Books
COMING UP NEXT:
GLITTERING PROMISES: book 3 in the Grand Tour Series for David C. Cook; releases October 2013
REMNANTS: first in a new, genre-bending (spiritual, paranormal, dystopian, romance) YA series for Zondervan/Blink; releases October 2013
MOST RECENTLY PUBLISHED WORKS:
UPSIDE-DOWN PRAYERS FOR PARENTS: 31 Daring Devotions for Entrusting Your Child–and Yourself–to God. WaterBrook Press.
GOD GAVE US EASTER: WaterBrook Press.
Fiction:
GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS: Released June 2012
The Grand Tour Series details the life of Cora Diehl Kensington, a woman of the Montana plains, swept up into a life of riches and privilege. Belatedly finding out a terrible secret about her parentage, Cora struggles to find out who she really is–as a child of God–in the midst of an enlightening, as well as dangerous, trip across Europe.
GRAVE CONSEQUENCES: Released Spring 2013
GLITTERING PROMISES: Releases Fall 2013
LATEST RELEASES…
The River of Time Series: a teen time travel series in which two girls go from modern times to medieval Italy. Adventure, romance, suspense, and a hefty dose of conflict will hopefully make this series page-turners for young women…that’s my goal, anyway! I concepted the series after reading the Twilight series with my teen.
WATERFALL (Book 1): Released February, 2011 Get A SNEAK PEEK!
CASCADE (Book 2): Released June, 2011
TORRENT (Book 3): Released September, 2011
BOURNE (e-novella, Book 3.1): Released February, 2012
TRIBUTARY (e-novella, Book 3.2): Released July, 2012
BOURNE & TRIBUTARY (combined volume, both in electronic and paperback form. Paperbacks only available from online retailers like Amazon or BarnesandNoble.com, not in most stores.) Released August, 2012
The Homeward Trilogy: A historical family saga, similar to The Northern Lights Series. I was inspired to write this series after learning that 1/3 of our citizens here in Colorado Springs, CO, were here at the turn of the century in search of the cure for tuberculosis, then called “consumption.” The overriding theme is finding our place in our Father’s world, and learning to live in the shelter of His acceptance.
BREATHE (Book 1): In 1883, a desperately ill Odessa St Clair arrives at a Colorado sanitarium, seeking a cure for her consumption. When she witnesses a murder, Odessa struggles toward health, to solve the mystery—and to live.
SING (Book 2): Two grown prodigals—now an opera star and boxing ring champ—must find their way home again; this well-researched historical fiction has elements of romance and suspense.
CLAIM (Book 3): Dominic St. Clair has gone as far from home as possible, working the boxing rings of South America, before anguish over leaving his sisters brings him back to Colorado.
The Gifted: A supernatural suspense series, set in medieval times, but with loads of contemporary application. I loved writing this series after a three year break from writing…Overall theme is that we are all gifted by God to do His good work in the world. And if you’re called, how can you do anything but follow His lead?
THE BEGOTTEN: A secret half a millennium old is about to be exposed—a lost letter said to have been written by Paul and part of what was to become the foundation of the Christian canon. It speaks of men and women—the Gifted—with mysterious spiritual gifts that struck fear in the heart of the Church. Now the letter has surfaced. The Gifted ones are coming together. Their prophecy is coming true. But the Dark One is bent on stopping them…
THE BETRAYED: In this epic trilogy in the tradition of In the Name of the Rose and The Lord of the Rings, an illuminated letter—long buried by the Church and prophesying a fellowship of men and women possessing powerful spiritual gifts—is the catalyst for a profound war that will bring either a new age of enlightenment or a darkness the world has not seen. As the Gifted gather and gain strength, following God’s clues, their enemies grow more intent on controlling them. Now, their extraordinary mission continues…
THE BLESSED: In The Begotten and The Betrayed, Bergren waged “a classic battle of good and evil” (Publishers Weekly). Now, the war culminates in the most provocative chapter yet in the blessed and powerful mission of the Gifted. Thirteen in number, each of them possesses a divine purpose as catalysts in a war between light and dark. Among them are Sir Gianni de Capezzana and Daria d’Angelo, who must face the church and avoid being burned as heretics. Trailed by the enemy, and on the run in an unpredictable land, they’re offered tenuous sanctuary where they find love— and unknown danger. “A glorious finish…” –Midwest Book Review
The Northern Lights Series: A historical family saga, centering on the theme of how sin impacts not just the sinner, but also those around them too. Here’s the overview: From beneath the towering mountains of Norway; to the rocky coast of Maine; and across the turbulent, danger-filled waves of the open sea–experience an epic saga of perseverance and passion and faith and fidelity, in The Northern Lights Series.
THE CAPTAIN’S BRIDE (Book 1): Elsa Anders’s dream of marrying Peder Ramstad is about to come true. But can this strong-willed, creative woman with a love for independence, adventure and the sea find happiness with a captain who insists upon leaving her safely on shore?
DEEP HARBOR (Book 2): Determined to live the “good life,” no matter the price, Tora Anders weaves a web of lies that could cost her everything she cares for—including a future with the man she loves—but lead her to what her soul most desperately needs.
MIDNIGHT SUN (Book 3): Desperate to know if her missing husband still lives, Kaatje Janssen hires the rugged yet tenderhearted James Walker to guide her through the perils of the Alaskan wilderness. What she finally discovers, however, is far from what she expected…and could well place her in the greatest danger of her life.
Contemporary Stand Alone Novels:
THE BRIDGE: The Sacrifice: In the early ’60s, Anna Conway and her infant son are thrown into a cold mountain river after their car plunges from an unstable wooden bridge. In the terrible moments that follow, Anna and a stranger lose their lives—but the child is miraculously spared. The Legacy: Nearly forty years later, unexpected events bring New Yorker Jared Conway back to that river in Montana with his own son in tow. Crushed by life’s disappointments, Jared finds himself yearning for something he cannot define. But at that river, Jared encounters three things that will change his life forever: unexpected love, the forces that have been driving him toward empty success, and the bridge that will finally lead him home. “Sad, sweet, lyrical, and well worth the reading.” —Fort Worth Star Telegram
MERCY COME MORNING: In Colorado, history professor Krista Mueller awaits news of her mother’s death. It has been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed a part of Charlotte Mueller’s mind and memories. But Krista cannot forget the pain of her childhood. Nor can she face the dying woman who has—despite Krista’s desperate attempts to gain her love—always been far beyond her daughter’s reach. But then a call from New Mexico launches Krista on a dramatic journey of discovery…toward love and forgiveness. A story of joy, connection and the power of forgiveness, Mercy Come Morning presents each day as a gift to be opened and every loved one as a treasure to be rediscovered.
The Full Circle Series (mostly out-of-print): Contemporary romance, my earliest works
REFUGE (Book 1): When Rachel Johanssen dared Beth Morgan to answer a personal ad in The Rancher’s Journal, she never thought her citified friend would become a bona fide rancher’s wife. Now Rachel, too, is falling in love with the glorious valley…as well as with Dirk Tanner, a rugged rancher who makes it his home. Rachel isn’t the only San Franciscan newly drawn to the Elk Horn Valley. Jake Rierdon, son of a San Francisco client, has taken a shine to ranch life too–and to beautiful young Emily Walker. But will threats from the present and the past destroy any chance the couples have to build a future?
TORCHLIGHT (Book 2): After inheriting her family’s lighthouse and mansion, heiress Julia Rierdon–sister of Jake Rierdon (Refuge)–travels to the coast of Maine to restore the estate and turn it into a lavish inn. Temporarily separated from her wealthy fiancé, Julia turns to a mysterious stranger for assistance. Motorcycle-riding handyman Trevor Kenbridge is gorgeous, infuriating…and just the man she needs to help her prepare her inn. Could he also be the right man to claim her heart?
PATHWAYS (Book 3): Bryn Bailey once found love in the arms of Eli Pierce. But when she rejected Eli’s faith, the two sadly parted. Ten years later, Bryn is back in Alaska for a summer of humanitarian aid, where she is dependent on Eli, now a bush pilot. To her surprise, Bryn discovers that she is not only still in love with Eli, she’s also drawn to the glorious country he loves–and the God he serves. Then one night, during a sudden storm, their small plane goes down in the wilderness, leaving Eli fighting for his life. Can Bryn find the pathway to save him…as well as to God?
TREASURE (Book 4): Ever since her days as an undergrad student at Harvard, where she roomed with Bryn Bailey (Pathways)–nautical archaeologist Dr. Christina Alvarez has been obsessed with finding her ancestor’s sunken treasure ship and striking underwater gold. Determined to achieve her goal, Christina has traveled to the Caribbean island of Robert’s Foe, where treasure hunter Mitch Crawford–the one man who can assist her–refuses to help. But Christina’s fight to win Mitch over may lead them both to a Treasure more valuable than either one of them ever dreamed.
CHOSEN (Book 5): As supervisor of the historically significant Solomon’s Stables dig, archaeologist Alexana Rourke–grad school friend of Dr. Christina Alvarez (Treasure)–knows she is in serious danger. Yet she is determined that nothing will impede her excavation under the Temple Mount, not even the concern of handsome, world-renowned news correspondent Ridge McIntyre. Her stubbornness, however, could well cost Alexana a future with the man she loves–and possibly even her life.
FIRESTORM (Book 6): As a smoke jumper, Reyne Oldre–friend to Rachel Tanner and Beth Morgan (Refuge)–once led a team of courageous firefighters into a blaze that ended in unspeakable tragedy. Now crippled by fear, she conducts fire research from a safe distance, determined not to risk that kind of pain again. But when the flames of love begin to flicker between her and smoke jumper Logan McCabe, Reyne must face the fearsome storms from her past and battle the raging Firestorm that burns in her soul. This was a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist for Inspirational category, 2005 (at least, I think it was 2005!)
Nonfiction (most recent listed first):
LIFE ON PLANET MOM: Becoming a mom affects your relationships with everyone–your spouse, your parents, your friends and even God. During this time of your life, you need to feel nurtured and loved by solid connections you can trust. But in the chaos of raising children, cultivating relationships can take a backseat to just getting the kids fed and to school on time. Drawing from a survey of more than five hundred moms from around the world, Bergren gives practical advice and shares heartfelt experience, showing moms everywhere how they can go deeper with every relationship they have. Used as the basis for Mothers Of Preschoolers’ (MOPS) 2010 curriculum
WHAT WOMEN WANT: In What Women Want bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren and Rebecca Price invite readers to thoughtfully consider their soul-deep longings — and pursue God’s best in every area of life. Using in-depth interviews from a national survey and hundreds of personal interviews, biblical narratives, their own personal stories and inspiring quotes, the authors point fellow seekers toward the kind of wholeness God desires, providing lots of fun and inspiration along the way. They explore friendship, how and where to find happiness, health, and more with an eye on physical, emotional, and spiritual matters. Young or old, married or single, with children or without, striving in the workplace or working in the home, readers will resonate with Lisa and Rebecca’s descriptions of the life women crave, and learn how God fulfills the very desires He stirs. A Bible study, designed for personal or group use and tested with dozens of women’s ministries around the country before publication, is included at the end of each chapter.
Additional WWW Resources:
What Women Want Icebreakers
What Women Want Facilitator’s Guide
THE BUSY MOM’S DEVOTIONAL: The Busy Mom’s Devotional makes a vibrant, growing relationship with God seem do-able, and shows that the life-lessons Christ taught to a handful of fishermen are just as applicable to moms driving minivans and making corporate decisions. In the time it takes to empty an e-mail inbox or drive a child to soccer practice, Lisa T. Bergren draws harried women God-ward with 10-minute devotions including Scripture, real life illustrations, and reflective questions to think on through the day and week. Using this heartfelt, insightful guide, readers can begin the lifetime habit of devotion, even when time is at a premium. 52 weeks.
GOD ENCOUNTER: What would you say if you could talk to God the Father in person? How would you respond if Jesus suddenly came into the room and fixed you with His gentle gaze? What if you could interact with God any way your heart desired? Would you take Christ by the hand or maybe kneel at His feet? Climb into the Father’s lap? Dance in His arms? Through imaginative prayer you can do all these things–or meet God in any other way your heart leads. The imagination is, in fact, one of the greatest blessings God has given us–a tool that can help us to comprehend in some small way the incomprehensible fact that God is truly at our side.
Children’s Books:
The God Gave Us…Series is geared for children ages 2-6, but they’re often purchased as baby/baptism/dedication gifts.
GOD GAVE US YOU: My bestselling book to date, the story given to me by God, in the middle of the night. Here’s the back cover copy…
When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question–one that little “human cubs” often wonder about, too: “Where did I come from?” As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: “We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you.” Perfect for bedtime, naptime, storytime or anytime!
GOD GAVE US YOU, the PERSONALIZED edition: This is so cool…you can add your kiddo’s name/gender into the program and they get a customized edition of this book! Expensive at $39.99 but definitely a keepsake. Available at Toys ‘R’ Us…
GOD GAVE US TWO: Little Cub’s life is about to change. Mama Bear is expecting a new baby and Little Cub is worried she’s going to lose her treasured place in the household. Gently, lovingly, Mama Bear encourages her that no matter how many more babies arrive, she’ll always be special. Perfect for a child expecting/getting used to a new baby brother or sister!
GOD GAVE US HEAVEN: Curious Little Cub has all kinds of questions in regard to heaven. What will I eat? What will I do all day? Will I become an angel? How do we get there? After living through the grieving process with my kids after we lost our six-year-old niece, I wrote this book to provide simple, biblical answers for the youngest believers.
GOD GAVE US LOVE: Little Cub is having trouble getting a handle on love. She’s getting aggravated with her siblings, and really doesn’t think she’ll ever be interested in all that mushy stuff she sees going on between her Mama and Papa. But Grampa explains how God has given us all kinds of love…and how good that is. An excellent gift for Valentine’s Day or Easter!
GOD GAVE US CHRISTMAS: Mama Bear has to set Little Cub straight on the Real Reason for the season (Jesus) while still celebrating all the good things that Santa Claus represents–generosity, love, care. The second biggest seller in the series!
GOD GAVE US SO MUCH: A limited edition anthology including GOD GAVE US YOU, GOD GAVE US LOVE, and GOD GAVE US HEAVEN. Three books for the price of two…grab it while you can! Releases August, 2010
GOD GAVE US THE WORLD: Little Cub’s world has just become much bigger. She’s finding out that there are other bears, in other parts of the world, that look far different, but are still made by God. Coming Winter/Spring, 2011, currently part of the anthology, God Gave Us So Much
GOD FOUND US YOU: So many parents wrote to me, disappointed that God Gave Us You was so clearly geared for biological parents, when they were hoping it was an adoption book, that I set out to give these special families their own story. Drawn from the experiences of five friends who have all adopted, God Found Us You lets little ones know that they were treasured, loved and wanted all along.
HOW BIG IS GOD? When my daughter said to me, “If Jesus is in my heart, he must be very, very tiny,” I knew I had to write this book. In it, I attempt to address how God can be huge, and yet gather incredibly close to us at the same time.
You can order any of my books at your local bookstore (even if it’s not in stock, most bookstores will happily obtain it for you.) Or you can order the books online at one of the retailers listed in the right hand column…
