Tag Archive | Revell Books

A Chance For Kallie Mae by Ann H Gabhart

Nov1

Romeo & Juliet In The American South

A Chance For Kallie Mae by Ann H Gabhart is the most charming Christian historical novel that I absolutely loved. I savoured it, never wanting it to end.

The story is grounded in facts as there is an under-lying theme of education, with the moonlight schools system set up in 1911, so that adults who had missed out on schooling, could take evening classes. “Funny, us wanting school so bad and them having it and not wanting anything to do with it.” Children often long to get out of school, whereas, adults know the value of education. The moonlight schools changed lives, opening pathways to further education.

Within the novel, there is a motherless family, as she died giving birth to Emmie, six years before the book opens. There is a beautiful bond between Emmie and her older sister, Kallie, who has nursed her since she was born.

Emmie has a large red birthmark on her face. In their ignorance, both adults and children shun her, fearing she has the mark of the devil. When life starts falling apart, Emmie believes the lies she has been told, and she labels herself as a ‘bad girl.’ It takes a cleansing fire to fix hearts, turning enemies to friends.

There is a Romeo & Juliet theme, as an age-old feud has kept a couple apart. Their love has never died. Their family loyalties are tested as they pray for love to find a way. “We need to pray for a way to make peace.” When there seems no way, the Lord can make a way. “The Lord ain’t limited like us. He can do anything.”

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The Brunswick by Callie Murray

Oct24

Saves The World Entire

The Brunswick by Callie Murray is a fabulous debut novel set in the American South in 1939. It is a Christian historical novel, and although a work of fiction, has its roots based on real people and real events.

This is a story in two halves which alternate. There is The Brunswick in Norcross, America which used to be a hotel until the Wall Street crash of 1929, but is now a run as a store by a World War I veteran’s daughter. He had originally built The Brunswick but now is confined to his room with depression. The other venue is Austria where Jewish children are persecuted and need a safe harbour.

Within America there are anti-German feelings and we see characters marginalised because of their roots, despite the fact that their parents came to America many years earlier.

The World War I veteran is haunted by his past. He has withdrawn from life, even to the point of ignoring his daughter. His prejudice runs deep. “Who knew what he experienced when he was fighting abroad? – but he must hate an entire race, past and future?” Fears of how he will react to Jewish children in his hotel are very real. “Worry is a waste of time we have left.” We should worry about nothing and pray about everything, handing our worries up to Jesus.

We witness the cruelty and persecution by the Nazis, of the innocents. We see those who are brave. “I am comfortable because others were brave.” We wonder, what does brave look like? “Sometimes bravery looks like love… and love, you have.”

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Chase The Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Aug15

Searching For True Treasure

Chase The Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a marvellous contemporary Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the National Parks Summers series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Acadia National Park is the setting for this book. The landscape comes to life under the author’s artistic pen. We ‘see’ the rugged landscape, the high mountains and the crashing waves. It truly is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

There is an ancient mystery to solve and gold treasure to find, hidden in the park, but help will be needed to solve the clues.

We see that legacy and heritage are important. We want to preserve the things of the past. A character wants to save the town’s newspaper as it was started by his distant ancestor. The past is important. We can learn from it as we move into the future.

A leading character belongs to the Penobscot people who worked the land long before the white settlers arrived. Their heritage is important to preserve. “Native Americans all share responsibility for the next generation.” Unfortunately prejudice still exists. Though the Native American character has a commanding presence, he still feels invisible at times due to his heritage.

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The Elusive Truth Of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Dec16

The Gardener Is Waiting

The Elusive Truth Of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano is an enchanting Christian historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The novel is written with elements of traditional story telling interspersed with actual historical figures. Over everything, God awaits, with His love and His heart calling each and every one of us.

Much of the book revolves around a garden. The reader recalls the Garden of Eden where God walked with Adam and Eve in His creation. God lives in our hearts as we read “from somewhere deep within the core of him, where God dwelled.”

Sometimes life happens and we lose sight of God. “Regret was a poison that never left the bloodstream.” Letting regret live in our hearts is not good for us. Anything that takes our focus from God, needs to be got rid of.

When we have known God, there will always be that longing for Him. “I’d cried out to God, begged for Him, and felt nothing.” Just because we feel nothing, does not mean that God is not there. God works in our lives. He sends people across our paths to point the way to Him. “He [God] uses people at times to set things right.”

God can clearly be seen in some people. “He ushered in the presence of God wherever he went… where Gordon Makepiece was, there also was God.” We are called to preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary to use words.

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