Author: Iola Goulton

Thirteen-year-old Ella Wilde knew one thing with certainty: Her mother was not a murderer.

Book Review | An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E Ladd

An Unconventional Lady is a Regency romance featuring Ella Wilde, who wants to open a school for girls in the grounds of her family home … a home she stands to lose if she doesn’t marry before her father dies.

Her father is the current headmaster of the Keatley Hall School for Young Men, and wants Ella to marry a man who could take over as headmaster and so secure her future. Before that, they will again play host to the annual Natural Philosophers’ Society gathering. This year’s guest speaker is Mr. Thomas Bauer, one of the men who labelled her dead mother–and her–as unstable.

Ella is an intelligent woman destined to become a victim of the laws of the age, that a woman must marry to secure her financial future.

I love novels with intelligent heroines.

I liked and admired her tenacity in standing up for what she believed, even when all the men around her didn’t agree with her.

Gabriel Rowe is a lawyer who has his own reasons for distrusting Thomas Bauer. Ella and Gabriel join forces to try and show the other members of the Society that phrenology is fake science, and that Mr. Bauer is a fraud.

The story was excellent.

There was a well-executed balance between the predictable (the romance) and the unpredictable (but saying what would be a spoiler). The romance was nicely done, moving fast enough to be interesting but not so fast as to be unbelievable or inappropriate.

My one criticism of the story is that it’s godless, as illustrated by this quote:

“A true home did not reside in a place, but in loving another person wholeheartedly–and being loved in return.”

As Christians, we believe our true home is heaven, and our true purpose comes in loving God wholeheartedly because that’s how he loves us.

Having said that, the story is a strong historical romance with suspense elements, and I enjoyed reading about an intelligent woman meeting a man who isn’t intimidated by her and doesn’t try to turn her into something she’s not.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Sarah E Ladd

Sarah E. Ladd is an award-winning, bestselling author who has always loved the Regency period–the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period, and she began seriously writing in 2010. Since then, she has released several novels set during the Regency era. Sarah is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her family.

Find Sarah E Ladd online at:

Website | Instagram | Pinterest

About An Unconventional Lady

She faces the worst ultimatum possible for a woman–marry a man she detests or lose the future she’s always imagined.

Charming and headstrong, Ella Wilde always knew she was different than other women. Thanks to her unorthodox upbringing as the daughter of Keatley Hall School for Young Men’s headmaster, Ella has long dreamed of opening a school for girls that would meet the needs of inquisitive, brilliant, unconventional young women just like her–girls who longed for the education exclusively reserved for boys. But there’s just one catch: Unless she marries before her father dies, Keatley Hall will pass into the hands of a distant cousin. In that case, Ella will be left destitute, and at this point her only option appears to be an undesirable marriage.

Ella’s family had long been proponents of phrenology, the belief that an individual’s personality and dispositions were predetermined by the shape of their head. Shortly before her death, however, Ella’s mother’s views on phrenology changed, and she endeavored to expose phrenology as nothing more than a fraudulent parlor trick. Consequently, she earned the wrath of phrenologist community, who called her “unstable,” “bizarre,” even “dangerous”–and branded her daughter the same.

Now, renowned phrenologist Thomas Bauer is about to arrive at Keatley Hall to speak at the Natural Philosophers’ Society gathering, and Ella embraces the opportunity to clear her mother’s name–and her own–once and for all. And her partner in crime? None other than her childhood friend Gabriel Rowe, who’s grown into an ambitious, handsome London solicitor.

Gabriel has his own scores to settle, and when he learns that Thomas Bauer is visiting Keatley Hall, he jumps at the chance to prove himself and right past wrongs. As he is drawn deeper into the unusual happenings, it’s clear that he and Ella must work together if they want to unmask the truth. Over time, Gabriel’s attraction to Ella’s beauty and wit becomes impossible to ignore, and as the lines between professionalism and passion blur, they both must decide what they’re willing to risk for happiness.

Find An Unconventional Lady online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

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New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in Christian Fiction | February 2026

February 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter

The Cowbird’s Truth by Erin Greneaux — What happens when the most dangerous enemy turns out to be yourself? Maya and Everly continue their quest to find the missing Virtue Gems, and this time, their greatest challenge may be each other. When the evil Deceptra offers them surprising help, including a powerful stone, the sisters must decide whether they can trust her. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)


Apple Butter Adventure by Jennifer E. Tirrell and Lisa M. Pritchard — Join four preteen cousins as they take their first steps toward becoming the kind of young men and women who can be trusted–brave, responsible, and ready to help–right here in the first book of a brand-new mystery series. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Turtledove Publishing)


The Case of the Midnight Mystery by Becca Wierwille — In this Christian mystery for kids, a girl and her canine sidekick must figure out why strange things keep happening at wilderness camp—in the middle of the night. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance

Mesmerize by Darlene M. Corbett — She gave him up but hope to win him back through stories. Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life. Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love. (Contemporary Romance from WordCrafts Press)


A Texas Easter Blessing by Mindy Obenhaus — After his marriage fails, single father Ryder Sinclair returns to his hometown with his young son to care for his ailing mother. He’s surprised to run into his teenage crush, Kendall Hunt, whose career as a professional chef has been shaken by scandal. As the two work together to save an Easter event usually hosted by Ryder’s mother, Kendall finds herself longing for this sense of family with Ryder and little Shepard. But when she has a chance to go back to the life she once knew, will she choose the dream she’s spent years chasing…or the new dream that has taken hold of her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh — Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister. Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

I love Toni Shiloh’s stories and I’m really enjoying the current trend for romances featuring ice hockey players, so I’m looking forward to reading Hearts on the Fly!

Historical Biblical

A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith — In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa’s betrothal leads to Lavi’s departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love. (Historical/Biblical from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Romance

Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller — Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…James Balfour, the charming middle son of an English duke, is determined to prove he’s capable of taking leadership of his family’s Montana ranch as the next deadly winter approaches. With the household stretched to its limits, James crafts a clever plan to hire Rose Prescott—his childhood best friend—and to right an old wrong. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Ambush of the Heart by Mary Connealy — As Owen Riley and his fellow Marshals escort Delaney Bridger, her brother, and an escaped prisoner to Fort Russell, a gang of outlaws ambushes them, bringing death and devastation to their party. With their lives on the line and the outlaws in pursuit, Owen directs the rest of his battered group to seek hiding at a remote ranch. After the attack leaves her brother Boone seriously injured, Delaney helps Owen, nursing Boone and a wounded Marshal back to health while danger looms ever closer. Despite the threat at their heels, romance sparks between Owen and Delaney as they fight for survival on their perilous trek to the fort. Can they overcome the obstacles and find a future together? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Undercover Wish by Danielle Grandinetti — CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who’d love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

To Find Where She Belongs by Robin Lee Hatcher — Guilt followed her across an ocean. Grace called her home. Desperate to leave Hooke Manor, Keely Boyle does what she feels she must in order to flee England for America, hoping to make a new life with the help of a man who befriended her years before. But when she arrives at Eden’s Gate, a large cattle ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, it is William Overstreet who offers her a fresh start. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Risky Business by Kimberly Keagan — An American heiress. A British barrister with a need for speed. The London social season that changes everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee — Rose Rushing Water, an Oglala Sioux trained back East in nursing, is torn between two brothers–one who seeks to appease the government and one who fights to cling to the old ways at all costs. Tribal policeman Nathaniel Gray Cloud struggles to keep peace on the reservation and support his sister, who is also desperate to hold on to family traditions. Can Rose and Nathaniel find a peace that comes only from God, or will they lose their families and their lives as tensions reach a boiling point at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar — Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family’s Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half-brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin — In World War II, Dr. Ivy Picot risks her life to treat men who have escaped from the German forced labor camps in her native Jersey. But when Dutch engineer Gerrit van der Zee sneaks maps of fortifications off the island, it could cost them both everything they love. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Mining for Love by Candice Sue Patterson — Petite, fierce, and respected by the men who work for her, Daisy Connelly rules her rare watermelon tourmaline mine in Newry, Maine, with an iron will. When profits begin to vanish and the local sheriff refuses to intervene, Daisy realizes someone is stealing from her—and that remaining an unmarried woman may make her an easy target. So she does the unthinkable. Daisy proposes a marriage of convenience to private investigator Samson Gray, hoping a sudden husband will draw the culprit into the open. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense

Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams — A trail of missing women…leads him right into a killer’s trap. When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])


Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard — Investigative journalist Cressida arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Asher by Melanie D. Snitker — Nova Sheridan’s world is shattered when a corporate conference becomes a hunting ground. With two of her colleagues murdered and a mysterious package left in her care, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. Unsure of who to trust, Nova turns to her old college friend, Asher Durham, a seasoned security specialist. As they navigate a web of deception and danger, Nova and Asher must rely on their wits and each other to survive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


A Royal Request by Paige Edwards — A forged signature. A splintering romance. And a stalker who won’t quit until death do they part. Anabelle thought the flowers were from her boyfriend… She was wrong. (Romantic Suspense from Balquidder Books)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy


The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin — When Emlyn DuLaine accidentally bridges multiple storyworlds, she must untangle their collapsing realities—and rescue her long-lost sister Camille from a storybook trap—before a plan seventeen years in the making shatters the universe for good. (Speculative/Fantasy from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month

On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman — An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave Salome hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother. Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. (Biblical/Historical)

Threads of Grace by Tara Baisden — When a January storm sends her new landlord to her door because of a roof leak, quilt shop owner Melanie Harper has no idea that this quiet, guarded doctor will unravel every careful protection she has spent years stitching around her heart. (Contemporary Romance)

Katie’s Cowboy by Ruth Kyser — Following in his father’s footsteps, C.J. Morgan is an FBI agent. Growing up, that was all he ever wanted to be. But when his grandfather passes away and C.J. returns to Bluecreek Ranch, he’s filled with doubts about his future. Then C.J. meets Katie Jo MacAllister… (Contemporary Romance)

Rebuilding His Trust by Jenna Mindel — Meredith and Jace, who’ve guarded their hearts because of past hurts, find the greatest gift of love. (Contemporary Romance)

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano — A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood―she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose. (Contemporary Suspense)

(Click here for my review of The Lies We Trade)

Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock — A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found. (Crime Suspense)

Severed Ties by Taylor S. Newport — He’s left the past where it belongs. But then it comes knocking at his door. (Military Suspense)

Where Men Stand by Charlene Amsden — On his first day out of prison, Martin “Kage” Kincaid has to decide if he is going to live up to the Biblical principles he learned, or choose to walk away and let injustice prevail. (Romantic Suspense)

Love on the Frontier Trail by Shannon McNear, Andrea Byrd, Pegg Thomas, Susan F. Craft, Denise Farnsworth, Megan Soja — Journey across the rugged wilds of early America in a sweeping collection of historical romances where danger presses close, faith lights the way, and courage opens the door to unexpected love. (Historical Romance)

Book Review | You Belong With Me by Beth Moran

When a developer arrives on the Isle of Siskin to build a mega-resort, podcaster Blue Beddoes and her mother Goldie, the unofficial Mayor of Siskin, form an action committee to find a way to prevent the development. They have two possible ways to foil the plan, both involving finding the truth behind old island rumours. Do rare natterjack toads live on the farm known as Jack’s Place? And is Sienna Griffin the rightful owner of Jack’s Place?

Blue teams up with Jonathan White, the attractive and very personable environmental consultant hired to search for the elusive toads. She’d be interested in him if it wasn’t for her disastrous relationship history, and the fact she doesn’t need a man to be happy. Her (many) declarations to this effect add several comedy moments, particularly as she is pursued by some less than desirable men and more than a few zealous fans of her podcast, Only on Siskin.

That’s the present story. You Belong With Me is a dual timeline novel, and the past timeline is set in the late 1950s and shows Sorrel falling in love with Calvin Griffin, who inherited Jack’s Place when his parents died when he was seventeen. This story is beautiful yet bittersweet, because we know from the present storyline that Calvin lives and dies alone.

I loved everything about You Belong With Me.

I loved the tiny Isle of Siskin, home to just over 3000 people, which means everyone knows (or knows of) everyone else. I love Beth Moran’s writing style–full of humour and emotion that brings her characters to life. And I loved her characters, especially Blue and Jonathan in the present timeline, and Sorrel and Calvin in the past.

While You Belong With Me isn’t overtly Christian fiction, it’s an excellent novel with characters who are quietly Christian, and with no inappropriate language or content.

Recommended for readers who love a little mystery and a little romance in a British setting full of quirky characters.

About Beth Moran

Beth Moran is the award-winning author of women’s fiction, including number one bestseller Let It Snow and top ten bestseller Just the Way You Are. Her books are set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she can be found most mornings walking with her spaniel Murphy. She has the privilege of also being a foster carer to teenagers, and enjoys nothing better than curling up with a pot of tea and a good story.

Find Beth Moran online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

About You Belong With Me

Three times a fiancée but never a bride is not a claim to fame Bluebell Beddoes is proud of. But she is taking it as a sign…

Sworn off romance, instead the love of Blue’s life is the beautiful Isle of Siskin. Her home from birth, her community and now her job with the wildly successful podcast Only on Siskin. Her life is full and her future is set.

So, when the peace on Siskin is threatened with being destroyed forever, Blue knows she has to act. There are secrets from the past that may be able to save the future of the island, and only Blue can get to the bottom of them.

When handsome and mysterious Jonathan White arrives on Siskin, Blue is unsure if he’s here to help or hinder. But when it becomes clear Jonathan holds the key to unlocking the past, Blue will have to learn to trust again or risk losing everything she loves…

Find You Belong With Me online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #420 | Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from Not What We Pictured, an upcoming rom-com from Becca Kinzer, who also wrote Dear Henry, Love Edith, Love in Tandem, and First Love, Second Draft (which I loved). Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

You want the facts? Okay, well first off, I didn't kiss him.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About Not What We Pictured

This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

Find Not What We Pictured online at:

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Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

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Ida Dempsey pinned her bonnet on and skipped down the staircase, eager to enjoy the church picnic among the redwoods.

Book Review | The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey

I always enjoy novels based on real historical events

It’s good to understand how past events influence our lives today. The Angel of Second Street brings 1880’s Eureka, California, to life – the good (Ida and Blaine, and their commitment to living as Jesus commands) and the bad (those with power and control over them, who basically forbid them from following their beliefs).

I especially liked the way the story shone a light on immigration, showing that current views on immigration are nothing new but also showing that communication is key (and banishing the immigrants is not the answer). One thing I’ve never understood is why “good Christians” would forbid sharing the gospel with immigrants (or slaves).

I suspect that illustrates another age-old problem: the love of money is the root of all evil.

Ida is only seventeen, and has had a relatively sheltered upbringing, which meant she sometimes came off as naive and a little immature. However, her heart is set on following God which means it’s in the right place. She did have a lot of freedom, often more than I’d expect for someone of her age and upbringing. Like any teenager, she sometimes misused that freedom, believing that she knew better than the aunt and uncle who raised her.

Sometimes she was right.

Blaine is older, having just graduated college, and now preparing to work in his father’s business. Unfortunately, his father is not the nicest of men (to put it politely), and the two don’t see eye-to-eye on Blaine’s future or on how to deal with the “problem” of Eureka’s Chinatown. It’s great to see a hero who takes a truly Biblical approach to life, and I was really rooting for Blaine and Ida to get together.

I recommend The Angel of Second Street for historical fiction fans, especially those looking for solid Christian fiction suitable for teenagers.

Thanks to Barbour and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Barbara Tifft Blakey

Barbara Blakey is a freelance writer and the author of the award-winning literature-based language arts program Total Language Plus. Barbara is also a nationally recognized speaker, conducting workshops and seminars for Christian women’s groups and homeschooling conventions for more than fifteen years. She lives in Olympia, Washington, with her husband, Terry.

Find Barbara Tifft Blakey online at:

Website

About The Angel of Second Street

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?
When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

Find The Angel of Second Street online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #419 | Reclaiming Hope (Greener Gardens #3) by Carolyn Miller

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m currently reading Carolyn Miller’s republished Greener Gardens series, and Reclaiming Hope is next in line.

Here’s the first line of Chapter One:

Check, check, check, check, check. Was there anything more satisfying than checking off items on a list and seeing just how productive one had been?

 

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Reclaiming Hope

Opposites attract—but can they last?

Callie Steele might be a bit…focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life. When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life? Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie seek answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope is the third of the Greener Gardens romance series, where true love grows.

Find Reclaiming Hope online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

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Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

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I always watch for the pivot--I sense it before I see it and I notice it before the crowd.

Book Review | The Lies we Trade by Kristine Delano

The Lies We Trade is a thriller set in and around Wall Street, which is a new-to-me fiction setting.

Just as Meredith is celebrating the successful launch of her new exchange-traded funds (ETFs), she is also signing a restraining order against her colleague, Betsey. What wasn’t clear to me (and possibly to Meredith) is why Betsey has been ousted from the firm.

I found the beginning a little confusing.

It wasn’t immediately obvious what was happening–at least, not to me, someone who has close to zero knowledge of stocks, shares, options, securities, or trading. I’d never even heard of exchange-traded funds, and that probably meant I missed some of the context (like the significance of ringing the bell on the trading floor in the opening scene).

It’s obvious Kristine Delano has deep insider knowledge of Wall Street, and the business of trading stock and securities. She did her best to find the balance between making the technical aspects intelligible to the lay reader without losing the tension, and to intertwine Meredith’s work and personal lives.

I did find the personal side of the story easier to read and more interesting, probably because having problems with teenage daughters is more relatable.

The Lies We Trade is written in first person present tense point of view.

I’m usually a fan of first person, although it’s more common in genres such as romance or rom-com. I did find the combination of first person, present tense difficult at first, although present tense did give the story a more edgy feel than the more traditional past tense.

Despite the somewhat confusing beginning, I did enjoy The Lies We Trade once I got into the story. The writing was good and the author certainly knows the ins and outs of Wall Street and is able to use that knowledge to craft a compelling thriller.

Recommended for readers looking for something different from a debut author.

Thanks to Tyndale Fiction and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kristine Delano

Kristine Delano is a former Wall Street executive turned award-winning author of domestic thrillers set in the high-stakes finance world. She hosts the We Talk Careers podcast and mentors women on work-life balance. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys scuba diving, playing games with friends, and chasing her family down the ski slopes of western Maine.

Find Kristine Delano online at:

Website | Instagram

About The Lies We Trade

A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood―she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose.

Meredith Hansel should be having the best week of her life. After establishing herself as a portfolio manager at a prestigious Wall Street firm, she’s in the national spotlight for the innovative funds she created. But as Meredith prepares to celebrate, the plates she’s kept spinning for years begin to crash: Her strained marriage reaches a breaking point. Her conscientious teenage daughter acts out under mysterious pressures. Someone vandalizes her home with disturbing graffiti. And Betsey, her most trusted ally at the financial firm, goes rogue, and Meredith is forced to sign a restraining order against her.

Then her worlds collide when she receives a thumb drive and a cryptic note from Betsey threatening to reveal a secret that could have devastating effects on Meredith’s family . . . unless she can figure out what Betsey wants and deliver it in time.

As Meredith begins to dig into the data, however, she begins to suspect that it’s no coincidence her life is crumbling. That maybe what’s happening to her family is connected to what’s boiling beneath the surface at her investment company. Soon Meredith realizes there’s only one way to avoid taking the fall, and it all hinges on Betsey’s true motives. Was she really threatening Meredith or trying to warn her?

Find The Lies We Trade online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #418 | A Promise For Her Heart by Elizabeth Marie

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’ve recently finished reading A Harbor For Her Heart by Kiwi author Elizabeth Marie, and next on my list is the second book in the Seacliff Romance series: A Promise for Her Heart. Here’s the first line of Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About A Promise for Her Heart

She’s holding fast to the life she loves. He’s forgotten how to need anything for himself.

Claire Chandler has always believed in showing up for her family, her café, and the seaside town that shaped her. Her roots run deep, her heart generous, and her sense of responsibility unwavering. But loyalty does not pay overdue bills. With the Seabean Café slipping further into debt and a local real estate agent circling with offers she is not ready to consider, Claire begins to wonder how long she can carry everything on her own.

The café was meant to be a legacy. Now it feels like the weight she carries alone.

Elliot James came to Seacliff Shores with a clear sense of purpose. He is there to serve the community as a pastor, drawn to a life of service rather than ambition. A man shaped by loss and hard truths, Elliot knows how to endure. Trusting his own heart, however, feels far riskier than caring for everyone else. When a phone call pulls him back toward a painful past and an estranged, dying father, Elliot is forced to face questions he has avoided for years about forgiveness, family, and what it means to move forward.

Drawn together through quiet moments and shared purpose, Claire and Elliot discover that healing often begins in ordinary places. Late night coffees. Honest conversations. The courage to let someone see the cracks. But as Elliot’s past resurfaces and Claire’s carefully balanced world starts to unravel, both must decide whether opening their hearts is worth the risk.

Set against the charm of a close knit coastal town, this is a clean, emotionally rich romance about loyalty, forgiveness, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again. The story concludes with a deeply satisfying, hope-filled happily ever after.

Find A Promise for Her Heart online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

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Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

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Book Review | The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Moran

Pregnant and alone, Mary Whittington has no one to call when her labour pains start in the middle of a snowstorm. She calls a taxi, but they can’t get to the hospital because of an accident, so the driver takes charge and she ends up giving birth in the local New Life Community Church, assisted by the taxi driver and a local equine vet.

Beckett Bywater is a doctor who gave up medicine six years ago and became a taxi driver so he could take care of the grandfather who raised him. Gramps is getting more and more belligerent, and Beckett has become as isolated as Mary in his own way.

The two form a friendship as Beckett helps Mary with her newborn son, then Mary returns the favour with Gramps. At the same time, both are being befriended by the people of New Life Community Church.

I loved watching Mary and Beckett get involved with the church community (sometimes unwillingly) at the same time as they are falling for each other.

It’s not immediately obvious why Mary is living alone, in an isolated house with no family or friends nearby. That does come out through the course of the story, in short flashbacks from Mary’s past. This means we’re kind of reading two stories at the same time, the present and the past, and they both come to a climax at the same time. This dual storyline makes for a satisfying read.

Beth Moran’s first couple of novels were published as Christian fiction but never quite hit the mark (perhaps because they were and are quintessentially English and therefore didn’t appeal to the US-dominated Christian market). Personally, I loved the Englishness of the writing–the vocabulary, the traditions, the Doctor Who reference.

Moran has since switched to general market romance/rom-com.

I’ve read several and loved them all. Stories like The Most Wonderful Time of the Year are not Christian fiction as such, but they all feature Christian characters or a Christian community, but in a low-key way that brings an authenticity to the stories. They don’t have any on-the-page swearing, sex, or violence. They also don’t mention God, Jesus, or anything even vaguely theological.

They’re simply feel-good stories that show people with problems overcoming those problems with the help of their (often Christian) friends.

I recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (and other Beth Moran titles) as object lessons in how to weave Christianity into a novel without leaving non-Christian readers feeling as though they’re the victim of a bait-and-switch.

If you’re looking for a sweet Christmas novel in a small-town setting, I think you’ll enjoy The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

About Beth Moran

Beth Moran is the award-winning author of women’s fiction, including number one bestseller Let It Snow and top ten bestseller Just the Way You Are. Her books are set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she can be found most mornings walking with her spaniel Murphy. She has the privilege of also being a foster carer to teenagers, and enjoys nothing better than curling up with a pot of tea and a good story.

Find Beth Moran online at:

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About The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Mary never planned to stop running.

With a past she’s desperate to leave behind and a baby on the way, she’s found a new home, deep in the forest, hidden from the world. But when the time comes to go to the hospital, she has no idea that Beckett, the quiet, steady taxi driver who braves the blizzard to reach her, will change everything.

As Mary adjusts to life with her newborn, she finds herself drawn into a local close-knit community she never expected to be part of. Beckett is always there ­– dependable, patient and offering a friendship she doesn’t know how to accept but slowly comes to rely on.

In a place she thought she’d only ever be passing through, Mary finally learns what it truly means to belong. And as Christmas approaches, she begins to believe that maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have to do this alone, and that this could be the start of something wonderful…

Find The Most Wonderful Time of the Year online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #417 | The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Moran

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by English author Beth Moran.

Here’s the first line of Chapter One:

I'd spent the last few hours trying to convince myself that this couldn't be happening.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Mary never planned to stop running.

With a past she’s desperate to leave behind and a baby on the way, she’s found a new home, deep in the forest, hidden from the world. But when the time comes to go to the hospital, she has no idea that Beckett, the quiet, steady taxi driver who braves the blizzard to reach her, will change everything.

As Mary adjusts to life with her newborn, she finds herself drawn into a local close-knit community she never expected to be part of. Beckett is always there ­– dependable, patient and offering a friendship she doesn’t know how to accept but slowly comes to rely on.

In a place she thought she’d only ever be passing through, Mary finally learns what it truly means to belong. And as Christmas approaches, she begins to believe that maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have to do this alone, and that this could be the start of something wonderful…

Find The Most Wonderful Time of the Year online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!