Within My Heart

By Tamera Alexander

This is the story of Rachel Boyd and Dr Rand Brookston. Rachel is a young widow who is struggling to keep her promise to her late husband and keep their ranch afloat while raising two small boys, one of whom has been causing much mischief. Though getting by with the help of this small community, Rachel is still hanging onto deep-rooted fears.

Rand Brookston is a doctor who has come west to set up a medical clinic in this small town, while hiding from his own fears.

Brought together by a medical emergency, these two must begin to learn to trust one another.

Set in post-civil war Colorado, this is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction. The characters are well developed and believable. The storyline draws you in and holds you until the end. The book was clearly very well researched and the struggles of the pioneers are brought to life.

I would have liked to have seen more Christian faith come through in this book, but overall it was a great story.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Take Three

Take Three is the third book in the Above the Line series. This is the continuing story of Christian filmmakers Keith Ellison and Chase Ryan. While their first film was a success, family problems and budget issues threaten the project.

This is a brilliantly written story that tugs at your heartstrings. The characters draw you into their lives and come alive to you. The issues they handle are issues that face many Christians and Kingsbury handles them in a biblical way that will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. The strong thread of faith weaves through the story just as Kingsbury readers have come to expect. 

For long time Kingsbury readers appearances from the Flannigans and the Baxters give you a glimpse into their continuing stories. However, if you have not read Karen Kingsbury previously, keeping track of all of the characters might prove to be difficult.

Overall, this was another homerun by Karen Kingsbury.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Has Christianity Failed You?

By Ravi Zacharias

This book is written for those struggling with questions of faith and those who have left the church.

Throughout the book the author attempts to answer questions such as “Who is Jesus?”, “What Does it Mean to be a Christian,” and “Does Prayer make a difference?”

I say “attempts” because most often his answers are vague and the chapters ramble on with endless illustrations and anecdotes. I found that the excessive use of illustrations actually detracted from the book and often muddied the waters rather than clarifying the point he was trying to make. He says on several occasions that he doesn’t want to use theological terms, yet often theological terms are what best describe theological ideas. To refuse to use them assumes that the reader is either ignorant or unable to learn “big words.”

I did find the last two chapters to be quite worth reading and deserving of a resounding “Amen” in that he finally gets to the root of the issue – churches who have compromised the gospel and have made promises that God never made, leading people to feel that they have been let down, when the truth is that they had the wrong expectation of Christianity in the first place.

Overall, it was a bit of a tedious book to read and I was left feeling that he didn’t thoroughly answer the question that he posed in the book.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from Zondervan, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Love is a Flame

Let me start by saying what this book is not. This is not just another self-help book. This is not Christian happy talk about how great your Christian marriage should be. This is not psychology.


This is reality. These are true stories written by the people who lived them. Some of these couples have survived difficult things like adultery, pornography, and separations. Others are lighter stories of things we all do – unrealistic expectations we bring into marriage, misplaced priorities, and falling into the “busyness” of life. Some will make you laugh, others may bring tears, but all of them will show you how others have kept the flame alive.

If found this book to be thought-provoking and encouraging. The format makes it very easy to read and enjoyable. Each of the stories is short, three to four pages, and ends with reflections by James Bell. I started out intending to read a couple of stories per day but I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one afternoon.

This book is great for anyone – newly engaged couples to those who have been married for years. There are valuable lessons contained in these true stories that we all can learn from.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House publishers, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Sixteen Brides

By Stephanie Whitson

This is a story of Civil War widows who set out with the dream of claiming land in Nebraska through the Homestead Act, only to discover they had been tricked by the land agent who had actually promised them as brides to the men in Cayote, Nebraska.

Several of these courageous women stay behind in the up-and-coming town Plum Grove to follow the dream of owning land, a daring prospect for women on their own.

At first it was difficult to keep track of so many primary characters, but as the story unfolds it gets easier. The characters are all very distinct and well-developed. Each comes from a very different background, yet together they make a great team and lifelong friends.

A thread of romance runs through the novel as these ladies begin to move past there lost husbands and begin to notice the local men who have helped them out.

Christian faith and values also come through very strongly in this story.

Life on the Nebraska plains comes alive as the author gives a great peak into the lives of those on the Plains after the Civil War. From raging prairie fires to quilting bees and house-raisings this is historical fiction at its finest.

I will be looking forward to more novels by Stephanie Whitson.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House, however that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Hearts Awakening - by Delia Parr

Set in the 1840’s on Dillon Island, a privately owned island and home to an apple orchard on the Susquehanna River, this is a story of a plain spinster (Elvira Kilmer) and a young widower named Jackson Smith. Both are hiding from their past.

Smith hires Kilmer as a housekeeper so he is free to work his apple orchard while she tends to the house and two small boys. Smith quickly sees her as an answer to his problems, yet what he proposes is quite unconventional.


The story is rich in detail, emotion, and faith. The characters are endearing and vibrant. The plot is rich and fairly fast moving. The details of island life during that time come alive in this book.


Unlike much of the Christian fiction of today, this book really is Christian. Faith, forgiveness, and redemption are strong themes throughout.


I would strongly recommend this book to all Christian historical fiction lovers.


I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Somewhere to Belong - by Judith Miller

Set in the 1870’s in the Christian cooperative community of Main Amana, Iowa this is the story of two young women, Johanna Ilg and Berta Schumacher.


Johanna is a kind, compassionate, and respectful young woman who has grown up in Main Amana. Though she longs to see the outside world she knows her home is Main Amana. She is given the task of training Berta Schumacher in the ways of life in the Amana Community.


Berta is a spoiled and rebellious daughter of a physician who is forced to move to Main Amana when her parents decide a simpler life would be best for all of them.
Berta antics were good for few laughs, but nevertheless the plot was fairly predictable - with one exception near the end.


The characters were rather flat and I really had a hard time connecting with either one of them.


It is clear that the author put a considerable amount of research into this book. There is great detail in the political structure of the colonies. She clearly understood what the gender roles were and how they all worked together as a community. However, there was very little detail in regards to the theology of the people, which would seem to be more important in a Christian Community.


Overall, it was a decent book, but not great.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.