Archive | January 2016

After The Rain by Rita Gerlach

Jan19

A Big Heart

After The RainAfter The Rain by Rita Gerlach is a Christian historical romance. Set in Washington and then moving to the countryside in 1908, it reminded me of Downton Abbey American style, as upstairs and downstairs mingle.

Louisa lives with her father and a very over-bearing grandmother who desires to be obeyed by everyone at all times. Her grandmother issues orders but never affection. She is a cold hearted bully. Louisa’s friend is her maid Millie. They have a wonderful relationship that stretches beyond the class divide.

Rita Gerlach portrays the differing classes within the novel and reveals a very snobbish attitude of the day. Louisa is rescued from a fall by Jackson, a farmer whom her grandmother looks down on. At first Louisa shares her grandmother’s prejudices but as soon as she gets to know Jackson, Louisa realises “The size of his bank account did not matter. What counted was the size of his heart.” This reminds the reader that God does not look at our outward appearances so much as our inner ones.

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Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard

Jan15

Faith, War and Relationships

Friends and EnemiesFriends And Enemies by Terri Wangard is a Christian historical novel set from 1943-45. The action takes place in Germany, America and England.

In the 1930’s Heidi’s family had lived in Milwaukee for several years before returning to Germany. In Milwaukee she met Rachel and Paul who later married. By a sheer quirk of fate both Paul and Heidi ended up losing their partners.

The reader sees war through the eyes of American Paul and German Heidi. Terri Wangard shows the sheer futility of war. The servicemen suffer. The civilians suffer. Everyone is a loser in war.

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Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

Jan12

Moving Forward

Mermaid MoonMermaid Moon by Colleen Coble is the second book in the Sunset Cove series but it can be read as a stand-alone.

Once again Colleen Coble has written a fabulous contemporary murder mystery novel with a hint of romance. I was certainly hooked from the beginning.

Fifteen years previously Mallory left her home town following her adopted mother’s death. Now she returns with her daughter Haley in tow as well as her friend and neighbour Carol, as Mallory’s father turns up dead in suspicious circumstances. Mallory meets up with ex boyfriend Kevin. The two of them turn super sleuth to solve a mystery dating back fifteen years.

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The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jan6

God Watching Over

The Substitute BrideThe Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a perfectly delightful novella set in 1890’s Shepherd, Michigan. It is a wonderful read for a cold winter’s day.

Sonja is the last remaining unmarried daughter, whom her father has threatened to turn out by Christmas if she remains unwed. Sonja has no intention of marrying just anyone and is seeking employment elsewhere when an unusual opportunity arises.

Louis Penwell spent a miserable year in his young life in the poor farm in Shepherd. He has no intention of ever returning there again. However his railroad employers have other plans. The novella shows how important it is to remain obedient to God and to listen for His voice in life. Louis’s father was saved at the church in Shepherd so there are good and bad memories associated with the town. The story shows how our earthly fathers may disappoint us and let us down but God never will.

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