Anthems of Zion

Anyone who knows me know that I love books and am an avid reader. Christian fiction, books about PR and marketing, cookbooks, self-help books, historical fiction, many types of non-fiction, including biographies and more....each member of our family has their own library card, and we are all usually maxed out on checkouts. I prefer to read real-deal paper books instead of reading on a device.

And there was that time I co-authored a book. And that was so much fun. :)

Today, I'm here to talk to you about a book series that is a must-read. (It's especially a must read if you are LCMS Lutheran like I am, but it would truly be enjoyed by almost any reader).

Enter Anthems of Zion - the fabulous book series by author Katie Schuermann.

Katie's writing is enough to make this journalist have author envy. Her writing is so effortless, so descriptive, so perfect. Sigh.

Several years ago, my husband gave me the first book in her Anthems of Zion series (House of Living Stones) for Christmas. I fell in love with all of the characters in Bradbury.

Being brought up in the Lutheran church (and still a member of the same congregation!) I could so strongly relate to the descriptions of potlucks, the hymnal references, the portrayals of the different types of members that seem to be in every church congregation (the well-meaning but cranky busy bodies, the overwhelmed tired moms, the singles trying to find their place in the dating world, the dear but quirky clergy and on and on.....)

Soon after reading the first book, I received the second...again a gift from dear hubby - good man! (The Choir Immortal).

And then I joined the launch team for Katie's third book in the series, The Harvest Raise. I had the honor of receiving an advance digital copy to read.

Despite my dislike for reading books on a screen, I plowed through Katie's newest offering in a matter of days (despite my crazy schedule as a freelance marketing consultant and busy wife and mom....I may or may not have set aside other duties just to read....ahem!)

All of the books in this series will remind you that you are not alone in this crazy, mixed up world.  We are all God's children, and we are blessed to be part of a beautiful community called the Body of Christ.  None of us are perfect, but all of us are forgiven. We all have the opportunity/blessing/challenge to daily deal with folks like our crazy neighbors, the zany choir director at church, a challenging boss, a well-meaning but harsh friend and so many others.

You will feel right at home in Bradbury, whether you're a city slicker or country folk.

Thank you, Katie, for sharing the gift of your writing with all of us. You are a blessing!