THE CHRISTMAS COURIER by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas #ReleaseDay

A WWII Historical Novella

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“Sometimes it was only against a backdrop of darkness that human eyes could even see the light they needed to focus on. Sometimes it was in the hardest times that they could see the Lord most clearly too.”

One of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre is that I enjoy learning about little slices of history while reading an engrossing story. Roseanna M. White is a pro at using unusual and interesting historical settings, facts, and people to wrap her stories around. It was fascinating to learn of the traboules in Lyon, France—hidden, covered passageways that residents of the city would use to cut through buildings and stairwells to get from one street to another. They were used by the French Resistance in WWII and also by workers in the silk trade to keep the fabric clean and dry while transporting it

The Christmas Courier features Resistance members Madeleine Perrin and Daniel Raymond, longtime friends who smuggle messages to the Resistance leaders. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and change amid the danger of their activities. They are realistic and engaging, and I was quickly swept up in their story.

White’s stories are always well-researched and intriguing, and this one is true to form. Elements of faith, courage, family ties, and forgiveness add depth to the tale. Although this is a novella, it feels complete, satisfying, and unrushed.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Tyndale through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb: 
In World War II France, the future Madeleine Perrin and Daniel Raymond hope for is in grave peril when the Nazis imprison Daniel, a courier for the Resistance network. But a centuries-old law soon paves the way for a Christmas Eve wedding that becomes both a celebration and a daring rescue in this historical romance.

1943. Lyon, France. After bidding her students farewell for the holidays, Madeleine Perrin is looking forward to a quiet, simple Christmas at home with her mother. With the war raging on and rations tight, she knows it will be up to her to make the day festive and find special ways to remember the papa she lost and honor his love for Christmas. But first, Madeleine must smuggle secret messages hidden in her students' essays to the Resistance network. She never expects the person waiting to receive them is her childhood best friend, the man who broke her heart.

Daniel Raymond has thrown himself into his work as courier for the Resistance, carefully concealing his Jewish ancestry that, if discovered by the Nazis, could put his life at risk. Haunted by regret about the day Madeleine professed her love and he turned her away, Daniel longs to make things right. When he sees her again, he dares to hope for reconciliation―and realizes the love he once denied has only grown deeper.

As Christmas nears and Daniel recovers from a wound sustained in a courier run, forgiveness and romance soon blossom between Daniel and Madeleine and the two begin planning a future together. But when a mission goes wrong and Daniel is captured by the Gestapo, Madeleine must turn to her Resistance allies―and a centuries-old law―to attempt a dangerous rescue before it's too late.

-A standalone WWII historical Christmas novella inspired by true events
 -A low-spice second-chance holiday romance with a friends-to-lovers trope
-Compelling Christian fiction about brave spies and daring escapes for fans of Sarah Sundin, Kristen Harmel, Lynn Austin, and Sara Ackerman 

Tyndale Fiction, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy THE CHRISTMAS COURIER at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

EVERY GIVEN DAY by Cathy Gohlke, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Gripping Historical Fiction Set During the Early 20th Century About a Groundbreaking Medical Discovery

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I've received a letter from my sister, in New York . . . Marion needs me. She suffers from tuberculosis."

Leaving her teaching position in Pennsylvania, Gwendolyn Armstrong travels to New York with the intention of caring for her sister while tutoring her niece and nephew, only to learn upon arrival that Marion Bennett has been moved to a sanatorium and the household left under the supervision of a very capable housekeeper. While their father travels for extensive periods of time, Gwen finds herself tasked with decisions she never expected to make, and on the rare occasions when Russell Bennett is home, close proximity with her sister's charismatic husband proves awkward due to their shared history.

As the weeks and then months go by, Gwen grows to love her niece and nephew, Clara and Alistair, while also becoming more and more concerned about their father's clandestine business practices and his seeming disregard for the welfare of not only his wife, but his two children. When tragedy strikes the household, Gwen determines to do whatever it takes to keep her dwindling family intact. Faith in God was not something that Gwen deemed important, until a kind, compassionate physician extends grace upon grace, coaxing her to consider trusting in the One who could lead her through the valley of the shadow and beside the still waters. With God, nothing was impossible.

The historical backdrop of this story is astonishing. Having no previous knowledge regarding the development of insulin or the drastic measures taken to preserve life before its discovery, I was equally fascinated and heartbroken. Despite losing patience with Gwen due to her stubborn determination to depend on no one but herself, I reluctantly admit that it made her more relatable. The children were precious souls, Dr. Malcolm McNeill a steady presence, the housekeeper an absolute dear, and even Russell proved himself to be exactly who you might expect from a tuxedo clad villain.

Excellent book! Highly recommended! A blessed reminder of what a gift every given day should be.

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 
BackCover Blurb:
Inspired by true events, Christy Hall of Fame author Cathy Gohlke delivers a powerful new historical novel weaving together the discovery of insulin—a breakthrough that revolutionized modern medicine—and one woman's brave fight to cling to her family and hope against unspeakable odds.

New York City, 1918. When schoolteacher Gwendolyn Armstrong learns of her sister's worsening illness, she travels to Marion's stately home to tutor her young niece and nephew, kept from school by the Spanish flu outbreak. Though the family lives in luxury, Gwen is wary of Marion's sophisticated, often-absent husband, Russell, who once cast Gwen aside for her sister, leaving wounds that never fully healed.

As Marion's health declines, a sense of foreboding settles over the family. Gwen observes strangers coming and going from Russell's study at all hours, and her lingering distrust turns to suspicion that he is hiding something that could threaten the family's safety and security. But when the deadly flu claims victims among the family and mansion staff, Gwen and her nephew, Alistair, are forced to accept terrible losses caused by the epidemic followed soon after by his own fatal diagnosis of juvenile diabetes.

When a compassionate doctor becomes both an advocate and friend, chasing down every promising medical development in the race for a cure, Gwen clings to each shred of hope. But as Russell's clandestine dealings erupt into a shattering revelation, she must summon every ounce of courage she possesses. With Alistair's life hanging in the balance, Gwen pleads for a faith she doesn't yet possess, realizing she must surrender him to God and the possibility of a miracle that could save him and reshape her future in ways she never imagined.

 

-Gripping, hope-filled Christian fiction with a dash of romance inspired by true events
-Perfect for book clubs and fans of historical women's fiction by Lynn Austin, Rachel Fordham, and Jennifer Chiaverini
-Includes discussion questions and themes of family, forgiveness, and redemption 

 

Tyndale Fiction, September, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy EVERY GIVEN DAY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

CASCADE by Linda K. Rodante, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 Book 3 of The Waterfall Mysteries, 

Christian romantic mystery and suspense series, small town, Tennessee mountains

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This third book in the Waterfall Mysteries is an exciting story that brings old friends back together and new friends along for the ride.

 
Witnesses to a shooting, Crista and Sid meet near a remote waterfall while hiking. Things get intriguing and mystifying when they learn who is shot and his connections to the local hospital. They are targeted for what they know and for what they don’t know they know.

 
Dramatic and well plotted, there are several suspects but it was hard to pin down who the actual shooter was. I liked the setting of the waterfall hike and even the hospital scenes were interesting. 

A key element was the faith of Sid and Crista. Crista was growing in her walk with God and prayed for the victim, David, even though it got her in trouble with the hospital staff. Sid was trying to forgive himself for an incident in the past, but he knew that Christ died for him. He only wanted to reflect the love of Jesus to others. 

A fine conclusion to the series, it gives your brain a workout.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author through JustRead tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4.5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
A fresh start in the Tennessee mountains was supposed to bring peace. Instead, it brought a killer.

Crista Henson fled to a quiet Tennessee town to rebuild her shattered life, trading her past for a fresh start as a vacation planner and a deeper reliance on God. She wants peace. Instead, she finds herself tangled in a deadly web of secrets with enough suspects to challenge Hercule Poirot himself. She never planned on playing amateur sleuth—and she certainly didn't plan on Sid Martin.

Sid is running from his own devastating past, swearing off the wilderness forever.
But when a friend lures him back, a desperate cry for help and a brutal attempted murder force him to confront his guilt and his fears.

As their investigation expands and danger closes in, can Crista and Sid narrow the suspects in time to prevent their own demise?

Clean Romance
Brainy Mystery
Multiple suspects
Twists and turns
Suspense
Small town
Tennessee mountains
Rock climbing
Beautiful waterfalls
Swoony hero
Strong, relatable heroine
Faith and forgiveness 

September, 2026

Available at Amazon in digital ebook, and paperback 

WEIGHT OF GUILT by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

FOG LAKE: HOMECOMING (Book One)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Faith usually involves taking the next step before you feel ready."

When Wren Loveless' long lost younger brother literally walks out of the woods behind their family property; she and her two sisters can scarcely believe their eyes. In fact, should they believe their eyes? Christian was seven years old the night he vanished without a trace. Now he is a seventeen year old young man with absolutely no explanation for where he has been for the past ten years.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Nash Hendricks is on medical leave and hoping to rinse his mind of the incident that left him with a gunshot wound and bitter memories. Fog Lake seemed like the perfect place to do just that . . . until a dark haired beauty with an energetic canine asks for his help.

An absolutely fascinating blend of casework and confusing details! 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars. 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Ten years ago, seven-year-old Christian Loveless vanished without a trace. On the anniversary of that nightmare, a teenage boy walks back into his family’s life claiming to be Christian.

Hairstylist and single mother Wren Loveless wants desperately to believe her brother has come home. But small things don’t add up, and she can’t afford to watch her family fall apart again. When a man who might have ties to Christian’s disappearance turns up dead less than a mile from her house, Wren starts to wonder whether the truth is something far more dangerous than mistaken identity.

TBI Agent Nash Hendricks came to Fog Lake to escape his own past, not to get tangled in someone else’s. But he can’t ignore his next-door neighbors—a family clinging to a fragile reunion while someone in the woods watches and waits. The closer he gets to Wren, the clearer it becomes that protecting her may mean uncovering a truth she isn’t ready to hear.
Wren will do anything to keep her family safe. But before she can uncover what happened to Christian ten years ago, she has to answer an even more dangerous question: Who exactly has come home?

Weight of Guilt is Book 1 of the Fog Lake: Homecoming trilogy—three sisters, one missing brother, and a decade of secrets. 

River Heights Publishing, August, 2026

Buy WEIGHT OF GUILT in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon