Christian Shelves

I can't think of a better way to have capped off Asian Heritage Month  in Canada and Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders Heritage Month in the United States than with a story that is written and illustrated by an Asian-American Christian. Scent of Home by Christine Hwang Panzer is a children's book that evokes childhood memories and is a sweet way to share the concept of home. I'm grateful to  Nancy's Lit Lounge  for introducing me to this adorable tale! Many thanks to LLD Legacy Publishing for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : use of The Passion Translation Book Synopsis Have you ever been on a journey, trying to navigate to an uncharted place, and encountered many things you never expected? That is how Momma Fox and her new son, Kit, feel as they are looking for Daddy Fox and their "scent of home." What will they encounter on their journey? Won't you rea...

Classical education has always appealed to me in that reasoning and fruitful living that contributes to society are meant to be admirable and achievable goals. Reflecting a world where cardinal virtues are esteemed, I love that The Pursuit of Character by Matthew Arbo arrives at this vision from a Christian perspective, providing a compelling case for why Christians need to recover this framework and way of life. Many thanks to Baker Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis What does it mean to live a good life? Know what makes for a good life Pursue character and meaning Recover the virtues that have guided Christians before us In today's fragmented world, we are encouraged to define for ourselves what is good. But this inevitably fails to satisfy. In The Pursuit of Character , Matthew Arbo argues that we can learn how to live a good life by recovering the virtues that have guided Christians before us....

Did I read this book twice within two weeks? Yes; it was that good!  The Light Rising Series  is likely one of my favourite Christian series this year and I'm thrilled that the second book is now available. Wild Light by Ivy Emerson is everything I hoped for, plus so much more in a book that is clearly Christian while taking readers on a wild adventure. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I’ve built my life on distance. Do the job. Keep it simple. Walk away. It’s safer that way— until she becomes the one person I can’t stay away from. I’ve built my life on independence. Protect the animals. Let the work be enough. Just me and God— until he becomes the one person I don’t want to lose. The sanctuary was supposed to be safe. It isn’t. Someone is hiding something… and the closer we get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes. But even in the wild, light finds a way in. Wild...

I still need to catch up with the first season of the Jonathon Island series, so getting to receive an Early Reviewer copy of the second season was an extra special gift. Find Me in the Story by Lisa Jordan is similar to the last book I won from this series where instead of there being a grumpy non-romance author, there is a grumpy bookstore owner 😄 I sense a theme here! 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 He stopped believing in happy endings. She never stopped writing them. Eliza Quinn came back to Jonathon Island for one reason—her mother's illness. Not to stay. Not to get attached. Definitely not to fall for the brooding bookstore owner who hasn't smiled since his wife died. But Oliver Sullivan's shop is failing. And Eliza's a marketing whiz who can't walk past a problem without ...

In the desire to slow down, I've been looking for books that aren't too daunting to implement or too self-focused without an outward expression that focuses on others. As a result, I'm grateful that I've come across The Quiet Resistance by Andrea G. Burke , a book that allows me to adopt manageable actions while having an external posture. Many thanks to Baker Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis An invitation to the fullness of a slower, simpler life Discover how to turn off the noise and pay attention Learn to resist the pace of our empty, consumer-driven culture Experience striking beauty, true friendship, tangible quiet, and deep contentment In myriad ways and from every angle, this world calls us to move faster, work harder, digitize, monetize, and turn our lives into 15-second clips to get clicks, likes, and shares. In the meantime, we are missing the good things in life that are a...

I am so grateful that I was able to read the previous books in the  Secrets to Keep series  in time for the release of  The Targeted by Cara Putman . There isn't enough room to convey just how courageous Chloe is in sharing her story of past abuse and the ramifications it has on her life. It's a book that sensitively portrays this reality without glossing over it, and for those interested, the author's note explains how she desired to address this subject with "grace and dignity" with the help of someone who comes from this experience. I believe it's a must-read for anyone who cares about victim support and wants to do everything possible to protect the most vulnerable. 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: SA Book Synopsis Can she protect her gym students before her past catches up? When Chloe Ainsworth's older sister reappears after ...

The next book in the  Secrets to Keep series , The Accused  by Cara Putman  takes things up a notch by taking on the case of a woman who is alone, far from family and friends, and only has one person so far who believes in her innocence. It's a riveting Christian legal suspense that brings out the true character of the people in the story. Book Synopsis When a popular college student is murdered, her international roommate, Anneliese, becomes a prime suspect. But law professor Margeaux Robbins doesn't believe that the quiet, lonely German girl in her class is the killer. Chase Crandall is a burned-out defense attorney ready to extricate himself from the grind of criminal law. After he loses a client to tragedy, he's ready for an in-house corporate position. When Chase is assigned to Anneliese's case, Margeaux is horrified. She doesn’t want him to provide legal counsel―not after what happened to his past client. And not with the evidence incriminating Anneliese. Despite ...

Did I read the entire Secrets to Keep series this past weekend in time for the release of book three? Yes, and it was such a wonderful way to dive into the world of legal drama and a group of friends who are there for each other through difficult and even life-threatening circumstances. The Vanished by Cara Putman is the first book in this series, spanning history and continents due to the lucrative dealings around prominent artwork. I knew I loved legal suspense before, but this series really catapulted my enjoyment of this genre even further! Book Synopsis Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back—until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother's historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather's sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey t...

Since Asian Heritage Month is the Canadian name for the month-long celebration in May, it makes sense to feature a book set in Canada. Zenith of Tea by R.F. Whong (pen name for Ruth Wuwong ) is a standalone novella in the Apron Strings Tea Tales series and it pretty much encapsulates who I am as a Chinese-Canadian Christian, featuring main characters who share the same identity and background. I am thrilled to have discovered it and it makes me very grateful that Christian Bookstagram introduced this book to me. Inspired by The Nightingale , this story relays a dark moment in Canadian history while offering hope through Christ. Book Synopsis A cookbook, a glimmer of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope. In the early 1920s, accomplished martial artist Wang Mijen is haunted by her past and the red birthmark that she believes prompted her family to abandon her at six. She survives by robbing ancient tombs and living in a cave concealed from the soldiers. When she sav...

Continuing with more reviews for Asian Heritage Month , I was delighted to be able to read Becoming a Friendlier Church by Matthew D. Kim a few weeks prior. It's a fantastic resource for all churches and intentionally includes a cultural lens that can often be missed in books regarding ecclesial life and practice. Churches and congregants desiring to become more hospitable will find that this is a friendly and encouraging way to move beyond the status quo of civility into genuine warmth. Many thanks to Baker Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Help visitors become members Recognize what prevents visitors from feeling welcome Discover methods to welcome new members into your church Identify how you and your church can grow in hospitality In Becoming a Friendlier Church , Matthew D. Kim calls attention to the crisis of unfriendliness that prevents many churches from welcoming new peop...

I've been saving this review for Asian Heritage Month as I'm so thrilled to discover a Chinese-Canadian Christian author who has written such a neat series that incorporates the author's medical expertise in an alternate history setting. Healer's Blade by Kyrie Wang is the first book in the Enemy's Keeper series , offering a clash of worlds between the Vikings, Celts, and Norman knights, both on land and at sea. It's age appropriate for 13 years and up and showcases medieval medicine, which is fascinating to learn about throughout the ages! Book Synopsis A healer on the run. A rogue knight bound by secrets. Love was never part of the plan. At just eighteen, Aliwyn has already failed as a healer’s apprentice. Haunted by her mistakes, she withdraws from the world as a rebellion ignites against William the Conqueror. But when she agrees to hide an endangered orphan, Aliwyn is plunged into the deadly revolt. A daring escape entangles her with the young rebel lead...