The Sound of Light

 

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When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity to he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research - her life's dream - and makes the dangerous decision to print resistance newspapers.

As Else hears rumors of the movement's legendary Havmand - the merman - she also becomes intrigued by the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse. Henrik makes every effort to conceal his noble upbringing, but he is torn between the façade he must maintain and the woman he is beginning to fall in love with.

When the occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech...or in silence.

Review

What a fascinating read! It's the first book I can recall that goes into detail about Denmark during World War 2. Most often, I've found historical novels during that time period are set in America, France, or England. I really appreciated the tiny glimpse into the life for the Danes during this turbulent time in history.

Else and Henrik are incredible characters - one of my favourite duos! They both had such strong and likeable personalities, and I loved reading their romance unfold.

The last half of the book was quite the thrill ride with constant exciting moments. All I can ask is, more please, Ms. Sundin? I can't wait for her next story!

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

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. 

Honor Bound

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It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. but all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn't want to life anything about Rick and his team - but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to drawn upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive...because he's beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

Review

This was quite the adventure story! Just when you think everyone is safe, yet another crisis happens. I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed read supported by a strong cast of characters. Cynthia and Rick are the perfect juxtaposition of main characters. She's a pacifist and he's a soldier. Her Dad is the Vice-President of the United States of America, and could become his Commander-in-Chief. And yet, they develop feelings for each other. Given their vastly different backgrounds and beliefs, can they actually have a future together? And is their budding romance just a fleeting desire coming out of a near-death situation? Or something deeper and long-lasting? Not to mention - how are they going to get out of the jungle alive? These questions and more swirl together throughout the pages of this fast-paced suspense novel.  A fantastic read! I will definitely be picking up books 2 and 3 in Hallee Bridgeman's "Love & Honor" series.

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

Lights Out

 

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CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a women who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning - the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world - and their hearts - hangs in the balance.

Review

Oh. My. Goodness. If you read any book this year, Lights Out has to be the one. It is SO good! It's literally jam-packed with edge-of-your-seat action following an intricate plot that keeps you guessing on how all the pieces are going to fit together. It is also a story that appears incredibly plausible given how much our world relies upon technology. From communications, banking, work, travel, housing, etc., many aspects of our lives are connected and maintained through the use of technology. Chaos would ensue should any of those systems go down. And Natalie Walters imagines what that could possibly look like in Lights Out.

The character choices and development are perfect for the story. I loved the unique personalities of each member of the SNAP Agency (along with the heroine, Brynn, of course) and look forward to getting to know each one better in future novels in this series.

Smartly-executed, Lights Out takes readers on a thrill ride they won't soon forget!

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

Yours is the Night

 

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The trenches of the Great War are a shadowed place. Though Platoon Sergeant Matthew Pettigrew arrived there with a past long marked by shadow, the realities of battle bring new wounds - carving within him a longing for light, and a resolve to fight for it.

One night, Matthew and his comrades are enraptured by a sound so pure, a voice so ethereal, it offers reprieve - even if only for a moment. Soon, rumors sweep the trenches from others who have heard the lullaby too. "The Angel of Argonne," they call the voice: a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves.

Raised in the wild depths of the Forest of Argonne, Mireilles finds her reclusive world rocked when war crashes into her idyllic home, taking much from her. When Matthew and his two unlikely companions discover Mireilles, they must embark on a journey that will change each of them forever...and perhaps, at long last, spark light into the dark.

Review

I could sum up this review in one word and end it there: captivating. Truly, it is. With a breathtaking prose, Amanda Dykes immerses the reader in a haunting tale during the heartbreaking era of World War I where everyone was touched in some way by pain and loss. 

It is a clashing of worlds as war and death land at the doorstep of sweet, innocent Mireilles, putting her trust in young Matthew to take her to safety. The story is told from multiple viewpoints creating a stain-glassed window effect into the one story that's being shared. It allows the reader to see how each character is affected individually through their own past experiences, giving them different coloured lens to view the world around them.

Diving into an Amanda Dykes' novel is always a treat, and it's hard to believe that she's a fairly new author. Yours is the Night is the story of ages, as the words etched across the pages evoke deep emotion like no other. The rich characters and touching story will leave a lasting mark on any reader who dares to take this voyage into a land of love, loss, and faith. I cannot wait for the author's next masterpiece!

 

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

Collateral Damage

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They thought they left the fight behind on the battlefield.  

But their greatest struggles are just beginning.

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others, but her days of helping military personnel are over.  She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more.

Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way.  The only thing that scares him now is sleep.  As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor.  When he arrives at her office, she isn't there, but a dead body is.  When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack - and that her secrets go even deeper than his own - Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Review

Collateral Damage is an explosive start to Lynette Eason's newest series, "Danger Never Sleeps".  From the first chapter, readers are taken on a wild ride from war-torn Afghanistan where anyone could be your enemy, to sunny South Carolina, where the terrors of war should only become a distant memory.  However, the danger didn't stay overseas, but followed Brooke and Asher as they enter civilian life.  Not only are they unsure of who attacked Brooke, they don't even know what it is her assailant is after.  All these factors result in a page-turning story with endless twists and turns!  I loved every word, every chapter, and was sorry for the story to end.  Suspense novels are my favourite read, and Lynette Eason hit the ball out of the park with this one.  Can't wait for Book #2!

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

Far Side of the Sea

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In 1918 England, Lieutenant Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages for MI8 after suffering inures at the front.  When he receives an urgent summons by carrier pigeon from Jewel Reyer - a woman who saved his life and whom he believed to be dead - he can only hope he'll regain the courage he lost on the front lines as he's driven back into war-torn France.

But Jewel isn't the one waiting for him in Paris.  Instead, it is a stranger who claims to be her half sister, Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence.  She found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive and in the custody of a German agent.  With spies everywhere, Colin is at first skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust grows.

That trust is quickly put to the test, however, when their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot and their search for answers quickly turns into a battle for their lives.

Review

When I pick up a Kate Breslin novel, I know I can easily anticipate an intriguing story, fascinating war history, and complex characters.  Far Side of the Sea does not disappoint!  I had no idea how involved carrier pigeons were during World War I in the passing of messages within the military.  These courageous birds were able to fly undetected to deliver life-saving messages to their recipients.  It's always amazing to hear how even the smallest of creatures such as a bird can aid during wartime!

I really enjoyed the story and unfolding relationship that developed between Johanna and Colin.  They were brought together through a mutual concern over Jewel, and were equally surprised by the love that blossomed between them.  They are quickly pulled into a web of intrigue that threatens their very lives.  As enemy agents everywhere, it is impossible to know who they can trust and who to run from.  With many twists and turns, this story will keep you guessing until the end!

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

  

Whose Waves These Are

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In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose...and rocks.  Its message?  Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving.  When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the harbor village on the coast of Maine, and he sets his callused hands to work.

 

Decades later, Annie Bliss is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when GrandBob, the man who gave her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is the one in need of help.  But what greets her is a mystery:  a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home.  Memories of stone ruins on a nearby island ignite a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers.

 

Together with the handsome and enigmatic town postman, Annie uncovers the story layer by layer, yearning to resurrect the hope GrandBob once held so dear and to know the truth behind the chasm in her family's past.  But mending what has been broken for so long may require more of her and those she loves than they are prepared to give.

Review

 

With an artistic style, Amanda Dykes has penned a beautifully written story that is cross-generational and carried along by a wonderful cast of characters.  I fell in love with the writing and how the author deftly describes even the simplest of things.  For example, from the first page, the author is telling of a draft notice letter that has been received:

 

"It lies there on the red, paint-chipped kitchen table, like an old friend who has let himself in and put his feet up, the most natural thing in the world.

 

But it's anything but natural."

 

Carried along by the lyrical voice, the story leaps to life through the pages, unveiling an intriguing plot chapter by chapter, showing how the actions and events in the past can very well shape and guide the future.  It is a powerful reminder to not take lightly decisions we make today for the possible reactions and repercussions that could follow later on.  The heroine in the story, Annie Bliss, well knows that truth, as she fights the guilt of failure from a previous career decision.  Little does she know that GrandBob has also struggled with his own haunted memories.  But where GrandBob has found solace and a purpose, Annie has yet to find her.  But perhaps it can be discovered in the sleepy and quaint town of Ansel-by-the-Sea...

 

This novel was a breath of fresh air.  I so enjoyed the lovely prose and thought-provoking story.  Whose Waves These Are is a smashing debut novel for new author, Amanda Dykes.  I will be looking forward to her next work!

 

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

Verity

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After leaving England behind for anew life in the West Indies with her sisters, Verity Banning wants something to call her own.  Her affinity for animals inspires her to set up a business importing horses, as well as other goods in demand by the island residents.  However, when she arrives in the colonies to purchase her goods, unexpected news of Captain Duncan McKintrick awaits her - as does the captain's handsome brother, Ian, whose sympathies lie with the fledgling Patriot cause.

 

As the great-granddaughter of a British general and a friend to many Loyalists, Verity believed all she wanted was a peaceful resolution.  Yet both the Patriots and the impassioned Ian McKintrick are steadily laying claim to her heart.  When faced with the decision of what - and for whom - she will fight, can she set her feet upon a new path despite the danger that threatens to destroy her dreams?

Review

 

I had devoured the first book in this series, Keturah, not once, but twice in rapid succession.  Needless to say, I had rather high expectations for subsequent novels, and can safely say that Verity has more than lived up to those expectations!

 

The Banning women appear to have strong, independent spirits - and Verity is no exception.  When it comes to falling in love, they won't just fall in love with any man.  Rather, as Keturah's husband puts it, "They seek not a man to direct them or lord over them, but rather one who will stand beside them, celebrating their strengths".  Verity had found such a man in Captain Duncan McKintrick, but when tragedy strikes, Verity focuses her time and energy on importing horses and opening a successful tack store, hoping in time her sorrow would be assuaged.  It is through this venture that Verity meets Duncan's brother, Captain Ian McKintrick, and the two strike a business agreement with Ian delivering Verity's goods to Nevis. 

 

Not surprising, attraction blooms between Verity and Ian which is a balm to both of their hearts.  But politics and dangers from the past arise to threaten their relationship.  With each chapter, suspense and adventure continue to build, drawing on the unsettled political climate of the time.  Keturah had its own political tension through the locals on the island, but Verity builds on it globally as the Loyalists and Patriots are on the verge of the Revolutionary War.  Verity is more than just a romance or adventure story - it is an intriguing piece of historical fiction.  Like Keturah, I will be reading this one again....and waiting in eager anticipation for the third novel, Selah.

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

Between Two Shores

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She has always moved between worlds, but now she must choose a side.

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart.  Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father.  Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not.  But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine.  When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France.  She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

Review

Oh boy.  What a read!  I love, love Jocelyn Green's historical fiction.  The detailed research she undergoes for each novel is widely evident from the first page.  I'm always blown away by the intricacies of her plots and the depth of her characters. 

 

Set in my native country of Canada, Between Two Shores takes place during a very turbulent time in Canadian history as the French and British fought over who would control the territory.  The French enlisted the help of many of the Mohawk warriors in their fight against the British, even going so far as to pay for the scalps of British immigrants who called the area their home.  The British were equally brutal in their battle tactics in their massacres of Indian villages.  Thus went on the bitter Seven Years' War which divided many families and friends and decimated numerous lives.

 

As set out in the back cover description above, Between Two Shores centres around Catherine Duval, a strong woman caught between two cultures - two different peoples she calls her own.  As she tries to maintain relationships with one side, the other suffers.  She feels like a nation divided, not unlike her native country at the time.  As such, Catherine tries her best to be neutral, both in the war, and in her own life.  But in the end, no one can remain completely neutral.  A side must be chosen, and each chapter in the novel leads up to the climatic question: Which side will it be? 

 

Encapsulating the tension of the time, Jocelyn Green crafted a riveting novel that was difficult to put down.  It was full of heartache and despair, war and trauma, and yet held together with a thread of hope.  Hope for humanity in the middle of a wretched war, hope for fractured relationships, and hope in a heavenly Father who holds the whole world in His hands.      

Book has been provided courtesy of Harvest House and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

The Number of Love

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Three years into the Great War, England's greatest asset is their intelligence network - field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack German telegrams for hints of the enemy's plans.  Margo De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages.  But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, she discovers for the first time in her life that numbers aren't enough.

 

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won't give up.  He's smitten quickly by the quick and brainy Margot, but soon the dangers of the war draw ever closer.  Margot and Drake will have to team up to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

 

Review

 

Roseanna M. White's newest series, "The Codebreakers" centralizes around England's "Room 40", a place that was shrouded in mystery during the Great War, and very much remains the same today.  Arguably one of the most integral parts to fighting the Great War, Room 40 was filled with brilliant minds who quickly see patterns and hidden messages not easily picked out by the average person. 

 

Margot De Wilde is one of those gifted individuals.  She was introduced in Book 2 of "Shadows over England" series (A Song Unheard) and I was thrilled to know that she would have her own story.  Margot is a brilliant and complex young lady, preferring her books and puzzles to parties and people.  She can easily be over-stimulated in public settings and is constantly noticing patterns and numbers whether it is the number of bricks in a building or buttons on a blouse.  Margot is definitely not your average girl who fills their head with the newest fashion designs and lipstick trends.

 

Drake Elton, being an intelligence officer, is no slouch either.  Oftentimes, he must rely upon his wits in order to keep him alive.  It's no surprise that he is instantly taken with Margot, whose amazing mind equally matches her beautiful face.  What he is surprised by, is how danger seems to be following him home, making him fearful for not only the outcome of his mission, but for the safety of those he loves.

 

The Number of Love is not a fast-paced suspense novel, but a fascinating historical piece interspersed with romance.  It is clear that the author puts in a lot of research into each and every one of her novels, and never fails to jam as many interesting facts as possible in each story.  I so enjoyed this story and cannot wait until the next book, On Wings of Devotion, comes out in January 2020!  (That will be a fabulous way to kick off the new year!)

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

An Hour Unspent

 

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With danger creeping ever closer, do their dreams still matter?

 

Once London's top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war, including keeping an eye on a talented engineer working as a clockmaker.  But not until he rescues the man's daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

 

Evelina Manning has constantly dreamed and worked for independence, but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end their engagement and enlist in the army.  When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clock repair with her father, she can't help being interested.  But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.

 

As 1915 England plunges deeper into war, the race is on for any technological edge, and Evelina's father's ideas have captured the attention of many - perhaps too many.  As danger seems to encroach from every side, it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape.

Review

Roseanna M. White has quickly become one of my favourite authors.  She won me over with A Name Unknown, the beginning of her "Shadows Over England" series.  That novel was the introduction to Barclay Pearce and his family of thieves.  The first two novels in this series were of his sisters, Rosemary and Willa, and I was so excited for this novel - An Hour Unspent - to come out and tell the story of Barclay himself.  Other than knowing that he held a fierce love for his adopted siblings and is an excellent thief, Barclay's character and background always held a bit of a mystery.  An Hour Unspent peels back those layers and the result is as intriguing - albeit heart-breaking - as expected.  It's hard not to cheer for Barclay and that he be able to embrace his own sort of happy ending.  And it is his story that best concludes this wonderful series.

 

Set in a time when the world is in turmoil, the setting itself lends a healthy dose of tension and many possible avenues to introduce more than a few mysteries and dangerous situations. From the constant threat of zeppelin raids, to the ever-present worry if the person next to you is a spy, life in a time of war was not an easy feat.  It makes it hard to continue a life of normalcy when your windows are covered in black crepe and the presence of soldiers in the streets is a common occurrence.  And while living in these conditions would be hard enough for an ordinary citizen, Barclay goes one step further in enlisting in active service for the Crown.  His former skills as a thief come in handy on his various missions for the Crown, and he is ready to employ those skills yet again as he meets with Mr. Manning to investigate his latest invention that promises to greatly aid England in the war effort.  Throughout his various visits with Mr. Manning, he becomes more than intrigued by the clockmaker's lovely daughter, Evelina.  The attraction proves to be mutual, but before their relationship can take flight, someone goes missing under mysterious circumstances, and it is up to Barclay to launch a rescue mission on the other side of the battle lines before it is too late.

 

The combination of history, romance, and suspense collide in An Hour Unspent.  The plot is nothing short of intriguing and the romance can only be described as sweeping which result in a fantastic read.  I will be eagerly anticipating Ms. White's next work, The Number of Love, book one in her new series, "The Codebreakers", scheduled to come out in June 2019.

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

Love Comes Home

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World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are joyfully welcoming the boys home.  The Merritt sisters in particular are looking forward to the future.  Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay.  Evangeline craves a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church.  Victoria wants what can never be.  And Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.

Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.

Review

Ann H. Gabhart has penned another beautiful novel about the town of Rosey Corner.  The town and its people are coming out of the throes of World War II, and as Kate, Jay, Evangeline, Mike, Victoria, Lorena have grown older and experienced the joys and trials of life, the maturity and depth of their characters also increases.  Ann Gabhart’s character portrayal blows me away every time.  These individuals in the novel are like your closest friends, whereby one can easily sympathize and cheer the character on. 

Love Comes Home is a story that is equally encouraging and inspirational, as regardless of the circumstance, the characters learn to ultimately lean on God to pull them through, ever resting in His secure hand.  And that is a great reminder to us all.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

For Such a Time

For Such a Time, by Kate Breslin

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In 1944, Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy.  Pressed into service by SS Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, her Aryan-like looks allow her to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller.  However, to maintain her cover as von Schmidt’s secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths, Stella appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp.  Aric’s indulgence gives her hope even as she risks discovery with every attempt to help the prisoners.  When her bravery brings her to the point of ultimate sacrifice, she faces an excruciating choice.  God may have brought her to the camp for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she cannot save herself?

Review

I had such a hard time putting this book down!  With every life precariously hung in the balance and the tension thick and taut through each sentence, it kept me riveted to the pages, devouring each and every chapter until the final, dramatic end. 

My heart broke along with Hadassah, through every trial she had to go through, and the pain she had to endure.  While this is a fictional story, it is placed during World War II, so the circumstances the Jews faced were very real.  It is hard to imagine having your family torn away from you, and watching your friends, neighbours, and fellow human beings treated no better than a disease that had to be eradicated.  And as my heart was breaking, I also felt the righteous anger that rose up within Hadassah.  She could not, would not, stand by and allow these innocent people being led like sheep to the slaughter.  She had to do everything she could to save them. 

A moving and heart-pounding story, For Such a Time is certainly not forgettable.  And it is one that should not be missed.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group.