Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Amanda Lewis has beautifully crafted an unforgettable story rich with emotion, romance, and faith in her enchanting contemporary romance novel, The Musician: A Goodwater Ranch Romance. Nearly seven years ago, Isaiah Matthews disappeared without a trace. His best friend, Taylor Strauss, was left feeling lost and abandoned. After he left her behind, she was forced to pick up the broken pieces alone. Now Isaiah is back and is determined to get some answers and rekindle the love he shared with Taylor. Taylor, however, is still struggling to move past his abandonment and wants nothing to do with him. But Isaiah is not deterred. As they share their versions of what happened between them, new revelations emerge and they begin to see the past through each other’s eyes.

Lewis offers an absorbing story about God’s redemption and His ability to piece together even the most broken circumstances. The novel also explores other important themes about healing and forgiveness that I found hopeful. Laced with humor, the dialogue is entertaining and skillfully woven into the story. Lewis has an amazing gift of developing original characters with complex lives that portray real-life struggles which will resonate with many readers. With an expert hand, she brings to life the people and places in Goodwater Ranch town. This quaint town has its own eccentric, compelling characters and delightful places that form wonderful backgrounds for Taylor and Isaiah’s soul-stirring love story. The Musician by Amanda Lewis is a hope-filled, captivating story packed with intriguing revelations and uplifting themes. Readers will love its witty conversations and fascinating characters.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Victory: Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way is a work of fiction penned by author Mayra Barry in the historical, romantic drama, and Christian fiction subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. The story unfolds with Joe Smith, a young man whose life takes a dramatic turn after betrayal, captivity, and laboring on a plantation. Despite the hardships, Joe's resilience and skills make him indispensable to the Kemet family, particularly catching the attention of Victoria Kemet. The novel weaves together elements of action, romance, and a hidden message of finding blessings in adversity.

Author Mayra Barry really knows how to captivate an audience and immerse them in history, taking her readers on an adventurous journey to explore faraway places, turbulent storms, and moments of betrayal and forgiveness. The narrative is well-paced, with great rise and fall in the action, and the structure of the carefully crafted scenes makes it rich with suspense and thrills whilst the overarching themes of faith, hope, and love gently simmer and build in the background. The central character of Joe Smith is penned with sincere emotion and deep resonance, and Joe soon becomes a symbol of overcoming challenges and creating a new legacy that makes him more heroic as the novel goes on. The story delivers a Christian romance in a richly-developed historical world that was perfectly in keeping with the morals, attitudes, and lifestyles of the time, and it had some really strong, atmospheric dialogue to keep that sense of period alive throughout. Overall, readers seeking a story of resilience, love, and the triumph of the human spirit will find Victory a compelling and uplifting read indeed.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Set in a quaint town situated along the stunning Devon coastline, Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay: Sweets By The Sea by Kate Darroch is a captivating romance story about recovery, healing, and second chances. After a traumatic accident, Eric Wilcox joins Alcoholics Anonymous and begins his sobriety journey while serving a probation sentence. He meets and begins to fall in love with Lily, a woman who is still traumatized by her abusive ex-husband. The novel chronicles Eric’s journey in AA, including his struggles and growth during his early sobriety days. Challenges arise as Lily and Eric navigate their personal lives and their budding romance. God’s constant love and their enduring love for each other become their guiding light even during difficult moments.

This unforgettable story is a powerful illustration of love and redemption. It offers an eye-opening look into alcoholism and the journey to sobriety. It also masterfully tackles other important topics including abuse, trauma, and recovery. I loved that both main characters face struggles that will resonate with many readers. Though fraught with obstacles, their journey is hopeful and encouraging. Secondary characters who mainly comprise members of Lily’s Christian community at Welcombe Bay are equally interesting. The story takes place in a splendid town with breathtaking scenes. Lily’s café is beautifully described and is a wonderful setting for Lily and Eric’s meetings. Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay by Kate Darroch is an enthralling Christian romance told with faith and heart. Readers will love its authentic characters, lovely backdrop, and powerful lessons.

Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite

Ophelia Day is practicing her mayoral debate speech when she meets Chase Bondurant – the owner of Bondurant Construction. For Ophelia, winning the election will be the pinnacle of her career in Goodwater Ranch, a small city in Texas. Over the past ten years, she has built a life for herself that she never thought she would achieve. The Goodwater women's shelter is her passion, giving down-and-out women opportunities for a new beginning and a meaningful life. Chase settled in Goodwater Ranch, successfully building his construction business. When he meets Ophelia, he has no idea of the drama he is about to be drawn into. He is caught off guard by Ophelia and the past that has caught up with her on the eve of the election. Will Chase run away, or will he allow Ophelia to help him deal with his personal issues while he protects her in her time of need? The Marine: A Goodwater Ranch Suspense Romance by Amanda Lewis is the third in the Goodwater Ranch series.

The Marine by Amanda Lewis is a romance with Christian themes. It is refreshing to read any romance in which the characters have self-restraint and values, and they can sit and converse and deal with trust issues before acting on their mutual attraction. This book series shows that it is possible to write emotionally charged stories without compromising values and beliefs to make them sell. Lewis has written a suspenseful story that reflects growth in the characters, emotionally and spiritually, without any Bible bashing. She interweaves belief and faith in Christ into the plot so that it feels natural and right. May we see more of these stories that reflect the values that Christians live by and want to read about.

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Cassius and Bracus, two best friends from Tuscany, serve in the Roman Xth Legion in Jerusalem. Both were distinguished soldiers, but Judea was dangerous for invaders in 16 AD. Zealots had taken Bracus' life, and Cassius, becoming overcautious, accidentally killed a local Jew in a tavern, where he and his men had sought refreshment after a hard day. Killed by Cassius, Joseph was a decent person leaving behind a family on the edge of starvation. Joseph's young son, Johnathan, witnessed his death. Now, his life and the lives of his mother and baby sister depend on Joseph's old friend, the mysterious Matthias. A girl named Mary lost her parents and was sold to the palace of Herod Antipas by her relatives from Magdala. She suffers from seizures but is very beautiful, which cannot escape Cassius' eyes. A carpenter from Nazareth, Yeshua, is a hard worker, but how come he sees the deepest corners of human hearts? And why is it so good and peaceful to be around him? The Temple keeps its secrets, Fortress Antonia is watchful, while Jerusalem and the Jewish people await the promised Messiah. A Man in Darkness by Foster Nash, the first book of a series, is a wonderful story of lost souls craving hope, love, and God's forgiveness.

Foster Nash paints a multilayered picture for his readers and creates an unforgettable atmosphere of anticipation of events yet unknown but magnificent and even frightening. Judea was conquered by the Roman Empire; nevertheless, the fight for freedom never ceases. There is something in the air of the holy city, where the Temple loses its significance for Jewish people because of the wrongdoings of the priests. We can feel this impatience on every page of A Man in Darkness. Nash crafts amazing characters that evolve and come to an understanding of the essence of things. Mary learns to trust a Roman soldier as she sees his true nature and kind heart. Johnathan's maturation is the centerpiece of the story, and he goes through its stages step by step to gain strength despite the enormous pain. In the first part of the series, Nash introduces the main characters and entangles their fates into something that promises to be much more crucial and decisive for the history of humankind. We can undoubtedly recognize many of them, but the author leaves some riddles unsolved to surprise us even more, and I can't wait to read the second part. A Man in Darkness is adventurous with many twists and philosophical at the same time, reminding us of the importance of forgiveness. Those who struggle to find faith should read A Man in Darkness. Also, it is a great book for young adult readers; for adult fans of historical and adventurous prose and novels based on biblical accounts.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In the Christian contemporary romance novel, Helping Hands: Companion of Baggage Burdens by Ken Saik, a woman finds solace and guidance from a loyal friend as she deals with painful memories and heals from physical wounds. Jill is struggling to re-establish her life as she recovers from a devastating accident. She longs to be involved again in her children’s lives after her long hospital stay but the children seem to have made their own plans. Without a car and unable to return to her former job in the short term, Jill wonders whether her life will ever return to what it used to be some months ago. Her friend, Bill, sticks by her, helping her navigate current challenges and face other traumatic events in her childhood and past.

Through Jill’s courage in dealing with her past and recovering from physical and emotional wounds, Helping Hands shows that healing is possible even though Jill has lived in pain for years. I found Bill to be a likable main character too for his support and patience when guiding Jill toward recovery. I loved that the book portrays a realistic image of relationships and includes helpful tools for handling disputes within families and working toward reconciliation. Each character is fleshed out including the supporting characters as the motives behind the decisions they make are examined. Helping Hands: Companion of Baggage Burdens by Ken Saik is a realistic and moving romance novel with authentic characters. It inspires hope that healing from psychological and physical trauma can be achieved through faith and support.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Music is what binds the soul. For concert pianist Meredith Mason, music is also what keeps her sane. After losing her parents in a tragic accident while they were on their way to hear her perform, Meredith has poured her life and her soul into her music, making her fame on the world concert stage as a pianist. But is that enough? Is her music merely a smokescreen to block the endless pain, her guilt over her parents’ deaths? She has reached her zenith in the music world. What next? What is her life’s purpose now? When a fellow musician enters the picture and captures her heart, things begin to change, as does the music that binds.

Gail Miller Mahaffey’s novel, Music of the Soul, is a touching musical tribute to all that is beautiful in the world. The author has masterfully woven a tale of passion, love, and the ultimate purpose of life to the finely tuned (no pun intended) workings of music and the soul. Beginning each chapter with a profound quote about music, written by some of the greatest minds throughout history (from musicians to artists to writers to political thinkers and more), the plot is music-driven. The author, a musician herself, knows her music. The protagonist, Meredith, is driven by a powerful force of guilt as she navigates her way through life in the music world and on the concert stage. But there is more to life and the music she so poignantly performs needs a release of this guilt, a release she only discovers through love and spiritual renewal. And, with each new encounter, Meredith unravels some of the mysteries of her own life and where her journey should ultimately lead her. The story is about music, success, and overcoming guilt, but it is also about coming to terms with your inner self and finding your ultimate purpose in life. Powerful story. Loved it!

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

The Bounty Hunter's Bride by Janis Jakes is a rewarding Christian romance novella with surprising sub-plots and a delightful ending. Luke Lancaster is a skilled bounty hunter contracted to track Billie, an alleged dangerous criminal on the run. But they are being trailed too, and when both fugitive and bounty hunter get caught up in an almost fatal attack, Luke hesitates to rescue Billie. Still, he helps her and both survive. Billie is unsure why Luke did not leave her to die. Part Comanche, Luke was raised by his Christian mother. Now, he is at odds with his faith after having gone through a tragic event in his past. Though Billie is introduced to Luke’s life, she believes his work and her profession as a school teacher will keep them apart.

I was fascinated by the story from the opening scene which involves Luke and Billie’s face off. The story does not lose momentum and throughout, Billie and Luke are pursued by powerful criminals. I also loved that the characters are complex and intriguing. Luke is struggling with events in his past. Growing up, he also felt torn between two worlds. His mother was white and his father is Comanche. His estranged relationship with his father is explored in the book. The sub-plot helps flesh out Luke and his sisters’ backgrounds. Surrounded by danger and separated by social attitudes and their professions, Luke and Billie’s love is original and captivating as it includes two people from contrasting backgrounds. The Bounty Hunter's Bride by Janis Jakes is a historical novella that readers will love for its creative plot and relatable characters.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

After her life goes up in flames, a young woman meets Jesus, who takes her on an enlightening journey that forever changes her life in the Christian romance novel Immanuel: God With Us, Saints, Sinners, and the Like by Gara Shaw. Johanna is a journalist and is preparing to be married in a month. Expecting a happy evening out with her fiancé, Johanna is stunned when he breaks up with her without giving her a reason. The following morning, Johanna's boss lets his reporters go, and she is now unemployed. Feeling that her life is over, Johanna takes a magic pill with alcohol. Instead of dying, Johanna has an up-close and personal encounter with Jesus. After she regains consciousness, Johanna begins having unique experiences that eventually lead her to church. Here the pastor teaches her unconditional love, forgiveness, and faith. As the days progress, Johann realizes she is in love with this handsome and charismatic man. Can she put her past behind her and trust that everything will turn out okay?

Immanuel: God With Us, Saints, Sinners, and the Like by Gara Shaw is a sensational Christian romance novel. The elements of personal loss, belief in Jesus, God's power, transformation, and unconditional love, are woven throughout the storyline, creating a motivating novel. Johanna's character is an inspiration, and it is fascinating to watch her faith mature and grow as she confronts and overcomes the conflicts in her life. I love how she reaches out to others, making a difference in everyone's life. I enjoyed every page of this delightful story, and I can't recommend it enough. Based on the belief in Jesus, His words, and the precepts of Christianity, this sensational story will inspire and charm Christian readers from young adults upward.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Under His Wings by Rosemary Fisher is a clean Christian romance with themes of faith and resilience at the forefront. Cooper “Coop” Smith was looking forward to studying at Wichita State University and planning a future in the seminary when his whole world came crashing down. His father’s cancer came back stronger than before, and the whole family was devastated. Coop had no other option but to pack his bags, go back home, and take charge of their farm. Just when everything looked bleak, God sent Becky into his life. An assistant at the local vet, Becky was the breath of fresh air Coop needed. However, matters deteriorated when an innocent friendship with an old friend named Misty threatened to destroy what Coop had created with Becky. With his reputation on the line, Coop was troubled. What was he supposed to do? Give in or have faith?

Portraying the small-town life and community, Under His Wings by Rosemary Fisher was the perfect depiction of how having a close-knit community could be a blessing and a curse. Faith and religion played a vital role in the story without being overbearing. Coop was a simple man with simple dreams. He wanted what God had planned for him, so he decided to accept his circumstances and do his best. Becky was Coop’s complete opposite. She was a fighter and believed God would help her if she put her mind to it. The two complemented each other, and that allowed their chemistry to develop. The descriptions and the imagery of their small-town community were realistic, Coop’s response was true to life and that made me love him even more. Apart from being a great romance, this novel could be a source of comfort for people who struggle with adversity and have an issue finding God.