Jayna's bookshelf: all en-US Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:27:57 -0700 60 Jayna's bookshelf: all 144 41 https://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg The Blackout Book Club 60324194
At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they share more in common with each other than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.]]> 400 Amy Lynn Green 0764239562 Jayna 4 historical-fiction 3.90 2022 The Blackout Book Club
author: Amy Lynn Green
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2026/08/24
shelves: historical-fiction
review:
It feels like it’s been a long time since I simply enjoyed the experience of a good inspirational historical novel. While I wouldn’t really call this “Christian” due to the general lack of faith references, it’s filled with great characters and themes of community and our need for the people around us. Plus it’s about books. 😁
]]> <![CDATA[The Lady and the Loyalist (Heart of the Revolution, #1)]]> 212802423
Charles Johnson hasn’t been home in seven years, but an urgent message from his father insists he returns immediately. He books passage on a merchant vessel bound for Virginia carrying three other passengers, including the engaging and pragmatic Miss Bailey. Though determined to remain strangers, when he succumbs to seasickness he cannot refuse her assistance. Indeed, he soon cannot refuse her anything, not even the friendship she demands from him. After all, it’s foolish to hope for something more when their destinies are an ocean apart.

The Lady and the Loyalist is a Christian historical romance with no steam.]]> 460 Stephanie McRae Jayna 0 4.25 The Lady and the Loyalist (Heart of the Revolution, #1)
author: Stephanie McRae
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/08/24
shelves:
review:

]]> The Belle of Chatham 236304627
As Mae's friendship grows with the American general Rhys Harlow, Coralie continues her liaison with her childhood sweetheart, a British officer stationed in New York. Torn between her growing love for the general and suspicion that her sister is a British spy, Mae leaves the only home she's ever known for the New York frontier. When betrayal strikes in the heart of the wilderness, she's forced to take a perilous journey that tests her very survival and those she loves, all in the name of liberty.

Proclaimed "wordsmith extraordinaire" by Library Journal, Laura Frantz delivers a stirring tale of divided loyalties, sisterhood, and love.]]> 384 Laura Frantz 0800746562 Jayna 0 4.23 2026 The Belle of Chatham
author: Laura Frantz
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2026
rating: 0
read at: 2026/05/27
date added: 2026/05/27
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, read-the-revolution, favorite-author, historical-fiction, recommended
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Prisoner’s Rest: A Story of the Royal Navy (For Liberty and Conscience, #1.5)]]> 252038651 He thought the Revolution wasn’t his affair. He was wrong.

It’s 1776, and seventeen-year-old Rane Armistead has been studying law in London with little concern for the American rebellion. Surely Parliament and Congress will reach a peaceful solution.

But after he’s kidnapped into service in the Royal Navy, Rane discovers that aboard a warship, the captain’s word is the only law. The tidy black-and-white world of his legal studies disappears as he’s befriended by an injured prisoner of war, a man who has risked his life to defy the empire Rane has always been proud to honor.

And when injustice unfolds on the deck right in front of him, Rane makes his own choice to defend the defenseless—a choice he pays for dearly. Now he can do as he’s told and survive his remaining service…or risk the wrath of the Royal Navy for a truth he is only now coming to understand.

This novelette is a prequel to Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas and is available free to Jayna’s email subscribers.]]> 67 Jayna Baas Jayna 0 Prisoner’s Rest is an origin story for reader favorite Rane Armistead from my novel Patriot at the River: A Novel of the American Revolution but can be read as a standalone (beware some minor spoilers).

I’ve always been fascinated with sailing ships, and I enjoyed diving into that interest to bring Rane’s adventures in the Royal Navy to life. Plus I got to include an appearance from Colonel Ethan Allen, a historical figure who has always intrigued me.

If you enjoy stories of moral courage against nasty odds in unusual historical settings, check out this quick read. It appears in The Design of Providence, an anthology of short stories set during the American Revolution, or you can get a free copy when you join my email list here!]]> 4.73 Prisoner’s Rest: A Story of the Royal Navy (For Liberty and Conscience, #1.5)
author: Jayna Baas
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.73
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/05/16
shelves:
review:
Brand-new release! Prisoner’s Rest is an origin story for reader favorite Rane Armistead from my novel Patriot at the River: A Novel of the American Revolution but can be read as a standalone (beware some minor spoilers).

I’ve always been fascinated with sailing ships, and I enjoyed diving into that interest to bring Rane’s adventures in the Royal Navy to life. Plus I got to include an appearance from Colonel Ethan Allen, a historical figure who has always intrigued me.

If you enjoy stories of moral courage against nasty odds in unusual historical settings, check out this quick read. It appears in The Design of Providence, an anthology of short stories set during the American Revolution, or you can get a free copy when you join my email list here!
]]> <![CDATA[Promise of Refuge: A Story of the Early South (For Liberty & Conscience #0.5)]]> 246527095 He came looking for a preacher. He found more than he’d bargained for.

It’s 1759, and young circuit rider Robert Boothe and his teenage brother have crossed North Carolina in search of their father’s circuit riding partner. But the old preacher is nowhere to be found.

And Magdalen Davies wants to keep it that way. She’s willing to help shelter Robert on her father’s plantation. She’s not willing to trust him with secrets that could hurt the people she loves.

But Robert needs her help—and she needs his. As local troublemakers come dangerously close to Robert’s search and Magdalen’s secrets, what will Robert and Magdalen risk to finish what they’ve started?

This novelette is a prequel to Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas and is available free to Jayna’s email subscribers.]]> Jayna Baas Jayna 0 Preacher on the Run: A Novel of Early America but can be read as a standalone, so you can use it to either get acquainted with characters you’ll meet in later adventures or spend more time with characters you already know and love.

You’ll find a unique historical setting, brotherly banter, carefully kept secrets, and hints of sweet romance in this short but faith-filled adventure. Get your free copy when you join my email list here!]]> 4.29 Promise of Refuge: A Story of the Early South (For Liberty & Conscience #0.5)
author: Jayna Baas
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.29
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/05/16
shelves: mybooks, christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction
review:
This story is about 50 pages long, perfect for a quick afternoon read. It’s a prequel to my novel Preacher on the Run: A Novel of Early America but can be read as a standalone, so you can use it to either get acquainted with characters you’ll meet in later adventures or spend more time with characters you already know and love.

You’ll find a unique historical setting, brotherly banter, carefully kept secrets, and hints of sweet romance in this short but faith-filled adventure. Get your free copy when you join my email list here!
]]> <![CDATA[Patriot at the River: A Novel of the American Revolution (For Liberty and Conscience, #2)]]> 246526354 The fight he got wasn’t the fight he wanted.

It’s 1780, and North Carolina is a battleground. Backcountry scout Benjamin Woodbridge is guarding a Patriot camp when he sees the king’s men pursuing a civilian. Never one to stand by while someone is in trouble, Benjamin steps in to help the stranger and finds an unexpected ally.

But the same British officer who targeted the stranger is also targeting Benjamin’s hometown. After Benjamin is wounded on a lonely mountain trail, he watches his settlement fall to the man who crushed his father’s cause nine years earlier. Benjamin’s fight has come home to the very people he wanted to protect—his shy younger sister and the woman who has given them both a home.

Now, with the help of some unlikely comrades and the indomitable Aunt Kate, Benjamin must fight for what he loves before his settlement goes up in flames. But only if he can fight himself first.

--

“A fast-paced tale, Patriot at the River captures the spirit of the American Revolution in spades. Through courageous flesh-and-blood characters in the Carolina backcountry who are the embodiment of soul liberty, this well-layered novel offers a fresh look at freedom and those who fought to win it not only for themselves but generations to come. Huzzah!”
—LAURA FRANTZ, Christy Award–winning author of The Frontiersman’s Daughter

“I am so impressed with Jayna Baas and this story! Intense, at times heartstopping, richly textured and steeped in an authentic Carolina backcountry voice. Reading it felt like visiting old friends that I hadn’t yet met.”
—SHANNON McNEAR, Selah Award–winning author of Daughters of the Lost Colony]]> 332 Jayna Baas 1734717548 Jayna 0 booksbyjayna.com/patriot-at-the-river.

Who is this book for?

In short, if you love courageous characters who stand up for what’s right, forgotten history you (maybe) didn’t learn in school, and classic storytelling grounded in traditional virtues and biblical truth, this book is for you.

Content notes: Although Patriot at the River was written for adults, it’s completely clean and family-friendly. Due to the setting and plot, you’ll see some mild wartime peril and violence, so I suggest age 13+ for sensitive readers.

I hope this book takes you deep into the heart of the fight for faith and freedom in a part of the Revolution you may be less familiar with. Happy reading!

Connect with me through my email newsletter to get free short stories and more! Sign up here.

]]> 4.53 Patriot at the River: A Novel of the American Revolution (For Liberty and Conscience, #2)
author: Jayna Baas
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.53
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/05/16
shelves: mybooks, christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, read-the-revolution
review:
It’s official! This beautiful new edition is now available in all the places you get books—including as an audiobook with a truly amazing narrator (who is definitely not me). Find all the options at booksbyjayna.com/patriot-at-the-river.

Who is this book for?

In short, if you love courageous characters who stand up for what’s right, forgotten history you (maybe) didn’t learn in school, and classic storytelling grounded in traditional virtues and biblical truth, this book is for you.

Content notes: Although Patriot at the River was written for adults, it’s completely clean and family-friendly. Due to the setting and plot, you’ll see some mild wartime peril and violence, so I suggest age 13+ for sensitive readers.

I hope this book takes you deep into the heart of the fight for faith and freedom in a part of the Revolution you may be less familiar with. Happy reading!

Connect with me through my email newsletter to get free short stories and more! Sign up here.


]]> <![CDATA[Preacher on the Run: A Novel of Early America (For Liberty and Conscience, #1)]]> 246526051 He preaches truth. The Crown calls it treason.

It’s 1771, and tensions run high in colonial North Carolina. Frontier preacher Robert Boothe has spent the last four years standing against unlawful taxes and government corruption.

To his close-knit congregation, Robert is a courageous man of God who defends the truth. To his wife and young daughter, he’s a devoted protector who longs to shield them from the growing unrest. To the governor’s men, he’s a rebel who preaches a dangerous gospel of God-given freedom.

No one sees the doubts he wrestles in his own heart.

Then the governor’s ambitious new agent arrives to make an example of Robert’s resistance. Robert refuses to back down, even when he’s arrested in front of his church on a Sunday morning. But when his family and church are caught in the crossfire, what price will Robert pay to keep them safe?

--

“Compelling and convicting, Preacher on the Run immerses readers in early America, bringing to light a piece of lesser-known history that shaped our nation. The characters come alive on the page and draw you in as they wrestle with faith, freedom, and the intersection of the two. Their fears and failures are relatable, their courage admirable, and their victories wholeheartedly rewarding. Jayna Baas crafts a beautiful and engaging story that will challenge your own faith and inspire you long after you’ve turned the last page.”
—MEGAN SOJA, award-winning author of Spark of the Revolution

“With lively dialogue and rich characterization, Jayna Baas brings to life a neglected chapter of the American Revolution.”
—LYNNE BASHAM TAGAWA, Selah Awards finalist and author of The Shenandoah Road]]> 332 Jayna Baas 1734717505 Jayna 0 booksbyjayna.com/preacher-on-the-run.

Who is this book for?

In short, if you love courageous characters who stand up for what’s right, forgotten history you (maybe) didn’t learn in school, and classic storytelling grounded in traditional virtues and biblical truth, this book is for you.

Content notes: Although Preacher on the Run was written for adults, it’s completely clean and family-friendly. Due to the setting and plot, you’ll see some non-graphic peril and violence, so I suggest age 13+ for sensitive readers.

I hope this book encourages, entertains, and edifies you—and maybe teaches you something you didn’t know before. Happy reading!

Connect with me through my email newsletter to get free short stories and more! Sign up here.]]> 4.19 2020 Preacher on the Run: A Novel of Early America (For Liberty and Conscience, #1)
author: Jayna Baas
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/05/16
shelves: mybooks, christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, read-the-revolution
review:
It’s official! This beautiful new edition is now available in all the places you get books—including as an audiobook with a truly amazing narrator (who is definitely not me). Find all the options at booksbyjayna.com/preacher-on-the-run.

Who is this book for?

In short, if you love courageous characters who stand up for what’s right, forgotten history you (maybe) didn’t learn in school, and classic storytelling grounded in traditional virtues and biblical truth, this book is for you.

Content notes: Although Preacher on the Run was written for adults, it’s completely clean and family-friendly. Due to the setting and plot, you’ll see some non-graphic peril and violence, so I suggest age 13+ for sensitive readers.

I hope this book encourages, entertains, and edifies you—and maybe teaches you something you didn’t know before. Happy reading!

Connect with me through my email newsletter to get free short stories and more! Sign up here.
]]> <![CDATA[Heretics of Piedmont (Witnesses of the Light #1)]]> 250783285 A monk banished for sins he didn’t commit. A secret mission that could redeem him—or condemn him utterly.

In 1458 Piedmont, novice monk Andreas de Bonomo’s promising future shatters when false accusations exile him from his Benedictine order. His abbot, aware of the injustice, offers a clandestine path to absolution: infiltrate a burgeoning heretical sect in the rugged Alpine valleys.

Armed with his wits and language skills, Andreas arrives as a traveling scribe, offering to chronicle the history of the mountain folk. Yet, as he delves deeper into the lives of the Vallenses—a community committed to the Bible—he finds not fire-breathing devils, but a people of unwavering faith and conviction, whose understanding of scripture challenges everything he’s ever known.

Caught between his sworn duty to the Church and the compelling truth he uncovers, Andreas must decide where his loyalties truly lie. Will he expose these heretics or risk everything to protect a faith more ancient and pure than he ever imagined?

In a world on the cusp of seismic change, one man’s search for truth could ignite a fire that reshapes history.]]> 309 D.J. Speckhals 173753648X Jayna 5
I love the characters and how well they were portrayed—all of them very human and with natural growth along the way. Andreas didn’t change his mind overnight. The Vallenses weren’t perfect. Some of the bad guys actually thought they were doing the right thing. I also loved that the salvation scene in this story was so much more than just praying a prayer; it was real heart change.

The hardest part of the story itself came near the end. I knew, of course, that there couldn’t be a story about the Vallenses without persecution and possible martyrdom. I just didn’t want it to be that character. I’m a sucker for happy endings, and while the story did have a mainly happy ending, it was…sad too.

The details of research were well done, and I enjoyed the smattering of foreign languages throughout. I loved Andreas and his conflict over his faith. This was a challenging read, but in a good way. I wouldn’t recommend it for very young readers due to some of the content (although the graphic details were kept to a minimum), but otherwise I give it a solid five stars.

It’s fascinating to me to think about what these medieval Christians risked to translate the Scriptures and spread the gospel, and I’m so glad D. J. Speckhals was willing to delve into their story. Heretics of Piedmont is full of real struggles, deep faith, and strong lessons. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking Christian history in the guise of fast-paced storytelling!]]> 5.00 2021 Heretics of Piedmont (Witnesses of the Light #1)
author: D.J. Speckhals
name: Jayna
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/12/29
date added: 2026/05/09
shelves: historical-fiction, truly-christian, christian-historical-fiction
review:
As soon as I saw that this book was about the Waldensians (called Vallenses in this story), I was intrigued. I love the lesser-known stories of history, and the Vallenses fit the bill: Bible-believing Christians before the Reformation.

I love the characters and how well they were portrayed—all of them very human and with natural growth along the way. Andreas didn’t change his mind overnight. The Vallenses weren’t perfect. Some of the bad guys actually thought they were doing the right thing. I also loved that the salvation scene in this story was so much more than just praying a prayer; it was real heart change.

The hardest part of the story itself came near the end. I knew, of course, that there couldn’t be a story about the Vallenses without persecution and possible martyrdom. I just didn’t want it to be that character. I’m a sucker for happy endings, and while the story did have a mainly happy ending, it was…sad too.

The details of research were well done, and I enjoyed the smattering of foreign languages throughout. I loved Andreas and his conflict over his faith. This was a challenging read, but in a good way. I wouldn’t recommend it for very young readers due to some of the content (although the graphic details were kept to a minimum), but otherwise I give it a solid five stars.

It’s fascinating to me to think about what these medieval Christians risked to translate the Scriptures and spread the gospel, and I’m so glad D. J. Speckhals was willing to delve into their story. Heretics of Piedmont is full of real struggles, deep faith, and strong lessons. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking Christian history in the guise of fast-paced storytelling!
]]> Theo of Golden 242376245 One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…

His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.]]> 400 Allen Levi 1668236516 Jayna 0 to-read 4.32 2023 Theo of Golden
author: Allen Levi
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/04/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Scattering of Light (Crockett's Landing #1)]]> 249351070
Colonial Virginia 1734

Mourning her wayward brother’s death, Verity Wilde has turned her back on Williamsburg society, striving to live by her notion of true to keep oneself unspotted from the world. But when she boards a ship to claim an indentured Scottish clerk, she’s unprepared to find another Scotsman, starved and gravely ill, left on deck untended. With scarcely more knowledge of the man than his name and place of origin—William Crockett of Skye—pity compels Verity to purchase his indenture too, meaning to provide the compassionate death denied him by the ship’s crew. Only he doesn’t die.

Will Crockett’s survival upends Verity’s carefully circumscribed life, while he awakens to find his world shattered beyond recognition. As they seek to reconcile their broken pasts, bitterness and fear vie with hope to chart their futures. Can they find the courage to trust each other, and a God who scatters light in the darkness?]]> 447 Lori Benton Jayna 0 to-read 4.48 2026 A Scattering of Light (Crockett's Landing #1)
author: Lori Benton
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2026
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/04/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[An Arrival of Hope (Home to Osceola, #3)]]> 247183018
Rosalind Durmond still harbors a heart made for storybook romance—she just knows such tales aren’t written for her. She thought she’d traded those dreams for duty when she agreed to care for her aging aunt. But when that aunt sets off for the Nebraska plains to right an old wrong, Rosalind finds herself knee-deep in family strife—and face-to-face with a widowed farmer whose quiet strength stirs hopes she thought long out of reach.

Zane Hoffman’s learned the hard way that happy endings exist only in fairy tales. Since his wife’s death, he’s sworn off risking his heart again. Yet when a red-haired woman with a knack for finding trouble crosses his path, his conscience won’t let him walk away.

As secrets from the past turn dangerous, Rosalind and Zane must fight for survival—and for the fragile love awakening between them.]]> 390 Alena Mentink Jayna 5
I had the honor to work as Alena’s proofreader on this book, and it has my favorite heroine of the series so far: a bookish romantic who thrives on tales of bygone days and longs for adventure—until she gets it. Although I love social events much more than Rosalind Durmond does, I could relate to her love for stories and dreams of her own happily-ever-after. Add in a strong-and-silent widower with two young children, a crotchety old aunt, a passel of dangerous secrets, and a strong emphasis on biblical faith, and you’ve got a fun, sweet, adventurous story.

Maybe it’s because Alena lives in the town where her stories are set, but I love her ability to bring small-town community to life. In the previous book, A Time of Proving , I noticed this in the local square dance the characters attend. In An Arrival of Hope, it’s the basket social that could have come from one of the Little House books—a blend of warmth and friendliness with a just a hint of realistic awkwardness at being an outsider. I felt so much sympathy with Rosalind as she did her best to fit in with a completely foreign environment. It was way too easy to imagine walking a mile in her lace-up boots!

This is definitely a romance, and a very sweet one at that, but it’s also much more. There’s plenty of mystery and suspense, and Alena’s characters earnestly try to live out their faith as they wrestle with heartbreak and complication in any number of ways. Plus we’re reminded that even the most annoying people aren’t beyond redemption. I always appreciate Alena’s focus on true commitment over mere physical attraction, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

An Arrival of Hope is the third book in the Home to Osceola series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone.

Join my email subscribers here for more book recommendations, free short stories, author updates, and more.]]> 4.79 An Arrival of Hope (Home to Osceola, #3)
author: Alena Mentink
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.79
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2026/03/14
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, recommended, truly-christian
review:
Alena Mentink delivers another adventurous, uplifting tale filled with endearing characters and enduring faith. Perfect for fans of wholesome Christian romance!

I had the honor to work as Alena’s proofreader on this book, and it has my favorite heroine of the series so far: a bookish romantic who thrives on tales of bygone days and longs for adventure—until she gets it. Although I love social events much more than Rosalind Durmond does, I could relate to her love for stories and dreams of her own happily-ever-after. Add in a strong-and-silent widower with two young children, a crotchety old aunt, a passel of dangerous secrets, and a strong emphasis on biblical faith, and you’ve got a fun, sweet, adventurous story.

Maybe it’s because Alena lives in the town where her stories are set, but I love her ability to bring small-town community to life. In the previous book, A Time of Proving , I noticed this in the local square dance the characters attend. In An Arrival of Hope, it’s the basket social that could have come from one of the Little House books—a blend of warmth and friendliness with a just a hint of realistic awkwardness at being an outsider. I felt so much sympathy with Rosalind as she did her best to fit in with a completely foreign environment. It was way too easy to imagine walking a mile in her lace-up boots!

This is definitely a romance, and a very sweet one at that, but it’s also much more. There’s plenty of mystery and suspense, and Alena’s characters earnestly try to live out their faith as they wrestle with heartbreak and complication in any number of ways. Plus we’re reminded that even the most annoying people aren’t beyond redemption. I always appreciate Alena’s focus on true commitment over mere physical attraction, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

An Arrival of Hope is the third book in the Home to Osceola series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone.

Join my email subscribers here for more book recommendations, free short stories, author updates, and more.
]]> The Design of Providence 248179640 In this landmark collection of historical short stories, ten authors of Christian fiction sweep you into the heart of the American Revolution. Journey alongside historical giants like George Washington and his steadfast valet, William Lee. Witness the fire of a young Andrew Jackson standing against British tyranny, and feel the tension as John Adams, America’s first ambassador, stands before the very king he defied.
Intertwining fact and fiction, each story masterfully explores the personal cost of allegiance, the agony of families divided by war, and the quiet, persistent thread of faith that wove through it all.
Celebrate America's 250th birthday with this immersive, faith-filled journey into the soul of a nation's founding.]]> 398 Lynne Basham Tagawa Jayna 0 4.64 The Design of Providence
author: Lynne Basham Tagawa
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.64
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/02/27
shelves: mybooks, historical-fiction, read-the-revolution
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament]]> 40584233 Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God's goodness.

Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God--but it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. Lament avoids trite answers and quick solutions, progressively moving us toward deeper worship and trust.

Exploring how the Bible--through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations--gives voice to our pain, this book invites us to grieve, struggle, and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of our lives.]]> 224 Mark Vroegop 1433561484 Jayna 0 to-read 4.52 2019 Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
author: Mark Vroegop
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.52
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Scars of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies Book 3)]]> 237363292 Some scars are born from duty, others from rebellion—theirs were carved by both.

Libby Caldwell has been in love with Isaac Harrison for years, ever since her late father befriended him. While her head knows there is no hope of sharing her life with a British soldier, her heart is much more difficult to convince, especially now that he is quartering in her home. With Boston under siege and battle looming, each day together forces her to recognize how deep her feelings truly are…and how forbidden.

Bound by duty to both his family and country, Isaac is determined to serve honorably in the King’s army, despite never wishing to be a soldier. But quartering with the widow and daughter of his old friend places another obligation on his shoulders—that of their well-being. The more time he spends with Miss Caldwell, the more that duty begins to feel like something personal, something he cannot allow.

As the siege of Boston tightens, Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause—and destroy any chance of a future with the man she’s growing to love.

Will betrayal and war keep their two worlds forever apart? Or will they look to the One whose love knows no bounds to bring them healing and a future?]]> 338 Megan Soja Jayna 4
As with Megan’s other books, her research shines through on every page, especially as Boston prepares for the Battle of Bunker Hill and her characters prepare to live through it (at least we hope they live through it). That really helps bring the historical experience to life as Libby and Isaac both wrestle with the complicated decisions they face.

What would it be like to live in Boston during the British siege? What happens if you’re inadvertently tangled up in the dangerous espionage business? How do you reconcile your heart’s longings with the hard reality of the world you live in?

Such complicated decisions feel very realistic, and yet they also showcase the power of biblical truth despite our weakness. This is one thing I love about Megan Soja’s writing. She’s not afraid to weave real scriptural truth into her characters’ lives, and the story is only stronger because of it. Themes that have been explored again and again feel freshly written and so applicable to real life.

Libby’s patient, wise mother was one of my favorite characters, and I appreciated finding a Christian novel that actually addressed the danger in making decisions based solely on feelings and desires rather than on the Lord’s wisdom. A refreshing change from all the “follow your heart” tropes that are so prevalent.

Scars of the Revolution is more romance-centric than the first two books in the series ( Spark of the Revolution and Secrets of the Revolution ), although those had their own share of sweet romance. This one simply has more pining and emotional focus, which some readers will prefer and others won’t. Still, I was glad to see that elements that could have turned into “easy answers” didn’t go that direction at all. Megan Soja has a talent for subverting my expectations in the best of ways, and I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the fourth book!

Highly recommended for fans of Laura Frantz or anyone looking for some Revolutionary history disguised as a sweet Christian romance.

Join my email subscribers here for more book recommendations, free short stories, author updates, and more.]]> 4.65 Scars of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies Book 3)
author: Megan Soja
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.65
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2026/02/18
date added: 2026/02/18
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, truly-christian
review:
Megan Soja weaves another richly detailed story of faith and love put to the test against the backdrop of the Revolution in Boston.

As with Megan’s other books, her research shines through on every page, especially as Boston prepares for the Battle of Bunker Hill and her characters prepare to live through it (at least we hope they live through it). That really helps bring the historical experience to life as Libby and Isaac both wrestle with the complicated decisions they face.

What would it be like to live in Boston during the British siege? What happens if you’re inadvertently tangled up in the dangerous espionage business? How do you reconcile your heart’s longings with the hard reality of the world you live in?

Such complicated decisions feel very realistic, and yet they also showcase the power of biblical truth despite our weakness. This is one thing I love about Megan Soja’s writing. She’s not afraid to weave real scriptural truth into her characters’ lives, and the story is only stronger because of it. Themes that have been explored again and again feel freshly written and so applicable to real life.

Libby’s patient, wise mother was one of my favorite characters, and I appreciated finding a Christian novel that actually addressed the danger in making decisions based solely on feelings and desires rather than on the Lord’s wisdom. A refreshing change from all the “follow your heart” tropes that are so prevalent.

Scars of the Revolution is more romance-centric than the first two books in the series ( Spark of the Revolution and Secrets of the Revolution ), although those had their own share of sweet romance. This one simply has more pining and emotional focus, which some readers will prefer and others won’t. Still, I was glad to see that elements that could have turned into “easy answers” didn’t go that direction at all. Megan Soja has a talent for subverting my expectations in the best of ways, and I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the fourth book!

Highly recommended for fans of Laura Frantz or anyone looking for some Revolutionary history disguised as a sweet Christian romance.

Join my email subscribers here for more book recommendations, free short stories, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Protecting the Poor (Tales of Faith, #3)]]> 46007800
Noel has always hidden behind the shadow of his older brother, Dumphey. When life forces him to stand on his own, will he still follow God in the corrupt world in which he lives? Would God really call him to do something that is beyond his power to do?

As Lord Feroci's sinister plot comes to light, each lad has a choice to make. A choice that could cost them their lives.]]> 235 Amanda Tero Matthews Jayna 0 to-read 4.58 2019 Protecting the Poor (Tales of Faith, #3)
author: Amanda Tero Matthews
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.58
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Gryphon Heist (Talia Inger, #1)]]> 43838301
Even Tyler is more than he seems, and Talia begins to wonder: Is he helping her? Or using her access to CIA resources to pull off an epic heist for his own dark purposes?

In this Ocean's Eleven- meets -Mission Impossible thriller, former tactical deception officer and stealth pilot James R. Hannibal offers you a nonstop thrill ride through the most daring heist ever conceived.]]> 400 James R. Hannibal 0800735773 Jayna 4
The characters are a blast and the main reason I’ve enjoyed this book more than once. I love the banter and scheming and tension between the team members, as well as all their different personalities and, uh, talents.

I do have to admit that Talia herself isn’t my favorite character, even though she’s the protagonist. I’m not a fan of tough female officers in general, but I knew that going into this. Mainly, Talia seemed like she was either out of the loop or just being stubborn a lot of the time, so she didn’t really feel like the heroine. But her friendship with Eddie was fun to read. I really enjoyed the overall lack of romance—just a couple of potential love interests or crushes that weren’t the focus of the story.

Not that I have anything against romance, but when I want a thriller, I want a thriller, and this delivered. I was afraid the tech would come off with a sci-fi feel, but it stayed realistic. This book does require me to suspend my natural cynicism a few times and say, “Okay, this is crazy, but I’ll roll with it.” But it’s worth it.

The spiritual themes are well done, despite some resolution that happened rather fast, and I appreciate the clear message of redemption on Christ’s merit, not our own. All too often, “Christian” fiction doesn’t reference Christ himself at all, and I’m glad that wasn’t the case here. Talia’s spiritual state isn’t exactly clear, but there’s no doubt she got pointed in the right direction!

This is a thriller, so there is some “battle, murder, and sudden death.” Overall, though, the violence level is not as high as in most thrillers. My only other (minor) objection is that justice sort of got ignored in this world of con artists and burglars and assassins and gray areas. Being a thief for a good cause is still being a thief… But regardless, I highly enjoyed this and had a hard time putting it down. James Hannibal writes like he knows his stuff (which he does; just read his bio).

It should be noted that the second book in the series, Chasing the White Lion, contains a lot more violence and darkness than is to my taste, so I didn’t enjoy that one nearly as much as this one. However, The Gryphon Heist can be read as a stand-alone even if you choose not to continue the series. If you love action-adventure stories with a great supporting cast and just a smidge of impossibility, give this one a try.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.12 2019 The Gryphon Heist (Talia Inger, #1)
author: James R. Hannibal
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2021/09/25
date added: 2025/11/14
shelves: christian-suspense-thriller, fun-reads
review:
The first time I read this book, I was just trying to figure out what in the world—or should I say, what in the mesosphere—was going on. Since then, I’ve read it twice more just for enjoyment. That’s saying something from a discovery reader who doesn’t often re-read books once she knows how they end.

The characters are a blast and the main reason I’ve enjoyed this book more than once. I love the banter and scheming and tension between the team members, as well as all their different personalities and, uh, talents.

I do have to admit that Talia herself isn’t my favorite character, even though she’s the protagonist. I’m not a fan of tough female officers in general, but I knew that going into this. Mainly, Talia seemed like she was either out of the loop or just being stubborn a lot of the time, so she didn’t really feel like the heroine. But her friendship with Eddie was fun to read. I really enjoyed the overall lack of romance—just a couple of potential love interests or crushes that weren’t the focus of the story.

Not that I have anything against romance, but when I want a thriller, I want a thriller, and this delivered. I was afraid the tech would come off with a sci-fi feel, but it stayed realistic. This book does require me to suspend my natural cynicism a few times and say, “Okay, this is crazy, but I’ll roll with it.” But it’s worth it.

The spiritual themes are well done, despite some resolution that happened rather fast, and I appreciate the clear message of redemption on Christ’s merit, not our own. All too often, “Christian” fiction doesn’t reference Christ himself at all, and I’m glad that wasn’t the case here. Talia’s spiritual state isn’t exactly clear, but there’s no doubt she got pointed in the right direction!

This is a thriller, so there is some “battle, murder, and sudden death.” Overall, though, the violence level is not as high as in most thrillers. My only other (minor) objection is that justice sort of got ignored in this world of con artists and burglars and assassins and gray areas. Being a thief for a good cause is still being a thief… But regardless, I highly enjoyed this and had a hard time putting it down. James Hannibal writes like he knows his stuff (which he does; just read his bio).

It should be noted that the second book in the series, Chasing the White Lion, contains a lot more violence and darkness than is to my taste, so I didn’t enjoy that one nearly as much as this one. However, The Gryphon Heist can be read as a stand-alone even if you choose not to continue the series. If you love action-adventure stories with a great supporting cast and just a smidge of impossibility, give this one a try.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel]]> 31503 352 Emmuska Orczy 0486440265 Jayna 4 fun-reads, historical-fiction
Much of this story centers around Armand, but we still get plenty of Marguerite and Sir Percy. (Though never as much of Sir Percy as I would like.) We also get plenty of action from the League, especially the incorrigible Lord Tony and the faithful Sir Andrew. It’s hard to watch our indomitable hero at Chauvelin’s mercy for a goodly section of the book. Yet the Pimpernel never gives in … or does he?

The Scarlet Pimpernel books are secular adventure classics with their fair share of old British cussing. But somehow they never fail to remind me of truths I forget all too easily. This is as true of El Dorado as in my review of The Elusive Pimpernel.

The first time I read El Dorado, I rolled my eyes a lot (at least mentally) at Armand’s passionate instalove and the trouble it caused for everyone. The melodramatic writing style doesn’t help, although this original version does prove that Armand’s love story could have been carried off very well without the objectionable content the 1982 movie introduced.

This time around, I saw much more of myself in the way Armand tries to take matters into his own hands instead of trusting the one who already has a plan and knows what he’s doing. Hm. That sounds familiar … and convicting.

“You must try and trust me, Armand. It is much to ask, I know, for you will have to trust me with what is most precious in the world to you; and you will have to obey me blindly, or I shall not be able to keep my word.”

Not that I think our Rescuer needs our obedience in order to keep his word, but this was still such a needed reminder for me. Funny how a swashbuckling hero with a penchant for profanity can hit me between the eyes with spiritual truth.

Speaking of Armand’s passionate romance, the Blakeneys are as much in love as ever. This is only brought into sharper focus by Armand’s accusation that Percy doesn’t know what it is to love. In contrast to much of modern fiction, the Pimpernel series is remarkable in that (a) its love story starts after marriage, and (b) it requires no salacious details to convey a love for the ages.

There’s a tension in this love, because Marguerite knows Sir Percy’s heart will always belong at least in part to the helpless victims of the Revolution. Yet there is a steadfast trust that he would lay down his very life for her—and has, on more than one occasion.

The strong pure air suddenly rushing right through to her lungs made her feel faint, and she almost fell. But it was good to feel herself falling, when one pair of arms amongst the millions on the earth were there to receive her.

Here too, I am reminded that I need have no fear of falling when I know who holds me up.

The title of the French-language edition of El Dorado is La Capture du Mouron Rouge, or “The Capture of the Scarlet Pimpernel.” (Literally “Red Chickweed,” according to Google Translate, but what does Google Translate know?). This tells you something of the plot. The time Sir Percy spends in captivity means we get fewer deeds of derring-do and a greater battle of wits and wills. But he is no less heroic for that and, indeed, demonstrates superhuman endurance of doubtful scientific plausibility.

Marguerite, on the other hand, is very human indeed. Her quiet resolve interspersed with moments of despair make for some poignant scenes as she and Sir Andrew strive to follow Sir Percy’s orders to the letter. Chauvelin is nasty as always, and I only wish we could see his face when he realizes he’s been duped once again by that elusive Pimpernel.

In some books, it really annoys me when I start to suspect the final move. In other books, I’m thrilled to get a hunch and have it proven right. This book was one of the latter type. Partway through the climax my first time reading this, I started to get the feeling of “Oh, oh, oh, I think I know what’s going on …” and it was delicious to discover I was right. Score another one for Sir Percy.

El Dorado is the book most film and stage adaptations of The Scarlet Pimpernel draw from. At the time this book was written (1905), legends still existed that Marie Antoinette’s son did indeed disappear from captivity. Unfortunately for both the Dauphin and this imaginative theory of what could have happened, DNA evidence has proven the prince died in imprisonment. But since when do we expect the adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel to be factually accurate?

Although El Dorado is listed seventh in the chronological series order, it’s fourth in publication order and feels like a natural sequel after the original novel and The Elusive Pimpernel. (The second book in the series, I Will Repay, contains only cameo appearances from Sir Percy and friends.) If you aren’t sensitive to occasional profanity and you’re in the mood for a dramatic adventure of love, betrayal, forgiveness, courage, and hints of the Eternal Story, give the series a try. You may find yourself with a new favorite hero.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.12 1913 El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
author: Emmuska Orczy
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1913
rating: 4
read at: 2022/11/29
date added: 2025/10/20
shelves: fun-reads, historical-fiction
review:
Sometimes a girl just gets in a mood for another Scarlet Pimpernel adventure. Time for a reread of a classic!

Much of this story centers around Armand, but we still get plenty of Marguerite and Sir Percy. (Though never as much of Sir Percy as I would like.) We also get plenty of action from the League, especially the incorrigible Lord Tony and the faithful Sir Andrew. It’s hard to watch our indomitable hero at Chauvelin’s mercy for a goodly section of the book. Yet the Pimpernel never gives in … or does he?

The Scarlet Pimpernel books are secular adventure classics with their fair share of old British cussing. But somehow they never fail to remind me of truths I forget all too easily. This is as true of El Dorado as in my review of The Elusive Pimpernel.

The first time I read El Dorado, I rolled my eyes a lot (at least mentally) at Armand’s passionate instalove and the trouble it caused for everyone. The melodramatic writing style doesn’t help, although this original version does prove that Armand’s love story could have been carried off very well without the objectionable content the 1982 movie introduced.

This time around, I saw much more of myself in the way Armand tries to take matters into his own hands instead of trusting the one who already has a plan and knows what he’s doing. Hm. That sounds familiar … and convicting.

“You must try and trust me, Armand. It is much to ask, I know, for you will have to trust me with what is most precious in the world to you; and you will have to obey me blindly, or I shall not be able to keep my word.”

Not that I think our Rescuer needs our obedience in order to keep his word, but this was still such a needed reminder for me. Funny how a swashbuckling hero with a penchant for profanity can hit me between the eyes with spiritual truth.

Speaking of Armand’s passionate romance, the Blakeneys are as much in love as ever. This is only brought into sharper focus by Armand’s accusation that Percy doesn’t know what it is to love. In contrast to much of modern fiction, the Pimpernel series is remarkable in that (a) its love story starts after marriage, and (b) it requires no salacious details to convey a love for the ages.

There’s a tension in this love, because Marguerite knows Sir Percy’s heart will always belong at least in part to the helpless victims of the Revolution. Yet there is a steadfast trust that he would lay down his very life for her—and has, on more than one occasion.

The strong pure air suddenly rushing right through to her lungs made her feel faint, and she almost fell. But it was good to feel herself falling, when one pair of arms amongst the millions on the earth were there to receive her.

Here too, I am reminded that I need have no fear of falling when I know who holds me up.

The title of the French-language edition of El Dorado is La Capture du Mouron Rouge, or “The Capture of the Scarlet Pimpernel.” (Literally “Red Chickweed,” according to Google Translate, but what does Google Translate know?). This tells you something of the plot. The time Sir Percy spends in captivity means we get fewer deeds of derring-do and a greater battle of wits and wills. But he is no less heroic for that and, indeed, demonstrates superhuman endurance of doubtful scientific plausibility.

Marguerite, on the other hand, is very human indeed. Her quiet resolve interspersed with moments of despair make for some poignant scenes as she and Sir Andrew strive to follow Sir Percy’s orders to the letter. Chauvelin is nasty as always, and I only wish we could see his face when he realizes he’s been duped once again by that elusive Pimpernel.

In some books, it really annoys me when I start to suspect the final move. In other books, I’m thrilled to get a hunch and have it proven right. This book was one of the latter type. Partway through the climax my first time reading this, I started to get the feeling of “Oh, oh, oh, I think I know what’s going on …” and it was delicious to discover I was right. Score another one for Sir Percy.

El Dorado is the book most film and stage adaptations of The Scarlet Pimpernel draw from. At the time this book was written (1905), legends still existed that Marie Antoinette’s son did indeed disappear from captivity. Unfortunately for both the Dauphin and this imaginative theory of what could have happened, DNA evidence has proven the prince died in imprisonment. But since when do we expect the adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel to be factually accurate?

Although El Dorado is listed seventh in the chronological series order, it’s fourth in publication order and feels like a natural sequel after the original novel and The Elusive Pimpernel. (The second book in the series, I Will Repay, contains only cameo appearances from Sir Percy and friends.) If you aren’t sensitive to occasional profanity and you’re in the mood for a dramatic adventure of love, betrayal, forgiveness, courage, and hints of the Eternal Story, give the series a try. You may find yourself with a new favorite hero.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land]]> 44446016 176 Elliot Clark 057846201X Jayna 0 to-read 4.39 2019 Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land
author: Elliot Clark
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/09/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Lost Lieutenant (Serendipity & Secrets, #1)]]> 48848548
Now Evan has a noble title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized from wounds incurred on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous—and if he doesn't recall it in time—will jeopardize not only his new marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.]]> 277 Erica Vetsch 0825446171 Jayna 4
Watching common-born career soldier and pastor’s son Evan suddenly dropped into the deep end of an earldom (some have greatness thrust upon ’em, as Shakespeare said) was highly entertaining. Diana was a sweet heroine who had a lot of courage…except for when she didn’t, but I found both protagonists to be relatable human beings who were trying to do the right thing. And Marcus was a wonderful character who definitely deserves his own book—so glad he gets it! Although this book is set a decade or two after the England of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I could easily imagine Marcus as a member of the League.

Since this is Regency England under the profligate Prince of Wales (more of a full-blown creep in real life than he was portrayed in this book, I believe), there’s a fair dose of scandal among the aristocracy that does play into the story. I could easily see why William Wilberforce had such a fight on his hands as he worked for justice and reform, although those particular issues don’t appear in this story.

Also, since this is a marriage of necessity, there are certain romantic elements some readers will want to be aware of. I’m usually one of those readers, so I was pleased that overall, both the scandal and the mentions of marital intimacy were handled with maturity and discretion. Personally, I thought most of the interactions between Evan and Diana were sweet and illustrative of genuine love. Even the misunderstandings, deception, and lack of communication didn’t bother me as much as those elements often do, perhaps because the characters recognized they were both in the wrong and eventually responded with maturity. Some readers may still find some elements uncomfortable, so use your own discernment.

One more small pet peeve—Evan calling his father dad in the early 1800s even though that wasn’t common usage by adult speakers until the mid 1900s. But overall, this was a fun read, and I’m looking forward to giving Marcus’s story a go. (Also, I read this after watching the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and the 2020 Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical, and I think Evan stole that cover outfit from Mr. Darcy’s wardrobe.)

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.21 2020 The Lost Lieutenant (Serendipity & Secrets, #1)
author: Erica Vetsch
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/09/17
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, fun-reads, historical-fiction
review:
Regency romances are not my typical cup of Earl Grey. And honestly, I might not have picked this one up if I had realized just how much of a romance it was. The back cover description seemed to indicate more emphasis on the intrigue and suspense, so that’s what I was primarily expecting when I decided to give it a try. However, I’m glad I did. Erica Vetsch’s writing style drew me in much faster than I expected, especially since some of the tropes involved aren’t my favorite. Bad-father tropes and marriages of convenience/necessity are often poorly written or simply not to my taste, but this story kept me turning pages.

Watching common-born career soldier and pastor’s son Evan suddenly dropped into the deep end of an earldom (some have greatness thrust upon ’em, as Shakespeare said) was highly entertaining. Diana was a sweet heroine who had a lot of courage…except for when she didn’t, but I found both protagonists to be relatable human beings who were trying to do the right thing. And Marcus was a wonderful character who definitely deserves his own book—so glad he gets it! Although this book is set a decade or two after the England of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I could easily imagine Marcus as a member of the League.

Since this is Regency England under the profligate Prince of Wales (more of a full-blown creep in real life than he was portrayed in this book, I believe), there’s a fair dose of scandal among the aristocracy that does play into the story. I could easily see why William Wilberforce had such a fight on his hands as he worked for justice and reform, although those particular issues don’t appear in this story.

Also, since this is a marriage of necessity, there are certain romantic elements some readers will want to be aware of. I’m usually one of those readers, so I was pleased that overall, both the scandal and the mentions of marital intimacy were handled with maturity and discretion. Personally, I thought most of the interactions between Evan and Diana were sweet and illustrative of genuine love. Even the misunderstandings, deception, and lack of communication didn’t bother me as much as those elements often do, perhaps because the characters recognized they were both in the wrong and eventually responded with maturity. Some readers may still find some elements uncomfortable, so use your own discernment.

One more small pet peeve—Evan calling his father dad in the early 1800s even though that wasn’t common usage by adult speakers until the mid 1900s. But overall, this was a fun read, and I’m looking forward to giving Marcus’s story a go. (Also, I read this after watching the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and the 2020 Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical, and I think Evan stole that cover outfit from Mr. Darcy’s wardrobe.)

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> Until We Find Home 35755915
With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous upbringing--spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends--has ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she's ever known.

Set in England's lush and storied Lake District in the early days of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to remember that bravery and family come in many forms.]]> 415 Cathy Gohlke 1496410963 Jayna 4
I definitely fell for Gaston and Josef. Some of the children were hard to keep straight, but never those two! I didn’t expect Josef to play such a major role, but he played it well. Aimee’s point-of-view scenes were darling. Dr. MacDonald was another favorite of mine, and I laughed out loud at the interplay between him and “the Campbell.”

Giving C. S. Lewis’s wartime radio programs such a role in the main character’s faith journey was a really interesting touch—a great nod to someone as influential in his own era as he has been to ours. All the other little references to period literature and other historical details bring the setting and era to life. The war affected the home front as much as it did the front lines.

A few other reviewers commented on the way Jewish traditions were encouraged without reference to Christ as the Messiah. I also felt this concern. The traditions are beautiful, yes. The heritage is vital, yes. The children needed connections to their home and culture, yes. I don’t at all believe that God is finished with his chosen nation. But the Bible is very clear that Christ is the only way to God for Jew and Gentile alike, and a Jew praying to Adonai is not interchangeable with a Christian praying to the Father.

However, I recognize that wasn’t the point Gohlke was trying to make in this story, and historical accuracy necessitates Jews holding to their religious traditions. I just wish the distinction could have been made clear, since this is Christian fiction.

As far as the story went, my only other wish is that the climax scene would have been more fully rendered instead of being explained after the fact, but I realize staying in Claire’s point of view required this narrative choice. Gohlke’s use of language and dialect was beautiful, and I found the romantic element gentle and sweet. Saving Amelie is still my favorite Gohlke title, but this may be a close second.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 3.92 2017 Until We Find Home
author: Cathy Gohlke
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2021/05/14
date added: 2025/08/20
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This was a lovely read and is shaping up to be a lovely reread as well. So many wonderful characters and so much historical detail! Some readers saw Claire as “whiny,” and she could be interpreted that way, but I found her very human and believable. Her weaknesses allowed for so much growth over the course of the book. Her desire to love and be loved (and to know what that even means) was a touching theme. And I could empathize with her writing struggles!

I definitely fell for Gaston and Josef. Some of the children were hard to keep straight, but never those two! I didn’t expect Josef to play such a major role, but he played it well. Aimee’s point-of-view scenes were darling. Dr. MacDonald was another favorite of mine, and I laughed out loud at the interplay between him and “the Campbell.”

Giving C. S. Lewis’s wartime radio programs such a role in the main character’s faith journey was a really interesting touch—a great nod to someone as influential in his own era as he has been to ours. All the other little references to period literature and other historical details bring the setting and era to life. The war affected the home front as much as it did the front lines.

A few other reviewers commented on the way Jewish traditions were encouraged without reference to Christ as the Messiah. I also felt this concern. The traditions are beautiful, yes. The heritage is vital, yes. The children needed connections to their home and culture, yes. I don’t at all believe that God is finished with his chosen nation. But the Bible is very clear that Christ is the only way to God for Jew and Gentile alike, and a Jew praying to Adonai is not interchangeable with a Christian praying to the Father.

However, I recognize that wasn’t the point Gohlke was trying to make in this story, and historical accuracy necessitates Jews holding to their religious traditions. I just wish the distinction could have been made clear, since this is Christian fiction.

As far as the story went, my only other wish is that the climax scene would have been more fully rendered instead of being explained after the fact, but I realize staying in Claire’s point of view required this narrative choice. Gohlke’s use of language and dialect was beautiful, and I found the romantic element gentle and sweet. Saving Amelie is still my favorite Gohlke title, but this may be a close second.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> Pidgin Island 122935874 341 Harold MacGrath Jayna 0 to-read 4.00 1914 Pidgin Island
author: Harold MacGrath
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1914
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/08/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Maggie Bright: A Novel of Dunkirk]]> 25361202 This edition has a new cover

2016 Christian Book Award finalist (Fiction category)
England, 1940. Clare Childs knew life would change when she unexpectedly inherited the Maggie Bright--a noble fifty-two-foot yacht. In fact, she's counting on it. But the boat harbors secrets. When a stranger arrives, searching for documents hidden onboard, Clare is pulled into a Scotland Yard investigation that could shed light on Hitler's darkest schemes and prompt America to action.

Across the Channel, Hitler's Blitzkrieg has the entire British army in retreat with little hope for rescue at the shallow beaches of Dunkirk. With time running out, Churchill recruits civilian watercraft to help. Hitler is attacking from land, air, and sea, and any boat that goes might not return. Yet Clare knows Maggie Bright must answer the call--piloted by an American who has refused to join the war effort until now and a detective with a very personal motive for exposing the truth.

The fate of the war hinges on this rescue. While two men join the desperate fight, a nation prays for a miracle.]]> 368 Tracy Groot 1414384785 Jayna 4
This is what we have in The Maggie Bright, with the German army poised to invade England. I love Groot’s way with words, and I’ve always loved the story of Dunkirk, but this book brings all the tension of it into full color through several points of view.

Jamie, the British private trying to get a wounded soldier to Dunkirk, only to discover that after Dunkirk there’s nowhere left to go.

Murray, the Brooklyn cartoonist who feels and imagines so vividly that he cannot stand to face the truth of Germany’s crimes.

Claire, the yacht owner with grand dreams of circumnavigating the world even though she’s just barely learning to sail.

William, the hard and angry British inspector who has one of the world’s best reasons for that hardness and anger.

And of course, a full cast of supporting characters who each showcase a bit of real life and how we respond to it. There were a couple of characters in particular whose stories did not end the way I wanted them to. The story lives and breathes through each person, and I dreaded seeing anything happen to any of them.

Because, you see, I’ve read Tracy Groot’s The Sentinels of Andersonville, and I knew she would not shy away from things happening to her characters.

There is a bit of language. Most of it is British swearing that is not considered profanity in the US, but some readers may want to be aware of that. On a different note, one or two historical inaccuracies bothered me—particularly that characters reference a more recent version of the Bible even though the author admits that version had not been published yet.

Those are not my main caveats, however. Tracy Groot writes about hard things, and I expected that. I did not quite expect just how hard some of those things would be. In some cases, they crossed the line for me. Vivid descriptions of dead civilians and other gruesome violence are the primary reasons I hesitate to recommend this book for all readers.

I know war is horrifying. I know men and women saw unspeakable things. I know all of it is historically accurate. But there were some scenes I had to skim, because there are certain things I don’t want in my mind any more than those men and women did. I have the choice to not have those things in my mind. They didn’t have that choice, and I honor them for their strength.

Is this Christian fiction? This is “a step in the right direction” fiction. Characters learn the power of prayer and come to believe in God, mostly through the influence of Mrs. Shrewsbury (who incidentally is quite a riot). There’s really no mention of Christ himself, and there are some references to the idea that mankind is basically good and something rotten has gotten inside of us. Which, of course, is biblically true in the context of the fall and original sin, but I’m not sure that’s how it was meant. Some characters come to the conclusion that they have faced great evil and discovered something good inside themselves that resisted that evil, and that gives them relief because it means they’re still okay.

Though published by a nominally Christian publisher, I wouldn’t classify this as explicitly Christian in any way. But a book that so thoroughly shows courage, self-sacrifice, and the effect of prayer does accurately reflect part of God’s character and reminds me of the horrific things others have lived through and stood against for the sake of what was right and good and defenseless. That is a story worth remembering.

Should you read The Maggie Bright? I honestly don’t know. This book is not for every reader. It is graphic at times and could cause some readers to struggle. It is also jarringly well written, although one or two things ended too abruptly for me. Even in that abruptness, though, it reflects reality. We don’t always get reasons or resolutions for every question, not in this life. But if you are prepared to grapple with the question of evil and have your heart knocked about and find yourself praying for characters even as you skim past the graphic details of what they’re experiencing, this may be just the kind of thought-provoking book that will stick with you long after you read it.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.35 2015 Maggie Bright: A Novel of Dunkirk
author: Tracy Groot
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/07/14
shelves: historical-fiction, writing-style
review:
Where to begin? I couldn’t stop reading this book, because I had to know what happened before I went to bed. I had to stop reading this book, because I was afraid of what might come next and it was too late at night for me to deal with it. It’s a rollercoaster, this book. Serious, grim, sobering in one moment, almost tongue-in-cheek in the next. That juxtaposition of gravity and levity makes this feel real, with the kind of topsy-turviness one would feel when all has been safe and avoidable for so long, and suddenly unspeakable evil is on one’s very doorstep. It’s an unsettling feeling, one that has lingered with me.

This is what we have in The Maggie Bright, with the German army poised to invade England. I love Groot’s way with words, and I’ve always loved the story of Dunkirk, but this book brings all the tension of it into full color through several points of view.

Jamie, the British private trying to get a wounded soldier to Dunkirk, only to discover that after Dunkirk there’s nowhere left to go.

Murray, the Brooklyn cartoonist who feels and imagines so vividly that he cannot stand to face the truth of Germany’s crimes.

Claire, the yacht owner with grand dreams of circumnavigating the world even though she’s just barely learning to sail.

William, the hard and angry British inspector who has one of the world’s best reasons for that hardness and anger.

And of course, a full cast of supporting characters who each showcase a bit of real life and how we respond to it. There were a couple of characters in particular whose stories did not end the way I wanted them to. The story lives and breathes through each person, and I dreaded seeing anything happen to any of them.

Because, you see, I’ve read Tracy Groot’s The Sentinels of Andersonville, and I knew she would not shy away from things happening to her characters.

There is a bit of language. Most of it is British swearing that is not considered profanity in the US, but some readers may want to be aware of that. On a different note, one or two historical inaccuracies bothered me—particularly that characters reference a more recent version of the Bible even though the author admits that version had not been published yet.

Those are not my main caveats, however. Tracy Groot writes about hard things, and I expected that. I did not quite expect just how hard some of those things would be. In some cases, they crossed the line for me. Vivid descriptions of dead civilians and other gruesome violence are the primary reasons I hesitate to recommend this book for all readers.

I know war is horrifying. I know men and women saw unspeakable things. I know all of it is historically accurate. But there were some scenes I had to skim, because there are certain things I don’t want in my mind any more than those men and women did. I have the choice to not have those things in my mind. They didn’t have that choice, and I honor them for their strength.

Is this Christian fiction? This is “a step in the right direction” fiction. Characters learn the power of prayer and come to believe in God, mostly through the influence of Mrs. Shrewsbury (who incidentally is quite a riot). There’s really no mention of Christ himself, and there are some references to the idea that mankind is basically good and something rotten has gotten inside of us. Which, of course, is biblically true in the context of the fall and original sin, but I’m not sure that’s how it was meant. Some characters come to the conclusion that they have faced great evil and discovered something good inside themselves that resisted that evil, and that gives them relief because it means they’re still okay.

Though published by a nominally Christian publisher, I wouldn’t classify this as explicitly Christian in any way. But a book that so thoroughly shows courage, self-sacrifice, and the effect of prayer does accurately reflect part of God’s character and reminds me of the horrific things others have lived through and stood against for the sake of what was right and good and defenseless. That is a story worth remembering.

Should you read The Maggie Bright? I honestly don’t know. This book is not for every reader. It is graphic at times and could cause some readers to struggle. It is also jarringly well written, although one or two things ended too abruptly for me. Even in that abruptness, though, it reflects reality. We don’t always get reasons or resolutions for every question, not in this life. But if you are prepared to grapple with the question of evil and have your heart knocked about and find yourself praying for characters even as you skim past the graphic details of what they’re experiencing, this may be just the kind of thought-provoking book that will stick with you long after you read it.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Secrets of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies #2)]]> 220805681 The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies...and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come.]]> 376 Megan Soja Jayna 5 Secrets of the Revolution doesn’t sacrifice historical fact in favor of fiction—even down to the way Will and Hannah think of each other as Mr. Abbott and Miss Pierce until they have reason to do otherwise.

As soon as I finished Spark of the Revolution , the first book in the Harbor of Spies series, I was looking forward to Will’s story. He’s such a gentleman, and that aspect of his character only grows stronger in this book as he tries to do the honorable thing in every situation and protect the women under his care, even when he’s protecting them against such complicated people as Sergeant/Lieutenant Harrison. Of course, Will is a gentleman who also helps smuggle cannon under British noses and sneak printing presses to safer locations. How could you not like a hero like that?

The apothecary shop is an interesting setting, and Hannah is such a kind, gentle, strong soul, doing all she can for the men she loves. I was a bit concerned that when Will and Hannah both joined the spy ring, grand misunderstandings and miscommunication would ensue. I should not have feared. Instead of misunderstanding and frustration, we get teamwork and higher stakes…and even higher stakes as Hannah’s family gets involved. Her relationship with her father is so sweet and poignant as she tries to support and protect him despite his failing mind and the confusion of occupied Boston.

Secrets of the Revolution captures the tension of daily life in Boston on the verge of the “shot heard ’round the world.” From the blockading of the harbor and lack of supplies to the billeting of British soldiers in private homes and the difficult choice to stay or flee, we see firsthand the uncertainty and hardship early Americans endured.

But we also see firsthand the faith that enabled them to endure. The biblical faith woven into this book is where the story and characters really shine. They’re not perfect as they sort through all the emotions and reactions of seeing their homes commandeered and wondering whom to trust, but I love to see characters challenging and encouraging each other (and themselves) with Scripture and trying to walk by faith when everything around them is complicated and murky. We need more books like this!

Any reader of sweet historical romance with strong faith themes will love Secrets of the Revolution. And now, I am very much looking forward to the story of Will’s stepsister and a certain British officer…

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.52 Secrets of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies #2)
author: Megan Soja
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.52
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/06/11
date added: 2025/06/11
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, historical-fiction, truly-christian, recommended
review:
Megan Soja has given readers another sweet, faith-filled, historically authentic story of Boston on the eve of the American Revolution. The history really comes alive, and I wasn’t surprised to read the author’s note and find that her fictional spy ring was based on the exploits of the famed Culper Spy Ring. Unlike some books, Secrets of the Revolution doesn’t sacrifice historical fact in favor of fiction—even down to the way Will and Hannah think of each other as Mr. Abbott and Miss Pierce until they have reason to do otherwise.

As soon as I finished Spark of the Revolution , the first book in the Harbor of Spies series, I was looking forward to Will’s story. He’s such a gentleman, and that aspect of his character only grows stronger in this book as he tries to do the honorable thing in every situation and protect the women under his care, even when he’s protecting them against such complicated people as Sergeant/Lieutenant Harrison. Of course, Will is a gentleman who also helps smuggle cannon under British noses and sneak printing presses to safer locations. How could you not like a hero like that?

The apothecary shop is an interesting setting, and Hannah is such a kind, gentle, strong soul, doing all she can for the men she loves. I was a bit concerned that when Will and Hannah both joined the spy ring, grand misunderstandings and miscommunication would ensue. I should not have feared. Instead of misunderstanding and frustration, we get teamwork and higher stakes…and even higher stakes as Hannah’s family gets involved. Her relationship with her father is so sweet and poignant as she tries to support and protect him despite his failing mind and the confusion of occupied Boston.

Secrets of the Revolution captures the tension of daily life in Boston on the verge of the “shot heard ’round the world.” From the blockading of the harbor and lack of supplies to the billeting of British soldiers in private homes and the difficult choice to stay or flee, we see firsthand the uncertainty and hardship early Americans endured.

But we also see firsthand the faith that enabled them to endure. The biblical faith woven into this book is where the story and characters really shine. They’re not perfect as they sort through all the emotions and reactions of seeing their homes commandeered and wondering whom to trust, but I love to see characters challenging and encouraging each other (and themselves) with Scripture and trying to walk by faith when everything around them is complicated and murky. We need more books like this!

Any reader of sweet historical romance with strong faith themes will love Secrets of the Revolution. And now, I am very much looking forward to the story of Will’s stepsister and a certain British officer…

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Running (A Jim Mitchell Novel)]]> 38605334
Jim works for a local lawmaker running for re-election. When his boss is gunned down, he is appointed to fill her seat. Unfortunately for Jim, that's just the beginning of his problems. He and his wife have a baby on the way, but that's not stopping the people who want to keep him from the halls of power. To top things off, the former reporter-turned-college-professor is not even sure he wants the job others are trying to snatch away from him. Then an old friend is enlisted by the FBI to help prevent a major terror attack.

Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one's purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.]]> 203 Dave Milbrandt 1985590883 Jayna 0 to-read 4.04 Running (A Jim Mitchell Novel)
author: Dave Milbrandt
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.04
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Sentinels of Andersonville]]> 18228200
Sentry Dance Pickett has watched, helpless, for months as conditions in the camp worsen by the day. He knows any mercy will be seen as treason. Southern belle Violet Stiles cannot believe the good folk of Americus would knowingly condone such barbarism, despite the losses they’ve suffered. When her goodwill campaign stirs up accusations of Union sympathies and endangers her family, however, she realizes she must tread carefully. Confederate corporal Emery Jones didn’t expect to find camaraderie with the Union prisoner he escorted to Andersonville. But the soldier’s wit and integrity strike a chord in Emery. How could this man be an enemy? Emery vows that their unlikely friendship will survive the war—little knowing what that promise will cost him.

As these three young Rebels cross paths, Emery leads Dance and Violet to a daring act that could hang them for treason. Wrestling with God’s harsh truth, they must decide, once and for all, Who is my neighbor?]]> 368 Tracy Groot 1414359489 Jayna 5
For me, the characters and their interplay balance the horrific prison conditions that form the central focus of the story. It’s not for sensitive readers, and the characters themselves struggle in ways that seem achingly real. Denial, anger, Dance’s “experiment” in trying to forget. There are some ugly, ugly things here. But I felt the details did not become overly gratuitous, and the story holds to hope and humor in the midst of the darkness.

I often mention this book as an example of my favorite type of historical fiction: the kind that takes you to a real time and place and teaches you something about it through engaging characters and plot, rather than dropping a generic storyline against a generic historical backdrop. I’m not a fan of Civil War fiction, but this story is about a lot more than North versus South. It’s also about a lot more than social activism as such, although the author’s notes make it clear that that’s part of the focus. The best fiction makes me think. We all hope we’d be the people who would speak out and take stands, but would we really? Would I?

Without Christ, this kind of theme can turn into the social gospel. But at its essence, this story is about saying we believe the Bible and not living it. It’s about doing the right thing even if you’re the only one, even if you can’t do much. It’s about taking responsibility for our own failures instead of blaming the situation on others. It’s about friendship and sacrifice.

Which brings me to the Christian content of The Sentinels of Andersonville. Other than being published by a nominally Christian publisher and written by a Christy Award winner, this book is not necessarily touted as explicitly Christian. There is a smattering of coarse language and multiple uses of the word hell, mostly in reference to the conditions at the prison. We’re left to assume the characters’ standing with God, and a lot of the Christianity is somewhat cultural in nature. It doesn’t feel like a book that was meant to be specifically Christian fiction, so I’m not going to judge it by a standard it wasn’t meant to reach.

However. One of the most climactic points of the story involves one man’s deliberate, substitutionary sacrifice to save another. If that isn’t the gospel in a nutshell, I don’t know what is. You might say The Sentinels of Andersonville is Christian by allegory if not by message. Some readers will disagree; if you have strong feelings against such things, do everyone a favor and don’t read this book.

This isn’t to say there was nothing I disliked. I’ve already mentioned the language. A few plotlines were wrapped up too abruptly for me. I would have liked to see Violet more respectful of her father’s wishes and concerns, even when he was in the wrong. And no, I would not have objected to a more overtly Christian message of hope and redemption.

All that to say, I highly recommend The Sentinels of Andersonville to historical fiction lovers who aren’t bothered by the above caveats. It’s the kind of book that may very well stick with you in perpetuity. (There, I used the word perpetuity. Emery Jones would be proud.) And I leave you with this quote, which sums up the challenge for us all:

“He wanted to tear down the world, and that would be the easy part. But he had to tear down himself.”

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.09 2014 The Sentinels of Andersonville
author: Tracy Groot
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/27
date added: 2025/05/15
shelves: historical-fiction, my-favorites, writing-style, christian-historical-fiction
review:
I absolutely love the characters, dialogue, and narrative style in this book. It’s the sort of book I have to force myself to slow down and savor. From cynical Dance to philosophical Emery to naive, passionate Violet—such an unlikely set of allies, but so much fun to read about! The supporting cast is as engaging as the main characters (Posey Stiles, a.k.a. Traitor Christian, is an excellent case in point). I especially enjoy Emery’s ability to philosophize and sound like a hick at the same time. And how many of us have ever wanted to say, “Do not try me today, for I am in a foul temper’ment”?

For me, the characters and their interplay balance the horrific prison conditions that form the central focus of the story. It’s not for sensitive readers, and the characters themselves struggle in ways that seem achingly real. Denial, anger, Dance’s “experiment” in trying to forget. There are some ugly, ugly things here. But I felt the details did not become overly gratuitous, and the story holds to hope and humor in the midst of the darkness.

I often mention this book as an example of my favorite type of historical fiction: the kind that takes you to a real time and place and teaches you something about it through engaging characters and plot, rather than dropping a generic storyline against a generic historical backdrop. I’m not a fan of Civil War fiction, but this story is about a lot more than North versus South. It’s also about a lot more than social activism as such, although the author’s notes make it clear that that’s part of the focus. The best fiction makes me think. We all hope we’d be the people who would speak out and take stands, but would we really? Would I?

Without Christ, this kind of theme can turn into the social gospel. But at its essence, this story is about saying we believe the Bible and not living it. It’s about doing the right thing even if you’re the only one, even if you can’t do much. It’s about taking responsibility for our own failures instead of blaming the situation on others. It’s about friendship and sacrifice.

Which brings me to the Christian content of The Sentinels of Andersonville. Other than being published by a nominally Christian publisher and written by a Christy Award winner, this book is not necessarily touted as explicitly Christian. There is a smattering of coarse language and multiple uses of the word hell, mostly in reference to the conditions at the prison. We’re left to assume the characters’ standing with God, and a lot of the Christianity is somewhat cultural in nature. It doesn’t feel like a book that was meant to be specifically Christian fiction, so I’m not going to judge it by a standard it wasn’t meant to reach.

However. One of the most climactic points of the story involves one man’s deliberate, substitutionary sacrifice to save another. If that isn’t the gospel in a nutshell, I don’t know what is. You might say The Sentinels of Andersonville is Christian by allegory if not by message. Some readers will disagree; if you have strong feelings against such things, do everyone a favor and don’t read this book.

This isn’t to say there was nothing I disliked. I’ve already mentioned the language. A few plotlines were wrapped up too abruptly for me. I would have liked to see Violet more respectful of her father’s wishes and concerns, even when he was in the wrong. And no, I would not have objected to a more overtly Christian message of hope and redemption.

All that to say, I highly recommend The Sentinels of Andersonville to historical fiction lovers who aren’t bothered by the above caveats. It’s the kind of book that may very well stick with you in perpetuity. (There, I used the word perpetuity. Emery Jones would be proud.) And I leave you with this quote, which sums up the challenge for us all:

“He wanted to tear down the world, and that would be the easy part. But he had to tear down himself.”

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)]]> 62707934
Although The Chicago Manual of Style is widely used by writers and editors of all stripes, it is primarily concerned with nonfiction, a fact long lamented by the fiction community. In this long-awaited book from the publisher of the Manual , Amy J. Schneider, a veteran copyeditor who’s worked on bestsellers across a wide swath of genres, delivers a companionable editing guide geared specifically toward fiction copyeditors—the first book of its type.

In a series of approachable thematic chapters, Schneider offers cogent advice on how to deal with dialogue, voice, grammar, conscious language, and other significant issues in fiction. She focuses on the copyediting tasks specific to fiction—such as tracking the details of fictional characters, places, and events to ensure continuity across the work—and provides a slew of sharp, practicable solutions drawn from her twenty-five years of experience working for publishers both large and small. The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction is sure to prove an indispensable companion to The Chicago Manual of Style and a versatile tool for copyeditors working in the multifaceted landscape of contemporary fiction.]]> 229 Amy J. Schneider 022676737X Jayna 0 4.68 The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
author: Amy J. Schneider
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.68
book published:
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout]]> 197773418 Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work, a groundbreaking philosophy for pursuing meaningful accomplishment while avoiding overload.

Our current definition of “productivity” is broken. It pushes us to treat busyness as a proxy for useful effort, leading to impossibly lengthy task lists and ceaseless meetings. We’re overwhelmed by all we have to do and on the edge of burnout, left to decide between giving into soul-sapping hustle culture or rejecting ambition altogether. But are these really our only choices?

Long before the arrival of pinging inboxes and clogged schedules, history’s most creative and impactful philosophers, scientists, artists, and writers mastered the art of producing valuable work with staying power. In this timely and provocative book, Cal Newport harnesses the wisdom of these traditional knowledge workers to radically transform our modern jobs. Drawing from deep research on the habits and mindsets of a varied cast of storied thinkers—from Galileo and Isaac Newton, to Jane Austen and Georgia O’Keefe—Newport lays out the key principles of “slow productivity,” a more sustainable alternative to the aimless overwhelm that defines our current moment. Combining cultural criticism with systematic pragmatism, Newport deconstructs the absurdities inherent in standard notions of productivity, and then provides step-by-step advice for workers to replace them with a slower, more humane alternative.

From the aggressive rethinking of workload management, to introducing seasonal variation, to shifting your performance toward long-term quality, Slow Productivity provides a roadmap for escaping overload and arriving instead at a more timeless approach to pursuing meaningful accomplishment. The world of work is due for a new revolution. Slow productivity is exactly what we need.]]> 244 Cal Newport 0593544854 Jayna 0 3.62 2024 Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
author: Cal Newport
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Death Valley in '49: An Autobiography of a Pioneer Who Survived the California Desert]]> 25159465 A survivor’s true account of death, despair, and heroism in Death Valley in the heat of the California Gold Rush.

At the height of the California gold rush in 1849, a wagon train of men, women, children, and their animals stumbled into a 130-mile-long valley in the Mojave Desert while they were looking for a shortcut to the California coast. What ensued was an ordeal that divided the camp into remnants and struck them with hunger, thirst, and a terrible sense of being lost beyond hope—until a twenty-nine-year-old hero volunteered to cross the desert to get help.

This young hero, William Lewis Manly, was one of the survivors of the tragedy, and he lived to tell the tale forty-five years later in this gripping autobiography, first published in 1894. In a time of unmarked frontiers and wilderness, Manly lived the true life of a pioneer. After being hit by gold rush fever Manly joined the fateful wagon train that would get swallowed up by the barren, arid, hostile valley with its dry and waterless terrain, unearthly surface of white salts, and overwhelming heat. Assaulted and devastated by the elements, members of the camp killed their emaciated oxen for food, ran out of water, split up, and lost and buried their own kind who perished. When Manly’s remaining band of ten came across a rare water hole, he and a companion, John Rogers, left the rest by the water and crossed the treacherous Panamint Mountains and Mojave Desert by themselves in search for rescue. In a true act of heroism against all odds, the two finally returned twenty-five days later with help, rescuing their compatriots, including four children, even when it seemed all hope was lost.

Told at the end of the nineteenth century, Manly’s compelling and stirring account brings alive to modern-day readers the unimaginable hardships of America’s brave pioneers, and a chapter in Californian history that should not be forgotten.
]]> 504 William Lewis Manly 1634504402 Jayna 0 narrative-nonfiction 4.28 1852 Death Valley in '49: An Autobiography of a Pioneer Who Survived the California Desert
author: William Lewis Manly
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1852
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: narrative-nonfiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[If the Boot Fits (Texas Ever After, #2)]]> 182094184
Spunky and independent, Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting in her honor is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from her unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself.

But when Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. And although Asher tries to keep his distance from Samantha for reasons of his own, a series of suspicious accidents befall her, and his protective instincts flare, no matter the cost to their future.

This Western reimagining of the classic Cinderella fairy tale is an enchanting story of courage, family, and the power of true love.]]> 350 Karen Witemeyer 0764240420 Jayna 0 4.28 2024 If the Boot Fits (Texas Ever After, #2)
author: Karen Witemeyer
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, writing-style
review:

]]> <![CDATA[It Was The Best Of Sentences, It Was The Worst Of Sentences: A Writer's Guide To Crafting Killer Sentences]]> 40717966 In this wickedly humorous manual, language columnist June Casagrande uses grammar and syntax to show exactly what makes some sentences great--and other sentences suck.
With chapters on "Conjunctions That Kill" and "Words Gone Wild," this lighthearted guide is perfect for anyone who's dead serious about writing, from aspiring novelists to nonfiction writers, conscientious students to cheeky literati. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to craft one bold, effective sentence after another. Your readers will thank you.

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

]]> 226 June Casagrande Jayna 0 4.22 2010 It Was The Best Of Sentences, It Was The Worst Of Sentences: A Writer's Guide To Crafting Killer Sentences
author: June Casagrande
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: for-writers, nonfiction-research
review:

]]> The Sound of Chariots 23148481 288 Helen Topping Miller Jayna 0 historical-fiction 4.25 1947 The Sound of Chariots
author: Helen Topping Miller
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.25
book published: 1947
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: historical-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Until Leaves Fall in Paris (Friends in Resistance, #2)]]> 58298507
Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?]]> 403 Sarah Sundin 0800736370 Jayna 0 4.19 2022 Until Leaves Fall in Paris (Friends in Resistance, #2)
author: Sarah Sundin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, historical-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism in the New World]]> 101135904
Was America really “stolen” from the Indians? Was Columbus a racist? Were Indians really peace-loving, communistic environmentalists? Did Europeans commit “genocide” in the New World?

It seems that almost everyone—from CNN to the New York Times to angry students pulling down statues of our founders—believes that America’s history is a shameful tale of racism, exploitation, and cruelty.

In Not Stolen , renowned historian Jeff Fynn-Paul systematically dismantles this relentlessly negative view of U.S. history, arguing that it is based on shoddy methods, misinformation, and outright lies about the past.

America was not “stolen” from the Indians but fairly purchased piece by piece in a thriving land market. Nor did European settlers cheat, steal, murder, rape or purposely infect them with smallpox to the extent that most people believe. No genocide occurred—either literal or cultural—and the decline of Native populations over time is not due to violence but to assimilation and natural demographic processes.

Fynn-Paul not only debunks these toxic myths, but provides a balanced portrait of this complex historical process over 500 years. The real history of Native and European relations will surprise you. Not only is this not a tale of shameful sins and crimes against humanity—it is more inspiring than you ever dared to imagine.]]> 397 Jeff Fynn-Paul 164293951X Jayna 0 nonfiction-research 4.02 2023 Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism in the New World
author: Jeff Fynn-Paul
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at: 2025/04/23
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: nonfiction-research
review:

]]> Carry On, Mr. Bowditch 128048 251 Jean Lee Latham 0618250743 Jayna 5
Nathaniel Bowditch is an amazing historical figure, and Latham brings him to life with finesse. There’s no glossing over the sad and hard parts of Nat’s life, of which there are many. As a younger reader, I don’t think I absorbed the full gravity of the many tragedies he endured. Rereading this as an adult, I’m more aware of the resilience he showed and the soberness of a time in which death was even more a fact of life than it is now.

But despite all of that hardship, there’s a great deal of courage, determination, and humor in this book. I love the supporting cast, especially the crewmen whom Nat sees as potential navigators when no one else believes they have any talent. There are so many great lines of dialogue, and it’s such fun to see Nat being a genius and learning how to handle it: “It’s like a chair—you trip over it in the dark, and it’s not the chair’s fault, but you kick it anyway. Your brain is so fast, and you trip over other people’s dumbness, and you want to kick something. Only people aren’t chairs.”

Facts about navigation, seamanship, and mathematics are woven seamlessly into the story alongside all the history and biographical information. And how many of us have wished we could casually pick up a new language with little more than a Bible and a grammar, become experts in maritime astronomy with little more than a notebook and an encyclopedia, then go on to astound arrogant British captains, chart courses through bewildering fog, find errors in books by royal astronomers, and revolutionize navigation for generations to come? This is the quintessential American story of can-do grit and a man’s gift making a way for him.

So, for whatever reason, Nat Bowditch, Captain Prince, Polly, and Lem Harvey will always have a fond place in my memory, and this book will always remind me that history can make some of the best tales. Highly recommended.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.13 1955 Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
author: Jean Lee Latham
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1955
rating: 5
read at: 2022/07/24
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: my-favorites, historical-fiction
review:
Having just returned from New England and my first time seeing the Atlantic, it seems a fitting time to review this maritime tale—one of my all-time favorite classics and one I’ve read multiple times since my early teens. I’m not sure if this book engendered my interest in sailing ships or if my interest in sailing ships engendered my love for this book, but either way, it’s a fascinating, gripping, approachable look at life at sea. It’s one of those books that can be enjoyed just as much by an adult as by the younger audience for which it was written.

Nathaniel Bowditch is an amazing historical figure, and Latham brings him to life with finesse. There’s no glossing over the sad and hard parts of Nat’s life, of which there are many. As a younger reader, I don’t think I absorbed the full gravity of the many tragedies he endured. Rereading this as an adult, I’m more aware of the resilience he showed and the soberness of a time in which death was even more a fact of life than it is now.

But despite all of that hardship, there’s a great deal of courage, determination, and humor in this book. I love the supporting cast, especially the crewmen whom Nat sees as potential navigators when no one else believes they have any talent. There are so many great lines of dialogue, and it’s such fun to see Nat being a genius and learning how to handle it: “It’s like a chair—you trip over it in the dark, and it’s not the chair’s fault, but you kick it anyway. Your brain is so fast, and you trip over other people’s dumbness, and you want to kick something. Only people aren’t chairs.”

Facts about navigation, seamanship, and mathematics are woven seamlessly into the story alongside all the history and biographical information. And how many of us have wished we could casually pick up a new language with little more than a Bible and a grammar, become experts in maritime astronomy with little more than a notebook and an encyclopedia, then go on to astound arrogant British captains, chart courses through bewildering fog, find errors in books by royal astronomers, and revolutionize navigation for generations to come? This is the quintessential American story of can-do grit and a man’s gift making a way for him.

So, for whatever reason, Nat Bowditch, Captain Prince, Polly, and Lem Harvey will always have a fond place in my memory, and this book will always remind me that history can make some of the best tales. Highly recommended.

Join my email subscribers here for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't]]> 201335331 Discover a new and hopeful path forward as you consider your family's approach to social media, screen time, and technology.


We've all heard the mind-boggling statistics about technology and social media use. The numbers don't lie; our obsession with smartphones and social media is slowly eroding the very essence of our homes and families. We see it. We feel it. We know it.

So what do we do about it?

Spoiler Forget parental control apps, time limits, or reward charts. This revolutionary path takes us into the heart of the beast the social media algorithm. Former social media influencer and trailblazer Erin Loechner has seen the perks and pitfalls of social media usage, and she knows how to hack the strategies of tech wizards and platform experts so you can borrow their billion-dollar playbook to engage your family in meaningful ways away from screens.

The Opt-Out Family is packed with eye-opening research and startling insights, as well as practical encouragement and creative ideas to transform your family's relationship with today's ever-evolving technology. As a result, you

Experience more quality time with your children that doesn't revolve around screensCreate healthy habits as a family that will set your children up for success in the futureDiscover what your kids actually need from you, and learn how to delight and engage them better than a device canAnd, ultimately, establish true and lasting influence within your own four walls--and far beyondThe Opt-Out Family unlocks a world where genuine connections flourish and technology takes a backseat. It's time to reclaim your home and build a tech-free family culture that's stronger than your Wi-Fi signal.]]> 320 Erin Loechner 0310345693 Jayna 0 to-read 4.25 2024 The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't
author: Erin Loechner
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Flint 57277 A gripping tale of adventure, honor, and the indomitable spirit of the American West

He left the West at the age of seventeen, leaving behind a rootless past and a bloody trail of violence. In the East he became one of the wealthiest financiers in America—and one of the most feared and hated.

Now, suffering from incurable cancer, he has come back to New Mexico to die alone. But when an all-out range war erupts, Flint chooses to help Nancy Kerrigan, a local rancher. A cold-eyed speculator is setting up the land swindle of a lifetime, and Buckdun, a notorious assassin, is there to back his play.

Flint alone can help Nancy save her ranch…with his cash, his connections—and his gun. He still has his legendary will to fight. All he needs is time, and that’s fast running out….]]> 256 Louis L'Amour 0553252313 Jayna 0 to-read 4.15 1960 Flint
author: Louis L'Amour
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1960
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House]]> 214974578
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.]]> 400 Joanna Davidson Politano 0800742982 Jayna 0 to-read 3.84 2025 The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House
author: Joanna Davidson Politano
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Midnight on the Scottish Shore (Allegiance Under Pressure, #2)]]> 214974601
But perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence sends her to Scotland to radio misleading messages to Germany, messages about the naval base at Scapa Flow to be crafted by Lachlan. At the station in the lighthouse at Dunnet Head, Lachlan and Cilla must work together if the war is to be won. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Master of World War II fiction Sarah Sundin takes you to the wild Scottish seaside, where danger lurks under the surface of the water--and in the depths of the human heart--for a WWII tale you won't soon forget.]]> 384 Sarah Sundin 0800741862 Jayna 0 to-read 4.17 2025 Midnight on the Scottish Shore (Allegiance Under Pressure, #2)
author: Sarah Sundin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Spark of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies #1)]]> 220805481 A spark ignites a flame that could burn down everything they hold dear.

Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties.

Josiah Wagner has spent his life yearning for a true home and family, something he works toward each day, forging tools as a blacksmith, and each night, forging plans with the Sons of Liberty. But when the destruction of tea in Boston Harbor lights the spark of the Revolution, Josiah finds himself drawn into its tumultuous wake, pulling the woman he loves along with him.

As tensions mount, will their search for belonging lead to each other, or will the obstacles between them be too great to overcome? In a land on the brink of war, can they find the home they seek in the One who calls them His own?]]> 360 Megan Soja Jayna 5
Spark of the Revolution is a wonderful beginning to a new series. Authentic history, realistic struggles, and heartwarming characters come together in a rich, uplifting tale of courage and faith. Soja brings the tension of colonial Boston to life through characters who face hard choices about what they believe and what they’ll risk for it.

As the title indicates, the Boston Tea Party is considered by many to be the “spark” that lit the fuse of the Revolution. But that fuse was in many ways a slow burn, and this story shows that well, both in the romance and the narrative tension. Josiah and Patience are so sweet together, but there’s much more to this story than romance. It has its share of sad moments, and it’s not, for the most part, a fast-moving story. But the pace fits the rising tension of Johnny Tremain’s Boston, which is painted in vivid historical detail and the perfect smattering of period dialect.

This story doesn’t shy away from the complexity of colonial politics, and we see first-hand the variety of loyalties, attitudes, and beliefs that gave rise to the Revolution. This includes the way religion and faith were inextricably woven into the struggle—your choice of meetinghouse was often a statement of your political beliefs as well as your religious beliefs, whether you intended it or not. Cameo appearances by real-life Patriots are an added touch, along with historical figures who formed the basis for some of the characters.

Bad-father stories aren’t usually my cup of (smuggled) tea. Too often, such stories devolve into stereotypes or justification for rebellious behavior. Not so in Spark of the Revolution. Patience doesn’t always make the right choices, but she does her best to do the right thing, and the tension between her and her father was realistic rather than overdone. Most of all, I loved how she finally found the peace she needed in her heavenly Father. It was sweet to see how her influence and the Word of God drew Josiah back to his faith, and I appreciated that their relationship didn’t cross too many lines before they were in agreement in such a vital area.

I also loved the friendship Patience developed with her new stepsister. That dynamic is another one that’s too easily stereotyped. Soja did a great job showing the initial tension and hesitation followed by Patience’s decision to look beyond her own feelings and reach out. Will is the perfect older-brother character, and I’m so excited to see more of him in his own story. His involvement in the Patriot cause really amps up the family tension, but it also provides a great setting for Patience to sort through her own beliefs. And that scene where he tells her she doesn’t have to choose between his love as a brother and what she believes is right—my heart.

And the Tea Party scene was perfection. So much historical detail, and so much emphasis on the solemn choices these men made, the risks they took, the honor they showed in their protest.

Spark of the Revolution is the kind of book I wish more authors would write. If you love Christian fiction filled with historical authenticity, realistic characters, and threads of true biblical faith, Spark of the Revolution is definitely one for your to-read list. (It’s perfect for readers who have enjoyed my novels Preacher on the Run and Patriot at the River .) The romance is sweet and wholesome, the setting comes alive with careful detail, and courageous faith and Christian growth shine gently throughout the story. Highly recommended!

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.34 Spark of the Revolution (Harbor of Spies #1)
author: Megan Soja
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, historical-fiction, gentle-reading, recommended, truly-christian
review:
Christian fiction set in the American Revolution? Sign me up!

Spark of the Revolution is a wonderful beginning to a new series. Authentic history, realistic struggles, and heartwarming characters come together in a rich, uplifting tale of courage and faith. Soja brings the tension of colonial Boston to life through characters who face hard choices about what they believe and what they’ll risk for it.

As the title indicates, the Boston Tea Party is considered by many to be the “spark” that lit the fuse of the Revolution. But that fuse was in many ways a slow burn, and this story shows that well, both in the romance and the narrative tension. Josiah and Patience are so sweet together, but there’s much more to this story than romance. It has its share of sad moments, and it’s not, for the most part, a fast-moving story. But the pace fits the rising tension of Johnny Tremain’s Boston, which is painted in vivid historical detail and the perfect smattering of period dialect.

This story doesn’t shy away from the complexity of colonial politics, and we see first-hand the variety of loyalties, attitudes, and beliefs that gave rise to the Revolution. This includes the way religion and faith were inextricably woven into the struggle—your choice of meetinghouse was often a statement of your political beliefs as well as your religious beliefs, whether you intended it or not. Cameo appearances by real-life Patriots are an added touch, along with historical figures who formed the basis for some of the characters.

Bad-father stories aren’t usually my cup of (smuggled) tea. Too often, such stories devolve into stereotypes or justification for rebellious behavior. Not so in Spark of the Revolution. Patience doesn’t always make the right choices, but she does her best to do the right thing, and the tension between her and her father was realistic rather than overdone. Most of all, I loved how she finally found the peace she needed in her heavenly Father. It was sweet to see how her influence and the Word of God drew Josiah back to his faith, and I appreciated that their relationship didn’t cross too many lines before they were in agreement in such a vital area.

I also loved the friendship Patience developed with her new stepsister. That dynamic is another one that’s too easily stereotyped. Soja did a great job showing the initial tension and hesitation followed by Patience’s decision to look beyond her own feelings and reach out. Will is the perfect older-brother character, and I’m so excited to see more of him in his own story. His involvement in the Patriot cause really amps up the family tension, but it also provides a great setting for Patience to sort through her own beliefs. And that scene where he tells her she doesn’t have to choose between his love as a brother and what she believes is right—my heart.

And the Tea Party scene was perfection. So much historical detail, and so much emphasis on the solemn choices these men made, the risks they took, the honor they showed in their protest.

Spark of the Revolution is the kind of book I wish more authors would write. If you love Christian fiction filled with historical authenticity, realistic characters, and threads of true biblical faith, Spark of the Revolution is definitely one for your to-read list. (It’s perfect for readers who have enjoyed my novels Preacher on the Run and Patriot at the River .) The romance is sweet and wholesome, the setting comes alive with careful detail, and courageous faith and Christian growth shine gently throughout the story. Highly recommended!

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[A Time of Proving (Home to Osceola, #2)]]> 223264456

Miriam Locklin thought she could keep her family together, just as her deceased parents would have wished. But when she is banished to a small Midwestern town to live with an uncle she’s never met, she realizes the fight for her family may be harder than she ever imagined. And she has no one in the little town of Osceola to fight for her.


Determined to clear his name, Jase Hoffman returns to his hometown of Osceola to prove he’s not the villain everyone believes him to be. Facing the people he left behind is no easy task. When he unexpectedly meets Miriam—for the second time—he can’t help but be drawn to her. But his broken relationships prove he’s no good at family.


As their feelings for each other grow stronger, one man could destroy everything Jase and Miriam hold dear. Yet love is only true if it’s been tested…and the hardest test is yet to come.]]> 360 Alena Mentink Jayna 5
Alena Mentink has created a lovely blend of small-town coziness, strong faith, and wholesome romance with a good dose of humor and adventure. We all know someone like the characters who live in Osceola, Nebraska, and we all know that family bonds can be the hardest relationships to preserve—or restore.

I admit I occasionally wanted to shake some of the characters, especially when certain ones seemed impossibly oblivious. But as a congenitally oblivious person myself, I also wanted to hug some of those same characters. Of course, every good story needs a villain or two, and we certainly have that—the sort of villains who make us cheer when they get their comeuppance. Poor Jase seems to attract trouble, and the climax is positively unputdownable.

There’s plenty of drama and suspense here, but there’s a lot of comic relief too. Mentink’s witty banter and writing style are great for a smile any time. All the sibling relationships make for some fun scenes, and I loved the combination of Jase and Andy. Miriam’s devotion to her family comes through in so many ways, and it’s sweet to watch.

What is really sweet, though, is the romance. There is nothing unwholesome about this relationship, and it unfolds in such gentle, committed ways. If you tend to shy from romance that takes your mind places you don’t want it to go, this book will be a wonderfully refreshing discovery. And if romance is your standard fare, this book delivers all of the sweetness and none of the spice.

I read A Time of Proving before going back to the first book in the series, A Choice of Love , and I’m happy to report that they can be read independently of each other. But if you’ve already read A Choice of Love, reading A Time of Proving will feel like coming home. Highly recommended for anyone who loves uplifting, faith-filled fiction with God-honoring relationships, strong (and sometimes frustrating, sometimes hilarious) family bonds, and a good fight scene or two.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.88 A Time of Proving (Home to Osceola, #2)
author: Alena Mentink
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.88
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, fun-reads, historical-fiction, recommended, truly-christian
review:
What a fun read! Those who are well acquainted with my reading tastes know that I’m picky about my romances. So I’m thrilled to have a series I can recommend without reservation.

Alena Mentink has created a lovely blend of small-town coziness, strong faith, and wholesome romance with a good dose of humor and adventure. We all know someone like the characters who live in Osceola, Nebraska, and we all know that family bonds can be the hardest relationships to preserve—or restore.

I admit I occasionally wanted to shake some of the characters, especially when certain ones seemed impossibly oblivious. But as a congenitally oblivious person myself, I also wanted to hug some of those same characters. Of course, every good story needs a villain or two, and we certainly have that—the sort of villains who make us cheer when they get their comeuppance. Poor Jase seems to attract trouble, and the climax is positively unputdownable.

There’s plenty of drama and suspense here, but there’s a lot of comic relief too. Mentink’s witty banter and writing style are great for a smile any time. All the sibling relationships make for some fun scenes, and I loved the combination of Jase and Andy. Miriam’s devotion to her family comes through in so many ways, and it’s sweet to watch.

What is really sweet, though, is the romance. There is nothing unwholesome about this relationship, and it unfolds in such gentle, committed ways. If you tend to shy from romance that takes your mind places you don’t want it to go, this book will be a wonderfully refreshing discovery. And if romance is your standard fare, this book delivers all of the sweetness and none of the spice.

I read A Time of Proving before going back to the first book in the series, A Choice of Love , and I’m happy to report that they can be read independently of each other. But if you’ve already read A Choice of Love, reading A Time of Proving will feel like coming home. Highly recommended for anyone who loves uplifting, faith-filled fiction with God-honoring relationships, strong (and sometimes frustrating, sometimes hilarious) family bonds, and a good fight scene or two.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Abounding Hope (Circle of Hope #1)]]> 200428140 An American teacher who wants no romantic entanglements
An American businessman who loves them all


The world is on the brink of war. The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee. She won’t leave her teaching ministry, the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before, or her ailing pregnant sister who cannot travel. American shipping magnate and former classmate, Jonathan Huntwell, surprises Irena in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war begins. But nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands.

Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan considers Irena more than an obligation. As danger closes in, the woman he once cared for reignites unexpected inner turmoil in him, but he won’t share his heart for fear of driving her away.

Irena discovers the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s intent on snatching her young charges. After the Germans invade, the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, and she must find a way to protect those she loves.

A gripping storyline of adventure with engaging characters and awe-inspiring inspirational themes. Fans of Sarah Sundin and Lynn Austin will love this book.

“I would give it 10 stars if I could. You really fall in love with the characters. This book has it all: history, suspense, and romance. I can't wait for the next book.” ~ Amazon reviewer

2024 HOLT MEDALLION FINALIST
2024 READER'S CHOICE AWARD FINALIST
2024 CHRISTIAN MARKET BOOK AWARD FINALIST]]> 427 Cindy Kay Stewart Jayna 0 to-read 4.66 Abounding Hope (Circle of Hope #1)
author: Cindy Kay Stewart
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.66
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Tender Grace 3347698 304 Jackina Stark 0764205757 Jayna 5 always the season for romance?). But with this book review, I want to remind you of the gentle pursuit of the Lover of our souls. A novel about grief might seem an unexpected way to focus on that. Yet you may have found, as I have, that the love of Christ often shines brightest in the dark.

I first read and reviewed Tender Grace almost two years ago. I’ve decided to update and repost my review, because I think it’s time I reread this book. Perhaps, after reading this review, you’ll join me?

I don’t often pick up diary-style fiction, but this book drew me in right away through Audrey’s real, heartfelt voice. Her grief and “stuckness” were so real, but so was her longing to change. This was a gentle, beautiful, real-life story of moving on, growing in grace, and letting the Word of God do its life-changing work.

The strength of the story, for me, lay in the very relatable and realistic feel of the narrative. We may not have all lost a husband early, but we’ve all experienced grief or loss in some way. It was so encouraging to see the way Audrey turned toward the light and strived to return to a spirit of gratitude.

We may not all have set out alone on a road trip with no destination in mind. But we’ve all met people we wished we could help. We’ve all seen moments of God’s goodness and splendor, tried to do the right thing and failed, and faced challenges that required a choice between grace and anger. And we all need friends who use too many exclamation points but never stop supporting us.

But my very favorite element of this story was Audrey’s faith journey. I had qualms about her love for a sculpture of a Native American appealing to the Great Spirit; God and the Great Spirit are not the same. But it served as a challenge to her own walk with God, a challenge I have often needed as well.

While this is not specifically a story about God’s pursuit of us, that’s the feeling I remember from this novel. Like the bridegroom in the Song of Solomon calling his beloved away, God desires to call us to himself. Yet so often we try to hear him in ways other than his own perfect Word.

Not that God can’t interact with us in many, many ways. He does, and I’m thankful for it. But may we never forget that his chosen method of communication is through his Word, made alive to us by his Spirit.

Because of this, I loved that Audrey turned to the Word of God and that it undeniably changed her. I’ve read some Christian fiction where little to no Scripture is included in the characters’ growth. Not so with this book! The Word of God has the power to change us from the inside out. It was beautiful to see that so integrally woven into Audrey’s growth. God drew her to himself through his Word, and she in turn wanted more of it, and it in turn changed her even more. Beautiful.

Where human romance was concerned, I feared the book would veer into rekindling-the-old-flame territory but was pleased to find it did not. The few light remembrances of married intimacy were appropriate to the story, and what other romantic threads existed were very natural and gentle, in keeping with the rest of the story.

If you are currently in a season of grief, I encourage you to tread carefully where this book is concerned. It may bless and encourage you, or it may not be what you need right now. For the most part, though, I would recommend this to any reader who loves contemporary fiction with clear, beautiful biblical themes.

Although it’s not a fast-paced plot due to the diary style and real-life feel of the narrative, Audrey’s emotional and spiritual quest kept me turning pages. All in all, this is a lovely and gentle read, a story of a slow stretch toward the light and a journey from grief to gratitude, from loss to life, from heartache to hope.

And if you enjoy songs to go with your stories, this acoustic rendition of “Hear the Voice of My Beloved” is just as beautiful as this book.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 3.94 2009 Tender Grace
author: Jackina Stark
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/02/12
shelves: contemporary, gentle-reading, truly-christian
review:
’Tis the season for romance (doesn’t it seem like it’s always the season for romance?). But with this book review, I want to remind you of the gentle pursuit of the Lover of our souls. A novel about grief might seem an unexpected way to focus on that. Yet you may have found, as I have, that the love of Christ often shines brightest in the dark.

I first read and reviewed Tender Grace almost two years ago. I’ve decided to update and repost my review, because I think it’s time I reread this book. Perhaps, after reading this review, you’ll join me?

I don’t often pick up diary-style fiction, but this book drew me in right away through Audrey’s real, heartfelt voice. Her grief and “stuckness” were so real, but so was her longing to change. This was a gentle, beautiful, real-life story of moving on, growing in grace, and letting the Word of God do its life-changing work.

The strength of the story, for me, lay in the very relatable and realistic feel of the narrative. We may not have all lost a husband early, but we’ve all experienced grief or loss in some way. It was so encouraging to see the way Audrey turned toward the light and strived to return to a spirit of gratitude.

We may not all have set out alone on a road trip with no destination in mind. But we’ve all met people we wished we could help. We’ve all seen moments of God’s goodness and splendor, tried to do the right thing and failed, and faced challenges that required a choice between grace and anger. And we all need friends who use too many exclamation points but never stop supporting us.

But my very favorite element of this story was Audrey’s faith journey. I had qualms about her love for a sculpture of a Native American appealing to the Great Spirit; God and the Great Spirit are not the same. But it served as a challenge to her own walk with God, a challenge I have often needed as well.

While this is not specifically a story about God’s pursuit of us, that’s the feeling I remember from this novel. Like the bridegroom in the Song of Solomon calling his beloved away, God desires to call us to himself. Yet so often we try to hear him in ways other than his own perfect Word.

Not that God can’t interact with us in many, many ways. He does, and I’m thankful for it. But may we never forget that his chosen method of communication is through his Word, made alive to us by his Spirit.

Because of this, I loved that Audrey turned to the Word of God and that it undeniably changed her. I’ve read some Christian fiction where little to no Scripture is included in the characters’ growth. Not so with this book! The Word of God has the power to change us from the inside out. It was beautiful to see that so integrally woven into Audrey’s growth. God drew her to himself through his Word, and she in turn wanted more of it, and it in turn changed her even more. Beautiful.

Where human romance was concerned, I feared the book would veer into rekindling-the-old-flame territory but was pleased to find it did not. The few light remembrances of married intimacy were appropriate to the story, and what other romantic threads existed were very natural and gentle, in keeping with the rest of the story.

If you are currently in a season of grief, I encourage you to tread carefully where this book is concerned. It may bless and encourage you, or it may not be what you need right now. For the most part, though, I would recommend this to any reader who loves contemporary fiction with clear, beautiful biblical themes.

Although it’s not a fast-paced plot due to the diary style and real-life feel of the narrative, Audrey’s emotional and spiritual quest kept me turning pages. All in all, this is a lovely and gentle read, a story of a slow stretch toward the light and a journey from grief to gratitude, from loss to life, from heartache to hope.

And if you enjoy songs to go with your stories, this acoustic rendition of “Hear the Voice of My Beloved” is just as beautiful as this book.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> Whose Waves These Are 42196507 Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the tiny, coastal Maine town, and he sets his calloused hands to work, but the building halts when tragedy strikes.

Decades later, Annie Sawyer is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when she learns her Great-Uncle Robert, the man who became her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is now the one in need of help. What she didn't anticipate was finding a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home. Long-ago memories of stone ruins on a nearby island trigger her curiosity, igniting a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers.

She joins forces with the handsome and mysterious harbor postman, and all her hopes of mending the decades-old chasm in her family seem to point back to the ruins. But with Robert failing fast, her search for answers battles against time, a foe as relentless as the ever-crashing waves upon the sea.]]> 364 Amanda Dykes 0764232665 Jayna 5 beautiful, and that's still the case as I write this. The themes, the imagery, the truth, the emotion, the writing. Sorrow and hope, darkness and light, pain and healing. So many layers and emotions. I wanted to rush through it and find out what happened, but I made myself slow down and savor it. Once I got used to the third-person present-tense narrative style, I really enjoyed it. The almost omniscient feel fit the storytelling style of the book. The only times it jarred me were when a verb slipped into past tense for no apparent reason.

I rarely engage with both timelines of a dual-timeline book, but in this case, it would be hard to say which storyline I liked more. And the characters. Robert, Roy, Eva, Annie, Sully, Ed, William—and Jeremiah. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a silent, enigmatic hero as much as I enjoyed Jeremiah. There was no annoying "man of mystery" drama, and while it was obvious that he had a painful past, his heart was even more obvious, evidenced in the most caring, unexpected ways. Following Annie with a bucket of gravel. Writing on his shirt. Being the first to see the sunrise. I loved his gentle teasing and his tendency to "blurt first, explain later," as Annie puts it. The romance hit high on my list of favorites. Slow, gentle, a friendship that gradually developed and deepened and kept on deepening.

Speaking of romance, this might seem a small thing, but it spoke volumes to me about Robert's character: his response when Jenny married his brother. Instead of continuing to moon over his brother's wife, he chose to love by letting go and determined to cultivate a brotherly affection for Jenny, even though it hurt. And he succeeded. It was a great example of doing the right thing and making your feelings follow. Is it possible to love a book for all the places it didn't go? There were times when I thought, Oh no, that's going to be a really irritating relationship arc. Oh no, this is going to be an awkwardly romantic scene. Oh no, that's going to turn into a mystery that we already know the answer to. Oh no… But none of those fears came true! It made me so happy to be wrong! Yes, some things were sad, but not without hope. Never without hope.

But what I loved most was how Christ was woven throughout the story. Christian fiction doesn't have to have a salvation scene to point people to the Redeemer. The Christian message was never preachy, it was just so there. Christ is our Light, our Rock, our Hope. As Roy says, "Life is big. And God is bigger." This book reminded me of who my God is and what He's done for me. That's what made Whose Waves These Are truly beautiful, and that's why it continues to linger in my mind. I will definitely read more by Amanda Dykes, and I highly recommend this!]]> 4.29 2019 Whose Waves These Are
author: Amanda Dykes
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/03
date added: 2025/02/12
shelves: historical-fiction, my-favorites, contemporary, truly-christian, writing-style, christian-historical-fiction
review:
The word that came to mind when I finished this story was beautiful, and that's still the case as I write this. The themes, the imagery, the truth, the emotion, the writing. Sorrow and hope, darkness and light, pain and healing. So many layers and emotions. I wanted to rush through it and find out what happened, but I made myself slow down and savor it. Once I got used to the third-person present-tense narrative style, I really enjoyed it. The almost omniscient feel fit the storytelling style of the book. The only times it jarred me were when a verb slipped into past tense for no apparent reason.

I rarely engage with both timelines of a dual-timeline book, but in this case, it would be hard to say which storyline I liked more. And the characters. Robert, Roy, Eva, Annie, Sully, Ed, William—and Jeremiah. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a silent, enigmatic hero as much as I enjoyed Jeremiah. There was no annoying "man of mystery" drama, and while it was obvious that he had a painful past, his heart was even more obvious, evidenced in the most caring, unexpected ways. Following Annie with a bucket of gravel. Writing on his shirt. Being the first to see the sunrise. I loved his gentle teasing and his tendency to "blurt first, explain later," as Annie puts it. The romance hit high on my list of favorites. Slow, gentle, a friendship that gradually developed and deepened and kept on deepening.

Speaking of romance, this might seem a small thing, but it spoke volumes to me about Robert's character: his response when Jenny married his brother. Instead of continuing to moon over his brother's wife, he chose to love by letting go and determined to cultivate a brotherly affection for Jenny, even though it hurt. And he succeeded. It was a great example of doing the right thing and making your feelings follow. Is it possible to love a book for all the places it didn't go? There were times when I thought, Oh no, that's going to be a really irritating relationship arc. Oh no, this is going to be an awkwardly romantic scene. Oh no, that's going to turn into a mystery that we already know the answer to. Oh no… But none of those fears came true! It made me so happy to be wrong! Yes, some things were sad, but not without hope. Never without hope.

But what I loved most was how Christ was woven throughout the story. Christian fiction doesn't have to have a salvation scene to point people to the Redeemer. The Christian message was never preachy, it was just so there. Christ is our Light, our Rock, our Hope. As Roy says, "Life is big. And God is bigger." This book reminded me of who my God is and what He's done for me. That's what made Whose Waves These Are truly beautiful, and that's why it continues to linger in my mind. I will definitely read more by Amanda Dykes, and I highly recommend this!
]]> The Elusive Pimpernel 54519 The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy attempts to smuggle French aristocrats out of the country to safety, while Chauvelin plays out a vile plot to eliminate the Pimpernel and his beautiful wife, once and for all.
Lighting up movie and television screens and leaping off the pages of books, the adventures of Baroness Orczy's rebel Pimpernel have ignited imaginations the world over for generations. Fans of the classic original, as well as those who enjoy rich historical novels, will thrill to this tale of intrigue set in the days following the French Revolution.]]> 272 Emmuska Orczy 0486454649 Jayna 4 fun-reads, historical-fiction The Elusive Pimpernel is almost as good as the first book. Possibly just as good, though shorter. We get to spend most of the book with Marguerite, Sir Percy, and Chauvelin, which is as it should be. There is something deliciously thrilling about a book where one knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the good guy will triumph. The only question is how.

The correct order of the Pimpernel books can be a bit confusing. The publication order is not the same as the order in which the series events occur. In publication order, The Elusive Pimpernel is #3. This follows The Scarlet Pimpernel (the original novel) at #1 and I Will Repay at #2. But I Will Repay is not primarily about the Scarlet Pimpernel himself. The story revolves around two French refugees with only cameo appearances by Sir Percy, so it’s hard to consider it a true sequel.

In chronological order, two prequel novels about the Blakeney ancestors start the series. Next we have The Scarlet Pimpernel , Sir Percy Leads the Band , and The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel . (Links are to my Goodreads or blog reviews.) I Will Repay follows these before we get to The Elusive Pimpernel.

Regardless of either publication order or chronological order, The Elusive Pimpernel “feels” like the direct sequel to the original novel. It’s set in the world of the English upper class and is told primarily through the eyes of Marguerite and Chauvelin. The story introduces new intrigues but follows the characters we know and love. (Or love to hate, in Chauvelin’s case.) For those reasons, I usually recommend it as the “next in series.” Readers who prize true chronological order may prefer I Will Repay first, since it introduces characters who reappear in The Elusive Pimpernel.

I appreciate the realism of the Blakeneys’ relationship in that everything isn’t hunky-dory even though husband and wife are now thoroughly in love with each other (to a degree that fashionable London society finds embarrassing). In the first book, Marguerite has no idea how to interpret the change that has come over her husband and Sir Percy has no idea whether he can trust a woman who apparently betrayed an innocent family. Having resolved that tension, Baroness Orczy introduces a new one: Can Marguerite’s newfound love bear to see her husband risk his life over and over for other people? If he really loved her, would he leave her so often?

Maybe it’s selfish of her, but it’s very realistic. Many books would simply have Sir Percy decide that “love conquers all” so he and Marguerite can enjoy their wedded bliss. But The Elusive Pimpernel shows us that although Sir Percy’s passion for Marguerite is beyond question, she cannot change the man he is, and he cannot sacrifice the lives of thousands for their own happily ever after. (This is another example of secular fiction that gives less intimate detail than much of today’s Christian fiction without weakening the characters’ passion for each other.)

I think we all know, deep down, that true heroes don’t follow their hearts and live their own best life. This reminds me of the 1950s Disney Zorro episode in which the question is asked, “Doesn’t Zorro have the right to take off his mask and live his own life?” and the answer is “No.”

In addition to true heroes giving up their own desires, this story has given me other biblical reminders, strange as it may seem to find spiritual applications in a secular adventure novel:

First, Marguerite deeply cares for the French refugee girl entrusted to her keeping. Not because she has any particular love for her or knows her all that well, but because Sir Percy risked his life to save her. Marguerite can’t help but love anyone who represents the sacrifice of the man she adores. That’s how we should see every fellow believer—beloved not because of their own worth but because our Beloved gave his life to save them.

And second, there’s a scene where Marguerite has gotten herself into serious trouble at the hands of Chauvelin and is on the verge of utter despair. (Knowing Marguerite, it would be beautiful, graceful, stage-worthy despair, but still.) I love this scene for the moment in which she abruptly realizes that she has no reason for despair. She’s married to the Scarlet Pimpernel, after all! How often do we give in to fear instead of remembering we’re bound by covenant to the greatest Rescuer in the universe? Though Marguerite, like us, continues to wrestle her anxiety, it’s a powerful reminder that we have no need to fear.

On the other hand…I do think everyone would have been much better off if Marguerite had acted on her much-declared love and simply trusted Sir Percy instead of gallivanting after him and getting not only herself and Sir Percy but also an entire village in a serious pickle. I wanted to talk sense to her now and then. Especially when Chauvelin’s devious plans were laid bare to the reader and Marguerite walked blithely into his traps. (This was despite being described as “the cleverest woman in Europe.”)

And speaking of Chauvelin’s devious plans, his scheme to bring down the Scarlet Pimpernel seemed vaguely naive to me. Surely he didn’t think it would succeed as far as the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel was concerned. But that’s a villain for you, thinking of his schemes more highly than he ought to think.

If you’re in this book for the Scarlet Pimpernel himself, however, Sir Percy is at his best both in and out of character. (Those flashes between personalities are such fun.) I loved seeing him pop up hither and yon and disconcert the man we all love to hate. I loved watching Chauvelin squirm at his inability to figure out just what the Scarlet Pimpernel had up his sleeve. And I loved trying to guess it along with him.

I did not love the plethora of ellipses that peppered the dialogue and made it sound as if Sir Percy and Chauvelin perpetually falter when they speak. But I suppose that’s just another instance of the dramatic, flowery writing style that wears a bit after a while. Readers should also note that The Elusive Pimpernel contains as much profanity as the original novel.

Although this book is not the second in the series, it feels that way, and I highly enjoyed the continuation of my favorite characters’ stories. I grinned like a fool through much of it. There’s just something about waiting for Sir Percy to drop the other shoe on the unsuspecting Chauvelin. All in all, an exhilarating return to the cast and setting of the original novel, recommended for those who love adventure, drama, and the world of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.03 1908 The Elusive Pimpernel
author: Emmuska Orczy
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.03
book published: 1908
rating: 4
read at: 2022/06/26
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: fun-reads, historical-fiction
review:
Thanks to a Christmas gift, this is the second time I’ve experienced this return to the intriguing world of Sir Percy and Marguerite. The Elusive Pimpernel is almost as good as the first book. Possibly just as good, though shorter. We get to spend most of the book with Marguerite, Sir Percy, and Chauvelin, which is as it should be. There is something deliciously thrilling about a book where one knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the good guy will triumph. The only question is how.

The correct order of the Pimpernel books can be a bit confusing. The publication order is not the same as the order in which the series events occur. In publication order, The Elusive Pimpernel is #3. This follows The Scarlet Pimpernel (the original novel) at #1 and I Will Repay at #2. But I Will Repay is not primarily about the Scarlet Pimpernel himself. The story revolves around two French refugees with only cameo appearances by Sir Percy, so it’s hard to consider it a true sequel.

In chronological order, two prequel novels about the Blakeney ancestors start the series. Next we have The Scarlet Pimpernel , Sir Percy Leads the Band , and The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel . (Links are to my Goodreads or blog reviews.) I Will Repay follows these before we get to The Elusive Pimpernel.

Regardless of either publication order or chronological order, The Elusive Pimpernel “feels” like the direct sequel to the original novel. It’s set in the world of the English upper class and is told primarily through the eyes of Marguerite and Chauvelin. The story introduces new intrigues but follows the characters we know and love. (Or love to hate, in Chauvelin’s case.) For those reasons, I usually recommend it as the “next in series.” Readers who prize true chronological order may prefer I Will Repay first, since it introduces characters who reappear in The Elusive Pimpernel.

I appreciate the realism of the Blakeneys’ relationship in that everything isn’t hunky-dory even though husband and wife are now thoroughly in love with each other (to a degree that fashionable London society finds embarrassing). In the first book, Marguerite has no idea how to interpret the change that has come over her husband and Sir Percy has no idea whether he can trust a woman who apparently betrayed an innocent family. Having resolved that tension, Baroness Orczy introduces a new one: Can Marguerite’s newfound love bear to see her husband risk his life over and over for other people? If he really loved her, would he leave her so often?

Maybe it’s selfish of her, but it’s very realistic. Many books would simply have Sir Percy decide that “love conquers all” so he and Marguerite can enjoy their wedded bliss. But The Elusive Pimpernel shows us that although Sir Percy’s passion for Marguerite is beyond question, she cannot change the man he is, and he cannot sacrifice the lives of thousands for their own happily ever after. (This is another example of secular fiction that gives less intimate detail than much of today’s Christian fiction without weakening the characters’ passion for each other.)

I think we all know, deep down, that true heroes don’t follow their hearts and live their own best life. This reminds me of the 1950s Disney Zorro episode in which the question is asked, “Doesn’t Zorro have the right to take off his mask and live his own life?” and the answer is “No.”

In addition to true heroes giving up their own desires, this story has given me other biblical reminders, strange as it may seem to find spiritual applications in a secular adventure novel:

First, Marguerite deeply cares for the French refugee girl entrusted to her keeping. Not because she has any particular love for her or knows her all that well, but because Sir Percy risked his life to save her. Marguerite can’t help but love anyone who represents the sacrifice of the man she adores. That’s how we should see every fellow believer—beloved not because of their own worth but because our Beloved gave his life to save them.

And second, there’s a scene where Marguerite has gotten herself into serious trouble at the hands of Chauvelin and is on the verge of utter despair. (Knowing Marguerite, it would be beautiful, graceful, stage-worthy despair, but still.) I love this scene for the moment in which she abruptly realizes that she has no reason for despair. She’s married to the Scarlet Pimpernel, after all! How often do we give in to fear instead of remembering we’re bound by covenant to the greatest Rescuer in the universe? Though Marguerite, like us, continues to wrestle her anxiety, it’s a powerful reminder that we have no need to fear.

On the other hand…I do think everyone would have been much better off if Marguerite had acted on her much-declared love and simply trusted Sir Percy instead of gallivanting after him and getting not only herself and Sir Percy but also an entire village in a serious pickle. I wanted to talk sense to her now and then. Especially when Chauvelin’s devious plans were laid bare to the reader and Marguerite walked blithely into his traps. (This was despite being described as “the cleverest woman in Europe.”)

And speaking of Chauvelin’s devious plans, his scheme to bring down the Scarlet Pimpernel seemed vaguely naive to me. Surely he didn’t think it would succeed as far as the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel was concerned. But that’s a villain for you, thinking of his schemes more highly than he ought to think.

If you’re in this book for the Scarlet Pimpernel himself, however, Sir Percy is at his best both in and out of character. (Those flashes between personalities are such fun.) I loved seeing him pop up hither and yon and disconcert the man we all love to hate. I loved watching Chauvelin squirm at his inability to figure out just what the Scarlet Pimpernel had up his sleeve. And I loved trying to guess it along with him.

I did not love the plethora of ellipses that peppered the dialogue and made it sound as if Sir Percy and Chauvelin perpetually falter when they speak. But I suppose that’s just another instance of the dramatic, flowery writing style that wears a bit after a while. Readers should also note that The Elusive Pimpernel contains as much profanity as the original novel.

Although this book is not the second in the series, it feels that way, and I highly enjoyed the continuation of my favorite characters’ stories. I grinned like a fool through much of it. There’s just something about waiting for Sir Percy to drop the other shoe on the unsuspecting Chauvelin. All in all, an exhilarating return to the cast and setting of the original novel, recommended for those who love adventure, drama, and the world of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[The Roads We Follow (Fog Harbor, #2)]]> 181857763
Raegan chooses to keep the tell-all a secret from her scandal-leery sisters as they embark on a two-week, cross-country road trip at their mother's request and makes it her mission to expose the identity of the author behind the unsanctioned biography. But all is complicated when she discovers their hired bus driver, Micah Davenport, has a hidden agenda of his own--one involving both of their mothers and an old box of journals. As they rely on each other to find the answers they seek, the surprising revelations they unearth will steer them toward their undeniable connection and may even lead them down the most unexpected of paths.]]> 384 Nicole Deese 1493445162 Jayna 0 to-read 4.31 2024 The Roads We Follow (Fog Harbor, #2)
author: Nicole Deese
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Mind the Gap 59065081
Kate Macon has spent her life preparing to be a teacher and six weeks into her dream come true, everything crashes and burns thanks to budget cuts and a hiring freeze. With nothing but bowls of cookie dough and Pride and Prejudice marathons to look forward to, it’s not a hard decision when her grandmother calls and invites her on a trip to London.

However, instead of being an escape from reality, London just proves to be a catalyst for bringing out the worst in Kate. All her fears, insecurities and frustration seem to be right in front of everything. And her feisty grandmother, not to mention their quick-witted tour guide, aren’t helping to lift the mood.

What could the Lord possibly be doing by causing so much havoc in Kate’s life? When everything seems to be falling apart, could it be Jesus putting things back together – but in a way Kate never could have imagined?

Grab your passport and a hot cup of coffee. This is a London adventure you won’t want to miss.]]> 305 Erynn Mangum Jayna 0 to-read 4.50 Mind the Gap
author: Erynn Mangum
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II]]> 22715829
Comprising 1,200 different titles of every imaginable type, these paperbacks were beloved by the troops and are still fondly remembered today. Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy; in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific; in field hospitals; and on long bombing flights. They wrote to the authors, many of whom responded to every letter. They helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity. They made Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, into a national icon. When Books Went to War is an inspiring story for history buffs and book lovers alike.]]> 267 Molly Guptill Manning 0544535022 Jayna 0 to-read 3.90 2014 When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II
author: Molly Guptill Manning
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Shepherds Abiding (Mitford Years, #8)]]> 71783 The eighth novel in the beloved Mitford series, by the bestselling author of At Home in Mitford and Somebody Safe with Somebody Good 

Millions of Americans have found Mitford to be a favorite home-away-from-home, and countless readers have long wondered what Christmas in Mitford would be like. The eighth Mitford novel provides a glimpse, offering a meditation on the best of all presents: the gift of one's heart.Since he was a boy, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind" and has never really learned to savor the work of his hands. When he finds a derelict nativity scene that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect, he imagines the excitement in the eyes of his wife, Cynthia, and decides to undertake the daunting task of restoring it. As Father Tim begins his journey, readers are given a seat at Mitford's holiday table and treated to a magical tale about the true Christmas spirit.
 ]]> 365 Jan Karon 0142004855 Jayna 5
This book reminds me of A Common Life in that we see snapshots of what’s going on in the minds and lives of other characters whom we ordinarily wouldn’t spend much time with. JC’s battle with Velma and the ensuing struggle of the Turkey Club to find a new place to eat are hilarious. Jan Karon’s writing style is perfect for this type of story.

The book does repeat the popular misconception that December would have been too cold for the shepherds to be in the fields, but that’s a very small thing. A great read for Christmas or any other time of year!]]> 4.25 2003 Shepherds Abiding (Mitford Years, #8)
author: Jan Karon
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/12/04
shelves: truly-christian, writing-style, gentle-reading, favorite-author
review:
A lovely, Christmassy read with plenty of light and hope and the usual Mitford shenanigans. I love seeing Father Tim and Cynthia’s relationship. Their dialogue is so often such fun to read, especially when it’s Christmas and “that, of course, explains everything!”

This book reminds me of A Common Life in that we see snapshots of what’s going on in the minds and lives of other characters whom we ordinarily wouldn’t spend much time with. JC’s battle with Velma and the ensuing struggle of the Turkey Club to find a new place to eat are hilarious. Jan Karon’s writing style is perfect for this type of story.

The book does repeat the popular misconception that December would have been too cold for the shepherds to be in the fields, but that’s a very small thing. A great read for Christmas or any other time of year!
]]> <![CDATA[Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Classic Christmas Novel of Love, Loss, and Reunion]]> 7068173
Tidings of Comfort & Joy reminds us to share the bonds of faith and family that Christmas represents whatever the circumstances or season.]]> 240 T. Davis Bunn 1595548300 Jayna 5
This is one of Bunn’s earlier books, but the writing is definitely his—a bit dramatic at times, but with an almost formal feel that suits an English village. The granddaughter seems younger than fourteen, but she does mature over the course of the story. I love Colin’s quiet, serious ways and the contrasting frank bravado of the American flyboys who come to the rescue.

I suppose this would be considered a romance, but in a nostalgic, poignant way as a grandmother tells her granddaughter the story of her long-ago love. It’s so much more than that, though. There are lovely themes of finding joy and peace in helping others, choosing not to give in to bitterness, and discovering a love based in character and sacrifice rather than superficial attraction. And it all happens against the backdrop of a quaint English village where neighbors band together to bring joy and hope where it’s most needed.

The only small quibble I have is how Emily realizes her parents were right about her romantic choices yet promptly falls for another man whom they’ve never met. I think it’s implied that her parents approved, but this seems like it could easily have been a repeat of her previous stubborn choices.

Aside from that, the spiritual themes are well done, and the cast is endearing. I return to this story often. There’s love in it—familial love, steadfast love, quiet love, making-things-right love. And selfless love, the very essence of Christmas.

Join my email list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.24 Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Classic Christmas Novel of Love, Loss, and Reunion
author: T. Davis Bunn
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.24
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2021/12/12
date added: 2024/12/04
shelves: challenge, favorite-author, gentle-reading, historical-fiction, my-favorites, christian-historical-fiction
review:
A sweet, gentle story set in the aftermath of WWII, this book has just the right blend of characters, plot, and barely-there romance. It’s not exactly a Christmas story in the typical sense, but it has all the “feels” of Christmas and demonstrates the principle that Christmas doesn’t have to happen only on December 25.

This is one of Bunn’s earlier books, but the writing is definitely his—a bit dramatic at times, but with an almost formal feel that suits an English village. The granddaughter seems younger than fourteen, but she does mature over the course of the story. I love Colin’s quiet, serious ways and the contrasting frank bravado of the American flyboys who come to the rescue.

I suppose this would be considered a romance, but in a nostalgic, poignant way as a grandmother tells her granddaughter the story of her long-ago love. It’s so much more than that, though. There are lovely themes of finding joy and peace in helping others, choosing not to give in to bitterness, and discovering a love based in character and sacrifice rather than superficial attraction. And it all happens against the backdrop of a quaint English village where neighbors band together to bring joy and hope where it’s most needed.

The only small quibble I have is how Emily realizes her parents were right about her romantic choices yet promptly falls for another man whom they’ve never met. I think it’s implied that her parents approved, but this seems like it could easily have been a repeat of her previous stubborn choices.

Aside from that, the spiritual themes are well done, and the cast is endearing. I return to this story often. There’s love in it—familial love, steadfast love, quiet love, making-things-right love. And selfless love, the very essence of Christmas.

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]]> <![CDATA[Delve, Pivot, Propel : 350 Writing Secrets to Elevate Your Storytelling and Transform Your Novel (Fiction Key Series)]]> 221832237 322 Steven James Jayna 0 to-read 4.73 Delve, Pivot, Propel : 350 Writing Secrets to Elevate Your Storytelling and Transform Your Novel (Fiction Key Series)
author: Steven James
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.73
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Escape Game (Heroines of WWII)]]> 62905733 314 Marilyn Turk 1636095097 Jayna 0 to-read 4.16 2023 The Escape Game (Heroines of WWII)
author: Marilyn Turk
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Ticket to Tomorrow (Fair to Remember #1)]]> 960014 317 Carol Cox 1593109482 Jayna 4
However, there were a few reasons it caught my interest:

The setting—I haven’t personally read a lot of books set during the Chicago World’s Fair, although I know they’re out there. The author clearly did her research, and I enjoyed getting to experience the sights and sounds that Annie experienced.

The characters—the romance itself was fairly typical, as mentioned, but I was intrigued by the combination of a rider in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and the widow of an inventor. I would have loved to see more of Nick’s experiences in training and showmanship. Although I felt that in some ways the romantic storyline resolved itself too easily, there were plenty of difficulties for the characters to resolve in other areas of their lives. And there were plenty of fun supporting characters along the way.

The mystery—I will admit, the villains didn’t always come across as the brilliant masterminds they were supposed to be. They were somewhat melodramatic at times and made less than bright decisions at others. However, the premise was fascinating—international intrigue involving Spain and Cuba. I love it when a story feels like it could work in only one specific place and time, and that’s how this mystery felt. It was very tied to the era and the location.

I also appreciated that this Christian novel actually lived up to the label and showed Annie turning to God’s Word for wisdom and strength. She wasn’t perfect, but she was willing to grow and wanted her life to turn others to Christ. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction with a touch of romance and a bit of intrigue, give this one a try.


Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 3.64 2006 Ticket to Tomorrow (Fair to Remember #1)
author: Carol Cox
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/11/18
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction
review:
In a lot of ways, this was a fairly typical Christian historical romance. It delivered what I was looking for—not a breathtaking read, but a satisfying story.

However, there were a few reasons it caught my interest:

The setting—I haven’t personally read a lot of books set during the Chicago World’s Fair, although I know they’re out there. The author clearly did her research, and I enjoyed getting to experience the sights and sounds that Annie experienced.

The characters—the romance itself was fairly typical, as mentioned, but I was intrigued by the combination of a rider in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and the widow of an inventor. I would have loved to see more of Nick’s experiences in training and showmanship. Although I felt that in some ways the romantic storyline resolved itself too easily, there were plenty of difficulties for the characters to resolve in other areas of their lives. And there were plenty of fun supporting characters along the way.

The mystery—I will admit, the villains didn’t always come across as the brilliant masterminds they were supposed to be. They were somewhat melodramatic at times and made less than bright decisions at others. However, the premise was fascinating—international intrigue involving Spain and Cuba. I love it when a story feels like it could work in only one specific place and time, and that’s how this mystery felt. It was very tied to the era and the location.

I also appreciated that this Christian novel actually lived up to the label and showed Annie turning to God’s Word for wisdom and strength. She wasn’t perfect, but she was willing to grow and wanted her life to turn others to Christ. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction with a touch of romance and a bit of intrigue, give this one a try.


Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Heart of Honor (Hearts of the West #4)]]> 203365274 A teacher is in danger of losing her heart and future to a man who holds a painful secret.

When Beth Pruitt becomes a teacher, she achieves her dream for her future--until she discovers she is bound by old-fashioned contract rules that require her to remain single during her teaching career. While Thomas Gabriel, a ruthless business tycoon lives in silent misery over a family secret...Beth follows the most important lesson plan of her life.

She hopes to save an orphanage but is forced to choose between her work and revealing Thomas Gabriel's painful secret and losing his love.]]> 160 Patience O'Brien Jayna 0 to-read 4.70 Heart of Honor (Hearts of the West #4)
author: Patience O'Brien
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.70
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Pursuit of Christian Maturity: Flourishing in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ]]> 199420282
In this never-before-published compilation of teachings, A.W. Tozer dives deep into a favorite growing in Christ. With passion and biblical wisdom he equips you

- ignite a true desire for Christ
- overcome hindrances to your Christian development
- implement life-giving disciplines
- grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ

The deeper you mature in Christ, the less this shallow world can ensnare you. And the more you--and the Church--will truly flourish.]]> 192 A.W. Tozer 0764240307 Jayna 0 to-read 4.46 The Pursuit of Christian Maturity: Flourishing in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ
author: A.W. Tozer
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.46
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[5,000 Words Per Hour: Write Faster, Write Smarter]]> 25765338 Includes a free spreadsheet to help you track and improve Words Per Hour. 5,000 Words Per Hour also has a companion app available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch!

The fastest way to succeed as an author is to write more books. How do you do that with a day job, family, school or all your other time commitments? The secret is efficiency.

5K WPH will help you maximize your writing time by building effective habits that both measure and increase your writing speed.

- Create an effective writing habit
- Track and improve your Words Per Hour
- Stop the endless editing and tinkering so you can finish your draft
- Use voice dictation software to dramatically increase words per hour.

It’s time to shift your writing into high gear.]]> 88 Chris Fox Jayna 0 for-writers 4.18 2015 5,000 Words Per Hour: Write Faster, Write Smarter
author: Chris Fox
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/29
shelves: for-writers
review:
Not a fan of the profanity sprinkled throughout, but I can’t believe how helpful the microsprints have been just in the first few days that I’ve done them. Some of the other techniques don’t apply to the way I write, so I’m not going to leave a rating, but I give a solid five stars for the motivation this short read gave me to explore the power of writing sprints. I appreciate Fox’s brief explanations of the neuroscience of sprints and how writing faster rather counterintuitively makes for better, stronger writing. I’m nowhere near 5,000 words per hour, but I’m establishing a basis for consistent daily numbers and finding my sweet spot for both sprint length and best writing music. Even if I don’t do this every day, I have the tools to fall back on. Highly recommended for writers who don’t have (or don’t think they have) much time to write and wish they could be more consistent.
]]> <![CDATA[The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Up Your Novel for Success]]> 12986199 Seeking writing success? Start at the beginning...




Whether you’re looking to get published or just hoping to hook your reader, first impressions are vital. Compelling opening scenes are the key to catching an agent or editor’s attention, and are crucial for keeping your reader engaged.




As a writer, what you do in your opening pages, and how you do it, is a matter that cannot be left to chance. The First 50 Pages is here to help you craft a strong beginning right from the start. You’ll learn how




   • introduce your main character


   • establish your story world


   • set up the plot’s conflict


   • begin your hero’s inner journey


   • write an amazing opening line and terrific first page


   • and more


This helpful guide walks you through the tasks your first 50 pages must accomplish in order to avoid leaving readers disoriented, frustrated, or bored. Don’t let your reader put your book down before ever seeing its beauty. Let The First 50 Pages show you how to begin your novel with the skill and intentionality that will land you a book deal, and keep readers’ eyes glued to the page.]]> 242 Jeff Gerke 159963287X Jayna 0 for-writers
However. There are a few serious caveats I’d like to make. So here we go.

One, Gerke says omniscient POV and head-hopping are the same thing. I’m sorry, but they’re not. I could go into detail, but editor Ellen Brock says it much better in this article. I stress this because misunderstanding omniscient POV lets writers claim they’re using it when really they’re just head-hopping.

Two, Gerke says starting your book in medias res means starting with the main action and then backing up, as in movies that start with a bang and then switch to “Three Months Earlier” and lead back up to the climactic moment. Again, I’m sorry, but that is not in medias res. This Latin phrase simply means opening your book in the middle of action—a technique Gerke instead refers to as hero action. Essentially, in medias res can be any action. Not the climactic action followed by a jump back in time. I stress this because a lot of writing advice tells writers to start in medias res, and trouble will ensue if writers think that means what Gerke says it means.

Three, Gerke tends to get pretty dogmatic about some of his own opinions (his third edition of The Art and Craft Of Writing Christian Fiction openly admits this), and some of those opinions appear to be built on extreme cases (e.g., straw man arguments). He cites writers who switch POV characters and locations seventeen times in the opening chapters, then emphatically states that writers should not switch POV characters for at least the first forty pages, give or take a few. I understand his point; I really do. Readers need time to lock in with the hero and understand why they should care what happens to this person. But there’s a big difference between seventeen POV changes and, for instance, two. Gerke’s “fix” for a dual-protagonist novel involved sticking with one protagonist for the first forty pages, then jumping back in time to see the same events with the second protagonist. That would drive me crazy as a reader. I agree, rapid and injudicious switching is jarring. But I could cite so many good books that don’t follow Gerke’s “rule”—and would be jarring if they did. Similarly, I agree that “colorful” speaker tags can be distracting and far overused (especially when they’re essentially a repetition of the dialogue itself) but I don’t agree that anything other than said and asked is lazy writing. If it is, someone ought to notify The Chicago Manual of Style and countless bestselling authors. I find it mildly ironic that Gerke pokes fun at other editors and agents who are dogmatic about, say, prologues. I also find it mildly ironic that I sound rather dogmatic about Gerke being dogmatic.

So who am I to tell Jeff Gerke he’s wrong? Well, nobody, really. Except that I’ve seen a lot of good books, a lot of lousy books, and a lot of advice from a lot of people, and there’s disagreement here with what I’ve come to accept as standard. Take it for what you will.

Whew! It now sounds as if I don’t like this book at all. Actually, I recommend it. It has some great advice and warnings on what to do and what not to do. Just take it with a grain of salt and compare it with other advice. Gerke really covers a lot of in-depth material at a very fast clip, and I love how he uses questions to make you think about your characters and plotlines. That, to me, is the strength of this book: it makes you think. His advice may work better for some genres than others, but I think all writers can benefit in some way. So, with the above caveats, I recommend checking it out for yourself.]]> 4.29 2011 The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Up Your Novel for Success
author: Jeff Gerke
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/29
shelves: for-writers
review:
This book was really helpful in some ways, and really not in others. As an independent author, I approached it more in terms of reader expectations than in terms of publishing agent requirements. I would have liked a little more explanation of various points instead of so much reliance on examples from the film world, but the book did help me think through a lot of story elements, and it gives an excellent overview of three-act plot structure. I read it as I was developing new story arcs for a new protagonist, and this book was extremely helpful as I sorted through all of that.

However. There are a few serious caveats I’d like to make. So here we go.

One, Gerke says omniscient POV and head-hopping are the same thing. I’m sorry, but they’re not. I could go into detail, but editor Ellen Brock says it much better in this article. I stress this because misunderstanding omniscient POV lets writers claim they’re using it when really they’re just head-hopping.

Two, Gerke says starting your book in medias res means starting with the main action and then backing up, as in movies that start with a bang and then switch to “Three Months Earlier” and lead back up to the climactic moment. Again, I’m sorry, but that is not in medias res. This Latin phrase simply means opening your book in the middle of action—a technique Gerke instead refers to as hero action. Essentially, in medias res can be any action. Not the climactic action followed by a jump back in time. I stress this because a lot of writing advice tells writers to start in medias res, and trouble will ensue if writers think that means what Gerke says it means.

Three, Gerke tends to get pretty dogmatic about some of his own opinions (his third edition of The Art and Craft Of Writing Christian Fiction openly admits this), and some of those opinions appear to be built on extreme cases (e.g., straw man arguments). He cites writers who switch POV characters and locations seventeen times in the opening chapters, then emphatically states that writers should not switch POV characters for at least the first forty pages, give or take a few. I understand his point; I really do. Readers need time to lock in with the hero and understand why they should care what happens to this person. But there’s a big difference between seventeen POV changes and, for instance, two. Gerke’s “fix” for a dual-protagonist novel involved sticking with one protagonist for the first forty pages, then jumping back in time to see the same events with the second protagonist. That would drive me crazy as a reader. I agree, rapid and injudicious switching is jarring. But I could cite so many good books that don’t follow Gerke’s “rule”—and would be jarring if they did. Similarly, I agree that “colorful” speaker tags can be distracting and far overused (especially when they’re essentially a repetition of the dialogue itself) but I don’t agree that anything other than said and asked is lazy writing. If it is, someone ought to notify The Chicago Manual of Style and countless bestselling authors. I find it mildly ironic that Gerke pokes fun at other editors and agents who are dogmatic about, say, prologues. I also find it mildly ironic that I sound rather dogmatic about Gerke being dogmatic.

So who am I to tell Jeff Gerke he’s wrong? Well, nobody, really. Except that I’ve seen a lot of good books, a lot of lousy books, and a lot of advice from a lot of people, and there’s disagreement here with what I’ve come to accept as standard. Take it for what you will.

Whew! It now sounds as if I don’t like this book at all. Actually, I recommend it. It has some great advice and warnings on what to do and what not to do. Just take it with a grain of salt and compare it with other advice. Gerke really covers a lot of in-depth material at a very fast clip, and I love how he uses questions to make you think about your characters and plotlines. That, to me, is the strength of this book: it makes you think. His advice may work better for some genres than others, but I think all writers can benefit in some way. So, with the above caveats, I recommend checking it out for yourself.
]]> <![CDATA[Super Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story (Bell on Writing)]]> 24777772 Story loves structure...and so do readers! Super Structure represents over two decades of research on what makes a novel or screenplay entertaining, commercial, original, and irresistible. Contrary to what some may think, structure is not a nasty inhibitor of creativity. Quite the opposite. Properly understood and utilized, structure is what translates story into a form readers are wired to receive it. And it is only when readers truly connect with your story that they turn from casual readers into fans. The material in this book greatly expands upon the chapter on structure in Write Your Novel From the Middle. Super Structure can be considered a companion to that book, but it also stands alone in its treatment of the elements of a solid and pleasing plot. Here's more good Super Structure will work for any type of writer--those who like to outline, those who just fly by "the seat of the pants," and those who do a little of both. That's because Super Structure stresses the concept of "signpost scenes." There are fourteen signpost scenes, or beats, that can be used to create an entire plot, the skeleton of an idea, or a map to help you figure out what to write next. Every signpost is given its own chapter and explanation, along with a section called "Helpful Hints for Plotters and Pantsers," showing you how to apply what you've learned and adapt it to your own style of writing. Never write a weak novel or screenplay again. Super Structure is a proven foundation that never fails. It frees you to add your original voice and vision, all of which adds up to bestselling fiction and hit screenplays. "I need three things before I tackle a new Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!” - Kami Garcia, #1 NY Times & International Bestselling author]]> 120 James Scott Bell Jayna 5
1. I’m a pantser who needs a little structure in her life. Unlike some structure books that assume everyone is a plotter waiting to happen, this book acknowledges plotters and pantsers and “tweeners” and makes it clear that one is not better than another. The information in the book is adaptable to any style of story planning.

2. My work is very character-driven. I plan with emotions and internal arcs in mind first, and I found that Bell’s Fourteen Signposts meshed very well with that approach. Any of the signpost scenes could start with an internal moment for the main character and develop from there. Makes my character-lovin’ heart happy.

3. I like a balance of structure and flexibility. Some structural methods leave me far too much margin for rabbit trails and losing my way. Others leave me no room for flexing and developing the story as I go. I love the flexibility of the Fourteen Signposts. As long as I have those fourteen pivotal moments, it doesn’t matter how the narrative fluctuates. I can even jump around and write scenes out of order if I want to. But if I get off track, I know exactly what signpost is coming up next. It’s guardrails for my writing. One of the greatest struggles for me was knowing what really had to be in the story to make it work. When the beginning is slow, what is really important? When the middle starts to sag, what needs to happen? This book helped answer those questions.

4. I get tired of reading craft books that are aimed solely at thriller writers or romance authors or whatever. The methods in this book can be adapted for pretty much any genre, and there’s so much room for flexibility that this structure would only make your book predictable if you made it that way.

5. The midpoint! I finally understand the midpoint! My main issue with basic three-act structure is that I could never figure out that turning point in the middle that seemed to create two middle acts. Now I get it.

Bell does acknowledge that his craft books are aimed mostly at commercial writers who want to adhere to genre conventions, so if you’re a literary author, not all of the information may apply, but there’s still great stuff here. I would have liked more explanation in Bell’s own words along with his heavy reliance on book and film examples, but the examples were explained well enough that I could grasp the concepts even if I hadn’t read or seen those particular examples. Some reviewers found Bell’s style condescending, but I didn’t notice that. It felt more conversational to me. I also appreciate that for the most part, this is one of the cleanest writing craft books I’ve read.

As I said, everyone has a different writing style, plotting style, and learning style. This book may not be for you, but if there’s any question in your mind whether you would find it helpful, please give it a try. I highly recommend it. It’s short and sweet and may be just what you’re looking for.]]> 4.40 2015 Super Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story (Bell on Writing)
author: James Scott Bell
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/10/29
shelves: my-favorites, nonfiction-research, for-writers
review:
I don’t always rate writing craft books, because I know how widely the writing experience varies. What works for one writer will sink another writer’s ship. But this book was a definitive five-star experience for me, so I will rate it as such and explain why it worked for me. If you notice yourself in any of the things I’m about to list, this book may be a five-star read for you, too. Here are the reasons I gelled with this book:

1. I’m a pantser who needs a little structure in her life. Unlike some structure books that assume everyone is a plotter waiting to happen, this book acknowledges plotters and pantsers and “tweeners” and makes it clear that one is not better than another. The information in the book is adaptable to any style of story planning.

2. My work is very character-driven. I plan with emotions and internal arcs in mind first, and I found that Bell’s Fourteen Signposts meshed very well with that approach. Any of the signpost scenes could start with an internal moment for the main character and develop from there. Makes my character-lovin’ heart happy.

3. I like a balance of structure and flexibility. Some structural methods leave me far too much margin for rabbit trails and losing my way. Others leave me no room for flexing and developing the story as I go. I love the flexibility of the Fourteen Signposts. As long as I have those fourteen pivotal moments, it doesn’t matter how the narrative fluctuates. I can even jump around and write scenes out of order if I want to. But if I get off track, I know exactly what signpost is coming up next. It’s guardrails for my writing. One of the greatest struggles for me was knowing what really had to be in the story to make it work. When the beginning is slow, what is really important? When the middle starts to sag, what needs to happen? This book helped answer those questions.

4. I get tired of reading craft books that are aimed solely at thriller writers or romance authors or whatever. The methods in this book can be adapted for pretty much any genre, and there’s so much room for flexibility that this structure would only make your book predictable if you made it that way.

5. The midpoint! I finally understand the midpoint! My main issue with basic three-act structure is that I could never figure out that turning point in the middle that seemed to create two middle acts. Now I get it.

Bell does acknowledge that his craft books are aimed mostly at commercial writers who want to adhere to genre conventions, so if you’re a literary author, not all of the information may apply, but there’s still great stuff here. I would have liked more explanation in Bell’s own words along with his heavy reliance on book and film examples, but the examples were explained well enough that I could grasp the concepts even if I hadn’t read or seen those particular examples. Some reviewers found Bell’s style condescending, but I didn’t notice that. It felt more conversational to me. I also appreciate that for the most part, this is one of the cleanest writing craft books I’ve read.

As I said, everyone has a different writing style, plotting style, and learning style. This book may not be for you, but if there’s any question in your mind whether you would find it helpful, please give it a try. I highly recommend it. It’s short and sweet and may be just what you’re looking for.
]]> <![CDATA[Among the Outcast (Heroes of Wessex)]]> 215083652
Journey back in time with this fast-paced, soul-stirring adventure that immerses you once again in the fascinating and complex world of Alfred the Great.]]> 198 Amy Ullrich 0645768944 Jayna 0 to-read 4.64 Among the Outcast (Heroes of Wessex)
author: Amy Ullrich
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.64
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Among the Great (Heroes of Wessex, #1)]]> 199256472
A blind bard, a lame blacksmith, and an ambitious warrior all have their role in this tale of courage and true heroism set during the reign of Alfred the Great.]]> 166 Amy Ullrich 0645768901 Jayna 0 to-read 4.34 Among the Great (Heroes of Wessex, #1)
author: Amy Ullrich
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Alone Yet Not Alone: Their faith became their freedom]]> 17866677 — Publishers Weekly]]> 160 Tracy Michele Leininger 0310700086 Jayna 0 to-read 4.55 2012 Alone Yet Not Alone: Their faith became their freedom
author: Tracy Michele Leininger
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Sound of Light (Friends in Resistance, #3)]]> 61140839
American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.]]> 343 Sarah Sundin 0800736389 Jayna 4
Reading the author’s note made this book all the more interesting. The inspiration came from a Danish aristocrat and Olympian rower who ferried Jews to safety in Sweden. Sundin’s development of that inspiration is deft and imaginative. I always enjoy double-identity stories (part of why I have one in my novel Patriot at the River ), and it was fun to watch Henrik/Hemming switch between personalities. That’s a lesson in character voice right there.

One of my favorite aspects of this author’s writing is always the research she weaves in so seamlessly. I learn something every time. This time, it was the reaction of the Danes to the German invasion, along with a lot of other details—Nobel Prize medals being dissolved for the duration of the war to protect the gold from the Germans, for instance, or the underground papers and sabotage.

The story involves characters who already know the Lord, but as with many of Sundin’s other books, they wrestle with hard decisions and complicated lessons, more than the typical “can they trust God to give their romance a chance.” Leadership, standing up to oppression, and resistance are all under discussion, and stories like this always make me wonder what I would do if called upon to “do wrong for the sake of right.”

The romance is fairly passionate, as Sundin’s usually are. However, I really appreciated the fact that instead of drawing out the drama by focusing on the secrets and misunderstandings as much as possible, the characters actually addressed the issue in a responsible manner and discussed the hurt and confusion caused by their choices.

This book does deal with some hard things, including several scenes featuring the Gestapo and some description of torture. The reminders are historically accurate and sobering, and I know Sundin did not go to the full extent of what happened to prisoners of the Third Reicht. But sensitive readers (such as myself) will want to exercise some caution.

There’s also a bit of the “woman proving herself in a man’s field” storyline, which is generally not my favorite. But I do think that overall, this story does a good job portraying gentle strength that takes a stand without undue aggression.

Will you enjoy The Sound of Light? Yes, if you like Christian historical romance in a unique setting with quite a lot of courage, heroism, and danger. (You’re more apt to enjoy it if you also enjoy a hefty dose of romance.) I’m thankful there were (and still are) men and women who bravely take a stand in the face of evil.

Join my email list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.29 2023 The Sound of Light (Friends in Resistance, #3)
author: Sarah Sundin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/10/14
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, truly-christian
review:
Germany, England, Russia, Japan—I know all the familiar areas of the WWII maps. But Denmark? Not so much.

Reading the author’s note made this book all the more interesting. The inspiration came from a Danish aristocrat and Olympian rower who ferried Jews to safety in Sweden. Sundin’s development of that inspiration is deft and imaginative. I always enjoy double-identity stories (part of why I have one in my novel Patriot at the River ), and it was fun to watch Henrik/Hemming switch between personalities. That’s a lesson in character voice right there.

One of my favorite aspects of this author’s writing is always the research she weaves in so seamlessly. I learn something every time. This time, it was the reaction of the Danes to the German invasion, along with a lot of other details—Nobel Prize medals being dissolved for the duration of the war to protect the gold from the Germans, for instance, or the underground papers and sabotage.

The story involves characters who already know the Lord, but as with many of Sundin’s other books, they wrestle with hard decisions and complicated lessons, more than the typical “can they trust God to give their romance a chance.” Leadership, standing up to oppression, and resistance are all under discussion, and stories like this always make me wonder what I would do if called upon to “do wrong for the sake of right.”

The romance is fairly passionate, as Sundin’s usually are. However, I really appreciated the fact that instead of drawing out the drama by focusing on the secrets and misunderstandings as much as possible, the characters actually addressed the issue in a responsible manner and discussed the hurt and confusion caused by their choices.

This book does deal with some hard things, including several scenes featuring the Gestapo and some description of torture. The reminders are historically accurate and sobering, and I know Sundin did not go to the full extent of what happened to prisoners of the Third Reicht. But sensitive readers (such as myself) will want to exercise some caution.

There’s also a bit of the “woman proving herself in a man’s field” storyline, which is generally not my favorite. But I do think that overall, this story does a good job portraying gentle strength that takes a stand without undue aggression.

Will you enjoy The Sound of Light? Yes, if you like Christian historical romance in a unique setting with quite a lot of courage, heroism, and danger. (You’re more apt to enjoy it if you also enjoy a hefty dose of romance.) I’m thankful there were (and still are) men and women who bravely take a stand in the face of evil.

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]]> <![CDATA[Liberated Through Submission: God's Design for Freedom in All Relationships!]]> 19260307 193 P.B. Wilson 0736934278 Jayna 4 doctrine-theology
With those words, Bunny Wilson begins a thoughtful, biblical, pointed yet friendly look at what submission is and what it means—for everyone. It’s not a long book, and this won’t be a long review, but it’s a good book and one that will make you think.

If, at the back of your mind, there’s been a nagging idea that “submission is only for married women—how unfair,” this book is for you. The author stands firmly on the principle of biblical submission in a marriage context, but she also unpacks the power of submission for everyone in all contexts of life. With honesty about her own journey, she breaks this highly controversial subject down into practical applications and convicting heart challenges. My stubborn human nature doesn’t like it. But even in this, Christ is our example, and this book demonstrates that.

Helpful Q&A sections offer some extra insight into how this principle applies in different situations, and the book’s divisions for married men, married women, and single men and women are also helpful. The author provides plenty of examples from her own life, both of times she did things God’s way and times she did things her own way. It’s a balanced biblical viewpoint on a subject that our sinful nature much maligns, and I plan to reread it when I need to remember that God’s divine order is a beautiful thing in all areas of life.

Content warnings: mentions of marital intimacy and infidelity
Bible versions used: KJV, NASB, NIV

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 4.43 1990 Liberated Through Submission: God's Design for Freedom in All Relationships!
author: P.B. Wilson
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.43
book published: 1990
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/09/28
shelves: doctrine-theology
review:
“You can wait patiently for the Fourth of July to arrive to enjoy the brilliant fireworks. Or you can mention the word ‘submission’ to a group of women!”

With those words, Bunny Wilson begins a thoughtful, biblical, pointed yet friendly look at what submission is and what it means—for everyone. It’s not a long book, and this won’t be a long review, but it’s a good book and one that will make you think.

If, at the back of your mind, there’s been a nagging idea that “submission is only for married women—how unfair,” this book is for you. The author stands firmly on the principle of biblical submission in a marriage context, but she also unpacks the power of submission for everyone in all contexts of life. With honesty about her own journey, she breaks this highly controversial subject down into practical applications and convicting heart challenges. My stubborn human nature doesn’t like it. But even in this, Christ is our example, and this book demonstrates that.

Helpful Q&A sections offer some extra insight into how this principle applies in different situations, and the book’s divisions for married men, married women, and single men and women are also helpful. The author provides plenty of examples from her own life, both of times she did things God’s way and times she did things her own way. It’s a balanced biblical viewpoint on a subject that our sinful nature much maligns, and I plan to reread it when I need to remember that God’s divine order is a beautiful thing in all areas of life.

Content warnings: mentions of marital intimacy and infidelity
Bible versions used: KJV, NASB, NIV

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]]> The Good Ship "Red Lily" 2193262 222 Constance Savery Jayna 0 to-read 4.21 1944 The Good Ship "Red Lily"
author: Constance Savery
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1944
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Mormonism Mama And Me 11248967 285 Thelma Geer 080248137X Jayna 5 Christian that really aren’t. I am aware of Latter-Day Saints who consider their beliefs compatible with biblical Christianity, and I am also aware that many of them probably do not realize some of what their beliefs actually are. Thelma Geer is quite clear in this book that much of LDS teaching is not publicized to those who are not part of the “inner circle,” so to speak. She also made it quite clear that many early LDS beliefs have been repudiated…or have they?

Here is a quick rundown of some LDS beliefs both past and present:

-God is a common man, like the rest of us, who progressed through the rites and ordinances of Mormonism to reach godhood at some point in the distant past. He populated the earth by means of celestial physical relations with his numerous wives and continues to produce spirit children who await their earthly tabernacles provided by human parents.
-Adam and Eve were the physical children of this Mormon deity and his wives; Adam and Eve in turn became the god and goddess of our earth. If humans obey the rites and ordinances of the LDS faith, they too will eventually become gods and goddesses ruling their own planets and forever populating these worlds through celestial reproduction.
-Jesus Christ and Lucifer were both equal children of this Mormon deity. Jesus became the “Savior” because his plan of salvation was better than Lucifer’s.
-God took on flesh and became the physical father of Christ; Mary was a virgin when this deity visited her but no longer a virgin when he left.
-Baptism is required for the remission of sins. The other LDS laws and ordinances must also be kept. These ordinances can be performed in LDS temples by proxy for ancestors who have died; these ordinances can include eternal marriage to unite ancestors in the spirit realm. LDS youth are regularly baptized to atone for their dead relatives.

As you can hopefully see, these beliefs do not align with the scriptural view of who God is, who Christ is, and what redemption is. Because Geer acknowledged the ways in which LDS teaching changes (and the way new revelations apparently come from the Lord just as societal pressure comes to bear), I wanted to do a bit of research for myself to see what current LDS sites are promoting as their beliefs. I found extremely subtle language that, like Catholicism, uses Christian terms to mean unChristian things. For instance, God is called the “eternal Father.” This sounds very biblical, and it is—until one considers that LDS teaching claims that if God is the everlasting Father as the book of Isaiah states, it must mean he is continually creating spiritual children through ongoing visits to his celestial wives. That is not the Bible’s definition of what everlasting Father means. We are also told that by following Christ, we can become like him. Also very biblical—until one considers that LDS teaching means we literally become deity in the same way LDS teaching says Christ progressed from humanity to Godhood through obedience to LDS doctrine. There is no subtlety about the teaching that baptism is required for remission of sin; that in itself should indicate that LDS doctrine is not biblical Christianity.

I also found evidence of modern-day LDS attempts to whitewash its history. For instance, the church’s official website says regarding race relations, “At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended. Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members” (emphasis mine). This is patently false. Brigham Young and other early LDS writers made it abundantly clear why men of African descent (whom they called “the seed of Cain”) were not allowed into the Mormon priesthood: in the pre-mortal existence of spirit children, those who were righteous were born into light-skinned bodies, and those who were not righteous were born into dark-skinned bodies. This “evidence” of their earlier wickedness clearly precluded them from priesthood until the “restoration” of the Millennium. This is no secret in early writings and even in LDS scriptures, so for LDS leadership to claim they don’t know why this restriction existed is flimsy at best. They also fail to mention that they did not seek divine guidance on this issue until they realized that their temple project in Brazil would be in serious trouble unless they reversed this earlier restriction.

The official website also claims that many of the beliefs listed above are “caricatures” of the faith, perpetrated by the opposition. Lest Thelma Geer be accused of fabricating these beliefs, she quotes extensively from LDS scriptures and the founders’ writings as well as what she was taught in her childhood. Footnotes are extensive. Modern LDS leadership also tries to claim that accusations of “blood atonement” (the ritual murder of LDS apostates and those whose sins were considered beyond the reach of Christ’s blood or baptismal rites) in the nineteenth century are false and malicious. The extensive evidence in this book suggests otherwise, including quotes from a late-twentieth-century LDS apostle simultaneously repudiating and supporting the concept of LDS blood atonement.

If I write too much more here, I run the risk of rewriting the book, so I will stop here. Note that this book is unashamedly the author’s Christian testimony of coming to true faith in Christ out of Mormonism (the common term at the time of her writing, though LDS is now preferred). Her constant discussion of biblical truth and the glory of Christ’s finished work are bound to rub some people the wrong way, but I personally found it so refreshing to be reminded of all we have in Christ—so often when I’ve known something my entire life, it ceases to be as amazing as it truly is. This book was a good reminder of that. It did seem that some of her discussion of LDS doctrines became repetitious, but perhaps some of that was just building on her previous points in different ways. And those points needed to be made.

This book is not graphic, but it is frank in its discussion of some rather shocking teachings on subjects like eternal intimacy, temple ceremonies, or the administration of blood atonement rituals, so I advise caution for young or sensitive readers. But if you have ever wondered if LDS faith is really just another branch of Christianity, I highly recommend this book. LDS adherents have been strongly advised by their leadership not to read this book, and the author was shunned in her LDS circles despite her compassion for them. I can’t help thinking that’s a reason to consider her words carefully.

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 3.48 1980 Mormonism Mama And Me
author: Thelma Geer
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.48
book published: 1980
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/09/18
shelves: doctrine-theology, recommended
review:
It’s fairly common these days, and has been for quite some time, to call a number of things Christian that really aren’t. I am aware of Latter-Day Saints who consider their beliefs compatible with biblical Christianity, and I am also aware that many of them probably do not realize some of what their beliefs actually are. Thelma Geer is quite clear in this book that much of LDS teaching is not publicized to those who are not part of the “inner circle,” so to speak. She also made it quite clear that many early LDS beliefs have been repudiated…or have they?

Here is a quick rundown of some LDS beliefs both past and present:

-God is a common man, like the rest of us, who progressed through the rites and ordinances of Mormonism to reach godhood at some point in the distant past. He populated the earth by means of celestial physical relations with his numerous wives and continues to produce spirit children who await their earthly tabernacles provided by human parents.
-Adam and Eve were the physical children of this Mormon deity and his wives; Adam and Eve in turn became the god and goddess of our earth. If humans obey the rites and ordinances of the LDS faith, they too will eventually become gods and goddesses ruling their own planets and forever populating these worlds through celestial reproduction.
-Jesus Christ and Lucifer were both equal children of this Mormon deity. Jesus became the “Savior” because his plan of salvation was better than Lucifer’s.
-God took on flesh and became the physical father of Christ; Mary was a virgin when this deity visited her but no longer a virgin when he left.
-Baptism is required for the remission of sins. The other LDS laws and ordinances must also be kept. These ordinances can be performed in LDS temples by proxy for ancestors who have died; these ordinances can include eternal marriage to unite ancestors in the spirit realm. LDS youth are regularly baptized to atone for their dead relatives.

As you can hopefully see, these beliefs do not align with the scriptural view of who God is, who Christ is, and what redemption is. Because Geer acknowledged the ways in which LDS teaching changes (and the way new revelations apparently come from the Lord just as societal pressure comes to bear), I wanted to do a bit of research for myself to see what current LDS sites are promoting as their beliefs. I found extremely subtle language that, like Catholicism, uses Christian terms to mean unChristian things. For instance, God is called the “eternal Father.” This sounds very biblical, and it is—until one considers that LDS teaching claims that if God is the everlasting Father as the book of Isaiah states, it must mean he is continually creating spiritual children through ongoing visits to his celestial wives. That is not the Bible’s definition of what everlasting Father means. We are also told that by following Christ, we can become like him. Also very biblical—until one considers that LDS teaching means we literally become deity in the same way LDS teaching says Christ progressed from humanity to Godhood through obedience to LDS doctrine. There is no subtlety about the teaching that baptism is required for remission of sin; that in itself should indicate that LDS doctrine is not biblical Christianity.

I also found evidence of modern-day LDS attempts to whitewash its history. For instance, the church’s official website says regarding race relations, “At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended. Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members” (emphasis mine). This is patently false. Brigham Young and other early LDS writers made it abundantly clear why men of African descent (whom they called “the seed of Cain”) were not allowed into the Mormon priesthood: in the pre-mortal existence of spirit children, those who were righteous were born into light-skinned bodies, and those who were not righteous were born into dark-skinned bodies. This “evidence” of their earlier wickedness clearly precluded them from priesthood until the “restoration” of the Millennium. This is no secret in early writings and even in LDS scriptures, so for LDS leadership to claim they don’t know why this restriction existed is flimsy at best. They also fail to mention that they did not seek divine guidance on this issue until they realized that their temple project in Brazil would be in serious trouble unless they reversed this earlier restriction.

The official website also claims that many of the beliefs listed above are “caricatures” of the faith, perpetrated by the opposition. Lest Thelma Geer be accused of fabricating these beliefs, she quotes extensively from LDS scriptures and the founders’ writings as well as what she was taught in her childhood. Footnotes are extensive. Modern LDS leadership also tries to claim that accusations of “blood atonement” (the ritual murder of LDS apostates and those whose sins were considered beyond the reach of Christ’s blood or baptismal rites) in the nineteenth century are false and malicious. The extensive evidence in this book suggests otherwise, including quotes from a late-twentieth-century LDS apostle simultaneously repudiating and supporting the concept of LDS blood atonement.

If I write too much more here, I run the risk of rewriting the book, so I will stop here. Note that this book is unashamedly the author’s Christian testimony of coming to true faith in Christ out of Mormonism (the common term at the time of her writing, though LDS is now preferred). Her constant discussion of biblical truth and the glory of Christ’s finished work are bound to rub some people the wrong way, but I personally found it so refreshing to be reminded of all we have in Christ—so often when I’ve known something my entire life, it ceases to be as amazing as it truly is. This book was a good reminder of that. It did seem that some of her discussion of LDS doctrines became repetitious, but perhaps some of that was just building on her previous points in different ways. And those points needed to be made.

This book is not graphic, but it is frank in its discussion of some rather shocking teachings on subjects like eternal intimacy, temple ceremonies, or the administration of blood atonement rituals, so I advise caution for young or sensitive readers. But if you have ever wondered if LDS faith is really just another branch of Christianity, I highly recommend this book. LDS adherents have been strongly advised by their leadership not to read this book, and the author was shunned in her LDS circles despite her compassion for them. I can’t help thinking that’s a reason to consider her words carefully.

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.
]]> <![CDATA[A Song Unheard (Shadows Over England, #2)]]> 35069089
Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he's won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father's work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is in meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn't—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

(Read an excerpt by clicking the publisher's link below.)]]> 416 Roseanna M. White 0764219278 Jayna 4 A Name Unknown, the first book in this series. Eventually, I ran across A Song Unheard and remembered my desire to continue the series. So I reread the first book, then dived into A Song Unheard.

This book delves into a little-known element of WWI in the United Kingdom: the Belgian refugees who flooded the country and how that affected the Welsh and English. As a fan of underserved history, I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of that part of the war and how Belgium played into the headlines of the day.

In A Name Unknown, Willa is the character who is most resistant to her sister’s change of heart. Roseanna White did a great job in this book of showing Willa’s gradual softening without changing her personality too much. She wasn’t just another Rosemary; she was definitely the same Willa. Just as caring, just as stubborn, just as self-reliant.

She doesn’t necessarily always act like a top-notch thief, especially where the romance is concerned. But I enjoyed her as a character all the same. I also enjoyed the glimpses we get of the rest of the “family,” especially Barclay, the protective, somewhat annoying big brother. I’m looking forward to reading his story in the future, and I liked seeing some of the decisions he made in this book (although he didn’t always act like a top-notch thief either).

Willa and Lukas made an interesting combination. Let it be noted that in real life, a guy as cocky as Lukas would drive anybody a little bit nuts. And yes, some of the romance was a bit passionate for my taste. But paired with Willa’s stubbornness, his absolute faith that she was the one for him was actually a little…endearing? Entertaining? I smiled a little every time Willa was on a rant and Lukas would casually toss out a very serious comment about their future kids or the music they would play as a couple.

But this is where I had a bit of trouble. Lukas is clearly described as a playboy who, over the course of the story, mends his ways. I did appreciate the tasteful way his past was handled and the ways he grew as the story went on. But Lukas and his family are Catholic, and his change of heart involves (a) the decision that God does exist and (b) an off-screen visit to a priest. What actually happened during that visit is just…silent.

I really loved Margot (and vaguely remembered reading her grown-up story in White’s The Number of Love). She’s a great character, and her interactions with Gottlieb added a completely different dimension to her story. But at the same time, there’s this silent assumption that her faithful Catholicism is really just biblical Christianity under another name. You go to church? She goes to Mass. You have a pastor? She has a priest. End of story.

I recognize that this is a controversial subject. I also recognize that Roseanna M. White has converted to Catholicism since the writing of this book and that historically speaking, Catholicism was prevalent in Belgium during WWI. I don’t object to Catholic characters, and I don’t object to Catholic doctrine portrayed accurately to the time and place, but I do object to the portrayal of Catholicism as basically identical to biblical faith in Christ.

There’s no acknowledgment of the other elements of Catholicism—baptismal regeneration, veneration of the saints, the Eucharist as the resacrificing of Christ for sin. No acknowledgment of the Council of Trent’s statement that anyone who believes in Christ alone for redemption is accursed. It’s this watered-down, dishonest version of Catholicism that disappoints me, and I regret that it’s becoming so widespread in Christian fiction, especially in cases like this where the true, life-changing gospel really could have shined.

This is in stark contrast to the way faith is presented in the rest of the story, and especially the way it was presented in A Name Unknown. In those instances, simple trust is shown as the only necessary response for salvation. I wish there had been more actual Scripture involved rather than characters being guided by some kind of internal music or mathematics, but I enjoyed seeing the gradual warming in Willa and how the strong, gentle faith of her hostesses slowly affected her. And if Lukas’s conversion is simply taken for granted, his growth throughout the rest of the book does reflect a realistic struggle to overcome his former reputation and do the right thing.

As for the plot—what a ride! I never expected the coding device to be what it was, and that made for a fascinating twist in the story. A simple decision suddenly becomes much less simple. As with the first book, things got a little convoluted toward the end, but it was an exciting tale all the way.

If you enjoy stories that involve professional musicians, romance, and some intrigue, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy A Song Unheard. It’s a fascinating look at a different aspect of WWI, and we have some great characters to root for along the way. Roseanna M. White is a talented writer, and despite our theological differences, I look forward to giving Barclay’s story a try.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.43 2018 A Song Unheard (Shadows Over England, #2)
author: Roseanna M. White
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/09/12
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, historical-fiction
review:
Quite some time ago, I read and enjoyed A Name Unknown, the first book in this series. Eventually, I ran across A Song Unheard and remembered my desire to continue the series. So I reread the first book, then dived into A Song Unheard.

This book delves into a little-known element of WWI in the United Kingdom: the Belgian refugees who flooded the country and how that affected the Welsh and English. As a fan of underserved history, I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of that part of the war and how Belgium played into the headlines of the day.

In A Name Unknown, Willa is the character who is most resistant to her sister’s change of heart. Roseanna White did a great job in this book of showing Willa’s gradual softening without changing her personality too much. She wasn’t just another Rosemary; she was definitely the same Willa. Just as caring, just as stubborn, just as self-reliant.

She doesn’t necessarily always act like a top-notch thief, especially where the romance is concerned. But I enjoyed her as a character all the same. I also enjoyed the glimpses we get of the rest of the “family,” especially Barclay, the protective, somewhat annoying big brother. I’m looking forward to reading his story in the future, and I liked seeing some of the decisions he made in this book (although he didn’t always act like a top-notch thief either).

Willa and Lukas made an interesting combination. Let it be noted that in real life, a guy as cocky as Lukas would drive anybody a little bit nuts. And yes, some of the romance was a bit passionate for my taste. But paired with Willa’s stubbornness, his absolute faith that she was the one for him was actually a little…endearing? Entertaining? I smiled a little every time Willa was on a rant and Lukas would casually toss out a very serious comment about their future kids or the music they would play as a couple.

But this is where I had a bit of trouble. Lukas is clearly described as a playboy who, over the course of the story, mends his ways. I did appreciate the tasteful way his past was handled and the ways he grew as the story went on. But Lukas and his family are Catholic, and his change of heart involves (a) the decision that God does exist and (b) an off-screen visit to a priest. What actually happened during that visit is just…silent.

I really loved Margot (and vaguely remembered reading her grown-up story in White’s The Number of Love). She’s a great character, and her interactions with Gottlieb added a completely different dimension to her story. But at the same time, there’s this silent assumption that her faithful Catholicism is really just biblical Christianity under another name. You go to church? She goes to Mass. You have a pastor? She has a priest. End of story.

I recognize that this is a controversial subject. I also recognize that Roseanna M. White has converted to Catholicism since the writing of this book and that historically speaking, Catholicism was prevalent in Belgium during WWI. I don’t object to Catholic characters, and I don’t object to Catholic doctrine portrayed accurately to the time and place, but I do object to the portrayal of Catholicism as basically identical to biblical faith in Christ.

There’s no acknowledgment of the other elements of Catholicism—baptismal regeneration, veneration of the saints, the Eucharist as the resacrificing of Christ for sin. No acknowledgment of the Council of Trent’s statement that anyone who believes in Christ alone for redemption is accursed. It’s this watered-down, dishonest version of Catholicism that disappoints me, and I regret that it’s becoming so widespread in Christian fiction, especially in cases like this where the true, life-changing gospel really could have shined.

This is in stark contrast to the way faith is presented in the rest of the story, and especially the way it was presented in A Name Unknown. In those instances, simple trust is shown as the only necessary response for salvation. I wish there had been more actual Scripture involved rather than characters being guided by some kind of internal music or mathematics, but I enjoyed seeing the gradual warming in Willa and how the strong, gentle faith of her hostesses slowly affected her. And if Lukas’s conversion is simply taken for granted, his growth throughout the rest of the book does reflect a realistic struggle to overcome his former reputation and do the right thing.

As for the plot—what a ride! I never expected the coding device to be what it was, and that made for a fascinating twist in the story. A simple decision suddenly becomes much less simple. As with the first book, things got a little convoluted toward the end, but it was an exciting tale all the way.

If you enjoy stories that involve professional musicians, romance, and some intrigue, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy A Song Unheard. It’s a fascinating look at a different aspect of WWI, and we have some great characters to root for along the way. Roseanna M. White is a talented writer, and despite our theological differences, I look forward to giving Barclay’s story a try.

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[The Home Team (Home Team series)]]> 63327906
Advance Praise for The Home Team:
Written from Dave’s deep knowledge of tactical operations and martial arts, and with a Northwest flair mixed in, The Home Team grabs you from the start and surprises you at the end. As Dave’s former pastor, it was thrilling to read a story of authentic faith lived out in gripping circumstances. A great read that is both tightly written and timely.
Rev. Brian Wiele

The Home Team is a wonderful story that weaves Dave Pratt’s life experience as a Tae Kwan Do master, Christian, and retired army officer. It is a reminder that God’s will, love, and guidance are everywhere. Dave brings together his military experience, lifelong journey in martial arts, and his commitment to God and blends it into an action-packed, compelling story of human nature, conflict, faith, and self-discovery. It has the power to touch the heart and to awaken consciousness. It is a story well-worth reading and contains a message we can all relate to.
Grand Master Richard Na
Master Na’s Black Belt Academy

Dave’s rich personal experience as a martial arts master, military officer, and Christian brings The Home Team to life and gives it an amazing sense of reality. The action is tight and real, and Dave places you right there in the middle of the lives and actions of the Home Team. The locations come alive, and the characters are rich with real life and faith challenges. Dave is a wonderful storyteller who draws you into this exciting adventure and baffling mystery. What a joy to read a fantastic, high-quality, action adventure of people living out their faith in very difficult circumstances. It challenges us to grow and live out our faith in what may seem to us as challenging circumstances. The Home Team is a great read that is hard to put down. It is a book with character that anyone in the family can read and enjoy.
Robert Samuelson
Retired Pastor and Dave’s brother in Christ]]> 311 Dave Pratt 1649604505 Jayna 0 to-read 4.60 The Home Team (Home Team series)
author: Dave Pratt
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.60
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England, #1)]]> 32497002
Peter Holstein, given his family's German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered.

But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors' scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he's more than his name?

~ A Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick ~]]> 428 Roseanna M. White 076421926X Jayna 5
This is the second or third time I’ve read this book, as preparation after purchasing the second book in the series. At my first reading, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy Rosemary’s character, because I had recently finished a book with a London pickpocket heroine who forced me, I felt, to agree with her methods.

I need not have worried; such was not the case with Rosemary. She was unequivocally a thief, yet I didn’t have to condone her thievery in order to root for her. Rather, rooting for her meant rooting against her thievery, as she struggled with her growing sense that it wasn’t right. At the same time, it was easy to understand why she did what she did, and how her “family” was all she had.

And Peter. I loved Peter. Heroes don’t have to be ridiculously handsome and dashing and charming. They can have stutters and insecurities and great big hearts. I enjoyed Peter’s friendships with Gryffyn (love those ys) and the royal family, too. And he writes books!

Rosemary’s softening toward God seemed so true to life. The imagery of darkness and light, cold and warmth was a beautiful way of expressing spiritual truth. On my second reading (or is this the third?), I felt somewhat saddened by that because of the author’s later conversion to Catholicism. The simple faith expressed in this book is so contrary to traditional Catholic teaching, and it’s beautiful in that simplicity. There were no long, unnatural “preachy” scenes, just Peter living out and sharing his faith as a natural part of him until Rosemary couldn’t ignore it. Did I mention that I loved Peter?

The romance was a beautiful progression through friendship to something more (although I do wish Peter had waited until Rosemary was a believer before he deepened the relationship, and I hope they took a good long time to get to know each other without any secrets between them). I loved the fact that Rosemary had to stop and think if Peter was handsome or not—it was his heart that drew her.

The plot was intricate and very twisty. I wound up suspecting everyone, including the person I shouldn’t have. Even after my second (or maybe third) reading, I had trouble reconciling all the answers with all the questions—as in, Would so-and-so really have gone to that much trouble for such-and-such? Wasn't there an easier way? (I’m trying to avoid spoilers here.) The sudden burst of action toward the end didn’t seem to quite match the rest of the story. But regardless, it was an engaging tale and an interesting look at England on the brink of WWI. The Cockney and Cornish were a fun addition.

I originally picked this up because I’d seen it praised as one of Roseanna White’s best, and even after rereading it, I’m inclined to agree. If you enjoy interesting Christian historical fiction with gentle romance, well-drawn characters, a bit of mystery and action, and lots of books, give this one a try. (Did I mention it’s about books?)

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.32 2017 A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England, #1)
author: Roseanna M. White
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2021/07/18
date added: 2024/08/12
shelves: favorite-author, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
First of all, this book was about books! I have a very soft spot for protagonists who are writers. It’s such fun to see a character portray my own authorial thought processes. (Does this feel contrived? Is there enough time for that? I have to go write this down right now!) Add a library full of dusty tomes and a make-believe librarian, and I am one happy reader.

This is the second or third time I’ve read this book, as preparation after purchasing the second book in the series. At my first reading, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy Rosemary’s character, because I had recently finished a book with a London pickpocket heroine who forced me, I felt, to agree with her methods.

I need not have worried; such was not the case with Rosemary. She was unequivocally a thief, yet I didn’t have to condone her thievery in order to root for her. Rather, rooting for her meant rooting against her thievery, as she struggled with her growing sense that it wasn’t right. At the same time, it was easy to understand why she did what she did, and how her “family” was all she had.

And Peter. I loved Peter. Heroes don’t have to be ridiculously handsome and dashing and charming. They can have stutters and insecurities and great big hearts. I enjoyed Peter’s friendships with Gryffyn (love those ys) and the royal family, too. And he writes books!

Rosemary’s softening toward God seemed so true to life. The imagery of darkness and light, cold and warmth was a beautiful way of expressing spiritual truth. On my second reading (or is this the third?), I felt somewhat saddened by that because of the author’s later conversion to Catholicism. The simple faith expressed in this book is so contrary to traditional Catholic teaching, and it’s beautiful in that simplicity. There were no long, unnatural “preachy” scenes, just Peter living out and sharing his faith as a natural part of him until Rosemary couldn’t ignore it. Did I mention that I loved Peter?

The romance was a beautiful progression through friendship to something more (although I do wish Peter had waited until Rosemary was a believer before he deepened the relationship, and I hope they took a good long time to get to know each other without any secrets between them). I loved the fact that Rosemary had to stop and think if Peter was handsome or not—it was his heart that drew her.

The plot was intricate and very twisty. I wound up suspecting everyone, including the person I shouldn’t have. Even after my second (or maybe third) reading, I had trouble reconciling all the answers with all the questions—as in, Would so-and-so really have gone to that much trouble for such-and-such? Wasn't there an easier way? (I’m trying to avoid spoilers here.) The sudden burst of action toward the end didn’t seem to quite match the rest of the story. But regardless, it was an engaging tale and an interesting look at England on the brink of WWI. The Cockney and Cornish were a fun addition.

I originally picked this up because I’d seen it praised as one of Roseanna White’s best, and even after rereading it, I’m inclined to agree. If you enjoy interesting Christian historical fiction with gentle romance, well-drawn characters, a bit of mystery and action, and lots of books, give this one a try. (Did I mention it’s about books?)

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[Best Seller: A Romantic Suspense Mystery of Stolen Jewels and World War II Secrets (An H & G Mystery Book 1)]]> 216298842
Unbeknownst to her, the memoir is peppered with clues leading to a rare collection of stolen jewels from World War II. After the memoir makes the best-seller list, Kelly finds herself in the crosshairs of a decades-old vendetta.

Now, instead of enjoying her rise to literary fame, she’s thrust into the dangerous world of treasure hunting.

While Kelly struggles to win the game of cat-and-mouse, a secret family legacy is unearthed, forcing her to choose between trusting her charming literary agent or her vigilant bodyguard to keep her safe.

As the three of them become entangled in a web of deceit, it’s a race to see who’s the villain, who’s the hero, and who holds all the pieces to solve the mystery of the best seller.]]> 344 Christina Rost 1649174101 Jayna 0 to-read 4.48 Best Seller: A Romantic Suspense Mystery of Stolen Jewels and World War II Secrets (An H & G Mystery Book 1)
author: Christina Rost
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.48
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Born of Gilded Mountains 201908008
But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of that mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal, Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Engine No. 8, which vanished years ago, along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention another fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.]]> 384 Amanda Dykes 0764239511 Jayna 5 Born of Gilded Mountains so I could buy it in person at an author event and have it signed. It was lovely to meet Amanda in person and chat a bit about writing—she’s as sweet and gracious as her books are.

This book is another sweet and gracious read, with wonderful friendships that push through heartache to restoration. One of my best friends started out as a pen pal (although we did meet in person before we started writing), so that aspect of the story was special to me. Rusty’s letter-writing style was hilarious but sneakily profound, and I loved seeing the principle of “iron sharpening iron,” with each friend strengthening the other when it was most needed.

I wanted to be friends with these characters and all the other, ahem, characters that made up the town of Mercy Peak. (Speaking of characters, I need more of Holden Huxley.) In some ways it reminded me of Mitford in Jan Karon’s beloved Mitford series. Amanda Dykes’s writing reminds me of Karon’s in other ways too—there may be hard things along the way, but I know that at the end it will be okay. The gentle romances Amanda writes are some of my favorites, so slow and sweet and affectionate, based on friendship and shared experience rather than instant physical attraction. At the same time, it was nice to read a Christian novel where singleness was just as valued, and not in a “who needs a man” kind of way.

When I saw Hollywood and scandal in the book description, I had a preconceived idea of what that probably meant, although I hoped it wasn’t so. I need not have feared. No spoilers, but I found it fascinating how the story weaved together historical details like mining life and the volatility of early film materials to create a unique situation that these specific characters would have had to deal with. Nothing generic or predictable. I guessed a few plot points, but that’s the other thing about Amanda’s books—I never mind being right, and I always sort of wonder if I was intended to figure it out all along.

It was also fun to learn the unusual history of how the mail got to the Colorado mountains in the 1940s. I absolutely loved how the contents of the lost mailbag, slowly unfolding for the reader, gave so much depth to “minor” characters who might otherwise be easily overlooked. So many stories, all woven into one.

I will say that this story requires some focus. The weaving in of newspaper articles and letters and lists and telegrams, and the way part of the backstory is told as a movie screenplay, really add a different dimension to the story (easier to read in paperback, I think). It meant I had to pay closer attention than I otherwise might, but that’s not a bad thing; I look forward to these books partly for that tension of needing to know what’s going to happen but wanting to slow down and savor the lyrical storytelling.

Treasure hunts always give me a twinge of “would anyone really figure out that clue?” but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief through those moments. I had trouble fitting a few pieces of the puzzle into place, but it’s quite possible those are the places I gave in to curiosity and read too fast. This is a story to be savored as much as possible while holding your breath to find out what’s really going on.

If you want a beautifully lyrical tale of restoration, courage, new beginnings, and the power of friendship, Born of Gilded Mountains is for you. It’s not a loudly Christian story, but strands of quiet faith wend their way through the characters’ decisions to turn to the Maker of the mountains when nothing else can fill that void.

“Water is not in charge of its own thawing. But . . . It’ll never thaw if it hides away in the shadows.”
“Puddles don’t have feet.”
“But you do. You get to choose how close you get to the sun.”

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.]]> 4.14 2024 Born of Gilded Mountains
author: Amanda Dykes
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/15
date added: 2024/07/15
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, favorite-author, historical-fiction, gentle-reading, writing-style
review:
Another beautiful story from Amanda Dykes. She’s become an auto-buy author for me, but I made myself wait instead of preordering Born of Gilded Mountains so I could buy it in person at an author event and have it signed. It was lovely to meet Amanda in person and chat a bit about writing—she’s as sweet and gracious as her books are.

This book is another sweet and gracious read, with wonderful friendships that push through heartache to restoration. One of my best friends started out as a pen pal (although we did meet in person before we started writing), so that aspect of the story was special to me. Rusty’s letter-writing style was hilarious but sneakily profound, and I loved seeing the principle of “iron sharpening iron,” with each friend strengthening the other when it was most needed.

I wanted to be friends with these characters and all the other, ahem, characters that made up the town of Mercy Peak. (Speaking of characters, I need more of Holden Huxley.) In some ways it reminded me of Mitford in Jan Karon’s beloved Mitford series. Amanda Dykes’s writing reminds me of Karon’s in other ways too—there may be hard things along the way, but I know that at the end it will be okay. The gentle romances Amanda writes are some of my favorites, so slow and sweet and affectionate, based on friendship and shared experience rather than instant physical attraction. At the same time, it was nice to read a Christian novel where singleness was just as valued, and not in a “who needs a man” kind of way.

When I saw Hollywood and scandal in the book description, I had a preconceived idea of what that probably meant, although I hoped it wasn’t so. I need not have feared. No spoilers, but I found it fascinating how the story weaved together historical details like mining life and the volatility of early film materials to create a unique situation that these specific characters would have had to deal with. Nothing generic or predictable. I guessed a few plot points, but that’s the other thing about Amanda’s books—I never mind being right, and I always sort of wonder if I was intended to figure it out all along.

It was also fun to learn the unusual history of how the mail got to the Colorado mountains in the 1940s. I absolutely loved how the contents of the lost mailbag, slowly unfolding for the reader, gave so much depth to “minor” characters who might otherwise be easily overlooked. So many stories, all woven into one.

I will say that this story requires some focus. The weaving in of newspaper articles and letters and lists and telegrams, and the way part of the backstory is told as a movie screenplay, really add a different dimension to the story (easier to read in paperback, I think). It meant I had to pay closer attention than I otherwise might, but that’s not a bad thing; I look forward to these books partly for that tension of needing to know what’s going to happen but wanting to slow down and savor the lyrical storytelling.

Treasure hunts always give me a twinge of “would anyone really figure out that clue?” but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief through those moments. I had trouble fitting a few pieces of the puzzle into place, but it’s quite possible those are the places I gave in to curiosity and read too fast. This is a story to be savored as much as possible while holding your breath to find out what’s really going on.

If you want a beautifully lyrical tale of restoration, courage, new beginnings, and the power of friendship, Born of Gilded Mountains is for you. It’s not a loudly Christian story, but strands of quiet faith wend their way through the characters’ decisions to turn to the Maker of the mountains when nothing else can fill that void.

“Water is not in charge of its own thawing. But . . . It’ll never thaw if it hides away in the shadows.”
“Puddles don’t have feet.”
“But you do. You get to choose how close you get to the sun.”

Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
]]> <![CDATA[The League Of The Scarlet Pimpernel]]> 1061070 Emmuska Orczy 075511115X Jayna 3 3.69 1919 The League Of The Scarlet Pimpernel
author: Emmuska Orczy
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1919
rating: 3
read at: 2022/04/10
date added: 2024/06/25
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, while others got a little…predictable. In such brief tales, it’s far too easy to see which person is actually the Scarlet Pimpernel, especially after he’s pulled the same stunt in three or four stories in a row. I guess short stories just don’t deliver the intricacy and complexity of longer stories. I was not so fond of the superstitious, supernatural feel several of these stories lent to Sir Percy’s adventures, and I really would have liked more scenes with him and his men as themselves, planning their next moves (I love watching Sir Andrew and Lord Tony and Sir Percy working in concert). It’s almost as if, now that we know who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, we don’t have to see him in his persona of Sir Percy—but his persona of Sir Percy is my favorite part. I did enjoy seeing some of the rescues from the perspectives of the rescued, and I liked how the last few stories tied together, with Sir Percy posing as the same person in each of them. All in all, not my favorite so far, but some enjoyable moments.
]]> Tidewater Bride 53911583
Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife, daughter of the Powhatan chief.

Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?]]> 416 Laura Frantz 0800734963 Jayna 4
Laura Frantz did it again—carried me off to another time and place. At first it looked like the hero and heroine were headed for a misunderstanding of the first water. (They both tell each other they’re interested in someone, but don’t mention that that someone is the other person. Miscommunication potential galore.) But lo and behold, the story didn’t go that way. And next thing I knew, I was enjoying it a lot more than I’d expected.

Both main characters were strong, and the setting was written with true Frantz flair. This one also had a lot more Scripture woven into it than some of Frantz’s other books, and I enjoyed the stronger Christian threads. The romance was nicely done (and included less mention of married intimacy than some other books of this type), but there was also a strong plot along with the romance.

Have you ever read a historical fiction story that seemed like it could have happened pretty much anywhere, anytime without much difference? Such was not the case with Tidewater Bride. This was a plot that could only happen in colonial Virginia. The Native American and slavery issues were handled very well, I thought, and it was fascinating to see some of the customs of the day, like tobacco brides, plantation life, and the idea of peace children to keep hostility at bay. Also, I’ve always been somewhat enamored of fencing, so I enjoyed having a hero well versed in the art of swordplay.

An enjoyable read, far more than a simple romance, and I definitely recommend it to Laura Frantz fans and Christian historical fiction lovers!

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.]]> 4.17 2021 Tidewater Bride
author: Laura Frantz
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/24
date added: 2024/06/14
shelves: historical-fiction, favorite-author, christian-historical-fiction
review:
I’m always a fast reader, but I admit that I tore through this book at a towering pace because, for some reason, libraries want their books back. So I apologize if anything in this review is inaccurate due to inattention.

Laura Frantz did it again—carried me off to another time and place. At first it looked like the hero and heroine were headed for a misunderstanding of the first water. (They both tell each other they’re interested in someone, but don’t mention that that someone is the other person. Miscommunication potential galore.) But lo and behold, the story didn’t go that way. And next thing I knew, I was enjoying it a lot more than I’d expected.

Both main characters were strong, and the setting was written with true Frantz flair. This one also had a lot more Scripture woven into it than some of Frantz’s other books, and I enjoyed the stronger Christian threads. The romance was nicely done (and included less mention of married intimacy than some other books of this type), but there was also a strong plot along with the romance.

Have you ever read a historical fiction story that seemed like it could have happened pretty much anywhere, anytime without much difference? Such was not the case with Tidewater Bride. This was a plot that could only happen in colonial Virginia. The Native American and slavery issues were handled very well, I thought, and it was fascinating to see some of the customs of the day, like tobacco brides, plantation life, and the idea of peace children to keep hostility at bay. Also, I’ve always been somewhat enamored of fencing, so I enjoyed having a hero well versed in the art of swordplay.

An enjoyable read, far more than a simple romance, and I definitely recommend it to Laura Frantz fans and Christian historical fiction lovers!

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.
]]> <![CDATA[The Heart of Courage (The Russells, #2)]]> 54834216 Susanna Russell longs to escape her valley home. When war breaks out, she gets her wish to study in fabulous Williamsburg. But she realizes she's lost something important along the way. Something--and someone.
James Paxton is studying for the ministry. But when violence threatens the valley, his path becomes clouded. What is God's will for his life? The answer is alarming--and impossible.
Red Hawk spies white surveyors near his home, a harbinger of trouble to come. Shawnee chiefs go to Philadelphia to treat for peace, but the unthinkable happens, and Red Hawk loses all he holds dear. Then he has a strange dream. What can it mean?
War, romance, and gospel truth unite in this remarkable sequel to The Shenandoah Road.]]> 395 Lynne Basham Tagawa 173257393X Jayna 4
Tagawa did a masterful job of displaying the sometimes strained, sometimes amicable relationship of different denominations on the frontier. Jamie’s arc was a natural representation of that, and Susanna’s struggles hit home to me—we don’t have to actually be doing wrong to let our hearts wander from our God. I also loved Red Hawk’s story—to me, it had Romans 1 written all over it. The story didn’t gloss over the atrocities of some Native Americans (violence warning for sensitive readers), but it portrayed an honest view of real human beings on both sides making right and wrong choices. I appreciated that while native customs were an integral part of Red Hawk’s arc, the spiritual darkness was not overemphasized or glorified. That storyline felt natural and realistic to the culture.

There were a few times when I felt the plot wandered or important points were summarized instead of lived out on the page, but it’s simply amazing to me that someone has put so much effort into a story that accurately displays early American struggles and the real-life heroes who overcame them. The Heart of Courage is a rich, atmospheric read and a worthy sequel to The Shenandoah Road. I’m looking forward to the next one!

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.]]> 4.54 The Heart of Courage (The Russells, #2)
author: Lynne Basham Tagawa
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.54
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/03/07
date added: 2024/06/13
shelves: favorite-author, gentle-reading, historical-fiction, truly-christian, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This book had all the rich historical detail and deep Christian elements I’ve come to expect from Lynne Tagawa. I stand in awe of her ability to weave such a detailed picture of life on the frontier, and I relished all the historical figures who came to life or earned mentions in this book—especially little-known heroes of the faith like Samuel Davies, Shubal Stearns, and David Brainerd. (And Patrick Henry! Yes!) Once again, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter added so much to the historical context. It was fascinating to see early sermons and confessions of faith woven into the story in such an integral way.

Tagawa did a masterful job of displaying the sometimes strained, sometimes amicable relationship of different denominations on the frontier. Jamie’s arc was a natural representation of that, and Susanna’s struggles hit home to me—we don’t have to actually be doing wrong to let our hearts wander from our God. I also loved Red Hawk’s story—to me, it had Romans 1 written all over it. The story didn’t gloss over the atrocities of some Native Americans (violence warning for sensitive readers), but it portrayed an honest view of real human beings on both sides making right and wrong choices. I appreciated that while native customs were an integral part of Red Hawk’s arc, the spiritual darkness was not overemphasized or glorified. That storyline felt natural and realistic to the culture.

There were a few times when I felt the plot wandered or important points were summarized instead of lived out on the page, but it’s simply amazing to me that someone has put so much effort into a story that accurately displays early American struggles and the real-life heroes who overcame them. The Heart of Courage is a rich, atmospheric read and a worthy sequel to The Shenandoah Road. I’m looking forward to the next one!

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.
]]> <![CDATA[A Place in His Heart (The Southold Chronicles, #1)]]> 18637161
And yet these two very different people with very different expectations will take a leap of faith, wed, and then embark on a life-changing journey across the ocean to the Colonies. Along the way, each must learn to live in harmony, to wait on God, and to recognize true love where they least expect to find it.

This heartfelt tale of love and devotion is based on debut author Rebecca DeMarino’s own ancestors, who came to Long Island in the mid-1600s to establish a life–and a legacy–in the New World.]]> 336 Rebecca DeMarino 0800722183 Jayna 4
We follow the characters through the course of several years as they learn to love each other and adapt to the changes around them. At times, I wanted to shake both of the main characters, sometimes at the same time. But even when that thought crossed my mind, I had to admit that I didn’t know how I would have handled the situation any differently than the characters did. Real life is complicated and people are imperfect, and A Place in His Heart displays that well.

It’s rare that I find a marriage-of-convenience that doesn’t get too detailed for my personal comfort level, but this one fit the bill, and there was so much more going on than just the romance. I loved the look at day-to-day life in the seventeenth century—the author skillfully wove details and dialect together into a vivid historical picture and left me reminded of the courage and endurance of our forebears.

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.]]> 3.48 2014 A Place in His Heart (The Southold Chronicles, #1)
author: Rebecca DeMarino
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/06/13
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, writing-style
review:
This book is all the more interesting because it’s based on the author’s ancestors. If you’ve ever tried to imagine the tensions of leaving home and country to settle in a strange new wilderness, this book is for you.

We follow the characters through the course of several years as they learn to love each other and adapt to the changes around them. At times, I wanted to shake both of the main characters, sometimes at the same time. But even when that thought crossed my mind, I had to admit that I didn’t know how I would have handled the situation any differently than the characters did. Real life is complicated and people are imperfect, and A Place in His Heart displays that well.

It’s rare that I find a marriage-of-convenience that doesn’t get too detailed for my personal comfort level, but this one fit the bill, and there was so much more going on than just the romance. I loved the look at day-to-day life in the seventeenth century—the author skillfully wove details and dialect together into a vivid historical picture and left me reminded of the courage and endurance of our forebears.

This book is part of a four-book Christian historical fiction giveaway open June 14–June 25, 2024. Enter the giveaway here.
]]> <![CDATA[A Cross to Kill (Shepherd Suspense #1)]]> 43659977 A gripping debut thriller pits a man of God against terrorists--and his own deadly past

John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man one would expect to have a checkered past.

But the truth is that the man behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf--an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to do penance for all the lives he took. He vowed never to kill again.

Now someone wants the peaceful pastor to pay for his sins with his own life. And when a terrorist out for revenge walks into the church, John's secrets are laid bare. Confronted with his past, he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow--even when the people he loves are in mortal danger? Will his congregation and the brave woman he's learning to care for be caught in the cross fire? In the end, John's life may be the only sacrifice he has left to offer. . .

Andrew Huff's thrilling debut is not only a riveting story of suspense, it's also a deep exploration of the moral quandaries that face those who choose to follow the Prince of Peace in a violent world. "An action-packed nail-biter from beginning to end! . . . I couldn't put it down."

--Lynette Eason, best-selling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice series]]> 250 Andrew Huff 0825422744 Jayna 4
This book’s premise is still as intriguing to me as it was the first time, though. A CIA assassin turned pastor? Right up my alley. I love action but don’t like a lot of bloodshed, so I enjoyed a hero who has vowed not to take another life. I also really appreciated the clarity of the gospel message, John’s struggle to grow in his faith, and his efforts to relate to Christine in a God-honoring way. I’m a big fan of Christian characters acting like and growing as children of God, even if they aren’t perfect and occasionally have to ambush CIA officers, “borrow” other people’s cars, and generally be sneaky.

There were tons of great action moments as well as character development and some snarky banter. Love the scene with John trying to handle a phone call with one of his church ladies in the middle of a car chase! Speaking of which, the car chases did drag on a bit for my taste, but I can’t help applauding the detail and incredible planning those scenes must have required.

As noted, I’m not sure John went about starting his pastoral ministry in the best fashion, and I wish he would have gone a little more in-depth in discussing faith with a “religious” character instead of just pointing him to another church of that character’s doctrinally questionable denomination. The gospel was so strong in other places that that felt like a missed opportunity. The climax was a bit abrupt at times, but still so powerful. I love the theme of really becoming a new person in Christ.

Overall, this was an interesting read and a fun, action-packed Christian thriller. Kudos to Mr. Huff!]]> 4.06 A Cross to Kill (Shepherd Suspense #1)
author: Andrew Huff
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.06
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/06/11
shelves: christian-suspense-thriller, truly-christian
review:
I’m struck by the timing of rereading this right after my pastor’s teaching on biblical church leadership. This book could be a case in point for why Paul warned Timothy not to ordain any man suddenly without investigating his character—you may wind up with a former assassin who’s still in touch with the CIA!

This book’s premise is still as intriguing to me as it was the first time, though. A CIA assassin turned pastor? Right up my alley. I love action but don’t like a lot of bloodshed, so I enjoyed a hero who has vowed not to take another life. I also really appreciated the clarity of the gospel message, John’s struggle to grow in his faith, and his efforts to relate to Christine in a God-honoring way. I’m a big fan of Christian characters acting like and growing as children of God, even if they aren’t perfect and occasionally have to ambush CIA officers, “borrow” other people’s cars, and generally be sneaky.

There were tons of great action moments as well as character development and some snarky banter. Love the scene with John trying to handle a phone call with one of his church ladies in the middle of a car chase! Speaking of which, the car chases did drag on a bit for my taste, but I can’t help applauding the detail and incredible planning those scenes must have required.

As noted, I’m not sure John went about starting his pastoral ministry in the best fashion, and I wish he would have gone a little more in-depth in discussing faith with a “religious” character instead of just pointing him to another church of that character’s doctrinally questionable denomination. The gospel was so strong in other places that that felt like a missed opportunity. The climax was a bit abrupt at times, but still so powerful. I love the theme of really becoming a new person in Christ.

Overall, this was an interesting read and a fun, action-packed Christian thriller. Kudos to Mr. Huff!
]]> <![CDATA[Not Quite Mr. Darcy (Not Quite #1)]]> 198989631
Not Quite Mr. Darcy is not a P&P retelling but the story of a woman’s journey to discover what real love is.

An ocean … it’s vast and powerful. The water that fills it can bring death, or offer life. Kate Thomas moves her life across an ocean to conquer the hold of her past and find new life for her future.

Not Quite Mr. Darcy is women’s fiction with clean romance (kisses only). It tackles forgiving the seemingly unforgivable and the disillusionment many a woman has faced upon realizing that the perfect husband they’ve been raised to look for doesn’t exist. Kate, a recent widow, leaves her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Seeking distance from her past she takes a job in Kingsdown, England, working with a dementia patient in a cottage overlooking the English Channel. What she finds there is much more than she anticipated. Kate learns to find joy even in the hardest circumstances.]]> 397 Kim Griffin Jayna 0 to-read 4.25 Not Quite Mr. Darcy (Not Quite #1)
author: Kim Griffin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/06/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)]]> 99107 161 A.A. Milne 0525467564 Jayna 5 want to be cheery, thank you very much. Sometimes I am small and scared like Piglet, but brave when I remember that Christopher Robin is nearby.

Milne’s way with words is truly a delight. His slightly tongue-in-cheek style and subtle wordplay and Very Emphatic Capitalization make this a fun read on so many levels. The only thing this book is missing is Tigger, and I can be patient knowing he makes his grand entrance in The House at Pooh Corner.

If you need a relaxing, occasionally laugh-out-loud British read that will make you feel Comfy All Over, give this a try. And if you’re the sort who likes audiobooks, the narration by Peter Dennis is phenomenal—exactly as if a kindly British father is telling the story to his little boy, complete with all the animals’ voices. I listened to it at work, grinned like an idiot, and hoped my coworkers didn’t ask what I was listening to.]]> 4.37 1926 Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)
author: A.A. Milne
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.37
book published: 1926
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/05/17
shelves: favorite-author, gentle-reading, recommended, fun-reads, my-favorites, writing-style
review:
This is a classic of classics. As is true with all great children’s literature, it’s the sort of book that children might enjoy but adults will enjoy even more. There is so much commentary on human nature, and I can see myself in all of the characters in some way. Sometimes I, like Pooh, am a Bear of Very Little Brain. Sometimes I am as longwinded as Owl or as bossy as Rabbit and need to be ignored or have my plans go awry. Sometimes I am like Eeyore and don’t want to be cheery, thank you very much. Sometimes I am small and scared like Piglet, but brave when I remember that Christopher Robin is nearby.

Milne’s way with words is truly a delight. His slightly tongue-in-cheek style and subtle wordplay and Very Emphatic Capitalization make this a fun read on so many levels. The only thing this book is missing is Tigger, and I can be patient knowing he makes his grand entrance in The House at Pooh Corner.

If you need a relaxing, occasionally laugh-out-loud British read that will make you feel Comfy All Over, give this a try. And if you’re the sort who likes audiobooks, the narration by Peter Dennis is phenomenal—exactly as if a kindly British father is telling the story to his little boy, complete with all the animals’ voices. I listened to it at work, grinned like an idiot, and hoped my coworkers didn’t ask what I was listening to.
]]> A Heart Adrift 58211239
Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmee. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.

Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz whisks you away to a time fraught with peril--on the sea and in the heart--in this redemptive, romantic story.]]> 400 Laura Frantz 0800734971 Jayna 0 currently-reading 4.11 2022 A Heart Adrift
author: Laura Frantz
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/14
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Rescued: An Allegory 21721613 This short story, written as an allegory, includes six short chapters, with discussion questions for each section, suitable for group or individual use.]]> Tracy L. Higley 1301920908 Jayna 0 to-read 4.42 2013 Rescued: An Allegory
author: Tracy L. Higley
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Easton at the Forks (Easton #1)]]> 31671495 236 Rebecca Price Janney 1944430180 Jayna 0 to-read 4.33 Easton at the Forks (Easton #1)
author: Rebecca Price Janney
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Weaving Roots (A Gathering of Mercies #1)]]> 211324708 Baltimore, 1828
Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?

Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs. Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger?

Weaving linen is her family’s legacy. Weaving roots of truth and grace is her calling.]]> 281 Heather Wood Jayna 0 to-read 4.35 Weaving Roots (A Gathering of Mercies #1)
author: Heather Wood
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.35
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Rain Song (Heart of Carolina, #1)]]> 3694344 304 Alice J. Wisler 0764204777 Jayna 0 to-read 3.33 2008 Rain Song (Heart of Carolina, #1)
author: Alice J. Wisler
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Song of Sourwood Mountain 201908006 The doors she thought were closed forever are starting to open up . . . just a crack

Though the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean's hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher--until Gordon Covington shows up.
 
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in Eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that.
 
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who just might end up becoming the family she always yearned for.]]> 368 Ann H. Gabhart 0800741730 Jayna 0 to-read 4.24 2024 The Song of Sourwood Mountain
author: Ann H. Gabhart
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Washington's Lady (Ladies of History, #3)]]> 2662952 414 Nancy Moser 0764205005 Jayna 5
It’s not a fast story, and at times I would have liked to see more detail of certain events, such as when Benedict Arnold was exposed as a traitor. I wonder what the emotional impact of that would have been on George and Martha, and it’s barely touched on here. At the same time, there is a wealth of emotion in other ways—so many losses in Martha’s life, so much strength to carry on. This book covers a lot of ground, from the death of Martha’s first husband to after George’s presidency. It was fascinating to see George through Martha’s eyes, and I wanted the story to end in a different place. I know it had to end that way, but I didn’t want it to.

Having just read a novel that made strong womanhood a matter of pushing back against all convention, I really enjoyed the strength and wisdom and graciousness Martha displayed in complementing George and embracing her role in the sphere she was given. The glimpses of other officers’ wives and their lives during the war was also interesting to me. There is a lot of sorrow and death in this book, but it’s well written and showcases strength and honest faith in a way that’s not overly despondent.

In short, this novel offers fascinating insight into a different aspect of early America and the strength of those who stood behind the famous names. Highly recommended for lovers of history.

Content warnings: death, grief, romance, mentions of marital intimacy

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 3.99 2012 Washington's Lady (Ladies of History, #3)
author: Nancy Moser
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/04/18
shelves: christian-historical-fiction, gentle-reading, writing-style
review:
Wow, what a book! The author did a tremendous job of bringing us into Martha Washington’s world. The historical feel of the narration and dialogue was perfect, and I loved how she included real letters complete with their actual spelling. The historical note at the end was so helpful—this author really did her research and was extremely careful not to take too many liberties with her interpretations of events.

It’s not a fast story, and at times I would have liked to see more detail of certain events, such as when Benedict Arnold was exposed as a traitor. I wonder what the emotional impact of that would have been on George and Martha, and it’s barely touched on here. At the same time, there is a wealth of emotion in other ways—so many losses in Martha’s life, so much strength to carry on. This book covers a lot of ground, from the death of Martha’s first husband to after George’s presidency. It was fascinating to see George through Martha’s eyes, and I wanted the story to end in a different place. I know it had to end that way, but I didn’t want it to.

Having just read a novel that made strong womanhood a matter of pushing back against all convention, I really enjoyed the strength and wisdom and graciousness Martha displayed in complementing George and embracing her role in the sphere she was given. The glimpses of other officers’ wives and their lives during the war was also interesting to me. There is a lot of sorrow and death in this book, but it’s well written and showcases strength and honest faith in a way that’s not overly despondent.

In short, this novel offers fascinating insight into a different aspect of early America and the strength of those who stood behind the famous names. Highly recommended for lovers of history.

Content warnings: death, grief, romance, mentions of marital intimacy

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]]> River to Redemption 36569429
Based partly on a true story, Ann H. Gabhart's latest historical novel is a tour de force. The vividly rendered town of Springfield and its citizens immerse readers in a story of courage, betrayal, and honor that will stick with them long after they turn the last page.]]> 336 Ann H. Gabhart 0800723643 Jayna 4 christian-historical-fiction
It was refreshing to see a Christian historical novel where guy-gets-girl wasn’t the only emphasis, but Ruth’s story was so sweet and beautifully done. I really enjoyed seeing an older heroine have more of the focus, and the romance in this book was a lovely slow-burn that didn’t make me uncomfortable. She and Will were both strong characters with a lot of things to overcome, and I loved rooting for them.

I also loved rooting for Louis. He was a strong, well-drawn character, and his mighty faith was such an encouragement. I felt as if I knew him, or at least wanted to know him, and I can’t imagine what life must have been like for the real historical Louis. This novel also does an excellent job showing the tension for people who knew slavery was wrong but had no way of rectifying the problem. It’s easy to look back and criticize, but what a fraught situation. That is displayed very well here.

However . . . I had a hard time rooting for Adria. (Except her name. So pretty!) I wanted to root for her, and I really did applaud her desire to stand against slavery. Unfortunately, her constant pushing back against “convention” weakened that stand for me. Biblically and historically, I am much more interested in strong women who fight with humility and wisdom instead of irritation or rebellion. Because Adria chafed against so many other things (having an escort, wearing hats and long skirts, not being allowed to preach, being expected to marry, on and on), her choice to push back against slavery didn’t have the force for me that it would have if she had shown an attitude of contentment and graciousness in everything but that one vital point. She never seemed to notice or care that men also had to abide by social conventions or that some of those distinctions were biblical rather than societal.

This is not to say that there weren’t real issues. I fully agree that women should have had (and did have) a great influence in abolition. Just not with the attitude Adria tended to show. We have wonderful examples of influential women who displayed more biblical attitudes. I think of Stephen Gano’s daughter in early 19th-century Rhode Island, organizing shelter and Bible teaching for slaves who were assembled there before being sent south. I think of Hannah More, whose fight for women’s education was so much stronger to me because she embraced women’s distinctive roles and responded with grace within her society. The contrast is especially vivid because I just finished a novel based on Martha Washington, who had a tremendous impact on her world because she embraced the role she had been given. Even Abigail Adams, known for encouraging her husband to “remember the ladies,” had profound influence in her circle without this defiant attitude.

These women changed their worlds. River to Redemption is set only a few decades after the deaths of these historical figures, but I felt as if Adria was a 20th-century suffragette. That attitude also made other parts of her storyline less effective for me, since her objections to marriage seemed based more in reaction to cultural expectations than a genuine call to serve the Lord in singleness. At the same time, it was wonderful to have singleness play a part in a Christian historical novel. I would have loved to see more true historical strength and influence on display.

That is a very lengthy caveat, because I felt it needed some explanation. I do think, though, that most Christian historical readers will enjoy this book. I would gladly give Louis’s history and Ruth’s story five stars.

Content warnings: romance (mild), cholera deaths, feminism

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 4.09 2018 River to Redemption
author: Ann H. Gabhart
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/04/18
shelves: christian-historical-fiction
review:
I found it fascinating that this book was based on a true story. I was not familiar with the cholera epidemic in this era, and I had never heard of Louis and Matilda. Their story was so interesting, and once again, Ann H. Gabhart has a masterful touch with dialect and character voice. This book is not your typical Christian historical romance, and that was a welcome change. It also means I may accidentally give spoilers in this review, so be warned.

It was refreshing to see a Christian historical novel where guy-gets-girl wasn’t the only emphasis, but Ruth’s story was so sweet and beautifully done. I really enjoyed seeing an older heroine have more of the focus, and the romance in this book was a lovely slow-burn that didn’t make me uncomfortable. She and Will were both strong characters with a lot of things to overcome, and I loved rooting for them.

I also loved rooting for Louis. He was a strong, well-drawn character, and his mighty faith was such an encouragement. I felt as if I knew him, or at least wanted to know him, and I can’t imagine what life must have been like for the real historical Louis. This novel also does an excellent job showing the tension for people who knew slavery was wrong but had no way of rectifying the problem. It’s easy to look back and criticize, but what a fraught situation. That is displayed very well here.

However . . . I had a hard time rooting for Adria. (Except her name. So pretty!) I wanted to root for her, and I really did applaud her desire to stand against slavery. Unfortunately, her constant pushing back against “convention” weakened that stand for me. Biblically and historically, I am much more interested in strong women who fight with humility and wisdom instead of irritation or rebellion. Because Adria chafed against so many other things (having an escort, wearing hats and long skirts, not being allowed to preach, being expected to marry, on and on), her choice to push back against slavery didn’t have the force for me that it would have if she had shown an attitude of contentment and graciousness in everything but that one vital point. She never seemed to notice or care that men also had to abide by social conventions or that some of those distinctions were biblical rather than societal.

This is not to say that there weren’t real issues. I fully agree that women should have had (and did have) a great influence in abolition. Just not with the attitude Adria tended to show. We have wonderful examples of influential women who displayed more biblical attitudes. I think of Stephen Gano’s daughter in early 19th-century Rhode Island, organizing shelter and Bible teaching for slaves who were assembled there before being sent south. I think of Hannah More, whose fight for women’s education was so much stronger to me because she embraced women’s distinctive roles and responded with grace within her society. The contrast is especially vivid because I just finished a novel based on Martha Washington, who had a tremendous impact on her world because she embraced the role she had been given. Even Abigail Adams, known for encouraging her husband to “remember the ladies,” had profound influence in her circle without this defiant attitude.

These women changed their worlds. River to Redemption is set only a few decades after the deaths of these historical figures, but I felt as if Adria was a 20th-century suffragette. That attitude also made other parts of her storyline less effective for me, since her objections to marriage seemed based more in reaction to cultural expectations than a genuine call to serve the Lord in singleness. At the same time, it was wonderful to have singleness play a part in a Christian historical novel. I would have loved to see more true historical strength and influence on display.

That is a very lengthy caveat, because I felt it needed some explanation. I do think, though, that most Christian historical readers will enjoy this book. I would gladly give Louis’s history and Ruth’s story five stars.

Content warnings: romance (mild), cholera deaths, feminism

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]]> Areopagitica 421280 85 John Milton 0543959856 Jayna 4
Some of my favorite quotes:

“When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.”

“When God gave [Adam] reason, he gave him freedom to choose, for reason is but choosing; he had been else a mere artificial Adam, such an Adam as he is in the motions. We ourselves esteem not of that obedience, or love, or gift, which is of force: God therefore left him free, set before him a provoking object, ever almost in his eyes; herein consisted his merit, herein the right of his reward, the praise of his abstinence. Wherefore did he create passions within us, pleasures round about us, but that these rightly tempered are the very ingredients of virtue?”

“He that can apprehend and consider vice with all her baits and seeming pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet prefer that which is truly better, he is the true warfaring Christian.”

“Let [Truth] and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?”

“Truth is compared in Scripture to a streaming fountain; if her waters flow not in a perpetual progression, they sicken into a muddy pool of conformity and tradition. A man may be a heretic in the truth; and if he believe things only because his pastor says so, or the Assembly so determines, without knowing other reason, though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.”

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”]]> 3.86 1644 Areopagitica
author: John Milton
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1644
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/14
date added: 2024/03/14
shelves:
review:
Some great arguments and great quotes (although he seems to take it for granted that “blasphemous” books should still be banned, without saying who gets to define blasphemy). Well worth the read—and the mental exercise. They were smarter back in 1644.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.”

“When God gave [Adam] reason, he gave him freedom to choose, for reason is but choosing; he had been else a mere artificial Adam, such an Adam as he is in the motions. We ourselves esteem not of that obedience, or love, or gift, which is of force: God therefore left him free, set before him a provoking object, ever almost in his eyes; herein consisted his merit, herein the right of his reward, the praise of his abstinence. Wherefore did he create passions within us, pleasures round about us, but that these rightly tempered are the very ingredients of virtue?”

“He that can apprehend and consider vice with all her baits and seeming pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet prefer that which is truly better, he is the true warfaring Christian.”

“Let [Truth] and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?”

“Truth is compared in Scripture to a streaming fountain; if her waters flow not in a perpetual progression, they sicken into a muddy pool of conformity and tradition. A man may be a heretic in the truth; and if he believe things only because his pastor says so, or the Assembly so determines, without knowing other reason, though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.”

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
]]> Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ 134049123 0 Wallace Jayna 0 historical-fiction
This is a fascinating look at what the hopes and fears of Israel might have been like at the time of Christ. It becomes easy to see why so many Jews looked for a Messiah who would deliver them from Rome, and it also becomes easy to see the rift between the old ways of the law and the new ways of the One who fulfilled it. This book’s sweeping descriptions of Jewish life and Roman life really provide a backdrop for how biblical history fits against the other history happening at the time.

Ben-Hur is a strong hero, and it’s clear why his story became a classic. I wish we could have followed more closely through parts of his life—something would happen, and next thing you know, it’s five years later. Large portions of his life are jumped over, and some of those portions would have helped me connect more with his character.

But that gets better as the book goes along, and there were so many other great characters and interactions. Sheikh Ilderim, Simonides, Esther and Iras and Balthasar, Tirzah and Ben-Hur’s mother . . . so much good interplay. (I especially enjoyed hearing Ben-Hur’s mother inspire her son with the tales of Israel’s history.) I would have loved to see more of Quintus Arrius. Messala is an excellent antagonist, and Wallace writes some gripping action scenes.

Like the chariot race. Oh my. I understand now why Anne of Green Gables read it behind her textbook in class!

Wallace did painstaking research for this book, and it shows, although he delved too deeply into Egyptian mythology or Greco-Roman religion for my taste. Some of the descriptions are beyond long-winded, but once I got into the rhythm, I didn’t mind too much. A lot of this book is simply a matter of slowing down and reading it like the classic it is rather than a book written for today’s short attention spans.

In some cases the author leaned very obviously on religious tradition rather than history or the Bible—his reasons for Mary being blond or Christ having reddish hair failed to convince me. The opening scenes with the three wise men are also based on tradition, of course, but I really enjoyed the reminder of how God moved in the hearts of those outside Israel.

That’s what a lot of this book was for me: A reminder. A reminder of what it might have been like to be a shepherd on a hillside suddenly seeing an angel. Or to have leprosy with no known cure. Or to see the crucifixion and feel the earthquake. Or to have one’s world turned completely upside down with the realization that the Messiah’s kingdom and message are not of this world.

So, for a detailed historical viewpoint and a thrilling story about Judah Ben-Hur, read this book.

However: I was disappointed by the portrayal of Christ, which appeared to be drawn directly from medieval religious art—long auburn hair, “woman-like face,” and air of stooped sorrow and resignation. Although I believe that Isaiah 53’s description of “no beauty that we should desire him” is in the context of the horrors of the crucifixion, I don’t believe the Bible indicates that Christ looked anything like this portrayal. I would have loved to see him portrayed as looking like a normal man (hence Judas’s kiss to identify him) whose astonishing authority, actions, and attitudes made him a wonder to those around him.

The next part is a bit of a spoiler, so be warned.

I was even more disappointed by the lack of a vital piece of the story of Christ: the resurrection. Early in the novel, there’s a brief mention of “when the Nazarene was risen” and that without the resurrection, “Christianity would be an empty husk.” Ben-Hur also comes to realize that Christ is the resurrection and the life. However, I was really looking forward to “seeing” the resurrection, or at least hearing about it, and it was completely missing. The crucifixion and a mention of “the gloom of the burial” is the last we see of the Nazarene and his mission. That is so sad. Without the resurrection, there is no hope, no new life, no power to walk in the Spirit. It seemed very strange to me that a novel subtitled A Tale of the Christ would leave out the climax of his redemptive work, the very moment that changed the disciples’ lives and changed history.

Do I recommend this book? Yes, for history-lovers who want to follow the tale of a young prince of Israel under Roman domination. Maybe not so much for those who want to follow the tale of the Christ, although his nativity and crucifixion are gripping. But it will certainly make you think—what would it have been like to be there?

Content warnings: violence, profanity, romance, mythology and paganism

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 0.0 1880 Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
author: Wallace
name: Jayna
average rating: 0.0
book published: 1880
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/08
shelves: historical-fiction
review:
It’s rare that I review a book without rating it, and when it does happen, it’s usually because I have exceedingly mixed emotions. That’s the case with this classic. Do I recommend it? Yes . . . with caveats.

This is a fascinating look at what the hopes and fears of Israel might have been like at the time of Christ. It becomes easy to see why so many Jews looked for a Messiah who would deliver them from Rome, and it also becomes easy to see the rift between the old ways of the law and the new ways of the One who fulfilled it. This book’s sweeping descriptions of Jewish life and Roman life really provide a backdrop for how biblical history fits against the other history happening at the time.

Ben-Hur is a strong hero, and it’s clear why his story became a classic. I wish we could have followed more closely through parts of his life—something would happen, and next thing you know, it’s five years later. Large portions of his life are jumped over, and some of those portions would have helped me connect more with his character.

But that gets better as the book goes along, and there were so many other great characters and interactions. Sheikh Ilderim, Simonides, Esther and Iras and Balthasar, Tirzah and Ben-Hur’s mother . . . so much good interplay. (I especially enjoyed hearing Ben-Hur’s mother inspire her son with the tales of Israel’s history.) I would have loved to see more of Quintus Arrius. Messala is an excellent antagonist, and Wallace writes some gripping action scenes.

Like the chariot race. Oh my. I understand now why Anne of Green Gables read it behind her textbook in class!

Wallace did painstaking research for this book, and it shows, although he delved too deeply into Egyptian mythology or Greco-Roman religion for my taste. Some of the descriptions are beyond long-winded, but once I got into the rhythm, I didn’t mind too much. A lot of this book is simply a matter of slowing down and reading it like the classic it is rather than a book written for today’s short attention spans.

In some cases the author leaned very obviously on religious tradition rather than history or the Bible—his reasons for Mary being blond or Christ having reddish hair failed to convince me. The opening scenes with the three wise men are also based on tradition, of course, but I really enjoyed the reminder of how God moved in the hearts of those outside Israel.

That’s what a lot of this book was for me: A reminder. A reminder of what it might have been like to be a shepherd on a hillside suddenly seeing an angel. Or to have leprosy with no known cure. Or to see the crucifixion and feel the earthquake. Or to have one’s world turned completely upside down with the realization that the Messiah’s kingdom and message are not of this world.

So, for a detailed historical viewpoint and a thrilling story about Judah Ben-Hur, read this book.

However: I was disappointed by the portrayal of Christ, which appeared to be drawn directly from medieval religious art—long auburn hair, “woman-like face,” and air of stooped sorrow and resignation. Although I believe that Isaiah 53’s description of “no beauty that we should desire him” is in the context of the horrors of the crucifixion, I don’t believe the Bible indicates that Christ looked anything like this portrayal. I would have loved to see him portrayed as looking like a normal man (hence Judas’s kiss to identify him) whose astonishing authority, actions, and attitudes made him a wonder to those around him.

The next part is a bit of a spoiler, so be warned.

I was even more disappointed by the lack of a vital piece of the story of Christ: the resurrection. Early in the novel, there’s a brief mention of “when the Nazarene was risen” and that without the resurrection, “Christianity would be an empty husk.” Ben-Hur also comes to realize that Christ is the resurrection and the life. However, I was really looking forward to “seeing” the resurrection, or at least hearing about it, and it was completely missing. The crucifixion and a mention of “the gloom of the burial” is the last we see of the Nazarene and his mission. That is so sad. Without the resurrection, there is no hope, no new life, no power to walk in the Spirit. It seemed very strange to me that a novel subtitled A Tale of the Christ would leave out the climax of his redemptive work, the very moment that changed the disciples’ lives and changed history.

Do I recommend this book? Yes, for history-lovers who want to follow the tale of a young prince of Israel under Roman domination. Maybe not so much for those who want to follow the tale of the Christ, although his nativity and crucifixion are gripping. But it will certainly make you think—what would it have been like to be there?

Content warnings: violence, profanity, romance, mythology and paganism

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]]> These Healing Hills 34020270
Deeply affected by the horrors he witnessed at war, Ben Locke has never thought further ahead than making it home to Kentucky. His future shrouded in as much mist as his beloved mountains, he's at a loss when it comes to envisioning what's next for his life.

When Francine's and Ben's paths intersect, it's immediately clear that they are from different worlds and value different things. But love has a way of healing old wounds . . . and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.]]> 361 Ann H. Gabhart 0800723635 Jayna 4
Faith is woven naturally into the characters’ lives and conversations, which I always love. I also really enjoyed the slow-burn romance—always my favorite kind to read about, and especially when there are other friendships and family relationships happening around that romance. This book avoided a lot of unnecessary drama that some authors would have gone to town with.

Francine was the perfect heroine for this kind of story. She was capable and independent, as her job demanded, but she was never rude or rebellious or out to prove anything. (I’m really tired of “strong” heroines who are actually rather childish.) Even in her strained relationship with her mother, she didn’t lash out. I appreciated Ben too, and the bits of teasing interplay between him and Francine. He wasn’t perfect, and neither was Francine, but they acknowledged their mistakes and tried to make things right. Woody was a fun character who made me think of the “kid brother” characters Grace Livingston Hill often included in her books—loyal and outgoing and often up to a bit of mischief—and Granny Em was the perfect touch to round out a full supporting cast.

The writing style didn’t always follow the adage to “show, don’t tell”—when Ben broke his arm, I had to re-read it a few times to make sure something serious had actually happened, because it was told so matter-of-factly. To be honest, I thought the shooting storyline was going to have a bigger resolution, but maybe that wouldn’t have fit the story. Also not a fan of the advice to “follow your heart.” It felt too modern for the setting, and the Bible doesn’t have a lot of good things to say about following your heart unless your heart is following God’s.

Those are pretty small quibbles, though. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, both for the interesting history and for the engaging characters and gentle romance. It felt a lot like real life, even though I’ve never been a frontier nurse-midwife dealing with these specific problems and people. I definitely recommend it for readers of Christian historical fiction and Christian historical romance.

Content warnings: nursing/surgery, childbirth, romance (mild), violence (not graphic)

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author: Ann H. Gabhart
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/25
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: gentle-reading, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This is not a fast-paced book, and that’s a good thing. It’s a slow, gentle journey into the heart of 1940s Appalachia and a fascinating glimpse into an unfamiliar part of post-WWII history. And we have lots of lovely characters to spend time with along the way. Gabhart’s deft hand with dialect made this even more of a fun read. It’s the perfect example of portraying mountain speech without making readers trip over oodles of phonetic spelling.

Faith is woven naturally into the characters’ lives and conversations, which I always love. I also really enjoyed the slow-burn romance—always my favorite kind to read about, and especially when there are other friendships and family relationships happening around that romance. This book avoided a lot of unnecessary drama that some authors would have gone to town with.

Francine was the perfect heroine for this kind of story. She was capable and independent, as her job demanded, but she was never rude or rebellious or out to prove anything. (I’m really tired of “strong” heroines who are actually rather childish.) Even in her strained relationship with her mother, she didn’t lash out. I appreciated Ben too, and the bits of teasing interplay between him and Francine. He wasn’t perfect, and neither was Francine, but they acknowledged their mistakes and tried to make things right. Woody was a fun character who made me think of the “kid brother” characters Grace Livingston Hill often included in her books—loyal and outgoing and often up to a bit of mischief—and Granny Em was the perfect touch to round out a full supporting cast.

The writing style didn’t always follow the adage to “show, don’t tell”—when Ben broke his arm, I had to re-read it a few times to make sure something serious had actually happened, because it was told so matter-of-factly. To be honest, I thought the shooting storyline was going to have a bigger resolution, but maybe that wouldn’t have fit the story. Also not a fan of the advice to “follow your heart.” It felt too modern for the setting, and the Bible doesn’t have a lot of good things to say about following your heart unless your heart is following God’s.

Those are pretty small quibbles, though. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, both for the interesting history and for the engaging characters and gentle romance. It felt a lot like real life, even though I’ve never been a frontier nurse-midwife dealing with these specific problems and people. I definitely recommend it for readers of Christian historical fiction and Christian historical romance.

Content warnings: nursing/surgery, childbirth, romance (mild), violence (not graphic)

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]]> <![CDATA[No Ocean Too Wide (McAlister Family #1)]]> 42815558
After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans’ home before Laura is notified about her family’s unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.]]> 368 Carrie Turansky 0525652930 Jayna 0 https://kingsumo.com/g/bspatt/looking...]]> 4.09 2019 No Ocean Too Wide (McAlister Family #1)
author: Carrie Turansky
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
What a touching story of family and courage. I highly recommend it for fans of the Anne of Green Gables era—similar subject, completely different angle. My only complaint is the cliffhanger. This book is part of the Looking Back in Time New Year Giveaway, so enter for a chance to win this book along with five other Christian historical novels. Runs through 01/22/24. Enter here: https://kingsumo.com/g/bspatt/looking...
]]> <![CDATA[Trouble in Dry Springs (The Dry Springs Chronicles #1)]]> 164173927
When Eliza McCoslin's brother sends for her, she exchanges war-torn Mississippi for Dry Springs, Texas. Settling into a new way of life proves difficult though, despite the arrival of the man she's long admired.

Jesse Carrigan comes to Dry Springs seeking work and a place to start the ranch he's dreamed of ever since his parents lost their farm. What he doesn't expect to find is the woman he'd like to court—or his former colonel on the run from a deadly threat.

Given the circumstances keeping Jesse and Eliza apart and the danger looming on the horizon, he and Eliza find themselves facing the loss of future love—and life. When trouble comes to Dry Springs, who will be left standing?]]> 271 Kristina Hall Jayna 0 https://kingsumo.com/g/bspatt/looking...]]> 4.63 Trouble in Dry Springs (The Dry Springs Chronicles #1)
author: Kristina Hall
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.63
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, truly-christian, christian-historical-fiction
review:
A classic western feel with plenty of faith woven in! I especially love some of the supporting characters. This book is part of the Looking Back in Time New Year Giveaway, so enter for a chance to win this book along with five other Christian historical novels. Runs through 01/22/24. Enter here: https://kingsumo.com/g/bspatt/looking...
]]> <![CDATA[For Time & Eternity (Sister Wife #1)]]> 8167519 364 Allison Pittman 1414335962 Jayna 4 Mormon is now considered pejorative by many LDS adherents, but it was the historically accurate term at the time of this book’s history, so I’m sticking with it in this review.)

Stories of rebellion against parents don’t generally appeal to me, but I appreciated that Camilla’s choices were not excused even though her parents’ version of faith was lacking. Pittman did a good job making all her characters believable and not vilifying any of them without just cause. It was so sad to see the damage that resulted from an unbiblical view of who God is and how to please him, especially with Nathan’s endless pursuit of eternal glory. This book clearly demonstrates the danger that comes with using biblical terms for unbiblical ideas. (For more on that, see my review of Mormonism, Mama, and Me by Thelma Geer.) Some LDS reviewers took exception to the fact that Pittman gleaned much of her research from ex-Mormons, but to the best of my knowledge, everything the story displays is true to history and the Mormon prophets’ own writings. I’ve verified some of those doctrines for myself on the primary LDS website, which is very careful to gloss over some of the more blatant doctrines with biblical-sounding language. Although For Time and Eternity contains a wealth of biblical and historical information, it is not dry or “preachy.” The concepts are woven into the characters’ lives and arise when the story dictates, showing how truth and error affect everyday life.

Because part of that truth and error involves the practice of polygamy, there is some discussion of what that entails. Marital intimacy is mentioned or hinted at several times, but overall, it’s tasteful and not graphic, certainly appropriate for most older readers. The scene I was personally most uncomfortable with involved disrobing for the sake of rejecting certain “sacred garments.” Only husband and wife were present and there was nothing immoral in the scene; it’s simply that I read for the experience of vicariously immersing myself in the story, and that wasn’t a scene I necessarily wanted to be vicariously immersed in. I did appreciate the way Camilla continued to love and honor her husband even when he had sinned against her. That made her decisions all the more powerful, since she was clearly making those decisions based on biblical truth rather than on her own anger or vengefulness.

I knew going into this that it ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m not going to delve into that too much, although it would have been nice to have the story feel more fully resolved even with the teaser for the next book. For that reason and the personally uncomfortable bits, it’s a four-star book for me. But the story and its messages will linger in my mind, and I applaud Allison Pittman for exploring a potentially controversial subject in an engaging, well-written way. Don’t skip the author interview at the end—it adds so much extra context to the story.

Content warnings: mentions of marital intimacy, polygamy, undress, threat of violence, LDS teaching (portrayed as false)

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 3.92 2010 For Time & Eternity (Sister Wife #1)
author: Allison Pittman
name: Jayna
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, truly-christian, christian-historical-fiction
review:
I could hardly put this book down. I did not expect to be so engaged in the story, although I was excited to find an author willing to tackle the subject of Mormon history from a Christian perspective. I’ve seen too many cases lately where LDS doctrine is equated with true Christianity, especially by LDS authors who want to be (or already are) seen as Christian. (Note that the term Mormon is now considered pejorative by many LDS adherents, but it was the historically accurate term at the time of this book’s history, so I’m sticking with it in this review.)

Stories of rebellion against parents don’t generally appeal to me, but I appreciated that Camilla’s choices were not excused even though her parents’ version of faith was lacking. Pittman did a good job making all her characters believable and not vilifying any of them without just cause. It was so sad to see the damage that resulted from an unbiblical view of who God is and how to please him, especially with Nathan’s endless pursuit of eternal glory. This book clearly demonstrates the danger that comes with using biblical terms for unbiblical ideas. (For more on that, see my review of Mormonism, Mama, and Me by Thelma Geer.) Some LDS reviewers took exception to the fact that Pittman gleaned much of her research from ex-Mormons, but to the best of my knowledge, everything the story displays is true to history and the Mormon prophets’ own writings. I’ve verified some of those doctrines for myself on the primary LDS website, which is very careful to gloss over some of the more blatant doctrines with biblical-sounding language. Although For Time and Eternity contains a wealth of biblical and historical information, it is not dry or “preachy.” The concepts are woven into the characters’ lives and arise when the story dictates, showing how truth and error affect everyday life.

Because part of that truth and error involves the practice of polygamy, there is some discussion of what that entails. Marital intimacy is mentioned or hinted at several times, but overall, it’s tasteful and not graphic, certainly appropriate for most older readers. The scene I was personally most uncomfortable with involved disrobing for the sake of rejecting certain “sacred garments.” Only husband and wife were present and there was nothing immoral in the scene; it’s simply that I read for the experience of vicariously immersing myself in the story, and that wasn’t a scene I necessarily wanted to be vicariously immersed in. I did appreciate the way Camilla continued to love and honor her husband even when he had sinned against her. That made her decisions all the more powerful, since she was clearly making those decisions based on biblical truth rather than on her own anger or vengefulness.

I knew going into this that it ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m not going to delve into that too much, although it would have been nice to have the story feel more fully resolved even with the teaser for the next book. For that reason and the personally uncomfortable bits, it’s a four-star book for me. But the story and its messages will linger in my mind, and I applaud Allison Pittman for exploring a potentially controversial subject in an engaging, well-written way. Don’t skip the author interview at the end—it adds so much extra context to the story.

Content warnings: mentions of marital intimacy, polygamy, undress, threat of violence, LDS teaching (portrayed as false)

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]]> <![CDATA[Forsaking All Others (Sister Wife #2)]]> 11038485 Camilla Fox is alive. The last thing she remembers is being lost in the snow after leaving her home to escape the Mormon faith she no longer calls her own. She’s been taken in by the 5th Infantry Regiment of the US Army and given over to the personal care of Captain Charles Brandon. As she regains her strength, memories of her two children she had to leave behind come flooding back, threatening to break her heart. Camilla is determined to reunite with her daughters. But when news of her father’s grave illness reaches her, she knows she must return to the family farm to reconcile with her father. As spring arrives, Camilla returns to Salt Lake City a changed woman, but nothing could prepare her for the changes to the city, to the Mormon church, and to the family she left behind.]]> 400 Allison Pittman 1414335970 Jayna 4 For Time & Eternity and stops with an abrupt cliffhanger at the end of that book. We see Camilla moving forward through going back, returning to the faith and family she left as a girl. As with the first book, this is a fascinating look at the early Mormon era, not only the Mormon faith itself but also life in general at that time. I would have liked to see more of the conflict between the US military and the Mormon settlements, but I understand why it wouldn’t have fit well into Camilla’s journey. This book felt more modern in style than the first one; I noted some phrasing that seemed historically inaccurate. But it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. The author’s emphasis on the Word of God and salvation through Christ alone is refreshing.

Because of the subject matter (polygamy) involved in the setting, there’s some insinuation and some threads that feel a bit like a soap opera—who is marrying whose husband? But it’s handled well and in a fairly factual manner. There were only a couple of scenes that were intimate enough to make me a little uncomfortable. I think one of the greatest indicators of Camilla’s growing faith was how her attitude toward her husband’s other wife changed. She was able to view the situation with sorrow and even sympathy rather than vengeance.

I really appreciated that this book didn’t force the story to bow to a typical romance plot. At the same time, while I loved Colonel Brandon’s protectiveness, it was very difficult for me to see him as a devout Christian while he was openly admitting his love for a still-married woman. In that era, it would be scandalous for a dedicated Christian man to marry a divorcée, much less hint to her while she was still married that her marriage would be temporary. I applauded Camilla’s resolve in their friendship, but she seemed unwise to keep as much contact as she did when she knew his desires. (Private Lambert, on the other hand, was a sweetheart.) Also, it’s difficult for me to root for divorce as resolution, no matter how necessary and justified. These are my main reasons for the four-star rating.

Once again, don’t miss the author’s notes. This is a book set in a unique time and place showing a unique character dealing with unique circumstances as best she knows how. It’s a story of faith, family, and friendship, and a good close to the Sister Wife duology.

Content warnings: frostbite trauma/surgery, polygamy, marital intimacy, divorce, LDS teaching (portrayed as false)

Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.]]> 4.15 2011 Forsaking All Others (Sister Wife #2)
author: Allison Pittman
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This is a great resolution of Camilla’s story, which begins in For Time & Eternity and stops with an abrupt cliffhanger at the end of that book. We see Camilla moving forward through going back, returning to the faith and family she left as a girl. As with the first book, this is a fascinating look at the early Mormon era, not only the Mormon faith itself but also life in general at that time. I would have liked to see more of the conflict between the US military and the Mormon settlements, but I understand why it wouldn’t have fit well into Camilla’s journey. This book felt more modern in style than the first one; I noted some phrasing that seemed historically inaccurate. But it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. The author’s emphasis on the Word of God and salvation through Christ alone is refreshing.

Because of the subject matter (polygamy) involved in the setting, there’s some insinuation and some threads that feel a bit like a soap opera—who is marrying whose husband? But it’s handled well and in a fairly factual manner. There were only a couple of scenes that were intimate enough to make me a little uncomfortable. I think one of the greatest indicators of Camilla’s growing faith was how her attitude toward her husband’s other wife changed. She was able to view the situation with sorrow and even sympathy rather than vengeance.

I really appreciated that this book didn’t force the story to bow to a typical romance plot. At the same time, while I loved Colonel Brandon’s protectiveness, it was very difficult for me to see him as a devout Christian while he was openly admitting his love for a still-married woman. In that era, it would be scandalous for a dedicated Christian man to marry a divorcée, much less hint to her while she was still married that her marriage would be temporary. I applauded Camilla’s resolve in their friendship, but she seemed unwise to keep as much contact as she did when she knew his desires. (Private Lambert, on the other hand, was a sweetheart.) Also, it’s difficult for me to root for divorce as resolution, no matter how necessary and justified. These are my main reasons for the four-star rating.

Once again, don’t miss the author’s notes. This is a book set in a unique time and place showing a unique character dealing with unique circumstances as best she knows how. It’s a story of faith, family, and friendship, and a good close to the Sister Wife duology.

Content warnings: frostbite trauma/surgery, polygamy, marital intimacy, divorce, LDS teaching (portrayed as false)

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]]> <![CDATA[The Dress Shop on King Street (Heirloom Secrets, #1)]]> 51272603
In 1946, Millie Middleton boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston and the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.]]> 352 Ashley Clark 0764237608 Jayna 4
And the characters—Millie was a gem. I’m a sucker for a good hat, and the one on the cover is a perfect match to Millie’s as described in the book. I loved that the historical connection was between her and the contemporary male lead rather than with the contemporary female lead. Most women’s fiction I read focuses almost exclusively on the women (I suppose that’s to be expected), but I really liked Peter and was glad he had a starring role. His work was just as fascinating as Harper’s, although I could relate to her love for vintage dresses more than to his love for estate sales (not her love of sewing though). The combination made for a fun and interesting setting.

Romance is seldom my favorite part of a book, so I’m not going to dive deep into the fact that it wasn’t my favorite part of this one either. Overall, the contemporary romance was nice, with an emphasis on more than just physical attraction, although that certainly played a major role as well. I was less comfortable with the sham marriage in the historical timeline. I’m not a fan of couples pretending they’re married and spending four months sharing a room. But I did appreciate that the references to marital intimacy or the lack thereof were fairly tasteful.

Parts of this story are very sad, yet the book as a whole does not feel unbearably so. It’s the sort of book where you start to feel far too invested in the characters for your own good, and that’s a compliment to the author. I also really enjoyed Harper’s relationship with her father—their give-and-take and her seeking of his counsel were especially refreshing since I recently finished a book where the heroine’s rudeness to her father was apparently supposed to be a sign of strength. The sweet relationships between so many different characters really made this book shine. The writing style was also enjoyable for me—a bit winding, perhaps, with a lyrical style not as pronounced as Amanda Dykes or Jan Karon but still with a gently dramatic rhythm.

This is a story of hope and courage in the face of circumstances that demand impossible choices. It’s a story of looking to the light, of recognizing God’s redirection instead of losing hope. The message is not always obvious, as much of the story lies more along the lines of pursuing one’s dreams than pursuing him, but the theme is still clearly there: God is the mender of all that’s tattered.

Content warnings: romance (moderate), mentions of marital intimacy, violence (mild), death and grief, ethnic tension

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author: Ashley Clark
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/30
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This was a sweet story that dealt with hard things in a way that left me thinking but not depressed. Ethnic tension is a difficult subject for a number of reasons, but Clark simply showed individual people struggling with individual choices in their own circumstances. There was no “us versus them” mentality, which was refreshing. (I only regret the publishing house style guide that evidently enforced modern racial capitalization choices in the historical narrative, which jarred me every single time.) Although the jumping-around of the historical chronology was a bit hard for me to follow at times, I found myself equally invested in both timelines, eager to keep going in whichever era I was in at the time.

And the characters—Millie was a gem. I’m a sucker for a good hat, and the one on the cover is a perfect match to Millie’s as described in the book. I loved that the historical connection was between her and the contemporary male lead rather than with the contemporary female lead. Most women’s fiction I read focuses almost exclusively on the women (I suppose that’s to be expected), but I really liked Peter and was glad he had a starring role. His work was just as fascinating as Harper’s, although I could relate to her love for vintage dresses more than to his love for estate sales (not her love of sewing though). The combination made for a fun and interesting setting.

Romance is seldom my favorite part of a book, so I’m not going to dive deep into the fact that it wasn’t my favorite part of this one either. Overall, the contemporary romance was nice, with an emphasis on more than just physical attraction, although that certainly played a major role as well. I was less comfortable with the sham marriage in the historical timeline. I’m not a fan of couples pretending they’re married and spending four months sharing a room. But I did appreciate that the references to marital intimacy or the lack thereof were fairly tasteful.

Parts of this story are very sad, yet the book as a whole does not feel unbearably so. It’s the sort of book where you start to feel far too invested in the characters for your own good, and that’s a compliment to the author. I also really enjoyed Harper’s relationship with her father—their give-and-take and her seeking of his counsel were especially refreshing since I recently finished a book where the heroine’s rudeness to her father was apparently supposed to be a sign of strength. The sweet relationships between so many different characters really made this book shine. The writing style was also enjoyable for me—a bit winding, perhaps, with a lyrical style not as pronounced as Amanda Dykes or Jan Karon but still with a gently dramatic rhythm.

This is a story of hope and courage in the face of circumstances that demand impossible choices. It’s a story of looking to the light, of recognizing God’s redirection instead of losing hope. The message is not always obvious, as much of the story lies more along the lines of pursuing one’s dreams than pursuing him, but the theme is still clearly there: God is the mender of all that’s tattered.

Content warnings: romance (moderate), mentions of marital intimacy, violence (mild), death and grief, ethnic tension

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]]> Courting Morrow Little 6973752 This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop readers as it takes them from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness to the west in search of true love.]]> 362 Laura Frantz 0800733401 Jayna 3 lot of people loved. I have begun to suspect that I read Laura Frantz for the style and setting, not for the story. Courting Morrow Little was filled with breathtaking scenery, lush descriptions, and authentic-feeling details. I loved the unlikely pairing of Morrow and Red Shirt, especially with the strong contrasts between Red Shirt's reserve and Major McKie's brazenness. I also really appreciated Morrow's desire to honor her father even at the expense of her own desires.

As far as the story goes, I'm not exactly sure what the story was. Was it "courting Morrow Little"? Well, the courtship didn't go on all that long (although the intimacy certainly did—more so than I would have preferred). Was the plot outrunning Red Shirt's enemies? Finding Jess? Reaching Missouri? Any one of those might have been the main thread, but I felt that none of them had the urgency or constancy to really be the main thread. Was this character-driven instead of plot-driven? Maybe. I did like Morrow, and her growth from fear to strength and hatred to forgiveness was rewarding. I really liked Red Shirt, or at least the scenes he was in. I wanted to see more of him—he showed up only briefly in the first several chapters, we were never in his point of view, he was gone almost constantly for the last half of the book, and I'm not sure even Morrow really got to know him over the course of the story. But I still really enjoyed it whenever he came on the scene. The climax itself was pretty strong, and it was fun to see a historical figure like George Rogers Clark woven into the story (another thing I enjoy about Laura Frantz's books).

So perhaps if I were to rename this book, I would call it The Life and Times of Morrow Little. It's a meandering sort of tale, but as always, I loved the "first-hand" look at life in Kentucke frontier settlements and the nature of the settler/Shawnee struggle. (I'm assuming Morrow didn't learn to shoot because she was in Philadelphia for two years? I found it odd that her father didn't teach her, especially as his illness worsened and she might need to manage her own protection or hunting.) Seeing Red Shirt's faith was beautiful, as was Morrow's new understanding that "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." This might not have been my favorite Laura Frantz title, but she definitely delivered all the "you are there" details I've come to expect! Some great names again, too, specifically Morrow and Jessamyn. And it was not your typical romance, so all in all it was a fairly enjoyable read.]]> 4.23 2010 Courting Morrow Little
author: Laura Frantz
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/09
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: favorite-author, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
Here I am in the minority again, giving three stars to a book that a lot of people loved. I have begun to suspect that I read Laura Frantz for the style and setting, not for the story. Courting Morrow Little was filled with breathtaking scenery, lush descriptions, and authentic-feeling details. I loved the unlikely pairing of Morrow and Red Shirt, especially with the strong contrasts between Red Shirt's reserve and Major McKie's brazenness. I also really appreciated Morrow's desire to honor her father even at the expense of her own desires.

As far as the story goes, I'm not exactly sure what the story was. Was it "courting Morrow Little"? Well, the courtship didn't go on all that long (although the intimacy certainly did—more so than I would have preferred). Was the plot outrunning Red Shirt's enemies? Finding Jess? Reaching Missouri? Any one of those might have been the main thread, but I felt that none of them had the urgency or constancy to really be the main thread. Was this character-driven instead of plot-driven? Maybe. I did like Morrow, and her growth from fear to strength and hatred to forgiveness was rewarding. I really liked Red Shirt, or at least the scenes he was in. I wanted to see more of him—he showed up only briefly in the first several chapters, we were never in his point of view, he was gone almost constantly for the last half of the book, and I'm not sure even Morrow really got to know him over the course of the story. But I still really enjoyed it whenever he came on the scene. The climax itself was pretty strong, and it was fun to see a historical figure like George Rogers Clark woven into the story (another thing I enjoy about Laura Frantz's books).

So perhaps if I were to rename this book, I would call it The Life and Times of Morrow Little. It's a meandering sort of tale, but as always, I loved the "first-hand" look at life in Kentucke frontier settlements and the nature of the settler/Shawnee struggle. (I'm assuming Morrow didn't learn to shoot because she was in Philadelphia for two years? I found it odd that her father didn't teach her, especially as his illness worsened and she might need to manage her own protection or hunting.) Seeing Red Shirt's faith was beautiful, as was Morrow's new understanding that "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." This might not have been my favorite Laura Frantz title, but she definitely delivered all the "you are there" details I've come to expect! Some great names again, too, specifically Morrow and Jessamyn. And it was not your typical romance, so all in all it was a fairly enjoyable read.
]]> <![CDATA[The Boy Colonel: A Soldier Without a Name]]> 16047072
The Boy Colonel strives to perform his duty, but when that duty becomes mixed he must decide which sovereign is greater — the king of England, or the God of the Bible. Treachery, intimidation, and deceit block his path. His choice of allegiance may mean the difference between life and death. Is he prepared to risk all to protect his loved ones?]]> 344 John J. Horn 1934554766 Jayna 3 Brothers at Arms, and I think that was largely due to the change in narrating style. Since this was in third person instead of first person, I wasn't viewing the story through the characters' eyes, and that made it harder to engage with the dramatic plot swings. Overall, I felt jerked around quite a bit. I really enjoyed the opening of the book, with Colonel Nobody and his men in the wilds of Siberia. The battle scenes were well done and I loved the camaraderie between the men (Jacques and O'Malley cracked me up). Then all of a sudden, we weren't in Siberia anymore. We were in England and there was a romance. Not that there was anything wrong with the romance; I liked the way Edmund helped Colonel Nobody (yeah, that got a bit confusing) understand the real meaning of love. But it wasn't Siberia. Just as we got back to Siberia, we were off to the tropics. (Incidentally, one might think the regiment would have a smidge of trouble adapting from subzero Siberia to the South Seas, but we already know they are highly versatile.) There was quite a bit of melodrama in the classic adventure story style: mysterious identities, eccentric hermits, brave soldiers making brave speeches, and chivalrous gentlemen preparing to fight to the death for their ladyloves. It did seem to me that much of the Christianity in this story was in the negative - the main characters are devout Christians and we know this because they don't drink, dance, or fight unjust wars. I agree with all of those things. But there's a lot more to Christianity than that, and I would have liked to see more living faith in the story.

There were some great action and adventure scenes, and the style suited the type of story. Horn's adroit hand with research and descriptions amazed me. The army scenes came alive, as did some of the nautical descriptions and the sights and sounds of London. I was afraid I'd have trouble with the dialects of Jacques and O'Malley, but they were actually quite easy to read, and I loved the friendship between Nobody and Edmund. If you are a fan of the aforementioned classic authors, there is a good chance you will highly enjoy this. I would have liked a whole book about the 42nd Regiment in Siberia, but this was the next best thing!]]> 4.33 2012 The Boy Colonel: A Soldier Without a Name
author: John J. Horn
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/13
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: favorite-author, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
What a wild ride! (And what a great cover.) Horn delivers another tale in the tradition of G. A. Henty or R. L. Stevenson. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Brothers at Arms, and I think that was largely due to the change in narrating style. Since this was in third person instead of first person, I wasn't viewing the story through the characters' eyes, and that made it harder to engage with the dramatic plot swings. Overall, I felt jerked around quite a bit. I really enjoyed the opening of the book, with Colonel Nobody and his men in the wilds of Siberia. The battle scenes were well done and I loved the camaraderie between the men (Jacques and O'Malley cracked me up). Then all of a sudden, we weren't in Siberia anymore. We were in England and there was a romance. Not that there was anything wrong with the romance; I liked the way Edmund helped Colonel Nobody (yeah, that got a bit confusing) understand the real meaning of love. But it wasn't Siberia. Just as we got back to Siberia, we were off to the tropics. (Incidentally, one might think the regiment would have a smidge of trouble adapting from subzero Siberia to the South Seas, but we already know they are highly versatile.) There was quite a bit of melodrama in the classic adventure story style: mysterious identities, eccentric hermits, brave soldiers making brave speeches, and chivalrous gentlemen preparing to fight to the death for their ladyloves. It did seem to me that much of the Christianity in this story was in the negative - the main characters are devout Christians and we know this because they don't drink, dance, or fight unjust wars. I agree with all of those things. But there's a lot more to Christianity than that, and I would have liked to see more living faith in the story.

There were some great action and adventure scenes, and the style suited the type of story. Horn's adroit hand with research and descriptions amazed me. The army scenes came alive, as did some of the nautical descriptions and the sights and sounds of London. I was afraid I'd have trouble with the dialects of Jacques and O'Malley, but they were actually quite easy to read, and I loved the friendship between Nobody and Edmund. If you are a fan of the aforementioned classic authors, there is a good chance you will highly enjoy this. I would have liked a whole book about the 42nd Regiment in Siberia, but this was the next best thing!
]]> <![CDATA[On Distant Shores (Wings of the Nightingale, #2)]]> 16117006
Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?

With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin weaves an exciting tale of emotion, action, and romance that will leave you wanting more.]]> 420 Sarah Sundin 0800720822 Jayna 3 4.30 2013 On Distant Shores (Wings of the Nightingale, #2)
author: Sarah Sundin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
Not one of my favorites, but still well written. It’s not the author’s fault that I’m not fond of romances where both characters are already engaged to someone else at the start of the book, and I knew that going into it. The spiritual arcs were well done, though—I always love how Sundin creates such human characters and demonstrates such everyday growth in their faith. I appreciated that Georgie’s need to “stand on her own two feet” was based on her walk with God and not simply rebellion, and I could relate to her fears and struggles in dealing with them. A little too descriptive in the physical attraction department for me, but I enjoyed how Hutch and Georgie balanced and stretched each other. This was a three-star read for me, but fans of this romance trope will enjoy it more. As always, the historical detail and context was spot-on.
]]> <![CDATA[In Perfect Time (Wings of the Nightingale, #3)]]> 18637152
Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer. Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?]]> 404 Sarah Sundin 0800720830 Jayna 3
Overall, this was about what I’m coming to expect from Sarah Sundin—romance that’s not always to my taste but solid biblical themes, masterful historical context, and well-written characters.]]> 4.37 2014 In Perfect Time (Wings of the Nightingale, #3)
author: Sarah Sundin
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2022/06/26
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: favorite-author, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
My favorite part of this book was by far the salvation story. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story where the book of Job played such a major part in bringing someone to Christ, and I loved that! It was simply beautiful to see Kay learn she’d been lied to and become so hungry for the truth. I was a bit leery of this book because of Kay’s character in the previous books, but Sundin did a masterful job portraying the hurt behind Kay’s actions. Honestly, there was still a little too much innuendo for me in some of the scenes, and the romance was a bit heavy for my taste, as Sundin’s often is. The miscommunication between characters also rubbed me the wrong way, since I’m rarely a fan of situations where both characters are interested in each other but both back off and both take that the wrong way. But I did love the spiritual themes and how Kay realistically struggled in the way she related to men after coming to Christ. It was also really interesting to have a hero who was (or wanted to be) a big band drummer. That added some interesting angles and felt perfect for the era, and I loved how he worked with kids.

Overall, this was about what I’m coming to expect from Sarah Sundin—romance that’s not always to my taste but solid biblical themes, masterful historical context, and well-written characters.
]]> <![CDATA[The Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory, #3)]]> 53911218
But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?]]> 352 Elizabeth Camden 0764232134 Jayna 3
However. I love the coordinating covers, each a part of the whole. Very cool.]]> 4.29 2021 The Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory, #3)
author: Elizabeth Camden
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2021/12/12
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
This series is nothing if not consistent. I say that because I feel exactly about this book as I felt about the first two: history fascinating, romance not so much. Forbidden romance is one of my least favorite tropes, but even aside from that aspect, there were a lot of things about the relationship that felt contrived. I read this while taking a class in substantive editing, and while I don't think that changed how I felt about the story, it helped me identify why I felt that way. Specifically, there was a lot of "telling" going on and not enough "showing" to really engage me in the story. It made me think of a movie where a narrator pops in with a voiceover to explain what's going on or what a character has learned. That was especially true of Marianne's spiritual epiphany near the end. The Poison Squad itself was interesting, though—loved the interplay between the guys—and I thought Luke's claustrophobia was well done. While I enjoyed seeing Luke get his own story, this one just didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for. I'd highly recommend the trilogy as a side note on the food additive battle in America, and I enjoyed it enough to finish all three books, but I'm not apt to seek out more by this author.

However. I love the coordinating covers, each a part of the whole. Very cool.
]]> <![CDATA[Ring of Secrets (The Culper Ring, #1)]]> 15709082
Winter Reeves is an aristocratic Patriot forced to hide her heart amid the Loyalists of the City of New York. She has learned to keep her ears open so she can pass information on British movements to Robbie Townsend, her childhood friend, and his spy ring. If she's caught, if she's hung for espionage...well, she won't be. Robbie has taught her the tools of the trade: the wonders of invisible ink, drop locations and, most importantly, a good cover.

Bennet Lane returns to New York from his Yale professorship with one goal: to find General Washington's spy hidden among the ranks of the elite. Searching for a wife was supposed to be nothing more than a convenient cover story for his mission, but when he meets Winter, with her too-intelligent eyes in her too-blank face, he finds a mystery that can't be ignored.

Both believers...and both committed to a separate cause. Will their faith in God lead them to a shared destiny or lives lived apart?]]> 352 Roseanna M. White 0736950990 Jayna 0 4.05 2013 Ring of Secrets (The Culper Ring, #1)
author: Roseanna M. White
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at: 2021/05/12
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Spice King (Hope and Glory, #1)]]> 43838042
As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?]]> 348 Elizabeth Camden 0764232118 Jayna 3 are “natural flavors,” anyway?) I didn’t necessarily agree with the politicizing of the issue, but I think it’s a good example of the Bible verse that says, “For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof”—i.e., sin results in bigger government and more laws.

I liked the sibling relationships in this book. Elaine’s story added a lot of interest, and it was lovely to see her overcome some of her challenges. To be honest, Gray and Annabelle’s romance was one of my least favorite relationships, mainly because I’m not fond of the instant attraction/perceived betrayal/attempt to move on/love against all odds trope. Maybe it’s not a trope. I don’t know. It just wasn’t my favorite to read, although it stayed very clean and was based on common interests, which I did enjoy. Also, the Christian content of this book seemed off in several ways. We have Annabelle, apparently a dedicated Christian, in a relationship with Gray, who is “not much of a praying man,” curses multiple times throughout the story, and never discusses faith with Annabelle at all. However, he’s relieved by his brother’s “struggle for salvation” and is comforted that Luke is on the right track because of the good things he’s done.

Oh, Gray. Oh, Luke. Salvation isn’t something we struggle for. It’s a glorious, beautiful, unmerited free gift that we receive by faith. Our own efforts can never please God and will only lead us farther away from Him unless we realize their futility and turn to Him. If we could be good enough, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die in our place. Trusting His death and resurrection is our only hope of peace with God. Even Annabelle’s Christianity seemed based on “making Jesus proud.” I fully believe in living a God-honoring life out of gratitude for Christ’s limitless redemption, but the idea of somehow earning God’s favor is incredibly insidious, and I hope these characters come to understand that. (Well, they aren’t real, I suppose. Maybe I should have said I hope Elizabeth Camden and her readers understand that.) In a way, it was good for me to read this, because it made me double-check for areas in my own life where this attitude has crept in.

As mentioned, I loved the history, especially how the story is tied so well to national events like the McKinley administration, Good Housekeeping, and Cuban insurgents. The characters and dialogue didn’t seem particularly reflective of the era, so it’s not really a “you are there” type of story, but I enjoyed Gray’s siblings and am interested to try their stories next. Readers who like historical romance and are well grounded in their own faith would probably enjoy this book a lot.]]> 4.05 2019 The Spice King (Hope and Glory, #1)
author: Elizabeth Camden
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2021/09/29
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:
My favorite part of this book was the history. What an interesting setting for a novel! The “inside look” at the food industry at the turn of the century was intriguing—and a little alarming, since ingredients lists haven’t kept Clyde Magruder’s ilk from scheming. (What exactly are “natural flavors,” anyway?) I didn’t necessarily agree with the politicizing of the issue, but I think it’s a good example of the Bible verse that says, “For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof”—i.e., sin results in bigger government and more laws.

I liked the sibling relationships in this book. Elaine’s story added a lot of interest, and it was lovely to see her overcome some of her challenges. To be honest, Gray and Annabelle’s romance was one of my least favorite relationships, mainly because I’m not fond of the instant attraction/perceived betrayal/attempt to move on/love against all odds trope. Maybe it’s not a trope. I don’t know. It just wasn’t my favorite to read, although it stayed very clean and was based on common interests, which I did enjoy. Also, the Christian content of this book seemed off in several ways. We have Annabelle, apparently a dedicated Christian, in a relationship with Gray, who is “not much of a praying man,” curses multiple times throughout the story, and never discusses faith with Annabelle at all. However, he’s relieved by his brother’s “struggle for salvation” and is comforted that Luke is on the right track because of the good things he’s done.

Oh, Gray. Oh, Luke. Salvation isn’t something we struggle for. It’s a glorious, beautiful, unmerited free gift that we receive by faith. Our own efforts can never please God and will only lead us farther away from Him unless we realize their futility and turn to Him. If we could be good enough, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die in our place. Trusting His death and resurrection is our only hope of peace with God. Even Annabelle’s Christianity seemed based on “making Jesus proud.” I fully believe in living a God-honoring life out of gratitude for Christ’s limitless redemption, but the idea of somehow earning God’s favor is incredibly insidious, and I hope these characters come to understand that. (Well, they aren’t real, I suppose. Maybe I should have said I hope Elizabeth Camden and her readers understand that.) In a way, it was good for me to read this, because it made me double-check for areas in my own life where this attitude has crept in.

As mentioned, I loved the history, especially how the story is tied so well to national events like the McKinley administration, Good Housekeeping, and Cuban insurgents. The characters and dialogue didn’t seem particularly reflective of the era, so it’s not really a “you are there” type of story, but I enjoyed Gray’s siblings and am interested to try their stories next. Readers who like historical romance and are well grounded in their own faith would probably enjoy this book a lot.
]]> <![CDATA[A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers, #3)]]> 50497664
Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon's loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple's future dreams—it becomes a matter of ending the war.]]> 372 Roseanna M. White 0764231839 Jayna 0 4.42 2020 A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers, #3)
author: Roseanna M. White
name: Jayna
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at: 2021/08/19
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: favorite-author, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction
review:

]]>