Review: ‘A Hundred Crickets Singing’ by Cathy Gohlke

April 4, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
**In wars eighty years apart, two young women living on the same Appalachian estate determine to aid soldiers dear to them and fight for justice, no matter the cost.**
**1944.** When a violent storm rips through the Belvidere attic in No Creek, North Carolina, exposing a hidden room and trunk long forgotten, secrets dating back to the Civil War are revealed. Celia Percy, whose family lives and works in the home, suspects the truth could transform the future for her friend Marshall, now fighting overseas, whose ancestors were once enslaved by the Belvidere family. When Marshall’s Army friend, Joe, returns to No Creek with shocking news for Marshall’s family, Celia determines to right a long-standing wrong, whether or not the town is ready for it.

**1861.** After her mother’s death, Minnie Belvidere works desperately to keep her household running and her family together as North Carolina secedes. Her beloved older brother clings to his Union loyalties, despite grave danger, while her hotheaded younger brother entangles himself and the family’s finances within the Confederacy. As the country and her own home are torn in two, Minnie risks her life and her future in a desperate fight to gain liberty and land for those her parents intended to free, before it’s too late.

With depictions of a small Southern town “reminiscent of writings by Lisa Wingate” (*Booklist* on *Night Bird Calling*), Cathy Gohlke delivers a gripping, emotive story about friendship and the enduring promise of justice.

About Cathy Gohlke

Bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. Her critically acclaimed novels include A Hundred Crickets Singing, Night Bird Calling, The Medallion (winner of the 2020 Christy Award), Until We Find Home, Secrets She Kept (winner of the 2016 Christy, Carol and INSPY Awards), Saving Amelie (winner of the 2015 INSPY Award), Band of Sisters, Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2012), I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2008 and winner of the 2008 Christy and American Christian Fiction Writers Award) and William Henry is a Fine Name (winner of the 2007 Christy Award).

When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at http://www.cathygohlke.com, and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks; on Bookbub (@ CathyGohlke); and on YouTube, where you can subscribe to Book Gems with Cathy Gohlke for short videos of book recommendations.

Cathy Gohlke takes us back to No Creek, NC in the beautifully told companion novel to Night Bird Calling, which was incredibly moving. This one is told in dual time, a time of wars eighty years apart. We find the Belvidere family in the midst of the Civil War, torn between supporting the Union and the Confederacy, a family torn apart by the war. Our hearts break at the racial injustices. We also see the same family’s descendants during WWII, again with racism abounding, even in the Army.

And we also see those righting hard to overcome these injustices. The tension is real in these scenes that make you feel the hurt. Gohlke has created an entire cast of characters that will march right into your heart. And some, sadly, that will cause you deep pain as you read their hatred.

Cathy Gohlke’s books simply take root in your heart. Her work is stunning and will not soon leave your mind, if at all. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf.

I was given an early copy of this book by Tyndale Publishing via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is expressly my own.

**Publisher: Tyndale House**
**Publication Date: April 5, 2022**
**Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09F86R3C8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2**

‘All That It Takes’ by Nicole Deese

April 3, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she’d planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend’s brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers’ mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val’s community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he’s also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects–not the least of which is pursuing Val–without stopping to consider the future.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they’ll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

About the Author

Nicole Deese is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and INSPY Award finalist. When she’s not working on her next contemporary Christian romance novel, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior. Find her online at http://www.nicoledeese.com.

Nicole Deese has once again written a book with a powerful spiritual punch, delving into the many layers of the soul. This one features Val, who made an appearance in her last book, although they can be read as stand alones. Val has left everything she is familiar with in Alaska, living with her parents as a single mother, to move to Washington state for a job with her best friend. Miles returns from a missions trip to find changes have taken place in his ministry that he is not the least bit happy about.

Situations happen here that cause both Val and Miles to re-evaluate their stances on their life and it’s not a pleasant experience for either of them. Val’s story is powerful in itself, but it was Miles’s story that really pounded my heart. You see, to hear from God, we must actually listen to Him. Even in the hard things. This story will minister to many, I am so sure. I was crying during many scenes. Truly a job well done.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.