Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray

Mar6

Superb Suspense

Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray is a powerful Christian Amish contemporary suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed.

There are the hard hitting and difficult themes of stalking and abuse. We learn that a character has been a victim of an attack in the past, and it has affected her whole life. She feels guilty as if the attack was her fault. It wasn’t and “she needed to forgive herself.” We are never responsible for the actions of another. We need to be kind to ourselves, always offering grace and forgiveness to the face in the mirror.

Throughout the novel there is a very creepy character who watches from the shadows. There are some very dark scenes at night which heightens the suspense, raising the tension. The action mirrors the conditions.

We witness the bond between cousins. They are very close-knit, supporting each other. Life means that they are equally strong for the other but at different stages.

Sometimes in life, life makes no sense. We cannot see where we are going but God sees. She “didn’t have any idea what was going to happen next, but God did.” God knows our end from our beginning and we can trust Him.

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The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp

Mar5

A Warm Welcome For All

The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp is a most delightful, contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is part of A Mountain Home Book series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Lin Stepp always writes the most charming wholesome novels that enchant the reader from the start. Her townsfolk are warm and welcoming, and the reader longs to be a part of the community.

There are godly lessons for us all, as we see the importance of letting God love us and guide us. “Your Father in heaven believes in you… Seek to find God’s wisdom. He always knows the best way for us to walk.” When we follow God’s plan for our lives, we know that we cannot fail. When we fall, God will pick us up.

Having faith in God doesn’t mean we will have a trouble-free life. We meet a family that has had their lives disrupted by false imprisonment (before the novel opened). There was always a choice to become bitter or better. They chose the path of forgiveness. “Anger and unforgiveness was hurting us more than anyone else.”

In order to live free, we must hand our burdens over to Jesus. “We’ve both had a bad experience… but we learned from it.” When we are in difficult places, we learn vital lessons.

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The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin

Mar2

Show Me

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin is a marvellous historical novel that I read in just two sittings.

The action is set in York in 1899. The world is on the brink of change but young women were still expected to sit at home and make marriage alliances.

The leading lady is a modern miss, through necessity, and by choice, she takes a job in the lamplighter’s bookshop. She is very good at it. With her independence gained, she must keep it a secret from her mother.

There are others keeping secrets and lies. Some are outright crooks and gamblers; others are just kind hearts who cannot say ‘no!’ We witness a loan spiraling out of control due to unscrupulous money lenders who prey on those less fortunate.

The path to true love doesn’t always run smoothly. There are bumps and misunderstandings along the way. Hearts need to be brave and say how they really feel. Characters need to show their love to others.

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The Lost Orphan by Pam Weaver

Mar2

Entertaining & Engrossing

The Lost Orphan by Pam Weaver is a powerful historical novel That I thoroughly enjoyed.

The action begins in Worthing in December 1941 and continues throughout the war. We follow two half French sisters who are searching for their younger sister. All three were orphans but unscrupulous lies see them separated.

Within a character, the past has consumed her. Shocking events from her childhood continue to haunt her. Facing her fears and sharing her past, has disastrous consequences, leaving her even more isolated. Love and kindness are needed for her to bud and blossom.

War sees everyone doing their bit. One sister is training to become a nurse. The other joins the S.O.E. and is posted to France, wanting to do her bit to liberate her mother country.

Life leaves scars. War leaves scars. “I have scars too. The only difference between us is that you can’t see mine.” Scars need love as a balm. When love blossoms, scars fade.

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