AMBUSH OF THE HEART by MARY CONNEALY

 AMBUSH OF THE HEART  is the first novel in a new wextern adventure series by MARY CONNEALY, and I am looking forward to following the characters’ further adventures.The story is exciting, as Owne Riley and his fellow marshalls travel over mountainous terrain with their charges, one of whom is an escaped prisoner whose family members are determined to set him free again. Their other charges are the beautiful Delaney Bridger and her brother Boone, who are on their way to meet their formiddable parents at Fort D A Russell. 

There is adventure, romance, humour and faith in this well told story, making up an altogether enjoyabe 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.

ON LIVING STONE by HEATHER KAUFMAN

 In ON LIVING STONE, HEATHER KAUFMAN tells the story of Salomem wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John, the Sons of Thunder, from her childhood with her beloved father, a godly on stonemason who saw the hidden glory in stone and heard it sing, to becoming a follower of Jesus, witnessing His death and resurrecrion, as she says the “Glory under the grit and grime”. Salome’s struggles are very well portrayed as she deals with family dynamics and fear for her sons. I love the way Mary, Jesus’ mother, tells her how she needs to release her sons and cling to Adonai……

It is a truly beautiful novel in which the author faithfully follows Scripture and shows us the loving and compassionate Son of God interacting with mankind, choosing humble men as His disciples, stirring up belief in many by His love and miraculous acts, and hatred in many of the teachers of the Law.

To me it is a story of the birth and growth of discipleship as found in these words at the end of the book:“As you come to Him, a living stone — rejected by people but chosen and honored by God —  you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house . are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptible to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

“Together we are His house built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.” Ephesians 2:20.

Do not miss this wonderful novel! I cannot recommend it 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.

BEYOND THE CLOUDS by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 20/1/26

 BEYOND THE CLOUDS is the third novel in the Women of Midtown series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN, but it can easily stand alone. It is a story of second chances, bravery, and unconditional love against the horrific backdrop of WW1.  

Delia Byrne and Fynn Delaney grow up together in an orphanage where they fall in love, making plans for the future. Finn is not afraid of anything whereas Delia is naturally timid. Finn lets Delia down and she settles for a safe job as a paralegal while he becomes a pilot, fighting the Germans even before America joins the war. He is shot down over Belgium and his spectacular escape, albeit with a damaged leg, makes the news.

Delia is a pacifist who works for the Commission for the Relief of Belgium. When Bertie Houver brings Finn in to the CRB, hoping his hero status will encourage donations, Delia and Finn work closely together…….

When they end up in occupied Belgium, we see how the war has changed them both. We also see how their faith in God has grown…….

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

I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational  book 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 LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE by MELANIE DOBSON

 THE LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE by MELANIE DOBSON is a beautifully written historical romance novel spanning two timelines that flow seemlessly into one another, with a strong Christian message of redemption. There is mystery and betrayal, and there are secrets which Harper Rayne, an aspiring young film writer, feels has something to do with her orphaned mother. She is fascinated with the novels of Via Belle which she and her mother used to read together. She goes to the small town of Catawba, where Via Belle lived and where her mother grew up in an orphanage, to house and cat sit for her mother’s best friend Marcia. Here she gets drawn into Via Belle’s story and wants to make a film about her life…….

Finn Sterling is in charge of Haven House and the Via Belle trust, and on his first meeting with Harper, who is trespassing on the property, he threatens to call the police……..

In 1940 we meet Via Belle, the popular author of wholesome Christian romance novels, who seems to have lost her ability to create since losing her beloved husband. She is invited to speak at Winfield College where she autographs one of her books for a young student called Izzy and meets Dr Simon Sparrow, both of whom are to play a part in her future. She regains her creativity and meets her deadline, writing many more novels unril she disappears………

There is drama, suspense, danger and intrigue as well as courage and healing in this beautiful and inspiring novel which I cannot recommend 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.

HEARTS IN CIRCULATION by SARAH MONZON

 Publication date 18/11/25

In HEARTS IN CIRCULATION by SARAH MONZON we meet Hayley, Evangeline and Martha, the three librarians from An Overdue Match, together with a huge, rather grumpy mechanic from Turkey Grove, and many other delightful characters. The novel is a rollicking, laugh-out-loud, romcom with a deeper meaning and strong emotional input, based on the fact that no matter how hard we try to be worthy of the gift of life we have been givenn by doing good deeds, or “playing it forward”, as Hayley calls it, we mustn’t cheapen the free gift of salvation that Jesus died to give us……

Hayley Holt, a vivacious young woman, meets the monosyllabic, antisocial, gorgeous looking bear of a man, Levi Redding when the bookmobile she is driving breaks down on the way  to Turkey Grove. Forced to have her to stay with him, his opinion of his unexpected guest soon changes. Both lovers of the written word, I love the letters they write to each other and the way they understand and complement one another……..

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

I cannot recommend this charming,  romantic, and inspirational 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.

THROUGH EACH TOMORROW by GABRIELE MEYER

 Pblication date 4/11/25

In THROUGH EACH TOMORROW, GABRIELLE MEYER has used the concept of time crossing to create an exciting and inspirational read with the main characters, Charles and Drew, both time crossers, living in 1563 and 1883. We have four stories in one as their double lives and their double family commitments cause double the emotional strain. There is a strong Christian message about the all-encompassing power of God and the futiity of trying to manipulate Him for one’s own purpose! He has the perfect plan for our lives after all……

The author has done a great deal of research into  both the Gilded Age in America and the court of Queen Elizabeth the first at the time of the  plague that swept through London.

The characters are very well portrayed and the story moves seamlessly between the two time periods.

This is by far my most favourite of this author’s novels and I cannot recomend it 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 ROYAL,ARTISAN by TESSA AFSHAR

 THE ROYAL ARTISAN is the second novel in the Quiien Esther’s Court series by TESSA AFSHAR. It is a beautifully told story based on the book of Esther, full of Scripture, with most appropriate Bible verses ar the beginning of the chapters, and a strong message of the Fatherhood of God. The fictional parts of the story add interest and do not in any way take away from the truth of God’s Word.

I love to see the close friendship between Queen Esther and Sazana, the famous Jewish potter. Both of these strong women are orphans and have each been looked after by loving father figures. “They had both weathered an impossible loss as children, their lives upturned overnight. And they had both found the nurture of a good father after that loss.”

When the vile Lord Haman is executed, the king gives his pottery workshop to Esther, making Haman’s sons determined to get it back and kill Sazana. The queen sends Jadon, commander of her security, to try and find the spy at the pottery workshop and guard Sazana. This is awkward, to say the least, as he is the man who broke her heart five years ago……

There is an exciting mystery tied into Sazana’s past which could make all the difference to thesafety of the Jews in Persia……..

The setting for the story, thenwell  researched history of thentime, and the interesting characters, together with the strong Bible message, make for a truly unforgettable read. I cannot recommend this lovely book strongly enough.

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