The House on Foster Hill

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: November 21, 2017

A creepy fantastic mystery that is classic Jaime Jo Wright!

Kaine Prescott has been working to get over her husband’s death; she has almost given up on getting the police to believe it wasn’t just an accident while moving across the country. She buys an old, abandoned house without visiting it in her grandparent’s hometown. Wanting a fresh start, she sets about trying to make the house into a home when eerie things start happening and the house’s past comes back to haunt her. With help from a few new friends, Kaine quickly finds there isn’t much she can do to avoid the past and is forced to face it head on. Almost a century earlier, Ivy Thorpe helped to find the identity a woman found dead on the property and try to solve a crime before anyone else gets hurt.

This is the debut novel by Jaime Jo Wright, and I didn’t realize I hadn’t read it until recently. I picked it up and loved every minute of the story. Jaime Jo Wright is a master of time-slip, mystery novels, she has a way of sucking readers in and not letting them catch a breath until the very end. I love picking up her books and knowing I am going to be fully immersed into a world of fiction that is entertaining, mysterious, and totally enjoyable. The way the two timelines tie together by the end is so well done, especially for a debut novel. The characters are engaging and relatable, even the romance aspect was played out perfectly scene-by-scene. This is the type of book that I recommend to readers that enjoy suspense, mystery, and a little bit of romance.

Daughter of Eden

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 14, 2023

Historical Biblical fiction is not something easily written well, but Jill Eileen Smith is able to knock it out of the garden with Daughter of Eden.

Being one of the very first in the world can make for a hard time. When Eve first looks upon her Creator, she is nearly blinded. It is more than she can take as she is handed over to one like her but not. Adam is different from her but also the closest thing to herself in the garden they live in. Each day their Creator comes to be with them, and it is the moment she looks forward to each and every day. That is until Eve dooms them both with a single act that changes the world. What was once a friendly place is now a world without smiles and an unknown future out of Eden.

Daughter of Eden is one of the best well written historical biblical fiction novels I have read in a very long time. The way Smith writes about Eve and all that took place in a way not thought of before brought me to Eden and right along with Adam and Eve. The story of the garden of Eden is familiar to all, even if you haven’t read the bible, you know the story but maybe not in this way. It is not easy to take such a well-known story and characters and be able to make readers see them in such a different way. The great thing about fiction is it is able to do this. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a different view of how things went down in the Garden of Eden and see Eve in a different light.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Double the Lies

Author: Patricia Raybon

Series: Annalee Spain Mystery #2

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Annalee Spain is back in her most intense mystery yet!

Annalee Spain is back for another mystery, but this time she is at the center. When a handkerchief of hers is found next to the body of a dead pilot, she becomes the prime suspect. It doesn’t help that the Denver police department is run by Klan supporters, which makes her an even bigger target. Her leads lead her from Denver up into the mountains as she tries to clear her name and find her boyfriend, Jack.

I have to admit that Raybon really upped the suspense and mystery in the second book of the Annalee Spain series. The first book was good, but book two is great! She had me second guessing myself the whole way through and I still didn’t have it solved before the big reveal at the end. Raybon does a great job of introducing racial issues in her writing without throwing them in her readers faces. It makes you really consider what she is talking about through everything all the while you are enjoying a great mystery. It does tie in with the first book, but you can still enjoy it as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Sound of Light

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Sundin does it yet again with a fantastic story that brings little known parts of World War II history to light!

As the Germans march into Denmark, not a single shot is fired in opposition. But those that have opposing views of the Germans know they must get out before it’s too late. Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt uses his rowing skills to row his friend Svend to neutral Sweden before the Germans can arrest him. Henrik is propositioned with an opportunity to work against the Germans, but to do so will require him to give up his life of nobility and his identity.

Dr. Else Jensen was ecstatic when she received the opportunity to work alongside Niels Bohr at is institute. But when the German occupation begins, she hears rumors of the atrocities committed against Jewish people and those who oppose their views. She hears stories of a legend known as the Havmand, or merman, who swims the sound between Denmark and Sweden to cause disruption and chaos to the Germans. Can Else be as brave as the Havmand and do her part to thwart those causing suffering?

As I’ve come to expect, Sarah Sundin delivers yet another fantastic story set within World War II. This time she has chosen the setting of Copenhagen, Denmark and shines light on its occupation by the Germans. I love how she manages to find the local stories and legends during wartime and bring those to life for her readers. I love the story between Henrik and Else and how they had to overcome personal obstacles to become the people they needed to be. There is an underlying tone of forgiveness throughout this book, especially for Henrik and when he had to overcome to forgive those of his past.

For the first time (at least that I’ve noticed), there are some common characters from other books that make an appearance. You’ll have to hunt to find them, but I hope that there might be more there in the future! Great story!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Mark of Grace

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: Secrets of the Canyon #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Anyone that has read a Kimberley Woodhouse book knows they are in for a great read and will not be disappointed with A Mark of Grace!

After surviving an injury that would have put anyone else out of commission, Ruth Anniston has come away alive but angry with God. Being scarred makes it hard for her to work anywhere but behind the scenes as a supervisor at the El Tovar Hotel. By being hidden away from the eyes of others, it keeps her chances of romance and finding love slimmer and slimmer. The hotel she works discovers money disappearing and Ruth ends up as one of the suspects. Frank Henderson works as the head chef of the hotel and wants to help prove Ruth’s innocence as the thefts continue. As the tensions mounts, their feelings for one another rise and they try to save the hotel and each other.

Kimberley Woodhouse is a staple among Historical Christian Romance and for good reason. Her novels have a way of transporting readers to a time and place once forgotten making readers feel right in the moment with these characters. Ruth and Frank have a great chemistry with each other and move the story along at a great pace. The writing is crisp and clean that left out all the fluff that can bring down a story. Lots of adventure throughout this story with lots of wonderful inspirational moments that readers looking for spiritual moments in their books will enjoy. This is the perfect mix of romance, adventure and tension that will leave readers smiling by the turning of the last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Victor

Author: Patricia St. John

Publisher: Kingsley Press

Release Date: September 17, 2011

An interesting take on Christian historical fiction that middle grade readers will enjoy.

Philo is worried about his family. His sister, Illyrica has been possessed by a demon causing their family lots of stress. When he and his younger sister hear stories of a prophet from Nazareth that has been healing the sick, they hope their sister can be healed. When they mention the prophet’s name around their sister, she goes into a fit of rage. When things are at their darkest, Philo runs away but no matter where he goes, he hears of the amazing work the Jewish prophet is doing and all his miracles.

I picked this book up at Baker Book House on a family trip and just read it. An interesting fictional telling of Jesus and the miracles performed during his short time on Earth. This is a short and quick read that is probably most appropriate for middle school or high school age kids to read and fully understand. I was able to read this in a single day and thought the writing was well done and an interesting way to tell a story like this.

The Lost Melody

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Surprisingly entertaining with a dark premise that kept me glued to the pages.

Vivienne Mourdant’s father has just passed away and to her surprise he leaves her in the care of an adult ward she never knew about. Vivienne is a concert pianist and her life changes with this new revelation. The Hurstwell Asylum is where she is headed to see about the woman to whom she is now in charge. The picture she sees is very familiar to her from dreams she had as a young child. Not sure what is real and what is actually a dream from her younger years, she starts to think maybe she is the one in need of the asylum.

Of all the historical romance novels I’ve read lately, this one is one of the best with the added mystery and suspense. For some this might be a hard topic dealing with history and asylums and the hardships that were imposed during that time. The way that Politano brought about this hard topic and used faith at such hard points was perfectly written. Vivienne is not only dealing with the death of her father but also the news of what she is now in charge of and how she is going to be able to deal with that. Not only would that be tough now but being set in the time it is for a woman to deal with all of that is even more difficult. Politano wrote all of this in such a way that the reader will not want to take a moment’s break to put the book down until finished.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Rose and the Thistle

Author: Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 3, 2023

A historical romance that will hit all the right buttons for fans of the genre.

In 1715, an English heiress with a powerful family runs off to the Scottish Lowlands to avoid the enemy. While there, she finds herself thrown into temptation and pulled by her heartstrings in unimaginable ways. When difficult circumstances throw Lady Blythe into hardships unexpectedly, things get interesting very quickly.

Historical romance is a genre that can hit the heartstrings of readers and this one did a good job of living up to my expectations. These books take a little longer for me to read because I enjoy researching the time periods to see how much research the author did as well. As usual, Frantz does an amazing job of portraying the period accurately as I’ve come to expect in all of her books! The romance arc was nice and well written where I was able to see the characters act in a way that was believable and kept the story moving along. I would recommend this to readers that enjoy historical romance; however, if it’s not what you enjoy this won’t be the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

All the Lost Places

Author: Amanda Dykes

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: December 13, 2022

Readers will enjoy not one, but two amazing stories surrounding the history of Venice, Italy.

One evening, a baby boy floating in a basket is discovered by a guildsman in the canals of Venice. Only a few meters away from fate turning him over to an orphanage, young Sebastian is raised by five artisans. As he grows up, he fears he will never discover who he truly is until a chance encounter on an island changes his life forever.

Many years later, Daniel Goodman is given the opportunity to turn his life around after some bad choices give him a prison sentence. Now a free man, but saddled with personal guilt that keeps him paying penance to those he hurt, he is tasked to go to Venice, Italy to discover the full translation of the Book of Waters as well as sketch many of the historical artifacts for a man’s vision to bring part of Venice to California. Upon his arrival in Venice, he meets Vittoria, the local bookkeeper, who assist him in both his personal and professional journey.

This is the first book that I have read by Amanda Dykes and she amazed me from the beginning of the book to the end. I couldn’t decide which story I loved more, that of Sebastian or Daniel. And once the stories collided, it simply took off. I love to read about well-known places that I’ve never been or expect to visit except through my mind’s eye. My favorite character by far was Vittoria. She was such a gust of wind that I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up with her, but soon discovered we were kindred spirits. I love it when a book has that ability. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Italian history and just an overall great story!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

2022 Top Historical Fiction

It’s that time of year again! Everyone is getting ready for Christmas. Temperatures have dropped below freezing and everyone needs a good book to read or give as a gift. So we kick off our top selections of the year with Historical Fiction!

Top Pick: Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

There is no doubt that this is Sarah Sundin’s best book! I have been reading her WWII fiction for years and this book had me captured from the beginning through the end. Just when I thought that the story was about to let up, she threw in a twist that I didn’t see coming and kept me glued to the page. Thank goodness I had a couple of days where all I had to do was read!

Read the full review here.

Grab your copy today!

Runner Up: Fires of Edo by Susan Spann

After almost three years, Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo have returned for another mystery! What makes these stories so great is the banter between the two main characters. It’s just comical and makes the story move along so well, but the mysteries are always intriguing to keep the reader trying to guess at what the truth is.

Read the full review here.

Grab your copy today!

Honorable Mention: The Blue Diamond by Leonard Goldberg

This is one of those series that I can’t wait for the next installment every year! It always winds up on my “best of” list and the “looking forward to” list! The mysteries are always so intertwined that my brain keeps turning throughout the whole book trying to keep with Joanna and figure out who is the culprit. Just when I think I have it figured out, Goldberg throws in a curveball to keep me guessing right up till the end with Joanna reveals it all.

Read the full review here.

Grab your copy today!

Honorable Mention: The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham

I’ve always thought one of the best aspects of a historical fiction novel is when you get to learn something you knew little to nothing about. Such was the case with The Resistance Girl.

Read the full review here.

Grab your copy today!

Honorable Mention: The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies

When you read a trilogy, the middle book is really more of the bridge from beginning to end and doesn’t always hold the interest of the reader. Jefferies does a grab job transitioning the story to only one of the characters from the first book and changing it to more of a crossover time slip. Plus shining light on little known history is always a plus!

Read the full review here.

Grab your copy today!