Monday Musings: New Christian Book Releases, News, and More 9/13/21
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New Christian Book Releases for September 2021
These are full price, brand new books I didn’t want you to miss out on.
Christian Book News
Wanda Brunstetter
Wanda E. Brunstetter, the famous Amish fiction romance author, has reported on her Facebook page that her publisher has sold over 12 million copies of her books since she started writing for them. That’s amazing and a huge accomplishment for any author. Wanda’s latest book release is Walnut Creek Wish, book 1 of her new series, Creektown Discoveries. Book 2 will release March, 2022.
Liz Curtis Higgs Live
Maybe you’ve heard me complain, I mean talk, about this before but I don’t get along well with social media. Part of the reason is that it’s a huge time waster for me, but the biggest reason I avoid Facebook is that it seems to be mostly fluff about what people are eating and pictures of their cats. But I have found myself watching Liz Curtis Higgs’ video posts and rather enjoy her down-to-earth style. Liz is a Christian author and speaker, and she’s been going live on Mondays with a video of her talking to her audience about God, specific scriptures, and even has a prayer time. She really seems like a person you’d want to sit down and have coffee with and for anyone who has some extra time to spare you can find her videos on her facebook page.
You can purchase books by Liz Curtis Higgs on Amazon or Christianbook.com
The Healing of Natalie Curtis
Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can't seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she'd never before encountered--the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.
But their music is under attack. The US government's Code of Offenses prohibits American's indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?
Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end.
I watched an interview this morning with Jane Kirkpatrick and found out some interesting tidbits about her and her new book. (If you decide to watch the video I suggest beginning three minutes in.) The Healing of Natalie Curtis is based the true story of a wealthy woman who loses her way and finds it as she helps persecuted Native Americans who have lost their right to sing their ancestral songs and preform other religious customs according to a law passed in 1883. Natalie is granted an audience with Teddy Roosevelt who gives her permission to record Native American music.
The author, Jane Kirkpatrick, was trained in social work and therapy but spent seventeen years in early childhood working on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and other reservations in Oregon. She had wanted to write biographies but often couldn’t find enough accurate historical information to write a whole book. She decided to weave what she knew with fiction and has now written many novels based on strong historical women.
When considering a story for a new project, Jane asks herself where these women from the past drew their strength and how our generation can do the same. She also mentioned that she likes to include an “Author Notes” section at the back of her books to highlight which parts of the story really happened.
She’s now working on another Native American novel set in 1870s Montana with a working title of Always An Open Door. You can purchase The Healing of Natalie Curtis at Amazon and Christianbook.
Discussion Topic of the Week
I keep hearing about people who read exclusively on their cell phones. I don’t have a cell phone because we get no reception here so I have a VERY hard time wrapping my mind around this. Do these people really exist? How is reading on a phone better than reading on a tablet? Share with us your favorite device for reading ebooks and why it’s your favorite in a comment below.
