Kristy Cambron’s second installment in her “Lost Castle” series is even better than the first! Captivating and compelling, “Castle on the Rise” tells three unique but connected stories of three generations of women (from 1797, 1916, and present day), all woven into one unforgettable masterpiece of a novel. Released from Thomas Nelson early in 2019, this beautiful story is a must-read for anyone who has enjoyed the previous story in the series, loves the intricate weaving of dual- or triple-time novels, and/or is a fan of the incredibly talented Kristy Cambron. Continue reading
Christian Historical Fiction
Finally We Discover Where Sophie Disappeared To!
Title: “Searching for You”
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publishing House/Publication Date: Bethany House / December 2018
Genres: Christian Historical Fiction; Christian Romance
Time Period: 1859
Number of Pages: 341
Series: Book #3 of the “Orphan Train” series
You should read this book if… You have previously read (and enjoyed) “With You Always” and “Together Forever”, the first two books in the “Orphan Train” series. In theory this book could also be read alone, but you will understand the back-story and enjoy it SO much more if you’ve read the entire saga in sequence! Continue reading
The Romance (& Humor!) at Fort Reno Continues
Do you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction with a western setting and a flair for humor? I know I do! Regina Jennings’ newest novel from Bethany House is the second in her “Fort Reno” series, and is entitled “The Lieutenant’s Bargain”. Although recurring characters from “Holding the Fort” appear regularly, this is a story all it’s own – with plenty of sweet romance, a taste of wild west danger, a dose of laugh-out-loud humor, and some thought-provoking themes about faith, trust, idols, and love. It is also set during the Christmas season, making it a fun story to read in December. Continue reading
A Unique Amish Civil War Story
The American Civil War is the setting of many novels, but have you ever read a story from the Amish perspective of the War Between the States? Jan Drexler’s new release from Revell Publishing, entitled “The Sound of Distant Thunder”, combines historical research with a compelling personal saga as it explores this very question: how can a group of people, who are nonresistance-based due to religion, live conscientiously in times of war and especially when the draft (compulsory recruitment) is brought into play? Continue reading
A Fantastic Conclusion to the Unforgettable “Shadows Over England” Series – Guest Review by Hayley
At last we’ve come to the release of the book we’ve all been waiting for – the third installment of Roseanna White’s masterpiece series “Shadows Over England”. After reading “A Name Unknown” (which still remains my single most favourite book over a year later), and “A Song Unheard”, I was very anxiously awaiting my copy of “An Hour Unspent” and I can now say it was with good reason. Continue reading
The Unplanned But Longed-For Conclusion to “Waves of Mercy”
The newest release from the pen of Lynn Austin is a sequel she never planned to write… But oh my, I am so glad she did! “Legacy of Mercy” is the continuing story that began in “Waves of Mercy”, which released from Bethany House a couple of years ago. This follow-up to the sweeping saga of a young girl desperate to find meaning in her future, and a middle-aged woman struggling to make sense of her past, is just as compelling, just as well-written, and just as un-put-downable as the first, except this time all the loose ends are masterfully tied up, and the longed-for closure is provided. Continue reading
One of My Top Historical Novels of the Year!
First off let me say, I’m going to try my best not to gush incessantly and ecstatically about the following novel, and instead calmly provide several well-founded reasons as to why you simply MUST READ THIS BOOK for yourself! “A Rumored Fortune” is the second novel written by the incredibly talented Joanna Davidson Politano (her first was the extraordinary “Lady Jayne Disappears”), and published by Revell in 2018. It is a beautiful story filled with treasure hunts, thoughtful analogies based on Scripture, characters who you instantly either adore or abhor, a sweet but unlikely romance, and a Victorian castle that holds unimagined secrets deep within. If you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, I recommend that you place this story at the top of your reading list – it is simply too good to miss! Continue reading
A Sweeping, Memorable Civil War Saga
All stories affect us to some degree, but in some cases when the topic strikes such a chord in our hearts, we hold the story up beside our own lives as a filter to perhaps look at life a little differently than we did before. The issues surrounding slavery, and the courage of the men and women who helped the slaves escape their prison, are a prime example of a very poignant slice of history for many people. I have only read a handful of stories set during the Civil War, but Tara Johnson’s newest novel is definitely one of the most memorable. “Engraved on the Heart” was published by Tyndale House in the fall of 2018, and is a moving saga of courage, faith, and love. Continue reading
A Sweet, Memorable Historical Story (Set in Canada!)
I just finished the type of book that I wish could have went on for much longer. Thankfully, it is the beginning of a brand-new series! “The Best of Intentions” is the first installment of Susan Anne Mason’s new “Canadian Crossings” series published by Bethany House, and is a memorable and inspiring addition to the Christian Historical Fiction genre. Continue reading
Fascinating History Combines With A Delightful Story
I am always excited to read a new standalone historical novel by Judith Miller, primarily because she takes fascinating but obscure snippets of history and weaves a captivating story around them. From a girl who paints carousel horses to a father and daughter who travel the country preaching the gospel from a chapel train car, Judith’s stories always promise to teach readers little-known history while simultaneously entertaining them with a wonderful story. It’s a win-win all around! Judith Miller’s newest story from Bethany House Publishers is “The Lady of Tarpon Springs”, which is set in 1905 Florida and centers around the sponge trade… yep, you read that correctly! This is a story of how trained divers (from Greece) arrived in Florida to harvest sponges from deep beneath the surface of the ocean. Although the characters are all fictitious, the details of the sponge business are well-researched and true to history. Continue reading