Reader’s Log 064: A Valentine Book Haul Part I

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Todays post is a book haul and I was thrilled to unexpectedly receive a gift to buy books! Those are the best kind of gifts, especially for book nerds. The unexpected…

I thought I would share what books I got with you, so you may be inspired and discover books you may not have heard of. I will be sure to write a review for each one when I read them. I was able to get quite a few books and I have a feeling that I’ll enjoy all of them. All of the books below would make great summer reads, but I will be reading them before summer, is my guess. Or maybe I should spread them out a little? Hmm…

Be sure to be on the lookout for part two of this book haul! It is going to be fabulous! What books are you excited about reading this year? What are some of your reading goals?

I spotted “A Castaway in Cornwall” in the bookstore and it looked so familiar. When I got home I looked it up , and I remembered it was on my wish-list, and I posted a cover crush on the book in 2020! Needless to say, It is long overdue to read and I can’t wait to read it shortly. I have a couple other books by Klassen in my personal library I want to get to this year.

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen

Published December 1, 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

Paperback/392 pages

Laura Callaway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in North Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return the man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?

I’ve read one of Colleen Coble’s books before and I decided after reading it, I want to read all her books! The premise sounds intriguing!

Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble (Hope Beach #1)

Published August 3, 2021 by Thomas Nelson

Paperback/320 pages

A USA TODAY bestseller! Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks was a dream come true for Libby. . .until her newfound siblings accuse her of stealing their birthright, her friend is kidnapped, and she’s blamed for the crime. Libby can’t believe her luck when she learns she has inherited a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams. But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal what’s rightfully theirs. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime. Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence or she’ll lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble

Published January 4, 2022 by Thomas Nelson

Paperback/352 pages

A wealthy hotel heiress.

Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, but she’s happy to arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll Island.

A suspicious death.

When Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows this is more than a tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming by choice.

A fight for the truth.

Torie goes to the hotel under an alias, trying to find answers. When she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.

But the more they dig, the more ties they find to Torie’s mother’s death twenty years before. Someone will risk anything—even more murder—to hide the truth.

As you can see, I picked up three books by Coble. I seriously can’t wait to start reading them. This copy is an ebook. I got a good deal on it. If I like the story and give it a 4 or 5 star, I may purchase a physical copy for my home library.

Ambush by Colleen Coble (Sanctuary #1)

Published March 4, 2025 by Thomas Nelson

Ebook Copy

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust–in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn’t responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father’s death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town’s moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

Reader’s Log 063: Faith Studies 2026 Part I

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Today, I’m sharing the Bible studies I’m working through and the journey this year has truly been a blessing in my life. I’m also reading the Bible chronologically this year for the first time ever. What a difference it has made already in the in-depth studying I’ve been conducting for three plus years now. I discuss my studies in other posts, so I hope you check those out. Also last year, I took a deep dive in women’s roles and ministry in the Bible and women ministries today in modern times. I’m continuing that study and have found it rewarding in my life.

The books you see in this posts, are the ones I’m currently reading through. The first one on the book stack “Has the Church Replaced Israel” by “Michael J. Vlack takes a look at the theological evaluation of the different arguments and the author’s conclusion of this much heated debate in our current church environment. That said, this has been a long standing debate throughout history, but has become front in center in the last couple years due to the Israel/Gaza war.

About the book:

The relationship between Israel and the Church continues to be a controversial topic led by this Does the church replace, supersede, or fulfill the nation of Israel in God’s plan, or will Israel be saved and restored with a unique identity and role?
 
In Has the Church Replaced Israel? Author Michael J. Vlach evaluates the doctrine of replacement theology (also known as supersessionism) down through history but ultimately argues in favor of the non-supersessionist position. Thoroughly vetting the most important hermeneutical  and theological issues related to the Israel/church relationship, Vlach explains why, “there are compelling scriptural reasons in both testaments to believe in a future salvation and restoration of the nation Israel.”

I read “Our Father Abraham” by Marvin R. Wilson a few years ago now and thought I would give it another read through. This book is from my father’s theological library and the book is a wonderful read.

About the book:

Although the roots of Christianity run deep into Hebrew soil, many Christians are regrettably uninformed about the rich Hebrew heritage of the church. This volume delineates the link between Judaism and Christianity, between the Old and the New Testament, and calls Christians to reexamine their Hebrew roots so as to effect a more authentically biblical lifestyle.

As an introduction to the world of Hebrew thought, Our Father Abraham is biblical, historical, and cultural in nature. At the same time, the writing is personal and passionate, reflecting Marvin Wilson’s own spiritual pilgrimage and his extensive dialogue with Jews. The book (1) develops a historical perspective on the Jewish origins of the church, (2) sets forth the importance and nature of Hebrew thought, (3) discusses how the church can become more attuned to the Hebraic mind-set of Scripture, and (4) offers practical suggestions for interaction between Jews and Christians.

The study questions at the end of each chapter enhance the book’s usefulness as a text and also make it suitable for Bible-study and discussion groups. All Christians–and Jews too–will profit from Wilson’s sensible treatments of biblical texts, his thorough understanding of both the Christian and the Jewish faith, and his honest historical analysis of the general failure of the Christian church to acknowledge and understand its relation to Judaism.

I’m trying to remember how I came across “Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospel” by Cyndi Parker. As I typed that thought out, it came to me I might have heard about this book from Dr. Carmen J. Imes. Whatever the case, I remember downloading a sample to read before making commitment on purchasing the book. As you can see, I bought the book and I’m really enjoying what Parker has to say.

About the book:

Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels draws readers into a deeper understanding of ancient Israel and first-century Judaism—the clothing, setting, political climate, and more—all to better understand Jesus’ ministry. Instead of reading the Gospels through twenty-first-century eyes, author Cyndi Parker introduces readers to the larger context with the weight of the Old Testament behind them. This is an approachable and conversational book that introduces the reader to the complex human world of Jesus. Have you ever wondered if it is important that Jesus grew up in Nazareth but moved his public ministry to Capernaum, even though Jerusalem was the capital of Jewish thought? Does it seem strange to you that Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes held significantly divergent religious views, even though they were all Jewish? In this book, Cyndi Parker guides us through the intriguing drama of history that created the context of first-century Judaism. She extends an invitation to readers to take a new look at the long drama of God’s interactions with humanity that reach a climax in the life of Jesus. Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels focuses on the complexities of the political, social, literary, and religious context of the Gospels. The purpose is to advance readers’ understanding of the Gospels and help them encounter Jesus, the disciples, and crowds as real people in a real place at a time vastly different from today. Come explore the land of ancient Israel with its dramatic history, culture, and religion. Includes many images, maps, photos, and drawings throughout!

Jesus Though Middle Eastern Eyes (Cultural Studies In The Gospels) by Kenneth R. Bailey is a phenomenal read. So far, I’ve read three parts. I will definitely be reading other books by this author and I highly recommend this one.

About the book:

Beginning with Jesus’ birth, Ken Bailey leads you on a kaleidoscopic study of Jesus throughout the four Gospels. Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord’s Prayer, the Beatitudes, Jesus’ relationship to women, and especially Jesus’ parables. Through it all, Bailey employs his trademark expertise as a master of Middle Eastern culture to lead you into a deeper understanding of the person and significance of Jesus within his own cultural context. With a sure but gentle hand, Bailey lifts away the obscuring layers of modern Western interpretation to reveal Jesus in the light of his actual historical and cultural setting. This entirely new material from the pen of Ken Bailey is a must-have for any student of the New Testament. If you have benefited from Bailey’s work over the years, this book will be a welcome and indispensable addition to your library. If you are unfamiliar with Bailey’s work, this book will introduce you to a very old yet entirely new way of understanding Jesus.

I came across “Women of the Bible” by Ann Spangler & Syswerda down in the basement in a container. This book is a family member’s and was thrilled they said I can use it. The book is a one-year devotional study of women in Scripture, and I an tweaking it a bit to fit in my method of study.

About the book:

Women of the Bible focuses on fifty-two remarkable women in Scripture — women whose struggles to live with faith and courage are not unlike our own. Far from being cardboard characters, these women encourage us through their failures as well as their successes. You’ll see how God acted in surprising and wonderful ways to draw them — and you — to himself. This year-long devotional offers a unique method to help you slow down and savor the story of God’s unrelenting love for his people, offering a fresh perspective that will nourish and strengthen your personal communion with him.

The Bible I am using to study and read along with “Women of the Bible” is the “Holy Land Illustrated Bible, which is among my favorite Bibles I have. The Bible is a hardcover with black lettering, full-color design, and contains articles, photos, illustrations, and easy-to-read Scripture. Hands down, this is one of my favorite Bibles to date. I would also like to stress, the other books on this post does not in anyway, shape or form, replace the Bible. Being in the word comes first always.

About this Bible:

Visit the Holy Land and other sacred biblical sights alongside the accompanying biblical text without ever leaving home.

The CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible is a visually immersive Bible reading experience featuring over 1,100 images, maps, and illustrations to provide greater insight and understanding of the people, places, and things of Scripture. Book specific introductions provide the setting and circumstances of writing for each book, and every image includes a descriptive caption to help better understand what is pictured. Also included are more than 275 full-length commentary articles and 40+ “Digging Deeper” callouts strategically placed throughout the Bible for further exploration.

FEATURES  The CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Part II of my faith studies of 2026 will be posted sometime in July.

Stephanie

Book Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

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Published May 3, 2022 by Bethany House

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives–and any hope of love–are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about–women’s suffrage–is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My thoughts:

Imagine living two different lives but living them in two different periods and waking up each morning to the other. What a concept! I love time travel stories and I’m always on the lookout for something fresh and unique. Gabrielle Meyer has certainly achieved that in this story.

The methodology or the mechanics-if you will-of how Libby wakes up in the other time period each morning is certainly one I mulled over a bit when beginning this story. I wasn’t sure how it would work but it did and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

There are emotional stakes at work in this story and Libby’s choices would have a trickle effect that could change the course of history and her families lives in more ways than one. There were a few things I didn’t see coming! What an ending!

The beginning pages set the tone and as I got to about the 100-page mark, there was a shift in the story and that is where the story really picked up for me. From that point on, I was completely immersed.

Libby’s faith in God, and the struggles at times in trusting in His perfect timing, and plan was beautifully told. We humans at one time or another in our lowest moments, often question God’s plans for our lives. How can it possibly work for the better? Without going into too much detail about Libby’s struggles-because they are truly heart breaking- Meyer’s handled it Biblically and I was truly moved by Libby’s faith, healing and growth because of her trust in God.

Meyers is a gifted story-teller and she truly places her readers in time and place with this beautifully historical story. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and it will be very soon!

I rated this book five stars!

I must caution my readers that there are two instances of SA. The author doesn’t go into great detail of it happening and it is brief but nonetheless, it may upset those who are sensitive to reading such abuse.

Stephanie

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” – Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Reader’s Log 062: Love Is in the Air

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Today, I thought I would share five Christian romance books I have been hearing chatter about, and what a perfect day for this post! The title of these books has also captured my attention. If I were to post a cover crush, I would choose “To Love a Lady” by Gabrielle Meyer. That reminds me, I have read and written a book review for “When the Day Comes” by Gabrielle Meyer. That review will be posted on February 17th of this month.

Which one of these books grab your attention? Have you read any them?

Happy Valentine’s Day and let’s get reading!  

Stephanie

To Love a Lady by Gabrielle Meyer

Dollar Princess #1

Published January 1, 2026

For fans of My Fair Lady and The Gilded Age

New York City, 1883. Keira O’Day has spent her life scraping by in the tenements, haunted by the mystery of her parents’ abandonment. When wealthy widow and social climber, Maude Hill, offers her a daring proposition—to be adopted, polished, and presented as a society bride for an English lord—Keira sees an opportunity she can’t pass up.

Maude’s nephew, Alexander Paxton-Hill, is skeptical from the start. Tasked with teaching Keira the art of charm and flirtation, he soon finds himself captivated by her honesty and warmth as she challenges everything, he thought he knew about love—and about himself.

After navigating the glittering, treacherous world of New York society, Keira arrives in England and catches the eye of the elusive Duke of Severton. She’s poised to win everything until a lavish ball, a long-buried secret, and one reckless act of love threaten to unravel it all. Now Keira must the role she’s been prepared to play—or the woman she’s become.

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

Published October 7, 2025

She inherits the bookshop of her dreams…

But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again.

Shelby Thatcher adores working in the charming small-town bookshop her grandmother opened years ago. Since high school she’s helped Gram turn the shop into a community hub for book lovers in the lakeside town of Granville, NC. When her beloved grandma passes away, Shelby inherits the bookstore. But to her shock, Gram leaves half ownership to Gray Briggs, the man who broke Shelby’s heart years ago.

Granville residents have been vilifying Gray as long as he can remember. After graduating high school, he couldn’t skip town fast enough, even though it meant leaving the girl he’d fallen deeply in love with and alienating her family once and for all. Now he’s back, the beneficiary of his elderly friend’s will. Facing the town’s animosity is difficult, but seeing Shelby again is sheer torture. No one could ever stir his heart the way she did.

As the adversaries are forced to work together, Gram’s beyond-the-grave scheme is working–Shelby’s old feelings for Gray begin to resurface. But the problems that destroyed their relationship before still remain, and a new one surfaces–one that threatens Gram’s beloved bookshop. Is their love doomed to fail again, or will they find a way to make it work this time around?

Before the King: Joanna’s Story by Heather Kaufman

Published January 21, 2025

Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family resorts to harboring a dark secret. As Joanna navigates the complexities of aristocratic life and an arranged marriage, she is caught between loyalty to her family and her own desires. When tragedy strikes, leading to a life-altering injury and a startling encounter with Herod’s financial minister, Joanna must grapple with a new future–one that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.

Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. Yet, she treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, a community of believers who views her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. As pressure increases, Joanna must protect her allegiance to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.

In this gripping narrative, rising author Heather Kaufman weaves a tale of faith, resilience, and love amid the danger of King Herod’s court.

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese

Fog Harbor #3

Published April 15, 2025

Sophie Wilder returns home to California with nothing more than a failed Broadway career and a geriatric cat. Stuck working at the family winery with her egotistical brother and desperate for a way to revive her acting dreams, she takes a side gig as an audiobook narrator with Fog Harbor Books. But getting mixed up in the life of her reluctant sound engineer was never a part of her plans.

August Tate is still reeling from taking guardianship of his teen sister. Determined to find a solution to her degenerative hearing loss and to prevent his private recording studio from going under, he agrees to produce audiobooks part-time. When Sophie breathes new life into his creativity and forms an unexpected bond with his sister, rooted in their common faith, he must confront the reasons he turned away from his own.

Bestselling and award-winning author Nicole Deese weaves an emotionally charged romance rich in the complexities of love and family.

The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck

Published July 1, 2025

Emery Quinn finds herself at a crossroads between her career and complex family dynamics. Living at home in Cleveland and clinging to memories of her late mother, Emery struggles to connect with her blended family. Seizing the chance for a fresh start, she accepts the position of editor-in-chief at the struggling Sea Blue Beach Gazette. Returning to the Sands Motor Motel in the picturesque Florida town, she is flooded with bittersweet memories and past regrets.

Architect Caleb Ransom has returned to Sea Blue Beach, a place filled with both cherished and painful memories. He means to make a difference for his family and hometown by raising his abandoned nephew and preserving the history of Sea Blue Beach as the leader of the new historical society. He never expected to see Emery Quinn again, the girl who captured his heart sixteen summers ago.

As Emery and Caleb rekindle their friendship and explore a chance at love, they join forces to unite Sea Blue Beach, a town bitterly divided into east and west, old and new. Together, they navigate family challenges, professional setbacks, and a high-stakes royal visit, all leading to a place where forgiveness and love reshape their journey back to each other.

From the talented pen of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck comes a poignant tale of second chances and the enduring power of love.

Reader’s Log 061: The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles

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I was sent an invite by Atria Books to read and review “The Parisian Chapter” and was delighted to accept the offer. A big thank you to Atria Books.

Lately, I have been busy with in-depth studies, and I definitely could mix things up a bit, and this book is just the ticket.

I love the idea of exploring a library’s attic that holds hundreds of unpublished manuscripts or finding a box of archives that takes one to the past. How mysterious and intriguing for such discoveries.

By the way, I highly recommend reading Janet Skeslien Charles’s book “The Paris Library.”

Stephanie

Pub Date: May 5, 2026 by Atria Books

240 pages

Description

Paris, 1995: It’s been five years since Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise arrived in Paris from their small town of Froid, Montana. Determined to establish themselves as artists—Lily, a novelist, and Mary Louise, a painter—they share a tiny walkup and survive on brie and baguettes.

When Mary Louise abruptly moves out, Lily feels alone in the city of light for the first time and must find a new way to support herself. She lands a job as a programs manager at the American Library in Paris, following in the footsteps of Odile, her beloved French neighbor in Montana who told her stories of heroic World War II librarians when Lily was growing up.

Here in the storied halls of the ALP, she meets an incredible cast of characters—her favorite author, quirky coworkers, broke students, trailing spouses, haughty trustees, and devoted volunteers—each with their own stories… and agendas. Lily often seeks solace in the Afterlife, the library’s attic that’s home to hundreds of unpublished manuscripts, and there, she discovers a box of archives that may be a link to the past: to Odile’s own Parisian chapter.

Reader’s Log 060: 2025 – 2026 Current Reads

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2025 was a great year of reading and studying. I’ve learned so much with my Ancient Cultural Biblical studies and have discovered authors that write fiction stories that I’ve not heard of before. The books below are stories I’m currently reading and I’m almost finished with “The Palace at the End of the Sea.” There are also a few books I need to write a review for and get them up on my blog.

The next few blogs will be about study books I’m starting this winter, books I recently acquired and perhaps, reflections of 2025.

How was your reading for 2025? Did you discover authors you had not read before?

Happy New Year!

Stephanie Hopkins

Persian Fire by Tom Holland

In the fifth century BC, a global superpower was determined to bring truth and order to what it regarded as two terrorist states. The superpower was Persia, incomparably rich in ambition, gold and men. The terrorist states were Athens and Sparta, eccentric cities in a poor and mountainous backwater: Greece. The story of how their citizens took on the most powerful man on the planet is as heart stopping as any episode in history.

When the Day Comes (Book 1) by Gabrielle Meyer

Libby has been given a powerful to live one life in 1774 colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other without any time passing. She has one conscious mind but two very different lives and bodies.

In colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the royal governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives—and any hope of love—are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing-room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about—women’s suffrage—is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an undesirable English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe further complicates matters and forces her to make sacrifices she never imagined. On her 21st birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other forever—but how can she possibly choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

The Palace at the End of the Sea (Theo Sterling #1) by Simon Tolkien

A young man comes of age and crosses continents in search of an identity—and a cause—at the dawn of the Spanish Civil War in a thrilling, timely, and emotional historical saga.

New York City, 1929. Young Theo Sterling’s world begins to unravel as the Great Depression exerts its icy grip. He finds it hard to relate to his father, a Jewish self-made businessman, refuses to give up on the American dream, and his mother, a refugee from religious persecution in Mexico, holds fast to her Catholic faith. When disaster strikes the family, Theo must learn who he is. A charismatic school friend and a firebrand girl inspire him to believe he can fight Fascism and change the world, but each rebellion comes at a higher price, forcing Theo to question these ideologies too.

From New York’s Lower East Side to an English boarding school to an Andalusian village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Theo’s harrowing journey from boy to man is set against a backdrop of societies torn apart from within, teetering on the edge of a terrible war to which Theo is compulsively drawn like a moth to a flame.

Reader’s Log 059: Discovering and New Beginnings

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Wish-List 5

Even though my book selections to-read next year is full, I can’t help continue to be on the hunt for more. Searching for books is all part of the fun of discovering new authors, new titles or perhaps re-visiting a genre you haven’t picked up in a while. Whatever the case, it is thrilling and well worth your time!

Not too long ago, I got back into Christian Fiction and I have read a few great ones this year. Back in the day, I felt many of the stories I read were cheesy and unrealistic. I’m delighted I took the chance to come back to the genre and I’m pleased with what the authors are bringing to the genre. My thanks to the authors and publishers! You’ve brought back so many readers to the genre.

Check out below what I have added to my wish-list and may they inspire you to add them to your to-read pile.  

Stephanie

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

Pub Date Apr 28 2026 by Harlequin – Romance

PAGES: 368

Christian | General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson

Publish Date April 14, 2026 by Tyndale House Publishers

PAGES: 384

Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigue

Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan Henry

Includes discussion questions for book groups

On Living Stone (Salome’s Story) by Heather Kaufman

Publish Date January 20, 2026 by Bethany House Publishers

PAGES: 400

Christian

“A beautifully told and imagined story.”–Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author on Before the King

“A biblical story with a heart for today’s world, pulling out an array of joy and hope, sorrow and loss.”–Mesu Andrews, award-winning author on Up from Dust

Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother.

Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John are drawn deeper into Jesus’ ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family continue down the path of discipleship when it might cost them everything? With threats abounding, Salome must confront her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in this most unexpected rabbi.

A journey of faith unfolds in this New Testament-inspired story of Salome, mother of Jesus’ apostles James and John. This compelling biblical fiction book explores themes of family, sacrifice, courage, and redemption, making it a stirring read for fans of The Chosen, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

The Lumber Baron’s Wife by Lynn Austin

Publish Date Apr 14 2026 by Tyndale House Publishers

 PAGES: 368

Christian | Romance | Women’s Fiction

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy—a friend of her husband, John—offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

Witness Protection- A Legal Suspense Novel by Robert Whitlow

Publish Date April 07, 2026

PAGES: 464

Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson

Christian | General Fiction (Adult)

Jon Tremaine has lived in hiding for years–will coming out of the shadows to help a friend be too great a risk?

All is finally good. Jon Tremaine has created a new life in Brunswick, Georgia, as part of the Federal Witness Protection program after testifying against the former drug cartel he was involved with. Only his wife, Sarah, and a handler with the US Marshal’s office know his true identity, and he is now the manager of a large commercial tree farm with a baby on the way. But when one of Jon’s employees is arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into the United States, he goes against his better judgment and inserts himself in the middle of the case, believing the man is an unsuspecting mole manipulated by sophisticated drug dealers.

Kelli Quinn, a highly skilled litigator with an Atlanta law firm, has moved to Brunswick to work with her best friend from law school, hoping to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. She and her two children find a temporary home with her aunt Carly, a woman whose great faith is making an impression on her new houseguests. For the first time in a very long while, Kelli sees a future where she can find balance between the job she loves and the family she loves even more.

New to the firm and in need of clients, Kelli agrees to represent Jon’s employee. The unfolding investigation reveals layers of criminal activity and possible connections to Jon’s past, putting everyone at risk of exposure–and even death.

Reader’s Log 058: Current Reads

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Nonfiction and Historical Fiction

I’ve recently started reading the three books below-one of them is historical fiction and the other nonfiction. I am finding them to be enjoyable and reads thus far. The Lost World of the Prophets and Finding Phoebe are books written by Biblical Scholars. They are informative and I’m truly gaining so much knowledge and insight from them so far and I would highly recommend them.

A few times I’ve posted about my deep dive into cultural and Biblical background studies and it has really opened up a whole new world for me about understanding and examining ancient cultures. By doing so you first must take off your western lenses. We westerners tend to carry over our modern cultural ideas, sensibilities and prejudices when reading about other cultures and ancient times.

I can’t wait to share my thoughts more in-depth about the books below!

Stephanie

Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women Were Really Like by Susan Hylen

Published January 17, 2023 by Eerdmans

Forget what you think you know about women in the early church.

In this learned yet accessible book, Susan E. Hylen introduces first-century primary sources to illuminate readers’ understanding of New Testament women. Perfect for clergy, spiritual reading groups, and all curious minds, Finding Phoebe combines incisive scholarship and instructional sensibility to encourage readers to develop their own informed interpretations of Scripture.

Contrary to popular conceptions of “biblical womanhood” as passive and silent, women often served as leaders and prophets in their communities. Women owned one-third of all property during the period, granting them access to civic power through patronage. Many women worked outside the home and were educated according to the needs of their professions. Through careful examination of “modesty” and “silence” in the Greco-Roman world, Hylen reveals the centrality of these virtues to both men and women practicing self-control in service of communal good.

Hylen’s work will challenge readers to free their minds of modern preconceptions and consider New Testament women on their own terms. This practical book includes historical context, scriptural evidence, and questions for discussion.

The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context (The Lost World Series #7) by John H. Walton

Published February 27, 2024 by IVP Academic

I’ve started with the 7th book in this series because I’m currently studying Biblical prophecy and the Prophets. I do intend to read the whole series.

Being responsive to God is at the heart of prophecy. But readers of ancient prophecies and apocalyptic literature―including those in the Old Testament―can come away thoroughly perplexed. Are the prophets speaking about their own times, about our present, or about some still-unrealized future? It’s common to study prophecy with a focus on the sole question of prediction and fulfillment, either for the sake of apologetics or for understanding the end times, but such an approach can fail to track with the original intent of the authors. We need to shake loose both from a paradigm of reading prophecy as an offer of mysterious divination as well as from the habit of constructing eschatological timelines of any sort. How do these books work as meaningful Scripture for Christians today? John Walton applies his signature method to help us recover the lost world of the prophets. To read these biblical books well, we must A fresh reading of the Old Testament text in light of the ancient Near Eastern context can open new avenues of awareness. Walton provides a clear, helpful guide to the nature of biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature that will help readers avoid potential misuse and reclaim the message of the prophets for their lives. The books in the Lost World Series follow the pattern set by Bible scholar John H. Walton, bringing a fresh, close reading of the Hebrew text and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature to an accessible discussion of the biblical topic at hand using a series of logic-based propositions.

The Palace at the End of the Sea by Simon Tolkien

Theo Sterling #1

Published June 1, 2025 by Lake Union Publishing (For review.)

441 pages, Kindle Edition

New York City, 1929. Young Theo Sterling’s world begins to unravel as the Great Depression exerts its icy grip. He finds it hard to relate to his father, a Jewish self-made businessman, refuses to give up on the American dream, and his mother, a refugee from religious persecution in Mexico, holds fast to her Catholic faith. When disaster strikes the family, Theo must learn who he is. A charismatic school friend and a firebrand girl inspire him to believe he can fight Fascism and change the world, but each rebellion comes at a higher price, forcing Theo to question these ideologies too.

From New York’s Lower East Side to an English boarding school to an Andalusian village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Theo’s harrowing journey from boy to man is set against a backdrop of societies torn apart from within, teetering on the edge of a terrible war to which Theo is compulsively drawn like a moth to a flame.

Book Review: Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes

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Published Oct 28, 2025 by IVP Academic

Does the church still matter in our modern world?

After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Yet Carmen Joy Imes offers a profound answer that resonates through the pages of Becoming God’s Family. Exploring the familial and communal identity of the church, Imes traces the thread of God’s presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today. Imes reminds us of a powerful truth—God delights in the global, inter-generational family He has created.

Through this book, you’ll discover that God keeps His promises. When God’s people gather together, God shows up. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect with the church, seeking a constructive vision for its role in our world, or longing to better understand its biblical foundations, this book offers clarity, hope, and encouragement.

Check out what Dr, Imes has to say about her book on her YouTube channel HERE

My thoughts:

Becoming God’s Family by Carmen Joy Imes is the third in her trilogy. The first two books are “Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters” and “Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters.”  

Imes earned a PhD in Biblical Theology at Wheaton College, an MA in Biblical Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a BA from Multnomah University. She is currently an Associate Professor of the Old Testament at Biola University.

With an outstanding Biblical perspective, Imes writes about what the church is meant to be starting in Genesis and taking you through the Bible. Imes’s theological narrative and approach to God’s church is beautifully weaved and her writing style is refreshing and approachable and I had no problem understanding the text. Imes is a gifted Bible teacher and writer.

I must say, as I was reading, Imes has given me a new insight on this subject that has been on my mind for the last few years now. As I was reading, I felt a calmness wash over me and it was also like a light switched on in my soul. I am over-whelmed with thankfulness that Imes wrote this book. Becoming God’s Family needs to be in every church across the globe. Whether you’re a believer or non-believer or thinking about joining a church, this book is a must read.

At the end of each chapter Imes gives us the key ideas and book resources (Digging Deeper) which is a great help for study. She also has Scripture verses throughout and I recommend having your Bible open as you read this book. I did not have my Bible open this round but I will in my second round of reading…

I will definitely be purchasing a physical book for my home theological library and will be using it as reference for Biblical projects I’m working on.

A big thank you to IVP Academic and NetGalley for a review copy.

Stephanie  

Four quotes from “Becoming God’s Family.” (There are many more.)

“Christ has only one body, one bride, one temple, one kingdom. As we are united to Christ, we are untied to one another. “

 “As long as we see others as the enemy rather than as potential family members, we have not become the community God desires.”

“The true family of faith is marked by hospitality. God calls us to arrange our lives so that we have room for others.”

“Israel consists of twelve tribes; Jesus calls twelve disciples, reconstituting the nation himself.”

Stephanie

Carmen Joy Imes’s Links:

YOUTUBE

Substack newsletter

Blog

Amazon Author Page

Side Bar: I still have so many things to say about this book, giving examples of what Imes wrote that really impacted me. I will pulling topics and will be fleshing out topics (especially the global church) that I want to give my thoughts on.

I want to also makes sure that the readers know that the Old Testament and New Testament is a sweeping narrative and one must read the whole Bible. The New Testament helps you understand the Old Testament and vice versa.

Reader’s Log 057: Books on Psalms

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Previously, I posted about reading “Reflections on the Psalms” by C. S. Lewis as the first book I’m reading as an addition to my daily morning devotions of the book Psalms in the Holy Bible. I’m curious about what others are saying about their studies and takeaways. The devotional I’m studying is a four-year plan but I’m wanting to shorten it in about two years tops-maybe. So far, I’m really enjoying the pace of the four-year plan as I get deeper into the context. We will see how it goes! The three books below are the ones I want to get to next and they’re not in any particular order. I did add praise for “Praise for Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends” by Carmen Joy Imes because she is among my top favorite Old Testament Biblical Scholars.

Stephanie

Psalms 1–72: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary by Federico G. Villanueva

There is a second volume of the Psalms from this author to complete the commentary on the whole book.

The Asia Bible Commentary series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. e ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

This commentary on Psalms 1-72 provides an exposition that the reader can engage with in their own community of faith in the Asian cultural context. Along with a commentary on each Psalm, Dr. Federico Villanueva provides cultural reflections on a wide variety of relevant topics that include the likes of lament, praise, creation, meditation, depression and natural phenomena. This commentary is an excellent resource for pastors, lay leaders and Bible students but will also be useful and relevant for any Christian committed to applying the Bible in their respective contexts.

Praying the Psalms, Second Edition: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit by Walter Brueggemann

In this thoroughly revised edition of a classic in spirituality, Walter Brueggemann guides the reader into a thoughtful and moving encounter with the Psalms. This new edition includes a revised text, new notes, and new bibliography. “The movement and meeting of God with us is indeed a speech-event in which new humanness is evoked among us. Being attentive to language means cultivating the candid imagination to bring our own experience to the Psalms and permitting it to be disciplined by the speech of the Psalms. And, conversely, it means letting the Psalms address us and having that language reshape our sensitivities and fill our minds with new pictures and images that may redirect our lives” -from Chapter 3

Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

by Carmen Joy Imes

The Psalms teach us how to pray. Many saints over the past three millennia have come near to God by praying the Psalms, and this volume introduces us to some of their greatest thoughts on them.

Covering all 150 psalms, this companion to the “Prayer book of the Bible” contains key devotional readings from the Great Tradition as well as space for journaling our own prayers. This book will help us learn to pray as Jesus prayed—after all, He quoted from the Psalms more often than any other book.

Praise for Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

“For centuries, the Psalms have been the lifeblood of the church’s worship, witness, and soul care. In this volume, Imes invites readers to engage this life-giving book alongside their fathers and mothers in the faith . . . The nuggets of wisdom here should direct readers to engage the world of early Christian theology further, where they will find faithful friends and wise guides on the road of discipleship.”

Stephen T. Pardue, PhD,

Assistant Professor of Theology,

International Graduate School of Leadership (Philippines), Asia Graduate School of Theology (Philippines)

“This book will help you to re-hear the Psalms as you pray through them with the saints of old. It is a book to carry around with your Bible, to savor slowly with your morning coffee . . . It will touch your prayer life and calm your soul.”

Donald M. Fairbairn, Jr., PhD,

Academic Dean (Charlotte Campus),

Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity,

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“What a delight to read the Psalms in the company of the righteous! . . . The pithy and apt extracts from these scholars give extra insights for our daily meditation. I am looking forward to using this book!”

Jill Firth, PhD,

Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew,

Ridley College (Melbourne)