Until Our Time Comes

By Nicole M. Miller

MY REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting historical tidbits that I learned in this book. It’s intertwined with fiction as is usually the case in books like these. I enjoyed the characters in this book-especially Brett and Ewin.

It was a fascinating story, and I didn’t have any problems keeping myself engaged and turning the pages. The idea of transporting so many horses for their bloodlines isn’t something I’d actually given much thought. It seemed a bit reckless at times, but it wasn’t just for the horses it was for the memory of a beloved mother. Perhaps that is what made me perceive it as plausible.

The romance was interesting. It grew through his acts of saving things she loved, but they don’t really spend much time getting to know each other. I’m not disappointed in having little romance as that is the kind of book that I prefer. I just found it a bit confusing on how a bond grows when not much is there as far as knowing each other.

My biggest disappointment is the lack of a faith theme. It is mentioned at the end that God had worked things out as they were meant to be, but that was it. 

I really enjoy historicals, and I enjoyed this one as it is so different from many I’ve read. It is all encompassed by the horses and what surrounds them. I’ve never quite read a book like this one before, and I’m looking forward to more books by this author. This is her debut novel.

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

Coal Black Lies

By Cindy K Sproles

MY REVIEW

This won’t be a book that I soon forget. It has many twists and turns, so many characters that learn and grow, and a faith theme that is strong and true.

Nobody is perfect. Even if you don’t lie to everyone else. How many lies do we tell ourself and then convince ourself that they are true? Lies cause so many problems in this world, and we are surrounded by them. 

This book is full of forgiveness and redemption while showing love, truth, and innocence through a mentally handicapped child who is so incredibly sweet and loving. The main characters learn that they truly can trust and lean on “the everlasting arms.”

This was a five star read for me for so many reasons. Readers who love inspirational fiction will definitely want to get their hands on this novel.

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

Hidden in the Night

By Elizabeth Goddard

MY REVIEW

This is another fantastic read by this author. Wonderful characters, terrific story, good faith theme, and a suspense thread that keeps the reader turning the pages.

I think my favorite thing about this novel was the setting, and all that is explained about Alaska. There is much in here about the difficulties faced due to the unique terrain, weather, and other challenges in Alaska. My daddy was in Alaska for awhile so the state itself has always fascinated me, even though I have never been there.

The characters are well done, both the main characters and the secondary. They are used well in the good faith thread. It isn’t always easy for suspense reads to have a strong faith thread as the pace of the book is so fast. It was well done in this read.

Using a lost manuscript is an interesting detail in the book, and the twists, turns, and surprises are well done. I have enjoyed all three books in this series. I definitely recommend this one.

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

What I Promise You

By Liz Tolsma

MY REVIEW

Incredibly well done dual timeline story. I enjoyed ALL of this book. The characters are wonderful, the history fascinating, and the storyline so well crafted and beautifully written.
I usually have one story that I like more than the other, but I really loved both of the stories in this book.
I have read quite a few books by this author, and this is my favorite of hers so far. I was really captivated by the story and the history in this novel. It was all incredibly well done. I read this book in about 24 hours, and I highly recommend it.

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

The Song of Sourwood Mountain

by Ann H. Gabhart

MY REVIEW

It’s a slow moving sweet story that I really enjoyed. The characters are well done. I enjoyed the main characters, and I really enjoyed so many of the secondary characters as well. Ada June was probably my favorite along with her dog Bo. She is incredibly sweet, but she needs a home and some help.

I really like how love is presented in this story. It’s deep, and it’s lasting. Mira was so careful to wait until true love was present before sharing those words with anyone. “Love” is a word that is so quickly thrown around these days. I really liked how true, abiding live was presented in the characters hearts-especially between Mira and Gordon.

The people were presented in an environment that one could feel and smell. It seemed so real and alive.

Once again this author has written a beautifully woven tale of love and loss, and the faith in God that gets people through the difficult times and gives us days in which to rejoice!

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

The Lady with the Dark Hair

by Erin Bartels

MY REVIEW

I really liked the writing style of this book. I can’t fly so this book brought to life places overseas I’ll never see. The storyline was intriguing as well.

I had a bit of a difficult time gettIng into the story, but once I did I was caught up by the mystery of the unknown. Both the historical and contemporary stories were interesting. That’s rare as I usually enjoy the historical far more than contemporary. This author made both of them interesting. I enjoyed the stories far more than the characters. I know nothing of painting or painting vernacular so maybe that was why. I didn’t connect with either one, but the storyline themselves were definitely enough to keep me reading.

I’m not a fan of books that don’t really have an ending. That fact and the lack of a faith theme were disappointing. I know many readers like to be left hanging to finish the ending themselves. I must admit to double checking to make sure I didn’t skip a page or something. So I liked it well enough to really want closure for the characters, which says something. I also really was hoping for some sort of faith thread that never came to be.

The author writes incredibly well so I definitely see why so many are hooked on this author. I just really like closure, and I expect a faith theme in books published by Revell.
I was trying to find an author to compare…found that hard. Perhaps Katherine Reay type writing. I’m not sure, but the storyline and writing style are very well done.

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

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

by Joanna Davidson Politano

MY REVIEW

“For years I’d been running and restless. Running away, yes. But also running toward something that seemed elusive and impossible. That garden experience. The safety, the devotion and intimacy…the sheer beauty.”

Wow…I think that sums up my immediate thoughts when I finished. Terrific story. This author does such a fantastic job of using her words and stories as a shadow and allegory of spiritual truths. This book was no different, yet the faith theme is even stronger in this one. I am a big lover of A Tale of Two Cities, and I loved how that was woven into the story. The ending was a surprise for me.

There is something about this author’s storytelling that pulls me in and keeps me in the book. I read this book in one sitting…with dinner in between. I usually cherish hers over two days, but I wanted so much to just relax and enjoy-so I did. It has mystery, a strong faith theme, terrific characters , and a beauty in its story. You don’t want to miss any of this author’s books. This one especially holds so much beauty and heart. It’s beautiful lyrical prose that introduces Lily to the Master Gardener and the Master Storyteller. A person every reader should meet as well.

“They could walk over life’s burning coals and come out with strength and confidence on their faces. Because they had spent time in the garden, drinking in life from their source. They had met the Gardener.”

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

These Tangled Threads

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

MY REVIEW

Beautifully written book with wonderful, realistically flawed characters. These flawed characters are filled with experiences and circumstances used by the Master Weaver to create a more beautiful person. This doesn’t result in perfection, but in a beautiful masterpiece. We need to make better choices as our life’s story is woven. It will have flaws, but that makes each of us unique and helps us learn.

The book also has wonderful threads of forgiveness, hope, redemption, and love. The storyline is fascinating, and the book was really captivating. It is a beautifully done Appalachian story with the setting of Biltmore in the Carolinas.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

by Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

This is such a fun story! It’s full of action, questions of life, friendship fun, mystery and suspense. I have loved this series, and this book is no different. 

I really enjoyed the main and secondary characters in this book. They have faults, difficulties, and have such a normal kinda life, but they definitely don’t have normal kind of jobs and scrapes they enjoy. 

The storyline is interesting, and I really like that this takes place among normal folk-no ritzy balls and gowns. It’s been said they take place in Dicken’s London. That statement really is true. He is probably my favorite classic writer, and I thoroughly enjoy that this series doesn’t take place among the London elite.

There is so much to like about this book and this series. Good characters, intriguing storylines, faith themes, and just some wonderful fun. I’m rather sad to leave these characters behind, but I’m glad to have all three on my forever shelves.

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

The Ark and the Dove

by Jill Eileen Smith

MY REVIEW

This book was my first by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It definitely makes the reader think about what it must have been like during the times of Noah and his family. What struck me the most is that I never considered the grief that family bore as so many of their relatives died within a short time right before the flood came.

The characters of the book were well developed, the storyline had depth and emotion and really made this reader ponder what the family of Noah endured. Imagine knowing that you were going to be the only inhabitants of the earth, yet they didn’t know exactly what that earth would look like. The family dynamics were done so well also.

I really enjoyed this novel because I read to learn. This is a book that kept the reader very much engaged and thinking. I don’t always like Biblical fiction, but I thought this one was incredibly written with a lot of thought put into so many details. I’m looking forward to sharing this book and hearing what they glean from this novel! It would definitely make a good novel for a Christian book club.

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