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A Promise To My Sister by S E Rutledge

Sep1

Looking Towards Tomorrow

A Promise To My Sister by S E Rutledge is a powerful, heart breaking historical novel that was all consuming.

The novel begins in Poland in 1961 before going backwards to 1939. Along with the leading characters we ‘experience’ Nazi occupied Poland from the ghetto to Auschwitz. We ‘hear’ of the horrendous evil and wonder how anyone could survive hell on earth.

The leading characters are two sisters who mascaraed as mother and daughter. They need luck to survive, as well as finding little pockets of kindness amongst the depravity as we see that not all Germans were evil Nazis.

Hope is needed – a hope for a brighter tomorrow. “If we survive today, we will be free tomorrow” was uttered on a daily basis. Without hope, the people will perish.

Strength of character is seen. Remaining alive to tell the world of the great evil is a goal of some.

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A Season Of Harvest by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron

Aug26

Blessed Beyond Measure

A Season Of Harvest by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron is the final book in Leah’s Garden series. It is a wonderful, warm historical Christian novel and set in 1868.

Each book in the series has focused on one of the four Nielson sisters, it is the turn of Lark, the eldest, in this book. Lark has always been a mother hen, looking out for others. She feels that she is destined to be alone, locking her heart up inside in order to protect. Her independence even draws her away from the gifts that God has for her, as she does not believe she is worthy to receive them.

Another character is also a loner, riddled with guilt that is left over from the American Civil War. He believes that he does not deserve love, finding it easier to keep moving – but he, too, will miss out on God’s best for him.

We all have a past. We must not live there but we can learn lessons from our past. “The past is behind us, but it mold shapes us.”

Prayer is important. “Lord… too much swirled in his mind and heart to find the words to pray just now. Good thing the Almighty didn’t require them.” Sometimes there are no words, but God knows just what is in our hearts.

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Fields Of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron

Aug26

A Fresh Hope For Tomorrow

Fields Of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron is a marvellous Christian historical novel that will leave you smiling. It is the third book in Leah’s Garden series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order as each one follows on from the previous books. This one is set in 1867.

Once more we join the four Nielsen sisters as they continue to make their lives in a new prairie town. Each book focuses on a different sister. It is Lilac, the youngest, in this book.

We see how life is not always fair, but God is always faithful. We question why bad things happen to the faithful people of God. We do not know the answer but “this hasn’t taken Him by surprise.” God sees our end from our beginning. It is in the hard times that we learn and we grow.

New life is springing up in all its forms – from livestock to crops to babies. Everything is multiplying. We need to remember that all good things come from our Father. “I can’t say thank you enough. Our Father is so gracious.” God longs and delights to give us good gifts.

It is important to start the day right and to dedicate it to God. “He headed over without his usual morning time of devotions today… It was never wise to head into battle unprepared.” Each day presents us with challenges. We need to be grounded in God in order to have the right frame of mind.

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The Resistance Sisters by Anna Stuart

Aug23

To Live & To Love

The Resistance Sisters by Anna Stuart is a powerful historical novel that is grounded in fact. It is the fourth book in Women Of War series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The book is set over the summer of 1944 in Warsaw, Poland. It surrounds a family with three daughters and a teenage son. We hear of the resistance of Warsaw and witness the incredible bravery of ordinary citizens trying to save the city that they love. “Not all resistance is with guns.” Resistance comes in many forms as we follow the siblings as they try to disrupt the evil Nazi regime.

Warsaw is a much-loved city. It is heartbreaking to see it destroyed. “Buildings can be rebuilt. It’s the spirit of the nation that we are fighting to keep and you girls are a vital part of that.” The Poles are loyal to the city that they love. From the youngest to the oldest resident, resistance is in their blood. Some will die. There will be sacrifices by all but their will and their love will live on.

Although the Nazis take lives without a thought, we see that the sisters recognize the value of life. “Treat the dead with respect… He may be a Nazi but he’s still someone’s son.” Soldiers on all sides have mothers who will grieve their loss.

Despite the hardship and cruelty, the Polish people retain their humanity. “We’ve done the fighting… Let’s pray to God that we can now do the living and the loving.”

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