Tag Archives: Christian fiction

Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Lewis

08 Saturday Dec 2018

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I received a copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan through BookLook Bloggers.

 

After hearing some ladies in Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club discussing Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I knew I would enjoy it. A new friend of mine and I decided to read it, so I eagerly selected it as my first choice after joining BookLook. This historical fiction novel broadened my knowledge of C.S. Lewis, introduced me to his wife Joy and did not disappoint.

As Joy points out everything starts with words and acknowledges even the bible shares this truth, and her deep friendship with C.S. Lewis, who goes by Jack, begins no differently. She seeks his advice as a new Christian convert, and their letter writing turns into a regular correspondence and later a personal friendship. As a Christian unsure of how to trust God amidst difficult circumstances at home, Joy captures a feeling many have experienced to some extent. She feels lost and unsure how to move forward while still honoring God’s expectations for her. Of course she also desires to feel loved and understood. Both Joy and Jack find a depth to their friendship than broadens their understanding of theology, themselves and life. This grounds their work together as well as the family they ultimately bond.

This story delivers all I anticipated for a good novel about a historical figure who I wanted to know more. The inclusions of letters throughout the narrative gives it a personal feel, and that matches the closeness Jack and Joy feel to each other as they become best friends and work partners on books. Joy’s backstory gives a good understanding of her life and allows me to empathize with her plights. She makes a relatable character, and I find myself dreaming of going to England for some healing and writing inspiration myself. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live in England during that time, as Lewis regularly meets with Tolkien (Tollers to his friends) and other notable writers and periodically meets with Sayers, not to mention share his literature knowledge at Oxford and Cambridge. I would love to spend a day amongst such great minds! This book gives me a glimpse into two very neat lives and makes me appreciate their writing contributions.

 

I recommend this book to anyone interested in C.S. Lewis. The writing might not hold the same level as Lewis’s, but the story does have depth that can add to your knowledge bank on such a neat figure. This isn’t my first read revolving around Lewis’s work, and it certainly won’t be the last.

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Book Review: The Sound of Rain

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

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I received a copy of Sarah Loudin Thomas’s The Sound of Rain from Bethany House in exchange for a review.

This novel follows a similar structure and theme as numerous other Christian historical fiction stories. While that makes it comforting to follow Judd and Larkin as they both move toward facing fears in their life to find and follow God’s purpose for their lives, it hits the mark sometimes. Part of this might come from the biggest transformation happening in a secondary character when you expect the protagonists to experience the most growth. Larkin’s father serves as both an obstacle to Larkin pursuing her dreams due to his anger and disapproval as well as the person who overcomes those obstacles. His experience indicates a significant change whereas Larkin’s seems more like a revelation. She and Judd both do overcome real obstacles and face difficulties, but they don’t come across as the strong focus.

Despite the sometimes confusing plot structure, the situations still hold relatable content and good lessons. Trust, fear and understanding all play out as the characters struggle to relate to each other while pursuing their direction. Ultimately, the cast demonstrates a tangible hope for reconciliation and healing.

 

 

If you enjoy reading books that have holiday scenes this time of year, this book has a Thanksgiving scene, a Christmas morning and a November wedding. Yet it doesn’t exclusively take place during that time. It gives a nice taste of the holiday spirit without being a Christmas themed story.

Book Review: Doon

20 Tuesday Nov 2018

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I now have had my second experience with the Brig o’ Doon, and I must say I have enjoyed this young adult retelling much more than the movie my college roommates and I watched years ago. This magical twist on time travel and fantasy makes for a fun adventure and of course includes plenty of romance. It even adds a thoughtful layer of faith and community.

As best friends Mackenna and Veronica find themselves crossing the mythical Brig o’ Doon and entering Doon’s kingdom during their trip to Scotland, they find themselves on an adventure much different than they imagined. They stick together to contribute to the community and ultimately to save it. Along the way, they learn how to deepen their faith in what will unfold for their fates as well as that of Doon and to trust each other. We see that sharing burdens of truth and uncertainty makes it easier to handle situations than facing them completely alone, as Veronica does in a prideful attempt to protect her friends. The strength of friendship and community ultimately wins the day.

Between the unique people and kingdom, the general sense of adventure and unique way to look at faith, I have enjoyed my trip to Doon. I look forward to continuing the series to read what happens next. I’m also curious to check out the source material. Though the movie I’ve seen has generally low reviews, the TV special with Robert Goulet has positive ones. Here’s to the next adventure having singing and dancing!

Book Review: Pelican Point, A Hope Harbor Novel

11 Sunday Nov 2018

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I received a copy of Pelican Point by Irene Hannon from Revell in exchange for a review.

Reading Pelican Point gave me the uplifting book boost I sought after reading and watching a few heavier stories. This sweet small town romance provides a fun story and encouragement for moving through life’s tougher situations. Though this book comes as the fourth in the Hope Harbor series, it makes sense as a stand alone novel. I fell right into step with the residents in town as I followed army doctor Ben there as he returned for his grandfather’s funeral. He and the other characters each face decisions on how to best move forward after loss, moves, and career changes. As they forge friendships and open themselves to possibilities, they find themselves improving their situations and relationships.

As many of us cue up the feel good Hallmark Christmas movies, I equate this with a similar style story. This does not involve Christmas, but it does end with a November wedding. So I say the timing for my reading could not have been better. Like the characters, I face decisions of how to move forward with my career, school and long term living situation. This story reminds me we all face difficult decisions but don’t have to do so alone. In this case, everyone gains confidence as they work together to save a lighthouse. The town coming together as a community to save a community landmark emphasizes the importance of a support network and connection to the world around you. With a little extra encouragement, we can pursue our potential. Sometimes what we need stands within our reach and we simply need to get out and open ourselves to the possibility.

 

This is my first Irene Hannon book, but it definitely won’t be the last. I’d like to go back and read the others in this series and look forward to the fifth releasing next year. As a Missouri native, I enjoyed the tid bit about her attending universities in Missouri and living there. I also found it interesting she chose a town in Oregon not far from where my brother lives and included a character transplanted from Texas, my last state residence. I look forward to returning to Hope Harbor to visit these characters again.

Book Review: Out of the Ashes

04 Sunday Nov 2018

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I received Out of the Ashes: The Heart of Alaska-Book Two by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House in exchange for a review.

This book packs depth and weight of numerous issues while still possessing a strong hope. Though taking place nearly a hundred years ago, the issues resemble common issues today. Katherine becomes a widow and has to deal with the trauma of her husband’s physical and verbal abuse, and Jean-Michel grapples with lingering haunting memories of his time at war in Syria. These lovers find their way back to each other, unsure of how to move forward with their lives and how or who they can trust. During their stay in Alaska, they find new hope as they put their faith in the Lord.

I find it refreshing to see characters new in faith. It shows an honesty in wanting to learn the right way to navigate life, a quest that continues long after that initial decision to follow. I also appreciate that it shows the depth to the difficulties these characters experienced. Their minds have altered due to their trauma, and the reality revolves around a complex healing. While clearly their faith lead to healing, the book shows that their journey holds more complexity than a simple realization.

Not only did the protagonists at the heart of the story and the romance show realistic experiences through authentic characters, the secondary players all provide round out insight into progressing life skills and developing friendships. Katherine makes friends with pregnant Cassidy as she sits on bed rest and Jean-Michel’s sister Collette, and the girls make a nice trio of support. Cassidy’s boss in the hotel kitchen provides some humor as well. This story makes a well rounded and insightful book. I have enjoyed getting an extra dose of hope through these characters’ lives and relatable earnest desire to move forward as best they can despite difficulties.

 

This books marks the second I’ve read by Tracie Peterson, Beloved Hope the first.  Both books come from a series and aren’t the first but can make sense read alone. Now I will keep Peterson on my radar as she seems to write characters who deal with trauma and handles it with authenticity, insight and hope. I recommend her stories from what I’ve read so far.

Book Review: A Borrowed Dream

18 Thursday Oct 2018

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I received a copy of A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot from Revell in exchange for a review.

 

Amanda Cabot shines her love of Texas Hill Country in her book, and her characters find a happy home there. As Austin and his daughter Hannah, and later cousin Grace, move to Catherine’s hometown, family ties develop and deepen. The small town creates a community feel, and Catherine’s connections to it as its teacher make her a good focal point. She both leads the children in knowledge and wisdom and develops her own as she journeys through the mourning period after her mother dies. Throughout the story, themes of forgiveness and trust abound. Cabot captures well the depth of the trials and hurts the characters experience. They experience realistic pain as well as healing.

Some of the painful experiences remind readers of their true depth. When Austin tends to a medical need, he reflects that his physician profession gave him the knowledge to identify internal injuries beyond the physical ones seen by the average person. This emphasizes a need for deeper healing on the part of the patient and understanding on the part of the community of caregivers. Other experiences remind readers of the importance of forgiving and speaking pain. Grace extends forgiveness to the perpetrator of her assault, but Catherine reminds her that by not sharing her story with the sheriff the perpetrator might strike again. Sharing the truth with Catherine allowed Grace to continue healing as she dealt with her turmoil rather than stuffed it. It also helped others stay safe. As this novel explores, a person’s painful experiences have a much greater depth than what the eye beholds. Healing must go deep, and it involves sharing and voicing the struggle with a trusted confidant.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. As I got further into it, I found myself attracted to it more, not wanting to put the book down and contemplating it while not reading. Though the characters hold an authenticity and their experiences seem realistic, it almost had too many situations during the last quarter. Perhaps removing one would have allowed greater exploration of a couple of the issues. As it stood though, I still appreciated the attention given to their depth. I enjoyed the characters and their stories, and I appreciated the overarching themes of healing and peace.

Book Review: The Theory of Happily Ever After

08 Monday Oct 2018

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I received a copy of The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck from Revell in exchange for a review.

This story aims to resemble a Hallmark Channel movie, but it gets a little more convoluted with its references to Dr. Maggie Maguire’s science background. If you simply board the story as the characters do the cruise and go along with it, it has the makings of a romantic comedy. It even attempts to add some depth with contemplations of happiness and relationships, but the friends’ arguments get confusing for what the prevailing lesson should be. At least the ultimate lesson of opening up yourself to find God’s purpose for you rather than your friends’ or parents’ and to accept love and happiness remains mostly clear. Generally speaking, this book tries too hard to attain a sweetness and ends up bordering cheese. The Hallmark Channel does this more successfully in their simple, sweet movies.

Book Review: The Proving

15 Tuesday May 2018

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I received a copy of The Proving by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House in exchange for a review.

I have enjoyed my second Beverly Lewis book. While the people may be plain and the storyline fairly simple, it carries a relatability to it. Amanda moves away from her family after a disappointment and lives among the Englishers but ends up moving back after her mother passes away and leaves the family Bed and Breakfast to her. Amanda goes back thinking she will fulfill her mother’s wishes to stay for a year then collect the money and return to her new life. However, she ends up finding out that the people she left behind may welcome her back.

It feels nice to imagine the setting of the Amish inn. I wish I could get away and spend a weekend there as well and meet Amanda and the other sweet characters from the story. Amanda’s internal struggle to forgive herself, forgive her twin sister and accept forgiveness from her sister holds a universal message of grace and the importance of family. It also shows that tensions exist in all kinds of all families but they can be overcome if the people involved demonstrate a willingness to show grace and communicate. As a young person, Amanda also grapples with choosing her path for her future as she decides where she wants to live, what career she wants to pursue and if she wants to have a marriage and family. These choices also remind readers that we all have decisions to make and paths to follow and that no one stands alone in moving forward. Amanda and her new friend who visits the inn show a lot of angles on progressing through life with hope.

I enjoy this book and Beverly Lewis. I recommend it as a fairly light read for a peaceful setting and hope for life’s common choices and struggles.

Book Review: The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

09 Wednesday May 2018

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I received a copy of The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review.

The Two of Us follows a modern, female centric story revolving around faith. While at times almost cliché, it does have a heart. Mia proves an admirable protagonist who struggles with finding direction in her life and trusting God to provide what she wants after she’s been burned a couple times. Yet, despite these troubles, she does hold to her faith as she honestly shares her disappointments, fears and doubts with God. She also stands on her faith and values even when doing so means losing a person or situation she wants. Specifically with sex outside marriage, this book shows multiple angles on how people struggle to uphold their value or who do fall but get back on track with grace. Mia and her sister Lucy show this balance in their lives; Mia starts off the story with a broken heart after her engagement breaks due to her standing her ground to maintain her virginity, and Mia’s younger sister Lucy starts out getting married because she got pregnant due to not waiting for marriage. Over the course of the story, the sisters support each other as each struggles to trust God for his provision and guidance as they choose careers and develop relationships.

I enjoyed this story that somehow felt lighthearted even though it held some weight in its content. I appreciated the characters and their authenticity in not only their struggles but their trust and hope to overcome them with faith and trust. The situations were realistic and relatable, making it easy to apply the sisters’ lessons to my own life, whether relating to choosing my next steps for career like Mia or trusting God to guide me in another area of my life. I liked that Bylin wrote imperfect characters who stood rooted in their faith, authentically shared their doubts and who gracefully failed yet continued on their paths.

Book Review: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

25 Wednesday Apr 2018

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I received a copy of The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher from Revell in exchange for a review.

The Return, Suzanne Woods Fisher’s third installment in her Amish Beginnings series, gives readers a glimpse into prerevolutionary life in Pennsylvania through a story inspired by true events. The female leads Betsy Zook and Tessa Bauer give a real sense of the tough situations of the time and a timeless rawness for difficult circumstances. They face loss of family, fear for their lives, relationship choices and more. As they endure their hardships, they become stronger women.

I enjoyed this story and its history. I learned a lot about the time period and people represented in this book and appreciated the new knowledge. Some of the relationship strains between groups of people resembled ones we see now, which gave the story an added layer for lessons learned from history.