Lydia: a story of divine intervention, open hearts and generous hospitality

Lydia was a Gentile woman from Thyatira in Asia Minor. When she is introduced in Acts 16:14, she is a successful businesswoman in Philippi. She was a dealer of purple cloth which was prized and expensive. Lydia was also the head of her household. She may have been widowed or single. So strong was her faith that her entire household followed her example and were baptized. She extended hospitality to Paul and his companions even after their imprisonment (Acts 16:16-40). Lydia has the distinction of being Paul’s first convert in Europe and the first member of the Philippian church. Lydia’s story is more than just another conversion story in Acts. Her story is an example of hospitality and God’s divine intervention as he sees our hearts and recognizes the hunger and need for closeness with Him. 

At a makeshift place of worship on the edge of the Gangites River, a group of women hears the gospel. Paul speaks of Jesus, his teachings, his crucifixion and resurrection from the grave. He is the Messiah, the merciful and holy one who has come to save all people. Among the women was Lydia, a successful and well-known businesswoman in a world when women were not given the same respect as men. She may have had the education and the skill as well as the strength and determination to work in a male-dominated society. As a Gentile, Lydia was open. willing to and wanting to know more about the God who was powerful enough to part the sea and yet tender enough to yearn for his people and send His Son. Tears running down her face, she feels the longing and the pull toward God as God opened her heart to the gospel (Acts 16:14). There on the river’s edge, Lydia and her household were baptized. She insisted Paul and Silas and other travel companions, possibly Luke and Timothy, accept her hospitality and stay at her home. Her home may have become the center for the church of Philippi. 

Lydia may have been an influential and respected person in Philippi and inviting Paul and his companions was not only courageous but radical and unconventional for the time period. Was she hospitable before her conversion? We don’t know. She may have felt the sudden inspiration to offer them a place to stay. Hospitality is very important to God as he reminds believers to offer hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9), even to strangers as we may entertain angels without realizing it (Hebrews 13:2). There are many reasons to extend hospitality. First, it is love in action. It takes a great love to open one’s home and resources to others. Second, it provides the opportunity to share and reflect the gospel. Inviting someone over and demonstrating God’s love with service of food or shelter can open the door to reveal the love of Jesus Christ. Lastly, it helps build community. Knowing who we can turn to in times of trouble and need is a great comfort we can provide our fellow believers as well as our greater community. Hospitality doesn’t have to happen in a perfectly clean house with a perfectly crafted feast. It could be a simple meal of canned soup on a cold day. It can open your home to someone who briefly needs shelter. It comes from a desire to help in any way we can provide with love. 

Philippi seemed to be an unlikely place to plant the gospel. It was a prosperous colony on a main highway with Rome and was home to a large number of retired Roman soldiers. Despite the size of the city, it didn’t have enough Jewish males to provide the requisite quorum to form a synagogue, so it wasn’t Paul’s travel plans. One night, he had a vision of a Macedonian man begging him to help (Acts 16:9) and felt compelled to visit Philippi. When he arrived, he found a group of women praying by the river’s edge. God saw the need in Philippi and sent Paul. He sees our need and sends help, we just may not recognize it at the time. The Bible is filled with examples of divine intervention as Exodus 14:14 says “The Lord will fight for you; you only need.” He interceded with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3: 25,27). God also with Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6: 21-22). He interceded as Paul and Silas sat in prison (Acts 16:22-28). Divine intervention is a simple prayer away. Psalm 72:12 says that God will deliver to the needy who cry out.

In conclusion, for some, Lydia was probably just another conversion story. However, she is an example of the spirit of hospitality and divine intervention. For me, as an introvert and a naturally shy person, offering hospitality is easier said than done. However, when the Spirit moves and provides the open door, I find myself like Lydia, offering hospitality when it is needed the most. Divine intervention is more than just the stories in the Bible, it is a daily occurrence. I may not always be aware of how God intervenes for me, but I know He does. As Psalm 121:3b says, “he who watches over you will not slumber.” Lydia was a woman who had her heart opened to the gospel and it changed her life. The same God who spoke to Lydia’s heart is speaking to yours. Are you listening?  

If you would like to read a book bring Lydia to life, I highly recommend Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

The Trail of Lost Hearts: two broken hearts and an unexpected second chance at love

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves is a story of two broken hearts who find the unexpected chance to love again. Thirty-four-year old Wren Waters believes the universe will send you what you need, you only need to pay attention. Her world is shattered when the death of her fiancé reveals secrets she wasn’t expecting. Falling into a deep depression, the only thing that seems to get her out of bed is geocaching, the outdoor activity using GPS to find hidden objects. Wren decides to take a weeklong trip to Oregon for a solo geocaching search. While on the first leg of her trip, she meets Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist on his own much needed trip. After a close call, Marshall suggests teaming up for the rest of the cache searches. Wren is hesitant at first, but decides to trust the universe one more time. As the road trip begins platonic enough, it soon blooms into something deeper and the more she spends time with Marshall, the more she wants to know about him. 

The Trail of Lost Hearts is my first book by Tracey Garvis Graves and it definitely won’t be my last. The story starts with a woman in a dark place, trying to take each day at a time, when a trip to clear her head changes her time. My heart broke for Wren who thought her life was on track when the sudden death of her fiancé made her question everything she thought she knew. My heart also broke for Marshall, who is also hurting from his own tragedy. Both characters felt real as they deal with grief, guilt and questioning decisions they cannot take back. I loved that their relationship truly starts platonically so much so that when the romance develops it was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I was hooked from the opening chapter and could not put it down. There were twists and turns to this story that is a wild ride of heartbreak, emotional breakthroughs and an ending that I thought wasn’t in the cards. I highly recommend The Trail of Lost Hearts. 

The Trail of Lost Hearts is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook. 

Off the Air: a journalist searches to solve a murder

Off the Air by Christina Estes is a murder mystery as a local reporter chases the story of her career. Jolene Garcia is a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona. She usually covers general assignments from the monsoon storms to a newborn giraffe at the zoo. When word gets out about a death at a radio station, Jolene races to the scene as she and other journalists rush to report the facts first. As the victim is identified as the controversial talk show host, Larry Lemmon, Jolene realizes that she conducted his final interview, giving her and her station an edge for now.  The circumstances around his death are suspicious, the story heats up as the competition to be the first to report grows as well. Jolene is determined to solve this murder as it is the story that could make or break her career. 

Billed as “equal parts thought-provoking and entertaining,” Off the Air is the debut novel for former Emmy Award winning reporter Christina Estes. I was intrigued as the main character is a journalist which doesn’t cross my path often. I opened the book eagerly for a fast-paced mystery. However, it fell fast. It wasn’t thought provoking or entertaining. I was bored. I didn’t care about the characters, especially Jolene. She is unlikable from beginning to end and didn’t help put journalists in a positive light. The constant mention of politics, while I understand that it fits the story with the death of a controversial figure, it really bogged down my enjoyment. The mystery quickly becomes secondary to the story and the story quickly becomes more of a love letter to journalism. Overall, the story was okay. If you enjoy journalism centric stories, you may enjoy Off the Air. 

Off the Air is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Moment in Time: one night can change the course of one's life and friendships

Moment in Time by Suzanne Redfearn is a follow-up to In An Instant (2020). It’s been eight years since the tragic events which changed Maureen “Mo” Kaminski and Chloe Miller’s lives. Now in their mid-twenties, they share an apartment in San Francisco with their roommate, Hazel. Life seems to be relatively normal as they both work through the challenges of adulthood and career. Suddenly, one night when Hazel ends up in the hospital after being raped, their lives are again turned upside down. When the suspected perpetrator turns up drugged and beaten and Hazel has disappeared, the mystery of what happened that night becomes the forefront of their lives. Mo and Chloe are desperate to find out what happened to their friend and bring her home. Despite being familiar with tragedy, Mo and Chloe will find themselves tested personally as well as their friendship. Will their commitment to their friend, finding the truth and seeking justice bring them closer together? Will they be driven apart for good? 

I read In An Instant a couple years ago and loved it. When Moment in Time was suggested for me, I grabbed it and couldn’t wait to read it. Unfortunately, something felt off about the story. I’m not sure what it was but I was bored and confused. While the subject matter needs to be taken seriously, I found myself not caring about Mo and Chloe as they searched for their friend and discovered what happened that night. At one point, one of the characters decides to get revenge on a cop for not taking the rape report seriously and then is shocked when she is arrested for it. Seriously?!?!? There were also too many plot holes and inconsistencies that just didn’t add up. Moment in Time just doesn’t have the same emotional impact that In An Instant did. It wasn’t as gripping and emotional as I expected. Overall, I did not enjoy Moment in Time. Despite my enjoyment and recommendation for In An Instant, I cannot recommend Moment in Time. 

Moment in Time is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Soul as Cold as Frost: a twist on Christmas and winter characters

 A Soul as Cold as Frost by Jennifer Kropf is the first book in the Winter Souls series. Sixteen year old Helen Bell knows tragedy. She knows what it is like to be bullied and fight for all she has. She thought she was prepared for anything, however, she wasn’t ready for what was coming next. When a strange girl gives her a crystal orb, Helen’s eyes are opened to the realm of Winter, a world that intersects with the real world. A world where monarchs rise and fall and the name of The Dead King is forbidden to be spoken. Helen is summoned to The Crimson Court to participate in The Quarrel of Sword and Bone, a traditional duel to the death performed in front of one thousand witnesses, with the deranged Queen, a queen with a cold soul. She must find a way out or die in the wintry world. 

I saw this book come highly recommended on BookTok and other sites. I was intrigued by the premise of a series that “blends action and warm Christmas traditions” with “new and grittier versions of famous characters out of holiday legends, folklore and myths.” I was excited to start reading this story as the opening prologue was poetically written. However, I was quickly lost and bored. While I get that as a first book in the series, there would be a lot of world building going on; however, it felt disjointed. I also didn’t believe Helen as a 16 year old. She acts more like a child, than a teen. The book is marketed as a young adult novel; however, it doesn’t read like it. Overall, I was disappointed as it was not the story I was expecting. However, if you enjoy fantastical stories, you may want to try A Soul as Cold as Frost. 

A Soul as Cold as Frost is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Saving Easton: a wounded POW has a second chance at life and love

Saving Easton is the second book in the Oakside Military Heroes series by Kaci Rose. Easton Mathews was a POW. The mental scars run deeper than the physical ones. He is content to stare out his room’s window, avoiding human contact if he can. Paisley Sutton is Oakside’s resident therapy dog trainer newly assigned to Easton. She is also the little sister of his childhood best friend. He has had a crush on her for years but she was completely off limits but the only face which helped him through his darkest moments. Paisley is shocked when she realizes her new client is Easton, the boy she had a crush on so many years ago. But the man in front of her is deeply wounded. Can she help him back to life or will he be forever a prisoner of the past? 

Saving Easton is a hard hitting, heartbreaking and yet hopeful story. I loved Paisley’s gentle and patient urging to help Easton pick up the pieces of his life. Once they confess their mutual feelings, their romance blooms and gives him a reason to truly keep fighting. There are moments of drama and heart stopping fear but there were also poignant moments of tenderness and oh so steamy love scenes. I also loved the personalities of the dogs featured in Paisley’s training. I love that while each story focuses on one military hero at a time, it leads into the next hero at Oakside. Overall, I enjoyed this story so much and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love steamy romances with military men, and small towns, I recommend Saving Easton. 

Saving Easton is available in paperback and eBook

The Spinster: a clean historical romance

The Spinster by Tess Thompson is the second book in the Emerson Pass Historical series. In  Emerson Pass, Colorado 1920, the first World War is over and Josephine Barnes mourns the loss of her beloved fiancé as he fought in the trenches. Devastated, she vows to never marry and calls herself a spinster as she focuses on building the town’s new library. Her world is turned upside down when she receives a letter from someone who fought with her fiancé, asking to visit and return the letters she wrote. Phillip Baker survived the war and survived a bout with the dreaded Spanish flu but he is burdened with a distressing secret. Plagued by guilt, but unable to stop, reading Josephine’s letters brought him comfort and finds himself falling for the woman and her words. When Phillip arrives, Josephine is torn between loyalty to her deceased fiancé and her growing feelings for Phillip. As Phillip prepares to tell her the secrets he carries, will her new feelings be crushed and push her away from Phillip forever? 

The question of “Can the tragic death of a soldier entwine the souls of two strangers?” asked in the book’s description spoke to me as someone who descends from two people who met because of the death of a soldier on the battlefield. I fell in love with the Barnes family in The School Mistress and enjoyed seeing them growing up. First up is the eldest Josephine. The bookish Josephine who would rather hide in a book and take care of her loved one convinced she is not pretty enough to find love again. She believes her one chance at love died on the battlefield was heartbreaking. The arrival of Phillip brings new joy to her life despite her best efforts to stay neutral. My heart broke for those who returned from war with memories and horrors plaguing them. I loved that Ms Thompson did not shy away from that. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy wholesome historical romances, I highly recommend The Spinster. 

The Spinster is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Miles and Miles of You: road trip adventures and romance

Miles and Miles of You by Jennifer Bonds is the first book in The Harts series. Lucy Gonzalez had had enough! She quits her job as a personal assistant to Miles Hart. She’s decided to take the jump and hit the road as a travel influencer. She hitches up her grandma’s vintage Airstream and takes a trip along Route 66 as @SoSavvyTraveler! Her plan is to show the best places to see and eat on a shoestring budget in two weeks. What she didn't plan on was company. Miles Hart shows up, determined to bring her back to Triada, his company with his brothers. He is also determined to prove to her that she can’t make it as a travel influencer. They make a bet. If Miles wins, Lucy will give up the influencer plan and come back to Triada. If Lucy wins, he will never bother her again. 

I actually read the second book in the series, Not Today, Cupid, last year and immediately placed Miles and Miles of You on my TBR list. Miles and Miles of You is a great story with fun banter, road trip adventures and a bit of spice. Lucy and Miles are great characters with personal past hurts that they struggle with and this trip helps bring them forth and works toward growth. Lucy’s grandma, Celeste, was a great source of laughs as she interacts with Lucy’s Instagram posts. While I did not enjoy Miles and Miles of You as much as I did Not Today, Cupid, I enjoyed this story. I laughed. I smiled. I closed the book with happiness and eagerness for the third brother’s story. If you enjoy a road trip romance with fun banter and great adventures, I highly recommend Miles and Miles of You. 

Miles and Miles of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Highland Mist: magic, mystical romance setting in the Scottish Highlands

Highland Mist by Donna Grant is the first book in the Druids Glen series. Laird Connall MacInness was born into a clan that was charged with guarding the sacred Druids. A duty that was centuries old, he takes it seriously until his sister, a Druid priestess, goes missing and the very Druids he was protecting refused to help find her. When another Druid priestess is placed into his hands for safekeeping, Connall is torn between his duty to protect the Druids and his need to avenge his sister. Glenna MacNeil only wants to be free, to find a purpose for her life. When she is told to look for the dark laird that would free her, she eagerly goes with Connall. What she doesn’t realize is an ancient prophecy has been set in motion that will change the course of their lives and the future of Scotland. 

Highland Mist is a fast paced, entertaining story mixing magical lore, clan feuds, and the mystical settings of the Scottish Highlands. Once I got into the story, I could not put the book down. I enjoyed the main characters, Connall and Glenna as individuals and as a couple. Their personal demons, their struggles between duty and desire and their electric chemistry was powerful and engaging. I even enjoyed the side characters, especially the mysterious mercenary Gregor. I am looking forward to reading about his past and how his storyline plays out. Overall, I enjoyed Highland Mist and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. There was mild spice but great romantic moments. I was reminded of another great mystical Highland series of Karen Marine Moning with the mystical and magical elements. If you enjoy romances set in the Scottish Highlands, I recommend Highland Mist. 

Highland Mist is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Underground Library: three women trying to survive during the London Blitz

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is the story of three women during the London Blitz trying to survive and save their beloved library. When Juliet Lansdown comes to the Bethnal Green Library as the new deputy librarian, she realizes that the library needs a bit more life. Katie Upwood loves working at the library as she prepares to head to university. After learning that her beau was killed in action and growing strife in her family, she finds herself with a life-changing secret with no help and no options. Sofie Baumann is a young Jewish refugee who came to London on a domestic service visa in order to escape the horrors in her home country. She finds herself treated horribly and her only solace is the beloved books of the local library. When the library needs to go underground where the city’s residents are sheltering during the nightly bombings, Juliet, Katie and Sofie find a community that come together for the love of books and friendships that only grow stronger with each bomb dropped.

Based on the true story of the Bethnal Green Library and the London Blitz, Jennifer Ryan weaves a story of survival, friendships and courage in uncertain times. Despite a bit of weariness of World War II stories, I was captivated by the stories of these three women and the strength they find to endure the uncertainty of their futures. Their world is changing around them and, despite the social rules, they fight back against racism, gender biases and finding love in the most unlikely places. Ms Ryan also brings to life the horrors and uncertainties of the London Blitz. I felt as if I were there with the characters, huddled in the underground shelters as the bombs exploded above them and in the aftermath as they searched for survivors and dealt with the unfortunate loss of life. My heart broke as the character suffered and I cheered for them as they rose above their circumstances and survived. If you enjoy World War II stories, I highly recommend The Underground Library. 

The Underground Library is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Hard Crush: a second chance romance with heart and a bit of spice

Hard Crush by Mira Lyn Kelly is the first book in the Back to You series. Abby Mitchel is not very tech savvy. From her broken phone to the temperamental Smart Board in her classroom, she never seems to get it to work. Her ineptness also includes “Tech Genius” who was her high school boyfriend, the one who walked away. Hank Wagner has been called a visionary, an innovator; but he is simply someone who is tech minded with an eye on the future. So why is he pulled into the past when he runs into the woman he left behind so many years ago? And why can’t he seem to walk away again? As a man who is used to getting what he wants, Hank is determined to reignite the flame between them. Abby knows better than to let him get too close but she can’t seem to push him away.

 Hard Crush is my first book by Mira Lyn Kelly. I recognized her name from other book recommendations but I haven’t picked up a book until now. Hard Crush is a sweet, emotional romance with wonderful spice mixed in. I could not put this story down as Abby and Hank fell in love again. It had deeper emotional moments than I was not expecting and my heart ached for Abby as she opened up to why she pushed Hank away despite obviously caring for him. Abby and Hank are a great couple and I enjoyed reading their second chance romance. They also had great supporting characters who encouraged them to take a chance on life and love. I look forward to reading the rest of the series as well as other books by Ms. Kelly. If you enjoy sweet, emotional romances with a bit of spice, I highly recommend Hard Crush. 

Hard Crush is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

My Lucky #13: a spicy sports romance with witty, flirty moments

My Lucky #13 is the first book in the Hockey Hotties series by Piper Rayne. Aiden Drake has been lucky his entire career. He didn’t believe in luck. It’s why he wears #13. He never needed a superstition to help his game. That is until his game spiraled downward and now he faces a trade. After an eventful New Year’s Eve with an amazing woman who threw a drink in his face, he had a great game with three goals! Aiden is convinced it was the drink in his face and he needs to track down the woman so she can do it again before every game. Saige Fowler runs a social media business for athletes and other high profile individuals. Imagine her surprise when Aiden Drake walks into her office with a bottle of wine and a proposition. She thinks it’s ridiculous but can’t seem to turn him down. As they spend time together, it gets harder and harder to deny the spark between them. 

After reading about the New Year’s Eve moments between Aiden and Saige in the prequel novella, Countdown to a Kiss, I jumped My Lucky #13 up on my TBR list and it did not disappoint! Piper Rayne is my new go-to author for spicy sports romance! I’m not even a hockey fan but I might just start watching games after this book! My Lucky #13 is so good! It was flirty. It was witty. It had great banter and awesome spicy moments and even so romantic moments that will make any reader swoon! There were moments when the smile never left my face! I loved Aiden and Saige as individuals and as a couple. I even enjoyed their supporting cast of characters! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. My Lucky #13 is a book I will return to and read again and again. If you enjoy fun, spicy romance, even if you don’t like sports, I highly, highly recommend My Lucky #13. 

My Lucky #13 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Perfect Marriage: a disappointing psychological thriller

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose is a domestic psychological thriller of whodunit? Sarah Morgan is a successful and powerful defense attorney in Washington DC. She has been named a partner at her firm at 33 years old and life is going exactly as she planned. However, her husband, Adam, has been a struggling writer with only one successful book to his name. Tired of being second to Sarah’s career, out in the secluded woods of their second home, Adam has a passionate affair with Kelly Summers. But when Kelly is found murdered in the cabin, Adam is arrested for her murder, the image of Sarah’s perfect life comes crumbling down. She finds herself defending Adam against murder charges. She asks herself is he guilty or innocent? Should she even be defending him in the first place? Who killed Kelly Summers? 

I was excited to read this book as I repeatedly saw it on social media. So when the chance came up to read it, I grabbed it. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype. From the opening chapters to the very unsatisfying ending, I could not believe what I just read. There were no likable or relatable characters. I felt insulted and demeaned at every turn by Sarah and her friends. There were so many holes in the entire case that any lawyer worth his or her salt would see. Throughout the story, I had a nagging feeling that the story felt familiar. When I got to the end, I realized why, (I won’t reveal it as it is a spoiler). It was disappointing, especially as the book is advertised as a “completely gripping psychological suspense.” I do not recommend The Perfect Marriage. 

The Perfect Marriage is available in paperback and eBook

Countdown to a Kiss: a prequel novella introducing a new series

Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne is a prequel novella introducing the Hockey Hotties series. Three professional hockey players from the Florida Fury attend a New Year’s Eve party given by the team’s owner. Each man comes across a woman who sparks their interest. As the countdown to midnight begins, each man is hoping to start the new year right with a kiss. What’s the harm? They aren’t going to see these women again, right? 

Countdown to a Kiss is twelve short chapters and yet, it is such an engaging read that I immediately put the first book of the series higher on my TBR list. I can’t wait to read what happens with the first couple of the series. They are talented men with chips on their shoulders and the women they meet aren’t swayed by their status as professional hockey players. The banter between each man and woman is fun, flirty and so electric. If you love quick, engaging stories, I highly recommend Countdown to a Kiss. 

Countdown to a Kiss is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Forever Only Once: a gritty, hard hitting romance

Forever Only Once by Carrie Ann Ryan is the first book in the Promise Me series. Hazel Noble lives her life by strict measures. She has survived horrors and found the strength to build the life she loves. However, when her group of friends make a pact to start looking for love, Hazel finds herself the first one up. Cross Brady has no need for love. All he wants to do is live his life as peacefully as possible. However, when an accidental meeting with Hazel causes his life to take a dramatic turn. Taking their new found relationship as slow as possible, Hazel and Cross cannot deny the spark between them, but someone is determined to keep them apart. Is it someone from Hazel’s past or is it someone a little closer to home? 

Forever Only Once is such a great story. There’s suspense, action, packed with friendly and flirty banter and a tad bit of spice. Hazel is a woman who is trying to live in peace, determined to leave her painful past behind her and yet, a threat still lingers in the back of her mind. Cross is the typical older, protective brother who looks out for those he feels needs the backup. I loved that Cross understood Hazel’s hesitations and followed her lead as to how fast or slow they take their relationship. I also loved their support system of friends and family. It is a gritty, hard hitting story with great characters and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Forever Only Once. 

Forever Only Once is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook