Category: Christian Fiction

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.

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.

Targeted

By Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, and Natalie Walters

MY REVIEW

( This is a guest post by my teenage daughter. I wanted to change things up a bit. )

On the Run by Lynette Eason 
This little story was the best one of all three! So good suspense, great faith theme, and wonderful characters. It started off with a perfect chapter to keep the reader from putting it down. I read the story in two days! It was well written, one of the best books from this author. 

Deadly Objective by Lynn Blackburn
A good little short story with really good banter between the characters. I love that. The suspense was a little slow, not a lot of action to it. The romance took more precedence than I liked. The faith theme could have been an amazing one, but there was very little to the story. I enjoyed the banter, dialogue, and jokes the best. 

Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walter
An okay novella. I liked it, but the romance was a bit much. The suspense was an interesting plot. All in all it is a good little story, just not my favorite. 
All well worth reading, if you really like short stories like I do. Enjoyed the whole book. 

All opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher.

Honor’s Refuge

By Hallee Bridgeman

MY REVIEW

This is a fantastic book with great characters, wonderful storyline, and a good faith theme. This entire series has been so good, and the author definitely does not disappoint on the last book of the three.

I am handicapped myself with difficulty walking among other things. It takes time, soul searching, and trusting God knows best to accept God’s story for one’s life with the understanding that God will get you through…and joy is definitely possible! The entire process is a learning one. Phil goes through a lot in this book; but with God working in his life, he comes to see what is important. The faith theme through this character is such a good one.

Two of his buddies, from the first book, show up for a short while to help, but this is mostly Phil’s story.

The female character is perfect to help Phil fully accept who he is, and what he needs to be whole.

The storyline is a good one with a lot of suspense, love both characters, and I really think my favorite part of the book is the faith theme. It is very well woven into the story and very powerful. 

All three of these books will be on my forever shelves, and I am hoping for more from this author. I’m also thankful that they were published so close together. It made it easier for me to follow as I have a very bad short term memory. This series is just incredibly well done.

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

Word of Honor

By Hallee Bridgeman

MY REVIEW

Terrific story! I really enjoy the characters in this book. This book can be read on its own, but you will get much more from the book if you read the previous novel.

The character cast is terrific. I enjoyed the characters from the previous book as well as the main characters in this read. They are fleshed out well, and the reader really gets to know them well. 

The suspense story is fascinating, and it keeps the reader turning the pages. There is much to determine, and the reader gets all kinds of twists and turns as they get more facts. Going undercover is a fascinating tale, and the details are wonderful.

I really enjoyed the strong faith theme in this book. That always makes a book far more worth reading. It was well done and easily woven into the storyline. I think I liked this one better than the first, which is rare.

With a wonderful suspense storyline, fascinating characters, and an incredibly well done faith theme- the reader gets a terrific journey! Highly recommended!

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

Falling for the Cowgirl

By Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

This book follows in the style of the previous three books in the series. A feisty girl and a guy who can’t decide what he wants to do. If you like a romance read, this is for you. It was an easy read for me, and I’m not big on the romance. This series seems to have that more at the center than previously written books by this author. I prefer more history…just my preference.

The plot seemed a bit weak in this one, but it has some interesting intrigue moments and a bit of suspense/mystery thrown in if ( like me) you like suspense in your stories. This book is definitely driven by the characters.

Ivy feels as if she doesn’t really have a place, but she does know exactly what she wants. I grew up doing the things my brothers did so I understand that part of her character. I wasn’t a huge Jericho fan, but he figures it out, of course.

If you are a romance fan and love Cowboy stories, you will enjoy this entire series by Jody Hedlund.

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


Where The Blue Sky Begins

By Katie Powner

MY REVIEW

This was such a sweet, poignant read. Eric doesn’t start out being a nice guy, but his relationship Eunice helps him mature. I love how their friendship grows, and how he begins to think about love, life, and God so differently as a result of his growing friendship with Eunice.

She wants so much to forgive and leave some sort of legacy. As the book progresses, I really felt one of her greatest legacies would be in Eric.


I really enjoy reading stories with little to no romance. It many times makes for a deeper read. This one definitely had a deeper storyline and characters than many books I’ve read. She takes a relationship between two people and creates an amazing story.

I didn’t really like the discussions the girls had about Eric or when his thoughts about girls were out on paper. I realize the discussions occur and it is realistic, but I moved away from friends because of the shallow talk like that. I didn’t care for the storyline of Tiffani either, but that was really all I didn’t like about this read.

The faith lessons learned, the growth of the characters, and a story of someone brave enough to ask forgiveness for wrongs as she faces her terminal illness-it all made for a novel that I will not soon forget.

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

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

By Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

4.5 stars
Delightful and fun with so much wit…the characters are fantastic, and the story never stops. It’s such an incredibly fun novel from beginning to end.

This is the second book in a series of two, and I was thrilled when I found out a sequel to the first was releasing. Many books written in England are written about the elite and wealthy. This is a totally different kind of read, and probably far more realistic for most that lived during that time.

The characters are terrific, the mystery well written, the faith theme so very good and intrinsic to the tale, and the storyline is incredible. There is so much to like about this story.

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

Deception

By Patricia Bradley

MY REVIEW

An incredibly fast paced suspense read. There is a lot going on in this novel-many paths to follow and many surprises.

The main characters, Madison and Clayton, are both well done. I liked both the main characters which is not always true. There are far too many surprises waiting for these two it is rather unbelievable that they are all contained in one novel. Both characters are like-able and good at their jobs.

Some inspirational elements in this book. Trust being a huge one for the female lead character as well as giving a second chance. This book really helped open my eyes to the struggles of an addict. I had never seen it so well written. I know several, and I think this fiction more than any other read presents the addiction as just a way of life. The way it is done it helped me to understand better how difficult it is to leave the addiction behind. Certain scenes in this book still come to mind as I am writing this. It was incredibly well done. The faith theme is an intricate part of the story.

The author keeps the reader on the edge of the seat for this one. There are so many twists and turns. It is a well done mystery/suspense read that just might keep the reader awake far past a persons bedtime. Well worth it, too.

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

Elysium Tide

By James Hannibal

MY REVIEW

I so enjoy this author’s books. 

A terrific suspense storyline with his signature fantastic characters! Hannibal is so incredibly good at writing interesting characters and putting them together to make a thoroughly well written suspense read.

This story has more facets than most of his. This book is quite a bit different than his last read. The faith theme is done well and so different than most authors. I think that is true for most of his stories. I really enjoy different so I don’t plan on missing any of his reads.

The author managed to give me two big surprises that I didn’t see coming. The twists and turns are so well done. I like the pace of this read. Its suspense is incredibly well written, but it doesn’t seem too fast paced which many fictional suspense stories are.just too fast for me.

If you enjoyed this read, I highly recommend The Paris Betrayal which is an amazing read. If you like Natalie Walters, then try this authors books. James Hannibal does not disappoint. It’s a strictly suspense not romantic suspense story which I totally love. This book has faith, suspense, story, and wonderful characters—everything I love in a story. So…do not miss it!

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