A LIFE SO TRUE by TRACIE PETERSON

 Publication date 7/7/26

A LIFE SO TRUE is the second novel in the Minnesota Legacy series by TRACIE PETERSON and, although the book can easily stand alone,  I hidgly recommend that you read the first in the series as well for pure enjoyment.

It is July 1893 in Mineapolis and Evie Turner is back from Philadelphia where she completed her nursing training and is expected to join her doctor father, but she has a problem and is afraid of disappointing her parents by telling them that nursing makes her really ill. She is really good at fund raising for charity work, which is something her entire family is invested in, and it is at one of their fund raisers that she meets Maxwell Garrison, who is invested in lumber with his father. Unlike Evie, Max did not have a happy childhood, and is delighted to be embraced by the rambunctious and caring Turner family……..

There is a wonderful Christian message of redemption and the importance of forgiveness on which the  story is based. There is also sweet romance, tragedy, pride and suspicion - together with strong family ties…….

I cannot recommend this lovely 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,

THE RELUCTANT HEALER of HALIFAX by TERRIE TODD

 Publication date 1/8/26

THE RELUCTANT HEALER OF HALIFAX by TERRIE TODD is the sixth novel in the Enduring Hope series. In it the author tells the story of Pearline Campbell and Oliver Hamilton and their families and what they endured during and following the great explosion in Halifax on December 6th 1917.

The story is well told and the bravery and the emotional upheaval of all who survived the horror is well documented. There is also a strong Christian message running through the book.

I cannot recommend this amazing read 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.

THE DOGWOOD GOSPEL by CINDY MORGAN

Publication date 13/10/26

 THE DOGWOOD GOSPEL by CINDY MORGAN is the beautifully told story of a young girl’s discovery of her roots after experiencig an unloving adoptive father and a rigidly legalistic church upbringing. Her adoptive mother, Mama Rose, her “aunt” Fiona, playmate Bobby and precious horse, Lexi make her life bearable…….

Her journey of self discovery leads her to  Southland Carnival where she makes friends with a wide variety of  misfits and where she becomes a brilliant stunt rider……

Meanwhile Chief Cates is working a thirteen year old cold case and the disappearance of three young girls…….

I love books with horses ( unless they are sad) an exciting story, and interesting characters, and The Dogwood Gospel has all three! There is also a strong message of redemptive faith. I cannot recommend this lovely 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.

 Publication date 13/10/26

THE SEDALIA CODE by PATRICIA RAYBON is a well written and inspirational historical fiction novel, with unforgettable characters, which takes place in North Carolina during WW11. 

Laurette Lowe, a math teacher at the prestigious black finishing school,  La Porte Academy, has a great deal to overcome in spite of her brilliance as a mathematician. From a dirt poor home, with an unloving and critical mother, and the Jim Crowe restrictions, she is determined to find a place in the upper echelons of black society. Her life and ambitions change when she meets a charming coloured lieutenant, Nev Pierce, from Cape Butner and is asked to crack a code with an alarming message…..

It is a story about bravery, friendship and patriotism as these two make a plan with trusted friends to thwart the Nazis……

In amongst all this there is sweet romance and a strong Christian message of redemption, forgiveness and the really important things in life.

I cannot recommend this great 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.

THE GIRL FROM TOMORROW’S TOWN by NAOMI MUSCH

Publication date 1/6/26

 THE GIRL FROM TOMORROW’S TOWN by NAOMI MUSCH is an outstanding novel in the Enduring Hope series, based on the horrific train crash that happened on 22nd June 1918. when an empty troop train destroyed a train carrying members of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, killing and injuring many of them.  

The story starts with Lily Mae Dodge, a victim of the orphan train system, escaping a life of drudgery in Rock Springs, catching a train to Chicago to look for the mother who had given her up ten years ago. On the train she is befriended by Francis Basnett, a roustabout working for the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus. Both of them have suffered from rejection - Francis has an unusual eye disorder and Mae feels rejected by her mother. I love the way these two broken people set off to “tomorrow’s town” together, trusting in the Lord who says in Psalm 32 verse 8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye.”……

This is one of the most unforgettable books I have read! There is a wonderful message of hope, overcoming circumstances, forgiveness. unconditional love and faith in God running through it, and I cannot recommend the read 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.

THE BACHELOR SPY by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/7/26

 THE BACHELOR SPY is the fifth novel in the Grace and Frederick series by PEPPER BASHAM, and it has the same excitement and element of danger as the other four. There are many of the same characters, some new ones, and of course the inevitable villanous ones……

It is 1915 and Grace and Freddie are as much in love as ever. Sadly Freddie is away fighting in France and Grace is left in charge of a convalescant hospital for wounded soldiers on their country estate. 

There are some inexplicable burglaries in Freddie’s office and Grace’s sleuthing nature comes to the fore. She is relieved when Stephen Blake, Freddie’s cousin and best friend, arrives just in time to try and help solve the mysteries, which turn out to be very serious and point to there being a traitor in their midst…….

The story is fast moving, full of adventure, mystery and romance. There is a shipwreck, there are spies, and no one knowing who to trust. The conversation is lively and full of humour, and there is an excellent Christian message. I particularly like Grace’s loving, caring, nature and her delightful naivete.

I cannot recommend this lovely read highly enough.

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

EVERY GIVEN DAY by CATHY GOHLKE

 Publication date 8/9/26

EVERY GIVEN DAY by CATHY GOHLKE is a beautifully written novel which takes place mostly in Bennett House, a mansion in New York belonging to 

Russell Bennett, Gwen’s sister Marion’s handsome but innatentive husband. Gwen has come to look after their children while Marion is in a santtorium being treated for consumption. It is 1918, the first workd war is coming to an end and Spanish Flu is rife. It is an emotional time and Gwen, who has a meaningful reunion with her sister, is left in charge of the children when she dies. To start with Clara and Alistair are wary of Gwen’s arrival in their home, but they and the loyal Scottish housekeeper soon come to love her. The children’s welfare and her suspicions about their mostly absentee father’s business dealings  keep her on her toes, and when the flu attacks their household she barely manages to hold her life together…….

The story is informative with the author’s well documented history of the times. The book is full of relevant Scriptures as we follow the spiritual growth of some of the characters…….

I don’t want to tell you too much for fear of spoiling things for you. 

I cannot recommend this great 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.