Author: Iola Goulton

3 July 2021

New Releases in Christian Fiction for July 2021

We’re halfway through 2021. Some of us have read more books that we’d planned so far this year … and some haven’t (me). Whichever category you fit into, there are always more books being published that we can add to our to-read piles. Here are some new and recent releases in Christian fiction from members of American Christian Fiction Writers:

General Contemporary

Rocky Mountain Restoration by Lisa J. Flickinger — Josephine Thorebourne doesn’t deserve happiness. Not after the mess she’s made. Mid-voyage, on the steamship Jameson, she learns of the tragic loss of her family’s money. Money she stole with the hopes of turning a profit. What should be a delightful voyage up the Canadian coast turns into a journey of regret. Josephine seeks the solace of the man she loves, only to find out he’s an imposter. Left with no other choice, she must return to her home town of Stony Creek and face the anger of those she’s betrayed. Owen Kelly was given the opportunity of a lifetime to steward on the SS Jameson. The work meant he could escape his difficult upbringing along the wharves of Chicago. When his heart falls for the woman in cabin eight, Owen must decide if he will continue his work on the ship or follow the love of his life to her Rocky Mountain home. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Rescuing Her Heart by Cindy Ervin Huff — On visitation rounds as a lay preacher, the last thing rancher Jed Holt expects is to be shot at from the barn next to a burned-down homestead. But the soot-covered woman hiding inside needs protecting, and Jed is the man to do it whether she likes it or not. Delilah James’s nightmares began when she came to Kansas as a mail-order bride. Her husband was nothing like his letters. Now that he is dead, she can’t shake his abuse from her heart. Trusting men tops her never-again list, and taking a job on the Holt ranch as a housekeeper is a means to save money and bring her parents west. But her attraction to the compassionate former chaplain both angers and confuses her. Jed has his own nightmares from a POW camp and understands Delilah better than she knows. Can two broken people form a forever bond? (Historical Romance from Iron Stream Media)

Gold Rush Bride Caroline by Linda Shenton Matchett — Scarred in a childhood accident, Caroline Vogel has yet to find a man willing to marry her, so she heads to the Pike’s Peak goldfields to pan enough ore to become a woman of means. When she and the handsome assistant trail boss hit it off, she begins to hope her future may not be spent alone. Then she catches wind of dark secrets from the man’s past, and she’s not sure what or who to believe. Orphaned as a teenager, Oliver Llewellyn stole to survive, then used his skills for the army during the war. Nowadays, he applies his knowledge to catch dangerous thieves for the Pinkerton Agency, so guarding a young woman during a wagon train journey should be easy. But he didn’t count on the fact she’d angered a man bent on revenge. He also didn’t count on losing his heart. (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Hollywood is Not Home by Annmarie M. Roberts — Would you trade fame for privacy? Movie star Maggie Malone has a glamorous lifestyle with everything money can buy―except privacy. Hounded by the paparazzi and ridiculed for her faith, Maggie secretly struggles with severe anxiety and loneliness. All she desires is to be herself–southern girl by birth, ranch lover by heart. When an anonymous benefactor invites Maggie to participate in a secret project, will her hopelessness find a new direction? Or will she become another celebrity travesty? What if she discovers Hollywood is not Home? Her faith, family, love, and future hang in the balance . (General Romance from Ambassador International)

The Scarlet Pen by Jennifer Uhlarik — Enjoy a tale of true but forgotten history of an 19th Century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage. In 1876, Emma Draycott is charmed into a quick engagement with childhood friend Stephen Dee Richards after reconnecting with him at a church event in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. But within the week, Stephen leaves to “make his fame and fortune.” The heartbroken Emma gives him a special pen to write to her, and he does with tales of grand adventures. Secret Service agent Clay Timmons arrives in Mount Pleasant to track purchases made with fake currency. Every trail leads back to Stephen—and therefore, Emma. Can he convince the naïve woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

General Historical:

If it Rains by Jennifer L. Wright — It’s 1935 in Oklahoma, and lives are determined by the dust. Fourteen-year-old Kathryn Baile, a spitfire born with a severe clubfoot, is coming of age in desperate times. Once her beloved older sister marries, Kathryn’s only comfort comes in the well-worn pages of her favorite book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Then Kathryn’s father decides to relocate to Indianapolis, and only the promise of a surgery to finally make her “normal” convinces Kathryn to leave Oklahoma behind. But disaster strikes along the way, and Kathryn must rely on her grit and the ragged companions she meets on the road if she is to complete her journey. Back in Boise City, Melissa Baile Mayfield is the newest member of the wealthiest family in all of Cimarron County. In spite of her poor, rural upbringing, Melissa has just married the town’s most eligible bachelor and is determined to be everything her husband―and her new social class―expects her to be. But as the drought tightens its grip, Henry’s true colors are revealed. Melissa covers her bruises with expensive new makeup and struggles to reconcile her affluent life with that of her starving neighbors. Haunted by the injustice and broken by Henry’s refusal to help, Melissa secretly defies her husband, risking her life to follow God’s leading. (General Historical from Tyndale House)

Romance Contemporary

Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher — In 1895, Cora Anderson jumps on a cross-country train to escape New York society and her domineering father. She leaves with only some spare clothing, jewelry that once belonged to her grandmother, her cherished violin, and hopes for an uncertain future. The tiny town of Chickadee Creek is idyllic and welcoming, but it’s only a matter of time before Cora’s new friends discover the secrets of her past. More than a hundred years later, Chelsea Spencer is fleeing a dangerous situation of her own when her great aunt’s antique shop in Chickadee Creek becomes the perfect haven. At the same time, up-and-coming Hollywood star Liam Chandler has returned to the town of his ancestors to grieve some painful family losses and ponder the direction of his career. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan))

A Future to Fight For by Mindy Obenhaus — Widow Paisley Wainwright’s so close to taking her Texas event-planning business to the next level by turning Renwick Castle into a wedding venue. Only one thing stands in the way: her longtime rival, Crockett Devereaux, who wants the building to become a museum. When the building’s owners insist they collaborate to implement both plans, can Paisley and Crockett put their differences aside…and fight for their dreams together? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

The Cowgirl’s Sacrifice by Tina Radcliffe — Needing time to heal after a rodeo injury, Kate Rainbolt heads to her family ranch to accept the foreman job her brothers offered her months ago. But the position’s already been filled by her ex-boyfriend, Jess McNally, and the only open job reports to him. With Jess as her temporary boss—and turning into something more—might he finally convince Kate to put down roots? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

The Yes Dare by Kathleen Y’Barbo — After spending most of her adult life as a football wife and mother to twin sons, fashionista Coco Sutton is learning how to be single and fabulous. Emphasis on Fabulous. The sports trophies, memorabilia, and heavy masculine wood furniture in the home she used to share with Ryan have been banished to the attic, and her home is now a cozy haven of plush candle-scented comfort. She’s got big plans that include owning a boutique or maybe an art gallery, but she never planned to take on the biggest challenge of her life: staying single. Then her best friend gives her a copy of a book called The Yes Dare, and all her plans are turned upside down. (Contemporary Romance from White Glove Publishing)

Romantic Suspense/Thriller

Her Sanctuary, His Heart by Michelle Dykman — Five years ago, Braelyn Kane’s daughter died. Her marriage imploded, and Forest Hill became Braelyn’s sanctuary. She’s praying for her new life to start, but she doesn’t know where to find it. (Romantic Suspense/Thriller from Ambassador International)

Lethal Cover-Up by Darlene L. Turner — Some secrets are dangerous…But uncovering the truth could be deadly. Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim? (Romantic Suspense/Thriller from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy

Journey to ChiYah by Kimberly Russell — JADE PEPPERDINE HAS A PROBLEM: Her life is crumbling beneath the weight of the past, events of the present, and fears for her future. Things need to change, but she doesn’t know where to start. Answers come in the form of an unexpected opportunity when Jade finds herself stuck in a mythical land. She meets Mayor Dudley, who insinuates she is emotionally broken and in need of repair … a fact she’d just as soon ignore. He offers to help her get home if she is willing to face her issues through a process of restoration. Frightened and skeptical yet out of options, Jade grudgingly agrees. And soon figures out that change is a journey, not a destination. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published)

Western

A Man with a Past by Mary Connealy — Falcon Hunt awakens without a past, or at least not one he can recall. He’s got brothers he can’t remember, and he’s interested in the prettiest woman in the area, Cheyenne. Only trouble is, a few flashes of memory make Falcon wonder if he’s already married. He can’t imagine abandoning a wife. But his pa did just that–twice. When Falcon claims his inheritance in the West, Cheyenne is cut out of the ranch she was raised on, leaving her bitter and angry. And then Falcon kisses her, adding confusion and attraction to the mix. Soon it’s clear someone is gunning for the Hunt brothers. When one of his brothers is shot, Falcon and Cheyenne set out to find who attacked him. They encounter rustled cattle, traitorous cowhands, a missing woman, and outlaws that take all their savvy to overcome. Ajs love grows between these two independent people, Falcon must piece together his past if they’re to have any chance at a future. (Western from Bethany House (Baker) Publishing)

Young Adult

You, Me and the Stars by Michelle Dykman — He thinks she’s shallow, she thinks he’s a nerd. What happens when they are forced to work together?
(Young Adult from Ambassador International)

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

An Unexpected Legacy by Amy R. Anguish, Smoothies brought them together but would the past tear them apart? (Romantic Suspense)

Where Hope Begins by Heidi Chiavaroli, This is Book 2 in The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series, a contemporary twist on the well-loved classic, Little Women. (General Contemporary)

Discovering Emily by Carlene Havel, How can Emily rebuild her life after her husband deserts her? (Contemporary Romance)

The Father He Deserves by Lisa Jordan, A determined dad. A wary mother. Making amends is never easy… Injured in a kayaking accident, champion Evan Holland returns home to train rescue dogs. But his unexpected partner is the woman he left behind, Natalie Bishop. And she has a secret: a son Evan never knew he had. Now Evan must prove he can be a real father. But earning Natalie’s trust back will take hope, forgiveness—and risking everything on forever… (Contemporary Romance)

Amish Country Threats by Dana R. Lynn, Her brother was murdered. Will she be next? (Romantic Suspense/Thriller)

Secrets in September by Doreen McAvoy, Will was looking forward to eighth grade. Will he even make it past September? (Middle Grade)

It’s Mystery…Birds by Janetta Fudge Messmer, Follow the Early Birds, plus one, on an RV journey where snooping around leads them to more than clues. It may even include a little matchmaking amid criminal activity. (Mystery)

Trapped in a Hot Air Balloon by Mark Wainwright, When angry siblings find themselves trapped and terrified in a runaway hot air balloon, their situation spirals out of control, forcing them to confront their fears in order to survive the crash landing. (Young Adult)

2 July 2021

First Line Friday | Week 192 | Dual Power of Convenience by Chautona Havig

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 Dual Power of Convenience by Chautona Havig, the first book in the multi-author Independence Island series. I haven’t read any of her books yet, and I also haven’t read any of the Independence Islands books, so I’m looking forward to it.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Dual Power of Convenience

All they wanted was a happily-never-after.

When Richard Danforth inherits the family estate on Merriweather Island, he doesn’t have time to deal with it—especially not from halfway across the globe. He’s too busy working to become the world’s newest billionaire and avoiding the women who would detract him from his goals.

Enter Lyla Santana. Fresh out of Oxford University with a degree in antiques and a relationship that nearly killed her to leave, she’s eager for the isolation and treasure trove that is Danforth Hall. Lyla also is determined to avoid men at all costs. Forever.

It was supposed to be a match made on paper. With him halfway across the globe, they’d never have to see each other again.

So, what’s Richard doing on Merriweather just weeks after the wedding? And how will his arrival test Lyla’s faith, not to mention stretch their so-called relationship?

You can find Dual Power of Convenience online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

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!

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

29 June 2021

Bookish Question #183 | Have you read more or less books than planned?

We’re halfway through 2021 already (and I’m sure it’s a sign of age that the years are going faster and faster).

It’s been a busy six months, and the last few weeks have been beyond hectic. It’s “the season” at work, which means my three-day-a-week job has morphed into four days in a good week, and six in a less-good week.

As such, I haven’t had as much time for reading as usual. When I do finish work, I find my brain is often so fried that I can’t concentrate on anything longer than an email or blog post. This has definitely affected the number of books I’ve read. I’ve managed to keep on top of my reviewing list (well, I’ve managed to read them. Writing and posting the reviews isn’t going so well).

I volunteered to judge a couple of writing contests, and I’ve managed to get those books read and the scoresheets back to the organisers in good time. It’s a small win, but I’ll take it.

But my reading for pleasure has really fallen by the wayside.

According to Goodreads, I have read:

45 books in total (against a target of 150)
15 books off my to-Read list (against a target of 48)
2 writing books (against a target of 12)

As you can see, I have a way to go … and possibly some books to check off as read. But “the season” will be over soon, and hopefully that means I can go back to a shorter work schedule and more time (and brain space) to read.

How about you? Have you read more books than planned, or are you also playing catch-up?

28 June 2021

Book Review | Paint and Nectar (Heirloom Secrets #2) by Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark’s debut novel, The Dress Shop on King Street, was a powerful dual-timeline story that highlighted and humanised the tragedy and inhumanity of racism. The writing was brilliant, the research was excellent, the setting was fascinating, and the both stories were compelling—especially the horrible choice one mother had to make to ensure the best possible future for her daughters.

Paint and Nectar has the same brilliant writing, the same excellent research, and the same fascinating setting: the city of Charleston.

But I didn’t find the story nearly so compelling.

It was a variation of the Romeo and Juliet story. Two families each blame the other for stealing and hiding valuable Paul Revere silver (yes, apparently Paul Revere was famous for more than a certain night-time ride).

In the past timeline, Eliza and William Pinckney meet and fall in love, but are driven apart by their feuding families and the lust for silver.

In the present, Lucy Legare falls for Declan Pinckney before she finds that not only is he the Pinckney heir, but his father is trying to force her out of her house … partly because he wants to find the missing silver, which he believes is buried in her garden.

One reason was that the underlying intergenerational conflict wasn’t believable.

Even in the past timeline, an hour with a metal detector would have provided the answer to the mystery of the buried silver. The other thing that annoyed me was this line, which is Declan thinking about Lucy:

She wasn’t like the other women he knew.

It’s an overused trope that places one woman on an unachievable pedestal while dismissing all other women. (It’s even more annoying in reference to faith: she wasn’t like the other Christians he knew). Instead of telling us Lucy is different, show us … and show us without using tired and inaccurate stereotypes.

Having said that, I liked Eliza and William and their story.

While William was doing the wrong thing (forging Eliza’s paintings), he was at least acting out of a noble reason (providing for his sister). I was less keen on Lucy and Declan and their story. This was mostly because of Declan’s father: he was clearly the evildoer, but his motives weren’t clear. That made him feel like a caricature rather than a realistic character. That affected my view of Declan.

There were also several nuggets of wisdom in the story, and they kept me engaged. Overall, this was a solid story but it didn’t have the impact of The Dress Shop on King Street, which was excellent.

Half of me says you should read Paint and Nectar before reading The Dress Shop on King Street, because that way you won’t be disappointed by the plot. The other half of me knows that’s impossible: while both are standalone novels, there is enough crossover between the two that reading Paint and Nectar first would spoil a few of the plot points in The Dress Shop on King Street.

Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark has brilliant writing, excellent research, and a fascinating setting; the city of Charleston. #ChristianRomance #BookReview Share on X

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark writes romantic women’s fiction set in the South, and The Dress Shop on King Street is her debut novel. With a master’s degree in creative writing, Ashley teaches literature and writing courses at the University of West Florida. Ashley has been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for almost a decade. She lives with her husband, son, and two rescued Cocker Spaniels off Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s rescuing stray animals, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English breakfast tea she can get her hands on.

Find Ashley Clark online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

About Paint and Nectar

In 1929, a spark forms between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William’s passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he’s keeping . . . but setting things right will come at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, a mysterious benefactor gifts Lucy Legare an old house, along with all the secrets it holds–including enigmatic letters about an antique silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney, whom Lucy’s been avoiding since their disastrous first date, is set on buying her house for his family’s development company. As Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, its garden, and the silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history’s sake but also for her own.

Find Paint and Nectar online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

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

25 June 2021

First Line Friday | Week 191 | Polarized Love by Lisa Renee

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 Polarized Love, the third book in the Single Again series from Australian author Lisa Renee.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

I have visited Rottnest Island, and it was great fun (although our crossing was a little calmer than this one). I’m looking forward to “visiting” again in the pages of this book, and meeting more quokkas.

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

About Polarized Love

Polarized Love begins with a fun, romantic encounter on the shores of Rottnest Island. An American Navy chaplain meets a feisty Australian journalist investigating the Quokka mystery.

Why are the rare marsupials dying on the Island? Will the handsome American, Lachlan Peters, help Bethany Michaels with her cause or distract her from her mission?

Beth has served her family and father’s church faithfully, and now it’s her turn to leave the nest and spread her wings. But does her dad push her into the arms of the right man to launch his daughter into her God-given destiny?

When an American sailor, Nick DeHann, arrives on the shores of the West Coast of Australia, Beth is swept away with the promise of high aspirations. As the rushed relationship unfolds, Beth finds herself torn between following someone else’s dream or settling for the comfort of home and all she’s ever known.

Lachlan Peters returns to San Diego from his time in the Navy and tries to gain his footing in a life that has passed him by. Will Lachlan realize what he’s missing out on before Beth commits to another man?

You can find Polarized Love online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

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!

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

22 June 2021

Bookish Question #182 | What’s Your View on Chapter Titles in Fiction?

Chapter Titles in Fiction—Love, Loathe, or Ignore?

Most of the books I read are on Kindle, and the Kindle book often defaults to opening at Chapter One. As such, I don’t see the Table of Contents to know whether there are chapter titles or not (although I suspect not).

It’s therefore a surprise when I do see chapter titles.

As it happens, I saw this question on Twitter this week. Most of the respondents seemed to like chapter titles … but they were also authors who used chapter titles. I’m not convinced that was an unbiased sample.

Personally, I’m not a fan.

Why not? Because too often, the chapter titles feel like they are telling me what’s going to be in the next chapter.

Here’s an example (from the Twitter thread I read):

While there are a couple of clever chapter titles, some are too obvious and “telling” what’s going to happen. It almost looks like a copy of their beat sheet (a tool some writers use in planning their novel). I can see that being useful for authors.

I’m not so sure it’s great for readers.

I can see this being useful in children’s fiction, especially for parents or teachers who are reading aloud to children. Having a “spoiler” chapter title give the reader an idea of what is coming so they can choose to stop reading at an appropriate time.

As an adult, it feels childish. After all, why read the book if I can get the essence of the story by reading the Table of Contents?

I know some authors use chapter titles when writing, both to remind them what they’ve already written and to act as a prompt for what should happen in the next scene or chapter. But they typically get deleted during editing.

It’s hard to come up with good chapter titles. If they’re not needed, why bother? Why not spend that time and creative effort on polishing the writing instead?

Overall, I either ignore chapter titles, or loathe them.

What about you? Are you a fan of chapter titles in fiction?

If so, can you suggest a novel where the chapter titles enhance the story?

21 June 2021

Book Review | Come Back to Me (Waters of Time #1) by Jody Hedlund

Scientist Marion Creighton is urgently called from her home in the USA to Canterbury, England, with the news that her father has fallen into a coma.

When she arrives, she finds he has been researching the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden. Apparently, he believes seeds from the original tree made it to England, where they were planted and grew and “tainted” a long-forgotten well which provides water with miraculous healing powers.

Clues suggest her father has somehow travelled back in time to find the source of this healing water, in order to heal Marian’s sister from the genetic disease which killed her father. Marian has a couple of strange experiences which leave her wondering if her father was right …

She finds and drinks some of the healing water, and finds herself in 1381, with one week to locate the source of the water so her father’s friend, Harrison Dunham, can give future-Marian the life-giving water and bring her back to the present.

Yes, that’s getting a little convoluted.

While I was fascinated by the concept of time travel in the novel, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the practicalities. Specifically, that Marian is physically alive in both timelines, and time moving forward at the same pace. This could be because I see time as linear something physicists are apparently debating). Also, she believed her father was missing in time and that she could “wish” herself to a specific point in time. Why didn’t she try and find her missing father?

Anyway, if you’re prepared to accept the premise, then the practicalities might not matter.

But this was a sticking point for me. Another sticking point was that Marian travelled back to 1381, yet had no communication problems with the locals. Considering the differences between modern British and American English (or even modern London and modern Yorkshire English), I found this a little hard to believe. Finally, I wasn’t impressed by the instalust. Yes, I like the hero and heroine in a romance to be attracted to each other, but that attraction has to be based on something.

However, I was impressed by the underlying research and the way the author seamlessly included real-life events like the 1381 Peasant’s Revolt and even an earthquake into the plot. And while I don’t believe the claims about the Tree of Life, I do believe the accounts of miraculous healings.

Overall, Come Back to Me was an intriguing story, and one that promises to be continued in a sequel. Recommended for fans of time travel fiction.

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

About Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she’s yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads.

Find Jody Hedlund online at:

Website | BookBub | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

About Come Back to Me

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That’s exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father’s quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He’s left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he’s crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian’s rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Find Come Back to Me online:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

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

18 June 2021

First Line Friday | Week 190 | All Arranged by Meredith Resce

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m sharing a new release from Australian author Meredith Resce: All Arranged, the third book in her Luella Linley romance series.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About All Arranged

Regency romance author, Luella Linley (AKA Louise Brooker), should feel satisfied she has helped her two daughters marry happily. However, her successful meddling came at a price and her husband has advised she leave the children to their own devices.

But her eldest, Pete, is thirty-five, living back at home and dejected after having been jilted days before his wedding. Her responsible, hard-working and handsome son would make a good husband and father—but he’s given up after three failed relationships. He’s a good catch, but unlikely to be fooled by his mother’s scheming and meddling.

This situation calls for a direct approach. Just like in her novels, Louise decides the parents should do the arranging and sort out the wheat from the chaff.

Carrie Davis is a dedicated career woman and hasn’t had time for relationships. However, her sister, Ellen, is now happily married with a delightful little girl and for the first time, Carrie finds loneliness stalking her. Ellen want’s the best for Carrie, so when she comes across an odd advert in the classifieds, she wonders if it is a prank or an opportunity sent from heaven.

“Wanted. For a social experiment. A family arranged marriage.”

You can find All Arranged 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!

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

15 June 2021

Bookish Question #181 | Can you be enticed to impulsively buy books?

Can I be enticed to impulsively buy books?

Is this a trick question?

Of course.

Why? Because I’m a reader.

I love reading. I love escaping to a world inside my head, aided and guided by the imagination of a skilled author. I love learning about people and places, and reading fiction is an easy way to learn (which is one of the reasons I dislike fiction that isn’t factually accurate).

The best way to entice me to impulse buy a book or books is to have a sales. Authors rave about those BookBub ads for a reason: because people like me buy the books. It’s hard to pass up a 99 cent book that’s on my wish list!

Another way to get me to buy a book is for the author to write a great book, and for a trusted friend to recommend that book to me. This could be in person, or through a book review.

The final great way to entice me to impulse buy a book is to have a paper copy on sale at a writing conference. I especially like the Omega Writer’s Conference in Australia, where the bookstall has been known to offer to post our purchases for us, so we don’t have to worry about annoying details like weight limits on flights.

But all these enticements only work if I like the look and sound of the book.

This means having an eye-catching cover, an intriguing title, and compelling back cover copy. A killer first line is also a help, especially if I’m flicking through a paper copy. And, of course, the price has to be right. I’m not prepared to pay more than about USD 5.99 for an ebook (and I’m a sucker for 99 cent ebooks), but I will pay NZD 25 to NZD 30 for a paperback … especially if it’s a book I’ve worked on.

What about you? Can you be enticed to impulsively buy books?

14 June 2021

Book Review | When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

When Twilight Breaks is set in 1938 Munich, Germany. Each chapter starts with the day and date, which gave the novel a sense of urgency, as though it was all leading up to some fateful day in history (but which day? I couldn’t remember, and that helped with the suspense).

Evelyn Brand is an American journalist working in Germany as a foreign correspondent.

That was two pluses in her favour: she was a professional woman, and her profession was why she was in Hitler’s Germany.

(This is important, as many years ago I read another novel about an American novel in Hitler’s Germany which made no sense, because the character had no compelling reason to be there. The result was I didn’t much care whether she succeeded in escaping or not).

Evelyn sees the dark underbelly of fascism and wants to report that to her American readers. However, that leaves her having to find the narrow line between telling the truth and not telling so much of the truth that the Germans will find out and expel her from the country … or worse.

Unfortunately, as the sole female in her news office, she’s often given the ‘softball’ assignments. One of these introduces her to Peter Lang, an American professor at the nearby university who is pursuing his PhD.

Peter admires what Hitler has done for the German people. He reduced unemployment and brought prosperity back to a country suffering from the losses of World War I and the subsequent global depression. He wishes America were the same.

In hindsight, we all know Hitler’s Germany was evil.

The Nazi regime killed undesirables—the ‘work shy’, the disabled, the Jews, anyone who spoke out against the government. So it’s interesting to see Peter’s early perspective, and see how he has been deceived by outward appearance. At the same time, he’s obviously the hero, which means he has to change his mind …

Peter was not alone in his views. I heard a podcast interview with Sarah Sundin where she commented that those Americans who travelled to Germany in the 1930s expecting to find a successful society found one, and those who expected to find a facade with a sordid underbelly found that. It shows the importance of looking at both sides of an issue, and how politics is often more grey than black and white.

Free speech is an issue Evelyn and Peter debate:

This highlights a current issue: where do we draw the line? What is the difference between free speech and hate speech? Do we allow hate speech as part of our effort to protect free speech? And what happens when hateful speech leads to hateful action and people die?

Yes, When Twilight Breaks asks big questions, questions that don’t have easy answers. That made for a fascinating read.

However, I did find he last quarter slow going. I don’t want to give spoilers, but it felt like the story petered (sorry!) out at around the 75% mark. An earlier minor conflict was reintroduced, and it felt like it was added and magnified in an attempt to drag the story out. The last quarter wasn’t bad. It just didn’t match the strength and pace of the first three-quarters of the novel.

When Twilight Breaks by @SarahSundin is both an excellent Christian historical romance, and a thought-provoking metaphor for our modern world. #ChristianFiction Share on X

But I still recommend When Twilight Breaks, both as an excellent Christian historical romance, and as a thought-provoking metaphor for our modern world. May we learn from the lessons of the past and not repeat them.

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

About Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin is the author of The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us, as well as the Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Her popular Through Waters Deep was a Carol Award finalist, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist‘s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” Sarah lives in Northern California.

Find Sarah Sundin online at:

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About When Twilight Breaks

Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country–or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she’ll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed–and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party–to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can’t get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

Find When Twilight Breaks online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong