Tag Archive | Rhoda Hardie

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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A Year Of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Mar28

Better Together

A Year Of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the most beautiful Christian contemporary offering of four stories in one book.

Each story is intertwined as they build towards the final story showing how the three lead characters are better together. The reader is reminded that a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Flowers take centre stage. Different flowers mean different things. “Flowers touched a person’s life.” We see that flowers need just the right conditions to bud and to flourish. Likewise, we too, need the right conditions in order to flourish. We need God. We need “to get to a point where you realise life isn’t working out very well on your own. To know you need Christ.” When we reach rock bottom, we find the Rock who is Jesus is right there with us.

“I got to a point when I had no-where else to go… when I realized my own indescribable need for a Lord & Savior… My whole purpose in life has changed.” This really ‘speaks’ to the reader as we can ‘feel’ the characters desperate need for Jesus and the security of knowing Him.

We all have dreams. “She found the life she’d been chasing after, only to discover it wasn’t what she’d dreamed it would be.” Sometimes our dreams feel more like nightmares as we realise we have been focused on the wrong things. “Chasing all the wrong things… it was time to get herself back to church.” There are times in our life when we realise that something is missing, and that something is a person and His Name is Jesus. Being with other believers in church helps to build up our faith, and we, in turn, can help to build up the faith of others.

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Under Fire by Lynn H Blackburn

Mar17

Exciting & Suspenseful

Under Fire by Lynn H Blackburn is a fabulous contemporary Christian suspense that thrilled me from the start. It is book three in the Defend & Protect series but can be read as a stand-alone.

From the very start, the reader is drawn in as we have questions that need answers.

This was a highly suspenseful read. As the action came thick and fast, so the reader’s pulse rose.

We see that in uncertain times we can rely on a steadfast God. “I know God is in control. I also know He is love.” God’s character is love, and we know that He will love us completely, especially when life makes no sense. “You [God] have the power to fix them both. I’ll never understand why You don’t.” There are some questions that will never be answered this side of heaven.

Prayer is important. “I think we should pray before we go.” Prayer builds relationship with God. Covering ourselves with prayer is wise, especially if there are decisions to be made. “I’ll pray about it.”

We see that addiction has no boundaries. Even highly educated people in good jobs can stumble. “I’m not perfect… But I refuse to allow alcohol to steal the life God has purposed for me.” We witness a character having love and support to help her overcome her battle with alcohol. Sometimes it is tough loved that is needed.

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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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