I am quite certain that I’ll be in the minority when I say that I just finished reading “That Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs WITHOUT having ever listened to her podcast by the same name, but let me assure you that I have already bookmarked several episodes of the podcast that definitely sound very fun to me! Annie’s new book was published by Revell early in the year 2021, and the subtitle gives us a little hint of just what sorts of treasures we will discover within its pages: The Joys Of Being An Amateur, The Power Of Falling In Love, And Why You Need A Hobby. Sounds fun, right? Continue reading
Friends
Insights for Offering Help – Guest Review by Tracy
“Shepherding Women in Pain: Real Women, Real Issues, And What You Need to Know to Truly Help” by Bev Hislop is a valuable book for those wanting to understand and offer love and support to women and the many issues they are dealing with, often silently. This book provides an abundance of knowledge for deep questions, such as: how can I stop the pain? The chapters about the issue itself offer true stories, input from professionals, practical suggestions, things to say and do, things to avoid, resources, related scriptures, etc. I included the contents of the book as this speaks volumes for itself (it is organized into 3 sections). Continue reading
A Rich Story About the Power of Words
I have been anticipating Erin Bartels’ new story for a long time – pretty much since her debut novel, “We Hope for Better Things”, released! Published by Revell in the late summer of 2019, “The Words Between Us” is a memorable, complex, rather haunting novel that fascinated and challenged me even as it swept me into a world that lingered in my imagination long after closing the book. As the back cover summarizes so well, “With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words – the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write – have more power than we imagine.” Continue reading
A Delight From Start to Finish!
I’ll just give you fair warning – be prepared for a good amount of gushing about how fantastic this book was! (There, you’ve been warned!) “You Belong With Me” was written by Tari Faris and published by Revell as the first in the new “Restoring Heritage” series. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but now I cannot wait for her next story to release – I loved every word of “You Belong With Me” and found myself alternately smiling, wiping away tears, and laughing at the engaging story of Hannah, Luke, and the town of Heritage. Continue reading
Simply a Sweet Historical Romance
Last summer I was blown away by the storytelling abilities of debut author Rachel Fordham, as her book “The Hope of Azure Springs” was a delightful historical romance that captivated me from the first page. This summer her second novel was released from Revell, and is just as sweet and memorable as the first. Continuing in the setting of Azure Springs, “Yours Truly, Thomas” introduces new protagonists while continuing the stories of all the secondary characters we grew to love in the last book. Continue reading
A Pleasant Addition to the “Canadian Crossings” Series
Canadian author Susan Anne Mason continues the story set in her home country (and mine!) in book number two of the “Canadian Crossings” series. “The Highest of Hopes” was published by Bethany House, and tells the story of Emmaline Moore as she journeys to Canada in search of her father – and what she believes will finally be a place to belong. Continue reading
Just Not My Kind of Book
“Almost Home” is the second book by bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse, and was published by Revell in the spring of 2019. Set during World War II, this novel combines the stories of a variety of characters who find their lives unintentionally intersecting in a small-town boarding house in Alabama. Adding to the crazy-quilt storytelling style is a historic tale of a young bride and her legendary river-pirate groom who disappear on their wedding day without a trace. Continue reading
Don’t Miss the Continuing Story of Haven Manor!
You know you are reading a book by a talented author when the words on the page form a story that is equal parts hilarious and tragic, messy and endearing. Kristi Ann Hunter’s second novel in the “Haven Manor” series from Bethany House Publishers is a close continuation of the first installment, and is entitled “A Return of Devotion”. This charming book draws you into the dilemmas of the characters from the first page, and had me scarcely able to turn the pages fast enough to discover how the heroine would get herself out of the terrible fix she was in! Continue reading
A Relationship Memoir from Jeremy and Audrey Roloff
Jeremy and Audrey Roloff are a couple used to being in the spotlight, due to the television show based on Jeremy’s family (TLC’s “Little People, Big World”), but now they are stepping into a different public role – as authors. “A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively, Date Intentionally, Love Faithfully” is set to be published by Zondervan in April of 2019, and is a memoir of sorts detailing the couple’s love story and providing inspiration for writing your own unique love story. Continue reading
A Delightful First Encounter with Mary Connealy
Believe it or not, I had never read a book by Mary Connealy until her newest title was released from Bethany House. Now I regret having missed out on this talented author’s previous work, because her newest story was such a delight! “The Accidental Guardian” is the first book in the “High Sierra Sweethearts” series, with the second novel set to be released later this fall. Filled with nail-biting adventure, beautifully detailed setting, sweet romance, subtle humor, and heart-warming themes, this is truly Christian Historical Fiction at it’s best. Continue reading
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 