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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Sunday 24 October 2021

THE ASTRONAUT’S WIFE by STACEY MORGAN

Publication date 8/2/22
THE ASTRONAUT’S WIFE by STACEY MORGAN is a real winner! Not only are we introduced into the exciting world of the brave men and women who are part of the space programme, but we are taken into Stacey’s very real experience as an astronaut’s wife, who spends nine months as single parent to her four children while her husband orbits the earth. To add extra stress, Covid 19 and strict lockdown happened towards the end of her husband Drew’s time in space. The story is told with humour and enthusiasm for life as Stacey chooses hope over fear and holds on to her strong faith in God. I like her scripture references together with her insights into life in general, especially as far as the abnormality of being without human interaction and the importance of working at friendships is concerned.
I cannot recommend this well written, exciting and inspirational book highly 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.

Saturday 16 October 2021

HIGH-WIRE HEARTBREAK by ANNA SCHMIDT

Publication dare 1/1/22
HIGH-WIRE HEARTBREAK by ANNA SCHMIDT is a dual timeline novel taking place in Sarasota Florida at circus magnate, John Ringling’s, winter estate, in both time periods. I found this novel to be a most delightful read, with a well formed plot, unforgettable characters and a subtle Christian message. It is a story of hard times and new beginnings.
When famous author, Chloe Whitfield, comes to the beautiful old Ringling estate, which is now a museum, she meets Dr Ian Flanner who is in charge of the place and its renovation. He, together with others who work at the museum, is very knowledgable about its  history and architecture. Chloe is there to get inspiration for her next historical thriller for which the intriguing Ca D’Zan (House of John) will provide the setting. As she looks into the history, she is fascinated by the story of Lucinda Conroy, the famous aerialist who she believes is her great grandmother.
Running parallel to Chloe’s story, and eventually tying into it, is Lucinda Conroy and Bernardo Russi’s story which starts in 1936 with Lucinda performing a triple back somersault with her partner Bernardo at John Ringling’s seventieth birthday party. Lucy and Nardo’s  story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming.
This is a refreshingly different and most enjoyable read and one I cannot recommend highly enough. 
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing The opinions in this review are completely my own.




Friday 15 October 2021

A STRANGER’S GAME by COLLEEN COBLE

Publication dare 4/1/22
A STRANGER’S GAME by COLLEEN COBLE  has everything that makes up a most enjoyable romantic suspense novel, complete with some lovable and authentic characters whose emotions are well portrayed. I also like to see Joe Abbott’s faith in God and the way he reminds his daughter, Hailey, that the Lord is always with her, and can bring good out of bad things.
The story takes place on Jekyll Island in Georgia where Joe trains sea lions which are used for apprehending suspicious divers and finding bombs. He is not sure what to think of Torie Berg, the latest hire in the IT department at the prestigious hotel where he works part time in security, especially when she starts asking questions about the recent drowning of a young woman who used to work at the hotel. Things are not as they seem, especially when someone starts playing games with Torie, breaking in to her cottage and leaving her strange messages. 
There is a great deal more to the story, but I do not want to spoil the read for you, so I will stop there. 
I highly recommend A Stranger’s Game as a thrilling and altogether most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Tuesday 5 October 2021

THE WINTER ROSE by MELANIE DOBSON

Publication date 11/1/22

THE WINTER ROSE by MELANIE DOBSON is a novel that takes place in two time zones, namely 1943 and 2003, held together by Charlie Tonquin’s story, which, at first, he refuses to divulge. Elias, who becomes Charlie when he gets to the Statea, Marguerite and Louis are three of the children who cross the Pyrenees into Spain from Vichy France with the intrepid Quaker, Grace Tonquin.  It is Grace and her friend Roland’s aim to rescue as many Jewish children from the Nazis as they can. I like to see how Grace holds onto the promises of God, particularly those in psalm 27, to give her strength to carry on, like a winter rose that blooms even in the snow.

Moving on to 2003, we find Addie Hault at Tonquin Lake looking for Charlie’s relatives in order to find someone to supply him with bone marrow. She finds the willow tree which has become a symbol of perseverence to Charlie, with its ability to bend and not break under pressure. Charlie, or Papa C as Addie calls him, is the only father figure Addie has ever known. Due to her troubled upbringing, she ends up at Sale Creek Home for Girls where Charlie and his wife Emma become her family. I like the way Charlie teaches Addie to throw stones into the river in order to be free from the past.

Marguerite is an artist who, from her early childhood, sees an aura of colour around people showing her their very soul and literally “seeing someone’s emotions in colour.”
It is a story about second chances and new beginnings, as the Lord works in broken people to restore and save. The author shows us how the horrors of war have affected those who have escaped, especially the children, who find themselves in a different country and unfamiliar circumstances where they struggle to fit in. I like to see how Grace and Roland, Charlie and Emma, never stop praying for those they love.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough for the suspenseful and touching story, the unforgettable characters and the strong redemptive message.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Saturday 2 October 2021

AS DAWN BREAKS by KATE BRESLIN

Publication date 2/11/21
AS DAWN BREAKS by KATE BRESLIN is the gripping story of a young woman’s courage as she works, first at Chilwell shell  filling factory in Nottingham, and then at the Gretna factory in Scotand, during WW1. Rose Graham, as Tilly Lockhart, finds a loving family with the Bairds and close friendship with the young girls she oversees at the Gretna factory. Although she dislikes hiding the truth from everyone, especially the handsome Captain Alex Baird, she is afraid of losing her freedom if she is forced to marry the man her uncle has chosen, and also afraid of what will happen to her young brothers if she is found out to still be alive.
Both Rose and Alex have secrets and things are definitely not as they seem. There are saboteurs to be uncovered and stories to be unravelled in order to escape an explosion at Gretna. Will the fledgling romance between Rose and Alex be able to survive once the truth comes out? Will they still be able to trust one another?
I love to see how the closeknit Baird family surround orphaned and troubled Rose with love and acceptance and how she flourishes in their home. It is also good to see how Rose finally loses her innate timidity when she “becomes” her courageous friend Tilly. She finally realizes that her courage comes from the Lord and she learns to trust that the plans He has for her life are good.
I have enjoyed every novel I have read by this author and As Dawn Breaks is no exception.. It is a beautifully written book with unforgettable characters who are realistically portrayed and who draw us in to experience what they are going through. The suspense will keep you on the edge of you chair as you wait for the promised explosion!
I cannot recommend the book highly enough. It is  an inspirational WW1 romantic suspense novel with a good Christian message.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Friday 1 October 2021

TRACES OF VIRTUE by ROBIN PATCHEN

TRACES OF VIRTUE is the latest novel in the Coventry Saga by ROBIN PATCHEN, with all the nail biting suspense that we have come to expect from this author. 
When Carly Garcia, who he hasn’t seen since she turned down his proposal some years ago, turns up on Braden Reilly’s doorstep after having witnessed her ex boyfriend’s murder, and pregnant with the same man’s baby, he takes her in, largely against his better judgment. He has a job he loves, a beautiful home, a great church and  good friends, and is afraid of losing it all, only to be rejected by her again. He commits himself to helping her, seeing that the police are not taking her seriously, and the two of them do their own very dangerous investigation. As they work together their romance is rekindled. I really like Carly and Braden and the way the author portrays their journey as they grow closer to one another and to what the Lord has for them, as they are literally running for their lives.
The book deals with such themes as family dynamics, betrayal, rape, paying unscrupulous crime bosses for protection, kidnapping, crooked cops and murder.
There is also a strong Christian theme of hope, God’s promise of protection from the enemy, forgiveness and the importance of trust and doing things His way.
I cannot recommend Traces of Virtue highly enough to anyone who enjoys thrilling romantic suspense.