SPLENDOR OF THE LAND by CONNILYN COSETTE

Publication date 5/8/25

SPLENDOR OF THE LAND is the third novel in the King’s Men series by CONNILYN COSETTE. It is one of the most beauriful books I have read in a long time! It really spoke to me as all of this author’s books have done. There is biblical truth, emotional depth, suspense, adventure, betrayal, sacrificial love, bravery, and romance, all against the backdrop of the first book of Samuel chapter fifteen and verse six, where Saul warns the Kenites to leave their homes and lands as he is about to come against the Amelekites who are living among them. This decree, to destroy the Amelekites,  has come from Yahweh through the prophet Samuel, to finish what the Israelites had been told to do when they came into the Promised Land so many years before.

Gavriel, a soldier under Yonatan in King Saul’s army, has finally caused his commader to discipline him harshly for his drunken and reckless behaviour by sending him away to help Emmet, a captain who despises him, to help move the Kenites to safety. It is there that he meets his “little dove” Zahava,, and his life will never be the same!…….

The beautiful, although crippled, Zahava, is a brillian maker of red gold jewellery. Her father, Barzel, has taught her secrets handed down by their Kenite ancestors, because he is losing his sight. Her father is a godly man whi, with her mother, follows Yahweh closely. He is particularly protective of his family, especially his damaged middle daughter. Zahava’s mother tells her here how she got her name: “ “You father named you not for the gold that men pull out of the ground by the sweat of their brows, Zahava, ……but for that golden star shining like a beacon - like a blessing from on high - throughout the long hours he waited outside the tent, listening for your first cry.” “  Zahava says “ From my earliest memories my mother had sung a song about how the Creator had fashioned me with elements far stronger and more precious than pure gold,  just as he’d made that beautiful star with no more than a word from his mouth.”

Forging, blacksmithing and goldsmithing form an integral part of the story, and we are reminded of God, our Creator, who is forever refining us into His own image.

This novel really makes the Bible come alive and gives us so much background history to that single verse. I cannot recommend Splendor of the Land highly ebough.

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

DESIGNED WITH LOVE by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 1/7/25

DESIGNED WITH LOVE is the second novel in the Hope of Cheyenne series by TRACIE PETERSON, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully told story of the redemptive power of God’s love, with two lovely romances and wonderful characters, as well as some intrigue……

The tragedy that occurs at Emma Johnson’s wedding to Tommy Benton changes her from a rather shallow, fun-seeking, young woman, into a seeker of the truth. When she returns to Cheyenne with Tommy’s brother Colton and his sister Rosie, she has a strong desire to make amends for her rebellious youth…….

I love the way the godly people in Cheyenne, together with Emma’s new faith and his sister’s childlike trust in the Lord draw Colton, the dedicated businessman, to seek the truth for himself.

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable and inspirational novel 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.

THE UNDERCOVER HEIRESS OF BROCKTON by KELLY J GOSHORN

Publication date 1/8/25

THE UNDERCOVER HEIRESS OF BROCKTON by KELLY J GOSHORN is the heartwarming story of two people of different social status joining together to help those affected by the horrific fire at the Grover Shoe Company in Brockton.in 1905. When firefighter Leo Erikson dances with heiress Henrietta Maxwell at the annual firefighters’ ball, although sparks fly, neither of them know what good friends they will become or just how much they have in common with their desire to help those in need as well as a shared faith in God. When Etta literally drops out of a tree on top of Leo, dressed in men’s clothing, with a skewed false eyebrow, he realizes that she is also a reporter for rhe Enterprise called Henry Mason ………

I love their sweet relationship, the ragging and support Leo gets from his firefighter father and brothers, and Etta’s determination to succeed in a man’s world.

There is heartache and betrayal, and of course the unavoidable hint of scandal…….

This is an emotional story told against the backdrop of heartbreaking loss.

I highly recommend the novel as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

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

EDGE OF TRUTH by JANICE CANTORE

Publication date 17/2/26

EDGE OF TRUTH by JANICE CANTORE is an exciting thriller with great characters and a strong Christian message of redemption and forgiveness running through it. Not only the forgiveness of others but of one’s salf as well! This is a well written story which will grip you until the last page. 

Lainie Jensen, a detective in Long Beach, and F.B.I. agent Ben Isaacs  are working a case together, trying to put Dallas Vine away for good. He has evaded justice too many times, and when both Lainie’s sister Evie and Ben’s partner and best friend go missing, the stakes are even higher. When Evie’s husband Stan comes under suspicion, things become really interesting…..

I cannot recommend Edge of Truth 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.

PROWL COLLEEN COBLE

Publication date 4/11/25

PROWL is the second novel in the Sanctuary series  by COLLEEN COBLE, and another exciting story that takes place at the Lawson’s Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve in Nova Cambridge, Alabama. We come across many of the characters from the first book, including Paradise Alden, her soon to be fiance  Blake Lawson, his mother Jenna and younger brothers, Isaac and Levi, who are all desperate to save the preserve and all the animals against vicious threats and even murder, which are causing financial problems from bad online reviews. Somehow Paradise’s unfortunate childhood, largely spent in foster care after her parents’ murder when she was eight, is involved, as she is being threatened as well…….

The descriptions of the setting and the animals are really lovely, and there is also a sweet romance. I particularly like the strong Christian message of trusting God running through the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I do not want to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend this gripping and inspirational novel highly enough.

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

OF SILVER AND SECRETS by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 3/6/25

OF SILVER AND SECRETS is the second novel in the Time’s Lost Treasures series by MICHELLE GRIEP, but it can easily stand alone. The book has all you need for a most enjoyable read - delightful characters, a sweet romance,  a couple of villains, treasure, superstition, a possible curse and a lovely message of hope in God and His wonderful mercy, all in the setting of an archeological dig at Inman Manor in Royston. 

It is 1889 and Eva Inman has been left to cope with a crumbling manor house and her blind sister, Penny, with no money to pay her taxes. She also carries a heavy load of guilt…..

Bram Webb, a childhood friend, with his uncle Pemberton, are professors of history at Trinity College, Cambridge. Bram is determined to unearth a Caelum Academia, the proof of a Christian hideout during the time of Roman persecution, in order to save his beloved, brilliant and forgetful uncle’s reputation……

With Bram’s return to Royston to work on the dig on her land, not only artifacts are brought to the surface! 

I don’t want to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this truly lovely book strongly enough.

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

THE HIGHLAND HEIST by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/7/25

THE HIGHLAND HEIST is the third novel in the Grace and Frederick romantic suspense series by PEPPER BASHAM, but it can easily stand alone. I loved all three novels and this is definitely no exception - what a delightful read with interesting characters, humour, witty dialogue, and of course the adventures, complete with villains and even the odd ghost, that seem to follow Grace around, testing her sleuthing skills!

Grace and Frederick are still on honeymoon. The book opens with “ Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Asrley, had married the equivalent, of this she was certain”, and carries on further with Grace reflecting that “married life certainly kept proving to be wonderfully exciting.” I love her sweet innocence and passion for life and the inagination and inspiration that comes from immersing herself in fiction. She and Freddie are unexpectedly well suited and adore each ther…..

Freddie decides to take Grace back to Harrington in the States to see her father and her sister Lillias, only to find her father bankrupt, their family home sold, and Lillias a suspect in her husband’s murder. Grace is determined to prove her sister’s innocence, and we see her kindness towards the  rude and jealous Lillias coming out strongly……..

The story is largely based on the importance of trusting in the Lord in all situations. This is an altogether lovely book and one I highly recommend.

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

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