Anna: a woman of faith and devotion

Anna was an extraordinary person who demonstrated great faith and devotion. A prophetess who spent her days seeking God. After only several years of marriage, her husband dies, leaving Anna with no family to take care of her. As a widow, Anna was among the most vulnerable in society. She spent the rest of her life in the temple, praying and fasting. She worshiped day and night. She was one of the first to bear witness to Jesus, who she longed to see, as the coming Messiah. She is only mentioned in Luke 2:36-38.Two short verses detail a woman of devotion. 

At 84 years old, Anna has spent her time at the temple in Jerusalem. She spends her days praying the words of the psalms. She was a woman with a great spiritual appetite, giving her life to God. One day begins like any other day for Anna. Until Old Simeon holds a baby to his chest and loudly proclaims, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised…” (Luke 2:29-32). Anna gazes at the infant in his arms and her heart feels lighter, her hope unsinkable. Was it true? This infant was the coming Messiah? Her devotion was rewarded as she was present when Jesus was presented at the temple as dedicated by the Law. She marveled at this child. She sees God’s words being revealed before her eyes. Anna witnesses the beginning of the walls being torn down between God and the people. He was revealing himself to all who hungered to know him. When she saw the infant Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). 

The temple in which Anna worshiped was the second temple. It replaced Solomon’s temple which was destroyed after the Jews were taken into exile to Babylon. The second temple was begun by Zerubbabel when the Jews returned from Babylon and completed by Herod the Great (between c. 516 BCE and 70 CE). This temple had four courts, each more exclusive than the one before. First, the Court of Gentiles. This court is where non-Jews were allowed. It was also primarily a bazaar. Vendors sold souvenirs, sacrificial animals and food. Currencies were also exchanged. This is the court Jesus would clear (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19. Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-16). Second, the Women’s Court. This is the court in which Anna would have been allowed to worship and pray. Third, the Court of Israel. This court was exclusively for men only. Lastly, the Court of Priests. This court is where the priests would conduct their services and rituals. 

What can we learn from Anna? One thing sticks out in her story. Prayer. Anna was a prime example of praying without ceasing as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Luke 2:37 says she never left the temple, worshiped day and night, fasting and praying. There are many benefits to prayer. First, prayer helps us develop a relationship with God. Through prayer, we can learn about Him, His will for our lives and helps us become more like Jesus. Second, prayer provides answers and directions in our lives. We pray, he listens. God often answers in the firm of thoughts and dreams, through reading of Scripture and the words and actions of others. One of my favorite examples of God’s answers through prayers is when I was a new believer, I prayed one night without really knowing what to pray for. In church the next morning, the pastor was preaching on Romans 12:12. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” I was amazed that he answered that way. Not all my prayers have been answered like that but they can be! 

In conclusion, Anna was a woman of devotion and prayer. Her devotion was rewarded as she got to witness the coming Messiah in her lifetime. Prayer can often be the one aspect of a Christian’s life that is often forgotten or pushed away. However, prayer doesn’t have to be hours long or, in Anna’s story, all day. It can be simple prayer as you head to work, as you shower, cook a meal and even as you fall asleep at night. It is as simple as talking. God wants to hear from us. Be like Anna and talk to him. 

No More Lies: when your past finds you, do you run or do you fight back?

No More Lies is the second book in the No More Words trilogy by Kerry Lonsdale. Jenna Mason seems to lead the perfect life. A successful career as an animator, a town house near the beach and a great relationship with her son, Josh. However, she hides a terrible secret, something she has been running from for thirteen years. After years of constant moving, Jenna concedes to Josh’s wish for a permanent home. After a while, it seems they are safe. No one is following them and they can have a normal life. Until one day, a reporter starts asking the wrong questions which opens the door for the wrong people to find her. She has no choice but to run again. As they go off the grid, Josh goes missing. Jenna is forced to seek help from the one person she didn’t think she’d ever see again. 

No More Lies is a wild ride as readers learn Jenna/Lily’s story, the events which lead Josh to Olivia’s doorstep in No More Words and leading into the third and final book, No More Secrets (release date March 14, 2023). It is a family story and dynamic built on lies, secrets, and emotional abuse that the children are fighting to break free from those cycles that caused them pain. I thoroughly enjoyed Jenna’s story. Jenna has taken every precaution to make sure she and Josh are safely hidden. She even opens her heart to love again. As those in her past show up in her present, she goes into protection mode more for Josh than for herself. She must decide if the time has come to fight back against those who would harm her. I highly recommend No More Lies. However, I would recommend reading No More Words first. 

No More Lies is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

No More Words is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Nocturne: one young woman and a mysterious benefactor who will change her life forever

Nocturne by Alyssa Wees is a haunting story about one young woman and a mysterious benefactor which changes her life. Grace Dragotta grew up in Chicago’s Little Sicily and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. After losing her family, she finds herself orphaned and without a home. She chooses the North Ballet Company as her home and begins to imagine her life center stage. As the Great Depression is in full swing, Grace becomes the company’s new prima ballerina. Soon she attracts the attention of the mysterious and secretive Master La Rosa as her personal patron and she will learn the world is far greater than she ever realized. Who is Master La Rosa? What does he want from Grace? As she begins to learn about her patron, she discovers there is another way to find the excellence she desires. 

I don’t know anything about ballet but Nocturne has it all. It has a mysterious patron a la The Phantom of the Opera, a deal a la Beauty and the Beast and a mix of legends and myths woven into a magical story. As I started the story, it was hard to get into it; however, once I truly sat down to read the story opened up and I couldn’t put it down. The story flowed from the pages and would not let me go. I needed to find out who Master La Rosa was, who his equally mysterious assistant, Mr. Russo was and what role did Grace play within the mystery. It was beautifully lyrical with hauntingly detailed imagery. The beautiful cover drew me in and the story kept me there until the very last page. I highly recommend Nocturne. 

Nocturne is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Mother of Pearl: how far would a mother go for her child?

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert asks the questions how far would a mother go for her child? Barrie Graeber has a great life. Two wonderful kids, a loving husband and a job as a respected high school counselor in their tight knit community. Suddenly, her teenage daughter, Pearl, seems to unravel before her eyes. Barrie is at a loss how to help Pearl. Nothing prepared her for this helplessness as her attempts to help her daughter fail and Pearl pulls farther and farther away. When the unthinkable happens, Barrie is at a loss how to move forward. Until she discovers a terrible secret about her nemesis, Michael Warren, the football coach. When Barrie decides to go up against the coach, she finds herself without support. Fueled by love for her daughter, she learns to trust in something bigger than herself and fight back. 

Going into this story, I knew it was described as “emotionally riveting and profoundly moving,” so I was expecting emotions. However, this story was more of a roller coaster of emotions. Without giving up plot points, which spoils the emotional impact, it truly was a roller coaster. It is a powerful story of one mother’s determination to do right by her daughter and protect other daughters from the same situation. I loved the Christian faith aspect. It wasn’t overdone. It was a great and honest portrayal of faith and even the resistance to such a faith. I enjoyed all the characters especially Jackie who becomes a source of comfort for Barrie. I also enjoyed the double meaning of the title which is fairly subtle if you aren’t looking for it. I enjoyed this book so much! I highly, highly recommend Mother of Pearl. 

Mother of Pearl is available in paperback and eBook

Hidden in Plain Sight: a romantic suspense story

Hidden in Plain Sight by Elana Johnson is the first book in the Forbidden Lake series. Jonathan “Jon” Addler is a member of a local prominent family finishing his degree at Northwestern Michigan College. He takes a cooking class as an elective as well as the hopes it will help him impress a woman. Cassandra “Cassie” Caldwell is the professor who holds a secret. Cassie is trying to keep her twin brothers safe. They moved to Forbidden Lake to hide and off the radar of a violent man. She can’t risk her family’s safety for anything. Until she meets Jon. Their instant connection tests Cassie’s resolve and Jon can’t help but want to protect her. As she is on constant high alert, can Jon convince her she is safe in Forbidden Lake with him? Or will she run again? 

Hidden in Plain Sight is a fast paced, sweet romance with a splash of suspense. It was a fast read as I was able to finish it in a few hours. It was engaging with a sweet romance and attention getting as the suspense builds. I enjoyed Jon and Cassie’s characters. Jon had a Romeo vibe as he takes the class to impress one woman but falls in love with another! I loved their flirty banter even though Cassie knew she needed to keep her distance. I loved Jon’s instant protection of Cassie and her brothers. He offered help without a second thought. I also enjoyed the hints at future stories especially with Jon’s reclusive brother. There’s definitely a story there! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend Hidden in Plain Sight. 

Hidden in Plain Sight is available in paperback and eBook

Mustard Seed: what a little faith can achieve

Mustard Seed by Laila Ibrahim is the second book in the Freedman/Johnson trilogy. It’s been three years since the end of the Civil War, Lisbeth Johnson and Mattie Freedman are raising their families in Oberlin, Ohio. Lisbeth receives news that her father is dying, she is summoned back to Virginia and the plantation where she grew up. She must face the proud Confederate family she left behind when she married an abolitionist and moved north. Mattie and her daughter, Jordan, return to Virginia, as well, to save the family they left behind who still suffer in oppression. As these women confront injustice as well as the bitterness and violence that fuels it, they must find the courage and strength to free themselves and their families from the past. Will Lisbeth find the peace she craves? Will Mattie and Jordan be able to move forward from their past? 

After reading Yellow Crocus, I was looking forward to this story. The story started off slow for me as the characters make their way back to Virginia with their various missions; however, the last third was action packed. The story showcases the horrible attitudes left in the hearts of the former slave owners as well as a few white Northerners who were there to “help.” Mustard Seed delves deeper into the Reconstruction period which is often sped through in history class. There was still a fight to fight after the war ended. I loved the illustration of the mustard seeds throughout the story and the reminder that all we need is a little faith even against insurmountable odds. While readers do not need to read Yellow Crocus in order to enjoy Mustard Seed, the story gives enough background to catch readers up, I still highly recommend it. I highly recommend Mustard Seed. 

Mustard Seed is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

It Can't Happen Here: a cautionary tale where it certainly can!

It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis is a cautionary tale of the fragility of democracy and an alarming look at how extreme politics can undo the foundation of America. It is 1936 and over the last seven years, the Great Depression has left little hope for the American people. With little hope, Americans are looking for a leader to help them out of the economic tragedy. Who could that be? Newspaperman Doremus Jessup thinks himself a smart man, an even keeled fellow and he doesn’t get swept up in the swinging extremes of politics. When the charismatic presidential candidate Windrip gains ground, people are hoping he can bring prosperity back to America while others are very weary at the further cost Americans will pay. As Jessup begins to question and warn people of the hidden agenda, will the people listen? What happens to those who dissent against Windrip? 

It Can’t Happen Here was written at a time when Americans were largely oblivious to Hitler’s aggressions in Europe. Lewis uses political satire to postulate a chilling tale of the rise of a President who becomes a dictator in the name of “saving the nation.” When it was published in 1935, it was called “a message to thinking Americans” and it is a message that is still needed today. The statements made in this story echo statements that are still being made today. One statement that gave me chills was “We’ll do a whole lot better when we get Communism!” Communism is communism regardless of the country. It Can’t Happen Here should be required reading along with Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm. It is a bit hard to read as the language structure is much different than ours today; however, it is as relevant today as ever. I highly recommend It Can’t Happen Here.

It Can’t Happen Here is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook