A Little Update + some Pretty Book Covers

Hello, friends! I know I haven’t been posting lately … there’s somewhat of a reason for that. 😉 Lots going on in life. For one I’ve been swamped with babysitting jobs (on top of my regular part-time job); so much so that I’ve had to turn some down. Also I’ve been doing little parties and things here and there as a sales consultant for Lemongrass Spa. They just launched their spring/summer line, which is really fun!

My sister and I have been going to Sunday services and (more recently) Wednesday night Bible study at a small, Biblically-grounded, friendly church. This has been such a blessing! How important it is to be intimately part of a strong faith community! My heart has been overwhelmed with gratitude toward God with how He has been answering things I’ve long prayed for.

Most dramatic life update of all … I’m moving. January 2019, after attending the C.R.O.S.S. conference, I started praying seriously about moving 17-ish hours away from home to where some of my close friends live. I had already been thinking about it. Last summer, I decided I was going to take the leap of faith – probably in spring 2020. Well, now it’s spring of 2020. I put in my two-week notice at work, I’m packing up all of my life belongings, and I’m heading out in ten days. *is excited and nervous and happy and sad and eager and terrified and numb all at once*

How grateful I am that my life is in God’s hands! I keep praying and committing all of my plans to Him. Asking Him to lead, guide, and open doors. And shut doors. And keep working out every detail of my life for His glory and my good. ❤

I know I have people who love and care about me here and there. And most assuring, I have a Heavenly Father who tenderly cares for me.

I would appreciate your prayers!

***

And with that, let’s look at some pretty book covers. One of my favorite things to do. 🙂

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles

Isaiah’s Legacy {a Novel of Prophets and Kings} by Mesu Andrews

The Peasant’s Dream by Melanie Dickerson

Colors of Truth {The Canton Series #2} by Tamera Alexander

The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep

Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton

Daughter of Cana {Jerusalem Road #1} by Angela Hunt

Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar

Each Perfect Gift {A Legacy of Grace novel} by Alicia G. Ruggieri

Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson

Midnight’s Curse {Beyond the Tales #2} by Tricia Mingerink

The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson

The Rebel Bride {The Daughters of the Mayflower} by Shannon McNear

The Land Beneath Us {Sunrise at Normandy} by Sarah Sundin

On Wings of Devotion {The Codebreakers #2} by Roseanna M. White

The Portrait of Loyalty {The Codebreakers #3} by Roseanna M. White

Something New {a novella} by Joanne Bischof

Veiled in Smoke {The Windy City Saga #1} by Jocelyn Green

Like Flames in the Night {Cities of Refuge #4} by Connilyn Cossette

To Dwell Among Cedars {The Covenant House #1} by Connilyn Cossette

Advertisement

Book Review: The Sword by Bryan M. Litfin

The Sword {Chiveis Trilogy #1} by Bryan M. Litfin

My Personal Review ~ 4 stars

The Sword is the first book in a long time that gripped me from the very first page! I’d been wanting to give Bryan M. Litfin’s work a try, and am I ever glad I did! This book is a fascinating dystopian novel set in a medieval-type world. The modern world has been destroyed and left behind in history. Filled with swords, knights, fair maidens, and old-fashioned kingdoms, Book One in the CHIVEIS TRILOGY explores Christianity anew as the character forsake their foul gods to riskily seek the One True God of the Ancients. I don’t think I’ve ever read something quite like it!

The author’s writing style is drawing. I was kept hungrily turning pages. Anastasia, a Chiveisian farm girl, and Teofil, a guardsman and scholar, are great characters to follow, and I enjoyed meeting many secondary characters and being drawn into their journeys as well. There was an abundance of actions, and many twists and turns. A fair amount of violence and battles, though I didn’t find it over the top. (I would recommend to adults or at least older teens because of that and some other mature themes). From bear hunting, to tournaments, to exploring the Ancient’s temples, to secret religious meetings, The Sword takes us on a wild, exhilarating, dangerous ride.

Toward the end, there were a couple things that I’m not sure I appreciate. An unmarried couple sharing a bed (non-sexually). A woman being very vulnerable and close with a man that she knows to be making bad choices and has not chosen to follow her God. And some things having to do with the faith theme and how the characters respond to persecution and such. I’m interested to see how the second book, The Gift addresses these situations.

But overall, such a unique, adventurous, poignant tale! I love how deeply Bryan M. Litfin explores faith issues and following God in this dystopian story! Just the kind of book I like to immerse myself in. I can hardly wait to delve into Book Two!