Christian Fiction

Category: Christian Fiction

Calling on the Matchmaker

by Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

The storyline is well done in this book, and the writing style is wonderful which is always what a reader expects from this author.

I really enjoyed the main characters and secondary characters in this story as well. The shenanigans of Finola are funny, and she has become quite adept at getting suitors to leave. Then she meets her match. Riley is well done in his role as well.

I enjoyed the history of this read. I prefer my historical fiction to have more history than romance so this was not my favorite book by this author. I am probably in the minority in this, but I read historical novels to learn. There are a few interesting historical facts, but the romance takes center stage. If that’s your jam then this will be your book!

My favorite part of this book is the faith theme of forgiveness and recognizing that Christ can forgive anything that we have done. There is also much in charity and helping those in need. The inspirational part of the story is strong.

If you enjoy historical reads with much romance than pick this book to read! Most that enjoy Roseanne White, Julie Lessman, or Tamera Leigh( I’m getting help in these recommendations from other readers) enjoy this author’s books.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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To Spark a Match

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

This was another fun read by this author. I enjoy dialogue in a book, and this book has a lot of fun and enjoyable dialogue.

The main characters were wonderful and well done. Adelaide is so fun! I love books, unique bookstores, and cats, and so does Adelaide. I really liked her character. She was a well fleshed out character who brought much life to the story. Gideon was a fun loving hero who didn’t mind Adelaide’s quirky ways and long talks. The secondary characters added much to the story as well.

The faith theme was very well done in this story, and I very much enjoyed the moral ideas put forth in the storyline.
This was a well done novel. This author really writes books that are very unique which, I think, is why I enjoy them so very much.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Warsaw Sisters

By Amanda Barratt

MY REVIEW

I just finished this heart-wrenching, poignant read. The history I have learned through this book is much. Reading about such horrid times during these times in which we live is eery.

The writing here takes one inside those that endured so much and fought so hard. The readers senses are all engaged as the words are so well written. It writes of the human struggle-the good and the bad. For me, this book started a bit slow. I highly encourage everyone to finish if you can. This is not an easy read, but history is not always easy. I would have liked more of a faith theme through this book, but I do understand the difficulties in that in a historical book such as this.

Do not miss reading the author’s notes at the end either. This is a powerful story of the human spirit and the bonds of love and family.

As an epilogue, this book also makes one consider what the reader might do in similar circumstances. I was confronted with this as I read what these sisters decided to do as a result of the atrocities being committed. They took different paths. It really made me think, how far does one go when evil occurs?

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Against the Wind

by Amanda Cabot

MY REVIEW

*I want to start by saying I did read the first book. Though this second in the series can stand alone, I do recommend reading the series in order. I got a lot more understanding from the second book after I read the first so I highly recommend reading this series in order.*

This book reminded me much of a prairie romance. Only this has a woman fighting to be accepted as a doctor. I am thankful for women doctors, but this particular theme of women fighting for a previously held man’s job has been a bit overdone of late. At least it has been that way in my choice of books (grant it, I don’t always read a book the year it comes out-but I’m close).

I enjoyed the characters and the secondary characters. I didn’t realize this was a second in a series until it arrived in the mail. The first in the series is on its way. I really liked the male main character more than the female. He seemed to have more spiritual growth in him, and I loved it as he continued to grow and learn more.

Most of the storyline is predictable in this read with a few minor surprises. It’s a fairly good storyline with a very well done faith theme that is intrinsic to the story itself. This author always seems to do a good job at that which is why I continue to read. Her romance isn’t overdone, and it grows naturally and is built on the character and morals of the characters themselves which I appreciate. It did seem to drag a bit, but that might be because the plot was just so predictable.

It’s a sweet prairie type story with wonderful characters, a beautiful setting, and a very well done faith thread.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own,

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The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass

by Katie Powner

MY REVIEW

This author really proves how great a storyteller she is in this well written contemporary fiction.

Their is nothing tragic or life shattering, but it is life. Life lessons are throughout the book in small and big ways through every day characters like you and me. There is something about the characters and the storyline that has stayed with me. That makes a book special for me as I have a terrible short term memory.

The characters feel like family, and they are incredibly well done. It’s so easy to love the simple, kind, and big hearted garbage man that sees value in the people in his life. I love kids in books so when his nephew shows up, I love the interaction between the two. All the main characters have flaws, but I liked them all. After all, flawed people are normal people.

The storyline seems simplistic, but lessons of life are throughout the book. There is a theme of forgiveness, redemption, and love that is so sweet. I’m not a huge fan of contemporary fiction, but I have enjoyed this author’s reads very much.

With a lovely setting, wonderful realistic characters, and a beautifully touching storyline This author has created a lovely novel that you don’t want to miss.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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A Beautiful Disguise

by Roseanna White

MY REVIEW

This book felt much different to me than the author’s other books. It has the mystery, interesting character group, and life among those with money. The interesting part, of course, is the fact that among the wealthy is a circus and two who love the trapeze and other acts that are done in a circus. To an extent, I enjoyed it. However, I had a hard time finding it believable.

It just seemed to be a bit of a stretch to find trapeze artists and circus animals among the “rich and famous.” It just didn’t seem at all realistic. I did enjoy the characters in the book-both the main and secondary characters were interesting. The storyline itself and the mysteries are what kept me turning the pages.

The faith thread in this book fits in well with the story, and it is well done. It isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before, and I do enjoy different books. If you like something a bit different, give it a try. It is a fun read. It kind of had a touch of Jen Turano in it, and I love her books.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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With Every Memory

by Janine Rosche

MY REVIEW

I found this book wasn’t what I expected. Perhaps my expectations are irrelevant, yet they are there. I’m seeing a big theme come through in many of the “Christian” published books lately so my reviews are a bit like a broken record. Even my teen daughter noticed that.
This book could have had a truly powerful faith theme, but it didn’t capitalize on it. The characters show up in church, but that’s about it. In so many places the family could have turned to God or the scriptures for help and strength. That part was disappointing.

I didn’t find myself liking the characters. They were incredibly selfish in many ways, but occasionally acted out of character to care about someone else. The teen story was a bit more understandable. They aren’t adults yet so obviously don’t behave like adults. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but the fact that Xander and Avery were left alone so much and spent so much time in her bedroom alone-that was just weird to me. I didn’t like the touch on adult humor either.

I think the grandmother was maybe suppose to be funny, but I found her bitter and mean. There was a heaviness to this book that could have been better with more of God’s presence in the families life. Maybe the grandmother was the light hearted part? I don’t know.

The writing itself was well done. The parts I read to my daughter-she said the same. This author is very good with words and writing to try to touch the reader. The topics that have a warning I felt were handled well in this book by the author. How one rates a book like this I’m not sure. This is definitely going to touch readers in very different ways.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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This is Where it Ends

by Cindy K. Sproles

MY REVIEW

This was a different way to present a story. I enjoyed the look back and the thoughts Minerva had as she approached the end of her life. I really enjoyed the writing style, and the sweet relationship that occurs between the elderly lady Minerva and the young man Del. I love how the author gives the facts of the past to the reader through Minerva’s point of view.

The characters and secondary characters are well done, and I was surprised by who turned out to be the bad guy in this story. The storyline flows very well, and I didn’t want to put the book down.
The scenes written on the farm were beautifully done, and it sure put the reader in the setting. Minerva’s thoughts really bring the story alive for the reader, putting the reader in her shoes so to speak.
My one disappointment was I felt that the faith theme could have been incredibly strong in so many places in this story. It did have hope and forgiveness in the storyline. It definitely wasn’t missing a faith theme. I just wished at so many places throughout the book that it had been stronger-just my point of view.
I love these kinds of stories. Ones that make one think, where everything isn’t sunshine and roses. The realizations to which the main character comes are very well done and powerfully written.
This is an emotionally touching read with life lessons learned and realistic characters and storyline.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Counter Attack

By Patricia Bradley

MY REVIEW

I was so glad to get this book and review it! Patricia Bradley always writes such good books, and this one doesn’t waver from being well written.

From the start it was a little bit slow, but once you get to know the story a little bit better, you understand why it started that way. The characters were well written. Liked Alexis story and how the romance between her and Nathan was slow and built up.
One of my favorite parts of the story was of Alexis and her grandparents. A sweet relationship to which I can relate.
The suspense was very well done, except for the fact that I knew who it was before about 50 pages in. (Maybe that’s just because I read mystery a lot, but it didn’t take me long to figure it out.) I kept on reading to follow the main characters story, and why and how the person did the deed.
The faith theme was there, but a bit lacking in depth. This book, since it moved slower than some suspense novels, could have had a better one, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the nice easy read, as I always do of Patricia Bradley!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Man of Shadow and Mist

By Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

Loved it! It was a rare five star read for me. I had two main reasons for that. This was incredibly well researched, and I learned quite a bit from this story. That is always a goal when reading. It also had a wonderful faith theme that really resonated with me.

The characters are incredibly well done as this author is known for doing. Rosa is wonderful and so accepting and compassionate. James grows throughout the book which I thoroughly enjoy following.

The mystery/suspense held a surprise for me. The storyline was intriguing…so much so that I could not put the book down. I read all but the first fifty pages in one sitting. It is such an incredibly well written book.

This author always impresses me with her stories, and this book didn’t fail to disappoint. Highly recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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