MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY by KAREN WITEMEYER

Publication date 4/6/19.
MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY by KAREN WITEMEYER is a beautiful love story, with very real characters that you won't forget in a hurry. You can feel their joys and sorrows as well as see the Lord at work in their lives. The book follows More Than Meets The Eye, also well worth reading, but can be read as a stand alone.
The story starts in the small town of Honey Grove in 1896, with Abigail Kemp having to make a plan to save her bakery, where she and her beautiful younger sister, Rosalind, make a living.
There is so much in this book, but mostly it is about a marriage of convenience which turns into so much more. There are secrets, there is intrigue, romance and fierce loyalty towards family, which make for an interesting read. The importance of forgiveness, especially towards one's self, and the acceptance of the Lord's forgiveness, is also addressed. I love the author's humour - she has such a great way of writing!
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil the read for you.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough for the heart warming story and good Christian message running through it.



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THE MEDALLION by CATHY GOHLKE

Publication date 4/6/19.
In THE MEDALLION, CATHY GOHLKE tells a story of courage, sacrifice and unconditional love, against the background of the horrors of World War II in Poland. She includes true stories of heroes who literally laid down their lives for others, by saving children, mostly Jewish, from being murdered by the Germans. It is an emotional story, which not only speaks of anti-Semitism and man's inhumanity towards man, but adds a strong thread of hope, as Christians work together to help their Jewish brothers and sisters, remembering that Jesus was a Jew and that they serve the same God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The characters are beautifully portrayed and we feel their pain and the struggle that those who survive have in coming to grips with what they have experienced. There is a little girl in the story who brings new life into a painful situation.
The author obviously loves God's chosen people and has done a great deal of research into the history of that time. This is a novel that has really touched my heart, and is one of the best books I have read this year. I cannot recommend it highly enough.




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WHERE THE FIRE FALLS by KAREN BARNETT

In WHERE THE FIRE FALLS, KAREN BARNETT gives us wonderful descriptions of the beautiful Yosemite National Park, blended with insight into her characters that make a truly delightful read. One gets the overall impression of God's care for His children in the beautiful world He has created for them.
Olivia Rutherford is sent to Yosemite by Scenic to paint scenes for the magazine. She has history with the place which she does not want to come out. Originally Olivia Rudd, she has remade herself into the socialite Olivia Rutherford in order to sell her paintings to high society and to make enough money to send her twin sisters to a prestigious school. Will the real Olivia emerge in these surroundings, especially when she and the wealthy Vanderbilts go on the trail with Clark Johnson as guide to really feel the scenery she is painting.
Clark is also hurting. A pastor who was thrown out of his church after being falsely accused, he has thrown himself into his job, while he is wondering what it is that the Lord wants him to do with his life.
There is history, romance, adventure, suspense and more, making up a really enjoyable read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.







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BEAUTY IN BATTLE by ROBIN PATCHEN

In BEAUTY IN BATTLE, ROBIN PATCHEN finishes off her Beauty In Flight series with another nail biting story. It is not only an exciting romance thriller, but there is a strong Christian message that makes up an integral part of the series.
In this book we find Harper and Jack leaving Nutfield in a hurry, hoping to arrive in Maryland, where Harper has been advised to go to the police and tell them her story, before Derrick finds Harper.
It is a story about the importance of telling the truth, trusting the Lord with the outcome and allowing Him to direct our paths.
I highly recommend this series.


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CROSS MY HEART by ROBIN LEE HATCHER

Publication date 25/6/19.
CROSS MY HEART is the second book in the Legacy of Faith series by ROBIN LEE HATCHER, but it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoy this author's novels - she has such a way with describing the emotional struggles of her characters, and the growth of their faith in the Lord. In fact the Christian message is very prominent in her stories.
As in the first book in the series, Who I Am With You, where we are introduced to the Henning family, Andrew Henning's bible plays an important part. It has now been given to Ben, by his cousin Jessica, at an interesting time in his life. He is back at the family farm, which he is about to turn into "Harmony Barn", a place where equine therapy will be offered to those who need it, and where abused horses will be nursed back to health.
Ashley Showalter catches Ben's vision, as she loves horses, in many ways preferring them to people! She deals mostly with horses that have been abused and starved, and helps Ben find horses for his programme.
Running in the background to this story is that of Andrew and Helen Henning and their family, who lived on the farm during the Second World War. At this difficult time, with two of their sons serving in the military, Andrew holds closely to the Lord, and leans on His promises, especially those in the book of Joshua.
Drug and alcohol abuse and the toll this takes on the families involved, forgiveness and second chances, are all themes in the book. I especially love the part that horses play in the restoration of the characters.
It is an inspirational and enjoyable read and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I am looking forward to the third book in the series.





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THE STREET SINGER by KATHLEEN NEELY

THE STREET SINGER by KATHLEEN NEELY is a beautiful book. The story is bittersweet, with unforgettable characters, and it is one that will really stay with you. It is an emotional read, with a good Christian message, and a theme of restoration and "remembering" running throughout. I feel it brings to mind the story of the Good Samaritan and also the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.
Adda Mae and Trisha Mills have quite a bit in common. Both carry deep sorrow and loneliness from their past, and both are seen as socially inferior by the men in their lives. Ernie used Adda's talent and then left her penniless and alone, and Grant Ramsey, Trisha's fiancé, who comes from a moneyed and socially superior background, does not want the woman he is about to marry to sully the Ramsay name by associating with a poor street singer!
Enter attorney, Rusty Bergstrom, and life takes on new meaning for both Trisha and Adda. I am not going to tell you any more excepting to say that I cannot recommend the book highly enough.


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FAR SIDE OF THE SEA by KATE BRESLIN

FAR SIDE OF THE SEA by KATE BRESLIN is a beautiful love story told against the backdrop of the First World War. There is no doubt that it was one of the most horrific times in history and we are made aware of the widespread effect of war on the countries and individuals involved.
It is in Hastings that we meet up with Lieutenant Colin Mabry, who we last saw as a returning war hero in Not by Sight. Colin has to manage with a prosthetic hand, which, together with recurring nightmares, fear of being closed up in small spaces and guilt from unwittingly drinking the last of the water leading to a man's death, makes for a complicated character. He has, however, a strong sense of duty, and commitment to the promise he made to Jewel, a young French woman who saved his life.
The story moves to France where we meet Johanna Reyer, Jewel's half sister, who also has issues from the past.
The story moves through France and into Spain, with just the right amount of description of the scenery. I love the introduction of the carrier pigeons, whose bravery played such a big part in the war, and in the story. It actually brings a feeling of peace amid the storm, which is also strongly brought out in Colin's faith in the God of miracles. We are reminded of the fact that, as children of God, we don't need to be defined by our past or our circumstances, or the opinions of others.
The plot is so well developed that we are kept guessing right to the end. Surrounded by spies, it is hard for Colin and Jo to know whom to trust as they set off to find Jewel.
The characters are very real, the story captivating and rather mysterious, and it is altogether a most enjoyable read. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.


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