Tag: Christian Romance

7 March 2026

First Line Friday #421 | Lake Shore Renewal by Jennifer Rodewald

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m reading Lake Shore Renewal, the sixth book in Jennifer Rodewald’s Redemption Shores series. The clue is in the name: these stories are full-on Christian fiction, showing realistic characters finding forgiveness, redemption and life in God. I’ve loved them all so far, and I’m sure I’ll love this one just as much.

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

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

About Lake Shore Renewal

Sometimes the roughest roads in life lead to the most beautiful places. But to get there, one needs faith to let go.

Charlee Jensen walked herself straight into heartbreak. Now she is left questioning her ability to make good choices—especially since she’s not only not married to Mason, the man she’d planned her forever with, but she’s also the joint owner of the Creek View Inn—a run-down hotel in Luna, Montana that needs way more work than she’d anticipated. The best part of that disaster? Her partner in this misadventure is the very same man who broke her heart.

Yeah. In two short years, Charlee had made a real mess of her life. Now she’s back in Luna—the small, picturesque mountain town she grew up in, failure and shame her new companions. Somehow, she needs figure out how to make the Creek View Inn something that doesn’t summon Bates Hotel vibes—and to pay off the debt to her ex.

Noah Newellen’s life plans were hijacked the moment his fiancée returned the diamond he’d given her. But that wasn’t the worst day ever. Nope, not by a longshot. The absolute worst was a beautiful fall evening in Montana when he watched her marry another man—and he has the viral video to memorialize it. A video in which he’s giving a drunken, spiteful, country-song-inspired toast to the bride. Thanks to that drunken folly, and social media, he can never go back home.

Starting over in Luna, Montana isn’t logical. But as one door opens to another, Noah finds it might be exactly the grace he needs. A quiet, small town. An opportunity to pursue an old passion. Gracious, friendly people who help him to hold onto the goodness of God.

And a woman named Charlee, whose friendship sooths the wounds in his heart and inspires him to believe in second chances.

A tender story of love after heartbreak, hope beyond failure—and grace that doesn’t quit.

Find Lake Shore Renewal online at:

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

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26 January 2026

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

I always enjoy novels based on real historical events

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

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

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

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

Sometimes she was right.

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

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

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

About Barbara Tifft Blakey

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

Find Barbara Tifft Blakey online at:

Website

About The Angel of Second Street

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

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

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

Find The Angel of Second Street online at:

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5 December 2025

First Line Friday #412 | Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot

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 Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot. This is the first of her Regency romances I’ve read, but I remember enjoying her contemporary romances (written as Camy Tang).

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

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

About Prelude for a Lord

An awkward young woman. A haunted young man. A forbidden instrument. Can the love of music bring them together . . . or will it tear them apart?

Bath, England—1811

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument . . . with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . . .

Find Prelude for a Lord online at:

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

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

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20 June 2025

First Line Friday #396 | The Billionaire’s Nanny by Elizabeth Maddrey

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from The Billionaire’s Nanny by Elizabeth Maddrey, the first book in her Billionaire Next Door series. I’ve read (and loved) most of the others, so don’t know how I managed to miss this one …

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About The Billionaire’s Nanny

When I convinced my friends to join me in a scheme to play the stock market, it paid off beyond our expectations. Honestly, most days I don’t even remember that I’m a billionaire. But it was big news for my family. In fact, my cousin made me guardian of her son in the event something happened to her.

At face value, it sounds kind of nice.

But I never really knew my cousin.

And I only found out about her decision a week before the kid showed up on my doorstep.

Thankfully, the woman who brought the boy out to me on the plane is willing to stay and be his nanny.

Since all the local daycares have a waiting list, I don’t have the luxury of being picky. Maybe I have reservations about sharing my home with a beautiful woman, but it’s a completely professional relationship.

She’s going to look after the kid.

I’m going to look after my heart.

Find The Billionaire’s Nanny online at:

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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!

16 May 2025

First Line Friday #391 | Emerald Windows by Terri Blackstock

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m sharing from an old favourite, Emerald Windows by Terri Blackstock, which I recently picked up on sale on Kindle. That must mean it’s time for a re-read!

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Emerald Windows

Ten years ago, devastated by an ugly scandal, Brooke Martin fled the small town of Hayden to pursue a career as a stained glass artist. Now Brooke has returned on business to discover that some things never change. Her spotted reputation remains. Tongues still wag. And that makes what should be her dream assignment tough.

Brooke has been hired to design new stained glass windows at Hayden Bible Church. The job is a career windfall. But Nick Marcello is overseeing the project, and some in the church think Nick and Brooke’s relationship is not entirely professional–and as before, there is no convincing those people otherwise.

In the face of mounting rumors, the two set out to produce the masterpiece Nick has conceived: a brilliant set of windows displaying God’s covenants in the Bible. For Brooke, it is more than a project–it is a journey toward faith.

But opposition is heating up. A vicious battle of words and will is about to tax Brooke’s commitment to the limit. Only this time, she is determined not to run.

Find Muskoka Blue 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!

13 May 2025

Book Review | Every Hour until Then (Timeless #5) by Gabrielle Meyer

Every Hour Until Then is the fifth book in the Timeless series, in which the narrator lives in two different time periods at once … but will soon reach an age where she has to choose which time to live in permanently.

In 1888, Kathryn Kelly is the oldest daughter of an esteemed London surgeon. In 1938, she is a historian working on a display featuring the crimes of Jack the Ripper … and has recently learned her sister in 1888 will become the Ripper’s last victim.

The beginning of the story had a couple of instances of stating the obvious, but once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down. Kathryn was trying to solve the same mystery in two timelines and it made for compelling reading.

The mystery of Jack the Ripper has never been solved. His killing spree stopped as suddenly as it started, and history has yet to workout why. This, of course, means we’re never quite sure if Kathryn will succeed in her quest in either timeline.

Meyer does an excellent job of developing an imaginative yet believable solution.

Kathryn meets many of the key figures of the day in the 1938 portion of the story, and they represent the disparate views of the growth of Hitler’s Third Reich. One of the benefits of historical fiction is the ability to use the events of yesteryear to speak into the events of today, and Every Hour Until Then draws some subtle yet strong parallels between the rise of Hitler and modern politics.

(I also have The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M White on my to-read pile, which I expect to show more parallels. Let’s not forget the old saying about burning books and burning people. As Christians, this should bother us. It should bother us a lot, because destroying books is about destroying ideas and the right to think and live and worship in the way we want.)

While this is a Christian romance, the Christian element isn’t as strong as in some of the earlier books because Kathryn likes to be the one in control. Yes, that means she has a lesson to learn …

Recommended for fans of the Timeless series and historical Christian romance.

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

About Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.

When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.

Find Gabrielle Meyer online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Every Hour until Then

Gifted with the ability to time-cross between Victorian-era London and World War II Washington, DC, Kathryn faces two lives fraught with danger. In 1938 amid the looming shadow of war, Kathryn is invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a groundbreaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. As she delves into her grim research, she uncovers a chilling truth: Her own sister is destined to become the Ripper’s final victim decades earlier.

In 1888, in a race against fate, Kathryn is assisted by her handsome childhood friend in hunting down history’s most elusive killer. As they unravel the threads of mystery woven through time, Kathryn must decide if she’ll unmask the murderer history has chosen to hide, forfeiting a life with the man she loves to save her sister.

Find Every Hour until Then online at:

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

31 March 2025

Book Review | These Long Shadows by Jennifer Mistmorgan

Two years ago, when Katie was pregnant, alone and afraid. Jonathan Ables—Jonty—offered to marry her to protect her reputation and so she’d receive his service pension given he was unlikely to survive the war.

(As an aside, I hadn’t realised what horrifically low chances rear-gunners had of surviving the war. That put some aspects of my family history into perspective.)

Despite several near-misses, Jonty survives the war. But his relationship with his wife is non-existent and they are living with her family, which isn’t exactly conducive to having a private conversation, let alone establishing a lasting relationship. Then there are their own personal challenges they have to deal with—Katie and her family, and Jonty and his only surviving relative.

These Long Shadows is a moving story of faith and reconciliation.

Katie and Jonty both have difficult paths to tread before they can reach their happy-ever-after ending. It’s an emotional story, but restrained in a very British way.

These Long Shadows was a wonderful conclusion to the Victory’s Wings series, and those who have read the earlier books in the series will especially enjoy seeing Maggie and Grace again, along with their now-husbands.

Recommended for fans of historical romance.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Jennifer Mistmorgan

Award-winning Australian author Jennifer Mistmorgan sometimes feels like she was born in the wrong era. So she writes romantic historical fiction set in the 1940s, against the backdrop of WWII and its aftermath. She infuses her sweet romances with wartime drama, gentle faith and a dash of intrigue. She lives in Canberra with her family and a wonky-eared West Highland terrier.

Find Jennifer Mistmorgan online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

About These Long Shadows

How do they rebuild a marriage that wasn’t real in the first place?

London, 1945: Two years ago, Jonty Ables married Katie Baines to save her and her unborn baby from shame. But now the war is all but over, the baby is gone and they must work out where their shaky marriage fits into lives irrevocably changed by war.

Clinging to the memory of a time before all happiness evaporated, Katie works hard during the day as a seamstress. At night she comes home to a tiny terrace on a bomb-scarred street, crammed with her extended family and their problems. Years of estrangement sit between her and her recently demobilised husband. She’s not even sure she loves him. So why is she so crushed that he calls out another woman’s name in his sleep?

Jonty is determined to honor the vows he made no matter how many ghosts plague him. But with such separate lives, his wife is more of a stranger than ever. When Katie’s friend goes missing, Jonty seizes the opportunity to help her find him just so they have reason to talk. But the war casts long shadows over their efforts, and fighting for their future might just be the hardest battle of them all.

Find These Long Shadows online at:

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

14 March 2025

First Line Friday #382 | These Long Shadows by Jennifer Mistmorgan

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 These Long Shadows by Australian author Jennifer Mistmorgan, the third book in her On Victory’s Wings series.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About These Long Shadows

How do they rebuild a marriage that wasn’t real in the first place?

Find These Long Shadows 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!

27 January 2025

Book Review | Uncharted Mercy (Uncharted #14) by Keely Brooke Keith

Uncharted Mercy is the latest book in Keely Brooke Keith’s Uncharted series. The series is a unique mix of historical and futuristic romance as the series is set in the future, after Earth has experienced a nuclear war and chaos reigns … everywhere except the Land, which has been stuck in the 1860s because of the strange atmospheric disturbance surrounding the Land.

Uncharted Mercy is the story of Bette Owens, a widow with two young children who makes her living as a hatmaker. When her interfering in-laws decideher son should live with themwhile Bette marries a man she has never met, Bette vents her frustrations to herneighbour, Noah Vestal. Noah proposes a novel solution—marriage.

It’s pretty obvious that Noah has feelings for Bette, but he then worries that he may have coerced her into marriage. I really liked Noah and his attitude—it showed he was a man of honour. Unfortunately, Noah has a secret (that series readers have known for the last two books, but which Bette and the other villagers don’t know). That secret is about to put Noah’s home and livelihood at risk.

This is an excellent romance, a marriage of convenience that turns into a real relationship. I loved the way Bette and Noah’s relationship developed, and the healthy way they integrated Bette’s children into their relationship. (Or is that the healthy way Bette integrated Noah into her family?)

I really liked the ending. Without giving anything away, it showed how a good Christian marriage is a partnership of equals, even in a patriarchial setting.

All the stories are standalone titles, so you don’t need to read the whole series for this book to make sense. However, you’ll probably want to read at least The Land Uncharted (#1 inthe series) and Uncharted Grace (#12, Caroline’s story) to best appreciate Uncharted Mercy.

I’ve enjoyed all the Land Uncharted series. I particularly enjoyed Uncharted Mercy because of the marriage of convenience trope, because we got to see more of Connor in this story, and because of the strong Christian characters of both Bette and Noah.

Uncharted Mercy by Keely Brooke Keith is an excellent Christian marriage of convenience romance with a unique blend of historical and speculative tropes. Share on X

Recommended for fans of historical romance with a speculative twist.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Uncharted Mercy

A marriage of convenience uncovers secrets that spark a battle for inheritance, family, and a chance at love.

Lonely bachelor Noah Vestal longs for a family of his own. His inherited farmhouse feels empty, and working the expansive orchard doesn’t keep his mind off his life in America before being shipwrecked on the Land. When he learns the lovely widow next door is being pressured to marry a man she’s never met and to leave her son behind, he offers to marry her. She could have a home and keep both of her children, and he could fill the orchard house with the family he longs for. But when Noah’s inheritance is contested by someone claiming to be the orchard’s rightful heir, he stands to lose everything—including his new family.

Bette Owens has made the best of things since losing her husband three years ago, but now her forceful in-laws want rid of her. When they persuade her parents to help separate her from her son, she has nowhere to turn but to the generous bachelor next door. She has always admired Noah and misses the protection and companionship of having a husband, so when Noah proposes a quick marriage, it seems like a wise remedy. Just when her children are settling into their new home—and love between Bette and Noah seems possible—she discovers Noah isn’t who he says he is.

While the Good Springs elder council becomes judge and jury over the orchard’s ownership, Noah’s dreams of supporting a family and being part of a community slip away. And as Bette’s friends side against her, she finds herself in an unimaginable fight for her family—and for love.

Can their marriage of convenience withstand the battle for inheritance, family, and love?

Find Uncharted Mercy online at:

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About Keely Brooke Keith

Keely Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a slight Sci-Fi twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist). Keely also creates resources for writers such as The Writer’s Book Launch Guide and The Writer’s Character Journal.

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely grew up in a family that frequently relocated. By graduation, she lived in 8 states and attended 14 schools. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.

Find Keely Brooke Keith online at:

Website | Facebook

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

24 January 2025

First Line Friday #375 | Uncharted Mercy by Keely Brooke Keith

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 Uncharted Mercy, the 14th book in Keely Brooke Keith’s excellent Uncharted series.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

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

About Uncharted Mercy

A marriage of convenience uncovers secrets that spark a battle for inheritance, family, and a chance at love.

Can their marriage of convenience withstand the battle for inheritance, family, and love?

Find Uncharted Mercy 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.