THE MOZART CODE by RACHEL McMILLAN

THE MOZART CODE by RACHEL McMILLAN is a very well written story which takes place from 1946 between Vienna and Prague during the Cold War, with flashbacks to war years in Britain where Simon Barrister first meets Sophie Villiers. Theirs is a beautiful but unusual romance, fraught with danger as Simon works under Marcus Brighton for the British Secret Intelligence Service, looking for double agents in war torn Vienna, and Sophie, whose code name is Starling, is employed by various rather shady people to look for valuable artifacts that disappeared during the war. Vienna has been badly damaged during the war and is now divided between four countries, who all have their own ideas how it should be rebuilt. There is a great deal of intrigue in this once beautiful city which has now become known as “the city of spies”, and where it is hard to know who to trust. 

It is a story in which chess and music, loyalty and love, and the source of true riches, play a big part.

This is a historical novel which will grip you from the start and not let go. The setting is so authentic and the character studies so well done, that I found it an exceptional read and it is one I highly recommend.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely  my own.

PROJECT SOLOMON by JENNIFER MARSHALL BLEAKLEY

Publication date 17/5/22

PROJECT SOLOMON by JENNIFER MARSHALL BLEAKLEY is a must read for any animal  lover, particularly a lover of horses. It is a true story of faith and redemption as we read about the incredible relationship between Jodi Stuber and Solomon, the lonely bay gelding who becomes leader of the herd at HopeWell Ranch. As Jodi spends time with Solomon, training him and helping him to integrate with the herd, they come to understand one another, and she pours out her heart to him, finding solace for her grief. This majestic animal, who seems to understand the special needs children who come  to HopeWell for therapy, becomes the inspiration for Project Solomon, which provides a safe place for war veterans as they interact with the horses.

I love everything about this book, especially the way the author’s faith in the Lord, together with that of Jodi and Ty Stuber and their family, shines through the story.

I cannot recommend this heartwarming and inspirational read highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

BEAUTIFUL COURAGE by SAM WELLMAN

Publication date 1/4/22

BEAUTIFUL COURAGE by SAM WELLMAN is an in depth biography of a remarkable woman, Corrie ten Boom, who truly lived for Christ. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. As we are taken on a journey through her life, from the age of five when she gave her heart to Jesus, until she went to be with her Lord at the age of ninety one, we see what an incredible imprint this plain, yet beautiful, Dutch watchmaker made on the world.

Coming from a closely knit Christian family, who took the Bible seriously, living by its principles and showing God’s love to those in need, especially to His chosen people, the Jews, Corrie and her sister Betsie are imprisoned by the Nazis, first of all in Holland and then in the infamous women’s prison, Ravensbruck in Germany. These two were “veterans of Nazi inhumanity” who took every opportunity to bring God’s message of salvation  right where they were, to fellow inmates and guards alike, showing His love and forgiveness, all the time trusting God for deliverance from this hell on earth. As Betsie often said “There are no ‘ifs’ in God’s world”. The sisters clung together for comfort, holding on to Betsie’s vision of a large and beautiful house in which to minister to others, especially those who had suffered from the war.

I like to see Corrie’s gratitude which is shown when she is recovering on arriving back in Holland - “As she shuffled past a nurse’s room on her swollen feet, she heard an organist playing Bach! The nurse was listening to her radio. What a feasr life was now. Did it take prison to sharpen these wonderful gifts from God.” 

There is so much more to Corrie’s story - this is truly a book that will inspire each of us in our Christian walk. 

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.