THE FIFTH AVENUE STORY SOCIETY by RACHEL HAUCK

Publication date 4/2/20
THE FIFTH AVENUE STORY SOCIETY is my new favourite novel by RACHEL HAUCK. It is an honest, real, story of broken lives and the importance of dealing truthfully with the past.
Five people are invited to a meeting of the Fifth Avenue Story Society. This gradually leads to close friendships where they, hesitantly at first, tell the truth about their life stories. None of them know where the invitation has come from, but we get the feeling that the mysterious Gilda has been sent by God to help them unravel their lives. I love the way these very dissimilar people form such a close bond and help one another along life's road.
The message is one of encouragement and second chances and of really allowing the truth to set you free.
It is a lovely book and one that I can highly recommend.



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ONE LITTLE LIE by COLLEEN COBLE

Publication date 3/3/20
ONE LITTLE LIE is the first novel in the Pelican Harbor series by COLLEEN COBLE. I have been looking forward to reading it for quite a while and am definitely not disappointed. In her inimitable way, the author has given us a feast of mystery, suspense and romance, with a subtle Christian message. One Little Lie is my new favourite book by this author and I can highly recommend it as a most enjoyable and exciting read!
Things are not as they seem in Pelican Harbor with a vigilante on the loose, some gruesome murders, and politics and jealousy in the police department where Jane Hardy has been made chief of police.
I love the way Jane's character has been portrayed and cannot wait for the sequel to come out next year to see how things work out for her, and of course for all the other interesting characters. In no way is One Little Lie a cliffhanger, but it is easy to get attached to the likeable people we come to know in the book!
It is a story about secrets and lies - when exactly does the sin of omission become a fully fledged lie? When is the best time to tell someone the truth, especially if to do so could have life changing consequences? The problem of cults is also addressed and we see the effect they can have on people, even after they have managed to escape and live a new life in the real world.




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THE BEST WE'VE BEEN by BETH K. VOGT

Publication date 5/5/20
THE BEST WE'VE BEEN by BETH K. VOGT is a Christian family drama that is the third and final novel in the Thatcher sisters series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
This is Johanna, the oldest and most difficult sister's, story. Without friends except for her sister Jillian, with whom she does not always see eye to eye, no longer engaged to Beckett who cheated on her, and pregnant with his baby, her well ordered life falls apart.
Jillian and her husband Geoff have issues. When Jillian finds life too hard, and her new found faith not giving her the answers she wants, her first reaction is to run away.
Payton, whose twin sister Pepper died in an accident when ahe was sixteen, is happily married to Zach, who has been a believer for a while, whereas she has only recently made a commitment to the Lord.
There's a lot more to the story in which family dynamics, jealousy, forgiveness, marriage, abortion, single parenting and the inability to have a child, are issues that are dealt with. Through it all there is a strong message of hope and I really enjoyed the book.
I can highly recommend The Best We've Been to anyone who enjoys this genre.



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VEILED IN SMOKE by JOCELYN GREEN

Publication date 4/2/20
VEILED IN SMOKE is the first novel in The Windy City Saga by JOCELYN GREEN, and I am really looking forward to the next books in the series. The story takes place at the time of the Great Fire of Chicago, and is one of both loss and restoration. It is a gripping story of two sisters who, against all odds, fight for justice for their father, a veteran of the Civil War, whose experiences in the war and in a POW camp, have affected him very badly and who has been charged with murder and placed in an insane asylum.
In spite of the heaviness of the theme, there is a strong message of hope. The author gets us involved with the characters as we see their faith in God being tested and refined by what they go through.
It is a book that I cannot recommend highly enough, for the exciting story, well researched history, great characters and strong Christian message.


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DRIFTWOOD DREAMS by T. I. LOWE

Publication date 1/6/20
DRIFTWOOD DREAMS by T. I. LOWE is the second novel in the series and in it we come across the characters we get to know in Beach Haven. I really recommend that you read the books in sequence for maximum enjoyment, but it could be read as as a stand alone. The author has a way of writing that really grips you and draws you into the story, and, although she deals with some harsh realities such as depression, there is hope and humour running through the book.
Josie Slater has had a crush on August Bradford since their school days. Dreaming of pursuing her art, as he has done most successfully, a tragedy makes her withdraw into herself, and give up her dream of going to art school. She is loving and kind, but very self effacing, and has taken on everyone she feels needs her help until she has hardly any time for herselit we come across the characters we get to know in Beach Haven. I really recommend that you read the books in sequence for maximum enjoyment, but it could be read as as a stand alone. The author has a way of writing that really grips you and draws you into the story, and, although she deals with some harsh realities such as depression, there is hope and humour running through the book.
Josie Slater has had a crush on August Bradford since their school days. Dreaming of pursuing her art, as he has done most successfully, a tragedy makes her withdraw into herself, and give up her dream of going to art school. She is loving and kind, but very self effacing, and has taken on everyone she feels needs her help until she has hardly any time for herself.
August is a most interesting character as well. After a horrific early childhood, he took matters in his own hands, at the tender age of eleven, to find a good family for himself and his younger brother Tucker. Well travelled and famous, he comes back to Sunset Cove to stay. He and his uncle Carter have a dream of establishing a children's camp where art, music, and general fun are the order of the day. He is fluent in French and I like the way he uses the language to express his feelings, both verbally and in his art.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you. I highly recommend this most enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys Christian romance with a deeper meaning.



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BEACH HAVEN by T.I. LOWE

Publication date 8/4/20
BEACH HAVEN by T.I. LOWE is a really lovely book with a strong theme of restoration, and of turning what is broken into something that can be used.
The story starts with Lincoln Cole and Opal Gilbert in Sunset Cove at her funky furniture shop, Bless This Mess. She is tiny and feisty and has a heart of gold, but her nonstop chatter and quite unusual behaviour has him walking out before she can interview him for a job. He is in pain from a nearly fatal war wound which makes him grumpy and withdrawn, and he is afraid that she can see right into his soul. He is an ex Marine who has come to Sunset Cove after being blown up during his second tour of duty, to get away from everything and try and make sense of the rest of his life.
From the ancient knitting club ladies, to the Sand Queens, to Carter Bradford and his family and August, the hippie artist, there is a wonderful assortment of characters. Add to this, Hurricane Lacy and its aftermath, and the story grows in momentum. I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
The author has a way of drawing you right into the story, and you really feel what the characters are going through. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and am looking forward to reading the next two novels in the series.



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