Archive | March 2018

If I Live by Terri Blackstock

Mar24

The Miracle Working God

If I Live by Terri Blackstock is a marvellous Christian contemporary suspense. It is the third and final book in the If I Run series. It can be read as a stand-alone as background info is given. I recommend reading the previous two books for maximum enjoyment.

Once again there is the theme of trust. Villains look like ordinary people. The ring of crime runs deep – colleagues, friends, strangers – who can be trusted?

The novel is about an awakening to God. “I’m… not alone. God is on the case with me, fighting this battle.” We are never left alone but sometimes it takes the bad situations in life to realise this.

There is much to be feared but when we know God, we can have a peace and trust His timing. “Let God dictate the timing, not the fear.”

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The Gardener’s Daughter by K.A. Hitchins

Mar23

Superb Suspense

The Gardener’s Daughter by K.A. Hitchins is an absolutely marvellous thriller that had me hooked and guessing, clinging to the edge of my seat. I was immediately drawn into the novel and asking questions from the start.

There are the themes of identity and searching to belong. “I was no longer the person I thought I was.” Deep down we all want to know our roots. Who are we? Where do we come from? Where we have been is not as important as where we are and where we are heading. We need to listen to the voices of the present and not confuse them with the voices of the past.

The novel is about truth and lies. How would you feel if your whole life was built upon a lie?

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Finding Evergreen by Jennifer Rodewald

Mar22

Stop Running And Love Harder

Finding Evergreen by Jennifer Rodewald is a powerful contemporary Christian story. It is the third book in the Grace Revealed series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Wow – what to say? Finding Evergreen is a book about love. Not a perfect love but a raw, gritty, love hurts story. It is about a marriage. A marriage of two imperfect people seeking to fulfilment in each other. “Marriage… was supposed to fill a cavern of emptiness.” That is far too much pressure to put on anyone. It is only God who can truly fulfil us.

People meet. They fall in love. Great married and live happily ever after. Right? Wrong. Real life is not a fairy story. Real life is messy. Real life has outside forces that impact on us. Finding Evergreen is a brilliant read about ‘real life’ love. It pulls no punches. It tugs at heartstrings. It messes with heads. Is ‘real love’ really worth the effort?

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Hetty’s Farmhouse Bakery by Cathy Bramley

Mar22

Existing Side By Side

Hetty’s Farmhouse Bakery by Cathy Bramley is a really delightful contemporary novel.

Set on a farm in Cumbria, the reader is treated to rolling hills and lots of sheep. There is a warm community atmosphere where everyone pulls together.

Old fashioned sheep farming combines with a new venture – baking. The novel shows that traditions and innovations can exist side by side. Diversification is the name of the game.

Kindness makes the world go round. “Kindness is a reflection of a person’s true beauty.” There are some very beautiful people in the novel. Kindness looks at mistakes and forgives. Kindness looks to others rather than self. Kindness binds people together.

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