Peabody, Massachusetts, April 23, 2019:  Christianbook.com is honored to have been awarded the 2018 Bizrate Insights Circle of Excellence Platinum Award, which recognizes excellence in customer service and satisfaction among the nation’s online retailers.

Bizrate Insights, a Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; Meredith.com) company and one of the largest sources of consumer-generated reviews of online retailers in the United States, announced the winners of its 19th annual Bizrate Circle of Excellence Award on March 12, 2019. The distinction recognizes retailers that received outstanding online customer satisfaction scores across a one-year period, determined by millions of verified online buyers. Christianbook.com earned the highest distinction, the Platinum Award. The Platinum Award designation is awarded to retailers that achieved the highest scores among members of the Circle of Excellence across all eight key performance indicators – Overall Satisfaction, Product Selection, Check-out, Ease of Finding, Repurchase Intent, Product Met Expectations, Customer Support and Satisfaction, and On-Time Delivery. Christianbook.com is among an elite group of online retailers who have achieved Platinum status multiple times, this being the 18^th Platinum Award for the company.

“We’re thrilled to receive this award, and we’re extremely grateful for our customers and for their continued feedback and support. The comments we receive from Bizrate Insights are a valuable resource for improving our overall customer experience,” said Ray Hendrickson, President/CEO of Christianbook. “This Circle of Excellence Award demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest level of customer service, and the fact that we’ve been able to achieve Platinum level for 18 of the 19 years that this award has been presented is a tribute to our great staff and the exceptional service they provide to our customers on a daily basis.”

In 1978, two teenage brothers started Christian Book Distributors, Inc., which would become the world’s largest distributor of Christian products. Through its online presence, Christianbook.com, and 65 unique catalogs, the company offers the lowest possible prices and maintains an inventory exceeding 500,000 items. The wide selection includes books, Bibles, DVDs, music, homeschool resources, toys and games, gifts, academic resources, and church supplies. Christianbook.com provides additional information on its website, including author profiles and interviews, detailed product descriptions and excerpts, music clips, articles, reviews, specialized search engines, and video content. The company provides not only great value but also exceptional customer service and support. In addition to receiving the Bizrate Circle of Excellence Platinum Award for 18 years, Christianbook is also an eight-time recipient of the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work award. Employing over 500 people from the surrounding communities, Christianbook is a proud supporter of the City of Peabody and many local charities.

For more information, please contact Bridget Timmins at (978) 573-2201 or btimmins@christianbook.com

[NASHVILLE, TENN., April 24, 2019—] B&H Publishing is proud to announce the acquisition of bestselling author, poet and speaker Jackie Hill Perry for her second adult trade book.

Perry’s first book, “Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been” (September 2018, B&H) was No. 98 on ECPA’s Top Selling Books of 2018 list, received the First-Time Author award from The Gospel Coalition’s Book Awards for 2018 and was featured in international media outlets such as “The 700 Club,” Refinery29, “Christianity Today,” FamilyLife Radio, “RELEVANT Magazine” and many others. The audiobook, released by Christianaudio, is a finalist in the ECPA Christian Book Awards.

Perry’s second book will focus on God’s promises in Scripture and is currently slated for publication in the fall 2020 publishing cycle. Perry is also set to release her first Bible study with LifeWay Women this October, entitled “Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture.”

“‘Gay Girl, Good God’ did more than I thought it would. What encourages me most is that it is doing all that I prayed for it to do,” Perry said. “People are seeing themselves rightly in light of who God has revealed Himself to be and for that reason, I’m excited to create a resource that prayerfully will do the same.”

Perry is an internationally-sought after speaker, headlining top conferences and gatherings such as The Gospel Coalition’s National Conference, LifeWay Women’s Abundance, Propel Women’s Active and at Harvard University and other universities. Perry’s work has been featured in “The Washington Times,” “The 700 Club,” Desiring God and The Gospel Coalition, and her poems and teachings have reached nearly 2.5 million hits on YouTube. She is signed to Humble Beast Records and her most recent album, “Crescendo,” released in May 2018.  She and her husband Preston co-host the top-charting podcast “Thirty Minutes with the Perrys.”

“Jackie’s voice, whether spoken or written, is unlike any other, and the success of ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ reflects how powerful that voice is in book form,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising. “We are eagerly anticipating the release of her next book and know that readers will again be drawn in by the perspective and presentation that only Jackie can bring to the page.”

Perry’s contract was negotiated by her literary agent, Austin Wilson of Wolgemuth & Associates, with worldwide rights. For more information, visit bhpublishinggroup.com.

Jackie Hill Perry is a writer, poet, and artist whose work has been featured in “The Washington Times,” “The 700 Club,” Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition and other publications. Since becoming a Christian in 2008, she has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can. At home she is a wife to Preston and mommy to Eden and Autumn.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Ada, Mich. (April 24, 2019)—Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less (Baker Books; ISBN 9780801075261; Hardcover; $26.99) by Michael Hyatt has landed on multiple Bestsellers lists since its release on April 9, 2019.

• #1 in Hardcover Business on the Wall Street Journal list for the week of April 13
• #11 on Publishers Weekly Hardcover Nonfiction list for the week of April 13
• #12 on The Washington Post Nonfiction list for the week of April 14
• #34 on the USA Today list for the week of April 14

In Free to Focus, Michael Hyatt reveals nine proven ways to win at work to be free to succeed at the rest of life: health, relationships, and more. He helps readers:

• redefine work so it works for them
• filter tasks and commitments
• cut out the nonessentials
• eliminate interruptions and distractions
• set boundaries that protect focus and drive results
• leverage time and energy for maximum productivity
• build momentum for a lifetime of success

Michael Hyatt is the former chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, now part of HarperCollins. He is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Your Best Year Ever and Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. Michael’s blog is ranked by Google in the top one-half percent of all blogs, with 500,000 unique visitors a month and readers in more than two hundred countries.

Baker Books publishes books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging. Our titles cover topics such as personal development, encouragement, spirituality, and relationships. www.BakerBooks.com

Contact: Brianna DeWitt, (616) 676-9185 x395, bdewitt@bakerpublishinggroup.com

A Powerhouse Father-Daughter Writing Team Delivers the Suspense Dekker Fans Love 

Ada., Mich.—For the first time ever, New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker and his Christy Award–winning daughter, Rachelle Dekker, have joined forces to deliver a supernaturally infused suspense novel that will take readers to the edge of reason in The Girl behind the Red Rope (ISBN: 9780800736538; Ebook ISBN: 9781493419562; 336 pages; hardcover; $24.99; September 2019).

This gripping tale spans the generations and will appeal to a broad audience as Ted and Rachelle combine their creative and unique insights into an action-packed narrative that grapples with the underlying element of fear and how this crippling emotion holds us hostage. The Girl behind the Red Rope moves readers beyond boundaries and rules that imprison us to freedom that can only be found through grace.

Ted Dekker has stated that his greatest desire is for readers to encounter the spiritual truths hidden in his captivating story lines. Now this transgenerational team continues the quest of helping readers understand ultimate freedom and their true identity in Christ in this spellbinding new saga.

Ted Dekker is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels, with over ten million copies sold worldwide. He was born in the jungles of Indonesia to missionary parents, and his upbringing as a stranger in a fascinating and sometimes frightening culture fueled his imagination. Dekker’s passion is simple—to explore truth through mind-bending stories that invite readers to see the world through a different lens. His fiction has been honored with numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Inspy Awards, an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, and an ECPA Gold Medallion. In 2013, NPR readers nationwide put him in the Top 50 Thriller Authors of All Time. Dekker lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Lee Ann.

Rachelle Dekker is the Christy Award–winning author of The Choosing, The Calling, and The Returning in the Seer series. The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She writes full-time from her home in Nashville, where she lives with her husband, Daniel, and their son, Jack. Connect with Rachelle at
www.rachelledekker.com.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Contact:
Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

 

Ada, Mich. (April 25, 2019)—Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that Irene Hannon has reached a significant sales milestone. Hannon began publishing with Revell in 2009 with her book Against All Odds.  Now ten years later, she has written 21 books under the Revell imprint with over one million copies sold.

Hannon is an award-winning author of more than fifty novels and is ranked as one of the top romantic suspense authors. Her novels, which are written in both the contemporary romance and romantic suspense genres, include the bestselling Private Justice series, the Men of Valor series, and her most recent Code of Honor series. Hannon is also well known for her standalone works set in the charming coastal town of Hope Harbor. Her newest novel, Driftwood Bay (Revell; ISBN 9780800728816; ebook 9781493416509; paper; 368 pp; $15.99), released April 2, 2019.

Irene Hannon has been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carols, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Jennifer Leep, executive vice president of trade publishing, stated, “It has been such a privilege for us to work with Irene Hannon on so many wonderful novels over this past decade. Irene has a true gift for capturing readers’ imaginations and encouraging their hearts with redemptive stories that provide the kind of hope and inspiration we all need. We look forward to continuing our journey together for many years to come.”

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Sharing Stories from His Turbulent Youth, Getting His Start in the Music Industry, and the Unshakeable Hope that Kept Him Going

Shotgun Angels Releases April 30, 2019 with Media Appearances on TODAY and FOX & Friends 

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 26, 2019— Jay DeMarcus, founding member of the superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts, gives fans a glimpse into the creation of the band and shares a message of hope instilled in him at a young age by his mother. Available April 30, Shotgun Angels: My Story of Broken Roads and Unshakeable Hope, sees DeMarcus reflect on being raised in a blue-collar family, his start in the music industry and why he almost walked away before Rascal Flatts was even formed.

DeMarcus will launch the book with major national media in New York City, Nashville and Columbus, OH, next week including, an exclusive TODAY Show interview on Monday April 29, and on FOX & Friends on Tuesday April 30. Additional appearances include FOX News Radio and Sirius XM’s The Highway.

Jay DeMarcus is bassist, vocalist, pianist, producer and songwriter for the most awarded country group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts and is a GRAMMY Award-winning producer.

Instagram: jaydemarcus
Facebook: jaydemarcus
Twitter: @jaydemarcus

WESTMONT, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to welcome Ed Gilbreath onto its staff in the newly created position of executive editor.

Gilbreath, who is also an IVP author of two books, Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution, most recently served as the executive director of communications for the Evangelical Covenant Church. In that role, he led efforts to redesign and relaunch their ninety-year-old magazine, The Covenant Companion, which has since won numerous accolades, including the Evangelical Press Association’s “Best Denominational Magazine” and the Associated Church Press’s “Best in Class” award.

“I have known Ed Gilbreath throughout the majority of my tenure at InterVarsity Press in his roles as an editor, journalist, author, and business executive,” said Jeff Crosby, IVP publisher. “In each of those spheres, I have admired his keen ability to spot important and timely content, develop writers, and shape their messages in ways that exhort, encourage, challenge, and inform readers. I’m delighted to welcome Ed onto the InterVarsity Press team and look forward to years of fruitful work together.”

Gilbreath was an editor with Christianity Today International from 1999 to 2007, where he wrote and edited award-winning stories for their print and online platforms, helped lead the rebranding of Today’s Christian, and served on a publishing task force for broader planning.

Additionally, Gilbreath founded urbanfaith.com while serving as senior director of communications and digital media with Urban Ministries, Inc. As such, he provided an underserved audience in the evangelical space with Christian news and commentary from a uniquely diverse perspective. While at Urban Ministries, he cultivated new and diverse Christian voices as contributors, expanded the site traffic, and won the first place prize for digital publications from the Evangelical Press Association.

“I’ve gotten to know Ed Gilbreath over the years as the editor for his two excellent IVP books,” said Cindy Bunch, associate publisher for editorial. “His careful work, elegant and reflective writing, and wide range of reading and research interests have prompted me to think that Ed has the makings of an excellent book editor.”

In this newly formed position of executive editor, Gilbreath will work alongside Bunch and IVP’s editorial team on acquisitions and development, leaning into spaces that promote diversity of authors and readers.

“Drawing on his journalistic background, Ed will be acquiring and developing a range of trade books for us,” Bunch continued. “He will provide some added leadership within the editorial department. His influence will also extend beyond the department as he works on some of IVP’s strategic plan projects, including expanding our marketing initiatives with African American audiences.”

“I’ve long admired IVP’s commitment to thoughtful, biblically rooted books from a diversity of Christian voices,” Gilbreath said. “It was a privilege to become an IVP author a decade ago, and now I’m thrilled by the opportunity to join this great team at a time when the church and society are eager to engage with IVP’s life-changing content like never before.”

Gilbreath will begin his work at IVP on May 6, 2019.

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church, and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

Contact:  Alisse Wissman | 630.734.4059 | awissman@ivpress.com

Peachtree City, GA – After three years as sister companies, Peachtree Editorial Services and Hudson Bible are formally merging as Peachtree Publishing Services. Christopher Hudson, currently the president of Hudson Bible, will be taking on the role of president for the newly combined company.

Paige Drygas, president of Peachtree Editorial Services, recently announced her decision to step down to spend more time with her family and will be departing May 17. “Paige has been a terrific partner and good friend,” says Hudson. “When she told me her plans to leave, I was professionally disappointed but very understanding.”

“We’ve often considered how we might integrate the services of the two companies to better meet the needs of our clients,” adds Hudson. “Paige’s decision provided the impetus to formally merge the two companies.”

In the new structure, nothing has changed for either staff in terms of day-to-day work. The Peachtree Editorial team in Peachtree City, Georgia, will continue its renowned work of Bible proofreading. The Chicago-based Hudson Bible team will continue its work developing books, magazines, curriculum, and other resources that help people read, engage, and apply the Bible.

With Paige’s departure and Chris’s expanded role, the company also announces four internal promotions. On the Bible proofreading side, Jan Gibbs has been promoted to Director of Quality. “Jan has been with us eight years and has intimate knowledge of every major English translation,” says Hudson. Celeste Zaubi will join Jan on the Executive Leadership Team. “Although I will miss my team, I feel confident in Jan’s and Celeste’s leadership and the systems of excellence we have in place to ensure the high-quality work that our clients expect,” says Drygas.

Peachtree Publishing Services also announces the promotions of Mary Larsen to Director of Content and Melissa Peitsch to Production Manager. Both will join the Executive Leadership Team and oversee book and Bible development projects. “Mary has been with us since day one,” says Hudson. “Her passion for clearly communicating God’s Word and the excellence she brings to the editorial trade make her a natural fit to oversee our content.” He adds, “And Melissa’s expertise in team management drives our layouts in magazines, gift books, and reference titles.”

“I am excited about the possibilities ahead with this merger,” says Hudson. “I believe it will allow us to better serve our clients with a more integrated team of experts and will open up opportunities for us to offer a wider variety of Christian publishing services.”

Peachtree Publishing Services (www.PeachtreePublishingServices.com) is a full-service firm specializing in the development of quality Christian books and Bibles. Peachtree is the recognized leader for Bible proofreading and quality control with expertise in more than forty Bible translations. The firm represents dozens of publishers and ministries, including Hachette, LifeWay, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale House Publishers, and Zondervan.

Contact: Chris Hudson, 770-631-9073, Chris@PeachtreeEditorial.com

Desperate Forgiveness, a new book on healing broken marriages by Duck Dynasty stars Al and Lisa Robertson

Carol Stream, Ill. (April 24, 2019) Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release Desperate Forgiveness on June 4, 2019. Al and Lisa Robertson have lived through the pain of adultery and lack of communication in their marriage, but through life-altering, desperate forgiveness, they reached a place of reconciliation. In this new book, Al and Lisa share what they have learned with anyone who wants to exchange broken relationships for healing.

By sharing true stories from friends and family, as well as biblical examples, Desperate Forgiveness provides the support couples need on the hard road to forgiveness. Al and Lisa help their readers see the necessity and power of humility, the freedom found in letting go of bitterness, and the restoration on the other side of desperation.

Al and Lisa Robertson have been married for more than 32 years. Al, a former pastor of 22 years, helped start the Duck Commander family business. Together, Al and Lisa have spoken at marriage retreats and seminars for more than 17 years, coauthored three books, and now travel across the country sharing their story of brokenness, restoration, and healing in their marriage.

Desperate Forgiveness by Al and Lisa Robertson
ISBN: 978-1-58997-031-1
Hardcover: $24.99
June 2019
FocusontheFamily.com
Tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imaginations of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Grand Rapids, MI—Baker Book House, a premiere independent Christian bookstore in West Michigan, offers a counterpoint to the recent announcement that LifeWay Christian Resources is closing all 170 of its bricks-and-mortar stores. Response to the closings has reverberated with predictions that all Christian bookstores are doomed to close.

Baker Book House, however, has seen sales increases for the last 24 out of 26 months, said manager Sue Smith.

“We saw a 35% percent gross sales increase since 2017,” said Smith. “For the fiscal year ending in April, the bookstore will achieve its highest sales revenue in 38 years of business on East Paris location.”

She attributes a wide selection of products based on customer feedback, investment in staff training and customer service, and investment in communal spaces throughout the store.

“We have become a destination store because we’ve put an emphasis on creating an atmosphere and product selection that customers really want,” said Smith. “We’re embracing technology to meet customer needs, but also retaining that indie bookstore feel.”

Baker Publishing Group, which owns Baker Book House, gives the store autonomy and the ability to adjust to customer needs quickly.

“We invest in our bookstore to fully serve this community,” said President/CEO Dwight Baker. “We recognize the unique impact of a Christian bookstore on the lives of believers.”

Baker Book House will expand its reach with a new website offering increased online selection, original content such as author interviews and blogs, and special pricing via promotions.

“Baker Book House has weathered the storm of bookstore closings through forward thinking, customer-centric service, and nimble decision-making,” said Smith. “Indie bookstores have this ability and those that do so can draw customers and keep their doors open.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Director of Marketing, Becca Niswonger at becca.niswonger@bakerbookhouse.com or 616-957-3110.

About Baker Book House
Baker Book House was founded in 1939, when Herman Baker started the store with 500 books from his personal library. Baker is known world-wide for a deep selection of Christian titles, including new, used, and bargain books. Visit www.bakerbookhouse.com for more information.

Contact:  Becca Niswonger, Director of Marketing,
616-957-3110, becca.niswonger@bakerbookhouse.com