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Across the Ages

May 14, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

14 May

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Title: Across the Ages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Series: Timeless, book 4
Major Themes: Pirates, Prohibition, Historical, Time-Crossing
Synopsis: Born with the unique gift of living in the 1700s and 1900s at the same time, Caroline must figure out what happened when her mother disappeared, and navigate the chaos of Prohibition-era Minnesota.

I’ve eagerly anticipated each new installment of the Timeless series as it’s come out over the past few years. With Across the Ages, I had to wait a while until I could borrow and read it—it’s been a popular book in my library’s network! But once I got my hands on the story, I dove in. I love the way Gabrielle Meyer develops her characters, and, as always, the premise of the story is a lot of fun. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book wasn’t as good as some of the preceding books in the series. It was still fun, but it didn’t pack as much punch or have as many surprises as some of the other stories. Still, it was an enjoyable read.

Publisher’s description:

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother’s last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father’s career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family’s future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

My thoughts:

This book takes a turn from the first three books in the series. Where all of those followed the same family line, this book takes a jump into more uncharted territory—to someone who is a time-crosser but doesn’t know how it works or why she is the way she is.

In some ways, I was slightly disappointed from the beginning, because I felt like the series could have finished quite happily with book three, and now here was another book stuck on just for fun. Still, I can see how and why the author chose to add another book to the series, and I’m not complaining about having a little more time with this fun story concept and the glimpses of history the book gives us!

I really enjoyed getting to know and spend time with Caroline. It was fun to see how things went for her onboard a pirate ship—pirating is not a topic I’ve read about much. I identified even better with her as the daughter of a preacher who’s trying to find her feet in a world with many expectations. Some of the things she struggled with felt quite familiar to me, even if we live in vastly different worlds with much different circumstances. And the theme of singing for an audience of One? That truth sucker-punched me. It was a great reminder!

Overall, while I enjoyed Across the Ages, I didn’t feel like it was as deep or intriguing as the first two books in the series. I’m glad I got to read it, but I doubt I’ll want to re-read the story soon. If you like historical stories with a good amount of romance, some danger, and a good amount of drama, you would probably enjoy the story; for me, it felt a little on the fluffy side and didn’t have that nebulous something that pushes a book from good to great. I’ll be interested in finishing the series one day; hopefully, the last book will be better than this one!

WARNING: Blasted is used in ch. 7 and gee is used in ch. 22. There is lying in ch. 3, 8, 9, and 16, as well as an overarching lie through much of the book. Chapter 2: A woman dressed in a revealing way. Chapter 3: Mention of women’s monthlies. Chapter 4: Mention of a man who had multiple affairs and an illegitimate baby (this is referred to multiple times throughout the book). Chapter 12: Man goes to a brothel. Chapter 13: Story of a woman who divorced her husband and married someone else. Chapter 18: Mention of an unmarried man and woman living together (they eventually married). Chapter 20: Story of a woman who left her husband and took up with someone else, a robbery. Chapter 21: A miscarriage, mention of someone being someone’s mistress. Chapter 23: A kiss. Chapter 24: Woman’s life threatened. Chapter 25: Several kisses. Chapter 26: Story of a man who got drunk and was found naked with someone else. Chapter 27: Man tries to take advantage of a woman, a fight with a man’s life threatened, and a kiss. Chapter 28: A kiss. Chapter 31: A kiss, hint at the marriage bed. Historical Note: Mention of someone who was assaulted and then killed someone. Unmarried characters hold hands, hug, etc., fairly frequently throughout the story, and are forced to share a bedroom for quite a while (they have separate beds; nothing inappropriate happens). Smoking and drinking are mentioned occasionally.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Keywords: 18th Century · 1900-1950 · 20th Century · Books for Women · Christian Fiction · Colonial Era (US) · Gabrielle Meyer · Historical Fiction · North America · Pirates · Prohibition · Romance · Split-Time Fiction · Time Crossing · Timeless series · US History · US History 1900-1950

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Our Cry for Revival

May 12, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

12 May

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

Our Cry for Revival cover

Title: Our Cry for Revival
Author: Nick Harrison
Major Themes: Devotionals, Revival, Christian Living
Synopsis: A collection of 365 brief devotions using Scripture, prayer, and reflective quotes to aid in praying for revival.

I’m always looking for good devotionals or similar works that will bless or enhance my Christian walk. Over the past few years, I’ve come across some gems, and recently, while scrolling through a list of books, I came across Our Cry for Revival. I think I’d seen it before, but it didn’t strike me one way or another when I first saw it. This time, though, I paused for a closer look and quickly realized that it likely was a book I was interested in. I’m so glad I decided to take the time for this book!

Publisher’s description:

What Christian isn’t hungering for revival? Not just an emotional display of faith, but a revival that changes lives, renews churches, and can even change history. Such revivals as the Great Awakening, the Welsh Revival, and the Jesus Movement have earned their place in church history and are evidence that God is still alive and active. Even smaller revivals such as the recent revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, caught the attention of the world as upwards of fifty thousand Christians traveled to the college campus to witness this move of God. The recent movie, The Jesus Revolution was a surprise success at the box office as, once again, Christians flocked to hear about revival.

Make no mistake, there is a worldwide hunger for revival, and especially so among American Christians. The great news is that every Christian has a part to play in bringing about revival. That part is first, last, and always prayer. Revivals are born from prayer. But will Christians pray? Do they really want revival? If recent events are indications of that fresh hunger for God in our midst, then the answer is a resounding yes!

With daily Scripture readings, reflections, prayer prompts, and quotes from classic Christian leaders, this 365-day guide will aid you in your quest to experience both personal and widespread revival through persistent prayer.

Yes, revival is on its way. Will you be one of the prayer warriors to usher in this next great move of God?

My thoughts:

Revival has been a topic on my mind over the past eight or nine months, because I’ve been researching a small revival in New Zealand in the 1930s for a story I’m working on. This book came at the perfect time for that, giving me perspective and direction from saints past and present who experienced both personal and, at times, public revival.

Each daily reading starts with a Scripture passage, has a brief reflection on the passage, a quote from a Christian in past or present church history, and then a short prayer reflective of the day’s topic. So far, my favorite part of each of the daily readings is the quote section—I’ve highlighted far more in there than I ever expected, and have shared quotes that particularly struck me with friends and family.

If you’ve been inspired by stories of revivals from history, such as those experienced in Jesus Revolution or Sheffey, I’d highly recommend you check out Our Cry for Revival. I’ve found it to be an excellent tool to use in searching my own heart and also to give me perspective in ways to pray for personal and worldwide revival. This is a gem to have in any believer’s library, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Keywords: Christian Living · Christian Non-Fiction · Devotionals · Family Friendly · Nick Harrison · Revival

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Birdsong

May 9, 2025 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

9 May

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

Birdsong cover

Title: Birdsong: Stories of Promise and Hope
Authors: Sara Davison, Deb Elkink, Stacy Monson, Cathe Swanson, Chautona Havig, Eleanor Bertin, and Milla Holt
Series: The Mosaic Collection, book 12
Major Themes: Bookstores
Synopsis: Seven diverse stories portray hurting people finding hope and peace in God’s love.

Once again, I was offered the opportunity to read an advanced copy of one of the Mosaic Collection anthologies. Because I have loved every one I have read, I jumped at the chance to read Birdsong. These collections always contain quite a varied group of stories, and there are always one or two that stand out, as well as a couple that I could do without. This collection, though, had more than the usual number of outstanding stories!

Publisher’s description:

From unexpected journeys into the future and the past to a life-changing weekend, a spontaneous road trip, family trauma, the birth of a bookstore, and a potentially disastrous wedding, the men and women in these stories must deal with everything life is throwing at them. Which is a lot.

  • The Weekend – Sara Davison
  • Aloft – Deb Elkink
  • Misguided deVotion – Stacy Monson
  • Rainbow Valley – Cathe Swanson
  • Once Upon a Parlor – Chautona Havig
  • Call Me Birdie – Eleanor Bertin
  • Sunday Best – Milla Holt

The turmoil and craziness challenge each of them to believe the promise of God’s timing—that every winter, no matter how dark and cold, will be followed by a season of birdsong.

BirdSong is a collection of seven stories about finding promise and hope in a world that’s often topsy-turvy.

My thoughts:

I can’t pick a favorite from among these seven novellas. Rainbow Valley, Once Upon a Parlor, and Sunday Best all stand out to me. Cathe Swanson kept me guessing in Rainbow Valley as she revealed tiny bits of John and Dawn’s traumatic backstory. I loved this account of healing from a childhood in a hippie commune! Once Upon a Parlor is just plain fun, in Chautona Havig’s unique style! I loved some of the book quotes included in it. It’s part of the Bookstrings series, and she has hinted that there will be spin-off stories to follow! Sunday Best is very different. I found it one that made me really think. What happens when a person does everything with the thought of how he/she appears to others? To what depths will they fall when they can’t admit to their sin but must keep it covered to preserve a good public image? What an amazing story.

The Weekend is quite good, as well (actually, they all are—it’s just that not all of them gripped me in the same way). A man realizes that he has allowed himself to become too busy for the people he wants to be in his life—can he change that before it’s too late? In Aloft, a woman must come face-to-face with her past so she can make sense of her present and make the right decisions. Misguided Devotion has some very funny scenes. It was my least favorite of the books in the collection, but I did still enjoy most of it. The story included a little too much romance for my liking.

I recommend Birdsong for anyone who loves Christian fiction with a message. These stories are not merely entertainment; there are real-life lessons included in them. As with all the Mosaic Collection anthologies, these are wonderful for those times when a short read is what is needed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

WARNING: In The Weekend, there is a savage fight and a kiss. In Misguided Devotion, gosh appears once.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Keywords: Books for Women · Bookstores · Cathe Swanson · Chautona Havig · Christian Fiction · Deb Elkink · Eleanor Bertin · Milla Holt · Sara Davison · Stacy Monson · The Mosaic Collection

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This Promised Land

May 7, 2025 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

7 May

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

This Promised Land cover

Title: This Promised Land
Author: Cathy Gohlke
Major Themes: Virginia, Family
Synopsis: Ginny finds herself back at the farm she fled as a teenager, and quickly discovers that she is not the only prodigal returning.

When I saw that Cathy Gohlke had written a new book, I immediately went looking for a copy to read. It had been several years since I read one of her books, but I remembered liking them, so I downloaded This Promised Land right away and started to read it.

Publisher’s description:

Ginny Pickering Boyden can’t wait for her last day of work, when she’ll be free to pursue a lifelong ambition through a master gardener apprenticeship. But an unexpected letter brings shocking news: Ginny has inherited her family’s Christmas tree farm, a dream she’d long ago given up.

Facing a past laced with memories and lies she’s tried hard to bury, a furious nephew who thought the land would be his, and a failing farm with a mountain of debt, Ginny returns to New Scrivelsby, Virginia, determined to sell. But when her younger nephew, a Vietnam vet, appears with demons of his own and three young children in tow, Ginny isn’t sure what to do. Too much of their story reminds Ginny of her own. She has little hope, however, that three generations of warring Pickerings can set aside their differences to restore all that’s broken, both on the land and in their hearts.

Set against the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains, This Promised Land is the story of a daughter’s longing to make sense of the past and of the unbreakable bonds that bring prodigals home.

My thoughts:

I was not disappointed with This Promised Land! In fact, within a few chapters, I remembered why I enjoyed Cathy Gohkle’s books so much. This is a very well-crafted story, and I quickly found myself invested in Ginny as a character. Both she and Luke were rather annoying, as they struggled to let go of old animosities, misunderstandings, and outright lies they had believed. I loved the underlying theme of the Prodigal Son, and how that story could play out today. 

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the very minor role that romance played in the plot. It was there, and I saw it coming from the second or third chapter when a male character appeared, but there was no hint of romantic feelings until about the 50% mark. Most of the plot of this book has to do with Ginny and her nephews, and the farm. 

Another character that made her way into my heart quickly was Arlo. A typical firstborn, she made it her responsibility to take care of and protect her siblings, and did her best to guard her father from his weaknesses. But when she accidentally stumbled onto the scene of illegal activity and inadvertently brought trouble and danger to the farm, she needed help that she couldn’t bring herself to accept. I found myself turning pages as fast as I could to get the family out of danger! 

If you enjoy a well-written family story with a strong spiritual message, try This Promised Land. You will love it. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Keywords: Books for Women · Cathy Gohlke · Christian Fiction · Family · Historical Fiction · North America · US History · US History 1950-2000 · Virginia · Women's Fiction

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The Weather Book

May 5, 2025 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

5 May

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

The Weather Book by Michael Oard

Title: The Weather Book
Author: Michael Oard
Series: Wonders of Creation
Major Themes: Weather, Climate, Storms
Synopsis: Short chapters with many photographs and diagrams will help anyone understand weather better.

I like to read something about science or history from a Christian perspective each morning as we start our homeschool day. Recently, I finished something we had been reading for a long time, so I went to the shelf in our library where we keep the science books and had a look. The Weather Book—I have read a couple of other books by Michael Oard and enjoyed them, and had actually thought about using this one for our science lessons this year. I decided it was a perfect choice, and it helped that most sections were only a two-page spread.

Publisher’s description:

The earth was created to be the dwelling place of man. It is a complex world and its weather patterns affect our lives every day. Whether you live near the equator, a polar region, or somewhere in between, knowledge of the weather is important. The Weather Book will teach that learning about the weather is fun! It will change the way you look at the clouds in the sky. Now you’ll have more of an understanding about what is going on miles above your head. And when you hear a weather report on television, you’ll understand so much more about the world around you!

My thoughts:

We learned a lot about weather from The Weather Book. I had always wondered how warm fronts and cold fronts work, and those were explained. We also enjoyed the detailed description of how thunderstorms are formed, and found the chapters about hurricanes and tornadoes fascinating. When we were reading the chapter about winter storms, I realized that I had probably experienced one of the blizzards that was mentioned, so I dug out an old diary, and sure enough, I had written about it! That was fun to share with the children. Another topic that we found very helpful was the chapter about El Niño. Because of where we live, we are directly affected by that ocean current, so understanding what drives it and its opposite, La Niña, was quite helpful.

If you want to teach your children about weather from a Creationist perspective, or want a quick introduction to it yourself, I highly recommend this book. It is easy to understand, and profusely illustrated with many photographs and diagrams. I understand weather a lot better now, and I know my children understood a lot, too.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Kindle | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Keywords: Climate · Michael Oard · Science Curriculum · Storms · Weather · Wonders of Creation series

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