Thomas Nelson is releasing the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, NKJV Edition in a LeatherSoft chocolate cover June 1. Under the direction of General Editor Jack Hayford, the Bible includes Kingdom Dynamics articles for spiritual maturity, Word Wealth studies in the biblical language, Truth-in-Action charts for practical living application, center-column references and maps. All editions of this New King James Bible have sold around 2 million units to date. The Leathersoft chocolate edition will retail for $69.99.

Holman Bible Publishers is releasing new versions of The Minister’s Bible, intended for pulpit use, June 1. The pulpit Bible, available in the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) or the King James Version (KJV) text, features large type, full-color maps, wide margins and extensive notes from pastors and church leadership voices such as Jim Henry, Thom S. Rainer, James T. Draper, Ed Stetzer and Rick White. Articles include “8 Traits of Effective Church Leaders,” “21 Essentials of Authentic Ministry,” “30 Keys to Giving an Invitation” and more. The HCSB Minister’s Bible is available in genuine cowhide for $99.99 and black simulated leather for $59.99. The KJV Minister’s Bible comes in black simulated leather for $59.99.

New designs of the HCSB Large Print Compact Bible are being released by Holman Bible Publishers on June 1. The Bibles features a full-color presentation page, eight full-color maps, a topical concordance, two-column text, Words of Christ in red, Messianic scriptures fulfilled by Christ, the Plan of Salvation and a table of weights and measures. The Bibles, both featuring a heart-stamped cross design, will release in burgundy or brown simulated leather for $19.99 each.

Zondervan is responding to consumer and retailer input, releasing the NIV Giant Print Compact Bible next month. Available for the first time, the New International Version Bible measures 5½ inches by 7½ inches, while still using 12-point type in a single-column format. It is available in black bonded leather for $34.99; sierra/black Duo-Tone or melon green/turquoise Duo-Tone for $39.99; or leather-look burgundy for $24.99.

Baker Publishing Group is releasing Hope for Today, an outreach edition of the Gospel of John, next month. The low-cost softcover edition, for nonbelievers and new believers, features God’s Word Translation, notes of application and explanation, an explanation of the three articles of the Apostle’s Creed and a guide to the Lord’s Prayer. Hope for Today will retail for $1.99.

Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, uses the biblical story of Jonah to remind readers of God’s persistent grace in Surprised by Grace, releasing from Crossway on May 31. The book will release in hardcover and retail for $18.99.

Wild hearts: Dispelling the notion of a quiet, subdued Jesus, Lisa Harper underlines the radical nature of the Son of God in Untamed, releasing June 15 from WaterBrook Press. In the book, Harper encourages women to live with unleashed faith and set their hearts free. Untamed will release in softcover for $16.99.

More Miller: Two newly revised releases from popular author Donald Miller are arriving in stores. Father Fiction, a revision of Miller’s 2006 To Own a Dragon releases this month from Howard Books for $19.99, while a new version of his Searching for God Knows What released from Thomas Nelson last month for $14.99.

Jason Boyett tackles doubts in his latest book, O Me of Little Faith, releasing from Zondervan this month. Boyett, author of Pocket Guide to the Afterlife and Pocket Guide to the Bible, uses his personal life and humor to show that doubt is not the end of faith. The book will retail for $12.99.

The Art of Dying by Rob Moll (IVP Books) centers on how Christians should approach the subject of death, particularly how to treat the dying and how to prepare one’s self for passing. Moll, a journalist who has written on healthcare issues, uses interviews with the dying, hospice workers, doctors and nurses for guidance on grief. The book will release next month in softcover for $16.

More book news: For additional and exclusive book news content—podcasts, author Q&As, blogs and book reviews, including new fiction titles—visit www.christianretailing.com.

The Truth About the Shroud of Turin
Robert K. Wilcox
Regnery Publishing
softcover, $16.95, 234 pages
978-1-596-98600-8

Casual readers may have forgotten about the holy relic explored in The Truth About the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery, as it has faded from its earlier prominence in the news in the '70s and '80s. Since then, however, novelists such as Dan Brown have introduced readers to spiritual mysteries in books such as The Da Vinci Code, so a true-to-life, faith-fueled narrative on conspiracies and cover-ups could provoke new interest.

Wilcox wipes the dust from the subject, consulting experts in various scientific disciplines as well as addressing carbon-dating controversies contributing to the dismissal of the shroud's authenticity. He summarizes 10 compelling reasons for its authenticity, including how starkly the image of Christ contradicts popular renderings of Him from the time of its discovery.

Regardless of individual conclusions, however, Wilcox offers a fair, thorough and fascinating narrative on the relic's history.

—DeWayne Hamby

GrAttitude
Ace Collins
Zondervan
softcover, 192 pages, $14.99
978-0-310-32477-5

In GrAttitude: Practicing Contagious Optimism for a Positive Change, Collins points out that gratitude is much more Collins tells stories of individuals who have learned gratitude, such as missions pioneer William Carey, who reached out to a world beyond himself to share the gospel. Another story includes a young lady inspired to love and serve others after witnessing a nun at her school working diligently.

GrAttitude is characterized by great stories that serve as an encouragement for readers to take on a fresh perspective on life and the call of Christ.

—Heidi L. Ippolito

Plan B
Pete Wilson
Thomas Nelson
softcover, 224 pages, $14.99
978-0-849-94650-9

Nashville pastor Wilson's Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would? is a book Plan B offers encouragement to those struggling to redeem their decisions or who are facing doubts about their direction in life. Wilson's pastoral heart speaks clearly, pointing to the cross of Christ as the ultimate solution of love and hope.

—Bonnie Bruner

Pure Scum
Mike Sares
IVP Books (InterVarsity Press)
softcover, 174 pages, $15
978-0-830-83629-1

Pastor Sares chronicles the development of Scum of the Earth, the unusually named, Denver-based church for the
Pure Scum: The Left-Out, the Right-Brained and the Grace of God. The title and the church's name are derived from 1 Cor. 4:9-13.

Following a series of unsatisfying jobs, from steel to sales, Sares entered the ministry at age 40, his first church assignment ending in a forced resignation. Supportive friends and family provide funding for Sares to start his own church, and he conceived Scum: welcoming all regardless of past sins, focusing on God without "Christianese" and reaching out to those intimidated by traditional churches.

Sares goes on to describe Scum's ongoing challenges, such as congregants who come only for the meal served before the sermon and others who find Jesus and then backslide.
While some readers may not agree with Sares' concept of Scum as what a church should be, this unique approach to evangelism should be useful reading for anyone interested in outreach ministry.

—John D. Leatherman

Valley of Bones
Eric Wilson
Thomas Nelson
softcover, 416 pages, $14.99
978-1-595-54460-5

Valley of Bones, the final installment of the "Jerusalem Undead" trilogy, blends best-selling author Wilson's After Gina Lazarescu stages her own death to protect herself and her loved ones from Akeldama, a blood-collecting cluster of demons, she finds that her son—dead for the past seven years—has been resurrected.

Meanwhile, Akeldama warrior Natria sets out to find answers to Gina's staged "death" and plans to destroy members of the Concealed Ones, the original 36 raised from the dead during Jesus' crucifixion.

Valley of Bones is an exciting adventure that will grab readers' interest in the power of the Nazarene's blood. A beginning summary of past settings and character relationships is provided to help readers who have not yet read the trilogy's previous titles.

—Nicole Anderson

Divanomics
Michelle McKinney Hammond
Tyndale House Publishers
softcover, 272 pages, $12.99
978-1-414-33382-3

In Divanomics: How to Still Be Fabulous When You're Broke, speaker and TV host Hammond is candid about her Using the Bible as her guide, along with wise counsel, Hammond shows how to maintain one's "Diva" status through organization, pinching pennies and learning the difference between needs and wants. She teaches from personal experience that no one cares more about your money than you do.

Divanomics shows readers how to hold their heads high with dignity and grace, rebuilding self- and financial worth with simple tools. McKinney defines a true Diva as a woman "who knows that life is not about her, but rather the contribution she makes to others … and the legacy she will leave." Written with such Diva girls in mind, the book is a hopeful, encouraging read for women who were never taught how to spend and save responsibly.

—Andrealynn Boyd

Edge of Apocalypse
Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall
Zondervan
hardcover, 432 pages. $24.99
978-0-310-32628-1
audio CD, unabridged, $29.99
978-0-310-32629-8

Best-selling author LaHaye ("Left Behind" series) partners with Parshall for Edge of Apocalypse, the debut release in the new prophecy-based fiction series "The End."

Joshua Jordan, former U.S. spy-plane-hero-turned-weapons-designer, has created a missile defense system christened "Return to Sender." He uses it to diffuse a North Korean attack designed to level New York City. Following that success, he is caught in a web of political double-dealing, international intrigue and personal danger. Jordan's integrity, personal values and patriotism are put to the test, as he feels his wife pushing him to accept a Savior he is not ready for.

Though it's fiction combined with eschatology, Edge of Apocalypse has a realistic feel, as if it were lifted from tomorrow's headlines. Readers seeking end-times adventure will welcome this action-packed beginning and look forward to future releases in the series.

—Beth Anderson

Zondervan released two NIV "VerseLight" Bibles, Find Hope and Find Love, last month. The debut offerings in its line highlighting themes in Scripture, the "VerseLight" Bibles feature the New International Version along with selected verses on subjects such as hope and love highlighted in blue. An edition centering on prayer will be available in August. Find Hope and Find Love are now available in hardcover and retail for $24.99.

Tyndale House Publishers has launched online Bible training at its Web site for stores, www.tyndalebooksellers.com. The site aims to help retailers direct customers to Bibles that meet their needs. The site features "Effective Bible Selling," a two-part video. Part one includes the basic facts about the Bible, its history and descriptions of its translations and versions. It also includes an interactive quiz designed to help retailers develop sales skills. In part two, Tyndale features its own line of eight types of Bibles. At the end of the training sessions, the retailer can print a form to select one of Tyndale's four New Living Translation editions, which the company will then mail for completing the training.

John MacArthur's study Bible now comes in a large-print edition. The NASB MacArthur Study Bible Large Print, releasing from Thomas Nelson this month, features 11-point type in a new, easier-to-carry edition, a concise topical index, a large concordance with people and places, and more than 200,000 study notes, charts, maps, outlines and articles from MacArthur, who serves as executive editor. The Bible is available in a hardcover for $49.99, hardcover with thumb index for $59.99, black or burgundy bonded leather for $79.99, black or burgundy bonded leather with thumb index for $89.99, black genuine leather for $89.99 and black genuine leather with thumb index for $99.99.

B&H Publishing Group added to its KJV product line in February with the release of the KJV Hand Size Giant Print Reference Bible. The compact Bible includes features such as a concordance, favorite Bible readings, a 52-week reading plan, four-color maps, the words of Christ in red and a presentation page for family records. The pink DuoTone simulated leather and a brown DuoTone simulated leather, both presented in two-piece die-cut gift boxes, retail for $29.99 each.

Hendrickson Publishers is releasing the KJV Large Print Reference Bible in chocolate/pink Flexisoft next month. The Bible uses the King James Version and features two-tone Flexisoft binding, with a personal presentation page, 1-inch spine, 10-point type, cross references, concordance, Harmony of the Gospels, Miracles of the Old and New Testaments, Parables of the Old and New Testaments, full-color maps, words of Christ in red, gilded pages and a ribbon marker. It will retail for $24.95.

Kate Plus 8: Kate Gosselin's I Just Want You To Know, releases this month from Zondervan. Gosselin, the TV star of Jon & Kate Plus 8 and mother of twins and sextuplets, includes prayers, journals and excerpts from her life as a mother in the national spotlight. The hardcover title will retail for $22.99.

Engaged and newly married couples have a new resource in What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp, releasing April 30 from Crossway. Tripp, a pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, offers six commitments that give shape to a healthy marital lifestyle, while dissecting unrealistic expectations.

Supermom: Sheila Schuller Coleman, co-host of Hour of Power and author of Mommy Grace, dishes out more motherly advice in Mommy Power, releasing April 7 from FaithWords. Coleman encourages women in need of confidence and strength that God will provide. The hardcover book will retail for $14.99.

Sleep deprivation is targeted in the April Focus on the Family/Tyndale House Publishers release Sleep: It Does a Family Good by Archibald Hart. The book includes information on why sleep is essential, practical tips for avoiding insomnia and a sleep diary. The softcover book will retail for $13.99.

Girls Gone Wise by Mary Kassian (Moody Publishers, $14.99) examines the shocking behavior of modern young women, such as sexting and exhibitionism, and uses Prov. 7 as a counterbalance for a new revolution.

Christian unity across social, cultural, racial and denominational lines is a goal worth striving for, says John Armstrong in the leadership book Your Church Is Too Small (Zondervan), releasing this month. The author uses the mandate from John 17:20-21, Jesus' prayer for unity. The hardcover will retail for $22.99.

More book news: For updated book news, including podcasts, blogs and additional reviews, including new fiction titles, visit www.christianretailing.com.

Giving Church Another Chance

Todd D. Hunter

IVP Books (InterVarsity Press)

hardcover, 176 pages, $18

978-0-830-83748-9

Hunter, founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Orange County, Calif., shares his journey of despair in
Giving Church Another Chance: Finding New Meaning in Spiritual Practices. The author's background includes time spent at Vineyard, Calvary Chapel, emerging churches, house churches and more. Through Hunter's pilgrimage, he learned that "church is the place to engage in important spiritual practices that have nourished followers of Jesus for thousands of years."

Giving Church Another Chance is in no way a tirade against the church. Rather, it is a call to re-engage spiritual practices and live in the way of Jesus. Simply put, Hunter writes for the disaffected believer: the "de-churched" and "re-churched."

Readers of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and Eugene Peterson will appreciate Hunter's contribution to how spiritual disciplines fit within the context of communities and bodies of believers. In the midst of our frenzied culture and harried pace of life, Hunter reminds us that speed is not the greatest good. Instead, deep, lasting change and transformation is the goal, with church the springboard to that end.

—C. Brian Smith

Kaleidoscope

Patsy Clairmont

Thomas Nelson

hardcover, 208 pages. $16.99

978-1-400-20270-6

Popular author and Women of Faith speaker Clairmont takes a lighthearted look at the Christian life in Kaleidoscope: Seeing God's Wit and Wisdom in a Whole New Light. In 33 chapters—with such titles as "The Tube of Mirrors," "Barnyard Wisdom," "Stretchmarks" and "Sewing Kit for the Heart"—she delves into everyday issues for busy women.

In a style that is totally Clairmont, the author mines the book of Proverbs and discovers the wisdom she believes God has for women today. She addresses topics aiming to reveal truth in relationships, everyday lives and health. Although humor is found on every page, there is also insight, prayerful advice and deep scriptural knowledge.

Kaleidoscope could be used as a devotional, but would also be enjoyable for use in women's meetings or casual reading. For women who would better understand the Christian life and enjoy a personal relationship with their heavenly Father, this book is an excellent read.

—Beth Anderson

Wildflowers of Terezin

Robert Elmer

Abingdon Press

softcover, 352 pages, $13.99

978-1-426-70192-4

In the international flavor of his youth series "Young Underground," Elmer's latest stand-alone novel Wildflowers of Terezin is the story of a young nurse and a pastor who risk their lives to protect the Jews in German-occupied Denmark during World War II.

Pastor Steffen Petersen begins to see how his world is dramatically changing when he finds himself caught in crossfire on the streets of Kobenhavn. While being treated for his injuries at Bispebjerg Hospital, Steffen meets Hanne Abrahamsen, a striking young Jewish nurse full of compassion.

Days later, rumors of Jewish deportation bring Hanne to Steffen's church, seeking a hiding place for her family. Though Steffen usually finds comfort in his pastoral duties, his faith comes alive when he helps those truly in need.

Wildflowers of Terezin is based on actual events during the German occupation in Denmark. Readers will appreciate the historic value of the novel, while the characters bring life to both the sorrows of war and the joys of love reunited.

—Bonnie Bruner

Yesterday's Promise

Vanessa Miller

Whitaker House

208 pages, $9.99, 400 pages

978-1-603-74207-8

Author and playwright Miller addresses the women-as-preachers debate in her latest romance novel, Yesterday's Promise.

Lead character Melinda Johnson knows at a young age that God has called her to preach alongside her father, Bishop Johnson. When he retires and appoints her ex-fiancée, Steven—now a widower with a young child—as pastor and bishop, it reopens old wounds.

While dealing with the rejection brought on by her father's choice, she finds out that her father hopes she and Steven will reconcile. But it doesn't help the situation when Steven proclaims he still does not agree that women should preach.

Yesterday's Promise goes beyond the traditional romance and gives a descriptive example of the communication barriers between men and women relating to love, career, ministry and family.

—Nicole Anderson

The Map

David Murrow

Thomas Nelson

softcover, 244 pages, $14.99

978-0-785-22762-5

Murrow, author of Why Men Hate Going to Church, outlines a man's spiritual growth guide in The Map: The Way of All Great Men. The map is a metaphor for how Jesus' ministry is highlighted in the Gospel of Matthew.

The first third of the book recounts the international treasure-hunting intrigue that supposedly led Murrow to the figurative "map." The author then reveals the story is fiction, but mines it for examples and illustrations.

Murrow observes that in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus undergoes three journeys to spiritual maturity—submission, strength and sacrifice. Submission's journey, up to the Sermon on the Mount, embraces traits Murrow classifies as feminine—giving, forgiveness and mercy. Strength's journey, ending with the Last Supper, focuses on Jesus' more masculine traits—righteousness, pride and anger. His final journey of sacrifice turns feminine again as He renders the ultimate act of service.

In the book's final third, Murrow suggests how much of contemporary Christianity stifles men by overemphasizing the feminine journey of submission. The Map is intriguing reading for men seeking to advance spiritually.

—John D. Leatherman

My Bangs Look Good

Susanna Foth Aughtmon

Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

softcover, 192 pages, $12.99

978-0-800-73418-3

In My Bangs Look Good & Other Lies I Tell Myself, Aughtmon reflects on the lies she has believed that have hindered her spiritual walk. Geared toward young adult women, the book shares the author's own journey of how she came to know the truth about God.

Aughtmon examines many misunderstandings about God, such as the idea that He is vengeful, that He owes His children something or that He cannot hear those who cry out to Him. Disputing these myths, she points to the truth, sharing many inspiring stories such as the story of Mary who was visited at a young age and told the most outlandish thing she had ever heard.

This is an encouraging book for young women seeking to push past the myths that have bogged down their Christian walk, remove the cloak of fear and step out into a faith-filled life.

—Heidi L. Ippolito

A Positive Life

Shane Stanford

Zondervan

hardcover, 224 pages, $19.99

978-0-310-29292-0

The journey propels readers on a rocket ride through Stanford's childhood home in Mississippi, dealing with hemophilia, the spires of Duke University, secret hotel meetings with officials about ordination, golf, the inner workings of the United Methodist Church, hospital stays and much more. Through it all, he addresses the stereotypes and stigmas that often accompany HIV.

A Positive Life is a guide on how to grow as a man, father and pastor, in crisis, while living with chronic disease, and is for anyone wanting to see God's grace and unconditional love at work. The Bible study and resource guide at the back is helpful for church leaders of all denominations as well as for people looking to grow in compassion and love.

—Andrealynn Boyd