Book Review: Christmas With a Crank

Before I was one-third into this Christmas book, I recommended it to others. In part, because I like anything Courtney Walsh writes. But also, I was sure it would appeal to a group member in my Bible Study Fellowship group. Her family runs a tree farm, just like the setup in this book. Not only will she enjoy the story, she might even implement some of the marketing genius cooked up in Christmas With a Crank.

When Olive and Liam were twelve, they were next-door neighbors. They even shared a first kiss in a tree house. But their lives have veered away from that storybook beginning. Liam's family moved to live on the tree farm they run. Olive dated his friend, Travis. Now, almost two decades later, Liam's parents are looking to sell the farm. They hire Olive to run a final extravaganza to go out with a bang.

The problem? Liam is grumpy. What a Scrooge! Why can't he see the value of his family's beautiful property and business? He lives in Indianapolis, where he works for a gaming company. He assures Olive he is only back for the holiday and does not intend to stay. But the chemistry flares up again. Can Olive remind Liam of the olden days enough to lure him back again? Can she turn his frown upside down?

You can always count on a clean and delightful reading adventure with Courtney Walsh. Her books present flawed individuals seeking solutions to their problems and soulmates for their hearts. Olive and Liam are relatable and endearing. The hubbub of Christmas unfolds with magic and mystery. She doesn't tie up everything with a glittery bow, but the ending is happy and hopeful. Thanks, Courtney, for another holiday romance worth reading.

Book Review: A Cross-Country Christmas

A Cross-Country Christmas is a sweet holiday romance. Courtney Walsh creates believable characters with conflicted pasts. It was easy to put myself in the main character's shoes because many of her hang-ups felt familiar. I especially related to her efforts to safeguard her heart by only approaching men she'd never consider. Years of unrequited interest led to self-protection mode. So if you're in the mood for a forced proximity, love-hate-love progression, give this seasonal tale a try.

Lauren Richmond rarely goes home for the holidays. Her family of origin doesn't inspire warm fuzzies. When her brother, Spencer, begs her to come home for the birth of his first child, she cannot avoid accepting a ride home with Spencer's best friend, Will Sinclair. This is the same Will Sinclair she pined for endlessly until he broke her heart in college. Or is he the same Will Sinclair? For some reason, Will keeps drawing out the trip, and Lauren can't decide if he deserves a second chance or not.

I expect marvelous stories from Courtney Walsh. This book is well-written and expertly paced. Even though it is a romance, and the reader can bank on a happy ending, Lauren keeps you guessing which way she'll land. I noted, too, that the book has garnered over 23,000 ratings on Goodreads. Now, that's a popular Christmas story. Although I'm eager to read the sequel, A Cross-Country Wedding, I think I'll jump first to her other holiday tale, Christmas With a Crank, before the holidays evaporate. I'd say I'm having more luck than usual in finding worthwhile Christmas stories.

Book Review: Some Like It Scot

I thoroughly enjoyed Pepper Basham's contemporary rom-coms with a nod to Great Britain (Authentically, Izzy and Positively, Penelope). In Some Like It Scot, we follow an American on adventures in Scotland. I'd love to visit the Appalachian Mountains here and compare them to the Scottish landscape. Basham's book identifies similarities between these two, but my eye has yet to verify. This would make an excellent book club activity. I can just imagine joining a group of women reading this book, then travelling cross-country and internationally following the steps in this book. Hey, I'd even enjoy an Edwardian Experience (that's got to be better than the Victorian Slum House experience I watched once in a PBS documentary).

Katie Campbell has made a name and a following through her "misadventures" in travel. This provides great fodder for the comedy portions of the novel. The romance blossoms in her attraction to a brusque and burly Scot. Don't let the rom-com genre fool you. As lighthearted as this book is, it also carries great depth, tackling subjects like grief, abandonment, faith, family, and home. We all long for a sense of belonging. Every family faces its own baggage.

I always enjoy a peek into the process. In the author's note, Pepper Basham explains that one month into the writing, her own brother died. Although I've yet to experience sibling loss, I have watched my husband bear the burden of his brother's suicide. Everyone grieves differently. And sometimes grief complicates relationships. I felt great empathy for Katie's insecurities and her plight. The dialogue was delightful, and the descriptions made me want to jump on a plane. If you're looking for an uplifting read, pick up Some Like it Scot. Come for the colorful characters, bask in the witty banter, and stay for the satisfying resolution. Now, I anxiously await a chance to read Sense and Suitability and the future release of A Brewed Awakening. Clever titles, sure to fulfill any itch for clean rom-coms.

Gratitude Article

Photo by Ranurte on Unsplash

After struggling for well over a year in a liminal space, unable to work on specific writing projects, I am happily back to writing. Today, my gratitude article, "When the Journey Becomes the Gift," airs in the Just Between Us Magazine on Substack. You can find it here.

Click here to learn about ways to subscribe to Just Between Us. This magazine, founded by Jill Briscoe, provides encouragement for Christian women. It reaches women in more than 150 countries. Here's a blurb from the Encourager's Corner in October:

"It still takes my breath away--how he weaves His voice through each week's collection of stories. Different writers, different seasons, different struggles--and yet, always the same thread of grace running through it all. I think of the woman who told us she read a story about forgiveness and finally picked up the phone to call her sister after years of silence. Or the mom who said she opened a devotion in the middle of her burnout and felt like the words were written just for her. Or the reader across the world who said JBU had become "her church home" when she felt completely alone."

What difficult journey did God gift to you?  

Book Review: Christmas by Accident

Christmas by Accident, by Camron Wright, is a sweet holiday tale full of typical tropes. Enter a girl who loves Christmas and a guy who hates Christmas. They meet and fall in love. An obstacle develops. Yes, an accident happens (two actually). By virtue of these accidents, their lives are transformed.

I've been contemplating what kind of articles I could write about Christmas from a new angle. It is an incredibly difficult task. So much has already been expressed about the holiday. Indeed, it feels like there is "nothing new under the sun." This book even pokes fun at itself while it contemplates the overabundance of Christmas books.  Thankfully, the easy access on Hoopla made my treadmill time go by more quickly. (Despite my fall and the narrowness of the walking pad, I continue to carefully seek out daily exercise with audio book accompaniment).

I was unfamiliar with this author. However, after writing up this book review, I came across his name again. He has written a book getting great buzz, called The Rent Collector. He is a Mormon author from Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm glad I stumbled upon this Christmas book because researching the author led me to a podcast interview that I highly recommend. Camron remarks on the process of "Finding God's Plan for Your Life," on the All In podcast. Click here to find this half-hour interview with author Camron Wright.

Book Review: A Very Merry Matchup

Becca Kinzer's A Very Merry Matchup is a delightful and wholesome Christmas novella. What a task to come up with a new idea for a seasonal story. Kinzer's novella boasts a delicious blend of romance and humor. Indeed, it's like a Shakespearean comedy of errors. Misunderstandings lead to colorful confusion. Yet, when those misconceptions resolve, the reader gains a touching resolution.

Ivy West has a plan. She knows what kind of life she wants (nothing like what she grew up with), and she's working hard to get there. Beau Wall may be handsome, but his unstable career in baseball would never mesh with Ivy's perfect plan. Thinking someone should snatch him up, she plays matchmaker and pushes him to pursue her friend, Lucy. Alas, she's not the only one intent on making matches.

Through a hilarious myriad of mix-ups, Ivy lands at Beau's house for the holidays, convinced she's there to help celebrate Lucy's engagement. Beau and Ivy each arrive with a rambunctious dog in tow. They make an adorable couple, if only Beau (and his family) could convince Ivy to give him a chance. Thankfully, Beau can see through to her heart. He recognizes her wounds and her deepest longings. Her plan may not allow it, but everyone knows plans often go awry (and with Becca Kinzer, going awry means loads of laughs).

What a perfect pairing of humor and humanity. There is a depth of pain leading to Ivy's walls. Yet, the power of love softens and redeems it. I recognized Ivy's desire to avoid the mistakes of her parents. My teen struggles felt similar. I rooted for Beau and his loving family. Who doesn't want a family like that? Plus, having once had a rambunctious Goldendoodle, I loved the humorous comic relief the dogs provided. This is a holiday tale I recommend and will happily read again.

Mid-month Mention: So Grateful

This month, I am deeply grateful for one special thing! I am fully writing again! My son's near death by overdose in June 2023 derailed my mojo. For 14 months, I could not work on writing projects. I was able to read and maintain my blog. My daily morning pages still came without effort. But, I couldn't rouse myself to approach a project. 

On the first day of September, I decided if I couldn't write, then I could devote a half hour each day to seeking markets for what I've already written. Marketing my novels seemed too ambitious, so I focused on magazine markets. I stumbled upon Just Between Us, a Christian digital magazine founded by author Jill Briscoe. The magazine had a call for articles with a 9/1 deadline. I felt I had just the piece, so I pulled it out and re-wrote it to the specifications they gave. I really didn't expect much after so many months of discouragement. Two days later, I received an acceptance letter. My article, "When the Journey Becomes the Gift," will air on 11/25/25 in the Just Between Us digital magazine. You can subscribe to the magazine here.

This was just the encouragement my heart needed. A few days later, I wrote a flash fiction piece under 500 words and entered it into a competition (judging does not occur until January). I scoured the internet for contests and calls for submissions. In mid-October, I started working on a book project. It is something I had considered doing prior to my liminal period. Since I have already been charting my purging progress, I added this component to my daily tallies (sadly, the purging has almost evaporated with this new pursuit). 

September started tentatively, only working 43% of the days in that month. I wrote and submitted 2 pieces and worked on market research (easier than writing). My September total was 12 hours devoted to these writing endeavors. In October, I spent 100 minutes in research and worked on two different pieces. I wrote on 15 of the 31 days in October for a total of 11.5 hours. My word tally came to 8786 words (nothing near what I used to complete when I did Nanowrimo). I tried to enter into this slowly.

In November, I set a new goal. I wanted to write at least 1000 words a day. While I haven't managed that every day, for the first 16 days in November, I wrote an average of 1267 words per day. I spent 18.5 hours writing with a total of 20,274 words in the first half of the month. This is worth a mid-month mention! This is huge for me! I'm so very grateful! Stay tuned for a post on 11/25/25 with direct links to my article.

Book Review: Stories from the River of Mercy

I should admit at the outset, I'm not familiar with Sheila Walsh's music. She strikes me as a vocalist who is vulnerable and real with her audiences. In 2018, I read her book, In the Middle of the Mess. Since I struggle with depression, it's refreshing to find a Christian who openly shares her wounds and battles. In Stories from the River of Mercy, we find an authentic telling of the conflict and resolution between Sheila and her mother-in-law.

From the outset, the two women saw things differently. Sheila's husband, Barry, was Eleanor's only child. As such, she had a hard time with the "leave-and-cleave" process. Not to mention, Eleanor had very firm opinions on how things should be done. I would have bristled, too, if my mother-in-law came in and reorganized my kitchen.

But, the heart of the story is the current of mercy that carries these two different women into reconciliation and deeper relationship because of Eleanor's battle with cancer. I don't believe I have the level of surrender or the heart for others that Sheila develops during this journey. If only I could access that simply by reading. Still, absorbing the story made my heart long to be a better person, to love through another person's prickliness, and to show grace when I want to demand my own perspective. This was a book I was ready to purge from my shelves. I'm glad I took the time to read this slim volume before sending it along to someone else.

Book Review: Lenten Lands

I knew I owned this book, Lenten Lands, by Douglas H. Gresham. I simply couldn't find it on my shelves. Finally, I discovered it tucked away with another category of books on my downstairs shelves. I've mentioned before, I met Douglas while he was researching and I was working at Wheaton College's Wade Center. We hit it off immediately. When he learned of my goal to write a book someday, we made a pact to exchange autographed copies one day. I have his book, albeit unsigned (as he always lived on another continent), but I was unable to find an address to send him my book. Besides, I learned from Patti Callahan Henry that Douglas is struggling with dementia. He certainly would not remember the pact I held onto for years. Still, I'd love to fulfill my end of that agreement.

You cannot help but put yourself in the author's shoes when you read. What a tragic beginning! Douglas left his father (already a tenuous relationship, given his father's addiction) when he sailed with his mother and brother to live in England. He was eight. My heart aches for this upheaval. Then he endured life in English boarding schools. Along the way, his mother (whose story I recently explored both in fiction and non-fiction forms), established a relationship with C. S. "Jack" Lewis. From each book I've read (Patti Callahan Henry's Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Lyle Dorsett's And God Came In, and Doug Gresham's Lenten Lands), you get a strong sense of the intellectual sparring that went on between Jack and Joy. Although some called it a "marriage of convenience," they clearly exhibited a depth of affection for one another. 

Although the book discusses Lewis in the decade Doug knew him, this is not solely a book about C. S. Lewis. Gresham articulates, as the subtitle promises, "My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis." Doug's life is interesting on its own. He carries with him the impact of an intelligent mother who died when he was young and a theological great who died when Doug was in his late teens. These factors forced him to make his own path. I'm thrilled that he found his way in the world. I'm equally thrilled that his way wended my direction for the space of a fortnight.

Book Review: The Things We Cherished

My last Pam Jenoff book, The Lost Girls of Paris, left me ambivalent. Still, I needed an audiobook for longer car trips, and the back cover of The Things We Cherished promised "true love under the worst of circumstances." I had a slight problem at the beginning, following the trail of a few different timelines. There is talk of a clockmaker, then talk of the clock being taken by some boys out of a home, then a modern-day lawyer, then a German accused of war crimes. I caught on and settled in after the first CD, but the initial confusion was frustrating. Perhaps I would have fared better with a book in hand instead of listening.

Charlotte Gold is a lawyer defending juvenile criminals. Her ex-boyfriend, Brian Harrington, asks her to drop her cases and work on an important case that may establish him in his legal firm. When she arrives in Germany to research, Brian's no-show status forces her to work with his brother, Jack. Honestly, the passion between them is so tentative that I cannot understand how they would end up in bed, yet they did. Yes, content caution for those who prefer clean books.

The court case weaves across several countries as they follow the trail of the anniversary clock (a key piece in the solution, supposedly). I was seriously let down by the ending. It felt like a firework that was merely snuffed out before it ever achieved any power. The plot and the relationship fizzled to nothing. It simply wasn't my favorite book. I don't want the time back, per se, but I wish I had invested in one with a better conclusion and more redemption and resolution. 

Content caution: 📒 

Book Review: The Harmony Within

Rolland Hein, author of The Harmony Within: The Spiritual Vision of George MacDonald, was my professor at Wheaton College years ago. George MacDonald's book, Phantastes, had a vast impact on C. S. Lewis. Although I've never read Phantastes, I selected Hein's book for my post-devotional reading in the morning. Since I've only read one MacDonald book, At the Back of the North Wind, it may have been better to dive into the author's writings before reading literary criticism about them.

George MacDonald wrote over 50 volumes of poetry, essays, short stories, sermons, fantasies, and novels. Hein provides extensive lists of his primary and secondary sources in his bibliography. Honestly, I had no business reading this book, based on my miniscule exposure to MacDonald's works. However, I did gain a sense of this author's spiritual perspectives. Even without extensive knowledge of the fantasies (the primary focus of study), I was able to follow the book's structure and learn of MacDonald's views and goals. I'm not a big fan of fantasy. Indeed, I think I'm more interested in reading his sermons than his fantasies. Hein's book examines MacDonald's oeuvre to show how his spiritual perspectives/understanding helped to determine the shape of his novels/fantasies.

For more on MacDonald and an overview of his prolific works, visit The Works of George MacDonald.

* I'm glad I already owned a copy of this book as the Amazon price ranges from $26-$47. I would be interested in reading Hein's The Heart of George MacDonald: A One-Volume Collection of His Most Important Fiction and then tackling his book, George MacDonald: Victorian Mythmaker. It saddened me to learn this beloved professor died two years ago. I have fond memories of his classes and of the students with whom I shared those moments.

Author Spotlight: Sara Brunsvold

My reading habits have shifted in the past few years. Frustrated with less-than-subtle agendas in modern books, I've focused more on Christian books. How freeing to know I won't have to encounter unsavory content or wade through endless expletives! In addition, I'm honing in on specific authors and following their publication paths. My list of beloved authors is growing.

One author I've added to that list is Sara Brunsvold. I had the rare opportunity to attend an author talk just days after finishing her first two books. Sara is a down-to-earth, personable, and committed author. I am impressed by her drive to submit her writing to the guidance and use of God. She does something I always intend to do before each writing session, but often forget: she prays at the outset of every writing session. That is powerful!

Sara's books provide realistic characters in difficult circumstances that emphasize the grace and purpose of God. I have enjoyed every single one of her titles. Her most popular is her debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, which won the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. I had this title noted in my phone many months before I saw an advertisement for her author talk at a local church near me. This book has garnered 734 five-star ratings on Amazon. My review can be found here.

Her second novel, The Divine Proverb of Streusel, really struck a chord with me. It emphasized things we share in common. I grew up in several small towns in Missouri and have a German heritage. Even though I'm not much of a cook, I copied out several of the German recipes shared in the novel. Many of the questions I asked at the author talk focused on this book.

Just a few months ago, Revell released her third novel, The Atlas of Untold Stories. This is a story of a mother-daughters road trip to literary locations in the Midwest. Relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters can be complex. I loved how the journey led to great self-awareness, forgiveness, and redemption. Click here to read my review. Thanks to my pre-order, I also secured a guide to the road trip, in case I wish to take my own road trip one day retracing the steps of these characters. Shortly after the release, I reached out to Sara for an interview. If you haven't yet read a Sara Brunsvold book, you should remedy that soon.

Q1: Please share with us the research process that went into creating The Atlas of Untold Stories. Did you visit these locations with your own daughters in tow?

Sara: As a lifelong Midwesterner and an English major, I was familiar with the rich literary heritage the middle of the country boasts. I wanted to showcase that heritage. For research, I started inventorying the many Midwest sites connected to American literature. After whittling down the list to those my characters would most likely visit, I re-read the literature associated with those sites and studied the biographies of the authors. I was also able to visit many of the sites myself, often with my daughters and husband along with me. On one trip, my mom was with me, which was a sweet memory.

Q2: Which literary location was your favorite? If a reader only has time or means to visit one location on this literary road trip, what is a must-see?

Sara: If you have time for only one visit, I would recommend the Branson and Mansfield, Missouri, area. The two sites are fairly close together. Mansfield is where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in her later years and wrote the Little House books. Her home and farm have been well-preserved, and the museum is amazing. Meanwhile, Branson is where Harold Bell Wright wrote The Shepherd of the Hills. The historic farm where the novel is set has been preserved for tours, and a stage production of the story takes place on the farm.

Q3: Did you have a favorite Midwestern author prior to embarking on the research and writing of this novel?

Sara: I grew up near Hannibal, Missouri, which is the boyhood hometown of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). He will always have a special place in my reader’s heart.

Q4: In the acknowledgements, you mention praying for future readers every time you sit down to write. What a gift! Can you describe how you prepare for each writing session? Is there a favorite writing location? Important writing utensil? Mindset motivator?

Sara: I start every writing session with prayer. That is a must. I keep my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of my faith and every word that springs from it. Readers are almost always in view for me as I pray over my writing session. Most days, I am writing at home at my desk in the corner of my bedroom. Sometimes, though, a change of scenery helps spark creativity. In those cases, I will go to the library, a park, or a local coffee shop.

Q5: In every novel I have worked on, I've hit several walls (mostly toward the middle of the writing process). What is your favorite or most effective writer's block buster?

Sara: I relate to this! I once heard an author coach talk about “upstream issues,” and that was a game-changer for me. More often than not, the issue is not “writer’s block,” but a kink upstream from the place where the creativity seems to have run dry. I will go back several chapters (sometimes all the way back to the beginning, if necessary) and read/edit my way through the manuscript again. Maybe I made a decision earlier that isn’t quite playing out as well as I hoped. Maybe there is a detail that jumps out at me as a thread I need to pull forward in the scene where I’m stuck. Maybe the pacing is off, or the emotional arc is askew. A time or two, I just needed a reminder of how much I love the story I’m working on. Resolving upstream issues is my go-to fix.

Q6: I'm impressed with how you integrate your faith in your writing. You seem deeply dedicated to pursuing what God wants from your writing. Do you have any advice for Christian writers on how to integrate faith without hammering the message over the story? This is one of my chief complaints about some Christian fiction. I believe the story should supersede and subtly convey the message.

Sara: Spoken like a true artist whose heart belongs to Christ! One thing I observe about the author community is how we tend to overthink this, and I get it. When you are creating something in worship of a Holy God, it is only right to be reverent about what you put on the page. That said, the very same Holy God for whom we are worshipfully creating is fully capable of guiding us on where to use heavy strokes of Christian content in our art and where to have a lighter touch. If we are bowed before Him as we write, He is faithful to guide us. We don’t have to try to figure it out in our own reasoning.

Q7: The Atlas of Untold Stories emphasizes how important it is to allow our children space to become their own person. This is a personal struggle for me. God gives us each a unique story. I read a quote, "You cannot protect your child from their testimony." As a parent with a child attempting to break the chains of drug use, I wonder what you would say is the most important action involved in letting go?

Sara: What a wonderful, convicting quote. This is a deep question, and one I feel ill-equipped to answer. As I navigate the season of motherhood in which our girls are preparing to launch, I have leaned on prayer more than ever. Sometimes it is the only action I can take.

Q8: Branching off from those ideas, what would you say is the most powerful thing you have learned from the story God has entrusted in your life?

Sara: The most powerful lesson I’ve learned in my own testimony is surrender. Surrender to Jesus, surrender to God’s plans for my life, and daily surrender to the work He sets before me. Of course, surrender in motherhood is a big thing He is currently teaching me.

Q9: With these outstanding books under your belt, do you experience pressure to perform to the high standard you've established? How do you combat that pressure?

Sara: If I allow myself to, I certainly feel the pressure of expectations. But I have to remind myself that I’m not the main character. God is. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, so if He guided me through three books by his grace, He will do it again, for His own glory. That is the point I come back to in my prayers over my writing ministry. He will accomplish what He sets out to do; my job is to be obedient with the skills, time, and opportunities He has entrusted to me. I try to stay centered on that – and my husband is very good at helping me to that end.

Q10: Can you give us a glimpse into what you are working on now?

Sara: My fourth book, which releases in Fall 2026, takes the cross-generational female friendships of Steel Magnolias and mixes it with the forging of Christian community like in Neta Jackson’s The Yada Yada Prayer Group.

I'm grateful to Sara for taking her time to answer my questions. Her contemporary Christian fiction emphasizes hope, truth, and life. I love redemption in any story. It is so encouraging when brokenness finds healing and God moves in lives to restore and uplift. Sara taps into this so well in her novels. Be sure to check them out! You can find out more information, or sign on for her author newsletter, at her author website.

Book Review: Five Mere Christians - Highly Recommend

How thrilling to find Five Mere Christians, by Jordan Raynor with Kaleigh Cox, available through Hoopla. The smaller free e-book about Fred Rogers whetted my appetite. I prefer my biographies intense and full of detail. Yet, this small book is one I would highly recommend reading. You may think you know the stories of the most famous individuals showcased here (Mr. Rogers and C. S. Lewis). I promise you will learn new perspectives and glean great insights.

The five mere Christians highlighted in this book include Mr. Fred Rogers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ole Kirk Christiansen, Hannah More, and C. S. Lewis. Rogers, the famed television personality, emphasized service and slowing down (to "Fred time") in order to focus on others. The world is better off because he chose a pulpit with puppets instead of podiums. Civil rights activist Hamer provided an example to follow when confronting injustice. Her tenacity and unwillingness to resort to hate changed her state and nation. I knew nothing of Christiansen, the founder of the Lego company. What a testimony of faith under trial, commitment to excellence, and a quiet faith revealed while pursuing play! Recently, I encountered Hannah More in a women's biography devotional I am using this year. Her wisdom in marketing tracts and starting Sunday schools led many to know Christ. She worked alongside William Wilberforce fighting the slave trade in England. Finally, a well-known figure, C. S. Lewis, didn't think his work for the kingdom would last, but it outlived him and made him a household name in Christian circles.

I love the tight structure of these biographies. Each story is enticing and well-written. At the close of each section, the authors focus on 3 important points. This book does more than merely tell of interesting lives. It encourages readers to see opportunities to advance Christ's kingdom wherever personal passion and vision lead. In the section on Hannah More, they recommend readers reject isolation and embrace insulation. One example of isolation is only reading Christian books. Instead, seek insulation. A jacket insulates you from the cold so you can be out in the cold. 

I'd love to outline all these points because they made a significant impact. Instead, I'll encourage you to read the book and take notes, as I did. I will go back over those notes for daily pointers on attracting others to Christ for His kingdom through whatever I do (I don't have a specific job - even my mothering job is now defunct, with the youngest off at college). If you've never read a Jordan Raynor book, start with this excellent one. It is full of practical wisdom, packaged in story.

Book Review: Still Waters

Still Waters is the second Jane Rubietta book I read during my devotional time in the morning. I didn't interact with any of the journaling questions, activity options, or silence suggestions. Still, I appreciated the topics covered: rest, depression, creativity, anger, control (a challenging chapter), happiness, worry, hospitality, and love. Rubietta quoted Mother Theresa as saying, "We are all pencils in the hand of God." That's a lovely image! I liked the title from a Robert Frost poem, "Happiness Makes Up in Height for What it Lacks in Length." How desperately I needed the chapter called "Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite: Working on Worry and Fret." I always tell my kids that worry is my superpower. If only it were a positive thing, instead of the lack of trust it truly demonstrates. This book nurtured positive things in my soul. 

Book Review: The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

Needing an audiobook to accompany treadmill/dishes time, I selected another Boldwood Books novel. I enjoy listening to the British accent for Boldwood's books. This time around, I struggled with one repeated word. In my American accent, I pronounce the word "body" with a phonetic sound of baaa-dee. During the narration, every time this word came up (often), the British narrator pronounced it as bo-dee. I know this is truly nitpicking, but it bo-thered me.

The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove, by Kim Nash, offers a lighthearted romantic read. Nancy is struggling to make her dream bookshop a success in her hometown of Driftwood Bay by the sea. Her neighbor's grandson, Dennis, grates on Nancy's nerves because he is full of advice on how to improve her business sense. When he offers to help her turn the tide, she begrudgingly accepts. As they work together, they fall in love. But of course, something will come between them. Can they surmount this obstacle? The ending seemed too tidy. Doesn't that sound like a dream, though? Having one's own bookstore? Recommending books to others for a living? Who needs the man? Give me the store!

Mid-month Mention #2: Bookish Things

I've been enjoying some great interaction with authors recently. I entered a book giveaway through Michelle Griep's newsletter and won a free autographed book, The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane. She also sent a small sticker and four bookmarks. I thoroughly enjoyed her Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series (the first three books highlighted in my compilation post of books about Victorian London).

When I learned, in Becca Kinzer's newsletter, that she was Indy bound, I wanted to connect and get an author signature on my copy of her outstanding debut book, Dear Henry, Love Edith. However, the fee for attendance at the Indy bookseller's event was $200. I sent her a quick email and she happily agreed to meet at a Barnes and Noble. Sadly, I forgot to snag a photo together. All the more reason to meet her again at some point, perhaps after her next book, Not What We Pictured. You can pre-order it prior to its April 2026 release.

Also, I wanted to remind people of a book scavenger hunt I only learned of this year (it made my April Mid-month Mention post). The Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt is coming again from October 23rd to 26th. Here's the blurb that provided a heads-up in Robin Lee Hatcher's newsletter:

"If you’ve never participated in one of the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunts, you are in for a treat. If you have participated, then you’ll be eager to join in again. The hunt runs October 23 - 26, from Noon (MDT) on Thursday until Sunday night at 11:59 pm (MDT). Follow the hunt, collect the clues, and enter to win books and prizes from 22 participating authors! "

You enter the hunt by visiting author websites. You can find more information on Robin Lee Hatcher's website. I highly recommend signing up for author newsletters (I never send any out, but I should remedy that - even though my newsletter subscriber list is very small). Opportunities abound. Plus, it is always interesting to learn more about the authors who write the books you love.

Added 10/24:

Mid-month Mention: Alisa Childers

My respect for Alisa Childers continues to grow. First, I read Another Gospel. Recently, I highly recommended her book, The Deconstruction of Christianity. I hope to listen to Live Your Truth on Hoopla sometime soon. In the meantime, I've been listening to several of her podcast episodes and want to mention these here.

I believe Alisa is a solid, Bible-following, Christian. What's more, she is a mouthpiece to the masses. Many see and hear her apologetics for the faith. May they think deeply about what she has to say and may they trust the solid foundation of God's Word. The Bible is our map for navigating this life. Moreover, this life continues to ratchet up in intensity toward the end times. Evil multiplies. Division threatens. The time is ripe for an Antichrist to appear, convincing many that he is going to save them from the plight of our world.

While I'm probably more skeptical than Alisa about the whole Charlie Kirk assassination, I value her insights and her take on what she experienced. I fear the young man accused of this crime will supposedly commit suicide, because the powers that be do not want him to take the stand and come to trial. There is a depth of deception going on and many people swallow lies with relish. This was a far more orchestrated event than the media wants us to believe. I have my own opinions about who is responsible. I fear some reactions are mere performances. Yet, again, I appreciate Alisa's thoughts and views.

The first podcast I will mention is one titled "Revival is Here... Thoughts About the Charlie Kirk Memorial."

She clearly articulates the clash of worldviews in our society. Those with the pervasive ideology of the oppressed versus the oppressors seek revolution and call words "violence," to the end that "violence" appears justified. We need to be discerning. We need to arm ourselves with the inerrant Word of God. As Alisa points out, "When the church is silent, darkness has a free pass." Like Alisa, I'm convicted by my timidity and cowardice.

I appreciated her 5 undeniable facts about the memorial service. She cites, 1) the gospel was preached with boldness and clarity, 2) God is doing significant things in hearts, 3) the crowd was diverse, including some with false motives and unchristian perspectives, 4) some bad theology was spoken, and 5) some good theology was spoken. I loved her point that true revival comes with true repentance. Moreover, I want to be one who welcomes new believers, even if the externals still reek of their past ways.

I also watched a very convicting episode on 3rd Wayism versus NAR: Errors Threatening the Church. I had never heard of 3rd Wayism, but I fear I've been guilty. In my book club, I tend to stay silent because I don't want to ruffle feathers. I don't want to turn others off before I even get a chance to share the gospel. My typical excuse is, "I don't do politics. I'm the most a-political person ever." Now, that's true. I'm very a-political. I don't side with either party. Nor do I believe that politics will ever solve the world's problems because our problem is not a government problem, but rather a heart problem. We need our hearts of stone to be replaced with hearts of flesh. We need full submission to God, not to government. How tempting to withdraw from that arena altogether and sit back in silence! No one likes to disturb the status quo or buck the current.

Alisa's argument emphasizes the importance of razer-sharp discernment that calls out false gospels. Our politics stem from our Biblical theology. In my goal to obey His Word alone, I don't want to shy away from proclaiming the light amid the darkness. How I pray God might give me the courage and boldness to stand firm on His principles! My goal should be to drive every argument into submission under the Word of God. Uncomfortable though it makes me, silence can be complicity.

Finally, I watched another convicting episode, from 2 years ago, featuring an interview with Tim Challies. Challies is a Canadian Reformed Baptist theologian, pastor, blogger, and author. The episode outlines 4 heretical books to remove from your church library. Since I read extensively and write book reviews, this subject is essential. Oh, how I need discernment in my reading! I try to read a wide variety of books, and will not pass by a book simply because it doesn't fit my ideology. Yet, I want to review books as held up to the Bible, with the Bible informing my reaction to the book.

So, what were the 4 books to avoid? I've read all but the first. Most of the problems with these books come from the tendency to re-create God in our own image. It reminds me of a quote I saw in a Brennan Manning book recently. Blaise Pascal said, "God made man in his own image and man returned the compliment." 1) Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. She claims Jesus came and gave her the words directly, yet when held against Christ in the Bible, these words read more like those of a young woman much like the author. 2) The Shack, by William P. Young, is a book I read and reviewed without discerning the errors until much later. Young's fictional re-creation of the holy trinity does not reflect the way they are painted in God's Word. While it was a feel-good book, and a book I could relate to, it departs from the good book. 3) The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren. I think our Bible study in Illinois read and worked through this book. Challies argues that the book encourages pragmatism. Change your church to be what the people want, rather than change the people to be what God wants.

The fourth is a category of books, rather than a single book. Challies calls them "journey to heaven books." I have read several of these and may have to go back to re-read my reviews. Perhaps I read without the level of discernment I should have had. These would include Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven and Todd Burpo's Heaven is for Real. I think what appealed to me most from Burpo's book was the conception, which is probably true, of reuniting with our deceased children. Since I lost a baby to miscarriage, I felt great comfort in reading that book.

In all of this, the primary call is for discernment in this current climate of our world. We are called to stand firm on God's Word. God wants us to shine a light on the works of darkness. Even in my own family relations, I am called by God to identify and confront false gospels. May we be faithful! May we lean into the Holy Spirit for wisdom in discernment! He alone is our guide and our savior in this fallen world.

Book Review: A Marriage at Sea

A Marriage at Sea, a survival biography by Sophie Elmhirst, offers a fascinating look at circumstances that challenged a young British couple. The author divides the book into four sections. Section one focuses on this intrepid couple's courtship and voyage. Section two outlines their survival at sea after their yacht sinks. The third section covers the popular obsession with their rescue tale and the unique challenges of their rise to fame. In the final section, the couple moves on from the spotlight and must live out their days.

Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, two unique and interesting individuals, don't seem like a perfect match. He is awkward and unsociable. She is optimistic and independent. It is unusual that they end up together. Even more unusual, their differing personalities mesh and work when life throws significant challenges their way.

Maurice is hard to like, making Maralyn's devotion hard to understand. What a tale of contrasts! Maralyn is optimistic. She clings to the hope of reaching the Galapagos. Maurice, knowing about winds and currents, despairs. The author writes that Maurice "found himself wondering if they had enough gas in the canister to kill themselves." Maralyn encourages him to keep rowing, while he considers her delusional. She never questions their survival. Being alone at sea causes Maurice to contemplate his personality, his rough edges. He sincerely wants to be different. But is he capable of changing?

The book read like fiction. I enjoyed the first three sections. Although I couldn't understand their wanderlust (or their comfort with life at sea), it was fascinating. Sad to say, if in their shoes, I'd be more like Maurice, losing hope and giving in to despair. I loved watching how Maralyn's optimism bolstered Maurice's defeat. The rescue was riveting. The whirlwind media blitz was exhausting (almost more daunting than surviving life in the elements at sea).

I found section four depressing. Still, it was a provocative and gripping tale of personalities tested by trial. I appreciated the author's expansion, likening this survival tale to every marriage relationship. We are all tossed about in a dinghy, trying to survive the elements and waves of life together. We can make each other stronger, or we can pull each other down. Thus, I found much to contemplate from this intriguing survival story. Despite a scoffing tone toward faith, the book's outline of relational struggles encouraged me to contemplate my own faults. I want to be beneficial, not detrimental, in my relationships. 

I end this review with an illustration from the book. The author shares the story of a downed plane. The pilot left to seek help, only to return and find the two passengers dead. Elmhirst writes, "Able only to sit and wait, what could they do but die? It is not so much the feats of endurance that keep people alive as the absence of surrender. Maurice, lacking occupation, became desolate. There was no evidence to convince him that survival was likely, and he found it hard to believe in things he couldn't see. What was the point of trying?" May we strive to be like the pilot and Maralyn, focusing on hopes for the future, instead of fixing on frustrations and limitations of the present. 

Book Review: The Deconstruction of Christianity - Highly Recommend

In college, I took a literary criticism course. I hated that class. We discussed Derrida and deconstruction theories of language. Derrida and others despised the idea of absolute truth. They argued that language is unstable and offers too many meanings. To me, it was a lot of pointless discussions like, "Cat is not rat because it has a 'c' instead of an 'r'," and other such nonsense. 

Religious deconstruction is all the rage these days. I have plenty of friends who talk about stepping back from the faith of their upbringing to reevaluate. They want to reclaim the good parts of Christianity and reject the bad parts. Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett explain with candor and clarity what "deconstruction" is, why it attacks those who claim "faith," and how to respond. I fall outside of the deconstruction camp because I believe in the inerrant and steadfast Word of God. I believe in absolute truth. So many want to relativize truth and say, "Well, that's your truth. I have my truth." To claim your own authority, separate from the Bible's authority, puts one on shifting sands. Yet, deconstructionists, who call themselves "ex-vangelicals," parse God's Word, picking and choosing parts to support their own societally sanctioned standards. They magnify Christ's love but disregard the hot holiness of His love. They share the sound bite, "No one condemns you," ignoring, "Go and sin no more."

The Deconstruction of Christianity articulates this agenda. The goal of an ex-vangelical is not to "re-construct" their faith, but to "de-construct" a belief system they feel is outdated and oppressive. Indeed, they see historical Biblical Christianity as "toxic," "patriarchal," and "confining." They seek a custom-made spirituality, separate from the moral "rigidity" of the Bible. They run from the Bible's authority and demand their own. Ex-vangelicals reject 5 things: 1) a literal reading of the Bible; 2) the belief that women should be submissive to men; 3) the sanctity of heterosexuality; 4) American exceptionalism; and 5) political/moral conservatism.

Part II of the book outlines the how, what, and who of deconstruction. I weep for these individuals. Often they are deconstructing as a reaction to a crisis, be it suffering, doubt, politics, or abuse. Gregory Koukl, author of Tactics, calls individually determined truth "the primal heresy." He likens it to the lies Satan presents in Eden. Many progressive leaders are brazen. Pastor Chris Kratzer encourages his followers to "spend less time reading the Bible and more time writing your own." The authors of this book remind readers that every ex-vangelical is made in the image of God and scarred by sin. They are captives who want to seek God on their own terms.

Part III offers hope for responding to those who reject the Bible and historical Christianity. I love that the first piece of advice is to pray. Second, believers should stay involved and share the burdens of their deconstructing friends. Third, seek God's wisdom for how to best assist them while being loving and sensitive. Finally, set boundaries and abide by theirs. It takes courage to stand on the truth of God's Word in a sin-scarred world that seeks individual authority and relative standards of right and wrong. But it is so important! Their final destination looms. This is a life or death matter. Everyone should ask themselves, "Where do my beliefs look more like the world than God's Word?" Toward the end of the book, the authors offer a prayer template. I copied it for myself and intend to use it when praying for my relatives and friends who have been enticed into the ex-vangelical camp. If you have a heart for the lost amid a cacophony of swirling perspectives, this is a must-read!

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;"

- 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

*Alisa Childers is also the author of Another Gospel?, one of my top reads in 2021.

Book Review: Half Broke Horses

Someone in my book club suggested we read Jeannette Walls' Half Broke Horses. I was familiar with the author and the title. I read her memoir, The Glass Castle, years ago. While I couldn't remember what it was about, I vaguely remembered it being an absorbing read (never a dull moment). The front cover of Half Broke Horses declares it is a "true-life novel" (think "embellished memoir"). It is based on the lives of Jeannette's mother and grandmother.

Since Half Broke Horses begins with a flash flood in Texas, it grabbed my attention. The flooding on the Guadalupe River happened just weeks before I read Walls' novel/memoir. Thus, it sucked me in right away. My book club now picks two titles for the monthly meeting. The alternate title was Robert Dugoni's The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a book I enjoyed when I read it years ago.

I re-read Dugoni's book and enjoyed it more than Half Broke Horses. Still, the true-life novel was full of action and adventure. It sometimes felt contrived. Everyone says real life is stranger than fiction. Walls' book was full of cowboys, fast horses, cars, and planes. It had devious and decent men, sad and stunning women. Life rambled across several states, and seemed packed with challenges and setbacks, courageously overcome. In the end, I could have skipped reading the true-life novel. Most of our book discussion centered on the Dugoni book. Then again, we often spend half the time discussing our lives, because real life is more pressing and interesting than fiction.

Book Review: Quiet Places

Years ago, I purchased two personal retreat books at the Write-to-Publish Conference. Jane Rubietta, a long-time staff member, writes about relinquishing our busyness to pursue God's heart and purpose. I selected these two books as my next supplemental reading during my morning devotions. In thinking about personal retreats, I realize I haven't taken a personal retreat since all the chaos descended with my son's wayward path. I used to take a writing retreat every November to help me meet my National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) goal. In 2019, I had to cancel my retreat because my son had run away from home. I didn't know if he would be back or if I would be in any condition to focus on a retreat.

I started chronologically, with the first one published, Quiet Places: A Woman's Guide to Personal Retreat. Jane's chapters focus on frantic activity, self-confidence, loss, unforgiveness, stress, friendship, and dreams. She offers encouragement, along with loads of practical activities, to focus the life lessons. Each chapter ends with quotes for contemplation and scriptures for meditation. Then, she offers ideas for journaling, praying, activity, and silent contemplation, followed by questions for reflection. While I didn't take time to interact in those ways, I will keep the book and may come back to it at some later date. I wanted to share passages with my sister, who has recently moved to a new location/job and is feeling all the stress and learning curves such changes bring. Unfortunately, she's so busy (thus her great need), she probably wouldn't have time to consider the passages Jane offers on dealing with stress. Who knows, maybe I'll send the book to her in hopes she can carve out some moments each day to consider Jane's insights on slowing down and savoring the life and purpose God has given.

2025 - Third Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, genre, the page count, and a grading scale (💖5 page-turner - highly recommend, 4 page-turner - enjoyed, 3 page-turner - good, 2 page-turner - meh, and 1 page-turner - regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the third quarter of 2025 (links to full reviews can be found in the side-bar, or after 2025, found through the search bar at the right):

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle - A tight mother-daughter bond is broken upon the death of Katy's mother, Carol. In the throes of grief, Katy heads off on their planned trip to Italy only to run into a younger version of Carol there in the town of Positano. Women's Fiction. 245 pages, 📃📃📃📃

E. M. Bounds: Man of Prayer - His Life and Selected Writings by Lyle W. Dorsett - What an insightful read when attempting to incorporate more prayer and fasting into my life! E. M. Bounds provides loads of wisdom on the topic of prayer and Lyle is just the author to organize and present Bounds' life and lessons. Christian Living/Biography. 253 pages, 📃📃📃📃-1/2

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis - First written (and the best introduction) in the Narnia series, this is a great allegorical study of the story of salvation. It may be my 3rd reading of it, but it was well worth visiting again. Christian Children's Fiction. 208 pages (I listened in audio form, 4 CDs, 4 hours), 📃📃📃📃

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon - A Reese's Book Club choice selected by my local book club for May's read. Laid up by cancer, Lana Rubicon, with her daughter, Beth, and her granddaughter, Jack, work on solving a murder. Sometimes mother-daughter relationships are difficult. Debut Fiction/Mystery. 354 pages, 📃📃📃

First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer - Her ex-husband Noah is the last person Gracie wants to help her after she sustains a back injury. But nobody else can help and he's available. Can their love be rekindled and can old hurts heal? Inspirational Rom-Com. 320 pages, 📃📃📃📃

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett - Elsie Watson hopes to inspire others with a book she creates to capture last messages to loved ones during the ravages of the Blitz. She cannot anticipate that one message, one request, will alter her life forever. Historical Fiction. 384 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 12-3/4 hours), 📃📃📃-1/2

Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C. S. Lewis by Lyle W. Dorsett - Excellent explanation for how C. S. Lewis grew in his spiritual life over the years. Christian Living/Biography. 165 pages, 📃📃📃📃

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones - A short collection of essays from a bookstore owner in a small southern town. Memoir/Essays. 240 pages, 📃📃📃📃

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K. C. Davis - Outstanding motivation for when you feel like you just can't keep up with the endless care tasks of living. Depression and trauma can pose severe challenges to what others view as straightforward tasks. Do what you can and give yourself grace. Avoid shame-based cleaning. Make your tasks function for you, rather than against you. Self-help. 144 pages, 📃📃📃📃

A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge - Tilda's small act of kindness to homeless Milo sets in motion healing, friendship, and reconciliation. Uplifting story. Women's Fiction. 290 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 9-1/4 hours), 📃📃📃-1/2

The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis - This book covers the theological issues that stem from the presence of pain in a world with an omniscient and omnipotent God. Christian Apologetics. 141 pages, 📃📃📃📃

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn - Enduring the loss of her 5-year-old daughter, Steven Curtis Chapman's wife expresses her anguish and faith. Memoir. 288 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 6 hours), 📃📃📃📃

💖Coming Clean: A Story of Faith by Seth Haines - A powerful and poetic journal across 90 days of seeking sobriety from alcoholism. The honest expressions of pain and doubt hit home but don't leave readers in despair. Rather, they give rise to faith and forgiveness. Memoir/Christian Living. 224 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 6-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃📃📃

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold - A mother and 2 daughters head off on a literary road trip in America's heartland exploring sites of various Mid-west authors. Contemporary Women's Fiction. 352 pages, 📃📃📃📃 

The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis - This is the 6th written and 1st in chronological order of the renowned Chronicles of Narnia series. It is a prequel to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I'm glad I read that LWW first. Children's Fiction. 221 pages (I listened in audio form, 4 CDs, 4 hours), 📃📃📃

The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning - This book articulates the clear call to trust in God's grace rather than the self-sufficiency of your continued obedient faith. Forgiveness precedes repentance. Christian Living. 233 pages, 📃📃📃📃

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox - Beckett Walsh bears the responsibility of letting the bees know their beekeeper, her father, is gone. Given her social anxiety, she is unsure how she will survive without him, until a neighbor child and her father's will rattle her world, pushing her out of her comfort zone. Christian Women's Fiction. 326 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 10 hours), 📃📃📃-1/2 

Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God by Brennan Manning - When life throws us for a loop, we cling to God's trustworthiness, no matter the outcome. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust." Christian Living. 190 pages, 📃📃📃📃 

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh - Rosie Waterman never expected to be directing a play in a retirement center. Nor did she have a clue how much this could impact her life and her dreams. Rom-com. 352 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 11 hours), 📃📃📃📃-1/2

Book Review: Everything's Coming Up Rosie

In August, I highlighted 5 Christian authors. I recommended Courtney Walsh in that mid-month mention post. Walsh is an Illinois writer from my old neck of the woods. She wrote my favorite read of 2023, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. Her newest book, Everything's Coming Up Rosie, prompted similar affection and reflection.

Rosie Waterman battles disappointment as her dreams of Broadway stardom seem to flounder. Her friends are all making strides (getting married, having a baby, starting a business). In desperation, she fires off tons of resumes and knee-jerk responds to the first offer. Now she's headed to Door County, Wisconsin, to direct Cinderella. But what she finds in Door County isn't what she expected. As obstacles mount, she digs in and tries to do the best she can. Perhaps her dream won't take shape the way she anticipated.

Rosie is delightful! While not as quirky as Isadora (in my favorite Walsh novel), she has spunk and verve. Her swoon-worthy love interest, Booker, keeps things hopping. Can the elderly players in this retirement center production teach Rosie to face former demons, pivot into a new plan, and chase what really matters to her? Like the happy life novel, this book drives home messages I need to contemplate. What do I do when my dreams don't turn out as I'd imagined? Can I embrace the reality that the hard makes the good taste sweeter? I'm knee-deep in hard! My dreams are on hold while I wade through these problems. This book offers the perfect blend of distraction and inspiration. I want to face life like Rosie, opening up to the pain and carving a path to new purpose.  

Book Review: Ruthless Trust

Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God is the second Brennan Manning book I own. I took copious notes from this book during my devotional time each morning. I guess it hit me right where I needed it. Manning talks about how difficult it is to trust when you don't see how God could have allowed the tragedy you are enduring. Such ruthless trust only comes through walking the path of trial. Manning writes, "Anyone God uses significantly is deeply wounded."

We must look to God to even nurture such trust within us. We cannot fabricate it ourselves. He writes, "In the midst of the ruins - in the premature death of a loved one, in the hell on earth we call a crack house, in the ache of heartbreak... the presence of God abides. The trusting disciple, often through clenched teeth, says, in effect, God is still trustworthy, but not because of unrestricted power to intervene on my behalf; he is trustworthy because of a promise given and sustained." And I loved this quote, "I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my Heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone."

Pain and suffering can, and will, blow our lives apart. Often we can only hear our own heartache. Courage abandons us in the dark. Self-pity is inevitable. But that is precisely where ruthless trust grows, with the help of our Savior. Manning says, "I used to believe that trusting God's goodness meant I would not be hurt. But having been hurt quite a bit, I know God's goodness goes deeper than all pleasure and pain - it embraces them both." If you need to bolster your ruthless trust in God, this book reminds you where to find the source of your strength.

"To be grateful for an unanswered prayer,

to give thanks in a state of interior desolation,

to trust in the love of God in the face of

the marvels, cruel circumstances,

obscenities and commonplaces of life

is to whisper a doxology in darkness."

- Brennan Manning

Book Review: He Should Have Told the Bees

My first Amanda Cox book was The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, a 2022 Christy Award winner. I sought another one to fill my treadmill time and landed on He Should Have Told the Bees. The what-if premise is clear: What if your anxiety, stemming from abandonment issues, explodes when another person holds claim to your safe haven? The topics addressed in this book will hit home with someone in this day and age. Anxiety is rampant. The future feels uncertain. Substances often beckon with peaceful illusions.

Beckett Walsh's life with her father is stable, considering her mother abandoned them when Beckett was quite young. As long as she stays on the farm, helping her father tend their bees, she manages fine. But chaos descends after his death. Beckett learns that her father's will names another individual, Callie Peterson, as a co-owner of the only haven she knows. Who is this woman? Why is she named in the will?

Callie has no clue why George Walsh left her anything. He was a customer at her natural candle and lotion booth. But could this solve her financial problems? Can she keep her dream of owning a store and still provide for the needs of her addicted mother in rehab? Will she ignore the niggle of guilt because she knows this is Beckett's only safe space?

Two separate lives torn apart by trauma. Two separate needs pitted against each other. This book showcases the power of friendship, the gift of grace, and the promise of restoration. Once again, delving into the trauma response of addiction, I'm full of questions about what traumas may have induced my son's addictions. I'm praying for God's power, gifts, and promises in my son's life.