible is now $4.99 at Kobo. Coupon code 50Dec still works and makes the final price $2.50.

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New freebies:

The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson
B&N Amazon

Christine knocked on the door ready to introduce herself to her long-lost grandmother.

Esther answered the knock ready to interview a housekeeper.

Neither found quite what she'd expected.

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferell
Publisher page

Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone. Things don't get easier when her critical, domineering mother moves in. Katherine must make the situation work, but standing up for herself and her family while honoring her mother isn't easy. And with a daughter entering the teenage years, the pressure on Katherine becomes close to overwhelming. Then she crosses paths with Micah Jacobs, a widower who could reignite her heart, but she fears a relationship with him might send things over the edge. She must find the strength, wisdom, hope, and faith to remake her life, for everything is about to change.

Nothing Is Impossible with God by Rose Marie Miller
Publisher page

No one likes to feel weak. Just thinking about our inadequate resources can fill us with fear and hopelessness. But Rose Marie Miller has a different perspective. For her true weakness is a gift born out of a deep sense of need, it drives us to Christ and unleashes all the redeeming energy of God’s grace in our lives and others.

Seeing Through the Fog by Ed Dobson
Publisher page

Seeing Through the Fog is about living well when you realize you can’t live forever. It is about having gratitude for each sunrise, birthday, and moment of knowing God more. It is about holding hope when circumstances hold pain.

With stories, wisdom and unique content distinct from the popular film series about Ed, Seeing Through the Fog will encourage readers in their own difficulties and give them hope for their future.