Book Review - Hidden Family Secrets, The Paisley Women Series Book 1 - By Evelyn Hood - Publication Date: 30 September 2025

Sometimes there are too many secrets.  The question is, to tell them or not; which would be more hurtful?  A tough call judging from this story, I found.

For me, this has been an enjoyable story and a quick read.  I like the family togetherness and the community spirit.  I liked that Mary, Meg, and Margaret, especially, did so many good deeds without broadcasting them.  I felt so sorry for William and Colin.  Duncan Todd was something else.

The story is set back in the 1700's when trades such as weaving and cobblers together with their apprentices were a thing, and making a good living therefrom.

This is the first book in the historical fiction series called The Paisley Women.  I look forward to hopefully having opportunity to read sequels from author Evelyn Hood in the near future.

                                             ~ Eunice C.  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                           September 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Our Everything (Luke 14:25-33, especially vs 33 ESV)

 

Peter, Andrew, James and John left all and followed Jesus.  Matthew Levi got up from his lucrative customs job to follow Jesus.  It seems like it was easy for them to turn away from their livelihoods and incomes.

Would you be able to do that in order to follow Jesus?  There would be not necessarily be a fixed income.  This verse could strike you cold ...

"So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33 ESV).

To cut off all apron strings of life as you know it and leave the comfort zone would be a big challenge for most people I think.  The things of earth that we treasure, are not easy to renounce.

Our hearts are often so wrapped up in things that we may be entangled by them.  Yet as we hear from the Lord, a gentle master, may we begin to loosen those bonds and begin to follow Jesus with a heart of love and devotion that then relinquishes that which we once held dearer.

It may not be that we're asked to give our job, incomes and possessions up physically but to renounce them in the importance they have in our heart and life.  Are these things the master or is Jesus our Master?  These are questions we have to ask ourselves.  Do we use our life and possessions for His glory as we follow Him or do they take first place?  We can test and examine these for ourselves, asking the Lord to reveal our state through His Holy Spirit's interaction in our lives.

Each person's respective challenge will be different I believe but the process to becoming a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ will be rewarding in a firmer relationship with Him.  May He be our everything.

O Jesus, Friend unfailing, may we each be able to say clearly to You, "How dear you are to me" and so follow You unencumbered all the days of our lives.  Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 14:25-32, especially vs 32 ESV.

Sing, O Jesus, Friend Unfailing, along with Geraldine Latty.

Lord's Day Devotion - The Found Son (Luke 15:11-32, especially vs 32 ESV)

 

It's wonderful to be found, isn't it!  It's also great to find lost things and especially lost people.  If you've ever been lost as a child, for instance, and thankfully found, it'd make a very long-lasting impression - one of profound relief and thankfullness.

The story of the father's great love and mercy upon that second son, the one whom many refer to as the "prodigal son," terms him 'lost' but 'found'.  But how did the son get lost in the first place?

He rather lost himself but then found himself when he came to his senses.  His father expressed it with joy.  Speaking to his eldest son who incidently seemed to still be lost, he declared, 

"... your brother was dead, and is alive, he was lost, and is found" (vs 32 ESV).

Indeed, a fitting time to celebrate!

We can celebrate too along with our Savior Jesus.  We were lost in sin, but our Savior found us like He'd talked about in His parable about the one lost sheep out of a hundred (see Luke 15:5), where the good shepherd sought that sheep until it was found.  He searched for us and found us.

As we partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine this Lord's Day, let us remember what He did for us.  He died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day, completing salvation's work on our behalf (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

We who believe are His found sons and daughters.  So brothers and sisters-in-Christ, let's rejoice and celebrate the One who loves us, who sought and found us.  The one whose mercy and grace was so freely poured out for us.  In Him we have redemption through His shed blood.  He gave His life that we might live.  He searched for us that we might be found.  Appreciate Him.

Let's praise Him and give Him our heartfelt thanks.

                                              ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 15:11-32, especially vs 32 ESV.

Sing, Celebrate, Jesus Celebrate, along with Praise God.

She Glorified God ( Luke 14:10-17 ESV)

 

People live with chronic pain and/or disabilities of all kinds.  It's no fun and endurance levels are pushed beyond, beyond.  They live like this for years on end seeking relief and cures.  Often, there are none.

Many family members do not fully understand why the sufferer withdraws from family gatherings and other social events.  Much misunderstanding ensues and so the sufferer tends to isolate his or herself - dropping out of life, so to speak.

That's why it is so wonderful that the lady who suffered a "disabling spirit," which caused her to be bent over, unable to stand up straight for 18 years, was healed by Jesus!  This lady was freed from her disability. 

 Her response?  

"She glorified God."  

Wow!  Awesome!

Yet, the reaction of the ruler of the synagogue was indignant.  He hadn't cared for the woman and was only interested in everyone strictly adhering to the rules, many of which may have been those "unwritten rules."

There already were ongoing leniencies in regards to rescuing an animal on the Sabbath day.  Why could not Jesus rescue a human sufferer who had likely been sidelined by society!?

Jesus called the ruler out by His response.  

What's more, I see it as symbolic that He rescued all mankind who were "in the ditch" of sin.  He's healed all of us who have accepted His free gift of salvation.  Healed from the wages of sin and have been given the gift of God so that those who believe won't suffer the pain and agony Hell will bring - not just for an earth lifetime but for all eternity.

We need to praise the Lord for all of this!

And those who have ongoing chronic pain and/or disability, let the rest of us try to be more compassionate and understanding.  Let's be a support as the opportunities present themselves even if it's only to lend a listening ear.  May we all glorify God.

                                              ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 13:10-17 ESV.

Sing, Awesome God, along with Michael W. Smith.

Set Free By Christ

 It's so reassuring to read Galatians 5:1 (ESV).

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

I comforted myself with this verse, yet again after someone asked again about a certain situation I had been in years ago that was one of spiritual abuse.  A situation that perpetuated being controlled by people and many unwritten rules rather than by the Holy Spirit and God's Word.

When asked about why not 'come back' which they were essentially asking, I said, "Oh, I'm so free right now!"  They were shocked.

Their way is "the only true way." Or so they imply.  I feel sorry for them.  Others reading this may have been trapped in similar spiritual bondage in a church setting.  Control maintained by adhering only to specific church brethren writings as commentary and deemed almost on par with God's Word, although it more than likely wouldn't be admitted to.  It is entrapment.

No doubt those commentaries are helps but when maintained and insinuated as "the only way - the one place" and not allowing the Holy Spirit to teach more freely, therein is the spiritual bondage I mean.  Many may not realize the cage they are in but once broken free, one is free indeed.

Free, not to do my own will, nor the will of the brethren and their writings but to do the Lord's will as He leads and guides through His Word and His Holy Spirit.

Step back, read God's Word.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you directly.  See what He has to say.  Christ has set us free.  We can stand firm in this knowledge and understanding.  And definitely, I would not submit to the yoke of slavery to that spiritual abuse again, at least as far as I can help it and have awareness of.

I hope and pray the same for any and all who are experiencing such bondage.  May you break free and be free indeed.  Have confidence in the Lord, His Word and the empowering, guidance of the Holy Spirit.  I ask this for you and for me in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Galatians 5:1 (ESV).

Sing, Christ is Enough, along with Hillsong.

Castle Peles (Luke 12:27 ESV)

 

"Consider the lilies, how they grow:  they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Luke 12:27 ESV).

Solomon was an extremely wealthy Israelite king.  Think of how he gilded his palace and the temple with gold.  God had blessesd him much over and above his best asset, his wisdom.  It must have all been rather magnificent to see.

The phrase, "all his glory" says it all.

Similarly, the grandness of Castle Peles in Sinaia, Romania is beautiful to see.  This castle was originally the summer home and hunting "lodge" of King Carol I and his wife Queen Elizabeth and their young daughter Maria.  It is a bit old and musty inside now, after all it's had its hay day back 1883.  Construction finished then although there were improvements until 1914.  Today one can still see men maintaining the edifice.  

During it's prime the inside must have been plenty grand as even now there's much that can make a visitor "ooo" and "aah".   Yet outside, as one takes in the view of the Carpathian Mountains, the evergreen trees and flowers dancing in the wind, I found these even more magnificent.  Truly, the 'lilies' are arrayed more gloriously.  God's handiwork cannot ever be outdone!

It is a glorious thought and brings praise to our lips to the Creator of the world who is our Heavenly Father.  Praise too to Jesus Christ, His Son, who left the splendor of heaven to this world tainted by mankind's sin.

Creation had been marred but Jesus came to save us.  Even as this present world spins with global warming and consequences of accumulated sin, we have the hope of Christ and His beauty that far outshines anything manmade no matter how grand!

Let's turn our eyes upon Jesus, as a line of a hymn goes.  "Look full into His face" and trust Him.  Then enjoy the beauty of His creation and His mercy and grace; we can still find and experience them.

Praise the Lord for His "lilies".  

Creator God, You are so marvellous and so is Your creation.  Turn our eyes and hearts ever towards You and Your splendor.  May we remember to fix our eyes upon You to see Your glory for ever and ever, Amen.

                                                    ~ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 12:27 ESV.
Sing, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, along with Sovereign Grace Music and If That Isn't Love, along with Dottie Rambo and Brentwood Benson.

Enter In (Luke 21:52 ESV)

 

Knowing the truth and then turning away from it or just becoming immune to it is a sad thing.  More so, because the truth sets us free (see John 3:32).

When you take a look at the lawyers, a.k.a. the scribes, of Bible times, see what Jesus had to say about them,

"Woe to you lawyers!  For you have taken away the key of knowledge.  You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering" (Luke 11:52 ESV).

How does that make you feel to read that?

The lawyers were the ones to write out all the law and other Scriptures for the Jews.  They would know all those Scriptures very well in their heads.  After copying them out time and again they'd likely have been able to recite great portions of God's word.  But it seems as it was just a mechanical exercise for them.  They'd not "entered in".  They did not take these words to heart.  They were not allowing them to seep into their whole being and allow them to govern their lives.

Even worse, they hindered others from so doing.

It is a heads up to me to be aware of this sort of thing in my own life.  Knowing the holy Scriptures from my youth up can tend to make me feel, "Oh, I know that already" and the Word of God just rolls off me like water off a duck's back.  I hadn't let it enter into my soul and spirit nor allowed the Holy Spirit to do His work in me.

When I do not act or behave in a Christlike manner it could well cause others to turn aside and not 'enter in'.  Woe be to me then, too!

Lord, help me to be what I should be in Your sight so that I do not cause havoc to others especially in the hindering them to come to You.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, amen.

                                                ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 11:52 ESV
Sing, Awake My Soul, along with Hillsong.