Christian Shelves

I've been seeing a lot of great reviews for the Jonathon Island series, so I was delighted to see the most recent release as an Early Reviewer book. Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage by Christen Krumm is a light-hearted book where even a grumpy non-romance author can quickly change her mind about love at Christmastime 🎄 Many thanks to Sunrise Publishing  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 She just wants a nice, quiet holiday getaway. Too bad her new—and way too handsome—accidental roommate comes with an annoying dose of holiday cheer. Successful, but writer’s blocked author Bronte Parker just needs some holiday peace and quiet to jumpstart her brutal writer’s block. Hence her rental at a quaint cottage on quiet and remote Jonathon Island. So what’s the deal with the double booking? And worse…the sudden Santa can’t leave—n...

What a lovely return to Redemption Ridge as we see a much-anticipated second chance romance finally come to fruition. In addition to sweet older characters, there's a linguistic quirk that delighted me to no end in Fulfilling Her Christmas Wish by Liwen Y. Ho . Book 14 of the 18-book Christmas in Redemption Ridge series , it's a great way to enter the holiday season 🎅🤶 Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis After a lifetime of unspoken love, is it ever too late for a second chance? Lottie Lawson has spent her life in the quiet town of Redemption Ridge, content to hide her heart behind a cheerful smile. But turning seventy—and facing an unexpected health crisis—makes her realize that waiting for love is no longer an option. With courage and a suitcase in hand, she sets her sights on the big-city dreams she once tucked away. Trevor Kelly has built a good life—his beloved...

While I may have differing opinions from other Christians on a variety of topics, I am grateful for the opportunity to hear from other viewpoints. Agents of Grace by Daniel Darling is a book that focuses on what unity instead of uniformity and peace instead of agreement looks like among believers. Though some Christians may diverge on the themes that are touched on in this book (as I do), it's a reminder that the Gospel and how we love others are more important than winning any arguments. Content to be aware of : the author is a proponent of tenets that some Christians may label as Christian nationalism and/or Christian patriotism, which I am not endorsing Book Synopsis Political division. Racial tension. Vaccine wars. In Agents of Grace, award-winning writer, journalist, and podcast host Daniel Darling equips us to discern what's worth fighting for, how to move beyond our profound disagreements, and how to live as agents of Jesus's love. When Daniel Darling was fired as ...

Jane Austen Fan Fiction is nearly always at the top of my to-read list, so I appreciate that I was able to read a contemporary Christian novel that combined a dose of reality television (or podcasting) with an immersive Regency retreat. The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer is a zany and loveable adventure into an ardent Austenite world that will make you laugh along. 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 Podcaster Zoe Dufour dreams of finding love—why not at a Regency-themed singles retreat? With her best friend's brother and podcast producer Harrison Lundquist in tow, Zoe realizes her checklist for the perfect match is leading her astray. Will she be willing to rewrite the rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along? Source:  Amazon Book ...

A historical fiction with dual timelines on two continents regarding the Second World War and French cooking? If The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron doesn't make you hungry for fine dining by the end, the cover will surely inspire you to don an apron. What a dreamy cover! 😍🇫🇷 Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction  and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life. Paris, 1952—Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing d...

I felt led to read this book at the beginning of September and it ended up painting a more accurate picture of society than I realized. Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land by Elliot Clark is a book that serves as a wakeup call and the push needed to faithfully live for God when others are hostile and in opposition to your beliefs. Book Synopsis The days of cultural Christianity are fading. It's time to rethink normal. Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer’s life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus's experience. And it's the experience of countless Christians around the world today. No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope. Drawing on years of ministry in a Muslim-majority nation, Elliot Clark guides us through Peter’s letter with striking insights for today. Whether we’re in positions of power or weakness, infl...

I am quickly discovering that if there is an author who can take historical details and pique a reader's interest and provoke thoughtful reflection at the same time, it is Heather Wood . Sowing Hope is the next book in A Gathering of Mercies series , and it embodies the title in a way that we desperately need in a broken world. Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Encounter the True Story of Abolitionist Editor Elijah Lovejoy Patrick Gallagher has done all he can—and it hasn’t been enough. Now in his mid-thirties, he battles discouragement over his inability to make a difference in eradicating slavery. Longing to regain the hope and passion that once fueled his calling, Patrick sets out from his home in Maryland to meet his hero, Elijah Lovejoy, an anti-slavery editor in Missouri. Anna Markland actively serves her community and those traveling on the Underground Railroad. ...

If you're encountering a heat wave and looking for a book that will make it feel like Christmas, going to Winnipeg in the middle of winter is a surefire way to accomplish just that. The Sweetness of Her Love is the next book in the Fostered by Love series by Kimberly Rae Jordan and it's just as sweet (and chilly in a good way) as it sounds. Book Synopsis James Dawson may have looked like the hero of one of the romances Erin Kirkland loves to read, but she quickly discovers that he is not the hero for her. After all, how can she have a happily-ever-after with a man who doesn’t believe in love or marriage? Who would have thought that a visit to his grandmother’s favorite bakery to order a cake for her ninetieth birthday would end up causing James to re-evaluate his whole life? Certainly not James Dawson. But following their rather disastrous first meeting, James is determined to show Erin that he is a better man than she’s first judged him to be. Erin doesn’t want to friend-zo...

Was I ever thrilled to come across this title at my public library after having read Memorizing Scripture by Glenna Marshall . Everyday Faithfulness is an older title, but one that is chock full of practical advice and sound teaching. Book Synopsis What does Christian faithfulness look like when life feels unpredictable, hard, or just plain ordinary? We want to follow Jesus, but it’s easy to become more focused on our present situation than on a long view of faithfulness. Working through the unique challenges that come with seasons of waiting, caretaking, suffering, worry, spiritual dryness, and more, Everyday Faithfulness delves into practical ways to build habits into everyday life that will aid in spiritual growth throughout a lifetime. Source:  Amazon Book Thoughts In many ways, this book sets the tone and pace for Christian discipleship, making it a daily walk that depends on routines and patterns of behaviour that are meant to guide us over time. Breaking down the book into...

What a wonderful Christmas collection to kick off the fall! I was absolutely delighted to have come across Kimberly Rae Jordan and can't wait to read more from this Canadian author. If found family is a favourite trope, the Fostered by Love series is for you, with The Wonder of His Love introducing us to Noelle and Finlay. Book Synopsis Noella Crawford watched as her mom fell in love over and over again, only to have the men take advantage of her love and leave her broke and brokenhearted. When her mom eventually abandons her daughter in order to keep the love of her latest man, Noella is determined to never repeat her mom's mistakes. After devoting several years of her life to university and then setting up a bakery business with her foster sister, Noella is finally ready to turn her attentions to a relationship. But she has two very high standards that any man she dates must meet: he must match or exceed her own financial position, and he must be driven to succeed in what...

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. 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 true motives, and he’s qui...

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 me with 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 ...

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...