SMOKE SCREEN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK

SMOKE SCREEN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK has got it all - suspense, romance and really good Christian content. Add to that a fire fighter, two beautiful children in the middle of a horrible custody battle, false accusations and murder and you have a really thrilling read!
I have always admired Terri Blackstock's understanding of human nature and her memorable characters, and this book definitely does not disappoint in those areas. There is also an excellent Christian message running through it.
When Nate Beckett is forced to take time off due to second degree burns, he decides he may as well go back to Carlisle to visit his family, seeing that his father has been pardoned by the governor and is out of jail after fourteen years.
Brenna Hertzog is going through an ugly custody battle with her ex husband and is finding it hard to cope. She and Nate have history, as do their families, in fact he was her first boyfriend when she was sixteen, and it is Nate's father who allegedly murdered her father.
It is a story of redemption, of trusting that, in spite of what we are going through, God has a good plan for our lives, and of the importance of forgiveness.
I am not going to tell you any more except to say that it is a really good read and I can highly recommend it.



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THE PAINTED CASTLE by KRISTY CAMBRON

Publication date 15/10/19.
THE PAINTED CASTLE is another epic novel by KRISTY CAMBRON, which takes place over three generations. It follows on from Castle On The Rise, and, although it can easily be read as a stand alone, I really recommend reading the books in sequence, for pure enjoyment! I really like this author's way with words, her character portrayal and understanding of human nature, and the clever way her fictional characters fit in with the history of the times.
Starting in 1843 with Elizabeth Meade, following on to 1944 with Amelia Woods and ending with Keira Foley in the present day, the author has woven these three women's stories together at Parham Hill Estate Framlingham England, bringing this manor house and its surroundings alive with really beautiful prose. All three women have been badly hurt in the past and we see how they gradually find healing, largely due to the men in their lives, who also have a certain brokenness. It is a story of redemption and hope.
I like the historical aspect with Queen Victoria's secret painting by the famous
Franz Xaver Winterhalter playing a big part in the story, and also the vivid descriptions of the horrors of World War II and the fortitude of those who lived at the time.
It is an inspirational book with three wonderful romances running through it, and one I can highly recommend.

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THE SPICE KING by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 3/9/19.
THE SPICE KING by ELIZABETH CAMDEN is a romantic historical novel, with quite a bit of intrigue and politics, and a really good Christian message. The story is based on true history, and takes place in 1900, at a time when unscrupulous businessmen were making money by putting untested and potentially dangerous ingredients into tinned and bottled food, which they were passing off as the real thing.
Annabelle Larkin and her blind sister, Elaine, leave the family farm in Kansas, which is in financial trouble, and move to Washington where Elaine has found a position with the braille library, and Annabelle has a temporary job at the Smithsonian. Annabelle is a botanist and is passionate about plants. In fact she is passionate about life in general and is friendly, optimistic and loving. She is also patriotic and determined, and makes up for her short stature by not being afraid to speak her mind.
She has been told by Dr Norwood, her superior, that in order to obtain a permanent position in Washington, she needs to find a very rare Vanilla orchid, which may be in Gray Delacroix' possession.
Gray is a businessman who has built up Global Spice, travelling the world to find rare plants and increase his business holdings. Gray is a grumpy man, all business and no social graces. He does not trust the government, because of what happened in the past, nor does he want to help them in any way, let alone in their botanical research.
I will not tell you any more about the story, as I do not want to spoil the read for you, excepting to say that it is an interesting and exciting book, with great characters that are very well portrayed, and I can highly recommend it.



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MEMORIES OF GLASS by MELANIE DOBSON

Publication date 3/9/19.
MEMORIES OF GLASS by MELANIE DOBSON is a historical romance novel which is both heart wrenching and heart warming. It is heart wrenching to read about the devastation caused by the Nazi regime in Holland during the Second World War and the thousands of Jewish children who were murdered in the death camps, and heart warming to read about those who risked everything to save as many children as possible. It is horrifying to learn of "upstanding citizens" who profitted from investing in Hitler's war machine, and to see how they would stop at nothing to cover up their crimes, even going so far as to set themselves up as benefactors after the war.
This is a book that will really touch your heart, with characters that are sensitively portrayed. I cannot recommend it highly enough.




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LEGACY REJECTED by ROBIN PATCHEN

LEGACY REJECTED by ROBIN PATCHEN is a romantic suspense novel with a really good plot that will keep you reading long into the night!
The story takes place in Nutfield, where Kade Powers has lived all his life, and where Ginny Lamont has settled, finally in her own home after having moved countless times with her parents and after her mother literally threw her out of the house!
Ginny moved to Nutfield to be near her sister, Kathryn and her family, only to have Kathryn suddenly move away to an undisclosed destination, warning Ginny to do the same.
it is a story about heroes, about coming to know God the Father "who sees" and whose plans for us are way better than those we make for ourselves, about sacrificial love and having the right priorities.
It is altogether a most enjoyable read.


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KING'S SHADOW by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 26/8/19.
KING'S SHADOW by ANGELA HUNT is a well researched historical novel which deals with the life of Herod up until the birth of Christ, and Herod's death, as told by his sister Salome.
I find it most interesting that the author has shown the strong family ties between Herod, Salome, and their mother, and Herod's humanity through the eyes of his sister, who devoted her life to him. It is sad to think of a king who wanted to be loved by his subjects so badly, and who was so afraid of losing his throne that he had his beloved wife, Mariamne, and his three oldest sons executed for treason.
I like the story of Zara, Salome's handmaid, who was loyal to her mistress, and who was cared for by her in return. I like Zara's hunger for the truth of God's word and her growing relationship with Hashem.
I will not tell you any more, as I do not want to spoil the read for you, but I cannot recommend the book highly enough for anyone who enjoys biblical history.



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OVERCOMER by CHRIS FABRY

Publication date 23/7/19.
OVERCOMER by CHRIS FABRY is a book that really spoke to me and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The Christian message running through it is about overcoming in really difficult circumstances. It is about listening to the Lord and being obedient, about forgiveness and honesty and the power and importance of prayer.
Hannah lives with her grandmother, Barbara, a bitter woman who works two jobs in order to provide for them. She is bitter because of what happened to Hannah's mother and is worried that Hannah is going the same way. Hannah is expelled from Franklin high at the age of fifteen and no other school will take her in until an anonymous benefactor pays for her to go to Brookshire Christian school. It is here that she meets John Harrison and becomes the only member of his cross country athletics team.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you, excepting to say that the story is beautifully told and will really keep your attention to the end.



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