UNDERCURRENT OF SECRETS by RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL

Publication date 1/9/21
UNDERCURRENT OF SECRETS by RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL is a most enjoyable historical romance novel which takes place over two time frames, linked in quite an amazing way and with an unforgettable love story in
each timeline.The book is based on scriptures such as "Perfect love casts out all fear", and it is good to see the main characters holding on to the Lord and His unfailing love. A quotation that I especially like is "Love is bold. It takes a good deal of courage and a trusting heart."
In present time, Devyn Asbury is getting over being dumped by her fiance Travis Leeman on the social media site, Space Station, which they developed together, where he put their relationship on display and manipulated her shamelessly. It took her a while to realise that "Her security came from God, not what the world said about her." She is now working as a wedding coordinator on the one hundred year old steamboat "The Belle of Louisville", where her love of history combines with a love of romantic old movies to provide a setting for marriages that she hopes will last.
She meets Chase Jones, an artist who is going to help her get ready for a benefit ball for the Once Upon A Wedding competition, on condition that she helps him find out about Hattie, a young girl whose picture his grandfather had.
In 1926 we are taken aboard the "Idlewild" (the original name of the Belle) and meet Hattie Louis, the young woman in question, Duffy, the captain who took her in as a baby and Jack Asbury, the first mate. We see her story unfold parallel to that of Devyn and Chase and gradually all their secrets come to light.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you. It is a beautifully written novel, with unforgettable characters and a plot twist that I certainly was not expecting! I cannot recommend Undercurrent of Secrets highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.



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ALL THAT IS SECRET by PATRICIA RAYBON

Publication date 5/10/21
ALL THAT IS SECRET by PATRICIA RAYBON is a very well written historical thriller that takes place in Denver in 1923 during the height of KKK activity in the area. The story is based on this verse in Luke 8:17, "For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and be made known to all."
Annalee Spain, a young coloured professor of theology, returns to her home town of Denver to find out the truth about her father's death. Eddie Brown junior, a grubby white boy, who is also looking for the truth about his father and who saved her life on the train from Chicago, makes up one part of her detective team, the other one being the handsome Reverend Jack Blake.
I really like this author's writing style, her references to Sherlock Holmes, and the depth of the Christian message on which the story is based. One of my favourite quotations in the book is "So prayer is where God meets us - If we stay strong in it. On purpose", and another is "solving a murder is not about crime, its about finding fear and greed and, well, about lust."
As Annalee bravely faces all that is stacked against her in this world of power hungry, wealthy and unscrupulous men and women, she uncovers racism and class distinction at its worst.
The story is fast paced, the plot is exciting and the characters are unforgettable. It is altogether a great read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.




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THE BARRISTER AND THE LETTER OF MARQUE by TODD M JOHNSON

Publication date 3/8/21
THE BARRISTER AND THE LETTER OF MARQUE by TODD M JOHNSON is an intriguing historical romance novel which takes us into the legal world in England in the early 1800's. I love the descriptions of London in all her vibrancy, with the underlying elements of corruption and crime.
In 1797, at the age of eighteen, William Snopes leaves his privileged life behind and sets off to fulfill his dream of becoming a barrister. He becomes acquainted with Father Thomas Neal who plays an important role in his life and in the lives of William's two assistants, Edmund Shaw and Obadiah Cummings, orphans who William rescued. I like this Christian element running through the book. i also like William's love of music that helps sustain him through the pressures of life, and his determination to help those others would see as undesirables rather than seeking to ingratiate himself with the aristocracy.
Lady Madeleine Jameson's cousin, Harold Tuttle, is arrested on his arrival home on his ship Padget and faces the gallows, due to the disappearance of the Letter of Marque he was given before he set out.
Madeleine, who borrowed money to help fund the Padget's journey, approaches William to take on Harold's case.
That is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil things for you.
It is an interesting, inspirational and exciting read, full of intrigue and twists and turns, and one I cannot recommend 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.




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FREEDOM'S SONG by KIM VOGEL SAWYER

Publication date 19/10/21
FREEDOM'S SONG by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is a really lovely historical romance novel with a strong Christian message based on John 8:36 "if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
We meet Fanny Beck singing for the guests on the River Peacock as Sloan Kirkpatrick's prisoner and money maker. This lonely life comes to an abrupt end when she falls overboard. She makes it to shore and seizes this chance to escape, joining up with runaway slaves, Enoch and his family, who become her first friends in seven lonely years. I like to see her interaction with these people who teach her about true freedom, and also her compassion towards Anneliese, who she finds alone and crying in Walter Kuhn's cabin. In all this we see how God works to bring about His purpose in a person's life.
Walter has suffered from fear since he was bullied at school and he feels guilty that he did not save his wife Grete when she ran into their burning barn.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I highly recommend Freedom's Song as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from WaterBrook & Multnomah. The opinions in this review are completely my own.





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BETWEEN THE WILD BRANCHES by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 6/6/21
BETWEEN THE WILD BRANCHES is the second novel in The Covenant House series by CONNILYN COSSETTE and it was definitely well worth waiting for! I love good biblical fiction and this author is without any doubt a master in the genre, with not only her research and knowledge of the Bible, but also her relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
If you have not already read To Dwell Among Cedars I suggest you do so in order to get the background of this book, but it can also be read as a stand alone.
We find Lukio in Ashdod ten years after leaving Kireat-Yearim and his adoptive family. He has become Devil Eyes, the Champion of Ashdod, with land and riches and Mataro the king's favour, leading to him becoming betrothed to Mariada, the king's daughter, and being made the Master of Games. This all becomes unimportant to him when he comes across Mariada's slave girl, Shoshanna, who he has loved since they were young, and hears her story and that of other Hebrew slaves.
Two of my favourite quotes in the book are "One must use every weapon one has when innocent lives are at stake" and "Oshai constantly reminded those of us who met in the wine cellar that although we could not save everyone, every life was precious, formed in the image of Yahweh Himself".
We see the difference between life in Ashdod, where the Philistines indulge in every kind of debauchery and horrific treatment of those they consider their enemies, as opposed to the simple God-fearing life of the Hebrews who adopted Lukio and his beloved sister Risi into their family in Kireat-Yearim.
It is a story of sacrificial love, extravagant mercy, forgiveness and redemption, as we watch Lukio live out the prophetic word given to him by Samuel, the prophet and great man of God.
I cannot recommend Between The Wild Branches highly enough. It is a wonderfully inspirational novel, full of biblical truth, and one I will read more than once.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.




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TO FIND HER PLACE by SUSAN ANNE MASON

Publication date 1/6/21
TO FIND HER PLACE is the second novel in the Redemption's Lighr series by SUSAN ANNE MASON, but it easily stands alone. It is a sensitively written story of broken people, redemption, unconditional love and second chances, with unforgettable characters.
The story takes place in Toronto during the second world war with Jane Linder, the acting director of the Children's Aid Society, and Garrett Wilder, an independent advisor who is hoping to get the managing director's job now that his war injuries make it impossible for him to work on his father's farm. Jane also badly needs the job as she is divorced and takes care of her elderly mother. In spite of this they need to learn to work together.
Then we have the abandoned children, who are more numerous now due to the harsh wartime economy and the diminishing number of willing foster parents - a heart wrenching dilemma. Both Jane and Garrett believe that each child deserves a loving home in which they can develop their full potential.
There is a great deal more to the novel, which I found most inspirational. There is a strong sense of God's purposes and plans working out in people's lives as they learn to trust Him.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
It is a lovely book and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.




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POWER PLAY by RACHEL DYLAN

Publication date 1/6/21
POWER PLAY is the third novel in the Capital Intrigue series by RACHEL DYLAN, and, although it can be read as a stand alone, it is great to come across characters from the first two books as we follow Vivian's story. It is a legal thriller and the suspense will grip you right to the last page. There is also some romance and a good Christian message.
Vivian Steele is an attorney in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the State Department. Her best friend, Layla Karam McCoy, works for the CIA. She has other friends who work in various law enforcement agencies.
She meets former Navy SEAL, Jacob Cruz, at a diplomatic dinner in the Washington DC area where Ali Zidan, the Egyptian ambassador, falls down dead and Penelope King, the US ambassador to Belgium, has to be rushed to hospital.
The scene is set and I am not going to tell you anything more!
The book is well written, the characters are real and the plot is exciting and well worked out. I highly recommend Power Play to anyone who enjoys a really good thriller.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.


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