Tag Archive | Rhoda Hardie

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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Set In Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

Oct3

Safe In His Arms

Set In Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse is a simply marvellous Christian historical novel that I read in just two sittings. It is the second book in the Treasures Of The Earth series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more, the reader returns to the dinosaur wars of the late nineteenth century. The theme of paleontology is a major one. The debate between science and religion once more appears. The topics complement each other.

Running alongside the main theme is that of murder! We ‘hear’ the perpetrator’s voice and have to guess who it is. We see the dangers of letting wealth and power rule a life.

In contrast we follow a life lived with eyes fixed on Jesus. “He’d tried to … be the light of Jesus.” Jesus asks us to be His eyes and ears, hands and feet to a hurting world.

Having Jesus in our lives means that we can experience a peace despite our circumstances. “God sees your tears … And He hears your cries… Ask Him to help you in your life.” It is important to never lose sight of Jesus. “Even when the Lord feels farthest away, He is as close as the breath in your lungs.”

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In Search Of A Prince by Toni Shiloh

Sep7

Trust In His Leading

In Search Of A Prince by Toni Shiloh is a contemporary Christian novel that completely enthralled me. It is a modern-day fairytale set in a fictional African island. There are all the elements of a traditional fairytale to entertain the reader, with the added bonus of being grounded in God.

We see the importance of knowing God and walking with Him daily. “Lord God, please be there in the midst of us.” We know that when God is beside us, all will be well. “God had us in the palm of His hand, I didn’t need to worry.” When we have faith in God, there is no room for worry or fear.

A character has to make a life-changing decision. She seeks God, who ‘speaks’ through dreams. She knows that “whatever He called me to, He would equip me.” God will always give us just what we need as we walk through life with Him.

When God has called us, He will help us to fulfill His will for our lives. “Please empower me with Your words.” Being inside the will of God is the safest place to be.

Even when we do God’s will and follow His plans for our lives, life is not always easy. “God did not promise easy, but He did promise to be with us.” God will never leave us to face life alone. When we walk through the fires, He will be with us. We must “have faith in God’s calling.”

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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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