{ Books read in March }

 

I am usually not consistent in keeping track of the books I have read, but this year, I seem to be devouring books faster than I can open them.  I have always been an avid reader, since I was a child, but life sometimes gets strange and I will go months and sometimes a year, without picking up a book.  It's sad!

 

However, this year, I have renewed or maybe refound my love for reading and have been loving it.  I have read 13 books so far this year, which is phenomenal for me, and I am not slowing down.

 

A big part of is the current mood I am in to read everything and anything that is Christian Fiction, Christian non fiction and Christian Biblical Fiction and there are so many good and new to me authors, that I do believe I will be in this phase for a long time, possibly the rest of the year.

 

So, let me just show tell you about the books I read in March.  I never used to do this on the blog, but it helps me keep track of what I'm reading and have read.

 

Christian Fiction:

 

  

Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor 

 

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented characters of the New Testament is Martha. Often painted in the colors of reproach, Martha seems to be the poster child for how not to be a follower of Jesus. From the mind of Diana Wallis Taylor comes this touching, well-researched portrayal of Martha of Bethany, sister of Mary and Lazarus. Through Taylor's lush descriptions and inspired combination of imagined and recorded dialogue, Martha's world--her trials, triumphs, and loves--vibrantly comes to life. Follow Martha as she is jilted by her betrothed, falls in love with a Roman soldier, grieves the death of her father, cares for her siblings, and serves her Lord with dignity and grace. Readers will never read the biblical story of Martha the same way again.

 

 

Lisbon by Valerie Sherwood

 

 

As this sprawling, frothy romance set in 18th-century England and Portugal opens, orphaned 15-year-old Charlotte Vayle falls in love with dashing young adventurer Tom Westig. It is the day when "she first realized what it could be like between a man and a woman." When Charlotte learns that her profligate uncle plans to pay his debts by marrying her off to foppish Lord Pimmerston, she and Westig make a dash for Scotland (where they can be legally wed), but are intercepted by her uncle's men, who throw Tom off a cliff, presumably to his death. Charlotte is then tricked into marriage with the violent, mysterious but sexually charismatic Rowan Keynes and bears him two daughters, the elder closely resembling Tom Westig. Charlotte and Tom meet again in Lisbon but are found out by Keynes; Charlotte is abandoned and Tom, presumably, put to death again. After following the lives of Charlotte's daughters in England, the narrative brings the entire cast to Lisbon for the denouement.

 

 

 

 

A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson

 

Born into affluence, Mia Stanley is a winsome socialite with a knack for matchmaking. She's also a writer for Godey's Lady's Book magazine, much to the disdain of her family--and their society friends. A proper young lady of her social standing isn't meant to labor in such a way, but Mia has always had a way with words...

When her writing draws her into the world of downtrodden seamen's wives on Philadelphia's docks, Mia uncovers a scheme that puts her in harm's way. But her heart ends up on the line as well...Has her determination to always make a match driven away the one man whose esteem she covets? 

 

 

 

Christian Non Fiction:

 

 

The Faith to Flourish by Christine Caine

 

Sometimes it feels like hardships and struggles are endless. Like a new storm is always brewing on the horizon. You face challenging circumstances, strained relationships, or shattered dreams. And the weight of it all can feel crushing. You simply long for rest. But how can you flourish when you feel like you can barely breathe from it all?

 

In The Faith to Flourish, Christine shows you that it's possible to thrive in every season of life—including the hardest ones—by grounding yourself in God's truth and activating the peace, resilience, and purpose he gives you. Using the biblical symbolism of the olive tree in Psalm 52:8, Christine unpacks how you can.

 

 

 

 

 And She Got Up by Courtney Pray Duke

 

Have you found yourself wondering, Will I ever be able to make sense of the disappointments and disasters I've endured? Can I trust God with my pain? Will my life ever be restored? Perhaps you've done everything you can to rebuild the ruins of your life, but true restoration still seems so far off, if not impossible. And She Got Up is a firsthand account of being knocked down by tragedy and loss while relying on the power and presence of Jesus to rise and heal.

After being widowed at twenty-nine, Courtney Pray Duke found herself lying next to her husband's grave feeling like she couldn't go on. But she had three young kids who needed her and a faithful God who she knew could do anything.

 

 

The Divine Counselor by Alex Seeley

 

At a time when many feel anxious and discouraged, the idea of living whole, healed, and empowered sounds wonderful--but often out of reach. Counseling, self-help books, and podcasts seem to offer temporary relief, but what about life-changing transformation?

 

In The Divine Counselor, Pastor Alex Seeley introduces readers to the best therapist they'll ever meet: the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

I am usually not a huge non fiction book reader, I have to be in the mood for those, but I have enjoyed the three that I have read this past month of March.  

 

The Christian fiction ones were amazing, both the Martha biblical fiction and Tracie Peterson's book which is the first in her Ladies of High Regard trilogy.  

 

The third book however, is not Christian and certainly not a clean read, it doesn't have a lot of spice or smut, but it definitely had some kissing and other nonsense going on.  I did not know that it would have that, and while I am not a prude, it's something I am choosing not to read right now, so while the story itself was wonderful and it was the usual typical romance book, it's not something I would recommend if you are not into clean reading stories.

 

With that said, I don't regret reading it, I really enjoyed it, but yes, I am definitely sticking with the clean, no spice Christian fiction books and I am just loving all the new to me authors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{ All I read in February }

I do believe February was the month I have read the most books, ever.  I try to read, but I do go through some phases where I don't pick up a book, or I struggle to get through a single one in months.  Then there are times when I can't seem to get enough of reading, and I zip through the books as quick as I can read them.

 

February was such a month for me. 

 

I stepped away from social media, and just focused on living my life in the reality around me, which is something I do most of the time anyway, but even I get sucked into the doom scrolling on Instagram and other social media outlets.  It's never a good thing, and when I step away from it, I feel so much better.

 

So that's what I did, and I ended up reading 7 books.  I don't think there was a single book on that pile that I didn't enjoy or struggled getting through.  They were all Christian fiction which means very minimal nonsense and when I say nonsense I mean things that I don't want to read anymore.

 

As I have progressed in my Christian journey and have gotten closer to God, there are a lot of things that he convicts me to do, and things to avoid.  I used to love romance books, books with spice and smut and all that other stuff.  Now, I can't read them at all, they make me very uncomfortable and quite honestly, I don't think they add anything to the story itself.  But that is my personal opinion.  Instead, I have been nudged to read more Christian fiction, and I am loving it.

 

If that's a genre you are looking into reading, then here are some books that I think you will enjoy.

 

 

The Huntress by Carrie Cotten - #1 in the Medieval Christian Fiction

 

 Betrayed by their allies, the last of the Picts have escaped to the innermost part of an endless, dark forest, content to remain hidden there forever. Made queen at just a child, Cyrene has given all of her life and heart to the task of making sure her people are never terrorized again.

When a handsome stranger from the kingdom that betrayed them falls injured at the boundary of her village, she’s forced to choose between mercy and duty.

The second son of a ruling monarch, Duncan would never be considered for the throne, neither did he wish to be. But when a plague sweeps through the land, he is the only one of royal blood left standing. Returning to the tower that holds too many dark memories, the truth of his father’s tangled reign begins to unravel and Duncan is once again forced into a role he never wanted.

 

 

The Viking by Carrie Cotten - #2 in the Medieval Christian Fiction

 

Will the loyalty that saved their kingdom destroy their hearts?

As a girl, Astrid washed up on the shores of the Picts, haunting memories of her homeland locked deep inside. She began a new life serving Queen Cyrene, ultimately becoming her dearest friend and the captain of her army. But when Cyrene’s unexpected marriage unites her people with the enemy realm of Tràigh, only Astrid’s dedication to the crown can help her battle her mistrust of these rival forces, especially their maddening captain, Eowin.

Trusted as a brother, Eowin can imagine no life other than serving his king. As Tràigh struggles to hold its place amid tumult, a mysterious Viking warrior and his men sail in with a claim that will change everything. Sent to far lands on an impossible mission, Eowin finds his courage, integrity, and wisdom stretched to the limits.

Will he sacrifice everything for this warrior maiden he can never have? 

 

 

The Raven by Carrie Cotten - #3 in the Medieval Christian Fiction 

 

Will the darkness that hides her finally destroy her?

Revna has spent her whole life thirsting for justice. When the chance to avenge her murdered mother and enslaved sister is denied her, she finds an even greater cause in gathering her people from their Norse captors and sending them home. Using threats and violence as her shield, she has built a seemingly invincible and invisible persona of terror. Then the drunken son of a chieftain discovers that the much-feared “Raven” is really just a slight teenage girl.

Unable to please his angry father or protect his villagers from extortion and need, Aksel turns to endless mugs of mead to drown his despair. But a fierce little bird turns all that upside down. With her unequivocal purpose and unparalleled bravery, Revna rescues him from his meaningless existence but at a staggering cost neither of them expects.

Revna and Aksel will sacrifice everything to free the slaves, but who will free them from the bondage of their pasts and the truth behind their disguises?

 

 

Spark of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #1 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties.

Josiah Wagner has spent his life yearning for a true home and family, something he works toward each day, forging tools as a blacksmith, and each night, forging plans with the Sons of Liberty. But when the destruction of tea in Boston Harbor lights the spark of the Revolution, Josiah finds himself drawn into its tumultuous wake, pulling the woman he loves along with him.

As tensions mount, will their search for belonging lead to each other, or will the obstacles between them be too great to overcome? In a land on the brink of war, can they find the home they seek in the One who calls them His own?

  

 

Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #2 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies...and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come. 

 

 

Scars of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #3 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Libby Caldwell has been in love with Isaac Harrison for years, ever since her late father befriended him. While her head knows there is no hope of sharing her life with a British soldier, her heart is much more difficult to convince, especially now that he is quartering in her home. With Boston under siege and battle looming, each day together forces her to recognize how deep her feelings truly are…and how forbidden.

Bound by duty to both his family and country, Isaac is determined to serve honorably in the King’s army, despite never wishing to be a soldier. But quartering with the widow and daughter of his old friend places another obligation on his shoulders—that of their well-being. The more time he spends with Miss Caldwell, the more that duty begins to feel like something personal, something he cannot allow.

As the siege of Boston tightens, Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause—and destroy any chance of a future with the man she’s growing to love. 

 

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

 

Before Christ called her daughter . . .

Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father's textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul?