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Showing posts from June, 2024

Review: The Love Penalty - Northwest Ice #2

My goal was to complete The Love Penalty by  Carolyn Miller  by the time the Edmonton Oilers were finished playing in the playoffs, so it worked out that they were able to play a few extra games so that I could catch up ๐Ÿ˜„ Content to be aware of : as this book does delve into the worldview of an unbeliever, there is content that is aligned to this mindset; triggers are also present, although I would recommend doing some research on Goodreads if this may concern you. Book Synopsis Sometimes there's a heavy price to pay when two opposites attract... With her fondness for tattoos and spider jewelry Sylvie Miles is used to being pre-judged and misunderstood. She has friends and connections but she still feels alone, and works several jobs while daydreaming about finding a guy who sees further than skin deep and won’t shy away from her battered heart. So when a hot pro hockey player with a smile as vast as his skills takes a shine to her what’s a poor girl to do but fall in love? ...

Review: The Beauty of Intolerance

Though I'm no longer working with youth and young adults in a ministry context (for now), I do interact with them in other settings. I'm thankful that The Beauty of Intolerance: Setting a Generation Free to Know Truth and Love by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell is such a great resource for anyone who interacts with those of younger generations. Book Synopsis Today's message of cultural acceptance is dangerously distorted and deceptive. In a world that shouts: "If you truly care about other people, you must agree that their beliefs, values, lifestyle, and truth claims are equal and as valid as yours!" it’s no wonder our youth are confused. The Beauty of Intolerance—brand-new from Josh McDowell with son Sean McDowell—cuts through the confusion and points you back to the place where the only truth resides…Jesus Christ. Tied directly to the Heroic Truth initiative launched by the Josh McDowell Ministry, McDowell will share how a biblical view of truth can counter cul...

Review: Fire and Ice - Northwest Ice #1

Though my initial plan was to complete the Original Six Hockey Romance series by Carolyn Miller first, I couldn't help but be drawn to the Northwest Ice series , especially after reading A Cameo for a Cowgirl . It was especially fitting that I got to read Fire and Ice , the first book in this series, during the Stanley Cup playoffs! Book Synopsis Hannah Wade's heart might've once been touched by a rancher's son, but her real passion has always been sports. Years later, when her sports career is cut short by injury, she jumps at the chance to be one of Calgary's first female sports reporters. Trouble is, some of the old dinosaurs she works with think she's only there to look good, add ratings, and stir controversy among the fiercely loyal hockey fans. She longs to prove herself, so when an opportunity comes along to interview newly traded defenseman Franklin James, she meets him. Or, more accurately, re-meets him. With disastrous effect. Growing up with three s...

Weighing the Effort

It's been just a little bit less than a year since I've started blogging again and creating a social media account to share about my love of books. Sometimes, I look back to when I first started and envision all of the changes that have happened in my life since that time. A lot of the changes have been absolutely splendid, where I could not imagine having a more fun year in connecting with authors and readers alike. Other changes have required more effort than should be necessary, which has resulted in additional strain. Though I haven't always been successful, I've tried to foster an attitude of positivity around my account. After all, it's my sheer love of Christian books that has led me to share my thoughts and reviews more publicly. However, for several months now, I have encountered so much friction on my social media account that it's made sharing content all the more difficult, especially since the majority of people interact with me over there rather th...

Review: Weaving Roots - A Gathering of Mercies #1

Though I've previously read one of Heather Wood 's novellas, I'm pretty new to her novels, which made reading Weaving Roots  even more of a treat. This was definitely a stellar book for the Clearly Christian Readathon ! I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Baltimore, 1828 Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether? Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ult...

Review: Be Still My Soul

This was a book that I spotted at church, and am I ever grateful that I did.  Be Still My Soul: Reflections on Living the Christian Life  by Elisabeth Elliot is a book that I hadn't heard of before seeing it, but it is one that I enjoyed immensely. Book Synopsis In our can't-stop world, where we frantically move through our days with hardly a moment of true rest and reflection, it's hard to comprehend the thought of being still, of leaving our anxiety and worry and impatience in the capable hands of a loving God. But that's exactly what Elisabeth Elliot calls us to do. Using the title of one of her favorite hymns as her unifying theme, Elliot offers an inspiring collection of reflections on living the Christian life. Illustrating biblical concepts with her rich personal experiences as a missionary, mother, wife, widow, radio host, and internationally known public speaker, Elliot writes with clarity and elegance on topics at once timeless and timely. This lovely new repa...

Review: Her Surprise Vacation Date - Unexpected Dates #1

This is a new series from Liwen Y. Ho that sounds like it will be full of the unexpected, including the first book titled Her Surprise Vacation Date . I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I was supposed to go on vacation with my best friend… not my best friend’s little brother. It was going to be a fun girls-only trip to Solvang, CA… before it turned into me dressing up like the Michelin Man, getting a call from my bestie telling me that she’s too sick to come, and losing my luggage. Now I’m at the airport waiting for my best friend’s little brother to pick me up. After all the unexpected twists and turns of this morning, you’d think nothing would surprise me, that is until nothing turns out to be a six-foot-tall hazel-eyed man with a beautiful smile. Wow. Shane Morgan’s grown up a lot since I last saw him in high school. A hunky EMT now, he’s still sweet and funny, but also a lot bolder and charmin...

Taken for Granted

Ever since I've had to undertake water conversation measures, I've been wondering what things in life that I take for granted. I'll be honest; water was something that I just assumed would be available for me whenever and wherever I needed it. After a few weeks of reducing water consumption, I've realized the following: Conserving water is not new to me, but somewhere along the way, I grew lax, believing that I didn't need to be as diligent in not being wasteful. It can take considerably more effort to reduce the amount of water I use, but it's worth it to think about those who need water even more. Water is something that I can use without thinking, but when it's scarce, it's almost all I can think about. Since water is connected to survival, I am immensely grateful that I still have access to drinking water and can live with the inconveniences for however long it takes due to that knowledge. In a very roundabout way, this past month has been teaching m...

Review: The Cavern Under the Lake - The Mapscape Adventures #0.5

Cartography has always been a field I've been interested in, not for myself, but just in general. Thankfully, I've known some cartographers since, so it's been fascinating to learn about all that goes into both the art and science of this work. Having a little bit of that exposure makes the The Cavern Under the Lake  by A.D. Downton even more intriguing to read, though it is not necessary to have prior knowledge of mapmaking to appreciate it. I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of for children and youth : language (mild expletives that are more commonly used in the UK such as "da**" and "a**", and God's name used in vain by characters who do not profess Him), drinking, smoking Book Synopsis The best explorers speak of a power in nature. Not everyone can see it, not everyone can feel it, but it’s there, and it’s dying... Seeing is believing. That was the wo...

Review: No More Christian Nice Girl

No More Christian Nice Girl: When Just Being Nice–Instead of Good–Hurts You, Your Family and Your Friends by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler, PhD has for some reason been on my ARC list the longest, even though its message would have probably been just as beneficial for me when I first received it. Thankfully, it's never too late to review a book! The timing has also worked out that my husband is reading the male counterpart , so it's been giving us lots to discuss ๐Ÿ˜Š Many thanks to  Bethany House Publishers  and LibraryThing for providing a complimentary physical copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on  LibraryThing . Book Synopsis A life-giving message of change for women who are tired of pleasing others and who want to move from being nice to being good. When passivity and false niceness don't bring the abundant life Jesus promised, some Christian women try even harder to hide behind a fragile faรงade of...

Review: A Cameo for a Cowgirl - Three Creek Ranch #1

A Cameo for a Cowgirl , the first in the Three Creek Ranch series  by Carolyn Miller , is a book that I instantly devoured because of the author, plot, and most importantly in this case, the setting. It's not often that I get to read Christian stories about Canadian characters, so I am incredibly thrilled that I can add another book to this niche genre ๐Ÿ˜„ I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Welcome to Three Creek Ranch, home of the James family for over a hundred years, complete with its own Western movie set. Franklin James might be a famous pro hockey player, but just because he's Cassie's older brother doesn't mean she wants to step into the limelight. She's too busy helping her dad run the ranch and managing the ranch's movie set, and negotiating with the giant egos of movie stars like Harrison Woods, who's supposed to be filming the new TV series of As The Heart Draw...

Hello Again

  Wow, this is the longest I've been away from blogging, so thank you for taking the time to check out old posts and reviews instead! It hasn't been fun being sick, especially when I didn't even have the energy to read anything for the first part of my illness. I'm slowly on the mend and hope to change my reading stats for the remainder of the month. In case I haven't expressed it on here, I am deeply grateful to you for reading my little musings and different Christian book reviews. Although I haven't had the energy to even think about posting reviews, I have missed them, so stay tuned for the ones coming up! I wish you a very happy start to the summer if you're in the northern hemisphere and a very happy start to the winter if you're in the southern hemisphere ๐ŸŒž❄