Archives

Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson

Oct5

Welcome Home

Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson is a very charming contemporary Christian novel and the first book in Avila Falls series. It is a beautiful debut novel that will leave you smiling.

The lead character, Jane, grew up in a small mountain town and moved to New York City for her dream job. Returning home for a visit, she realises that dreams are not always all you expected them to be.

As she revisits childhood haunts, she reconnects with people who have meant so much to her – like Edith, the owner of the bookshop that was Jane’s sanctuary growing up.

As Jane’s dreams come crashing down, we wonder if God is closing doors, only to open doors to something greater?

Jane feels far from God. “I didn’t feel Him with me tonight… I hadn’t for years. Had I disappointed God too much to expect anything?” God has not moved. “The God I’d heard sermons about growing up ultimately felt unreachable. Aloof. Disinterested in me and my dreams.” Nothing could be further from the truth. God is interested in our lives. He is ever present, whether we ‘feel’ Him or not. “God who’s there long before you even know Him.” While we were still in the womb, God knew us.

Jane’s experience of God was in “Sunday school and dutiful, faithful church attendance were the extent of my relationship with religion.” Jane knows all about religion but that is not the same as a living relationship with God. We find closeness with God as we seek Him out and spend time with Him.

A character has had tough times, having to abandon his dreams after his father’s accident. “There’s no way I would have survived my Dad’s accident if it hadn’t been for God.” When life hits us hard, it is relationship with God that helps us through.

Jane “wanted to ask how he could be thanking God rather than be angry at Him.” She does not yet have a relationship with God or she would not need to ask that question. At times life makes little sense, even with God – but without God, life makes no sense at all.

Continue reading →

The Deliberations Of Isabella M Smugge by Ruth Leigh

Sep28

The Journey Ends

The Deliberations Of Isabella M Smugge by Ruth Leigh is the fifth and final book in the delightful Isabella M Smugge series.

I have been with Isabella Smugge since the beginning and am gutted that her bookish journey has ended. Maybe when she becomes a grandparent, I am hopeful that she may have more to say – pretty please, Ruth Leigh.

Isabella Smugge journey as an influencer has seen her move from London to the Suffolk countryside; from self-absorbed and image conscious to a far more ‘real’ portrayal; and from a new Christian dipping her toes in the water to a fully fledged Christian who is muddling through life just like the rest of us. It has been a wonderful journey to witness.

Isabella Smugge is an extremely likable, believable and kind person. I love her views on life. She tells it as she sees it. She navigates through single parenting of four children; deals with a selfish ex-husband; an overbearing agent; and playground bullies (the parents).

As the books have progressed, Isabella Smugge’s faith in God has emerged. “It would be helpful if God could just reply immediately… A kind of spiritual WhatsApp conversation… If I got it right, He would give me a thumbs up.” She notes “I’ve been going to church… and chatting with the good Lord (who I have to say, is a lot more approachable than I had previously thought). Her faith walk with God is authentic. What you see is what you get. She talks to God very naturally, but ends her prayers “Thank you again and kindest regards.”

Her reaction to having her prayers answered: “Hello again, it’s me… Listen, that was impressive! I asked for a DM and a sigh, and You sent me one. I feel like a proper religious person now.”

Continue reading →

My Guardian Dear by Brittany Druker

Sep8

Belief & Prayer

My Guardian Dear by Brittany Druker is a wonderful little book for children aged 4 – 10 years-old. It is a book that is full of faith and hope as it talks about our guardian angel always being with us.

We learn that “Angels help anyone who asks for relief.” Our guardian angel is literally just a prayer away. Whether we can ‘see’ our guardian angel or not, he is always with us as we walk through life.

If it concerns us, it concerns our guardian angel. The little lad in the book prays for help at his ball game.

The whole book is very colourful as it is simply but powerfully illustrated by Justin Dunn.

My Guardian Dear will appeal to young children with its’ colourful pages and its’ simple, yet profound message.

Continue reading →

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sep6

Finding True Treasure

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful and beautiful Christian historical novel that I adored. It is set in small-town America in 1930.

This is a book about love and relationships – whether with people, places or God. It is also a time when the old order of things is breaking down. “Her father had grudgingly agreed [to marriage] once he’d confirmed Preston’s bank account.” This was an old class system of marriage alliances to bolster families.

We witness different types of marriage. A couple chose love over wealth. Another chose financial security over love. Both marriages worked but in different ways. Being older when facing marriage definitely brings a different set of priorities.

A younger character is not comfortable in his skin. He continually feels that he needs to earn love. For him, rising up the financial ladder will bring love – he doesn’t realise that his other half loves him for who he is, and not the size of his bank account. “Rich or poor, or anywhere in between, honesty is the soil in which strong relationships grow.”

1930 in America was a difficult time for many. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 saw many people lose their money. But “when God closed a door, He often opened a window.”  We find that “It’s troubles that have done the most to shape me into the woman I am today.” We grow more in the valleys than we do on the mountaintop. It is in the valleys that we realise our great need for God.

When we know God, we can praise Him in the valleys as well as on the mountain top.

Continue reading →