WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS by CHERYL GREY BOSTROM

Publication date 12/8/25

WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS by CHERYL GREY BOSTROM is a beautifully written novel, with an interesting story, unforgettable character analysis, and strong metaphors. As the Elwha River is set free from the two dams that hold it in check, will Hildy Nybo be set free as things are uncovered that explain her unusual childhood, which has caused her to doubt her sanity? Her father understood her - they were always close. They shared a love of fish, nature, and carpentry. He believed in her and his unexplained disappearance has affected her badly…….

Hildy is a highly educated biologist, passionate about wild fish which the demolition of the dams will set free to breed and repopulate the river. She returns to her family home to  oversee a group of scientists who are working on this project.

Luke, Miranda Rimmer’s brother, is a carpenter who really “gets” Hildy. They grow close as she helps him do some work for his sister. Luke has also experienced tragedy. Will her secrets be safe with him, or will they chase him away?………

I cannot recommend this lovely read strongly enough, especially for the strong Christian message of loght in the darkness, forgiveness, deliverance  and redemption.

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

THE ANGEL OF SECOND STREET by BARBARA TIFFT BLAKEY

Publication date 1/5/25

THE ANGEL OF SECOND STREET by BARBARA TIFFT BLAKEY is the beautiful story of  Ida Dempsey and Blaine Prestcott who fall in love, both wanting to share their faith and live their lives to honour God……

It is 1884 in Eureka, California, and Ida’s first attempts to minister to the Chinese and the prostitutes in Second Street are disappointing. I like to see the gentle way Blaine supports her efforts…..

Blaine’s parents do everything they can to separate them, and we see how he tries to honour his parents without allowing them to control his life.

Ida also tries to honour her beloved aunt and uncle, whilst going ahead with her plans to share Jesus with the less fortunate.

There are many twists and turns, but through it all their love for the Lord and dependence upon Him shine through.

I cannot recommend this wonderful, heart warming and truly inspirational, read strongly enough. I see it is the first novel in the Enduring Hope series and I am looking forward to the next one.

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

DISCIPLE WALKING WITH GOD by RORISANG THANDEKISO

In DISCIPLE WALKING WITH GOD, RORISANG THANDEKISO speaks to us about her walk with the Lord which started at her mother’s knee, and which has impacted and is still impacting every area of her life. It is good to see how her relationship with Jesus has never taken second place and she uses her position in TV and radio to share what it means to follow the Lord through the many challenges that life presents. She bases her book and her life on 1 Timothy 4 verse 12 and is bold in her faith and honest in her emotions.

She is a “doer of the word” (James 1:22) and opens her heart to those in need…….

This is a lovely book and one I highly recommend.

A CONSTANT LOVE by TRACIE PETERSON

Publication date 4/3/25

A CONSTANT LOVE by TRACIE PETERSON takes place in 1887, outside Cheyenne in the newly developing west, where a devastating winter is destroying both man and beast. Lucille Aldrich’s husband and son have been missing and Wayman Hamilton and his son Micah find them frozen to death. In order to cover up the circumstances of Wayman’s death and help Micah in his grief, Lucille and Charlotte Aldrich come up with a plan. …..

After a year Micah is coming out of isolation and starting to live again with the loving help of these two special ladies, when Lewis Bradley, who is after Charlotte’s money, makes a nuisance of hinself…….

I love the description of ranch life, the affection and help of neighbours, and the way the author uses Scriptures throughout to give answers to the characters’  feelings of guilt and fear. We are reminded of the importance of walking in faith, truth and forgiveness…….

There are two sweet love stories and a great Christian message in an exciting and enjoyable read.

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

I cannot recommend this lovely book strongly 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.

WHAT THE SILENT SAY by EMERSON FORD

Publication date 29/1/25

WHAT THE SILENT SAY by EMERSON FORD is a WW11 story with a dfference. The author has done a great deal of research into the history of the 77th Division’s exploits in the Philippines and their incredible bravery especially at Okinawa. It is based on a true story with some fictional additions which keep the narratve flowing. I could not put the book down and highly recommend this inspirational read. The characters and their emotions are brought to life as we see them responding, not only to the horrors of war, but also to the fear and loneliness of those who are left behind to cope with life.

Raymond’s selflessness really struck me, together with his strong faith in God. It is good to see a man who lives his Christianity.  His love for his younger brother Jimmie, his mother, his wife Evelyn and baby daughter, comes through strongly as does his commitment to his men. I like the way he takes the tough boy from the Bronx, Mitt, under his wing and makes a soldier out of him……..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling this lovely read for you.

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

WHEN THE SKY BURNED by LIZ TOLSMA

Publication date 1/3/25

WHEN THE SKY BURNED by LIZ TOLSMA is the sixth book in the A Day to Remember series and tells the story of the fire that destroyed the little town of Peshtigo on the eighth October 1871, shortly before the Great Fire in Chicago. As the author makes us feel the characters’ shock, pain and and heartache and their struggle to reconcile the total desruction of their homes and businesses and the loss of family members, we feel it too. Some like artist, Mariah Randolf, who is blinded in the fire and loses her parents and best friend, find it hard to trust a Heavenly Father who would allow such a thing to happen. Some people even wonder if the town and its inhabitants are being judged …….

There definitely is wickedness being perpetrated in the saloons, and Jay Franklin, the bookkeeper at the Stanford sawmill and woodenware company finds discrepency in the books. What he does with his suspicions puts his own life in danger and changes others’ lives……..

I like the strong message of the faithfulness and all encompassing presence of God even in the midst of horrific tragedy.

That is all I am going to tell you for fear of spoiling your read.

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

LAST LIGHT OVER GALVESTON by JENNIFER L WRIGHT

Publication dat 12/8/25

LAST LIGHT OVER GALVESTON by JENNIFER L WRIGHT is a very well written novel in which the author describes, not only the characters and their emotions and the setting in Galveston, but also the hurricane, which takes on a hideous character of its own……

Kathleen McDaniel, a privileged young woman, comes back to her father at McDaniel Manor in New York, after two years at finishing school in Switzerland, a changed person due to her friendship with three European women, Louisa, Marguerite and Hazel, who have ispired her to think for herself and live purposefully, making a mark in the world. This does not go down well with her father or the society to which she has returned. 

Something terrible happens and she escapes to Galveston to a Catholic orphanage where she calls herself Annie Odell, always looking over her shoulder to see if her father has sent someone to find her. She is living a lie but the friendships she makes there and her experiences in the storm gradually change her…….

Matthew Richter works under Joseph Kline at the Galveston office of the US Weather Bureau and believes implicitly in his boss and their scientific calculations that prove that a hurricane will never reach Galveston. Matthew is a good friend to Annie, as are Emily and Maggie, but she is afraid of being honest with them…..

It is a sad story of devastation, but there is definitely hope and a strong message of the Fatherhood of God.

I highly recommend this wonderful read.

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