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.

ON LIVING STONE by HEATHER KAUFMAN

 In ON LIVING STONE, HEATHER KAUFMAN tells the story of Salomem wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John, the Sons of Thunder, from her childhood with her beloved father, a godly on stonemason who saw the hidden glory in stone and heard it sing, to becoming a follower of Jesus, witnessing His death and resurrecrion, as she says the “Glory under the grit and grime”. Salome’s struggles are very well portrayed as she deals with family dynamics and fear for her sons. I love the way Mary, Jesus’ mother, tells her how she needs to release her sons and cling to Adonai……

It is a truly beautiful novel in which the author faithfully follows Scripture and shows us the loving and compassionate Son of God interacting with mankind, choosing humble men as His disciples, stirring up belief in many by His love and miraculous acts, and hatred in many of the teachers of the Law.

To me it is a story of the birth and growth of discipleship as found in these words at the end of the book:“As you come to Him, a living stone — rejected by people but chosen and honored by God —  you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house . are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptible to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

“Together we are His house built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.” Ephesians 2:20.

Do not miss this wonderful novel! I cannot recommend it 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.

BEYOND THE CLOUDS by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 20/1/26

 BEYOND THE CLOUDS is the third novel in the Women of Midtown series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN, but it can easily stand alone. It is a story of second chances, bravery, and unconditional love against the horrific backdrop of WW1.  

Delia Byrne and Fynn Delaney grow up together in an orphanage where they fall in love, making plans for the future. Finn is not afraid of anything whereas Delia is naturally timid. Finn lets Delia down and she settles for a safe job as a paralegal while he becomes a pilot, fighting the Germans even before America joins the war. He is shot down over Belgium and his spectacular escape, albeit with a damaged leg, makes the news.

Delia is a pacifist who works for the Commission for the Relief of Belgium. When Bertie Houver brings Finn in to the CRB, hoping his hero status will encourage donations, Delia and Finn work closely together…….

When they end up in occupied Belgium, we see how the war has changed them both. We also see how their faith in God has grown…….

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

I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational  book 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.