Happy Friday Friends :)
I personally cannot believe today is already the last day of September!
Literally, where did one of my favorite months go? This entire month was a whirlwind, and I think part of why it doesn't feel like it should be October already is because it has yet to actually truly feel like fall where I live.
We've had a few teases of glorious fall, but right now we're back into an awful heat wave, and it feels like we're right back into summer, my least favorite season.
However, I'm hopeful that fall will truly be just around the corner, and in the meantime, I'm enjoying hiding out from the heat wave by curling up in my house with some wonderful stories.
A couple of years ago, I had a wonderful lady reach out to me on Instagram about reading her debut novel, and it's become one of my favorite series ever since.
I love how this series speaks of standing for Jesus, and doesn't sugarcoat anything about the Christian walk of faith. I've come to love these characters like old friends over the last couple of years, and I couldn't wait to dive into book four.
If you'd like to check out my reviews of the first three books in the series, you can do so using the links below:
Keep on reading below for my full review of the upcoming title!
A Covenant Vessel by Gina Renee Freitag:
Source: Complimentary Copy Provided by the Author in Exchange for an Honest Review
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Series: Vessels
Synopsis:
The fourth book of the Vessels Series, a prequel…
Jed Gardner is the Lion, a nearly undefeated bare knuckle boxer trying to avoid the gangs of Longport. Rosa Owens is a midwife during a time when giving birth is more dangerous than a bout in the ring. Ira Clark is a young pastor hoping to revive a dying parish on the edge of the red-light district.
Three people unlikely to meet, yet when their paths cross, their lives change through a deepening friendship that can only point to a greater plan.
In this installment of the Vessels Series, Ira guides his new friend Jed, the Lion, on a journey of faith as Jed and Rosa’s love story unfolds. It is a story full of thrilling boxing matches, unsettling medical complications, a morally questionable doctor, a dangerous gang leader planning to start a war, and a mysterious man in an orange plaid vest. All somehow connected, and all contributing to Jed and Rosa’s desperate need to flee the city.
Taking place in the 1870s, three decades before the conclusion of Emptied Vessels (and paralleling Rudy’s childhood in Fractured Vessels), A Covenant Vessel follows Jed, Rosa and Ira's exciting lives leading up to their decision to join the caravan.
****
“Grandpa’s tattoos remind me of pictures in a storybook,” Sarah said, glancing at everyone in the room.
Rosa nodded. “Between Jed’s scars and his tattoos, there is quite a story. When I look back now, I can follow all the threads that God has used to weave our lives together—mine, Jed’s, Ira’s, the caravan… all of it leading here, to each of you.” She smiled at Eli and Ada as she brushed away a tear. “It’s a story that continues even now…”
--- Some content deals with varying levels of birthing trauma ---
(synopsis from Goodreads)
My Review:
I feel like I've been waiting to read A Covenant Vessel forever, ever since Emptied Vessels ended on such a cliffhanger, and it was definitely worth the wait. While the reader is treated to the continuing story as to what happened to the characters after the end of book three, the majority of the story actually functions as a prequel. Readers are treated to the story of how Jed, Rosa and Ira met, and how circumstances changed their relationships in ways that none of them could have possibly imagined. Above all, they come to realize that He who holds each of our hearts in His hands has a perfect design for each and every one of us, and as always with Gina's titles, the faith element is represented authentically and realistically and functions as the center message of the entire story.
I don't personally recommend reading this one without having read the first three books previously, as Gina Renee Freitag is a master storyteller, and you will miss so many of the amazing story plots that she weaves from unimaginable places, and you will definitely miss out.
The Vessels series has quickly become one of my all time favorites, and this new installment might just be my favorite yet. While I loved reading about Jed, Rosa and Ira as more secondary characters in the previous novels, having them get their own story added something special, and I loved getting to witness their faith journey, friendship beginnings, and Jed and Rosa's romance right from the start.
This wonderfully written Christian historical fiction title is breath taking, poignant, and relatable, and I never wanted to see it come to an end. I continue to be in awe of the way this author is able to share her stories from so many different character POV's, across several timelines, and yet still have the story never stray from the plot, or ever get confusing as to whose POV you're currently reading. Above all else, I love how she tackles deep and dark issues with always counteracting them with the love of Jesus, and how His light can outshine any of even our darkest moments.
Final Rating: 5/5.
I can't recommend this heart wrenching story enough, and I will be anxiously awaiting the release of book five.
Definitely start reading this series if you haven't already, as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed, especially if you enjoy Christian fiction that doesn't hold back in its faith content like I do.
Thanks so much to Gina Renee Freitag for allowing me to advance read and review this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
Thanks so much for reading guys! I'm praying this story will touch each of your hearts the same as it did mine, and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
I'm hoping we will see cooler weather here this weekend, but if not, I'm still looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband, and curling up with some wonderful reads.
Until Next Time!!
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