Archive | March 2023

The Pilot’s Girl by Catherine Hokin

Mar27

Echoes

The Pilot’s Girl by Catherine Hokin is a gripping historical suspense that I could not put down. It is the second book in the Hanni Winter series. I recommend reading book one first to follow the storyline and character progression.

The action is set in Berlin in the late 1940’s. The city is divided as the Soviets try to starve the population and the Americans drop food supplies. Roaming the streets are gangs and individuals seeking revenge for some of the most heinous crimes – but the lengths to which some will go is horrifying.

Photographer, Hanni Winters once more teams up with Freddy, the police inspector as they set about trying to solve the brutal murders that are occurring in Berlin. What they uncover is shocking – but will anyone believe them?

During World War II the Nazis reigned with brutality and terror. Jewish citizens lost their livelihoods and their lives. Few were brave enough to stand up. What would you do if you found out your father was a high-ranking Nazi official? The reader applauds the actions of one brave youngster but the father always seems to be one step ahead and controlling a life with terror. The dreadful secret of one’s roots needs to be kept until justice is served.

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Seeking Ayita by Lin Stepp

Mar25

Heritage & Roots

Seeking Ayita by Lin Stepp is a fabulous Christian novel and part of the Mountain Home series.

This book concerns roots and heritage as a daughter fulfills her mother’s dying wish to return her ashes to her Cherokee homeland. The mother also desires that her daughter and granddaughter spend time with the maternal family getting to know their heritage. Lin Stepp shows us the rich cultural heritage of the Cherokee. There are some wise words about character saying about what is inside us… “ ‘One is an evil wolf… The other wolf is a good wolf’… ‘Which wolf wins?’… ‘The one you feed.’ “ Within our lives, whatever we focus on will become evident in our character. As we lean into and focus on God, trusting Him, He will give us peace and lead our lives, even through death. “I am ready to go home. I know my God well.” When we know God, death is not a frightening place because our Lord is already there and He will lead us home when the time comes.

The Cherokee live simply, keeping their customs alive as they practice their traditional arts. It is important to pass down crafting skills to the next generation or the skills will die out. Lin Stepp has vividly painted not only their crafts but their homeland with her descriptive words.

Guilt is a terrible master. “A spirit of guilt is pursuing him… He feels he isn’t owed any happiness.” We were never meant to be chained to guilt. God wants us to live abundantly free.

We see that dreams still foretell things that are to come, as they did in Biblical times. If it is from God, it will come to pass.

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Lighten My Heart by Lin Stepp

Mar24

Delightful & Heartwarming

Lighten My Heart by Lin Stepp is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel. It is the second book in The Lighthouse Sisters series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first for maximum enjoyment and for character progression.

Lin Stepp always produces tales that draw the reader close to the heart of God. We see how we desperately need God. When we try to do life alone, it is tough. “How much better life is when you live close to God.” When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. As our lives line up with His, His light will shine through us.

We need to stand on the word of God when the tough times come, and they will. “God’s truth resonates in us when we hear it.” When we open our Bibles, God’s word will speak to our hearts. We shall know His truth and His truth will set us free.

A character is imprisoned in bitterness and hurt. Withholding forgiveness always damages us. God wants us to live free. If we cannot forgive in our strength, we need to ask Him for help and we can then forgive in His strength.

Another character struggles with guilt. “He struggled daily not to keep berating and beating himself up… Whatever he did wrong, he couldn’t change it now.” The past is gone. We must learn from it but we must not pitch our tent there. We need to give our guilt to God and learn to live in freedom.

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His Fatal Legacy by Heather Atkinson

Mar24

Chilling

His Fatal Legacy by Heather Atkinson is an historical novel that gripped me from the start. It is the third book in the Alardyce House series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The tale is set in Edinburgh in the late nineteenth century. It has elements of the Gothic tradition with large houses, dark nights, deserted alleyways and sinister characters. The tone is chilling as an air of menace appears.

Family is important. A mother’s love is fiercely protective, needing to uphold appearances no matter the cost. Dreadful secrets and suspicions arise but lips are sealed.

We witness nature versus nurture – are monsters made by their genes or a product of their environment? A character wrestles with the darkness within as he tries to focus on the light.

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