Christian Shelves

It's always a gift when a book comes at just the right time. Thankfully, I Choose Love by Chip Ingram is one of those titles that reminds me of what the Christian life is all about. It's easy to lose track of what matters and to come across as more task-oriented than in actually loving people, so this book not only refreshes my commitment to love better, but it offers practical steps in how to do so. Many thanks to  Moody Publishers  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. –Victor Hugo Human beings have a deep, hardwired desire to belong, to be accepted, safe, valued, and the object of someone’s affection, just for who we are. It’s the stuff of poetry, music, and movies. Yet love is primarily viewed in our culture as something that happens to me and of which I have great desir...

I'm very grateful to be able to read my first fiction book by Mark Buchanan , a Canadian author who has written extensively on Christian non-fiction topics. What Is Left of the Night is an ambitious feat, combining multiple points-of-view to deliver a story that is as suspenseful as it is thoughtful. Discourse and action carefully balance each other, keeping rapt attention on a book based on true events during the Second World War. Many thanks to  Kregel Publications  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of:  see author's note regarding language; a closed door scene; descriptions of harm, torture, and death Book Synopsis In the quiet village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a resistance is stirring. In Europe, the Nazi regime's bloody wake persists as they brutally send "undesirables" to concentration camps. Hannah, a young Jew, loses her mother and sister while fleeing certain death, arri...

I've seen The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins  by Melanie Dickerson pop up here and there, so I was grateful to win it as part of the Early Reviewers Program from LibraryThing. Though this book didn't quite land for me, one of the benefits of being an early reader is getting to figure out which titles work for me and which don't. As a result, I hope that this review may be of benefit to others checking out this book as well. Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and  LibraryThing  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing. Book Synopsis Governess Charlotte Robbins is hopelessly drawn to the mysterious Earl of Brookhaven despite their different stations. Just as she resigns to the impossibility of romance, she inherits a fortune and is thrust into London society. As secrets unfold, she's no longer certain if her newfound wealth is a blessing or threatens the lov...

Oh, how I wanted to read books that opened my eyes this month, particularly due to it being Black History Month along with Chinese and Lunar New Year. However, this book ended up hurting my heart more than anything. While I've read various ethnographic accounts from marginalized communities, I did not expect this book to vilify the Christian faith as much as it did, making it a book I wish I didn't take the time to finish after I encountered some initial barbs. What a lesson as this book affected me for days, if not weeks after finishing it, and not in a good way 😣 Buried Seeds by Alexia Salvatierra and Brandon Wrencher was not a book about resilience so much as it was about resistance, even resistance against God and His people, Word, and ways. Book Synopsis This book demonstrates how two overlooked ministry models—base ecclesial communities of the Global South in the late twentieth century and hush harbors of the US antebellum South—offer proven strategies for the twenty-fi...

This is a book that I've been eagerly anticipating based on how many crossover characters there are, making it more than worth the wait! It absolutely does not hurt that its publication date was also moved up, making it already available instead of having to wait until May 😀 A Second Chance for a Dancer by Carolyn Miller is the third book in the Three Creek Ranch series , which I have a soft spot for based on where it's set along with the heart behind the stories. Plus, look at that stunning cover designed by her daughter! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Poppy James is on the brink of attaining national fame, just like her friend and fellow dancer Bailey Donovan, when a blast from the past leads to a devastating injury. Now, instead of applause and acclaim, she’s tucked away in the confines of Three Creek Ranch, struggling to come to terms with a very different future. ...

I've had the pleasure of revisiting my love of poetry through reading poignant and touching collections of Christian poetry that I've been introduced to on Instagram. I'm grateful that Breath of the Almighty by Shay McNally came at just the right time for me, tugging on my heart and my mind through verses that point back to God in every breath and poem. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : SA Book Synopsis Breath of the Almighty is a debut collection of free verse, confessional Christian poetry born from a life that's seen both deep wounds and deeper mercy. These poems move through topics such as family, grief, soul searching, healing, love, marriage, calling, spiritual warfare, prayer, forgiveness, and the ordinary places where Christ shows up when we least expect it. Each poem is rooted in Scripture and lived-in faith, and grounds lofty theology to an eve...