The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel - A Book Review

   

It is nice to know that midst all of the craziness, 2020 still has some special treasures to offer; The Book of Lost Names being one of them. This is my favorite book of the year thus far, and it will be difficult to unseat. Kristen Harmel fully emerges her readers in the life of Eva Traube, graduate student turned forger for the French Resistance. We get a glimpse of Eva's life as an eighty-six-year-old librarian in Florida, but most of the story takes place in the early 1940s in France. The book is well-researched, well-written, and quite emotional. I give it my highest recommendation, and am grateful to have received a copy from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church by R. Albert Mohler Jr. - A Book Review

   

In this book R. Albert Mohler Jr. clearly lays out the current situation in the United States of America, and to some degree in Canada and Europe, as well as how we got here. He does this from a Christian world view. He traces the trajectory and takes it into our possible future, explaining the dangers that lie ahead. Mohler addresses the topics of human life, marriage, family, gender, sexuality, and religious liberty. He addresses each from the basis of Scripture and historical facts, and draws logical conclusions. While many of these might leave the Christian reader with concerns, Mohler reminds us that concerns need not turn to worry; that we must remember in whom we have faith, and in whom our hope lies. We live in a fallen world, but greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world. Our hope is not in the next election cycle or in the next Supreme Court appointment. Our hope is our confidence in Christ, not in this world, but the world to come. This said, he also reminds us that of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love, not a sentimental love, but a substantial love that we must show to our Christian brother and sister as well as our neighbors both near and far. Above all, we must love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind because it is through this we can love others well. Mohler ends his final chapter by reminding us that the gathering storm is real, and we must see it for what it is, but that Jesus Christ is Lord, and He promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail over His church. I am very glad to have received a copy of The Gathering Storm in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation. I very highly recommend it, and especially to parents and grandparents as we must think of the legacy we are leaving four future generations.

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere - A Book Review

  

Line by Line takes place in London, England in 1881 and centers around the life of career woman Alice McNeil. Alice long since dismissed the idea of marriage and family and embraced the idea of independence. She strove to make her way in the world of business as a telegrapher. At twenty-eight she believed her trek to spinsterhood was well on course, and was proud of her accomplishments, feeling as if she had been set upon this course of life at the age of twelve by her schoolmistress, Miss Templeton, also a lady of independence. Never had Alice felt like anything or anyone could derail her from the path she had chosen to travel, especially not after receiving a position at Henley and Company, a prospering shipping firm. That was before an unexpected book purchase began to have equally unexpected results! Delamere entertains her readers with humor, but also challenges them to examine their priorities. Fans of Jen Turano's and Lorna Seilstad's historical fiction are likely to be fans of Delemere's new series, Love Along the Wires.  I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks - A Book Review

  

This book has suspense with lots of twists and turns, a perfect family (if you mean perfectly dysfunctional), a hurricane targeting a private island, and a budding romance. I read it in two days because I literally walked around from task to task with the book in my hands. This is a book that really needs to be made into a movie with a screenplay that remains as close as possible to the original story. I will certainly be looking for more books by this talented author. I am grateful to have received a copy of Relative Silence from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber - A Book Review

   

Debbie Macomber wrote A Walk Along the Beach in honor of her dearest friend who died of cancer. It tells the story of two sisters, one diagnosed with cancer, the other fighting alongside her. The book demonstrates appreciation for The American Cancer Society and the physicians who battle this cruel disease. The topic is an emotional one, and the book both difficult and therapeutic. It wasn't written for the reader wishing to escape reality, but for the one who wants to walk hand in hand with those facing the beast.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes - A Book Review

    

Amanda Dykes' writing has a depth to it that one doesn't often encounter in today's contemporary fiction. It is special; it touches a part of one's heart and soul that is reserved for literature by classic authors such as Austin and Lewis. Set the Stars Alight is made up of stories leading to new stories, one the Greatest Story every told. While the reader knows a bit about where the story is leading, there are unexpected events all along the way. Once the end of the story is reached, one is likely to want to reread it right away knowing what they now know, to peek into the stories with a different lens. I most highly recommend Set the Stars Alight; once you meet this lost boy and matchstick girl and walk their path, you will be recommending it to your friends as well. I am grateful to have received a copy from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Love's Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller - A Book Review

   

Love's Mountain Quest is the second book in Misty Beller's Hearts of Montana series. As often happens in series the main characters had been secondary characters in the first book. Joanna Watson is a widow with a young, high-spirited son, a single-mother trying to earn a living and make a home. Isaac Bowen assisted her on her journey to Settler's Fort after her husband's death. He is a quiet mountain man with a past. Together they must search for Joanna's missing son and friend. Beller tells the story of how their relationship changes during this quest while also following the harrowing tale of the kidnapped son and friend. I loved the plot, the action, the character development, the sensory images, and the inspirational message. I must admit however, that each time the characters mentioned feeling comfortable or confident in their own skin, I cringed just a bit due to what seemed out-of-era language. This would not keep me from recommending this book though; I thought it was a wonderful read, and am looking forward to the third book. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.