May Book Club Pick — Midnight on The Scottish Shore

1 May

This month my book club is reading Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin. I have already read this historical novel set during WWII and features spies! I loved it! If you have read it too, I would love to know your thoughts.

In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water–and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable–train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland–messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy–a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of Midnight on the Scottish Shore (February 2025), Embers in the London Sky (2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and several World War II series.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as program director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

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Spotlight on Historical Romance — Written on My Heart

1 May

Written on My Heart JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Written on My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Written on My Heart

Title: Written on My Heart
Series: Discerning God’s Best #5
Author: Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Heidi Gray McGill Books LLC
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Genre: Christian Historical Romance with a Western (Louis L’Amour) touch

It’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already decided what you want him to say.

In the wilds of the rugged West, Betsy Smith discovers beauty in every corner—from the blazing sunsets to the wind murmuring secrets through the mountains. Yet, it’s the magnetism of Gabe Manning, with his dark complexion and dashing demeanor, that draws her gaze. Having known him since childhood, Betsy sees in Gabe the embodiment of the heroes she admires from her a stalwart protector of the innocent, a champion of justice, a man of unshakable integrity, and a paragon of honor, guided by principles as steadfast as the mountains themselves— all while reconciling with his Arapaho Indian heritage. Yet, amid her admiration, Betsy longs for God’s reassurance that Gabe is the one for her.

As deputy of Shumard Oak Bend, Missouri, in 1875, Gabe “Little Sun” Manning sees the allure and harshness of frontier life. Amidst the chaos, he finds solace in the presence of Miss Betsy Smith, a compassionate schoolteacher whose independence and intellect captivate him as profoundly as her beauty. Yet, as their bond deepens, Gabe wrestles with doubts about his ability to fulfill the desires of her heart. He knows she’s willing to forsake her career for a future with him, but can he offer her the family she seeks? Haunted by the secrets of his past and desperate for redemption, Gabe faces his most formidable challenge yet.

Written on My Heart is a powerful Christian Historical Romance full of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of the human spirit. In award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill’s fifth installment in the Discerning God’s Best series, you’ll be transported to a world of wild-west adventure and heartwarming romance.

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.
• Full-length Christian historical fiction
• A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Timeline: 1875–1876
• For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford

Book One: Desire of My Heart
Book Two: With All My Heart
Companion Christmas Novella: Stitched On My Heart
Book Three: Matters of the Heart
Book Four: Healing of the Heart
Book Five: Written on My Heart
Book Six: Keeper of My Heart – Preorder now
Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website.

Excerpt

Excerpt 2: The Weight of Prejudice (Heartache/Identity)

Gabe rode into Shumard Oak Bend with the captured members of the Iron Horse Gang in tow, expecting praise. Instead, his heart wrestled with doubt.

The townsfolk gathered, whispering. Some clapped. Others averted their gaze. Then he saw her—Betsy. Her eyes were filled with disgust and disappointment.

The praise he thought he craved now rang hollow under her piercing glare.

The sheriff’s knowing look told Gabe what he already feared—this wasn’t about bandits. This was about belonging. His Arapaho blood, his past, the stories that followed him—they cast a longer shadow than even his badge could erase.

He wasn’t just battling outlaws. He was fighting whispers, sideways glances, and a future where even his victories came at a cost.

He straightened, tipping his hat with false bravado. “Just doing my duty,” he said. But the hollow ache in his chest told a deeper truth. In the wilderness, he knew his place. In this town, he wasn’t so sure.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Heidi Gray McGill | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

Matters of the Heart

About The Author

Heidi Gray McGill

Heidi Gray McGill is a celebrated author whose award-winning Christian fiction transports readers to the rugged landscapes of the past, where faith and fortitude reign supreme. With a talent for crafting historical and contemporary tales, Heidi has penned nine compelling books, each filled with resilient characters navigating the wilds of life with God’s love as their guide.

Heidi’s writing is as bold and purposeful as the untamed West itself. She began her literary journey in March 2020. She quickly became a beacon of inspiration, weaving stories that echo the timeless themes of redemption, courage, and the transformative power of God’s love and forgiveness. Much like the pioneers of old, her characters face adversity head-on, offering readers a chance to journey alongside them, discovering healing and insight through God’s Word.

Living in a quaint town near Charlotte, NC, Heidi shares her life with her devoted husband of over three decades. When she’s not crafting stories of grit and grace, she treasures moments with her family, especially her grandsons, and finds joy in cooking, playing games, and exploring new worlds through books.

Join Heidi on her inspiring journey into the heart of the American frontier and beyond. Visit HeidiGrayMcGill.com to discover the transformative power of God’s love woven into her stories. Connect with her on social media and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free prequel to her bestselling series.

Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life-changing stories. Fusing Faith and Fiction™

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidigraymcgill.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Written on My Heart blog tour giveaway JustRead

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Spotlight on Contemporary Women’s Fiction — Beauty in The Bittersweet

30 Apr

Beauty in the Bittersweet JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Beauty in the Bittersweet by Jessica Stone, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Beauty in the Bittersweet

Title: Beauty in the Bittersweet
Series: A Thornbush and Juniper Story
Author: Jessica Stone
Publisher: Story Architect
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Genre: Women’s Contemporary Fiction (Christian) with romance

If checking off lists were all it took, Elle Reed could keep her life from crumbling around her. But her husband betrays her trust, her best friend’s recent diagnosis reveals a hidden trauma, and a secret Elle has been keeping from her mother has wrecked their Gilmore Girls-esque relationship. Her career may be the one thing she has control over, and she holds it tightly with both hands.

Then she gets a call she never expects—her mother has passed away suddenly, taking any hope of reconciliation with her. Discovering Catherine’s collection of devotional journals while packing up her home provides an opportunity to glean the wisdom she so desperately misses. But the journals reveal that her mother had secrets of her own, leaving Elle wondering if anyone in her life is who they say.

When an upheaval at work rips away the only stability Elle has left, she has to face her biggest fear. What will it take for her to surrender control to The One who’s had it all along?

Excerpt

I slowly replaced the two books and pulled the box out of the closet. Pushing to my feet, I headed for the one room I hadn’t gone into since the day it had been necessary to select a dress to take to the funeral home. My mother had always considered her bedroom to be her sanctuary, and she kept it altogether clutter-free. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I closed my eyes, trying to remember the last time we curled up here to watch movies.

I couldn’t stop myself from sinking into the memories any more than I could fight the softness of the plush floral bedding pulling me down. I pressed my nose into the place she’d last laid her head, where the scent of her rosemary shampoo lingered in the silk pillowcase, nearly convincing me she wasn’t truly gone. 

Even still, I wouldn’t cry.

At last, I reached toward the nightstand and found what I knew would be waiting. The current journal had a pale gray cover with a soft ribbon marking her last entry scarcely a third of the way into the book, and as I held it to my chest, the tears I had not built into today’s schedule finally broke free.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jessica Stone Stories | Amazon

About The Author

Jessica Stone

Despite her start as a journalist for a faith-based news publication two decades ago, Jessica Stone has always loved fiction. She believes that her testimony and message come most clearly through storytelling, and she loves the process of developing deep—and deeply flawed—characters who find redemption and learn to accept grace, just as she is herself. Jessica and her husband reside in Raleigh, North Carolina, near her parents and other family. This story—and her confidence to write it—were inspired by her own Gilmore Girls-esque relationship with her daughter, who is living out her dreams as a fashion designer in Paris. Beauty in the Bittersweet is Jessica’s debut novel and the first in her A Thornbush and Juniper Story series.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicastonestories.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will receive a print copy of Beauty in the Bittersweet plus a sticker/bookmark, journal and pen set!

Beauty in the Bittersweet blog tour giveaway JustRead

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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If You Liked — Cold Dark Night

30 Apr

If you liked the dark, twisting suspense/thriller Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips (or really didn’t like my book club 😉 ), then I have a couple of recommendations for you. These books are creepy, twisting, and have seriously bad bad guys. I read them with the lights off too. 😉 They all feature FBI agents — think Criminal Minds.

All of the Steven James’ Patrick Bowers series. Start with The Pawn.

Special Agent Patrick Bowers had only met one man who made him truly afraid. Until now. When he’s called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, he finds himself in a deadly game. Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he’s about to strike again. 
It will take all of Bowers’s instincts and training to stop this man who calls himself the Illusionist. And just when the pieces start to come together, Bowers realizes they’re not quite adding up. Can he unravel the pattern and save the next victim? Or will the Illusionist win the game by taking one of his opponent’s pieces? 
Thrilling, chilling, and impossible to put down, The Pawn will hold suspense lovers in its iron grip until the very last page.

All of Nancy Mehl’s books. I particularly liked her Kaeli Quinn Profiler series.

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis. 

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed.

Tom Threadgill’s Jeremy Winter series

Catherine Mae Blackston has vanished without a trace. She is not the first.

FBI Agent Jeremy Winter’s investigation into Blackston’s disappearance uncovers a disturbing pattern: a string of missing persons, all linked to state parks. His superiors dismiss it as another case of a lost hiker, but Winter knows better. Defying orders, he teams up with a determined local officer to dig deeper.

As chilling clues surface, so does a sinister figure from Winter’s past—someone with the power to destroy his career. Now faced with an impossible ultimatum, Winter must keep his girlfriend, fellow agent Maggie Keeley, out of a dangerous political web. But the clock is ticking, and as the body count rises, the trail leads to an unexpected and terrifying suspect.

The missing are out there.

And Jeremy Winter must find them—before his own demons close in.

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Top 10 Tuesday — I’ve Got A Preposition for You!

29 Apr

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT prompt is a title with the word ___ in it. I decided to go with not just a single word, but with a word group — prepositions! To make it even more fun, I wanted the titles to start with a preposition. It wasn’t as hard as thought it would be to come up with 10, so I stopped myself at a dozen! The books cover a variety of genres, so there should be something for you to love.

For more word-y book lists, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with A Title Starting with A Preposition

Among The Innocent by Mary Alford

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

Before The King by Heather Kaufman

Between The Sea And Sound by Amanda Cox

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

Into The Fire by Irene Hannon

Of Love And Treason by Jamie Ogle

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

Over The Edge by Irene Hannon

Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn

Up From The Dust by Heather Kaufman

Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt

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Mini-Book Review — Cold Dead Night

28 Apr

My book club chose Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips as our April selection. Phillips was a new-to-us author for many in the group. We love suspense, but got a bit more than we wanted in this dark and twisting thriller. Many thought the images were disturbing and chose to read only in daylight hours. 😉 This aside, we found a lot of the storyline hard to believe, so that hindered our reading experience. While this book was a no for us, not every book is for everybody. We obviously, were not the target audience. But we did all finish it — we really wanted to know who was behind all the mayhem. I urge you to check it out for yourself. Phillips is a very popular author (one in our group has read numerous books by her and loved them), and Cold Dead Night has overall positive reviews.

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed the ebook through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The FBI betrayed her. Now they need her.

Private Investigator Kenna Banbury lost everything two years ago at the hands of a serial killer. From the ashes of that encounter, she’s built a life she believes in, searching for the lost and forgotten all over the western US.

Bringing her own brand of justice.

When a series of murders drags her into an FBI investigation, Kenna finds herself back in the place where it all went wrong. Struggling to make sense of the case, Kenna’s past and present collide in a deadly plot that risks another betrayal and threatens to shatter everything she’s built.

Kenna faces the darkest part of her past in this first book of a brand-new series from Lisa Phillips.

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First Line Friday — Midnight on The Scottish Shore

25 Apr

Happy Friday! This week I am featuring Midnight on The Scottish Shore, another historical romance set during WWII by Sarah Sundin. This spy story is my book club’s May selection — Sundin is a must-read author for my group. Can’t wait to talk about it.

Here’s the first line:

When Cilla van der Zee volunteered to aid the resistance by infiltrating the Dutch Nazis, she never imagined she’d be swept up in a mob set on attacking her friends.

In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water–and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable–train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland–messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy–a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of Midnight on the Scottish Shore (February 2025), Embers in the London Sky (2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and several World War II series.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as program director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

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Book Review — The Other Sister

24 Apr

The Other Sister JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Other Sister

Title: The Other Sister
Author: Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

Excerpt

“One last thing before I go.” He steps onto my porch, then turns, and his dark eyes are dancing again. “I really like that paint you picked for me. Got a guy coming out this weekend to strip the old wallpaper off. Thanks.”

He doesn’t trust me. He knows I’ve been in his office, and he thinks I’m lying in regard to this case, yet his compliment is genuine. His eyes, sincere. I have no idea what to make of this man. Why didn’t he throw out the samples? Why show up on my doorstep like this? Other than to shake me up. I know what he thinks about me. Liar. And he’s not wrong. I am a liar. A deceiver. And many other things.

I feel guilty simply by being in his presence, and I haven’t done anything sinister in regard to Dru. Okay, the snooping was wrong, and I’m genuinely remorseful for that.

I’m not who he thinks I am, except part of me wonders if he knows I am an imposter. He’s just doing his job, but his job happens to threaten me and my future.

“You did? You do? You know you can paint over wallpaper. Saves time.”

“I could.” He eyes me in that weird way again. “But when you paint over another layer like that, it eventually peels, and what’s underneath is revealed. A real eyesore that you wanted covered up in the first place. I find stripping away the old, even if it appears pretty, is the right way to go about it. It’s so much easier to work with a completely bare source. It’s fresh and clean and ready for color. I don’t mind the time it takes. I’ll be happier with the results.” He shrugs one shoulder.

My heart pinches. “Are you actually talking about paint?”

He rubs his chin. “Do you think I’m talking about paint?”

Always a question with a question. “I don’t know.”

He reaches out and takes my cross necklace in his hand. I don’t flinch at his move into my personal space—not like I would with any other man. As quickly as he holds it, he drops it and steps back. “Or maybe you do.”


My Impressions:

What a twisting ride Jessica R. Patch takes readers on in the suspense thriller, The Other Sister! This is my first book by Patch, but it won’t be my last because this book really kept me on my toes. The novel follows Charlotte Kane, a product of a horrible mother and a foster system that failed her. Charlotte has desperately tried to find her place, trying to fit in as best as she can. When presented with the ultimate new life — trading places with a twin sister she never knew of — Charlotte convinces herself she is doing what she has to do. I found Charlotte to be a really interesting character. I wanted so much to like her, and for the most part I did, but she fools herself while fooling others. Her character grows a lot, but in the end she is forced to make the right decisions. If things had gone differently, would she have made the same choices? The novel presents a lot to ponder. As to the events surrounding Charlotte’s story, things aren’t all they seem in genteel Savannah, Georgia. Charlotte’s story is juxtaposed with another point of view from an unnamed character that gets creepier and creepier. Honestly, I knew I was missing something important, but I never guessed until the end just what that was. How perfect is that for someone who figures out whodunit more often than not. If you like creepy and thought-provoking, then The Other Sister is the book for you.

Recommended.

Audience: Adult.

(Thanks to Just Read Publicity Tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

Her Darkest Secret The Garden Girls

About The Author

Jessica R. Patch

Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter “Patched In” updates and receive a FREE short thriller.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!

The Other Sister giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Top 10 Tuesday — Books That Kept Me Guessing!

22 Apr

Happy Tuesday! It is no secret that I read A LOT of mystery/suspense. That being said, there’s not much that surprises me. I almost always guess whodunit. However, there are some authors that have kept me guessing up to the end — the best possible scenario I can think of. So today, I am sharing the books that are full of twists and turns you won’t see coming. I hope you find a book to love.

For more surprising books, visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books That Kept Me Guessing

Backlash by Rachel Dylan

Double Take by Lynette Eason

Facing The Enemy by DiAnn Mills

Flight Risk by Cara Putman

Flood Watch by Christy Barritt

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

Present Danger by Elizabeth Goddard

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks

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Book Review — Before The King

21 Apr

I am leading a short Bible study/book club focusing on the women who were present at Jesus’s tomb on Resurrection Sunday. It has been a fun and meaningful look at little known women who followed and supported Jesus and His ministry. We chose the Biblical novel, Before The King by Heather Kaufman as a compliment. This book cements Kaufman as a must-read author. Find out more below.

Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.

Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.

Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.

My Impressions:

I think Biblical fiction must be a tricky genre to write. An author has to balance the truth of the scripture with conjecture of every day life events not mentioned in the Bible. I have found the novels by Heather Kaufman, author of two books in the Women of The Way series, to be excellent examples of the way it should be done. Kaufman presents a very convincing what-if in her latest book, Before The King. Set primarily in and around Herod’s court during the ministry of Jesus, this book is well-researched from the standpoint of the culture of the time and the Biblical record as found in the gospels. While little is really known about Joanna, the wife of an advisor of Herod, Kaufman has done a creditable job of fleshing out her story. Yes, the early life of Joanna is fictional, but the way it is portrayed in the novel reads as real and, above all, relatable to a modern reader. And when Joanna meets Jesus . . . Kaufman captures how someone must have felt — awe, wonder, reverence, devotion, and the reality of finally being seen. I loved the fictional storyline that Kaufman weaves of a woman looking for connection, but it is the spiritual truths that underpin the narrative that makes this book special. I saw Herod’s court and Jesus’s disciples in a new light, one that prompted me to open my Bible to find out the real story. I think that is the best thing Biblical fiction can do — point its reader to the Word of God, and Before The King certainly does that!

I look forward to discussing this book with the members of my Bible study/book club group. I can recommend Before The King to those who love historical fiction that makes the reader think and long to find out the rest of the story.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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