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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Singing in the Dark in Books

Feb 25, 2022 (Updated Feb 25, 2022)  
Singing in the Dark
Singing in the Dark
Ginny Owens | 2021 | Religion
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Speaking, and Singing, Hope into the Darkness
Christian recording artist Ginny Owens presents ten chapters that take us to Scripture to look at the songs we can sing to God no matter what our circumstances are. No, these aren’t all taken from Psalms. Yes, she does stretch the definition of song a bit (which she acknowledges). But as we look at songs of praise and victory, laments, and a song for the plodding path, you will be encouraged and challenged a time or two.

Each chapter focuses on the person and story behind the passage we are studying, but Ginny makes these familiar elements fresh and brings out new insights. She also shares openly about her own struggles, including what she still struggles with.

The chapters around 15 to 20 pages each, and could be done as devotionals. I read the book over a couple of days, and I still found it encouraging. I plan to go back and revisit it at a slower pace soon. There is a lot to unpack here.

If you need encouragement in your life, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
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ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Illusions in Books

Aug 21, 2023  
The Illusions
The Illusions
Liz Hyder | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Illusions was completely and utterly riveting - I couldn’t put it down!
It’s the late 1890’s and The Greatest Magician is ready to hand over his mantle (wand?) to George Perris. George meets Eadie Carlton, a photographer and pioneering film-maker, and decides that he wants to try and incorporate her work into his show.

Cecily Marsden finds herself alone again when her con artist master dies suddenly, and she gets a job in the house of his nephew. But the nephew has some secrets of his own. Luckily, Cec meets a kind gentleman who only wants to help her and take her away from her employer.

Cec, George and Eadie soon find themselves working together on the greatest magic show, and Cec has to try and save the performance from sabotage.

I loved this: there’s stage magic, a bit of ‘real’ magic and the excitement of the modern age and film. It’s exciting (will the show go on?), romantic (will they EVER get together?) and frankly magical (of course!).

I’m so glad I read this, it really did start my summer holidays on a high!
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Engaged to Die in Books

Jul 30, 2025  
Engaged to Die
Engaged to Die
Carolyn Hart | 2003 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Announcement Postponed by Murder
This book opens in January, and it involves a family that owns an art gallery on the island of Broward’s Rock. They are gearing up for an opening for a well-respected artist, but Virginia, the owner, is also going to use it to announce her engagement to a much younger man, much to her step children’s dismay. Naturally, Annie Darling is going to be there with her husband, Max. But when the time comes for the announcement, it gets postponed, and soon after, a dead body is discovered. Will Annie solve the latest mystery?

While I was reading this book, I was enjoying it. But as I thought about it later, I started to have issues. The subplot was front loaded, giving us more time before the mystery really got started. The ending felt rushed, with no explanation of how Annie fingered the killer, which means I’m struggling a little to see how it all makes sense. And one relationship had to devolved for us to get the usual antagonist relationship Annie has with the local police. Fans will still enjoy this visit with the characters even if it isn’t the strongest.