Never Fall Again Book Review

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Never Fall Again by author Lynn H. Blackburn is a Christian contemporary novel. It is a suspense, mystery, action, romance that takes place in the mountains of North Carolina’s Gossamer Falls. While it is a very good book, it took me a long time to become invested in the story and characters.

This is the story of Landry Hutton. She has hired former marine and contractor Callum Shaw to build a house for her and her daughter, Eliza. Unfortunately, bad things start happening to discourage that.

The author’s style of writing started out a bit slow but picked up. She skillfully crafted her characters. They are unique, relatable, and believable. Some were kind and lovable and others not at all. The action scenes are tense. There are a few twists and a mystery to keep readers guessing. 

The Christian message is not hidden. Not only is it about trusting God and His plan, but also deals with the topic of people professing to be Christians but not acting in a Christlike manner. It is very thought provoking.

I definitely recommend this book for contemporary fiction lovers. It has a little bit of everything, including a darling girl and sweet dog. This would make a nice reading group choice. There is an abundance to discuss. I give this a 4 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest thoughts.

Back Cover:

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up. 

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family’s construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He’s loved–and lost–someone like her before.

When Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger–but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them. 

Revell Publishing, March, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy NEVER FALL AGAIN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

The Divine Proverb of Streusel Book Review

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The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a Contemporary Christian Fiction. This family saga by author Sara Brunsvold is filled with cooking and small town church/community. It is a cleverly crafted tale that is ripe with Christian messages, proverbs, scripture, and German recipes.

The author has an easy-going style of writing. A slow pace set the tone for the story. This is not a book to be rushed. It needs to be carefully read and pondered.

Easy to follow, it had me engaged with the distinct characters. I loved reading about the different women and men in Nikki’s family. Each character is precisely crafted to fulfill a specific roll in this poignant multi-generational Christian fiction that is unique in many ways. I adored sassy Aunt Emma. The semi-romance between Uncle Wes and someone sizzles. Sparks fly!

Parts of the story made me emotional along with the characters. It is so easy to relate to certain situations or have a friend that has experienced the same thing. The Christian and life lessons are beautiful. Forgiveness, family, love, redemption, and acceptance are main topics that have remained with me. The proverbs are definitely noteworthy. Sprinkled throughout the story are priceless old German recipes. It was fun reading how they were made and tasted.

A few things bothered me because it was a Christian fiction. There is talk of going to the gravesite to speak to a deceased relative. A mention of drinking beer and not telling their minister. Talk of superstition and hero worship also bothered me. This is just me and may not bother you. In the storyline, I felt let down when certain things were planned and never happened. The ending seemed to appear too soon and was rushed. Do these make it a bad book. Absolutely not!

The Divine Proverb of Streusel is book that will long remain with readers. It will encourage, entertain, inspire, make readers think differently about family and friends in trials. Any reading group would love this as a choice. There is so much to discuss. Hopefully we will see it on a screen sometime as it will make a dynamic movie. I highly recommend this book and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words. #TheDivineProverbOfStreusel

About the Author, Sara Brunsvold

Sara Brunsvold creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara’s recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. She lives with her family in Kansas City, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library.

The Seamstress of Acadie

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The Seamstress of Acadie by author Laura Frantz is a Christian historical romance novel. For me, it is the best book this author has written. I was absolutely captivated from the very beginning until the end. It is certainly a page turner.

Set in 1750s this is the story of Silvie Galant. She lives with her family in Canadian Acadia. Silvie is strong, gentle, caring, selfless, and everything you want in a heroine. Her character has been carefully crafted to perfection. I adored her. William Blackburn is equally heroic. Handsome, smart, rugged, caring, gallant, and basically as close to a perfect man as one could imagine. The chemistry between these two sizzles.

The writing in this book is extraordinary. I was able to feel so many emotions as I read what the characters lived. The vivid descriptions and prose swept me up and took me back in time to Canada and Virginia. Scenes played out in my mind like a blockbuster movie.

I gleaned so much knowledge of the time and places just by reading this book. Some of the things were heartbreaking and others heartwarming. Lovers of French, British, and early American history will adore this beautiful tale. The story has stuck with me long after finishing the book. There are good Christian and life lessons to be found in this mesmerizing book.

It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from this reader. I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

About the Author, Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.

Letters from My Sister Book Review

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Letters from My Sister by author Valerie Fraser Luesse is a three-hundred-and-fifty-two-page paperback. Published by Revell, this historical Christian fiction is poignant with heavy topics of physical abuse, illness, and death. It also includes relationship and family life lessons with a bit of mystery and romance.

Set in Alabama during the twentieth century, this is a touching tale of sisterly love. It is the story of sisters Emily and Callie. These sisters are extremely close to one another. When trials come, they begin to occasionally write letters to each other. In the letters they pour theirs hearts out about the issues they are facing.

The author did a wonderful job crafting the characters in this book. They are endearing and most have baggage that make them seem real. The sisters are Southern girls with a bit of sass. I felt transported to the time and place of the story by the author’s exquisite words. It took only a few pages to become invested in the story and the lives of the sisters. There were different subplots and a few twists that kept me turning pages. In fact, the ending was not expected by this reader. 

I loved that their servants/slaves were treated like family and friends. Civil War books or books dealing with the horrors of slavery are difficult for me to read. I hate the injustice of it. This book pulled at my heart and made me shed a few tears. 

I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers. For me, I wish it had just a bit more Christian content. This would make a wonderful book club choice. There is so much to discuss! It gets a 4 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest thoughts.

About the Author

Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of Missing Isaac, Almost Home, The Key to Everything, and Under the Bayou Moon. She is an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living, where she recently retired as senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse received the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society for her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana. A graduate of Auburn University and Baylor University, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave.

The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee

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The Swindler’s Daughter by author Stephenia H. McGee is a Christian historical romance fiction by Revell Publishing. It is a hefty 348 page paperback with a cover that is both endearing and interesting. Set in the early 1900s, the story takes place in rural Georgia.

This is the story of Lillian. She learns that what she has been told about her father was not true. While she was always told he had died, she just receives word of his death and her inheritance. Lillian must leave the city and her city ways and travel to rural Georgia.

Characters are well developed. They are realistic and relatable. I was able to engage with them and become invested early in the book. The Swindler’s Daughter is a tale of secrets, trust, family, and romance. There is a Christian message and strong faith in God. Life lessons of forgiveness, trust, and hope are also demonstrated. I learned a few things while reading this, too.

There are a few twists as well as some predictable moments. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. She told an interesting story in words that held my attention. I was able to easily picture scenes. The dialogue sounded authentic. After the story concludes, there are some pages from a book by the author, historical note, acknowledgments, biography, and advertisements. 

I highly recommend this book. Anyone interested in historical fiction will love it. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

About the Author

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Her Heart’s Desire

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Her Heart’s Desire by author Shelley Shepard Gray is the first book in her new series, A Season in Pinecraft. This is a contemporary Amish Christian fiction book that is delightful. I was quickly invested in the story and the lives of the characters.

This is the tale of some young people individually going to Pinecraft, Florida for a winter vacation. Mary Margaret Miller eagerly takes the bus by herself from Trail, Ohio for a Florida excursion. Her bus made an emergency stop in Georgia placing Mary with two other Amish girls, Betsy and Lilly, in a hotel room. The girls become fast friends.

They meet two Amish men and sparks begin to fly. All of them are staying at the same Bed and Breakfast. A fourth girl happens to come to Pinecraft and has history with Mary Margaret. Will this cause trouble? What happens when the vacation is over as two couples are dating?

This is a sweet story that has themes of faith, hope, trust, and forgiveness. The characters are likable and realistic. Their conversations were true to the Amish. I loved the innkeeper. She was so lovable and a great mentor to those staying at her place. After the story, there is a sample from the next book in the series.

This was an enjoyable read, but it was different than most Amish books that I’ve read. I don’t recall reading a book where the young people were on vacation far from home. While I did like the story, I did miss the everyday family life. The author did an exemplary job whisking me away to Florida and the Amish community there. It was almost like being there myself.

I highly recommend this book and new series to anyone. There is so much to love about it. It gets a five out of five star rating from me. A copy was provided, but these are my honest words.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

Book 2, Her Only Wish