Welcome back, book lovers! This month, I traveled through time, solved mysteries, and even peeked into other people’s lives—all from the comfort of my favorite reading nook. From gripping thrillers that kept me up past my bedtime to heartwarming children’s tales that brought a smile to my face, I covered a wide terrain. I dove into some Christian fiction that stirred my soul, wandered through the rich tapestries of historical settings, and pondered over profound literary works. Not all books hit the mark this month, but each brought a unique flavor to my ever-expanding library. So, whether you’re in the mood for a tale that tingles your spine, a journey through past epochs, or a story that lifts the spirit, I’ve got something that just might pique your interest. Let’s buckle up and dive into Issue 34’s eclectic mix!
BORN OF GILDED MOUNTAINS
By Amanda Dykes
A Blend of History, Faith, and Romance
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” —Unknown.
Amanda Dykes’ Born of Gilded Mountains is a sweeping historical novel that beautifully blends history, faith, and romance, set against the rugged backdrop of Colorado’s mountains during the Gilded Age. Dykes is known for her lyrical writing, and this novel is no exception—it reads like poetry, with rich, atmospheric descriptions that draw you into the setting and the lives of the characters.
In 1948, Mercy Windsor, once Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, seeks refuge in the remote Colorado town of Mercy Peak after a scandal topples her career. Determined to leave her past behind, she purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a mysterious history, and sets about restoring it to its former glory. But as she works, she stirs up the hidden stories of the mountain, unraveling the fate of her long-lost pen pal, Rusty Bright, and the secret of Galloping Goose Engine No. 8, which disappeared years ago, along with a mailbag whose contents could change lives.
Set among the majestic Rocky Mountains, Born of Gilded Mountains is a tale of friendship, healing, and hope. Through letters, newspaper articles, screenplays, and interview notes, Amanda Dykes weaves a layered narrative that highlights the power of resilience and courage. The novel’s treasure-hunt adventure, historical detail, and themes of light in the darkness make it a heartwarming and uplifting read. 4.5 stars.
DARK ANGEL
By Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson
A High-Octane Battle Between Good and Evil
Dark Angel, the second entry in Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson’s Shepherds series, delivers a gripping and intense military thriller with a unique faith-based twist. Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson is back, now training with the Shepherds, an elite organization of warriors tasked with confronting spiritual threats. But the challenge of stepping into his role as the rookie leader of a new team is just the beginning. Jed’s visions of an imminent overseas attack force him into action, and what follows is a pulse-pounding mission that blurs the line between the seen and the unseen.
Andrews and Wilson skillfully weave together elements of counterterrorism, faith, and supernatural warfare, creating a world that feels both grounded and otherworldly. The narrative picks up speed as Jed and his team track a demon masquerading as an American soldier, while a convicted terrorist and former Shepherd, Nicholas Woland, plots a devastating attack on the Vatican.
The authors excel at world building, keeping the tension high and the plot moving at breakneck speed. Jed’s psychic abilities add an intriguing layer to the story, and readers will cheer for him as he faces unimaginable dangers. Darker, more sinister, and even more thrilling than the first book, Dark Angel captures the eternal conflict between good and evil, blending faith and action in a way that feels fresh.
Fans of Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker will be right at home here. A solid 4-star read!
FOR MALICE AND MERCY
By Gary W. Toyn
A Daunting, Yet Rewarding WWII Epic
I’ve had an advance reader copy of For Malice and Mercy by Gary Toyn for a couple of years but procrastinated because of its length (575 pages). I finally read it and am glad I did.
The novel tells the story of Karl and Marta Meyer, who immigrated to America from Germany for the freedom to practice their Mormon religion. But when America enters WWII, the FBI arrests the Meyers as spies. After stripping them of their citizenship, rights, and livelihood, the US government sends them to a German/Japanese internment camp, and then eventually deports them to war-torn Germany.
Their son Hank joins the US Army Air Corps, and after being shot down, faces brutal conditions in a POW camp. Their daughter becomes a WASP pilot and ferries aircraft around the country.
Inspired by true events, this meticulously researched book sheds light on the lesser-known persecution of German Americans. The Meyer family’s strength and forgiveness are remarkable.
For Malice and Mercy offers unique perspectives on WWII. The chapter notes, while convenient, were sometimes lengthy and disruptive. Incidentally, the book minimizes the role of religion, despite the Meyer family being Mormon.
It is an amazing book, but it may have tackled too much. He could have written it as a duology (2-book series) and been miles ahead. 4 stars.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are my own.
RETURN TO VALETTO
By Dominic Smith
A Family’s Past Unravels in the Heart of Italy
Dominic Smith’s Return to Valetto takes readers on an atmospheric journey through a nearly deserted Italian village, where ancient walls hold wartime secrets. Hugh Fisher, a grieving widower and historian, arrives in Valetto on sabbatical, intending to reconnect with his roots and study the fading town where he spent childhood summers. But his plans are upended when he discovers a “squatter” in his inherited cottage—Elisa Tomassi, a Milanese chef claiming Hugh’s grandfather, a resistance fighter in World War II, promised it to her family.
Smith masterfully unfolds a multi-generational tale of love, betrayal, and resilience. As Hugh uncovers his family’s dark past and learns of Elisa’s own family’s sacrifices, he’s forced to confront his grief, reconcile with his late mother’s mysteries, and confront the town’s lingering fascist influence. His eccentric aunts, with their sharp wit and quirky habits, add layers of humor and warmth, making the story richer and more human.
Smith’s prose brings Italy to life, capturing the lush landscape and abandoned beauty of Valetto. This novel balances suspense and emotional depth, building tension as Hugh faces a final reckoning with the town’s sole surviving fascist. Return to Valetto is a beautifully crafted exploration of family and history that will captivate fans of character-driven historical drama. 4 stars for its vivid setting, memorable characters, and haunting secrets that transcend time.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this novel. The opinion expressed are my own.
THE BRIAR CLUB
By Kate Quinn
A Haunting Tale of Friendship and Betrayal in the McCarthy Era
The Briar Club is a haunting historical mystery set in an all-female boardinghouse in Washington, D.C., during the turbulent McCarthy era. The novel opens in November 1954 with a shocking act of violence at Briarwood House, leaving a dead body and a community in turmoil. As the police arrive and the residents await questioning, the narrative rewinds to explore the years leading up to the tragedy.
In 1950, Briarwood House residents keep to themselves until the mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room. Her arrival sparks unlikely friendships among them: Fliss, a harried new mother; Nora, a police officer’s daughter entangled with a gangster; Bea, a former pro baseball star; and Arlene, who works for Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Grace’s illicit Thursday night dinners held when the landlady is away, foster camaraderie, but secrets slowly emerge, leading to a suspenseful climax.
Quinn masterfully brings the 1950s to life, exploring themes of race, class, gender, and the pervasive fear of the unknown. The novel highlights the limitations on women of the era, from being expected to bear children to the societal taboo against mixed-race relationships.
The plot weaves together multiple perspectives, adding depth and suspense as it uncovers the darkness within Briarwood House. Though some may find the pacing slow, the book’s rich historical detail and strong character development make it an interesting read for fans of woman-led historical fiction. 4 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this novel. The opinions are my own.
SHELTERWOOD
By Lisa Wingate
A Tale of Mystery and History in the Winding Stair Mountains
Lisa Wingate’s latest novel, Shelterwood, weaves an interesting dual narrative set in the Winding Stair Mountains of Oklahoma, exploring the dark legacy of missing children across a century.
In 1990, the remains of three young girls are uncovered in the newly created Horsethief Trail National Park, thrusting park ranger Valerie Boren-Odell, a grieving widow, into a mystery. Despite her boss’s reluctance to investigate, Valerie is determined to uncover the truth, aided by Choctaw tribal police officer Curtis Enhoe. Their investigation soon deepens with the discovery of a teenage boy’s disappearance and an unidentified man’s corpse, linking past and present tragedies.
Parallel to this, the story flashes back to 1909, when eleven-year-old Olive “Ollie” Radley and her Choctaw foster sister flee into the forest to escape abuse. As they seek safety, they encounter other children hiding from similar fates, exposing the broader exploitation of Choctaw children during a tumultuous period in Oklahoma’s history.
Wingate’s skillful storytelling shines through her vivid descriptions and strong sense of place (she grew up in Oklahoma), capturing the vulnerability and resilience of her young characters. The novel provides an insightful look into a dark chapter of history, though some readers may find the Ollie’s narrative overly verbose compared to the more engaging contemporary timeline. In my view, Shelterwood isn’t Wingate’s strongest work, but its emotional depth and historical intrigue make it a worthy read. For those interested in the untold stories of America’s past, this novel is a thought-provoking journey. 4 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this novel. The opinions are my own.
THE WINEMAKER’S WIFE
By Kristin Harmel
Love and Betrayal in the Vineyards of Champagne
Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of the renowned champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade France. As danger mounts, Michel becomes involved with the Resistance. Inès fears exposure, while Céline, the half-Jewish wife of the chief winemaker, faces an even greater threat as rumors of Jewish deportations spread.
Desperation leads Céline to a reckless choice for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, risking the lives and legacy of those she loves.
New York, 2019: Liv Kent is grappling with a recent divorce. When her eccentric French grandmother arrives and insists on a sudden trip to Paris for reasons unknown, Liv Kent is taken aback.
Harmel’s richly researched novel paints a vivid picture of the stress and danger of life in occupied France, highlighting the bravery of the French Resistance and the intricate art of winemaking. Though the present-day storyline sometimes feels contrived, it adds a layer of mystery and intrigue. Alternating between the vineyards of war-torn France and modern-day New York, The Winemaker’s Wife weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and resilience.
While the characters may not be relatable or likable, the tale they tell is engaging and suspenseful. If you enjoy historical novels with a touch of romance and danger, The Winemaker’s Wife might be a good choice. It isn’t as memorable as some of Harmel’s other books, but it is a worthwhile read. 4 stars.
THE MANY LIVES OF MAMA LOVE
By Lara Love Hardin
From Soccer Mom to Prison Inmate
“The Many Lives of Mama Love is a heartbreaking and tender journey from shame to redemption, despite a system that makes it almost impossible for us to move beyond the worst thing we have ever done.”—Lara Love Hardin, The Many Lives of Mama Love.
Soccer mom Lara Love Hardin had a seemingly perfect life until the police knocked on the door of her million-dollar home. Behind her suburban facade, she was funding a heroin addiction by stealing her neighbors’ credit cards. Hardin’s memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, blends despair and comedy as she recounts her journey. “I carefully pick through the bottom-of-purse debris until I find some small brown chips… I don’t know if I’m smoking heroin or food crumbs or lint…,” she writes.
Her crime spree came to a screeching halt with a conviction of 32 felonies and a prison sentence. In the women’s correctional facility, she confronts her choices and quickly adapts, climbing the social ladder to the top. Jailhouse politics aren’t much different from PTA meetings.
Hardin doesn’t shy away from critiquing the criminal justice system, exposing its flaws and the stigma ex-cons face when reentering society. She sheds light on the challenges of finding work and rebuilding a life post-incarceration. However, parts of the memoir, like a Shaman scene, the author’s worship of Oprah Winfrey, and Buddhist thought made me uncomfortable. 4 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp. The opinions expressed are my own.
DREAM TOWN
By David Baldacci
Glitz, Grit, and Gumshoes
I’ve read over two dozen books by David Baldacci. His protagonists are fresh and unique, from police detectives and FBI agents to conspiracy theorists and assassins. Now, we have Aloysius Archer, a decorated WWII veteran turned private investigator. Archer is complex and likable, always trying to do the right thing.
Dream Town is an old-fashioned noir mystery set in 1950s Hollywood. It starts with Archer celebrating New Year’s Eve in 1952, when screenwriter Eleanor Lamb asks for his help. She believes someone wants to kill her. Soon, a body is found in Eleanor’s home, and she disappears.
Archer dives into a tangled web of crime involving Hollywood elites, mobsters, and corrupt cops. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes.
The novel’s voice changed as the book progressed. In the beginning, there was too much schtick, but that toned down as it went on. I liked it better with less corny lingo. The abundance of uber-rich characters and bad guys made it hard to keep track. I also thought the plot was overly complex, with too many moving parts.
I’m giving Dream Town 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. This 1950s Hollywood whodunit is a fun addition to Baldacci’s portfolio, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as his other books.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.
THE REFUGEE OCEAN
By Pauls Toutonghi
A Symphony of Struggle and Survival
The Refugee Ocean intertwines the stories of two refugees, Marguerite Toutoungi and Naïm Rahil, across time and continents through history, loss, and music. Marguerite (who is based on the author’s cousin) is born in 1922 Beirut, and dreams of becoming a composer, but societal and familial expectations keep her tethered. A romance with a Cuban tobacco farmer leads her to a turbulent life in Havana during the Cuban Revolution.
Decades later, Naïm Rahil, a teenage piano prodigy from Aleppo, flees war-torn Syria with his mother, seeking solace in suburban America after losing his family and part of his hand in a bombing. Their stories are linked by Annabel Crandell, a social justice advocate whose transformation forms an interesting subplot.
Toutonghi captures the emotional scars of displacement and the healing power of music. However, the novel stumbles with awkward dialogue, uneven pacing, and anachronisms that break the immersion. The first half is well-paced, but the latter sections feel rushed, and the dual timelines struggle to meld seamlessly.
While there are poignant moments—Naïm’s longing for his family and Marguerite’s sacrifices resonate deeply—the characters sometimes feel two-dimensional, and the storytelling lacks cohesion. The book is a moving, if flawed, portrayal of resilience and the quest for belonging. The Refugee Ocean is worth a read but doesn’t quite live up to its promise. 3 stars.
WOMEN IN MEDICINE
By Mary Wissinger, Danielle Pioli (Illustrator)
Picture Book Review: Women in Medicine
Women in Medicine, the fifth book in the “Science Wide Open” series, introduces young readers to the incredible contributions of women in the medical field, including Dr. Helen Taussig, Dr. Gerty Cori, and Florence Nightingale. The book’s premise is engaging—a curious young girl asks questions that spark a journey through several careers in medicine. It aims to inspire kids, especially girls, to explore science.
The vibrant illustrations by Danielle Pioli are a highlight. They bring the concepts to life and make the historical and medical details accessible. However, medicine is a vast field, and while the author touches on a range of topics—from surgery to disease treatment—the breadth ends up causing the 40- page picture book to feel incomplete.
I read this with my grandchildren, including two girls in the target age group of 7-10. They found the book informative but didn’t feel drawn to revisit it. This series seems like a fantastic fit for homeschoolers and parents looking to spark an early interest in science. However, Women in Medicine would have benefitted from a more focused approach. Overall, while it’s a visually stunning and informative read, it didn’t quite hit the mark for us. 3 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher, Science, Naturally, for a review copy. The opinions are my own.
CLEAR
By Carys Davies
A Melancholy Story of Isolation Amid the Scottish Clearances
Clear presents a reflective, melancholy story set in the 1840s during the final stages of the Scottish Clearances. John, a destitute Scottish minister, takes on a job to evict Ivar, the sole inhabitant of a remote island, for much-needed money. Despite his wife Mary’s objections, John travels to the island, where he meets with an accident that sets the stage for an unexpected connection with Ivar.
The narrative alternates between the perspectives of John, Mary, and Ivar. As the two men, who do not share a common language, learn to communicate and build a fragile bond, the story touches on themes of solitude, survival, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of historical upheavals.
While the novel’s setting and historical context provide a rich backdrop, I found the pacing slow and the plot somewhat predictable. The LGBT storyline felt out of character for the staunchly religious John, making it hard to fully invest in the book. Despite the beautiful prose, the novella’s overly descriptive style was too much. Clear is an interesting read for those looking to learn more about the Scottish Clearances, but for me, it was an underwhelming read and I’m glad it was only 200 pages. 3 stars.
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