The Widow's Secret (Tales from Goswell) - Katharine Swartz

Katharine Swartz’s The Widow’s Secret is the latest in her Tales from Goswell series. Abigail Fenton’s husband James is a ship owner in the 1760s, and they live a comfortable life until the tobacco which is a mainstay of James’ business is all sold to larger companies than his.  Looking for other cargo he makes a fateful decision – to transport slaves.  Abigail is uncomfortable about this, and her life becomes more complicated when James gives her an African child as a present.  A child he expects to be treated as lower than a servant but whom childless Abigail comes to love as a daughter to the consternation and horror of her household staff, family and peers.  Then James sets off on a year-long voyage – and doesn’t come home.  

In 2020, when marine archaeologist Rachel Gardener is summoned to Cumbria to investigate a wreck, a find from the ship makes her suspect the wreck was a slave ship. But why would it be there?  As she investigates, and tries to ignore her crumbling marriage, unfolding events mean she can no longer ignore her estranged mother.  And she must face the secret her mother has been keeping for 30 years.

Katherine Swartz writes engaging stories with characters you really connect with and with plenty of twists and turns. I was intrigued all the way through both timelines by what would happen next.  I’m not sure I’m quite convinced by the way things play out with both Rachel’s marriage and her mother, but both elements worked well for the book.  That said, the links with Abigail and Adelaide are wonderfully told and the Wesley elements work really well.  The descriptions of the slave trade are horrifying and both Abigail and James’ struggles with their involvement are well written and believable.  I highly recommend this book. 

9781782642817, Lion Fiction, Published June 2020 (UK).

For transparency, I was sent the manuscript of this book for review, but I was not required to write a favourable review. All views herein are my own.

Man of Glass - Andrea Sarginson

When Andrea Sarginson began writing Man of Glass, she couldn’t have imagined that 671 years after the setting of her story today’s events worldwide would be so directly connecting the reader to many elements of the story of apprentice glazier Amalric and his family and community.

Amalric’s village has so far escaped the ravages of the Black Death, then known as ‘the pestilence’, but Amalric fears its arrival.  When his father Elias is summoned to Meaux Abbey to discuss the installation of new stained glass windows there it seems like a grand opportunity, but hopes of a bright future become a desperate struggle for survival – and not just from the plague. 

This is a gripping read, full of detail about stained glass creation and mediaeval rural life.  Although fiction, it includes a number of real life places, buildings, and events, clearly identified in interesting footnotes throughout.  The fictional village feels like a real place however, as it and its residents are so well portrayed.  The story is graphically told yet despite the horrors of the Black Death we still see hope, love and Amalric’s desire to create something new with his designs.  I hope we hear more about Amalric, but I also hope we hear more from Andrea Sarginson, who is a bright new addition to Christian fiction.

9781912726189, Instant Apostle, Published February 2020 (UK).

For transparency, I work with Instant Apostle but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own. 

Phoebe - Paula Gooder

Although many would refer to her book as ‘Biblical fiction’, Paula Gooder doesn't consider it a novel, but rather a look at Pauline Christianity through story, bringing to life those referred to in Romans 16 and taking as the key character Phoebe, a deacon in the early church.  Paula aims to encourage the reader to imagine what it would be like to live in an early Christian community, and she does this well.  

The book is in two sections, with the first being the narrative re-telling of phoebe’s life, interweaving her story with those of others we meet in the New Testament.  Paul himself is largely absent, but the impact of his letters is very strikingly portrayed and gives plenty of room for thought, particularly as characters argue over the ‘correct’ interpretation. 

The second section is made up of many reference notes explaining why the settings and people are described the way they are and giving biblical references and details for those about whom Paula writes.  This is, perhaps, a particular strength of the book, and gives it a strong point of difference from most novels, even those containing notes, references and study questions.

Personally, I found this book quite hard going for the first couple of chapters and I didn’t immediately warm to Gooder’s portrayal of Phoebe, but persevering did pay off.  I seem to be in a minority in regards to finding this a more challenging read, owing by the very many glowing reviews it has received!  I would recommend it as a study group read, as there is much to discuss from both the story and the notes.  

Before I Called You Mine - Nicole Deese

Author Nicole Deese's personal experience of adopting her daughter is poured out into her novel Before I Called You Mine and it gives the story a distinct and powerful feeling of authenticity.  (This isn’t a biography, but it IS a story about family, and specifically adopting.)  

Teacher Lauren Baily has a secret. For over a year she has been working through the processes of international adoption, and even her family don’t know. To satisfy her adoption agency’s requirements only single women or couples married for 2 or more years qualify.  Lauren is single, and happy to remain so if it means her longing to be a mother can be fulfilled.  Naturally, this means that when dinosaur-loving substitute teacher Joshua Avery sweeps into the story Lauren’s life becomes ever more complicated as she finds herself falling in love with him despite her convictions to keep her distance.  In the midst of her emotional turmoil, she receives a life-changing email.

If I could give this book 50 stars I would.  I liked Lauren at once, and Joshua – the type of character I’m easily irritated by in lesser stories – has depth as well as humour.  The text conversations throughout are really well done and several times made me chuckle aloud.  This book, while often being a light and fun read, also raises deep issues of family relationships both blood and adoptive, as well as the importance of friendship.  The people are relatable, the romance very well done with a nice twisty path to the end of the book, and it would be a fantastic book for a book club choice.  I was hooked by the end of the first page, didn’t want to put it down, and finished it longing for more.

If you're curious and would like to read an extract, you can find one here.

9780764234958, Bethany House, Published May 2020 (UK).

For transparency, I work with Revell books in the UK, but I am not required to write any specific review. All views herein are my own.