I recently finished the most beautiful, heartwarming, charming book that I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. It had only one glaring drawback – the ending arrived much too soon! What is this delightful book, you ask? Well, it is a standalone story entitled Until the Dawn, written by Elizabeth Camden and published by Bethany House in January of 2016. If you enjoy historical novels of any kind, this book will instantly win you over with its sweet sincerity and unique characters, plus a storyline that will keep you turning pages long into the night! Continue reading
Christian Historical Fiction
A Disappointing Story from a Favorite Author
Julie Klassen’s newest novel, The Painter’s Daughter, was released from Bethany House in December of 2015. Seeing this talented storyteller’s name on a new book, I automatically assumed I would enjoy it as much as her previous work, namely The Dancing Master and The Secret of Pembrooke Park. After reading the synopsis for this new story, however, I was slightly hesitant to request a review copy. A young women in serious trouble, a hasty marriage of convenience between strangers, and a too-late reunion of love lost – that sounded like a possible recipe for inappropriate content! Ultimately, I decided to trust Miss Klassen and request the title anyway, hoping the main storyline did not focus primarily on these details. Continue reading
A Fascinating, Intertwining Story from Both Past and Present
Bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould have joined forces and written a fascinating novel that weaves the past and present into one unique, sweeping saga of love, mystery, and courage. My Brother’s Crown is the first book in a new series from Harvest House Publishers known as Cousins of the Dove. It reveals a fascinating story which connects one present-day young woman named Renee Talbot with her ancestor, Catherine Gillet, who lived in France during the mid-1600s. Both women are connected not only by blood, but also by a mysterious document know as the Persecution Pamphlet, and perhaps a dark mystery that occurred many years ago… Continue reading
The Story from “Dauntless” Continues…
Title: Chivalrous
Author: Dina L. Sleiman
Publishing House/Publication Date: Bethany House/September, 2015
Genres: Teen Fiction; Christian Fiction; Historical Fiction
Time Period: 1217 (the Middle Ages)
Number of Pages: 365
Series: Book #2 in the “Valiant Hearts” series
You should read this book if… You enjoyed Dauntless, the previous novel in the series! In Chivalrous, it was great fun to discover what happened to various leading and supporting characters in their continuation stories. Continue reading
A Sweeping, Dramatic Saga
Title: The Lost Heiress
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publishing House/Publication Date: Bethany House/September, 2015
Genres: Christian Historical Fiction; Inspirational Romance; Mystery and Drama
Time Period: 1910
Number of Pages: 448
Series: Book #1 in the ‘Ladies of the Manor’ series
You should read this book if… You enjoy sweeping, dramatic sagas filled with intricate and interwoven storylines. Mystery, romance, and suspense also abound within the pages of this book, making it difficult to put down.
Tone and Mood: While this novel would not be considered a carefree, bright and cheerful novel, neither is it shrouded in darkness and despair all the time. Rather it is a fairly well balanced mixture of both extremes. Heart-pounding action and suspense at various high points complete it as a masterfully told story. Continue reading
An Unconventional Regency Tale
From the back cover:
Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother’s old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she’s never actually met the man she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother’s mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.
Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend upon but whose behavior grows more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family’s estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda’s heart is far from all that’s at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love. Continue reading
As Lovable as the Waters are Deep! (Guest review by Hayley)
Of all the book character companions I’ve had over the years, Miss Mary Stirling and Ensign Jim Avery are two of the best. Bringing them to vivid life through the pages of her newest release, Through Waters Deep, author Sarah Sundin gives us a gift through her writing as beautiful as Mary’s sweet soprano voice. With a mystery to keep you guessing, characters that will become friends, and a love story that will melt even the hardest of hearts, Through Waters Deep is a story that should not be missed by any Christian fiction reader, or any reader at all!
Everything about this novel simply breathes life. One of my favourite aspects Continue reading
Certain to Capture Your Imagination and Sweep You Away
2 Corinthians 5:7 states, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” With these words as a foundation, the newest novel by Kate Breslin is truly a poetic masterpiece you won’t want to miss. Written with insight and tenderness, Not by Sight is a beautiful tale of love and redemption – while at the same time a powerful WWI story packed with intrigue, tension and deception. Although this Britain-based book has been endorsed as being similar to the Downton Abbey television series, I believe it greatly outshines the show in all aspects of faith, virtues and morality, and even loveable characters. Continue reading
Karen Witemeyer Never Disappoints
She’s done it again! Karen Witemeyer has once again crafted a delightful historical romance set in her signature blend of western adventure and sweet relationships between vivid characters. If you have enjoyed any of her half-dozen other novels, her newest release – A Worthy Pursuit – is not to be missed.
So much could be said about this book… With an intricate and memorable plot, primary and secondary characters who ALL seem to walk off the page, and a rugged setting, each element combines to make this title impossible to resist. Continue reading
Heart-wrenching and Dramatic – a guest-post by Hayley!
Title: Irish Meadows
Author: Susan Anne Mason
Publishing House/Publication Date: Bethany House/June, 2015
Genres: Christian Historical Romance
Time Period: 1911
Number of Pages: 375
Series: Book #1 in the ‘Courage to Dream’ series
You should read this book if you… Love drama. While not a particularly adventurous book, Irish Meadows is very dramatic when it comes to matters of the heart… or in this case, four different hearts! The poor characters journey through such heartache that we can feel their pain, and eventually begin to wonder if the agony will ever end! We are not disappointed however, for the ideal happy ending awaits us as we near the end, with one particularly happy surprise to provide the cherry on top. Continue reading
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 