Book recommendation - The Hidden Prince

 

One of my go-to authors in Biblical fiction is Tessa Afshar. She writes with such spiritual depth and great Biblical knowledge and forms rich characters and plot lines that her books are difficult to put down. Having struggled to read as much this year as I have in past years, I was thrilled to read this one in just a couple of days. This book takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the nation of Judah. I enjoyed seeing some famous Bible characters as well as learning more about the ancient cultures in the eastern world. Here's a bit about the book:

From the bestselling author of Jewel of the Nile comes the thrilling tale of a woman who feels she has no future but soon discovers the fate of nations may rest in her hands.

The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel’s household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel’s most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel’s sons and their best friend, Jared.

But after a tragic accident changes the course of her life, Keren finds herself in a foreign country, charged with a mysterious task: teaching a shepherd boy how to become a lord. When she overhears whispers that hint at his true identity, she realizes she must protect him from the schemes of a bloodthirsty king.

Jared cannot forgive Keren. Still, he finds himself traveling over mountains to fetch her back to the safety of home. When he discovers the secret identity of Keren’s pupil, Jared knows he must help protect him. Love battles bitterness as they flee from the king’s agents, trying to save the boy who could one day deliver their people from captivity.

Fun side note - the Ishtar gate on the front cover of the book is currently being reconstructed. Here's an image of it in "real life". I love how the cover art captures it so well!

This book is available November 8, 2022, wherever books are sold. It's one I definitely recommend checking out! For additional information, check out the following links:

Tessa Afshar's website: https://tessaafshar.com/

Tessa Afshar's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessaAfshar

My full 5-star review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5059428319

Book Recommendation - Authentically, Izzy

 

Pepper Basham is a relatively new to me author, but when I saw this upcoming novel was set in epistolary style, included Lord of the Rings references and book-ish humor, I knew I had to get my hands on this one. After reading several heavier suspense novels in a row, I knew I needed a lighter pick-me-up sort of book, so I picked this one up and it was just what the doctor ordered. Here's a bit about the book:

“Dear Izzy—I feel certain there’s a book-loving man living relatively nearby waiting to speak bookish to you ’til death do you part. You just haven’t met yet.”

Izzy Edgewood is a wannabe bookstore owner, quote queen, and Lord of the Rings nerd who has been waiting for Prince Charming to sweep her off her sneakered feet. But it’s hard to meet people when you spend more time with fictional humans than real ones. Which is why her pragmatist cousin Josephine decides to take Izzy’s future into her own meddling hands and create an online dating profile for the hopeful romantic.

To Izzy’s shock (and suspicion), Josie’s plan works. Soon, she’s dialoguing with a Hobbit-loving man named Brodie who lives in a small town an ocean away from her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But is their shared love of books, family, and correspondence enough to overcome Izzy’s fear of flying and the literal distance between them? And is a long-distance relationship even worth considering when a local author has been frequenting the library where she works and is proving to be a perfectly fine gentleman?

In this epistolary novel from award-winning author Pepper Basham, bookish dreams and happily-ever-afters collide to create a beautiful sort of magic that’s even better than fiction.

This book comes out November 15, 2022 wherever books are sold. This is one you will definitely want to check out! For more information, check out the following links:

Pepper Basham's website: https://pepperdbasham.com/

Pepper Basham's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pepper.basham

Pepper Basham's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/pepperbasham/

My full 5-star review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4775846507

Book Recommendation - The Premonition at Withers Farm

 

When looking for a book that has literally everything in it, I know I need to look no further than Jaime Jo Wright. Since she writes dual timeline novels, you get both historical and contemporary. Since she writes romantic suspense, you get both a suspenseful mystery and a bit of romance. And as the person who writes the books with the most "creep factor" that I know of, she's in a category all her own. This is her 8th novel and she has caught me by surprise in each and every one. 

Here's a little bit about The Premonition at Withers Farm:

The voices of the past cannot stay silent forever.

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett Van Hilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor convinced she practices quackery. It doesn't help that her mother is a spiritualist who regularly offers her services to connect the living with their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she must rely on both the local doctor and an intriguing newcomer for assistance.

In the present day, Molly Wasziak's life has not gone the way she dreamed. Facing depression after several miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband's purchase of a peculiar old farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a century-old murder case and a web of deception, all made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds inside the farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time forever silence their truths?

This book comes out October 11, 2022, wherever books are sold. Pre-order your copy today!

For additional information, check out the following links:

Jaime Jo Wright's website: https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

Jaime Jo Wright's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorjaimejowright

My full 4.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4776055343