SUGAR BIRDS by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The trees would hold her until she figured out what to do next."

When a tragic fire burns her house to the ground, ten-year-old Aggie Hayes takes off to the woods, the only other place she calls home. Climbing between tree tops and living off the natural bounty of the forest, she evades search parties, believing that she will be apprehended for causing what was in reality a horrible accident. From her perch amongst the birds she observes another young woman who is considering running away, Celia Burke.

Celia Burke is furious. Upon the pretense of a summer vacation, her father proceeds to drop Celia off with her grandmother before leaving to work a long distance contract. Her Gram's property soon becomes part of a search grid for a missing young girl, Aggie Hayes. After befriending Aggie's older brother who works at a nearby dairy farm, Celia also allows herself to be charmed by a handsome face who makes dangerous promises. And curiously enough, Celia feels that Aggie is closer than anyone thinks and will likely need her help.

After settling in, this story's multi-sensory appeal plunges the reader high up into the tree tops where Aggie takes up temporary residence. Her fear, her anxiety, her sorrow, her guilt, are overwhelmingly palpable before tiny shards of hope begin to penetrate the vast tree canopy. Aggie's heavenly Father was nearer than she ever imagined and His voice whispered assurances from the depths of her despair. And Celia? The same could be said about her, even though her feet remained firmly on the ground.

An outstanding story of hope, miracles and restoration!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
For years, Harris Hayes has taught his daughter, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods, where she sketches nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Then her depressed, unpredictable mother forbids her to climb the trees that give her sanctuary and comfort. Angry, ten-year-old Aggie accidentally lights a tragic fire and flees downriver. She lands her boat near untamed forest, then hides among trees and creatures she believes are her only friends—determined to remain undiscovered.

A search party gathers hours after Celia arrives at her grandmother's nearby farm. Hurting from her parents' breakup, she also plans to run. But when she joins the hunt for Aggie, she meets two irresistible young men who compel her to stay. One is autistic; the other, dangerous.

Ideal for fans of The Scent Keeper, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Great Alone, Sugar Birds is a layered, riveting story set in the breathtaking natural world—where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness, for themselves and for those who have failed them.
 

(Winner of multiple Earphones Awards and the prestigious Odyssey and Odyssey Honor Awards, Jayne Entwistle's narration has landed on Audiofile Magazine's list of Best Audiobooks of the Year.)

 WINNER: 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS - Literary, General, and Cross Genre Fiction.

WINNER: CHRISTIANITY TODAY’S 2022 BOOK AWARDS - Award of Merit in Fiction

WINNER: 2021 BEST BOOK AWARD - Inspirational Fiction

SILVER MEDALIST: 2021 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD - Inspirational Fiction

FINALIST: 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS - Religious Fiction

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON STATE, 1985

Tyndale Fiction, October, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook

BUY SUGAR BIRDS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Pebbles, both polished and rough, overflowed from galvanized buckets in three corners of her living space. Large or small, she's assign a number and a memory to each."

Take a deep breath, and let it out. That's exactly how I felt after reading this incredibly emotive, restorative, atmospheric, and deeply spiritual story about how freedom is unleashed by the truth, resetting into its natural boundaries, like a river uninhibited by man-made shores.

Highly respected biologist Hildy Nybo has been imprisoned for years by fear and anxiety, terrified that she will lose her memory, meticulously chronicling each and every day of her life with phrases and tagged mementos. After accepting a job near her childhood home, sensations of indescribable darkness coincide with her attempts to lead a normal life. It's only when Luke Rimmer, a survivor of his own tragedies, crosses her path that unconditional kindness is poised to become either a balm or a briar; peace or pain.

There are some books worthy of their word count. This is one of them.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW 

BackCover Blurb:

Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwest’s wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildy’s reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her father’s love and her mother’s sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes.

Then her mother’s health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her family’s rustic resort—a place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she can’t fully explain.

When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbor. But then Miranda’s carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildy’s attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildy’s built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her river’s course to freedom.

-A compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world
-A poignant and emotive contemporary novel perfect for fans of Delia Owens and William Kent Krueger
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Tyndale Fiction, August 2025

Available in digital ebook,paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

 

 

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7823755880

THE LIGHT ON HORN ISLAND by Valerie Fraser Luesse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Help one, save one, lead one home." Cryptic words written in the sand, in Hebrew no less.

Weighted down with indescribable grief over the loss of her best friend, Edie Gardner leaves New York City and travels miles to the south towards the one person who never fails to sooth her soul, Punk Cheramie; arguably one of the best cooks in Mississippi. Her grandmother's coastline cottage is Edie's favorite spot, not to mention Punk's three rambunctious friends whose constant dialogue and entertaining antics prove impossible to resist.

When the ladies gather for an epic shopping trip, they end up at an eclectic curiosity shop in Biloxi, where an enigmatic owner not only decodes the Hebrew message, but sends the women home with a vintage parlor game, and upon a return trip offers Edie a part-time job. The days and weeks that follow not only reunite Edie with a life long passion but with a much treasured love. And she isn't the only one.

A sweet blend of hilarity and heartache coupled with a little glimpse of heaven empowers this story to remove layers upon layers of grief, regret and unfinished memories; it's what light is all about.
*I won a copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
Just when her life comes crumbling down, she discovers secrets that could shape her future--and heal her past.

When Edie Gardner's life in New York falls apart, her grandmother Adele "Punk" Cheramie coaxes her back to tiny Bayou du Chêne, Mississippi. Edie spent many happy summers there, a stone's throw from untamed Horn Island, where she once found love. Can she now demystify the island's strange new light?

Punk and her colorful friends introduce Edie to the Trove, a fascinating gallery and antique shop. Like Horn Island's light, The Trove has appeared out of nowhere. Its proprietor, with a gift for discerning his customers' needs, gives Edie a Victorian parlor game that asks players a series of personal questions, which is harmless fun at first. But Edie and her grandmother's circle find that the game has a way of uncovering secrets, including a heartbreak that has haunted one of the women for decades. Banding together, this Southern sisterhood is determined to find answers that will bring healing, hope, and happiness--and maybe explain the transcendent illumination of a wild and windswept barrier island.

Revell Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

BUY THE LIGHT ON HORN ISLAND at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND by Katie Powner, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Contemporary Small Town Fiction Set on a Montana Ranch

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Ms. Powner spins such a good story that you think you are peeking at real life. Her characters are so realistic and they face real situations.
 

Anita, Dan and their somewhat challenged son, Sam, run a guest ranch. Anita is a prayer warrior who still hovers over Sam, wanting to protect him. Tad hires on to help Dan with the ranch, tend the horses and take guests on trail rides. He becomes a friend to Sam. He unexpectedly gets custody of a baby daughter he never knew about. Things get complicated.
 

The story is full of lessons in taking responsibility, giving grace when things go wrong, and learning to let go.
 

The characters grow as they come against difficulties. Things are not wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end but that is just fine because life is like that. Real life is messy. Real life does not end in neat solutions.
 

This is definitely a story to make you see the grace of God and how He uses people to help their neighbors.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
Only trouble can bring about the beauty of redemption and grace.

In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to bungle it up this time.

Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more of a mess than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and what grace really means. 

Revell Publishing, August, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THIS PROMISED LAND by Cathy Gohlke, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"For all the years she'd longed to come home, now all she wanted was to leave."

Sixty-five years old and on the cusp of finally living out her dreams, Ginny Pickering Boyden is drawn back to her roots by a surprising piece of correspondence, the contents of which have the potential to postpone her carefully laid plans, if not cancel them altogether. For decades her brother had led her to believe that she wasn't welcome to return to the beautiful Virginia property known for miles around as the Wetherill Pickering's Christmas Tree Farm. What she is about to discover is that things are not always what they seem . . . especially now that Ginny owns the entire property.

Not only is Ginny confused about this recent turn of events, her two nephews are struggling as well; one is furious that he has been misled, the other has just arrived with three scraggly children in tow with only the clothes on their backs. To further complicate things, the farm is in deep financial straits making Ginny seriously consider selling and moving on, but her heart and her head are in disagreement; this land has been in her family for years and these people are the only family she has left. Is there a way to help bind the wounds between brothers, while working hard enough to make the farm profitable, and . . . possibly seek redemption for the mistakes of her past?

Prepare yourself! What you will read between the covers of this book will undoubtedly send you scurrying deep towards the corners of your own heart where disappointments and regrets know exactly where to hide and where hope rises up to demand a chance to be set free. Using carefully crafted characters (you will love the children as much as Ginny does!), the author tells her own rendition of a most beloved parable, the return of the prodigal son.

"God made it possible. He prepared the feast ahead of time - ahead of all of us. We just didn't realize it. We only needed to walk through the door."
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

BackCover Blurb:

When she ran away as a young war bride, she was cut off from her family forever . . . or so she believed. Decades later, maybe the only way to move on is to go home.

Ginny Pickering Boyden can’t wait for her last day of work, when she’ll be free to pursue a lifelong ambition through a master gardener apprenticeship. But an unexpected letter brings shocking news: Ginny has inherited her family’s Christmas tree farm, a dream she’d long ago given up.

Facing a past laced with memories and lies she’s tried hard to bury, a furious nephew who thought the land would be his, and a failing farm with a mountain of debt, Ginny returns to New Scrivelsby, Virginia, determined to sell. But when her younger nephew, a Vietnam vet, appears with demons of his own and three young children in tow, Ginny isn’t sure what to do. Too much of their story reminds Ginny of her own. She has little hope, however, that three generations of warring Pickerings can set aside their differences to restore all that’s broken, both on the land and in their hearts.

Set against the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains, This Promised Land is the story of a daughter’s longing to make sense of the past and of the unbreakable bonds that bring prodigals home.

-A modern take on the prodigal son story, written by a four-time Christy award–winning author
-Contains discussion questions ideal for book clubs 

Tyndale Fiction, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THIS PROMISED LAND at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

BORN OF GILDED MOUNTAINS by Amanda Dykes, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain. ~(Part of the back cover blurb)

I can’t possibly add anything different to what other reviewers have said about this lovely book. All I know is Amanda Dykes has the magic touch when it comes to penning a story that you feel deep in your heart and soul. It’s about an instant lifelong friendship that spans time through the written word, connecting two people to each other and a town. It’s also about a tight-knit community hidden up in the mountain top, a family if you will, that takes care of its own. And lastly, it’s about the mystery of a missing train named “The Galloping Goose #8” that ties them all together. But it’s also much more than this, whatever was in the mailbag of the legendary #8 has the possibility of changing the course of so many lives!

“Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well.” ~ Joan of Arc quote

I really felt like I was engulfed in this story, it touched so many emotions! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mercy (aka Marybeth Spatts) and Rusty by watching their friendship grow with each letter they wrote. Part of the unique style of writing by Dykes was including those letters. The written word has so much power, I think! I also loved all the rest of the characters and appreciated the way they took care of each other. The mystery of the missing train pieced this all together for me, I was rooting for it to finally be found so there can be resolution for each of the townspeople…especially Rusty.

My favorite thing about this was how Dykes incorporated a faith thread that reminded me (and the characters) how much God loves us, is with us and gives us hope no matter how dark the circumstances of our lives can be at times. I loved reading the wisdom Rusty shares in her letters, she is wise beyond her young years.

This was my first book by Amanda, but certainly not my last! She puts so much emotion, depth of character, and has a way with words that surrounds you completely. I have much to catch up with and I look forward to many more adventures!
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House publishers and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

SEE REVIEWS by REBECCA AND WINNIE 

BackCover Blurb:
A lost treasure. A riddled quest. The healing power of friendship.

Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.

In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago--along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.

Bethany House, June, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy BORN OF GILDED MOUNTAINS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

BORN OF GILDED MOUNTAINS by Amanda Dykes, Reviewed by Winnie and Rebecca

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
It’s always such a treat to dive into another book by this author. She’s definitely one of my favorites. I find I have to set aside some extra time when I’m reading her stories, because I’m always stopping to re-read sentences and paragraphs. Her writing is so beautiful, poetic, and full of deep meaning that I love savoring it and soaking it up! The settings are unique and perfect, the characters are beautifully crafted, and the author’s imagination and creativity are brilliant.

The setting of this book in the small town of Mercy Peak in the Colorado mountains is captivating and delightful. The townspeople were so warm and quick to capture my heart.

“You’re one of us now; you’re ours when you live in Mercy Peak, so you’d better get used to it.”

“That’s the thing about Mercy Peak . . . they don’t give up on you. Not even if it takes a lifetime.”

I loved the unusual friendship and bond between Mercy (Marybeth) and Rusty forged through years of being pen pals and sharing their feelings with each other.

“You’re the sister I always wanted. God just gave you to me through paper and ink, instead of blood.”

“You were a light to me more times than I can count. We find ourselves in shadowed spots . . . we share the light. It’s what we do, you and me.”

Born of Gilded Mountains is an exquisitely-written tale that takes the reader on a journey of discovery, friendship, adventure, healing, and hope. The mystery embedded in the story was an added bonus with lots of twists and turns. The cover of the book is absolutely beautiful and so meaningful to the novel.

If you haven’t read any of this author’s books yet, you’re missing out on some riveting, magical stories. This one’s going straight to my keeper shelf with the rest of her books!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Blood moons were made for pact-swearing. Four boys orbiting ten years old knew it, and so did the mountains standing witness."

Time had a way of dissolving, destroying, and disillusioning what happened under the moon that night, illuminating the extraordinary mountain tops surrounding the idyllic mining town of Mercy Peak, Colorado. The clock also had a way of reviving, resurrecting, and resolving promises made between two lonely little girls, from east to west apart, but sisters of the heart, as they innocently and eloquently penned their deepest thoughts and dreams upon the pages of letters that were both delivered and dispatched up and down those same peaks by the trusty Galloping Goose Railcar 8.

Until one day . . . the train didn't arrive, futures were shattered, and a friendship that was meant to last . . . departed in utter confusion. Until another day . . . when Mercy Windsor, blown to smithereens by the winds of Hollywood scandal comes back to the only place that might feel like home . . . purchasing a ruinous mansion and inheriting a turret of secrets. What does restoration really look like . . . under the stars?

Admittedly, completing the first few chapters of this tale made me feel as if I had disappeared down a rather unconventional rabbit hole, but as soon as my feet touched solid ground the story took off; rapidly convincing me rather that I was reading something very special indeed. Word flow? Second to none. Characters? Uniquely crafted. Story line? As imaginative as one story about hope everlasting could be.

As Joan of Arc so famously declared, "Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well." 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
A lost treasure. A riddled quest. The healing power of friendship.

Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.

In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago--along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.

Bethany House, June, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy BORN OF GILDED MOUNTAINS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

THE FINDER OF FORGOTTEN THINGS by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

“I reckon there’s a plan for everybody. Don’t go putting words into God’s mouth—they’re bound to be the wrong ones.”

One of the reasons I love reading historical fiction is that I get to learn more about different slices of history while enjoying a fictional story. This book is a great example. Sarah Loudin Thomas tells the tragic story about the digging of the Hawks Nest Tunnel in West Virginia, while simultaneously sharing a tale about three seemingly incongruous characters whose lives converge in that area.

Beautifully written and wonderfully thought-provoking, Thomas’s story is filled with colorful, carefully-crafted, realistic characters. As I came to know these characters, my opinion of them changed as their backgrounds and experiences emerged. Sully, Jeremiah, and Gainey are all multi-layered, and I enjoyed meeting them and going along with them on their journey.

“Other people’s expectations can make you do all sorts of things against your better judgment.”

I’ve enjoyed all of this author’s books. She is a master at tucking deep meaning into what may seem at first a simple tale. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy thought-provoking historical fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
It's one thing to say you can find what people need--it's another to actually do it.

It's 1932 and Sullivan Harris is on the run. An occasionally successful dowser, he promised the people of Kline, West Virginia, that he would find them water. But when wells turned up dry, he disappeared with their cash just a step or two ahead of Jeremiah Weber, who was elected to run him down.

Postmistress Gainey Floyd is suspicious of Sulley's abilities when he appears in her town but reconsiders after new wells fill with sweet water. Rather, it's Sulley who grows uneasy when his success makes folks wonder if he can find more than water--like forgotten items or missing people. He lights out to escape such expectations and runs smack into something worse.

Hundreds of men have found jobs digging the Hawks Nest Tunnel--but what they thought was a blessing is killing them. And no one seems to care. Here, Sulley finds something new--a desire to help. With it, he becomes an unexpected catalyst, bringing Jeremiah and Gainey together to find what even he has forgotten: hope.

Bethany House Publishing, December, 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE FINDER OF FORGOTTEN THINGS at

Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Baker Book House

SHILOH and THE JOURNEY OF RUNS-FAR by Lori Benton, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

SHILOH
" . . . but we ask for Your protection in this place we've come to settle . . . that Ye'd be the rock this man choose to build his house upon. Give him courage to go where Ye lead and do what Ye tell him to do."

Ian Cameron's life desperately needed a sure foundation. Having been rooted, uprooted, grieved and loved, he was once again following God's voice into places unknown. Intending to make a life for himself and his expanding family in Mountain Laurel, while struggling to come to terms with the absence of those he still loved, unforeseen circumstances provide a tenuous path forward, northward, offering a glimmer of hope that grace can indeed be enough. However, there is one question lingering in the forefront of his mind, what will Seona want?

Seona's life as a freewoman has been an adjustment at best, but she, along with her mother and young son, have considered living under the Cameron family roof in Boston over the past months a blessing, although recently they have broached the topic of striking out on their own. When Ian arrives unannounced with his young daughter in tow, along with plans that have the potential to forever separate or join them together again, will Seona muster up the courage to choose faith over fear? One thing is for certain, neither choice is easy.

A glorious love story tucked neatly into the rarity of a great story! Every . . .  single . . . word has been scripted carefully, strategically and beautifully into just the right place at just the right time. What a privilege to spend time again with most beloved characters, not only from the first book in this series, but also from a previous stand-alone. Carved with precision, the story line not only offers keen insights into God's Word, but illustrates its many applications, for I daresay each of us has at one time or another put too much faith in the created, rather than the Creator, nearly drowning us in fear.

" There will always be fears, Seona, for as long as we live in a fallen world. They stalk us. They roar. Make it hard to hear the Almighty, see His hand at work. But ye've the power to refuse fear a welcome into your heart."

THE JOURNEY OF RUNS-FAR, (a Kindred Novella)
"There is another journey I must make first . . . . We must find your mother."

Supposedly on his deathbed, a beloved elder member of the Cherokee nation is revived by a haunting dream. His wife, who disappeared without a trace (or one that he could find) begs him to try again, even calling him "Runs-Far . . . Turns-Around-And-Goes-Home-Without Trying". Dragging himself off of his mat, Runs-Far convinces his son Blue-Jay to accompany him on a journey without a clear destination. The people that they meet along the way and the place where they arrive in the end, bring all of Kindred's characters together in one grand reunion which could only be surpassed by the gates of glory.

"Every tribe and tongue will sing your praise, Creator-Father,
With the blanket-coat of Creator-Jesus' blood read around our shoulders, Let All Peoples stand and praise you, Amen!"

Sorting out the characters at the beginning of this novella was a bit of a challenge, but just like the journey that the characters are impressed to make, the story is well worth the reading and the ending!
(a pretty amazing little story).

*I purchased both books and was under no obligation to provide positive reviews.

Tyndale Publishing. Shiloh - October 2021

BackCover Blurb:

December 1795
A year has passed since Ian Cameron reluctantly sent his uncle’s former slave Seona and their son, Gabriel, north to his kin in Boston. Determined to fully release them, Ian strives to make a life at Mountain Laurel, his inherited plantation, along with Judith, the wife he’s vowed to love and cherish. But when tragedy leaves him alone with his daughter, Mandy, and his three remaining slaves, he decides to return north. An act of kindness on the journey provides Ian the chance to obtain land near the frontier settlement of Shiloh, New York. Perhaps even the hope for a new life with those he still holds dear.

In Boston, Seona has taken her first tentative steps as a free woman, while trying to banish Ian from her heart. The Cameron family thinks she and Gabriel should remain under their protection. Seona’s mother, Lily, thinks it’s time they strike out on their own. Then Ian arrives, offering a second chance Seona hadn’t dared imagine. But the wide-open frontier of Shiloh feels as boundless and terrifying as her newfound freedom—a place of new friends and new enemies, where deep bonds are renewed but old hurts stand ready to rear their heads. It will take every ounce of faith and courage Ian and Seona can muster to fight for their family and their future . . . together.
Buy Shiloh at Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Baker Book House
 

The Journey Of Runs-Far, November, 2021

BackCover Blurb:
A final journey uncovers the hidden wounds of an old man’s soul, as he clings to hope that the God who redeemed him long ago has saved the greatest miracle for last.

Tennessee Country, 1798
Runs-Far, beloved elder of the Cherokee, lays dying. While family and friends gather to mourn, Runs-Far dreams of Sedi, the wife who bore him two children and was carrying a third when she was captured by white soldiers, and never seen again. For the next forty years, Runs-Far taught his people the ways of Jesus, yet Sedi’s loss distanced him from the God he served. In his dream, his long-vanished wife accuses him of abandoning his search too soon. Even Creator is telling him it is not his day to die—he has unfinished business. But Runs-Far is old. Learning what happened to Sedi will lead him through lands settled by white men. He cannot go alone. Blue-Jay, his son, must go with him.
Blue-Jay fears to lose a father as once he lost a mother—a loss over which he still carries guilt. Dare he believe forgiveness lies in making a journey seemingly born more of folly than faith? If he and his father find what they seek, will they wish they hadn’t? Knowing only that the journey begins at MacKinnon’s Cove, where Runs-Far abandoned his search long ago, the two set out from the mountains of their home with little more than hope to guide them.

The Journey of Runs-Far is book 3 in Lori Benton's popular Kindred series. Buy The Journey of Runs-Far at Amazon

 

THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, by Charles Martin, Reviewed and Hosted by Rebecca Maney #JustRead Tour

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: They Turned the World Upside Down
Author: Charles Martin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

In the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, the testimonies of those who had followed him were so bold and so powerful that they turned the world upside down. What would happen if we lived with that same kind of faith today? 

Walk in the shoes of the disciples, as New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin brings their stories to life with his storyteller’s perspective. 

In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). 

That’s the kind of believer Charles Martin wants us to be. The kind who understands that the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is so powerful, it reshaped history. The kind of believer who lives with that same world-changing faith today. 

In his second non-fiction work, he uses his talents as a novelist to walk you through the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. In his beloved lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his own life as a disciple. 

With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that have made his novels beloved to millions, Martin will helps you engage with your faith in a new and inspiring way.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fifteen novels and two nonfiction books. He and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, Florida.

CONNECT WITH CHARLES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of They Turned the World Upside Down and What If It's True?!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 16, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

REBECCA'S REVIEW: 

They Turned the World Upside Down:A Storyteller's Journey with Those Who Dared to Follow Jesus
"They saw a dead man walk. And they believed. And they did."

Sound sincerely simplified? Maybe. Sound genuinely profound? Absolutely.

If you choose to read this book out of curiosity, you probably won't make it past the prologue, for "They Turned the World Upside Down" is a gut-wrenching, life-changing tutorial- turned- testimony of what it means to "believe in", not "about" the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And if you do, what does it mean?

For, "Unbelief turned over nothing. Unbelief healed no one. Unbelief delivered no one." It begs the question; "what exactly do you believe"? Would you have built an ark? (Noah) Or would you have been willing to sacrifice your one and only son? (Abraham) Or, bringing it closer to home . . . . would you forgive the undeserving, pray for the healing of another up until the point of death, believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to work miracles, cast out demons, overcome strongholds? The twelve disciples did.

Filled with page after page of supporting Scripture, alongside beautiful examples of prayers to offer as supplications before the throne of grace, this book is a reality check, for what would our world look like if believers truly lived their lives, as the disciples did, with an unwavering confidence in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, because they "saw a dead man walk, and they believed". Faith changes everything, if you are "willing to be willing".

"The age of passive, wimpy Christianity needs to close. The Father is raising a priesthood, a kingdom of priests who walk in belief and faith, and who do what he says. Who choose to be strong and courageous. . . . . " 

It was amazing
“I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.”

AFRAID OF THE LIGHT by Cynthia Ruchti, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"The emotional darkness that enshrouds a person with a compulsive hoarding disorder keeps them from seeing. Normal to them is darkness. . . . . Your loved one isn't resisting the light. He or she may be afraid of it."

"She wasn't their saving grace. But if she could point them--Point them to it. Pull back the curtain and let in the light."

So many of Dr. Camille Brooks' clients live their lives shrouded in darkness . . . dark rooms, dark houses, dark lives. More often than not, in order to gain entrance into their shadowy domain, Camille is literally required to squeeze through impossibly small cracks in front doors. Determined to ease the pain of hoarders and their families, (which she knows from personal experience is debilitating) Camille is hopeful that her podcast will introduce her to potential clients in such a way, that she becomes trustworthy and approachable, before a face to face encounter ever takes place. And it seems to be working, albeit slowly.

When one of her clients seems to make a quicker than expected breakthrough, Camille gains an unexpected ally when she hires a new garbage retrieval service and meets a man whose impenetrable cheery attitude sets off all sorts of alarms that Camille can't seem to turn off, until she isn't sure that she even wants to. Eli Rand is as enigmatic as his cranberry jumpsuit.
 
This book is a bit like quicksand in the sense that before you realize what is happening, you're sinking deep into issues from which few ever recover. There are certainly no easy answers, and the author understands that true healing from this, or any other addiction, takes an enormous amount of work combined with a willingness to invest in quality counsel; but the missing ingredient is often pulling back the curtains . . . . and letting in the Light.

"Light had a way of piercing all kinds of darkness."

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

Back Cover Blurb:
She helps others manage their desperate lives--but who will help her?

Clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn't put off by the lifestyle of her hoarding clients. After all, she lost her mother to the crippling anxiety disorder. She'll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain and loss.Despite Camille's expertise, her growing audience for her Let in the Light podcast, and the national recognition she's gaining for her creative coaching methods, there are some things she isn't prepared for. A client who looks far too much like her mom catches her off guard. And the revelation that she's also hoarding something sends her spinning.

Can she stand to let the light into her own life with the help of a friend who wants to stand by her for life and the God who created and loves her? Or will she find that defeating her demons proves too much to bear?

Kregel Publishing
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Afraid of the Light at Amazon
Buy Afraid of the Light at Christianbook.com