Yesterday's Tides

 

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In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same - until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling's lives in World War II, it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Review

Yesterdays' Tides, is the newest historical novel by Roseanna M. White, and is also a time-slip story. It took me a few chapters to really capture my attention as it starts slowly and builds page by page, incrementally increasing the tension, and thereby multiplying the questions. The plotlines really picked up steam by the time I hit the middle of the book, and from there, it was hard to stop reading. I did struggle at times with distinguishing between some of the supporting characters (there were many!), and the portrayal of Catholic faith as Christian faith (including praying the rosary) did not sit well with me as those beliefs are not one and the same.

One thing that I was extremely excited to see, were all the connections to the author's previous books. I loved that aspect! Be sure to read the author's note at the end (after reading the book, of course, as there are a numbers of spoilers!) as the story behind the creation of Yesterday's Tides was really neat. Here's one juicy tidbit: this book was first written as a contemporary romance!

Overall, as a historical romance novel, this was a slow-burn, intriguing story with a satisfying ending. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Rose and the Thistle

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In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Blythe quietly awaits the crowning of a new king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.

No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with her maid in tow. He has his own problems - a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.

In this whirlwind of intrigue, ambitions, and shifting alliances, Blythe yearns for someone she can trust. But the same forces that draw her and Everard together also threaten to tear them apart.

Review

First off, what a BEAUTIFUL cover! I love the gold imprints of the rose and thistle to coincide with the title. Absolutely gorgeous! And I can heartily say the story is just as beautiful as its cover. The Rose and the Thistle is a sweeping romance sure to please lovers of historical fiction. Having enjoyed previous books by Laura Frantz, I was beyond eager to read this one.

The novel is set during tumultuous times between England and Scotland. Caught in the middle is Lady Blythe who wants to be able to live a simple and quiet life free from the current turmoil in her country. Her father's political beliefs and actions have thrown her into the crosshairs, leading her to seek refuge from her godparents in Scotland. Everard is not the least bit happy to have the danger now thrust into his lap, but he honourably agrees to house her. What follows are a thrilling mix of tensions: romantic, dangerous, and suspenseful. Love it!

What I couldn't reconcile was the fact both characters could so easily compromise their faith and beliefs. Everard is Christian, and Blythe is Catholic. As it goes directly against Christianity to have a romantic relationship, much less a marriage, with an unbeliever, it didn't ring true that Everard would simply ignore that, especially when he is a character of such strong convictions. Not to mention, Blythe just readily recants her faith in name only just to continue their relationship. It would have been easier to believe Blythe, over the course of the story, come to true belief in Christ as her Lord and Savior and had a true conversion to the Christian faith, but that never happened. It was a difficult aspect of the book to try to reconcile and threw a thorn in an otherwise lovely historical romance.

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.