King's Shadow

King's Shadow
A Novel of King Herod's Court
The Silent Years
Angela Hunt
(Bethany House)
ISBN: 978-0764233364
August 2019/384 pages/$15.99
Their Lives Couldn't Be More Different,
but Their Goal Is the Same:
Survive King Herod's Rule.

Two women occupy a place in Herod's court. The first, Salome, is the king's only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she's from an inferior race, a people whom God will never accept or approve of.

The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion.

Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless--both women struggle to reach their goals and survive each day within Herod the Great's tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author of more than 100 published books and with more than 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, Angela completed her PhD in Biblical Studies in Theology. She and her husband live in Florida with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Angela Hunt brings her series on The Silent Years to a close with another fascinating and informative novel. The years between the Old and New Testaments come to life, thanks to her thorough research and gift for interweaving historical fact with fiction. As stated in its preface, "King's Shadow closes the gap between the time of the prophets and the coming of the promised Messiah." Hunt deftly juxtaposes Zara's faithfulness to God and Salome's dedication to her brother against the backdrop of a turbulent era. This tale deepened my understanding of the events surrounding the birth of Christ. As with the previous books in this series, King's Shadow reminds the reader of God's sovereignty and presence even when He is silent. Add this book to your must-read list.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House for a blog tour. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


THE SILENT YEARS - Click the covers for my reviews of the first three books in this series.

Deadly Intentions

Deadly Intentions
Lisa Harris
(Revell Publishing)
ISBN: 978-0800729165
August 2019/320 pages/$15.99
There is no such thing as random

Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victims' husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than 40 books, including The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, as well as Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, Harris and her family have spent over 16 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Lisa Harris remains firmly on my list of must-read authors with this latest release. Filled with danger and chillingly realistic, Deadly Intentions riveted my attention from the opening scene and didn't let go until the final page was turned. Caitlyn and Josh garnered my sympathy and admiration while being realistic and relatable. Harris deftly intersperses intrigue, perfectly paced romance, and plenty of twists and turns as matters of faith weave organically throughout this tale. As with all of her novels, determining the outcome was impossible until the satisfying ending. Deadly Intentions will keep you up into the wee hours but it's definitely worth the lost sleep. Add this book to your TBR pile today!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Vow of Justice

Vow of Justice
Blue Justice, Book 4
Lynette Eason
(Revell Publishing)
ISBN: 978-0800727208
August 2019/336 pages/$15.99
Playing dead might just get her killed

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes himself to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder."

As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Lynette Eason brings her phenomenal Blue Justice series to a satisfying close with this heart-pounding romantic suspense. In classic Eason style, Vow of Justice pulses with unrelenting danger and non-stop action frpm the opening scene to the final page. High-stakes drama combined with richly crafted characters make the pages practically turn themselves. Linc and Allie garnered my admiration and respect as they race to find the person or persons bent on destroying them. Linc's family members, each of whom were featured in earlier books in this series, figure prominantly in this story as well, although the novel easily stands alone. Don't miss this captivating tale and series!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


BLUE JUSTICE SERIES - Click the first two books for my reviews!
(Note: There are 4 full-length novels in this series. Code of Ethics is a novella, part of the The Cost of Betrayal collection.)

Justice Delivered

Justice Delivered
A Memphis Cold Case Novel
Patricia Bradley
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800727192
April 2019/368 pages/$15.99
Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. She's been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can't even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn't bring herself to report to the police is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.

When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has. But if that proves to be too little, too late--she'll have to go after the perpetrators herself.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patricia Bradley is the award-winning author of the Memphis Cold Case novels and the Logan Point series. She is an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and winner of an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award. Cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.


MY THOUGHTS

I'm not sure my heartrate has returned to normal yet after reading Patricia Bradley's newest installment in her Memphis Cold Case series. Fast-paced action and high-stakes suspense make this book impossible to put down until the final page is turned. Carly's strength and determination in the wake of all she has experienced both amazed and inspired me. Bradley depicts the heartbreaking issue of human trafficking in a realistic manner without being graphic. The romance between Carly and Logan is perfectly paced. While this is the fourth novel in the series, it easily reads as a standalone, as do all its predecessors. Add this book and series to your reading list!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Baker/Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



MEMPHIS COLD CASE NOVELS, Books 1-3
Click the covers for my reviews of Justice Delayed and Justice Buried. Not sure how I missed Justice Betrayed!

A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh

A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh
Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley, Book 1
Carolyn Miller
(Kregel Publications)
ISBN: 978-0825445897
March 2019/334 pages/$15.99
Can a proper noble lady find a future with a fossil-hunting man of faith?

As the daughter of Viscount Aynsley, Caroline Hatherleigh knows every rule of society--and she's always followed them precisely. But when she visits south Devonshire and encounters a fossil-hunting scientist and his sister, her assumptions about what is right are shaken. Questions she has never considered about the importance of friendship and faith suddenly confront her--and her comfortable understanding about how the world works is thrown off balance. What if God wants to be the center of her life, rather than merely a social obligation?

Gideon Kirby loves science, and hunting down proof of past lives is a joy he won't willingly give up. But his scientific leanings are being challenged both by his personal beliefs and by local smugglers in the Devonshire countryside. And every day his sister's illness becomes more desperate, her care growing more demanding. Adding a viscount's daughter to the mix is a complication Gideon never expected--especially since he must stay far away from this young woman he's falling for in order to protect his beloved sister's secret.

When a mysterious stranger visits the village, that secret will be exposed, no matter how Gideon fights. Then tragedy strikes in a smugglers' cave. And the threat of scandal may lead to broken hearts and passionless propriety. Will the shaky bond these two h,bave nurtured be strong enough to overcome their differences--or will the trust they've withheld from each other tear three lives apart?


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times. Visit her website to learn more.

MY THOUGHTS

Carolyn Miller firmly remains on my short list of must-read Regency authors with this first novel of her newest Regency Brides series. Miller once again captivates with engaging characters, brilliant and often humorous banter, and a sigh-worthy romance. I loved her depiction of Caroline as her perspective is broadened and she is forced to examine her long-held assumptions of class distinctions. This story utterly charmed me, and I hated to turn the final page. Readers familiar with her earlier Regency Brides novels will delight to discover references to and cameo appearances by several beloved characters from those stories, although this book is easily read as a stand-alone. Don't miss A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book free from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



BOOKS BY CAROLYN MILLER:
Click the titles for my reviews!

Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace

The Elusive Miss Ellison
The Captivating Lady Charlotte
The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope

Winning Miss Winthrop
Miss Serena's Secret
The Making of Mrs. Hale

Regency Bride: Daughers of Aynsley

A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh
Underestimating Miss Cecilia - available July 2019
Misleading Miss Verity - available November 2019

The Secrets of Paper and Ink

The Secrets of Paper and Ink
Lindsay Harrel
(Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-0718075729
February 2019/336 pages/$15.99
Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at LindsayHarrel.com.


MY THOUGHTS

I became enamored with Lindsay Harrel's books with her touching story The Heart Between Us, and this newest release captivated my heart every bit as much as that story did. Harrel has a gift for creating believable and relatable characters. The delightful setting of Cornwall, England transported me across the pond and cemented this as a bucket-list destination. And what's not to love about a story featuring a charming bookstore? Harrel expertly weaves the contemporary and historic together, reminding the reader that matters of the heart are timeless. Add this book and author to your must-read list. You won't be able to put it down until the final satisfying page.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Between Two Shores

Between Two Shores
Jocelyn Green
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764219085
February 2019/416 pages/$14.99
She Has Always Moved between Worlds,
But Now She Must Choose a Side

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a BA in English, concentration in writing. Jocelyn lives with her husband, Rob, and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Jocelyn Green has penned a sweeping tale set among the Seven Years' War that captivates the mind and stirs the heart. While this is not a quick or mindless read, it is well worth the time investment. Green's mastery of setting and character development shines as she takes the reader deep into the heart of the story. Multidimensional threads, exquisite prose, and meticulous attention to detail add to the appeal of this novel. Strong yet subtle spiritual themes beckon the astute reader to consider the timeless struggles of the human heart. A masterpiece that will surely garner awards, Between Two Shores is a must-read for 2019.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Graphic used by permission of Jocelyn Green

With This Pledge

With This Pledge
The Carnton Series
Tamera Alexander
Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-0718081836
January 2019/448 pages/$16.99
What can a woman—a mere governess—do against the scourge of slavery?

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston’s quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause—but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home where she is governess is converted into a Confederate field hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.

As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie’s arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy’s first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.

Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers’ respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton’s walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn’t realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie’s heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers that his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and promises made, she struggles to be true to her heart while standing for what she knows is right—no matter the cost.

From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors, including the Christy Award (two-time winner, seven-time finalist), the RITA Award (two-time winner, four-time finalist), the Carol Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best Award, and Library Journal's top distinction, among others. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband now reside in Nashville, Tennessee, where they live a short distance from Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation, the setting of Tamera’s two USA Today bestselling Southern series.


MY THOUGHTS

I should be accustomed to Tamera Alexander's novels touching my heart, but each one seems to exceed her previous release. With This Pledge stands in a class all its own. I will not think of the Civil War without remembering this amazing story. Alexander brings to life the heartbreak of war and the battles waged not only on the front lines but in the hearts and minds of those who experienced this horrific time in our nation's history. The novel is amazing on its own, but the inclusion of actual love letters between the real-life Captain Roland Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston as the story unfolds makes it that much more of a gem. Alexander's gift for seamlessly weaving spiritual truths throughout the story reminds the reader of timeless truths that are as relevant today as they were two centuries ago. With This Pledge belongs on your must-read list!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”