WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED by RHONDA DRAGOMIR

Publication date 1/4/24

WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED by RHONDA DRAGOMIR is a beautifully written novel which really stirs one up as the author bases her story on the Hartford circus fire that took place on the sixth of July 1944. The deep Christian content and the way in which we really feel the characters’ emotions, make this an unforgettable read. It is a story about incredible courage and unconditional  love played out against the reality of life during World War 11 and the excitement of the circus coming to town to bring some well needed cheer.

Hank Webb, or Fraidy Freddy the clown, is afraid of his past catching up with him, and has run away to the circus. It is there that he shows his true metal by saving as many people as he can including Evelyn Halstead’s niece and nephew.I love to see his caring heart as he loves and supports Evelyn, making her feel safe, and is the one who gets Lily to talk again. He also never gives up hope of finding Jamie…….

We are reminded throughout of relevant Scriptures such as “greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends” and Cowper’s hymn about God’s mysterious ways, as Hank and Evelyn struggle with their faith in a God who would allow such devastation. We wonder if their fledgling romance will stand up to all the stress and to the secret that Hank has hidden for so long……

I cannot recommend this lovely novel strongly enough. It is a heart wrenching story but hope shines throughout.

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

LOVE IN TANDEM by BECCA KINZER

Publication date 2/4/24

LOVE IN TANDEM by BECCA KINZER  is a fun romcom with charming characters and some hilarious moments. There is also a deeper meaning as two people with opposite interests ride a tandem bicycle for ten days, hoping to win a large sum of money, and learning a lot about themselves and one another in the process.There is also an emphasis on faith and prayer in a person’s life.

Charlotte Carter desperately needs money to build up the Bailey Springs school’s music division or she will lose her job. She is determined to live in Bailey Springs near her family for the reat of her life. Zach Bryant, her ex fiance’s brother, is adventurous and determined to not live in Bailey Springs. He is only there for his brother Ben’s wedding to his ex girlfriend. Due to confusion and motherly interference they end up as a couple at said wedding and the adventure begins…..

Love in Tandem is an enjoyable read with some laugh out loud moments.

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

A LOVE DISCOVERED by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 5/3/24

A LOVE DISCOVERED by TRACIE PETERSON is the first novel in The Heart of Cheyenne series. It is a most enjoyable read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

The story starts in 1867 in Independence, Indiana, with a marriage of convenience between two very good friends, Marybeth Kruger, who is afraid that, as an unmarried woman with no income, she will lose Carrie, her precious little sister, and:lawman Edward Vogel, who has been invited by his mentor and best friend to move to Cheyenne  to join him in trying to keep the peace in that wild railroad town. In order to take up this appointment, Edward needs a wife. All goes reasonably well, in spite of the danger of living in this lawless place, until they start having feelings for each other……

It is a story about friendship, unselfish love, and overcoming fear and anger by putting one’s faith in God.  The characters are unforgettable and their emotions are beautifully potrayed. The Christian message is strong and the title is very apt.

I found A Love Discovered both exciting and inspirational, and cannot recommend the book 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.

DOUBLE THE LIES by PATRICIA RAYBON

DOUBLE THE LIES,  the sequel to All That is Secret by PATRICIA RAYBON, is an enjoyable and exciting suspense novel in which self appointed detective Annalee Spain, a young coloured professor of theology, is thrust into another dangerous and nail biting case when she walks home from the library with the distraught Rebecca Mann, to find Jeffrey Mann lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor.

The story is full of Christian truth and is based on God’s exhortation in Exodus chapter twenty verses thirteen to sixteen: “Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

There are many of the above “shalt nots” occurring in the various characters’ lives, with both Annalee and her “nice young man” Paster Jack Blake being tempted to stray…..

I partiularly like the way this author writes, her wealth of characters with their various choices and emotions, and the clever plot that keeps us guessing until the end. The story takes place in Denver in 1924 with the KKK and their hatred of coloureds, Jews and Catholics causing huge racial tension, and the laws forbidding mixed marriages in operation.

I highly recommend Double The Lies as a great read.

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

TRUTH BE TOLD by PATRICIA RAYBON

Publicationdate 11/6124

TRUTH BE TOLD by PATRICIA RAYBON is the third novel in the Annalee Spain amateur detective series. As is the case in the first two books, the  author follows hard after Scriptural truth and bases this one on John  chapter 15 and psalm twenty seven. In the same way that some plants are dangerous, hiding their poison under blooms and leaves, the same can be said of some humans. Things are not always as they seem, as Annalee follows clues to uncover a young woman’s murder. Whereas no human being can ever be perfect, we see how fear can silence even those who are trying to live upright lives. “People kill people - or kill other people’s dreams, hopes and spirits, even kill their accomplishments - for fear of losing something themselves.” There is intimidation and blackmail, but Annalee refuses to give up on finding justice for Prissy Mack. She says, “I am warned and I’m scared. But I won’t turn around.”

The characters are unforgettable and very real, for example Annalee herself and her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her scruffy little partner in crime, Eddie Brown Jr from the Denver Boys’ home, and her friend Edna Smallworth, to name but a few.

Annalee invites Edna Smallworth to attend a function with her at the Coates’ mansion, where  Cooper Coates’ daughter, Melody, finds a dead young Negro girl in her secret hideaway in the garden. Here we come across the snobbish African American upper class at its worst as they joke about the young girl and carry on with their insipid conversations. This is the time when the KKK and racial prejudice are prevalent, but there is also a rich Negro upper class in Denver who cling hard to their status….

I am not telling you any more for fear of spoiling things for you. 

I cannot recommend Truth Be Told highly enough for the exciting and thought provoking story with its strong Christian 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. 

The SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL by KIM VOGEL SAWYER

Publication date 9/4/24

THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is a beautifully written story of redemption and forgiveness, with unforgettably real characters and a sweet romance. The Christian message, based on Romans 10:11,”……Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed”, is an integral part of the story, which takes place in Tulsey, Texas, in 1895.

Isaiah and Ophelia Overly run a refuge for women who have escaped prostitution, where they are taught the truth of God’s Word and are educated so that they can find honest work. 

Lida Holland is a hardened “madam” who runs the brothel, Lida’s Palace, where Birdie Clarkson has sought refuge after her father’s death and her mother’s abandonment. Isaiah and his son Ephraim manage to encourage Birdie to leave the brothel and go with them to Hope Hill…..

Ephraim, who is a musician and runs the choir that sings for his father’s meetings, is blown away by Birdie’s beautiful voice…..

Secrets are uncovered, and even with the prejudice and hostility that abounds amongst the population of the area and some  “good Christians”, there is hope for these bruised souls who have been give the choice to follow Christ…..

This is a lovely story and I do not want to spoil your read by telling you too much.

I cannot recommend The Songbird of Hope Hill highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah. The opinions in this review are completely my own.