Archive | July 2016

After Church by Genevieve Woods

Jul21

A New Creation

After ChurchAfter Church by Genevieve Woods is the second book in the Greatest Love series but can be read as a stand-alone. It is a contemporary Christian romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

After Church is packed full of themes and also has God at the centre. There are many Christian characters who struggle through life, making them realistic and easy to empathise with. Their struggles highlight their human fallibility. We are all just one step away from falling back to where we were before we met Jesus. Within the novel Genevieve Woods shows how God meets us right where we are. “Our battle’s are the Lord’s and He alone can fight and win them.” He sends people alongside to support in times of trouble.

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All I’ll Ever Ask by Genevieve Woods

Jul20

Releasing Our Baggage

AllAll I’ll Ever Ask by Genevieve Woods is a contemporary Christian romance and the first book in the Greatest Love series and I enjoyed it.

Genevieve Woods writes in an easy, engaging style that draws the reader into her story. Her characters are realistic as they have their flaws and their battles. Genevieve Woods shows that being a Christian does not mean life will be perfect. Christians still face problems but they have Jesus walking alongside them. “You.. have a problem only Jesus can handle.”

Prayer is of vital importance. “Prayer never hurts.” There are times when we pray for guidance and there are times when we feel so helpless that all we can do is pray.

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The Angel Tree by Lucinda Riley

Jul20

Worth The Wait

AngelThe Angel Tree by Lucinda Riley is a contemporary novel that spans several generations. The action moves backwards and forwards between 1940’s to present day and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Angel Tree is about love and about a family. There are several different types of love within the novel ranging from the gentle love of a friend to the love of a mother to the all consuming love of a woman. Love takes many forms. Love can make lives bloom or it can strangle a life. Love is not tame. A passionate love may completely consume.

There is also the theme of loyalty within the pages. David is a wonderful character. He is loyal and trustworthy. How we would all love to have a David in our lives.

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A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson

Jul19

The Master Craftsman

BeautyA Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson is a Christian historical romance set in 1907 in Montana. It is the second book in the Sapphire Brides series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I always love Tracie Peterson’s novels. She writes good godly tales but is not afraid to tackle hard hitting subjects. Within A Beauty Refined there is the topic of domestic abuse. It does not always make for easy reading but Tracie Peterson sensitively presents it. Abuse is no respecter of age or status. It can be a ‘habit’ or it may have a trigger. However it occurs, it is always wrong. The victim needs to either tell someone or remove themselves from the abuser. Both require courage.

Linked in to the theme of abuse are the themes of anger, lack of self control, alcoholism and gambling. Characters with these traits, if left unchecked, will experience a downwards spiral.

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