PROWL COLLEEN COBLE

Publication date 4/11/25

PROWL is the second novel in the Sanctuary series  by COLLEEN COBLE, and another exciting story that takes place at the Lawson’s Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve in Nova Cambridge, Alabama. We come across many of the characters from the first book, including Paradise Alden, her soon to be fiance  Blake Lawson, his mother Jenna and younger brothers, Isaac and Levi, who are all desperate to save the preserve and all the animals against vicious threats and even murder, which are causing financial problems from bad online reviews. Somehow Paradise’s unfortunate childhood, largely spent in foster care after her parents’ murder when she was eight, is involved, as she is being threatened as well…….

The descriptions of the setting and the animals are really lovely, and there is also a sweet romance. I particularly like the strong Christian message of trusting God running through the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I do not want to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.

I cannot recommend this gripping and inspirational novel highly enough.

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

OF SILVER AND SECRETS by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 3/6/25

OF SILVER AND SECRETS is the second novel in the Time’s Lost Treasures series by MICHELLE GRIEP, but it can easily stand alone. The book has all you need for a most enjoyable read - delightful characters, a sweet romance,  a couple of villains, treasure, superstition, a possible curse and a lovely message of hope in God and His wonderful mercy, all in the setting of an archeological dig at Inman Manor in Royston. 

It is 1889 and Eva Inman has been left to cope with a crumbling manor house and her blind sister, Penny, with no money to pay her taxes. She also carries a heavy load of guilt…..

Bram Webb, a childhood friend, with his uncle Pemberton, are professors of history at Trinity College, Cambridge. Bram is determined to unearth a Caelum Academia, the proof of a Christian hideout during the time of Roman persecution, in order to save his beloved, brilliant and forgetful uncle’s reputation……

With Bram’s return to Royston to work on the dig on her land, not only artifacts are brought to the surface! 

I don’t want to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend this truly lovely book strongly enough.

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

THE HIGHLAND HEIST by PEPPER BASHAM

Publication date 1/7/25

THE HIGHLAND HEIST is the third novel in the Grace and Frederick romantic suspense series by PEPPER BASHAM, but it can easily stand alone. I loved all three novels and this is definitely no exception - what a delightful read with interesting characters, humour, witty dialogue, and of course the adventures, complete with villains and even the odd ghost, that seem to follow Grace around, testing her sleuthing skills!

Grace and Frederick are still on honeymoon. The book opens with “ Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Asrley, had married the equivalent, of this she was certain”, and carries on further with Grace reflecting that “married life certainly kept proving to be wonderfully exciting.” I love her sweet innocence and passion for life and the inagination and inspiration that comes from immersing herself in fiction. She and Freddie are unexpectedly well suited and adore each ther…..

Freddie decides to take Grace back to Harrington in the States to see her father and her sister Lillias, only to find her father bankrupt, their family home sold, and Lillias a suspect in her husband’s murder. Grace is determined to prove her sister’s innocence, and we see her kindness towards the  rude and jealous Lillias coming out strongly……..

The story is largely based on the importance of trusting in the Lord in all situations. This is an altogether lovely book and one I highly recommend.

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

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

THE FAULT BETWEEN US by STEPHANIE LANDSEM

Publication date 4/12/25

THE FAULT BETWEEN US by STEPHANIE LANDSEM is set at the Yellowstone National Park in 1959 at the time of the Helgen Lake earthquake and tells the story of the three Reilly sisters and their bravery as they fight to save each other and other victims of the disaster.  In fact the flood is a turning point in their lives, changing their attitudes towards one another and life in general. There is much prayer and repentance in the face of the horrific situation they find themselves in. The Christian message is strong, based largely on Psalm 46 verses 2 to 4 and verse 8, about God’s might and His protection. It is a story of forgiveness, trust, hope,redemption, family dynamics and second chances.

In the descriptions we are made aware of the magnitude of God’s creation.

This is a beautifully written book with a powerful message, and one I highly recommend.

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

VANISHED by DR DAVID JEREMIAH

Publication date 1/7/25

VANISHED by DR DAVID JEREMIAH is a novel written by a well known Bible scholar, an expert in last days prophecy and Biblical truth, and is totally based on the Word of God. It is a wake up call as we see how the lawlessness described in the book lines up with that of today. The characters and their emotions are very well portrayed.

Major General John Haggerty of the United States army is the commander of the Potential Pandemis Task Force. There is a new type of corona virus in Europe and he is trying unsuccessfully to halt its progress. He takes his job very seriously.  He is  a man who is doing his best, in his own strength, to make life better for everyone. It is almost as though he is trying to make up for the way he failed his family. His executive officer and best friend,  Caleb Johnson, is a committed Christian who lives his faith and is trying to get through to his troubled friend ……..

The story is about the choices we make, family dynamics and the battle between good and evil.

I cannot recommend this wonderful book strongly enough.

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

LOVE AND ORDER by JENNIFER UHLARIK

LOVE AND ORDER is a very apt name for the most enjoyable and exciting novel by JENNIFER UHLARIK. What a great story and what interesting characters! The scene is set in Cambria Springs in 1873 where Calliope Braddock, an under cover Pinkerton agent going by the name Kezia Jarrett , and her partner Joe Trenamen, whose under cover name is Stephen Nesbitt, are looking for a killer responsible for the murder of seven women countrywide, the latest two murders taking place in Cambria Springs. Callie is also looking for her older brother and sister from whom she was separated fifteen years ago on an orphan train…….
There is murder, kidnapping, more than one courtroom scene, a suspicious sheriff, a medicine show and more than one romance. We also see how the main characters come to rely on the Lord for His guidance and protection……
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this lovely book strongly enough. 
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE by ELIZABETH MUSSER

Publication date -3/6/25

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE is the third novel I have read by ELIZABETH MUSSER, and I definitely will not miss any of her books in the future!  She has a beautiful way of writing, strongly based on her Christian faith and her love and understanding of God’s chosen people, the Jews. Reading  of the young Jewish gitl Delphine’s trust in God as she encourages her friend Rene by singing the Jewish Songs of Ascent, really touched my heart. 

The story takes place in 1944 at the time of Operation Dragoon in Provence against the backdrop of the German occupation, antisemitic horror, and betrayal…..

The characters are unforgettable, from Monsieur Martin who runs  the Martin network saving Jewish children from the Gestapo, his army chaplain son Peter who prays for his men, seeing to their physical as well as spiritual needs, to the beautiful and caring Isabelle and the other brave members of the French Resistance, to name but a few……

There are strong themes of rebuilding what is broken, as we see the destruction of Sisteron by friendly fire, and the rebuilding of the Camp Between the Hills, according to Isaiah 61:4 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.” There is also the rebuilding of broken people and relationships, with God as well as with one another, with forgiveness and God’s grace providing the key. Another very apt scripture used by Peter with the fearful soldiers is “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. As Isabelle’s father used to say “courage is not the lack of fear, courage is fear that has said its prayers.”…….

There is so much I could say about this exceptional and inspirational book but I will not tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

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