Nashville, Tenn.—Abingdon Press has launched Faith and Fiction, the first women’s Bible study product line to explore biblical themes via the backdrop of Christian fiction. The compounding of two of the most popular elements in Christian publishing, women’s fiction and women’s Bible studies, has resulted in an entirely new product for women. The first Faith and Fiction Bible studies, part of the Abingdon Women product division, have just released and are penned by renowned novelists Melody Carlson and Barbara Cameron.
“Faith and Fiction studies appeal to a variety of women, from those who have enjoyed book groups but not Bible study groups to those who want a new twist for their usual study group,” explains Sally Sharpe, senior editor at Abingdon Press, and editor of the Faith and Fiction product line. “We’re eager to add more writers to the Faith and Fiction family as women discover this fresh option for studying biblical themes together.”
The Faith and Fiction line launched late 2012 with Healing Waters from renowned novelist Melody Carlson, who has penned more than 200 works of fiction. The second study, Her Restless Heart, written by Barbara Cameron, author of 20 works of fiction and non-fiction, released March 2013. Dozens of fiction bloggers are on board for Her Restless Heart blog tour this spring, and Cameron will host a Bible Study on Facebook beginning April 22. This six-week “preview” study will feature weekly videos from Cameron plus discussion questions. To join the study, women can sign up at the “Abingdon Women” Facebook page by selecting “Her Restless Heart” under the events tab.
Each Faith and Fiction study offers three resources (sold separately): a leader’s guide including detailed lesson outlines, a DVD featuring weekly video sessions with the author, and a participant’s guide offering five readings per week focused on stories, scripture and reflection. Faith and Fiction studies are self-contained, including plot summaries and excerpts from a novel which complements the study but is not required. Each of these studies is available now:
- Healing Waters: A Bible Study on Forgiveness, Grace and Second Chances (8 weeks)
Melody Carlson invites women to explore the biblical concept of forgiveness and how it impacts the healing of spirit and relationships. The complementary novel is Carlson’s Inn at Shining Waters trilogy (also from Abingdon Press). 
Her Restless Heart: A Woman’s Longing for Love and Acceptance (6 weeks)
Barbara Cameron explores the heart’s longing for love and acceptance and the Bible’s answer to this universal human need. The complementary novel is Cameron’s Amish novel of the same title, Her Restless Heart (also from Abingdon Press).
Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House. Abingdon Press has a distinguished record in religious publishing for a broad ecumenical audience and specializes in products for church leaders, Bible study groups, as well as scholars and students engaged in theological education and the practice of ministry. Abingdon Press offers a wide array of quality academic, professional, reference, fiction and devotional titles published each year.
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