TOUCH OF INNOCENCE by ROBIN PATCHEN

TOUCH OF INNOCENCE by ROBIN PATCHEN is a Christian suspense novel which is part of the Coventry series, but which, like the others,can easily stand alone. It is a poignant story of sacrificial love and courage that will keep you enthralled as you see how Grace Mullen puts her life on hold in order to save eight year old Lily from her father, Myron Bowman, a psychopathic photographer who is selling photos of her and other children on the dark web.

Through Cassidy, who she met at the girls’ home where she spent most of her childhood, ending up working there after graduating in child psychology, she and Lily move into a condo belonging to Andrew Middleton, a troubled man who has a bad relationship with his father, largely due to his having spent six months in jail, having being set up. He is extremely afraid of falling foul of the law, as is Grace, who is living a lie, pretending to be fostering Lily. Grace is also afraid of loving anyone in case she lets them down. She tried so hard to save a young girl called Celia and failed, not realising that only God can save.

This is a story about restoration and redemption, unconditional love and the importance of walking in truth with God and with one another,. I highly recommend Touch of Innocence as an exciting, thought provoking and inspirational read.

A HUNDRED CRICKETS SINGING by CATHY GOHLKE

Publication date 5/4/22

A HUNDRED CRICKETS SINGING is an historical novel by CATHY GOHLKE which takes place in No Creek  North Carolina, in 1944, following on from Night Bird Calling,  with Celia Percy, now fifteen, and her brother Chester, coming across a secret room in the old Belvidere mansion, after a storm in which a tree crashes through the roof, revealing secrets from the 1860’s. I love to see how Celia, together with her friend Joe Rosetti, old Dr Vishy and rhe Willards, determines to make things right for their friend Marshall and the coloureds in their community by completing the work begun by Minnie, her parents and her brother Elliott. I also like the references to works by Dickens and Hugo and their influence on the story.

We see racism at its worst, in spite of two wars that should have shown mankind that all men are equal in the sight of the Lord and all men bleed the same colour red. We see the  KKK still going strong in the South, and prejudice all over the world breaking up families and nations. It is awful to see Grayson’s greed as he betrays his family and what they stand for.This cry, found in Minnie’s diary,“The persistent, conflicting voices of all those I love, spoken and not,  are deafening - a hundred crickets screeching, shouting in my brain.  The mounting tension is intolerable.Help us Lord!”  really speaks to Celia - will the cry of the crickets ever turn into a song? 

This is a beautifully written novel, with the author’s incredible way of saying things just as they are and her understanding of human nature. There is a strong Christian message, and, amongst other insights, we see that it is only the Lord who can change the human heart .

Although this book can easily stand alone, I suggest you read the fisrst book in the series for pure pleasure.

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

DRAWN BY THE CURRENT by JOCELYN GREEN

Publication date 1/2/22

DRAWN BY THE CURRENT is the third novel in the Windy City Saga by JOCELYN GREEN but it can easily stand alone. This author has an amazing way of drawing one into her characters’ emotions and I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

Olive Pierce only feeels good about herself when she is doing something for someone else. She seems to have misplaced her own identity due to her need to feel known and cared for. This is not helped by her boss at MetLife insurance agency, Mr Roth, who treats her as incapable of being an insurance investigator due to her feminine sensibiities, in spite of her bravery in getting two children and herself to safety when the SS Eastland turned over in the Chicago River  on 24th July 1915, claiming the lives of eight hundred and forty-four people. When she is faced with the families’ enormous grief, she feels guilty that she survived.

Olive’s best friend Claire is desperate to escape her abusive husband. Her actions lead to a case of mistaken identity and cause Olive incredible guilt for keeping Claire’s secret. She asks herself the question, “when does the end justify the means”?!

This is a story about being grateful for loving families, the longing to belong (which we see in Erik Magnussen), God’s incredible grace and second chances. There is a sweet romance and a really good Christian message.  

I cannot recommend the novel 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.

COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS by MICHELLE SHOCKLEE

Publication date 8/3/22

in COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS, MICHELLE SHOCKLEE addresses such subjects as prostitution, class distinction and civil rights, against the backdrop of the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition in 1897 and the Maxwell House Hotel then, and also in 1961, when Audrey Whitfield and Jason Sumner clear out Miss Nichols’ room, coming across some interesting memorabilia including a scrapbook which shows them that there is a lot people didn’t know about the rather reclusive old lady in room 504. Miss Nichols now in hospital having had a stroke, makes Audrey “keeper of her memories.” When Audrey finally learns the truth about the old lady’s life she is inspired, and, like Priscilla sixty four years previously, comes to reevaluate her priorities.

In 1897 Priscilla Nichols and her parents stay at Nashville’s famous Maxwell House Hotel for the duration of the Exposition. Her parents are wealthy and very conscious of their exalted position in society and are keen for their daughter to marry her childhood friend, Kenton Thornley. They are horrified when she seems to prefer the company of the handsome Italian carriage driver Luca and his sister Gia.There is a great deal of intrigue, suspense and danger, and a poignant romance.

It is a story about sacrificial love, showing compassion for others, forgiving oneself, living life without looking back in regret, and really seeing people as unique and precious, made in God’s image. The author reminds us through Mrs Meyer of “ the God Who Sees” who comforted Hagar in the desert, and we see this seeing people’s needs develop especially in Priscilla and later in Audrey as she is inspired by Miss Nichols’  story and Jason’s decision to become a civil rights lawyer. Her attitude towards her brain damaged brother Emmett also changes.

Count The Nights by Stars is a beautifully written, suspenseful and inspirational read and one 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.

TO DISGUISE THE TRUTH by JEN TURANO

Publication date 18/1/22

TO DISGUISE THE TRUTH is another delightful novel by JEN TURANO featuring the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency and the unusual group of agents who are led by Mrs Eunice Holbrooke, disguised by her widow’s weeds and thick veils. 

When Arthur Livingston comes to the agency in order for them to find the:missing Miss Eugenia Howland, he does not have any success in getting them to take his case as the ladies, for some reason, find him arrogant and, except for Judith Donovan who wants to sketch his high cheekbones, seem anxious for him to leave. Eunice is desperate to hide her true identity as she is afraid of being charged with her wealthy grandfather’s murder. She takes an undercover assignment to get Mrs Clement Mills out of the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum,  but finds this is not enough to keep the irritating Arthur Livingstone away. He is determined to find the elusive Miss Howland and honour his promise to her deceased grandfather.

I love the way the book is written and I love the very clever banter amongst the unforgettable characters. The story is fast paced and full of intrigue, with some charming romance, together with a great Christian message on the importance of truth.

I absolutely loved the novel and highly recommend it as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

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

EVER CONSTANT by TRACIE PETERSON and KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE

Publication date 18/1/22

EVER CONSTANT is the third novel in the Treasures of Nome series by TRACIE PETERSON and KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE. Although it can be read as a stand alone, I strongly suggest that you read the books in sequence. The book is well written, with unforgettable characters, some of whom deal with such paralysing emotions as brokenness, loneliness, and guilt, showing how this can lead to addiction in an attempt to forget the past. There is hope, though, as love and prayer play their part.

The story takes place in 1905 in Nome, Alaska, where the three Powell girls, Whitney, Havyn and Madysen, with the husbands of the two younger girls,live with their Grandad Chuck Budrant on his farm. 

This is Whitney, the oldest sister’s, story. Whitney has been going through a lot and has turned her back on the Lord who she blames for her losses. She also is bitter about her father leaving them and feels she cannot forgive him as readily as her other sisters have done. They are a close family, but she feels very much on her own now that her sisters are married and she is no longer in control. This lost feeling leads to her allowing the wealthy Judas Reynolds to court her. Her dogs are her main interest, and she has made a name for herself for breeding and training sled dogs. 

Because of a bad experience she does not easily trust men, but Dr Peter Cameron is a friend she trusts, and, when there is an epidemic at Amkra’s village, she takes him there by dog sled. … I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

There is a strong Christian message of redemption, unconditional love, the importance of forgiveness and of not trying to fix things in one’s own strength, running through the book - and we are reminded that God is the only One who is “ever constant”!

I really enjoyed the novel and recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys Christian romance and adventure.

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

RELATIVE JUSTICE by ROBERT WHITLOW

Publication date 12/4/22

RELATIVE JUSTICE by ROBERT WHITLOW is a really great legal suspense novel with a strong redemptive message and believable characters.

Carter Cobb and his son David are partners in the law firm, Cobb and Cobb. David’s brother Robbie is married to Katelyn Martin-Cobb, who leaves a prestigious law firm and moves with her husband to Wilmington where his family lives. Carter has a brain haemorrhage and has to recuperate, Katelyn goes to work with  David, bringing a great deal of legal expertise to the table. When Carter’s old friend Zeke Caldwell needs legal assistance, David and Kate have different opinions about how to approach the case.

I really like the strong family ties in the Cobb family and the way their faith directs their decisions. I also like the way the Christian message forms an integral part of the story. There is something very evil going on and things are not as they seem….. I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you

The book is exciting and well written and one I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys legal suspense. 

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.