Christian Shelves

I love the emphasis on ἔλεος as the name of the school that Philippa Cashel has founded as this series exemplifies the meaning of this Greek word, which are mercy and compassion. A Scheming in Parliament  by  Erica Vetsch  is the next book in the  Of Cloaks and Daggers series , taking this meaning to the next level. Not only do the characters exhibit such selfless love and care for others, they ultimately point to how Jesus provided mercy and compassion to those He came across in His ministry and for us today. Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his t...

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...