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.

A Noble Scheme

by Roseanna White

MY REVIEW

One of my favorite books by this author. The book deals with real life struggles and the strength God gives for us to walk his path-to trust the Master Architect.

I love the characters in this story. The main characters grow so much in Christ, and the secondary characters are just as fun and help the main characters so much.

The storyline pulls off a fantastic and amazing surprise better than some suspense genre books I have read. It is incredibly well done, and I love how that twist eventually brings the characters closer through God’s strength.

Wonderful characters, terrific and engaging story, and some amazing and well done surprises. I truly loved this story for its theme of heartbreak, forgiveness, and it’s strong faith theme that is so well woven into a suspense/mystery story.

I’ve read all of this author’s books, and I have to say that this may just be my favorite. I’d probably change my mind if rereading a previous book which is why I won’t say for sure. The faith theme, growth of the characters, and suspense/mystery elements are amazingly and beautifully well done. 

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

While the City Sleeps

by Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed the mystery in this novel as well as the faith threads of hope, love, and forgiveness.

I really liked the hero in the book. He had a fascinating story, and he was simply a wonderful character. He wasn’t perfect, but he had such a big forgiving heart. His past was quite an intriguing story as well.

In all honesty, I wasn’t a fan of the heroine through much of the story. She does grow in character, though, and as she learns , I learned to like her more. I like that element in a story. People do grow and change through each day and through life.

I’ve only been to New York City for a brief time for medical reasons. It was fun to visit in the book and hear of some of the “life” of NYC. It is definitely a city that doesn’t sleep. I was stunned at the number of people that were shopping at one in the morning as if it was so normal. The book did a great job of bringing life to the setting.

The book had a wonderful mystery, terrifically done characters, an intriguing storyline and setting, and a good faith thread.

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

The Irish Matchmaker

by Jennifer Deibel

MY REVIEW

This is a sweet story. This story was far more character driven for me. I love kids in books so I enjoyed Sara. It was a sweet romance read that was predictable but enjoyable gettIng to the end. The main characters were well done, but Sara and her dad were definitely my favorite of them all.

The setting was interesting. I find it fascinating that they use to have a matchmaking festival where so many met their mate. The historical notes at the end of the book were interesting as well.

I also enjoyed the faith theme of this book, and the focus on trying to learn to rely on God for provision was tremendously well done. That isn’t always easy, and it was a well placed message in the story. It was intricate to the storyline, and the Bible verses and how Sara presented them to her Dad was adorable. Oh to have the faith of a child!

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

All My Secrets

by Lynn Austin

MY REVIEW

Such a wonderfully written novel covering the stories of three women from different generations in the same family. It covers their joys as well as their sorrows. It shows that God ultimately writes our stories and can turn our great sins and sorrows into joy.

This is a Christian fiction book that actually has much about Christ and living purposeful lives unto him and leaving a meaningful legacy behind for the generations to come. It is a wonderful heartfelt, heart tugging, heart wrenching story that I will not soon forget. 

The main characters are so well done. No matter what stage of life you are experiencing, this book addresses many different situations in which we find ourselves as we travel through our lives. Two of them are sharing what they have learned with the youngest. This is a fantastically written novel that readers do not want to miss.

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

The Seamstress of Acadie

by Laura Frantz

MY REVIEW

A beautifully written novel that tells the heartbreaking story of the Acadians. In the many, many books I have read, only one other series that I can remember talks of their sad story. It is a very sad historical event; but the storyline, though sad, remains hopeful.

A beautiful love story that is done slowly and incredibly well, a fascinating time in history, a novel written with such impressive beautiful prose, and a unique setting all combine for a wonderful book to enjoy and savor.

Psalm 23 is brilliantly woven into the story finishing the novel off with a lovely and fitting faith theme. This is a must read for historical fiction fans, and a novel that I will not soon forget.
I received this book from the author. A review was not required.

Double Take

by Lynette Eason

MY REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all its twists and turns.


The two main characters are fantastic. I really liked James and Lainie. I liked how their relationship grew and that they had known each other so long. The faith theme was quite good throughout the book. That’s not easy to pull off in such a fast paced suspense story.


This was a terrific suspense/mystery story with wonderful characters, a good cast of secondary characters, well paced, and a good faith thread.
This was a great read to start 2024, and it will definitely make my forever shelves.

My daughter is eagerly awaiting her turn. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

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

Calling on the Matchmaker

by Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

The storyline is well done in this book, and the writing style is wonderful which is always what a reader expects from this author.

I really enjoyed the main characters and secondary characters in this story as well. The shenanigans of Finola are funny, and she has become quite adept at getting suitors to leave. Then she meets her match. Riley is well done in his role as well.

I enjoyed the history of this read. I prefer my historical fiction to have more history than romance so this was not my favorite book by this author. I am probably in the minority in this, but I read historical novels to learn. There are a few interesting historical facts, but the romance takes center stage. If that’s your jam then this will be your book!

My favorite part of this book is the faith theme of forgiveness and recognizing that Christ can forgive anything that we have done. There is also much in charity and helping those in need. The inspirational part of the story is strong.

If you enjoy historical reads with much romance than pick this book to read! Most that enjoy Roseanne White, Julie Lessman, or Tamera Leigh( I’m getting help in these recommendations from other readers) enjoy this author’s books.

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

To Spark a Match

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

This was another fun read by this author. I enjoy dialogue in a book, and this book has a lot of fun and enjoyable dialogue.

The main characters were wonderful and well done. Adelaide is so fun! I love books, unique bookstores, and cats, and so does Adelaide. I really liked her character. She was a well fleshed out character who brought much life to the story. Gideon was a fun loving hero who didn’t mind Adelaide’s quirky ways and long talks. The secondary characters added much to the story as well.

The faith theme was very well done in this story, and I very much enjoyed the moral ideas put forth in the storyline.
This was a well done novel. This author really writes books that are very unique which, I think, is why I enjoy them so very much.


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