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.

INTO A GOLDEN ERA by GABRIELLE MEYER

 Publication date 5/5/26

INTO A GOLDEN ERA is the seventh novel in the Timeless series by GABRIELLE MEYER. I have read and enjoyed them all, but this one is my favourite. 

Ally is a time crosser and the story starts in 1849 with her arrival in San Fransisco with her sick father and young sister Hazel. Her plan is for them to go into the Sierra Nevada foothills to pan for gold, wanting to make enough money for both her families. Having lost all their money en route they end up staying in a very questionable boarding house in Sydney Town where they are looked after by some great people, including Sam. a convicted murderer…….

In 1929 Ally is a film star and is the main actress in her father’s film studio, which is making a valiant effort to avoid bancruptcy with a production of Little Women. Ally plays the leading role of Jo, while dashing playboy Spencer Hayes plays the part of Laurie. They have been offered Spencer by L.B. Mayer as long as Ally agrees to a fake romance with him in  order to improve his image. Will this lead to real romance?……

Ally’s twenty-fifth birthday is fast approaching and she has a difficult choice to make, being torn between those she loves in both timelines.. 

The author has done a great deal of research into these two periods of history. It is a well written book with great characters and a good Christian message. I could not put the book down and highly recommend it.

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

THESE EMPTY PLACES by SARAH LOUDIN THOMAS

 THESE EMPTY PLACES by SARAH LOUDIN THOMAS is a beautifully written novel that takes place at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, starting in 1916 and ending with the epilogue in 1961. The characters are great and their emotions and relationships are very well portrayed. There is also a strong Christian message, about love, forgiveness and what is important in life, running through the book. ….

Claire, who has had two great loves in her life and is experiencing romantic love for the third time, is a great help to Lena in her marital problems. The following is a quotation between them at the end of the novel,“Thank you”, Lena whispered (to Claire). “For what?” “For teaching me what real treasure looks like.” The relationship between these two women is inspirational……

I loved every part of These Empty Places and literally could not put the book down. I am not going to tell you amy more for fear of spoiling things for you. It is a lovely story and I cannot recommend the book highly enough. 

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

THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS by JOCELYN GREEN

Publication date 7/7/26

 THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS is the third novel in the On Central Park series by JOCELYN GREEN but it can easily stand alone. The novel kept me rivetted with the descriptions of the dangers faced by Ivy Malone after her story of the wealthy socialite Adeline King nee Molly Kelly attracts people from Adeline’s former life of crime……..

Added to this is the problem of her cousin Gina’s immigration from Italy. Here we see how some women immigrants are treated unscrupulously by so-called immigration specialists……

Ivy’s friend,Tom Lightfoot, is a caring young man who becomes her protecter. He suffers from shellshock from the war. Ivy, who has no family left, draws strength from her friends, and Tom in particular, until she realises that true strength comes from the Lord…..

The history of the time is well documented, the characters and their emotions are well portrayed and there is a strong Christian message. I cannot recommend this exciting Christian historical romance 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.