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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Wednesday 12 August 2020

THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 6/10/20
THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE is the second novel in the Jerusalem Road series by ANGELA HUNT. This is a really beautiful series, giving us such insight into life in Bible days and a wonderful background to the simple, normal family life of our Saviour and King. Although the novel is a work of fiction this fact does not detract at all from the basic truths of the Word of God, which come through very strongly.
This is the story of Pheodora, who is portrayed as Yeshua's youngest sister. She is married to Chiram, a lowly shepherd, and lives happily with him and her four daughters in Bethlehem until her husband ends up in debtor's prison.
Her sister Damaris is beautiful. She is married to a very rich man, Shimon, whose ambition to become a Pharisee and refusal to help Chiram is a stumbling block in her relationship with her sister.
It is interesting to see the arrogance of the Pharisees and the complexity of their laws and rituals as opposed to the simplicity of Yeshua's teaching.
The author is very knowledgeable about biblical history, but it is her obvious faith in Christ and love of the Word of God that comes through strongly in her writing and really appeals to me.
I am not going to tell you any more of the story for fear of spoiling the read for you. All I can say is - do not miss this lovely and truly inspirational book!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers.



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Tuesday 11 August 2020

HER SECRET SONG by MARY CONNEALY

Publication date 6/10/20
How lovely to be back on Hope Mountain with the three delightful Nordegren sisters, this time as we follow the oldest sister Ursula's story! This series is one I have really enjoyed and I cannot recommend Her Secret Song strongly enough.
When Ursula finally gets up enough courage to leave her voluntary solitary existence to go down to the Lowlands, pushing aside the fear instilled in her by her grandmother, she comes across the badly injured Wax Mosby and literally prays and sings him back to life, as she helps him up to her cabin!
I love to see the innocence and gentle kindness in this rather unusual and fierce young woman and her strong faith in God, despite her confusion about the second bible! It is also good to see how Wax Mosby, who is feared as a killer, takes his new commitment to Christ seriously.
It is a story about courage, loneliness, overcoming fear, and in Wax Mosby's case, of doing the right thing. There are some really amusing parts, a sweet romance, and some nail biting tension when the Wardens are fighting to regain their land. It is altogether a most worthwhile read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. 



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FOREVER BY YOUR SIDE by TRACIE PETERSON

FOREVER BY YOUR SIDE is the third novel in the Williamette Brides series by TRACIE PETERSON.
The story takes place in 1880 and once again the author deals with the Indian situation and racialism in general.
When Constance Browning and her best friend Thomas Lowell are sent by the Smithsonian department of technology to catalog the Indian tribes in Oregon, so that no more of their history should be lost, they are also on the hunt for whoever is inciting the Indians to an uprising and supplying guns and alcohol to the reservation. They also want to clear Connie's parents,
Adam and Mercy Browning, from trumped up accusations against them.
I love the way the family attached to the Portland guest house, together with the delightful residents, make a reappearance. In fact, family values are strongly brought out in the story as well as Christ's admonition to love our enemies. I also like the way Adam Browning explains his faith to Tom, who has become an athiest due to his abusive upbringing. The Christian message flows beautifully through the book, with just the right Scripture verses at the right time.
This book has a bit of everything - great characters, romance, intrigue, politics and some legal drama - and it is a really enjoyable read. I recommend Forever By Your Side to anyone who enjoys Christian, historical, romance novels.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this revew are completely my own.

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Friday 7 August 2020

BACKLASH by RACHEL DYLAN

Publication date 6/10/20
BACKLASH by RACHEL DYLAN is the second novel in the Capital Intrigue series, following after End Game, but both books can easily be read as stand alones. It is an exciting legal drama, full of roller coaster action which will keep you guessing right to the end.
When CIA agent Layla Karam is seconded to the DEA for a hit on the Mejia Cartel and Diego Mejia's younger brother is killed, she seems to become a target. To make matters worse, she is alao being investigated by the Inspector General's office on trumped up charges. Layla plays strictly by the book, is a committed Christian who lives out her faith and tends to think the best of everyone she works with, excepting for her ex boyfriend, Hunter McCoy who broke her heart. He is the PI who is working with the DEA to keep Layla and the other agents safe, and to look into some money that has gone missing since they got back from Honduras.
I love the camaraderie between Layla and her friends, some of whom have their own problems to deal with as well as also being targets.
The novel is fast paced, full of suspense and intrigue and has a strong message of hope and second chances. It is an exciting and worthwhile read and I highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers.




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WHAT YOU SAID TO ME by OLIVIA NEWPORT

Publication date 1/11/20
Having read and enjoyed the first three novels in the series, I have been looking forward to reading WHAT YOU SAID TO ME by OLIVIA NEWPORT, and am definitely not disappointed! This author has split time story telling to a fine art! It is an enjoyable book, with real depth and a subtle Christian message.
In present time we come across Nolan Duffy, the friendly family advocate and mediator, enthusiastic cook and singer of arias, and father of Jillian Parisi-Duffy, a much sought after genealogist.
Once again their professions overlap when Nolan brings a fifteen year old delinquent home to help Jillian bring order to the hundreds of valuable old documents that overflow the dining room table. Jillian has been employed by the Matthew Ryder Foundation to find children that were stolen and sold by the wicked Judd Ryder. Jillian has no idea how to relate to Tisha Crowder with her bad attitude and really bad home life, and beats herself up every time she says anything that feeds Tisha's feeling of unworthiness. It is only when Tisha gets caught up in the sad stories in the old documents that the work becomes interesting to her.
In 1893, due to the crash in the silver price, Clifford Brandt is forced to move his family from their lovely home in Denver to Canyon Mines where they run a store that they have exchanged for their house. Their family dynamics are really shaken by their change in circumstances.
When a journal is found in the old Brandt building, the past and present are brought together. That is all I am going to tell you as far as the story is concerned.
The characters are realistically drawn and we really get to understand them by the way their thoughts and feelings are described.
It is a thought provoking and inspirational read and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publis
hing.

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