Book Review- The Maid of Fouborne Hall

I enjoyed reading this book.  It's a great option for a beach read or a plane trip and an enjoyable adventure that will keep the pages turning.

There are twists and turns and conflict, it’s not the kind that is dark or especially stressful to the reader. 

The resolution is predictable but still enjoyable.  Though I feel the ending could have been a bit stronger to give a more satisfying conclusion.

Still this is a light, fun read  that I recommend for anyone who likes Historical Christian Romance.

Story- 8

Beauty- 7

Bookshelf Worthy- 6

Amazon link here

Book Review- The Silver Chair

I recently listened to a podcast that referenced the Silver Chair, book 4 in the Chronicles of Narnia series.   After the podcast, I was inspired to read the book again.

In the Silver Chair, Jill and Eustace are sent to Narnia on an urgent quest to find the lost prince of Narnia who has been missing for 10 years.  He disappeared after falling captive to a strange entrancement while seeking vengeance for his mother's death.  Narnia had sent many valiant men to find and rescue him. But none prevailed.   Until the two children arrived on the wind to Narnia and take up the quest once more.

The Silver chair reminds us that just as Jill and Eustace must remember the signs while they seek the lost prince, so we must remember God's promises.   And just like the signs do not always make sense at the time, God's plans are not always clear while they are unfolding.

My favorite part of the story is the end.  The allegory of Aslan and the thorn and the arrival of King Caspian to his country is an incredible picture.

Overall ratings below:

Story- 8
Beauty- 8  (Though the ending is a 10)
Bookshelf worthy- 10

Book Review- Gardenias for Breakfast

Is there a memory from childhood that remains perfect?  Do you ever wish you could go back and relive that vacation, that summer at Grandma's, that school year?

In Gardenia's for breakfast Abby and her daughter get a chance to visit Louisiana from their home in Maui, Hawaii.  Abby has fond memories of her summer there and looks forward to giving her daughter a chance to make similar memories.   However, she is confronted with the reality that life does not always remain as we left it.  Things change, and some memories cannot be remade.   But even so, there is space for new ones to form.

Gardenias for Breakfast is beautiful story of the relationship between a mother and her growing daughter.  A coming of age in a sense for both women.  

And a reminder of God's grace intertwining with our lives, even when we don't always see it.

Overall ratings below.

Story- 9

Beauty- 9

Bookshelf worthy-  9

Amazon link to Gardenias for Breakfast

Book Review: Forever with You

Yesterday I finished reading the latest book in the Christy Miller Series, "Forever with You" by Robin Jones Gunn.

Robin is one of my favorite authors in Christian fiction.  I love her stories, and I love her pictures of God.

If you have not read the Christy Miller series, I highly recommend it.  It starts with Christy's first true encounter with God on the beach in Newport Beach and follows her journey through high school and college, and finally into married life.

Robin has a way of making her characters come to life and also weaving goodness and grace and friendship into her tales.

This is one of my favorite books in the series.  

Without giving a way too much of the plot I will say that much of this book finds Christy and Todd going through a rough patch in their marriage.  Their faith is tested and God's plan remains clouded from their sight for longer than they would have thought.

This theme of the book is highlighted in the following quote from Todd,  "He squinted his tear-filled eyes, looking like a miner who had been doing the best work he could in a dark place and was now coming out into the full sunlight."

This is a beautiful picture of faithfulness.  And a reminder that God will never let us down.  It reminds me of the verse in 1 Peter 2:9.

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

Happy reading!

Book Review- Marta's Legacy

I recently read a mini series by Francine Rivers called Marta's Legacy.  (Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream.)

I am a somewhat picky reader.  I know the themes I like, and there are many books that hold no interest for me.  But this was an excellent series.

It explores the relationships between mothers and daughters over 4+ generations, and passes the story telling baton between the women.  Marta is the main character, and she grows up in pre-war Switzerland.   She has a terrible relationship with her father and it is her mother who encourages her to "fly" and find her dreams.  However, she is traumatized by a family tragedy and ends up passing on well intentioned but less than perfect coping and relational skills to her daughter who continues the trend.

All the women in this story love God and strive to do what is right, but until Marta's grand granddaughter Dawn pulls some of the pieces back together, they struggle with misunderstandings and a way to express their love.

The trip through history and changing culture is interesting as is Marta's legacy of the importance of education, hard work, and trusting in God.

But it's the resolution of their differences, the crumbing of long build walls, the restoration of loving relationships that makes this book especially beautiful.   And the ability they find to look forward with peace and hope, knowing that their future is secure in Christ.

It's a great series and I recommend the read.