Tag Archive | Lin Stepp

Wildflower Haven by Lin Stepp

Mar7

Not ‘Either’/’Or’ – But Both

Wildflower Haven by Lin Stepp is a very beautiful contemporary Christian novel that I loved and read it in just two sittings. It is part of A Mountain Home series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Here, the reader is submerged in nature. We see the beauty in the flora and fauna, as well as the fruits, berries and bees. Lin Stepp educates the reader as there is a vast amount of plant, bees and location knowledge. The author ‘paints’ the scenery in a myriad of colours. “The world around us is charged with the grandeur of God.” There is nothing quite so beautiful as God’s handiwork.

The worlds of a botanist and a teacher collide. Both enjoy the natural – one is preserving it for generations to come. The other is educating the next generation so that they can look after planet earth.

We witness faith growing in the heart of the one who had put science above his need for God. He moves from being vaguely aware, to having a heart that knows God. Along the way, people have educated him about God as the designer of our world. “The grace of faith illuminates not only things that are spiritual but things that are natural.”

There is the debate of faith or science – we see that it is not an ‘either’/’or’ but it is both existing in harmony. “Many of the greatest scientists… were strong men and women of faith.” We are introduced to some of these within the novel.

Science tells us ‘How.’ Faith tells us ‘Who.’ “Faith enhanced their [scientists’] scientific studies, ideas and discoveries.” Behind everything that is created, there is a Creator.

Continue reading →

The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp

Mar5

A Warm Welcome For All

The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp is a most delightful, contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is part of A Mountain Home Book series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Lin Stepp always writes the most charming wholesome novels that enchant the reader from the start. Her townsfolk are warm and welcoming, and the reader longs to be a part of the community.

There are godly lessons for us all, as we see the importance of letting God love us and guide us. “Your Father in heaven believes in you… Seek to find God’s wisdom. He always knows the best way for us to walk.” When we follow God’s plan for our lives, we know that we cannot fail. When we fall, God will pick us up.

Having faith in God doesn’t mean we will have a trouble-free life. We meet a family that has had their lives disrupted by false imprisonment (before the novel opened). There was always a choice to become bitter or better. They chose the path of forgiveness. “Anger and unforgiveness was hurting us more than anyone else.”

In order to live free, we must hand our burdens over to Jesus. “We’ve both had a bad experience… but we learned from it.” When we are in difficult places, we learn vital lessons.

Continue reading →

The Light Continues by Lin Stepp

Feb21

Steadfast & True

The Light Continues by Lin Stepp is a wonderful, warm, contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is the fourth book in The Lighthouse Sisters series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order for character progression and development, and for continuity of time.

Each book focuses on one of the Lighthouse sisters. It is the turn of Lila in this book. Lila has a close relationship with God. She draws close to Him in her quiet time. “Prayer… quiet, special time with God.” As we spend time with God, we build relationship with Him. “Time alone with God always brought her peace.”

When life presents a crossroads for us, we can trust God’s plans and turn to Him for guidance. “God… always has the best plans… the best vocation… is the one God intends exactly for that person.” God longs for us to follow in His footsteps but God is a gentleman and will never force His plans on us. “God will open the doors, but He won’t push you through them.” We all have free will and choice. Be sure to choose wisely. “God gave us all free will, but we each have to choose to live right.”

Some characters are haunted by events of the past. “I felt so dirty.” When things happen to us, we must remember that we were the innocent party and we have no right to feel guilty. Bring it all to Jesus for there is no condemnation in Him. He will heal and restore us. To heal needs kindness, understanding and love, which the close-knit community has in spades.

Continue reading →

For Six Good Reasons by Lin Stepp

Mar8

Wonderfully Warm

For Six Good Reasons by Lin Stepp is a most charming contemporary novel that warmed my heart and made me smile. It is the third A Smoky Mountain novel but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more Lin Stepp delights the reader’s senses as she paints the landscape with her words. The area is remote and rugged, the houses offer hospitality and the barns provide shelter. The reader meanders through the novel as we explore the area with the characters.

All the characters were well drawn, realistic and charming. Lin Stepp has perfectly captured the five year old twins with their mannerisms, words and zest for life. They act before they think but their hearts are good.

For Six Good Reasons is about fostering. Six siblings need a home together. Foster worker, Alice, refuses to split the family, preferring to give the children a home with her. The love and care exude from the novel. We understand the children’s fear. “What if we start to love you … and then you die, too?” This is counter balanced with a vow to always look after each other.

Continue reading →