Archive | May 2019

Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur

May9

Delightful

 Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur is a delightful Christian contemporary romance. It is the third book in the Chapel Cove series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Autumn Macarthur always writes novels that wrap themselves around the reader with their warm and welcoming atmosphere. The community seems to reach out from the pages to encompass the reader. Small town living means everyone pulls together. There are no secrets just warm welcomes.

Words spoken over us remain. “The memory of being called ugly, of feeling ugly, and of wanting so badly not to be ugly.” We believe what others say of us when really we should be listening to what God says. His opinion is the only one that matters. There are times when the reader’s heart breaks. “A familiar chorus of put-me-downs echoed in her head.” No matter how old we are, old hurts remain if we do not deal with them. We need to hand our hurts to God and live loved. “Believe Jesus really does love me, even if my mom doesn’t.”

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A Time To Rejoice by Juliette Duncan

May7

The Same Yesterday, Today, Forever

A Time To Rejoice by Juliette Duncan is a powerful Christian novel that really warmed my heart. The book shows that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The miracle working God of the past is still in the same business today.

Life is not always easy but God is faithful. “I loved you at your darkest.” When life hits hard, God never abandons us. Though we may walk away from Him, He awaits our return. “Show me the way back” is the prayer that God longs to hear. There is much rejoicing when the prodigals return.

There is the theme of healing – healing of hearts and minds. As parents we long to see our children walk with God but until they do we “just have to be patient and keep on praying.”

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Little Darlings by Melanie Golding

May7

Chilling

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a sinister and chilling contemporary tale with fairy tale elements to it.

The characters are well drawn. The reader ‘feels’ the terror and utter desperation of the main character. We are never quite sure – is she deluded? Or is she telling the truth? You decide.

The atmospheric terror is enhanced with the locations, the sights and the sounds and the ‘smells’. So vivid are the descriptions that I definitely read with the hairs on the back of my neck raised. Murky waters and dark woods heightened my emotions and level of fear.

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Wish You Joy by Jan Thompson

May6

Come Home

Wish You Joy by Jan Thompson is a delightful Christian romance set around the theme of Christmas but is perfect for any time of year. It is the ninth book in the Savannah Sweethearts series but can be read as a stand-alone.

We should carry Christmas in our hearts all year round because the focus of Christmas should be Jesus. He should be at the centre of our lives. Christmas has become far too commercialised. “Let’s claim it [Christmas] back for Christ.”

Life may be tough but some burdens were never ours to carry. We need to surrender them to God. “I carry the burden no more… He [God] is able.” God’s shoulders are big enough to carry whatever we give Him.

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