To read the answers to questions such as "What made you believe so strongly in the project?" and "What submission criteria helped you choose the best of the best?" click on the link below.

Read Part 1 of the Interview 

If you live in or near  Millbrook, Ontario, you can spend a special evening at the Millbrook Branch Library in Millbrook, Ontario, with (left to right) A.A. Adourian, Adele Simmons, Judi Peers and Kimberley Payne, who all contributed to the anthology, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. The four will entertain you with stories and readings from the book.

Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
 
Location: 1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook ON

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.

Subscribe to Faith Today's digital magazine

This ad is in the November/December issue of Maranatha News.

If you'd like to print it off to post it in your store, library, or church, there's a PDF you can download on our media page. 

An excerpt:

"'Is it too cliche to say 'There’s something for everyone' and 'It will make you laugh; it will make you cry'? Cliche or not, there is and it will…. the stories are engaging, thought-provoking, and written by those who are willing to work hard to make their contributions the best they can be. So, if like me, you want to read the work of skilled Canadian writers such as Heather McGillivray, M.D. Meyer, Paul M. Beckingham, and Les Lindquist, pick up a copy of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider."

Read the entire review.

Excerpt from a review by Nichole Forbes, Friday, 27 May 2011

"… the vast majority of the entries were hope filled nuggets of wisdom, and a sip was just enough! People wrote of triumphs, joys and sorrows in a way that was deep and soulful and pleasing. The most fulfilling part of each essay and story was that the peace and love of God was the main character. The ever present protection and guidance of our Heavenly Father was the reoccurring theme in each piece and as I read on I began to feel that truth fill my heart….Although apple cider still isn’t my thing, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, edited by N.J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles, is exactly the type of warm assurance, in satisfyingly small sips, that we could all use throughout the course of a busy day."

Read the complete review

Midwest Book Review, June 11, 2011, Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Note from the Editors: Obtaining this review from The Midwest Book Review is exciting news indeed! This is a well-respected, independent, objective organization that is considered a reputable source of information about small presses and academic presses for librarians, bookstore owners and others in the U.S. and Canada. 

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 publisher's website

The Word Guild website

Complete Media Release as a pdf or Word document.

Phil Callaway, bestselling author of To Be Perfectly Honest

“This book is easy to pick up and tough to put down. You’ll love these stories of love, faith, and hope. Thank God for second helpings!”

August H. Konkel, PhD, President, Providence College and Seminary

“The wise man of Israel observed that there is no end of making books. Not that there are too many books, but that books must be selected with great care—they should be “goads and nails,” provocative and assuring. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider will stir some of your complacent reveries, but will be an anchor to understand eternal values.”

Lando Klassen, bookseller (38 years), House of James, Abbotsford, B.C.

“Day after day, as we live our lives, we’re creating new stories. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is a well-written collection of short pieces that reflect this reality. I identified with many of the characters, and found the stories inspiring and motivating. I highly recommend this volume.”

Here are a few more, from some exciting ladies:

Ginger Kolbaba, Founding Editor of Kyria.com, Christianity Today International; author of Desperate Pastors’ Wives

“The writers in this book share their finely-honed stories with an honesty and vulnerability that touches a universal chord in readers. Whether the setting is a remote farm on the Prairies, a First Nations community in Canada’s Far North, a multi-cultural kindergarten in Toronto, a lonely highway in Nova Scotia, an isolation ward of a children’s hospital, a blinding snowstorm in Québec, or a crammed church auditorium in British Columbia—you’ll find these stories lingering in your mind as fresh evidences of God’s grace.”

Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts

“Who doesn’t always need a second cup? And this is one cup worth reaching for. From a host of talented writers who serve rich words, wrap your hands around a volume that will not only warm you right through, but strengthen you for the road ahead. A perfectly inspiring read.”

Karen Burke, Director of JUNO Award winning Toronto Mass Choir; Professor of Music, York University

“A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is a delightful read. This heartwarming and comforting anthology is just what we need to remind ourselves that God is willingly present in every facet of our lives. Well done!”

To see more, click here.