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COVID Diaries
A collaboration of short stories from Christian authors to inspire and encourage.
Love in Lockdown, Joi Copeland
Being a germaphobe during a global pandemic sent Riley Smith's anxiety level to new heights. Receiving a text she thought was from her brother, Riley confides in him regarding her anxiety attacks. Realizing the person on the other end of the phone is not her brother, Riley comes face to face with her past.
Stray Dog Love, Rebekah Rodda
Jemma is just coping with working full-time and managing her volunteer-run stray dog sanctuary in the country of Georgia. Then the coronavirus hits, causing her school to shut down and her all her staff to leave except for one: Murray. He’s fun to be around with a faith she finds intriguing but he’s only planning to stay for a few short weeks. Will Jemma ever find someone who loves her and the dogs enough to stick around?
Fear No More, Sara Beth Williams
Growing up together, Joslynn''s brother's best friend Brent was nothing short of obnoxious. Now they're older and he's still obnoxious, but also incredibly handsome and alluring. If only he would stay in town longer than two days.
When they finally close the states-wide distance between them and establish a solid relationship, a world pandemic erupts, ripping apart the very fabric of everything Joslynn holds dear.
No Better Time, Audrey Appenzeller
Jen Turner’s life was hard before the pandemic hit. Now it’s impossible. Shaky job situation. Mounting bills. And a twenty-year old car that’s more rust than metal. As life crumbles around her, Jen discovers help might come from unexpected places.
Love in Lockdown, Joi Copeland
Being a germaphobe during a global pandemic sent Riley Smith's anxiety level to new heights. Receiving a text she thought was from her brother, Riley confides in him regarding her anxiety attacks. Realizing the person on the other end of the phone is not her brother, Riley comes face to face with her past.
Stray Dog Love, Rebekah Rodda
Jemma is just coping with working full-time and managing her volunteer-run stray dog sanctuary in the country of Georgia. Then the coronavirus hits, causing her school to shut down and her all her staff to leave except for one: Murray. He’s fun to be around with a faith she finds intriguing but he’s only planning to stay for a few short weeks. Will Jemma ever find someone who loves her and the dogs enough to stick around?
Fear No More, Sara Beth Williams
Growing up together, Joslynn''s brother's best friend Brent was nothing short of obnoxious. Now they're older and he's still obnoxious, but also incredibly handsome and alluring. If only he would stay in town longer than two days.
When they finally close the states-wide distance between them and establish a solid relationship, a world pandemic erupts, ripping apart the very fabric of everything Joslynn holds dear.
No Better Time, Audrey Appenzeller
Jen Turner’s life was hard before the pandemic hit. Now it’s impossible. Shaky job situation. Mounting bills. And a twenty-year old car that’s more rust than metal. As life crumbles around her, Jen discovers help might come from unexpected places.
- GenresChristian
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2020
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Joi Copeland
174 books108 followersJoi Copeland is a wife, mom of three wonderful boys, and Christian novelist. Her husband and their three sons make their home in Galway, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 27, 2020
I loved this book. It has a bit of comedy and love and very little sadness. This book even showed me how I can actually deal with my anxiety that I have.. This book taught me togetherness through a pandemic. Beautiful stories from beautiful authors. Thank you authors of this book to teach me how to get through this pandemic.
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August 1, 2020What a fun idea! Four inspiring short stories about women finding love and faith despite the coronavirus restrictions. Perfect to read during lockdown.
Yes one of those short stories is mine... :)
Yes one of those short stories is mine... :)
July 24, 2020
I don't know whose idea it was to write these stories, but it was a brilliant idea! I was so blessed to read them all. Through everything, people were learning about God's goodness and love. They were also praying for our protection and healing from the virus. These were ordinary people living ordinary lives just like us. My Favorite was either Joi's story or Audrey's, but each one really blessed me, and gave me something to think about.
August 10, 2020
This collection of stories took the hardships and craziness going on and added the feel good hope that everyone is looking for. While very short and sweet, each story took a different perspective on the quarantine environment and how different people adapted to the difficulties.
The stories in this collection were at different levels of completeness. Fear No More by Sarah Beth William was my favorite as it showed the characters real feelings of anxiety, fear for loved ones, and sacrifice. The other stories could use a little more fleshing out but were still good takes on the COVID-19.
The stories in this collection were at different levels of completeness. Fear No More by Sarah Beth William was my favorite as it showed the characters real feelings of anxiety, fear for loved ones, and sacrifice. The other stories could use a little more fleshing out but were still good takes on the COVID-19.
July 25, 2020
COVID Diaries, are short stories by Christian writers. It is a fine collection of short stories that are very contemporary. The stories are easy to understand and the characters are interesting. Nice book to read
July 22, 2020
This is a neat collection of stories!! By far my favorite story is Love in Lockdown by Joy Copeland. This one was great! Thanks to a "wrong" number, Grant reconnects with his high school love, Riley. Now, nothing, not her anxiety, not corona virus, can keep them apart! There's no shame for a Christian needing to take medication for anxiety, and this story puts that into perspective. I have friends that deal with anxiety, and I'll be recommending this to book to them!
No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller tells the story of Jen and Brian. Jen first meets Tammy and her grandmother when she's delivery their grocery order. She then meets Ben. Jen has never met people like them before. This story shows God can use anything, even corona virus, to bring us to Him! This story left me wanting more of Ben and Jen's story!
Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda was good. Jemma and Murray's love for dogs brought them together. Jemma wanted more than friendship with Murray. Murray wanted more for Jemma than just a "fling" like she thought he wanted. He first wanted to introduce her to God, and then they could think about more. When corona hits, he decides to stay and help with the dogs, and also knew his time with her reading the Bible was paying off, too. This book also left me wanting more.
Last, we have Fear No More by Sara Beth Williams. This is the only author in this set whose books I'd read before. Definitely did NOT disappoint!! Jocelyn and Brent have known each other for years. Brent's fear of not always being in control has caused him to back off and run, more than once. This time, he stands to lose Jocelyn for good. Once he finally realizes that he needs to give his fear to God, he can finally move forward with his love for Jocelyn.
I was leery of reading a book with Covid in it; however, since the virus is playing a minor role in these stories, it was fine. I really liked the first, second, and fourth stories in the book, as they seemed a lot more believable. The second one really left me wanting more to the story. The third one was good, but didn't appeal to me as much as the others, though all four definitely showed how Christians could be reaching out to others at this time, whether other Christians or not.
I received a complimentary copy of this set, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller tells the story of Jen and Brian. Jen first meets Tammy and her grandmother when she's delivery their grocery order. She then meets Ben. Jen has never met people like them before. This story shows God can use anything, even corona virus, to bring us to Him! This story left me wanting more of Ben and Jen's story!
Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda was good. Jemma and Murray's love for dogs brought them together. Jemma wanted more than friendship with Murray. Murray wanted more for Jemma than just a "fling" like she thought he wanted. He first wanted to introduce her to God, and then they could think about more. When corona hits, he decides to stay and help with the dogs, and also knew his time with her reading the Bible was paying off, too. This book also left me wanting more.
Last, we have Fear No More by Sara Beth Williams. This is the only author in this set whose books I'd read before. Definitely did NOT disappoint!! Jocelyn and Brent have known each other for years. Brent's fear of not always being in control has caused him to back off and run, more than once. This time, he stands to lose Jocelyn for good. Once he finally realizes that he needs to give his fear to God, he can finally move forward with his love for Jocelyn.
I was leery of reading a book with Covid in it; however, since the virus is playing a minor role in these stories, it was fine. I really liked the first, second, and fourth stories in the book, as they seemed a lot more believable. The second one really left me wanting more to the story. The third one was good, but didn't appeal to me as much as the others, though all four definitely showed how Christians could be reaching out to others at this time, whether other Christians or not.
I received a complimentary copy of this set, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
July 9, 2020
Covid Diaries by The Collaborative Press is a family-friendly inspirational work comprising four short stories and will provide almost three hours of reading.
Love in Lockdown by Joi Copeland takes 45 minutes to read, is set in Colorado where Riley Smith is an elementary teacher and Grant Reynolds is the high school boyfriend who moved away.
No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller takes 25 minutes to read and is about delivery service worker Jen Turner and her interactions with the family of Eva Detch.
Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda takes 30 minutes to read, is set in the country of Georgia, and is about Australian Jemma Taylor and her dog sanctuary.
Fear No More by Beth Williams, which takes 70 minutes to read, is set mainly in June of 2020 in California, where orphaned store clerk Jocelyn Elliot, age, age 22, lives next door to chemo patient Callie.
I had an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
Love in Lockdown by Joi Copeland takes 45 minutes to read, is set in Colorado where Riley Smith is an elementary teacher and Grant Reynolds is the high school boyfriend who moved away.
No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller takes 25 minutes to read and is about delivery service worker Jen Turner and her interactions with the family of Eva Detch.
Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda takes 30 minutes to read, is set in the country of Georgia, and is about Australian Jemma Taylor and her dog sanctuary.
Fear No More by Beth Williams, which takes 70 minutes to read, is set mainly in June of 2020 in California, where orphaned store clerk Jocelyn Elliot, age, age 22, lives next door to chemo patient Callie.
I had an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
July 20, 2020
These are all short and easy to read stories that take place during this current time that our world is facing together. The one common theme throughout each story is the hope and belief in a loving God. I had never read any books by these authors and each story had it's own unique story and characters. I had no preference of one over the other, but I did find them uplifting - (especially in an environment where I don't do much other than get up and make it through another day until some type of cure or vaccine is developed or we get a national mandate of security because I am in the highest risk group)
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
July 17, 2020
COVID diaries contains 4 short stories: Love in Lockdown by Joi Copeland, No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller, Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda and Fear No More by Sara Beth Williams. This is a great, quick read that almost everyone can relate to in some way this year. There are old friends, new friends, loss of and separation from family and friends, job loss, moving, anxiety . . . everything relating to Covid-19 . . . yet, even in these uncertain times, love, forgiveness, and hope shine through. I enjoyed reading these and hope you will, too!
July 21, 2020
5 things from COVID Diaries: Christian Short Fiction Stories
1) Riley is a teacher who struggles with her anxiety and reconnects with her high school sweetheart (Finding Love in Lockdown)
2) The unthinkable piles on Jocelyn as if a worldwide pandemic wasn't bad enough. (Fear No More)
3) The volunteers at Jemma's dog rescue are all stranded at home, leaving her with only Murray to help run the place (Stray Dog Love)
4) Jen's customers offer her hope for no apparent reason (No Better Time)
5) All stories provided a timely message for trusting God in the midst of chaos
I loved the evangelistic theme spread throughout! What a neat collection of stories!
1) Riley is a teacher who struggles with her anxiety and reconnects with her high school sweetheart (Finding Love in Lockdown)
2) The unthinkable piles on Jocelyn as if a worldwide pandemic wasn't bad enough. (Fear No More)
3) The volunteers at Jemma's dog rescue are all stranded at home, leaving her with only Murray to help run the place (Stray Dog Love)
4) Jen's customers offer her hope for no apparent reason (No Better Time)
5) All stories provided a timely message for trusting God in the midst of chaos
I loved the evangelistic theme spread throughout! What a neat collection of stories!
July 23, 2020
This book includes four delightful and heart-warming stories to help while away the time in isolation or fill in a cosy afternoon’s reading. While all are written in a unique way, and all highlight the challenges of living through the restrictions of a Pandemic, there are some unexpected twists and pleasant surprises along the way. A pleasant read.
July 25, 2020
A heartwarming set of short stories with a goal: to help us during a tough time we are all living and experiencing together, social distancing, illness, death, but with the help of God and our faith we will see a way out and find happiness and love again. Perfect reading for our current situation.
July 31, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories. It made you feel like you aren't the only one going through this pandemic.
July 31, 2020
Normal activities have been curtailed during the pandemic shut down. There is more time for reading and I would recommend the Covid Diaries. The 4 short stories show how God works in different
situations to the pandemic.
situations to the pandemic.
August 7, 2020
What a great idea to write stories that explore the good that God can bring through this difficult situation we are all living through. All 4 stories were sweet, included romance and pointed to our need for God. My favourite by far was Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda. The writing was excellent, the journey towards God was believable and the setting (the country of Georgia) was fascinating. I wanted more! 5 stars for Stray Dog Love.
October 25, 2020
COVID DIARIES includes four Christian based short stories that deal with feelings of loneliness and anxiety during the pandemic. It shows how lives have come to a halt, jobs have been lost, medical appointments are through virtual visits and exposes the lack of groceries and toilet paper at the store while prices of other products are skyrocketing.
The stories varied in their telling but all included the Bible and some passages and showed how the characters turned to their faith in times of need even if they had lost their way previously. The stories needed better closure since they all tended to end abruptly with more story to tell. An interesting read since we're still in the grips of the pandemic and it's almost the end of October with very little normalcy in any of our lives.
The stories varied in their telling but all included the Bible and some passages and showed how the characters turned to their faith in times of need even if they had lost their way previously. The stories needed better closure since they all tended to end abruptly with more story to tell. An interesting read since we're still in the grips of the pandemic and it's almost the end of October with very little normalcy in any of our lives.
June 22, 2021
Covid Diaries is an anthology of short stories with cute romance and a great message of hope. What an encouraging and impeccably crafted read!
February 14, 2021
This is a collection of Christian short stories written about how people cope during the pandemic. They are supposed to be romantic. I thought they were okay but most of them ended so abruptly it seemed that the stories were just getting started and they stopped very suddenly. The concept was good but it just didn’t deliver as I’d hoped.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews