A Book Blessing

Today I stopped in at our local Op shop (which you may know as an Opportunity or Thrift shop). As most of my readers would know books are one of my most favourite things in the world. I have 3 bookselves and two large containers full of books in my room, not to mention the 2 large piles on my bedroom floor. And yes, this annoys my parents very much :) When I own my own house I am determined to have a library where the walls of the room are entirely bookshelves and there is a ladder which rolls right across the shelves (just like in Beauty and the Beast!)
Anyway back to my story, I don't often find many christian novels at the Op Shop's I have been to but today I was blessed, because in the second-hand book section were 6 novels all of which I did not own. They were all extremely cheap and in almost brand new condition. I was/am so excited I just had to tell all my blogger friends  about my wonderful find :)

The novels I bought are: Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson, Sanctuary by David and Beverly Lewis and the four books in Janette Oke's Prarie Legacy Series, The Tender Years, A Searching Heart, A Quite Strength and Like Gold Refined.  Many years ago I read the Prarie Legacy Series, and for those of you who are fan's of Janette other series: The Love Comes Softly Series you may be interested to know that the The Prarie Legacy Series continues the story of Marty and Clark as it follows the life of their grandaughter, Virginia Simpson.

I am really looking forward to, at some time in the furture, reviewing these titles on this blog :)

I wonder, have you read any of these novels? or have you heard of any of these authors?

Much Love,

Tristans_Isolde xx

p.s. This is my 50th post- how cool is that! 

Book Review; A Lady of Hidden Intent

Title: A Lady of Hidden Intent

Author: Tracie Peterson

Series: Ladies of Liberty

Catherine Newbury is a beautiful young woman, her life has revolved around hosting ball's and being admired by swarms of suitors. That is until one night when her world comes crashing down and her beloved father is falsely accused and imprisoned and she is forced to leave England for America that very night.
Catherine embarks on a new life with a new identity as a seamstress and her designs become sought after by all of Philidelphia. But with this success comes a reminder of her past when Carter Danby accompanies his mother and sister to a design consultation. Will Carter recognise Catherine fromthe time they met in England? Will he reveal her identity and jeopardize everything she has worked so hard for? 


I really enjoyed this book, Tracie Peterson is a fantastic author and really knows how to keep the reader's attention. Her detailed descriptions of the fashion of the time were simply lovely! After reading this book I now really want to go to a masquerade party/ ball!

Book Review; The Measure of a Heart

Title: The Measure of a Heart

Author: Janette Oke

Series: Women of the West (book 6)

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

“Anna Trent felt fortunate to finish the eighth grade with first-class honors. Already past her sixteenth birthday, most of the girls her age had been forced long ago to drop out to help at home. She loved school loved to learn, loved the excitement of new discoveries, loved the quickening of her pulse as she shared some great adventure in the pages of a book. And now that is over.

The oldest child in a farming family with six young brothers, Anna is shy, sensitive and a bit self-conscious. But when Austin Barker comes to their church to fill the pastorate for the summer months, the young seminarian is captured by Anna's admirable qualities, especially her intense desire to learn. Through his books and correspondence, Anna's education continues to expand, and the sweet country girl grows into a lovely woman.

When they meet again, will she be able to believe that Austin's words are sincere? Despite the compassion and grace she so effectively lives, and despite her selfless commitment to God and His Word, what can she do when time does not erase the inadequacy she feels or her struggles with the standard that measures her heart? Will she ever be able to see herself as others do?

If only the feelings of guilt and inadequacy would go away-”

I really loved this book and it was so easy to identify with the insecurities and self conscious nature of Anna, especially when it came to topics of faith. Anna to me portrayed everything that a true Christian is and should be without being distant and self righteous. As the story progress and Anna’s faith grew and was tested so was mine.  I am always really challenged by Janette’s books but this one in particular really helped me to see myself as God sees me, not as the inadequate, ugly, second-rate person I feel that I am.

Before I read this book I was feeling very inadequate to serve the Lord, in the sense of ministering in their lives. And Anna’s journey through the book really helped me with this.

 I just wanted to share one of the pastor Austin Barker’s lines from the book that I thought was really nice:

“It all depends on the Lord. It has all along. My inadequacies, my lack of talent, of wisdom, that is no matter to the Lord. Scripture says the He can use the weak, the small, the inadequate. Me”

Have you read this book? What did you think about it?

God Bless,

xx