A WOMAN OF WORDS by ANGELA HUNT

Publication date 4/5/21
A WOMAN OF WORDS is the third novel in the Jerusalem Road series by ANGELA HUNT but it can easily stand alone. This author has an amazing way of writing biblical fiction that enhances rather than detracts from the truth of God's Word.
The story starts with the disciple Matthew being called from Capernaum to help with the Lord's work in Jerusalem. When he arrives there he is disappointed to hear that he will be doing accounting work instead of preaching to the lost with the other disciples.
We see Mary, the mother of Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit to ask Matthew to help her write about Jesus' life. After a rather rocky start, they form a strong bond when Matthew realizes that the story of Jesus is to be just that, with none of him or his clever way with words in it. This really spoke to me. How many times do we push ourselves into another's story in order to make a good impression?
It is a fascinating way to look at the birth of Matthew's gospel, with Mary and Matthew interviewing people who were with Jesus when neither of them were there.
I like to see Mary portrayed as an ordinary woman who was divinely appointed to bear the Saviour of the world but is in no way divine herself nor should she be seen as such.
The novel is full of wonderful and well loved biblical characters together with the ongoing threat from Rome and many of the Pharisees.
I am not going to tell you any more of the story for fear of spoiling things for you.
I highly recommend A Woman Of Words to anyone who enjoys biblical fiction and who loves God's Word, or for anyone who is searching for the truth about Jesus and His gospel.
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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ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS by NICOLE DEESE

Publication date 6/4/21
ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS by NICOLE DEESE is a well written novel which is equal parts amusing and serious, as top trending influencer, Molly McKenzie of Makeup Matters with Molly, meets Silas Whittaker, his staff and the underprivileged and hurting young adults at The Bridge Youth Home. Her life will never be the same.
I love the way the author shows us this self- focused young woman, whose only friends are on line, excepting for her even more self-focused boyfriend/ agent, learning what really matters in life.
It is a very real book with very real characters and in which the author addresses very real issues. The Christian message is also very real.
I cannot recommend All That Really Matters highly enough. It is a most enjoyable and lovely 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.

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GLIMMER IN THE DARKNESS by ROBIN PATCHEN

GLIMMER IN THE DARKNESS is book one in the Coventry Saga by ROBIN PATCHEN. It is a fast paced thriller in which time is of the essence - five year old Ella Cote, who has been kidnapped, needs to be found before she meets the same fate as two other little girls in the little town of Coventry New Hampshire.
Cassidy Leblanc sees herself as a tossaway child, the only time she felt she belonged was when she was at her boyfriend James Sullivan's home with his parents and little sister Hallie. When she is accused of killing Hallie she disappears, changes her name and gets a job working with problem girls in Seattle.
I like to see Cassidy's strong faith in God and her courage in coming back to look for Ella on Mt Ayasha. It is a story about hope and second chances.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I cannot recommend Glimmer In The Darkness highly enough and am looking forward to the next book in the series.




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CHASING SHADOWS by LYNN AUSTIN

Publication date 8/6/21
CHASING SHADOWS by LYNN AUSTIN is a beautifully told WW11 story which takes place in Holland and shows us the incredible courage and faith of three women who fight against the Nazi occupation in spite of their fear. As is always the case with this author, Christ's teachings lie at the foundation of the novel. We see Miriam Jacobs, a Jewess who escaped from Germany, Lena de Vries, a farmer's wife and her daughter Ans, who moves to Leiden, living lives of sacrifice in order to feed the hungry and hide Jews and other "undesirables" from the enemy. We see sacrificial love at its best throughout the story as opposed to the blind hatred of the enemy. We see people making difficult choices and not knowing who to trust in a world that has gone mad. We also see the healing power of music and how fear can drive a person towards faith in God.
I have only mentioned three of the wonderful characters, but there are many more who choose to resist rather than embrace the enemy, no matter the cost. It is really a most inspirational and thought provoking read.
.I cannot recommend Chasing Shadows strongly enough. In fact I would say that it is now one of my most favourite books and it is one I will definitely read more than once.
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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JEWEL OF THE NILE by TESSA AFSHAR

Publication date 1/6/21
TESSA AFSHAR's novels are well worth waiting for and JEWEL OF THE NILE is certainly no exception! What a lovely book and what a beautiful message. I particularly like the scripture verses at the beginning of each chapter which really fit in and enlarge the reading experience. To me the main message is that of Jesus being the only one who can make broken people whole, and that we need to see ourselves, scarred though we may be, through His eyes. As Theo says, "The trouble with scars is that they tell their own twisted story. They make you see yourself through their own distorted mirror." There is also the longing for family and to belong, and the debilitating effects of guilt and the inability to forgive oneself.
The story starts with Chariline visiting her grandparents in Meroe, the capital of Cush. At their home she hears something they do not want her to hear which sends her to Rome in search of the truth. There is something else she overhears, this time in the Kandake's court, which leaves her confused as to what she should do with rhe information.
Desperate to get to Rome, she stows away on Theodotus of Corinth's ship. We have met Theo before in Thief of Corinth and Daughter of Rome. We also come across the desciple Philip, and Aquila and Priscilla, whose story is told in Daughter of Rome. I must add, though, that each of these wonderful novels can definitely stand alone.
I enjoyed everything about this book and cannot recommend Jewel of the Nile highly enough, especially to anyone who enjoys biblical historical novels.
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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A TAPESTRY OF LIGHT by KIMBERLY DUFFY

Publication date 16/3/21
A TAPESTRY OF LIGHT by KIMBERLY DUFFY is a book that really spoke to my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
The story moves between Calcutta in India and Wiltshire in England, giving us insight into what life was like in these two countries in the nineteenth century. The novel has a wealth of wonderful characters and a heartwarming Christian message.
Otillie Russell is Eurasian, looking more Indian than British, whereas her little brother Thaddeus looks completely European. As Otillie says of herself "She was either not enough or too much of one or the other." When Thaddeus is all that is left of her beloved family, she leaves India with Englishman Everett Scott for her six year old brother to take up his responsibilities as Baron of Sunderson Park.
I like the author's description of life in India with its sights, sounds and smells, exotic food and people, as opposed to a constrictive life in England. Ottilie's fear of rejection and feelings of loneliness, which have always been a part of her life, are exacerbated by the lack of welcome shown by her father's family.
There are so many secrets in her family and also in Everett's, with him longing to belong in a society that has made very strict rules.
I do not want to spoil the read for you - there is so much I could say but I will leave you to discover this beautiful story for yourselves. The message of faith starting as a mustard seed in our hearts and either growing or being discarded, is really beautifully woven into the tapestry, and the beetle wing embroidery brings a special light into the story.
This is a novel I will read many times 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.



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HOPE BETWEEN THE PAGES by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/4/21

HOPE BETWEEN THE PAGES by PEPPER BASHAM is a beautifully written split time novel which moves effortlessly between Clara Blackwell and her great great grandmother Sadie, and also between Biltmore, Asheville, in North Carolina, and Fenwick in Cumbria in the English Lake District. Through it all there is the love of books and reading together with a strong Christian message.The characters are unforgettable, and although there is no doubt that Clara and Sadie are the heroines, I love the author's portrayal of Oliver Camden, Max Weston and Robbie. These men, in my opinion, are real men!
The story starts in 1915 with Sadie Blackwell, a servant working for Mrs Vanderbilt at Biltmore House. She is in charge of the library and chooses books for the various visitors to enjoy during their stay. This is where she meets Oliver, who seems to be a real kindred spirit, although he is way above her, being part of the upper class.
Clara Blackwell and her mother own Blackwell's book shop in Biltmore. The shop was started by granny Sadie. In order to keep the shop, Clara goes to England to try and find missing paperwork that will prove that it did indeed belong to Sadie. Here Clara starts on a real life adventure that has all the elements of exciting fiction.
This is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil things for you.
This novel is a real keeper and one I will read more than once. I highly recommend it as a most enjoyable read.
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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