⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Long Way Home by Lynn Austin is a beautifully written novel that tugs at the heart and offers a hopeful message about healing after trauma. Set in the wake of World War II, the story follows Jimmy Barnett, a shell-shocked veteran confined to a VA hospital, and Grace, a quiet young woman determined to uncover the truth behind his silence. As Grace digs into Jimmy’s past, she uncovers a moving tale of love, sacrifice, and the unseen wounds soldiers carry home. The book also weaves in a second powerful storyline: that of Gisela Wolff, a young Jewish woman trying to survive the horrors of Nazi Germany. Her family’s journey—from […]
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Heartache, Hope, and Healing, Along Route 66
4.5 stars Vanessa Miller tackles a brutal chapter of American history with honesty and heart in The Filling Station. Sisters Margaret and Evelyn flee the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, finding refuge at the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66. Miller shines a necessary spotlight on Greenwood, Oklahoma, and its violent destruction, a tragic event overlooked by many history books. Margaret, practical and cautious, struggles with shattered faith. Evelyn dreams of escape and a brighter future. Both women feel vividly real, their flaws and strength equally believable. Miller carefully shows how trauma shapes them differently, making their journey toward healing messy but meaningful. Some plot points land predictably, yet strong character […]
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A Captivating Time-Travel Tale of Love, Sacrifice, and Destiny
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars) Book Three in the Timeless series Two sisters. Two timelines. One impossible choice. I liked this book so much, I actually hit pause and went back to read books one and two. (Totally worth it.) Gabrielle Meyer’s For a Lifetime is the third in her Timeless series, and it’s a wild ride through two very different eras—1692 Salem and 1912 New York City. This one follows twin sisters, Grace and Hope, who time-cross between those two worlds. On their twenty-fifth birthday, they’re faced with a gut-wrenching decision: stay in one timeline forever and leave the other behind. No take-backs. The Salem timeline is intense. Like, witch trial […]
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An Emotional Conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd Series
Charles Martin delivers another gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking novel in The Keeper, the fourth installment in the Murphy Shepherd series. With faith, family, and honor woven throughout, this book is as much a spiritual journey as it is a high-stakes thriller. Murphy is reeling from the loss of his mentor, Bones, when he’s thrust into another mission: rescuing the kidnapped daughters of a presidential candidate. The race against time is intense, but the deeper battle—Murphy’s struggle to find his footing without Bones—is just as interesting. As always, Martin masterfully balances action with heartfelt reflection, though the novel leans a bit too introspective. While the themes of faith and redemption shine, […]
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Finding Peace in the Storm: Max Lucado’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
Max Lucado’s Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World is a life-changing book for anyone struggling with anxiety. As someone who has battled generalized anxiety disorder for nearly 20 years, I found this book to be a godsend. Lucado’s words offer understanding, comfort, and hope, especially for Christians who often feel guilty for their anxiety, believing their lack of peace reflects a lack of faith. Lucado compassionately addresses this guilt and reframes it through the lens of Scripture, particularly Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which […]
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31 Ways to Be Rapture Ready
I didn’t necessarily learn anything new from The Great Disappearance, but it was a refreshing reminder of God’s promises as we approach the Tribulation. Dr. David Jeremiah’s latest book is both thought-provoking and uplifting, offering a clear biblical perspective on the next event on God’s prophetic timetable—the Rapture. This isn’t a book of fear or sensationalism. Instead, it’s full of hope and joy, guiding readers to see God’s plan unfolding and grasp the significance of prophetic Scripture. Dr. Jeremiah calls this “prophecy motivation,” encouraging believers to live with boldness and expectancy. The 31 short chapters are easy to read, each offering practical insights that connect biblical truths to daily living. […]
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A High-Octane Battle Between Good and Evil
Dark Angel, the second entry in Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson’s Shepherds series, delivers a gripping and intense military thriller with a unique faith-based twist. Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson is back, now training with the Shepherds, an elite organization of warriors tasked with confronting spiritual threats. But the challenge of stepping into his role as the rookie leader of a new team is just the beginning. Jed’s visions of an imminent overseas attack force him into action, and what follows is a pulse-pounding mission that blurs the line between the seen and the unseen. Andrews and Wilson skillfully weave together elements of counterterrorism, faith, and supernatural warfare, creating a […]
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A Weekly Devotional to Nourish the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Soulfull is a gentle nudge to reorient our intentions and seek more from our one precious life. This collection of spiritual reflections, recipes, activities, and prayers acts as an encyclopedia of hope and spiritual direction. Are we truly living the life we want to live? Sometimes, but not nearly enough. Our souls crave authentic experiences, but seeking them is a challenge in our over-committed world, where we often focus more on “making it through” than “making it sacred.” We need regular soul wake-up calls and holy daily rhythms to live a life that feels good from the inside out, shines with meaning, and radiates joy. In this refreshingly original invitation […]
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A Sacrifice of Praise
Sometimes it seems impossible to look past the pain, but we serve a mighty God.
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The Sanctuary Book Review
Sanctuary is the remarkable true story of how faith turned one lost man’s life around with the help of the rescue animals who loved him. In the small Irish village of Liscarroll, Patrick Barrett helped his family run a sanctuary for abandoned and abused donkeys. He did poorly in school and his headmaster beat him. Patrick only felt truly accepted in the presence of the donkeys and he could read their body language and communicate in ways they could understand. Falling prey to the cultural norms of life in an Irish village, Barrett had his first drink at age seven and came to depend on alcohol to numb his anxiety. At […]
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