Archive | February 2023

The Secret Keepers Of The Old Grocery Depot by Amanda Cox

Feb10

Delightful

The Secret Keepers Of The Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox is the most delightful Christian dual timeline novel that filled my soul with love.

The novel is set in present day and from 1965 working forwards. It is a story of family and love and life.

A character has been grieving her whole life for a boy who went to Vietnam and never returned. Life still kept turning and she had to learn to live again in spite of her grief. Grief never leaves us. We just need to find our way through it.

We witness the horrors of war in the lives of those who return. “How could they find normal after that? Love when they’d been baptized in hate.” Some lives buckle with PTSD and they escape through alcohol and drugs.

There is the theme of guilt. A character is drowning in it, carrying burdens that were never meant for her. “I’d become so tainted by darkness that I couldn’t feel the warmth of the sun anymore.”  It is time to let go and let God.

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The Sycamore Slopes by Stacey Weeks

Feb9

So Delightful

The Sycamore Slopes by Stacey Weeks is a most charming contemporary Christian novella. It is the third book in the Sycamore Hill series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once again a warm welcome awaits the reader as we join the town for some winter activities. All the town enjoys sledging except for one, who appears to be a killjoy.

We have a God who oversees our lives. “Nothing occurred that God hadn’t allowed.” God longs to be part of all our emotions. “You’re angry… but take it to God.” God can deal with all our feelings. He just wants us to communicate and to be real with Him.

It is said ‘preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.’ This is lived out within the book as we see she “required her friends to step up and be the hands and feet of Jesus.” We need to not just tell the world about Jesus but to show them too.

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To Sweet Beginnings In Sycamore Hill by Stacey Weeks

Feb9

Coming Home

To Sweet Beginnings In Sycamore Hill by Stacey Weeks is a most delightful contemporary Christian novella and 0.5 in the Sycamore Hill series which is charming.

The reader is introduced to some of the residents of Sycamore Hill. Everyone has a story. They are all unique and they are all searching for a place to belong – Sycamore Hill could be that place.

The town is positively charming, very warm and welcoming. The reader can feel the presence of God wafting over the town.

God never gives up on us. We can always have a second chance in Him. “A second chance … Priceless.” Heaven rejoices when the prodigal returns home.

People speak words over our lives. Words bring life or death. The tongue can tear down or build up. When we come to Jesus, He gives us a new name. He calls us ‘beloved.’ “I have a new identity. Jesus calls me holy.”

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Never Never by Colleen Hoover And Tarryn Fisher

Feb9

Coming 28th Feb

Read the first chapter now:

1

Charlie

A crash. Books fall to the speckled linoleum floor. They skid a few feet, whirling in circles, and stop near feet. My feet. I don’t recognize the black sandals, or the red toenails, but they move when I tell them to, so they must be mine. Right?

A bell rings. Shrill.

I jump, my heart racing. My eyes move left to right as I scope out my environment, trying not to give myself away.

What kind of bell was that? Where am I?

Kids with backpacks walk briskly into the room, talking and laughing. A school bell. They slide into desks, their voices competing in volume. I see movement at my feet and jerk in surprise. Someone is bent over, gathering up books on the floor; a red-faced girl with glasses. Before she stands up, she looks at me with something like fear and then scurries off. People are laughing. When I look around I think they’re laughing at me, but it’s the girl with glasses they’re looking at.

“Charlie!” someone calls. “Didn’t you see that?” And then, “Charlie…what’s your problem…hello…?”

My heart is beating fast, so fast.

Where is this? Why can’t I remember? “Charlie!” someone hisses. I look around. Who is Charlie? Which one is Charlie?

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