THE FAULT BETWEEN US by STEPHANIE LANDSEM

Publication date 4/12/25

THE FAULT BETWEEN US by STEPHANIE LANDSEM is set at the Yellowstone National Park in 1959 at the time of the Helgen Lake earthquake and tells the story of the three Reilly sisters and their bravery as they fight to save each other and other victims of the disaster.  In fact the flood is a turning point in their lives, changing their attitudes towards one another and life in general. There is much prayer and repentance in the face of the horrific situation they find themselves in. The Christian message is strong, based largely on Psalm 46 verses 2 to 4 and verse 8, about God’s might and His protection. It is a story of forgiveness, trust, hope,redemption, family dynamics and second chances.

In the descriptions we are made aware of the magnitude of God’s creation.

This is a beautifully written book with a powerful message, and one I highly recommend.

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

VANISHED by DR DAVID JEREMIAH

Publication date 1/7/25

VANISHED by DR DAVID JEREMIAH is a novel written by a well known Bible scholar, an expert in last days prophecy and Biblical truth, and is totally based on the Word of God. It is a wake up call as we see how the lawlessness described in the book lines up with that of today. The characters and their emotions are very well portrayed.

Major General John Haggerty of the United States army is the commander of the Potential Pandemis Task Force. There is a new type of corona virus in Europe and he is trying unsuccessfully to halt its progress. He takes his job very seriously.  He is  a man who is doing his best, in his own strength, to make life better for everyone. It is almost as though he is trying to make up for the way he failed his family. His executive officer and best friend,  Caleb Johnson, is a committed Christian who lives his faith and is trying to get through to his troubled friend ……..

The story is about the choices we make, family dynamics and the battle between good and evil.

I cannot recommend this wonderful book strongly enough.

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

LOVE AND ORDER by JENNIFER UHLARIK

LOVE AND ORDER is a very apt name for the most enjoyable and exciting novel by JENNIFER UHLARIK. What a great story and what interesting characters! The scene is set in Cambria Springs in 1873 where Calliope Braddock, an under cover Pinkerton agent going by the name Kezia Jarrett , and her partner Joe Trenamen, whose under cover name is Stephen Nesbitt, are looking for a killer responsible for the murder of seven women countrywide, the latest two murders taking place in Cambria Springs. Callie is also looking for her older brother and sister from whom she was separated fifteen years ago on an orphan train…….
There is murder, kidnapping, more than one courtroom scene, a suspicious sheriff, a medicine show and more than one romance. We also see how the main characters come to rely on the Lord for His guidance and protection……
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this lovely book strongly enough. 
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE by ELIZABETH MUSSER

Publication date -3/6/25

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE is the third novel I have read by ELIZABETH MUSSER, and I definitely will not miss any of her books in the future!  She has a beautiful way of writing, strongly based on her Christian faith and her love and understanding of God’s chosen people, the Jews. Reading  of the young Jewish gitl Delphine’s trust in God as she encourages her friend Rene by singing the Jewish Songs of Ascent, really touched my heart. 

The story takes place in 1944 at the time of Operation Dragoon in Provence against the backdrop of the German occupation, antisemitic horror, and betrayal…..

The characters are unforgettable, from Monsieur Martin who runs  the Martin network saving Jewish children from the Gestapo, his army chaplain son Peter who prays for his men, seeing to their physical as well as spiritual needs, to the beautiful and caring Isabelle and the other brave members of the French Resistance, to name but a few……

There are strong themes of rebuilding what is broken, as we see the destruction of Sisteron by friendly fire, and the rebuilding of the Camp Between the Hills, according to Isaiah 61:4 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.” There is also the rebuilding of broken people and relationships, with God as well as with one another, with forgiveness and God’s grace providing the key. Another very apt scripture used by Peter with the fearful soldiers is “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. As Isabelle’s father used to say “courage is not the lack of fear, courage is fear that has said its prayers.”…….

There is so much I could say about this exceptional and inspirational book but I will not 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 compleely my own.

THE WOMEN OF OAK RIDGE by MICHELLE SHOCKLEE

Publication date 9/9/25

THE WOMEN OF OAK RIDGE by MICHELLE SHOCKLEE is the sensitively written account of a young woman, Maebelle Willett, who goes to Oak Ridge Tennessee in 1944 to work for the secret war effort named the Manhatton Project, which was apparently going to end the war.

Her niece, Laurel, who has chosen to write her thesis on the psychological effects of helping in the production of the atomic bomb, comes to stay with her Aunt Mae in 1979 hoping to gain information for her thesis. Although they get on well Laurel cannot understand why her aunt is reticent, even fearful, of sharing her experiences……

The two timelines, 1944 and 1979, blend well in telling an amazing story of friendship, love, duty, hard work, corruption, fear and blackmail. 

The characters are very real and their emotions are strongly portrayed.

The book is enfolded in a strong Christian message based on John 8:36 “If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

I cannot recommend this lovely, interesting and inspirational novel 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.

AN UNEXPECTED GRACE by TRACIE PETERSON and KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE

Publication date 20/5/24

AN UNEXPECTED GRACE is the third novel in The Jewels of Kalispell series by TRACIE PETERSON and KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully written book, with unforgettable characters and a strong Christian message on which it is based.

Both Johanna Easton St John and Parker Bennett are eager to follow the Lord’s leading in their lives, using their God- given ralents to His glory……

When Parker comes back to Kalispell in 1905 with the Franklin Travelling Theatre Group, a famous actor who has not only lost Johanna, his first love, but also seems to have lost  his first lost love for His Lord and Saviour, he has many things to put right in his life. First of all with his mother and sister, Cora, after not being home when his beloved father died, and then to see how he can help the widowed Johanna who is battling with a toddler and sick father. It also seems as though their little family’s lives are in danger……..

I love the way the authors take us right into their characters’ emotions…….

There are a couple of villains and many twists and turns in the story with the suspense making things very excitng. There are also some lovely characters such as matchmaking Marvella and three year old Emily St John ……

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.

THE STORIES WE CARRY by ROBIN W PEARSON

Publication date 7/10/25

THE STORIES WE CARRY by ROBIN W PEARSON takes place in  Glory Pryor ‘s precious bookstore, By the Book, in the small town of Gilmore. The story

is full of mystery and secrets buried in the hearts of characters, whose interactions uncover lies and hurts, hatred and jealousy. I like the discussions about quotations, which can turn quite ugly, and the underlying Scriptures that often come up in the most secular of novels. I love five year old Bennett who seems wise beyond his years and who often shows more grace than his mother……

This is a really lovely book which I cannot reommend highly enough for the great story, unforgettable characters and strong Christian message of forgiveness, family, unconditional love and redemption.

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