THE SISTERS OF CORINTH by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 21/5/24

THE SISTERS OF CORINTH is the second novel in the Emissaries series by ANGELA HUNT and it is a fitting sequel to A Woman from Lydia. 

 The author has written a beautiful love story that takes place in Corinth in AD 60 between a follower of Yeshua and an idol worshipper.

When Marianna, the stepdaughter of the chief magistrate,  is chosen by Marcus, the son of  Servius Memius Lupis, the  new governor of Achaia, to be his wife, she is not sure what to do. She seeks wisdom in the letters of Paulos (Paul) as she is afraid of displeasing Adonai by marrying an unbeliever, although she is attracted by the kind and gentle young man.  She says, “I would rather die than allow love for a man to  overshadow my love for Yeshua.” and then when they are married she prays,  “Adonai, let me be a servant to this man, and may I lead him to the truth.”

We see the hatred and treachery of her stepsister who does all she can, even invoking  the power of Aphrodite, rto bring trouble into the marriage and claim Marcus for herself.  Although Marcus has said to Marianna, “I have met a hundred women like your stepsister,  but I have never met anyone like you,” will he be forced to give in to Prima’s demands? …….

I love the way the author uses scriptures, especially from Paul’s letters and stories from the Old Testament, as a basis for her book, and also how she shows us what life was like for early believers in Yeshua.

I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.

I cannot recommend The Sisters of Corinth strongly enough and am looking forward to the next novel in the series.

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

FINDING YOU by ROBIN PATCHEN

FINDING YOU is the third novel in the Wright Heroes of Maine series by ROBIN PATCHEN, but although I like reading the series in sequence,  it can easily  stand alone.

The story is exciting, the characters unforgettable and the Christian message strong. I guarantee you will not be able to put the book down.

The story starts with Muslim terrorist Hasan Mahmoud breaking into Sophia Chapman’s apartment in Munich to look for clues to the whereabouts of a stash of weapons that Saddam Hussein had hidden in Germany. There is an exhibition of Babylonian artifacts about to take place at the Munchen Meisterwerke Galerie where Sophie works designing art exhibits, and one of the exhibits is thought to contain a clue to show where the weapons have been hidden. Sophie also works at a mission where Muslim refugees are led to Christ and families are helped with food and clothing, which is another reason for Hasan to hate her…..

Bryan Wright meets Sophie in Shadow Cove where she is visiting her best friend Leila, Bryan’s brother Michael’s fiancee. Michael, the undercover CIA agent, has heard of something going down at the exhibition and asks Bryan, the antiquities professor, in absolute secrecy, to go back to Munich with Sophie and look through the exhibits for anything suspicious, not realising the danger he is putting them in…..

I like the way both Bryan’s and Sophie’s characters are developed throughout the story and how they bring out the best in each other.

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

I cannot recommend Finding You strongly enough and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

WHEN HOPE SANK by DENISE WEIMER

Publication date.

WHEN HOPE SANK by DENISE WEIMER is one  of the novels that feature American disasters that have affected the country and human life. It is a beautifully and sensitvely written account of the explosion and sinking of the river boat Sultana that was carrying freed prisoners from the Andersonville P.O.W. camp on April 27th 1825, shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Feelings are high in Arkansaw after the Confederate defeat and the arrival of Union soldiers at River Rest, the establishment belonging  to Lily Livingston’s uncle Thad, brings out hatred amongst the Southern sympathiers.

Uncle Thad, Lily and Lily’s young brother Jacob save the badly burned Lieutenant Cade Palmer, who is a qualified surgeon, and his friend James. Lily takes it upon herself to nurse Cade and to start  with he is worried that Lily is his enemy….

I like to see how Cade and Lily, whose walk with God is sadly lacking due to the horrors they have each been through, grows as they pray for one another and for  others……

It is a story about courage, unselfishness, understanding, compassion, forgivenes, hope and renewed trust in God, against a backdrop of evil, jealousy, hatred and fear.

I cannot recommend When Hope Sank highly enough. I found the book exciting and inspirational, giving one a great deal of food for thought.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGally from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

THE ROADS WE FOLLOW by NICOLE DEESE

Publication date 30/4/24

In THE ROADS WE FOLLOW, NICOLE DEESE gives us an in depth study of family relationships. The novel is beautifully written, with unforgettable characters and a strong Christian message of forgiveness, redemption and following God’s lead rather than doing things in one’s own strength.

Micah Davenport is a therapist who feels betrayed when a DNA test shows he is not  Frank Davenport’s son. When the opportunity arises to drive the famous singer Luella Farrow and her three daughters on a two week road trip to some of the places she and his recently deceased mother, Lynn, visited when they were inseparable, he takes it in both hands, wanting to find out if Luella knows who his biological father could be.

Reagan is the youngest Farrow daughter and is tired of being at Adele’s beck and call, always putting Farrow Music Productions, that is close to financial ruin largely due to the underhanded actions of her middle sister Hattie’s ex husband Peter. Reagan is a brilliant writer, having written a novel called The Sisters of Birch Grove, which she is afraid to publish under her own name. Adele sees Reagan’s writing as no more than a hobby…..

Micah shares his mother’s journals with Reagan and they become close, understanding and helping one another. Their mothers shared a history, going from best friends, writing music together and performing together, to not seeing one another for thirty years. The song Crossing Bridges that they wrote together  is going viral which is helping Farrow Music. Will this road trip help to heal the fractured Farrow family?……

The characters’ stories are beautifully knit together and the rawness of their emotions, together with their faith in God is very well portrayed.

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

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable and inspirational book 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.

A RUN AT LOVE by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 7/5/24

A RUN AT LOVE is the second novel in the Love in the Spotlight series by TONI SHILOH, but it can easily stand alone. What a lovely book - what more could you want than a sweet romance, lots of horses, and a strong Christian message.?! I cannot recommend the read strongly enough. There is also tension with family relationships  being threatened with collapse due to uncovered scandal, all of which takes place in the horse racing and training world. It is a story about inter racial adoption, rejection, uncondicional love, new beginnings, forgiveness, justice and repentance.

Piper McKinney is not sure where she belongs, being a black girl adopted by wealthy white parents. Her parents own the prestigious horse farm, Bolt Brook, where Piper’s best friend Tucker Hale works as a trainer. Piper, with her love for horses, feels she has inherited her adoptive parents’  DNA! At twenty-eight, desperate to make her own way in the world, she buys her own farm and a beautiful colt, Dream, who she employs Tucker to train. Although she is close to her parents, Tucker is the one person who really understands her……

Although Tucker is a man of faith he tends to make extensive plans instead of trusting God .……..

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.

LOWCOUNTRY LOST by T I LOWE

Publication date 3/9/24

I enjoyed LOWCOUNTRY LOST by T I LOWE so much that I did not want the book to finish! It is the story of unforgettable characters working together to bring life to a dead town and of making something beautiful out of what has been discarded. We see treasure being found in the strangest places and the restoration of people and relationships as well as the buildings. “This ghost town keeps on offering up secrets, “ …”tearing something up in order to put it back together.”

As their loneliness, grief and raw emotions are uncovered and they face their loss together, we wonder if Avalee and Rowan will ever get back together. and if Avalee will be able to accept life once more without running away. Will they be able to make a new start as “ staying put in the past had become a terrible burden”. 

This revitalization project is revitalizing more than the town of Somewhere and there is a subtle Christian message of restoration of families, love and never giving up on a person, running through the novel. I really enjoy the author’s writing style.

I cannot recommend Lowcountry Lost strongly enough.

I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are comletely my own.

A CHOICE CONSIDERED by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 2/7/24

A CHOICE CONSIDERED is rhe second novel in The Heart of Cheyenne series by TRACIE PETERSON, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully written historical romance in which the author, in her special way, takes us through her characters’  joys, sorrows and struggles. There is also a strong Christian message of hope and restoration.  

The story takes place in Cheyenne Wyoming in 1868 with many of the unforgettable characters from the first book. With the exodus of many of the roughnecks, yand some of the saloons and houses of ill repute having moved out of the area, the town is much safer than it used to be.

Melody Doyle lives with her railway worker father, Clancy, in a tent. Father and daughter are very close and when Melody decides she would like to remain in Cheyenne when her father is well enough to return to work, her father refuses to leave her until she has a husband to look after her. Clancy Doyle, who has a strong gift of discernment, chooses several men from the district to court Melody……

Charlie  Dekker .is the new manager of his father’s bank in Cheyenne but, although he takes his position seriously, his real passion is teaching……

The strory is exciting and the romance is sweet. I cannot recommend this delightful and thought provoking novel with its stron emphasis on unconditiinal love, friendship and strong family bonds, 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.

LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS

Publication date 3/9/24

LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS is not only an exciting suspense novel but it is also an in depth study of human nature as Carrington Reed, a hostage negotiator, and Levi Ehrlich, an investigative reporter, lay their lives on the line to not only intervene in a hostage situation, but also to go the extra mile  in bringing healing to the Kendrix family by finding out the truth and finding justice for them. With Levi’s curiosity and Carrington’s compassion these two very brave “outliers” are well matched in their search for Timothy Kendrick’s murderer and the secrets that lie behind his death. As they work together will their growing friendship and similar goals turn into something more?…….

I really like Levi’s strong faith in Yeshua and the fact that he belongs to a Messianic church where the joy of the Lord and the strong message of salvation at the service she goes to affect Carrington whose faith in God has virtually disappeared.

I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.

There are many surprises and the nail-biting tension will keep you guessing right to the end.

I cannot recommend this well written, thrilling, suspense-filled novel strongly 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.

A NOBLE SCHEME by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 19/3/24

A NOBLE SCHEME is the second novel in the Imposters series by ROSEANNA M WHITE. Like the first novel, it is beautifully written and it is great to come across the characters we came to know and love in A Beautiful Disguise. Although it can stand alone, I suggest you read the books in sequence. I cannot wait for the third and final book in the series.

Full of emotion, exciting, and with a strong Christian message, A Noble Scheme has everything that makes for a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

The story takes  place in 1909-1910  with the Imposters looking for a young boy that has been kidnapped from Fellsbourne, Lord Wilfred’s country estate. The kidnapper took the wrong boy, a poor relation’s son, and the hard hearted Lord Wilfred refuses to pay the ransom to set him free……

We see how the loss of their little Jamie has affected Gemma with hatred towards her husband, and Graham with anger towards God. 

Grief over lost children is a major theme in the novel, together with the importance of forgiveness….

Things are not as they seem as we see the mystery unfold and the four friends trying to unravel the clues…..

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

I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

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

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 1/4/24

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP  is the third novel in the series but it can easily stand alone. I really enjoy this author’s novels for the gripping stories, wonderful characters and the strong Christian message running through them. 

This book has a real Dickensian feel about it - in fact I can just see Charles Dickens with a coroner called Mr Morttis! The description of London in the late 19th century is superbly done and one can really feel the tension and danger that Kit, who is a partner with her father in the Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency, and her husband Chief Inspector Jackson Forge, feel as they try to bring justice into the poorer areas of London where the criminal element is alive and well. Kit is facing a dilemma in that she has a baby girl, Bella, with whom she is not spending enough time. Should she give up her work and befome a full time housewife? Both she and Jackson adore their offspring and each other….

There is another romance in the story and we wonder if Inspector Charles Baggett will ever have the courage to court the lovely Martha Jones…..

In amongst the murder and mayhem there are some interesting characters such as the very strange Ezra Catchpole and the rather useless Inspector Ira Harvey - both of whom are totally underestimated by Jackson, bringing to light the fact that one should not be quick to judge. The headstrong Kit also learns a lesson after she decides  to help Mrs Charlotte Coleman, against her father’s advice and without praying for the Lord’s direction……

This exciting book, which is full of adventure, danger and suspense is a real page turner, and I cannot recommend The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane highly enough.

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

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER

Publishing date 12/3/24

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER is the second novel in her Texas Ever After series. I really enjoy the way this authot writes delightful love stories, this one having a hint of Cinderella, with great characters and a solid Christian message, that, like this one, often  have the odd villain, a nasty secret and plenty of suspense to keep you guessing!

The story takes place in 1889 at the Three Cedars Ranch in Palo Pinto County, Texas, where Samantha Dearing lives with her cattle baron father and her younger brother Clinton. She has come home from finishing school in Boston where she was sent by her father after her mother’s death. She is furious with her father for sending her away and also for arranging  a ball in her honour, to which he has invited some of the wealthiest bachelors, and she feels he wants to “auction her off to the highest bidder”…..

Asher Ellis is furious with Eli Dearing for chasing his beloved stepmother, Mama Bess, and his brothers out of their home after his father died. He is doing a bit of illegal reconnaissance when he leaves his boot behind!……

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

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable 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.

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT

Publication date 11/6/24

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT is a dual timeline novel, written in beautiful prose, that takes us through the joys and griefs of three generations of an African American family from Georgetown  Carolina, starting with Tabitha Cooper in 1915, and ending with her great great granddaughters, Mariah and Sabrina in the present day, who have come to Georgetown at their grandmother’s request to restore Tabby’s Meats & Sweets to its former glory. The depth of the author’s character analysis is outstanding. I particularly like the way she expresses their strong and practical faith in God…..

A strong sense of the strength of family and other relationships, hard work, restoration, and unconditional love is mixed with that of grief, betrayal and hardship.

I cannot recommend Bitter and Sweet highly enough as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

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

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 13/2/24

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS is the first novel in the Women of Midtown series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN. It is a most enjoyable read and I cannot wait for the next one! The characters and their emotions are beautifully portrayed and so is life in New York City in the early 20th century, especially the lives of those who work the night time shifts like Lieutenany Jonathan Birch, who keeps the city safe at night,  amd Dr Katherine Schneider, who is a qualified dentist and finishes work at  Parker’s Painless Dentistry at midnight,……

The story starts in 1913 with Jonathan walking Katherine home through Times Square to her rooms at the Martha Washington Hotel, bringing her gifts of delicious Italan treats. For Jonathan his whole life is the police fotce, but he hides a secret which could cost him his job and the beautiful Katherine, with whom he is desperately in love…..

With bombs going off at various strategic places, Katherine’s life is endangered when the newspaper runs with information she has brought to the police that a patient let slip when under the effects of laughing gas…..

We come across people like Katherine who has a loving and supportive  family and tends to see the nest in everyone, as opposed to Jonathan and Sean Gallagher, who come from sad and violent family backgrounds. …

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough for the great story, unforgettable characters, and subtle Christian message.

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

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY

Publication date 6/2/24

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY is not only a fast paced and chiiling thriller, but it is also an inspirational novel with a strong Christian message of redemption, the importance of choices made, forgiveness and second chances. The unforgettable characters, some with their  less than happy childhood and young adult years, show how the Lord restores those who put their trust in Him…

The plot is well laid out as former FBI forensic expert, Andi Forester, teams up with former conman Christian O’Brady and his partners in the family P I business,  to solve one gallery  heist after another, in which the criminals seem to be playing a game with them. Christian’s brother, Deckart,  teams up with FBI analist Harper Grace, Andi’s best friend, to solve Anne Marlowe’s murder and to  clear Andi’s name with the Bureau…..

All very exciting - and there is also some great romance….

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

I cannot recommend One Wrong Move highly enough as an all round enjoyable 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.

UP FROM DUST by HEATHER KAUFMAN

Publication date 23/1/24

UP FROM DUST by HEATHER KAUFMAN  is biblical fiction at its best. It is the story of Martha of Bethany, her early life with her widowed father, her studious younger brother Lazarus, and her handful of a younger sister, Mary. The author describes the life and customs of the time, and her analysis of the characters’ emotions draws one right into the story.

Part two of the novel takes us into Martha and her siblings’ friendship with this amazing carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth, who sees each one of them individually and relates to them where they are at. The biblical stoies are well told against the background of their friendship and the political climate of the times.

I like the way Jesus becomes real to each one of them and how they are never the same after meeting Him and experiencing His unconditional love and seeing the miracles He performs. …..

This novel, with its biblical truth, reflects the story of our walk with the Lord as we come to know Him as our Friend, Saviour and Deliverer…….

I cannot recommend Up From Dust 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.

COLD THREAT by NANCY MEHL

Publication date 23/1/24

COLD THREAT is the second novel in the Ryland & St. Clair series by NANCY MEHL, but it can easily stand alone. I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for the third and final book. Not only is Cold Threat exciting and literally “unputdownable”, but there is a strong Christian message flowing through it that really spoke to my heart! 

As we see the serial killer “righting wrongs” in his own delusional and diabolical way, we see how people in law enforcement like Dan, Tony and River, are committed to bringing justice in an evil world. As Tony’s mother, Beth, says to River ,“I believe bringing justice is a high calling. I thank God for people like Ray and Tony. And you.” And speaking of the words in Philippians chapter four verse eight, she adds,  “defending those who have been hurt by evil - bringing justice - is the enbodiment of that scripture”.

Tony St.Clair and River Ryland have left the FBI where they worked as trained profilers and are now in partnership in St Louis as private investigators. They both experienced trauma at the hands of the Salt River Strangler, which has affected them badly. We also see that he has not given up on his pursuit of River…..

Tony’s father, Ray, is determined to prove that the latest murder in Burlington  was committed by a copycat and not by the “Snowman”: whose first murder was committed in Des Moines twenty four years ago. Two of the more rescent murders in Burlington have the same MO and Ray has asked Tony and River to do a profile for him so that he can catch the murderer before there are any more victims. It is particularly important as it is December and heavy snow is predicted, making the conditions perfect for the man who has been dubbed the “Snowman.”……

I like to see how River enjoys family life with Tony’s parents, how she is growing in her faith and is even learning to forgive her parents for her messed up childhood. In fact the subject of dysfunctional family life plays a big part in the story.

I cannot recommend this enjoyable and riiveting 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.