Archive | August 2017

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander

Aug8

Blessings And Burdens

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is a perfectly wonderful Christian historical romance. It is the third book in the Belle Meade Plantation series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Tamera Alexander brings history to life as fact and fiction collide within the novel. Set in 1871 just a few years after the ending of the American Civil War, the novel focuses on the plight of the freedmen being educated at Fisk University. Prejudice and persecution due to ignorance still festered within society. White men and women realising that education was the key to freedom, set about providing classes for the former slaves – from very young to very old there was a passion to learn. They met with resistance at times but persevered, knowing we are all created in God’s image.

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The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Aug8

Closing The Circle

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher is an epic Amish historical romance. It is the third book in the Amish Beginnings series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The Return is set in 1762 and the year is chronicled as the Amish continue to settle themselves in America.

Themes covered include identity, belonging and knowing whose you are. We all need to know and trust God. When we know Him, we can be secure, knowing that we have an anchor for every storm. Knowing our roots is important. “She gave her the history of her people.” We need to know where we come from and where we are going.

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A Door Cracked Open by Carmina Edwards

Aug8

Awakenings

A Door Cracked Open by Carmina Edwards is a Christian coming of age novel set in the 1970’s. It is the first book in the World Cracked Open series and a most enjoyable read.

The novel shows the damage we can inflict on others by our words. Words that form our personal opinion of ourselves so we live up to what we believe. “She had believed she deserved nothing.” Words spoken over our lives can stick, for good or for bad. We need to listen to life affirming voices that build up and do not tear down.

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Love’s Eternal Breath by Naomi Rawlings

Aug7

One Day List

Love’s Eternal Breath by Naomi Rawlings is the most delightful Christian historical romance. It is the fourth book in the Eagle Harbor series but can be read as a stand-alone. For me, it was wonderful to catch up with familiar faces who feel more like old friends than characters in a book.

The year is 1883, it is a time of innovation in medical procedures. The novel shows the clash between the old and the new practices. Practices that saves lives versus the old order. At times it is like banging ones head against a brick wall as people resist change.

Love’s Eternal Breath shows how we all experience trials and sufferings. We think life as a Christian should be easy but that is not what we are promised – in this world we will have trials but Jesus walks alongside us always. Looking back, we can see God’s hand on our lives. Our trials can be used to glorify God.

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