Author: Eliza Noel

Christian wife, homemaker, contemporary author, and health blogger. Follow my blog and social medias for health tips and book recommendations!

6 Christian Fiction Books for Autumn Reading (in bullet-point form)

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It’s that time of year for cozy thrifted sweaters, Autumn Spice coffee, and a stack of Christian fiction books perfectly curated for Autumn reading. Here’s a quick overview of some cozy Autumn books I’ve enjoyed. You can click on the titles for longer reviews or more information.

6 Christian Fiction Books for Autumn Reading

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

  • enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers (if that makes any sense, haha)
  • memory loss
  • rustic resort in New Hampshire setting
  • Hallmark vibes
  • rescue dog

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

  • PTSD
  • Autumn in the midwest
  • suspense and thrill of something possibly paranormal (spoiler, though: it isn’t paranormal)
  • dual timeline
  • family secrets

Martin Hospitality by Abigayle Claire

  • fun fact: the author of this book is the editor of my book series
  • Thanksgiving dinner in a big family
  • teen pregnancy
  • fall festival
  • rural Kansas setting

Dearest Josephine by Caroline George

  • cozy fall vibes
  • dual timeline
  • Jane Austen with a modern twist
  • England setting

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham

  • Beauty and the Beast retelling
  • set in 1903
  • sweet family relationships

The Second-Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

  • “A Walk to Remember” vibes
  • small town bookstore
  • artfully done split timeline
  • good-girl-meets-bad-boy (at least that’s what the town thinks)
  • tear-jerker

What are some favorite Christian fiction books for Autumn reading that you would add to this list?

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Autumn Spice Coffee Creamer//Easy-prep, THM-Friendly Fuel Pull (FP), Low-fat, Low-carb, Sugar-free

Eliza Noel5 Comments

My THM-Friendly recipe for Autumn Spice creamer will make your morning coffee simple, delicious, and healthy. Just make it at the beginning of the week and you’ll have lovely Autumn coffee to go with the chilly weather all week long! This recipe is sugar-free and a Trim Healthy Mama friendly Fuel Pull. That means you can pair it with an S or an E breakfast without it becoming a Crossover!

Health Benefits of the Autumn Spice Creamer

  • It’s sugar-free. Most coffee creamers are packed with sugar or artificial sweeteners. This recipe calls for stevia, a healthy natural sweetener.
  • It’s made with real ingredients. GoodRX says that most coffee creamers are packed with additives and chemicals. This recipe includes only good, natural, and real ingredients. You can rest in knowing that you’re not putting bad things into your body along with your daily Cup o’ Joe!

THM-Friendly Fuel Pull Recipe for Autumn Spice Coffee Creamer

Makes 8 servings

  • 3/4 c. Half n Half
  • 1/4 tsp. Pure Stevia Extract
  • 1/4 tsp. Cloves and Nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions:
Put all of the ingredients in a mason jar, stir it up, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it just put 1 ½ tbs. in your coffee mug then fill it the rest of the way with your favorite coffee!

Download this THM Friendly Fuel Pull recipe card for free!

Autumn Spice Coffee Creamer Recipe Free DownloadDownload

THM-Friendly Fuel Pull Autumn Spice Creamer Recipe on Instagram

Where are you on your health journey?

I love learning more about health! The plan I follow (Trim Healthy Mama) balances food groups beautifully, cuts out sugar, and emphasizes the need for high protein. It’s super personalizable for budget, preferences, allergies, phase of life, and goals (weight loss, gaining muscle, healthy weight gain, working through health issues, getting more energy, etc.). If healthy living interests you sign up for my email list here.

Note: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I receive a commission off anything purchased through links I share.

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham//Clean Regency Romance Novel

Eliza Noel1 Comment

I’m not typically a historical fiction girly, but I’m so glad I picked up this clean Regency romance novel. Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham had me tearing up, smiling, and even laughing. Like a warm cup of tea, it was my cozy go-to novel. I was originally attracted to it because of the cute cover (shallow, I know) and the fact that I’ve enjoyed a few other Pepper Basham books (you can read my Some Like it Scot review here). It inspired me to watch Sense and Sensibility again (it’d been 10+ years) so I could get all the references.

Audience

Teen Girls and Women

Genre

Clean Regency Romance, Christian Historical Fiction

Author

Pepper Basham

Two years ago Emme Lockhart’s heart was broken by the Simon Reeves. She knew his status was way above hers, but he had given her reason to believe they had a future together. And then he called the whole thing off, with no explanation. Now Emme’s aunt is forcing her back into the social scene, determined to have Emme married well. And by well she means with good social standing and plenty of money, love plays no part in her matchmaking. Things become complicated for Emme when Simon returns to the area. Just being near him is still difficult. Yet when she finds out his family’s estate is in trouble, she wants to help him. Even if that means helping him find a bride who is not her.

A few of my favorite things…

  • The fact that Emme is an author, even though that was scandalous for women back then
  • The Jane Austen references and overall Austen feel to the story
  • Sweet, caring and mischievous little kid characters, they always brighten a story!
  • Aunt Bean. Even though her matchmaking skills were terrible she made me laugh!
  • Emme and Simon’s caring and playful friendship
  • Emme’s sweet relationship with her dad
  • Simon’s care for his younger siblings
  • Ballroom social scenes

Know that…

  • There’s a little bit of kissing, but nothing over the top
  • The book ends with a newly married couple kissing and stepping into their bedroom. Nothing else is described.

Perfect for…

Any woman looking for a cozy Jane Austen-like read!

Amazon

If you enjoy reading clean fiction, sign up for my email list and I’ll keep you up-to-date with my latest reviews! You can sign up here.

Notes: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m also an Amazon Affiliate, so I receive a commission on anything purchased through links I share.

Protein Pumpkin Pancakes//THM-Friendly E, Low Fat, Sugar Free, High Protein Breakfast

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My THM-Friendly recipe for Protein Pumpkin Pancakes is an Energizing (carb) meal that’s high protein, low fat, and sugar free. I love figuring out and sharing cheap and easy Trim Healthy Mama friendly recipes. My goal is to make it easy to eat healthy for an affordable price and in a delicious way. This Protein Pumpkin Pancake Recipe is a perfect way to have an Autumn-y meal while crushing your protein goals! It has about 30g of protein in it.

Health Benefits of the Protein Pumpkin Pancake

  • It meets an ideal protein goal of 25g+. Protein is essential because it’s what helps your body keep and build muscle. Without muscle, your body can’t burn fat, and overall health quickly goes downhill. The fact that it contains this much protein makes it a Trim Healthy Mama Friendly Recipe that’s up-to-date with the plan’s new Wisdom ways.
  • It’s a carb meal, yay! Good, healthy carbs are so important. Especially for us women. Ideally, half or more of our meals should contain good carbs (so not white bread or sugar, no, no, no).
  • Energy boost for breakfast. Good carbs are especially a good way to start your day! They give you that nice little burst of energy.

THM-Friendly E Recipe for a Protein Pumpkin Pancake

Pancake Ingredients:

  • 1/3 c. Egg Whites (or 2 eggs for THM-friendly XO)
  • 3 tbs. Canned Pumpkin
  • 1/2 c. Oats (5 g)
  • 1/8 tsp. Cloves and Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
  • Natural Sweetener (I used a dash of pure stevia)
  • 1/4 c. Nonfat Greek Yogurt (or 2% Cottage Cheese)
  • 3 tbs. Plain Unflavored Whey Protein Powder

Directions:

  1. Blend all ingredients.
  2. Cook in lightly greased skillet on stove.

For Creamy Protein topping:

  • 1/3 c. Nonfat Greek Yogurt (or Cottage Cheese)
  • Drop of Vanilla Extract
  • Dash of Natural Sweetener

Directions:

  1. Mix together ingredients.
  2. Top protein pumpkin pancake with mixture and then sprinkle with cinnamon.
  3. Enjoy!

Download this free printable THM Friendly E recipe card!

THM-Friendly E Protein Pumpkin PancakeDownload

THM-Friendly E Protein Pumpkin Pancake Recipe on Instagram

Where are you on your health journey?

I love learning more about health! The plan I follow (Trim Healthy Mama) balances food groups beautifully, cuts out sugar, and emphasizes the need for high protein. It’s super personalizable for budget, preferences, allergies, phase of life, and goals (weight loss, gaining muscle, healthy weight gain, working through health issues, getting more energy, etc.). If you’d like to stay up-to-date with the recipes I share sign up for my email list here.

Note: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I receive a commission off anything purchased through links I share.

Riley + Sam by Ashley Schaller//Christian YA Romance Review

Eliza Noel1 Comment

Riley + Sam by Ashley Schaller is a sweet innocent Christian YA romance book.  Riley Anderson thinks her summer is gonna be pretty chill. She’ll work on some digital art commissions and just relax. Two things shake those plans up. 1) her little cousin Lou-lou is spending the summer with them (not terrible, Lou-lou’s great, but now Riley has some babysitting responsibility on her plate). 2) Sam Hong is back. Sam was Riley’s childhood best friend and neighbor. Once he got famous and he went on tour he left and never looked back. Until now. Now Riley’s got a challenging summer ahead of her because she promised herself she would be one girl who would not fall for Sammy Hong.

Audience

Teen Girls

Genre

Christian YA Romance, Contemporary YA Fiction

Author

Ashley Schaller

Riley’s little cousin Lou-lou starts out hating Sam because she remembers how sad Riley was when he left. But Sam quickly wins her over with his sweet charm. Soon the three of them have made a Summer bucket list. Sam’s sick of the spotlight and he wants to experience normal things (like going through the drive-thru), like a normal person. Riley and Lou-lou decide they’ll make that happen for him with some clever (or maybe not so clever) disguises.

A few of my favorite things…

  • The friends-to-more story
  • Sam helping Riley process grief (her mom died while he was gone)
  • Lou-lou. She’s so sassy, funny, and adorable. I love when stories have little kids as some of their main characters!
  • Sarge, the lovable golden retriever.
  • Riley’s faith. She models “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) well. She also encourages Sam to turn back to the Lord, and use spotlight to bring glory to Him. There’s a part where she describes grace well.
  • “Celebrity sick of the spotlight” is one of my favorite storylines.
  • The humor. I was laughing out loud a lot! Whether it was at a situation, Lou-lou’s attitude or Riley’s inner thoughts.
  • Sweet family relationships. Riley is really close to her dad. They often drink tea together in the evenings. She’s also good friends with her older sister. You don’t often see good family relationships like that in stories!
  • Coffee. Here are some golden quotes: “I swear you barely qualify as a person in the morning [before coffee.” “Am I a mess? Yes. But a happy, coffee-loving one.”
  • Riley’s dream of being a mom. So often girls don’t feel the freedom to say that. They think instead that they have to have a big career plan.
  • A really horrible date that Riley goes on. It’s humorously described, but poor Riley learns her lesson. She doesn’t need to go on a date with just any guy who asks.

Know that…

  • Sam sleeps in the same tent as Riley and Lou-lou. Nothing happens. Nothing’s romantic or sexual about it. But in real life, that wouldn’t be a good idea.
  • There’s lots of times that Riley thinks about kissing. But it doesn’t actually happen except maybe once at the very end.
  • My book friend, Lindsey, has a more thorough content review over on her blog. You can read it here.

Perfect for…

Any teen girl looking for a sweet, innocent summer romance!

Amazon

If you’re looking for other clean Christian contemporary books, check out mine. You can find more information about my Dawn Chandler series here.

Notes: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m also an Amazon Affiliate, so I receive a commission on anything purchased through links I share.