Author: Carolyn Miller.

Series: Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley, Book 3.

Book Premise: Youngest daughter Verity Hatherleigh has an independent mind and a heart for justice. Feeling unloved by her parents because she isn't a son, she lands herself in one too many scrapes, and is spirited away to Scotland by her grandmother to rethink her headstrong ways. Former minister Anthony Jardine inherits a crumbling estate and soon runs into Verity. But he lies about his status, and Verity also doesn't share his deep Christian faith. How can they possibly find love with so many obstacles in the way?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance, Christian. Ages 14+ for some romance.

Profanity: Use of "whore" and a few mentions of swearing/cursing (no words are said).

Violence: A character is knocked out by a blow. Mentions of a character's past battle with pneumonia (which causes some asthma-like symptoms). Someone falls off a horse, minimal description of pain, and a character punches another person.

Spice Level: A few non-graphic thoughts of hugging and kissing. A minimally descriptive kiss and a semi descriptive one. A mention of "lady's troubles" and a "monthly" (aka periods).

Faith Elements: A non-Christian character says that the Bible isn't all true. Praying happens and is also mentioned. Mentions of having faith in God, God's design, God's love, and how He doesn't make mistakes. Mention of Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches. Characters attend church. Bible verses are quoted a few times. A mention of hell. A character becomes a Christian.

Additional Content: A few mentions of whiskey.

My Take: By far my favorite book in this trilogy. Verity was a highly entertaining character, and I laughed at the many scrapes she found herself in. Seeing her progression from a girl who felt unloved by her parents to a confident young lady was fantastic, and I don't think Carolyn Miller could've written it any better! The story was wonderfully paced, with plenty of action and witty dialogue that mirrored Jane Austen's romances. The author saved the best for last for sure!

Author: Julie Klassen.

Series: Standalone.

Book Premise: After a devastating financial loss, Abigail and her father accept an offer from an anonymous benefactor to stay at Pembrooke Park, a country home that has been abandoned for over a decade. The home has clearly been left exactly as it was when its former residents fled-dried tea still in the teacups and clothing still in the wardrobes. The house is spooky to say the least, especially when Abigail hears footsteps in the hallway late at night and receives clues about a past crime and treasure from an unknown sender. With the help of William Chapman, the local vicar, Abigail untangles to web of deception surrounding Pembrooke Park. Soon, it becomes clear that she isn't the only person looking for the lost treasure.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, mystery, romance, Christian. Ages 15+ for light romance and themes of murder.

Profanity: A use of "what the devil" and "hell-bent."

Violence: Someone shoots a gun. A mention of ghost stories. A character recalls finding blood on the floor of the manor, and Abigail reads a newspaper article about a stabbing. A kitchen fire occurs, and a housefire later, minimal injuries. A skeleton is found. Mention of a character's entire family dying of typhus. A recollection of someone being shot, not descriptive. Mild description of a broken leg.

Spice Level: A few thoughts of kissing. A mention of making love (which, in the 1800s, meant flirting). Abigail admires William's muscular build. A few kisses, ranging from non-descriptive to semi-descriptive.

Faith Elements: Abigail and others pray. A mention of saints and martyrs. Characters attend and discuss church, as well as listen to a sermon about obeying God. Scripture is quoted, and characters read Bible verses. A hymn is sung. Characters take Communion and recite the Nicene Creed. Abigail shares the Gospel with someone.

Additional Content: Some brief alcohol consumption, and a mention of cigar smoking.

My Take: Based on the cover, you'd think this was a Regency romance with a dash of mystery, right? Think again! There IS romance and it does give Jane Austen vibes (complete with the main character reading some of the renowned author's novels), but it's a chilling, slightly spooky Christian mystery most of all. A real page-turner that I devoured.

Author: Millie Bobby Brown.

Series: Standalone.

Book Premise: Teenaged Nellie Morris is used to the bombs. The late night runs to the air raid shelter. Growing up too fast. But otherwise, she feels secure. Her family is together and somehow manages to escape death by German bombs every night. Her best friends Babs and Billy are always there for her, and she enjoys her job as assistant to Bethnal Green's mayor. Not to mention the handsome American airman, Ray, who treats her like a princess and hopes to marry her someday. But when a string of horrible tragedies hit Nellie's family, she's struck with the grief and anger that comes with loss. Will life ever be the same again?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance. Ages 15+ for themes of grief, some violence, and romance.

Profanity: A few uses of the d-word, and two uses of the h-word. A few uses of the UK slang term "bloody." God's name is taken in vain a few times.

Violence: Talk of air raids. An accident happens, killing many people. Mild description of injuries and dead bodies.

Spice Level: A thought of kissing, and a few minimally descriptive kisses. A mention of someone being pregnant out of wedlock. A mention of the wedding night (not detail other than that).

Faith Elements: A mention of guardian angels in a song. A mention of prayer. Characters visit a church a few times. Nellie wants to yell at God after losing loved ones.

Additional Content: A character smokes occasionally, and there is some light alcohol consumption.

My Take: I didn't expect to read this in two days, but it was so good that I couldn't put it down! Millie Bobby Brown is so talented (Enola Holmes movies, anyone?), and Nineteen Steps was no exception. I cried multiple times, the story was bittersweet, tender, romantic, and a dozen other things. Fantasic read!

Author: Lori Copeland.

Series: Brides of the West, Book 5.

Book Premise: Spunky mail-order bride Ruth Priggish does not want to marry Oscar, a prospector old enough to be her grandfather. The only place she can go is the Wyoming territory, where her distant cousin supposedly lives. And her only way to get there is the insufferable U.S. Marshall Dylan McCall. However, the last thing he wants is to handle a spitfire of a woman who won't take no for an answer. But he can't just leave her to survive alone on the prairie. As they brave the Wild West, their mission, and their hearts, are at stake.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, Christian, romance. Ages 14+ for romance, some mild violence, and mentions of infertility. 

Profanity: A mention of cursing, but no words are said. Native Americans are called "Indians" throughout the book (because of the time period). Someone also calls them "red heathens."

Violence: Characters are threatened by guns a few times. It's mentioned that a whole family died of cholera. A character sees dead bodies, minimal description except for blood. Someone is rescued from a covered wagon fire. Minor wound description. A character develops blisters, light description. Ruth suspects that a man might be abusing his wife. Characters are shot at. A character recalls being mistreated by his adopted mother, not graphic. A character is thrown from a horse and knocked unconscious. A fistfight happens.

Spice Level: A character cannot have children because she was born without a uterus, which is mentioned infrequently. A few kisses, up to semi descriptive.

Faith Elements: Ruth is named after the Bible character. A character isn't a Christian and says so a few times. Mentions of reading the Bible. Ruth prays many times, and also writes prayers in her journal. She also reads the Book of Isaiah. A mention of hell, and talk of angels. Scripture, including Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 23, is quoted. A character becomes a Christian.

Additional Content: A mention of chewing tobacco, and a character gambles in one scene.

My Take: I don't read Old West novels very often, and it was exciting to get out of my comfort zone. Special thanks to Ava (one of my besties) for lending this to me, it was 100% worth it! There was so much adventure and amusing banter between the main characters, and Ruth had such a big personality and strong Christian character. The romance was squeaky clean, which we need so much more of in a world full of spicy books. 10/10, I'll totally be rereading this (I bought my own copy at a thrift store the other day, wink).

Author: Carolyn Miller.

Series: Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley, Book 2.

Book Premise: Shy Cecilia Hatherleigh has hidden her secret love for Edward Amherst, the prodigal son next door, for years. But he only seems to see her as a younger sister, so Cecy, determined to let go of him, shifts her focus to fighting for those less fortunate. After a riot, Edward Amherst is finally turning his life around. According to the wishes of his father, he restores his legal career and now must find a wife and settle down. The two are thrown together at a house party as their lives are changed forever. Perhaps Cecy's love for Ned was not in vain after all...

Reading Level/Genre: Romance, historical, Christian. Ages 15+ for romance and mild violence.

Profanity: Use of "chit," but no strong profanity.

Violence: A man is knocked unconscious by a branch. We see some prejudice against gypsies, and it is said that the punishment for associating with them is death. Mention of a past gunshot wound. Talk of a riot and the bloodshed involved, including the deaths of women and children. A character is thrown from a horse, mild wound description and a resulting coma.

Spice Level: Mention of a past affair. Characters notice/admire each other's appearances. A few kisses, up to semi-descriptive.

Faith Elements: Frequent praying, reading the Bible, and on-page quoted Scripture. A mention of hell. Mentions of trusting God. Cecy shares her faith. 

Additional Content: Characters consume alcohol (champagne, port wine). Mentions of drunken men in a tavern.

My Take: This book has strong themes of faith, social justice, and the struggles of young love. I really enjoyed the action and political drama of the first 1/3, and the peril and romance that the last bit contained. I struggled to get into the middle part of the book because not much happened, and I was frustrated with how the characters handled their romantic feelings. But it was a clean, wholesome, historically accurate Christian romance, which can be hard to find nowadays! 

Author: Carolyn Miller.

Series: Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley, Book 1.

Book Premise: After a brush with scandal, the rule-abiding Caroline Hatherleigh is sent to visit her grandmother near the sea. She later meets a scientist named Gideon on the hunt for rare fossils, and strikes up a friendship with his sweet, but chronically ill sister. Little does Caroline know that Emma harbors a dark secret, one that could draw in the wrong sort of people. She finds herself intrigued by Gideon and his sincere Christian faith, which makes her wonder if there's more to Christianity than social custom. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen and historical authors like Julie Klaasen, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh is a clean, sweet romance that's a great addition to your bookshelf.

Reading Level/Genre: Romance, Christian, historical. Ages 15+ for some romance and mentions of past domestic abuse.

Profanity: Use of "what the deuce." A few mentions of curses being used, but no on-page swear words are said.

Violence: Mention of reading about someone being shot in the newspaper. Mentions of past abuse that a character experienced, which is brought up occasionally without graphic details. A mention of past miscarriages. A mention of the possibility of abortion (SPOILER: it doesn't happen). A character experiences a head wound with minor descriptions of blood and pain. A rockfall in a cave happens. A recollection of a vase being thrown at someone. A character is hit by a rock, brief mention of blood. A character vomits, no description. A character is slapped. A woman miscarries, minor description. A man is shot in self-defense, mention of blood.

Spice Level: A mention of a rumor of an affair. Some admiration of appearance, not in a sexual way. Some hugging. Some kissing, mild description. Mentions of blushing. A wedding happens.

Faith Elements: Frequent praying. Mentions of giving worry to God. Characters attend church. Talk about how science and creation don't have to work against each other. Mentions of miracles from God. Caroline reads the Bible (she wonders if God and Jesus could be more than a social obligation). Hymns are sung. Caroline hears the Holy Spirit. She also prays for forgiveness.

Additional Content: A mention of alcohol.

My Take: Calling all Jane Austen fans! While I didn't like one or two things about this book, the good outweighed the bad significantly. The writing was so faithful to the time period, right down to the witty, Auten-esque dialogue. I liked the dash of peril and intrigue as well! Caroline and Gideon were very wonderful characters, they were perfect for each other. Highly recommend, and I'll totally be continuing the series.

Author: Susie Finkbeiner.

Series: Standalone novel.

Book Premise: When Annie's brother enlists in the Vietnam War, a chain of events forces her family to find forgiveness and closure. Things aren't easy for the Jacobsen family. Their father, struggling with his own demons, left Annie, her mother, and two brothers to figure things out on their own. But a death in the family forces him to return, and Annie must confront her feelings of hurt while navigating her coming-of-age in 1960s West Michigan.

Reading Level/Genre: Christian, historical. Ages 15+ for themes of grief and parental abandonement which could be triggering for younger readers.

Profanity: Mild expressions like "gosh," "gee," "jeepers," "darn/darn it," and "heck." Annie's mother reprimands her children for using such slang.

Violence: Annie's grandfather has dementia. Mentions of races riots and racism. A mention of seeing burning buildings on the news. Some racial prejudice (rude looks, whispering, ignoring). War newsreels show bombs, explosions, and wounded soldiers, limited description. Talk of the Vietnam war and soldiers dying. Mention of a soldier being shot in the stomach with some blood.

Spice Level: A man makes uncomfortable advances towards Annie (spoiler, he gets in trouble). A mention of seeing another couple kiss. A non-descriptive kiss. One mention of a relative being born out of wedlock, forcing the parents to marry.

Faith Elements: Characters attend church and sing hymns. Scripture is quoted. A mention of a Catholic saint. Many open discussions about God and faith.

Additional Content: Annie's father abandoned the family. Talk of divorce. A few mentions of alcohol (beer mostly). Annie's mom warns her about drinking and drugs before she goes to a party. A few side characters smoke.

My Take: Oh my word, amazing! I loved it so much. It broke my heart and put it back together, such a tearjerker. But it was so hopeful and the ending was beautiful. And the characters...Susie Finkbeiner always writes them with such raw honesty and strong character. And on a fun side note, the 60s pop culture references scattered throughout were so entertaining and fun (I had to go look up Twiggy and some of the songs after ;-). Another great novel from one of my favorite authors.

Author: Melanie Dickerson.

Series: A Medieval Fairy Tale, Book 1.

Book Premise: Once poor and homeless on the streets, Odette was adopted by her uncle, and has since felt for the plight of those less fortunate. So at night, alongside a group of local boys, she poaches deer from the margrave's forest to feed the hungry. If her secret is found out, she could be imprisoned or even killed. Things grow more complicated when she meets the very man who is trying to capture her-and finds herself drawn to him. Jorgan is driven to catch the poachers after one killed his father many years ago. But there's more going on than meets the eye, when an even more dangerous poaching operation surfaces, involving Odette's uncle. Who can she trust? A man who her uncle wants her to marry, or the man who is unknowingly trying to capture her?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance, Christian, YA. Ages 14+ for some mild violence and romance.

Profanity: A mention of cursing, but no words are said. "Dear heavenly saints," "dear sweet saints," and "saints among us" are used as exclamations.

Violence: Wild animals are hunted. A character recalls when his sister was trampled by a horse, mild description of blood. A few mentions of murder. The Black Plague is brought up. A fistfight happens, some mild description of resulting wounds (bloody nose, bruises). Arrow wounds that are semi-descriptive. A wound goes septic, minimally described. Odette shoots at someone with an arrow in self-defense.

Spice Level: An older man briefly ogles Odette. A few mentions of a brothel. Jorgan goes into the brothel to find out information regarding a poaching operaton. Nothing explicit is implied, except for a mention of a woman sitting on a man's lap. Mentions of low-cut gowns. A few kisses, some are semi-descriptive, and hugging. A mention of lust.

Faith Elements: Catholic holidays are celebrated. Characters attend Mass several times and pray often throughout the book. Scripture is quoted. Mentions of seeking the Lord and His will for our lives. Odette studies theology. She also reads Psalm 91, and it's quoted on-page.

Additional Content: Mention of people getting drunk at a Midsummer festival, and alcohol is consumed at dinners.

My Take: A thrilling, swoonworthy retelling of Robin Hood. The main character, Odette, was very unique, and she stood out from Melanie Dickerson's other medieval heroines. I saw a lot of Susan Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia in her! I love strong female book characters, and Odette is one of them for sure! Oh, and as for her dashing suitor, he was fantastic. Unlike some of the love interests in the author's books, who can be appearance-based in their affection, Jorgan was focused on Odette's character and faith. I really liked that! Overall, this book is a new favorite, and I'll read it again!

Author: Kristy Cambron.

Series: Lost Castle, Book 2.

Book Premise: In present day France, newly-divorced Laine arrives with her adopted daughter in tow for Ellie's wedding. But there's going on with the newlyweds then meets the eye. She accompanies them to Ireland, for what will not only be a vacation, but a journey to healing. Over a century earlier, in 1916, photojournalist is right in the thick of the Easter Rising, a time of violence and turmoil. Will her love for an Irish patriot cause her to lose her life? Even further back, in 1798, Maeve nurses a wounded Catholic back to health and falls in love with him. But her brother's hate for Irishmen could prove dangerous. In the sequel to The Lost Castle, three women are tied together across the ages by a cord of faith and courage.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, Christian, romance. Ages 16+ for mild profanity and themes of cancer, marriage, divorce, and some violence.

Profanity: A use of "hell-bound" and "hellfire," unclear if it's within the correct context or not. "Judas" and "Godforsaken" are also used.

Violence: Laine recalls the housefire in which her adopted daughter, Cassie, almost died. Mild wound description as well. Maeve sees dead bodies, but they are not described. Battles take place. Mentions of a church being burned with women and children inside.

Spice Level: Some kissing, holding hands, up to slightly detailed. A woman mentions being pregnant and that the father isn't a good man. Laine is divorced.

Faith Elements: Much of it is focused on the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. Some prayer, reading the Bible, etc.

Additional Content: Alcohol consumption (beer, whiskey) happens very frequently, and there are many visits to pubs and bars. Passing references to cigar smoking. Cassie's biological mother is a drug addict and is serving time in prison. Ellie discovers that she has breast cancer, and she shaves her head. It's a slightly heavy scene. Chemo and surgery to treat it comes up.

My Take: This book felt a mite too adult for me, with themes like divorce, cancer, marriage, and the like taking center stage. The surprising language caught me off guard and felt icky in a Christian book. Likewise, all the beer and whiskey wasn't my favorite to read about. However, the Irish setting and storyline was fantastic, it gave me Leap Year vibes! While I preferred the first book in this series, this is still a satifying sequel, and I'll definitely read Book 3.

Author: Kristy Cambron.

Series: Lost Castle, Book 1.

Book Premise: In 1789, Aveline must flee her aristocratic life amid the French Revolution and find her missing fiance. When she's injured, she wakes up to find herself in beautiful countryside winemaker's cottage. With her fiance's brother and her servant as her caretakers, Aveline begins to see that scars can become something beautiful. Meanwhile, in the 1940s, Viola is recruited by the Resistance, hidden in the French countryside in one of the region's finest vineyards. Soon, she begins falling for the handsome caretaker of the estate, Julien. But can their love withstand war? Years later, in the 21st century, Ellie visits France to fulfill her dying grandmother's wish. As she uncovers her family's lost secrets, she finds a story of love, loss, and faith that has left an unbreakable legacy.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, Christian, mystery, romance. Ages 15+ for some violence, illness, and romance.

Profanity: No swear words. One use of "blast," "what in God's name," and "what in St. Patrick's name."

Violence: Mentions of a car accident. Ellie's grandma has Alzheimer's Disease, which causes her to be anxious at times. Some blood from a wound, but not descriptive, a few mentions of seeing bodies (with no description), and talk of wars and battles.

Spice Level: Some kissing with no description, hugging, and observing without any sexual intent.

Faith Elements: God is mentioned several times, and a chapel is a setting for multiple scenes.

Additional Content: Because the book is centered around a centuries-old vineyard, wine is consumed and talked about occasionally. A side character smokes.

My Take: I've never read Kristy Cambron's books before, and this one was not a disappointment! She blends the French Revolution, WWII, and present day seamlessly for a romantic story of faith, history, and family. The Sleeping Beauty references gave me Melanie Dickerson and Jodie Hedlund vibes, and I loved it!

Author: Veda Boyd Jones.

Series: Sisters in Time, Book 17.

Book Premise: Though eleven-year-old Irish immigrant Maureen lost her parents, she was blessed to be adopted by a very loving American family. But she's still adjusting to this new life. She soon finds a kindred spirit in eccentric Mrs. Hoag, who is also Irish. Then, Maureen and her adoptive cousin, Mark, stumble upon a mystery. Who is stealing artwork from Mrs. Hoag's collection? As Maureen searches for clues, she makes plans to become an American citizen, a process that will allow her to enjoy the full benefit of living in "the land of opportunity." Can she thwart the art thieves and find her place in America?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, middle grade, Christian, mystery. 11+ for themes of being orphaned and some light violence.

Profanity: No swearing.

Violence: Mention of Maureen's father dying in an accident and her mother dying of an illness. A servant accidentally cuts herself while making vegetables, but there is no graphic description. Maureen and Mark find some dead birds on Mrs. Hoag's lawn. Mark's father dies of a heart attack, but there is no description, since Maureen hears about it from her adopted father.

Spice Level: No romance.

Faith Elements: Prayer, church, and a mention of being baptized. Maureen converts from Catholicism to her adopted family's denomination (it's unclear which one). A Christian funeral is held, and Maureen and Mark talk about how Mark's father was a strong Christian.

Additional Content: A girl is unkind to Maureen because she is an immigrant, which drives her to become a citizen. Maureen's adoptive mother is a member of the local Temperance Society, which fights for the prohibition of alcohol.

My Take: Very good book! Handled themes of immigration and adoption in a way that will resonate with middle grade (and older) readers. There's a little something for everyone. The mystery was also a fun bonus!

Author: JoAnn A. Grote.

Series: Sisters in Time, Book 20.

Book Premise: The Roosevelt Administration is rising, and big changes are coming to the country, and to twelve-year-old Anna's hometown of Chicago. When a young hobo named Chet arrives in her neighborhood in search of work, she finds her eyes opened to the plight of those less fortunate, and longs to help them. But poverty isn't just hitting those who travel the rails in need of a job,  Anna's best friend Trudy and her family might lose their home. Can Anna's faith and strong will help her find a way to help all these people, and her own family?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, middle grade, Christian. Ages 11+ for a brief mention of violence and a discussion of abandonment.

Profanity: No language.

Violence: Anna hears about a protest, where tear gas and bullets were fired into the crowd and some people were killed, and Chet tells her and Fred that his friend was killed by a train, but there isn't any gory detail.

 Spice Level: No romantic themes.

Faith Elements: Anna and her family are solid Christians, and attend church in one scene. She also finds her faith tested when her best friend's father can't find work, but it grows stronger as she learns.

Additional Content: Chet says that his father forced him to move out, because there were too many mouths to feed at home.

My Take: Loved this series in middle school, and this is one I never read. It still felt very relatable to me today! It dealt with a very difficult period in American history without being too bleak. Excellent read!

Author: Jody Hedlund.

Series: Noble Knights, Book 1.

Book Premise: At her birth, Lady Rosemarie's parents took a vow that she would become a nun on her eighteenth birthday. For years, she has prepared herself for a lifetime of being in a convent, yet deep down there's something about it that doesn't feel right. Then, a month before she is to take her vows, Rosemarie's godfather appears, bringing with him an exception to the vow her parents made. If she can fall in love and marry before her eighteenth birthday, she will not have to move to the convent. Soon, she is presented with three handsome knights to choose from, all of whom she likes. But someone seems determined to force Lady Rosemarie to fulfill the vow, even if it means hurting the ones closest to her.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance, Christian, young adult. Ages 14+ for some violence and romance.

Profanity: No swearing.

Violence: Some references to common torture contraptions of the time, a few wounds with minimal description, and a murder which isn't described in detail, because Lady Rosemarie only hears about it.

Spice Level: A little kissing and affectionate words.

Faith Elements: Much of this book is based around devotion and duty to God, with characters actively exercising their faith in many ways.

Additional Content: Characters drink ale at feasts.

My Take: Such an adventurous, romantic read! Each character was well-developed with the right amount of depth without feeling heavy. And the plot twists...there were so many. Cannot wait for more by Jody Hedlund!

Author: Jody Hedlund.

Series: The Lost Princesses, Book 1.

Book Premise: Orphaned Lady Adelaide has been raised by her noble relatives since before she can remember. She has always had companions in her cousins, Mitchell and Christopher, up until Christopher ran away. But things change when her aunt's final words reveal long-lost secrets. She is one of three lost princesses, forced into hiding after the cruel King Ethelwulf came to the throne. A visitor from the past reveals her royal birthright, and thrusts her into a dangerous quest to reclaim her throne. With King Ethelwulf's minions around every corner, will Adelaide be able to lead a rebellion without getting executed?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance, young adult. 14+ for some violence and romantic themes.

Profanity: No crude language.

Violence: There are discussions of torture, that don't go into great detail, and also some battles, which aren't gory minus a few cuts and bruises.

Spice Level: Some kissing, but no further than that.

Faith Elements: Characters trust in God and pray, and there are many instances of them surrendering to Him.

Additional Content: None.

My Take: Reminded me a lot of Melanie Dickerson, with more action and adventure! Ended with a massive cliffhanger from the evil king's point of view, so I really want to read (and review) the next one soon!

Author: Pepper Basham.

Series: Standalone novel.

Book Premise: Emmeline Lockhart is doomed to spinsterhood if she doesn't find a husband by the end of her third social season. After the failures of the last two, she's accepted her fate, instead choosing to focus on her secret (and scandalous) career as an author. But her Aunt Bean has other ideas. So, much to her dismay, Emme must return to the upper class social circles she strongly dislikes. When the man who broke her heart, Simon Reeves, shows up at a ball, Emme is infuriated. However, Simon is in trouble. With both of his parents gone and younger siblings to raise, he must find a wife. And Emme decides to help him, despite her past feelings. Little do they know how much this scheme will change everything.

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, romance, Christian. Romantic themes and some kissing make this best for 15+.

Profanity: Some uses of "devil" in exclamations from Simon's point of view (this was common during Regency times), but no swearing.

Violence: No violent moments.

Spice Level: Frequent kissing, some of which are a little descriptive. There is also some romantic discussion and characters think about falling in love.

Faith Elements: Not as much as in Pepper Basham's previous books. There is a clergyman character, and some mentions of God.

Additional Content: There's talk of a child out of wedlock, which turns out to be mistaken. Simon's sister ran away, so that is mentioned too.

My Take: Not my favorite book (the romance felt too modern), but fans of the Regency era will enjoy it! As a budding author, I enjoyed reading about Emme's stories. If you like Jane Austen, you'll probably like this.

Author: Jamie Ogle.

Series: Standalone novel.

Book Premise: In third-century Rome, Demi and her brother dive for treasure, and use the money to buy supplies for the Church. It's dangerous to be a Christian, and Demi has seen what can happen to those who get caught firsthand.  She was once one of them, and now she lives with deep trauma and regrets because of it. When her brother is injured, a handsome young pastor finds them and helps. As Demi gets to know Nikolas, they learn that they both have very similar-and dark-pasts. But will the bonds of love and faith in Christ be forged in the fires of pagan Rome?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, Christian, Inspirational, Romance. Best for ages 15+ due to frequent violence.

Profanity: No language.

Violence: Frequent persecution of Christians, which can be mildly descriptive, especially in some of the flashbacks to Demi's past. A character is attacked by a moray eel, and this scene is somewhat graphic.

Spice Level: Some kissing and a wedding, but it never goes too far or becomes a central part of the story.

Faith Elements: Christianity and the early Church plays a huge role in this book, with prayer and worship services happening often. Since it's Ancient Rome, there are also many mentions of pagan worship and festivals.

Additional Content: Some discussion of being drunk.

My Take: Ancient times isn't usually a period in history I like to read about, but As Sure As The Sea was a big exception! The writing style kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. The romantic plot wasn't too much (which can sometimes happen), and I loved learning more about the early Christians and how they stood firm when faced with enormous oppression by the Roman emperor.

Author: Julie Klaasen.

Series: Standalone novel.

Book Premise: Eighteen-year-old Lilly Haswell lives in a sleepy English town with her father and younger brother, helping in her father's apothecary shop. But she longs to see the world and find her mother, who disappeared many years ago. When her wealthy aunt and uncle visit, Lilly jumps at the chance to go with them back to London. Could this be her chance to discover her long-lost mother's fate, and maybe even fall in love?

Reading Level/Genre: Historical, Christian, romance. Best for ages 13+, but there isn't anything in it that would pose as too much of a problem for younger readers.

 Profanity: No swearing or crude slang.

Violence: There is one scene where Lilly's brother is dragged to prison for a crime he didn't commit, which results in a small scuffle. A character also chokes on a peppermint, though it isn't described graphically.

Spice Level: Very little romance. Only two brief kissing scenes and some mentions of courting and finding a good suitor, as was customary in Regency times. A few mentions of an affair that Lilly's father had many years ago.

Faith Elements: Even when it isn't mentioned in detail, this book is full of Christian themes. The characters attend church, pray, and receive visits from the local minister.

Additional Content: As per the title, this book is set mostly in an apothecary's shop, which means there are occasional (but not violent or graphic) illnesses referenced and treated, and also many different herbs and medicines that were used to cure these illnesses in the 19th century.

My Take: Though it was about 400 pages long, I enjoyed all of it! I appreciated that the little bit of romance didn't get in the way of the story, which can happen in this type of book. Julie Klassen's writing style gave the book serious Jane Austen vibes, which made the book even more enjoyable. I highly recommend it!

Author: Nadine Brandes.

Series: Standalone novel.

Book Premise: What if Anastasia and Alexei Romanov weren't shot by the Bolsheviks? What if, by a twist of fate-and a dash of magic-they escaped? However, the clock is ticking, and the Bolshevik leader is after the spell Anastasia is carrying. She has two choices; release the spell and face the consequences, or enlist the help of Zash, a handsome Bolshevik soldier with divided loyalties. Anastasia knows very little about magic, but it isn't nearly as terrifying as her growing crush on Zash. She thinks he might even like her back. But will he truly help the last Romanovs, or turn them in?

Reading Level/Genre: Young adult (14+, due to the violence of the time period), historical, fantasy, romance, Christian.

Profanity: The language was very clean, even in the most intense scenes.

Violence: The Romanov family's assassination and its aftermath is depicted, though not too graphically. There are also some descriptions of injuries.

Spice Level: A few brief kissing scenes and some romantic words like "I love you," but nothing more than that.

Faith Elements: The Romanovs read the Bible and pray a few times. In the historical note, the author also mentions the family's deep Christian faith. Magic also plays a key role in this book, but in a C.S. Lewis-esque fashion.

Additional Content: Some Bolshevik soldiers infrequently drink vodka and smoke cigars, which was common during the time period.

My Take: A clean, well-researched historical fantasy novel. Since it's written from a Christian perspective, the magical elements never get dark or morbid, making this a good book for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia. All of the characters are well-developed. I highly recommend this book whether you like history or not!