Romances from Bethany House

I've spent the summer reading at least two or three Christian books a week. Here is just a taste of some of the books I've read from Bethany House this summer.

Mark Andrew Olsen. The Assignment. 2004.

This book is best described as "Christian fantasy." The entire story weaves around the premise that Lazarus has been alive on earth ever since Christ raised him from the grave. The story opens shortly after a sealed concrete tomb like bunker is opened after the end of World War II. Frankly, I'm not a fantasy lover and found it a bit difficult to follow the story. If you enjoy fantasy, you should enjoy following the characters, including Lazarus, as they try to change their current world. Although I didn't particularly enjoy this book, I can tell you it was well written with each character developed carefully.

Beverly Lewis. The Betrayal. 2003.

The Amish have held to their way of life in spite of the progress of the last century. Before becoming official members of the church, Amish children are allowed a "wild year". Sometimes that year brings disastrous results. It appears that if the children choose to remain in the church and become baptized members, the community is willing to overlook their indiscretions and even cloak out of wedlock children in a veil of secrecy. Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy the way she develops her characters and story line.

James Scott Bell. A Certain Truth. 2004.

Kit Shannon has followed her father's footsteps by becoming a lawyer in the early 20th century. This was highly unusual for women of that day. The story weaves around a client she is defending and the reception she receives from other lawyers, judges, and even journalists. A woman journalist that was particularly concerned that Kit should stay at home and have babies wound up having something to hide!

I enjoyed this book and look forward to others by the same author. Creating a fictional story that reflects our history is a challenge to any writer. Bell does exceptionally well.

Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. A Tapestry of Hope. 2004.

Jasmine Wainwright lives on a cotton plantation in the south while slavery is still permitted. She is forced to marry a man from the north as a business arrangement made by her father. This is the story of that fateful marriage and how she changed in her attitude towards slavery and the southern lifestyle. Although Jasmine is the primary character, you'll learn all about her family members, her husband's business acquaintances, and the lives of indentured servants.

I am sure that any young woman reading this book today will be happy that she doesn't have to marry a man her father picks out! in fact, the idea of an arranged marriage in the united states today would probably cause shear laughter at the very idea! may i suggest you have your daughter read this book before she starts dating? it may help parents to understand that our forefathers didn't always pick good husbands for their daughters. unfortunately, the death of the less than perfect spouse was the only way most of those poor marriages could be dissolved.

Recommendation

These books place their stories in a historical context. You're going to learn something about the time period as well as the main characters. I enjoyed each of these books and found it hard to lay them down once they arrived on my doorstep. Would one or more of these books be suitable for someone special?