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 

 

 

 

SHATTERED PEACE by Julie McDonald Zander, Reviewed by Paula

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Taking place in Centralia, Washington in 1919, this story chronicles the horrible conflict that happened between veterans and the beginnings of the unions, notably the Wobblies.

 

The author has done extensive research into the event and time and circumstances leading up to the fateful day. In November 1919. It is raw at times with graphic descriptions of war and the massacre and lynching.
 

The author depicts the effects of war on returning soldiers and loved ones that they left behind. It was a good history lesson about the era and political climate of the times.
 

This was a dual time story. Letters that were found by a descendant of the characters of 1919 are what connected the two time periods. I had a bit of trouble jumping back and forth between them but they were both very interesting.
Trigger warning for violence.
*I won a digital copy of this book from Library Thing. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and a solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
A forgotten diary. A century-old secret. A town still haunted by its past.

When former Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes inherits an old house in Centralia, Washington, she sees it as a chance to escape her own ghosts and start anew. But as she peels back layers of history within the home’s walls, she unearths long-buried secrets tied to a dark chapter in the town’s history.

Hidden behind crumbling plaster, a faded diary and a bundle of love letters unveil the struggles of a soldier trapped in the trenches of France and the heartbreak of those left waiting at home. Yet the diary’s brittle pages hold more than just longing—they bear witness to the explosive events of November 11, 1919, when a parade meant to celebrate peace erupted into violence and bloodshed.

As Colleen pieces together the tragic choices that shattered lives and fractured a town, she realizes history is never truly buried. The wounds of yesterday still shape today, and the past is not done with her yet.

Inspired by true events, Shattered Peace is a gripping time-slip novel of love, loss, and the echoes of history that refuse to fade. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network and The Girl You Left Behind, this haunting tale of resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of truth will linger long after the final page. 

St. Helen's Press, March, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback at Amazon

THESE BLUE MOUNTAINS By Sarah Loudin Thomas, Reviewed by Rebecca #ReleaseDay

 A Southern Fiction Novel with a Pianist Heroine for Book Clubs
set between WWI and WWII in 1930s Appalachia and Germany

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
" . . . she'd felt as if her life were a simple melody being played on a badly out-of-tune instrument."

Waiting month after month, year after year, Hedda Schlagel had finally stumbled across a photograph that offered a clue as to what may have happened to her fiance Fritz Meyer, who had ostensibly been sent to a German internment camp upon his arrival in New York, where he had died of typhoid if her source was correct. Determined to fit the remaining pieces of a somewhat murky puzzle together, Hedda travels to America to determine if it was "her Fritz" who was buried in a cemetery near Asheville, North Carolina.

Instead of finding answers, Hedda finds misunderstandings along with the remains of a woman's body in the casket marked to be that of Fritz Meyer. Working with local law enforcement to gain answers, Hedda uses her accomplished skills as a pianist to find a place to stay and earn money while she waits. Unfortunately, Hedda does not have the paperwork necessary for an extended stay, and the political unrest in Germany makes it even more dangerous to go home.

What an undertaking to suppose the years between two world wars by utilizing such an intriguing historical backdrop, while smartly including actual people and places along the way. Feeling the angst of each character, sharing their anxiety over every choice transforms this story into something deeply personal and memorable. There were a multitude of ways this story could have ended; happy ways, sad ways, hard ways, easy ways, right ways, wrong ways . . . but ultimately it finished in the best of ways . . . in the shadow of "these blue mountains".

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews and purchased a copy. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda is stunned to see Fritz's name in a photograph of an American memorial for German seamen who died near Asheville, North Carolina. Determined to reclaim his body and bring closure to his ailing mother, Hedda travels to the US. Her quest takes a shocking turn when, rather than Fritz's body, his casket contains the remains of a woman who died under mysterious circumstances.

Local deputy Garland Jones thought he'd left that dark chapter behind when he helped bury Fritz Meyer's coffin. The unexpected arrival of Hedda, a long-suffering yet captivating woman, forces him to confront how much of the truth he really knows. As they work together to uncover the identity of the woman in the casket and to unravel Fritz's fate, Hedda and Garland grow closer. But with Hedda in the US on borrowed time while Hitler rises to power in Germany, she fears she'll be forced to return home before she can put the ghosts of her past to rest. 

 

Bethany House Publishers, July, 2025

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

Buy THESE BLUE MOUNTAINS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE CODEBREAKER'S DAUGHTER by Amy Lynn Green, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney #ReleaseDay

A Novel of World War II, Codebreakers, 

and Mother-Daughter Relationships

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"What do you know? And what does it mean?'

The two most basic questions that every codebreaker should remember to ask themselves, and yet . . . more often than not the answers lead to more extensive inquiry. Dinah Kendall's rising stress level was a testament to the enormous responsibility that even entry level employees of the federal government's Office of Strategic Services felt and experienced on a daily basis, especially when . . .

Years earlier, and initially unknown to Dinah, her mother had worked in Washington, D. C. during the Great War. Lillian Kendall's contributions within an elite team of codebreakers had eventually diminished into a small journal chronicling her story, in code of course, which she had deemed lost some years earlier. Through a series of providential circumstances, mother and daughter become intertwined in a critical situation with potential global repercussion, one in which time is most certainly not on their side.

Brimming with national history, iconic characters, and a story that just keeps on giving and taking, this fine example of historical fiction flows with the ease of an expensive pen, allowing readers to peek behind the curtain of national intelligence in an era when even family members kept secrets.

"The future was a cipher for everyone, really, a jumble of unknowns. Maybe all she had to do was gather the courage to begin."
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
In the heart of the US capital, Dinah Kendall's role for the Office of Strategic Services isn't the thrilling espionage career she dreamed of. Instead, she spends her days crafting rumors aimed at undermining Axis morale. As Dinah navigates her duties, she uncovers a startling revelation: Her mother, Lillian, was once a codebreaker, cracking military ciphers during the Great War alongside some of the nation's most brilliant minds. The deeper Dinah dives into her mother's past, the more secrets come to light--including the heavy cost of high-stakes codebreaking.

Lillian, though resolute in her decision to avoid war work, reluctantly enters the fray when old friends in Washington, DC, seek her expertise. Both mother and daughter find themselves working behind the scenes--and working together--to support the Allied cause. But just when Dinah begins to excel in her new position, everything she's worked so hard to obtain comes crashing down around her. Caught in a web of intrigue and unsure who to trust, she must piece together the truth in time to confront the shadowy threat that could compromise the impending D-Day invasion.

A compelling World War I and World War II home front novel inspired by true stories of codebreakers and OSS agents. Courage, danger, and a mother-daughter bond interweave in this compelling historical tale that will appeal to readers of Sarah Sundin and Madeline Martin. 

Bethany House Publishing, June, 2025

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

Buy THE CODEBREAKER'S DAUGHTER at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

WHEN STARS LIGHT THE SKY (The Women of Midtown Series #2) by Elizabeth Camden, Reviewed by Rebecca, Paula, and Winnie! #ReleaseDay

(The Women of Midtown): 

(A WWI Marriage of Convenience Clean Historical Romance Novel)

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW
"He would never again give a woman the power to trample his heart or destroy his career."

"Could her lack of citizenship be a problem?" When Inga Klein chooses to accompany James Gerard (along with his wife), America's Ambassador to Germany, she assumes that her German heritage and knowledge of the language would serve her well in her role as his personal secretary. Through a providential chance meeting years earlier, the Gerards had taken Inga under their wing, providing her opportunity and education, prompting Inga to leave her beloved New York City in order to serve her new country overseas.

When Germany plunges into war, and the United States struggles to remain neutral, Inga's status as an unmarried young woman, who never thought to pursue American citizenship before leaving the country, now faces legitimate safety concerns. Enter . . . "cold oats".

Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff to Ambassador Gerard, was a no-nonsense, everything by the book sort of man. Smoothing over the ambassador's gaffs and explosive retorts, Benedict kept a tight lid on relationships in general, until the lovely, impulsive, and utterly distracting Miss Klein joined the diplomatic staff. Enough sparks flew between the two of them to ignite a bonfire, but when Inga's well-being is jeopardized, Benedict actually considers putting irritation aside long enough to trust a slowly warming corner of his otherwise cool heart . . . for just a short period of time, right?

An outstanding blend of story, character, and historical detail! Personally, I enjoyed the repartee between Benedict and Inga so much that I will most certainly re-read this book over and over again, just to sit on the sidelines!

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. 4.5 stars

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This intriguing book showed what it was like to be in Berlin in the American Embassy just before WWI.
 

Inga was a German-born girl who settled in New York. She became the secretary to the Ambassador to Berlin. Diplomatic chief of staff to Ambassador Gerards, Benedict, is a very blunt, businesslike man. The diplomatic contingent is doing all it can to keep American neutral. But as war looms, Inga fears she will not be able to return to America, since she has not followed through with her citizenship status. A marriage in name only to Benedict seems the only solution.
 

It was very interesting to note that this book was partly based on the memoirs of the real Ambassador Gerards. The author did a great job of conveying the tension between the Embassy staff and the German rulers at the time that was critical in our nation’s history.
 

I loved the way the romance developed and how Inga struggled to feel smart enough and worthy enough to be the wife of a diplomat. And Benedict was an admirable hero who was patient even though he was struggling with a past that was affecting his present relationship with Inga.
 

This is another well written historical to add to my favorites list.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author and a NetGalley copy through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and an underlying faith thread. 

 
WINNIE'S REVIEW
Talented author Elizabeth Camden’s book, When Stars Light the Sky, is a perfect example of why I love historical romance fiction. It combines fascinating historical events with a delicious romance to create a fantastic story. Camden does this to perfection, and I absolutely adored this book. Based on true events and a real U.S. Ambassador to Germany in the years prior to the U.S. entering World War I, the story is riveting and kept me turning pages. I was very interested in learning more about the intricacies of international diplomatic relationships between countries and how they affected history.

The main characters are realistically-flawed, engaging, and delightful. I adored Inga and Benedict and their opposites attract relationship. Their verbal sparring and witty banter kept me amused and cheering for them. A stellar cast of supporting characters added interest and intrigue.

If you enjoy opposites attract, marriage of convenience, and enemies-to-more stories along with some outstanding history lessons, be sure to read this book. I love Camden’s careful historical research and attention to details. Her writing is colorful and compelling and leaves me wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.

 

Bethany House Publishing, January, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy WHEN STARS LIGHT THE SKY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE LIBERTY SCARF by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan , Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

The Liberty Scarf: A Story of Three Women, One War, 

and a Scarf That Binds Them Together

PAULA'S REVIEW:

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickenson
 

A beautiful story of love and hope amidst the turmoil of war.
“Everything need not be perfect to be beautiful.”
 

Like the textile represented in the title, the three authors have woven an exceptional tale of hope and resilience during a time of upheaval in WWI. The descriptive details kept my interest as I watched the characters grapple with the difficulties that they faced in the time of war. I liked the way it was written in three parts for the three couples and a bit of mystery until the reveal at the end. Three different stories meshed together at the conclusion in a unique and satisfying way.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Harper Collins through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a clean read- general market

BackCover Blurb:
From acclaimed authors Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan comes an evocative, three-part novel about a thread of connection during World War I--a single scarf that links three extraordinary women, each battling societal expectations, enduring the devastations of war, and striving for personal growth amidst the chaos. The Liberty Scarf is a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.

In the midst of a seemingly endless war, a scarf connects three women in the cold winter of 1917 . . .

London: As an ambitious scarf maker, Iris Braxton spends her days surrounded by color and luxury not often seen during the dark days of war that were promised to be over by Christmas. That promise has come and gone for three years with still no end in sight, and her days continue in a monotony of rations and threads while she spins a dream of becoming Liberty's first female pattern designer. She hasn't the time or interest in rakish soldiers, but the temporarily-on-leave Captain Rex Conrad is persistent--and before long his charm wins her over. But war is cruel, and, all too soon, Conrad leaves once more for the Front, but not before vowing to meet again in Strasbourg, France, the most magical of Christmas cities. Iris begins stitching small messages into each of the scarves she makes in hopes that one will find a way into Rex's hands to let him know she's thinking of him. And when she receives word that he's wounded in Strasbourg, she rushes to his side. Along the way, she passes a woman wearing one of her scarves . . .

Maine: Geneviève Tremblay, a French-Canadian immigrant, is a telephone operator living in Lewiston, Maine. Her beau is a member of a prominent family who has helped to Americanize her in a community often unfriendly to Canadians. As part of this effort, she enlists in the US Army Signal Corps to serve as a bi-lingual operator. Along the way, she meets a French officer who makes her question whether losing her identity is too heavy a price for acceptance.

Belgium: Clara Janssens, a Flemish Nurse, and Roman Allaire, an Alsatian violinist, connect in a Brussels palace-turned-hospital far beyond their routine provincial and countryside lives--and the expectations in those towns. Their love of music creates a spark between them, but the destruction of battle and the transient nature of their relationship threatens the bond they have built. Still, the appearance of a kind stranger and the unexpected gift of a treasured scarf bind them long beyond their stolen moments and offer them a future brighter than they could have even hoped.

The Liberty Scarf is more than a piece of fabric--it's a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in the face of war, binding these three women together in an indelible bond. Experience their stories of love, sacrifice, and survival in this captivating novel from Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan.

Harper Muse, November, 2024 

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY THE LIBERTY SCARF at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE WINGED TIARA by J'nell Ciesielski, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

Saucy heroine Esme and honest thief Jasper are after The Winged Tiara. The catch is they are married but estranged and want the Tiara for different reasons.
The clever banter was flirty fun. The chase was fraught with danger. The danger was sometimes slapstick!
 

What disappointed me was that I was expecting a Christian novel. Also I was taken aback by some of the slang terms.
 

The setting was well described as opulent Post-WWI and was scattered around Europe and the UK. For the most part it was fast paced although it dragged a bit in the middle. The characters progressed in their development but I think Esme listened to the wrong reasoning before making up her own mind.
*A complimentary copy of this ebook was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars General Market (not Christian novel)

BackCover Blurb:
Diamonds and danger dazzle in Ciesielski's latest enchanting romp through post-war Europe as estranged spouses and jewel thieves hunt an elusive Valkyrie tiara.

November 12, 1918. It was a match made in champagne-soaked heaven, but all too soon the bubbles dried up, and Esme Fox awakens the morning after celebrating the end of the Great War to find herself shockingly and accidentally married. She gathers her belongings and slips out before her new husband can stop her. After all, she knows it's best to leave before he does.

Four years later, Jasper Truitt, after having made a name for himself in the underground world of jewel thieves, is on the hunt for a valuable heirloom: a one-of-a-kind winged tiara—the last Valkyrie tiara ever created. So it's with great surprise that he discovers it at a charity event atop the head of a woman he's never forgotten. His long-lost wife . . . who happens to be pursuing the tiara for a vengeful opera diva desperate to obtain the jewel for herself.

The reunion is cut short when Esme vanishes—again—but their separation is temporary. With a hitman on their heels and a deadline looming, the pair find themselves in an epic game of cat and mouse across Europe following leads from the French Riviera to a shop of wonders in Venice, a fairy-tale castle in Bavaria, and a veritable circus thrown by a champagne heiress, all before a dramatic horseback flight through the French countryside.

In the end only one can win, and with both of their hearts on the line, the winner may well turn out to be the loser.

In her latest glamorous historical romance, J'nell Ciesielski spins a sparkling story filled with her signature snappy dialogue and vivid atmosphere that will keep you listening late into the night to see what happens next.

Thomas Nelson Publishing, August, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy THE WINGED TIARA at Amazon, Christianbook .com , or Baker Book House

 

THE WISE GUY AND THE STAR by Shannon McNear, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The Wise Guy and the Star: a Love's Pure Light Christmas novella

This novella is just the thing to get you ready for Christmas. It takes place on a train bound from Charleston, S. Carolina to St. Louis in December 1919.

The Wise Guys are the three Wise brothers named after the three wisemen: Goldwin, Franklin and Mervin (Nat). The Star is Estella Shepherd, daughter of a minister.

The author spun an engaging tale full of beautiful scenery where Aunt Lila and Stella get to know the Wise brothers on a long train journey. It was fun to see the parallel of the three wisemen traveling from the East. The brothers, who survived the Great War, were somewhat disillusioned in their faith and needed to renew their trust in God. I liked the tie-in of them singing “We Three Kings” and of Nat carving the three wisemen out of wood.
An appealing story to read any time of the year.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Can a chance encounter be the connection they have always needed?

Charleston, South Carolina, to Kansas City, Missouri, 1919

After the end of the Great War, pastor’s daughter Stella Shepherd accompanies her aunt on a business trip by train and meets convalescing war veteran Nat Wise and his two older brothers. The three men are whimsically named after the gifts of the biblical wise men and dubbed “the Wise guys” by their cousins. They claim to be down-and-out soldiers recently returned from the front, but they’re surrounded by mystery.

Stella secretly carries the family Nativity to comfort her while away from family during Christmas. Nat quietly spends his spare time carving a set of wooden wise men to honor his own deceased mother. To him, Stella is the perfect church girl—darling, but unattainable because he’s done too much for God to forgive him.

Stella longs to help Nat find renewed faith in God, but could he be the answer to the wanderings of her own heart?

Shenandoah Dawn; 2nd edition (July 25, 2024) 

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

LADIES OF THE LAKE by Cathy Gohlke, Reviewed by Rebecca

"Friendship is a most precious and delicate thing - a rare gift that must be handled with integrity and care, nurtured throughout a lifetime if it is to flourish. Believe me when I say that I know the value and the loss of such a gift."

If, "We - Susannah Eudora Calhoun, Ruth Mason Hennessey, Dorothy Marie Belding, and Adelaide Rose MacNeill, hereafter known as the Ladies of the Lake, do solemnly swear this day . . . that we shall stick by one another through thick and thin . . . " could have known what that oath of friendship would entail, would they have made it? Those words meant the most to the one who had the most to lose, causing deep despair to the point of painful anonymity.

What a compelling read! War changed everything for those four idealistic young women of Lakeside Ladies Academy; secrets were kept, lies were told, hearts were broken, dreams were reduced to ashes. Yet God's providence reigned supreme. Gently echoing the life of Joseph of old, what might have been intended as a means of harm was miraculously transformed into a conduit of restoration.

Putting aside my lack of deference for "mean girl" tropes, the author's story-weaving expertise produced a magnificent story. Confession is always good for the soul.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
After two young women’s deep bond is torn apart, what will it take to bring them together again? In The Ladies of the Lake, the beloved author of Saving Amelie and Night Bird Calling returns with a transformative new historical novel about the wonder and complexities of friendship, love, and belonging.

When she is forced to leave her beloved Prince Edward Island to attend Lakeside Ladies Academy after the death of her parents, the last thing Adelaide Rose MacNeill expects to find is three kindred spirits. The “Ladies of the Lake,” as the four girls call themselves, quickly bond like sisters, vowing that wherever life takes them, they will always be there for each other. But that is before: Before love and jealousy come between Adelaide and Dorothy, the closest of the friends. Before the dawn of World War I upends their world and casts baseless suspicion onto the German American man they both love. Before a terrible explosion in Halifax Harbor rips the sisterhood irrevocably apart.

Seventeen years later, Rosaline Murray receives an unsuspecting telephone call from Dorothy, now headmistress of Lakeside, inviting her to attend the graduation of a new generation of girls, including Rosaline’s beloved daughter. With that call, Rosaline is drawn into a past she’d determined to put behind her. To memories of a man she once loved . . . of a sisterhood she abandoned . . . and of the day she stopped being Adelaide MacNeill.

Written by a four-time Christy award–winning author!
Ideal for book clubs—contains helpful discussion questions at the end!
Perfect for fans of L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and Lauren Willig’s Band of Sisters.

Tyndale House Publishing, July, 2023

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

Buy LADIES OF THE LAKE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

LIKE HONEY FOR THE BONES by Brandy Heineman, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Suspenseful and intriguing, this is the kind of dual-time story that delivers in its uniqueness.

After her grandfather dies, Solveig travels from Norway to settle his estate. She finds it a daunting task, going through things that bring memories of her childhood. But after meeting Kyle Burton, things take a different twist. Kyle is looking for a fresh start after committing his life to Christ.

This author skillfully meshes two timelines-the present and 1912 Virginia- in a tantalizing way. Mysterious things become clear once the digging for historical records commences and connections are made in a surprising way. It only adds to the suspense as Kyle plays a dangerous game in order to avenge his brother. The romance develops slowly in the present while in the past it is tangled. The faith thread is authentic and inspirational.

A new-to-me author that I will definitely be reading again.
*A complimentary copy of this ebook was provided by the author through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
TWO HEARTS BROKEN ALONG THE SAME JAGGED EDGE MAKE A GRISLY DISCOVERY DEEP IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Present Day. Solveig Borja fled Virginia to escape the guilt of one reckless night, and once she settles the family estate, she’s Norway-bound and never looking back. Meanwhile, Kyle Benton has come seeking asylum from past sins—which Solveig shatters even as their hopeless romance blooms. But when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns, its century-old mystery holds startling links to the here-and-now.

1919. The Great War is won. Gussie Rice longs for her beau's return from France, until she learns he’s confined at a stateside hospital and her closest confidant is part of the secret. Her bid for love sparks a confrontation that ricochets through time...

Bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle’s new life proves no haven from the old with his brother's killer trolling the shadows. As the past rears up, the cavern’s hidden places beckon with power to light their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness. 

July, 2023. Buy LIKE HONEY FOR THE BONES at Amazon in digital ebook or paperback.

A WALTZ WITH TRAITORS by A. L. Sowards, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas #ReleaseDay

“We just wanted to go home. The rest was forced on us.”

Set mainly in Russia in 1918 amidst the Revolution and the ending of WWI, this fascinating book details little known historical events involving the Czechoslovak Legion and their fight to get home and have a land of their own. With obvious impeccable research and rich historical detail, author A. L. Sowards has penned a riveting story of history and romance. Colorful, carefully-drawn characters pulled me right into this tale and kept me intrigued to the end. Nadia is a Russian aristocrat who narrowly escapes with her life as her family is killed by the Bolsheviks. She is rescued by Filip and his friends from the Czechoslovak Legion who are struggling to get across Russia and make their way home. Nadia and Filip enter into a sham marriage in order to protect her.

“Maybe all the darkness makes it easier to recognize the light.”

“God is always there, even when it’s too dark to see Him.”

With plenty of suspense, action, history, and a dollop of romance, this book is a good example of why I love historical fiction. I get to learn about historical events while enjoying a great story. The maps and glossary were very helpful in understanding what was going on and where the events took place, while the author’s notes in the back added interesting information. This is a well-written book which has earned a place on my keeper shelf. I’ll be looking forward to more from this author in the future.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Czech soldier Filip Sedlák never wanted to fight for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So at the first opportunity, he defected to the Russians. Now he and others like him have formed the Czechoslovak Legion. Their goal: leave the chaos of Russia, sail to France, and help the Allies defeat the Central Powers, thereby toppling a hated empire and winning an independent Czechoslovakia.

With the fall of the tsar, Nadia Linskaya’s life is in ruins. Her family is dead, her lands are confiscated, and her aristocratic world is gone forever. But Nadia is determined to elude the Bolshevik agent who destroyed her family and find a way to survive in this changed world.

When Nadia takes refuge with the Czechoslovak Legion, the last thing she expects is an ally. But when Filip proposes a sham marriage to ensure her safe passage across Siberia, she takes it. Neither Filip nor Nadia expect real love, not when the legion has to take over the longest railroad in the world—and then hold it against Bolshevik counterattacks, partisan sabotage, allied intrigue, and a set of brutal Siberian winters. At risk is the future of Czechoslovakia, the fate of Russia—and their hearts. 

Covenant Communications, March 14, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy A WALTZ WITH TRAITORS at Amazon

YESTERDAY'S TIDES by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

" . . . Evie Farrow wasn't an average innkeeper, clearly . . . what in the world was a North Carolina innkeeper doing with encoded telegrams?" But, let's back up to the beginning, shall we?

After hearing yet another distant rumble off the coast of her beloved Ocracoke Island, islander Evie Farrow knew in her heart what had happened . . . German U-boats . . . already dreading what it meant for the island's beautiful shore line. Casualties. Rarely survivors, only casualties . . . thus explaining Evie's startle when she happens upon a man who appears very much alive, although badly burned and injured, wearing civilian clothing; what secrets has this Englishman, who spouts barely coherent gibberish, carried to her island.

Years earlier, on the cusp of a different war, another Englishman arrived on the island, not as a survivor but as a summer guest at the lovely Ocracoke Inn. Remington Culbreth. Louisa Adair knew how foolish it was to form attachments to their patrons, however there was something curious about Rem that made foolishness seem practically normal; she couldn't help herself, she fell head over heels for her gallant, persistent admirer. Was it meant to be, had it ever been meant to be? Seemingly insurmountable odds were about to come between them.

What an extraordinary weaving process went into this story, its legacy carved upon the sands of time when past and present frolicked freely before transforming into something far more beautiful than its beginning. Women who loved fiercely, prayers that were as real as the jewelry they inspired, men who never gave up, and ancestry that colored the world with an entirely new shade of beauty. If there was any weakness at all, it would be that each story line was so richly written that one might wish that an entire book had been dedicated to each.

"They would survive the devastation of this war . . . They would all go on. All rebuild. All would find new life . . . that might cover those scars, but which couldn't obliterate them completely. . . They become part of the earth. Part of the people. Part of the story . . . The yesterday whose tides would carve tomorrow."
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars

 

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE and PAULA

BackCover Blurb:

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

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 the 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.

Bethany House Publishing, January, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy YESTERDAY'S TIDES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House  

 

 

YESTERDAY'S TIDES by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

Roseanna M. White has penned yet another fascinating historical fiction tale in her book Yesterday’s Tides. This dual timeline story is set mainly on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, during WWI and WWII and is populated with many intriguing characters. With obvious deep historical research, White made these perilous times come alive for me and gave me a desire to visit this location. I enjoyed meeting Louisa and Remington, Evie and Sterling, and all the various people in their lives. The two intertwining stories were well-written and kept me turning the pages. I will admit to a little bit of confusion during the first part of the book when there were so many different characters to keep straight and two different timelines, however, I soon sorted it out and thoroughly enjoyed the tale.

Brimming with adventure, intrigue, history, romance, and inspiration, this is a riveting story that historical fiction lovers will find enjoyable. It was such fun to meet up again with characters from some of White’s previous books which she was able to work into this story. I highly recommend her books to those who enjoy clean, wholesome, and beautifully written historical fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own. 4.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

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 the 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.

Bethany House Publishing, January, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy YESTERDAY'S TIDES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

IN LOVE'S TIME by Kate Breslin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Do you think it possible two people can fall in love a second time?"

Clare Danner's future and the future of her beautiful two year old daughter depended on it. The one person who could testify on her behalf is incapacitated, leaving it up to Clare to prevent a vindictive earl from reclaiming his granddaughter and the inheritance that she represents; the man has put Clare on a tenuous timeline . . . one that she is terribly afraid that Captain Marcus Weatherford is not capable of meeting. How did her life become so complicated? . . . it started with a proposal in the garden that wasn't hers.

Watching the man she loved ask another woman to marry him had not only broken Clare's heart but wounded her spirit. Even Marcus' pleas to trust him no matter what appearances seemed to indicate, were not enough. And now? The man in question has returned home from a mysterious trip with two serious head wounds and no recollection of what transpired, or of Claire . . . while still clinging to the elegant woman claiming to be his fiancee. When asked to oversee Marcus' convalescence on his family's estate, Kate can only use her skills as a military hospital orderly and . . . pray . . . for it seems that Marcus' heart remembers something about her, even when his head can not. As the imposed deadline steadily approaches, will Clare be forced to make a decision that will destroy them both?

How glorious to be able to enjoy an entire story about the practically legendary Captain Marcus Weatherford. Honorable? Yes. Brave? Certainly. Dedicated? Absolutely. Fearful?  . . . Well you may be surprised to learn that he did have fears . . . in particular one . . . that nearly forced him out of rhythm with the cadence of his heart: Clare.

Fabulous romance!
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE AND PAULA

BackCover Blurb:

In the summer of 1918, Captain Marcus Weatherford arrives in Russia on a secret mission, with a beautiful ballerina posing as his fiancée. Marcus searches for the Romanov tsarina and her son--who both allegedly survived the murdering Bolsheviks--and the information behind an allied plot to assassinate Lenin. But Marcus's sense of duty battles his desire to return home to Clare--his actual love.

Hospital orderly Clare Danner still suffers from Marcus's betrayal and now fears losing her daughter to the heartless family who took Daisy away from Clare once before, but only Marcus can provide the critical proof needed to save her daughter.

Faced with danger and unexpected circumstances, can Clare trust Marcus, or will he shatter her world yet again? 

Bethany House Publishers, December, 2022

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

Buy IN LOVE'S TIME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House