Christian Shelves

I'm a little sad that I read so little poetry as an adult compared to my youth. I don't know whether it's a lack of exposure to Christian poets or that I forget to seek it out, but am I ever grateful for opportunities to come across it when others reach out about it. Christian poetry is such a special genre that draws on truth and beauty in its arrangement of words to compose an entirely new scene. He Is Faithful in Every Season by Julia Rose does just that, providing us with a lovely reminder to encounter words in a fresh and inspired way. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Fifty poems intricately woven together with God's faithfulness and the truth of His Word. "He Is Faithful In Every Season" is a book of worship, love, redemption, freedom, and dependency. It touches on topics such as anxiety, fear, loneliness, and grief. It brings to light the aboundin...

It's no secret that espionage is one of my favourite themes and why I'm such a fan of Erica Vetsch . The Of Cloaks and Daggers series promises just as much mystery and sleuthing as previous series from the author, with A Thieving at Carlton House kicking us off with stolen jewels belonging to the Prince Regent. Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The Home Office has asked Sir Bertrand Thorndike to head an investigation into stolen royal jewels. And as with everything concerning the Prince Regent, discretion is paramount. It's the perfect chance for Bertie to step out of his brother's long shadow. Unfortunately, his superior, the Duke of Haverly, has a plan that makes him balk. In order to sell his cover, Bertie must play the part of a man looking for love, ready to reform his rakish ways. Philippa Cashel escaped a life as one of society's best-known courtesans and now devotes h...

I've been reading a few split-time novels recently, which led me to think about some of the themes I've encountered. Although this is a gross generalization, I've noticed that with most historical storylines, the characters often find themselves in situations where they have little choice in matters that affect their lives, namely around matrimony. For more contemporary storylines, I've seen characters end up making poor decisions that can be detrimental to their lives. Either way, these scenarios bring forth much conflict, setting the stage for a story to be told. While it's not true that all historical plots involve coercion through external circumstances or pressure through internal forces like duty, it's notable that characters can end up being compelled to marry outside of love. Some of the common reasons I've come across include family persuasion, societal expectations, class differences, or economic needs. While it's an unfortunate situation for m...

If you've had the opportunity to read The Lost Daughter's Irishman by Carolyn Miller from the Our House on Sycamore Street series , you are in for a treat as we meet the other members of the Fairall family in the Fairall Romance Legacy series . Rory is one sassy sister who ends up meeting her match in Australian Aidan Quinn as she takes on a family mystery that entangles her own heart in An Irish Kiss . Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis What happens when a quest to find the family castle leads to an unforgettable kiss? Aurora Fairall—Rory to her friends—loves her jobs working at the village bookshop and the family castle-turned-boutique hotel, even if she sometimes wonders if this is all God has for her life. She knows she has much to be grateful for—her family, her friends, her faith—but she questions whether the special Fairall legacy that sees its members struck by Cupid’s arrow has pas...

Platforms to Pillars by Mark Sayers challenges the notion of celebrity while calling Christians to pass on what is of utmost importance, and it is not to be missed in today's age of social media and influencers. This book takes readers from a mindset of "validation and visibility" to one that models faithfulness and preservation,  giving Christians a tangible image of how we can order our lives .  Many thanks to Moody Publishers  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis A biblical response to living in a platform society. Platform: A mentality, a way of approaching life, which promises to reinforce our uniqueness, deliver on our desires, and offer validation and visibility. A platform society emphasizes individualism and performance. It’s rooted in the belief that self and personal desires are preeminent. In Platforms to Pillars , cultural expert Mark Sayers explores how platform mentality is mi...

This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while and I'm only sorry that I didn't pick it up sooner! The Cost of the Crown is the first book in The Royals of Andelar series by Joy Crain and I completely understand why it's such a gem. As someone who speaks a minority Chinese language that's not mainstream, this book made feel seen and it's one I would recommend to anyone else from the Chinese diaspora feeling caught between worlds. Book Synopsis Missy Hanson never dreamed of falling in love and living happily ever after. In fact, she doesn’t know what she wants to do after she graduates from college; nevertheless, she’s content working as a journalist for her local newspaper and assisting at her aunt’s California bakery. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity emerges for her to visit the southeast Asian country of Andelar, Missy is thrown into the world of royalty as the special guest of the king and queen—and it’s clear she doesn’t belong, despite her family ti...