THE LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE by MELANIE DOBSON

 THE LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE by MELANIE DOBSON is a beautifully written historical romance novel spanning two timelines that flow seemlessly into one another, with a strong Christian message of redemption. There is mystery and betrayal, and there are secrets which Harper Rayne, an aspiring young film writer, feels has something to do with her orphaned mother. She is fascinated with the novels of Via Belle which she and her mother used to read together. She goes to the small town of Catawba, where Via Belle lived and where her mother grew up in an orphanage, to house and cat sit for her mother’s best friend Marcia. Here she gets drawn into Via Belle’s story and wants to make a film about her life…….

Finn Sterling is in charge of Haven House and the Via Belle trust, and on his first meeting with Harper, who is trespassing on the property, he threatens to call the police……..

In 1940 we meet Via Belle, the popular author of wholesome Christian romance novels, who seems to have lost her ability to create since losing her beloved husband. She is invited to speak at Winfield College where she autographs one of her books for a young student called Izzy and meets Dr Simon Sparrow, both of whom are to play a part in her future. She regains her creativity and meets her deadline, writing many more novels unril she disappears………

There is drama, suspense, danger and intrigue as well as courage and healing in this beautiful and inspiring novel which I cannot recommend 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.

HEARTS IN CIRCULATION by SARAH MONZON

 Publication date 18/11/25

In HEARTS IN CIRCULATION by SARAH MONZON we meet Hayley, Evangeline and Martha, the three librarians from An Overdue Match, together with a huge, rather grumpy mechanic from Turkey Grove, and many other delightful characters. The novel is a rollicking, laugh-out-loud, romcom with a deeper meaning and strong emotional input, based on the fact that no matter how hard we try to be worthy of the gift of life we have been givenn by doing good deeds, or “playing it forward”, as Hayley calls it, we mustn’t cheapen the free gift of salvation that Jesus died to give us……

Hayley Holt, a vivacious young woman, meets the monosyllabic, antisocial, gorgeous looking bear of a man, Levi Redding when the bookmobile she is driving breaks down on the way  to Turkey Grove. Forced to have her to stay with him, his opinion of his unexpected guest soon changes. Both lovers of the written word, I love the letters they write to each other and the way they understand and complement one another……..

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

I cannot recommend this charming,  romantic, and inspirational 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.

THROUGH EACH TOMORROW by GABRIELE MEYER

 Pblication date 4/11/25

In THROUGH EACH TOMORROW, GABRIELLE MEYER has used the concept of time crossing to create an exciting and inspirational read with the main characters, Charles and Drew, both time crossers, living in 1563 and 1883. We have four stories in one as their double lives and their double family commitments cause double the emotional strain. There is a strong Christian message about the all-encompassing power of God and the futiity of trying to manipulate Him for one’s own purpose! He has the perfect plan for our lives after all……

The author has done a great deal of research into  both the Gilded Age in America and the court of Queen Elizabeth the first at the time of the  plague that swept through London.

The characters are very well portrayed and the story moves seamlessly between the two time periods.

This is by far my most favourite of this author’s novels and I cannot recomend it 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 ROYAL,ARTISAN by TESSA AFSHAR

 THE ROYAL ARTISAN is the second novel in the Quiien Esther’s Court series by TESSA AFSHAR. It is a beautifully told story based on the book of Esther, full of Scripture, with most appropriate Bible verses ar the beginning of the chapters, and a strong message of the Fatherhood of God. The fictional parts of the story add interest and do not in any way take away from the truth of God’s Word.

I love to see the close friendship between Queen Esther and Sazana, the famous Jewish potter. Both of these strong women are orphans and have each been looked after by loving father figures. “They had both weathered an impossible loss as children, their lives upturned overnight. And they had both found the nurture of a good father after that loss.”

When the vile Lord Haman is executed, the king gives his pottery workshop to Esther, making Haman’s sons determined to get it back and kill Sazana. The queen sends Jadon, commander of her security, to try and find the spy at the pottery workshop and guard Sazana. This is awkward, to say the least, as he is the man who broke her heart five years ago……

There is an exciting mystery tied into Sazana’s past which could make all the difference to thesafety of the Jews in Persia……..

The setting for the story, thenwell  researched history of thentime, and the interesting characters, together with the strong Bible message, make for a truly unforgettable read. I cannot recommend this lovely book strongly enough.

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

DARK DESIGN by NANCY MEHL

 Publication date 21/10/25

DARK DESIGN by NANCY MEHL is the perfect combination of a nail-biting thriller and a thrilling story of Christ’s redemption. I cannot recommend this ecxiting and well thought out novel highly enough.

Erin Delaney is a successful author with her novel Dark Matters having become a best seller. She is shattered to find that a serial killer has folowed closely the murder scenes in her book, as well as murder scenes in several other authors’ books, to commit four brutal murders. She is horrifed and feels guilty for having written the novel…….

She is called to Fredericksburg to help the FBI find the murderer. She stays with her friends Kaely and Noah Hunter who are trained profilers……..

She has recently undergone a very traumatic experience which has led to her living a rather lonely life in a cabin in Sanctuary with her devoted border collie Chester. The police chief, Adrian Nightengale, is a good friend and she spends a lot of time with him and his golden retriever Jake………

This novel will take you on a most enjoyable roller coaster ride with twists and turns that will keep you guessing…….

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 complerely my own.

RESCUED HEART by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 7/10/25

 RESCUED HEART by ANGELA HUNT is the beautiful story of Abraham and Sarah, with the richness of biblical prophecy and an overwhelming feeling of Father God’s love for and protection of His people, as He personally leads and guides Abraham and Sarah and brings His promises to pass in their lives, against all odds. As He says to a sceptical Sarah in Genesis 18:14, “Is anythimg too hard for the Lord?”…….

Although the author uses some other ancient writings and her imagination, the fictional part of the book adds to the narrative and in no way interferes with the authenticity of God’s Word. I love the way we are given bibllical truth about trust and patience, and the inevitability of biblical ptophecy coming topass, as we share in Abraham and Sarah’s incredible journey through life. May we strive to hear God’s voice as they did and share the truth of the Gospel in these tumultuous days in which we live……

The faith Abraham shows in being willing to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to Adonai is beautifully described in the book, with its parallel in what He did in sending His Son to earth to save us from our sin…….

This book really spoke tome and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers.