Tag: Kimberly Duffy

6 December 2021

Book Review | Every Word Unsaid (Dreams of India) by Kimberly Duffy

I thought Kimberly Duffy’s first two novels (A Mosaic of Wings and A Tapestry of Light) were excellent.

Every Word Unsaid is outstanding.

Augusta Constance Travers, better known as Gussie, is the odd one out in her upwardly mobile family. Her family want her to return to New York and become a respectable member of society. But Gussie revels in her secret role as writer and photographer Miss Adventuress, the most popular columnist for the Lady’s Weekly. Yes, she’s the leading travel blogger of 1896, living the “perfect life”.

But her identity is exposed, so her parents plan to send her to her aunt in Chicago until the fuss blows over. Instead, her editor sends her to India for six months a country she’s always wanted to visit. It’s also the home of her childhood friends, twins Catherine and Gabriel MacLean.

The story truly takes off once Gussie reaches India. She stays with her childhood friends in Poona, where she sees a different side of India – the wealth and the poverty, the beauty and the ugliness.

One of the signs of outstanding historical fiction is when the author manages to make the plot and characters compelling in their own timeline at the same time as making the plot relevant to readers in the present. Kimberly Duffy has done this brilliantly, particularly in terms of Gussie’s spiritual journey. There are also more than a few nods to lockdowns and quarantine in the plague scenes.

While Every Word Unsaid is definitely the story of Gussie’s personal and spiritual journey, there is also a lovely romance (and a few kissing scenes).

Kimberly Duffy has done a huge amount of research, and it’s woven beautifully throughout the story in both the language and the description. It leaves me wanting to visit India. I hope to see more books set in India, as it’s obvious Duffy has a passion for the country and the people.

The novel is entirely written from Gussie’s point of view—something I didn’t realise until I’d finished reading. While she’s a little annoying (and possibly immature, even at the age of twenty-five), her voice was compelling and it kept me turning the pages. That’s largely because of the writing, which was excellent. There were wonderful descriptions, unique turns of phrase, intertwined with deep spiritual truths that show our modern problems are actually age-old problems.

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy is an outstanding novel, with brilliant writing, and an encouraging Christian message. #BookReview #ChristianFiction Click To Tweet

I highly recommend Every Word Unsaid, especially for the wonderful locations, and the encouraging Christian message.

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

About Kimberly Duffy

Kimberly Duffy enjoys writing historical fiction that takes readers back in time and across oceans. Her books often feature ahead-of-their-time heroines, evocative settings, and real-life faith. When not writing or homeschooling her four children, she enjoys taking trips that require a passport and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. A Long Island native, she currently resides in southwest Ohio.

Find Kimberly Duffy online at:

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About Every Word Unsaid

Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family’s constant disappointment. As the nation’s most fearless–and reviled–columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.

Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel’s sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she’s long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.

You can find Every Word Unsaid online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

19 November 2021

First Line Friday | Week 212 | Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy

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 Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy, which is mostly set in India. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

I’ve read both Kimberly Duffy’s previous books and they were excellent. I’m looking forward to reading Every Word Unsaid and “visiting” India.

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

About Every Word Unsaid

You can find Every Word Unsaid online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

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

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

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

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

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26 April 2021

Book Review | A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy

Siblings Ottilie and Thaddeus Russell live between worlds in 1885 Calcutta—Ottilie looks like her half-Indian mother, but six-year-old Thaddeus favours their father and can easily pass as English. Their father was a respected English scientist, but his death left the family penniless. Ottilie now supports their small family by decorating dresses with beetle-wing embroidery, a skill that has been handed down the women on the Indian side of her family.

I found the first few chapters slow and difficult to get through.

There seemed to be too many characters )and each character had multiple names and nicknames), and the relationships between the character were equally difficult to sort out. I also didn’t find Ottilie particularly interesting. Call me shallow, but I read for entertainment. I don’t find it entertaining to watch a woman struggle with the twin problems of poverty and prejudice.

The story came alive at around the 20% mark, Everett Scott finally arrived on the scene. I say “finally” because the book description promised this would the the event that propelled the story forward, and it was. Mr Scott wants to take Thaddeus back to England to be educated and to take his place as Baron Sutherland. Ottilie finally agrees, and the story finally starts.

The story improved dramatically once Everett Scott arrived in Calcutta.

The story expanded into a deep examination of the difficulties of being born into two cultures and the struggle to fit in, set against the backdrop of Anglo-Indians and the memory of the horrific 1857 mutiny. It’s also a deep examination of faith, of the challenge of believing in and trusting God, not merely believing in and adhering to Christian values.

A Tapestry of Light was well researched and brilliantly written.

I’m always impressed when an author can take a little-known aspect of history (such as the beetle-wing embroidery), and turn that into a novel. It’s even better when those historical aspects can be interwoven with deep faith messages and even a little romance.

I recommend A Tapestry of Light by @Kimberley_Duffy for fans of Christian historical fiction with deep faith themes in an international setting. #BookReview #ChristianFiction Click To Tweet

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction with deep faith themes in an international setting.

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

About Kimberly Duffy

Find Kimberly Duffy online at:

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About A Tapestry of Light

Calcutta, 1886.

Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither. In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon her skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.

When a stranger appears with the news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light. Despite her growing friendship with Everett Scott, friend to Ottilie’s English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her brother. Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home.

But betrayal and loss lurk in England, too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn’t forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in this foreign land.

Find A Tapestry of Light online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

18 May 2020

Book Review | A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy

Christian Historical Romance with a Unique Setting

Nora Shipley is a woman ahead of her time, and a unique heroine. She doesn’t want to marry the man her stepfather has chosen for her (and no surprise there. He’s a misogynistic boor). She wants to go back to university and complete her master’s in entomology (yes, the study of insects). First she’ll need to win a scholarship … which means spending six months in India.

While I like butterflies and understand the importance of honeybees, I’m not a fan of other insects. And I definitely share Nora’s feelings about cockroaches. What captured my interest in A Mosaic of Wings was the Indian setting, and this was definitely the strength of the novel for me. These chapters showed the beauty of India, and something of the culture—both good and bad.

I enjoyed seeing Nora develop as a character and make some difficult choices.

The novel wasn’t overtly Christian, but Nora’s responses to her most difficult choices were definitely based on a Christian world view—even when those choices contradicted the decisions made by some of the Christians she met.

I didn’t enjoy the US-based scenes nearly as much.

That was mostly because of stepfather Lucius, although partly because of Nora’s mother. She was a frustratingly weak character who seemed to spend her time either ill in bed, or arranging social events her daughter wanted no part of. She was such a vapid character that I sincerely wondered if she was being drugged by Lucius (she wasn’t, but that would have been the most logical explanation for much of her behaviour).

Lucius is plainly set up as the antagonist and has no redeeming features except for loving Nora’s mother. Well, he says he does. He certainly doesn’t act as though he does. Mind you, the same could be said of Nora’s mother’s attitude towards Nora. As a result, while Nora’s difficulties with Lucius drove most of the novel’s conflict, I didn’t find it entirely believable. Lucius tries to force Nora to do something, saying she gave her word. Fine. She did, and she is a woman who seeks to keep her word. But I don’t think she needs to keep her word when he has so plainly not kept his.

Overall, this is a novel about choices and freedom.

Some people have more choices than others. It’s also about how sometimes we have to make a choice that might not be the easiest choice for ourselves, but is the right choice for others.

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

P.S. If you read or have read A Mosaic of Wings and you’re as horrified by Sita’s predicament as Nora is, then I encourage you to check out the Dignity Freedom Network and their work rescuing jogini girls in India. Yes, this practice is still going on despite having been outlawed in 1988.

About Kimberly Duffy

Find Kimberly Duffy online at:

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About A Mosaic of Wings

It’s 1885, and all Nora Shipley wants, now that she’s graduating from Cornell University as valedictorian of the entomology program, is to follow in her late father’s footsteps by getting her master’s degree and taking over the scientific journal he started. The only way to uphold her father’s legacy is to win a scholarship, so she joins a research expedition in Kodaikanal, India, to prove herself in the field.

India isn’t what she expects, though, and neither is the rival classmate who accompanies her, Owen Epps. As her preconceptions of India–and of Owen–fall away, she finds both far more captivating than she expected. Forced by the expedition leader to stay at camp and illustrate exotic butterflies the men of the team find without her, Nora befriends Sita, a young Indian girl who has been dedicated to a goddess against her will.

In this spellbinding new land, Nora is soon faced with impossible choices–between saving Sita and saving her career, and between what she’s always thought she wanted and the man she’s come to love.

Find A Mosaic of Wings online at:

Amazon | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

6 May 2020

New Releases in Christian Fiction | May 2020

Another month has passed—one that has possibly been the longest yet busiest on record (at least for me). But I did manage to read a few books, and there are definitely a few I’m interested in the May new releases. I’ve just started A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy, and I’m looking forward to The Trouble With Love by Toni Shiloh, and Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears.

I’ve already read Stay with Me by Becky Wade, and my review will post next week. It’s a great start to a new series.

What about you? What’s on your to-read pile for May?

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

Children’s

The Edge of Everywhen by A.S. Mackey — Begin with an ancient, mysterious, self-aware book. Add two heartbroken children, reeling from the loss of their mother. Mix in a cantankerous aunt, dreams that see the future, and a father trying to make his way home and you get “The Edge of Everywhen,” a captivating tale of loss, hope, revelation, and unexplained mystery. “The Edge of Everywhen” is a book-lover’s book, a story of intrigue in which two children embark upon a life-changing journey of faith. (Middle Grade from B & H Publishing)

Contemporary Romance:

A Mother’s Homecoming by Lisa Carter — Charmed by the two-year-old twins in her toddler tumbling class, Maggie Arledge is shocked to learn they’re the children she gave up for adoption. And when Bridger Hollingsworth—the uncle caring for the boys—needs an emergency nanny, she fits the bill. But with sparks flying between her and Bridger, can she let herself get attached…and risk exposing secrets from her past? (Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Love is in the Air by Tanya Eavenson, Candee Fick, Kathleen Friesen, Laura V. Hilton, and Kathleen Rouser — This collection of five brand new Christian romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The Trouble With Love by Toni Shiloh — I, Holiday Brown, have it all. A platinum record. Multi-million dollar home in Manhattan that I share with my two best friends. Life is looking fantastic until my roommate’s brother decides to bunk in our guestroom while his house gets renovated. W. Emmett Bell has always been the bane of my existence. He’s annoying, stubborn, a know it all, and just might be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I refuse to fall for him. But when his sister’s threatened by a stalker, dynamics change. His unwavering faith isn’t quite as self-righteous as I’d always thought, and maybe he has a good side I’ve overlooked all these years. Or maybe it’s all too much trouble. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner — Hadley Beckett became the star of the Culinary Channel following hot-tempered celebrity chef Max Cavanagh’s public fall from grace. But when Max returns, career in shambles, his only chance for redemption is to work alongside the beloved host of “At Home with Hadley.” Will these two polar opposites burn down the kitchen—or fall in love? (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Stay with Me by Becky Wade — When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of an historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

General:

Within Golden Bands by Norma Gail — Newly married Bonny MacDonell finds the transition from American college professor to Scottish sheep farmer’s wife more difficult than she expected. When her miracle pregnancy ends in a devastating miscarriage, she fears her husband’s reaction will hurt more than the loss of their child. But Kieran never shows up at the hospital. When found, he is beaten and unconscious. The only memory of his attacker is the words, “Get off my land.” Reeling from the threat to her husband and the loss of their child, Bonny struggles to hold her marriage together. When faith in love is not enough, where do you turn? (Contemporary, Independently Published)

The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney — The Society of Second Chances faces a real challenge, as they try to uncover a way to help Harmoni Branaham—a young woman just released from prison. (Women’s Fiction from Guideposts Publications)

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer — Newlywed cold-case detectives Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord struggle between past wounds and their desire for a family when one of them takes on a case involving parental abandonment. (Women’s Fiction from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])

Historical:

Moondrop Miracle by Jennifer Lamont Leo — Chicago, 1928. Pampered socialite Connie Shepherd lives the kind of glossy life other women read about in the society pages. Engaged to a handsome financier, she spends her days and nights in a dizzying social round. When eccentric Aunt Pearl, an amateur chemist, offers her an unusual wedding present—the formula for a home-brewed skin tonic—Connie laughs it off. But when the Great Depression flings her privileged world into chaos and rocks her marriage to the core, will Aunt Pearl’s strange gift provide the key to survival for Connie and her baby? (Historical from Mountain Majesty Media)

Tranquility Point by Pamela S. Meyers — Hannah’s life couldn’t be sweeter—a marriage proposal and law school. Then the Great War intrudes and everything sours. (Historical from Mantle Rock Publishing)

Historical Romance:

A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy — A driven entomologist travels to India in an attempt to win a coveted scholarship and save her late father’s scientific journal. But in this enchanting land, she discovers that there are some things more important than success. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J. Flickinger — Fleeing a broken engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt to feed a camp of lumberjacks in the Rocky Mountains. She doesn’t expect to fall for camp foreman Charles Bailey, nicknamed “Preach,” who is struggling between his hard past and his newfound faith. When the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she’s come to love. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears — It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love! The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow. When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn’t as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren’t quite as compatible as they thought? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Sinner in Mississippi by D.L. Lane — The story of Mississippi Singletary, born to a fearful mother and an abusive father in a rundown shack outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Historical Romance from By Faith Publishing)

The Mechanic & The MD by Linda Shenton Matchett — Woman mechanic Doris Strealer has a hard time finding love until she joins the Red Cross Motor Corps and comes face to face with her past in the form of Van Toppel, an old classmate. On the brink of a successful career as a surgeon, Van’s plans crumble when he’s drafted and assigned to an evacuation hospital in England, the last place he expects to run into a former schoolmate. The gangly tomboy who was four years behind him in high school has transformed into a statuesque beauty, but a broken engagement in college leaves him with no desire to risk his heart ever again. Will the hazards of war make or break a romance between this unlikely couple? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson — In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life. (Historical Mystery from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Standoff (Natchez Trace Park Rangers) by Patricia Bradley — The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save? (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Untraceable Evidence by Sharee Stover — Someone’s after a deadly weapon…and only she can stop them. It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Medieval Fantasy:

The Story Hunter by Lindsay A. Franklin — In this epic conclusion to The Weaver Trilogy, Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers must rescue the queen and rid Tir of the Master once and for all, but the success of their hunt depends upon an ally no one trusts, and the fate of the kingdom rests in the hands of a volatile, shattered girl. (Medieval Fantasy from Enclave Publishing)

Young Adult:

You’re Brilliant by Julie Arduini — Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent. (Young Adult from Surrendered Scribe Media)

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

Lost Down Deep by Sara Davidson, Romantic Suspense
Son of Mary by R.S. Ingermanson, Biblical
Then There Was You by D. L. Lane, Romantic Suspense
Love’s Silver Bullet by Julie Lessman, Historical Romance
Tug of War by Brenda C. Poulos, Thriller/Suspense
The Scholar’s Quest: The Way by Brad Rucker, Adventure
Illusions by Jennifer Sienes, General Contemporary
The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch, Historical Romance
A Beautiful Arrangement by Beth Wiseman, Amish Romance