Tennessee Christian Reader

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Thu, 04 May 2023 23:53:00 +0000

From the back cover: “If all the word’s a stage, Jacci will play her part. She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy.”

Review: The action starts in 1881, when a man attempts to kidnap Jacci from the Mary Ellen, a river boat where her mother, Irena, works as a maid. Irena pulls out a gun in self-defense. The man stabs her. Jacci gets ahold of the gun and shoots the man. They manage to get off the Mary Ellen onto The Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat which just happened to be docked next to the Mary Ellen. Irena dies a few days later. The man Jacci thinks is her father is a riverboat gambler. So Jacci ends up in the care of her grandfather, an actor aboard the showboat. Jacci is traumatized by the shooting and the death of her mother. And it will haunt her forever.

Fifteen years later, in 1896, Jacci and Tyrone, her grandfather, are still aboard the Palace, where they entertain crowds at river ports. Jacci considers the Kingston family as her own, including Gabe, who is like a brother to her. But, what Jacci doesn’t know about her personal history comes calling at one of their shows.

Jacci finds out that Irena was not her real mother. And the person she thought was her father, Kelly Reed? Not her father. I’m not giving away the whole story, but Jacci’s birth mother is the wife of a prominent politician. He’ll go to any lengths to protect his reputation, including hiring shady characters to kidnap little girls.

The drama builds when Jacci’s real mother and her husband attend a show on The Palace. Ann Gabhart is very good at building drama. And there’s also Jacci’s love story along with the danger and suspense. I couldn’t put the book down as the story came to a close. It’s a great read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book compliments of the author and Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Apostle's Sister by Angela Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 00:49:00 +0000

From the back cover:

“She's always longed for more, but what if the path she's chosen requires more than she's willing to give?

Aya, daughter of Zebulun of Tarsus, does not want a traditional life. After years of being overshadowed by her brilliant brother Sha'ul, she wants a chance to use her own gifts beyond being a wife and mother. When her father insists that she marry a Torah student, she reluctantly agrees.

A dedicated scholar, Sha'ul, or Paul, returns to Tarsus to follow the instructions of the Law and wed the woman his father has chosen to raise his profile and help him earn a seat on the Great Sanhedrin--the highest religious court in the land. But when the Nazarene, Yeshua, and his followers bring trouble to the Holy City, Sha'ul will stop at nothing to silence them.

After moving to Jerusalem with her husband, Aya expects to be bored in her role as wife to a Torah student. Instead, she finds herself fascinated by his studies. Then her brother makes a life-altering decision, and she must face a troubling question: Can she remain true to her beliefs and still love her blasphemous brother?”

Aya is the sister of Paul (Saul) of Tarsus, the man to whom Jesus appeared on the road to Damascus. Before this experience, Paul was a student of Gamaliel, one of the most respected teachers of God’s law in Jerusalem. Aya’s a faithful Jewish woman. Her husband was a student of the Torah before an accident took him from her. A widow with a toddler didn’t have an easy time of it in those days. Yet, she manages to raise her son so that he can follow in his father’s footsteps.

The point of view switches from Aya to Sha'ul (Paul) frequently. After Paul’s conversion to Christ, He and Aya don’t get along very well. She doesn’t hear from him much because he travels a lot. But he tries to get back to Jerusalem to check on her periodically. I won’t spoil the story by telling you how it turns out. I recommend you read it yourself. It’s a great book.

Why do I think it’s so good? Because Biblical fiction makes me think about things I’ve never thought about before. And Angela Hunt is an accomplished fiction writer who knows how to weave a story. I never knew Paul had a sister, but she’s mentioned in the Bible. In fact, the fiction is skillfully mixed with the Biblical narrative. If you have questions about this aspect, most questions that occurred to me are answered in the Author’s Note at the end of the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book compliments of the author and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 04 May 2022 00:16:00 +0000

Just when I think Ann Gabhart has reached her peak, she exceeds my expectations! This is a wonderful story, set in the 1920s or thereabouts. Dirk Meadows, disfigured in a fire years ago, prefers to be alone. He’s been to college and writes for magazines in addition to taking care of the farm.

But, when he learns that Rose, his brother’s widow (whom he barely knows), is in a sanitarium with tuberculosis, he wants to take her in. He also finds out his nieces, Calla and Sienna, are in an orphanage. He’s determined to bring them all to Meadowland, his family farm. But, he doesn’t want to give up his privacy.

Dirk was injured and scarred in the fire, but his heart was also wounded by a girlfriend whom he intended to marry. She disappeared after the fire because her father didn’t want her to marry Dirk. At least that’s what Dirk had always thought. The promotional material for the book says he “guards his heart from being hurt.”

Because he’s spent years as a recluse, he has trouble adjusting to having the women around his house. He tries to avoid them, but first one and then a second one, and finally the third one win his heart. And the mystery about how the fire started and what happened to his old girlfriend is solved.

Like I said, it’s a great story. I highly recommend it.

#WhenTheMeadowBlooms

Check it out on Ann's website: https://www.annhgabhart.com/books/when-the-meadow-blooms/

Along a Storied Trail by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 31 May 2021 23:21:00 +0000

Tansy Calhoun is a packhorse librarian in the eastern Kentucky mountains. During the Great Depression, the U. S. government instituted programs to help people deal with the economic downturn. Packhorse librarians were paid to carry books to people in remote areas. This program didn’t just help the librarians support their families. It also contributed to the education of their “customers.”

As Tansy made her rounds, she got involved in the lives of the people she served. She knew her books and was able to match books and readers well. She had plenty of family, but her father had left home to look for work, and they had not heard from him for months.

Mountain folks were in the habit of taking in people who were down on their luck. It was the Christian thing to do, after all. One of Tansy's customers, Perdita (Perdie) Sweet, a crusty old soul, allowed Cora Lee Embry to live with her after Cora Lee’s father kicked her out of his home. She was pregnant, and her boyfriend deserted her. Then Perdie’s house burned, and Tansy’s family welcomed Perdie and Cora Lee into their home.

In Along a Storied Trail, there’s danger (house fire, thunderstorm, flash flood), romance, and plenty of hill-country wisdom and humor. Tansy has plenty of love interest in Caleb, whom she’s known all her life. But there’s also Damien Felding, a government-sponsored writer who came to the area to write about possible tourist destinations in the mountains and folk stories of the area. Tansy’s younger brother is interested in helping Cora Lee with her dilemma. And Perdie, in her youth, had been interested in Hiram (who married someone else but was now widowed). Hiram is still lives nearby, and there’s love in the air.

The author uses a lot of country sayings in her description and dialog. An example is: “Caleb hadn’t planned to ride over to Tansy’s house until Sunday, but he was too eager to have her in front of his eyes again to wait.” I felt like I was right there with the characters as they dealt with their challenges. This is a great story in which you learn how tough it was for people during the Depression as well as how the government programs affected them.

Learn more about the book and read a sample here.

Photo by Emily Akin

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:50:00 +0000

Ann Gabhart outdoes herself in this wonderful story about society women volunteers who spend the summer working with the frontier nursing service in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky in 1933. The stock market crash of 1929 had bankrupted many “society” families. Piper Danson’s family had come through pretty well, but Jamie Russell’s parents had lost everything. Jamie and Piper had been friends since childhood. She had feelings for Jamie, but Piper’s father had “contracted” for her to marry the wealthy Braxton Crandall, a man she hardly knew.

The story starts with Piper’s debut party in Louisville. She had volunteered to spend the summer caring for the horses and being a courier for the frontier nursing service. Mrs. Breckinridge, a society woman herself, sponsored the service. She often visited the cities in Kentucky to recruit workers for the service. From their headquarters in the mountains, the nurses traveled on horseback to meet the medical needs of the mountain residents. They treated injuries, delivered babies, and offered other health services.

There was one doctor at the center, Dr. Jack. Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Piper’s maiden aunt Truda, with whom she was very close, had met Dr. Jack many years ago. She had been impressed with him (and he with her), but they had met only once.

Mrs. Breckenridge had invited Louisville society folks to visit the center to see the operation and consider donations. Piper's at the center doing her volunteer work. Then Braxton shows up. Aunt Truda comes to visit. And---Jamie comes to stay a while to do a story on the nursing service. So---we have the Piper-Jamie-Braxton love triangle and the suggestion that Aunt Truda and Dr. Jack may have had feelings for one another.That's all I'm going to tell you.

I have always admired Ann Gabhart’s ability to make me feel like I’m present in the story. I can almost feel the mountain breeze. I see the rough mountain trails that the nurses and couriers must travel to do their duty. I feel like I’m there with them.

I enjoyed this story so much. Society girls learn the value of simple things, see how the less fortunate live, and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. Will Piper choose Jamie or Braxton? What about Aunt Truda and Dr. Jack? Experience life in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky in the 1930s. Read An Appalachian Summer!

Links:

Sample: https://www.annhgabhart.com/books/an-appalachian-summer/

Amazon listing

Check out the author bio and author interview (or buy the book) at this link.

Photo source: https://www.annhgabhart.com/

The Refuge by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 01:09:00 +0000

From the back cover: When Darcie and Walter Goodwin hear of a new cholera epidemic sweeping the area, they join the Shakers whose villages seem immune to the disease. It's meant to be a temporary stay, but Walter is killed in a riverboat accident. With no family and no money, Darcie has little choice but to stay with the Shakers. To complicate matters, she is expecting a baby conceived before she and her husband came to the Shaker village. Marital relationships are considered sinful in this celibate community, putting Darcie in a unique--and lonely--position. Can the arrival of widower Flynn Keller and his headstrong daughter offer Darcie the hope of happiness . . . and family?

My review:

Flynn Keller is a widower with a young daughter Leatrice. They live with his father-in-law, Silas, also a widower. Silas makes the mistake of marrying a gold-digging woman he doesn't know very well so that his granddaughter will have a woman's influence. And the men? They need someone to cook for them. The story gets extremely interesting from that point on. Flynn realizes Silas's wife has her sights on Flynn, too. He decides to sleep in the barn to avoid her. Eventually, he takes Leatrice to the Shakers temporarily so that she can learn to read. But this arrangement also gets Leatrice away from the bad female role model.

Ann Gabhart is a master writer, and this book is my favorite so far. I've enjoyed her Shaker books because I have visited Shakertown in central Kentucky and studied Shaker beliefs. Each character has a different reason for being with the Shakers as a resident or visitor. Every one of them comes alive, pulling you into the story so that it's hard to put the book down.

The reader learns a lot about Shaker customs. They would take in anyone in need. But all are expected to conform to the Shaker routine and beliefs. There are several "sisters," as the Shakers call all the women, who have come to Harmony Hill solely because they have no way to take care of themselves.

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:55:00 +0000

Adria Starr is a little girl orphaned by a cholera epidemic in 1833. She lives in Springfield, Kentucky, an area hit hard by the disease. Louis, a black slave, rescues Adria and buries all the people in town who died of cholera. Louis asked Ruth Harmon, who had lost her husband to cholera, to take Adria in. In the aftermath, a new preacher comes to town, a widower with a small daughter he left behind in the care of his sister.

Adria, Ruth, and the whole town try to pick up the pieces and go on regardless of their loss. Adria resents that Louis is a slave. She is an abolitionist at heart, but she dares not let others know. Most Springfield residents, including her supposed boyfriend, would not approve. When Louis' owner dies, Adria wants to raise the money to buy his freedom.

The new preacher attempts to help the town heal, but he's got some healing to do himself. Does he find another wife in the process? Does Adria succeed in giving Louis his freedom. Does she marry the boyfriend?

The 1833 cholera epidemic really happened. And there was a slave who gave up his chance at freedom to stay and bury all the dead. Ann Gabhart, a master at making history come alive in fiction, says this is how she imagined the story unfolding. It kept my attention from beginning to end.

Where We Belong by Lynn Austin

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:48:00 +0000

The back cover promo for this book says: "Join two Incomparable Sisters on Adventures That Span the Decades And Cross the Globe."

The blurb continues: “In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm." The story switches settings from Sinai to Chicago numerous times.

Lynn Austin often takes her inspiration for her novels from historical characters or events. The main characters, Flora and Rebecca Hawes, were inspired by Scottish sisters, Agnes and Margaret Smith. The Smith sisters were self-educated. In 1892, they discovered a copy of an ancient Biblical text, an early version of the Gospels, in a monastery in Sinai. Flora and Rebecca were wealthy socialites in Chicago. Though wealthy, they were more interested in adventures and education than in the requirements of genteel society.

Austin’s story begins with the sisters on their trip to Sinai in 1890. They were accompanied by Soren Peterson, their butler whom they had rescued from an orphanage and jail, plus Kate Rafferty, another orphan they were training to be a ladies’ maid. While coping with the dangers of the desert journey, the main characters have flashbacks of how they ended up in this situation. The book is lengthy, 470 pages, and I felt that the story was off to a slow start. At first, I couldn't keep up with the flashbacks, but, as I became more familiar with the characters, the flashbacks made sense. I admire the way Austin resolved the conflicts between the characters and engineered happy endings for all the characters.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, the Victorian era, and the role of women in society during that time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:30:00 +0000

This third book in the Heart of the Frontier series is just as good as the rest of them.
.
Mercy Flanagan is one of three sisters who survived the infamous Whitman Massacre, where Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa, along with eleven others, were killed by Cayuse Indians in Oregon territory. The oldest sister, Grace, has married and has children. Hope, who was raped by a Cayuse, has married a former Army officer. She still deals with the trauma of having a baby by her rapist, although she gave the baby girl up for adoption.

Mercy, the youngest, was not physically harmed by the raiders, but she witnessed horrors that no child should ever have to face. True to her name, Mercy harbors no resentment toward all Indians. In fact, she wants to find a way to help whites and natives make peace.

Eletta and Isaac, the couple who adopted Hope's daughter Faith, live in another settlement and send word that they need someone to help them. Eletta is not well and needs help caring for Faith. Since there's some news of warring tribes in the area, everyone expresses concerns about Mercy going there. But, she goes anyway. She meets Isaac's brother Adam, who wants to be a missionary to the Indians. He had attended Harvard and was engaged to the sister of one of his classmates---until it was revealed that he had Indian blood. The engagement was called off, and Adam left Harvard, coming west to help his brother at his mission. He likes Mercy, but he's reluctant to encourage her to like him.

The conflict between the whites and Indians gets worse, and Mercy ends up in a siege situation along with Adam and some others at the mission. It's a great story of faith, love, and forgiveness. Through faith, Mercy conquers her fear and anger over the massacre. She relies on God to guide her in difficult situations. Adam is the perfect partner for her, and she helps guide Hope to accepting Faith into the family.

I never heard of the Whitman massacre before I read this series. These books have made me want to know more about the relations between settlers and natives. So many mistakes on both sides. Again, I recommend this book and the other two in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 00:02:00 +0000

Set in rural eastern Kentucky mountains after WWII, this is a heartwarming story of a city girl who came to the hills to learn to be a nurse-midwife. That's not the only reason she fled to the hills, though. Francine (Fran), a Frontier Nursing Service trainee, was running away from an overbearing mother and a former sweetheart, Seth. He went off to war and came back with a British girlfriend.

Among the mountain families the nurses served was the family of Ben Locke, home from war and wondering what the future holds for a battlefield medic. His father died while he was off to war, and he felt an obligation to stay and take care of the family. But, he wanted to go to college on the GI Bill, too.

Francine met Ben under embarrassing circumstances, but they both felt the spark of attraction. The both thought they had little in common. Fran went home for a visit and found her mother as overbearing as ever and the old boyfriend jilted by the British woman. He wanted to get back together with Fran, but she couldn't wait to get back to the hills and the people she came to love.

Gabhart is a master of bringing the setting and characters to life. The mountain people in this story are colorful yet not stereotyped. I particularly liked Granny Em, the mountain healer, who took a liking to Fran in spite of herself. The Frontier Nursing Service still exists today. Take a look at https//frontier.edu if you are interested.

Do Ben and Fran get together in the end? I'll never tell. Read it for yourself and find out.

#TheseHealingHills

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book compliments of the author and Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:19:00 +0000

This is the second in the Heart of the Frontier series by Tracie Peterson

Hope Flanagan is one of three sisters who survived the infamous Whitman Massacre where Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa, along with eleven others, were killed in Oregon territory by Cayuse Indians. Of the three sisters, Hope was the most scarred by the experience, because she was raped. She became pregnant by her rapist and considered abortion. But she gave the child up for adoption by a family who moved away from the area. Now she's living in Oregon City with her now-married older sister and near the uncle who took all the girls in after the massacre. She's resigned herself to that fact that she will never marry, that no man would want to marry her after what happened. She spends her time tending sheep and weaving.

Hope's "peace" is shattered when she's asked to testify against the Cayuse men being tried for the massacre. The stress of the trial drives her to attempt to murder her rapist. But, she's stopped by an Army officer in town to help keep the peace during the trial. Lt. Lance Kenner, touched by her suffering, befriends her. She insists they're just friends, but does she want more? Lance is determined to be her friend, but he definitely wants more.

The story sometimes moves slowly, but healing takes time. Misunderstandings between Lance and Hope endanger the budding romance. An interesting side story crops us when Lance realizes he has a past connection to Hope's brother-in-law, and it's not good. Can Lance get along with her brother-in-law? Can he win Hope over? I'll never tell. I encourage lovers of historical fiction to read this book. I learned a lot about frontier life in the Great Northwest, all the while enjoying a great story of persistence, forgiveness, and healing.

The Most Misused Stories in the Bible by Eric J. Bargerhuff

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Sun, 28 May 2017 23:18:00 +0000

Subtitle: Surprising Ways Popular Bible Stories Are Misunderstood, Bethany House, 2017.

Is it possible that we misunderstand the message of familiar Bible stories like David and Goliath or Jonah and the whale? Sure it is. This author takes the most popular Bible stories/situations and clarifies their intended message.

Besides those already mentioned, he addresses Gideon and the fleece, Cain and Abel, the three wise men, and several more. In each chapter, he begins with a Bible verse from the story. He presents how the story is commonly used and proceeds to show another perspective. For example, in David and Goliath, we often think of it as a motivational story to encourage us to "face our giants." But, the author maintains that it is about David's determination to fight for God's people. He points out that David was totally without fear, because he knew that God was his backup.

It is an interesting book, easy to read and understand. The chapters are short and could be used for daily Bible study. In my opinion, it is not meant for academics but for "regular people." I think I'm going to check out his other book, The Most Misused Verses in the Bible: Surprising Ways God’s Word Is Misunderstood.

Dr.Bargerhuff is a professor at Trinity College of Florida. He is director of the Honors Program and Associate Professor of Bible and Theology.

Image source: Bethany House

The Amish Widower by Virginia Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:53:00 +0000

Seth Hostetler is an Amish man who has lost two wives, one in childbirth and the other in a buggy accident. Did I mention the second wife was pregnant when she died? Feeling that the accident was at least partly his fault, Seth vows never to marry again. He feels like an outsider in his own family because he is not married and never intends to be. Amish men are supposed to marry and get a place of their own. He befriends an Englisch (not Amish) man who offers his services to drive Seth or his family members to places that are too far to go in a buggy. He becomes interested in making pottery under the tutelage of an Amish man whose granddaughter works in the pottery shop. She has rejected Amish ways, but her grandparents hope that she will return to the fold someday.

This is different from any books I've read by Virginia Smith. The main theme is forgiveness. Seth needed to forgive himself for whatever role he had in his wife's death. He did not know who the rowdy teenagers were who whooshed by his buggy, causing the horse to panic and overturn the buggy. He need to forgive them, too. He is at odds with his family and his faith as he struggles with his emotions. Leah, the potter's granddaughter, plays a role in his healing, but I won't give away her method. She has an incident in her past that requires forgiveness, too.

If you like Amish fiction, you'll enjoy this. It is set in modern times, whereas most of the Amish fiction I've read was historical. Never read Amish fiction? Give this one a try. The story moves slowly at first, but I became more interested as I read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:03:00 +0000

Imagine being in a wagon train headed west on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. Then, imagine yourself in Grace Martindale's position. She's a "healer" recently widowed and has responsibility for her two younger sisters. Grace married her minister husband because he had to have a wife in order to go west to Oregon territory to evangelize the natives.

The reverend dies en route, and Grace intends to go on to Oregon City, where her uncle lives. However, since the uncle is away on business, she decides to leave the wagon train at the Whitman Mission, where Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife welcome travelers needing respite from the journey and shelter for the winter. They also minister to the local tribes, the Nez Perce and the Cayuse.

While Grace and her sisters are wintering at the mission, a measles outbreak creates havoc among the mission residents as well as the neighboring communities. Many people die from the disease¸ despite the best efforts of Dr. Whitman and Grace.

Misunderstandings about the extent of Dr. Whitman's healing efforts in the Cayuse community leads to the Whitman Massacre, where a number of the mission residents are killed. Dr. Whitman and his wife are among the dead. Others are held hostage for weeks. Grace is absent when the massacre happens. She had gone with Alex Armistead, a local trapper, to help sick people in another location. Her sisters, Hope and Mercy, ae hostages and are traumatized by the experience.

This is the first in the Heart of the Frontier series by multi-published author, Tracie Peterson. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll like this book. There is a romance simmering between Grace and Alex, but it is not the primary focus of the story. Alex's best friend is a Nez Perce trapper who helps us understand the point of view of the Native Americans in the story. Grace is conflicted between her responsibility for her sisters and her budding love for Alex. The uncle from Oregon City takes the women in when he comes back from his business trip. I encourage you to read the book and get to know Grace and her sisters. I'm looking forward to the future books in the series, which will be about the sisters, Hope and Mercy.

Murder Is No Accident by A. H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:36:00 +0000

What's it like to be a deputy sheriff in a small Kentucky town where nothing exciting ever happens? Michael Keane, whose roots run deep in Hidden Springs, should know. But lately, unusual things are happening. New businesses have opened in town with newcomers running them. Then, a local real estate agent falls down the stairs on one of her showings and ends up dead. It was an accident. But was it? Michael tries to convince himself. His girlfriend is in town temporarily. She's a lawyer from Washington, DC, and he hopes to keep her from going back by convincing her to marry him.

But, first, was the recent death an accident? Maggie Greene, the daughter of the lady who cleans the vacant old home where the accident occurred, knows something about it. She was there when it happened, but she wasn't supposed to be there. She was hiding in the tower writing in her journal when she heard the noise of the accident. Miss Fonda, the older lady with dementia, who used to live in the house showed up just after the "accident." She is on the loose from the assisted living facility. She has no idea what happened. Maggie calls 911 but leaves before Michael arrives.

Michael is about to decide it was an accident when another murder takes place in the same house, and he's no longer certain. Things get complicated, because Maggie is around the house again. She tells what she knows, which isn't much. But, she has never seen the killer. She's just heard voices. It seems that everyone in town contributes to the mystery, natives and newcomers alike. Who dunnit? Does Michael succeed in keeping the love of his life from returning to Washington? What happens to Maggie? Read it and find out. You'll enjoy every minute.

Ann H. Gabhart is a veteran writer, with numerous published books under her belt. But she had never written mysteries before the Hidden Springs Mysteries. Previous books in the series are Murder in the Courthouse and Murder Comes by Mail. .A. H. Gabhart is the pseudonym she uses for this new genre. I've read a number of her books, and they are always entertaining. Her characters come to life on the page. Her sense of humor shines through often. I highly recommend the entire series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free of charge from Revell, the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Photo source: http://www.annhgabhart.com/

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 23:57:00 +0000

Back cover says, "Haunted by the unknowns of their pasts, two women search for answers along the shores of Lake Michigan." I wondered how the stories of a Chicago socialite who had broken her engagement to a wealthy man and an elderly Dutch immigrant who's been asked to write a memoir for the town's semi-centennial celebration would coincide.

Well, it's a masterful story. Lynn Austin skillfully weaves the struggle of Anna, the socialite as her family pressures her to reconsider her marriage to her former fiancé with the remembrances of Geesje de Jonge, who recalls her journey from the Netherlands as a young girl to the wilderness area that is now Holland, Michigan. Anna's new-found faith is part of the problem with the fiancé. And a recurring nightmare about a shipwreck troubles her until she realizes perhaps it really happened. Geesje's memoir writings take her far beyond what she intends to give the celebration committee, but they help her recall her deceased daughter who left home at a young age. Faith plays an important role in Geesje's story, too.

The characters are fascinating, and there's plenty of conflict and soul-searching. I won't be a spoiler, but I will say that you'll love how the story ends. I'd like to see Austin write a sequel to continue both women's stories.

Image source: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/waves-of-mercy/377900

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Long Road Home by Dr. Earle L. Wilson & Lawrence W. Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:22:00 +0000

Full title: The Long Road Home: How God Forms Our Prodigal Souls, Wesleyan Publishing House.

I read this book straight through, but I am going to go back and take it a chapter at a time.

Both authors are pastors, and they present a thorough study of the parable of the prodigal son in easy-to-read style, organized in 30 readings. Using verses excerpted from the scripture story, the authors examine the roles and attitudes of the prodigal, the father, and the son that didn't leave home. Each reading includes questions for self-examination at the end. I recommend the book for either personal or group study. If I could give it six stars, I would.

You can order from Wesleyan Publishing House at this link. It's also available on Amazon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was offered a review copy via email, and I requested to review it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Image Source: LawrenceWilson.com.

The Room with the Second-Best View by Virginia Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 23:39:00 +0000

This is the third book in the Tales of the Goose Creek B & B series. Millie and Al Richardson are still working on renovations for the stately old home, the one they bought with the intention of opening a bed and breakfast inn.

Things are moving along well until progress is interrupted by plans for a wedding, the Goose Creek 150^th anniversary celebration---and Millie's accident.

Like the earlier books, the reader is reminded of small-town life as in Mayberry (the Andy Griffth TV show) or Mitford (Jan Karon's fictional town). Little towns are special because very few people mind their own business. In this installment, everyone except the bride and groom wants an elaborate wedding. And there's dissension among residents about the anniversary celebration as well as who will be the best person to head up the Main Street program. Things do work out in the end, but there's plenty of strife and humor along the way.

I love this series. Being from a small town myself, I recognize the characters, because they remind me of someone I know. You can enjoy this one without reading the earlier installments, but I encourage you to check out the entire series. I can't wait for the next installment.

I have reviewed the other books on this blog here.

Image source: Harvest House Publishers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 23:09:00 +0000

Subtitle: A Marine Fighter Pilot's Reconnaissance of the Christian Worldview, Boone Shepherd Publishing.

Jason B. Ladd is US Marine fighter pilot and Iraq war veteran. At first, I thought the title was based on the Marine Corps advertising slogan, "The Few. The Proud. The Marines."

The book is Ladd's spiritual autobiography. Growing up as a military dependent, he lived in many places in the world. He met his future wife on a military base. He describes his transition from a secular worldview to a Christian worldview by relating his development as a Christian to his training and growth as a member of the military. In other words, he used the military thought processes he acquired in his training to search for Truth.

Ladd said that he was thoroughly prepared to be a military pilot but poorly prepared to be a husband and father. Each chapter starts with a quote from a secular worldview followed by a quote with a Christian worldview. In my opinion, he shared a bit too much detail about the military training. There is so much jargon associated with the military that a civilian risks losing the author's train of thought in all the detail and explanations.

The most impressive section for me was the part where he dealt with the glorification of alcohol use in modern society, especially in the military. How refreshing to hear a "real man" suggest that abstinence is even possible, and even preferable, to risking alcohol addiction.

Promotional materials says the book will "connect strongly with parents, students, spiritual seekers, aviation enthusiasts, Christian community, military service members and veterans, men desiring to understand faith, women desiring to explain their faith." Well that includes just about everyone I know. It is a great book, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. One of the Few was a 2016 Indie Book Awards Finalist.

And I'll let you in on a secret. The title is based on a phrase in scripture from the parable of the wedding feast: "Many are called, but few are chosen" Matthew 22:14 (KJV).

Photo source: http://www.jasonbladd.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary by Diana C. Derringer

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 23:38:00 +0000

Subtitle is 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! Published by CSS Publishing, 50 pages.

This is a collection of short plays based on Bible stories. They can be used in worship services as well as other church gatherings. Some are designated as “sermon starters.” The first page of each drama includes a list of specifics to help the organizer plan and collect props. The list includes time (how long it lasts), theme, scripture reference, church year season, suggested use, summary, character list, props and costumes needed, sound equipment requirements, lighting, and setting. Most skits are five minutes or less, but there is on that lasts 15 minutes.

I can see this collection being used year-round. Christmas and Easter are represented, but other seasons are included, too. There’s even a Father’s Day skit. These plays are a great way to help people identify with Bible characters and apply scriptural principles to their own lives. The book is available on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from CSS Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Delilah:Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:33:00 +0000

The third book in author Angela Hunt's Dangerous Beauty series, Delilah is an interesting read. The story of Samson and Delilah is one of the Bible's most famous love stories. Samson, an Israelite, is a judge and Nazirite, dedicated to God at birth by his mother. He has the gift of incredible strength, which gets him in trouble with the Philistines, the political rulers of the time. The Bible doesn't tell us about Delilah's ethnicity or country of origin. She's most often portrayed as a bad girl, a conniving woman, as in the 1949 movie, Samson and Delilah, starring Victor Mature and Heddy Lamar.

Hunt tells the story by alternating viewpoints between Samson and Delilah. Since the Bible gives no backstory on Delilah, she creates a fictional one. Abused by a Philistine, Delilah was rescued by traveling merchants, and taken out of the danger zone. She takes up residence with a widow who weaves for a living and runs a travelers' stop on a major trade route. Delilah has a baby by the Philistine who abused her and raises her son with the help of the widow. Samson enters the picture after the widow's death. He lives with Delilah and helps her raise her son. She hides him from the Philistines from time to time.

In the Bible story, Delilah betrays Samson by finding out the source of his strength, his long hair. She arranges for the Philistines to cut it while he's asleep. When they capture him, he is too weak to break free. As Hunt presents it, Delilah loves Samson, and he loves her. But she still betrays him. She's present when he dies in the Temple of Dagon, taking the Philistines down with the temple.

It's a fascinating read. As always, Hunt presents known historical details accurately. She fills in what the Bible doesn't tell with plausible fiction. I alternately felt sorry for Samson and Delilah. She loved him. He loved her. Ultimately, her betrayal led to the downfall of the Philistines. Was it part of God's plan for her to betray him? Read the story and decide for yourself.

FYI, if you are fuzzy on the Bible account, here's a summary.

Habits for Our Holiness by Philip Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:14:00 +0000

Full title: Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out (Moody Publishers, 2016).

Most Christians desire to be more holy, because they think they should be. But, many don't know exactly what holiness means. For me, it means being "set apart" for God, but not set apart in the sense that you withdraw from the world. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines holiness as "consecrated to God's service." That involves a lot of things.

Author Philip Nation shows us how we can dedicate ourselves to knowing God better by practicing certain spiritual disciplines. Two other authors have addressed spiritual disciplines at length: Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Both list certain disciplines that bring us closer to God. Nation uses some of these familiar disciplines and adds a couple more. He places a different emphasis on the quest for holiness. Not only should we be holy in our dedication to God in our private life. We are also commissioned by Jesus to be active in the world, providing an example and leadership to others who want to be close to God. The promotional material for the book puts it this way: "By showing how the disciplines have their greatest power when practiced in community and on mission, Philip Nation gives Christians a bigger reason—and greater desire—to pursue spiritual disciplines."

I've read books on spiritual disciplines before, and I expected this book to be similar. However, it is only similar in the fact that it explains spiritual disciplines. Nation's approach is refreshing because he's saying that we should not only use disciplines to become more holy. We should use them to be better witnesses for our faith. I recommend the book to anyone interested in the spiritual disciplines. It will breathe new life into your quest for holiness.

Nation is a teaching pastor and assistant professor who is also associated with LifeWay Christian Resources.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Renovating the Richardsons by Virginia Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:43:00 +0000

This is the second book in the Tales of the Goose Creek B & B. I read the first book, The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade, and resolved to read the sequel as soon as it came out. I loved the setting, the characters, and the town politics surrounding the painting of the water tank.

In my review of the first book, I said, if you liked Mayberry, you'd like Goose Creek. For this one, I'll say, do you like Fixer Upper or Flip or Flop on HG-TV or the movie Bad News Bears? Then, you'll like this installment. The water tank is being painted, but the contractor has to cover the whole project with canvas to keep out snoopy residents wanting to critique the work before it's finished. The town organizes a softball team to play against a neighboring town in a grudge match hatched up by the mayors. They can barely get enough people to play, never mind whether they have the ball-playing skills.

Renovating brings back familiar characters from the first book and introduces new ones. Millie and Al Richardson dive into the renovation of the old home they bought for the B & B. Susan, the veterinarian, is back, along with her love interest, Justin, the handyman. The renovation of the B & B house involves finding one expensive surprise after another. There's strife between the Richardsons and between Susan and her father. New characters include Tuesday Love, who opens a massage parlor in town. Not exactly welcomed by the citizens, she makes a most interesting alliance to help develop her business plan. And Al Richardson's annoying co-worker, Franklin Thacker, buys the Richardsons' old home so that they can move into the B & B. Al is not thrilled because, now he will be annoyed by Thacker on weekends, not just during work hours. All the action culminates on the Fourth of July, the date set for the water tank reveal and the softball game. Sorry, I'm not going to spoil it for you.

Author Virginia Smith has published at least 26 books, including nonfiction and fiction (mystery, contemporary romance, and historical). Her sense of humor permeates all her writing, but it really shines in the Goose Creek series. You'll find yourself smiling while reading (not something that happens to me very often). If you haven't read the first book, don't worry. The story can stand alone.

Note: I purchased this book before I knew that I would receive a review copy from the publisher, so I have two copies. If anyone local would like to have my duplicate, please e-mail me at emilyakin(at)live.com. First person to contact me will receive the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Image source: http://virginiasmith.org/goosecreek.html

The First Hostage by Joel C. Rosenberg

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:24:00 +0000

This book is the second in Rosenberg's J. B. Collins series. Collins is a Middle East reporter for The New York Times. I have not read the first book in the series yet.

The hostage mentioned in the title is the President of the United States. He was kidnapped at a peace conference in Amman, Jordan. ISIS is the perpetrator of a large-scale attack on world leaders attending the conference. The Jordanians, along with an American special operations team, head up an effort to find and rescue the president. Collins is caught in the action and becomes eye-witness to the planning and execution of the rescue. But, will it be successful.

As usual, Rosenberg brings the drama and action to life with believable characters and almost constant suspense. The author's knowledge of Middle Eastern politics and the people involved make his stories feel like they came from front-page news rather than a fictional novel. While being entertained, the reader learns more about the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.

I have read and reviewed Rosenberg's Twelfth Imam series on this blog. Check them out at this link.

Note: For some of my reviews, the publisher sent me the book at no charge in exchange for a review. This is not one of them.

Image source: http://www.joelrosenberg.com/books-dvd/

Risen by Angela Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Emily M. Akin) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:32:00 +0000

Risen is also the name of a movie being released this month. The subtitle for this book is "The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture." Book and movie are based on a story by Paul Aiello and screenplay by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello. Usually the book comes out first, and the movie follows if the book is popular. In this case, the book and movie released about the same time. Interesting marketing move.

The story takes place during the week of Jesus' crucifixion. It revolves around two characters. Clavius is a Roman tribune, who was present when Jesus died. Rachel is a Jewish widow who supports herself by baking bread for the community. Clavius reports to Pontius Pilate, and he is charged with finding Jesus' body when it goes missing. There's an illicit romance between Rachel and Clavius, I suppose to add spice. Rachel has heard that Jesus (Yeshua) is the long-awaited Messiah, but she does not know whether she believes it or not. As Clavius investigates the disappearance of the body, he must speak with Jesus' followers as well as his enemies. As the promotional material says, Clavius does not realize that this experience will change him (and Rachel) forever.

In the beginning, I was a little distracted by the romance between Clavius and Rachel. I wanted to get on with the story. That's a problem with using Biblical events for fictional stories. The reader knows how events unfold, but he or she won't know how the fictional characters are affected. Author Angela Hunt has a master's degree in Biblical Studies and a PhD in theology. She writes Biblical fiction that makes you feel like you're there with the characters. She takes some liberties with the story, but she explains why in the book's notes. I don't know if I will see the movie or not. I'm a bookworm, not a movie-goer. I wonder how many people will see the movie because they loved the book, though.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Image Source: Angela Hunt website