Whatsoever things are…..
Month: March 2020
A Family for the Farmer~book review
Laurel Blount has hit a home run again, and knocked it out of the park! A Family for the Farmer was her first book, and her God-gifted talent for telling a good story shines through like a candle on a hill! (I say again, because I read Hometown Hope first)
A Family for the Farmer is a delightful book with likable characters who keep the reader interested throughout. 
Laurel Blount has a way, I don’t know quite how to describe it, but
she has the ability to concoct an entertaining set of characters and situations, that make you want to know what happens next. I found myself looking forward to picking up where I had left off, and finding out how Abel reacted, or what Emily said, or what else I would find out about the
neighbors and friends in this small Georgia town. 
Emily Elliott, stubborn and reserved, must keep her deceased grandmother’s farm running efficiently for a few months, in order to inherit it. Abel Whitlock, artist and farmer, stands to inherit the same farm, 
if Emily can’t
make a go of it. The ensuing events will definitely keep readers happily anticipating and engaged to the end of the book. A good moral about gossip and trusting God is woven into the lives of the characters, too. You don’t want to miss this. A light, easy read, with a bit of humor to lift your mood.
One tiny suggestion I’d like to make: please talk more about the Jesus, and the King James bible, in your future books.
Keep writing for Jesus, Laurel ! 
You can get to know her on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/laurelblountbooks/
and sign up for her emails here, on her website. https://laurelblountbooks.com/An interview can be read here: https://inspiredprompt.com/2018/09/05/3-questions-wednesday-with-laurel-blount/
This debut novel, A Family for the Farmer, won the 2017 Maggie Award for Excellence in the Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category. This book also got two 2017 Holt Awards of Merit !
Treasures of the North~ Yukon Quest~ book review
Treasures of the North, book 1 in the Yukon Quest series by Tracie Peterson, was well written and had a lot of variety in each character’s personality and story. This is one of the very few
series books that I actually want to read the next book from! Tracie Peterson published this in 2001, which was 19 years ago! I knew this would be one of her earlier works, and was happily surprised that her natural skill in telling a good Christian historical fiction story was already blooming profusely in Treasures of the North. 
Openly and unabashedly Christian, Mrs Peterson writes the clear and simple Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world, and how to be born again. THIS is the heart of her writings, and even on her website, she says, and I quote: Writing Christian fiction has been a ministry and joy for me. My goal is that every book I write–whether it’s a historical novel for a series, a standalone contemporary novel, a novella or a nonfiction book–would entertain, educate, and encourage each reader in whatever way God sees fit. This is my mission field and passion. https://traciepetersonbooks.com/
God bless you, and thank you for remaining stedfast and loyal to the One Who gave you
the intelligence and perseverence to write solid, clean stories that are, indeed, a ministry and an education to your readers.
This story is about Grace, Karen, Doris, Martin, Peter, and to some extent, Jacob and Adrik. I liked all of the characters, and am looking forward to reading the next book, Ashes and Ice. I learned a lot about the gold rush, Skagway, Dyea, and how harsh the life was, of stampeders and their families in Alaska. Good research, great story. 
Coronavirus
When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Isaiah 43:2 | KJV |
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;
for in thee do I trust:
cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;
for I lift up my soul unto thee.Psalm 143:8 | KJV |
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.1 John 5:14 | KJV |
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.Psalm 91:1-2 | KJV |
It is now March, 2020, and for some reason, today, the supermarkets were extra busy.
Why not yesterday? Why all of a sudden, this increased panic here? Signs limiting customers to 2 boxes of kleenex, 2 containers of bleach, etc. Lysol spray is gone, hand sanitizer is gone. This reminds me of the times when we’re in the path of a hurricane, the shelves just empty out in a matter of hours.
Here are some articles from the news and other sources, you might find interesting:
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51214864
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/us/states-responses-to-coronavirus/index.html
Coronavirus treatment: Vaccines/drugs in the pipeline for Covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/health/coronavirus-us-updates-cases-thursday/index.html
Keep your heart and mind on JESUS. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:
and thy right hand hath holden me up,
and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,
that my feet did not slip.
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in thy word.
I hope in thy word.
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
As for God, his way is perfect:
the word of the Lord is tried:
he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
Out of the Embers ~ book review
Mrs. Cabot is well educated and highly skilled in her ability to write books,
that was apparent as I read some of her mystery book, “Out of the Embers”. The reason I couldn’t read every page or finish it, was, it was too depressing and dark for me.
Some examples: ….mimicked a knife slicing across his throat, …as though she’d been bludgeoned,…..a shiver of dread,…storm…moments of terror….horrible….murders…terrified shriek,…dead…..
hatred….curses…..gouge…… No matter where I read, there was more of the same bleak and
dispiriting story line.
I know Amanda Cabot’s books are well received, since some of them were finalists for ACFW Carol Awards, and the HOLT Medallion, but this type of book is not for me.
Since I’ve read this one, to a point, I’m absolutely positive I won’t read any type of Christian mystery or suspense book again. Life is severe enough without me spending my leisure time reading a book that will make me feel rather hopeless.
I would like to say we need to be careful what we read, as Christians. The Christian fiction industry has lately been infused with books that don’t glorify God, and we need to speak out, be honest, and do what Jesus says to do in Philippians: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I received this book for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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