LINE BY LINE by JENNIFER DELAMERE

Publication date 30/6/20
LINE BY LINE by JENNIFER DELAMERE takes place in Victorian England at the time that telegraphy was fast changing business dynamics, in much the same way that the internet is doing in modern day business practices.
I find this really fascinating, especially seeing women coming into their own in this career, working alongside men. Add to this some gentle romance, a wealth of interesting characters and good Christian content and you have a most enjoyable read.
The story takes place in London in 1881. Alice McNeil has procured a prestigious position in the telegraphy department of Henley & Company who deal in imports of wheat & cotton. Douglas Shaw is Mr Henley's right hand man and he and Alice relate well in that they are both interested in business practices, particularly inventions that improve businesses financially. Douglas, who comes from abject poverty, and has worked hard to rise above his origins, is very ambitious and quite a social climber. He encourages Alice to to aim for a higher position in the company.
The introduction of "The Spinster's Guide to Love and Romance" and its effect on everything, particularly on Alice's determination to stay unmarried, brings some lovely humour into the story.
The book deals with love and marriage, jealousy, and relationships between family members, friends and co workers, all against the background of the social norms of the time.
It is a delightful book and one I can highly recommend. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE'S HOLLOW by KIM VOGEL SAWYER

Publication date 15/9/20
THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE'S HOLLOW by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is a beautiful story about love, grace, forgiveness, overcoming hard times and the importance books play in a person's life.
The story takes place in 1936 with the effects of the Depression being felt all over the country. Facilities such as the packhorse libraries were set up where people could borrow free books. This enriched their lives and those of their children.
When Addie Cowherd has to leave her university studies because of the problems her adoptive parents are going through, she gets a job in Boone's Hollow as a packhorse librarian. She is not well received by the largely superstitious folk in the area, and things are made worse when she goes to live with Nanny Fay, who some say is a witch!
Whilst Emmett Tharp has graduated with a business diploma, he still finds it hard getting a job and starts out working in the coal mine with his father, before being employed by the Works Progress Administration to manage the distribution of books from the library.
The book is full of interesting characters, from the flamboyant yet unhappy Bettina to the mountain folk with their distrust of newcomers and the ongoing feud between the people of Boone's Hollow and those of Tuckett's Pass -and they all have a story to tell. I like the way Addie, following her loving adoptive parents' example, yearns, not only to be accepted by the locals but to understand them and tell their often heart wrenching stories.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance. The story is inspirational and the Christian message strong.







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A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE by JODY HEDLUND

Publication date 30/6/20
A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE is the third novel in The Bride Ships series by JODY HEDLUND. It is a beautiful historical romance, packed with action and intrigue, and with a great Christian message running through it. it is a story about unconditional love and second chances and the desire to find God's will for one's life rather than bending to tradition and man made rules.
The story takes place in 1863 with the arrival of a bride ship containing poor young girls from the cotton mills in Manchester who are looking for husbands. Many of them were starving when they left England after the closing of the cotton mills, and two succumb to consumption upon arrival - one of whom is Zoe Hart's dear friend Jane.
From Zoe's first meeting with him at Jane's deathbed, Pastor Abe Merivale takes it upon himself to be the friend she needs. Desperate to stop her from marrying Dexter Dawson, a real villain, and saddened by his fiancee in England's betrayal, he marries her.
That is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I cannot recommend A Bride of Convenience highly enough, and while it can be read as a stand alone, I suggest that you read the first two books in the series as well, for pure enjoyment. The characters are well portrayed and I really love the way the author describes their battles and emotions, so that we are caught up in what they are feeling. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.


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THE CRUSHING DEPTHS by DANI PETTREY

Publication date 30/6/20
THE CRUSHING DEPTHS is the second book in the Coastal Guardians series by DANI PETTREY, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. The author has once again given us a great romantic thriller and a most enjoyable read.
When Mason Rogers and Rissi Dawson, agents in the North Carolina Coast Guard Investigative Services, are sent to investigate a suspicious death on the Dauntless offshore oil platform, it is once again them against the world, as it was in the children's home in which they used to live. They have an unbreakable bond which is still evident after ten years, and we wonder if it is going to lead to something more.
I like the way the camaraderie amongst the CGIS team and the faith in God shown by some of them, contrasts with the wickedness of those who will do anything to get what they want. The plot is well worked out and fast paced with murder, stalking, a helicopter crash, a huge storm and sea rescues, to keep you on the end of your chair. It is also interesting to see what life is like on an oil rig.
I highly recommend The Crushing Depths to anyone who enjoys this genre. You will not be disappointed!

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AIRBORNE by DIANN MILLS

AIRBORNE by DIANN MILLS is a fast paced thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is quite interesting that this novel should come out while the whole world has been affected by the Covid-19 virus! It is a bit like reading today's news!
When F B I agent Heather Lawrence sets off on a holiday to Salzburg, hoping that time away at the music festival will help her get over her husband's unkindness and his desire to terminate their marriage, she is caught up in a horrifying attack from an unknown virus for which there is neither cure nor vaccine. To add to this, her husband Chad, a well known virologist, becomes a person of interest because of his line of work and their marital problems. Heather is not sure what to believe about Chad as he is no longer the man she married eight years ago.
The story is exciting and has a good Christian message. It is interesting to see how the people in quarantine and affected by the virus deal with the situation - some of them drawing closer to God with others moving away from Him. We see a whole spectrum of human behaviour - from those who show compassion, to those who hope to profit from the situation and who are downright evil.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.
I recommend Airborne for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.


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