October/November 2010 Abingdon Press fiction eNewsletter
Volume 8

Available Now!

A Simple Amish Christmas
by Vannetta Chapman

A Time to Love
by Barbara Cameron

The Voyage of Promise
by Kay Marshall Stromm

Choices Matter
by author Rick Acker
As a fraud prosecutor, I hear lots of excuses for why people make the wrong choices. "It didn't hurt anybody." "Doing it the other way would cost too much" or "That's standard industry practice." I make plenty of other excuses to myself and God. And after I've made my excuse, I usually try to put it out of my mind and pretend nothing has changed. But is that true?

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says: "Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before."

Something to think about the next time some idiot cuts you off in traffic. Or a friend invites you to gossip about the lady in the choir who thinks "loud" means the same thing as "good." Or you're tempted to make a lawyer joke at a party ;)

Rick Acker, When the Devil Whistles, Oct 2010

"My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus. Let glory be given to God our Father, forever and ever. Amen" - Phil. 4:19 CEB
From the Common English Bible. Read more about this new translation here!

Featured Title and Author

When the Devil Whistles
by Rick Acker

"I didn't have a choice. I didn't."  That's what Allie Whitman tells herself every night as she lies awake. Sometimes she even believes it. But mostly she knows deep down that her inability to make a hard choice has put millions of lives at risk, including her own. Now the only one who can help her is her lawyer, Connor Norman. Unfortunately, Allie's actions have destroyed much of Connor's trust in her- and may destroy much more.

"High stakes intrigue that will keep you flipping pages long into the night!
- James Scott Bell, best-selling and award-winning author

Preview trailer for When the Devil Whistles

Rick Acker is a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice. He prosecutes corporate fraud lawsuits like those described in his novel. In addition to his novels, he is a contributing author on two legal treatises published by the American Bar Assoc. He lives with his wife and children in San Francisco, CA. Find out more about him at www.rickacker.com

Fall Recipe
Enjoy fall with your book club by bringing a special treat for everyone to enjoy!

Spiced Pumpkin Dip
Blend 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened) and 2 cups of confectioner's sugar in a food processor until smooth. Remove cover and add 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree, 1 tbsp of McCormick's pumpkin spice, 1 tsp of McCormick Pure Orange Extract, 1/2 tsp of McCormick ground ginger, and blend thoroughly. Chill for thirty minutes or until ready to serve.
Serve with gingersnaps, graham crackers, or apples!

About us:
One distinction of Abingdon Press fiction is that these stories of faith, hope, and love explore the gray areas of life - situations that seemingly have no clear-cut solutions. These stories strive to illuminate the human condition and express God's enduring love and grace for all.