Author: Iola Goulton

29 March 2022

Bookish Question #222 | What’s your view of characters in Christian fiction drinking alcohol?

I know many Christians who don’t drink alcohol. I know some who don’t drink tea or coffee or any other drink containing caffeine. These Christians believe there is a Biblical mandate not to drink, so they follow their beliefs and don’t drink.

But other Christians do drink alcohol. They give the example of Jesus turning water into wine, or quote Paul’s instructions to Timothy. It’s one of many topics that the Bible isn’t as clear on as some of us might like.

So should characters in Christian fiction drink alcohol?

Personally, it doesn’t bother me as long as they drink in moderation, and the drinking is either consistent with the character (if the character doesn’t have an issue with alcohol) or clearly presented as wrong (if they characters do have an issue with alcohol, or if they are under the legal drinking age).

What I don’t like is characters acting out of character.

I recently read a Christian novel where one of the Christian characters downed three strong cocktails in less than an hour, with predictable side-effects. I didn’t think this was necessary to the plot, and it left me wondering about the character. Was she really that stupid? Why did she accept the first drink, let alone the second and third?

It made a difference that the character was Christian—a churchgoing Christian who should have known better. My reaction might have been more charitable if the character hadn’t been a Christian (or hadn’t been a Christian yet).

I accept that drinking alcohol may sometimes be needed as a plot point. If so, fine. Just don’t add a drinking scene to be “hip” or “relevant”, the way some general market authors add sex scenes. Make the scene mean something. Make sure it has a point, and that drinking alcohol is the only or best way of making that point.

What do you think? What’s your view of characters drinking alcohol in Christian fiction?

25 March 2022

First Line Friday | Week #229 | Turn to Me by Becky Wade

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from Turn to Me by Becky Wade, which releases in May … but I already have my review copy and couldn’t resist. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

My review will post in early May—if you’ve read the first two books in the Misty River Romance series, you’ll definitely want to read this.

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

About Turn to Me

His promise will cost him far more than he imagined.

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey’s life, but it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lay dying shortly before Luke’s release, the older man revealed he left a string of clues for his daughter, Finley, that will lead her to the treasure he’s hidden. Worried that she won’t be the only one pursuing the treasure, he gains Luke’s promise to protect her until the end of her search.

Spunky and idealistic, Finley Sutherland is the owner of an animal rescue center and a defender of lost causes. She accepts Luke’s help on the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return–by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he’s long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the final clue, their reasons for resisting each other begin to crumble, and Luke realizes his promise will push him to the limit in more ways than one. He’ll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats, but who’s going to shield him from losing his heart?

You can find Turn to Me online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

Click the button to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today:

You can then click the link which will take you to the master page of all this week’s #FirstLineFriday posts.

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!

23 March 2022

Book Review | Something Good by Vanessa Miller

Well, there’s plenty of conflict in Something Good.

Jon-Jon’s family is suffering financial because of his injuries in an accident that wasn’t his fault. Their insurance won’t pay for the operation he needs, and they’re not getting any help from Alexis Marshall, the woman who caused the accident.

Alexis wants to help, but her husband won’t let her because he thinks it will affect his big business deal. He’s too busy trying to present a perfect persona, which impacts on Alexis’s relationship with her mother.

Marquita Lewis has had a tough upbringing, with a mother who has serious mental health issues and who hasn’t been taught a lot of what we might think are the basics of life. When she shows up on the Marshall’s doorstep, it challenges them all.

The overriding theme of Something Good is implied by the title.

God can bring something good out of even the worst of circumstances if we let him. It’s a great theme, and the novel does a great job of showing this at the big-picture level.

My problems with Something Good were in the detail.

First, this book has a plot that shouldn’t be allowed to happen. I will admit to Kiwi privilege here: I live in a country with “socialist” national healthcare as well as separate state-funded medical insurance for those injured in accidents. As such, it grates that Jon-Jon’s medical expenses cause his family such financial stress. It’s a sad indictment on “the land of the free” that this plot is possible and all-too believable.

Second, there were a lot of editing issues e.g. misspelled words (e.g. Epson salt), awkward tense changes (maybe they’re in italic in the paper version, but they weren’t in my ebook review copy), repetition (arms and hands flailing in consecutive paragraphs, as though the sentence was moved but the original sentence not deleted), and weird dialogue tags (objected, joked).

But the main problem the dialogue—it felt wooden, unnatural, and inconsistent with the characters. The quality of the editing was an unpleasant surprise, because Thomas Nelson novels are usually edited to a much higher standard. The editing drew me out of the story many times which is a shame, because Something Good is a powerful story that deserves to be read.

In particular, I found Alexis an inspiring character.

Why? Because of her determination to hold onto God despite her circumstances, and her habit of praying her way through the bad times. I found that encouraging, and it’s great to see Thomas Nelson returning to their heritage of novels displaying strong Christian values. More, please!

Meanwhile, I look forward to exploring some of Vanessa Miller’s extensive list of previous novels.

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

About Vanessa Miller

Vanessa Miller is a bestselling author, with several books appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. She has also been a Black Expressions Book Club Alternate pick and #1 on BCNN/BCBC Bestsellers’ List. Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews: “Heartwarming, drama-packed and tender in just the right places” (Romantic Times Book Review) and “Recommended for readers of redemption stories” (Library Journal).

Find Vanessa Miller online at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

About Something Good

When three women find their lives inextricably linked after a terrible mistake, they must work together to make the most of their futures.

Alexis Marshall never meant to cause the accident that left Jon-Jon Robinson paralyzed—but though guilt plagues her, her husband hopes to put the past behind them. After all, he’s in the middle of selling a tech business—and if Alexis admits to texting while driving, the deal could collapse and cost them millions. Meanwhile, Alexis’s life is not as shiny and perfect as it may seem from the outside. She has secrets of her own. As she becomes consumed with thoughts of the young man she hit, can she reconcile her mistake with her husband’s expectations?

Trish Robinson is just trying to hold it together after the accident that left Jon-Jon dependent and depressed. As the bills pile up, Trish and her husband, Dwayne, find themselves at odds. Trish wants to forgive and move on, but Dwayne is filled with rage toward the entitled woman who altered their lives forever. Trish can’t see how anything good can come from so much hate and strife, so she determines to pray until God intervenes. Then one afternoon Marquita Lewis rings their doorbell with a baby in her arms and changes everything.

Vanessa Miller’s latest inspirational novel reminds readers that differences may separate us, but if we cling to each other, God can bring something good out of our very worst moments.

You can find Something Good online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

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

22 March 2022

Bookish Question #221 | Do you like romance novels featuring older characters?

Most of the romance novels I read feature couples in their twenties or thirties.

I have to say I prefer slightly older characters, characters who are mature enough to know what they want out of life.

But romances with characters over the age of forty are rare. Part of the reason (problem?) is that there has to be a reason why older characters are unattached and looking for love. There are only three possible ways this can happen:

One or more of the characters are single, and have never married or had any significant relationships in their past. That raises a question: Why? Why are they still single? What circumstances or catastrophes have led to their singleness? There needs to be a reason … because otherwise we might (mis)judge the character.
The character is divorced, or has previous significant relationships akin to marriage. This raises a different question: What went wrong? Why did their previous relationship fail? Was it their fault, in part or in whole? Knowing the answer helps us know whether we’re going to like or dislike the character.
The character has been married before, but their spouse died. Well, that’s a fun plot, isn’t it? I know the novel starts well after they are over their grief, but it’s still in the background. And there is also the awkwardness of how many fictional Christian marriages end in an untimely death for one spouse because the author needs a widowed character …

I worry about the fictional marriages where the characters do get their happy-ever-after in their twenties, because reading Christian fiction tells me one of them is going to face a horrible death in the next ten years …

So while I don’t mind romance novels featuring older characters and I certainly have no problem with the over-forties finding love, I wouldn’t want to read too many of them … because every forty-something happy-ever-after is a twenty-something relationship that ended tragically.

What about you ? Do you like romance novels featuring older couples?

18 March 2022

First Line Friday | Week #228 | Love, Faith and Tender Kisses Collection

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from another novella in the Love, Faith, and Tender Kisses collection—Falling for Maddie Grace by Meredith Resce. Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

I’m going to enjoy reading these novellas!

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

About Love, Faith, and Tender Kisses

Boy meets girl. Man meets woman. Sparks fly. All good love stories start here and usually face a myriad of challenges before the young couple find that together they are better.

This set of Contemporary Christian romance stories come from writers across both sides of the pond and Downunder, proving that romance is not only a sweet thing, it’s global.

Here’s a set of stories to inspire, encourage faith, and meet all the warm-fuzzy expectations.

In this boxset, you’ll receive a total of seven novellas from these popular Christian Romance authors:

Fake Engagement Mistake © 2021 by Lisa Renee
Last Flight Home © 2021 Milla Holt
Falling for Maddie Grace © 2021 Meredith Resce
The Billionaire’s Impromptu Bet © 2021 Lorana Hoopes
His Perfect Catch © 2021 Narelle Atkins
Originally Yours © 2021 Carolyn Miller
Imperfectly Proverbs 31 © 2021 Autumn Macarthur

You can find Love, Faith, and Tender Kisses online at:

Amazon | Apple| Goodreads | Kobo

Click the button to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today:

You can then click the link which will take you to the master page of all this week’s #FirstLineFriday posts.

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!

15 March 2022

Bookish Question #220 | Do you know of any novels with scenes featuring tea?

The British Empire was built on tea: morning tea, afternoon tea, and tea with supper.

As such, it shouldn’t be any surprise that the novels I can think of with tea are from British authors, Commonwealth authors, or novels set in the British Empire.

In All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt, the hero is returning to China to find and source the famed white tea. there are several scenes where he discusses his plans with the heroine.

The characters in Carol Preston’s Australian historical romances often discuss their day and their problems over a cup of tea. In fact, most of the action happens over the teacups.

Many of Carolyn Miller’s Regency romances feature characters conversing over a cup of tea. It was the drink of choice when one’s morning visitors arrived.

I know all these novels had tea scenes, and I’m sure some were significant. However, I can’t actually think of any 🙁

Can you think of any significant scenes or novels featuring tea? What do you recommend?

14 March 2022

Book Review | The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan

The Mozart Code is a kind-of sequel to The London Restoration.

The two main characters of The London Restoration also feature as minor characters in The Mozart Code, and the characters all know each other (and have done since the War).

It’s also a kind-of sequel in that both novels are set in post-World War II Europe. Both feature characters who worked at Bletchley Park. Both feature couples in unconventional marriages. Both flit between the post-war setting, and scenes before or during the war. And both stories are ostensibly Christian, but the themes are subtle. Very subtle (I’ve read general market historical fiction with more obvious faith elements).

I listened to the audiobook version of The London Restoration, and found it very slow. However, that’s a common issue I have with audiobooks, so I put it down to the fact audiobooks (even on double speed) are slower than I read. I also found aspects of the story difficult to follow, but again put that down to the audiobook experience. I know a lot of people love audiobooks. I am not one of them, but that’s on me, not the author.

I therefore made a conscious choice to read The Mozart Code, not listen to the audiobook. Unfortunately, I found that I had the same issues with the written version.

The writing is beautiful. Outstanding.

But the story was slow, and the book didn’t deliver what I was expecting: suspense and espionage in post-war Europe. The book description suggests the story is about Sophia searching for Mozart’s death mask for two competing clients, but there was little searching or investigating. Instead, there was a lot of focus on Mozart (not unexpected, given the title), chess, and Simon’s background, and nothing to show what Sophia was or wasn’t doing to find the mask.

I’ve read and very much enjoyed Rachel McMillan’s contemporary romance novels. But I’m not a fan of her historic novels, despite the beautiful and literary style of writing. Or perhaps because the beautiful and literary style of writing got in the way of delivering on the plot promised in the book description.

Finally, I will add a content warning: there was some torture, which I skipped/skimmed. That came late in the story, so didn’t impact on my view of the novel.

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

About Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan is the author of the Herringford and Watts mysteries, the Three Quarter Time series of contemporary romances set in opulent Vienna, and the Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries praised for bringing an authentic 1930’s Boston world to life while normalizing the fictional conversation surrounding mental illness. She is also the author of Dream, Plan and Go: A Romantic’s Guide to Independent Travel and A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide: which explores her love of made-for-TV Christmas movies. Her upcoming historical romances The London Restoration and The Mozart Code (Harper Collins) take readers deep into an atmospheric look of post-war London, Vienna and Prague. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada.

Find Rachel online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

About The Mozart Code

No matter how you might try to hide in a war to escape your past, it is always close at hand.

Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of Simon Barre’s covert team in post-war Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to infiltrate the world of relics: uncovering vital information that could tilt the stakes of the mounting Cold War. When several influential men charge her with finding the death mask of Mozart, Sophie wonders if there is more than the composer’s legacy at stake and finds herself drawn to potential answers in Prague.

Simon Barrington, the illegitimate heir of one of Sussex’s oldest estates, used the previous war to hide his insecurities about his past. Now, he uses his high breeding to gain access to all four allied quarters of the ruined city in an attempt to slow the fall of the Iron Curtain. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her, and a marriage of convenience to save Simon’s estate has always kept her close. Until now, when Sophie’s mysterious client in Prague forces him to wonder if her allegiance to him—and their cause—is in question. Torn between his loyalty to his cause and his heart, Simon seeks answers about Sophie only to learn that everything he thought he knew about his involvement in both wars is based on a lie.

You can find The Mozart Code online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

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

11 March 2022

First Line Friday | Week #227 | Checked Impressions by Carolyn Miller

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from Checked Impressions by Australian author Carolyn Miller, the third book in her Original Six Hockey contemporary romance series.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Checked Impressions

Sparks fly when a hometown hockey hero meets a classy art-loving museum guide hiding a secret…

Jai Mullins is used to being the fastest man on ice. Trouble is, his ability to find a genuine woman is tracking at glacial melt levels. He’s trusting God she’s out there, but he’s wary of getting trapped by a superfan, when all he wants is someone with whom he can be real.

Allie Davis has two great loves: impressionist art and hockey. More specifically, a certain hockey player. But between her shyness and her family, she’s convinced she’ll never meet him, let alone connect with him in a non-embarrassing way.

Until she does. And they connect. And romance sparks.

But she is hiding a big secret, and he’s about to find that first impressions sometimes need a reality check. Will they learn to trust and find a way forward, or will half-truths lead to further hurt on opposite sides of the country and lonely lives?

This Windy City romance has plenty of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy kisses in the third book of the Original Six, a sweet, slightly sporty Christian contemporary romance series.

You can find Checked Impressions online at:

Amazon | Goodreads | Koorong

Click the button to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today:

You can then click the link which will take you to the master page of all this week’s #FirstLineFriday posts.

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!

8 March 2022

Bookish Question #219 | What’s your favourite fictional service?

What’s your favourite fictional service: army, navy, air force, or marines?

Tough question.

I could say army, because my son is in the army, as was my grandfather and great-grandfather.

I could say Air Force, because I was an Air Force cadet as a teenager and later discovered my other grandfather served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II (even though he was Welsh).

I could say Marines, because my Army grandfather also spent time in the Royal Marines (which is part of the British Army, not a separate service as it is in the USA).

I could say Navy, because my father was in the merchant navy (although in peacetime, not during a war).

You can probably see a theme: British armed services.

All my family are British, so my preference is stories about British or Commonwealth services. But it’s an unfortunate reality that most Christian fiction is written for a US audience, so the characters tend to be American—even in military novels set in wartime England.

But none of that helps decide on my favourite fictional service.

I like variety, so I’m going to choose army stories.

Why? Because the army has a wider range of trades, including a lot of interesting specialisations. That gives a lot more scope for stories that feature original stories and unusual occupations, and I love reading something new.

Do you have a favourite fictional (or real) service? Which one, and why?

7 March 2022

Book Review | Love, Faith & Tender Kisses

This is a collection of international contemporary Christian romance novellas by seven different authors from Australia, England, and the USA. It is published by The Collaborative Press from Australia, which explains why four of the seven authors are Australian (five, if you count Autumn Macarthur who is from Australia but now lives in England).

I had already read three of the stories, either in previous limited-time novella collections, or via Amazon.

I’ve now read six of the seven, and have enjoyed all of them.

Fake Engagement Mistake by Lisa Renee

This is probably the first Christian romance I’ve read and enjoyed that features an an accountant as the hero. I don’t have anything against accountants (I’m married to one), but other Christian romance I’ve read with accountants haven’t painted them as loveable heroes. (They’ve been boring.) I love the fact the accountant ends up with someone who is his opposite, yet they’re a perfect match. My only criticism is that it ended too soon 😉

I have another book in this series waiting on my Kindle, and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Last Flight Home by Milla Holt

This is a second-chance romance with surprising depth for a novella-length story. Macey broke her engagement with Caleb when he sided with their friend Josh, who had cheated on his fiance. Macey, naturally enough, saw that as condoning Josh’s behaviour. It’s a tough situation, and I liked the way the characters worked through it, and especially the way their Chritian faith was interwoven into the story.

Falling for Maddie Grace by Meredith Resce

I think I’ve now read this story at least three times, even though I have exactly zero interest in Aussie Rules football. It gets better each time I read it. It’s the story of an AFL player who falls for (literally and romantically) the AFLs first female referee.

The Billionaire’s Impromptu Bet by Lorana Hoopes

I know billionaire romances are hugely popular with many readers, but it’s not my favourite genre … so this is the novella I’ve yet to read. I will 🙂

His Perfect Catch by Narelle Atkins

This features Mia, who has run away from her life in Sydney after a too-public split with her boyfriend. She’s now hiding in a friend’s house in Sapphire Bay, and living next door to hear teenage crush, Pete. Unfortunately, Pete thinks Mia is the same high-mainteance girl as his ex, so the course of true love is not going to run smooth.

Originally Yours by Carolyn Miller

This is set in a US Bible college that forbids fraternising. not that Gloria intends to fraternise. She’s here to find the ministry god has for her, not find a man. I liked her attitude:

I don’t think a woman needs a man to complete her. That’s God’s job.

Yes, I’m a Carolyn Miller fan, and it’s because of the way she weaves counter-cultural yet Biblical truths into her stories.

Imperfectly Proverbs 31 by Autumn Macarthur

This is the story of blogger Samantha rose, whose Perfectly Proverbs 31 blog has gone viral and who is now being interviewed by a handsome reporter determined to prove she’s a liar. Which she’s not. Sure, she can’t cook, can’t bake, and the house is never clean, but she never said she baked or cooked . She just never said she didn’t …

Lying is a tough premise to make work in Christian fiction, but this novella does it brilliantly. I think this was my favourite of the collection, because I loved the idea of the accidental viral blogger.

What I liked most about this collection was that all the stories were unashamedly Christian, with characters who were doing their best to live out their faith. I also appreciated the humour – I’m always a fan of a romance that can make me laugh as well as make me think.

Recommended for anyone looking for some uplifting Christian romance novellas.

Thanks to The Collaborative Press for providing a free ebook for review.

About Love, Faith, and Tender Kisses

Boy meets girl. Man meets woman. Sparks fly. All good love stories start here and usually face a myriad of challenges before the young couple find that together they are better.

This set of Contemporary Christian romance stories come from writers across both sides of the pond and Downunder, proving that romance is not only a sweet thing, it’s global.

Here’s a set of stories to inspire, encourage faith, and meet all the warm-fuzzy expectations.

In this boxset, you’ll receive a total of seven novellas from these popular Christian Romance authors:

You can find Love, Faith, and Tender Kisses online at:

Amazon | Apple| Goodreads | Kobo