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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Thursday, 16 October 2025

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.

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

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.

Sunday, 12 October 2025

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.

Monday, 6 October 2025

DARK DESIGN by NANCY MEHL

 Publication date 21/10/25

DARK DESIGN by NANCY MEHL is the perfect combination of a nail-biting thriller and a thrilling story of Christ’s redemption. I cannot recommend this ecxiting and well thought out novel highly enough.

Erin Delaney is a successful author with her novel Dark Matters having become a best seller. She is shattered to find that a serial killer has folowed closely the murder scenes in her book, as well as murder scenes in several other authors’ books, to commit four brutal murders. She is horrifed and feels guilty for having written the novel…….
She is called to Fredericksburg to help the FBI find the murderer. She stays with her friends Kaely and Noah Hunter who are trained profilers……..
She has recently undergone a very traumatic experience which has led to her living a rather lonely life in a cabin in Sanctuary with her devoted border collie Chester. The police chief, Adrian Nightengale, is a good friend and she spends a lot of time with him and his golden retriever Jake………
This novel will take you on a most enjoyable roller coaster ride with twists and turns that will keep you guessing…….
I am not going to 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 complerely my own.

Saturday, 4 October 2025

RESCUED HEART by ANGELA HUNT


Publication date 7/10/25

 RESCUED HEART by ANGELA HUNT is the beautiful story of Abraham and Sarah, with the richness of biblical prophecy and an overwhelming feeling of Father God’s love for and protection of His people, as He personally leads and guides Abraham and Sarah and brings His promises to pass in their lives, against all odds. As He says to a sceptical Sarah in Genesis 18:14, “Is anythimg too hard for the Lord?”…….

Although the author uses some other ancient writings and her imagination, the fictional part of the book adds to the narrative and in no way interferes with the authenticity of God’s Word. I love the way we are given bibllical truth about trust and patience, and the inevitability of biblical ptophecy coming topass, as we share in Abraham and Sarah’s incredible journey through life. May we strive to hear God’s voice as they did and share the truth of the Gospel in these tumultuous days in which we live……
The faith Abraham shows in being willing to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to Adonai is beautifully described in the book, with its parallel in what He did in sending His Son to earth to save us from our sin…….
This book really spoke tome and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers.

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

A SONG IN THE DARK by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE

 A SONG IN THE DARK by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE  is way up there with some of the best novels I have read! The way the author has given us Chaisley Frappier’s beautiful and courageous story against the background of Hitler’s horrific regime is quite incredible. What really good timing for this book, with the horrors being perpetuated today and anti Semitism stronger than ever  in the world. I pray  that this book will awaken Christians the world over to unashamedly stand by the words of Christ and spread His truth and love abroad……..

The characters are unforgettable, the story is riveting and the Christian message very strong. The musical theme is exceptional. 
We see how Chaisley, her grandmother, Rick, Mel and Dr G put their own lives at risk to stand up to Hitler and get as many “undesirables” as they can to safety. The fact that the Nazis could turn on Chaisley for her blindness is a very real danger. 
I do not want to tell you any more and spoil the read for you.
I cannot recommend this beautiful and inspirational read 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.

Saturday, 27 September 2025

THE LUMBER BARON’S WIFE by LYNN AUSTIN

Publication date 14/4/26

 In THE LUMBER BARON’S WIFE LYNN AUSTIN has given us an interesting and inspirational story of three women, Hannah Webster, wife of Dr John Webster, and Kate Abernathy, trophy wife of Henry the lumber baron, in the late 19th century, and Ashley Gilbert, an avid historian, whose husband David is a conservationist, in present time, who have all moved to a timber town on Lake Michigan. Not only is the novel rich in history, but the lives of these three very different women meld together to give us a wonderful story of bravery, redemption, friendship, marriage and forgiveness, as their emotions are revealed to us. Each of the women have life changing decisions to make………

As is the case with all of this author’s novels, the Christian message is beautifully explained and forms an integral part of the story.
The two timelines run into each other seamlessly as the truth about Kate Abernathy’s disappearance is revealed.
I cannot recommend this beautiful book 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.