A WEEKEND ON ALLYSON ISLAND by SUSANNAH B LEWIS

Publication date 9/12/25

A WEEKEND ON ALLYSON ISLAND by SUSANNAH B LEWIS is the poignant story of five friends who get together to celebrate the wealthy widow, Moira’s, fiftieth birthday. To me it is a picture of true friendship and Christian fellowship, once each woman’s struggles come to light. 

I cannot recommend this beautifully written and inspirational 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.

TIME FOR COURAGE by ROB CURRIE

Publication date 6/1/26

TIME FOR COURAGE by ROB CURRIE tells an exciting story of the courage of teenagers who are part of the Dutch resistance during the second world war, helping save Jewish children from the Nazi war machine. It is a beautifully written novel that is just as suitable for adults as it is for children, full of adventure, courage and quick thinking. I particularly like the way the Ingelse children demonstrate the faith and prayer life their parents have taught them, and the scriptures that give them courage.

I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational read 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.

THE DAUGHTER OF SHILOH by TERRI J HAYNES

Publication date 15/10/25

THE DAUGHTER OF SHILOH by TERRI J HAYNES is a well written historical romance novel which takes place in Birmingham in 1902, where two Tuskagee institute students, Lealie Bevard and Milton Rafferty, are injured, one physically and the other psychologically, during the stampede at the Shiloh Baptist church convention on the 19th September……..

This tragedy threatens to change the direction of Lealie’s life, but also shows the gossips of Shiloh Baptist church the depth  of Milton’s character, as the two of them use their nursing and administrative skills in the aftermath of the disaster…….

The two young students face danger as they look into stolen funds and even become involved in a murder investigation……..

There are some serious themes in the novel such as family dynamics, the question of Negro education and whether it should take a more technical or classical route, and the slow movement of integration between white and black…….

The book has a great Christian message, largely based on Psalm 23.

I cannot recommend this inspirational read 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.

SOUTH OF SOMEWHERE by T I LOWE

Publication date 10/3/26

SOUTH OF SOMEWHERE by T I LOWE is a beautifully written novel in which the authot deals sensitively with some difficult subjects, such as alcohol and drug addiction and family dynamics. The story will keep you riveted as you follow Junie Wilder in her journey to stay sober and show her brother Cy that she is capable of looking after her little daughter Fern. ……

On being released from rehab she goes tol live in the house in Sullivan’s Island where memories of her grandma Olla abound. She is desperately lonely and feels guilty for her bad behaviour, but, between her fatherly probation officer, handsome and kind neighnour Henry, Betty from her Methodist AA meeting, her friends from the Magnolia Nephilist Society, and Winston her canine friend, Junie gradually learns to foegive herself. ……

There is a strong Christian message, and  I like to see her relationship with God growing, as well as her desire to make things right with her brother…….

This is a story about second chances, redemption, determination, and the courage of a mother, who herself was neglected by her parents, striving to make up for her mistakes and become the best mother she can be for her daughter. 

I cannot recommend this lovely read strongly enough.

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

A MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS by CHAD ROBICHAUD

Publication date 13/8/25

A MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS by CHAD ROBICHAUD  is a powerful story of faith, courage and sacrifice as we hear from the author, a former recon Marine, how he and his team go in to war torn Ukraine to help those who are suffering at the hands of the Russians. We see the truth about the brutal way they attack civilians and destroy the homes and the infrastructure of towns, leaving desolation and death behind them, and also evidence of chemical warfare……

As Chad says, “Nothing makes me so enraged as when I see innocent people, especially children, terrorized by evil men,” and, “how far away does someone have to be before we lose our compassion to help them?” He also says, “If we let politics get in the way of our compassion for people in need, then we should probably change our politics,” and, “there is never a wrong time to do the right thing………All it takes, is all you got.”

I like Chad’s honesty as he speaks of his own battle with PTSD, even as the founder and CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, a non profit organization where thousands of veterans are helped throughout the world. He speaks about his battle with letting go of his worry for his son Hunter who joins him in the Ukraine, and for his family in general, learning to trust Gos with them.

I like to see how he and his colleagues pray together and minister to those on the battlefield, and support Ukrainian pastors and chaplains. Of his ministry to the suffering people in the land he says, “Mostly I prayed that they would know that God loved them and that He was going to be with them every step of the way - especially in the middle of so much hardship.” We also see how his own faith in God grows…….

I cannot recommend this excellent book highly enough.

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

SPLENDOR OF THE LAND by CONNILYN COSETTE

Publication date 5/8/25

SPLENDOR OF THE LAND is the third novel in the King’s Men series by CONNILYN COSETTE. It is one of the most beauriful books I have read in a long time! It really spoke to me as all of this author’s books have done. There is biblical truth, emotional depth, suspense, adventure, betrayal, sacrificial love, bravery, and romance, all against the backdrop of the first book of Samuel chapter fifteen and verse six, where Saul warns the Kenites to leave their homes and lands as he is about to come against the Amelekites who are living among them. This decree, to destroy the Amelekites,  has come from Yahweh through the prophet Samuel, to finish what the Israelites had been told to do when they came into the Promised Land so many years before.

Gavriel, a soldier under Yonatan in King Saul’s army, has finally caused his commader to discipline him harshly for his drunken and reckless behaviour by sending him away to help Emmet, a captain who despises him, to help move the Kenites to safety. It is there that he meets his “little dove” Zahava,, and his life will never be the same!…….

The beautiful, although crippled, Zahava, is a brillian maker of red gold jewellery. Her father, Barzel, has taught her secrets handed down by their Kenite ancestors, because he is losing his sight. Her father is a godly man whi, with her mother, follows Yahweh closely. He is particularly protective of his family, especially his damaged middle daughter. Zahava’s mother tells her here how she got her name: “ “You father named you not for the gold that men pull out of the ground by the sweat of their brows, Zahava, ……but for that golden star shining like a beacon - like a blessing from on high - throughout the long hours he waited outside the tent, listening for your first cry.” “  Zahava says “ From my earliest memories my mother had sung a song about how the Creator had fashioned me with elements far stronger and more precious than pure gold,  just as he’d made that beautiful star with no more than a word from his mouth.”

Forging, blacksmithing and goldsmithing form an integral part of the story, and we are reminded of God, our Creator, who is forever refining us into His own image.

This novel really makes the Bible come alive and gives us so much background history to that single verse. I cannot recommend Splendor of the Land highly ebough.

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