SHIELD OF THE MIGHTY by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 20/8/24

CONNILYN COSSETTE is an incredible writer of biblical fiction, and her love for the Lord, His holy land Israel and His chosen people, shines right through all she writes. Not only is it interesting to learn about what life was like in 1043 BC, but her character analysis is brilliant. Whilst SHIELD OF THE MIGHTY is the second novel in the King’s Men series and there are characters from preceding books, Shield of the Mighty can stand alone.

Zevi ben Natan, a captain in Saul’s army is sent by his commanding officer into Yehudite territory to enlist men into the king’s army, to gather tribute, and to find outstanding artisans to enhance King Saul’s court. The Yehudites are not happy about a Benjamite being king of Israel and there is a plot in Maresha, Zevi’s place of birth and one that hold unhappy memories for him, to replace Saul with  Yehudite king. It is in Maresha that he meets the beautiful perfumer, Yochana………

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

There is loyalty to king and country, courage, betrayal, unconditional love, and there are fierce battles…….

I cannot recommend this beatiful novel 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.

HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/10/24

HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS by PEPPER BASHAM is one of the loveliest novels that I have read this year. I really enjoy the author’s style and her portrayal of the characters’ emotions, and also the way the Christian message forms an integral part of the story. This is a story about wonder and hope, unconditional love and God’s redemptive power to save the lost and restore the broken.

Kizzie McAdams, pregnant and afraid, thrown out by her father, is running towards Oak Plains and Charles Morgan, her baby’s father, being chased by coyotes, when she is rescued by Joshua Chappell and taken in by his wife Nella, whose wise words, together with her mother’s bible, lead her to cry out to the Lord.

“You may not want to listen to someone like me, but if there’s anything I can do to make you love me, lord, I want to try. I…I aint got nobody else. And I need you. Even if its just the leftovers of Your love. I reckon they’re better than a feast anywhere else. I’ll take the scraps.” 

As Nella says, “Time and the Lord will make you stronger. If you let ‘em”, and that certainly takes place in Kizzie’s life as she endeavours to live for the Lord and others. I like the way she cares for the lost and broken when she moves to a nearby town to start afresh. Her she meets Noah Lewis and his mother who have also been broken by circumstances in their lives and who care deeply for those in need…….

That is all I am going to tell you for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend the novel 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.

SHELTERING YOU by ROBIN PATCHEN

SHELTERING YOU is the fourth novel in the Wright Heroes of Maine series by ROBIN PATCHEN and the sequel to Finding You and we come across many of the same characters, together with some we haven’t encountered before. The story is exciting and there is a strong Christian message running through it. I really enjoy the Wright family of six brothers who stand together to keep twins Leila and Jasmine, who they saved from the Iraquis, safe…..

When Jasmine asks Derrick to help her save her friend Basma and her little brother Rabie from their older brother Dari, she does not realise that she will bring danger to his whole family who have been nothing kind to her. She has never been accepted and loved and cannot understand that these people seem to find her worthy of love……

She longs to be free of her wicked old husband Khalid, but is not prepared to divorce him, even though she was forced to become his second wife. She says the only true freedom is in Christ and that Americans tend to take freedom too lightly.

There is betrayal, anger and hatred shown by her pursuers, as opposed to the unconditional love and acceptance she is shown by Derrick and his family……

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

I highly recommend Sheltering You as a nail biting roller coaster ride, with a great story, sweet romance and unforgettable characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

A TRUTH REVEALED by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 5/11.24

A TRUTH REVEALED is the third novel in The Heart of Cheyenne series by TRACIE PETERSON, and, while it is better to read the books in sequence and follow the original characters together with the new ones, it can also stand alone.

The story starts in 1868 with Laura Evans arriving by train in Cheyenne to stay with her father, Granite Evans, after hardly seeing him for ten years. She remembers his kindness  from her childhood, and it seems as though he is held in high esteem in Cheyenne. He has amassed a great deal of wealth and is generous with those less fortunate………

Gradually his true nature reveals itself and Laura and her preacher friend Wilson Porter unearth the truth, at great danger to themselves…….

I like to see how Laura and Will each deal with grief, and how they complement one another…..

This is a book with a strong Christian message, full of relevant scriptures. I found A Truth Revealed a most inspirational and exciting read, with an unexpected twist, sweet romance and loving friendships.

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 completely my own.