The Silversmith’s Daughter by Annie Murray

Sep22

Mizpah

The Silversmith’s Daughter by Annie Murray is a comprehensive historical novel set during World War I from 1915 in Birmingham. As Birmingham is my home town, I loved knowing the familiar locations. The Jewellery Quarter is well known to me as I have most of my rings and earrings from there!

The Silversmith’s Daughter shows life on the home front. We see the effects of war on the families left behind. World War I was a slaughterhouse of young men who were merely cannon fodder. The grief is palpable. “Her reaching out to God was like a howl that she felt from the very core of her.” The grief hits and never goes away. Communities and families drowned in grief.

There is the theme of single mothers. In 1915 unwed mothers and their children were seen as a source of shame. The Silversmith’s Daughter explodes this myth as a character is surrounded by love. “This is a child, not a dirty secret.”

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52 Weekly Devotions For Families Called To Serve by Karen Whiting

Sep21

A Real Gem

52 Weekly Devotions For Families Called To Serve by Karen Whiting – wow what an absolute gem for families. It is beautifully presented with colour to draw the reader in. It is recommended for families with children aged 4 – 12 years but I think you could push those boundaries as you are never too old or too young to learn about God. The devotional is aimed at families who serve but all families would benefit from time spent with God.

As the title suggests there are 52 devotions to cover the whole year. There is no official starting point so you can begin at any time of year. Each devotion has a family beatitude, focus and weekly Bible verse as a header. Then there are activities, a read aloud devotion and a Bible story connection. Then there are Biblical quotes with discussion points or questions as starting points for conversation. Each devotion ends with scrapbook suggestions, tips and a prayer. It may sound like a lot but each devotion is spread over just four pages for the whole week. You can do as much or as little as you have time for.

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Test Of Faith by Bonnie S Hirst

Sep21

Inspirational Faith

Test Of Faith: Surviving My Daughter’s Life Sentence by Bonnie S Hirst is the true story of the remarkable faith of a mother whose daughter is serving a life sentence. This book is truly inspiring. At times there are naturally wobbles in the author’s faith but she clings to the hope that God is good. Circumstances may be awful but God is still good.

There are times when Bonnie Hirst asks “Where are You, God?” Sometimes it feels like God is absent but God never leaves us. He sends people alongside us at just the right time to support us.

Prayer is important. When our prayers are seemingly unanswered, it is normal to wonder “Did I not pray correctly?” Prayer is not a magic formula nor a lamp to be rubbed. Prayer is always answered in God’s way and in His timing. Prayer should come from the heart. It may be as simple as “Dear Lord be with us.”

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Unspoken Words by Shari J Ryan

Sep19

Coming October 16th… A Teaser Now

Excerpt

The house in front of me was a vivid shade of blue—bluer than the sky but no darker than the ocean. The color reminded me of a blue-bird. The windows were framed with a shade of forest green, and there were two small windows on each side of the matching door. The roof was old and tattered, but supported the one lonesome dormer-window in the attic. The flower beds beneath the front windows were empty but I imagine they were full of vibrant blossoms in the spring and summer. Trinkets clung to the windows from the inside where a fire illuminated an empty table covered with a freshly prepared dinner. 

I wasn’t standing in front of that house to admire the unique colors and decor.

They gave me a task. 

Sven shoved his elbow into my side as he walked passed me, continuing down a line of Jewish men and women who were waiting for their next order. “Charlie, kill that woman. She is out of line,” Sven asserted his command with an authoritative intonation. 

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