I MARRIED ADVENTURE: Looking at Life Through the Lens of Possibility

Swindoll, a popular speaker on the Women of Faith tour, has some auspicious footsteps to follow as sister to prolific evangelical author, pastor and radio personality Chuck Swindoll. Yet her unpretentious style—which clearly mirrors her attitude toward life as being one grand adventure—will help this autobiographical gift book satisfy fans of both brother and sister. In Luci Swindoll's first full-length book in 10 years, she traces her family history through b&w photographs, colorfully engaging postcards, and tidbits of diary excerpts. Readers will enjoy the comical homespun family memories that shaped her fun-loving character. With a solid foundation of love, security and Christian heritage, Swindoll has enjoyed an adventurous life as a draftsperson at Mobil Oil Corporation, a cast member of the Dallas Civic Opera Company and a world traveler. She writes as a single woman who never regrets her marital status or apologizes for her stalwart faith in Christ. Swindoll's essays are repeatedly interspersed with stories of God's provision for her, despite "down times" when unanswered questions or minor depression caused her to temporarily slow her pace. Though most of her tales are winsome and fresh, some make for slow reading, although they are admirably enhanced by the book's imaginative design and four-color layout. Swindoll's lively memoir of life as a single Christian woman is both honest and charming. (Jan. 7)

Forecast:Even apart from her brother's famous name, Luci Swindoll is a fixture on the Women of Faith circuit, which has a projected 2003 audience of nearly 400,000 women in 26 markets. W will do a national media campaign, especially to the Christian market. The magazine Spirit-Led Woman will run an excerpt in its Feb./Mar. issue.