DAUGHTER OF THE REBELLION by JAMIE OGLE

 Publication date 12/5/26

DAUGHTER OF THE REBELLION by JAMIE OGLE is a thrilling read which brings to mind the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I cannot recommend the novel highly enough for the exciting story that brings to life the brutality of the ludi,  with the history of ancient Rome, where, in spite of the acceptance of Christianity, idolatry, violence and slavery are still very much the order of the day. There is also a strong Christian message of deliverance against all odds as Telemachus and his fellow monks stand up for the underdog……

Felix and Adel’s relationship is beautifuly described together with their emotions. We see how the past has affected each of them…….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling thins for you.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

THE LIGHT OF STARS by JENELLE HOVDE

 Publication date 14/7/26

THE LIGHT OF STARS is a beautifully written Regency novel by JENELLE HOVDE that takes place between Britain and India, London and Calcutta, with true to life characters, an exciting story and a good Christian message underlying it all. The descriptions of scenery are excellent and one can feel the hostility between the East India Company Moguls and the impoverished Indian labourers. Could there be more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye?…….

Sebastian Sinclair is torn between his desire to please his controlling grandfather, who expects him as his heir to head up the East India Company, and his Christian beliefs which are being nurtured by his missionary friend, William Carey.

He is sent to England to speak in parliament against the unfavourable judgments being made against the East India Company, and to marry Miss Katherine Grenville…….

BUT Kitty Grenville has other ideas! Apart from disliking Sebastian for his unkindness towards her when they met as children, she is tired of being controlled by her grandfather, who literally abducted her and her brother Edward from Hyderabad, leaving her distraught Indian mother behind. Her interests lie in astronomy and she wants to study in that field. She is also determined to find her mother……

I am not going to spoil things for you by telling you anything more. 

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable, romantic novel highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

HEARTS ON THE FLY by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 3/2/26

 HEARTS ON THE FLY by TONI SHILOH is a most enjoyable read with delightful characters, a sweet romance and a heartwarming message of redemption and faith. I cannot recommend this lovely, inspirational read strongly enough.

Val Elliott is the middle child in her family and feels mostly unseen as she tries hard to please her rather demanding sisters, her divorced parents and stepmother.

Her oldest sister Jackie is a bit of a diva and is used to getting her own way, whilst Fran is one to say things as they are, stirring up trouble. When Val goes on a blind date with Jackie’s ex, hockey player Jabari Hall, fur and feathers literally fly in the Elliott household!……

I love to see Val come out of her shell as she befriends the injured man, showing him the love of Christ through her actions. This leads him to see what is missing in his own life……

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you. 

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House  Publishers.The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A BREWED AWAKENING by PEPPER BASHAM

 A BREWED AWAKENING by PEPPER BASHAM is best described as a “culinary rom-com”, which takes place in the friendly town of Wisteria, where Daphne Austen, lover of tea and Jane Austen, meets the very British, flirtacious and disturbingly handsome Finn Dashwood, drinker of coffee and hater of tea, who sets up his pub next dorr to her “princess tea shop”, Tea Thyme. Finn owns a cabriolet and has a delightful daughter, both of which make Daphne feel less hostile towards her infuriating competitor……..

There is depth to this story as the author gives us insight into the characters’ emotions, and also as tradegy hits the town…….

There is humour, non-stop banter, interference from the locals, competition, a gentle Chrutian message and a sense of belonging in the community, woven into  a truly lovely story.

I cannot recommend this entertaining and most enjoyable read strongly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

MARRYING THE MATCHMAKER by JODY HEDLUND

 MARRYING THE MATCHMAKER is the fourth novel in the Shanahan Match series by JODY HEDLUND but it can easily stand alone. 

The story takes place in St Louis, Missouri in 1879, against the backdrop of poverty and orphaned children amongst the Irish immigrants.  

Zaira Shanahan, an aspiring author, desperately needs inspiration in the romantic department to make her novels more realistic, and Bellamy McKenna, the dashing Irish matchmaker, desperately needs to make a match for Senator Whitcomb’s  daughter before he loses credibility as a matchmaker. Zaira, who has an idea who Dierdre Whitcomb fancies, agrees to tell him in exchange for a hug. When he does not keep his side of the bargain Zaira is furious and kisses him passionately in the McKenna pub……..

I absolutely love the characters, the delightful banter and the way Zaira and Bellamy agree to a pretend relationship and try to hide their real feelings for one another…….

The characters’ emotions are beautifully described and we see the reasons for their doublemindedness as far as making a permanent commitment to one another is concerned.

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this most entertaining and highly inspirational read highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

THE BIRD OF BEDFORD MANOR by MICHELLE GRIEP

 In THE BIRD OF BEDFORD MANOR, MICHELLE GRIEP has given us another exceptional historical romance novel with plenty of mystery and suspense, wonderful characters and a strong Christian message, well written and against the backdrop of British country life in 1820. It is a beautifully told story of redemption and the  importance of forgiveness and reliance on God…….

Juliet Finch is caught poaching by Henry Russell on his country estate. She has been forced into this in order to keep her aunt Margaret and herself alive. She was a young woman of means but her life has been destroyed by her father’s crimes. In fact she does not know who most deserves her anger - her father or God!…….

Henry is impressed by her fortitude and beauty, and feels she may be the answer to his prayer for someone to track the person who is terrifying his sister Charity. He employs  her instead of having her arrested but when  Juliet becomes a person of interest in the situation, Henty is not sure if he should still trust her!……

We see how seriouslyHenry takes his responsibilities and how afraid he is of letting his father down…….

There are many twists and turns, a crafty villain and an unforgettable love story.

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable and inspirational read strongly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this  review are completely my own.

AMBUSH OF THE HEART by MARY CONNEALY

 AMBUSH OF THE HEART  is the first novel in a new wextern adventure series by MARY CONNEALY, and I am looking forward to following the characters’ further adventures.The story is exciting, as Owne Riley and his fellow marshalls travel over mountainous terrain with their charges, one of whom is an escaped prisoner whose family members are determined to set him free again. Their other charges are the beautiful Delaney Bridger and her brother Boone, who are on their way to meet their formiddable parents at Fort D A Russell. 

There is adventure, romance, humour and faith in this well told story, making up an altogether enjoyabe read.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.