Christian Shelves

Laurel Ridge is a special mountain town offering refuge and community, and it's delightful to return there with Someone to Watch Over Me by Lesa Henderson following Someone to Trust . This romantic suspense introduces a number of twists and turns that kept me flying through the pages! Book Synopsis After witnessing a violent crime, Catlin (Kit) McCormick is on the run. She’s determined to lie low, find family that’s unaware of her existence, and start fresh in the beautiful mountain town of Laurel Ridge. But disappearing is harder than she thought, especially when one of the first people she runs into is handsome U.S. Marshal, Cameron Grainger. There's no escaping the Marshal because he and Catlin are more closely connected than either realizes. Cameron has trust issues and trouble of his own. He’s currently on leave and recovering from wounds suffered while on duty. Plus, his service in Afghanistan has left him emotionally scarred and doubting his own judgement. When the myst...

After reading the  Clearly Christian Readathon 's  contemporary buddy read , I knew that I needed to continue the  Small Town Shenanigans series  by  Penny Zeller . The second book, Recipe for Love , is an uproarious novel brimming with Christian content that will make you want to visit Cloverdale Falls. Book Synopsis Welcome to Cloverdale Falls, home to the famous chicken statue, new romance...and an unexpected mystery. Rumors started flying when all of the businesses on Main Street in Cloverdale Falls sold last month. Bakery owner Maisie Carpenter finds herself appointed to uncover the mysterious new owner’s identity, and in the process, hopefully allay some of the residents' fears. What happens when she solves the mystery and discovers the man connected with purchasing the businesses is the very man she has recently fallen in love with? Source:  Amazon Book Thoughts H.T. has multiple meanings in this book, making it a delightful story about intrigue at f...

Be still, my missions-loving heart! This is hands-down, one of the best fictional books I've read on this theme, and I cannot gush enough about it. The Call of Living Water by Alexis M. Melvin is a new book that will be released on August 23, 2025 and  if I had to suggest a Christian fiction title that could make a difference in your walk with God this summer, it would be this one. Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : tribal sacrifices, martyrdom Book Synopsis When the God of Living Water calls, will Suái be willing to risk her life and the lives of everyone she loves to answer? Deep in the jungle of Paraguay, Suái’s tribe worships indifferent gods who withhold the life-giving rain unless their worshippers make costly sacrifices. However, when a missionary arrives speaking of the loving God of Living Water, Suái’s curiosity leads her down a dangerous path. Thrust into a new life with p...

This is such a sweet story that starts off with quite the embarrassing encounter. From there, it can only go up, right? That's the case with Megan in  Someone to Trust by Lesa Henderson , the first in the Laurel Ridge series depicting a small town that acts as a refuge for visitors. Book Synopsis Megan McCormick doesn't leave Atlanta looking for love. Far from it. She runs to the mountain town of Laurel Crest to flee from her past and a broken heart. When she's knocked over by Lee Grainger, handsome veterinarian and lover of small-town living, Megan's life takes an unexpected turn. Tired of fast-paced city life, Lee is considering a permanent move to the mountains. His run-in with Megan has him believing he's in Laurel Crest for more than a partnership in an animal hospital. After a case of mistaken identity is cleared up, Megan and Lee strike up a friendship. Lee is everything Megan ever wanted—smart, loyal and dedicated to his faith. But Megan has experienced dee...

I am so excited that I was able to read this book for the Clearly Christian Readathon 's contemporary buddy read this month! Love in the Headlines  by  Penny Zeller starts off the Small Town Shenanigans series and is an absolute joy. Combining a newspaper rivalry with a dog scheme and plenty of sparks, I couldn't help but chuckle at just how true the series name became. Book Synopsis Can paper and paw prints draw these two nemeses together? All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward shih tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery. Trey Montgomery has had to work with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor for the best articles at The Oakville Daily, for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-min...

The  Sweet Hollywood Romance series  continues with The Boyfriend List by  Nicole Lam . List-makers will appreciate this logical approach to dating while having fun with the hilarity that ensues when lists are followed a little too closely. This book is being marketed as clean fiction written by a Christian author, so I will review the book accordingly.  Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : yoga, mild curse words, drinking and drunkenness, living together before marriage (not the main characters), Catholic faith practices Book Synopsis The first rule of being a lawyer: always have a plan. So I’m applying the same principle to my love life. Step one: List everything I want in a boyfriend. Step two: Find a man who checks all my boxes. Step three: Get married and live happily ever after. My plan does NOT involve all my dates turning into disasters. Or my best friend, London...

I have a soft spot for office romances, so this book caught my attention after learning about it from the author. Yours Temporarily by Rose Fresquez , kicks off The Office Heartthrobs series by introducing us to Zuri's brother and his boss, igniting a chain of events that results in a culinary adventure. Book Synopsis I need a fake fiancée. She needs business funds. Can genuine feelings emerge from our pretend relationship? My brother’s wedding is around the corner, and my mother wants to fix me up with my ex-girlfriend. Diving back into those troubled waters is the last thing on my agenda. Romance? That ship sailed, hit an iceberg, and sank. When you’re the COO of one of the country’s top financial firms, who has time for love games? Especially when my no-nonsense approach hasn’t exactly made me Mr. Popular at the office. But I need a fake fiancée, not just to nip my mom’s antics in the bud, but to show my ex how happy I’ve been since she stomped all over me. My plan rolls in mo...

When one of my friends first experienced a miscarriage, I was at a loss as to what to do and how best to support her. In hindsight, I wish I had looked up books tackling this topic as it would have been such a gift to share some words of comfort. Thankfully, Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven—A Biblical Guide for Grieving Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss by Ashley Opliger , founder of Bridget's Cradles , provides just that—a biblical resource that offers love and care when parents are facing the loss of a baby. Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers  and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis A mother's heart is shattered and forever changed when she loses a precious baby. The sorrow runs deep, the questions feel unanswerable, and the emptiness is overwhelming. Cradled in Hope is a Christ-centered book for grieving moms...

Happy release day! After reading  The End Begins  and  The Darkness Deepens , the first two books in the  The Day Draws Near series  (previously The Seven Trilogy) by Sara Davison , I have been eagerly awaiting The Morning Star Rises to find out what happens to Jesse and Meryn in this thrilling conclusion. Many thanks to the publisher,  Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In the midst of all the fear and confusion, only one thing is clear… This isn’t over yet. Jesse Christensen is out of the army, but the real battle has just begun. Major Gallagher has taken over the city. His oppression of believers—especially Jesse—intensifies in response to a so-called radical Christian group that claims responsibility for more terrorist attacks. But is Gallagher acting in a professional capacity, or is he carrying out a personal vendetta? Meryn O’Reilly faces a dark and uncertain futu...

One of the things I've enjoyed most about books by Jaycee Weaver has been the experience of feeling like I'm travelling. Unkissable  is a passport to New Mexico and is a creative modern retelling of The Frog Prince, making it even more of a journey. Combined with hints of reality television and serving those in need, this book will send you on a great getaway. Book Synopsis Happenstance sparks transformation in this modern twist on The Frog Prince. Ten years ago, teen-TV prince Jaime Reyes left behind his life in the spotlight with no regrets. He’s proud of his charity work associated with the family restaurant empire, and no one could tempt him to risk the life of anonymity he’s built. Especially not the former costar who broke his heart. Reality TV diva Charlotte Lavigne has grown weary of the role she’s been given to play, but the pampered princess life is all she knows, and change feels impossible. When an on-camera meltdown proves everyone’s assumptions right, her only th...

This is a book that has been on my TBR list for some time, so it was the perfect title to dive into between ARCs. Forgotten Memories by Penny Zeller kicks off the Wyoming Sunrise series and is such an enjoyable book that I dove into the prequel, Love's New Beginnings , right after to find out how the Eliasons met and became a family. Both complement each other and will have you immersed in the schoolroom in Wyoming in no time! Book Synopsis Some memories are best forgotten… The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile. Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon tra...

After briefly visiting Saint Paul, Minnesota, it's fun to say that I've been to all of the locations that the Northwest Ice series has been set in, making it pretty neat to follow along. Plays by the Book by Carolyn Miller is another great title with a double meaning that provides a taste of hockey, libraries, and all things romance along the way. Pride and Prejudice fans will appreciate that Britta and Mitch have their own unforgettable "first impressions" scene involving bees and bad reading 😄 Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis When a secure and single librarian gives romance tips from fiction, nothing can go wrong, right? Britta Johnson knows she’s ordinary, and she’s totally okay with that. She’s secure in God, in her purposes on the planet, and romance is something she finds between the pages of a book. She doesn’t need that in real life. So when a hockey p...

Elizabeth Camden is an author where I've had the pleasure of reading all of her published works now after enjoying her contemporary debut novel, Summerlin Groves . While the setting and time period were different than her other books, I was no less entranced by her descriptive writing and the weight of history in reading Jenny's story. Book Synopsis Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings of flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime. Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny's heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime. The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon...

Imagine my surprise in discovering that the song for this book was released a number of years ago, making me realize that Penelope Judd by Shai Linne must have been in the making for quite some time. I'm grateful that the lyrics can now be found in a tangible form in this Christian children's book. Many thanks to  Merge Public Relations  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Based on his song, “Penelope Judd,” Shai Linne tells an allegorical tale that helps kids understand the Gospel story. Penelope Judd is a young girl living in a very messy land. Her whole town is covered in mud and only filled with children. No one is kind, the kids fight constantly, everything is sad and dirty, and Penelope feels hopeless. But one day, she receives a message that changes everything. She has been invited to meet a spotless Prince. This lyrical story helps kids see that, like Penelope, people live in a broken, messy...

After being blessed by the ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah over the course of my Christian walk, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to read his fictional debut called Vanished , the first book in what looks to be the Vanished series, written with Sam O'Neal. If you've read Dr. Jeremiah's non-fiction books, you'll be in for a treat with this title, especially if you're also a fan of Joel Rosenberg's books. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The end of the world . . . As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John "Haggs" Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Rapture--including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense. Meanwhile, his own world feels like it's falling apart. H...