THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Kristy Cambron, reviewed by Rebecca and Paula

A Historical Romance Set in WWII France, 

Post-War Paris, and the World of Julia Child

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The next sound Kat heard was death - the click of a Luger trigger aimed at the back of her head."

So many pieces of the puzzle ended up scattered about the snowy grounds of France's Chateau du Broutel on that fateful night. Friends took on the appearance of enemies and enemies acted suspiciously like friends. Years later Kat Harris still struggled to come to grips with all of the implications. Her overriding determination was to discover what had really happened to a beloved brother; in fact, Kat had rearranged her entire life to do just that, including entrusting her future to the one whom she still wasn't sure she could trust.

Manon Altier was in a precarious position, serving as a French chef inside the famed Chateau du Broutel, now billeted by the enemy, while she secretly aids the French Resistance. When an unexpected arrival claims to be her new personal assistant, and yet knows nothing about the inner workings of a professional kitchen, Manon pivots, trusting that much needed help has indeed landed on her doorstep.

Heavily layered from beginning to end, this story speaks volumes about the courage and tenacity of those whose lives remained at risk from the rising of the sun until the darkening of the moon. With remarkable subtlety, the author does what the reader finds impossible to do, tell the story to completion.

Cascading emotions! Outstanding characters! Fascinating historical detail! A reminder that love can bloom in a wasteland and that food can forge everlasting friendships. Embrace a book that is sure to land on multiple top reads lists, including mine.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“To look back is not to lament all we have lost, but to see how past experiences have shaped us into who we are. “
 

Another remarkable, well-researched story about the multiple groups working together in France during WWII and the far reaching consequences in the years following. Told in the years 1943 and 1952, Kat, Gerard, Gavin and Manon, lived a secretive, covert existence in a dangerous time under the noses of the German occupiers in France. The interesting thing was the addition of Julia Child into the story that drew on her actual role during WWII and the time that she was compiling her famous cookbook.
 

It was a fascinating, complicated plot that kept me turning pages. I was eager to learn more of this time in history and how the Resistance operated. “War was not for lovers, nor courage for fools.”
 

If you are looking for a fresh look at WWII history, try this book. You will not be disappointed.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a clean read. 

BackCover Blurb:
As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life.

Paris, 1952--Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing during the war and is presumed dead, Kat questions everything, especially her high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together--and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart--Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . .

Rue, 1943--Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day--as a French chef at the famous Chateau du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list--and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter critical information to agents within the burgeoning OSS presence in France, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm--even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.

From the heights of culinary cuisine in 1950s Paris society to the underbelly of a WWII spy network embedded deep within Nazi-controlled Vichy France--and the spy backstory of the world's most famous would-be French chef, Julia Child--The French Kitchen turns up the heat on the pasts of women whose worlds collide, and forces each to question what she thought she'd planned for a perfect future. 

 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, August, 2025

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

Buy THE FRENCH KITCHEN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE WOMEN OF OAKRIDGE by Michelle Shocklee, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Not every secret needs to be told. Some just need to be forgotten.”

Absolutely fascinating story about a real place in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the city that employed thousands during World War II. Cloaked in secrecy, the workers were unaware just what they were working on. But the result stopped WWII and changed the world.

Mae Willet was one of those workers and in 1979, long after the war ended, she still holds secrets that haunt her. She wears herself out helping others to assuage her guilt. Her niece, Laurel, is working on her dissertation and wants to interview former workers of Oak Ridge. What she uncovers hits close to home and may risk a loved one’s future.

This was so very interesting with a well crafted plot, giving us a peek into a hidden government project. The characters were authentic and their struggles with ethics and faith were depicted realistically. There is a sweet romantic aspect but the real focus is on what it means to be loyal, trustworthy, patriotic and sometimes finding a conundrum in the midst. Taking responsibility and finding forgiveness was shown as the characters progressed in their faith. Recommended for fans of home-front WWII fiction.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
In the hills of Tennessee, two women work at a Manhattan Project site during World War II and uncover truths that irrevocably change their lives in this captivating new story from award-winning Southern fiction author Michelle Shocklee.

1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she’s told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation—one that comes at significant cost.

1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae’s friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences.

-Standalone Southern historical fiction great for fans of Lisa Wingate, Donna Everhart, and Lynn Austin
-A compelling dual-timeline novel set during WWII and the 1970s about the weight of secrets and the power of forgiveness
-Includes discussion questions for book groups

Tyndale Fiction, September, 2025

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

Buy THE WOMEN OF OAKRIDGE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THESE BLUE MOUNTAINS by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Building on a little known internment camp in North Carolina during WWI, Ms. Thomas crafts a wonderful tale of a missing loved one, fleeing the ominous politics of Germany in the days leading to WWII and finding a new home in the beautiful blue mountains of Appalachian.

Hedda is a loving caretaker of her fiancé’s mother in Germany. Fritz has been missing for 15 years. When they learn of a grave in North Carolina with his name on it, Hedda goes to America to find the truth and bring his remains home to his mother.

The author gives an intriguing mystery about a lost love and shows how the characters grow in their faith. We see how the beginning of World War II in Europe affected the people of North Carolina and especially Hedda as she contemplates going back to Germany when complications arise with her visa. Garland, a guard who knew Fritz, and now a policeman, helps Hedda navigate the puzzle of what happened to Fritz. And a little romance sparks.

Wonderful story of how God works in unexpected ways and brings healing, restoration and grace.
*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 a solid faith thread.

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW

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 COLLECTOR OF BURNED BOOKS by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Winnie, Paula, and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“. . . the only way to ever truly defeat your enemies . . .was to make them your friends.”

Talented author Roseanna M. White has once again taken a little-known piece of history and built an intriguing and fascinating story around it. The Collector of Burned Books is the tale of exiled writers from Germany who founded a library in Paris of books that had been banned in Germany. When the Germans took over Paris, they also took over The Library of the Burned Books.

Professor Corinne Bastien had made use of the library for years but lost access of it and some secret books she had hidden there. German professor and booklover Christian Bauer was forced by German army officers to relocate France’s libraries, including The Library of the Burned Books. I liked Corinne’s courage, compassion, and willingness to stand for freedom to express ideas. Christian was also courageous and helped others the best he could under trying circumstances. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and change as they got to know each other.

“Was it better to speak up and be permanently silenced or to work silently, doing what good he could?”

Filled with intrigue, suspense, history, and a touch of romance, this book also had inspiration to give it depth and added meaning. I recommend this book to those who enjoy well-researched and well-written historical fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW:

An exceptional book that asks us to absorb the truth of censorship and its results through fictional characters as they 

navigate the occupation of Paris in the years of World War II. 

 

Based on a real library that was instituted by exiled German scholars, this story incorporated many interesting details that wove facts and fiction into high drama.
 

The characters were relatable, showing their love of God and country, often using subtle methods instead of outright confrontation.
 

I love that the story is about books and libraries. This book caused me to ponder why certain books were chosen to be banned. “Books did not burn. Books ignited. They lit the burning in others. Not with paper and match. With ideas.”
 

This book pulled at my emotions, not only for the plight of the oppressed and the injustice of the oppressors but for the romance that grew in spite of the secrecy that called for restraint. Felix, a child who was less than perfect according to some, became a bright light to those who could see beyond the outward appearance.
 

Important themes were hope in the face of impossible odds and that Jesus extends mercy to all who receive Him.
 

A thoroughly thought provoking book.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread 

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"You're keeping my secrets. The least I can do is hand you back your own."

Secrets. There were way too many of them in German occupied France; those pesky confidences seeped into every knock at the door, positioning friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor, even pitting the written word against self evident truths of the heart. This was the world in which university professor Corinne Bastien found herself, giving up free access to her beloved "The Library of Burned Books"; the entire building was suspect, and rightfully so, for the establishment held pages upon pages of banned books that garnered far too much attention. Adding insult to injury, the library had become the headquarters for the one person sent to relocate many of its tomes. Christian Bauer.

It's nearly impossible to reconstruct the various chess moves that this book represents, infused with its brave spirit and outspoken dialogue. The chapters seep with stimulating philisophical, theological, and social conundrums which serve to drive the characters forward in their quest to counteract deception and dogmatism. Delightfully tucked within a fight for their very lives is a sweet, sweet love story that is like a walk down the street on a starry night; never taken for granted.

Clearly an exceptional novel!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

-Stand-alone historical fiction from a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author
-A thought-provoking novel perfect for book clubs
-Includes discussion questions 

 

Tyndale Fiction, July, 2025

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

Buy THE COLLECTOR OF BURNED BOOKS 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

 

FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE by Elizabeth Musser, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

A Fictional Historical Novel with Triple POV Amidst WWII in France

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
It was totally appropriate that I chose to read this novel during the Memorial Day weekend. It is focused on the bravery and resilience of the members of the French Resistance in 1944 and the liberation by American forces and their sacrifices in pushing back the retreating German army.
 

Ms. Musser did a fantastic job of putting me right into the action, whether with Isabelle and Delphine rescuing Jewish children or with Peter and Rene during courageous battle scenes. The characters had such real struggles with their faith and their place in the scheme of things. And how the connections came together was shown not as coincidence but by the hand of God.
I had not heard of this part of WWII in Southern France and was glad that I discovered another eye-opening story of history. A bit of nostalgia came when I read of the Elgin watch that Rene wore. I grew up in Elgin and remember when the Watchtower Building was demolished.
 

As Isabelle and others grappled with the horror of war and the resulting feelings of fear and hatred, Ms. Musser provided the voice of reason and faith in the characters of Peter and his father.
 

Another wonderful story of perseverance from a very talented author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Loyalty during Peril
In the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve's resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks.

Truth amid Deception
As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle's world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day--the Allied invasion of Provence--unfolds.

Bravery through Trial
Fifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge.

When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.

 

Bethany House Publishing, June, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

BUY FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE by Sarah Sundin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"He'd been ordered not to say a single word . . . "

When Cilla van der Zee literally washes up on the Scottish shore along the perimeter of his family's property, Lieutenant Lachlan Mackenzie can scarcely believe his eyes, his imagination conjuring up the image of a mythical selkie, only to realize this ocean born creature is indeed a lovely woman . . . who is undoubtedly a spy!

Terrified, alone, and potentially facing execution, Cilla tries to explain her true circumstances, that she is a member of the Dutch resistance who trained to become a German spy in order to escape her homeland. After intense interrogation, Cilla is assigned to be an asset and re-located to a remote lighthouse where she is heavily guarded . . . imagine her shock when the handsome lieutenant who arrested her is ordered to assist in feeding her innocuous intelligence for transmission back to her handler.

As Cilla's work becomes more and more dangerous, her alliance becomes clear, which only muddles matters of the heart which have become entrenched in uncertainty and impossibility.

The author's vast knowledge of aircraft, weaponry and naval manueveurs are on full display in this novel, with clever, competent characters seemingly dropped into a treacherous game of double cross due to a set of conditions beyond their own choosing. Nuances of military intelligence are as tricky to portray as they are to imagine, leaving Cilla and Lochlan with few easy choices and chapters full of intriguing narrative . . . their opposite natures attracting from the very beginning . . . to a nearly impossible to believe ending!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.3.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Revell Publishing, February, 2025

Available in digital, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE by Sarah Sundin, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

WWII Spy Historical Fiction with Mystery, Suspense, 

and Enemies to Lovers Clean Romance

PAULA'S REVIEW:
I have long been intrigued by spy stories set during World War II and this book delivers. The setting in the remote Scottish Islands was eye-opening for me. The characters were brought to life in this captivating tale. Cilla was escaping occupation in the Netherlands and went ashore at Dunnet Head only to be captured by Lieutenant Lachlan MacKenzie. Accused of being a German spy, she turned to spying for the British and proved herself very brave. Even while kept confined in a lighthouse. 

This many layered story has danger, intrigue, family, drama, and a growing romance. Cilla even found shelter in her faith: “This year I have found walls like never before, but I have found freedom. True freedom-in faith and forgiveness.”

As always, the extensive research lent authenticity to the story. I enjoyed learning about the real events that the story is based on. I also liked the legend of the selkie that was woven throughout.

This was another World War II adventure that impressed and entertained me.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Revell Publishing, February, 2025

Available in digital, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE LAST FASHION HOUSE IN PARIS by Renee Ryan, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEW:
I have read another book by this author and was pleased to see characters from that book included here. I got to see a bit more of their story. This author told a great tale of French Resistance and transporting people out of enemy occupation.

It seemed that I was right there with Paulette as she sought refuge with Mme Ballard in a famous Paris Fashion House under German rule. Lots of danger and intrigue as Paulette not only proved herself as a seamstress but as a person who guided refugees to safety. All to make up for a horrible mistake that had her banished from her home. She made a friend in Nicolle and was soon embroiled in subterfuge in order to help the helpless.

A fascinating look into WWII occupation in Paris. There are a few romances depicted that bloomed despite the problem of not knowing who to trust.

This was an interesting and engrossing trip back in history. I enjoyed it very much.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Love Inspired Trade via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a faint faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
In the heart of occupied WWII Paris, an elegant fashion house is the unlikely headquarters of a daring resistance network. Behind closed doors, courageous women vie to save loved ones and strangers alike from the Nazis in this powerful story of survival, friendship and second chances.

France, 1942

Once, Paulette Leblanc spent her days flirting, shopping and drawing elegant dresses in her sketch pad. Then German tanks rolled into France, and a reckless romance turned into deep betrayal. Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the Gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard.

But Maison de Ballard is no ordinary fashion house. While seamstresses create the perfect couture gowns, clandestine deals and secrets take place out of sight. Mademoiselle Ballard is head of a vast network of resistance fighters—including Paulette’s coworker and friend Nicolle Cadieux—who help escort downed military men and Jewish families to safety.

Soon Paulette is recruited as a spy. Working as a seamstress by day, gathering information at glamorous parties by night, Paulette at last has a chance to earn the redemption she craves. But as the SS closes in, and Nicolle goes missing, Paulette must make life-and-death decisions about who to trust, who to love and who to leave behind…

Love Inspired Trade, December, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy THE LAST FASHION HOUSE IN PARIS at Amazon or Christianbook .com

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW by Michelle Shocklee, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Something died inside of Gunther when he stepped off the boat."

Interned because of his heritage, German medical student Gunther Schneider has lost hope in the American dream. Along with hundreds of his countrymen, his new home is Camp Forrest in Tullahoma, Tennessee where his days are bleak and void of interest until . . . an unlikely emergency allows him to work in the camp's hospital, where he meets a young war widow with a lovely countenance and a kind heart.

"I would never see my brother again. I lay on the floor and wept . . . "

Years later, Mattie Taylor's life comes to a screaming halt when the news of her twin brother's death in Vietnam reaches their family. An avid protestor of the conflict, Mattie blames everyone around her for encouraging Mark to enlist in the first place, so heartbroken that she takes off to California shortly after his funeral. Coming back to their Tennessee horse farm is hard but necessary . . . for her mother is critically ill and insisting that Mattie discover some truths about their family . . . there are a lot of things that Mattie doesn't know.

A thoughtful, inspiring read, merging the despair of two hard fought wars from the perspectives of those who stayed behind, those who survived, those who faced discrimination for their ethnicity, and those who never wanted our country involved in the first place. Positioning all of these factors into one novel made this  . . . a rather remarkable story!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.

1969. When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.

1942. Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.

In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.

-Includes discussion guide for book groups
-Standalone Southern, historical family drama about enduring hope amid personal tragedy
-Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner or Lisa Wingate
-Dual timeline set during the Vietnam War and WWII. 

Tyndale Fiction, October, 2024

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

Buy ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 
 

WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU by Liz Tolsma, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

(Echoes of the Past Book 3)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“No matter what, God.” 

“My peace comes from the assurance that God overseas all things.”

In this dual-time book, we see McKenna search for her roots and the missing parts of her ancestral story. It is steeped in the chaos of World War II in Poland, and a little known people group known as the Lemkos who got lumped in with another group and targeted for annihilation. What was fascinating was that the author drew on her own background and researched her own family origins. This was yet another story in the complex and gut-wrenching history of World War II. This tale showcased not only hardship, but also resiliency, remarkable courage and resolve in seemingly desperate situations. The writing style was eloquent, persuasive, and powerful depicting people of great faith.

What I Left For You brought the story of Helena to a new generation, when McKenna found the links to her great grandmother.

Ms. Tolsma is a distinctive voice in World War II fiction. I am always glad to read her perspective.
*A complementary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing on behalf of the author and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939

1939
Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.

2023
Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

Also in the Echoes of the Past Series:
What I Would Tell You
What I Promise You

 

Barbour Publishing, December, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW by Michelle Shocklee, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

This book held so many memories for me. 

Like the author, my father was a WWII veteran and like her, I wish I had asked more questions and gleaned more details when he talked about his experiences. I was very proud of him.
Unlike the author, I remember the Vietnam era well. My husband was in the Navy at that time.

This story brought me to tears many times. It was so authentically written. I connected with Ava more than Mattie. Mattie was very opinionated and to my mind would not consider other views. But she did portray the attitudes of the generation of my teens and early twenties.

I liked the steadiness of Kurt and Nash. They overcame the overwhelming conditions of war. The faith element permeated the story. The characters lived out their beliefs naturally. The theme of family and reconciliation was deftly written.

This is a must read for those wanting a glimpse of the home front during WWII and the connection of that generation to the Vietnam era.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.

1969. When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.

1942. Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.

In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.

-Includes discussion guide for book groups
-Standalone Southern, historical family drama about enduring hope amid personal tragedy
-Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner or Lisa Wingate
-Dual timeline set during the Vietnam War and WWII. 

Tyndale Fiction, October, 2024

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

Buy ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

WHEN MEMORY WHISPERS by Johnnie Alexander, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

“Every day in a life fills the whole life with expectation and memory.” C. S. Lewis 

 
Annalise has so many memories that she wants to pass on. “For a while the anguished memories that so often disturbed her sleep left her alone while she dreamed of happier times.” She chooses to confide in Jenna, a young woman she met in the cemetery while she visits her beloved Rolf and Jenna visits her mother’s grave.
 

As she recounts her story to Jenna, Annalise is caught up in the memories of a wartime romance, WWII intrigue, and a grateful heart that God sent the right people into her life to show their faith at just the right time.
 

This story is full of danger, covert meetings, hidden identities, spy craft, a seemingly impossible romance and searching for meaning and how God provides in difficult situations. It is a powerfully written lesson in resilience and a growing faith in God amid trying conditions in wartime and its aftermath. “Not broken bits, they are delicate memories. Cherished memories.”
*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:
What will she risk to save the man she loves?

Marie Wyatt ran away from her farm girl past in search of fame and fortune and found herself in wartime London working as an Allied courier. Whether disguised as a middle-aged British housewife or playing a role on the London stage, she acts her part to its fullest. But when a routine mission turns deadly, a mysterious German agent becomes her unlikely savior.

Plunged into a dangerous game of deception, Marie relies on her acting talent to pass false information to the Nazis. Yet the line between duty and loyalty blurs when the German agent is imprisoned in a Florida POW camp with Axis soldiers who consider him a traitor. Marie embarks on a desperate mission to save him before he’s fatally injured.

In a postwar world still reeling from conflict, the couple’s lives are again threatened by a past enemy. Will they ever find the peace they crave? Or will the echoes of war destroy them?

Plummet into a heart-wrenching tale of courage, treachery, and a love that defies all odds.

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

UNTIL OUR TIME COMES by Nicole M. Miller, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(WWII Historical Romance Debut Fiction Book 

about the True History of Janów Podlaski Arabian Horses)

I love stories about WWII and this debut was fascinating. Adia is an American caught in Poland as a trainer at a horse farm that breeds Arabians. She rejects evacuation in order to protect the horses she loves. But the Germans sweep in and take over the farm in order to breed the perfect Super Horse. In much danger, Adia puts herself in constant peril to preserve the horse stock.
Bret is posing as a reporter but is really a British spy. He helps Adia with the horses and a nearby partisan group. 

The story is fraught with risks and the menacing German Army. Romance comes to Bret and Adia but war interferes, a bright spot is a little 6 year old pickpocket named Ewan who wends his way into Adia’s heart.

This was another excellent tale based on true events, from yet another perspective on WWII. The author shows the characters with great compassion and courage.

Recommended for fans of WWII fiction with an underlying faith thread. 

*I won this title from Library Thing and was provided an ecopy from Revell via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.* I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 5 stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.

Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.

Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.

Revell Publishing, July 2024

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

Buy UNTIL OUR TIME COMES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

DARKNESS CALLS THE TIGER by Janyre Tromp, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A NOVEL OF WORLD WAR II BURMA

"You don't have to let the darkness call the tiger raging inside you."

Deep in the heart of Burma's Himalayan mountains a battle encroaches; innocent village communities are being caught in the crossfire between two warring factions, destined to be brutally ravaged, if not completely destroyed. Would the supreme God of the white missionary come to their rescue? . . . or are their cries for help falling on deaf ears . . . it is a question that many struggle to answer.

Kailyn Moran, the missionary's daughter, forges a reputation for herself at an early age after coming face to face with a tiger and living to tell the story. After her beloved village is ransacked and innocents are murdered before her very eyes, Kai transforms herself into an agent of anger and revenge, becoming the elusive "sharaw", trusting no one, not even the man who longs to breach the walls around her heart, Ryan McDonough; "the Bear of Burma", who is consumed with guilt after leaving her unprotected . . . once upon a time.

" . . . trusting life to be good in the light ain't nothing. But if you have to trust in the dark, well now, that is faith."

Underneath this glimpse into the Asian theater during World War II are characters dressed in a kaleidoscope of passions, struggling to understand what it means to trust in an Almighty God, their bodies, minds, and spirits bearing visible and invisible scars of hatred and confusion, living in fear of embracing hope, much less an eternal rhapsody of love. Longing for permission to unload impossibly heavy burdens, (reminding me a bit of Pilgrim's Progress) their story follows them up tortuous hills and down exhausting valleys into a place that God had prepared for them before the foundation of the world.

"The sky is painted for you, my little tiger. Whenever you see the sky, remember you are loved no matter what and no matter when."

Excellent book! 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan devours the southern portion of Burma, intent on taking over mainland Asia. Unaware of the coming darkness, Kailyn Moran drifts in her role as the only daughter of a widowed missionary.

As whispers of war snake through the Kachin mountains, Kai's father is convinced God will protect the mission. He entrusts the village to her and the kind yet inexperienced new missionary, Ryan McDonough, while he makes routine visits to neighboring villages.

War descends like a tempest upon the mountain peaks, and an unbreakable bond forms between Kailyn and Ryan as they unite to provide solace to both villagers and the flood of refugees. Despite their tireless efforts, a brutal enemy shatters almost everything they love, pushing Kailyn to embark on a path of unrestrained vengeance.

Afraid he's losing the woman he loves, Ryan fights to protect Kai from the deadly consequences of her choices. But in the face of destruction, can he convince her of the power and freedom of forgiveness? 

Kregel Publishing, May, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and library binding

Buy DARKNESS CALLS THE TIGER at Amazon, Christianbook  .com, or Baker Book House