SEA GLASS CASTLE by T. I. LOWE

Publication date 2/8/20
SEA GLASS CASTLE is the third book in the Carolina Coast series by T. I. LOWE. It is a delightful romance novel which has a great deal of depth to it.
The analogy of sea glass, which has been rubbed smooth by the sea, as being comparable to what happens to people who have also been rubbed into something beautiful by experience, is really meaningful.
In this book we come across the Sand Queens again, Opal, Sophia and Josie. They have been close friends since school and are really supportive of one another. The other two members of the Sand Queens will not allow Sophia to give in to depression after her disastrous marriage to football star Ty Prescott. She also needs to keep going for her son, Collin's, sake.
After four years, Dr Weston Sawyer is still mourning the death of his wife and son. He is barely living, but takes over the Sunset Cove Pediatric Clinic. After a disastrous first meeting, the rather prissy Sophia and the meticulous Weston become friends.
Wes and Sophia are both broken people who, through working together, come to understand and support one another. Will this lead to something more? The gossip mongers, commonly known as the Knitting Ladies, are certainly doing their best to find out!
I love the characters, from the rather eccentric Opal Cole with her large and rather intimidating husband, Lincoln, to paint splattered artists, Josie and August Bradford, right down to delightful little Collin Prescott. The author has an amazing way of getting us right into the characters' emotions as she deals sensitively with subjects such as divorce and spousal abuse and grief at the loss of loved ones. The Christian message is strong and there is a feeling of hope running through the story.
This whole series is altogether lovely and I recommend that you read the three novels in sequence, although Sea Glass Castle can be read as a stand alone.

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A MOSAIC OF WINGS by KIMBERLY DUFFY

Publication date 5/5/20
A MOSAIC OF WINGS by KIMBERLY DUFFY is a beautifully written book with well defined characters and excellent descriptions, not only of the characters' feelings, strengths and weaknesses, but of the landscape and flora and fauna found in Ithaca New York and Kodaikanal India. The author has done an incredible amount of research, especially into bugs and butterflies, which are Nora Shipley and Owen Epps' area of expertise. She has also researched the time, 1885, and we come across Professor John Comstock and his wife Anna, who were actually teaching at Cornell university at the time.
Lydia and Owen are the top two graduates in entomology and are neck and neck for a scholarship to study for a master's degree.
When the two of them are sent to India, their lives, and their relationships, change, and they each come to realize what is really important in life.
I do not want to tell you any more of the story for fear of spoiling the read for you. I really loved this book and will be reading it more than once. I found it true to life and most inspirational. The Christian message is good and one gets a sense of God's greatness in His creation and in His involvement in people's lives.



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STAY WITH ME by BECKY WADE

Publication date 5/5/20
STAY WITH ME is the first book in the Misty River Romance series by BECKY WADE. It is a beautifully told romance with a good Christian message, interesting characters and a bit of suspense to keep you guessing.
I love the way rhis author describes her characters' emotions and struggles, really drawing us into the story.
Genevieve Woodward is a highly successful Christian author and speaker, but she has never got over a traumatic experience when she was twelve and feels she has to work hard to show her gratitude to the Lord for saving her life. She is well known and well liked.
Sam Turner is also hurting and, although he runs a successful restaurant and farm, he keeps to himself by choice.
When he finds her asleep in his guesthouse all kinds of alarm bells start ringing.
Genevieve is close to her older sister, Natasha, and the two women work together to see what it is in their parents' past that has led to Genevieve being sent a threatening note.
I am not going to tell you any more of the story, except to say that there are some serious matters involved, but through it all we see the Lord at work bringing redemption out of chaos.
I really recommend Stay With Me as a most enjoyable and heartwarming read.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.



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IF I WERE YOU by LYNN AUSTIN

Publication date 2/6/20
I was so pleased to get an ARC copy of IF I WERE YOU by LYNN AUSTIN, as she is one of my favourite authors, and I was definitely not disappointed in the book. What a lovely story, so beautifully told, and with a really good Christian message. The characters are very believable and we are taken on a real roller coaster of emotions with them.
Eve Dawson & Audrey Clarkson meet in the woods when they are twelve - Eve comes from a poor but loving family and Audrey & her brother Alfie live with every privilege the upper class has to offer, but receive no affection from their parents. This unlikely pair become best friends, but their friendship is not without challenges.
I like the way they seem to bring out the best in each other, with Eve, who seems to be fearless, encouraging Audrey to not be afraid. We see how brave they are during the war and how their characters change with all they go through.
The war changes everything for the English, class distinction meanng less and less as the British work together to save their country from Nazi domination. The book is well researched and the description of England under Nazi attack is eye opening.
In this story we are reminded of the importance of following God's way for our lives rather than our own. We are also reminded of God's kindness and forgiveness towards us, and of the twenty third psalm where we learn about the Good Shepherd who will neither leave nor forsake us.
It is a story about second chances, and the importance of forgiveness, especially towards oneself.
I cannot recommend If I Were You strongly enough.



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LIKE FLAMES IN THE NIGHT by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 3/3/20
LIKE FLAMES IN THE NIGHT is another beautiful book by CONNILYN COSSETTE. I cannot recommend it highly enough, for its historical and biblical truths, exciting story, sweet romance and interesting characters. Although this novel can be read as a stand alone, I suggest you read the first three books in the series. You will not be sorry! This author has a special understanding of biblical times and a way of bringing her readers right into the middle of the story. Her ficticious characters enhance, rather than detract from, the biblical account.
This is Tirzah's story, and with her we come across some of the characters we have grown to love in the previous books. It is lovely to see everything tying up in what seems to be the end of the series.
The Christian message is very strong. There is a theme of justice, mercy, repentance and forgiveness running through the book. I love the way we are reminded of our Messiah Yeshua as we see Yahweh's dealings with His often disobedient people, and His destruction of their enemies when they come back to Him in repentance. It is a most enjoyable and inspirational read.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.



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LEGACY RECLAIMED by ROBIN PATCHEN

LEGACY RECLAIMED is the third novel in the Legacy series by ROBIN PATCHEN, and although the story takes place in Coventry New Hampshire and Nutfield, and we come across some of the characters from earlier books, each one is a stand alone. I have read and enjoyed them all but Legacy Reclaimed is my new favourite!
When heiress, Chelsea Hamilton, meets P.I., Dylan O'Donnell, outside the food bank in downtown Nutfield, little do they know what is in store for them! They both have lost loved ones in horrific circumstances in the past. They also both have strong faith in the Lord which has brought them through the pain. Now they have to trust the Lord to keep them safe and uncover who it is that is responsible for Chelsea's parents' accidents and who wants her dead.
Very loyal to Hamilton Clothiers of which she is now the head, Chelsea is determined to make a go of things for her parents' sake. Dylan is committed to keeping Chelsea alive, trusting nobody until they find the killer.
The story is action packed from beginning to end with memorable characters, romance, and great Christian content. I cannot recommend the book highly enough.



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7 Feasts by Erin Davis

Publication date 2/6/20
7 FEASTS, Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament, by ERIN DAVIS is a wonderful book, well researched and well written, easy to read and understand. Based largely on Leviticus, the author shows us the gospel in the feasts. The book is full of scriptural references between the Old and New Testaments, and the reader is encouraged to really take part in the study. It could also be used in a group bible study. It is encouraging and, I would say, a "must read" for any woman who is serious about living for Christ. Although the author speaks to women the truths in this book apply to everyone. She has a lovely, easy way of writing that really involves the reader on every level.
Having been blessed to be part of a church where the biblical feasts and what Jesus did for us in His death and resurrection were celebrated, the book really resonated with me and I cannot recommend it highly enough.



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