17-18. Two picture books

17. We Are Home When We Are Together: Trusting God Through Life's Changes. Jean Stoffer and Grace Start. Illustrated by Megan Lindsey. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christian picture book, moving]

First sentence: "An exciting change is coming," says Mom,

"a change bigger than the weather.

And just in case you don't remember,

we are home when we're together.

"Families move from time to time

from one place to another.

They pack their things, head on their way,

and PLANT NEW ROOTS together.

"God is calling our family

to move to a different home.

"We chart our course.

We plan our steps,

but HE makes them His own."

If this wasn't a Christian book written by I'm assuming Christian authors and published by a Christian publishing house, then I probably wouldn't be as generous in giving it three stars. 

Not every picture book needs to rhyme. Join me in saying it again, not every picture book needs to rhyme. If you don't understand even a smidgen about rhythm, then it's best you don't write in rhyme. This book lacks rhythm. It painfully lacks rhythm. If it wasn't trying to rhyme, rhythm wouldn't even be an issue at all.

The forced rhyming--which is unnecessary--also keeps the conversation (the dialogue) from having any natural flow to it. Is it important for dialogue to sound natural???? I will say when dialogue sounds more natural, more true to life, more authentic then it is less distracting to the reader. It just feels right. 

The premise of this one is simple. A family is moving. The parents--mom does most of the talking, I think--want their children to know that moving can be a great thing, a wonderful thing, a God-thing. The message isn't a bad one. In fact, if it wasn't trying so hard to rhyme, forcing the rhyme into dialogue where it doesn't fit or belong, the message would be more impactful. I do like seeing families pray together in books. 

The three stars is not because I disagree with the Christian message. It is not because I dislike Christian books for children. It is not because I want to keep God out of picture books. None of those things are true. I just wish that the book didn't try so hard. Relax with the narrative. 

18. You Always Belong: Knowing God's Love and Finding Your Place. Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo. Illustrated by Sara Romero. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: Look all around you--what do you see?

A world filled with wondrous things,

Like oceans and mountains and big hairy beasts

And colorful creatures with wings. 

And there at the center is little ol' you--

God's greatest creation by far.

Created to be part of his family,

Made to be loved just as you are.

If this one was a song instead of a picture book, the chorus would be, "You were made to be part of God's story, a beautiful note in his song. So let his light shine as you walk through the world, and remember....you always belong.

You Always Belong is another rhyming book. Is it made better by the rhyming? I wouldn't go so far as that. BUT it does manage to a fair, decent, respectable job with creating rhythm with the rhymes. 

This one has dozens of little insights that might be just what a child needs to hear in that moment. In some ways, it is "another" picture book about self-confidence, self-esteem, about building up one's sense of self. HOWEVER, I think this one differs in that while it does do that to a certain extent, God is never far away. God is not pushed completely to the side of self. The message is we are made IN GOD'S IMAGE. We are GOD'S CREATION. We are CHILDREN OF GOD. We were created to do God's work in this world--to be his HANDS and his FEET. We were meant to shine as a light in this world TO POINT OTHERS TO JESUS CHRIST. So while there are a few lines here and there that might be misunderstood as puffing up egos because you are the most awesome thing ever and God is in awe of you. I think taken as a whole, the message works for the most part. HUMANITY was made in the image of God. And every single person has VALUE and WORTH and should be treated with kindness, respect, love, compassion. 

One small insight that I loved was when a girl is being laughed at, and the rhyme goes, "Remember that God isn't laughing. He's there by your side day and night. So say a quick prayer...and trust in the Lord...that he will make everything right." 

That is just one of many insights in how to live the Christian life as a child. 

Readers should know this is a Christian book with a Christian message. It is written by a Duggar, yes, but shouldn't be bought for that reason. And the reverse is also true. Completely ignore who the author is and judge the book by what it is. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

16. Lumber Baron's Wife

16. The Lumber Baron's Wife. Lynn Austin. 2026. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian fiction, historical fiction, dual timelines, multiple narrators, three stars]

First sentence: It's long past midnight but I cannot sleep, consumed with worry for my friend.

The Lumber Baron's Wife has THREE narrators. (Is that too many narrators???) Hannah and Kate narrate the "past" timeline in the novel. Hannah is the doctor's wife. (His name is John). They've lost their children to disease, they were exposed through her husband's work. They are newly moving to Michigan. Kate is the lumber baron's wife. (His name is Henry). He is old. She is young. She isn't just younger than him. She is different in every way imaginable. Everyone thinks it would be a good idea if Hannah "coaches" her in behavior. The longer Kate and Henry are married, the more frustrated he gets with his wife. Meanwhile, Hannah barely tolerates John because she blames him for the death of their children. The "present" timeline in the novel is narrated by Ashley. Her husband is David. He is a conservationist? environmentalist? Something to do with trees and nature and wild things. She loves museum work. He "insists" they move to Michigan. She leaves her happy, happy job so he can have his happy, happy job. Which might be completely and absolutely okay if he gave any proof of being a decent human being. (He does not.) Because we're thrown into the middle of this troubled, tension-filled marriage, there's not much reason for me to like him. She wants to restore the lumber baron's mansion--that is join the community effort. He wants her to find steady work, the higher-paying the better. And he absolutely under no circumstances wants her to have the baby they've conceived. His pressuring her to have an abortion in a dozen or so chapters is the most obnoxious thing I've ever read in a Christian book. 

The stories are tied together because of the setting--obviously--but also in trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Kate. 

I did not like this one very much. I didn't love Kate and Henry. I didn't. I could tolerate John and Hannah. But I despised and loathed David. 

A bright side for this one could be that it does tackle difficult issues. Spousal abuse, manipulation, grief, abortion, etc. Most of the characters are not Christian. There's some will they or won't they become Christian by the end of the novel. This might be a plus for some readers. There is plenty of WHY is this happening if there is a God. Hannah questions God after losing her children. Her husband wants her to share the gospel with Kate, but, Hannah is struggling to believe the gospel herself. Kate is struggling with the basics of the gospel. She doesn't believe that grace could actually be grace. Henry and John aren't really characterized super well, though we do know that HENRY is a horrid, horrid man. David, as I mentioned, is despicable. He is angry at God. And he's super controlling and manipulative. And Ashley is not a Christian. She isn't open to the idea of spending time with Christians just in case they share the gospel. But she makes a friend who is a Christian and their mutual interest in restoring this historic house brings them together. There's some gospel presentation. But it isn't always received well. Which I think is probably realistic. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

15. Into a Golden Era

15. Into a Golden Era. Gabrielle Meyer. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [christian fiction, christian romance, series book, 3 stars]

First sentence: I needed help, and I didn't have much time. 

Premise/plot: Into a Golden Era is the newest in Gabrielle Meyer's "Timeless" series. Ally, our heroine, lives in two timelines. She lives in California in 1849 during the "Gold Rush," and in California in 1929 as an actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood. In the 1849 story line, Ally is trying to use her knowledge of the future (though not well thought out research) to make her family rich so she doesn't feel guilty leaving them for her more modern life. She knows where gold will be found, and is going to try to get there and take some before it is actually actually found. In the 1929 story line, Ally and her family (who own a small, independent film company) are filming Little Women. Ally is faking a relationship with Hollywood bad-boy, Spencer, who is starring as Laurie in the film. This is the life that she supposedly wants, but, she's not particularly happy in it. Well, to be fair, Ally is having all the issues in both timelines. 

The two love interests are Sam (in the 1849 story line) and Spencer (in the 1929 story line). The reader can guess the outcome extremely early on. 

My thoughts: I don't mind formulaic romance. I don't. It can be a great joy, a "guilty pleasure" if you will. Guilty not because it's sinful or shameful but because it isn't the most super amazing quality of literature. The books are allegedly Christian fiction. And there's a shallow amount of Christianity to be found. Which is completely fine. The speculative fiction of this series makes it strange. And perhaps it's for the best that theology or doctrine isn't inserted in this super strange world. Two bodies, one soul. It is just ODD if you overthink the theology of it. 

I wanted to love this one more than I did. But I did like it better than some in the series. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

11. Mists Over the Channel Islands

11. Mists Over the Channel Islands. Sarah Sundin. 2026. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [world war II, historical fiction, historical romance, christian fiction, 5 stars]

First sentence: Words failed Dr. Ivy Picot, so she sketched her father with gray-flecked hair, packing to go to war. 

Mists Over the Channel Island depicts a family torn apart by war. Half of the family goes to England--either to fight for Britain OR for refuge. Ivy and her sister, Fern, remain behind. Ivy is a doctor and she's needed. Fern chooses to stay than to go with her husband who will soon be fighting for the Allies. 

Gerrit van der Zee (and his friend Bernadus Kroon) are Dutch and have joined the Nazis. Not because they're actually actually Nazis--in any way. But because they want to be spies and work with the Resistance. They are assigned to Jersey (one of the Channel Islands). They soon befriend, Charlie, Ivy and Fern's younger brother. Ivy doesn't want to like--let alone like-like- the enemy. But she soon seems there's more to Gerrit than what it seems. HE is a good guy though technically 'an enemy' 'an outsider' to the islanders. Meanwhile, Fern begins working FOR the Nazis--after a fall out with her sister--and soon finds herself having an affair with a Nazi soldier. She even begins to view the Allies as enemies and the Nazis as the good guys. 

Tensions are high. Lives are at stake. Family loyalty is tested....

I enjoyed this historical romance GREATLY. It was a great read. Highly recommend. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

9. Taming Lady Temperance

9. Taming Lady Temperance. Karen Witemeyer. 2026. 336 pages.  [Source: Library] [historical fiction, historical romance, christian fiction, 4 stars]

First sentence: Casting a surreptitious glance over her shoulder, Noreen O'Sullivan tiptoed pas the unoccupied Methodist church, then darted across Walnut Street toward the schoolhouse. Heart palpitations brought on by self-imposed skulking shallowed her breathing.

Premise/plot: Noreen O'Sullivan is a "spinster" (27 years old) who has reconciled herself to being single, strong, independent, and, of course, opinionated. Soon after the novel opens, she joins a Spinster Society. Noreen's cause is temperance. She is out to almost singlehandedly change her community.  She's protesting and using her first amendment right to try to dissuade anyone from entering the local saloon. The local deputy, James Paxton, wants to be fair to everyone. He does. But he is becoming more and more smitten with Noreen by the day. He wants to support her cause without going on the record as supporting her cause. After a parade--with band--in support of temperance, a local drunk beats up his daughter and wife. Noreen loses control and makes an unwise decision...which sets her up to be set up. 

James will have to fight for Noreen...even when she asks him to consider his own career before her freedom. 

My thoughts: This one was a quick read. I enjoyed it. It was both unique and predictable. Unique in that I haven't personally read many Christian fiction romances about feisty heroines who are part of the temperance movement. Predictable in the romance perhaps. Though maybe that is unique in some ways too? I feel I've seen some old black and white movies that might perhaps feature this type of romance. Anyway, a deputy falling in love with someone he's had to arrest.... Anyway, plenty of drama and melodrama. I liked it for the most part. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

8. The Belle of Chatham

8. The Belle of Chatham. Laura Frantz. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, historical romance, American Revolution]

First sentence: Her four-poster bed seemed made for winter. 

Premise/plot: The Belle of Chatham is historical fiction set during the American Revolution. Maebel and Coralie Bohannon are sisters with VERY different opinions on the war. Coralie is a loyalist engaged to a British soldier. Maebel is sympathetic to the 'rebel' Patriots. When the Bohannon's house several American soldiers--including General Rhys Harlow, Mae becomes quite smitten. The strife between the sisters continues to grow as the war continues on. 

The novel is set in New Jersey and New York in 1777/1778 I believe. The tension between the sisters is one of the main plot points, and, the damage it does to their relationship, the family itself, and Mae's new relationship with Rhys. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I don't normally read American historical fiction set during this time period. But I enjoyed this one! George Washington does get some time in the book, I believe, as well as some other real life historical figures. While this one is definitely a romance, there's more history than romance. The romance happens quickly--yet I think that is realistic in times of war, particularly at this time in history. Seize the moment while you can when you find someone you love. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible