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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Friday 30 November 2018

SEARCHING FOR YOU by JODY HEDLUND

SEARCHING FOR YOU is the third book in the ORPHAN TRAIN series by JODY HEDLUND. I have been looking forward to receiving a copy as I enjoyed the previous two novels in the series, and have definitely not been disappointed! It is a sensitively told story which takes place in 1859, once again dealing with the placement of orphans from New York with people in the country. Although for some their life improved greatly, for others it did not turn out so well.
Afraid of losing Olivia and Nicholas, Sophie Neumann is living in squalor with them in New York, after having run away from her sisters. She is ashamed of the way she has been living, living on the streets and stealing food to keep the children alive, and feels she is too sinful even for the Lord and definitely doesn't want her sisters to see how far she has fallen. She doesn't realize that her sisters have been searching for her for two years, each of them feeling guilty that they hadn't taken her attachment to the children seriously. She is about to marry Danny, a Bowery boy, when she witnesses him letting a fire get out of hand and the murder of someone from another gang. She and her friend Anna get on the Orphan Train with the two children, intending to leave the train in Chigago, but it seems God has other plans for them!
I am not going to tell you any more and spoil your read except to say that the book is full of real people with very real needs. Sophie's need for love and acceptance will never be filled by the children, Reinhold, her sisters or anyone else. Once she accepts that God loves her unconditionally, things begin to change. I love Euphemia with her large family of sons and her cheerful encouragement and godly wisdom.
It is a story of redemption and second chances, forgiveness and acceptance.
I am definitely going to read this book more than once and can really recommend it for the lovely story and strong Christian content.



Sunday 25 November 2018

THE LIBERTY BRIDE by MARYLU TYNDALL

THE LIBERTY BRIDE by MARYLU TYNDALL is a historical novel which takes place in 1814, when Emeline Baratt's father's ship is attacked and taken over by the British. Emeline decides to try and save the day by pretending to be British and this leads to all kinds of adventures. She has always felt that her father disapproves of her determined character, and for this reason she feels she is a disappointment to God as well.
Lieutenant Owen Masters is also an American spy who has been in the British navy for years, trying to get information to help his country win the war. He also has a wrong perception of God, seeing Him as an unbending,authoritarian figure. His opinions were formed by his father, who was a legalistic, harsh, preacher, who let both his family and the church down very badly.
It is a sensitively told story of courage, forgiveness and loyalty, and also God's grace, protection and leading. We see Emeline's compassionate nature as she doctors both friend and enemy with the same zeal.
We see the horrors of war, where men kill one another for "freedom", compared to the true freedom that the Father offers us in Christ.
It is a really enjoyable book, with deep truth underlying the exciting story. I recommend it as a really good read.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday 14 November 2018

WITH THIS PLEDGE by TAMERA ALEXANDER

Publication date 8/1/2019.
WITH THIS PLEDGE by TAMERA ALEXANDER is a historical romance novel which starts with what happened at Carnton in Franklin Tennessee, the home of Colonel and Mrs McGavock, on November 30th 1864. It is a truly inspirational read with lessons for us to learn about forgiveness, compassion, and the horrors of war. The fact that, whatever our colour, we are all made in the image of God, is strongly brought out. Most of the characters are people who lived at the time, and the author has made them very real to us.
Lizzie Clouston is a governess who teaches the McGavock children. She is a born teacher and even teaches George and Tempy to read in secret, as, although she is a Southerner, she has strong feelings about the wickedness of slavery. When Captain Roland Jones, one of the Rebel soldiers who are being looked after at Carnton, finds out about her feelings about slavery, he thinks at first that she is a bit naive and looking for trouble, but he keeps her secret.
Lizzie and the McGavocks go out of their way to serve the broken men that are brought to them after the disastrous battle at Franklin, and Lizzie even helps Dr Philips in the many surgeries he performs. Even the children, Winder and Hattie, are involved in helping in this unusual and gruesome situation.
I really enjoyed this book for the great story and the strong Christian message.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday 9 November 2018

THE MEMORY HOUSE by RACHEL HAUCK

Publication date 2/4/19.
THE MEMORY HOUSE by RACHEL HAUCK is a truly beautiful book which is densely populated with memorable characters. They are so real that we come to feel what they are feeling. As they try to deal with what life has thrown at them, it is their faith in the Lord that carries them through.
Starting with Miss Everleigh, we see her finally coming to terms with her past and daring to love again. She played an important role in Beck and Bruno's lives when they were young, and leaves the memory house to Beck in her will. We see how this helps Beck, who has suffered from memory loss ever since her father's tragic death, remember her father and her childhood.
The subjects of grief, pregnancy, guilt and memory loss are sensitively dealt with in the novel.
It is a truly inspirational book and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday 2 November 2018

SECRETS AT CEDAR CABIN by COLLEEN COBLE


Publication date 22/1/19.
SECRETS AT CEDAR CABIN by COLLEEN COBLE is a fast paced Christian romantic suspense thriller which will keep you up all night if you start reading it too late in the day! It is a nail biter and the author keeps us guessing right until the end.
It is the third novel in the Lavender Tides series, and we find Bailey Fleming fleeing for her life to the cabin her ex husband, Kyle, has give her, after her mother, Olivia, was shot, execution style.
Bailey, who has been moved around a lot by Olivia, has felt lonely all her life until she meets the friendly people she is surrounded with in Lavender Tides.
We come across Grayson, Shauna, Mac and Ellie, to name a few of the characters we came to know and love in the first two books in the series.
Bailey soon finds out that things are definitely not as they seem in Lavender Tides. She wonders if she has made a mistake coming back to her mother's home town.
Will the charming F.B.I. agent, Lance Phoenix, be able to keep her safe from the men who want her dead? Will anyone be able to help them uncover her mother's secrets before it is too late - the secrets that seem to be tied to a drug and sex trafficking ring?
I can highly recommend the novel as an exciting and enjoyable read.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad