PRIDE AND PRACTICALITY by PEPPER BASHAM

 Publication date 4/12/26

PRIDE AND PRACTICALITY by PEPPER BASHAM is an absolutely delightful Regency romance which closely follows Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, just as Sense and Suitability, the book in which we are introduced to the unforgettable characters, does Sense and Sensibility. The novel is more than just a rom-com. There is depth of character and a strong Christian message underlying the story. 

Arianna Reeves is rescued from the rake who destroyed her reputation by Thomas Reeves at a ball in Leeds. They meet up again in St Groves where she has returned to her family at Ravenscross and he is rector of Greenleigh chapel. She is wary of clergymen, but she soon finds that she and Thomas have a lot in common. They have the same passion for helping those in need, especially children……

Although she is afraid that her brother Simon, Viscount of Ravenscross, will not accept her, she finds he has changed since marrying Emmeline, the love of his life. It is harder to find acceptance in the social set…….

The story is beautifully told, with witty dialogue, the characters’ behaviour closely following those in Pride and Prejudice, Scripture references and the scrapes that the indomiable Arianna manages to get into……

It is a story about how love, mercy and grace can change situations…….

I cannot recommend this lovely read 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.

BOOKMARKED FOR LOVE by SARAH MONZON

Publication date  21/7/26

BOOKMARKED FOR LOVE is the third rollicking romance novel in the Checking Out Love series by SARAH MONZON, and I have enjoyed each one. It is great to meet up with the three librarians of Little Creek, Tennessee again.  

This ia Martha Aldridge, the children’s librarian’s, story. The book is laugh out loud hilarious in parts, as well as having a great deal of depth, with lovable characters and a gentle reminder of the part Father God plays in His children’s lives. …..

I love the dialogue between Martha and her childhood crush, Julian King, which is both serious and funny, and also to see them getting to know each other again as adults.The love Martha has for her young reader friends and her determination to keep the children’s programme open is good to see,……

I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil things for you.

This is a really lovely read and I cannot recommend 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.

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.