Tag Archive | Baker Publishing

A Song In The Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse

Jul2

For Such A Time As This

A Song In The Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse is a powerful historical Christian novel that I could not put down. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.

The action is set in Europe during 1938 as the world watches on as Hitler’s Nazi Germany consolidates its’ evil regime. This evil radiates outwards from his seat of power in Berlin.

The leading lady is a blind pianist who uses her God-given talent to bring joy to others. As the months count down, she realises that she, too, is one of Hitler’s ‘undesirables.’ “Because I’m blind… I could be seen as less than worthy. Unfit to live.” This opens the eyes of her soul as she does everything in her power to rescue and help those who are viewed as ‘less than’, especially the children. “I can’t sit by and do nothing.”

She is not alone in her endeavours, as her grandmother also has a heart for the persecuted and hurting. “She was willing to use the wealth and resources God had given her to help.” Her age does not stop her from acting.

We witness a life that realises their need for Jesus. “The Lord felt so distant. But she’d been the one to stop communicating.” Now is the time to return to Him. When we know Jesus, we can have peace despite our circumstances. “I’m in the Lord’s hands, and that’s the best place to be.” No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.

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The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese

May10

Called. Chosen. Loved.

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is a very charming contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is the third book in A Fog Harbor Romance series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is seen through three different points of view of the three lead characters. It is told in the first person so we really get inside the character’s heads.

There is the major theme of trusting God. We can trust Him in the good times and we can trust Him in the bad. “How when I was scared, He took away my fear… I do know I can trust Him. So that’s what I’m going to do.” Choosing to trust is the best thing we can do. God will never let us down.

Trust in God is linked to God’s plans. “I don’t understand why things happened the way they did, but I trust God has a plan.” God will use all our circumstances for growth and for good. “She believes He has a plan even in the hard times.” It takes a lot of faith to cling on and to trust that God’s plan is good even when circumstances aren’t.

We hear of a couple who served God and tragically lost their lives. This left their daughter with health issues, as she was in the same freak accident, and it severely shook their son’s faith. “There’s no redemption plan that will bring my parents back after they died serving a God who hadn’t bothered to answer their prayers.” Bitterness has become the wall between him and God. He has carried stuff he was never meant to carry. “I… finally surrender the burdens God never asked me to carry.” When we surrender to God, we can live in freedom.”

There is much rejoicing when the prodigal returns home. “You can come back… There’s no expiration date when it comes to surrender.”

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The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese

Apr27

Freedom & Peace

The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese is a perfectly charming contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is part of A Fog Harbor Romance series and can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is seen through two alternating points of view as a famous singer mother re-enacts a road trip of thirty years ago but now, she is with her daughters. It is a trip of enlightenment where hearts heal, relationships are restored and lives turn to God. Each day of the journey is dedicated to God. “We’re not to start any day of this special journey without a prayer asking God for protection, guidance, and some good, honest fun.”

We all need God in our lives. We need Him in every area. Songs open our hearts to Him when our eyes are fixed on Him. “Stage fright means I’m focusing too much on myself and not enough on who we’re singing to – God.”

Prayer is important. “It felt like an answer to a prayer I didn’t even know how to pray.” God hears the cries of our hearts even when we have no words.

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Hearts In Circulation by Sarah Monzon

Mar26

So Delightful

Hearts In Circulation by Sarah Monzon is a very charming Christian contemporary novel that I absolutely loved and savoured every minute.

Sarah Monzon has a wonderfully fun style as her lead character Hayley has a joi de vivre about life. Her enthusiasm is infectious, spreading not only to the characters but to the reader too. Hayley’s casual, fun outlook on life helps others to relax, especially mechanic Levi who finds mixing with people hard – he has a sensory disorder. The kindness of Hayley sees Levi coming out of his shell. “He’d never thought it would happen, but Levi had… found… someone who quietened his spirit and calmed the chaos inside him.” We all need that one person who ‘gets’ us.

Having had a liver transplant at age twelve, Hayley lives every day as if it were her last. “You simply cannot repay someone for saving your life… especially when that person had to die to do it.” We hear how she wants her life to “make it count.” She does not want the sacrifice of another to be in vain.

Every day is the opportunity to ‘pay-it-forward.’ “Intentionally trying to bless someone with a random act of kindness.” Hayley has been given the gift of life and tries to do good deeds daily. She is trying to repay what was given as a gift. She wants to think herself worthy of that gift – but it was a gift and she can never work her way to payment. “It’s a blessing I feel the weight of responsibility for every single day.”

Hayley learns about the gift of salvation. “You can’t earn the gift of salvation by good works.” Jesus paid for our sins by His blood. We can never repay Him. It was a free gift to us that cost Jesus everything. Jesus was motivated by His love for us.

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