Archive | January 2024

Finding Riley by Dan Walsh

Jan11

Relentlessly Searching

Finding Riley by Dan Walsh is the most heartwarming, contemporary Christian novel that I read just one sitting. It is the second book in A Forever Home series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed meeting up with some familiar faces from book one.

Spaniel, Riley, is definitely the star of the show. Part of the book is written through his eyes. Dan Walsh has perfectly crafted his words so we believe that it is Riley who is ‘speaking.’

We see how dogs interact with people and brighten their day. They also cause previously closed up characters to open up and let in love, in the canine form.

We also witness the devastation in lives when pets are lost. We see the lengths to which some will go, relentlessly searching for their dog. This reminds us of God, who relentlessly searches for us if we have strayed from Him. 

Prayer is important. God hears all our prayers. “Prayed ‘Jesus, save us.’ “ Jesus loves to rescue us from our situations. He longs to restore that which is lost. We must keep the faith, listening for His reply and remembering to thank Him, whatever the outcome.

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Ants Across The Page by Connie Averitt Williams

Jan10

Heart Warming

Ants Across The Page by Connie Averitt Williams is the most heart warming Christian novel that I just could not put down. I read it in just one sitting.

The book is set on a farm in small town America during the 1960’s. The town is called Walnut Grove which reminded me of Walnut Grove in the Little House On The Prairie books and so that is what I pictured as I read.

It is in the farmhouse that we meet a very realistic dysfunctional family that have hearts full of love. The family consists of a widower, a seven year old with Downs Syndrome and eleven year old Luke who has dyslexia (undiagnosed). The mother died and they are all trying to cope as best they can. Housekeepers come and go until one day Maggie, a heavily pregnant lady, lands on their doorstep. She is larger than life with a heart that loves and keeps on loving.

Now, the house has a beating heart and a united family is born. Family are those who love us. Maggie is the hands and feet, the eyes and ears of Jesus. She loves through actions not words. She recognizes a family in need of rescue. And in turn, the family rescues her. We are reminded that God longs to rescue us from our situations.

Faith is important. We need to teach our world about Jesus. Maggie knows Jesus and introduces Him in a relaxed way. “When Maggie prayed, she talked to God like He was sitting right next to her, listening.” Maggie shows what a relationship with Jesus looks like. Jesus is there beside us. He takes our messes and transforms them into something beautiful.

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Chaos by Ronie Kendig & Steffani Webb

Jan9

Exciting

Chaos by Ronie Kendig and Steffani Webb is an exciting contemporary Christian suspense that I really enjoyed and could not put down. It is the second book in the series A Breed Apart: Legacy but can be read as a stand-alone.

The leading characters include an ex-marine K9, Chaos, who is very much a personality in her own right. She is unswervingly loyal and will protect those in need, whilst simultaneously tracking down the bad guys.

There is a chemistry between the two main characters. Both are strong personalities who begin by rubbing each other up the wrong way! Both, like Chaos, are loyal and relentless in their pursuit of justice.

We travel from domestic America to the jungles of the Philippines. As the vegetation becomes more thicker, the tension also rises, as we track down and chase the villains.

Our upbringings shape the adults we become. A childhood tragedy means a character is very protective and determined that no one will be lost on their watch. Other events have also shaped lives.

We see how desperation can cause characters to get caught up in events they never intended. Good guys can become corrupt if they stay silent when they should speak up.

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Keira & Me by Noel Fitzpatrick

Jan8

The Brightest Star In Heaven

Keira And Me by Noel Fitzpatrick is the most beautiful book. It will swell your heart with love and it will break your heart with love. This is a book you do not want to miss. It is a book to keep, to treasure and to savor.

Noel Fitzpatrick is the Supervet. Keira was his loyal canine companion for nearly fourteen years. Now she is the brightest star in heaven. The pair had an unbreakable bond that not even death can sever. “One of us can be strong when the other is weak.” Together they walked through life. Keira saved Noel from himself.

Some of the words are heartbreaking. “Animals love me back, but sometimes people don’t.” People judge. Animals don’t. Animals love us just as we are. “You’re not who people think you are.” With animals, we can be ourselves.

The bond between Noel and Keira is tangible. “Tomorrow is a better day because you’re in it.” We ‘hear’ words from Keira as well as Noel in the book. Keira loves Noel unconditionally. She shows him the joy in life. “Age was never an impediment to dreaming big.” While we are still breathing, we can still dream.

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