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1. The Lawyer and the Laundress and more...
1. The Lawyer and the Laundress 1. The Lawyer and the Laundress. Christine Hill Suntz. 2025. 368 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars, christian fiction, christian romance, christian historical fiction] First sentence: She hadn't thought a person could be so hungry that just the sound of cooking could make a mouth water. Sara O'Connor, the laundress, is struggling to get by. She has a secret (because of course she has a secret) about her past. James Kinney, the lawyer, is struggling as well--although not financially. She's a widow. He's a widower. They are brought together by his daughter, Evie. Evie hates, hates, hates the current 'school' she is attending. It's not a school-school. She's attending lessons with one of the children in the neighborhood who has a governess. Sara witnesses Evie's great unhappiness and the two bond. Because Sara speaks up for Evie, she loses her job but Evie is safer. When Evie falls ill, it is Sara who is sent for to nurse her back to health....which ultimately eventually leads to a marriage of convenience. And has there even been a marriage of convenience novel that doesn't end with them being madly in love with each other?!?! Christian romance is undoubtedly predictable. YET that doesn't take away from the enjoyment. This one is set in Toronto, Canada in the 1830s. Do I know American history? Yes. Some decades better than others. Do I know anything at all of Canadian history? NOPE. Thus though certain elements of this one were predictable enough in places, there was plenty to keep my interest. The romance worked for me. I think there was chemistry between these two almost from the start. Their attraction was in some ways instant. BUT the relationship was not. It took time. It took conversations. It took circumstances. She had lessons to learn. He had lessons to learn. I definitely liked these two together. The writing was solidly good. In a perfect world, there would be half-star ratings. I would easily rate this one 4 1/2 stars. I think that's where it belongs. It was GOOD fun. I loved reading this one. It was not the most amazing book I've ever read. BUT it was GREAT to spend time with these two AND EVIE. One of my favorite elements of this one was that Evie was HOOKED on Ivanhoe. She wanted to read more, more, more, MORE. She was always talking about the characters. Since Ivanhoe is a favorite of mine, this helped me love the characters even more.     • View comments • Track comments •
Bible Reading #1 Sunday, December 28, 2025 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Genesis 26-30 ESV Women's Study Bible Jeremiah 21-30 NASB 77 (New Inductive Study Bible) review Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation Monday, December 29, 2025 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Genesis 31-36 ESV Women's Study Bible Jeremiah 31-39 Tuesday, December 30, 2025 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Genesis 37-41 ESV Women's Study Bible Jeremiah 40-52 RSV Sovereign Personal Size Genesis 1-11; Revelation 1-7; NKJV Sovereign, Wide Margin Luke 1-4 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Genesis 42-44 ESV Women's Study Bible Lamentations RSV Sovereign, Personal Size Genesis 12-21; Revelation 8-14 NKJV Sovereign, Wide Margin Luke 1-4 Thursday, January 1, 2026 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Genesis 45-50; Job 1-2 ESV Women's Study Bible Ezekiel 1-4 RSV Sovereign, Personal Size Genesis 22-36; Revelation 15-21 NKJV Sovereign, Wide Margin Genesis 1; John 1; Galatians 1; Luke 2; Psalms 1-8; Friday, January 2, 2026 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Job 3-8 ESV Women's Study Bible Ezekiel 5-14 RSV Sovereign, Personal Size Genesis 35-50; Jude; NKJV Sovereign, Wide Margin Genesis 2, John 1, Psalms 9-14; Galatians 2; Jeremiah 1 Saturday, January 3, 2026 KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible Job 9-31 ESV Women's Study Bible Ezekiel 15-23 RSV Sovereign, Personal Size Exodus 1-14; 3 John, 2 John NKJV Sovereign, Wide Margin Genesis 3, Psalms 15-18; John 2, Galatians 3 Luke 1-4   • View comments • Track comments •
17. NASB 1977 Inductive Study BibleThe New Inductive Study Bible. NASB (New American Standard, 1977). God. 1992. 2296 pages. [Source: Bought] [5/5 stars] First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Start date: October 20, 2025 End date: December 28, 2025 I absolutely love, love, love the New American Standard Bible, in particular I love, love, love the 1977 edition of the NASB. This will not be a review of the "new inductive" features. There is a massive system of bible study--bible marking--involved in the inductive study method. I did not seek to try to learn it. Believe it or not, I did *slow* down my reading for this read through. I read ONE book at a time. I underlined. I wrote in the wide margins. I jotted down questions. I intentionally thought about how verses fit into chapters, and how chapters fit into books. I was more observant when it came to recurring themes. I finished the book quickly because I was enthusiastic about spending time in the Word of God. I read twice a day for varying amounts of time. This one is SINGLE column, black letter, fairly large print. Though I didn't follow the instructions for the inductive method, I did enjoy some of the charts, illustrations, and books introductions.   • View comments • Track comments •
Favorite Reads of 2025 While I *may* still finish and review a Bible this year, I think I am finished with reviewing books. Here are some of my favorites from the year. In January, I read one five-star book. Karen Witemeyer's Cloaked in Beauty. Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors, and I'm not surprised that this retelling of Sleeping-Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood is still one of my favorite reads of the year.  1. Cloaked in Beauty. (Texas Ever After #3) Karen Witemeyer. 2024. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical fiction, christian fiction, romance]In February, I read four five-star books. ALL of these were Christian nonfiction. Two were rereads. Two were new-to-me. Found: God's Will is a fantastic short booklet that I reread every few years. Knowledge of the Holy is one of my favorite books by A.W. Tozer. Definitely recommend both of these. The new to me books I'm listing below: 14. Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. Melissa Dougherty. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian nonfiction19. Good News at Rock Bottom. Ray Ortlund. 2025. [March] 160 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars]In March, I read seven five-star books! Six were Christian-nonfiction--including one Bible story book for children! Many of these were rereads. One of them was newly published. But my favorites from this month were... 27. Praying the Bible. Donald S. Whitney. 2015. Crossway. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]20. A Promise to Love. Serena B. Miller. 2012. Revell. 332 pages. [Source: Bought]In April, I read five five-star books! Three were re-reads, I believe! Three were Christian fiction! I DID reread Karen Witemeyer's Short-Straw Bride (and this was on audio!). 33. The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. Joanna Davidson Politano. 2024. 400 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical fiction, historical romance, Christian fiction]35. Short-Straw Bride. Karen Witemeyer. 2012. Bethany House. 368 pages. [Source: Library]In May, I read three five-star books. My favorite from this month was a Christian fiction novel! 45. The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. Ann H. Gabhart. 2025. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Christian fiction, historical romance, 1840s]In June, I read one five-star book! It was from a very hit-or-miss series. Some in the series I've rated two stars. Some I've rated five stars. I NEVER KNOW what to expect when I start. 52. Every Hour Until Then (Timeless #5) Gabrielle Meyer. 2025. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [speculative fiction, historical fiction, time travel, christian fiction, 5 stars]In July, I read one five-star book! It is not your traditional Christian romance, it is more of a family drama. 56. This Promised Land. Cathy Gohlke. 2025. 358 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian fiction, general fiction, family]IN August, I read two five-star books. It is a children's biography of John Calvin! I found it to be a great read. 59. The River of Grace: A Story of John Calvin. Joyce McPherson. 1998. 180 pages. [Source: Bought] [biography, children's book, 5 stars]In September, I read one five-star book. It is MOST unusual. A time-traveling Amish romance!!!! 68. Yesterday's Gone. Cindy and Erin Woodsmall. 2022. 432 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, time travel, Amish fiction, christian romance]There were no five-star reads in October. BUT I did read On A Midnight Clear by Karen Witemeyer. Her novella "A Star in the West" is easily five stars. 73. On a Midnight Clear. Karen Witemeyer. Tracie Peterson. Misty M. Beller. 2025. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, novella, Christmas novellas, christian fiction, christian romance] In November, I read one five-star book. It was definitely a reread--one I've reread dozens of times. 77. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Barbara Robinson. 1972. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, realistic fiction, children's classic, children's book] In December, I did not have any five-star reads. But many were four stars. Not a bad reading month. My favorite was probably: 84. A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions. Charles H. Spurgeon. 2024. 144 pages. [Source: GIFT] [4 stars] I read sixteen--or seventeen--Bibles this year. Six Bibles were King James Version. These four were probably my favorite Bibles to spend time in and hold. 5. King James Version. (KJV) Clarion Reference Bible (Cambridge). God. 1970 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]13. The New Scofield Study Bible, King James Version, God. 1967. 1400 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]12. New King James Version Nelson 746. God. 1983. 1393 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]7. ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions. Crossway. 2020. 1424 pages. [Source: Review copy]   • View comments • Track comments •
Week in Review #52 KJV (435E1B Paragraph Bible)
ESV Women's Study Bible
NASB 77
KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible
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