A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 22/8/23

I have read many novels  by ROSEANNA M WHITE, with great enjoyment, but 

A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE is now my absolute favurite, with the wonderful parade of characters, both human and animal, the intrigue, the setting in Edwardian England with the gossip and prejudice of the”ton”, and the cleverness and vibrancy of the members of The Imposters Ltd, who hold many secrets about the aristocracy. Things are most definitely not as they seem. 

The strong Christian message really pleases me, especially as the author speaks of being led by God’s Holy Spirit and of being drawn to people of a like mind. The camaraderie amongst the Imposter “family” is delightful and  I cannot wait for the next book in the series.  There is humour, even as serious issues are brought into the story. 

Lady Marigold Fairfax, who hides her real self behind outlandish fashion and feathers, is amazed when Sir Merritt Livingstone sees through her disguises…..

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

I cannot recommend A Beautiful Disguise highly enough to anyone who enjoys this genre.

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

VOICE OF THE ANCIENT by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 15/8/23

CONNILYN COSSETTE has done it again with VOICE OF THE ANCIENT, the first novel in her The King’s Men series! The story takes place in 1043BC and is based on 1 Samuel 8:10-22, and goes through Yahweh’s choice of Saul son of Kish as His first anointed king of Israel and Saul’s war against the Amonites. As it was said amongst his supporters, “Our enemies would think twice before going up against such a man”,  Others said, “We can only pray that he will inspire the tribes to put aside long held differences and embrace the Torah as the tie that binds us.” 

The characters are beautifully portrayed and the novel is full of biblical truth and wonderful stories about the patriarchs told by Avidan, son of the Levitical song writer, Ronen ben Avidan. After runing away with his cousins to fight in Saul’s army, in spite of the fact that those in Levitical service are banned from going to war, he is disillusioned with the carnage and remembers Yahweh, the One who sees and the One who hears, and leads Keziah to know Him as well. 

Keziah has run away from an arranged marriage and Avidan is looking for his youngest cousin who is missing, and the two of them band together in their travels….

It is a story about love, sacrifice, courage and redemption. These words come from one of Ronen’s songs, “The anointed one shall abide by the counsel of the Most High. The voice of the Ancient One to light his step.” …..

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

I cannot recommend this very special 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 LOVE SCRIPT by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 1/8/23

THE LOVE SCRIPT is the first novel in the Love in the Spotlight series by TONI SHILOH. It is a most enjoyable read with great characters and a strong Christian message.  I cannot recommend this lovely book highly enough.

Nevaeh Richards is a hair stylist who works in Hollywood. One of her clients is Rosie Booker, Lamont Booker - The Sexiest  Man Alive’s -  mother. When a  photo is taken of Lamont helping Nevaeh down the front steps of his home, his Christian faith is comprmised. They start fake dating at the suggestion of his agent Bryan, and Nevaeh’s life is never the same. Hounded by the paparazzi, abused on line, she loses her job at The Mane Do and has to move out of the apartment she shares with a friend who is trying to use the siruation to her own advantage.

They start really dating in order to get to know one another, and when they develop feelings for one another they each feel convicted that they need to not only repent before God, but come clean no matter the cost to Lamont’s reputation.

I like Nevaeh’s dry wit and the way their dialogue is full of well known quotations from their favourite films. I also like the way their individual relatioships with the Lord are described. I love Ms Rosie, Nevaeh’s parents and Lamont’s two praying friends, who contrast well with the falseness and worldliness in the film industry.

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