Christian Shelves

In the book  Less of More by Chris Nye, the author poses the following question regarding how Christians can live their lives in the midst of spiritual abundance: "What are you participating in right now that will matter in ten thousand years?" This is a question I've deliberated in my head based on the time I spend reading books, reviewing them, and creating content to promote them. At this point, it's been a major passion project for me, one that, admittedly, takes up some time and financial resources as I do all of it outside of my work (contrary to the statements I have about Amazon on my blog, I've been booted out of the Affiliates program several times 😂). Although I don't feel called to stop, I also feel like I need to be more intentional about investing in what matters. Books, as lovely as they are, cannot substitute the place of the Bible in my life. I also can't let my time online affect my real-life relationships or involvement in other pursui...

I'm grateful that I was able to start this series off with The Return Home novella as it set the stage for The Shortcut by Honey Stone . Anyone who is a fan of small town romances will appreciate this series set in Australia, especially with such bright and colourful book covers that reflect the same hopeful content within the books! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Rosemary doesn't belong anywhere. Could God be about to change that?  Only God knows Rosemary Forrester's secret, unspoken longing – to find a place to belong. Fired and harassed by her former employer, the nomadic medical writer flees Sydney to find her next adventure, but ends up stranded in the small country town of Cedar River. As Rosemary connects with Elsie, a retired maths teacher with a love for soap operas, and Daniel, a software engineer with an awkward charm, for the first time in her life she d...

Fear is a topic that is usually brought up among Christians in that we're reminded not  to fear. However, the fear of the Lord is also a teaching that is found throughout the Bible. Reconciling these two types of fears, Fear Full by Ryan McIntosh seeks to help Christians appreciate and understand the beauty and power of fear in a new light. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis What do you know about the fear of God? This book is a journey of discovering biblical and beautiful fear of the Lord. We must crave a proper fear of God if we are to live the Christian life that God desires for us. Using truths straight from the Bible, Ryan McIntosh defines the fear of the Lord, gives life applications, discusses God-centered fear as it relates to the Trinity, and offers valuable commentary on what Scripture tells us about fearing God. You are invited to feast on what it means to fear...

This is a heavy book and it delves into a national policy that is difficult to learn about; however, it is well worth reading to find out what happens to a sweet little girl whose future is up in the air.  Perfectly Matched  by  Liana George  is the final book in the Hopeful Hearts series with a portion of the earnings from these books funding the Hopeful Hearts orphanage that seeks to help children with heart conditions, which is where the setting of the book is based off. It's not a standalone book, so I would recommend reading the previous two books in this series, Perfectly Arranged and Perfectly Placed , as it's worth seeing how everything wraps up. Content to be aware of : atrocities committed under government policies, forced sterilization Book Synopsis Nicki Mayfield is getting married! Or is she? Three days after deciding to marry so she can adopt the young Chinese girl who has captured her heart, Nicki Mayfield heads to Texas to become Mrs. Ben Carrington...

I think it's safe to say that Liwen Y. Ho 's Christian rom-coms are the perfect combination of levity and depth. The second book in the Unexpected Dates series, Her Inconvenient Wedding Date , picks up on this theme by marrying together puns and perfectionism in a way that feels like stressful family dynamics don't have to be all-consuming, creating a sense of lightness amid the pressure of pleasing others. If you're a fan of office romances, Hunter and Lily more than deliver on both awkwardness and sweetness. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I always thought I’d marry for love… not because of a family tradition. As the eldest daughter, my life’s basically one long checklist of responsibilities—especially when it comes to making sure my younger sister gets her happily ever after. And apparently, that means I need to tie the knot first. Groan. I’m an engineer by day...

I've greatly benefitted from reading many stories of faithful saints who have persevered until the end of their lives for the glory of God. While Uncommon Character by Douglas Feavel is not comprised exclusively of Christians, it is fascinating to read the stories of those who demonstrated uncommon qualities in their lives, opening up the door to discuss just what it is that constitutes heroic attributes in others. Many thanks to Douglas Feavel 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 A captivating non-fiction anthology filled with heroic profiles, epic tales, and timeless parables. You'll meet valiant personalities who've challenged and changed the world in remarkable ways. Their unforgettable stories are religious and secular, historical and current, unknown and familiar, foreign and domestic. Prepare to encounter pr...

Am I ever grateful that Laura Frantz let me know about this wonderful story set in Canada! The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz is rightly anticipated for all the best reasons, and I honestly can't wait for everyone to read this story and be impacted by this slice of Canadian history. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival. Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For...

This is a post that I wish I didn't have to write. Please understand that I recognize that we are all fallen; therefore, everything that we create is marred, imperfect, and tainted due to sin. What I'm exploring is what happens when there are authors or other creators who have acted in a way that harms others and there is little-to-no news of repentance or reparations being made. I'm not writing anything investigative as many skilled and brilliant Christians are already doing so. I'm more writing as a bystander who is grieved at some of the news that has come up and attempting to process it all. The first news that really impacted me was learning about the passing of Jennifer Lyell, former Lifeway Vice President, whom headlines have also called a Southern Baptist Convention abuse survivor . This hit close to home for a multitude of reasons even though prior to yesterday, I hadn't heard of her story. One of the reasons it affected me was because the professor who was...

Imagine seeing yourself reflected in an art piece at the museum and discovering that it's been you all along. This scene kicks off quite the time travel scenario where infinite possibilities can exist at the same time. A Moment That Sparked Infinity by Dannica Mae Howell ponders this theory, plus so much more as Melody and Will discover what it means to belong together throughout time. Content to be aware of : descriptive kissing, an overnight stay, mild profanity, additional minor editing required for clarity/grammar Book Synopsis Melody and Will discover a mysterious painted portrait of themselves from the 15th century displayed inside their town's museum. This discovery leads them to raise questions and concerns about their current reality. Soon, they discover their true identities. Everything around them gradually escalates when a third party sparks chaos, love, and jealousy. While trying to put the pieces together, these determined individuals rely on their faith in God t...

Pneumatology is a subject I confess that I don't focus on as much, so I was intrigued by The God You Need to Know by Margaret Feinberg, particularly given its Old Testament perspective. In studying the intersection of faith and the arts during seminary and recounting how the Spirit was first given to Bezalel and Oholiab, I was delighted to discover an entire chapter devoted to the Artisan Spirit, making this book an enriching read. Many thanks to ICON Media Group  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Discover answers to your biggest questions about the Holy Spirit--and invite the Spirit to move in your life in powerful, real, tangible ways. Everyone has questions about the Holy Spirit. If faith in Jesus provides my connection to God, then what role does the Holy Spirit play? How is the Spirit part of my day-to-day relationship with Christ? And why doesn't the Spirit's work play out in my life the w...

This is a book where the name Miles Morgan will have you wishing he was a real person after getting to meet his character.  The Final Word  is the next book in the Bite of Betrayal series by Laura Thomas, set in the English village of Bramble Downs. Combining the opera, a bakery, a book based on a Cinderella retelling, and sisters who have each others' backs through thick and thin, there is much to explore in Miles and Sophie's story! Many thanks to  Mountain Brook Ink  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of violence and death, domestic abuse, stalking Book Synopsis When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last night...

I've been coming across content within the past several weeks that has stereotyped Christian books (and other mediums) as being cheesy on Christian accounts. While this isn't a new label or even a new topic, what has surprised me somewhat has been seeing more Christian authors jump into this conversation who wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. Although some authors will name others whom they believe are writing non-cheesy fiction, I feel as though the damage has been done by repeating this blanket statement. While readers have freely been engaging in this type of commentary for some time, it's been interesting to see authors chime in, where in some cases, there seems to be an emphasis on self-promotion over reflection. I'm not stereotyping and saying that all authors or even the authors I'm connected to respond with this tactic (because I really don't think they do!), but there are a few out there from my limited experience who seem to respond to this disc...