Mending fences

Mending fences, by Suzanne woods fisher. Luke has just completed his rehab and now is looking at making  restitution to those he hurt with his carelessness. A four page list of people he needs to go apologize to and hear how his actions caused them pain and trouble is what lays in front of him. He soon learns when he starts his list that this isn’t going to be easy. The hurt he caused was very real. Izzy is also housing in the same house as Lune, but things don’t hit off between them right away.  Izzy isn’t taken by Luke and he quickly learns he’s going to have to earn her trust. So Luke does what he can to prove to Izzy that he’s a good guy and changed.
   I love love love Suzanne woods fisher’s novels! She does just an amazing and honerable job writing about the Amish people. She is one of my favourite authors of this genre. There are so many biblical themes throughout this novel, grace, redemption, forgiveness, etc. The best Christian novels leave you feeling like you learned something about father God, and this one does just that. Definitely a story I’ll remember and cherish.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

We hope for better things

We hope for better things, Erin Bartels. In this novel we see the story unfold of three generations of the same family. We live in present day with Elizabeth as she struggles through loosing her job, but gets an interesting offer that may be useful to catapult her career again. All she has to do is agree to give photos to her elderly aunt. Next we travel back in time with Norah, and finally Mary. Finding how their stories all intertwine. We read about the racism of the time and the consequences of it.
   I really enjoyed this book. I adore story’s that have a historical component to them, this fit right in with that. It covered such a real topic like racism and made me think, feel, and want to not put this book down. Such a good book. From what I can understand this is the authors debute novel? Wow so good! So well done!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Mark of the Raven

Mark of the Raven, by Morgan L. Busse. Heir to her house, Selene has the family gift of dreamwalking. The ability to manipulate dreams good or bad, however at this time the women have been using their gifts for gathering info and assasinating people. Selene struggles with following orders to assasinate and not loosing her family if she doesn’t.
     This is the first book I’ve read by Morgan Busse, I don’t normally read fantasy novels, but my teenaged daughter loves fantasy so I got this one with her in mind. I actually really enjoyed it. I can see this one becoming a popular series in our house! Fantasy isn’t a genre commonly found now in Christian writing, but obviously needed. I love being able to read books like this and to pass them on to my children that you know are good morally sound books! I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series! Neither can my teens!! Well done!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

When your kid is hurting

when your kid is hurting, helping your child through the tough days, by dr. Kevin Leman. Dr. Leman covers the tough issues our children face, school shootings, bullying, social media, divorce, etc. He guides parents on how to help our children grow in a world that’s is just so different than the one we grew up in. I recall as a child coming from a family that was divorced was rare. Very few kids on my school had divorced parents. But now you expect there’s a good portion that are divorced or never married in the first place and still form broken families. Top that off with growing in a cutltire that has the internet at its fingertips. You hear the bad news instantly, the immoral is at your fingertips, it’s a different world our kids are navigating. Any help to parents in this is always welcomed! I wouldn’t necessarily refer to this as a Christian self help book, but I would say that it gives good sound advice! Listening to our kids, helping them deal with anxiety, which is running rampant in today’s society. The pressure on our children is unreal. Teaching them to take responsibility for themselves. You really can’t go wrong with this book. It’s going to give you some great advice on helping your children grow into functioning adults! A definite benefit to add to your parenting library!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Everything she didn’t say

everything she didn’t say, by Jane Kirkpatrick. In this novel we follow Carrie strahorn and the adventures of her life following her husband around to settle in the west. . Life isn’t what she imagined it would look like, she had her dreams and ideas of what life would look like for herself and this wasn’t it! But it was what God planned for her. We follow her through the pages with journal entries and see what life was like a a pioneer woman. The bravery, courage, strength, etc it takes to be a woman in that time.
   I love love love historical novels! They are my favourite genre! So this one has become an immediate favourite! A good book makes you feel good, but a great novel makes you want to be better. That’s what Jane Kirkpatrick has done. It is such an inspiring story of a strong woman! It is a story that encourages and inspires! Well done!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

The first love

The first love, by Beverly Lewis.  Maggie has suffered a lot in time. Being diagnosed at a young age with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, she knows what it is to endure pain. Lots of it and often. Not only that, but the emotional pain and scaring of loosing her mother very suddenly too. Her father seems to move on from the death of their mother fairly quickly and in only 7 short months meets and marries Rachel, adding her to their hurting family. A tent meeting arrives in town, Maggie convinced to go by a cousin, attends and is drawn to it. The speaker, the message, the music, the speakers son. The idea of  God wanting and able to heal.
     As with all of Beverly Lewis’s books this one too is amazing. I am a sucker for Amish novels. She makes a simple way of life so appealing. I love wandering through this book with Maggie and Rachel as they persevere through the struggles that come at them. Maggie with her physical pain, emotional pain and navigating the addition of a step mother. And Rachel with suddenly becoming a mother with a large family and the struggle of becoming and parenting the children. It’s such a message of hope. You don’t walk away from a Beverly Lewis book without feeling hopeful. It’s just one of the many beautiful gifts Od has blessed her with in her novels. A brillaiant read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

It’s ok not to be ok.

It’s ok. It to be ok, by Sheila Walsh. This book is so much. It’s so much more than just another Christian self help book. It was exactly the things I needed to hear at the time I read it. It’s not about fixing ourselves, it’s about simply Jesus. There’s so much in this book that has me wanting to go back and read it multiple times so I can really grasp it. Being conscious about what you focus and think on,  to face disappointment with Jesus. To find ourselves at our worst moments living out the verse “come to me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest for your souls”. There is so much truth in this book that speaks straight to your soul. This book meant the world to me. It really points us to clinging on to the one who we find genuine peace in. I will be talking about this book for some time and recommending it. It’s a book our churches need!!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

You can buy the book at your local Christian retailer or on Amazon.

The 49th mystic

The 49th mystic, by Ted Dekker. In this novel we meet Rachel, she’s been blind since she was little. Yet dreams vividly. In her dreams she sees shadow man, the one who blinded her and has promised to continue blinding her. Yet what Rachel thought were only dreams aren’t as they appear. Shadow man shows up  in her world where she’s blind, he’s never done that before. As Rachel is to undergo a treatment that is supposed to restore her sight, all “hell” breaks loose. Rachel will have to fight to find the seals to discover her true identity and help the ppl of eden. She will have to fight through her fears, and they are many, to find the truth. 
   I love Ted Dekker books, he is such a gifted writer! I was captured up in this book from the moment I picked it up! I took it with me to read while my children played at the park and at the moment shadow man appeared in Rachel’s awake world a leaf fell and landed on me. I jumped!!! It is so good and so suspenseful. He reveals so much truth in his novels and always points us straight to God. There are fiction books out there that change you, this is one of those books. I will be recommending this book to everyone. It’s so good. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

A light on the hill

A light on the hill, by connilyn cossette. Moriyah, even her appearance speaks shame. She veils herself to hide it, but she can’t seem to leave her past behind, especially when she’s branded with it. A temple prostitut. She’s certain she will never find love, let alone a having a family.  Yet somehow her father has found someone who’s agreed to marry her. Determined to make the best of it and win him over despite her past she’s surprised to find she catches the eye of another man. A man who could love her for who she is and not her past. Yet how complicated is her situation now.
     I love biblical historical fiction. One of my favourite genres. While I realize you have to keep in mind that these are fiction and not complete biblical accounts, it makes the stories you’ve read and not thought about these things before come alive. I love the story of redemption in this, how mirrored that is to the heart of God for his ppl. No matter our past, our sins, He wants us. I love this book. Such a good read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

The road home

The road home, by Beverly Lewis. After a tragic accident that claims the life of Lena’s parents. She’s left trying to figure out if she can keep the family together in their home. Unfortunately it’s just too much for a young girl to take on. So Lena and her siblings are separated and sent to family to live with. Lena being the only one sent out of the community. She finds a home in her cousins house, where she is much loved and needed. She’s able to work and in a small way support her family back home financially. All whole desperately trying to find a job back home so she can return to her family and to Hans who she plans to marry. Unfortunately her plans don’t seem to be God’s plans, and while all looks hopeless she finds something even better. I love Beverly Lewis books. I haven’t found one I haven’t loved! There’s so much hope and love in this book. Following the characters and seeing their love and integrity always inspires me to better myself. A very good novel that really accessed the heart of God!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Judah’s wife

Judah’s wife, by Angela Hunt. In this novel we learn of Judah Maccabaeus and Leah. Leah comes from an extremely abusive home, where her father is horrible to both her and her mother. She meets Judah in the market after he rescues her from unwanted attention. Not too long after Judah and Leah marry and she moves with his family. There is an attack against Judaism and those who practice it. Their lives are at risk so the family moves to a place where they can practice their religion in peace for at least a time. When that time comes and goes, war becomes inevitable and Judah after his fathers passing must lead the army. This is a story that I’ve heard bits about but really and not entirely sure of because it’s not in our Bible.  It was a really good read though and a riveting story! I really enjoyed reading this book. I love a good fiction novel that teaches you well about God. I look forward to reading more from this author!!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Where we belong

where we belong by Lynn Austin. I love big books and I cannot lie. Such a treasure found in this large novel! I love Lynn Austin’s novels to begin with, so I was looking forward to this one! We find in this novel we get to travel with sisters finding adventure and faith and inspiration and more! Lynn Austin weaves such a great historic tale in each of the characters. It’s a real treasure when you find a fictional novel that inspires you to be a better person. The genuine love the sisters have for other people, their humility, their desire to serve. I love books that portray women in strong roles! This book is no exception!! It’s honestly a great read! I loved it so much. I’ll be re-reading it again and again.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

A plain leaving

A plain Leaving, By Leslie Gould. There’s nothing I love more than starting a book series, the icing on the cake: an Amish series!!! I love Amish novels so much. I love looking into a world we know so little about. The author played with my emotions so well! I loved hearing Jessica’s story, her struggles, her leaving the Amish and her return. She seems so real! I loved the duel storyline and getting a look at her ancestors. Getting that glimpse into how they got to where they were. I love a good historical fiction. This was just an awesome book! I cannot wait till the rest of this series comes out.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Free of me

Free of Me,sharron Hodde Miller. AHHHHHH-mazing!!!! This book has so much value in it. I found myself thinking so often that “that’s what I’m doing”. There is such a great challenge in this book to stop looking at yourself. To stop making everything so self centred. We live in a world that is so self centred, the goal being to be happy, to make ourselves happy. The church seems to get so caught up in this too. We have such a high level of anxiety and depression in the church and I believe that this lie that it’s all about me is to blame for a good portion of it. I loved everything about this book. We’re called to a Jesus centred lifestyle but we’ve missed that mark. This book needs to be in every church.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Fierce hearted

Fierce hearted, by Holley Gerth. I love Holly Gerth books! I have a number of them already. She is so real and gets the real struggles we face. She has real advice, not the Christian go to answers! I love everything that she’s written so far including this book! She’s such a wonderful advocate for the Christian woman. Bringing wholeness and freedom! This book is all about embracing who God made us to be, knowing who we are through what God says about us. She is such an encouragement to me and I love all the books she’s written. So good!!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

All she left behind

all she left behind, Jane Kirkpatrick. I love historical fiction, this book retelling the stories of people who came before us and their hardships and realities are my favourite genre. It’s not the “all lived happily ever after” kind of fiction. It’s real. It’s depicts real struggles, real tragedies, we get a glimps back in time to how ppl lived and their hardships. After an accident Jennie is a single mother with a desire to become a doctor. Both of which are frowned on. Yet she has a vast knowledge and a kind heart longing to help others. We get the privilege of following her as she cares, heals, and lives. An amazing book that I’m sure all will love!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

These healing hills

These healing hills, by Ann H. Gabhart. I love Ann Gabharts books. I’m always so thrilled when I get a book by her. They are always so so so good! She truly is a gifted author! I also love a good historical fiction book. This had it. It really is the best of all worlds. Francine after some heartache leaves home to train to become a midwife in the Appalachian mountains. She crosses pathed with Ben who’s just returned from years spent at war and a love blossoms! Back home Francine’s family wants her to return, yet she’s found a place to fit in with the people where she is!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

The proving

The proving, by Beverly Lewis. Due to the inability to get along with her sibling Amanda leaves the Amish community becoming an Englisher. She learns that her mother has now passed away and has left the bead and breakfast that the family runs to Amanda if she can run it for 12 months. Amanda is strong willed and determined to make this a success so she can sell it and get back to her English life.
     This is a great story of forgiveness. Of course it’s going to be an amazing book! Beverly Lewis wrote it! This book is no different. A great read. I looked forward to reading it!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Unwrapping the names of Jesus

unwrapping the names of Jesus, an advent devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu.  This devotional consists of 4 weeks of devotions over a course of 5 days each week. Each devotional showing us the names of Jesus. There is such a sense of power and presence when reading through these. My heart felt so full. It was just what I needed for this Christmas season. I’d have to say my absolute favourite was the devotion titled “ajesus is the Prince of Peace”. Who doesn’t need that over the business of the Christmas season? Or for a lifetime! It hit so close to home. This devotional is short enough that it’s great for the whole family, yet deep enough that all will be fed well reading through it. Knowing and learning the names of Jesus is so important. I love everything about this book. It is so well done.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review!

The way of hope

the way of hope, a fresh perspective on sexual identity, same sex marriage and the church, by Melissa fisher.  The topic of homosexuality and same sex marriage are is hard topic to discuss within the church. It is often one that has met with condemnation, disgust, and the pointing out of sins. It is an area that I feel the church in North America has yet to grasp the hope and grace that we can offer to a people that are largely untouched by the church. We have a hope to those were hurting and grace and healing that God offers.  The author touches on her own personal story of abuse,  homosexual lifestyle and the pain and suffering. She brings to us unique perspective of receiving that healing and that grace and mercy and finding that relationship with Christ.  So then we get the unique opportunity to learn from someone who is been there and has been healed to find out what we as a church can do to reach people in that community. I think we have come to a time where the world knows our opinions on homosexuality but it doesn't know our grace.  If the world doesn't know our love and our Grace more than it does our judgements then we've done something wrong.  If we can look for a way to accept people despite their sins then maybe we have a chance of reaching people who think they are rejected by us. This author does an awesome job of guiding us in a way that we can help.  I can't say enough good things about this book, I wish that every pastor and every deacon and every elder would have a copy of this. In fact I wish that every Christian would get a copy of this, it is in desperate need in our world to have healing from sexual sins, abuse, etc.

" this book was provided courtesy of Baker publishing group and  graf-Martin communications Inc."