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Showing posts from April, 2026

Review: The Top of the World - Far and Away #2

It's not a secret that I'll drop nearly everything in order to read the next  Elizabeth Camden  book, whether it's historical or contemporary fiction now. I love that no matter the era, I can expect a deeply intriguing storyline with fascinating details pulled from history and characters who pop off the pages. This next book in the  Far and Away series , The Top of the World , delivers exactly that. With war secrets, complicated family histories, and a military base literally stationed at the top of the world, this book will make you feel the chill of the Arctic north while experiencing the most heartwarming romance. Book Synopsis They were perfect together—until powerful forces pulled them apart. Now fate has given them a second chance at the top of the world. Holly Fermoy fought her way out of poverty to build a successful career in the Air Force. Stationed at a remote Arctic base in northern Greenland, she is focused on her job—and trying to forget the college romance ...

Review: In the Company of the Weary

It shouldn't be surprising that we live in a world where there are many troubles, but it is still a painful experience to encounter them. For Christians who have been fatigued to the point of being unable to adopt the usual spiritual practices, In the Company of the Weary by Becky L. McCoy presents suggestions for alternate ways to worship or spiritually engage with God that don't have to feel like additional burdens. The author's personal story is heartbreaking, and it's completely by the power of God that she has been able to endure, become resilient and reliant on Him, and help guide others facing similar journeys by sharing her spiritual beliefs and practices. This book doesn't quite align with my theological perspectives, but other Christians who are interested in contemplative spirituality will find this to be a thoughtful and well-written story and handbook. Many thanks to  Kregel Publications  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consi...

Review: Through Each Tomorrow - Timeless #6

Just in time for the release of the next  Timeless series  book, I'm delighted that I'm all caught up and able to enjoy my soon-to-arrive pre-order. I'm grateful that I've been able to read several of the previous books as ARCs and although I missed out this time,  Through Each Tomorrow by  Gabrielle Meyer  was the perfect post-Christmas gift to myself. And what a gift it was where I could savour the story and enjoy returning to this world. Now I'm all set for what's next! Book Synopsis In 1883, Charles enters elite circles entwined with intrigue, but suspicions of his identity arise among the upper crust. In 1563, Cecily serves Queen Elizabeth while her stepbrother Charles seeks to save the ailing monarch. As their futures hang by a thread, they must race against time to prevent their secrets from ensnaring them in an inescapable destiny. Source:  Amazon Book Thoughts What an adventure this book takes you on! From the intrigues at Queen Elizabeth's court ...

Review: Tangled Up in Love - Trinity Lakes Romance #9

Rounding out the last of Carolyn Miller 's books in the Trinity Lakes Romance series  for me to read, I was thrilled to catch Ellie Reilly's story in Tangled Up in Love . There was so much I could relate to, including having wanderlust captivate you to the point of wanting to pick up everything and move abroad, so I appreciated getting to relive those experiences through her perspective. Content to be aware of : brief reference to vibes and speaking things into existence Book Synopsis One kiss didn't mean much. One kiss could mean everything. When Ellie Reilly returns from a dream overseas trip, a too-long hug from her best friend Jasper Cohen clues her in that his feelings might be more than what she suspected. He's unsure about pushing their friendship further, and doubly uncertain when her European friend, Sebastian, seeks her out in Trinity Lakes. Uncertainty is something Ellie knows all too well. Since returning from her vacation, Ellie feels like she doesn't f...

Review: A Woman's Place Is in the Story

Do you ever close a book and wish that there was a second volume to follow with even more examples because you've gotten lost in the pages? This is one such book for me and it's one that I immediately pre-ordered open completing it, although I'll have a little bit of a wait as it releases on August 25, 2026. A Woman's Place Is in the Story by Sandra L. Glahn is a book that is much needed for the church today and it's one that will help you understand the Bible even more. Many thanks to  Intervarsity Press  and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis We Misread the Bible When Women Are Left Out Ignore them, marginalize them, or dismiss them as brief cameos―these have long been common approaches to Christian teaching on the women of the Bible. The result? We miss their significance in the biblical story and, in turn, misunderstand Scripture itself. Scholar Sandra Glahn challenges...

Review: Of Love and Treason

I am beyond grateful that this story about Valentine has been shared, intentionally pointing to his faith and his life and service poured out on behalf of others in the early Christian church. Of course, you can read this book any time of the year, but I'm pretty sure that I won't look at February 14 the same now that I've experienced this fantastic history lesson. Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle is both a heartbreaking and a heart-mending book that gives deep meaning to true love. Content to be aware of : violence, torture, and death Book Synopsis Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything. Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valent...

Happy Chinese Language Day!

Today is Chinese Language Day! It’s a day that has meaning for me because I speak a Chinese language (a language that isn't easy to learn as an adult), so I'm grateful I didn't have to go through the process of mastering tones later in life! At the same time, I acknowledge that it also brings about mixed emotions when I reflect on my journey of language discovery. Despite Chinese being my first language, I still feel like an outsider to the culture and world because I don’t speak the main Chinese languages that everyone thinks of. It’s been one of my pet peeves over the course of my life where a lot of non-Chinese people have attempted to guess what I speak, maybe not realizing that there are so many languages that exist (guessing for other people doesn’t always bode well 🫠). Lacking Mandarin and only knowing select phrases in Cantonese, this feeling of separation from other Chinese people is even more pronounced in living overseas as part of the Chinese diaspora. While...

Review: Code and Couture - Trinket Sisters #2

This is a sequel that I've been quite excited about for some time, and I'm thankful that I was able to receive it as a birthday gift. I was also able to read it for the Clearly Christian Readathon backlist challenge. Code and Couture by Kristi Ann Hunter is about the "other twin" in the Trinket Sisters series, Amy Trinket, and it's such a wonderful complement to the story about Emma Trinket in Pixels and Paint . Content to be aware of : light editing required for enhanced readability, but not enough to detract from the overall plot Book Synopsis Code and Couture is a romantic story of fashion, faith, and finding your true purpose among everyone else's expectations. Amy Trinket's perfectly tailored life is unraveling. She allowed success and expectations to be defined by her mother, by society, and by an unspoken need for validation. But when she adjusts her priorities and has her questioning everything from her wardrobe to her ambitions, she resolves to...

Review: Fully Nourished

I'm quite interested in books on health from a Christian perspective, so when I saw Fully Nourished by Brandice Lardner available on NetGalley, I requested it right away. Some of the books I've recently read on this topic have been written by men, so I was even more keen to go through content directed at Christian women. I love that this book is a balance between theory and practice, spiritual and physical health, and truth and grace. Many thanks to Revell Books  and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Ditch Diet Shame and Embrace a Christ-Centered View of Food and Yourself For anyone tired of obsessing over food, weight, and appearance Discover the freedom you long for by silencing that critical voice in your head From a trusted nutrition coach and personal trainer Even though as Christian women we know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, many of us have been in a war ...

Review: Someone to Lean On - Faith Endures #3

It is such a gift to be able to work with a publisher and almost have them predict which books you'll love (thank you!) 😄 Someone to Lean On , the third book in the Faith Endures series , by Carrie Walker is one that had me extremely intrigued on how the characters connected to one another. Even though I haven't yet read the previous two books in this trilogy, I hope to do so now after reading this book! Many thanks to  Mountain Brook Ink  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis They're seeking a peace they can't seem to find. . . Aged out of the foster care system and struggling to raise her young daughter, Lucia Roberts loses her only source of income. When she's offered a position caring for a four-year-old foster child, Timothy, it feels like the answer to a prayer-except for one catch. She must work in the home of Jordan Nowak, Timothy's overly vigilant foster father who scrutinizes ...

Review: The Lies We Live - Newhaven Secrets #1

It is such a treat to read the debut historical novel of Canadian author,  Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht ! I have heard such good things about this book and was wholly keen to delve into one of my most favourite subgenres: espionage. The Lies We Live , the first book in the Newhaven Secrets series , delivers just that and even more, so I'm looking forward to what's next for this series down the road. Book Synopsis Away from the frontlines of the Great War, British intelligence agents are fighting a battle of their own. Newhaven, England. 1917. Nurse Clara Dankworth learned long ago to go where her government ordered. Her newest assignment pairs her with fellow spy and doctor Thomas Lindsey to gather evidence on a prominent society figure suspected of being a German sympathiser. But when threats emerge from the shadows, Clara finds that in attempting to escape her past she hadn’t run far enough. Though one of MI5’s top agents, Doctor Thomas Lindsey’s maverick spirit often lands him i...

Review: The Road Less Triggered

If you're tired of going down the same path over and over again in your relationships, The Road Less Triggered by Dr. Kelly Flanagan seeks to break that cycle by providing tools to get us out of that rut. It's an aid for anyone going through counselling or thinking of seeking external help as it flips the mirror on what we can control and how we can respond. Many thanks to  Revell Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : Quotations from authors such as Richard Rohr, Carl Jung, Thich Nhat Hahn, etc. Though this book is published by a Christian publisher, please note that the content touches more on general revelation, with skills and tools that are not limited to Christians. Book Synopsis The Secret to Conflict-Proof Communication Build whole and healthy relationships that can weather life's storms Learn how to keep your heart open to those around you--even when you disagree From a li...

Review: Sirens and Sea Captains - Realms of Lurin #1

I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to read Courtney Denelsbeck 's books as they have made up for some of the fantasy books I didn't read in my childhood and youth 😄 If anyone else is like me, her stories are a great way to dip your toe into this vast genre. With Sirens and Sea Captains kicking off a new series, I get to combine my love of Regency tales with novellas that touch upon the fantastical. If you're interested in reading more, the Realms of Lurin series is "a multi-author collection of standalone magical regency-inspired fantasy novellas that take place in the same world," with eight books releasing this year. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Siren attacks. A forced engagement. And the once-dignified lady made to live with pirates. Lenora's heart rips to pieces as she finds herself the latest victim of Thomas McKraven's char...

Review: A Garden Grows - Hills of Harvest #1

Just in time for the upcoming spring season, a new series launches today. A Garden Grows , the first book in the Hills of Harvest series by Karen Higgins , is one that will have you planning and desiring to plant the garden of your dreams once the weather clears up. It's a welcome reprieve after a time of dormancy, awakening the joy of seeing God's creation in all of its splendour. Many thanks to  Mountain Brook Ink  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis One plucky widow, six scrubby acres, and an unlikely group of gardeners, all brought together by a long-ago promise. Fifty years is a long time to wait. Posey knows Elliot meant his promise, and oh, how he tried, but time and money didn’t grow on the sagebrush blanketing their high-desert land. Neither did life go exactly the way they planned. Now, Elliot is gone, the sound of his plea ringing in her ears ... “Build the garden, my love!” This English ga...

Review: Joy of Heaven

It's been such a gift to revisit the period of the Great Revival through Joy of Heaven , a collection of prayers edited by Robert Elmer. Echoing the words of historic Christians such as Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, D. L. Moody, F. B. Meyer, Amy Carmichael, George Müller, Charles Spurgeon, Susannah Spurgeon, William Wilberfoce, and Robert Murray M'Cheyne, this collection is one that is meant to be cherished and revisited. Many thanks to  Baker Publishing Group  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis "Let me fall again to prayer and praise." - William Wilberforce Covering a span from the early 1700s to the early 1900s, Joy of Heaven captures prayers from dedicated believers who lived out their faith in a rapidly changing world. In the midst of upheaval there also came a spirit of revival, particularly during the times we call the First and Second Great Awakenings. The early evan...