WE CARRY KEVAN by KEVAN CHANDLER

Publication date 3/4/19
WE CARRY KEVAN by KEVAN CHANDLER is a real inspiration - a beautifully written true story of friendship, courage and life lived to the full.
I love the way the author takes us through his feelings and emotions and the way he lives his life to honour Christ.
As Kevan is carried by his friends on amazing journeys we see love in action. We also see it in the follow up to the first journey in the way they use their experiences to help others live life to the full.
The traveling, hiking and climbing are not easy by any means, but Kevan and his band of friends push through exhaustion and pain, finding the reward well worth it.
I found this book easy to read and most encouraging. There is so much truth in it that it definitely deserves to be read again.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A RETURN OF DEVOTION by KRISTY ANN HUNTER

A RETURN OF DEVOTION is the sequel to A DEFENSE of HONOR by KRISTY ANN HUNTER, and I am really glad to have read and reviewed them both. In this book we carry on with Daphne's story, although it can be read as a stand alone.
I particularly like the way the author speaks about important matters with sensitivity and some humour, threaded through with solid biblical truth. The characters are very real and it is an emotional read as we are made to feel what they are feeling. This book has a bit of everything - romance, intrigue and interesting characters.
Haven Manor has been run as a loving home for illegitimate children for twelve years when William, Marquis of Chemsford, comes to take possession of the property which his father won in a card game. Whilst Daphne, Jess, and the three children who are left, do their best to act like servants and cover up their past activities, things get really out of hand!
The story takes place in the early 1800's where class distinction was rife and where unmarried mothers and their children often had nowhere to go but the workhouse.
The story is well worked out and leaves one with a great deal of food for thought. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A DEFENCE OF HONOR by KRISTI ANN HUNTER

A DEFENSE OF HONOR by KRISTI ANN HUNTER is a delightful book and one that I will definitely read more than once. The author has a really good way with words and I love the easy conversations between the characters. The content is rich with scriptural truth. A serious matter, that of illegitimacy and the lives that are affected by it, is dealt with in the novel. The story takes place in 1816 in England, and the description of British society at the time, with all its class distinction, is well done.
Graham, the viscount Wharton, finds a beautiful, but rather secretive, young lady, hiding behind some foliage in a ballroom. He later comes across her in the street nearby bravely threatening to throw her knife at some vagabonds who are about to harm her. He saves her from them and learns her name is Kit.
When his friend Oliver's sister disappears from London society without a trace, Graham goes with him to look for her.
He comes across Kit again when they follow a lead to Marlborough and he finds her at Haven Manor where she, with the help of Daphne and Jess, look after twelve children of varying ages.
I don't want to spoil the story for you but I will just say that there is romance, intrigue and a great deal of food for thought. It is one of the best books I have read lately and I can really recommend it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadx

BREACH OF TRUST by RACHEL DYLAN

Publication date 5/2/19
BREACH OF TRUST by RACHEL DYLAN is a fast paced legal thriller, the third in the Atlanta Justice series. It can be read as a stand alone, although I suggest you read them all as they are really great.
In this book we follow Mia Shaw, a close friend of Sophie and Kate, all three of them lawyers, and Noah Ramirez, who founded a private investigation company and works with Landon and Cooper.
When Mia discovers the body of her close friend Chase Jackson she wants nothing less than the death penalty for David McDonald, the chief suspect. Noah is convinced that David has been set up and is determined to prove his innocence and find the real killer.
This sets the scene for a very exciting read and I can guarantee that you will not be able to put it down.
There is also good Christian content and a touching romance. I particularly like the emphasis on friendship that runs throughout. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

SWORD OF PEACE by LOUISA M BAUMAN

SWORD OF PEACE by LOUISA M BAUMAN is an inspirational historical romance novel which takes place in the 16th century in Holland. It is a very interesting time in history, with Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, coming down very hard on those who would not swear allegiance to him and those who had turned away from the Catholic Church, especially the Anabaptists who believed in the believer's baptism and in reading the bible for themselves and following in Christ's footsteps. They were also pacifists which did not please the Emporer either.
As we follow Anna's story we see the horrors inflicted in the name of Christianity and it makes us want to weep! The terrible torture that awaited those who dared to follow the truth of God's word is too awful. Yet those who were part of God's army counted it joy to be persecuted for their faith.
Anna is a devout Catholic who becomes involved with the Brethren, really against her will, when she helps her friends. She is terribly afraid of the consequences and is tempted to go to the authorities in order to save her own life. However, she gradually comes to acknowledge the wickedness of the clergy, who see themselves as a little lower than God Himself, and who are, according to the Roman Catholic Church, God ordained mediators between man and God. They don't want people to read the bible for themselves and see the truth, as this may cause them to lose their opulent lifestyle.
What I find particularly interesting is the fact that some of the Anabaptists, who were ready to die for their faith, were led astray by false prophets. This shows how easily error can get into a church when men take over and fail to follow the truth of the Scriptures.
Although this is a work of fiction, the author has done a great deal of research, and the historical background to Anna's story is authentic.
It is a thought provoking read and one I can really recommend.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

THE WHITE CITY by GRACE HITCHCOCK

Publication date 1/3/19

THE WHITE CITY by GRACE HITCHCOCK is a really delightful read. The story takes place in 1893 in Chicago at the time of the White City fair. The novel has a bit of everything - romance, intrigue, humour, murder, and a good Christian message running throughout. I know it is Grace Hitchcock's debut novel and I certainly hope she writes many more of the same caliber!
I love the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, from well loved authors from long ago.
Winifred Wylde is police Inspector Wylde's daughter and seems to want to follow in her father's footsteps. She is not interested in the never ending social engagements that her aunt insists she takes part in, nor in the suitors that she is encouraged to spend time with, as her aunt is afraid of her becoming an old maid. She wants to do something worthwhile with her life. She is an avid reader of romantic suspense, and when she sees a woman being manhandled by a man at the fair grounds she is convinced that he is the White City kidnapper.
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil the read for you, except to say that I really loved this book and can highly recommend it.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

THE BAGGAGE HANDLER by DAVID RAWLINGS

Publication date 5/3/19.
THE BAGGAGE HANDLER by DAVID RAWLINGS is a very cleverly written book in which David, Michael and Gillian, after having picked up the wrong baggage off the carousel at the airport, each have an encounter with the Baggage Handler. Here they see, for the first time, the baggage they are carrying around, and have the choice as to whether they want to get rid of it or continue to carry it.
It is a book I think everyone should read, letting the Baggage Handler, who is to me a type of the Holy Spirit, deal with the baggage in our lives. It is, in fact, a modern day parable.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. My favourite quote is found at the beginning of the book and reads "What weighs us down is not our baggage, but our decision to keep carrying it."



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad