Title: A Lady in Attendance
Author: Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
My Review:
This book starts with a bang, with Hazel in a reformatory! Immediately it draws the reader in as we want to know what a lady would do in 1893 to be put in a reformatory! All questions are eventually answered and the book is a very quick read.
"The coarse gray fabric of Hazel's newly donned uniform felt uncomfortable and foreign against her skin."
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Nonfiction/Christian Living
Source: My personal library
My review:
I put this book on my list to read for this year because my word of the year is "Surrender." I like reading books on the word that I feel the Lord has laid on my heart. I have heard a lot about Elisabeth Elliot and I was not disappointed. Mrs. Elliot has a lot of wisdom to share.
"God calls me. In a deeper sense than any other species of earthbound creature, I am called. And in a deeper sense I am free, for I can ignore the call."
Told in a conversation style of writing, Mrs. Elliot begins the book by stating that we are created, cared for, and called. She then goes on to answering God's call. In this way, she is setting the stage to talk about discipline, not just surrender, but the discipline of the body, mind, our work, feelings, and so much more. Each chapter builds on the previous chapter until the final chapter where Mrs. Elliot wraps everything up.
"Discipline is the believer's answer to God's call."
Mrs. Elliot weaves stories from her life into this narrative on surrender. She incorporates Bible verses and relevant stories from the Bible as well. Discipline is a very easy read, but do not let that fool you, this is a very deep and practical book-like the lady herself. There are so many great nuggets tucked into this small book (150 pages of text). Such a profound and straightforward book.
"When the will of man acts in accord with the will of God, that is faith. When the will of man acts in opposition to the will of God, that is unbelief."
Discipline: The Glad Surrender is an excellent book to read if you want to be challenged in your faith and grow in your walk with the Lord. If you are looking for an easy religion and easy tasks, look elsewhere. If you are not willing to grow and surrender, then this is not the book for you. While Mrs. Elliot has passed on, these words will live on, and her legacy will impact many generations to come.
"There is always enough time to do the will of God."
4/5 ★★★★
Synopsis:
In our age of instant
gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is
hardly a popular notion. Former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth
Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for modern
people.
Now repackaged for the next generation of Christians, Discipline: The Glad Surrender shows readers how to
-discipline the mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings
-overcome anxiety
-change poor habits and attitudes
-trust God in times of trial and hardship
-let Christ have control in all areas of life
Elliot
masterfully and gently takes readers through Scripture, personal
stories, and lovely observations of the world around her in order to
help them discover the understanding that our fulfillment as human
beings depends on our answer to God's call to obedience.
Title: The Paris Betrayal
Author: James R. Hannibal
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction, Thriller
My Review:
This book would be considered outside my comfort zone and a new-to-me author. While I love mystery and suspense novels, this one is more about spies and biochemical warfare. While it was not quite what I expected I found it to be an enjoyable, quick read. I would recommend reading the author's note at the end of the book before actually reading the book. I wish I had as the story would make even more sense that way, and you get a greater appreciation for the story.
Title: Never Miss
Author: Melissa Koslin
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Fiction/Suspense
My Review:
"Sarah Jeane Rogers," she muttered. "Elizabeth Jeane Jones." Which ID to use this time?
The first line of Never Miss by Melissa Koslin entices the reader into a web of mystery and intrigue. From a complex plotline to the fast-paced race to prevent a lethal virus, this book is full of non-stop action and suspense, making it hard to put down.
Title: Courageous Simplicity: Abide in the Simple Abundance of Jesus
Author: (in)courage Ginger Kolbaba
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Bible Study/Devotional
My Review:
"The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are." -Mother Teresa
This is my second Bible Study by the (in)courage team and it will not be my last. (You can click here to see the review of the
Series: Three Sisters Island #3
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
Publisher: Revell
Synopsis:
Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan--to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor's kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn't know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.
Title: Present Danger
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage #1
Author: Elizabeth Goddard
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Synopsis:
Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.
Series: Hope Harbor #7
Author: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Fiction
Synopsis:
Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.
Title: Unknown Threat
Author: Lynn H. Blackburn
Series: Defend and Protect #1
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Synopsis:
US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He's an expert at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.
Title: Facing the Dawn
Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis:
While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is nine time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But the reality is that she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.
Title: Miriam's SongAuthor: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Biblical Fiction/Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Title: Network of Deceit
Author: Tom Threadgill
Series: Amara Alvarez #2
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Synopsis:
After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she's worked for: a transfer to San Antonio's Homicide Division. Reality sets in quickly, though, as her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, brings chaos to her personal life.
Title: A Dance in Donegal
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Fiction & Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
To fulfill her mother's dying wish, Moira Doherty moves from Boston to the rolling green hills of 1921 Ireland to teach in a village school. She doesn't expect to fall in love--or to uncover a scandalous family reputation her mother left behind years ago.
We all have dreams, some of them are big, some are small, and some seem downright impossible. Some we have talked about for years and others we have kept hidden in our hearts, for fear that if we revealed them out loud, we would jinx ourselves. Do you believe that dreams can come true? I do. What about
Title: When Twilight Breaks
Author: Sarah Sundin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.
Title: Obsession
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #2
Author: Patricia Bradley
Genre: Christian Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.
Title: Tidewater Bride
Author: Laura Frantz
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in the Virginia colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family’s shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.
Title: Active Defense
Author: Lynette Eason
Series: Danger Never Sleeps #3
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Suspense/Christian Fiction
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Synopsis:
As a former field surgeon in Afghanistan, Heather Fontaine is used to life-or-death situations. She just didn't expect them to follow her home. When she returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house--and threatened her friends--she assumes it is the stalker who has been following her and creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble has followed her even there.