THESE EMPTY PLACES by SARAH LOUDIN THOMAS

 THESE EMPTY PLACES by SARAH LOUDIN THOMAS is a beautifully written novel that takes place at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, starting in 1916 and ending with the epilogue in 1961. The characters are great and their emotions and relationships are very well portrayed. There is also a strong Christian message, about love, forgiveness and what is important in life, running through the book. ….

Claire, who has had two great loves in her life and is experiencing romantic love for the third time, is a great help to Lena in her marital problems. The following is a quotation between them at the end of the novel,“Thank you”, Lena whispered (to Claire). “For what?” “For teaching me what real treasure looks like.” The relationship between these two women is inspirational……

I loved every part of These Empty Places and literally could not put the book down. I am not going to tell you amy more for fear of spoiling things for you. It is a lovely story and I cannot recommend the book highly enough. 

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

THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS by JOCELYN GREEN

Publication date 7/7/26

 THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS is the third novel in the On Central Park series by JOCELYN GREEN but it can easily stand alone. The novel kept me rivetted with the descriptions of the dangers faced by Ivy Malone after her story of the wealthy socialite Adeline King nee Molly Kelly attracts people from Adeline’s former life of crime……..

Added to this is the problem of her cousin Gina’s immigration from Italy. Here we see how some women immigrants are treated unscrupulously by so-called immigration specialists……

Ivy’s friend,Tom Lightfoot, is a caring young man who becomes her protecter. He suffers from shellshock from the war. Ivy, who has no family left, draws strength from her friends, and Tom in particular, until she realises that true strength comes from the Lord…..

The history of the time is well documented, the characters and their emotions are well portrayed and there is a strong Christian message. I cannot recommend this exciting Christian historical romance 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.

IN THESE HILLS by TAMERA ALEXANDER

Publication date 8/9/26

 IN THESE HILLS by TAMERA ALEXANDER is a beautifully written historical romance novel with unforgettable characters, nail-biting suspense, and tragedy, as we follow suffragist Josephine Dunham as she runs away from Atlanta Georgia, where a suffrage meeting has turned dangerous, to the small town of Lynchburg……

Dodge Coburn has lived in Lynchburg all his life. He runs Jack Daniel’s cattle farm. He is passionate about animals and his deceased sister’s daughter, the feisty nine year old Bethie. He has an aversion to suffragsists because of what happened to his sister Kathleen. …..

The only employment for Josephine is as bookkeeper to the famous Jack Daniel. Working in a distillery goes agasst her convictions but she gradually learns that men are not all villains, and in her friendship with Dodge she learns that showing grace is more important than followng hard held convictions. She s shown so much grace by him, Uncle Jack and her friends at Miss Mary’s boarding house that she feels guilty about the lie she is living…….

Josephine is terrified of being arrested for killing the mayor of Atlanta’s son, even though it was in self defense, and makes up a story about an abusive husband, which no one really believes……

There is a strong Christian message of God’s faithfulness, largely based on psalm 56:8 “You number my wanderings;; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” which helps Josephine in her suffering………

I cannot recommend this truly inspirational novel highly enough.

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

CONSPIRACY by COLLEEN COBLE

Publication date 7/7/26

CONSPIRACY is the third novel in the Sanctuary series by COLLEEN COBLE, and, although it can easily stand alone, I am glad I have read the first two  books and have come to know the characters.

The story is not only full of suspense, mystery and romance, but the setting in the animal sanctuary with all the amazing animals is powerful. The theme of family and belonging is very strong, not only as far as people are concerned but also in the lives of the animals. I love the family oriented lemurs and the powerful big cata. The fact that a group of lemurs is called a conspiracy ties in well with the conspiracies and secrets surrounding the murders of Paradise and her brother Drew’s parents.

There is also a good Christian message as Paradise and Blake learn to trust the Lord in the hair-raisng situations they find themseves in.

I cannot recommend this great 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. 

SHATTERED by DR DAVID JEREMIAH

 Publication date 16/6/26

SHATTERED is the second novel in the Vanished series by DR DAVID JEREMIAH and I can’t wait for the next one! It is an exciting and gruelling read as we see the rise of the Antichrist and False Prophet, who use the Trident group to control those who have been left behind after the Rapture of the church. We also see the minitry of Abigail Hart and the World Wide Way, which consists of like-minded believers, as opposed to her “Uncle” John Haggerty, a doctor who joins the Trident Group and is caught up in a world of lies. There is also Saul Katz, who has become a believer in Yeshua, to name a few of the characters. ……

The author is a well known Bible teacher who is well versed in End Time prohecy, and the story is totally based on the truth of God’s Word. The book is full of relevant verses, mostly from Daniel and Revelations, which help us to understand the coming horrors of the Great Tribulation.

I cannot recommend this brilliant book 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.

THE HEIRESS AND THE WOODSMAN by CHRISTINE HILL SUNTZ

 Pubication date 11/8/26

THE HEIRESS AND THE WOODSMAN by CHRISTINE HILL SUNTZ is a beautifully written historical romance novel which takes place in Canada in 1837 against the backdrop of the rebellion. 

Charlotte Carruthers and her younger brother Simon have grown up playing the parts of Robin Hood and Little John in the woods around Edenbrook and the idea of taking from the rich to help the poor has taken root in Simon. Now Simon has disappeared and there are runours that he may have joined the rebel army, putting the ownership of Edenbrook at risk. Charlotte takes off on horseback to find him and save his inheritance. En route she has trouble with her horse losing a shoe and then with members of the rebel army, and is rescued by Joshua Robertson, who is on a mission of his own to save his indentured brother Henry. They set off together in Joshua’s cart, meeting many very interesting characters on the way……..

Both Joshua and Charlotte have suffered tremendous rejection, and as they travel through dangerous and rough terrain, they confide in one another and their friendship grows…….

I love the characters, the vivid descriptions of the Canadian setting and history, and the strong Christian message of hope running through the story. I cannot recommend this lovely read 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.

FAITHFUL OF HEART by TRACIE PETERSON

 FAITHFUL OF HEART is the first novel in the A Minnesota Legacy series by TRACIE PETERSON. The story takes place in Minnesota in the late 1800’s, after the American Civil War that left so many widowed, orphaned and homeless. Dr Roman Taylor and Judith Stanford are both filled with compassion for the destitute, and each in their own way work tirelessly to help those in need, him with his medical training and her with her wealth. They are strongly attracted to one another, but will Roman ever be able to forgive Judith’s grandfather for causing his familymso much pain?…..

When Judith is summoned by James Ashton, the  grandfather she has never met who cut her father off for marrying a woman he considered below his station, to Minnesota, she first of all refuses to go. When Norbert Black, her grandfather’s lawyer, approaches her with a large bank draft from his employer that she can use in her charity work,she reluctantly goes with him……

The story is beautifully told, the characters well portrayed and the strong Christian message of forgiveness and redemption, backed up by Scripture verses,  is excellent.

I cannot recommend this lovely read 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.

THE GOOD FORTUNE OF MISS ROBBINS by MELANIE DICKERSON

Publication date 17/5/26

THE GOOD FORTUNE OF MISS ROBBINS by MELANIE DICKERSON is a beautiful Regency romance novel with a lovely story and unforgettable characters. There is also a gentle Christian message running through the book.

Charlotte Robbins longs for love and family, having been orphaned when she was five years old. She grows  up at Mrs Southey’s school for young ladies and ends up teaching there. Although she is happy and has good friends, she longs for adventure. She bravely applies for a position as governess to look after Lord Brookhaven’s seven year old siblings. …..

William, the Earl of Brookhaven, has grown up with distant, unloving parents and spent most of his life at a strict boys’ boarding school.

These two unlikely people have a great deal in common, in spite of being at opposite ends of the social scale. William finds Charlotte refreshing and honest,  and far more interesting than the spoilt and selfish young women who are looking to catch a titled husband……

When Charlotte inherits a fortune and goes to London to meet and mix with the ton, things change for them both…….

There are secrets, there is unkind gossip, and Charlotte finds that being rich can be dangerous and often attracts the wrong kind of attention…..

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable 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.

WHITEOUT by LYNETTE EASON and DANI PETTREY

 WHITEOUT consists of two thrilling romantic suspense novellas, each of which has well defined characters and a good Christian message.. Be ready for a roller coaster ride as you read BURIED in SHADOWS by DANI PETTREY and SNOWBOUND SECRETS by LYNETTE EASON. Both stories are fast-paced and  absolutely unputdownable, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

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 SPY KEEPER OF MARSEILLE by ROSEANNA M WHITE

 Publication date 7/7/26

THE SPY KEEPER OF MARSEILLE by ROSEANNA M WHITE is a beautifully told love story that takes place in occupied France against the background of WW11.

Zelie Bellerose is passionate about her country and wants to make sure sure her children grow up in freedom. She works as a spy for Alliance, part of the French Resistance under Navarre’s leadership  eventually taking his place …….

Marcus Laurent is a well known musician who is introduced to Zelie when he is released from a POW camp in Germany. He becomes a useful member of Alliance, using his position as leader of a youth orchestra to travel widely, picking up information and passing on coded messages to M16 in London……

Both Marcus and Zelie are passionate about music. In fact Marcus’ playing helps Zelie cope with her responsibilities and her worry about her children and mother’s safety……

As they desperately try to evade the enemies that are closing in on them, the members of Alliance, under Zelie’s competant leadership, deal with betrayal, imprisonment and loss, with great courage. never giving up on their mission to save their country. …..

In response to Marcus’ faith in God, Zelie learns to pray again, and we also see Marcus’ unconditional love and compassion…….

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

I cannot recommend this thrilling and inspirational read 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.

DAUGHTER OF THE REBELLION by JAMIE OGLE

 Publication date 12/5/26

DAUGHTER OF THE REBELLION by JAMIE OGLE is a thrilling read which brings to mind the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I cannot recommend the novel highly enough for the exciting story that brings to life the brutality of the ludi,  with the history of ancient Rome, where, in spite of the acceptance of Christianity, idolatry, violence and slavery are still very much the order of the day. There is also a strong Christian message of deliverance against all odds as Telemachus and his fellow monks stand up for the underdog……

Felix and Adel’s relationship is beautifuly described together with their emotions. We see how the past has affected each of them…….

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

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