Daffodils: a young woman seeks adventures outside her rural village

Daffodils is the first book in the Katherine Wheels series by Alex Martin. With the Great War ranging far from the English countryside, Katherine “Katy” Beagle is a maidservant at Cheadle Manor. She longs to escape her life in her rural village and see the world. To have adventures she has only read about in books. Through a series of events, she decides to do her part in the war effort and becomes a mechanic in the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Katy strives to break free from the class hierarchy she has always known. As she witnesses the horrors of World War I, she learns that love can bring freedom. Will it be worth the price she paid? 

I have attempted to read Daffodils twice now and this second time I was able to finish it; however, it wasn’t anything special. Despite the historical backdrop, Katy’s story was nothing special. It was simple writing with very little going on. There were so many unnecessary details which bogged down the story’s flow. I feel the characters weren’t developed enough with no real growth. Katy at the beginning is similar to Katy at the end. Really? She doesn't change at all despite her experiences in the war. Speaking of the war, there are historical mistakes that even the basic research would have made known. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Daffodils. 

Daffodils is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

Always My Girl: a second chance romance novella

Always My Girl is a novella in the Western Wildcats series by Jennifer Sucevic. When Viola was offered a scholarship to Western University, she knew she had to accept. The downside, her ex, Madden, plays hockey for the Wildcats. The chances she could run into him are likely. After he broke her heart three years ago, she has made it a mission to avoid him at all costs. She was successful until she saw Madden at a party. Madden never forgot Viola and with each day, he regretted his decision to end their relationship. When he sees her at a party, he sees it as his chance to make things right. Can he convince her that she was always his girl? 

Always My Girl is a quick read and I mean quick. Just as I was introduced to the characters and settled into their new relationship, the story was over. I was able to read it in an afternoon. However quick, I enjoyed this second chance romance; however, I do wish it was just a little bit longer. I enjoyed the characters. There were moments of humor and romance. I am hoping that Viola and Madden make appearances in the Western Wildcats series and I am looking forward to the series. If you enjoyed the Western Wildcats series or enjoy quick reads, I recommend Always My Girl. 

Always My Girl is available in eBook

To Marry the Duke: an American heiress, a English duke and a romance that changes everything

To Marry the Duke is the first book in the American Heiress trilogy by Julianne MacLean. American heiress Sophia Wilson leaves her home in New York for the London Season. Her goal: to marry an aristocratic husband. While her father is willing to pay generously, Sophia hopes to marry for love. For the dark, handsome Duke of Wentworth, James Langdon, love is the last thing he is concerned about. With the family’s dark past, he pushes aside all thoughts of marriage and heirs. However, his castle falling into disrepair, he needs cash fast. A marriage with the beautiful Sophia seems to be the perfect solution. What he doesn’t account for is how enchanted he becomes with his new wife. When a figure from the past threatens to undo it all, James and Sophia must decide between the marriage they thought they wanted and the passion that burns within them. 

Described as “perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey,” this story is set in the Gilded Age and the political and business dealings of marriage. To Marry the Duke is a different genre than I have read from Ms MacLean before; however, as a fan of Downton Abbey, I was eager to read it. The story was interesting and attention getting. I loved Sophia as a young woman who knew what she wanted even if it meant shaking up the Langdon family. I also enjoyed James as a man bound by duty as well as a desire to stop the family circle. There are individuals to hate, to pity and to cheer for. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. If you enjoy historical fiction with romance and drama, I highly recommend To Marry the Duke. 

To Marry the Duke is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Lie a Little: a woman finds an abandoned child, opens a new business and builds a new life in a new town

Lie A Little is the first book in The Faredene Saga by Debra Delaney. Victoria Kavanagh lived a lonely life after a tumultuous childhood and witnessing her father’s violent behavior, she vows to never marry. But she still desires for a child so when she finds an abandoned baby at a church, she doesn’t hesitate. Desperate to keep him, she decides to leave her home, opening a new business and build a new life in Faredene which is hopefully far enough away that her past will never come back. Now in a world where men are vying for her attention, Victoria must decide who she can trust. As the day to day challenges of motherhood and running her business test Victoria, she knows there is no going back. However, when a chain of events occurs which brings danger to her and her son, Victoria faces a difficult choice. 

After reading the synopsis, I thought I would enjoy this story. However, from the opening chapter to the closing pages, Lie A Little was not the heartwarming story I thought I would be reading. It also doesn’t help that I didn’t care for Victoria. I understand Victoria is a woman who doesn’t trust easily. However, she meets a man for the first time on the train to her new home and she automatically thinks he is a good guy?!? Her views on marriage are also understandable. I also commend her for her desire to save a baby who was abandoned. However, I thought she was naive and while she had good intentions, I felt she made some bad decisions. Overall, I was bored. I wasn’t excited to see Victoria succeed and build a new life. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Lie a Little. 

Lie a Little is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Smitten with the Best Man: a divorced single mom and a man from her past are reunited in Chicago

Smitten with the Best Man is the first book in the Chicago Law series by Piper Rayne. Victoria has moved back home to Chicago to help her ailing mother. With her seven year old daughter in tow, she has no time for dating as she has sworn off all men. That all changes when she runs into Reed Warner, who was her ex-husband’s friend and best man at their wedding. Still as charming and handsome as ever, Reed is now an assistant district attorney. No matter how hard Victoria tries, Reed finds a way to be a part of her life, unwilling to take no for an answer. Despite her best efforts, she feels her willpower failing as Reed seems to be not who she thought he was and the idea of a little fun has her willpower waning. Will she take a chance with Reed?

Smitten with the Best Man was originally published as Manic Monday, the first book in the Charity Case series. I was excited for this book as I have enjoyed Piper Rayne books in the past. However, I was bored. I didn’t care for Victoria at all. While I understand that she is jaded from her divorce and her cheating ex-husband, I didn’t care for the anti-man sentiments among Victoria and her co-workers. Again, I get that they are divorced and hurting but it was way too much. I liked Reed. He was sweet and very patient. I loved his interactions with Victoria’s daughter and other kids. Overall, I did not enjoy Smitten with the Best Man. I feel that Victoria was just not smitten with Reed. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Smitten with the Best Man. 

Smitten with the Best Man is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy: a fast paced, clean romance

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is the first book in the Silverstone Ranch series by April Murdock. Marguerite is done with love. She devotes herself to caring for her five year old son as well as running Silverstone Ranch with her family. Her father invites Cade Cooper, a drop dead gorgeous movie star for an “all-inclusive” learning experience as Cade prepares for his upcoming movie role. Marguerite doesn’t have time to babysit Cade as she is preparing for the upcoming rodeo the ranch is hosting. Cade plans to get the full experience of life on the ranch. However, it is the standoffish Marguerite that catches his attention. He is determined to show her that he is not the typical celebrity. Marguerite doesn’t trust easily but will she let her guard down enough to allow Cade the opportunity to show his sincerity? 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is a fast paced, clean romance with humor, drama and a happily ever after. Marguerite is a woman who is used to taking care of everyone else which leaves little time for herself. Cade is a man with a painful past and, despite his celebrity, doesn’t want all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood can offer. My heart broke for Marguerite as she carried a burden that she felt she needed to in order to keep the family running. And her little boy was adorable. I enjoyed Cade’s tenacity to try to get Marguerite to relax a bit and realize that it is okay to take time for oneself. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy. 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Are Christians required to tithe?

A question I have heard a lot recently is about tithing. So many televangelists are often seen on television urging believers to give and give and give. Are Christians required to tithe? Many Christians believe that they are required to give ten percent of their monthly income to their church. It is a sentiment I have heard on multiple occasions that someone isn’t a true Christian if they are not tithing. So are Christians required to tithe? The simple answer is no. Why not? What is the Old Testament standard? What are Christians commanded to give? What are my thoughts on this subject after my studying? 

The ten percent standard has been carried over from the Old Testament standard. Tithe means a tenth. Under the Mosaic Law, Israelites gave ten percent of their crops and livestock to support the temple, the Levite priests, feasts and the poor. The tithe functioned as a tax as it supported the national and religious structures of Israel under the old covenant. Even before the Mosaic Law, giving of a tenth was used. Abraham gave a one time gift to Melchizedek (Genesis 4:20) but there is no evidence in Scripture that he gave regularly to God (Schreiner, 2017). Jacob gave a tenth signifying his gratefulness to God (Genesis 28:20-22); however, it was not required of Jacob to do so (Schreiner, 2017). Tithing in the Old Testament was tied to the land of Israel and related to the Jews as a nation as well as a religious people. 

Christians are not under the Mosaic covenant (Romans 6:14-15; 7:5-6, Galatians 3:15-4:7; and 2 Corinthians 3:4-18). Some of the moral laws still apply as Jesus taught them but tithing is not among these commands (Schreiner, 2017). However, the New Testament teaches a new standard: the cheerful giver. There is no specific percentage or other fixed amount commanded. Instead, Jesus commanded a voluntary generous heart. Believers are to give freely, regularly and cheerfully out of what they have. It should be done quietly with a humble heart. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus commanded that we are not to give to show off, to give privately so only God can see and that God rewards sincere giving rather than giving from obligation. This idea is further presented in the story of the widow with the two coins. Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 feature this lesson from Jesus as he points out the widow who gives the two coins in the temple treasury. In the Lord’s eyes, the widow gave more than the others combined. Why? Because she gave out of her poverty and not her wealth. A gift given grudgingly isn’t a gift at all. Gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and generosity. 

The principle of giving is a matter of personal choice and giving should be done without compulsion or legalistic pressure guided by personal prayer and gratitude. Christians should give out of their prosperity. If they are struggling, then they don’t give as much (Winger, 2026). It is not the amount that is important, it is our heart, our attitude and our spirit. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Again, our attitude is more important than the amount we give. However, I do believe if someone is a regular attendee to a church, they should be supporting that church. Again, the amount is up to the individual, according to what they can give. The matter of your giving is between you and God as he talks into account our circumstances (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association). As Bible Thinker Mike Winger said, we should be “giving to the poor instead of taking from them” (2026).

In conclusion, while tradition would state the tenth rule for our tithing, our rule and authority comes from Scripture. And Scripture does not command Christians give a tenth. We are to give according to our means and our heart. Christians are commanded to preach the gospel (Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, 1 Corinthians 9:6-14, and 1 Timothy 5:17-18). And we are commanded to give generously (1 Timothy 5:17-19 and 2 Corinthians 8-9). However, the generous giving is not stated that it has to go to a church. It can be to the family who is struggling. It can be to the food bank that serves the community. Seek God’s guidance where your giving should go and give generously according to your means. 

References

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Does a Christian have to tithe? Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. https://billygraham.org/answers/does-a-christian-have-to-tithe. Retrieved September 6, 2026. 

Schreiner, Thomas (March 28, 2017). 7 Reasons Christians Are Not Required to Tithe. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe/. Retrieved September 6, 2026. 

Winger, Mike (May 8, 2026). Question 3: Tithing: A Universal Obligation?} Does Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek support that tithing is a universal moral obligation since that passage is pre-law and Melchizedek is a type of Christ? The dangerous trend of fake prophets on YouTune: 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep. 76). https://www.youtube.com/live/U_Dw0lcpwAI?si=hAQASD59fqp6hbUe. Retrieved September 11, 2026.