Evangelical Church Library Association

Connie Sikma, ECLA member and librarian at the 7th Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI The Revolt: A novel in Wycliffe’s England Douglas Bond P&R Publishing https://www.prpbooks.com/ 2016 Book 264 pages Hugh West’all begins his story on August 26, 1346, his birthday. Using his words, he “was pressed into service of the army of King Edward III of England” to scribe the events of the war between the English king and the French king.

Ceil Carey, retired public librarian and long time book discussion leader A simple kindness in Flatsboro: A Southern novel Heather Norman Smith Kregel Publications https://www.kregel.com/ September 16, 2025 Paperback 280 pages This is a story about kindness, the kind that goes above and beyond what is generally expected or thought the norm. Andy Clark delivers that type of kindness and it is usually unknown to the recipient that Andy is the one handing out love and helpfulness.

Beth Swanson, voracious reader The royal artisan (Queen Esther’s court) Tessa Afshar Bethany House https://bakerbookhouse.bethanyhouse November 4, 2025 Paperback 369 pages Sazana of Persia comes from a long line of gifted potters. She is also a Jew but that is not known, she’s kept it a secret. Even her master, Lord Haman, does not know and he has made it his goal to eradicate Jews. This Biblical story revolves around Sazana, the queen’s favorite potter.

This year’s conference will be in Winfield, Illinois at Grace Redeemer Church. We have a great line-up of presentations for librarians and book lovers alike. Check it out and register now, the date is October 17, 2026. by Jeff Crosby Jeff Crosby is an organizational leader and writer who has spent more than four decades working in the world of words and ideas through roles in bookselling and book publishing, including at The Association of Logos Bookstores and InterVarsity Press.

Chris Jager, Baker Bookhouse fiction buyer Twenty Something Else Stephanie Mack Tyndale Fiction https://www.tyndale.com/ June 9, 2026 Paperback 352 pages It is always fun to find a book that you like that honestly you weren’t expecting to. Twenty Something Else by Stephanie Mack is just such a book. I know I am not the target audience, and it really isn’t my favorite genre, a bit of time travel, but I found myself really enjoying the read.

Connie Sikma, ECLA member and reviewer In the Land of Blue Burqas Kate McCord (Protective Pseudonym) Moody Publishers https://www.moodypublishers.com/ May 1, 2012 Paperback 320 pages Kate McCord writes a true story about life in Afghanistan during the US occupation, which made her presence there as a white single middle-aged woman even possible. Her occupation was a project manager. As a Christian, Kate weaves her faith in her interactions with her Afghan neighbors and colleagues.

Ceil Carey, retired public librarian and long time book discussion leader From the hero archives Andrea Sellen Kell Castle Quay Books https://castlequaybooks.com 2025 Paperback 141 pages Reid lives in Baker City where a dangerous secret society has seized power. He is determined to escape but when he does realizes he must return to rescue his best friend who is ill. Although he has vowed to never return, the plight of his friend makes him reconsider.

Ceil Carey, retired public librarian and longtime book discussion leader The lawyer and the laundress Christine Hill Suntz Tyndale Fiction https://www.tyndale.com/ June 10, 2025 Paperback 368 pages The setting is in Canada in 1837. Widowed lawyer James Kinney is certainly not looking for love. But his daughter Evie is yearning for the love of a mother. Sara O’Connor is simply the laundress, but her ways demonstrate there is more to her than meets the eye.

Debbie Dehart, Church Librarian at Berean Baptist Church, Portage MI The Bookshop of 99 Doors Jaime Jo Wright Bethany House 2026 Print book Also available as an audiobook published by Recorded Books 330 pages This is a dual-time story. In 1888, Minnie Tipton struggles with the fact that her father is very ill and no one seems to know what is wrong.

Beth Swanson, voracious reader Track of courage (Call of the wild #1) Susan May Warren Revell http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/revell January 6, 2026 Paperback 320 pages Pop singer, Keely Williams, is looking for her birth mother but her attempt has been only unsuccessful. Now she simply wants to leave Alaska and head for home. But her flight is highjacked and the pilot is killed during a blizzard. She searches for shelter but  is being pursued by a killer.