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.

She Walks in Beauty

The opulence of the Gilded Era. Splendor, beauty, and extravagance. Elaborate dinners, majestic balls, and fancy gowns.


These are the things that are commonplace in Miss Clara Carter’s life. Clara is a young debutante striving to learn the rules of social engagement in a time when appearance was everything. Tasked by her overbearing Aunt and father with catching the eye of the seasons most eligible heir, Clara finds herself trying to maintain her own identity in a world that defined the worth of a woman by her waist size and her ability to entertain. Her every move ends up in the social columns of New York’s best newspapers. However Clara is an intelligent young woman who would much prefer to continue her education and look to find true love. As young girl her mother had sung “Just as I am” to her many times. Is it possible that God could love her just as she is?

This book has all the makings of a great novel. Well-developed characters that are rich and deep. Just enough mystery to keep you wondering. Friendships that are strained by the pressures of high society. Family secrets, trickery and deceit.

This is the first book I have read by Siri Mitchell, but it won’t be the last.

I must mentioned that I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book, however that did not in anyway influence my opinion of it.

Hunter's Moon

The book begins with CJ Baxter, a novelist, returning today Adelia as his grandfather is dying. His life is in shambles; he is getting divorced, has a lawsuit pending, his wife has frozen his assets and there is a warrant for his arrest. His family has long been the family with power and influence in Adelia and with that came dark family secrets. With his brother now running for senate, CJ becomes a liability as he digs into his families past.


The book begins very slowly, but as it unfolds it proves to be a very interesting and suspenseful story. A great amount of detail is put into developing the characters and the small town of Adelia comes alive to the reader.

While I overall enjoyed the book, I do have a few complaints. While it is meant to be a Christian book, there is very little content that deals with faith. There is a reference to CJ’s recent conversion, yet we aren’t told anything about it.  It seems that the author wants the reader to see CJ growing in faith, yet there is little Scripture or prayer involved. There are many difficult issues brought up; adultery, domestic violence, and bitterness to name a few. Most of these issues are left unresolved and there is little about forgiveness or repentance. It seems that there could have been many opportunities to share the gospel of grace with these situations, but it never happens.

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

Never Say Never

This is the first book I have read by Lisa Wingate, but it certainly won’t be the last. This book was very entertaining with characters that are deep, well-developed, inspiring and funny.



The story is told by two different individuals; two women generations apart tossed together by a hurricane. While it took a few chapters to get used to switching between to two ladies, I found that reading the story from two perspectives interesting and refreshing.


Donetta Bradford is an older married woman who has lived a quiet life in the town of Daily, Texas. She sets out to go on a cruise with two of her friends, leaving behind a husband who she is convinced doesn’t love her anymore.


Kai Miller is a young single woman who comes from a broken home lives a rather rootless existence as a cruise ship employee. She prefers to be aloof and is quite content to be alone. The two characters meet while trying to escape a hurricane and Kai ends up in Daily with Donetta.


This story has it all – a hurricane, a rescue, romance between Kai and Donetta’s nephew, humorous encounters with the people of Daily, and inspiring stories of survival and faith.


I will definitely be reading more from Lisa Wingate.


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

Not a Sparrow Falls

By Linda Nichols


This is a story of God’s love, of Providence, redemption, forgiveness, and God’s preserving power.

The first eleven chapters move very slowly. They mostly contain background details and I found it very hard to connect with the characters during this time. I had nearly given up on the book when things really turned around. Chapter twelve begins a most wonderful story that will touch your heart. The characters that seem so dry at the beginning come alive later and draw you in. It ends up being a very richly written book.

The book focuses on two people hiding from their past - Alasdair, a Presbyterian minister and prominent radio pastor who was recently widowed and left with three children, and Bridie – a fugitive from both the law and her past. A chance encounter with Alasdair’s teenage daughter leads Bridie to accept a position as nanny in Alasdair’s house.

This haunting story stayed with me several days after I read it.

Homeschooling for the Rest of Us

Are you considering homeschooling but don't feel like you have the perfect homeschool family? Not sure if it will work for your family? Then this book is for you.

 This is not a book of how to's, Sonya Haskins does not present the "right" or "wrong" way to homesschool your children but rather dispells the many myths of homeschooling and gives great advice on how to homeschool in a number of different manners and how to make it work for your family.

Haskins clearly understands that not each child is alike and not each family can homeschool in the same way. Being a blended family with only one child, I found this to be very refreshing. So many homeschool books assume that mom is a stay-at-home mom and that there are several children being homeschooled.

The author also clearly demonstrates how real life is homeschooling and how character development is one of the most important aspects of training our children.

Haskins also deals with issues surrounding budget problems, handling friends and relatives who don't understand homeschooling, dealing with special needs children, and socialization.

This is great book for anyone considering homeschooling or who feels that they just don't fit the homeschool stereotype.