The Fault Between Us

The Fault Between Us
By Stephanie Landsem / Tyndale Fiction

By Stephanie Landsem

Five stars. Loved it. I chose this book because the setting captured my attention. The vivid characters each with their own well developed and diverse personalities kept me hooked. Once the natural disaster became central to the story, the plot moved at a breakneck pace. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. The Christian message is overt and the timing of each person’s reflection on faith is spot on.

Despite a good portion of the plot being tied to a natural disaster, it’s a story full of heart. Relationships are redeemed. Hope soars to an apex and then drops precipitously to its nadir, but never leaves. Hope, renewal and restoration triumph in the end.

Following the book I immediately researched the true facts of this historical event. I loved how accurately the author covered the facts and crafted such a multi-layered novel around this earthquake. I would choose another book by Stephanie Landsem with expectations of enjoying a great historical fiction book with great attention to detail and an engaging plot.

I read an advanced copy of this ebook supplied to me by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Last Light Over Galveston

Last Light over Galveston
By Jennifer L. Wright / Tyndale Fiction

This book will be released for publication on Aug. 12, 2025

This is an excellent novel you’ll love to read! Jennifer Wright always delivers stories with unforgettable characters in captivating settings. This book based both in Galveston, Texas and Hudson Valley, New York delivers a story with a powerful punch. One plot line is tied to the devastating hurricane that brought its wrath down on Galveston in 1900. The population was unaware since the Weather Bureau was in its infancy. Wright displays her master level writing skills when she describes the sights and sounds of Galveston before and after the hurricane. Her prose grabs our senses. The hurricane’s catastrophic nature comes to life with each paragraph and page turn.

The book has a strong Christian theme that is stated overtly at the conclusion. In life people are often disappointed by family and friends. In Last Light Over Galveston, our main character, Kathleen Ann McDaniel, experiences emotional pain inflicted by her father who blurts out hurtful words just as the plot takes a treacherous turn. Her father is her only remaining parent. All his actions are driven by his greed and self-centered agenda. The disappointment he causes in Kathleen’s life leaves a gaping hole in her heart. At this point, she flees her upscale Hudson Valley home and eventually arrives at an orphanage in Galveston. She assumes a new identity and tries to hideout in this sheltered community while caring for orphans. The hurricane touches down just as she is making preparations to go on the run once again.

Kathleen eventually builds authentic bonds of friendship and mutual respect with most of the supporting characters. Wesley’s point of view shines a light on the poor working conditions and exploitation of immigrant labor at this point in history. Matthew and Maggie are characters to love. Readers will cheer for the future path Matthew, Kathleen and Maggie choose when the wind dies and the flood waters subside.

Non-fiction Christian writers encourage people to fill their broken heart’s gaping hole with faith and a personal relationship with the Lord; the One who is steadfast in love and mercy and is always for us. In Last Light over Galveston, Jennifer Wright’s novel arrives at the same conclusion. Kathleen’s earthly father disappointed her, but she finds healing for her heart through faith and trust in the Lord. This is my honest review in exchange for receiving this ARC from NetGalley and Tyndale Fiction. #LastLightoverGalveston, #NetGalley

Tea with Elephants

Tea with Elephants: A Suitcase Sisters Novel, Softcover, #1
By Robin Jones Gunn / Revell

Just when I thought tea with honey was the cat’s meow, now here comes Tea with Elephants to catapult to the top spot. Of course one is a beverage and the other is a new release from Robin Jones Gunn, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. But reading this book will yield the same comfy and cozy benefits. Guaranteed! I can only list superlatives to describe this book. I chose to read Tea with Elephants due to the African setting. Robin Jones Gunn expertly describes the savannah and the African animal life. She offers a realistic safari ride-along complete with sensible cautions for lion spotting and one predator/prey sighting. I immediately drew close to the main characters she named the “Suitcase Sisters”. The two women met decades ago while serving as counselors at a Christian conference center in Costa Rica. Now all grown up, the duo celebrates their long-term, long-distance friendship by reuniting for an African adventure.

Each woman has faced recent challenges. Fern experiences a life-altering set back when she is let go from her dream job just prior to embarking on her trip. Her marriage to a wonderful man with a teenage adoptive son was at first a rocky road. Eventually their family life smoothed out and this blended family landed in a good place. Lily fears she is losing her zeal for love and life after decades of marriage and child rearing. The two friends face these challenges head on. When the time is right, a good heart to heart talk helps both ladies see a brighter future.

I love that each chapter begins with an African proverb, Bible verse, or literary quote. Each one is worthy of printing on the tags attached to tea bags. The Christian message was explicit from beginning to end. I noticed Tea with Elephants is book one in a series featuring the “Suitcase Sisters”. I look forward to reading book 2 when it releases in January 2025. I recommend these books to readers who enjoy a well written contemporary fiction story with characters who wrestle with real-life problems and rely on their faith to stay strong. I received a complimentary paperback copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review. #TeaWithElephants and #RevellFiction!

Meddling with Mistletoe

Meddling with Mistletoe: A Red Door Inn Christmas Romance, Softcover
By Liz Johnson / Revell

Liz Johnson’s newest book is a joy to read. I chose this book to review because she is one of my favorite authors. Meddling with Mistletoe earns high marks for its setting, delightful plot, and characters you will grow to love. It’s a multigenerational story brimming with Christmas cheer and a bounty of plot twists and turns. The romance that blooms between our two main characters, Whitney and Daniel, is equal parts fun and serious. We see them share a stroll through a holiday light display and feel their sense of awe and joy. They grow closer while selling Whitney’s delicious homemade pies at a local farmers’ market. At the mid-point their growing bond is disrupted by a backstory that threatens to tear them apart. All ends well, just in time for Christmas.

Aretha Franklin Sloan is Daniel’s meddling aunt. It’s easy to walk in her shoes and understand why she’s working so hard to micromanage Daniel’s love life. The story resembles real life when despite her best efforts, her plans go awry.

If you’re looking to pick up a genuine and satisfying romance novel with the expectation of enjoying a respite from crazy schedules then this book is for you. I read a print copy supplied by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Clever is the one word I would use to describe this book. I appreciated both the literal story and the figurative one. The author showed a high level of skill and successfully wove all story elements together into a satisfying read. The religious theme was ever present, but never heavy handed.

The antagonist Josiah Fairchild is a believable and active accuser. In this story, he is the “father of lies”. Should the novel ever become a screenplay, he would be the personification of the Bible’s devil.

Naturally the main character’s friend and companion would be named “Peter”. No other name would fit his steadfast presence in Lily Temple’s life. He was her rock and literally an ambassador for Christ.

The cases Lily Temple and Peter Driscoll teamed up to solve added to the overall story. One allowed us to meet characters who showed unconditional love towards one another. The case of the lost girl who eventually was reunited with her father was a picture of restoration that warmed the heart.

I loved the setting of the story. The character’s dialogue and their movements about the English seaside towns of Brighton and Hove and St. Anne’s Well Gardens was captivating.

I would recommend this book to my book buddies. My copy of the print book fell on hard times when it suffered a fatal accident with my cat. I was only one third of the way through so naturally I purchased an electronic copy. Now as I look back on my highlights I’m reminded again of the wonderful word choice employed by the author. I’m impressed by the plot’s sophistication and the layers of storytelling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review. When my print book disintegrated, I purchased the ebook immediately. I had to know how the story ended. The conclusion was consistent with my expectations. The characters found a sense of peace, an emotion many of us are currently seeking. They walked a long steady journey back to the garden and restored a personal relationship with the Father who is full of love, grace, and mercy and always ready to draw us near.

On Moonberry Lake

On Moonberry Lake
By Holly Varni / Revell

We’ve all seen those signs, “Life is Better at the Lake!”. Holly Varni’s novel proves the truth in this statement. Her novel On Moonberry Lake is chock-full of characters to love and plots you fall for hook, line, and sinker. From beginning to end, readers are treated to equal parts of heartwarming sentiment and comedy.

The book opens with a spotlight on broken relationships experienced by the main character Cora Matthews. She attends her mom’s funeral and can only think about how the words, distant and estranged, perfectly describe their relationship. Two weeks before the funeral, she cancels her wedding plans and breaks her engagement. When she makes the trip back to her childhood hometown she feels the weight of being alone and untethered to anyone and any place. She never dreamed she would be back at Moonberry Lake where she spent carefree days living in her grandparents’ lakeside lodge. A lodge she and her mother left decades ago due to a family dispute that remained unanswered all the years they lived away. Cora learns at the funeral that she has inherited the lodge. It’s a structure that suffers from neglect, but can be a temporary home for Cora while she starts to find a new path forward.

Cora indeed finds a full life lakeside made up of quirky but loyal new friends. She and two other characters work hard to repair the lodge and bring it back to life. The characters, Cora meets while carrying out her daily tasks can only be described as one-of-a-kind. Trust me when I say, you’ll be hard pressed to pick a favorite. From the bossy checkout clerk at the local store to the math genius who suffers from agoraphobia, each one is revealed to be a beautiful soul. There’s romance in the story too and what a love story it is. Finally Cora is able to invest in someone and build connections with her new community. She is naturally apprehensive but she listens to the wise counsel of her new neighbor Kitty when she says, “Happiness is yours for the taking. Sometimes you just have to do things scared and see how they work out.”

On Moonberry Lake is pure book joy. Pick up a copy and enjoy this delightful story. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review. #OnMoonberryLake!

The Prince and the Prodigal

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The Prince and the Prodigal
By Jill Eileen Smith / Revell

You’ll warm up to this book fast and stay engaged right to the end. A familiar Bible story told with fresh dialogue and new points of view. The title says it all. We journey with Joseph, the prince, from his dysfunctional early family life, through his years of trial, right up to when he was plucked from prison and catapulted into a leadership position in Egypt. His life’s journey serves as a wonderful example of how God has a plan and purpose for each life.

Judah’s story, the prodigal, is equally compelling. The brother who first hatched the idea to sell Joseph to slave traders, didn’t anticipate the consequences. The weight of the guilt he carried changed his life’s trajectory. Great tragedy marks his early adult years. Two of his sons collapse and die. His wife dies as well. Despite accumulating livestock and wealth, his emotional state is at rock bottom. It’s at this point, Judah realizes he must make the journey back home to Jacob. He is nervous and wracked with anxiety wondering if Jacob will welcome him back. The prodigal son is met with open arms. A beautiful quote is shared during their first encounter. Acknowledging the hard times he has endured, Judah says to Jacob, “ Sometimes hardship is what leads us to seek the things we’ve always known were true…. My God has taught me much… and He has led me home.”

I read a paperback copy of this book supplied by Revell in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book I have read by Jill Eileen Smith. Based on this novel, I anticipate I would find her other novels equally satisfying to read.

All That We Carried

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All That We Carried
By Erin Bartels / Revell

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I love it when a novel’s setting is a main character. Erin Bartels’ newest release titled All That We Carried is based in the Porcupines Mountains Wilderness State Park located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She does a beautiful job capturing the majesty of the waterfalls, the vastness of Lake Superior, and the park’s rugged wilderness. I could even sense the trail dirt and grime that hung on our sibling hikers during their journey. Melanie and Olivia agree to the late fall hike even though they have remained estranged for at least ten years. Their separation began when they lost their parents in a fatal car accident. The oldest sister, Olivia dealt with the tragedy by disappearing from her hometown and immersing herself in college, then law school, and then her career as a prosecutor. Melanie, left with the duty of being executor of her parent’s estate, struggled through it all and battled depression. She felt quite alone through the whole process. The story begins on the day of their hike. One Melanie suggested as a way to reunite. Melanie hoped hearts would be shared over campfires, but the warm fuzzy feelings were in short supply for most of the expedition. Practical Olivia was sure she had thought of everything to ensure hiking success. Their plans and reality rarely intersected. They were derailed by missed sign markers, bad weather, physical hurts, lost maps, and forest fires.

Looming throughout the whole story was, “What to do about Justin?” Olivia’s close teenage friend, until Justin drove recklessly and caused their parents’ tragic death. Olivia cut ties with Justin and harbored bitterness toward him. A feeling that festered unabated for a decade. Melanie ended up forming a relationship with Justin. The pair were drawn together by their grief. As they expressed their sorrows and hurts, a relationship blossomed. Olivia grew even more angry with Melanie when she discovered Melanie had forgiven Justin.

Circling around the question of to forgive or not, is a bigger question connected to their perspective on life. Should everyone be like Olivia and plan everything out to the last detail in an effort to control the outcomes and avoid risk? Is Melanie’s view more acceptable? She has adopted bits and pieces of all religions hoping her efforts to do all the right things will bring her safety and enduring happiness. The author lays out a well reasoned case that nudges both girls to a Christian faith, pointing to the One who is in control despite what often seems to us as chaotic.

Flashback moments are sprinkled throughout this novel. Different page designs alert you to the plot changes. At first, I found them abrupt, questioning if they were necessary plot diversions. They did help the reader learn more about the siblings during their early years and Justin’s back story. So I can see how each earned its place in the book.

All That We Carried was very enjoyable. I would recommend it with enthusiasm. It’s the second Erin Bartels book I’ve read and I would be happy to pass it on to one of my reading buddies. I received a complimentary book from the publisher, Revell, in exchange for my honest review.

“Things We Didn’t Say” by Amy Lynn Green

Things We Didn’t Say By Amy Lynn Green / Bethany House	Buy At Christianbook.com
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I just finished “Things We Didn’t Say” by Amy Lynn Green. Just after its debut day, I was so excited to pick up my copy from the local Indie Bookstore. Later when I flipped open the cover, I was caught by surprise. “Hold on a second,” I said. “An entire book written in letters? How did I miss this? Will I like it? I don’t know.” I couldn’t recall another similar literary offering that I had read. But upon reflection, I thought of two; The Screwtape Letters and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I enjoyed both of these. With this recollection, I was convinced. An epistolary novel is a powerful form of expression.

I got over my initial speed bump and plunged in. With a few page turns, I was all in. There’s great movement in the plot. The multiple points of view made the story rich. At the end, I thought the characters were so vibrant. Each one essential to the story. I had my doubts with Olive’s missives but even her correspondence proved to be a key story element.

At the conclusion, I thought about the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. Not the returning prodigal son himself, but his brother. The one that would never go in and join the celebration due to his anger and unforgiving nature. I thought the letters did a good job of showing that often when presented with something that threatens our sense of justice we react just like the older brother. We lash out and harbor anger toward the person or situation that has rocked our world. Bitterness defines us. When the German POW’s came to the camp in the villagers’ northern Minnesota community, few were thinking about practicing hospitality, or letting their light shine, or showing God’s love. It was heartwarming to travel along with the characters on their path to greater understanding.

Fun surprises along the way lightened the mood and solved some mysteries. I’ll admit, I’m a little curious about the title. Why is it called “Things We Didn’t’ Say.” To me, the story is complete. It’s a homerun. The letters tell it all. As I think about it, I guess the title stems from the idea that the characters later expressed in letters what they neglected to say in the moment. Words left unspoken due to fear and bad timing. This certainly happened first with Johanna Berglund and Erik Sorenson, and later with Johanna and Peter.

Amy Lynn Green has crafted a thoroughly satisfying story. The book is part of my personal library, but it’s not likely to sit on the shelf for long. I’m looking forward to sharing it with my book buddies.

Ridge Top Book Blog Launches

I am always interested in new authors of Christian Fiction. Over the past few months I have been focusing on historical fiction. I have discovered many favorites including Jocelyn Green, Lori Benton, Mesu Andrews, and Tessa Afshar. This blog is my way of keeping track of my reading discoveries. I participate in a Christian fiction book club through my church. My idea is this blog will be a good resource for future book recommendations.