Hope In a Hurricane - CS Golding

Hope In a Hurricane: How Much Must a Man Lose Before He Finds Himself? Synopsis: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey barrels into Houston, leaving behind the wettest disaster in Atlantic history, and upending the life of nurse Shawn Murphy. Already weighed down by a fractured marriage built on deception and the haunting memory of a lost love, Shawn now finds himself caught in a storm that threatens not only his city but everything he thought he could hold together.

When an old friend calls in a life debt and troubling news about his grandfather surfaces, Shawn is pushed to his breaking point. A colleague witnesses him unraveling under the strain, while a voice of wisdom urges him toward the truth he has long resisted. Torn between duty to his family, the desperate needs of his patients, and his own crumbling convictions, Shawn must make a choice that will define his future.

How much must a man lose before he finds himself?

In the chaos of the storm, both outside and within, Shawn discovers that survival is not only about weathering the winds, but about surrendering to the grace that can redeem even the most broken heart.

Buy "Hope In a Hurricane" on Amazon.

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My Review: Riveting! I love "Hope In a Hurricane." The characters, the plot, the background, the location, and the use of an actual event all came together in a book that was both entertaining and thought-provoking! While there was no character that I could really identify with, the exploration of the individuals brought them to life and gave deeper insight into the circumstances that shaped each person. The varying stories of healing, hope, and redemption in the midst of Hurricane Harvey with flashbacks to scenes from their pasts makes you realize that what we observe on the surface does not even begin to help us understand each other. "Hope In a Hurricane" is listed as Book 1 in the Journeys to Grace series. I can hardly wait to meet the characters CS Golding has planned for Book 2! In the meantime, I recommend this book highly. It is available in paperback, Kindle, and Hardcover.

C.S. Golding grew up in the small town of Belton, Texas, where the quiet countryside and the companionship of horses offered comfort amidst a turbulent home life. Fueled by determination and grit, she built a successful career in civil engineering, but even achievement couldn’t quiet the deeper ache in her soul.

After years of striving, stumbling, and silently searching for more, she finally fell to her knees and let Jesus in. That moment became the turning point. Redeemed and renewed, C.S. now writes to uplift others walking through storms of their own.

Her heartfelt words speak to the weary and the wandering, inviting both believers and seekers into stories of hope, healing, and the freedom only Christ can give. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her in the garden tending vegetables, laughing at her clumsy missteps, and giving thanks for the grace that sustains her.

csgolding.com

The Amazing Crab Alley Revival

The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more.

When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head.

Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival.

My Review: The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm has become my favorite book for the 2020s! The characters are so richly developed that I feel like they are people I know. It was easy to become engrossed in what was happening in their lives and care about what happened to them. I could identify more with Lydia since I am an older woman, often reflecting on what I am still able to do for God. But, I also felt a connection to Opal and Emily. The rest of the characters were more than just background, especially the children. As their lives are interwoven, the reader can visualize each person and see the good, bad, concern, and indifference. Some are well-meaning, but blind to the needs around them. The Crab Alley children, especially Sam, are filled with an eagerness that made me smile. This is definitely a 5 star book, especially for fans of historical fiction. While I hated for the book to end because I want to know what happens next with these people, it was also a satisfying ending. I know Sharon's love of history and details, eagerly look forward to her next book!

The Amazing Crab Alley Revival will be available hard copy and ebook on July 7, 2026.

Preorder Kindle copy - Amazon

SharonWilharm.com

Interviews and Reviews

Sharon Wilharm - Storyteller

SharonWilharmStoryteller

Through the years, Sharon Wilharm has worn many hats--author, speaker, Bible teacher, podcaster, radio host, and filmmaker. The common thread of all her activities is women and storytelling. She loves to tell stories that inspire and encourage women in their walk with the Lord.

Sharon is the author of Women of Prayer, a 10-week Bible study about praying women in the Bible, and The Amazing Crab Alley Revival, a Southern historical retelling of Lydia in the Bible. She’s also the host of All God’s Women podcast and internationally syndicated radio show heard daily on Moody Radio Network and Faith Radio Network.

The Englisch Daughter

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima has put her marriage and family ahead of herself for years. She's set herself aside. Raising four children, she's followed all the rules and has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own.

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream are gone--and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman--her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God and love Roy's child? With so much at stake, how can she and Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down?

My Review: My attention was fully captivated by the story of, The Englisch Daughter, by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall. The story was unlike any I have read in Amish fiction with a few twists and turns and a bit of mystery. All of the characters are well developed and the story is richly-layered with emotions that tug at your heart and demonstrate a faith determined to honor God despite circumstances. With each unexpected event, shattered dream, or moment of heartbreak, these characters, especially Jemima, turn to God... albeit, sometimes after trying to fix things themselves with poor results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction.
 
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multnomah. This in no way affected my opinion. 

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CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Cindy’s writing has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives outside Atlanta with her husband.

ERIN WOODSMALL is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of four. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. More recently she and Cindy have co-authored five books.

No Ocean Too Wide - Carrie Turansky

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?

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."

My Review: We are introduced to the McAlister family in No Ocean Too Wide. When their widowed mother is admitted to the hospital due to illness, the 3 children (twins Katie and Garth, and 8-year-old Grace) remaining at home are placed into what they expected to be a temporary home. By the time the oldest sister finds out, the children have become among many British Home Children being sent to Canada. This is Book 1 of a trilogy and the focus is on Laura, the oldest, and Katie. 

The characters in the book are endearing, and sometimes frustrating with the decisions made at times, but this makes the story that much more relatable. The storyline of the British Home Children is one that seems unbelievable... yet it happened. The idea was built on a genuine concern about the best way to help children, but greed and evil also played a role in the lives of too many of these kids. There is also the matter of what was the cultural attitude of the early 1900s, including separation of classes. Laura is strongly attracted to the son of her former boss, but also has a distrust of wealthy young men. Andrew's interest in the child emigration program brings them together and provides a romantic, hopeful element to the story.

Author Carrie Turansky can be depended upon to develop characters you love and want to get to know better. The only thing I dislike is that... I want more of the people I met in this book but have to wait until the other books come out. I do recommend this heartwarming story of struggle, faith, love, and hope.

I received a free copy of this book as part of the WaterBrook Multnomah Launch Team. I was not required to write a positive review.

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Becoming Us - Robin Jones Gunn

Five young women, including beloved Gunn characters Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen, gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for. As the women begin sharing their life stories in Becoming Us they are endeared to each other and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they wished they'd had when they were growing up. They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them. (Amazon description)

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn brings together 5 young mothers who connect and form a close bond with one another. The story is told mostly from the POV of Emily who has recently moved from North Carolina to California with her husband and young daughter. Unlike the others, Emily's child is not a baby or toddler, so that plus being in a very vulnerable season in her life causes her to be hesitant about forming friendships within the group. When an unexpected event thrusts her into a shared experience, however, she allows herself to be pulled into the group.

The transformation of Emily from a shy, lonely, timid woman who has allowed family to shape her life into a person emerging from the shadows strong in faith, confident in herself, willing to take risks, and determined to do what is best for herself, her husband, and her child is an encouraging story for anyone who struggles to find herself. Both Emily and her husband Trevor make strides to lean less on their own thoughts, understanding, and indecisiveness and to trust fully in God... which also is a lesson observed and adopted by daughter Audra.

For the fans of Christy Miller and Sierra Jenson, it will be a treat to revisit them in "Haven Makers" series. I know Robin Jones Gunn through her "SisterChicks" books, but now I want to read more. I give Becoming Us 5 stars and look forward to reading future books about these friends.

I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself as part of the WaterbrookMultnomah Becoming Us Launch Team. All opinions are my own.

RobinGunn.com
WaterbrookMultnomah.com
Becoming Us on Amazon

The Song of Sadie Sparrow - Kitty Foth-Regner

Sadie Sparrow, Meg Vogel, and Elise Chapelle, the three main characters in The Song of Sadie Sparrow, are from three different generations and different views of Christianity. The three women also have experienced feelings of abandonment and are drawn to one another after meeting at The Hickories. And, you will want to meet Jamie... a man who has an impact on each of these women.

Sadie is an elderly widow who is forced to move into The Hickories assisted-living center when she can no longer live on her own. Feeling abandoned by her only child, Sadie does start to fit into the lives of the residents, staff, and visitors. Although having uncertainties about her future, her faith, and her song, grow stronger.

Meg is a recent middle-aged widow who feels that her husband abandoned her for his new-found faith after his health failed. It strengthened her belief that there is no God. She seeks a fresh beginning when she accepts a position at The Hickories as an Activities Assistant with a special task of writing the life story of each resident.

Elise is a young woman who frequently visits her beloved grandfather, another resident of The Hickories. Abandoned by her mother as an infant, Elise was raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather and her faith are both valuable to her and she is seeking for a way to share her faith once she is alone.

The lives of these women are intertwined in a well-told story set in an unusual location.Kitty Foth-Regner tells a fascinating story that also included touches of humor and intrigue. The minor characters lent content and additional depth to the story as people you would also like to know better while not intruding too much on the main characters as distractions.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

Kitty's webite - EverlastingPlace.com

Finding Her Heart - Donna Wittlif

Only true love can help Allison conquer her Asperger's Syndrome and loneliness. Can she find it?

Allison is a talented artist, but she has no friends. The school psychologist diagnoses her with Asperger Syndrome. All she wants is to be understood and loved, but her life is a mess. Then she meets David, and his blue eyes and kind smile capture her heart. David, who makes her world seem so much bigger. David, who says he loves her. But does he? Or will a terrible secret concealed in this strange man's past dash her hopes of finding true love forever? She risks everything to find out the truth and to gain love.

A Christian romance for adult and young adult readers. A must-read for anyone who has ever been lonely. (website)

My Review: This is a new author for me, and the Asperger story line intrigued me, so I was eager to discover what Donna Wittlif had to say. Finding Her Heart is part of the Heart of the Family series.

A gifted artist at an early age, raised by a reclusive uncle and aunt, and friendless, Allie faced obstacles most of us cannot imagine. Her search for friendship, love, and happiness is one many of us seek, but her background and Asperger Syndrome do add to the challenge. Despite numerous setbacks, God's provision is always noticeable... even if she does not recognize it immediately.
 
In the beginning chapters I had several questions that I wanted answers to and that was a bit distracting, BUT... the answers did come and I became more caught up in Allie's unfolding story. The characters came alive for me and I found myself wanting to weep with the losses and celebrate the victories. Watching Allie's growth and strength of character with each development is a major encouragement for so many who will read this story. The people in her life, each there for a certain reason, were a good blend of people who cross into our lives and change it.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I will just leave it at... the book's ending was very satisfactory and a hopeful, encouraging way to end Allie's story. I highly recommend reading it for yourself.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, TCK Publishing, but was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Ours For a Season - Kim Vogel Sawyer

An Old Order Mennonite couple's vows and beliefs are challenged in this stirring contemporary novel for fans of Cindy Woodsmall or Shelley Shepherd Gray.
  Anthony and Marty Hirschler are part of an Old Order Mennonite community in Pine Hill, Indiana. The couple has grown apart since a doctor confirmed they would never have children. Marty longs to escape the tight-knit area where large families are valued, and the opportunity to do so arises when her childhood friend, Brooke Spalding, resurfaces with the wild idea of rebuilding a ghost town into a resort community. Brooke hires Anthony to help with the construction, drawing the Hirschlers away from Indiana and into her plan, and then finds herself diagnosed with cancer. Moral complications with Brooke's vision for a casino as part of the resort and the discovery of a runaway teenager hiding on the property open up a world neither the Hirschlers nor Brooke had considered before. Will they be able to overcome their challenges and differences to help the ones among them hurting the most?

MY REVIEW: I always love Kim's books and Ours For a Season is no exception! Amish/Mennonite is not my favorite, but this one surprised me. There was more depth in the story with an unexpected range of topics. Marty's longing for a child has colored her world with a bitter outlook and has placed a strain on her marriage and her faith in God. So when her childhood friend offers the chance for Marty and Anthony to get away with an offer for his company to rebuild an abandoned community, Marty hopes to rebuild the relationship both with her husband and with her non-believing friend, Brooke.

The story of the tightly-knit group of Mennonites, along with a couple of people of no faith shows the bonds growing even stronger as Brooke battles a cancer diagnosis and a runaway discovered on the property sheds light on the plight of runaway teens and human trafficking. The challenges faced by the various characters bring new insight and strength and leads to surprising changes in their lives. I highly recommend this one!

I received a copy of the book at no cost to myself as part of the Waterbrook Launch Team as a #PRHpartner. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Up In Smoke ~ Hannah Conway

Up in Smoke by Hannah Conway is a mixture of romance, mystery, intrigue, and danger that changes course from beginning to end. Just when the reader thinks everything is falling into place, another twist appears.

Leanna Wilson has returned home to Kentucky after the death of her parents and plans to raise her young sister, Brie. When she finds that her parent's will and assets are more complicated than expected, she must take advice from their attorney---her ex-fiance who is eager to control Leanna's life once again. Her only solution appears to be to accept the offer of her former high school sweetheart. He broke her heart when they were teens, but she will do nearly anything to keep her sister safe.

With a spiritual theme woven throughout the unexpected twists and turns of the plot, it is a story filled with surprises, but comes together at the end with a fresh hope and healing for characters you grow to love. There were times when I would have liked the editing to be a little tighter, but the story did keep my attention and interest. I do recommend this book and hope to read more by Hannah Conway.  

Social Media Links

Hannah Conway's Website

Hannah on Instagram

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Hannah on Goodreads

I did receive a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

VALENTINE SPECIAL: Up in Smoke is available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited February 14-15. https://tinyurl.com/UpInSmoke-HannahConway

Thank God for Boll Weevils - Rhett Barbaree

"Thank God for Boll Weevils" by Rhett Barbaree is an indepth look at the Southern soul as seen through the eyes of two God-fearing young women as they grow up in the early 1900 s, deep in the "Heart of Dixie"; Grabbing your attention with its charming southern dialect, the story entertains you with a rich wit and humor that is reminiscent of excerpts you might read from an old Mark Twain passage.The primary narrator, Janie Taylor, does a superb job painting the canvas of an era, of a people who once dominated the Post-Civil War South. Janie then draws you in to her close-knit family and community where a strong Christian moral presence is exhibited and leaves the reader yearning to live in such a time and place. (publisher)

The title immediately caught my attention. I am from Alabama and my grandparents had a cotton crop, so memories of picking cotton came rushing in. It took me a few pages to get into this, but I blame that on me reading the ebook (not a fan; I prefer a physical book every time). However, I quickly got into the rhythm and fell in love with the characters who populated the pages. The background, history, and people all came together to make a story that could easily have happened just as written. It's a story of people who want to do good for their fellow man and for themselves and work together for that purpose.

Barbaree's research, combined with a wonderful wit, kept me glued to the story. Of course, I know the basic history of how the boll weevil destroyed cotton and George Washington Carver's role in bringing hope and help to the area, but that merely enhanced Barbaree's storytelling skills. The main 2 characters---one white and one black: Janie, the daughter of the owner of the cotton gin and Sipsey, the daughter of a sharecropper were best friends who both shared the dream of becoming schoolteachers. As Janie goes to all-white Troy State Normal School and Sipsey to all-black Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, they maintain their close friendship, plus there is a friendship with George Washington Carver that forever impacts not only the families and friends of Janie and Sipsey, but life in south Alabama.

But what completely pulled me into the story was an account of the symbolism in the Biblical story of Sampson. It was a "lightbulb" moment with a fresh way of looking at the story. Two other parts that deeply touched me on a spiritual level were on generational curses and unforgiveness due to deeply buried resentment. Spiritual truths, history, likeable and admirable characters, with a twist of humor in a compelling story make this a near perfect book for me. In books and movies, I like to laugh and I like something that makes me think. Thank God for Boll Weevils is 5 stars!

BONUS INFO: Read about the author's incredible meeting with a young lady who later became a victim of the Colorado shooting rampage and how it ties in with a destructive bug, the South, and faith.
Breaking Christian News/Bonnie Kate Pourciau

Article in AL.com about the writing of the novel: Rhett Barbaree Combines History with Inspiration

LINKS:
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Thank God for Boll Weevils - Facebook
Tiger Iron Press

 

I received a copy of this product at no cost to myself from the Christian Women Affiliate (CWA) Review Crew. All opinions are my own.

You'll Think of Me - Robin Lee Hatcher

Abandoned by her mother as a child, and loathed by her father, Brooklyn thought she had found love when she eloped with Chad as a teenager. However, once she became pregnant, Chad rejected her and their unborn child. Ten years later, she gets a letter that Chad has passed away, leaving their daughter his family home and acreage.

Derek, Chad's childhood best friend, is a deputy who dreams of expanding his property to become a full-time organic farmer. Chad's promise to sell him his 10 acres is broken when he leaves all to Alycia---along with a request that Derek be the father to Alycia that she never had.

Brooklyn reluctantly returned to the small Idaho town she left as a teen, hoping to provide her daughter with a life she never experienced. Derek's disappointment over losing the land, along with long-held misconceptions about Brooklyn and her distrust of others makes for an uneasy relationship as each learns to let go of the past and build a future with the plan God has for them.

You'll Think of Me (Thomas Nelson) is an easy read and enjoyable despite some very serious topics including daughters with no father or abusive fathers, domestic violence, single parenting, lost dreams, and forgiveness. Brooklyn learns that she can trust others and be part of a community while Derek learns that if he lets go of his own plans, he can trust God to provide what he really needs. Of course, these novels follow the same basic pattern, but the fun is seeing how the author both presents and resolves conflicts in each story. I felt this was a well told story that allowed character development and without the rushed ending that is often found. I really liked it and it is great for a relaxing Summer read. 

The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookLook Bloggers.

When We Last Spoke by Marci Henna

Humor, heartbreak, and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and forgiveness in Fireside, Texas.

Meet Juliet Cranbourne, local radio personality and owner of a whimsical kitchen gadget store, and her sister Evangeline, a fruit tree geneticist who works for Oregon State University.

When a rift due to their orphaned past affects their sisterhood, Juliet convinces Evangeline to come home for Christmas and choose headstones to honor grandparents Walt (a tenderhearted, good looking rancher) and Ruby (a blue-ribbon fiddler, fabulous cook, and expert in the art of making family feel loved). 

As they cruise through Fireside in Ruby's Thunderbird, Juliet hopes that healing memories will somehow smooth rough roads ahead.

Does the tremendous love that marked Walt and Ruby's lives still have the power to renew their sisterhood and help them find their place in the world? (from the back cover)

My Review: "When We Last Spoke" is well-written, but I think my expectations were too high. I normally love fiction set in the South with quirky characters and a humorous way of viewing life that can also illuminate a hidden truth. While quirkiness and humor is a part of this book, something just did not quite resonate with me. Some of the actions of characters did not always seem to ring true and there were times characters would teeter into 'beyond the grave' experiences that I was not comfortable with entirely. There are books that allow one to immerse themselves into a story and the fictional people begin to feel like familiar friends, but this did not happen with any of these. Sometimes it just seemed like there was more effort made to make everyone quirky and less on making them well-developed people. I left the book knowing a little more about them, but we were still strangers.

On the other hand, the possibility of a movie being in development does intrigue me. The possibility of seeing more life breathed into each one may make them more multi-dimensional for me. And, I plan on reading the book again at another time. I have had books that could not capture my full attention during the first reading that would suddenly "click" with me when I would try again later. I certainly see that potential with this author, and her talent is evident. I would suggest her to friends looking for a new author to read.

I did receive a copy of this book at no cost to myself from FlyBy Promotions. 

Social Corner:

Fireside Novels on Facebook@MarciHenna on Twitter
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FiresideTexas.com 
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Of Stillness and Storm - Michele Phoenix

"of stillness and storm" by Michele Phoenix is, in her own words, "My hope is that this novel will be a cautionary tale..."

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.
At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry. (Thomas Nelson product description)

I have mixed feelings on this book. Phoenix did bring more layers to characters as the story enfolded, although my frustration with each also increased as I read. The story is thought-provoking, especially for families who feel the call to become missionaries, so mission accomplished as far as what Phoenix hoped to convey. Perhaps the clearer vision of the reader is what leads to my frustration with the book. I can't fault her for creating characters I don't particularly like, but I grew more annoyed rather than more empathetic. This is definitely not a "happily ever after" fairy tale, which is not a requirement for my enjoyment of a story, but I would have liked to have felt a bit more hope for the characters.

The writing itself is very good, and the story flows well and gains momentum toward a suspected conclusion. I confess, I wasn't sure HOW the author would arrive there, so I will not say predictable, but it was a conclusion that left me feeling empty. I can't judge the book based solely on my opinion of the characters, but neither can I say I loved the book. However, it is an interesting study of missionary life from a viewpoint one may not have fully considered. I have an opinion, but each person should be free to draw their own.

Thanks to Handlebar Marketing for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.

It's the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman ​after having inherited her great aunt's wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

​More than eighty years later, former ​Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart's Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora’s and ​Haley's stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love. (publisher)

My Review: The story is told from the viewpoint of several main characters and across several generations. Yet the stories weave together to create a fascinating connection between all and how some basic emotions remain the same. Haley discovers that she and Cora experienced many of the same things and the knowledge that Cora recovered and moved on helps Haley in her own healing process. I loved the various avenues of life experiences explored, and that you get a sense that Haley and Cora, despite distractions, both found happiness in finding themselves in God's plans for their lives. Admittedly, since it is the only worldview I know, I always prefer books with a Christian worldview. Watching the faith walk of these characters was a great part of the story.

There was a little confusion for me as I tried to remember all of the characters and where they belonged, but not enough to lessen my enjoyment...and I did get them sorted out. And, sometimes the pace was a bit uneven, but that probably had much more to do with my interest level than the author, simply because some characters interested me more than others. But, all-in-all, the book was very well-written and a fascinating read. It was difficult to put down, and I did stay up later than planned a couple of night to read 'just one more chapter'---or 2 (or 3)! I look forward to reading more books by Rachel Hauck.

 I received a copy of this Zondervan book from BookLook Bloggers at no cost to myself for a fair and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow

"The Witnesses" by Robert Whitlow is a Christian legal thriller set in North Carolina. Parker House is a young attorney, hoping to make a name for himself as an associate in a local firm. A special ability, that he shares with his grandfather, is already making him a valuable asset, but things take a sudden turn when Frank House is visited from someone he knew in World War 2 Germany---when he was known as Franz Haus.

An intriguing woman he meets, and who also happens to be the daughter of a prominent attorney, provides new insights into his grandfather's shrouded past, and also leads to new prospects for Parker when he is offered to head of the new local branch Layla's father is opening. But, is it an attempt to interfere in his daughter's life or related to the mysteries Frank won't discuss?

The action of the book goes back and forth between present day and World War 2, with the narrator's voice also switching between Parker and Frank, yet it just helps add layers to a story that is a page-turner. "The Witnesses" has less focus on legal matters than some of Whitlow's past novels, but a richness of character development that I enjoyed. I also loved the spiritual journey that Frank takes that leads him back to a nearly forgotten childhood memory. The action built up slowly, but kept my interest, and the ending left me satisfied. Altogether a great tale of forgiveness, faith, overcoming the past, and second chances.

I received a complimentary copy of this Thomas Nelson Book from BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to give a good review and all opinions are my own.

The Mustard Seed by Peter Szondy

Sara is a typical ten-year-old girl living in a small rural town, who is loved by all for her kindness and caring attitude, but what happens at a nearby lake soon has everyone talking. When Sara prays for a dead sparrow that revives and flies away, she claims that she saw Jesus on the lake and that is who healed the bird. Her parents brush it off as imagination until Sara prays for a friend who is also inexplicably healed from paralysis. After the media broadcasts these events, Sara becomes an overnight sensation as more people come to her for healing...and her life takes a bewildering twist that puzzles everyone. The town is torn as some claim they also see Jesus with Sara, and others see nothing. Lives are changed as events continue to unfold.

My Review: A well told story about the power of faith and how one little girl displayed pure faith and trust in action. Luke 17:6 says, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed," the Lord said, "you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." Sara takes those words literally and never doubts that Jesus will answer her prayers. The unfolding drama surrounding the healings, others who were also able to see Jesus, and the mysterious illness involving Sara cause each character in the book to examine his or her own personal faith. Lives are forever changed by decisions made.

The preface of the book, written by original story teller G.M. Mercier, says actual events that sparked the idea that eventually became the "The Mustard Seed." This novelization moves along at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged. It wasn't a 5 star book for me, but it was very good.

I received a digital copy of this book at no cost to myself for review purposes from BuzzPlant. They are also offering a digital download to one of my readers. Comment before April 1st to be eligible for the drawing.

Visit themustardseedbook.com to get more information.

"I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Mark 10:15

Room For Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Room For Hope is a stand alone novel from best selling author Kim Vogel Sawyer. Neva Shilling is a devoted wife and mother of 14 year old twins who willingly devotes her time to taking care of their family business during her husband's trips to other communities to sell items from his wagon and get supplies to replenish their store, Shilling Mercantile. Despite the hardships brought on by the Depression, he is able to bring luxuries home for the family and is always home in time to take care of the paperwork, place orders, and spend time with his family.

As she and the twins are preparing supper for Warren's return from his latest business trip, they hear a wagon pulling up. She is stunned when a deputy explains to her that Warren and his wife have both passed away, and that Warren's final instructions were for their 3 young children to be raised by "Aunt Neva." An orphan herself, she can't make them go to an orphanage, but can she daily face the evidence of her husband's deceit...and protect her family from the shame of Warren's betrayal? 

 

Based on true events from Sawyer’s family history, Room for Hope is a beautiful story of God’s powerful redemptive work in the midst of struggle, betrayal, and heartbreak.

 

My Review: I always enjoy Kim's books, but there was just something special about this one that drew me in from the beginning and held my interest captive. Times and attitudes have changed over the past 80 years, and I appreciated that she was not presenting a story through modern eyes, but kept in character with reactions that would be typical of the 1930s. Neva was also a strong woman of great character who wanted to do the "right" thing, but did some more out of obedience rather than genuine love. A great reminder that obeying God, even when you don't feel like it, can and will create a change of heart when you allow Him to mold it despite your own stubbornness and pride. Her twins reflected more extreme attitudes with Belle being accepting and willing to love and Bud being angry and resentful about the changes in their life.

The characters evolved along the way and not everyone changed along a predictable pattern. Several times throughout the book, I would think, "No, that's not the direction you should be heading!", but the added layers and changing attitudes were exactly what the book needed. A wise reminder that people can change and that things are not always what they seem. The characters also became people I cared about and I hated to come to the end of the book. The end was satisfying, but I was still left thinking, "What happened next? Tell me more!"

I highly recommend this book to lovers of both historical fiction and those who love to see lives transformed when surrendered to God.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my participation in the blog tour by WaterBrook-Multnomah.

GIVEAWAY: Two readers (USA & Canada only) can win copies of Room For Hope by leaving a comment. Deadline to enter is Midnight, Sunday, March 6, 2016.

A Refuge at Highland Hall

Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of  chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.

As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again? (Amazon)

Read a chapter

My Review: Another satisfying story of romance and and action filled with charming characters and historical details. Set within the backdrop of World World One. This time the main character is Kate's younger sister Penny and an old family friend of Jon's, Alex Goodwin. Penny is visiting her pregnant sister to help Kate take care of 8 orphaned children she and Jonathan are caring for when she meets young RAF pilot, Alex Goodwin. The two have an instant attraction but are soon separated: Alex is assigned to protect England from the Zeppelins that are bombarding London. Due to the danger, Kate, Penny, the children, and servants are all sent to live at Highland Hall. 

Due to the distance separating them, their romance develops throughout a series of letters, until a tragedy sends Alex back to England. As he struggles to face his new normal, will he risk developing a closer relationship with Penny? Letters are also an essential part of another blossoming romance that seems doomed to failure. To be honest, I found myself more drawn to this story and wanting to learn more.

This is Book 3 in the Edwardian Brides series, and it was good to revisit familiar characters. (Reading the first two books is not essential, but I do recommend them.) This one did not hold my attention quite as much, but is still a very enjoyable book. I think there were just too many other story lines that I wanted to have more details about...and I really can't complain because Turansky left me wanting more; I consider it to be a mark of a very skilled story-teller.

I received this book at no cost to myself from Waterbrook-Multnomah's Blogging For Books program. I was only required to write an honest review.