Book Review | All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes

6 January 2025

All the Lost Places is a dual timeline novel made more complex by the fact the past timeline (1807) is partly quotes from a series of children’s books and partly narrative, with a very blurred line between what is part of the fictional stories and what is part of this story.

In the past timeline, baby Sebastien is rescued from the canals of Venice and raised by a ragtag bunch of adults – a lacemaker, a glassblower, a fisherman, and a printer. But Sebastien longs to knjow who he is.

In the more recent timeline (1907), Daniel Goodman knjows exactly who he is: a convicted theif who has served his prison sentence and now wants to make right with all his victims, including his mother. He takes a job as an artist and translator, which sends him to Venice, Italy, to draw the buildings and find and translate the final volume of a series of stories. The reader joins Daniel in his journey to sort fact from fiction as he translates the books and searches for the missing ending.

I loved the setting. The author brings Venice to life, skillfully mixing the story with the city’s history in an ongoing mix of literal and figurative, a literary writing style that felt more lyrical than most novels I read.

Unfortunately, I found the writing style and the complexity of the plot affected my appreciation of the story. I sometimes found myself losing the story and having to flick back a few pages to remind myself of what was supposed to be happening.

I do read fast, so perhaps that’s on me rather than on the book. My conclusion is that All the Lost Places is a book to read slowly and carefully, not one to rush through in an effort to find out whodunit or will the guy get the girl.

Recommended for readers looking for novels with international settings, and for fans of Rachel McMillan, Nicole Deese, and other authors who write rich prose in a literary style.

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

About Amanda Dykes

Amanda Dykes is the author of Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale, the critically-acclaimed bicycle story that invited readers together to fund bicycles for missionaries in Asia. A former English teacher, she has a soft spot for classic literature and happy endings. She is a drinker of tea, a dweller of Truth, and a spinner of hope-filled tales, grateful for the grace of a God who loves extravagantly.

Find Amanda Dykes online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | X

About All the Lost Places

When all of Venice is unmasked, one man’s identity remains a mystery . . .

1807

When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future, but also that of the beloved floating city.

1904

Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.

Find All the Lost Places online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

First Line Friday #372 | A Home for Christmas by Sara Beth Williams

by Iola Goulton

3 January 2025

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 Home for Christmas, a new novella from Sara Beth Williams. I probably should have read this before Christmas … but before Christmas was so busy I didn’t get started on my Christmas reading until Boxing Day 🙂

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About A Home for Christmas

She just moved to Silver Pine to start a new future. He’s never been more unsure of what the future holds.

Garrett Kuhlmann doesn’t want or need anyone’s pity. As a single father, he’s worked hard by himself to ensure his son is fed, clothed and safe. But after house-hopping for the last year, he is desperate to give his teenage son more stability. If only housing weren’t so expensive. When a young woman gifts him a bag of food to thank him for changing her tire after her car breaks down in the parking lot where he works, he can’t put the act of kindness, or her pretty smile, out of his mind.

Even in the small town of Silver Pine, Lynn Monet didn’t expect to see the man who changed her tire again, until she discovers he’s the father to one of her high school students. The more they interact, the more her heart breaks for Garrett and his son, and the more the duo worm their way into her life. But Lynn isn’t looking for love, and the secret she has will only destroy any potential relationship, just like it had once before.

Lynn’s compassion is like a beacon of light cutting through the darkness of Garrett’s struggles, offering him a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t have to do everything alone. A new chapter of love and stability finally feels within reach. But secrets from both of their pasts threaten to shatter the fragile hope, leaving Garrett to choose between playing it safe or forgiveness and love.

Find A Home for Christmas online at:

Amazon | 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!

New Releases in Christian Fiction | January 2025

by Iola Goulton

1 January 2025

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2025 (or not, depending on your time zone).

It’s the end of another year … which means it’s time to start adding to your to-read pile for 2025. Here are the new releases from members of American Christian Fiction Writers.

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Children/Middle-grade

Feather by Susan Page Davis — Feather is snatched by a fierce tribe and forced to work for them. Her younger brother, Karsh, vows to find her. When Feather learns the arrows she makes will be used against her own people, she and her friend Tag decide to escape and warn the peaceful tribe of the coming attack. (Children/Middle-grade, Tea Tin Press)

Cozy Mystery

The Edge of Knife by Marissa Shrock — The summer of ’88 in Wildcat Springs, Indiana, was supposed to be thoroughly boring. But when Bobbi Sue Baxter’s friend enters her into a sweepstakes (without her knowledge) to make a guest appearance on daytime drama, The Cute and the Cunning, and she wins, the season starts to get complicated. Then, her friendship with Hemingway “Hemi” Miller evolves into something more, and things slide toward complex. After filming, when the star of The Cute and the Cunning gets stabbed with a hunting knife? Life gets downright insane. Bobbi Sue tries to stay out of the chaos, but with her well-proven instincts for cracking hard-to-solve crimes, that’s highly unlikely. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Biblical Historical

Before the King by Heather Kaufman — Joanna is a daughter of the Sadducees, born into privilege and taught to maintain her position at all costs—even if it means breaking her own heart. When she encounters Jesus, his message of the Kingdom compels her to embrace a new way of life. Dare Joanna risk everything for the sake of the Christ? (Historical Biblical from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

General Historical

Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson — Leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind, Patrick Doyle sails to America, the land of opportunity. Thirty years later, Patrick has moved on with his life, building a new family. A letter arrives, suggesting the child he’d assumed died may be alive. Juniper endured a childhood in institutions, and when she’s released, she moves on without the parents who left her. Operating an apothecary out of an inherited cottage, Juniper finally finds a home when her grandmother arrives. Just as she feels comfortable and content, her father shows up at her door, bringing shocking news about her mother. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance

Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret by Misty M Beller — The Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune. Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him. Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad’s path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Emma’s Engagement by Susan G Mathis — Emma Row yearns for a fresh start and a chance to build a loving family. But as she steps into her role as the Rock Island Lightkeeper’s wife, she finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of isolation and the bitter rejection of her new stepdaughter, Ada. Michael Diepolder, the widowed lightkeeper, had hoped securing a companion would brighten his life and be a needed mother figure to his eleven-year-old daughter. Yet, as Emma struggles to adapt to the challenges of her new life, Michael realizes that the path to happiness is far more turbulent than he ever anticipated. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Amish Romance

With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin — Bonnie is successful in her crafts shop but fears no man will see past her disability to her strong and loving heart. Elijah dreams of leaving the family business to focus on his carvings. Can they find a new path together? (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Romantic Novella

His to Love by Z Peabody — Griffin T. Washington is one of only two detectives at the cody Police Department. After years of being retired from active duty, and with a fulfilling job, Griff is still alone. The loss of his wife ten years ago nearly broke Griff. While coming from a call, Griff’s life is turned upside down by a careless driver, and before he can get her insurance information, she speeds off, leaving Griff not just questioning who she is but also when he can see her again. (Romantic Novella from Z Peabody Publishing LLC)

Romantic Suspense

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller — Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Young Adult

Sarah’s Long Ride by Susan Page Davis — The Bandicoot 100 is coming up, and Sarah Piper and her horse Icicle are registered for the endurance race. But now that her mother has died, Sarah has no riding partner. Adjusting to a new home with Uncle Joe and far from her friends, Sarah realizes that endurance is something she needs not only for the race. (Young Adult from Tea Tin Press)

Speculative Fiction/Allegory

Last Light of Everlasting by Demi Griffin — Everlasting is a world of peace and tranquility. At least it was before one of the King’s loyal servants rebelled. The ensuing battle between those who were loyal and those who rebelled required a strength even the warriors of the spirit realm did not have. Assistance came through the histories. The Ancients, flesh beings who sacrificed their own existence, became the one weapon that could defeat darkness – a luminaria. Will those who lost access to the perfect world created by the King find their way back out of the darkness? (Speculative Fiction/Allegory, Independently Published)

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

3 X 3 by Patrick E Craig — One by one, Jenny uncovers secrets hidden for forty years, secrets deeply connected to the Amish community. And as she brings them to light, Jenny finds the past can reveal much about the present—in terrifying ways (Crime Suspense)

Bronze Circle by Becky A. Little — Jaydon’s story is one of hope, acceptance, redemption and forgiveness as he discovers who he is before The Truth Master. (Speculative/Young Adult)

Heart of Faith by Tracey J Lyons — Two boys are left behind from the Orphan Train. When John Oliver decides to help Amy save two orphan boys from danger, will they become the family she has been praying for in time for Amy to get her Christmas wish? (Historical Romance)

Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed — Quinn and Tiago have a past, but can they have a future with her secret shadowing their relationship. (Contemporary Romance)

Death Under the Ice by Deborah Jean Sprinkle — Claire needs their help, but can she put past hurts behind her as she not only tries to find her brother, but stay alive? (Romantic Suspense)

Bookish Question #364 | Did you get (or give) any books for Christmas?

by Iola Goulton

31 December 2024

I didn’t get any books for Christmas … which isn’t a bad thing, because my to-read pile is already a little excessive.

I did give several books for Christmas. I gave several family members paperback copies of Always By My Side, my debut novel which published last year.

(Yes, I have just published Always In My Heart, but I don’t have the paperbacks yet. That’s a project for after the Christmas holidays.)

I also gave my mother “Kingmaker” by Sonia Purnell, which is a biography of Patricia Harriman, British aristocrat and daughter-in-law to Winston Churchill. I might borrow it when she’s

What about you? Did you get (or give) any books for Christmas?

Book Review | Restoration by Kristy Werner

by Iola Goulton

30 December 2024

First, a trigger warning.

The prologue of Restoration shows trainee nurse Ashley McClure in the immediate aftermath of her being raped by her boyfriend, a doctor. If that is something you’d rather avoid reading, you can safely skip to Chapter One without missing any key plot points.

Having said that, Ashley’s journey as a character is (as the title implies) is her restoration following the assault.

It’s a tough topic, yet the author handles it with grace and sensitivity, and in a way that feels realistic and incorporates Christianity in a realistic yet positive light.

Restoration is the third book in Kirsty Werner’s Tulsa Town Romance series. I haven’t read the first two, but didn’t think I’d missed out on anything.

Ashley is now a SANE—Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—working in the Emergency Department at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, where she meets Officer Ryan Stone of the Tulsa Police Department. He’s handsome and interested in her, but she believes no man would be interested if they knew what had happened to her.

Ryan can tell something has happened to Ashley which has caused her recitence, but he is determined to pursue a relationship with her, no matter how long it takes. He’s a perfect romance hero, and perfect for Ashley. He’s a strong Christian who exemplifies faith, hope, love, patience, self-control and probably a few other virtues as well.

Ashley is a competent and compassionate nurse and SANE, not least because she knows the trauma her patients have endured.

Restoration is a strong story of recovery and restoration.

It doesn’t cut corners or minimise the emotional pain and trauma of assault. It also shows how God can heal—when we allow Him to work. It’s also a beautiful slow-burn romance …

Did I mention that Ryan is possibly a perfect romance hero?

Recommended for contemporary Christian romance fans.

About Kristy Werner

Kristy Werner is an award-winning author originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, the setting of her Tulsa Town Romance series. She aced her art and drama classes in high school, has a hard-earned bachelor’s in Zoology from Oklahoma State University, and now works at her local bank producing an extreme amount of paperwork.

After graduating two children into the world, she discovered her love for putting words onto paper, took up residence on her couch, and wrote her first novel. She currently resides in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she aims to change the world one clean romance at a time.

Find Kristy Werner online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

About Restoration

One date gone wrong, and Ashley McClure became a victim.

Seven years later, as a nurse and sexual assault examiner, she gathers evidence against other assailants, hoping to make up for letting hers get away. She wants to fall in love like every other girl, but with her past, no man would have her.

Ryan Stone tanked an undercover operation that left people wounded. He strives each day to be a better cop, but no matter his accomplishments, they aren’t enough to eradicate the stain of guilt.

When Ashley and Ryan are invited to the same dinner party, he pursues, but she’s frightened of giving her heart away. Can Ryan use what he’s learned from his mistakes to be the man Ashley needs? Can Ashley overcome her past trauma and let Ryan love her?

Find Restoration 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 #371 | Becoming Us by Jaycee Weaver and Jenn Faulk

by Iola Goulton

27 December 2024

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 Becoming Us by Jaycee Weaver and Jenn Faulk, which I picked up on sale back in July. I just love that cover!

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Becoming Us

He’s easy-going and charming. She’s hot-tempered and tightly wound. Together, can they become better than who they are apart?

Working through the disappointment of a teaching career that isn’t what he expected it to be, Mason Hayes’ otherwise cushy life gets turned upside down by the sudden loss of both parents in a car accident, leaving him with no one in the world. Until, that is, a half-sister he never knew existed shows up.

Hailee Miller-Garcia would do anything for Gina Bennett, including make a trip to meet the brother Gina’s never known – despite the issues Hailee’s having with her mother and little brother. As Mason’s life becomes entangled with her own, his laidback approach challenges her to reevaluate her own ways of dealing with the past, the present, and her dreams for the future.

Delving past friendship and growing into deeper feelings, it’s clear Hailee and Mason are better together. But the road ahead may be rocky and full of unexpected detours, challenging each of them to draw closer to Christ, work through their issues, and dream of a different future for themselves as they become more than a you and a me – they become us.

Find Becoming Us 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!

It’s Release Day!

by Iola Goulton

24 December 2024

Always In My Heart is now available!

Sparks fly when an aspiring attorney comes face to face with his past mistakes.

Broke solo mother Maya Allen is raising her daughter, Sarah, as well as her dead best friend’s daughter … who just happens to be her own daughter’s half sister (thanks, cheating college boyfriend). When her lowlife landlord doubles her rent, she realizes it’s time to make a new plan and return to New Zealand with her children. First she has to do the unthinkable: make contact with her ex and compel him to relinquish his parental rights so they can legally leave the country … and not let her still-strong feelings for Trent get in the way.

Trent Thomas is an intern competing for a role in a prestigious Seattle law firm known for their family values. He figures he’s got the job sewn up when Sterling, Noble, and Wright send him to his hometown of Trinity Lakes to research a dodgy property deal under the guise of offering the townsfolk pro bono legal services. After all, no one will know the ins and outs of small-town Trinity Lakes gossip better than a lifelong resident.

But he hadn’t bargained on Maya, Sarah, and Kacey stealing his chance to get his dream job, stealing his opportunity to leave Trinity Lakes behind forever, or stealing his heart.

A second-chance small town contemporary Christian romance.

Welcome to Trinity Lakes, a warm and welcoming small town in east Washington, filled with charm, family, and friends, where fresh starts, second chances, and romance abound. You’ll meet swoony bachelors, cowboys, and adventurers, sweet and sassy ladies, and your new best friends. This series of standalone Christian romances will warm your heart, inspire your faith, and bring a smile to your soul.

Buy now on Amazon, or read free in Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Bookish Question #363 | Did you achieve your 2024 reading challenge?

by Iola Goulton

24 December 2024

Yes, I achieved my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2024. I’d aimed to read 120 books, which was down from previous years because I didn’t known how many I’d be able to read while also working full-time and publishing another book. I’ve read more than I thought I would because I’ve found reading relaxing at the end of a busy day at work, and have managed to read even when my brain has been too tired to write.

I actually increased my target from 120 to 150 books when I realised I’d already read more than 130 books by the first week of December.

This year, knowing I was working full-time and trying to publish a book, I went easy on myself and didn’t set any other targets.

In previous years, I have also set other goals, such as:

Reading nonfiction books
Reading books by BIPOC authors
Reading books by debut or new-to-me authors.

I did track each of these categories on Goodreads, which tells me I’ve read:

9 books by BIPOC authors (possibly more, as it’s not always clear if an author identifies as BIPOC)
8 nonfiction books (with more I’ve started but haven’t finished)
49 books by new-to-me authors (more than I expected)
24 books by international authors (with “international” meaning not from the USA. I may have undercounted)

On the whole, I’m impressed that I’ve read more books and more widely than I thought I would, particularly considering I was also writing and editing my own book.

Goodreads also tells me:

The shortest book I read was 49 pages: A Rebel’s Heart by Sara Blackard
The longest book I read was 866 pages, which was a box set by Mallory Ford
My average book length was a respectable 292 pages (which means I didn’t stuff my books read with novellas or picture books)
My average rating was 4.3 stars
The “most shelved” book I read was The Wish by Nicolas Sparks, which over 400,000 Goodreads users have also shelved
The “least shelved” book I read was my own, which releases today

The “least shelved” book I read was my own second novel, Always In My Heart, which releases today! Click here to check it out on Amazon.

Or click here to mark it as To Read on Goodreads 😉

What about you? Have you achieved your 2024 reading challenge?

Book Review | Memoria (Nightingale #3) by JJ Fischer

by Iola Goulton

23 December 2024

Memoria is the third book in JJ Fischer’s excellent Nightingale trilogy, following Calor and Lumen (click to read my earlier reviews).

This is definitely a series you want to read in order, and you’ll probably enjoy them all the more if you’re able to read them back-to-back, rather than having to wait a year between books (as I did). It’s also a series you might want to read in paperback so you can refer to the map and see where Sephone, Dorian, and their companions are travelling from and to.

The trilogy is a fantasy retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the Nightingale … which I’d never heard of before reading Calor, and which I still haven’t read because I didn’t want spoilers.

It’s also a trilogy with strong Christian allegorical undertones, particularly in the second and third books. Allegory can be difficult. I’ve read stories where the allegory was so strong that it felt like it had pushed the plot aside. The allegory in Memoria and the rest of the Nightingale series is more like the allegory in the Tales of Narnia—it’s there, but you’re not going to enjoy the story any less because you don’t pick up that Aslan is a Jesus figure.

So to the story …

Caldera is a kingdom divided, and one where some people have unusual gifts. Sephone can alter memories–she can give people memories of things they haven’t experienced, or she can remove unwanted memories. But this gift comes at a cost for her and for the people she touches, and using her gift further is going to kill her.

Dorian is a nobleman haunted by memories of his dead wife and daughter.

He wants Sephone to remove the memories but she has refused because of the effect it will have on both of them (not least, because Dorian’s memories have made him the man he is today), and because she is not powerful enough to remove the memories permanently. Dorian sought an artifact called the Reliquary to solve that problem, but now realises the only lasting solution is to use the Reliquary to give his remaining years to Sephone. Sephone, of course, is against that idea.

So begins their final journey with their faithful companions. They learn nothing is as it seems, and sometimes when we get what we think we want, we discover we had wanted the wrong thing.

As the third book in an epic Young Adult fantasy trilogy, Memoria ticks all the boxes.

It has friends and enemies, and characters who could be either. It has twists and turns, battles and betrayals, some of which were expected (well, there always has to be a final battle between good and evil),and some of which were not (which is what makes a fantasy great).

One of the advantages of fantasy as a genre is the fact that most great fantasies include a spiritual thread as part of the fantasy world. Memoria is no exception, as it brings to fulfilment the faith element, which has a definite Christian theme for those with eyes to see. For those who don’t, Memoria is simply a ripping edge-of-the-seat adventure story that does a great job of balancing the plot and the characters, and keeping the focus on the two main characters: Sephone and Dorian.

Young adult (or adult) readers looking or a strong fantasy series which reinforces Christian principles and offers deep insights into the human condition will enjoy Memoria.

But do read the series from the beginning.

Thanks to Enclave Publishing for providing a free ebook for review.

About J J Fischer

J. J. Fischer’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Thankfully, her writing (but not her drawing) has improved since then. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, pretending she can play the piano, eating peanut butter out of the jar, or memorizing funny film quotes, she and her husband David are attempting to prevent their warring pet chickens from forming factions and re-enacting Divergent. Honestly, it’s a miracle she finds the time to write any books.

Find J J Fischer online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

About Memoria

Would you save a life if you knew it would destroy another?

In the deeply divided world of Caldera, nothing is as it seems. Taken captive by a faceless enemy, Sephone Winter fights to reclaim her soul as her gift spirals out of control and the deadly poison coursing through her veins begins to exact its terrible vengeance.

Meanwhile, Dorian and Cass are forced into an uneasy alliance in order to find the woman they both love . . . a woman who has all but vanished from the face of the earth, along with the Reliquary. Finding her becomes impossible as the identity of their greatest adversary continues to elude them.

When Caldera’s past catches up with the trio’s future, Sephone, Dorian, and Cass are forced to make decisions that threaten everything and everyone they care about. Each of them is offered a chance to sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of the other—but will they take it? And what will it cost them in the end?

The Nightingale Trilogy is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale, with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone.

Find Memoria 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 #370 | Always In My Heart (Trinity Lakes #14) by Iola Goulton

by Iola Goulton

20 December 2024

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I admit: this isn’t actually the book I’m reading today. But it is the book I’ve read over and over this year, because it’s my second book, and it’s releasing on Christmas Eve!

You can preorder from Amazon for 99 cents (the price will go up to the regular $3.99 right after release).

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Always In My Heart

Sparks fly when an aspiring attorney comes face to face with his past mistakes.

Broke solo mother Maya Allen is raising her daughter, Sarah, as well as her dead best friend’s daughter … who just happens to be her own daughter’s half sister (thanks, cheating college boyfriend). When her lowlife landlord doubles her rent, she realizes it’s time to make a new plan and return to New Zealand with her children. First she has to do the make contact with her ex and compel him to relinquish his parental rights so they can legally leave the country … and not let her still-strong feelings for Trent get in the way.

Trent Thomas is an intern competing for a role in a prestigious Seattle law firm known for their family values. He figures he’s got the job sewn up when Sterling, Noble and Wright send him to his hometown of Trinity Lakes to research a dodgy property deal under the guise of offering the townsfolk pro bono legal services. After all, no one will know the ins and outs of small-town Trinity Lakes gossip better than a lifelong resident.

But he hadn’t bargained on Maya, Sarah, and Kacey stealing his chance to get his dream job, stealing his opportunity to leave Trinity Lakes behind forever, or stealing his heart.

A second-chance small town contemporary Christian romance.

Find Always In My Heart 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.