THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE'S HOLLOW by KIM VOGEL SAWYER

Publication date 15/9/20
THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE'S HOLLOW by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is a beautiful story about love, grace, forgiveness, overcoming hard times and the importance books play in a person's life.
The story takes place in 1936 with the effects of the Depression being felt all over the country. Facilities such as the packhorse libraries were set up where people could borrow free books. This enriched their lives and those of their children.
When Addie Cowherd has to leave her university studies because of the problems her adoptive parents are going through, she gets a job in Boone's Hollow as a packhorse librarian. She is not well received by the largely superstitious folk in the area, and things are made worse when she goes to live with Nanny Fay, who some say is a witch!
Whilst Emmett Tharp has graduated with a business diploma, he still finds it hard getting a job and starts out working in the coal mine with his father, before being employed by the Works Progress Administration to manage the distribution of books from the library.
The book is full of interesting characters, from the flamboyant yet unhappy Bettina to the mountain folk with their distrust of newcomers and the ongoing feud between the people of Boone's Hollow and those of Tuckett's Pass -and they all have a story to tell. I like the way Addie, following her loving adoptive parents' example, yearns, not only to be accepted by the locals but to understand them and tell their often heart wrenching stories.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance. The story is inspirational and the Christian message strong.







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A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE by JODY HEDLUND

Publication date 30/6/20
A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE is the third novel in The Bride Ships series by JODY HEDLUND. It is a beautiful historical romance, packed with action and intrigue, and with a great Christian message running through it. it is a story about unconditional love and second chances and the desire to find God's will for one's life rather than bending to tradition and man made rules.
The story takes place in 1863 with the arrival of a bride ship containing poor young girls from the cotton mills in Manchester who are looking for husbands. Many of them were starving when they left England after the closing of the cotton mills, and two succumb to consumption upon arrival - one of whom is Zoe Hart's dear friend Jane.
From Zoe's first meeting with him at Jane's deathbed, Pastor Abe Merivale takes it upon himself to be the friend she needs. Desperate to stop her from marrying Dexter Dawson, a real villain, and saddened by his fiancee in England's betrayal, he marries her.
That is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I cannot recommend A Bride of Convenience highly enough, and while it can be read as a stand alone, I suggest that you read the first two books in the series as well, for pure enjoyment. The characters are well portrayed and I really love the way the author describes their battles and emotions, so that we are caught up in what they are feeling. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.


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THE CRUSHING DEPTHS by DANI PETTREY

Publication date 30/6/20
THE CRUSHING DEPTHS is the second book in the Coastal Guardians series by DANI PETTREY, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. The author has once again given us a great romantic thriller and a most enjoyable read.
When Mason Rogers and Rissi Dawson, agents in the North Carolina Coast Guard Investigative Services, are sent to investigate a suspicious death on the Dauntless offshore oil platform, it is once again them against the world, as it was in the children's home in which they used to live. They have an unbreakable bond which is still evident after ten years, and we wonder if it is going to lead to something more.
I like the way the camaraderie amongst the CGIS team and the faith in God shown by some of them, contrasts with the wickedness of those who will do anything to get what they want. The plot is well worked out and fast paced with murder, stalking, a helicopter crash, a huge storm and sea rescues, to keep you on the end of your chair. It is also interesting to see what life is like on an oil rig.
I highly recommend The Crushing Depths to anyone who enjoys this genre. You will not be disappointed!

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AIRBORNE by DIANN MILLS

AIRBORNE by DIANN MILLS is a fast paced thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is quite interesting that this novel should come out while the whole world has been affected by the Covid-19 virus! It is a bit like reading today's news!
When F B I agent Heather Lawrence sets off on a holiday to Salzburg, hoping that time away at the music festival will help her get over her husband's unkindness and his desire to terminate their marriage, she is caught up in a horrifying attack from an unknown virus for which there is neither cure nor vaccine. To add to this, her husband Chad, a well known virologist, becomes a person of interest because of his line of work and their marital problems. Heather is not sure what to believe about Chad as he is no longer the man she married eight years ago.
The story is exciting and has a good Christian message. It is interesting to see how the people in quarantine and affected by the virus deal with the situation - some of them drawing closer to God with others moving away from Him. We see a whole spectrum of human behaviour - from those who show compassion, to those who hope to profit from the situation and who are downright evil.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.
I recommend Airborne for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.


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THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS by AMANDA BARRATT

Publication date 26/5/20
THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS by AMANDA BARRATT is the true story of the student resistance movement, The White Rose, which was started by students at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich in 1942. This book is a real masterpiece, beautifully written, at the same time desperately sad and incredibly inspiring. The courage shown by these young people, their willingness to die for their fellow man and their unconditional love for one another, based on faith in God, really spoke to me.
It is interesting to see WWII from the German perspective, from those who were horrified by Hitler's inhumanity and madness. From those who wanted to save their beloved country from destruction. From those who wanted to "be doers of the word, not hearers only". (James chapter 1 verse 22) and who, as Christl said, believed that "only action provides absolution."
Whilst Hans and Sophie Scholl, Alex Schmorell, Christl Probst, Willi Graf and Traute Lafrenz are real heroes of the resistance movement,
Annelise, the daughter of standartenfuhrer Brandt, and Kirk Hoffmann, are fictitious characters. However, Annelise and Kirk's romance really adds to the story.
An incredible amount of research has gone into this book. I really recommend The White Rose Resists as a book that will bless you and that will truly stay with you.


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A GILDED LADY by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 2/6/20
A GILDED LADY by ELIZABETH CAMDEN is an intriguing historical romance novel that takes place mostly in Washington and describes the political climate of the time. It is the second book in the Hope and Glory series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. However both novels are excellent and I strongly suggest that you read them in sequence.
With the assassination of King Umberto of Italy, Nathaniel Trask is sent by the Secret Service to redesign a new security plan at the White House and protect the president and first lady. He is strict and serious about his job, especially as he is riddled with guilt about what happened to his little sister when he should have been looking after her. He feels like a failure, in spite of the fact that he has uncovered quite a few counterfeiting rings, being an expert engraver.
He meets the beautiful Caroline Delacroix at the White House, where she looks after the very difficult and ailing Ida McKinley, and is frustrated at first with her free spirited approach to life. No one would ever guess that she is desperately trying to help free her twin brother, Luke, from a Cuban jail, where he is being held for treason.
I love the way the author describes these two hardworking and hurting people, and their interaction with one another and the other characters in the book. It is a thrilling story, with a really good Christian message. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
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DAUGHTER OF CANA by ANGELA HUNT

DAUGHTER OF CANA by ANGELA HUNT is a must read for lovers of biblical fiction. In fact it is one of the best books I have read and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research into life in Israel at the time, knows about Jewish feasts and old testament scripture, and paints a wonderful picture of Yeshua's ministry and earliest followers.
The story is told by Tasmin of Cana, the disciple Thomas' twin sister, and Jude of Nazareth, Yeshua's younger brother.
In spite of witnessing His first miracle at a wedding in Cana, Tasmin and Jude do not believe Yeshua's claim to be the Son of Man. When Thomas becomes a follower of Yeshua, they join forces to try and find their brothers. They want them to come home and face their family responsibilities. They are also afraid that they are going to get into trouble with the authorities. I love the descriptions of their travels and the people they meet along the way. The gospel story is told as they hear of Christ's miracles, witness some for themselves, and hear His teachings.
It is a beautifully written book and one that I will definitely read more than once.



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