Fatal Pattern - Kate Angelo

Fatal Pattern is not a novel which gently introduces its characters and eases the reader into the story. Oh no. It begins with a wham with forensic psychologist Dr Tori Crew being grabbed at knifepoint by the stalker who has been threatening her. Homicide detective Blade St. James arrives just in time to save Tori. Or did he? The stalker could easily have killed her, but although he cut her badly enough to leave her bleeding, he leaves her alive. And this isn't the only time when Tori finds herself far, far too close to ending up dead.

Blade has been Tori's friend since they were both kids. She grew up traumatised by hearing the murder of her parents while she cowered in a bedroom closet. He was abandoned by his parents. They have had a connection ever since their teens, but although others see the romantic spark between them, they fail to do so. But now, with Tori's life in imminent danger. they must find out why. Who is her stalker? Why were her family killed, and who murdered them? Things turn out to be darker and more deeply buried than they could ever have imagined. And their off-the-books investigation could have serious, even lethal, complications for more than just themselves. Can they find the truth before it's too late? And just who can they trust in the process? Will they finally realise their mutual attraction? (Not a spoiler: yes, they will.)

This is a book with which you won't be able to wile away a few peaceful hours reading. This one requires focus and concentration. At times I found it a bit confusing and difficult to keep up with. And at the beginning I didn't really warm to the lead characters. Especially Blade. I particularly disliked his relationship with Kiara. She was loving, generous, kind and giving, and he was closed, evasive and untruthful. Later in the story he is more aware of how poorly he had treated her, but it felt very overdue. Kiara was very gracious and sacrificial in more ways than one and I hope that she has a lovely happy-ever-after story of her own - even if we never get to find out about it. She was far too nice and too interesting a character to be merely 'the girlfriend who must be disposed of so that the leading lady gets her man'!

This is a complicated story with lots of action and plot twists. Some of the latter are more like plot cyclones with some astounding revelations as things move forward at express-train-like speeds. Although this installment is satisfactorily rounded up by the end of the book and feels complete (I hate books which end on utter cliffhangers with no resolution, after I've read about 350 pages!), it is very clear where things are going in book 3 of The King Legacy series. And I will definitely be following as I am fascinated to find out how things play out. 

Overall, an excellent read for lovers of truly gripping suspense with lots of plot twists and some awkward paths to romance! Just note that it may take you a while to warm to Blade.

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

In a Word, Yes - Kit Tosello

This is a book which earns all five of its stars effortlessly, in my humble opinion. It's perfect escapist, relaxing and completely engrossing reading which sneaks in themes of healing, renewal, faith, hope and second chances which linger well after you close the pages.

Firstly, I LOVE the mother/daughter conversations. I also love Chase, and the way his autistic challenges are written as simply being a part of who he is, rather than a condition he has to bear. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't sugar coat the fact that it's tough, but I really enjoy the way we see Chase becoming more of his 'own person', and his growing connection with people through the story is super.

This is a story which opens up in increments. We know that things are hard for Lucy and Chase, but it's a while before we know the details. And they're BIG. Equally, we know that things are shifting for Carly, and her role is very cleverly written. Initially it's easy to think of her as a distant mother, too busy with her own interests to care very much about her daughter and grandson, but we soon realise how very far from true this is.

And the way Lucy 'meets' (well, nearly meets) Wyatt is funny! There's plenty of humour through this story, but the moment at which I laughed out loud involved Carly's knee high lace up boots...! However, back to Wyatt, who is another character who is believably complex, and I do enjoy this kind of relationship building in a romance. The small-town 'cosiness' of Charity Falls works delightfully, too. I could easily imagine myself popping into one of the stores there, or visiting the Book Club. 

For a novel which generally I would recommend as an 'easy read', perfect for packing for a holiday or to dip into for a peaceful afternoon's escapism, I found it unexpectedly powerful. 'Shoudn't it be enough just to survive?' Lucy asks, in chapter one. And that 'digs' a little, as I've been asking the same thing lately. Much further in, she observes 'Just because a thing isn't easy doesn't mean it's not what we're called to.' Hmmm, that's very true, even if it takes reading a few times to sink in.

Early in the story Lucy feels 'stuck', and so, in a different way, does her mother Carly. And this story gently shows us how they each get 'unstuck'. It also teaches us in witty and thoughtful ways that first or even early impressions may be deceiving. There's a lot of Christian input in this novel, but it never feels awkward or preachy. 

I am wondering though: Can God prompt someone about getting on with writing a book on which they feel stuck, through the storyline in this book about Lucy getting stuck with her memoir? 

In a word, yes. Yes, He can.

UK Publication Date: 15 Sep 26

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

Twilight Tactics - Lynette Eason

I enjoy all of Lynette Eason's romantic suspense novels, and in this new series opener she ramps up the ante even more than usual.

Firstly, her romantic suspenses are quite light on the romance, which suits me as I'm more into the suspense bit than the romance. This one feels believable so far as the romance goes - apart from one moment which I won't give more details of here!

The story opens with a bang as FBI agent Collin 'Sully' Sullivan arrives at Broken Chains Ranch - just about! - with his agent partner Piper and Ollie, a teenager who is a vital witness in a murder trail. With their previous safehouses being found by those seeking to silence Ollie for good, Sully is worried about a leak in his team and he knows that Broken Chains Ranch, with its trusted staff and top notch security is their best hope for survival.

I really enjoyed this book, which is more suspense than cosy mystery. The pace barely lets up from the start and there are plenty of twists and turns. The 'prepper' community gives an unusal element to the story and is very well described. The two-story-in-one element gives plenty of 'bang for your buck' although I did ocassionally find myself getting a bit behind in the 'what, why, when, who' elements! Cleverly, although we open with one story (and that story is concluded within this book), it's the second strand which occupies much of this novel. I had my suspicions about one of the characters from early on, and although I ended up being right, this didn't diminsh the story in any way. Finding out why I was right took quite a bit longer!

Another top notch suspense romance from an author who consistently justifies her place at the top of the bestselling rankings. 

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

Chase the Light - Suzanne Woods Fisher

There is a LOT going on in this book and the character list of 'who's who' which the author includes is sometimes needed!

The three central figures are Scout Johnson, passionate about her work as a ranger in the National Park Service (NPS) and unfortunate enough be named Magnolia Pearl by her dynamic and totally different personality type mother Lucille.

Naki Dana is a Native American of the Penobscot Nation.

And then we have Chase Fletcher, who runs the Bar Harbor Gazette, a local newspaper which is barely hanging on by a thread to avoid going under. 

And so we have an awkward sort of love triangle, where Chase seems convinced that Scout is interested in him, despite myriad indications that she isn't. (Although there's one bit where he puts his arm around her and she lets him, which I found very odd, and another point where he does something which made me write 'what a nerve!' in my notes!) On the other hand Scout IS immediately but almost unwillingly attracted to Naki. 

When Scout is left behind at a remote lighthouse by irresponsible teenager Frankie, she finds a note which hints at lost treasure. This news proves impossible to keep secret, which means that Scout, Naki and Chase - with the 'help' of Frankie and Maisie (a complicated young woman who is VERY keen on Frankie despite him taking almost zero interest in her) - have to solve a series of clues to find the treasure before the park is overrun with Treasure Hunters.

I absolutely love Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels, so I was surprised to find this one a little hard to get into. My book notes read '47 pages in and I like barely anyone'! But it's worth persevering, even though Frankie's character seems to have become a million times more irritating since the opening book in the series (which, by the way, it is not essential to have read before this one, although it gives background to some of the characters in this), and Chase is doubly annoying in terms of his desperation for the Gazette and his interest in Scout. It soon feels much more like Chase is competing with Naki for Scout's interest, rather than him really being interested in her. 

Naki is an intriguing character with an interesting cultural background, and he is keeping a big secret of his own. I was completely unaware of the Penobscot Nation and I found this fascinating. The treasure hunt and its associated clues is very well done and definitely draws the reader in.  I really enjoyed this element of the story, both in terms of the clues, and the way they were solved. The descriptions of the scenery are fabulous, too - you could almost be standing there yourself. 

There are several excellent plot twists. I think I liked the last one the best! All the way through there is plenty of interest and intrigue alongside the main characters and story. Suzanne Woods Fisher is an author who writes complex, realistic and relatable characters and is not prone to making her peripheral characters 'thin' and uninteresting. In this book we have several 'supporting characters' who also have their own issues, hopes and loves which are well woven into the story in more than merely a passing way.

This is a tale with a strong message about seeing people as they are, not what you may first think about them, or how we think they should be. And it's about trying not to view them as we are ourselves, either personally or through the lens of our own cultural experience. For me, that meant learning a bit about Frankie, as well as considering these factors in real life terms. It's  a book about trust, which must be earned and cannot be assumed. It's about second (and third, and fourth) chances, reconciliation, forgiveness and family reconnection and restoration - yet without too many hearts and roses! Faith elements are strong, but appear rather randomly throughout the story.

I could have been put off of this book very early, but I'm glad I stuck with it. A brilliantly clever and entertaining 'treasure hunt' mystery, it turns out there's not merely physical gold to find between its pages.

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

A Chance for Kallie Mae - Ann H. Gabhart

Kallie Mae Bertram fell in love with neighbouring Quinn Spencer when they were both children who became friends despite their families hostile feud. As youngsters they both had hopes and dreams which for Kallie included learning to read. But then her little sister Laurel died of a fever and her mother dies giving birth to Kallie's youngest sister Emmie. Kallie's father forbids her from seeing Quinn, and she must suddenly step into the role of mother to Emmie, and pretty much to her younger brother Whitt too. Her dreams are shattered. 

Six years later, searching for Emmie in the local woods, she meets Quinn again, and all those childhood feelings reawaken and intensify. And then, the new local schoolteacher announces that she is starting a 'moonlight school' for adults, held at night. Kallie can learn to read after all! Perhaps her other dreams can come to fruition too, she hopes, until her father announces he'd rather see her dead than married to a Spencer. 

I enjoyed this mountain story from Ann H. Gabhart very much. The setting of the Appalachian Mountains is immersively described, as are the people who live there. Kallie and Quinn's love story is beautifully developed and believably written, and little Emmie is a wonderful character full of energy and joy. Both of which are challenged by the birthmark she carries on her face and the family feud which impacts her friendships. We are reminded to be careful about what we say when Emmie overhears careless comments about her birth causing her mother's death. Comments which she takes to heart, believing it was her fault her mother died. 

Of all the characters in the story, I think I love Emmie the most. She deals with her own hopes, fears and disappointments in a way (mostly) mature for her years, and stands up for her sister and brother as well as she is able. She loves simply and transparently. At the other end of the age spectrum is the equally wonderful Aunt Sudie. Single and strongly independent, she yet provides an almost mother-figure to Kallie and her wisdom is respected. The ebbs and flow of this story are engaging, and the resolution(s!) is dramatic and absolutely feels true. 

Another excellent, sensitive, and inspiring novel from an author who maintains her place on my 'must-read authors' list.

I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

Almost by Design - Jenny Erlingsson

Kenya Stewart messes up her diary and misses a crucially important meeting, putting her work promotion in serious jeapardy. And shortly afterwards she has an accident which puts her in the emergency room, and out of her office for some time.

Solomon Anruchi is training to be a physical therapist, but his parents see this as a 'phase' before he commits to the family business. Thinking that having a girlfriend will ease his family's pressure on him, Solomon suggests to Kenya that they fake a relationship. And this is where things hit the first snag, for me. At this point, I cannot see ANY reason why Kenya would even entertain the idea. It's not until later on that she discovers that Solomon's family have links which could help her in her business aspirations. Anyway, they begin their 'relationship', which is very quickly trickier than planned because Solomon, who previously ghosted Kenya after a single 'real' date (see earlier comment ref not understanding why she would think fake dating a good idea) has strong feelings for her and she for him. But because neither of them talk, life gets messy pretty quickly. 

I found this hard going often. It didn't help that I disliked Solomon's family pretty much from the off, especially his parents. I also find Kenya, in her 30s, still referring to her father as 'Daddy' a bit odd (though this story is set in the southern US where I gather it's more common useage), and I strongly dislike people who excuse outright rudeness by casually saying 'she knows that's how I roll', never mind those who ask a very newly married couple when they will have babies. A question which to my mind is no-one else's business at any point, ever.

That said, it's a well-written story. The library scene is especially well-done, entertaining and clever, although I can't understand why Kenya didn't tell Solomon about her dyslexia afterwards. She's clearly a woman who has achieved a lot, and doing it with dyslexia is even more impressive, given her career. She could easily have told him, but then we wouldn't have had the dramatic wedding situation! On the other hand, Solomon not saying a BIT more about the substance of his family's business is also nuts, considering his worries when Kenya goes to meet his mother. And it would have avoided the entirely unnecessarily awkward - and slightly offensive - conversation they had as a result.

But the bottom line is that I didn't really find myself cheering for any of the characters. Reading, especially fiction, is very subjective, so I'm sure others will really enjoy this one. I could be accused of reading with a cultural bias, but I read lots of novels which are set in different cultures to mine and I enjoy most of them. I actually really enjoyed the author's previous book in this series, Her Part to Play, so I am hoping that for me this is a blip in the series, and I'll certainly still be reading the next.

I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

Scent of Hope - Susan May Warren

PI Harley Tatum has come back to Copper Mountain, the place she swore she'd never return to, chasing the drug dealer responsible for so much of her past trauma. It's already a lot to deal with - and then she finds out that the search dog handler she's been called in to work with is none other than Jericho Bowie. The man she'd loved her entire life, until everything messily unravelled seven years before. Harley hopes that things can be wrapped up in a day or so, and she can return to her life in Juneau. But things go south quickly when she's shot by the fugitive she's hunting....

This is a book packed with action and energy. It's a lot more than simply working out Harley and Jericho's relationship. Actually, I did find their early angst rather hard work at times, but there was more than enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. And there is an excellent and MASSIVE plot twist which I never saw coming!

There's a strong thread of 'new starts' throughout. Jericho and Harley (individually as well as a couple), Gabe - in more ways than one, Even Orlando, the Bernese-cross search dog with PTSD. 

This is a Christian suspense novel with a strong Christian element, especially later in the book. When this is first introduced I found it slightly jarring, but afterwards the Christian elements were well woven into the storyline and felt true to the characters.

A book which is well worth persevering with, with interesting characters and a completely compelling family dynamic. I like the way that characters from other books and series by this author are mentioned here and there in a way which her regular readers will appreciate but which won't seem odd or awkward to someone coming new to this book. I certainly hope that the next book in the Call of the Wild series will include some good news for Kennedy and Sully. Although while mentioning them, I do like the fact that Susan May Warren is an author who shows characters in her suspense novels who are working through hard things in life which cannot be mended by 'catching the bad guy'.

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

The Prince and the Prodigal - Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith is well known for her novels about Bible characters and her latest volume shows why her book sales have reached over 400,000 copies. The Prince and the Prodigal tells the story of Joseph and also follows his older brother Judah who tries to make a new life and forget about his role in the evil done to Joseph. 

Something I really like about good novels set in Bible times is the way they encourage me to think about a well-known Bible story differently. In this case, the early part of the book made me think much more about Joseph’s brothers and the reasons why they hated him, while the part following Judah caused me to look up his story  as I’d not really taken it on board before.

 

The author has a real ability to create a sense of place with her descriptive writing, and her characters spring to life off of the pages. Highly recommended for any fan of Biblical fiction, and a superb introduction to anyone who hasn’t dipped a toe into this genre before.

9780800737634, Revell, out now

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own. 

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water - Erin Bartels

I’ve been a fan of Erin Bartels’ novels since her first was published.  They’ve each been complex and compelling reads and The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water is equally so.  

 

This story, though, is a darker tale than Erin’s previous books.  It begins with what seems a quite simple if not very nice problem – a letter from A Very Disappointed Reader about Kendra Brennan’s first, and very successful, book.  

One ‘hate mail’ letter could be brushed off, but the writer of this particular letter makes accusations which stick in Kendra’s mind. Stick so intrusively that she is struck with writer’s block while the deadline for her next book looms ominously before her.  

So she heads back to her grandfather’s old cabin on Hidden Lake, the place where she spent all her childhood summers, to face the demons of her past and settle in her mind the accusations made in the letter.  To do so will mean facing Tyler, the brother of her childhood friend Cami, and facing the breakdown of her friendship with Cami.

 

Just as Kendra is getting settled in she has a further challenge to deal with when the German translator of her first book, someone Kendra thought was Andrea-the-girl, but who turns out to be Andreas-the-guy, arrives unexpectedly on her doorstep.

 

This is a book which you need to keep focussed on. It’s not an easy read and deals with some very tough issues of which the key one is sexual assault. It explores a number of relationships, not just that of Kendra and Cami, and the connections of  the wider community around Hidden Lake.  It’s a book which makes the reader ask themselves questions when they come up for air. 

 

Tightly-written, moving, and powerful, this is a strongly recommended read. It would be an excellent book for a reading group or book club read. 

9780800738372, Revell, Pub date: 28 February 22 in the UK, out now in the USA

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own. 

A Christmas in the Alps - Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson's Christmas novellas are an established tradition in their own right and this time she crosses the Atlantic - or rather, Simone Winthrop does, when she discovers a letter from her French great grandmother, and sets off to France to see if it's hints of treasure are true.  This is a big deal in many ways, not least that she's afraid of flying. On the long flight to Paris Simone meets Kyle Larsson, and their paths will cross again in the story.

I'm a bit of a sucker for a Christmas novella, and this is a great Christmas read. There's a nice level of mystery/curiosity, the French settings are lovely, and the family relationships are really well described and developed.

We all know that Simone and Kyle will connect - but the beauty of a good Christmas story is the way they do it, with lots of Christmassy sparkle and magic.

An easy read, perfect for a little 'chill out' time in the busy run up to Christmas. Recommended.

9780800739331, Revell

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own. 

Tacos for Two - Betsy St Amant

Rory Perez, a food truck owner who can't cook, is struggling to keep the business she inherited from her aunt out of the red - and an upcoming contest during Modest's annual food truck festival seems the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her a solid financial footing and keep her cousin with special needs paid up at her beloved assisted living home. Then maybe Rory will have enough time to meet the man she's been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father's law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. But if he loses the contest, he's back at the law firm for good. Failure is not an option.

Complications arise when Rory's chef gets mono and she realises she has to cook after all. Then Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he's been falling for online the past month.

Will these unlikely chefs sacrifice it all for the name of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

Rory Perez owns a food truck specialising in her late aunt’s tacos, but she relies on chef Grady and hides the fact that she can’t cook and her business is in financial trouble.  Jude Strong is at odds with his scheming father and brother, loves cooking and hates working at the family law firm.  When Jude buys a food truck of his own, his father gives him an ultimatum: If he wins the town’s Food Truck Festival contest he can leave the firm.  But the odds are stacked against him – and he doesn’t realise that the woman he’s been falling for online is the same woman he’s in competition with for the Festival prize!  And her need to win is at least as desperate as his.

 

This is a brilliantly written twist on the plot of You’ve Got Mail, and the references and quotes pop up throughout the book.  It’s an energetic and funny read with some mystery elements which add spice to the mix.  I really enjoyed it, which says something about the way the author writes, since Rory is decidedly unlikeable on a number quite a few occasions.  She’s often self-obsessed and quick to make negative assumptions about Jude, such as accusing him multiple times of using her, or her young cousin Hannah.  She’s not so quick to realise that she’s often guilty of the very thing she’s accusing Jude – usually incorrectly – of.  And she makes an astonishingly racist comment to him.  Anyone who likes You’ve Got Mail will be entertained by this one.  Quite honestly though, if I were Jude I think I’d’ve dropped Rory like a hot potato, but he’s much nicer than me!

9780800738907, Revell, UK release November 2021

A Midnight Dance - Joanna Davidson Politano

In my view A Midnight Dance is the best yet by far of Joanna Davidson Politano's novels set in England. In it we meet Ella Blythe, who longs to be as gifted a ballet dancer as her mother had been before her. But dancing led to tragedy for Ella's mum, and it could lead the same way for her daughter.

This is a truly grippingly told novel.  The story is multi-layered and raises many questions, most of which are eventually answered! There are threads throughout of hope, ambition, desperation, challenge, overcoming obstacles and the fear of being 'not enough' no matter how hard you try.  There is also a rather nicely complicated love story (or indeed, love stories) with an extra twist just for good measure. 

The mystery of what really happened to Delphine, and who she was, is a fabulous story arc.  There are further mysteries and secrets throughout too.  Family is a powerful element, especially 'the fatherless'.  Faith elements are rather cleverly woven in, and although occasionally seeming a bit awkward these rare times in no way spoiled my enjoyment of a clever and involving story.

The brief historical notes at the end are informative and interesting and the very personal author note shows the root of a number of the story elements, not least the issue of God's love for the 'broken and messed up'.

There were one or two anomalies in the use of 'theatre' and 'theater', but I was glad to see that most times the Craven Street Theatre was correctly referred to, given that it's located in London, England.  The use of 'theater' elsewhere, given the book's US publisher and largely US readership, is perfectly acceptable - but I don't envy the editor or proof reader!  I read an early manuscript so I suspect that the rare situations where the wrong theatre spelling was used will now be correct.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical novels with a hefty helping of mystery and a light-handed sprinkling of not-too-overpowering romance.

9780800736903, Revell

Along a Storied Trail - Ann H Gabhart

Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it - is is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?

I must admit that as well as the fact of the heroine being a packhorse librarian I was also drawn to this book by the simply beautiful cover.  As it happens, there really were packhorse librarians in the Appalachian mountains in the 1930s, and they must’ve been pretty determined and resolute people, because they were far from fair weather riders.

 

This is a refreshing read with a feisty heroine in Tansy, and some other love stories along the way.  One of which unexpectedly concerns the wonderfully irritable character of ‘Aunt Perdie’, whose solitary and spartan existence is suddenly shattered by the arrival on her doorstop of the young, desperate and pregnant Coralee.

 

Ann Gabhart writes fantastic characters.  Visiting writer Damien has just the right balance of charm and unpleasantness (is that a word?).  Caleb is loyal but hesitant, maybe to his cost.  Caleb’s ma, determined to have her own way, made me want to grind my teeth, and the transformations of Aunt Perdie and others in the story are perfectly written.  As well as the people I also liked the wonderfully-named Shadrach – Tansy’s horse.

 

The faith elements are woven through the story in a way that feels real to the people and the time period, and this faith is honed through tough times and heartaches, as well as joy.

 

An engrossing story, told believably with very well described settings and lots of interesting historical details about the work of the Pack Horse Library Initiative whose riders covered 100-120 miles per week even in winter when their boots froze to their stirrups. A fascinating insight into a part of American history I’d never heard of before.

9780800737214, Revell, Jul21 (UK)

When Twilight Breaks - Sarah Sundin

In Munich in 1938 Evelyn Brand is working as an American foreign correspondent.  She is careful to report in a balanced way, wanting to tell the truth of the bad and worrying things she is seeing in Nazi Germany as well as the good, but her boss George Norwood dislikes her and edits her pieces in a way which makes her seem supportive of the very things she loathes.  Meanwhile Peter Lang, also American, is working on his PhD and teaching in another part of the city.  He is impressed by the structure, order and prosperity of the Germany he sees – until everything he thought he knew is overturned.  When he meets Evelyn, sparks fly of more than one kind, not least because of his love of order and her passionate desire for freedom above all else.  Peter begins to feed her information she can use in her reporting, but life is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous for them both: and soon they must join forces to escape.

I’ve been a big fan of Sarah Sundin’s wartime stories for a long time now but this book is by far the most heart-pounding of her stories.  The tension rises and rises as the story progresses and there’s a real sense of dread at several points.  Because the reader knows what happened to Jews in Nazi Germany, the worry about the Jewish characters in the book increases, and even when you think you’ve reached a point where you can pause for breath – you can’t!  

Sarah doesn’t write ‘perfect characters’ and this makes her books more real and edgy.  Peter has a past which has coloured – quite understandably – his view of his present.  Evelyn has to fight her way through the man’s world she works in – and at times she’s a bit annoying as she displays her frustration about this although I liked her determination.  I also felt she was far too casual about her conversations about being Jewish, despite the fact she would certainly have known this was not something to talk openly about.  However, it is a major factor in the plot…

When Twilight Breaks shows how good people can become subsumed by evil things, and how that can destroy both friendships and lives.  It also shows how reporting influences people’s views at personal and much wider levels.  On this front it raises many questions, even in terms of modern-day social media, where at present I have taken a serious reduction in my exposure due to the enormous amount of negative input to the situation which the global community faces as I write (in January 2021) with the Coronavirus pandemic.

There are one or two spots where I thought ‘?’ but this is Sarah’s best book yet in terms of the storytelling.  Powerful, involved,  and compelling, with wonderful characterisation across the board and a fabulous – and tragic – sense of place, particularly of Munich in 1938.

An out an out 5* read.  

9780800736361, Revell

For transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

A Dance in Donegal - Jennifer Deibel

Grieving the recent loss of her mother, Irish-American Moira Doherty leaves Boston to take up the post of teacher in the small Irish village of Ballymann in Donegal, a place her mother had often spoken of with deep affection.  But the welcome extended to Moira is far from friendly and it seems a secret related to her mother’s past is going to impact Moira’s present with increasingly devastating results.  Yet among the suspicious locals are people who become Moira’s close friends – and a green-eyed thatcher who she may just come to love.

Jennifer Deibel writes an engaging story with a real sense of place and some beautifully developed characters.  It’s a bit of a shame that the school and most of the children feature very little, but the community itself is well described, and it’s not surprising to learn that it’s based on the Irish village where the author lived for two years.  I could ‘see’ the village and nearby countryside in my mind’s eye as I read, and I loved the characters of Brid, Peg and Colm especially.  

This is a book which is very strongly ‘Christian fiction’.  In fact, it’s much more direct with the faith elements than many inspirational novels of the last several years.  I liked the way Moira heard God’s voice/His prompting, and although I personally found some of the other elements a little more heavy going at times I can see this being appealing to many Christian readers.  

There’s much here of how actions have consequences which can be much bigger than expected, and there are also strong themes of forgiveness.  Almost the entire story shows the dangers of making assumptions about other people, for good or ill.

There are a few oddities – duvets are mentioned frequently, but were not used at all widely until the 1950’s, we don’t call carts, traps, carriages, gigs or wagons ‘rigs’ on this side of the Atlantic, and the final scene while lovely seems at odds with much of the rest of the story where what would be considered ‘proper’ in the 1920s is often mentioned.  

I’d give this 4 stars.  It’s a comfortable read to while away a winter evening and I look forward to the author’s next novel set in Ireland.

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

That Sounds Fun - Annie F Downs

March sees the UK publication of That Sounds Fun: The joys of being an amateur, the power of falling in love, and why you need a hobby.  You might immediately discard this as being lightweight, fluffy, and not particularly relevant.  But you would be wrong. This is one of the most powerful books I’ve read for some time. 

 

In 2018, author, podcast host, frequent flier, and conference speaker Annie Downs felt God saying to her that the next autumn she needed to be off the road, staying at home.  Despite that usually being her busiest time of the year, she decided to obey that inner voice.

 

‘As I write these words (in 2019)’ says Annie early in the book, ‘here I am: grounded. All I want to do is slam my computer shut and escape. My mind started dreaming of all the places I could run to and drive to and fly to and be right now. All the other places but HERE. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that even if I did run away, there is no getting away from my insides. It’s as if the sadness has taken residence, and it’s not going to be left behind just because I leave.

And leaving isn’t an option right now anyway.’

 

Wow, how would she have known as she wrote these paragraphs just how many of us this would apply to.  How many of us would feel as though our fun was abruptly taken away, and instead of fun our worries would grow enormously.  How many of us would face big losses of all kinds.  When God grounded Annie – at a time she could have said ‘not yet, Lord, I’m having too much fun travelling to stop right now – He knew exactly what he was doing.  By grounding Annie early, he encouraged her to write a book which is hugely encouraging for all of us who’ve subsequently been grounded.  I asked her a few questions about her focus on fun, and its significance in her life and ministry.

 

What made you start asking people what they do for fun, and why? Why did fun become such an important part of your life?

 

I think fun has always been a core part of my life. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I looked around and realized the same thing wasn’t the case for most of my friends. So I guess it wasn’t that it suddenly grew in importance to me, it’s that I realized it was neglected by a lot of people around me. I decided to start asking my podcast guests what they do for fun because I wanted the listeners to hear a variety of answers, but I also wanted the guests to walk away thinking about fun in their own lives.

 

You talk about needing to laugh in the midst of tragedy, about needing to still find fun, and you talk about it not being 'light and breezy'. What do you mean by that? Is there a link between hope and fun, do you think?

 

Absolutely! When you are having fun, genuinely experiencing something that you would label as fun (even if it wouldn’t necessarily bring fun to everyone else), it reminds you of what COULD be, it lifts your spirit and gives you hope that there are still very good things going on in and around us.

 

'Fun' is sometimes almost used as a negative word.  What makes fun important rather than frivolous?

 

There’s a certain misunderstanding that fun is childish and fun is frivolous. I would disagree with that, obviously, because I think fun is actually a gateway to honesty, to hope, to connection. It isn’t more serious than its name, it’s just more powerful than it is given credit for. To have fun is to allow yourself to be vulnerable and laugh, to connect with the people around you, even if just for a second (like on a roller coaster), and remember other times when life was like THIS, whatever THIS is. Fun is important because it reminds us there is more to life than the serious things.

 

Do you sometimes think we expect too much from fun? How do we keep it uncomplicated? 

 

Absolutely. We expect too much from fun when we think it will be the freedom we’ve looked for or the rescue we need or the release we’ve waited on. Fun can be a part of all of those things, but not the fullness of them. We can’t ask fun to fill in a gap that was only meant to draw us closer to God. As they often do, experiences make for poor heroes, poor rescuers, and poor gods. But fun is great for exposing what matters most to us, what brings us joy, and what we long for and miss. We can seek fun and have fun while not expecting fun to be our God.

 

I found the idea of 'being an amateur' interesting. In a world where achievement is so important, how can we feel ok about 'just doing' and not necessarily 'achieving/going pro'? 

 

I actually still believe achievement is important, it just isn’t the ONLY thing and doesn’t have to be accomplished in every area. If we treat everything like a hobby, we become excellent and professional at nothing, and I’m not sure that’s a good use of this one life we’ve been given. But if we treat EVERYTHING like we have to be excellent and professional, we stop trying new things, we stop sharing ideas and opinions, and we take all our failures far too seriously.

 

How do you deal with the times when the hoped-for fun doesn't happen, or not right away, such as with your connection with Harvest House? (Note: Harvest House is the home Annie moved into, but took a while to make an emotional connection with.)

 

Time, time, time. Time helps in all things—in healing, in comfort, in connection. It takes time to decorate for Christmas, to cook a meal, to redesign a porch. All that time equals lots of investment. And the more I invested, the more I loved.

 

How do you keep day to day life from swamping fun?

 

It’s a discipline for me, honestly. I look at my calendar every week and literally ask myself, “When are you planning to have fun?” It doesn’t mean spontaneous fun doesn’t show up, it just means that I have lunches with friends planned or a hike outside or time set aside to cross stitch or work on a puzzle. Free time can often turn into chores time or clean-out-the-closet time, but it is good for our bodies, minds, and souls to be intentional about allowing free time to stay free and fun.

 

How do you think people should start bringing fun back into their lives? Is it just about grabbing opportunities when they arise, or a more intentional process? 

 

I think it’s honestly looking at the life you already have and asking yourself, “What is fun here?” Can you identify anything in your life that brings you joy, makes you laugh, surprises you, helps you rest? That’s a great place to start. But practically, if you look at your life and find NO fun in it, start scheduling it in like a meal or a workout. Make a list, think back to your ten year old self and ask that child version of yourself, “What sounds fun to you?” then maybe do what that little voice says. 😊

 

 

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

9780800740306, paperback, Revell 

(An extended version of a feature written for the Jan/Feb21 issue of Together Magazine.)

 

 

A Collision of Lies - Tom Threadgill

This is the first novel by Tom Threadgill which I've read and he's a definite 'must read' author for me now!

Collision of Lies is a fantastic read, completely engrossing and genuinely page-turning!  

Three years before the story's start, there is a tragic accident between a school bus and a train, causing tearing grief throughout a community.  But then a message is received from one of the children long thought dead...  and Detective Amara Alvarez must find out if everything about the accident was really as it seemed.  And if any of the children are really still alive, where are they and why have they been taken?

This is a true suspense novel, fast-paced, gritty, and with several 'hold your breath' moments.

If you like your mysteries a bit darker and tenser than the 'cosy mystery' kind, then this is for you!

9780800736507, Revell

For transparency I read a pre-publication copy, but the views above are entirely mine. I was not required to write any review.

Courting Mr Emerson - Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson has written a staggering 200 books, with sales of over seven million copies. Well known for her Christmas novellas and youth fiction, this is a gentle contemporary grown-up read.  The Mr Emerson of the title is George Emerson, mid-fifties and about to retire from his teaching job.  He lives a reserved life rather like someone about twenty years older than he actually is.  He spends a lot of time trying to avoid his over-interested neighbour Lorna, but his life suddenly becomes very complicated when he meets the free spirited artist Willow, the grandmother of one of his students, Collin.

This is a delightful story.  George and Willow’s growing friendship is very entertainingly written, as are the details of what happens when Willow’s estranged daughter Josie arrives back on the scene, much to the disgust of Collin, the son she abandoned as a toddler. There’s plenty of character interaction, and the story is energetic and engaging reading.  Just complicated enough to keep you concentrating, but not too hard!

Nine - Rachelle Dekker

Nine from Christy award winner Rachelle Dekker is an eerie and uncomfortable story set in a dystopian world and told at a breathless pace with lots of twists and turns which frequently left this reader at least off balance.

 

Zoe Johnson lives a quiet life staying away from inquisitive people and keeping to herself - and keeping her uncomfortable past well distanced.  Until the day amnesiac Lucy walks into the diner where Zoe works.  At first Zoe thinks her biggest concern is to protect the naïve and vulnerable Lucy from the predatory trucker who offers to ‘help’ her, but it is soon clear that the predators hunting Lucy are numerous, ferocious, and closing in fast.  

On the run and desperate, Zoe soon questions who – or what – is Lucy?  And in many ways, Lucy is asking the same thing.  Who is she, what is her purpose, and where does she belong?  

Then there is the mysterious Black Project which Lucy is fleeing.  And can anyone be trusted?

 

For the reader, the book raises questions too:  Who are we, really?  Are we the result of genetics, programming, our own choices, or a mix?  Are we what others say we are?  Can we change, and what gives us the power to do so?  

 

For those who enjoy Ted Dekker’s novels and those who have already discovered Rachelle Dekker’s novels, this will be a compelling read.  Be warned though, you’ll need your wits about you, and this is a graphically told novel with a lot of explicit violence which is not only perpetrated by The Bad Guys.  In fact, knowing who The Bad Guys are is not always as obvious as you might think.  Dekker writes cleverly in a way which keeps you off balance and uncertain as to some of her characters actions and motives.  

FBI Agent Tom Seeley is searching for Lucy - but is he aiming to help her or imprison her?  And what exactly are his feelings for Zoe.  His attraction to Zoe was for me at least was entirely unconvincing and even at times annoyingly so.  

If you're looking for a relaxing read, this isn't it, but if you like complex thrillers with plots and characters you have to concentrate on this is for you.  It's a far from cosy read which will keep you questioning right to the end.

9780800735968, Revell

For transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

The Heart of a Hero - Susan May Warren

The Heart of a Hero is the second book in Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series.  I really liked the first book The Way of the Brave, and this book keeps up the pace.  Although a ‘book two’, this could still be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel, but I’m pretty sure anyone starting here will want to read the others.  I’m now champing at the bit for book three!

 

In the previous book we met Jake Silver, rescue team member and ex Navy SEAL, and Dr Aria Sinclair, the woman he rescued on the Alaskan Denali mountain.  Here, we pick up their story.  All is not going smoothly since returning from Denali and it looks like their relationship is over before it’s begun when Aria sets off for a conference in Florida.  But when Jake receives an unexpected text message from Aria saying she fears she is dying, and he discovers that a category 4 hurricane is bearing down on her location, he sets off to find her. 

 

I really enjoy reading Susan May Warren’s books.  She tells a ‘rattling good yarn’ every time, with lots of depth to her characters and complexity (but not too much!) to her plots.  I also love her descriptive writing.  The Heart of a Hero opens with Jake out sailing with 10 year old Aggie and the descriptions are so vivid that you can almost hear the hiss of the water beneath the hull, the creaking of the lines and the wind in the sails!  

 

The descriptions of being in the midst of the hurricane are also powerfully written.  As well as the book’s environment, the conversations also have depth and raise points for thought or discussion.  Susan May Warren’s books always have strong faith elements which, while woven very well throughout, are prominent in the story.  In this book, a favourite quote is from a character saying ‘Don’t you worry about a thing. God always show up in a storm.’  And as well as saying it, God turning up in this particular storm is also demonstrated in the way the story unfolds.  

 

Elements of dealing with loss, past mistakes, and your own hang ups are key elements in this book.  Jake’s issues with the disappearance of his 6 year old sister Hannah are believably addressed, and Aria’s struggles with the death of her twin sister Kia who became a heart donor for Aria are also significant through the story with a particularly striking comment made to her by a patient: “If we spent our entire lives trying to pay back what we owe, we’d live in a constant state of debt. Always feeling we weren’t enough, always scrambling to make ourselves better, make ourselves more. You are enough.”

 

As well as the main storyline, there is also the matter of elective mute Aggie, and her father Ham, who knew nothing of her existence until he received a life changing phone call from the other side of the globe.  We’ll have to wait until book 3 to find out how their story ends, and I can’t wait! 

 

Overall, this is an excellent read, and you’d better find a good spell of time to absorb yourself in its pages, as you won’t want to put it down!  

9780800735852, Revell

For transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.