Christian Shelves

For Clearly Christian Readathon 's March Buddy Read, I was thrilled to get to read Until the Last Note by new-to-me author, B.M. Baker , in time for the anniversary of the Titanic sinking on April 15, 1912. This poignant story about a modern-day student and a couple navigating a musical stint aboard the RMC Titanic carries repercussions that echo far past the early 20th century. Book Synopsis Two couples over a century apart. One antique diary that ties them together. Present Day : Junior college student Greyslin Rogers enjoys a good challenge. But when she takes on an extra credit assignment in theater class, she realizes she may have overestimated her abilities. Encouraged by her best friend, Stanley Pritchard, to give it her best, Greyslin dives into researching the Titanic encounter and writing her script. After coming across an antique diary as an inspiring memento for her project, little does she know the tragedies and beauties the century-old words will uncover. When c...

Who knew that from one car accident, many lives could be changed and new relationships could be forged? One of those is with Cole and Gwen, with Gwen as the repentant driver who makes a mistake that leads to the love of her life. The second book in the Devine Family series ,  Anywhere With You by Courtney Westerhof is a continuation of how we can witness God's grace in the midst of the everyday. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis They overcame the biggest challenge of their relationship. But can they survive long-distance? Cole and Gwen met through a car crash, not exactly the typical meet-cute. Being able to survive that dramatic start to their relationship made them feel invincible. But when Gwen has to move for her job, they are suddenly and unexpectedly thrown into a long-distance relationship. Will they be able to stay strong and connected even when they’re forced to be mi...

Not only does this book have a catchy title, but it reinforces the notion that retreat is not always the best defense. Looking back at church history, I am always amazed that how God uses His people to stand up for justice, truth, and righteousness. However, this is not done as a result of anyone's personal strength or will. God is the one who equips, with followers obediently living up to the call that has been placed on their lives to understand the times and how best to interact with them. A Compelling Faith in a Compromising Culture by Mike Tatlock is a blueprint on how we can follow these steps today. Many thanks to  Moody Publishers  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis When our faith is challenged, the best response isn’t to fall back. It’s to go deeper. We’re living in a cultural storm. Perhaps you feel it. Postmodern philosophy and secular ideologies have trickled from academia to the broade...

What a joyous experience in getting to read Pepper Basham 's first novel for young adults! The Cinderella Plot is written in a way that provides depth and maturity while capturing the innocence of youth, creating the perfect blend of a high school senior's world that is on the cusp of very adult decisions that will shape her future trajectory. It's fun and insightful, while warning us that identity shouldn't be taken lightly. Book Synopsis Paisley Harper is invisible. Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way. She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery remin...

I realize ARCing isn't quite a real verb; however, I'm sure that fellow readers can understand the actions involved in experiencing ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) books, so please indulge my creative use of this word. I started reviewing ARCs 18 years ago, and though I certainly haven't been consistent, I'm grateful to have picked up a thing or two since that time, with many more lessons learnt since I've ramped up my volume in the last several years. Some of the biggest discoveries I've made in my reading journey have included the following: 1. Be discriminate, in the best ways. Over time, it's been easy for me to spot beloved publishers and even have an idea of an author's content and style, even if they're new to me by checking out the author's websites and platforms, along with review sites. This mostly applies to traditional publishing where it can be easier to source information, but the principles apply to indie books and authors as well. As ...

I love that I've been able to read about Dream Match, a dating app, in some of  Carolyn Miller 's other books and that I get to find out more about the origin story in this book. Not Precisely Mr. Knightley is the second book in  The Silver Teapot series , and it's exactly the type of modern world I can see Emma thriving in, complete with the opportunity to matchmake virtual strangers on a scaled up basis. Offering both potential and pitfalls, it's only a matter of time before we see Emma discover what true matchmaking is all about. Many thanks to  Barbour Books  and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Can the Matchmaker Find True Love? Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry socia...

It's always a gift when a book comes at just the right time. Thankfully, I Choose Love by Chip Ingram is one of those titles that reminds me of what the Christian life is all about. It's easy to lose track of what matters and to come across as more task-oriented than in actually loving people, so this book not only refreshes my commitment to love better, but it offers practical steps in how to do so. Many thanks to  Moody Publishers  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. –Victor Hugo Human beings have a deep, hardwired desire to belong, to be accepted, safe, valued, and the object of someone’s affection, just for who we are. It’s the stuff of poetry, music, and movies. Yet love is primarily viewed in our culture as something that happens to me and of which I have great desir...

I'm very grateful to be able to read my first fiction book by Mark Buchanan , a Canadian author who has written extensively on Christian non-fiction topics. What Is Left of the Night is an ambitious feat, combining multiple points-of-view to deliver a story that is as suspenseful as it is thoughtful. Discourse and action carefully balance each other, keeping rapt attention on a book based on true events during the Second World War. Many thanks to  Kregel Publications  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of:  see author's note regarding language; a closed door scene; descriptions of harm, torture, and death Book Synopsis In the quiet village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a resistance is stirring. In Europe, the Nazi regime's bloody wake persists as they brutally send "undesirables" to concentration camps. Hannah, a young Jew, loses her mother and sister while fleeing certain death, arri...

I've seen The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins  by Melanie Dickerson pop up here and there, so I was grateful to win it as part of the Early Reviewers Program from LibraryThing. Though this book didn't quite land for me, one of the benefits of being an early reader is getting to figure out which titles work for me and which don't. As a result, I hope that this review may be of benefit to others checking out this book as well. 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 Governess Charlotte Robbins is hopelessly drawn to the mysterious Earl of Brookhaven despite their different stations. Just as she resigns to the impossibility of romance, she inherits a fortune and is thrust into London society. As secrets unfold, she's no longer certain if her newfound wealth is a blessing or threatens the lov...