Tag Archive | Bethany House

Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer

Apr19

Wherever The Road Leads

Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is a powerful Christian historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in Texas Ever After series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a book about love and riches. We see the steadfast love of three generations of women who will fiercely protect those whom they love. This even extends to Rusty, a pet wolf. He, too, loves and protects. Likewise, his owner also loves and protects him. It is a beautiful bond showing the loyalty of animals to their owners.

True riches are found in the hearts of others and in the love of God for His children.

We witness how the love of money and power totally corrupts as there are some black hearts within the novel. “He couldn’t imagine living a life where a person’s worth was judged by one’s finances, social connections and fashion sense.” We see the contrast between those who love riches and those who love others. “She preferred a cosy cottage surrounded by God’s creation over a society that judged women by their beauty, connections and ability to converse about the weather.” Slightly tongue-in-cheek and wonderfully written.

There is nothing wrong with having money. It is what you do with it that counts.

Within the tale we see references to fairytales, particularly Little Red Riding Hood. There are also Biblical illustrations as we witness two young boys being rescued and there is a widow who offers hospitality. She gives what little she has, after being faithful to the call of God on her heart.

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The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

Apr17

Engrossing & Entertaining

The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful Christian dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a compelling murder mystery suspense too.

The action is set in 1910 and present day. The two periods are linked by buildings and ancestors. In 1910 there were two murders and an attack. Present day saw another murder, and in 1982 a young woman went missing. Seemingly isolated events but is there a link? There seems to be no peace and rest until answers are found.

God speaks through dreams. Can it be that He also gives us visions whilst we are awake?

A character is drowning in grief following several miscarriages. “The daily task of surviving when she felt the overwhelming cloud of death surrounding her.” Death seems to attach itself to her, as there are even old gravestones in the basement of her new house. We learn that “grief is a shadow man that follows us into our futures and swallows it up if we let him.” Our grief will always be with us. We need to learn how to live with it.

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Across The Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Mar2

Amazing Grace

Across The Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is a wonderful dual timeline Christian historical novel. It is the fourth book in the Timeless series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1727 and 1927. Both periods have their challenges – piracy in the earlier period, and prohibition and bootleggers in the latter date. Some characters and situations are drawn from real life.

We see the theme of the prodigals returning home – physically and spiritually. Earthly characters rejoice. How much greater will the party in heaven be when the prodigal returns?

God is steadfast. “God’s Word is eternal. He doesn’t change just because society changes.” Situations, fashions and circumstances come and go but God is eternal and His character is always love.

Prayer is important. Prayer links us to God. “I… had to believe that He was for me, and I could go to Him in prayer.” God is literally just a prayer away. “I wanted to pray, but I wasn’t sure that God would listen.” God always listens when we pray. Our doubts are not the opposite of faith. Our doubts can be the springboard to believing.

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Worthy Of Legend by Roseanna M White

Feb20

Extending The Hand Of Grace

Worthy Of Legend by Roseanna M White is a powerful Christian historical novel. It is the third book in The Secrets Of The Isles series. It can be read as a stand-alone but it is far better to read the books in order as each one starts where the previous one ended.

There is a continuity of characters throughout the series. Each book has it’s focus on different main characters. In this book we have four lead characters to follow.

We drop in on a young woman and her maid. In these changing times of 1906, we see that friendship steps over the class boundaries as the pair form a strong friendship bond.

We cannot choose our family members. We witness the cruelty that has been levied at a daughter by her brother and father. She has felt isolated and an outcast but still has a heart that extends the hand of grace.

The pursuit of wealth and fame is a shocking master. When greed steps in, a downfall is sure to happen. True treasure lies within hearts that love.

1906 is a time when the world was on the brink of change. Young ladies know their own minds and are so much more than the outdated view that society has of them. She was “nothing but a marriage pawn – whose ideas were worthless, whose purpose was to be pretty.”

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