Christian Fiction

Category: Christian Fiction

Yesterday’s Tides

By Roseanna M. White

MY REVIEW

I really liked the characters in this book, and I liked both timeline stories which is rare. Both plots are well done, and I do not have a favorite. That is pretty much next to impossible.

The storyline with its mystery really keeps the reader engaged. The family history is another mystery for the reader to solve. The WWI and WWII history adds so much to the book! The book has action, mystery, history, and beautiful relationships. Anything else one could possibly want?

The entire group of characters is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of the secondary characters as well. With the dual timeline, the reader gets the viewpoint of the US as well as some viewpoint from overseas.

My favorite part of this story is all the people that we meet that are in previous stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the Codebreaker series so I was thrilled that some of the characters show up in this story. It made a wonderful way of bringing the story more to life because I had already met some of the cast of characters. I think the only thing I did not like about it was mentioning rosary beads and Catholics. I did not feel that it was necessary to point out which people believed differently than others. Those parts of the story did not seem to fit, and they could easily have been left out.

The incredibly well done characters , a very engaging plot line in both stories, special pieces of previous series by this author, and as always fascinating history all combine to make a wonderful novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Hearts of Steel

By Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

I really liked Maggie in this book…even though obsessive, her fears were definitely warranted. She was so scrappy and incredibly hard working. I liked Liam, but I do wish he had grown a bit and learned to better control his temper. He was too old for board room brawls…not saying the guy didn’t deserve it. However, he should have been above that eventually. I felt Maggie had some growth to her, but Liam didn’t really. I did love what he would do for those he loved. This was a great title for the two characters.

This story grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it. The plot and storyline was very interesting, and the attempts by the crooked guy that just keep coming seem unreal. Most of it, however, is based on a true character in history.

The two main characters complement each other well, the storyline keeps the reader engaged, and Liam ends up in the state in which I live with his yacht! He doesn’t come for a vacation, though. My favorite scene is a beautiful gift given to Liam from his sister that he treasures.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Within These Walls of Sorrow

By Amanda Barratt

MY REVIEW

I am at a loss for rating or reviewing a novel as powerful as this one.. The writing takes the reader on the journey, that much is incredibly true.

A poignant, heart wrenching, tragic tale of The Ghetto. The word sorrow doesn’t really come close to all that occurred there. How humans treated other humans like this is something I will never understand. As hard as it was to read, I cannot imagine how hard it was to see and live through, if one could call it living for these souls. It’s a novel that makes the reader think of how one person could help, and yet how could a person not help. God must have put people there, miraculously through a pharmacy, to help with things beyond the scope of a pharmacy. It left people to tell the stories that needed to be told.

This book is not so dark that the reader cannot finish. The reader gets Jewish and non Jewish viewpoints. I really liked the different characters that the reader follows. It gives a good perspective. This was really one of the best books I’ve read about WWII Poland because of that…much of this isn’t fiction.

I’m still amazed every time I think of the fact that the pharmacy was allowed to stay open inside the ghetto throughout the entire time…the building is still there today.

Realistic characters, powerful and painful stories, and the ability to change the reader…this is a novel that I’m not sure I’ll ever forget. It leaves the reader with choices to make about his own life and to learn so much about past lives and their gifts to then and now.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A picture of the pharmacy as it stands today. Used by permission.

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The Rose and the Thistle

By Laura Frantz

MY REVIEW

A beautifully written tale set in Scotland. It is as if every word sings in this novel. I have a habit of skimming a bit since I read so fast. I did not with this book. Every word is to be savored as the reader meets the characters and takes a journey with them.

The main characters are fantastic and realistic. I loved them both. The secondary characters steal the readers heart as well, especially sweet Orrin. They struggle and contend just as we do. The love story is not just about looks and lust-it is about character and respect. Oh, how this reader loved that. I was kept up way past my bedtime to enjoy this alluring read.

I felt the strong underlying theme was to follow the Lord and rule what He has given well. God sets up the kings, but we each have our own dominion. It is for that, that we shall answer to The King how well we execute His commands.

The author appeals to all senses to put the reader in the setting. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, loved the characters, eagerly anticipated the climax of the plot, and loved the happily ever after. This is one of those books that brings a beautiful sigh at the conclusion, yet I did not want it to end. Engaging characters, enchanting setting, intriguing plot, well woven faith theme, and an entirely magnificent story that will have its place on my forever shelves. Just lovely.

I received this book from the publisher as well as purchasing one. All opinions are my own.

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The Secrets of Emberwild

By Stephenia McGee

MY REVIEW

This was a book that I really wanted to get my hands on. I heard a lot of positive buzz on social media for this book. I enjoyed the writing. The author was very descriptive and made the scenes come alive.

I just didn’t like Nora, the female lead. She was a whiner and complainer because she was limited for being a woman. I actually felt this way once, but I grew up. Taking a girl in the early 1900’s and having her say and do things that don’t fit the era just wasn’t appealing. I’ll also admit to feeling this topic is too overdone in Christian Fiction. The victim hood of women has been a common theme in a lot of CF in the last several years so I guess I have read too much of it. I think for others who have not been bombarded with it, I can see why they would like the main character. I would have liked her too if character growth was there. It was not.

I did like that the Mother’s character grew throughout the novel as well as other secondary characters. I’ll also admit that I am not a big horse fan. So I am thinking that perhaps I am not the reader this book needed.

My daughter does not look for the depth that I do, and she has loved reading horse books since a young girl. So I am passing it on to her thinking perhaps a teen that loves horses is more the target audience.

It was a sweet story and a well written one. I would have liked to see some spiritual depth, character growth, and more of a faith thread. If you like horse books then give it a try. It just might be a book you really like. I’m interested to see what my daughter thinks.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Engaging Deception

by Regina Jennings

GUEST REVIEW BY MY DAUGHTER- Abby Paige

A beautiful story.

My favorite part was with Olive and the two kids. She fell right in to taking care of them. They had a wonderful relationship.

I liked the construction and how it was described. It was well done. The scenery involved was very nice. The romance was not too overly done, I actually thought that it was a bit funny, in a good way. I like those kind of stories. The book had a bit of a mystery which always makes for a better book.

The one downer is, it didn’t have as strong a faith theme as some of her books do. It did get better throughout.
The writing was engaging and I would say one of her best written novels. A very sweet, caring, funny, sad, and happily ever after story! Much enjoyed.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Critical Threat

by Lynette Eason

MY REVIEW

The plot in this story is amazing. The storyline moves at an incredibly fast pace making it very hard to put down. Many twists and turns keep the reader engaged throughout the story. The romance is very much in the background in comparison to many romantic suspense novels, and I am very much ok with that. I really prefer the mystery and suspense to be front and center in my reads.

The characters are interesting, and they definitely have fascinating jobs. The whole idea of how they try to catch a serial killer has always fascinated me. How does one try to think like them? Or figure the why of such evil? These are just a few interesting topics this book will cover.

I would have really liked it if this book had a strong faith theme throughout. It does give one towards the end for which I was thankful. If you are a clean reads suspense fan, you don’t want to miss this one.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Framing the Marshall

By Sharee Stover

MY REVIEW

Really enjoyed this book! It was a terrific story with great characters…including the dog!

This book catches the reader right from the start. I didn’t want to put it down. Both lead characters are well done. The action doesn’t stop in this one. It is edge of your seat suspense from beginning to end.

My favorite part of the book is the faith theme which is so well done in this book. The plot is clear and incredibly involved, but the author takes time to put in a terrific and strong faith thread.

With interesting characters, a very intriguing plot, and a strong faith thread this author has written a wonderful novel. Definitely recommend!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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In Love’s Time

By Kate Breslin

MY REVIEW

Marcus finally gets his story…and what a story! I really enjoyed the suspense and mystery plot in this one. It really keeps the reader engaged. The main characters are fantastic, and I love that old characters are well woven into this one. For me, though, this was plot driven with all the intrigue that was present in the story.

With a faith theme that was incredibly strong and so valuable to the story, it truly fits in the inspirational market. I have read quite a few books this year in which this particular element was disappointing. I really enjoyed the faith thread that was so well woven into the story.

I prefer less romance in my stories, but I think most readers will be pleased. The witty banter is well written, and the attraction is not on looks alone but on the character that lies beneath the surface.

History takes a bit of a back seat in this one for a Kate Breslin novel, but it is completely fascinating. I, of course, learned things I did not know. The reader really feels as if they are taking the journey themselves. The historical backdrop is wonderful. WWI isn’t as common as other wars so I really enjoyed the history.

The characters, fascinating history, strong faith theme, and intrigue plot all combine to create a wonderful novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Holding the Line

By Jennifer Delamere

MY REVIEW

Really enjoyed this book. The storyline was interesting and held my attention. It was a good conclusion to the series with the previous characters showing up in this one.

The history was interesting, and I really liked the characters. Trying to be very independent is something to which I can relate. I tried up until I couldn’t be anymore.

The three stars is because the faith theme wasn’t as strong as it usually is in this author’s book. She did a good job of bringing it in at the end, but I really felt this story needed it from the beginning. A strong faith theme throughout is what I expect from Bethany House.

Other than that, it was a good story with strong characters. A good way to end this series of three. The reader can read this as a stand alone, but I do recommend that all three be read. It makes for a better reading experience.

i received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Posted in Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Jennifer DelamereTagged Fiction, Historical, Holding the Line, Inspirational fiction, Love along the wires, Romance, telegraphyLeave a comment

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