LOVE AND ORDER by JENNIFER UHLARIK

LOVE AND ORDER is a very apt name for the most enjoyable and exciting novel by JENNIFER UHLARIK. What a great story and what interesting characters! The scene is set in Cambria Springs in 1873 where Calliope Braddock, an under cover Pinkerton agent going by the name Kezia Jarrett , and her partner Joe Trenamen, whose under cover name is Stephen Nesbitt, are looking for a killer responsible for the murder of seven women countrywide, the latest two murders taking place in Cambria Springs. Callie is also looking for her older brother and sister from whom she was separated fifteen years ago on an orphan train…….
There is murder, kidnapping, more than one courtroom scene, a suspicious sheriff, a medicine show and more than one romance. We also see how the main characters come to rely on the Lord for His guidance and protection……
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this lovely 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.

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE by ELIZABETH MUSSER

Publication date -3/6/25

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE is the third novel I have read by ELIZABETH MUSSER, and I definitely will not miss any of her books in the future!  She has a beautiful way of writing, strongly based on her Christian faith and her love and understanding of God’s chosen people, the Jews. Reading  of the young Jewish gitl Delphine’s trust in God as she encourages her friend Rene by singing the Jewish Songs of Ascent, really touched my heart. 

The story takes place in 1944 at the time of Operation Dragoon in Provence against the backdrop of the German occupation, antisemitic horror, and betrayal…..

The characters are unforgettable, from Monsieur Martin who runs  the Martin network saving Jewish children from the Gestapo, his army chaplain son Peter who prays for his men, seeing to their physical as well as spiritual needs, to the beautiful and caring Isabelle and the other brave members of the French Resistance, to name but a few……

There are strong themes of rebuilding what is broken, as we see the destruction of Sisteron by friendly fire, and the rebuilding of the Camp Between the Hills, according to Isaiah 61:4 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.” There is also the rebuilding of broken people and relationships, with God as well as with one another, with forgiveness and God’s grace providing the key. Another very apt scripture used by Peter with the fearful soldiers is “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. As Isabelle’s father used to say “courage is not the lack of fear, courage is fear that has said its prayers.”…….

There is so much I could say about this exceptional and inspirational book but I will not 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 compleely my own.