I read a lot of Christian fiction, though in all honesty, I don’t read as fast as I’d like. My to-be-read pile is ever growing, and recently, I’ve added some secular fiction to that want-to-read list. I’ve also increased my intake of movie watching. We joined Netflix and there are a lot of classics in my queue because I want to know the stories but simply do not have time to read all of the books!
The most recent classic movie I watched and loved was The Scarlet Pimpernel. I’d knew part of the story, but had never known the whole thing in context. The Philadelphia Story is another classic that I thoroughly enjoyed. And a kid’s Dreamworks movie that was just plain fun is Kung Fu Panda. I managed to fit these in between episodes of House and Law & Order.
Though it may sound like the TV is on quite a bit here, it’s really not. Most of my time is spent reading – often research or other distractions on the Internet and every chance I get, in the form of Christian novels. Three favorite recent reads for me are listed below:
A Man of His Word by Bestselling author Kathleen Fuller
In just a few short months, Moriah Miller’s perfect life unravels. Newly wed and newly pregnant, Moriah is abandoned by her husband, Levi. He’s left her, his family, and their faith without a backward glance. The community, stunned, rushes to the young woman’s aid.
But there is someone who feels more than just sympathy for Moriah. Gabriel Miller–Levi’s twin–longs for an intimate commitment that might someday bind them to one another. Convinced of the impossibility of his dream, Gabriel settles for a mere friendship with the woman he loves.
Moriah bravely goes on with her life, adjusting to her new role in their tight knit Amish community and preparing for the birth of her child. She is unaware that her brief marriage–once idealized as the happiest time in her life–may have been merely a shadow of the kind of love God has created her for. A love that can mend the soul, renew her heart, and give her a future filled with hope…if only she’ll let it.
My take: For lovers of Amish fiction, this is a light, enjoyable read with characters who will draw you in and make you want to know them better with each turn of the page. There are two separate romances going on in the book, though one takes precedence. I enjoyed getting to know both couples and to get a glimpse of life among the Middlefield Amish. Kathy Fuller is one of my critique partners, and I have always enjoyed her writing. I had the privilege of previewing the first 1/3 of this book and was thrilled to finally get to read the rest of the story! I look forward with anticipation to the rest of the books in this series!
Yesterday’s Embers by Award-winning, Best-selling author Deborah Raney
Tragedy has left Doug DeVore with five children to raise alone. When Mickey Valdez, the children’s daycare teacher, lends a helping hand, sparks flicker between them and quickly ignite. But romance and real life are two very different things, and too late, Doug and Mickey realize they’ve said “I do” to something neither of them bargained for. Now they must find a way to untangle their knot of hasty choices without breaking the hearts of five precious children-or their own-in the process.
My take: I’ve always loved Deb Raney’s writing, and this book is no exception! From the first page to the last, Deb drew me in and made me care about each character. A fresh look at what can happen in life when tragedy strikes and how decisions made in haste can have lasting consequences. Evocative writing. A wonderful wrap-up to an enjoyable, heart-warming series!
The Inheritance by Award-winning, Bestselling author Tamera Alexander
Desperate for a fresh start, McKenna Ashford accepts her cousin’s invitation and moves west with her rebellious younger brother to the not-so-quaint mountain town of Copper Creek, Colorado. She arrives only to find that life there is far from what she expects. Having practically raised Robert on her own, McKenna is burdened both with her failure as a parent and her deep conviction to not let her brother throw his life away. Trusting has never come easily for her–especially in issues of the heart–and that inability to trust is put to test when she meets U.S. Marshal Wyatt Caradon.
After years on the trail, Marshal Wyatt Caradon finds himself at a crossroads. He’s brought countless men to justice, but he questions what lasting good his life has accomplished. When his path intersects that of young Robert Ashford, Wyatt glimpses himself, years ago, in the boy’s pride and arrogance. He also sees a boy without a firm hand in his life. His well-meant attempt to help Robert brings him face-to-face with the one situation he never wanted to encounter–and the one woman who holds the key to helping him find his future.
My take: Tamera Alexander (a former critique partner of mine) has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Each book she writes leaves the reader with something to ponder as they walk through the hard lessons learned by the characters in her books. The Inheritance went with me to California and kept me focused on good things in the midst of the hard act of letting go, of helping two of our sons move out on their own. Tammy always manages to teach me something I need at that moment to learn. The story is gripping, poignant, and highly satisfying.
Happy reading~
I’m running another contest to win one of three autographed copies of Michal. If you’re familiar with the Bible story or have even read the book and would like to give a copy to a friend, drop a comment on Michal’s wall and tell me which biblical character in David’s story you liked best. If you don’t have a favorite, leave a comment anyway to enter to win. :) 
