Archives

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

Nov12

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is a powerful and heartfelt dual timeline Christian novel that I never wanted to end.

The action is set in present day and 1959. The young girls in the earlier period are now old ladies. For almost a lifetime they have been estranged. Guilt and secrets have weighed heavy. Instead of building a treasured friendship, they chose to tear it down.

In contrast to their daughters, we witness fathers who practice sacrificial love. Family first, no matter the personal cost. Outsiders may judge motives but God knows their hearts. Silence is kept in order to preserve and protect the innocent.

Characters are struggling with guilt that they were never meant to carry. “I need to step outside the walls I’ve built and remember who God created me to be.” When we erect walls around our hearts for protection, they have the opposite effect and they imprison us. We then lose sight of who we were created to be.

We see that a character who is actually behind physical walls, is living in greater freedom because his heart belongs to God and he, therefore, knows just whose he is.

Characters have huge hearts for people, and go where God calls them to be. “Lord willing, I’ll pastor a church someday and play a small role in bringing hope to weary souls.” We all need hope. Without hope, the people perish.

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Jacob’s Bell by John Snyder

Nov6

Rescued By An Angel

Jacob’s Bell by John Snyder is a powerful Christmas Christian novel that I loved.

The story is set in 1944 but also has flashbacks to the 1920’s as we follow a lead character who is estranged from his family.

Life was hard in America between the wars. A character slowly slides downwards as he keeps dubious company and seeks solace in alcohol and cigarettes. “His life quickly transformed from one of power and privilege, and respect to one of chaos and darkness.” A personal tragedy was the springboard to a life unravelling.

As we join the character in 1944, we see him regretting his choices. “Haunted by memories of the past, filled with regrets and what-ifs, he longed for love.” We cannot change the past but we can learn lessons from it.

We witness that there is power in forgiveness. “He realised the importance of forgiveness.” We forgive because we have been forgiven. Forgiveness is not a one-off event; it is a journey. “His journey towards forgiveness.” I loved this description: “Forgiveness is a gift that can’t be demanded, only requested through prayer and grace… I feel at peace with myself.”

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An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M White

Nov3

Truth. Family. Love.

An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M White is a powerful historical Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in The Imposters series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces, not only from earlier in the series but also from a previous series. This all helps to thoroughly immerse the reader within the tale.

The novel is set in 1912 in both Northumberland and London. The City is a grimy place full of dubious morals and entitled characters. In contrast, the air in Northumberland is fresh, and there is a lightness and freedom to be found. Kindness is the order of the day. The family help those whom society has marginalised. This care extends to widows and orphans too.

I loved the inclusion of the circus animals. Penelope, the monkey is adorable. They too, are saved from cruelty or worse.

There are the difficult themes of trafficking young girls and redundant ayahs into prostitution for the elite. This is sensitively tackled by Roseanna M White. We meet characters who are quite rightly outraged, and who will fight for those without a voice.

We see the importance of listening to the voice of God. “You’re too weak… It was mother’s voice in her head, reciting the phrase that had become her mantra.” Other voices speak lies to us. God’s voice speaks truth.

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Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Oct29

Arising From The Ashes

Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful dual timeline Christian novel that consumed me from the start.

The tale is set in 1921 and present day as we view the action through alternating chapters with the two lead characters.

The leading ladies have parallel lives – both are alone as their parents have died. Both had mothers who struggled in life – one through addiction, the other with a genetic mental illness. And both leading ladies have good hearts, despite their upbringing.

Mental illness is an ongoing theme in both time periods. Today there is a lot of help. Back in 1921 characters were shut away from the world if there was any glimpse of mental illness.

We also meet a character who is physically disabled, having lost a leg during a battle in World War I. He fears that others may see him as ‘less than’ he was but he is still the same kind-hearted person. “I’m no less a man now than I was when I went to France.”

There is much to fear in the novel. We learn that “It is alright to be afraid… It’s what we do with that fear that’s important.” Fear may still exist even though we have faith. “I choose faith… even though I’m still… afraid.” When we have faith, we can look to God and our fears will diminish.

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