LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS

Publication date 3/9/24

LETHAL STANDOFF by DIANN MILLS is not only an exciting suspense novel but it is also an in depth study of human nature as Carrington Reed, a hostage negotiator, and Levi Ehrlich, an investigative reporter, lay their lives on the line to not only intervene in a hostage situation, but also to go the extra mile  in bringing healing to the Kendrix family by finding out the truth and finding justice for them. With Levi’s curiosity and Carrington’s compassion these two very brave “outliers” are well matched in their search for Timothy Kendrick’s murderer and the secrets that lie behind his death. As they work together will their growing friendship and similar goals turn into something more?…….

I really like Levi’s strong faith in Yeshua and the fact that he belongs to a Messianic church where the joy of the Lord and the strong message of salvation at the service she goes to affect Carrington whose faith in God has virtually disappeared.

I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.

There are many surprises and the nail-biting tension will keep you guessing right to the end.

I cannot recommend this well written, thrilling, suspense-filled novel strongly 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 NOBLE SCHEME by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 19/3/24

A NOBLE SCHEME is the second novel in the Imposters series by ROSEANNA M WHITE. Like the first novel, it is beautifully written and it is great to come across the characters we came to know and love in A Beautiful Disguise. Although it can stand alone, I suggest you read the books in sequence. I cannot wait for the third and final book in the series.

Full of emotion, exciting, and with a strong Christian message, A Noble Scheme has everything that makes for a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

The story takes  place in 1909-1910  with the Imposters looking for a young boy that has been kidnapped from Fellsbourne, Lord Wilfred’s country estate. The kidnapper took the wrong boy, a poor relation’s son, and the hard hearted Lord Wilfred refuses to pay the ransom to set him free……

We see how the loss of their little Jamie has affected Gemma with hatred towards her husband, and Graham with anger towards God. 

Grief over lost children is a major theme in the novel, together with the importance of forgiveness….

Things are not as they seem as we see the mystery unfold and the four friends trying to unravel the clues…..

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

I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

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

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 1/4/24

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP  is the third novel in the series but it can easily stand alone. I really enjoy this author’s novels for the gripping stories, wonderful characters and the strong Christian message running through them. 

This book has a real Dickensian feel about it - in fact I can just see Charles Dickens with a coroner called Mr Morttis! The description of London in the late 19th century is superbly done and one can really feel the tension and danger that Kit, who is a partner with her father in the Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency, and her husband Chief Inspector Jackson Forge, feel as they try to bring justice into the poorer areas of London where the criminal element is alive and well. Kit is facing a dilemma in that she has a baby girl, Bella, with whom she is not spending enough time. Should she give up her work and befome a full time housewife? Both she and Jackson adore their offspring and each other….

There is another romance in the story and we wonder if Inspector Charles Baggett will ever have the courage to court the lovely Martha Jones…..

In amongst the murder and mayhem there are some interesting characters such as the very strange Ezra Catchpole and the rather useless Inspector Ira Harvey - both of whom are totally underestimated by Jackson, bringing to light the fact that one should not be quick to judge. The headstrong Kit also learns a lesson after she decides  to help Mrs Charlotte Coleman, against her father’s advice and without praying for the Lord’s direction……

This exciting book, which is full of adventure, danger and suspense is a real page turner, and I cannot recommend The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane 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.

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER

Publishing date 12/3/24

IF THE BOOT FITS by KAREN WITEMEYER is the second novel in her Texas Ever After series. I really enjoy the way this authot writes delightful love stories, this one having a hint of Cinderella, with great characters and a solid Christian message, that, like this one, often  have the odd villain, a nasty secret and plenty of suspense to keep you guessing!

The story takes place in 1889 at the Three Cedars Ranch in Palo Pinto County, Texas, where Samantha Dearing lives with her cattle baron father and her younger brother Clinton. She has come home from finishing school in Boston where she was sent by her father after her mother’s death. She is furious with her father for sending her away and also for arranging  a ball in her honour, to which he has invited some of the wealthiest bachelors, and she feels he wants to “auction her off to the highest bidder”…..

Asher Ellis is furious with Eli Dearing for chasing his beloved stepmother, Mama Bess, and his brothers out of their home after his father died. He is doing a bit of illegal reconnaissance when he leaves his boot behind!……

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

I cannot recommend this most enjoyable 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.

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT

Publication date 11/6/24

BITTER AND SWEET by RHONDA McKNIGHT is a dual timeline novel, written in beautiful prose, that takes us through the joys and griefs of three generations of an African American family from Georgetown  Carolina, starting with Tabitha Cooper in 1915, and ending with her great great granddaughters, Mariah and Sabrina in the present day, who have come to Georgetown at their grandmother’s request to restore Tabby’s Meats & Sweets to its former glory. The depth of the author’s character analysis is outstanding. I particularly like the way she expresses their strong and practical faith in God…..

A strong sense of the strength of family and other relationships, hard work, restoration, and unconditional love is mixed with that of grief, betrayal and hardship.

I cannot recommend Bitter and Sweet highly enough as a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

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

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 13/2/24

WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS is the first novel in the Women of Midtown series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN. It is a most enjoyable read and I cannot wait for the next one! The characters and their emotions are beautifully portrayed and so is life in New York City in the early 20th century, especially the lives of those who work the night time shifts like Lieutenany Jonathan Birch, who keeps the city safe at night,  amd Dr Katherine Schneider, who is a qualified dentist and finishes work at  Parker’s Painless Dentistry at midnight,……

The story starts in 1913 with Jonathan walking Katherine home through Times Square to her rooms at the Martha Washington Hotel, bringing her gifts of delicious Italan treats. For Jonathan his whole life is the police fotce, but he hides a secret which could cost him his job and the beautiful Katherine, with whom he is desperately in love…..

With bombs going off at various strategic places, Katherine’s life is endangered when the newspaper runs with information she has brought to the police that a patient let slip when under the effects of laughing gas…..

We come across people like Katherine who has a loving and supportive  family and tends to see the nest in everyone, as opposed to Jonathan and Sean Gallagher, who come from sad and violent family backgrounds. …

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough for the great story, unforgettable characters, and subtle Christian message.

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

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY

Publication date 6/2/24

ONE WRONG MOVE by DANI PETTREY is not only a fast paced and chiiling thriller, but it is also an inspirational novel with a strong Christian message of redemption, the importance of choices made, forgiveness and second chances. The unforgettable characters, some with their  less than happy childhood and young adult years, show how the Lord restores those who put their trust in Him…

The plot is well laid out as former FBI forensic expert, Andi Forester, teams up with former conman Christian O’Brady and his partners in the family P I business,  to solve one gallery  heist after another, in which the criminals seem to be playing a game with them. Christian’s brother, Deckart,  teams up with FBI analist Harper Grace, Andi’s best friend, to solve Anne Marlowe’s murder and to  clear Andi’s name with the Bureau…..

All very exciting - and there is also some great romance….

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

I cannot recommend One Wrong Move highly enough as an all round enjoyable 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.