Category Archives: Christian

April 26, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Title: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 335 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

Review:

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is a sweet second chance at love romance.

Sophie Lawson stepped up and took charge of her twin brother, Seth and their younger sister Jenna after their mother’s illness worsened. Now all of them are in their twenties, Jenna is marrying her fiancé and Seth has his first post-college job. Sophie is on the verge of opening her much dreamed about bookshop in cozy, seaside town Piper’s Cove. She has no regrets about everything she sacrificed for her family and she is eager for this next stage in her life. When she comes face to face with her former high school sweetheart, Aiden Maxwell, her hurt and anger rise to the surface. But their meeting also stirs her old feelings about him too. Is Sophie willing to risk her heart on Aiden again?

Aiden has never really taken a hard look at the reasons he ended their relationship. The risk he took when he was offered the chance of a lifetime back then has paid off. But after seeing Sophie again, Aiden realizes that he has never gotten over her. While helping her get her bookshop ready for  grand opening, he would like to give their relationship a second chance. But their past seems to playing out all over again in the present. Will they resolve their issues now they are adults?

Both Sophie and Aiden have issues arising from their childhoods that they have yet to resolve. While Sophie is slow to realize the changes she needs to make, once she becomes aware of them, she takes much needed action. Aiden’s kneejerk reaction stems from his need to protect himself from getting hurt. Will their respective baggage prevent them from finding their happily ever after?

Piper’s Cove is a beautiful setting and the town springs vividly to life. It is a close-knit community and Sophie is delighted at the friendships she is forging. But she comes to truly appreciate the town  when the residents rally around her and give her assistance when she needs it most.

Bookshop by the Sea is a heartwarming romance with a storyline that deals with true to life issues. Sophie and Aiden are wonderfully drawn, incredibly likable characters. Their reticence to become involved again is understandable. Despite the passage of time, their feelings for one another in the present are believable. Piper’s Cove is easy to visualize and its residents are very easy to like. The heartfelt conclusion is very uplifting and the epilogue is an absolute joy.

Old and new fans of Denise Hunter are going to absolutely love Sophie and Aiden’s story.

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Filed under Bookshop by the Sea, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

March 25, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson

Title: The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Women’s Fiction
Length: 351 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly and completely intertwined again. Eve’s troubled lifestyle causes the state to take custody of her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she’d finally been given a fresh start and feels wholly unprepared to care for a niece and nephew whose existence she wasn’t even aware of.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who’s dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family.

Over the course of one summer, all three women’s hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life. Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they–and those they love–so desperately need?

Review:

The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson is an emotionally compelling Christian novel of healing and grace.

Zara and Chad Mahoney are newlyweds who have just settled into their new home. The farm and house need some TLC but Zara is absolutely delighted with her new life. She is eager to begin planting the herbs, flowers and plants that she uses to make soaps, lotions and loofahs. However, they have barely finished unpacking when she receives a letter from  DHS. Zara’s estranged twin sister, Eve, is in the hospital and social services needs a temporary home for her young children, five-year-old Charlotte and eighteen-month-old Sammy. Zara is uncertain about taking in the kids but Chad has no qualms about bringing them into their home. After agonizing over the decision, Zara agrees and with the help of her mother-in-law, Sharon, and their church, Charlotte and Sammy are now in their care.

Eve is addicted to heroin and living with a man whose beating puts her in the hospital. Devastated over losing her children, she is determined to kick her habit and make the necessary changes to get her kids back. With the help of her unlikely friend, Tiff Bradley, Eve has the support she needs but giving up heroin is so much harder than she believed it would be. Luckily, Tiff is not giving up on her and she gets her into detox and finds her a place to begin her recovery. Eve is well on her way to turning her life around but will her ex-boyfriend, Joey, let her go?

Tiff is an unlikely savior since she and her husband Bruce are wealthy.  But the couple learned the hard way that addiction does not care what about your socio-economic status. They lost their daughter Lindsay to drugs and Tiff works through her grief by helping women on the outer edges of society. Unfortunately, her desire to assist these women is a source of contention between her and Bruce.

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, The Way It Should Be is a moving novel with a realistic storyline. Zara’s struggles with guilt ring true as does her wariness at opening her heart to temporary custody. Chad is a charming and outgoing with a huge heart. Charlotte’s reactions to her new situation are heartbreaking but understandable. Eve’s struggles with addiction and extremely low self-worth are heartrending. Tiff’s grief and self-recriminations over not doing more for her daughter are natural and her desire to help others comes from her heart and her strong faith. With a surprising plot twist, Christina Suzann Nelson brings this poignant yet redemptive novel to an uplifting conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this emotional and well-researched novel.

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Filed under Bethany House Publishers, Christian, Christina Suzann Nelson, Contemporary, Rated A, Review, The Way It Should Be, Women's Fiction

March 8, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg

Title: The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg
Marcus Ryker Series Book Four
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Political Thriller
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher and/or Author Through Meryl Moss Media

Summary:

From the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author!
A game-changing peace treaty between Israel and the Saudis is nearly done.

The secretary of state is headed to the region to seal the deal.

And Special Agent Marcus Ryker is leading an advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanon border, ahead of the secretary’s arrival.

But when Ryker and his team are ambushed by Hezbollah forces, a nightmare scenario begins to unfold. The last thing the White House can afford is a new war in the Mideast that could derail the treaty and set the region ablaze. U.S. and Israeli forces are mobilizing to find the hostages and get them home, but Ryker knows the clock is ticking.

When Hezbollah realizes who they’ve captured, no amount of ransom will save them—they’ll be transferred to Beirut and then to Tehran to be executed on live television.

In the fourth installment of Rosenberg’s gripping new series, Marcus Ryker finds himself in the most dangerous situation he has ever faced—captured, brutalized, and dragged deep behind enemy lines.

Should he wait to be rescued? Or try to escape? How? And what if his colleagues are too wounded to run?

This is the CIA’s most valuable operative as you have never seen him before.

Review:

The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg is an action-packed political thriller with a topical storyline. Although this newest release is the fourth installment in the Marcus Ryker series, it can be read as a standalone.

With an imminent peace treaty in the Middle East on the verge of being signed, CIA agent Marcus Ryker and his team are on an advance mission for the Secretary of State’s upcoming visit. He is accompanied by Diplomatic Secret Service Agent Kailea Curtis and IDF Intelligence Officer Yigal Mizrachi. On an ordinary trip along the Israel/Lebanese border, their convoy is attacked by Hezbollah fighters. Just as Marcus, Kailea and Yigal believe they have won the fight, the three are captured by Radwan deputy commander Amin al-Masri and his men. Marcus knows he must keep his and Yigal’s identities from becoming known. But will they remain silent as they undergo extreme torture by al-Masri and his men?

While Marcus, Kaiela and Yigal are attempting to formulate an escape plan, the fragile Mid-East peace deal is threatened by circumstances beyond their control. Officials in Washington DC are trying to salvage the treaty while sending a highly trained team to find Marcus, Kailea and Yigal. All of the interested parties are also trying to understand why Hezbollah attacked the convoy and what their objective is regarding their prisoners. Amin is working with a tight time-frame to achieve his goal but will Marcus foil his plan?

The Beirut Protocol is a riveting political thriller with a timely storyline. The plot is engaging and the sense of urgency surrounding the various events keeps the storyline moving at a brisk pace. Despite his very dire situation, Marcus relies on his faith as he contemplates the outcome of the kidnapping. Joel C. Rosenberg brings this edge of the seat thriller to an explosive conclusion. I enjoyed and highly recommend this suspenseful novel to readers who enjoy political thrillers.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Joel C Rosenberg, Marcus Ryker Series, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review, The Beirut Protocol, Tyndale House Publishers

February 23, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Title: From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Waterbrook
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A lost ring brings together two wounded souls—a youth minister haunted by the past and a spunky church custodian—in this heartwarming romance from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.

Growing up in the foster care system, Jase Edgar always dreamed of one day starting his own family. But his fiancée’s untimely death shattered his plans. Moving to Kansas and serving as a youth minister should be a fresh start, but he can’t seem to set aside his doubts about God’s goodness long enough to embrace his new life.

Newly-appointed church custodian, Lori Fowler is battling her own challenges. Her strained relationship with her father and her struggles with overeating convince her she’s not worthy enough for love. When an Amish weaver enlists their help locating the owner of a ring found among the donated clothing she uses as fabric, Jase and Lori find themselves drawn to each other. But will they be able to release the past and move forward from this moment into a joyful future?

Review:

From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a delightful Christian novel.

Jase Edgar relocates from San Antonio to Bradleyville, KS after he is hired as a youth minister for a local church. He is still mourning the loss of his fiancé Rachel who died in a car accident a year ago. Not only did Jase lose the love of his life, he has lost his faith. Although he begins to feel like he accepted the job under false pretenses, he enjoys the company of the minister of the church and his wife. He also likes spending time with church members Lori Fowler and Kenzie Stetler. And despite his doubts, Jase is beginning to form connections with the teenagers he is ministering to along with the other members of the church. But will Jase regain the faith that has long sustained him?

Lori is outgoing, friendly and enthusiastic about anything that catches her interest. She and Kenzie are best friends who also happen to work together at the local quilt shop. When hours might be cut at the quilt store,  Lori volunteers for  a second job at the church as a custodian. Her interest in the new position is not completely altruistic since she is quite smitten with Jase. Despite her sunny disposition, Lori’s self-doubts and low self-esteem manifest themselves in unhealthy coping mechanisms. Ashamed and embarrassed, will Lori overcome her problems through her faith and assistance of Jase and Kenzie?

Kenzie left her family and Amish faith after she discovered a new religion. She holds her memories of her family dear and she misses them dearly. Kenzie has a giving spirit and she does not want anyone to know of her good deeds. When she discovers a wedding ring, she is determined to find its rightful owner. But with her heart telling her to return to family and share her  faith, can Kenzie leave her friends behind and her task unfinished?

With a warm and welcoming setting, From this Moment is a heartfelt novel of faith, redemption and love. The storyline is well-written with carefully chosen scripture designed to fit the various issues that crop up during the unfolding story. All of the characters are beautifully developed with relatable strengths,  foibles and problems to overcome. Kim Vogel Sawyer weaves the various story arcs together and brings this wonderful novel to an uplifting conclusion.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, From this Moment, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Rated B, Review, Romance, WaterBrook

September 14, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Title: The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Waterbrook
Genre: Historical (’30s), Christian, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel from the best-selling author of A Silken Thread.

During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky.

But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone’s Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine.

As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together?

Review:

Set in 1936, The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartfelt Christian romance that is based on true life events.

Adelaide “Addie” Cowherd is almost finished with her junior year of college. Her much older parents have fallen on very hard times and they have been unable to pay her tuition. Thanks to the kindness of her co-worker, Addie has a place to stay until her job at the library finishes.   She is hoping to find a job in Lexington so she can pay her tuition and assist her parents financially until her father can find another job. Just as she is getting desperate, Addie accepts a position as a packhorse librarian in the very small town of Boone’s Hollow.

Emmett Tharp also attends the same college as Addie but he is a senior who is graduating. Like Addie, he immediately begins his job search, but he is turned down every place he goes. Disappointed, Emmett returns to his hometown of Boone’s Hollow  with hopes of finding employment in one of the nearby towns. On the verge of giving up hope, Emmett finds  unexpected job opportunities.

Addie is an independent and intelligent young woman with a strong faith. She is very devoted to her parents and she will do what it takes to help them. Kind and compassionate, Addie would never knowingly hurt anyone’s feelings. She also forms her own opinions so she chooses to live with the town’s pariah Nanny Fay Tuckett.

Emmitt is finding it difficult to settle back into life in Boone’s Hollow. His mom is very proud of him but his relationship with his father remains strained. And once they finally do find common ground, Emmett is uncertain whether or not he should do anything to upset their growing closeness.

Bettina Webber is thrilled that Emmett has returned from college. She has long harbored a crush on him and she immediately sets a plan in motion to capture his heart. Bettina’s life drastically changed after her mother passed away and she will go to any lengths to escape living with her father.

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is a captivating novel with a vibrant setting and colorful characters. The plot is gripping and Kim Vogel Sawyer’s meticulous research brings this marvelous story vividly to life. The characters are guided by their faith and their ability to forgive and offer kindness no matter the situation reflects their deep spirituality. Although there is a slight romantic element, it is very understated. This heartwarming and engaging novel comes to beautiful, uplifting conclusion. Highly recommend this marvelous story to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Christian, Historical, Historical (30s), Kim Vogel Sawyer, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Librarian of Boone's Hollow, WaterBrook

July 12, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher
Legacy of Faith Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they’re really looking for.

Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.

Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.

Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.

Review:

How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartwarming novel of love, healing and faith. Although this latest release is the third novel in the Legacy of Faith series, it can be read as a standalone. However I recommend the previous two novels for important back story.

Jed Henning  is fuming over his brother Chris’s disappearance. Jed is the owner of a gaming company but Chris is the man who creates the games. With their father pressuring him to bring Chris home, Jed discovers his brother is currently in Boise, ID. The Henning family used to live in the area and many members of Jed’s extended family still reside close by. During a visit with his cousin Ben,  Jed is surprised when Ben passes their  great-great grandfather Andrew’s Bible to him.  While going through old family letters and photos, he finds the address of his great-great grandparents first apartment in Boise.  Jed is delighted the house is still there and after meeting the current owner, Holly Stanford, he  rents the basement apartment. Will Jed find a reason to stay in Boise when he is unexpectedly drawn to his temporary landlady?

A year after her engagement ended, Holly is still struggling with trust issues. She is also exhausted as she tries to keep the restaurant her ex-fiancé talked her into opening afloat. Although the business is continuing to grow, she is finding hiring and keeping staff while running the business exhausting. Holly is also frustrated that does not have time to devote to her true love: baking.  Despite her lack of time, she teaches women from a local shelter to cook. And Holly also makes attending church a priority.

While reading through Andrew’s bible, Jed realizes that more than his relationship with Chris has suffered since opening his business. Working long hours, Jed does not make time for church or studying scripture. He enjoys getting to know his great-great grandfather through the notes he writes by Bible passages. But more importantly, Jed recommits to his faith and attends church with Ben.

In between reconnecting to his faith and family, Jed continues reaching out to Chris, but his brother remains elusive. He also gets to know Holly better and the more time they spend together, Jed is surprised by how comfortable he is with her.  Holly enjoys Jed’s company, but she is skittish and afraid to trust her own judgment. As they begin to fall for one another, will Holly be able to leave her doubts behind and take a chance on love?

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, How Sweet It Is is a hopeful journey of self discovery, family and love.  Jed and Holly are wonderfully drawn characters whose struggles are realistically depicted.  Their romance blossoms quickly but their feelings for one another ring true.  Flashbacks to Andrew and his wife Helen take place in the late-sixties and detail their poignant stage in their life’s journey. Old and new fans of  Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series  are sure to enjoy this final installment of this superb series.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, How Sweet It Is, Legacy of Faith Series, Rated B, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing