Based on a true story, interesting history and sweet romance but a missed opportunity for strong womanhood. My rating: ★★★★☆

Content warnings: romance (mild), cholera deaths, feminism

I found it fascinating that this book was based on a true story. I was not familiar with the cholera epidemic in this era, and I had never heard of Louis and Matilda. Their story was so interesting, and once again, Ann H. Gabhart has a masterful touch with dialect and character voice. This book is not your typical Christian historical romance, and that was a welcome change. It also means I may accidentally give spoilers in this review, so be warned.

A detailed historical narrative with some great characters and gripping action scenes . . . but some flaws as well. No rating.

Content warnings: violence, profanity, romance, mythology and paganism | Click here to read full post

It’s rare that I review a book without rating it, and when it does happen, it’s usually because I have exceedingly mixed emotions. That’s the case with this classic. Do I recommend it? Yes . . . with caveats.

A gentle, enjoyable read that shines a light on some unfamiliar history. My rating: ★★★★☆

Content warnings: nursing/surgery, childbirth, romance (mild), violence (not graphic) | Click here to read full post

This is not a fast-paced book, and that’s a good thing. It’s a slow, gentle journey into the heart of 1940s Appalachia and a fascinating glimpse into an unfamiliar part of post-WWII history. And we have lots of lovely characters to spend time with along the way. Gabhart’s deft hand with dialect made this even more of a fun read. It’s the perfect example of portraying mountain speech without making readers trip over oodles of phonetic spelling.

A dramatic, thought-provoking adventure tale in the classic masked-hero style. My rating: ★★★★☆

Content warnings: profanity, romance (mild, between husband and wife), violence, antisemitism by villains (to their disadvantage), secular author | Click here to read full post

My second time reading, thanks to Christmas gifts, and it was just as enjoyable as the first time—if not more so, since I knew what to expect. (This is not the cover of the edition I read, but it’s such a great cover even if I don’t recommend the Broadway adaptation it’s borrowed from.) I feel as if I’ve read this book far more than twice because I’ve spent so much time in other aspects of Sir Percy’s world: sequels, movie versions, theater adaptations. But the original novel is always the gold standard. A book review cannot adequately describe how enamored I’ve become of this gallant rescuer in the guise of a fashionable idiot. Sink me, I’m quite fond of the chap!

As we look forward to 2024, look back on the centuries before with six Christian historical novels!

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Are you looking for some new reads to kick off the new year? I like to have some good books on my shelf this time of year, when life has slowed down a bit (maybe?) and the weather outside is conducive to warm fires and mugs of good coffee. So let’s see what we can do about filling up your bookshelf!

I am thrilled to partner with five outstanding Christian historical fiction authors to offer you a book giveaway exploring a variety of stories in the last several centuries, from pre-Reformation Italy to the mysterious colony at Roanoke, from the verge of the American Revolution to the Old West, from twentieth-century Canada to the home front of WWII to the turn of the twenty-first century.