THE LEGACY OF LONGDALE MANOR by CARRIE TURANSKY

Publicatiodate 26/9/23

THE LEGACY OF LONGDALE MANOR is a beautifully written dual timeline novel by CARRIE TURANSKY in which the characters in 1912 tie in very well with those in 2012. There are sweet romances in each timeline, and the theme of forgiveness and trust in God’s direction is strong as the charatcters, whose struggles and heartaches are well portrayed, work through their problems.The theme of God being the only perfect Father comes through very strongly.

In 2012 Gwen Morris, a junior specialist for art history and antiques, is sent by her grandfather, Lionel Morris, to Lilly Benderley, an old friend of his, to appraise the antiques at her home, Longdale Manor near Keswick in the Lake District, and prepare them for auction Lilly’s grandson David Bradford is planning to turn the beautiful manor house into a luxury hotel, thus saving his grandmother’s legacy.

After finding out that her father, who she has never met, may live in the area, Gwen  is determined to find him…….

In 1912 Charlotte Harper and her family are left destitute at the death of her father, the well known evangelist, Henry Harper, who collapses at the Keswick Convention and dies soon after. Charlotte comes across some letters that show that her father was not the godly man she thought he was and keeps this secret from her mother and brother and younger sister. The family moves in with her mother’s friend Jenny Storey and her family on their sheep farm, hoping that grandfaher Benderley, who never approved of his daughter’s marriage to Henry, will take them in. Charlotte loves being on thr farm, and Ian and she become good friends, and possibly something more, but she is afraid of him turning out to be like her father…..

We see the trust issues throughout these two stories, and the effect that being fatherless has on a person. …..

This is a most enjoyable, thought provoking and inspirational novel, and I cannot recommend it 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.

THE STARLET SPY by RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL

Publication date 1/8/23

THE STARLET SPY by RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL is a beautifully written and well researched WW11 novel that is a real page turner.

Amelie Blake is a succesful film star, well known for being a brainless blond, who wishes she could do something more for the war  effort than generate funds. Her wish comes true, but in a different way than she expects, when she is recruited as a spy and arrives in her native Sweden to search for a briefcase containing the highly explosive scientific documents written by Dr Nils Bohr and keep them out of the hands of the Nazis. Her acting ability is tested to the utmost as this “blond bimbo” with the photographic memory finds herself in all kinds of dangerous situations, not knowing who she can trust.

With the rumour of her mother’s so-called illness hitting the news, forty-eight hours training at The Farm, a gun strapped to her thigh and a set of lockpicks, she sets of on her mission, just as Esther in the Bible set off to save the Jews.

A contrived meeting with Finn Ristaffson, whose boatyard was the scene of the landing of the Jewish refugees and the missing briefcase, leads to her staying in his home with his mother Anna and meeting all kinds of people , some of whom, including Finn, are on the persons of interest list she has been given.

I really enjoy the way the book is full of biblical truth and the way Amelie cries out to Father God for help….

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend The Starlet Spy 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.

A MOUNTAIN TOO STEEP by ROBIN PATCHIN

A MOUNTAIN TOO STEEP by ROBIN PATCHIN is an exciting romantic thriller, full of twists and turns and unforgettable characters, with a strong Christian message of holding onto faith in God when all seems lost. Family relationships, guilt, sacrifical love, forgiveness and the importance of prayer, are subjects that are sensitively portrayed. 

The story starts with Camilla Wright, whose husband Daniel was murdered when he testified at Francis Campos’ murder trial, hearing that her son Jeremy and his cousin Evan are in hospital in Utah after a life threatening accident.

I like the way the story is interspersed with letters from Daniel writen to Camilla while he was waiting to testify. This helps us understand their relationship.

Does this accident have anything to do with her husband’s murder, and who is the mysterious man who saved the boys’ lives?……

I cannot recommend this thrilling and inspirational book strongly enough.

THE PEASANT KING by TESSA AFSHAR

Publication date 7/11/23

THE PEASANT KING is another beautiful Biblical fiction novel  by TESSA AFSHAR which comes after The Hidden Price. However the book can easily stand alone. 

It is the eighth year of King Cyrus’ reign on the Persian throne and he is in the middle of an ongoing war with Astyages, the wicked Median king, who is also his grandfather. Keren and Jared are Hebrews who work closely with Cyrus, having even saved his life. They strongly believe that the Lord will use Cyrus to set their nation free. As this quore explains, “God’s plans for the world are somehow entwined with Judah’s destiny. Which makes God’s plans for Cyrus crucial to the fate of the world”. I love the way the author starts every chapter with relevant Scripture verses, for example the verses about Cyrus in Isaiah 44:24 and 28, as she reminds us of Biblical prophecy. 

Keren is the king’s chief scribe who has passed her skills on to her twin children, Johanan and Jemmah. Johanan is brilliantly clever, whilst Jemmah is beautiful and caring. 

Asher is the illegitimate son of Astyarges. He is hated by his father and the feeling is mutual. 

The story is very exciting as we follow Jemmah and her adopted sister Zarina as they travel to Media to try and find their kidnapped mother. This is where they meet Asher…..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

There is war, there are secrets, there is betrayal, forgiveness, love and compassion, a sense of family and belonging to a man who felt he belonged nowhere, and a wonderful variety of characters, both Biblical and fictional, against the backdrop of life in ancient Persia, Media and Babylon, in this well researched and lovely read. I cannot recommend The Peasant King 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.

A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 22/8/23

I have read many novels  by ROSEANNA M WHITE, with great enjoyment, but 

A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE is now my absolute favurite, with the wonderful parade of characters, both human and animal, the intrigue, the setting in Edwardian England with the gossip and prejudice of the”ton”, and the cleverness and vibrancy of the members of The Imposters Ltd, who hold many secrets about the aristocracy. Things are most definitely not as they seem. 

The strong Christian message really pleases me, especially as the author speaks of being led by God’s Holy Spirit and of being drawn to people of a like mind. The camaraderie amongst the Imposter “family” is delightful and  I cannot wait for the next book in the series.  There is humour, even as serious issues are brought into the story. 

Lady Marigold Fairfax, who hides her real self behind outlandish fashion and feathers, is amazed when Sir Merritt Livingstone sees through her disguises…..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend A Beautiful Disguise highly enough to anyone who enjoys this genre.

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

VOICE OF THE ANCIENT by CONNILYN COSSETTE

Publication date 15/8/23

CONNILYN COSSETTE has done it again with VOICE OF THE ANCIENT, the first novel in her The King’s Men series! The story takes place in 1043BC and is based on 1 Samuel 8:10-22, and goes through Yahweh’s choice of Saul son of Kish as His first anointed king of Israel and Saul’s war against the Amonites. As it was said amongst his supporters, “Our enemies would think twice before going up against such a man”,  Others said, “We can only pray that he will inspire the tribes to put aside long held differences and embrace the Torah as the tie that binds us.” 

The characters are beautifully portrayed and the novel is full of biblical truth and wonderful stories about the patriarchs told by Avidan, son of the Levitical song writer, Ronen ben Avidan. After runing away with his cousins to fight in Saul’s army, in spite of the fact that those in Levitical service are banned from going to war, he is disillusioned with the carnage and remembers Yahweh, the One who sees and the One who hears, and leads Keziah to know Him as well. 

Keziah has run away from an arranged marriage and Avidan is looking for his youngest cousin who is missing, and the two of them band together in their travels….

It is a story about love, sacrifice, courage and redemption. These words come from one of Ronen’s songs, “The anointed one shall abide by the counsel of the Most High. The voice of the Ancient One to light his step.” …..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this very special read 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.

THE LOVE SCRIPT by TONI SHILOH

Publication date 1/8/23

THE LOVE SCRIPT is the first novel in the Love in the Spotlight series by TONI SHILOH. It is a most enjoyable read with great characters and a strong Christian message.  I cannot recommend this lovely book highly enough.

Nevaeh Richards is a hair stylist who works in Hollywood. One of her clients is Rosie Booker, Lamont Booker - The Sexiest  Man Alive’s -  mother. When a  photo is taken of Lamont helping Nevaeh down the front steps of his home, his Christian faith is comprmised. They start fake dating at the suggestion of his agent Bryan, and Nevaeh’s life is never the same. Hounded by the paparazzi, abused on line, she loses her job at The Mane Do and has to move out of the apartment she shares with a friend who is trying to use the siruation to her own advantage.

They start really dating in order to get to know one another, and when they develop feelings for one another they each feel convicted that they need to not only repent before God, but come clean no matter the cost to Lamont’s reputation.

I like Nevaeh’s dry wit and the way their dialogue is full of well known quotations from their favourite films. I also like the way their individual relatioships with the Lord are described. I love Ms Rosie, Nevaeh’s parents and Lamont’s two praying friends, who contrast well with the falseness and worldliness in the film industry.

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