Tag Archive | Bethany House

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

Nov4

Heart Warming

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is the most beautiful contemporary Christian novel that will leave you smiling as you celebrate the goodness of God.

The story is about the riches of life. These riches are never found in possessions or bank accounts. These riches are found in people. We see characters’ lives opening up as they realise that their true worth is found within. They are more than the clothes they wear. They are more than all their mistakes. They are all priceless sons and daughters of the King.

The main setting is in a house for older teens who have left the foster system. They are all trying to make a life, whilst carrying their baggage from the past. They “were more than the scars they wore from their pasts.”

Everyone is unique and everyone has individual talents. We need to celebrate our uniqueness and stop trying to mold ourselves into the shape of another. “Stop trying to hide what God has created to be seen.” Celebrate the gift you have been given.

 None of us know what tomorrow brings. We need to trust God and “don’t borrow worry.”

Lives are not always able to be controlled by us. Things will always happen that are out of our control. In the midst of the storm, rest in the arms of the Father. Trust His timing. “God continued to prove His timing was right on schedule. Even when that schedule wasn’t made by me.”

A character has known God but drifted away. “I spoke to the God I’d believed in as a girl.” All of heaven rejoices when the prodigal returns home.

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A Token Of Love by Carrie Turansky

Oct31

Holding On To Hope

A Token Of Love by Carrie Turansky is a delightful Christian dual timeline novel that drew me in from the start. I had a dilemma – read on and find out what happens or savor each page. I chose to savor each page. I never wanted this book to end.

The novel has the Foundling Hospital in London at its’ centre. It is set in 1885 and present day. It concerns the topic of human trafficking which is not a modern problem as it happened in Victorian times too. Action alternates between both time periods as one particular young girls’ story unites the periods.

Within the story, there are parallel themes as we witness the evil of men towards young girls. There is a love interest too. And over it all, is the love of God.

We witness the power of prayer. “In a time of crisis, people often reached out to those who believed in prayer.” Prayer taps into the love of God as He works in the situations where we feel most powerless. “We need to do our part and trust Him with the outcome.” God can be trusted with our lives. Sometimes all we can do is pray. At other times action is required. When we get to the end of ourselves, we find that God meets us there.

Everyone faces losses. Losses are dealt with differently by everyone. The Lord sustains us when we feel overwhelmed. “I don’t know how people can go through losses… without faith to sustain them.” Jesus lifts us up when we are in pain and hurting. He will always hear our prayers and heal our hearts.

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A Noble Scheme by Roseanna White

Oct14

The Steadfast Love Of God

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M White is a thrilling Christian Edwardian novel that consumed me from the start. It is the second book in The Imposters series and whilst it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the books in order for character progression and development.

Questions that arose in book one, find answers here. We now know why two characters are estranged. The animosity continues in A Noble Scheme as we see a character acknowledging that her mood is hurting herself. “I don’t want to miss the future because I’ve been crippled by the past.” Living in the past is unhealthy. By all means, visit the past but do not linger there.

Grief is handled differently by different characters. No two grief journeys are ever the same. We meet a character who has never grieved properly. To grieve is to admit to the loss, and that is far too painful. She swapped her tears for anger. “Hate was a horrible thing. It … consumed her.” Hate will destroy us from the inside out. Hate and anger projected onto God, will block our view of His love. “God wasn’t withholding love or forgiveness. But her heart was too cold to receive it.” The weather also mirrors a heart as it is icy and snowy.

Another character is also angry with God. The character does not own his choices, preferring to believe that God is a vengeful God. “Luck … didn’t believe in that any more than he did in God’s mercy.” Hearts that have known God will always want to be back with Him. “He wanted His Lord back … he wanted to trust that God was good back.” In his heart “he wanted to be the man who could believe.” All heaven rejoices when a prodigal returns home. “He’s waiting … God hasn’t given up on you.”

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A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White

Oct9

Exciting, Thrilling & Adventurous

A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White is an exciting Christian Edwardian novel that thrilled me from the start. It is the first book in The Imposters series which promises to be fabulous.

The action is set in 1909 London and moves to Northumberland. Life in London is sweltering and claustrophobic, in contrast to the freedom found up North.

Tensions are beginning to rise world-wide. Anything or anybody with German ties is viewed with suspicion. German roots are definitely suppressed.

We see that the life lead can sometimes be an illusion. People will believe what is put before their eyes with a cursory glance, rather than looking closely. This enables characters to blend in and move stealthily.

The Imposters are determined to seek out the truth. The blend in and move silently, unseen by all – except the one who has found love.

Females have been suppressed for years. We witness a character who breaks out of preconceived ideas. She is free to be her wild, untamed self.

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