MATRIARCHS by PAIGE ALLEN

 MATRiARCHS by PAIGE ALLEN is one of the best women’s Christian teaching books I have read. It is so encouraging as the author dives into the lives of the matriarchs of Genesis, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, showing us what we can learn from these mothers of our faith, and shows us what we can learn from them, with understanding and no condemnation, as she tells us about her life and the times she herself has missed the mark! She also compares Eve and Mary and how their different responses to God’s promises have affected the human race……

This is the opposite of a self help book, In fact it is entirely the opposite! 

The book is divided into sections which include a summary at the end of each part and questions, which make the book suitable  for a discussion group.

I cannot recommend this truly 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.

SHE WILL END THIS by COLLEEN COBLE and RICK ACKER

Publication date 10/11/26

 SHE WILL END THIS by COLLEEN COBLE and RICK ACKER is an exciing political thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end.   It was a real roller coaster ride which certainly kept me guessing, with interesting characters, some romance and a very well thought out plot. There is also a good Christian message running through the story.

I cannot recommend this excellent read strongly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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.