"A Gem of a Collection"

Faith Today magazine published an excellent review of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider in its Jan./Feb. issue.

Here are a few excerpts from the review:

 "Some books surprise you with their ability to take your breath away. This anthology is such a book…."

"I was impressed with the honesty and transparency, especially in the true stories."

"We meet a host of fellow Canadians – our neighbours! – whose lives are as unpredictable as our own."

"What binds all the pieces together is a cord of faith as we see how God is involved in the very real circumstances of life."

"The book wonderfully reflects Canada’s mosaic population with pieces from First Nations to home-born Canadians to immigrants, young to old, urban to rural. Though the writing styles are varied, the book was skillfully edited to preserve the individual voices while providing a smooth read."

"The short selections make this a perfect book for even indifferent readers. It would be a fabulous addition to an office waiting room, your bedside table, briefcase, backpack or purse. But be sure to buy more than one, for you will probably have the urge to share this gem of a collection with others…"

To read the entire review as a PDF of the pages from Faith Today , click on the pictures below.

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Click here to open a downloadable pdf of the that you can print. 

A Second Cup 1-sheet pdf

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New inspirational anthology follows in the footsteps of the groundbreaking first volume, Hot Apple Cider, an innovative, all-Canadian bestseller whose grace-filled stories received an enthusiastic response from thousands of readers.

Markham, Ontario – Building on the unprecedented success of the initial volume, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider will be launched across Canada just in time for Mother's Day gift-giving. The first book in this groundbreaking series, Hot Apple Cider, introduced readers to excellent writing by Canadian writers who are Christian. It became a Canadian bestseller, with nearly 45,000 copies now in circulation.

Many readers have been asking for another serving of this attractive and life-impacting book. Like the first book, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit is edited by N. J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles and published by That's Life! Communications.

Inside the pages of this exceptional inspirational anthology, readers will discover more than 50 honest stories written from the heart. The book contains moving true-life experience, thought-provoking drama, light-hearted humour, imaginative fiction, and touching poetry.

The short pieces—each of which contains a complete story—make it easy for readers to pick up the book and read something satisfying and uplifting when taking a break from their busy schedules. While there's lots of variety, all of the pieces are filled with hope and encouragement.

“The Hot Apple Cider books aren't sweet and sentimental. Instead, they're empowering, because they reassure you that you're not alone, that God is at work in your life, that good will come out of the struggles you face, and that every person matters,” says publisher and editor N. J. Lindquist.

“We added 40 more pages to this book, so we could fit in extra pieces,” explains co-editor Wendy Elaine Nelles. “We were delighted to discover so many talented writers from across Canada, some of whom are being published for the first time. Among the 37 writers, you'll be sure to find some new favourites.”

The book has already garnered many enthusiastic endorsements. Lando Klassen, a bookseller for 38 years and owner of House of James in Abbotsford, B.C., says, “I found the stories inspiring and motivating. I highly recommend this volume.” Toronto business entrepreneur Pauline Christian, named one of Canada's Top 20 Women in 2010 by Women's Post, says, “This comforting and encouraging book should be in every home, library, church, and school.”

To date, the first volume has sold nearly 15,000 copies; through expanding its strong fan base, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is sure to become even more popular.

As was the case with Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul, everyone involved with this book is a member of The Word Guild, an association of nearly 400 Canadians who write from a Christian faith perspective. Lindquist and Nelles co-founded this nine-year-old organization, and both are passionate about fostering excellence in faith-based writing.

Through The Word Guild, the contributing authors donated half the cost of printing 30,000 additional copies of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider for World Vision Canada. In turn, this Christian relief, development and advocacy organization is offering the books as gifts to all those participating in Girls Night Out and Couples Night Out. World Vision partners with churches to host community events across Canada that provide evenings of fun, faith and fellowship, and focus on the needs of children around the world impacted by HIV and AIDS. A similar partnership existed for the first book; 30,000 copies of Hot Apple Cider were presented as gifts to women and couples across Canada and the United States.

“Once again, we're thrilled to be able to partner with That's Life! Communications and The Word Guild in offering such a high quality book to all our attendees of Girls Night Out and Couples Night Out events in Canada over the next two years,” says Eric Spath, Manager of Speakers and Events for World Vision Canada.

A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, which will be sold through bookstores and other retail channels, will be launched nationally this spring, making it the perfect choice for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or summer reading. To find out if there is a booksigning or other event planned for your community, keep watching http://hotapplecider.ca/meet-us/.

The writers' website

The Word Guild website

Complete Media Release as a pdf or Word document.

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We're delighted that over 30,000 copies of Hot Apple Cider have gone out through World Vision's Girls Night Out and Couples Night Out programs and another 15,000 have gone out through various retail outlets.

We're hoping for similar results with A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, coming May 1, 2011. Watch for news about out nation-wide launch.

For more information, go to http://hotapplecider.ca

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While we didn’t enter the book Hot Apple Cider in the The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards (because The Word Guild had worked with us to donate 30,000 copies of the book to World Vision’s Girls Night Out events), individual authors were encouraged to enter. As a result, pieces from Hot Apple Cider were finalists for seven awards, and five won.

June 18, 2009
For immediate release

NEWCOMERS AND VETERANS TOP THE WORD GUILD 2009 AWARDS

Toronto—A novel set during the Roman Empire and a series of articles from the anthology Hot Apple Cider were the most awarded publications at The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards this year. Awards were given in 30 independently judged categories, including non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns and poems published during 2008…..

Read complete press release here.

Below is the list of winning articles. Awards are given only if a certain standard of excellence is met. An Award of Merit is giving to an entry that is only a mark or so below the winner.

N. J. Lindquist holding one of her three awards Article—General Readership (articles that explain or encourage faith for mainstream readers)

 

Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

 

Article—Inspirational/Devotional

Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Award of Merit: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “My Letter to the Editor” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

 

Angelina Fast_Vlaar (right) receiving her award from Mark Haskett

Article—Personal Experience

Winner: Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

 

Article—Profile/Human Interest

Award of Merit: Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for “Living Outside Our Comfort Zones” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Complete list of winners:

 

Other finalists from Hot Apple Cider were:

ArticleInspirational/Devotional

Angelina Fast Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for  “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

 

Short Story

Bonnie Grove of Saskatoon, Sask. for “Stuckville Cafe” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)  

   

 

N. J. Lindquist (left) with Ray and Anna Wiseman 
Ray Wiseman, co-author of the story, “Of Cobras, Culture and Change” was presented with the Leslie K. Tarr Award for Career Achievement, sponsored by Tyndale university and Seminary.

 

   

Ray’s wife Anna Wiseman was given a Special Recognition Award by The Word Guild for her contribution to Ray’s writing.

 

All photographs taken by Audrey Tavares.

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