A TAPESTRY OF LIGHT by KIMBERLY DUFFY

Publication date 16/3/21
A TAPESTRY OF LIGHT by KIMBERLY DUFFY is a book that really spoke to my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
The story moves between Calcutta in India and Wiltshire in England, giving us insight into what life was like in these two countries in the nineteenth century. The novel has a wealth of wonderful characters and a heartwarming Christian message.
Otillie Russell is Eurasian, looking more Indian than British, whereas her little brother Thaddeus looks completely European. As Otillie says of herself "She was either not enough or too much of one or the other." When Thaddeus is all that is left of her beloved family, she leaves India with Englishman Everett Scott for her six year old brother to take up his responsibilities as Baron of Sunderson Park.
I like the author's description of life in India with its sights, sounds and smells, exotic food and people, as opposed to a constrictive life in England. Ottilie's fear of rejection and feelings of loneliness, which have always been a part of her life, are exacerbated by the lack of welcome shown by her father's family.
There are so many secrets in her family and also in Everett's, with him longing to belong in a society that has made very strict rules.
I do not want to spoil the read for you - there is so much I could say but I will leave you to discover this beautiful story for yourselves. The message of faith starting as a mustard seed in our hearts and either growing or being discarded, is really beautifully woven into the tapestry, and the beetle wing embroidery brings a special light into the story.
This is a novel I will read many times 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.



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HOPE BETWEEN THE PAGES by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/4/21

HOPE BETWEEN THE PAGES by PEPPER BASHAM is a beautifully written split time novel which moves effortlessly between Clara Blackwell and her great great grandmother Sadie, and also between Biltmore, Asheville, in North Carolina, and Fenwick in Cumbria in the English Lake District. Through it all there is the love of books and reading together with a strong Christian message.The characters are unforgettable, and although there is no doubt that Clara and Sadie are the heroines, I love the author's portrayal of Oliver Camden, Max Weston and Robbie. These men, in my opinion, are real men!
The story starts in 1915 with Sadie Blackwell, a servant working for Mrs Vanderbilt at Biltmore House. She is in charge of the library and chooses books for the various visitors to enjoy during their stay. This is where she meets Oliver, who seems to be a real kindred spirit, although he is way above her, being part of the upper class.
Clara Blackwell and her mother own Blackwell's book shop in Biltmore. The shop was started by granny Sadie. In order to keep the shop, Clara goes to England to try and find missing paperwork that will prove that it did indeed belong to Sadie. Here Clara starts on a real life adventure that has all the elements of exciting fiction.
This is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil things for you.
This novel is a real keeper and one I will read more than once. I highly recommend it as a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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TIDES OF DUPLICITY by ROBIN PATCHEN

Publication date 16/2/21

TIDES OF DUPLICITY has just become my new favourite novel by ROBIN PATCHEN. I have read and enjoyed many of her books but this one seems to have it all.
The story starts with Tabitha Eaton and Fritz McCaffrey meeting on holiday in Belize. Fritz is a P.I. who is working on a case and he has brought his teenage sister Shelby with him for a holiday. Their parents were killed in an accident and Fritz is now Shelby's guardian. Tabby is stuck in a job she hates and in a family situation she feels she cannot escape, and she booked this holiday a year ago to get away from it all for two weeks.
When Tabby leaves to go home, having decided she cannot possibly have a long distance relationship with Fritz, much as she would love to, let alone leave her home to be near him, something happens that makes Fritz unsure of her, although he was the one that felt they could have a future together.
I will not tell you any more of the story. It is fast paced and exciting with, amongst other things, mobsters, kidnapping, drugs and a jewelry heist. I guarantee you will not be able to put the book down.
There are some great characters and of course some villains who will stop at nothing.
There is a strong Christian message running through the story.
I cannot recommend Tides Of Duplicity enough to those of you who enjoy a good thriller with quite a bit of romance.


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ROOTS OF WOOD AND STONE by AMANDA WEN

Publication date 26/1/21
ROOTS OF WOOD AND STONE by AMANDA WEN is a most enjoyable split time novel with great characters in both of the time frames. I like the way the two stories come together and are held together by the old farmhouse.
When Garrett Anderson, a financial planner, comes down to the old farmhouse to help his sister Lauren sort out their grandmother's affairs, he finds an old satchel that he dumps on Sloane Kelley, the Sedgwick museum's historical curator's, desk. She is ready to throw it out until she comes across a diary which she finds out later belonged to Annabelle Collins 150 years ago. Sloane becomes hooked on Annabelle's story, especially when Garrett finds more diaries, which she devours. Sloane and Garrett become good friends and seem to really understand one another. In fact it is the first time that Sloane, who was left on a bus as a baby and adopted, feels as though she is worth something and accepted for herself - no longer plan B!
Throughout the novel we get the message of God's care for His children and that we need to submit to His plans for our life rather than following our own ways. Also we are reminded of the importance of forgiveness and the fact that each of us is special in God's eyes.
Roots Of Wood And Stone is a really beautiful read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Independent Publishers Group.The opinions in this review are completely my own.





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THREE MISSING DAYS by COLLEEN COBLE

Publication date 16/4/21
THREE MISSING DAYS is the third novel in the Pelican Harbor series by COLLEEN COBLE. The whole series is outstanding, and I recommend that you read the books in sequence, but Three Missing Days can be read as a stand alone. It is a suspense filled thriller with quite a bit of romance. The characters are unforgettable and I am really sorry to say goodbye to them, having followed them since reading One Little Lie. The author writes her stories based on Christian truths, which really enhances her books.
Jane Hardy, the chief of police in Pelican Harbor, and Reid Dixon, have a fifteen year old son Will, who is charged with murder. It is obvious that he has been set up, but the question is by whom and for what reason?
It is imperative that Jane remembers what happened during three missing days in her childhood, especially when a militant group from a cult connected to her past are found camping on an island close by, led by an unscrupulous man who wants information from her. She feels that this, together with two deaths in a house fire, are somehow connected to Will's case.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you, but I guarantee that you will not be able to put the book down until you have read the last page. Three Missing Days is an exciting and enjoyable read and one I cannot recommend 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.


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AFTERMATH by TERRI BLACKSTOCK

Publication date 11/5/21
AFTERMATH is a legal thriller which shows TERRI BLACKSTOCK at her best. It is an exciting read with great characters and a strong Christian message in which we see God's grace and restoration, and His gift of second chances to those who follow Him.
When Dustin Webb is framed for the explosion at a concert and political rally, he calls a childhood friend, Jamie Powell, to defend him. She is a lawyer in a big firm and has to talk the partners into letting her take the case.
Taylor Reid is a young girl who survives the explosion and feels guilty for escaping when her two best friends did not make it.
Travis Grey is Dustin's best friend and a partner in their high powered security firm. He has his own problems with his wife, the mother of his two year old twin sons, who is in hospital dying of leukemia.
Two more characters we find in the mix are Avery, Jamie's daughter, and Dude, Dustin's boisterous and loving black Labrador.
The scene is set and you will have to read the book to find out more!
The story is fast paced and I guarantee it will keep you up until you have read the last page. I highly recommend Aftermath to anyone who enjoys a good romantic thriller.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
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CENTRED by JASON BROWN

Publication date 9/2/21
CENTRED by JASON BROWN is the most inspirational true story that I read last year. It is well written and I like the author's honesty and humour as he tells the story of his rise to fame in NFL football and his obedience in giving it all up in order to follow God's plan for his life.
He speaks about the importance of putting faith and family first and what happens when pride creeps in. The book is full of Bible stories and Scriptures that underscore what the Lord is teaching him. He speaks of the importance of working at a marriage and of how his wife Tay not only backs him in a venture that most people find foolish, but she also challenges his faith when he is close to giving up.
It is a book that I will read more than once. I have found it most encouraging and also challenging.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from WaterBrook & Multnomah. The opinions in this review are completely my own.


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