When the Avalanche Roared by Lauralee Bliss - A Book Review

  

When the Avalanche Roared is the latest installment in Barbour Publishing's A Day To Remember series featuring historic North American disasters. This fictionalized account of the 1910 Wellington, Washington avalanche that killed ninety-six people sticks closely to the historical record of the event. While some books in this series jump right into the disaster, this one uses the first ten chapters to develop the fictional story of Lillian and Griffin. This author's writing style is simple and straightforward, however she is still adept at character and scene development. The plot is believable and flows smoothly. Although the negative impact of such a horrific disaster is not minimized, the good that comes from people coming together to support the community and one another softens that impact in the story.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of When the Avalanche Roared from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan - A Book Review

  

 This story of French resistance workers aiding downed Allied airmen to get out of occupied France and ultimately back into the air by using their connections to the Maison de Ballard fashion house as cover is extremely well written. It is emotionally charged in a way that invites readers to exist in 1940s France. It is a story of sacrifice and redemption, a story of seeing past false realities and seeking to embrace truth, truth about others as well as oneself. Readers will likely feel led to examine some of their own choices and reflect on their personal growth, to let go of the past, and to seek a brighter future.

While The Last Fashion House in Paris works well as a stand-alone read, fans of Renee Ryan will be thrilled to be reconnected to characters from a couple of her previous novels. AS this story is following up one book and running concurrently with another, it is very interesting to connect the dots between them. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Last Fashion House in Paris from Love Inspired via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

  

The Seaside Homecoming is the third book in Julie Klassen's On Devonshire Shores series. The books are best read in sequence as the character development is shaped over time leading up to this book that actually takes us back to the sister that started it all. Claire, the oldest Summers sister, saw her opportunities for marriage slipping by two years prior to the events in this book. That led her to making some unwise decisions that not only impacted her life, but the life of each member of her immediate family. While the initial impacts may have all been difficult, Klassen uses this family's story to show that God can work all things for good. She has also crafted a story of forgiveness, forgiveness that is easily and freely given, and forgiveness that slowly develops with time and effort. In addition to these deep and meaningful themes, Klassen livens the family's story with thoughtful acts of kindness, sweet romance, a touch of mystery, along with the possibility of spies operating among them.

The Seaside Homecoming is a delightful read for those who have followed this story from the beginning. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma - A Book Review

   

What I Left for You is a dual timeline story centered around the history of the Lemko people.

At the time of WWII, Lemkovyna may have been within the border of Poland, but its people had a history, language, and traditions all of their own. In telling the story of Helena Kostyszak, a strong, educated Lemko woman, who rescued her friend's baby from Poland's ghetto intending to raise her as her own, and Helena's descendant's quest to locate this daughter decades later, Tolsma is able to tenderly tell the story of the Lemko people. Learning about a culture of which I was totally unfamiliar both within the story and the author's notes was very engaging. Within the historical and contemporary storylines, Tolsma leads two of her main characters into an understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with God, that while not preventing one from experiencing hard times, allows Him to walk through those times with you, supporting you as you surrender to His will and timing.

While the storylines are intertwined, and both are well-written, the characters in the WWII era story are by far my favorite. While reading, I wondered if they might also be the author's favorites. It would be most difficult to not both sympathize and empathize with Helena and her immediate family, where as her great granddaughter, McKenna, sounds self-absorbed one minute and compassionate the next. Fortunately, her best friend, Taylor, goes with the flow and pulls McKenna from the brink on a regular basis. The contemporary story lacks a bit of realism as it is doubtful that Taylor's job as a social worker would pay for a month in Poland and hiring someone to assist in the search for her grandmother's sister, but as harrowing as it was, the historical storyline felt very real.

I recommend What I Left for You and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Taken at Christmas by Jodie Bailey - A Book Review

  

This quick read is perfect for this time of year with a Christmas setting and a length that is manageable amid the holiday rush. Readers will be easily sucked into the story because who can't empathize with a mom whose child is threatened and in danger. Fortunately, Mia Galloway has a great support system in place, including her late husband's best friend and his coworkers at Trinity Investigations. Even with that, Mia continues to wrestle with PTSD following her husband's murder. The situation unfolding this holiday season is almost more than she can bear. The author does a wonderful job of demonstrating how Mia's relationship with Christ, while fraught with anger over her husband's death, is essential in aiding her to cope and to hang on to her sanity. The story is realistic and addresses mental health issues from trauma and unrealized expectations. Unfortunately, for the most part, it is actually something that one would not be surprised to see play out on the evening news.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Taken at Christmas from Love Inspired via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A Million Little Miracles Study Guide by Mark Batterson - A Book Review

  

For those of you who read my review of A Million Little Miracles, you are aware of my giving it five stars. I found the accompanying Study Guide underwhelming, with the exception of the Study God's Word sections. I did appreciate how they tied important concepts back to Scripture. The questions generally didn't cause me to wrestle with anything, only to briefly give the subject more thought time. Possibly, if used in a small group rather than independently, discussion with others would create the need to go deeper.

While some may find this additional content quite valuable, it certainly isn't essential in order to get great benefit from reading the main text. I purchased four copies of the main text to give as gifts. I did not purchase additional study guides. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Million Little Miracles Study Guide from Multnomah via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson - A Book Review

    

Before I had even finished the first chapter, I pre-ordered four copies of A Million Little Miracles. I had already been telling my husband we needed to pre-order before I finished the preface. In A Million Little Miracles, Batterson helps readers become more aware of little miracles that we typically take for granted each and every day. He helps us to be more sensitive to how big, close, and good God truly is, and thus how important our attention to our relationship with Him truly is. He helps us to gain, or regain, our since of awe in the God we worship.

A Million Little Miracles is an uplifting book for those who have been a Christian for a long time and may have become desensitized to God's presence in our daily lives due to long-time familiarity . It is also uplifting to those who are new to the faith and are just building that most important relationship. This book will be a great personal purchase, and a great gift purchase for friends and family at all stages of their Christian walk.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Multnomah via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.