New BIblical Fiction

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette

The author continues her series of Biblical fiction The King’s Men with a coming-of-age novel revolving around Avidan and Keziah.  Avidan is a Levite who is trying to break free from the constraints of his life by running away to join the army raised by the new king Saul.  Keziah is running away from an arranged marriage to a wicked man.

As usual, the author creates characters that seem to step off the pages into the reader’s heart.  In addition to wonderful characters, this book gives the reader a clearer understanding of the heartbeat of the times when the Israelites were a collection of disjointed tribes, some of whom had forgotten who Yahweh was.

One of the things I like best about Cossette’s writing is that it is redemptive.  Avi comes to understand and trust His God in a clearer way and the reader leaves the book with a greater understanding of the trustworthiness of God.

The ending was satisfying but still left some questions unanswered and room for a sequel.  If readers haven’t yet read a book by Connilyn Cossette, consider this your encouragement to do so!  I am grateful to the publisher for a complimentary copy in exchange for this, my honest review.

Split-Time Novel with Friendship and Second Chances

 

Ladies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke

This split-time novel centers on four young ladies who attend the prestigious Lakeside Ladies Academy in the years up to 1910.  As we learn of their adventures at the school, we fast forward to the present where they have graduated and made their way into the world.

This story dwells on second chances, forgiveness, and enduring friendships.  It is well-written and easy to get lost in.  The author skillfully weaves the story line between the past and present and even manages a rather surprising plot twist that had me rereading to see what pertinent clues I had missed.

Readers who enjoy women’s fiction, split-time stories and happy endings will find much to like in this novel, as I did.  I recommend this novel and am grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

Big City Girl Finds Love in a Small Town

 

The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight Nain

Casey Black is a famous social media influencer from New York who is ready to renew her vows with her husband of 7 years, when he backs out.  She takes off for her deceased father’s small hometown to regroup from her humiliation and discovers the secrets of her family’s life that have haunted her.

This book is written from Casey’s point of view and chronicles her discoveries and personal growth as she learns more about her family’s past.  It includes a handsome potential love interest, a spunky centenarian grandmother and hordes of new relatives.

I do think the plot was a bit predictable, and would make a great Hallmark movie, but the characters were lovable, and it was written in an easy-to-read style.  Not too many authors that I read feature modern day people of color.  This book gave me a greater appreciation for the struggles that they overcame. 

Readers who enjoy women’s fiction will enjoy this story.  I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

Realistic World War 2 novel

 Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt 

 

Amanda Barratt vividly brings to life the story of the Jews in Poland during the Nazi occupation. She focuses on two women, Zosia Lewandowski, a gentile, and Hania Silberman, a young Jewish girl.  

This book is meticulously researched and realistically portrayed the horrors of the suffering of the Jewish people and their supporters during the time of Hitler. 

Despite the nightmare of the occupation and their incarceration, the characters’ will to survive and to live will astound the reader. The German’s cruelty will abhor the reader.

 

I read this book to learn more about the suffering of the Jewish people and came away with an appreciation of their tenacity. It also made me appreciate the blessings of my life. 

Hania and Zosia gave me much to aspire to as they persevered during what had to have been an impossibly challenging time in which to live. Their characters were so sensitively and skillfully rendered that I found myself thinking about them after I read the last page. 

Readers who enjoy realistic WW2 fiction and historical women’s fiction will come away with much from this novel. I am grateful to the publisher for a complimentary copy in exchange for this, my honest review.  

The Emissaries first book by Angela Hunt

                                                    The Woman from Lydia by Angela Hunt 

Euodia, a seller and artisan of purple dye, became a follower of Yeshua because of Paulos’ ministry in Philippi, seeks to rescue the little slave girl that Paulos had set free from demons. The Biblical story is recounted in the book of Acts. 

The author uses her sanctified imagination and meticulous research to create the details of this story. She includes the method of procuring the dye from the snails. She gives Euodia a household of freed slaves, including Ariston, an honorable believer. She also gives Euodia a passion to rescue Sabina from her abusive master. She provides a fascinating background on the life and treatment of slaves. 

The book reaches a climax and then surprisingly ends. Fans of Biblical fiction and Angela Hunt will enjoy this novel and find themselves caught up in the culture that the apostle Paul lived in. I appreciate receiving a complimentary copy of this arc from the publisher, in exchange for this, my honest review.  

Appalachian Mountain Fiction

 This Is Where It Ends by Cindy K. Sproles 

For 30 years, 93-year-old Minerva has been keeping a secret for her now-deceased husband. Granted, she does not know exactly what the secret is, but she wrestles with how long she should remain loyal to her husband, especially now that she knows the truth about him. Complicating her dilemma is her new relationship with Del, a young reporter who is digging into her past to find the truth. Can she trust Del, and can she bring herself to reveal what she knows before she dies? 

This book explores the question of loyalty, family ties and honor. It is a captivating story that transports the reader into the hills of Appalachia during the early 1900’s. Minerva is a complex character who is trying to prepare for her death by coming to grips with her past.

 

I enjoyed the description of Minerva’s way of life as well as the landscape. I found some of Minerva’s ruminating over her dilemma to be a bit repetitive. I felt the plot could have moved a bit faster and still accomplished the same ending. 

I did enjoy Cindy’s writing and found her message to be of value. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will like this one, especially Minerva’s feisty character. I am grateful to the publisher and netgalley for this complimentary copy in exchange for this, my honest review.   

Fifties Family Fiction

 The All-American by Susie FInkbeiner 

This novel takes an in-depth look at an American family in the early 1950’s. The father, a well-known novelist, his English wife and their three children plus a daughter-in-law round out the main characters of the story. 

The story was told through the eyes of the two sisters, Bertha, and Flossing. I found the characters endearing, especially Flossie. They were so well-written that I expected them to walk out of the pages of the book.

 

The book was more character-driven than plot-driven, but I enjoyed the characters so much that I had to keep reading. I found it interesting that this book dealt with the Communist concern of that era. From the title, I had expected more of a sports novel, and baseball was woven through it but was not too heavily emphasized for a non-sports lover like me. 

I would love to read a sequel to this novel and discover the rest of the story for these lovable characters. Readers who enjoy Susie Finkbeiner’s fiction will find much to enjoy about this novel. I am grateful to the publisher and netgalley for the complimentary copy in return for this, my honest review.