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Showing posts from December, 2025

2025 Clearly Christian Readathon Wrap-Up

As 2025 comes to a close, the  Clearly Christian Readathon  hosts— Christian Books and Coffee ,  Devoted to Hope , and I—are thrilled that this past year, we were able to feature the following Christian authors: Amanda Barratt Amy Lynn Green Angela Bell Ashley Al Saliby Betsy St. Amant B.M. Baker Dani Pettrey Danielle Grandinetti Ella Marie Elva Cobb Martin Emily Conrad Erica Vetsch Heidi Gray McGill Hope Toler Dougherty Jennifer Q. Hunt Jerusha Agen Joanna Alonzo Kate Goodwin Kathy Rouser Kristi Ann Hunter Liz Tolsma Lorri Dudley Malory Ford Mandi Blake Michelle Griep Misty M. Beller Nancy Lavo Sara Davison Sarah Loudin Thomas Shannon McNear Tessa Afshar Tina Radcliffe Don't forget to check out the 2024 Clearly Christian Readathon Authors  as well! We look forward to sharing even more Christian authors and their books in 2026 😀 Note : All of these authors have publicly stated their commitment to writing clearly Christian books for readers; however, the Readathon ho...

Review: Shadow Light - Light Rising #1

This is the book that I was eager to reread as soon as I received the ARC. Shadow Light by Ivy Emerson is worth dropping everything for in order to meet Declan Cole and Tessa Lockwood in London, England.  Honestly, this is Christian fiction that you'll want to have waiting for you as I cannot say enough good things about it (I mean, look at that cover!). Make sure you catch it as it releases on February 1, 2026! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I only ever wanted to stay in control. Run my security firm. Find the truth about the past I can’t forget. I told myself feelings don’t belong in this job— until she hired me. I only ever wanted to help people. Start over. Prove I could stand on my own again. I was in my brave-face, teach-myself-to-knit, can-do-anything season— until he walked back into my life. The shadows are closing in, dragging the past with them. But the truth we u...

Review: What We'll See in Heaven

I've been in a season in life where I've been reflecting on my mortality to a greater extent and attempting to prioritize activities that will have eternal value over the things of this world. As a result, books on death and heaven have especially drawn my attention. What We'll See in Heaven by John A. Beck is a title that warranted further investigation, acknowledging the air of mystery in that—despite not ever being able to fully comprehend death and the afterlife—we can still have complete trust in Jesus. It's a fascinating book offering the Gospel to those who are seeking new life on earth and into eternity. Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis What Does the Bible Actually Say about What Heaven Is Like? Fascinating biblical and Holy Land insights about heaven and the afterlife From an expert biblical scholar, educator, and Holy Land guide Includes full...

Review: Christmas in the Castle Library - In the Castle Library #1

I am so grateful to have been gifted the In the Castle series based on a dear friend knowing my exact reading tastes. As a result, I'm not surprised that I absolutely fall in love with  Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell . Christian fiction that has eternal meaning and clearly points to the Gospel through an immersive story centred on following Jesus Christ—what more could I ask for? 😊 Book Synopsis Ellie Sawyer has always felt more comfortable with books than people, which explains why she’s a PhD history student neck deep in research and trying to complete her doctoral dissertation in time to graduate. But the final books she needs are half a world away in the tiny European kingdom of Lethersby, and the only time she can access the secretive Royal Castle Library is during the Christmas holiday. Ellie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that has eluded Lethersby scholars for more than 100 hundred years by figuring out what happened to their long-lost ...

Review: Heaven's Hug

I'm grateful to discover new Canadian authors and to be able to share their books, especially when it's as beautifully written and illustrated as this one.  Heaven's Hug by Diana Yacoub is an adorable book for little ones that points to God's unending and delightful love for His children and is a recent release that would make a wonderful gift. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Step into a world of comfort, hope, and joy with Heaven’s Hug , a beautifully illustrated collection of poems inspired by God’s promises for children. Perfect for children, this book guides young hearts through Scripture, helping them understand how deeply loved and cherished they are by God. Each page pairs an uplifting promise from the Bible with a sweet, rhyming poem that brings the verse to life in a way children can understand and remember. Whether shared at bedtime, in the classroom, or...

Review: Slow Theology

It's not often that I'll reread a book within the same week, making Slow Theology by A.J. Swoboda & Nijay K. Gupta a new favourite for me. It's the exact pace I needed this season, where there's enough thoughtful content to chew on while providing broad encouragement to seek God more closely. Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Why slowing down is the secret to spiritual strength In our fast-paced world of outrageous headlines and knee-jerk reactions, we struggle to hear God's voice amid the noise. Despite constant connectivity, our lives lack true spiritual connection and depth. A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta offer a practical theology guide for building resilient faith through Christian discipleship. Addressing spiritual deconstruction and doubt with honesty, they show how to fortify your faith against cultural challenges through eight transforma...

Review: The Secret Ingredient - Holy Grounds #2

It's such a joy to read Christmas short stories that offer a meaningful punch. If you're looking for a faith-filled book that will fit into your schedule this season while providing a warm welcome to the Holy Grounds Café, The Secret Ingredient by Kirsten Clark is a great accompaniment to your favourite cozy beverage. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Holy Grounds runs on two things: the nutty, caramel scent of coffee and Sebastien Davenport's beloved cranberry-gingerbread muffins. When the pastry chef collapses days before Christmas, owner Bridgette Calloway faces an impossible morning rush and an even harder truth: the beloved chef she's leaned on may need her more than ever. When a frightening diagnosis upends Seb's independence and he's at his lowest, it's his boss he finds himself calling. Perhaps she's more than a boss after all… Bridgette show...

Review: The Divine Proverb of Streusel

This is a book that has been on my TBR for some time and it's been perfect timing that I've been able to complete it before the holidays. The Divine Proverb of Streusel  by Sara Brunsvold is a story that invites fellowship and retrospection while indulging in mouth-watering meals, growing faith, and family secrets. Many thanks to  Revell  and  LibraryThing  for providing a complimentary copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing. Book Synopsis Shaken by her parents' divorce and discouraged by the growing chasm between herself and her serious boyfriend, Nikki Werner seeks solace at her uncle's farm in a small Missouri hamlet. She'll spend the summer there, picking up the pieces of her shattered present so she can plan a better future. But what awaits her at the ancestral farm is the past—one she barely knows. Among her late grandmother's belongings, Nikki finds an old notebook filled with...

Review: On Our Way Home

What an immense privilege to be able to read  On Our Way Home by Colleen Chao , who is on, so-to-speak, borrowed time and continuing to gift us with her words. It's a blessing to be graced with her perspective as she faces death and to see how she points to the work of Jesus in her life. Answering and joining in on questions about death, this book is one that is meant to be returned to time and again. Many thanks to  Moody Publishers  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Marvel at the true home Jesus has prepared for you and me. Deep in our souls is a longing for a home―a place of beauty and goodness. A place where we―and the ones we love―are not touched by grief and sorrow. We long to live without the threat of disease or violence, a place where there is no shadow over our joy. But this isn’t that place. The home we long for is . . . heaven. For the past three-and-a-half years, Colleen Chao has ...

Review: Beyond the Clouds - Women of Midtown #3

Am I ever excited to see  Beyond the Clouds by  Elizabeth Camden , the last book in the Women of Midtown series , release on January 20, 2026! I've appreciated the stories of heroism in this series, and what makes this book stand out is that Delia does not naturally have the traits to take risks or stand out. Her timid nature is relatable and shows that courage can come at a cost, making her adventure even more enthralling. 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 As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together—until betrayal tore them apart. Now, Delia, a pacifist and paralegal, and Finn, a decorated war hero, cross paths in famine-stricken WWI Belgium. As they navigate war's dangers, they face another risk—falling in love again. Source:  Amazon Book Thoughts A thrilli...