WHERE SECRETS LIE by COLLEEN COBLE and RICK ACKER

Publication date 3/6/25

WHERE SECRETS LIE is the second novel in the Tupelo Grove series by COLLEEN COBLE and RICK ACKER. It is an exciting legal thriller which is full of surprises, with interesting characters and a strong Christian message of forgiveess and redemption. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Savannah and Hezekiah Webster are committed to getting remarried, but trust issues threaten to derail their plans until Savannah comes to terms with the fact that her fears stem largely from family trauma. She is surprised when her overbearing and selfish father, Pierre Legare, offers her the presidency of the struggling Tupelo Grove University, where her beloved younger sister Jess is the finacial manager. …….

There is berayal, revenge, murder, the smuggling of artifacts, unpleasant family dynamics and illicit business practice, and Savannah and Hez are not sure who to trust as they try to save the Legare family legacy……

I like Jess’s son Simon, who not nnly adores his  mother and is determined to keep her safe, but loves Savannah and Hez, and is proud  of his uncle including him in the Justice Chamber he has started at the university.

There is a lot more to the story but I am not going to say any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I highly recommend Where Ssecrets Lie 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.

THE VOICE WE FIND by NICOLE DEESE

Publication date 15/4/25

THE VOICE WE FIND is the third novel in the Fog Harbor Romance series by NICOLE DEESE, but it can easily stand alone. It is the beautifully written story of people finding their voice as they go through difficult situations which lead them to trust in the Lord and one another. It is one of the loveliest Christian romance novels I have read and I will definitely be reading it again. It is a story about family dynamics, as we follow Sophie Wilder who has lived her life in the shadow of her overbearing brother, Jasper, and whose acting career has come to an embarassing end, forcing her to come home to the family wine farm and rely on her brother’s reluctant charity. …..

When August Tate agrees to his friend Chip’s suggestion that he use his struggling music recording studio to produce audiobooks, he is unprepared for the gorgeous Sophie who arrives to audition as a reader…….

August also has family problems and feels like a failure. He feels guilty for his bad choices and somehow responsible for his parents’s death and for his sister Gabby’s deafness, overcompensating by being ultra strict on his sister, taking his legal guardianship very seriously. In fact his story is reminiscent of that of the Biblical Prodigal Son……

I love everything about this story that is based on Paul’s words in Romans 8:38-39 “”For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

I like the sensitive way in which the community accepts and includes those with hearing disabilities, and the strong Christian message of forgiveness and redemption on which the story is based. I cannor recommend The Voice We Find strongly enough.

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

THIS PROMISED LAND by CATHY GOHLKE

Publication date 8/4/25

THIS PROMISED LAND by CATHY GOHLKE is a beautifully written story about the meaning of family, the importance ot belonging and working together. I particularly enjoy Ginny’s love of plants and flowers, and the way she teaches the children to collect and press interesting specimens. There is also a sense of making something beautiful out of something broken….

In 1992, at the age of sixty five, Ginny Dee Pickering Boyden is about to set off to the UK to pursue a lifelong dream, when she is shattered to find that she is the owner of her family’s  debt-ridden Christmas Tree Farm. She finds that her deceased brother, Harold, lied to her, and that he  promised his sons, Luke and Mark, equal shares in the farm as their inheritance…..

Upon arriving at her old home, with all its poignant memories, she finds some of the family members fit into the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, with Luke as the angry elder brother, Mark as the returning prodigal son, and herself as both the returning prodigal and the welcoming father!……..

The characters are wonderful, especially the children, in this emotional story of family relationships, second chances, unconditional love, and hope. There is a strong Christian message of God’s provision, of restoration and of overcoming evil with good…..

There is a grear deal more to the story but I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend this lovely and truly inspirational book highly enough.

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

FIRST LOVE, SECOND DRAFT by BECCA KINZER

Piblication date 15/4/25

FIRST LOVE, SECOND DRAFT by BECCA KINZER is a hilariously funny romcom, with a great deal of depth, amazing characters and a strong Christian message of hope. It is the story of author, Gracie Parker, who has not only lost her edge as a writer since she divorced her famous husband, Noah, pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, five years ago, but she is faced with a two week deadline and injuries from a fall off a mechanical horse which has left her incapactated….

Noah sees this as an opportunity to try and win her back, and, with the help of her nephew Matt, he moves into her rental cottage and helps her get back on her feet. Gracie is not sure this is a good idea, but with the absence of her sister Mona, a loud and very busy real estate agent, she does not have a choice……

Her book is not going well, but there may be a way out of her deadline if Noah and Gracie work together…..

There are so many characters, including Gracie’s dad, Buck, Matt’s friend Rachel,  the boys from the firehouse, and the FedEx lady, to name but a few. News travels fast in the small town of  Alda……

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

I was given an ARC from NetGalley by Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

AN OVERDUE MATCH by SARAH MONZON

Publication date 18/2/25

AN OVERDUE MATCH by SARAH MONZON is an inspirational romance novel with unforgettable characters, based largele on psalm 139 verse 14, “I will praise You for I am fearfuuly and wonderfully made…”, as we follow Evangeline Kelly, librarian and avid protector of books, as she deals with her hairless body, caused by alopecia, which led to her fiance breaking their engagement and her heart. The book is laugh out loud funny in parts, especially as she puts people in categories as though they are characters in a novel and tries to matchmake them according to their reading preferences……..

She has tattoo artist Tai Davis pegged as a rake and persistently refuses to go on a date with him, afraid that he too will break her heart……

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this delightful and emotional read highly enough.

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

HOPE’S ENDURING ECHO by KIM VOGEL SAWYER

Publication date 25/3/25

HOPE’S ENDURING ECHO by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is the  beautifully written story of the Ward family who live in a cabin on the outskirts of Canon City Colorado in 1915, whose job it is to check the wooden pipeline running next to the Arkensaw River. The story is sensitively told and the characters’ emotions are brilliantly analysed. The book’s title is very good, underlining the message of hope running through it. We see Jennie taking hold of her mother’s “echo of hope” as she faces her beloved father’s  physical and mental breakdown and mourns the man he used to be……

There are two things Jennie asks the Lord for. One is for Him to  heal her father and the other is for a friend.When Leo Day sees her walking the pipeline, brandishing what looks like a dinosaur leg, it  seens as though they have each had their prayers answered…….

Leo comes from a long line of Presbyterian pastors, but, although he is a committed Christian, his passion is for paleontology, much to his father’s distress. I like the  way Leo takes care of the Ward family, and also the way he believes strongly in creationism…….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend  this lovely read strongly enough.

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

THE NATURE OF LOVE by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 4/2/25

In THE NATURE OF LOVE, TONI SHILOH has done it again - giving us a delightful and bittersweet love story with great characters, clever and often amusing  dialogue, a strong Christian message, orphaned chidren and an assortment of animals, in the mix…….

Brilliant orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Erykah Kennedy, at forty one years old is set in her ways and does not make friends easily, but when she meets handsome wildlife conservationist, Christian Gamble, twice in one week, she has an idea her lonely life is about to change. Chris, a committed Christian, is fascinated with this beautiful woman, but is wary of having his heart broken again……

Although this is the third novel in the Love in the Spotlight series, and we come across Chris’ illustrious friends, Tuck and Lamont and their significant others again, the book can easily stand alone.

I cannot recommend this really lovely read strongly 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.

WHEN THE AVALANCHE ROARED by LAURALEE BLISS

Publication date 1/1/25

WHEN THE AVALANCHE ROARED by LAURALEE BLISS is a novel in the historic North American disasters series, which will keep you rivetted as you follow Lillian Hartwick and Griffin Jones in their fight to save the people affected by the devastating avalanche that hit the small railway community,of Wellington. The characters are very well portrayed, especially as we see how the rather spoilt Lillian, who is marking time until she marries her rich and self important fiance, settles into a much simpler way of life as a companion to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth. I like to see her compassion for her new friends, and the way she teaches Griffin, the gentle giant to read, and keeps the people who are stranded on the trains, especially the children, occupied. I also like the strong Christian message of hope running through the story……

I cannot recommend this inspiring book strongly enough.

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

BEFORE THE KING by HEATHER KAUFMAN

Publication date 21/1/25

BEFORE THE KING by HEATHER KAUFMAN is well written Biblical fiction, based strongly on the Bible and on the Author’s research on the time in which Joanna lived. I cannot recommend this beautiful read strongly enough. With Joanna’s experiences faithfully following the Scriptures, and her thoughts and emotions well portrayed, this novel is a gem which should not be missed. The other characterd are also very well portrayed particularly as we see their various responses to Jesus and the Word of God. 

We are made aware of the difficulties and dangers of life at the time, the falseness and cruelty of the earthly king Herod as opposed  to the love and mercy of God the Father shown in Jesus Christ as He walked amongst men, many of whom reviled Him, the entitlement of the upper class and the error in the teachings of most of the Pharisees and Sadducees………

Joanna and Chuza each have a secret that threatens their marriage……

I’m not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling  things for you. 

I found Before the King most inspirational and a story to be savured.

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

THE CHOICE by D.L. WOOD

To say that THE CHOICE by D.L. WOOD  is exciting is an understatement! I guarantee you will not be able to put the book down until the last page.

With interesting characters, dysfubctional family dynamicx, a luxury cruise, murder and mayhem - what more do you want in a nail biting thriller?

There is also some romance and a strong Christian message.

Sadie Miles, a waitress living on the outskirts of southern Nashville with her beloved little Matty and her neighbour Captain Kyle, has never known her father, and is both intrigued and fearful when she sets off with her father’s lawyer Liam Prentice to meet him at last……..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend The Choice highly enough.

CLOAKED IN BEAUTY by KAREN WITEMEYER

Publication date 17/12/24

CLOAKED IN  BEAUTY by KAREN WITEMEYER is a most enjoyable novel based largely on two fairy tales,namely Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. The story takes place in 1881.It is charming, exciting and very well told. i cannot recommend Cloaked in Beauty strongly enough.

The story starts with six year old heiress Scarlett Radcliffe being sent to live with her grandmother in a cabin in the woods to escape her wicked uncle who is after her fortune. There she lives happily with her precious grandmother and Rusty, her pet wolf. With her red cloak and chosen name of Letty Hood, she brings to mind her favourite fairy story……

Letty’s mother employs Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael to bring her home safely before her twenty first birthday, and he and her faithful Rusty are her

protection detail as they travel cross country, racing against time and trying to hide the truth about their precious cargo…….

I love the main characters, with their strong faith in God and their compassion for the less fortunate, and of course the  love story is fairy tale worthy!

The villain and his cohorts are well described as we see them literally stop at nothing to get the prize.

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

AN HONORABLE DECEPTION by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 19/11/24

AN HONORABLE DECEPTION is the third novel in the Inposters series by ROSEANNA M WHITE  but it can easily stand alone. I have ejoyed the whole series for the great characters and the strong Christian message.

The story starts with Lady Alethia Barremore, the daughter of the former viceroy of India, employing Mr A of the Imposters Ltd, to find her ayah, Samira, who has disappeared in London. Alethia and Samira share a dreadful secret and there are men who are willing to kill to keep Alethia silent, as Yates finds out when she is shot after their meeting. He takes her to Fairfax Tower in Northumberland to keep her safe and where she meets the rest of the Imposters, their friends, the circus people and animals ……..

The book is very well written with some humour balancing out the heavier parts, strong camaraderie amongst friends, some cmplicated romance, and the seriousness and danger intrinsic to righting the wrongs in society. It is a most enjoyable, well rounded and exciting story, and one I cannot recommend 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.

THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING by JULIE KLASSEN

THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING is the third novel in the On Devonshire Shores series by JULIE KLASSEN. I have been looking forward to this addition to the series and am definitely not disappointed! It is a beautifully written and well researched book, with great characters whose emotions one can literally feel, sweet romance and a strong Christian message of redemption. I particularly like the very apt quotations at the beginning of each chapter, from Jane Austen and other authors of the early nineteenth century.

It is good to come across most of the same characters as before, namely the Summers family, as well as some interesting and mostly delightful new ones, in the same beautiful seaside setting.

When the rigidly religious and seemingly unfeeling Aunt Mercer dies, Claire Summers, who has taken refuge with her aunt in Edinburgh, bravely sets off to Sea View, hoping to at least see her sisters, even if her mother still refuses to reconcile with her after her unforgivable sin.

With some trepidation she answers an advertisement to go into partnership in Broadridges boarding house, hoping that her past is never found out by her business partner, Mr William Hammond………

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend this enjoyable and thought provoking book strongly enough. I am now looking forward to the fourth novel in the series.

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

THE QUEEN’S COOK by TESSA AFSHAR

Publication date 19/11/24

THE QUEEN’S COOK is the first novel in The Queen Esther’s Court series by TESSA AFSHAR  It is the lovely story of the beautiful and brave Queen Esther and her friendship with her beautiful and brave “Little Cook” Roxannah. The queen speaks to her as a friend as she encoutages her and praises her cooking, and we read of Roxannah that “She had come to love Esther, the fragile queen who held her world together with nothing but threads of love and grace.” I felt as though I was savouring a delicious meal, with the scriptures heading each chapter, the gorgeous setting and the lovable and strong characters.

Adin, the palace physician, is a strong and godly Jewish man who trusts the Lord, but the death of his wife has made him guard his heart, not wanting to lose a loved one again.

Roxannah, who has spent most of her life hiding from her abusive, drunken father, tends to either hide or run away when things get tough, but as she comes to know the Jewish God, “The God who had gven her mother peace and Darab dignity and Esther courage and Adin healing,” she becomes stronger and when she and Adin help Amestris and Queen Esther thwart a vicious plot she feels that, like Esther, the Lord has put her in the palace “for such a time as this.”

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this beautiful and inspirational book strongly enough and am looking forward to the next novel in the series.

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

THE BEIJING BETRAYAL by JOEL C ROSENBERG

Publicationdate 11/3/25

What a brilliant finale to the Marcus Ryker series by JOEL C ROSENBERG! THE BEIJING BETRAYAL has it all - it is  a riveting political thriller, with well developed characters, an exciting story and a strong Christian message - what more could you want?!

Marcus Ryker’s missiion to stop imminent danger to America and Taiwan takes us through the Middle East, Russia, China and India, the white House and the Ops Centre of the CIA. The author’s vast knowledge of world affairs makes us feel that we are opening tomorrow’s newspapers!

The wickedness of fallen man comes through strongly as we see the way Kairos, the Libyan terrorist organization, and the Chinese head of state, to name but a few, have no respect for human or animal life! 

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend the novel 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.

INTO THE SUNSET by MARY CONNEALY

INTO THE SUNSET is the third novel in the A Western Light series by MARY CONNEALY. Although it can easily stand alonr I suggest you read the books in sequence. It is a great series.

When Ginny Rutledge decides “I don’t want to live in fear of the world outside that canyon any more” and goes to Cheyenne to find a judge to proclaim her sanity, she is terrified of coming across her husband Thaddeus who had her put in an insane asylum.  Dakota Harlan goes with them to help in Ginny’s protection and Maeve O’Toole goes to help Beth with her small children…….

I like to see how family and friends stand together and their courage, especially that of Ginny and Maeve, in staanding against evil. …….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of soiling things for you.

I cannot recommend Into the Sunset highly enough for the exciting story, unforgettable characters and their strong faith in God.

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

BRAVE: THE STORY OF AHINOAM by MESU ANDREWS

BRAVE: THE STORY OF AHINOAM is the first novel in The King David’s Brides series by MESU ANDREWS. In it the author tells us Biblical truth with just enough fiction to enhance the story. I cannot recommend Brave strongly enough for the relatable characters, well researched Biblical facts and strong redemptive message.

Ahinoam and her father Toren, Kenites from  Jezreel, had  to escape their home when they were attacked by the Amelekites. Having learnt the art of sword and dagger making, and throwing from her father, Ahinoam is a force to be reckoned with…….

It is the time of Saul’s disobedience and David ben Jesse, having been anointed as king by Samuel the prophet, is fleeing for his life with his loyal followers when Toren and Ahinoam find him and join his company. Ahinoam uses her incredible knife throwing skill to save David’s life…….

Ahinoam is very strong and brave and follows Yahweh even when the things He asks her to do are hard. Especially when David takes Abigail as his second wife.

I particularly like the author’s use of scripture throughout the book and the way David sings his psalms to Yahweh.

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

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

OF GOLD AND SHADOWS by MICHELLE GRIEP

OF GOLD AND SHADOWS is the first novel in the Time’s Lost Treasures series by MICHELLE GRIEP, and I cannot wait for the sequel! What a thrilling story, what delightful characters and what a great Christian message of redemption and forgiveness! The author has brought all this together around ancient Egyptian artifacts and the curses they may or may not carry……

The scene is set in 1888 with Edmund Price, the most eligible bachelor in Oxford, returning to Oxford after eight years away in India. He is swamped by the ladies who are enamoured by his wealth and good looks. When he finds feisty Ami Dalton, egyptologist, instead of her professor father to valuate the large collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts delivered to him at Price House, he wonders if he has done the right thing but is soon enamoured by the brilliant but rather eccentric young lady……

Ami’s alter ego is the Shadow Broker, as she deals with shady characters in order to obtain precious artifacts for the museum. Edmund also has a secret……..

The book is full of colourful characters, witty dialogue and suspense and I could not put it down!

I cannot recommend this novel 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.

A TOKEN OF LOVE by CARRIE TURANSKY

A TOKEN OF LOVE by CARRIE TURANSKY is a bauutifully writtem dual timeline novel that tells us about brave people who fight against child trafficking. There is a strong Christian message which is based on Isaiah chapter fifty-eight verses six to eight. The characters are unforgettable and it is heartwarming to see how they risk everything to help the weak and helpless…….

In 2023, Janelle Spencer, acting director of the London Foundling Museum, is working with Jonas Conrad who is making a fundraising film for the museum, when they come across something very interesting in the history of the Foundling Hospital. In 1885, eight year old Alice Crosby, renamed Mary Graham, goes missing. It is with horror, when they read Mary Alice’s book, that they realise that she  is not the only young girl to be sold into a brothel in London’s  East End……..

When Alice is three months old, her unmarried mother, Serena, is too ashamed of her situation to ask her sister Lillian Freemont for help, and in desperation leaves her baby, with a token on which is written  “Remember My Love” tied with a ribbon around her neck, at the Foundling Hospital. So many of the mothers left their children with tokens of their love and they form part of the Museum’s display. 

In 1885, desperately  ill and living in abject poverty, Serena reaches out to Lillian who joins up with Matthew McGivern, a journalist who works for W T Stead at the Pall Mall Gazette, to look for Alice, who is now eight years old and has disappeared. There is so much corruption, even in the police, and their courage is incredible as they, armed with their faith,  go right into the enemy’s lairs……

The two time frames flow well into one another.

The novel gives us much food for thought as the author deals with such an emotional subject.

I cannot recommend the book strongly 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.

EVERY DEADLY SUSPICION by JANET CANTORE

Publication date 4/3/25

EVERY DEADLY SUSPICION by JANET CANTORE is an exciting thriller with a really good Christian message of forgiveness and redemption. The story is fast paced and will really keep you guessing, and the characters are well portrayed.

Hanna Keyes, chief of police in Dry Oaks, has spent her life under the cloud of her father Joe’s conviction of the murder of Blake and Sophia Carson, her best friend Mandy’s parents, at the Beecher’s Mine Cabin. Mandy and Jared Hodges stood up for her against the bullies at school, who called her the “spawn of Satan”, amongst other things. She has done well for herself and is now well loved and respected by most of the inhabitants of Dry Oak. She is broken-hearted when Jared leaves to see the world, but  when he comes back after ten years he is a changed man……

Blogger and wannabe author, Marcus Marshall, has written a book about Joe and the murders, which has been taken to be the truth by many people. Marcus, who some people call Muckraker, is just that, stirring up trouble, especially when Joe gets compassionate parole and comes to stay with his daughter, who has never met him and whose mother badmouthed him to her all her life. …….

There is a huge fire, the murder of Scott Buckley, and the murder of women by “The Lonely Heart Killer”, all of which keep Hanna, Jared and Nathan Sharp, her boyfriend, and their colleages very busy……

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU by LIZ TOLSMA

Publication date 1/12/24

WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU by LIZ TOLSMA is a really interesting WW11 novel in which we see things, not only from the Polish angle, but we are introduced to the Lemko and their beautiful country of Lemkovyna in southern Poland. We see man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man, as, not only did the the Nazis treat them all as less than human, but after the war the Polish government treated the Lemko very badly, breaking up families and carting them off to Ukraine, destroying their houses and farms. 

The characters are unforgettable. We see the strength and courage of Helena and Jerzy, both former lecturers at the Jagiellonium University, as they save Teena, a little Jewish baby from the Jewish ghetto,  and take her to Dubne to bring up as their own child, and also as they join the Lemko partisans to get some of their people out of jail. We see Helena’s desperation as she is taken further and further away from her beloved mother and daughter……

It is heartbreaking to see the horrors of the German labour camps which are described in some detail.

In 2023, after a tragedy for which she feels largely to blame,  and a broken engagement, McKenna and her best friend Taylor take a sabbatical in order to go to Poland and find the sister McKenna’s grandmother has never known. As they work with Filip and his agency in Krakow, the story unfolds. We are reminded of the fact that God can bring good out of all things…….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling yor read.

There is a strong Christian message running through the story, from the Greek Orthodox church of the Lemko and the Catholic church, to simple Bible believing faith. 

I highly recommend this inspirational and heartwarming novel.

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

AS SURE AS THE SEA by JAMIE OGLE

Publication date 11/2/25

AS SURE AS THE SEA by JAMIE OGLE is a beautifully written novel in which the author immerses us into the early church in Myra in 310AD, which had been started by the apostle Paul two decades earlier. Her characters are beautifully portrayed as they serve the Lord and one another, battling against an insufficiency of food and the fear of capture and execution. There is a sense of family amongst the believers as they meet together in secret, taking communion and remembering what the Lord did for them on the cross, and reading the scriptures together, agaiinst the background of pagan feasts and rituals and the fear of betrayal.

Demitria and her brother Theseus are divers working for Mersad, the “self proclaimed jeweller of the seas”, eking out a living as best they can along the Lycian coast. I love the descriptions of the sea and the surrounding beauty, and the very relevant scriptures on which the God fearing characters base their lives.

Nikolas arrives from Patara as a replacement pastor, and, as a cover, teaches latin at the boys’ school where Titus and his family live and lesd the church. Both Demi and Nikolas have feelings of guilt and struggle to forgive themselves and feel God’s forgiveness for things they have done in the past. Will they stand strong when their lives unravel and their faith is tested? 

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you. 

I was so engrossed in the story that I could not put the book down. I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational read strongly enough. It is the first of this author’s novels that I have read and it most certainly will not be the last!

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

AMBUSH by COLLEEN COBLE

AMBUSH by COLLEEN COBLE is an exciting thriller which takes place in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, at The Wildlife Sanctuary, where Paradise Alden joins the staff as a vet. She is determined to face up to her fears and find the person responsible for her parents’ murder. She also has to face her first boyfriend, Blake Lawson, whose betrayal ruined her life, and her fear of big cats after having been mauled by a jaguar.   
Blake has left his career in the Marines to help his mother Jenna run the Sanctuary as well as help her with his young brothers after the death of his stepfather., Hank.
The story is exciting as Blake and Paradise work together to find out who is responsible for the murder of animal activist, Danielle Mason, whose bloody body is delivered in a trailer to the property,  the burning down of Paradise’s cottage, and the opening up of gates turning dangerous animals loose, thus giving the place a bad name. It seems as though someone is trying to force Jenna to sell…..
The characters are great. I specially love Blake’s little brothers Levi and Isaac, and their interacton with him and Paradise.
There is a strong Christian message of redemption and forgiveness running through the book.
I cannot recommend this unputdownable romantic suspense novel 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.

GUILTY UNTIL INNOCENT by ROBERT WHITLOW

GUILTY UNTIL INNOCENT is a well written legal thriller by ROBERT WHITLOW with a strong Christian message and relevant scriptures throughout the story.

Joe Moore in prison is a very different person to the young man who was incarcerated twenty six years ago for double murder when strung out on drugs. In fact, “The leadership ability God placed in Joe didn’t emerge until he was incarcerated, but it had risen to the surface in prison,” where we find him teaching Bible studies, praying and even fasting for his friend Deshaun’s marriage……..

Ryan Clark, after losing his job with two consecutive legal firms, is finally employed by his distant cousin Tom. He is afraid of losing this job too, especially as his wife Paige is pregnant, but Tom gives him the job of trying to find out the truth of what happened outside that seedy nightclub twenty six years ago when Tom is asked by Joe’s niece to try and get a motion for appropriate relief passed so he can finally get out of prison.  When Ryan is nervous about taking on the responsibility, Tom says to him, “You’ll  rise to the occasion” and “What’s happened in the past isn’t going to define your future as a lawyer.”……

Joe is unsure about the case being reopened but he finally agrees and, after much prayer, says to his friend, “I have to consider what my family wants to do and God’s purposes for the young lawyer who came to see me.”…….

There are some wonderful characters and some who are not as they seem, but we see God’s redemptive power throughout the story. I particularly like the relationship between Joe, Ryan and Paige……

The novel is very exciting and will keep you guessing right to the end. 

I cannot recommend Guilty Until Innocent 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.

THE PHARISEE’S WIFE by JANETTE OKE

THE PHARISEE’S WIFE by JANETTE OKE is beautifully written biblical fiction in which Jesus’ life,  death an resurrectiom form the foundation of the story. From the beginning of the book where Mary, together with her parents, Amos and Huldah, is searching for the miracle-working Prophet,to touch and heal her beloved father, through Mary’s uhappy marriage to the angry and prideful Pharisee Enos, whose ambition  is to destroy Jesus, and then to His crucifiction and resurrection. His miracles are well portrayed throughout.

Mary, whose name Enos has changed to Simona, is a gentle, hardworking village girl, who has much to learn to make her “worthy” of marriage to a Pharisee……

The struggles of the believers in Jesus become more and more dire after the resurrection, and we see those who are willing to die for Christ. We also see the love they have for one another.

The author has given us a good picture of life at the time, right up to the destruction of the Temple by the Romans.

I cannot recommend this lovely and inspiring read highly enough.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinios in this review are cometely my own.

SHIELD OF THE MIGHTY by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 20/8/24

CONNILYN COSSETTE is an incredible writer of biblical fiction, and her love for the Lord, His holy land Israel and His chosen people, shines right through all she writes. Not only is it interesting to learn about what life was like in 1043 BC, but her character analysis is brilliant. Whilst SHIELD OF THE MIGHTY is the second novel in the King’s Men series and there are characters from preceding books, Shield of the Mighty can stand alone.

Zevi ben Natan, a captain in Saul’s army is sent by his commanding officer into Yehudite territory to enlist men into the king’s army, to gather tribute, and to find outstanding artisans to enhance King Saul’s court. The Yehudites are not happy about a Benjamite being king of Israel and there is a plot in Maresha, Zevi’s place of birth and one that hold unhappy memories for him, to replace Saul with  Yehudite king. It is in Maresha that he meets the beautiful perfumer, Yochana………

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

There is loyalty to king and country, courage, betrayal, unconditional love, and there are fierce battles…….

I cannot recommend this beatiful novel 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.

HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/10/24

HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS by PEPPER BASHAM is one of the loveliest novels that I have read this year. I really enjoy the author’s style and her portrayal of the characters’ emotions, and also the way the Christian message forms an integral part of the story. This is a story about wonder and hope, unconditional love and God’s redemptive power to save the lost and restore the broken.

Kizzie McAdams, pregnant and afraid, thrown out by her father, is running towards Oak Plains and Charles Morgan, her baby’s father, being chased by coyotes, when she is rescued by Joshua Chappell and taken in by his wife Nella, whose wise words, together with her mother’s bible, lead her to cry out to the Lord.

“You may not want to listen to someone like me, but if there’s anything I can do to make you love me, lord, I want to try. I…I aint got nobody else. And I need you. Even if its just the leftovers of Your love. I reckon they’re better than a feast anywhere else. I’ll take the scraps.” 

As Nella says, “Time and the Lord will make you stronger. If you let ‘em”, and that certainly takes place in Kizzie’s life as she endeavours to live for the Lord and others. I like the way she cares for the lost and broken when she moves to a nearby town to start afresh. Her she meets Noah Lewis and his mother who have also been broken by circumstances in their lives and who care deeply for those in need…….

That is all I am going to tell you for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend the novel 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.

SHELTERING YOU by ROBIN PATCHEN

SHELTERING YOU is the fourth novel in the Wright Heroes of Maine series by ROBIN PATCHEN and the sequel to Finding You and we come across many of the same characters, together with some we haven’t encountered before. The story is exciting and there is a strong Christian message running through it. I really enjoy the Wright family of six brothers who stand together to keep twins Leila and Jasmine, who they saved from the Iraquis, safe…..

When Jasmine asks Derrick to help her save her friend Basma and her little brother Rabie from their older brother Dari, she does not realise that she will bring danger to his whole family who have been nothing kind to her. She has never been accepted and loved and cannot understand that these people seem to find her worthy of love……

She longs to be free of her wicked old husband Khalid, but is not prepared to divorce him, even though she was forced to become his second wife. She says the only true freedom is in Christ and that Americans tend to take freedom too lightly.

There is betrayal, anger and hatred shown by her pursuers, as opposed to the unconditional love and acceptance she is shown by Derrick and his family……

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I highly recommend Sheltering You as a nail biting roller coaster ride, with a great story, sweet romance and unforgettable characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

A TRUTH REVEALED by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 5/11.24

A TRUTH REVEALED is the third novel in The Heart of Cheyenne series by TRACIE PETERSON, and, while it is better to read the books in sequence and follow the original characters together with the new ones, it can also stand alone.

The story starts in 1868 with Laura Evans arriving by train in Cheyenne to stay with her father, Granite Evans, after hardly seeing him for ten years. She remembers his kindness  from her childhood, and it seems as though he is held in high esteem in Cheyenne. He has amassed a great deal of wealth and is generous with those less fortunate………

Gradually his true nature reveals itself and Laura and her preacher friend Wilson Porter unearth the truth, at great danger to themselves…….

I like to see how Laura and Will each deal with grief, and how they complement one another…..

This is a book with a strong Christian message, full of relevant scriptures. I found A Truth Revealed a most inspirational and exciting read, with an unexpected twist, sweet romance and loving friendships.

I 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.

WHEN THE MOUNTAIN CRUMBLED by ANGELA K COUCH

Publication date 1/9/24

WHEN THE MOUNTAIN CRUMBLED by ANGELA K COUCH is the beautifully told story of a historical disaster that struck the mining town of Frank in Western Canada on the 29th  April 1903, when the Turtle Mountain collapsed and a huge landslide crushed the town. The novel forms part of the A Day to Remember series and is true to history, with the addition of fictional characters that enhance rather than take away from the story.

It is a story about love, hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings, and is strongly based on the words of Psalm 46:11, “Be still and know that I am God.” I like to see how Nathan Stanford, of the North-West Mounted Police, not only takes on his brother’s orphaned children and a prim schoolmarm, but has a notebook in which he records the many miracles that are taking place in spite of the disaster………

Schoolteacher Samantha Ingles is reminded of her own deep loss. Her sad and lonely upbringing have not prepared her for what she must face in looking after three little girls…….

I cannot recommend When the Mountain Crumbled highly enough.

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

RAHAB Rediscovering the God who saves me. By SHADIA RICHI

RAHAB Rediscovering the God who saves me. By SHADIA HRICHI is an in depth study of Rahab and God’s faithfulness towards a pagan woman who had only heard of the God of the Israelites and yet her actions show her great faith in Yahweh. “Rahab’s story is our story”. I love the author’s honesty and friendliness as she leads us on a journey through Rahab’s life which lines up with ours. She has done incredible research but there is nothing at all heavy in her writing - it is cheerful and easy to understand, and I also like the way we are invited to take part in the study, which I will do when I read the book again over six weeks. The Bible verses she uses back up everything she says.

Even though this is not a Christian novel I have decided to include my review in my blog as  it is one of the best teaching books I have read

I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Abilene Christian University Press and Leafwood Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

NO FORGETTING PROVIDENCE by LEE WIMMER

Publication date 3/9/24

NO FORGETTING PROVIDENCE is the second novel in the Obsessed Intentions series by LEE WIMMER. The book is a must read for anyone who enjoys a gripping political thriller with a fast paced plot and great characters. 

We are made aware of the sickness in a society where child trafficking and murder are covered up, and the courage of DR Ray and his friends who risk their lives to save the stolen children. There is also a strong Christian message running through the story, as the battle between good and evil rages, and the various characters struggle with their beliefs, and we wonder when DR will recognise what his dreams about Providence really mean……..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend No Forgetting Providence highly enough, and I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.

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

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW by MICHELLE SHOCKLEE

Pulication date 1/10/24

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW by MICHELLE SHOCKLEE is a beautifully written novel with unforgettable characters and a  strong Christian message.I particularly like the way the author shows how the Jews were treated by the Nazis, even in the prisoner of war camps in America. With Anti-Semitism so entrenched in society it is important for us who profess to be Christians to stand for the Jews as never before.

The two timelines, 1942 and 1969, flow really well together as we follow the lives of Ava Delaney in 1942 and Mattie Tayler in 1969, both taking place on Delaney’s Horse Farm in Tullahoma.

Mattie is an angry young woman, blaming her father and her brother’s best friend Nate McCullum for not stopping her twin Mark from joining up to fight in Vietnam. She leaves home a week after Mark’s funeral trying drugs and free sex…..

She is called back home by her father when her mother is dying. She finds Nash, who has lost an arm in the war, working with her father on the farm. She finds it hard to get over her anger, although she feels guilty for running away when she should have been there to look after her mother. 

There are a lot of secrets in this family which she is gradually learning - things are definitely not as they seem - especially when she reads the letters in her mother’s shoebox…..

In 1942 Ava Delaney’s husband Richard dies at Pearl Harbour and she is left living on the Delaney farm with his angry and disapproving mother, Gertrude. In order to get out of the house she takes on a job at Camp Forrest working for Dr Colonel Hew Foster. …..

Gunther Schneider, a medical student at Columbia’s Medical School, is arrested and sent to Camp Forrest where he starts out as an orderly in the hospital and is promoted to the clinic when he saves someone’s life…..

We are caught up in the characters’ emotions as the various secrets unfold. I like the hope and unconditional love that comes through so strongly

I specially like the part horses play in the story….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

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 FORGE by CHRIS FABRY

Publication date 6/8/24

THE FORGE by CHRIS FABRY is a beautiful story of redemption, full of life and Scripture that fits in,  not only with  Cynthia and Isaiah Wright’s problems, but will minister to the readers. I really enjoyed the story and the characters, and was pleased to come across the indomitable prayer warrior, Miss Clara, and the Jordan family from War Room.

Cynthia works hard at her hairdressing salon and keeps her lazy, game playing and drinking husband and their son Isaiah going. She is terrified of Isaiah becomibg like his father,  and when Darren walks out on them it looks like her worst fears are coming true. She tries very hard to be both mother and father to her son…..

Joshua Moore, owner of Moore Fitness, sees something in the angry young man who comes looking for a job and becomes a father figure to Isaiah. Joshua and his friends meet twice a month at The Forge which is a place of discipleship, where the mascot is a sword, bringing to mind the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which destroys rhe works of tge enemy…..

This is a story about choices made, overcoming fear with faith, the importance of forgiveness, dealing with rejection, unconditional love and the importance of never giving up in prayer. In fact it is about living life God’s way.

I cannot recommend this encouraging and inspirational read highly enough.

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

THE SISTERS OF CORINTH by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 21/5/24

THE SISTERS OF CORINTH is the second novel in the Emissaries series by ANGELA HUNT and it is a fitting sequel to A Woman from Lydia. 

 The author has written a beautiful love story that takes place in Corinth in AD 60 between a follower of Yeshua and an idol worshipper.

When Marianna, the stepdaughter of the chief magistrate,  is chosen by Marcus, the son of  Servius Memius Lupis, the  new governor of Achaia, to be his wife, she is not sure what to do. She seeks wisdom in the letters of Paulos (Paul) as she is afraid of displeasing Adonai by marrying an unbeliever, although she is attracted by the kind and gentle young man.  She says, “I would rather die than allow love for a man to  overshadow my love for Yeshua.” and then when they are married she prays,  “Adonai, let me be a servant to this man, and may I lead him to the truth.”

We see the hatred and treachery of her stepsister who does all she can, even invoking  the power of Aphrodite, rto bring trouble into the marriage and claim Marcus for herself.  Although Marcus has said to Marianna, “I have met a hundred women like your stepsister,  but I have never met anyone like you,” will he be forced to give in to Prima’s demands? …….

I love the way the author uses scriptures, especially from Paul’s letters and stories from the Old Testament, as a basis for her book, and also how she shows us what life was like for early believers in Yeshua.

I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.

I cannot recommend The Sisters of Corinth strongly enough and am looking forward to the next novel in the series.

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

FINDING YOU by ROBIN PATCHEN

FINDING YOU is the third novel in the Wright Heroes of Maine series by ROBIN PATCHEN, but although I like reading the series in sequence,  it can easily  stand alone.

The story is exciting, the characters unforgettable and the Christian message strong. I guarantee you will not be able to put the book down.

The story starts with Muslim terrorist Hasan Mahmoud breaking into Sophia Chapman’s apartment in Munich to look for clues to the whereabouts of a stash of weapons that Saddam Hussein had hidden in Germany. There is an exhibition of Babylonian artifacts about to take place at the Munchen Meisterwerke Galerie where Sophie works designing art exhibits, and one of the exhibits is thought to contain a clue to show where the weapons have been hidden. Sophie also works at a mission where Muslim refugees are led to Christ and families are helped with food and clothing, which is another reason for Hasan to hate her…..

Bryan Wright meets Sophie in Shadow Cove where she is visiting her best friend Leila, Bryan’s brother Michael’s fiancee. Michael, the undercover CIA agent, has heard of something going down at the exhibition and asks Bryan, the antiquities professor, in absolute secrecy, to go back to Munich with Sophie and look through the exhibits for anything suspicious, not realising the danger he is putting them in…..

I like the way both Bryan’s and Sophie’s characters are developed throughout the story and how they bring out the best in each other.

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend Finding You strongly enough and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

WHEN HOPE SANK by DENISE WEIMER

Publication date.

WHEN HOPE SANK by DENISE WEIMER is one  of the novels that feature American disasters that have affected the country and human life. It is a beautifully and sensitvely written account of the explosion and sinking of the river boat Sultana that was carrying freed prisoners from the Andersonville P.O.W. camp on April 27th 1825, shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Feelings are high in Arkansaw after the Confederate defeat and the arrival of Union soldiers at River Rest, the establishment belonging  to Lily Livingston’s uncle Thad, brings out hatred amongst the Southern sympathiers.

Uncle Thad, Lily and Lily’s young brother Jacob save the badly burned Lieutenant Cade Palmer, who is a qualified surgeon, and his friend James. Lily takes it upon herself to nurse Cade and to start  with he is worried that Lily is his enemy….

I like to see how Cade and Lily, whose walk with God is sadly lacking due to the horrors they have each been through, grows as they pray for one another and for  others……

It is a story about courage, unselfishness, understanding, compassion, forgivenes, hope and renewed trust in God, against a backdrop of evil, jealousy, hatred and fear.

I cannot recommend When Hope Sank highly enough. I found the book exciting and inspirational, giving one a great deal of food for thought.

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

THE ROADS WE FOLLOW by NICOLE DEESE

Publication date 30/4/24

In THE ROADS WE FOLLOW, NICOLE DEESE gives us an in depth study of family relationships. The novel is beautifully written, with unforgettable characters and a strong Christian message of forgiveness, redemption and following God’s lead rather than doing things in one’s own strength.

Micah Davenport is a therapist who feels betrayed when a DNA test shows he is not  Frank Davenport’s son. When the opportunity arises to drive the famous singer Luella Farrow and her three daughters on a two week road trip to some of the places she and his recently deceased mother, Lynn, visited when they were inseparable, he takes it in both hands, wanting to find out if Luella knows who his biological father could be.

Reagan is the youngest Farrow daughter and is tired of being at Adele’s beck and call, always putting Farrow Music Productions, that is close to financial ruin largely due to the underhanded actions of her middle sister Hattie’s ex husband Peter. Reagan is a brilliant writer, having written a novel called The Sisters of Birch Grove, which she is afraid to publish under her own name. Adele sees Reagan’s writing as no more than a hobby…..

Micah shares his mother’s journals with Reagan and they become close, understanding and helping one another. Their mothers shared a history, going from best friends, writing music together and performing together, to not seeing one another for thirty years. The song Crossing Bridges that they wrote together  is going viral which is helping Farrow Music. Will this road trip help to heal the fractured Farrow family?……

The characters’ stories are beautifully knit together and the rawness of their emotions, together with their faith in God is very well portrayed.

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable and inspirational 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.

A RUN AT LOVE by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 7/5/24

A RUN AT LOVE is the second novel in the Love in the Spotlight series by TONI SHILOH, but it can easily stand alone. What a lovely book - what more could you want than a sweet romance, lots of horses, and a strong Christian message.?! I cannot recommend the read strongly enough. There is also tension with family relationships  being threatened with collapse due to uncovered scandal, all of which takes place in the horse racing and training world. It is a story about inter racial adoption, rejection, uncondicional love, new beginnings, forgiveness, justice and repentance.

Piper McKinney is not sure where she belongs, being a black girl adopted by wealthy white parents. Her parents own the prestigious horse farm, Bolt Brook, where Piper’s best friend Tucker Hale works as a trainer. Piper, with her love for horses, feels she has inherited her adoptive parents’  DNA! At twenty-eight, desperate to make her own way in the world, she buys her own farm and a beautiful colt, Dream, who she employs Tucker to train. Although she is close to her parents, Tucker is the one person who really understands her……

Although Tucker is a man of faith he tends to make extensive plans instead of trusting God .……..

I am not going to tell  you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

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

LOWCOUNTRY LOST by T I LOWE

Publication date 3/9/24

I enjoyed LOWCOUNTRY LOST by T I LOWE so much that I did not want the book to finish! It is the story of unforgettable characters working together to bring life to a dead town and of making something beautiful out of what has been discarded. We see treasure being found in the strangest places and the restoration of people and relationships as well as the buildings. “This ghost town keeps on offering up secrets, “ …”tearing something up in order to put it back together.”

As their loneliness, grief and raw emotions are uncovered and they face their loss together, we wonder if Avalee and Rowan will ever get back together. and if Avalee will be able to accept life once more without running away. Will they be able to make a new start as “ staying put in the past had become a terrible burden”. 

This revitalization project is revitalizing more than the town of Somewhere and there is a subtle Christian message of restoration of families, love and never giving up on a person, running through the novel. I really enjoy the author’s writing style.

I cannot recommend Lowcountry Lost strongly enough.

I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are comletely my own.

A CHOICE CONSIDERED by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 2/7/24

A CHOICE CONSIDERED is rhe second novel in The Heart of Cheyenne series by TRACIE PETERSON, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully written historical romance in which the author, in her special way, takes us through her characters’  joys, sorrows and struggles. There is also a strong Christian message of hope and restoration.  

The story takes place in Cheyenne Wyoming in 1868 with many of the unforgettable characters from the first book. With the exodus of many of the roughnecks, yand some of the saloons and houses of ill repute having moved out of the area, the town is much safer than it used to be.

Melody Doyle lives with her railway worker father, Clancy, in a tent. Father and daughter are very close and when Melody decides she would like to remain in Cheyenne when her father is well enough to return to work, her father refuses to leave her until she has a husband to look after her. Clancy Doyle, who has a strong gift of discernment, chooses several men from the district to court Melody……

Charlie  Dekker .is the new manager of his father’s bank in Cheyenne but, although he takes his position seriously, his real passion is teaching……

The strory is exciting and the romance is sweet. I cannot recommend this delightful and thought provoking novel with its stron emphasis on unconditiinal love, friendship and strong family bonds, 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.

LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS

Publication date 3/9/24

LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS is not only an exciting suspense novel but it is also an in depth study of human nature as Carrington Reed, a hostage negotiator, and Levi Ehrlich, an investigative reporter, lay their lives on the line to not only intervene in a hostage situation, but also to go the extra mile  in bringing healing to the Kendrix family by finding out the truth and finding justice for them. With Levi’s curiosity and Carrington’s compassion these two very brave “outliers” are well matched in their search for Timothy Kendrick’s murderer and the secrets that lie behind his death. As they work together will their growing friendship and similar goals turn into something more?…….

I really like Levi’s strong faith in Yeshua and the fact that he belongs to a Messianic church where the joy of the Lord and the strong message of salvation at the service she goes to affect Carrington whose faith in God has virtually disappeared.

I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.

There are many surprises and the nail-biting tension will keep you guessing right to the end.

I cannot recommend this well written, thrilling, suspense-filled novel strongly 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.

A NOBLE SCHEME by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 19/3/24

A NOBLE SCHEME is the second novel in the Imposters series by ROSEANNA M WHITE. Like the first novel, it is beautifully written and it is great to come across the characters we came to know and love in A Beautiful Disguise. Although it can stand alone, I suggest you read the books in sequence. I cannot wait for the third and final book in the series.

Full of emotion, exciting, and with a strong Christian message, A Noble Scheme has everything that makes for a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

The story takes  place in 1909-1910  with the Imposters looking for a young boy that has been kidnapped from Fellsbourne, Lord Wilfred’s country estate. The kidnapper took the wrong boy, a poor relation’s son, and the hard hearted Lord Wilfred refuses to pay the ransom to set him free……

We see how the loss of their little Jamie has affected Gemma with hatred towards her husband, and Graham with anger towards God. 

Grief over lost children is a major theme in the novel, together with the importance of forgiveness….

Things are not as they seem as we see the mystery unfold and the four friends trying to unravel the clues…..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I 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 competely my own.

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 1/4/24

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP  is the third novel in the series but it can easily stand alone. I really enjoy this author’s novels for the gripping stories, wonderful characters and the strong Christian message running through them. 

This book has a real Dickensian feel about it - in fact I can just see Charles Dickens with a coroner called Mr Morttis! The description of London in the late 19th century is superbly done and one can really feel the tension and danger that Kit, who is a partner with her father in the Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency, and her husband Chief Inspector Jackson Forge, feel as they try to bring justice into the poorer areas of London where the criminal element is alive and well. Kit is facing a dilemma in that she has a baby girl, Bella, with whom she is not spending enough time. Should she give up her work and befome a full time housewife? Both she and Jackson adore their offspring and each other….

There is another romance in the story and we wonder if Inspector Charles Baggett will ever have the courage to court the lovely Martha Jones…..

In amongst the murder and mayhem there are some interesting characters such as the very strange Ezra Catchpole and the rather useless Inspector Ira Harvey - both of whom are totally underestimated by Jackson, bringing to light the fact that one should not be quick to judge. The headstrong Kit also learns a lesson after she decides  to help Mrs Charlotte Coleman, against her father’s advice and without praying for the Lord’s direction……

This exciting book, which is full of adventure, danger and suspense is a real page turner, and I cannot recommend The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane 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.

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER

Publishing date 12/3/24

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER is the second novel in her Texas Ever After series. I really enjoy the way this authot writes delightful love stories, this one having a hint of Cinderella, with great characters and a solid Christian message, that, like this one, often  have the odd villain, a nasty secret and plenty of suspense to keep you guessing!

The story takes place in 1889 at the Three Cedars Ranch in Palo Pinto County, Texas, where Samantha Dearing lives with her cattle baron father and her younger brother Clinton. She has come home from finishing school in Boston where she was sent by her father after her mother’s death. She is furious with her father for sending her away and also for arranging  a ball in her honour, to which he has invited some of the wealthiest bachelors, and she feels he wants to “auction her off to the highest bidder”…..

Asher Ellis is furious with Eli Dearing for chasing his beloved stepmother, Mama Bess, and his brothers out of their home after his father died. He is doing a bit of illegal reconnaissance when he leaves his boot behind!……

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable read 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.

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT

Publication date 11/6/24

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT is a dual timeline novel, written in beautiful prose, that takes us through the joys and griefs of three generations of an African American family from Georgetown  Carolina, starting with Tabitha Cooper in 1915, and ending with her great great granddaughters, Mariah and Sabrina in the present day, who have come to Georgetown at their grandmother’s request to restore Tabby’s Meats & Sweets to its former glory. The depth of the author’s character analysis is outstanding. I particularly like the way she expresses their strong and practical faith in God…..

A strong sense of the strength of family and other relationships, hard work, restoration, and unconditional love is mixed with that of grief, betrayal and hardship.

I cannot recommend Bitter and Sweet highly enough as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

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

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 13/2/24

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS is the first novel in the Women of Midtown series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN. It is a most enjoyable read and I cannot wait for the next one! The characters and their emotions are beautifully portrayed and so is life in New York City in the early 20th century, especially the lives of those who work the night time shifts like Lieutenany Jonathan Birch, who keeps the city safe at night,  amd Dr Katherine Schneider, who is a qualified dentist and finishes work at  Parker’s Painless Dentistry at midnight,……

The story starts in 1913 with Jonathan walking Katherine home through Times Square to her rooms at the Martha Washington Hotel, bringing her gifts of delicious Italan treats. For Jonathan his whole life is the police fotce, but he hides a secret which could cost him his job and the beautiful Katherine, with whom he is desperately in love…..

With bombs going off at various strategic places, Katherine’s life is endangered when the newspaper runs with information she has brought to the police that a patient let slip when under the effects of laughing gas…..

We come across people like Katherine who has a loving and supportive  family and tends to see the nest in everyone, as opposed to Jonathan and Sean Gallagher, who come from sad and violent family backgrounds. …

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough for the great story, unforgettable characters, and subtle 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.

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY

Publication date 6/2/24

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY is not only a fast paced and chiiling thriller, but it is also an inspirational novel with a strong Christian message of redemption, the importance of choices made, forgiveness and second chances. The unforgettable characters, some with their  less than happy childhood and young adult years, show how the Lord restores those who put their trust in Him…

The plot is well laid out as former FBI forensic expert, Andi Forester, teams up with former conman Christian O’Brady and his partners in the family P I business,  to solve one gallery  heist after another, in which the criminals seem to be playing a game with them. Christian’s brother, Deckart,  teams up with FBI analist Harper Grace, Andi’s best friend, to solve Anne Marlowe’s murder and to  clear Andi’s name with the Bureau…..

All very exciting - and there is also some great romance….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend One Wrong Move highly enough as an all round enjoyable read.

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

UP FROM DUST by HEATHER KAUFMAN

Publication date 23/1/24

UP FROM DUST by HEATHER KAUFMAN  is biblical fiction at its best. It is the story of Martha of Bethany, her early life with her widowed father, her studious younger brother Lazarus, and her handful of a younger sister, Mary. The author describes the life and customs of the time, and her analysis of the characters’ emotions draws one right into the story.

Part two of the novel takes us into Martha and her siblings’ friendship with this amazing carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth, who sees each one of them individually and relates to them where they are at. The biblical stoies are well told against the background of their friendship and the political climate of the times.

I like the way Jesus becomes real to each one of them and how they are never the same after meeting Him and experiencing His unconditional love and seeing the miracles He performs. …..

This novel, with its biblical truth, reflects the story of our walk with the Lord as we come to know Him as our Friend, Saviour and Deliverer…….

I cannot recommend Up From Dust 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.

COLD THREAT by NANCY MEHL

Publication date 23/1/24

COLD THREAT is the second novel in the Ryland & St. Clair series by NANCY MEHL, but it can easily stand alone. I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for the third and final book. Not only is Cold Threat exciting and literally “unputdownable”, but there is a strong Christian message flowing through it that really spoke to my heart! 

As we see the serial killer “righting wrongs” in his own delusional and diabolical way, we see how people in law enforcement like Dan, Tony and River, are committed to bringing justice in an evil world. As Tony’s mother, Beth, says to River ,“I believe bringing justice is a high calling. I thank God for people like Ray and Tony. And you.” And speaking of the words in Philippians chapter four verse eight, she adds,  “defending those who have been hurt by evil - bringing justice - is the enbodiment of that scripture”.

Tony St.Clair and River Ryland have left the FBI where they worked as trained profilers and are now in partnership in St Louis as private investigators. They both experienced trauma at the hands of the Salt River Strangler, which has affected them badly. We also see that he has not given up on his pursuit of River…..

Tony’s father, Ray, is determined to prove that the latest murder in Burlington  was committed by a copycat and not by the “Snowman”: whose first murder was committed in Des Moines twenty four years ago. Two of the more rescent murders in Burlington have the same MO and Ray has asked Tony and River to do a profile for him so that he can catch the murderer before there are any more victims. It is particularly important as it is December and heavy snow is predicted, making the conditions perfect for the man who has been dubbed the “Snowman.”……

I like to see how River enjoys family life with Tony’s parents, how she is growing in her faith and is even learning to forgive her parents for her messed up childhood. In fact the subject of dysfunctional family life plays a big part in the story.

I cannot recommend this enjoyable and riiveting read 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.