The Melody of the Soul Book Review

Music of Hope Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Anna has one chance for survival - and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.

     It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything.  Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist.  Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she'll do anything to keep her safe - a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

     Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin.  But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music.  When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

     Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart.  But what he reveals might stop the music forever . . . 

REVIEW:  Having heard great things about this author and her previous book, I was interested in reading her latest novel.  Liz Tolsma makes you feel like you are there in Prague during the Nazi occupation.  The fear of being discovered or even doing something that might accidentally draw attention, dreading every knock on the door and even reading the mail, constantly looking over your shoulder in fear is felt throughout this story.  Her desire to protect her grandmother at all costs is admirable.  Even though she is leery of trusting Horst, she soon sees his true colors.

     Horst is a character I grew to admire.  He also lived in fear that his true feelings would be uncovered - that the German ideology of a pure race being completely wrong.  He enjoyed the job his father, a high ranking German officer, secured for him (logging and preserving the architecture of the old city) but knew one day he would be forced to kill innocent people to prove himself as a man and a worthy German.  The struggles Horst faces is heart-wrenching, especially when you find out his secret.

     This novel is a tale of the healing power of music, the struggles faced by man, and the deep desire God puts in each one of us to pursue Him at all cost.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Gilead Publishing 

for review without compensation.

Liz Tolsma's specialty is historical fiction - from WWII to prairie romance.  She resides in semi-rural Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters; her son currently serves as a U.S. Marine.  Liz spends her free time working in her large perennial garden,kayaking, and camping with her family.  Visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at www.liztolsma.com. 

The Christmas Blessing Book Review

SUMMARY:  She's determined to give her baby a better life.  Could a Christmas miracle make it possible?
     Not long after she receives the news in 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope.  Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant's paternal grandparents.  The only problem is, they don't know that she - or their grandson - exists.
     When Amelia discovers the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son?  Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma?

REVIEW:  Amelia has not had an easy life, and early on, she faced her challenges head on.  When she receives news of her fiance's plane crash, I like how she faces her circumstances and does the best thing for her son.  Even though she is scared and faced with a VERY difficult choice, she still puts her son and his needs above her own.  I admire Amelia in that she is willing to do whatever it takes to give Jimmy the best in life, even if it means making major sacrifices.
     At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like Helene, James' mom.  She comes off as the stereotypical woman born into money with everything just right.  But, as the story unfolds, you see she hides her true feelings behind a mask, afraid to let the world she how she really feels.  I came to appreciate her love for her family, which eventually includes Amelia.
     The ending of the book is the best by far.  I loved how the author brought reconciliation not only between Amelia and James' parents but between Helene and her son-in-law and also with James' decision to become a pilot.  This is a great book to read, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It is a fairly quick read and enjoyable.  I really liked it and hope you do, too.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with combined sale of more than six million.  She is the author of several Christmas books.  She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.  She and her husband live in central Oregon.  Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Grounded Hearts Book Review

SUMMARY:  A brave midwife.  A wounded pilot.  A risky secret.
     In the midst of World War II, Ireland has declared herself neutral.  Troops found on Irish soil must be reported and interned, no matter which side they are fighting for.  When midwife Nan O'Neil finds a wounded young Canadian pilot at her door, she knows she's taking a huge risk by letting him in. Not only is she a widow living alone, but if caught harboring a combatant, she'll face imprisonment.
     Still, something compels Nan to take in "flyboy" Dutch Whitney, an RAF pilot whose bomber has just crashed over County Clare.  While she tends to his wounds and gives him a secret place of refuge, the two begin to form a mutual affection - and an unbreakable bond.
     But Nan has another secret, one that has racked her with guilt since her husband's death and made her question ever loving again.  As Nan and Dutch plan his escape, can he help restore her faith?

REVIEW:  While parts of this book was interesting, there are quite a bit that I found a little disheartening and concerning in a book that was supposed to be Christian fiction.  While reading, I learned about Ireland's neutrality during World War II and how difficult life could be for those who were found helping anyone involved in any way with the action.  In Grounded Hearts, the militia groups, and their affiliates, would arrest anyone thought to be harboring, in their eyes, a fugitive.  When Nan took in Dutch after he crashed his airplane in a nearby bog, she decided to hide him while he healed from his injuries.  Doing so, she took a great risk to her reputation as the local (and only) midwife for the area.  Also, reading about the treatment of the arrested fugitives in Ireland was eye-opening and shocking, in a good way.  The adventure Nan and Dutch had trying to get him across the border to Northern Ireland was funny at times.  I also liked how Nan steps out of her comfort zone and finds there is more to life when you just take a little risk.
     One disheartening and concerning part was how the local Irish men were portrayed.  They were shown to be ignorant, overbearing, and totally clueless about the actions of their wives.  All they were concerned about was having the house taken care of and their needs met.  They were portrayed as being drunk as soon as it was "socially acceptable."  As their wives took control of the situation Nan found herself in, the men of the village didn't have a clue about what was happening.  While I like having strong women characters, I don't like it at the expense of the men.
     Another concerning part was how the attraction between Dutch and Nan was illustrated.  There were times when I became a little uncomfortable reading about how they felt and what each other found attractive.  It was more descriptive than I usually find in Christian novels and was mentioned at every turn.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Waterfall Press 

for review without any compensation.

Jeanne M. Dickson was born into an Irish American family, the only girl surrounded by four brothers.  Her grandmother lived with them and was a constant source of stories about life in Ireland and about saint and ancestors long gone from this earth.  Jeanne credits her mother, her aunts, and her grandmother for her love of storytelling.

When Tides Turn Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  In a time of war, sometimes battles take place in the heart.

     Tess Beaumont is tired of being thought of as just a pretty face.  Eager to do her part for the war effort, she joins the Navy's newly established WAVES program for women.  Perhaps there she can convince people that there is more to her than meets the eye.

     Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills in the fight against German U-boats and hoping to admiral.  The last things he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess.  Convinced that romance will interfere with his goals.  Dan is determined to stay the course, no matter how intriguing a distraction Tess is.

    But love, like war, is unpredictable.  When Dan is shipped out at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he finds himself torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help the beguiling Tess root out a possible spy on shore.  Could this fun-loving glamour girl really be the one?

REVIEW:  The author had her main characters face many different trials, where various facets of their character and personality were cut, smoothed, and polished.  Tess, trying to show others, as well as herself, that she was something more than just a pretty face.  She was intelligent, quick thinking and could make even working late fun. I like how she reached out to others and helped others realize their hidden potential.  When faced with difficult tasks, she faced them head-on, even risking her life to safe a friend.  

     Dan was determined to follow the same path his mentor had taken.  When difficult circumstances arose, I like how he realized he needed to make changes and head in a different direction or he was going to fail.  When faced with impossible circumstances, I like how, at first, Dan reacted like we all do, with anger and frustration.  But, then he realized that he needed to respond in a godly manner, events worked themselves out and justice was served.

     This was a great conclusion to a wonderful series.  Since this is the third book, it is very helpful to read the others to understand different references made and the relationships all the characters to each other.  I always look forward to this author's books and this book, and series, just added to it.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep and Anchor in the Storm, as well as the WINGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE and the WINGS OF GLORY series.  A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist.  During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy, and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force.  Sarah lives in California.  Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Like a River from Its Course Book Review

SUMMARY:  Enter the often-overlooked history of World War II Ukraine as told through the eyes of four unforgettable people caught up in the chaos and heartache of a country torn asunder by Nazi armed forces.
     As the characters confront the pivotal event of Babi Yar, the "killing ditch" where 34,000 men, women, and children were lined up and shot, the horrors of war are laid bare.  How can faith withstand such atrocities?
     Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with survivors, Like a River from Its Course is a moving and epic story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.

REVIEW:  This book was different from other World War II novels I've read before. There were four main characters, each telling their story about life in Ukraine under Nazi rule and how it affected them.  Luda, about 16 years old, becomes pregnant by German soldiers.  After being abandoned by her father, she is taken in by friends who love her as one of their own.  Frederick, about 20 years old, is a Nazi soldier who is determined to advance the German ideal and tries to live up to his father's impossible demands of perfection.  Maria is about 14-15 years old who is forced to leave Ukraine and work in Germany.  Ivan, Maria's father, lives with the guilt of not being able to save his Jewish neighbors and their daughter from the Nazis and his children being forced to work for the Nazis in Germany.  As each one explains the events around them from their point of view, you see their anguish and sometimes despair but also the resilience of the human spirit to perseverance.  They are determined to survive.  Sometimes the stories were difficult to read.  You see the depth of human depravity and the lengths people will go to advance their "ideals."  Then there are stories of those who try to help those around them, even if it puts their lives in danger.  You also see how God will use difficult and hard circumstances to show He is still there and is still in control.  I like how the author wraps up the stories of these people you come to know.
     This was an excellent book!  The fifteen years of research and interviews of people who lived during this time and experienced this hardship shows in the details and the depth of the emotions that is conveyed.   This is a book that should be required reading for high school students.  It will tug on your heart strings but it's well worth it.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications 

for review without compensation.

Kelli Stuart is the coauthor of Dare 2B Wise and Life Creative, and has written for several brands including Disney, American Girl, and Short Fiction Break.  She has served as editor-in-chief for the St. Louis Bloggers Guild and as a board member for the St. Louis Women in Media. Kelli lives in Florida and blogs at KelliStuart.com.

Anchor in the Storm Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  In the time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love?

     Nothing slows Lillian Avery down - not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II.  She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston.  The demands of her new job energize her.  But society boy Ensign Archer Vanderberg's attentions only annoy - even if he is her brother's best friend.

     During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-Boasts on vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast.  Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves - and with drowsiness.  Could their be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

     As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question.  But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affections?

REVIEW:  This book tackles some difficult subjects - physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and women working in traditionally men's roles.  Lillian wears a prosthesis on her left leg after a childhood accident.  That, along with being a woman, makes it very difficult for her to find a job, much less one as a pharmacist, since those positions were held by men.  After the sinking of his previous ship, Arch deals with PTSD.  He observes men on his new destroyer having the same issues coping by taking strong medication that starts to interfere with their job performances.
     Lillian's determination to break through the barriers is admirable.  She does the best she can and doesn't back down from adversity.  Along the way, she starts to win people over and their attitudes start to change as they see her instead of just her sex.  She uses a painful episode in her past to help her in a very difficult situation to bring criminals to justice.
     Arch finds out that he is not along in struggling with the death and destruction he's witnessed on the sea.  I like how he works to find another way besides drugs to help the men under his command and breaks up the prescription drug ring causing the damage.  Even though he hates the wealth and status he was brought up with, I was impressed with how he uses it to help others with PTSD and other wounded warriors.
     The author kept me guessing as to how the drug ring would be captured and how all the relationships that were hurt and wounded would mend in the end.  
     This is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series.  It stands well on its own but reading the first book will fill in the gaps around some of the other characters.  This is a remarkable book and a wonderful series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell 

for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the award-winning author of the Wings of Glory and Wings of the Nightingale series, as well as Through Waters Deep.  During WWII, her grandfather serves as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Learn more at www.sarahsundin.com. 

The Girl from the Train Book Review

International Bestseller

SUMMARY:  Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Auschwitz.  Jakob Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks.

     As World War II draws to a close, Jakob fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia.  They mean to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl's unscheduled train reaches the bomb first.

     Gretl is the only survivor.  Through spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people.  When Jakob discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her home.  For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family.

     But she can't stay with him forever.  Jakob sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families - so long as Gretl's Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered. 

     Separated by continents, politics, religion, language and years, Jakob and Gretl will likely never see each other again.  But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome.

REVIEW:  To be completely honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book.  After it arrived, I didn't open it for about a week, imagining it to be full of hurt, depravity, sadness and overwhelming grief.  But, when I did open its pages and started reading Gretl's story, I had a very difficult time putting it down.  Yes, Gretl's life was difficult and there was sadness and formidable times but the way the story was written, it was not overwhelming and was distributed throughout the story as to not grieve the reader too much at one time.  Gretl adapted to each change gracefully and without question, even though it may not have been what she wanted to do.  I loved how her new family in South Africa didn't try to make her forget her previous life but helped her adjust to all the newness, even commenting how they each had made major changes in their lives.  The weight of all the secrets Gretl keeps is very heavy.  The way her family reaches out to her to help her with her burdens is amazing.

     The whole book shows modern-day readers in America just how difficult life was during and after the war for both families and orphans.  It was not easy and their struggles should not be forgotten.

     This was an excellent piece of literature that will stay with me a very long time.  Check it out yourself.  You will not be disappointed.

This Advance Reader's Copy was provided by Fiction Guild and 
Thomas Nelson Publishers for review without compensation.

Irma Joubert, international bestselling author, was a history teacher for 35 years before she began writing.  Her stories are known for their deep insight into personal relationships and rich historical detail.  She's the author of eight novels and a regular fixture on bestseller lists in The Netherlands and in her native South Africa. She is the winner of the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.  Find her on Facebook at irmajourbertpage.

The Methuselah Project Book Review

 

SUMMARY:  During World War II, German scientists started many experiments.  One never ended.

     Shot down over Nazi Germany in 1943, Roger Greene becomes both a prisoner and an unwilling guinea pig in a bizarre experiment.  Seventy years later, Roger still appears as youthful as the day he crash-landed - and he's still a prisoner.  Nearly insane from his long captivity, Roger finds his only hope in an old Bible.

     Not until our present time does Roger finally escape from the secret society running the Methuselah Project.  When he does, the modern world has become a fast-paced, perplexing place.  his only option is to accept the help of Katherine Mueller - crack shot, go-getter, and attractive to boot.  Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story?  And can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he's trying to flee?

REVIEW:  If you like the Marvel's Captain America movies and character, you will like this book.  Like Steve Rogers, Roger Green is as youthful as he was in 1943.  But, instead of volunteering for the experiment and being "asleep" for 70 years, Roger was kept prisoner by a Nazi scientist and his co-workers while they studied him. 
     This was a very interesting book.  The way the author handled the passage of seventy years was thought out and thought provoking.  It was intriguing how Roger found comfort and solace in reading the Bible, something he did not do before his capture.  I was a little jealous of the library he had, all the knowledge he gained from reading and how he retained everything he read.  I was impressed at how quickly he adapted to modern culture, even though it seems a little far-fetched at times.  There were a few places that his lack of modern-day knowledge and his interaction with people made me laugh.
     Katherine Mueller is determined to follow in her uncle and parents' footsteps and join the Heritage Organization.  Little does she know, this organization is not what she thinks it is and risks everything to help Roger.  I like how she sticks by Roger, helps him uncover his past, and provides great insight on everything Roger needs.
     This was a wonderful book.  I really enjoyed reading it and love how it is open-ended to allow for future additions to this marvelous story.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications 

for review without compensation.

Rick Barry is the author of Gunner's Run, another World War II novel, Kiriath's Quest, and over 200 articles and fiction stories.  In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe.  He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times.  Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Visit him at facebook.com/AuthorRickBarry or on Twitter (@WriterRickBarry). 

Through Waters Deep Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  War is coming.  Can love carry them through the rough waters that lie ahead?

     It's 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.  Handsome and outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand new destroyer, the USS Atwood.  On shore, Jim encounters Mary Stirling, a childhood friend who is now an astute and beautiful Boston Navy Yard secretary.

     When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is discovered, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit.  A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion.  With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges - and dangers - await them. 

REVIEW:  Sarah Sundin's latest novel introduces her readers to a mindset most people nowadays have little knowledge of: the moods and opinions of the American people before the U.S. entered the Second World War.  Misunderstanding and wrong assumptions were prevalent against anything German, British or Jewish.  So, when problems start occurring in the ship building yard, fingers start pointing at the possible culprits.  I love how the author places her reader in the midst of the turmoil of the sailors and crewmen aboard the escort ships and among the workers on the docks and offices in the Navy Yard. 
    Mary's gumption to try and figure out who was sabotaging the ships was admirable.  Even though the FBI discouraged her from helping, her boss had faith that she would be an asset and encouraged her.  She found a way she could help the investigation, which in the end, was invaluable.  Also, I liked how Mary started stepping out and faced her fears of singing in front of a crowd.  This small action helped her step out of her comfort zone in others ways.  Jim's decision to defy orders to help men trapped in below deck on a sinking ship was exemplary.  His actions could have cost him his life but ended up saving the sailors' lives.  He was also Mary's cheerleader, encouraging her to face her fears and live life to the fullest.
     If this book is a sign as to the rest of this series, it will be one to watch for.  I really enjoyed this novel, as I have all of Susan Sundin's other publications, and look forward with great expectation for the other two books.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell 

for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the award-winning author of the Wings of Glory and Wings of the Nightingale series.  During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Learn more at www.sarahsundin.com.

Where Treetops Glisten Book Review

Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage

and Christmas Romance During World War II

SUMMARY:  The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime.  Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas.

     Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

     In Cara Putnam's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop.  Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements - until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

     Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theatre in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded.  But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?

     In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands.  Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

     The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time.  Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for the future?

REVIEW:  The authors' of these stories did a wonderful job!  The stories moved from one to another seamlessly and, seemingly, without much effort.  All three grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it until the very end.  In fact, when I finished them, I was disappointed because I was carried away to Lafayette, Indiana every time I opened up the pages.  The only concern I had was that two of the couples became engaged very quickly but was relieved to see that they both waited until the next year to get married.  Other than that small item, I was very pleased with these books and highly recommend them!!

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Waterbrook Multnomah for review without compensation.

Cara Putman is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace.  She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction.  Sarah Sundin is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.  Tricia Goyer is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger.

In Perfect Time Book Review

Wings of the Nightingale Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Two hearts are about to learn the rhythm of love.

     Bold, sophisticated, and coy, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe.  So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms?  In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

     Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer.  Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?

     Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to believe in the power of love.

REVIEW: Sarah Sundin's finishes the Wings of the Nightingale series on a good note.  This book shows that Kay is more than a pretty face and heart-breaker.  When she finally gives her life to the LORD, I like how she tries to change how men (and women) perceive her by changing how she relates to each.  I also love how she really steps up to become a leader when she and some of her fellow servicemen and women face some very difficult obstacles. There were incidences when I would get frustrated with the timing between Roger and Kay but, like the title says, everything happens "in perfect time."
     While the ending could be considered a little cheesy, I thought it was a great ending to a wonderful series.  I love how each of the books overlap but doesn't lose it's individuality.  In Perfect Time is a delightful book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell Publishers for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and the Wings of Glory series.  In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Love Comes Home Book Review

SUMMARY:  When the flush of victory fades, there remains a winding road to an uncertain future.
     World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are joyfully welcoming the boys home.  The Merritt sisters in particular are looking toward the future.  Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay.  Evangeline craves a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church.  Victoria wants what can never be.  And Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.
     Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.
     Award-winning and bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you back to Rosey Corner for a heartfelt story that closes the distance between the things that were and things that can yet be.

REVIEW:  This latest look at the happenings in Rosey Corner does not disappoint. The author did a great job of making me feel like I was there with the characters as they struggled with the new normal: life after war.  I like how things work out for Lorena as she decides to search for her birth parents, though not all of it was what she wanted.  My heart went out to Kate and Jay but I LOVED how he bucks the rules to take care of his wife.  While I was happy with the way the book (and series) ended, I want to know the rest of their stories.  I think that shows what a wonderful novel this is. 

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Ousider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted.  She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky.  Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

A Promise in Pieces Book Review

Quilts of Love

SUMMARY:  A small gift, a simple promise, a life forever changed.

     It's been more than fifty years since Clara cared for injured WWII soldiers in the Women's Army Corps.  Fifty years since she promised to deliver a dying soldier's last wish.  And fifty years since that soldier's young widow gave her the baby quilt - a grief-ridden gift that would provide hope to countless newborns in the years to come.

     On her way to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Clara decided it's time to share her story.  But when the trip doesn't go as planned, Clara wonders if anyone will learn the great significance of the quilt - and the promise stitched inside it.

REVIEW:  This novel is different from most World War II stories I've read but was interesting in how the story played out.  One of my favorite parts was Clara telling her grandson her story and the story of the quilt and his continued interest.  I like how even though Clara's life wasn't easy, she chose to listen to the Lord's leading and follow Him.  In doing so, she blessed many woman and their babies with the quilt and showed them the love of the Lord.  It covers a lot of history but does it quickly without leaving out important details.  This was an enjoyable book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author, and blogger at emilywierenga.com.  She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Trenton, and their two sons.

Maybelle in Stitches Book Review

Quilts of Love Series

SUMMARY:  A patchwork quilt holds together two hearts separated by miles of ocean and the Second World War.

     Maybelle can't sew.  But when she finds an unfinished quilt in her mother's closet, she gets the crazy idea to complete it.  At first, it's just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden Kazinski, is away fighting in World War II.

     Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important.  Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive.  As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

REVIEW:  Maybelle is a beacon of hope of all of us women who are not the domestic type.  She can't cook, sew or keep a house but she loves working at the shipyard as a welder, helping to build ships in hopes one will bring her husband home soon.  Her attempt at making a dress in high school was a complete disaster (sounds so much like mine!).  I like how she still gets in there and tries (with MASSIVE amounts of encouragement and help from her friends) to make something for her husband to have when he returns from the war.  When she gets bad news after bad news, she doesn't go hide and cry but stands firm in her faith that God will get her through.  

     This book shows that the women at home did not sit around waiting for their men to get home from war.  They got to work, inside and outside the home, making ships and planes, living very frugally, to make sure their boys had whatever they needed.  The women banded together to provide support and encouragement, along with whatever else was needed, in tough times.

     One of the endearing parts was, after Maybelle and her friends started working on the quilt, the other girls also provided cloth squares from items that meant something special to them.  It represented all the hopes, dreams and memories of friends and family.

     This was an enjoyable book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

 

Joyce Magnin is the author of several books, including The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, named one of the "Top 5 Best Christian Fiction Books of 2009" by Library Journal.  She has three children and one grandson and is mom to a neurotic parakeet.

On Distant Shores Book Review and Give Away

Wings of the Nightingale Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Caught between the war raging around them and the battles within, two souls long for peace - and a love that remains true.

     Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want.  A boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse.  But in July 1943, Georgie's cozy life gets more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson.

     Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancee'.  While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart.  Can they weather the hurt and betrayal?  Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they've made?

     With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin weaves an exciting tale of emotion, action, and romance that will leave you wanting more.

REVIEW:   Georgie's character is great.  I love how her character and strength grows and she becomes more confident in who she is and in her abilities.  She learns to stand up on her own two feet and stand up to her family and her fiance' when they try to make decisions for her instead of listening to what she wants.  After making a career-ending mistake, Georgie learns what she did wrong and does everything in her power to keep it from happening again.  She comes out stronger in her faith in her abilities, decision-making capabilities and in her faith in God.
      I like what happens with Hutch after he realizes his desire/obsession to become an officer is wrecking his life and the changes in his life that occur when he finally lets it go.  Also, I love how he takes care Lucia, a little Italian orphan who is run over by an Army jeep, and how he provides for her after she is put in an orphanage.
     A side note - I like how this book overlaps the first one in this series, With Every Letter, and gives you glimpses of Mellie and Tom's relationship from the night Tom discovers Mellie is his pen pal to where they are when this book ends. 
     This is a great book and I'm expecting great things from book three when it comes out.  If it is anything like the first two, it will be awesome!

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter and the Wings of Glory series.  In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.  A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist.  During World War II, her grandfather serves as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US  Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

GIVE AWAY INFORMATION!!

I have a copy of On Distant Shores to give away.  To enter, leave a comment on my blog or Facebook post.  A winner will be drawn on Saturday, August 31st.  Good luck!!