Tag Archive | Rhoda Hardie

If The Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

May25

Trust Him

If The Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer is a positively delightful Christian historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Texas Ever After series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This story is loosely based on Cinderella and all very cleverly done. There are also lessons of God’s goodness and faithfulness for us all.

We meet a character who is angry at God for not preventing her mother’s death years ago. She questions her aunt and uncle: “How had they let go of the pain and moved forward free of resentment, serving the Lord without reservation?” When life hits hard, we have a choice to make – will we become bitter? Or better?

In order to move forwards, we must release our burdens. “Forgiving was an ongoing process… It took an act of will and a healthy dose of God’s grace.” Forgiveness is not a one-off event. We have to keep on forgiving until we have exchanged our prison for praise.

We see that God is faithful. “He was watching over her. She could trust Him.” Whatever we go through, God walks beside us. “It’s good that the Lord never sleeps.” We need not fear for God will never let us down.

Continue reading →

Fairest Of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

May21

Faithful & True

Fairest Of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful Christian historical novel that I read in just two sittings. It is the first book in the Texas Ever After series which is fabulous.

This is a story based loosely on Snow White. It has been re-imagined by Karen Witemeyer whilst retaining the bare bones and putting God in the mix. It is all very cleverly done and enchants the reader from the start.

We see the importance of knowing God. “She wasn’t alone. She had a Father who would never leave her or forsake her.” We can count on God to see us through even if all others abandon us. God is faithful and true.

God rescues us from our situations. “God had seen her through the darkest night… He’d see her through the realities of the day.” Whatever we face, God is already there. God loves each and everyone of us as if we were the only person on planet earth.

Sometimes the person God needs to rescue us from is ourselves. “The destructive power of self-blame.” We can be our own worst critic. God doesn’t want anyone, including ourselves, to bring us down. He wants us to live free and live loved.

Continue reading →

Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer

Apr19

Wherever The Road Leads

Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is a powerful Christian historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in Texas Ever After series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a book about love and riches. We see the steadfast love of three generations of women who will fiercely protect those whom they love. This even extends to Rusty, a pet wolf. He, too, loves and protects. Likewise, his owner also loves and protects him. It is a beautiful bond showing the loyalty of animals to their owners.

True riches are found in the hearts of others and in the love of God for His children.

We witness how the love of money and power totally corrupts as there are some black hearts within the novel. “He couldn’t imagine living a life where a person’s worth was judged by one’s finances, social connections and fashion sense.” We see the contrast between those who love riches and those who love others. “She preferred a cosy cottage surrounded by God’s creation over a society that judged women by their beauty, connections and ability to converse about the weather.” Slightly tongue-in-cheek and wonderfully written.

There is nothing wrong with having money. It is what you do with it that counts.

Within the tale we see references to fairytales, particularly Little Red Riding Hood. There are also Biblical illustrations as we witness two young boys being rescued and there is a widow who offers hospitality. She gives what little she has, after being faithful to the call of God on her heart.

Continue reading →

A Year Of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Mar28

Better Together

A Year Of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the most beautiful Christian contemporary offering of four stories in one book.

Each story is intertwined as they build towards the final story showing how the three lead characters are better together. The reader is reminded that a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Flowers take centre stage. Different flowers mean different things. “Flowers touched a person’s life.” We see that flowers need just the right conditions to bud and to flourish. Likewise, we too, need the right conditions in order to flourish. We need God. We need “to get to a point where you realise life isn’t working out very well on your own. To know you need Christ.” When we reach rock bottom, we find the Rock who is Jesus is right there with us.

“I got to a point when I had no-where else to go… when I realized my own indescribable need for a Lord & Savior… My whole purpose in life has changed.” This really ‘speaks’ to the reader as we can ‘feel’ the characters desperate need for Jesus and the security of knowing Him.

We all have dreams. “She found the life she’d been chasing after, only to discover it wasn’t what she’d dreamed it would be.” Sometimes our dreams feel more like nightmares as we realise we have been focused on the wrong things. “Chasing all the wrong things… it was time to get herself back to church.” There are times in our life when we realise that something is missing, and that something is a person and His Name is Jesus. Being with other believers in church helps to build up our faith, and we, in turn, can help to build up the faith of others.

Continue reading →