Recent Reads

While traveling this past weekend I was able to read two of Jamie Carie’s books: Snow Angel and Angel’s Den. I really liked both of them. I have also started reading Warren Baldwin’s book: Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks and other Gems from Proverbs.

Snow Angel is Carie’s debut novel and I read it front to back on my first flight. It was totally engrossing and a wonderful story that takes place in Alaska during the late 1800’s. A mysterious young woman half frozen arrives at the door step of Noah Wesley during a blizzard. She wants to keep her secrets to herself and he doesn’t know if he can trust her or not … Still Noah shows this snow angel God’s love, forgiveness and faithfulness. Four and Half Stars.

Angel’s Den is the story of a loved daughter who marries her prince charming only to find out that what is on the outside does not match what is inside. In the short time it takes to say “I do” it seems her prince has transformed into someone she never knew and wishes she could escape. He drags her along with him on an expedition to follow the trail that Lewis and Clark blazed a few years before. However, nothing from before they left or since is right… it is a trail littered with lies, theft, and murder. You have to read this story to see how it all works out! Four and Half Stars.

I am taking my time and really trying to absorb the truths in Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks… I look forward to reviewing this book for you in the future!

LONESTAR HOMECOMING by Colleen Coble

Welcome back to West Texas where a runaway bride appears in her dress at a train station with her young daughter and five dollars … Gracie finds a place to hide with Michael, single father and seasoned soldier who is coming home from Iraq to raise his two kids and needs a nanny. Their moments of tranquility will not last long as danger lurks ever closer from his enemies and Gracie’s ex-fiancé who is now on the FBI’s wanted list…. Along the way Gracie has to learn to trust, forgive and let God take the reins. This is the prodigal story with a twist! Enjoy this fast paced, romantic suspense by Coble!

Love's First Light by Jamie Carie

This story takes place in France during the blood-soaked French Revolution. One of the main characters is an aristocrat who has escaped the guillotine and is in hiding in an ancient castle. He then has an encounter with a young widow with secrets of her own… This story has betrayal, love, envy, forgiveness and hope.

While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as her previous ones that could be due in part to the fact that I have read them all in order and maybe needed something different in between because of her writings I have read so far there a similar pattern to her stories. That said I liked this story ok, it wasn't a bad read I just can't give it fours stars.

The Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie

This is a story of wealth, prestige, power, loss, hardship, lies, redemption and the triumph of truth and love over it all. Open the pages and travel back to Regency-era England and a young America where two unlikely (in the world’s eyes) hearts meet and begin a journey together through mistakes, lies, and more they will stumble and then grasp onto the only One who can set them free and help them to embrace all they are meant to be. Wonderful! I loved the flaws, the refining and redemption … and of course triumphant love.

Wind Dancer by Jamie Carie

This is the first book of Carie’s I have read but I thoroughly enjoyed it! This novel is full of rich and deep characters with passion, dedication and courage… Join Isabelle and Samuel in the frontier following the American Revolution when the boundaries were still being fought for and won in the Northwest. You will meet a free spirit and an adventurer that God brings together on a journey of love, pain, betrayal, faith and freedom…You will want the pages to keep turning and to continue on with them in their grand adventure … What a portrait of what God has for us – waiting open arms, love unceasing, excitement and adventure with Him (and it is never ending!).

Through Gates of Splendor - Elisabeth Elliot

(Book Club book #3 - my pick)

This is the amazing and inspiring account of five young men and their families who lived in the jungles of Ecuador to reach those who had never heard the name of Jesus. They followed God’s leading, walking in obedience, with zeal for the LORD, love for the lost and ultimately into martyrdom… In Jim Elliot’s words “Well, if that’s the way God wants it to be,” (said calmly) “I’m ready to die for the salvation of the Aucas.” And as he had once written in college: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (P. 173).

The courage and commitment these men and women had… the love and urgency for the unsaved to know Christ … Faith! To first of all leave all known comfort and society to go and embrace what was surely at times physical and emotional hardship… I can only help but think that if the Church (believers) would only walk so intimately with God setting Him first and the love for others above self what a different world this would be. Don’t get me wrong there are those out there living the abundant, fruitful life. However, there are those who instead of walking by faith and walking in love – living with our eyes set on what is eternal and lasting we are focused on the temporary, our own comfort – the here and now. Not to say that God is calling us to all go off to the jungle or to be martyrs but to each of us there is the life of purpose He has called us to and we should be living in obedience, joyfully to His glory.

I more that recommend reading this book… I ask you to let God speak to you through it… to touch your heart, to inspire you and to more than motivate you to (action) live a life focused beyond yourself, to full love poured out for His glory.