THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS by AMANDA BARRATT

Publication date 26/5/20
THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS by AMANDA BARRATT is the true story of the student resistance movement, The White Rose, which was started by students at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich in 1942. This book is a real masterpiece, beautifully written, at the same time desperately sad and incredibly inspiring. The courage shown by these young people, their willingness to die for their fellow man and their unconditional love for one another, based on faith in God, really spoke to me.
It is interesting to see WWII from the German perspective, from those who were horrified by Hitler's inhumanity and madness. From those who wanted to save their beloved country from destruction. From those who wanted to "be doers of the word, not hearers only". (James chapter 1 verse 22) and who, as Christl said, believed that "only action provides absolution."
Whilst Hans and Sophie Scholl, Alex Schmorell, Christl Probst, Willi Graf and Traute Lafrenz are real heroes of the resistance movement,
Annelise, the daughter of standartenfuhrer Brandt, and Kirk Hoffmann, are fictitious characters. However, Annelise and Kirk's romance really adds to the story.
An incredible amount of research has gone into this book. I really recommend The White Rose Resists as a book that will bless you and that will truly stay with you.


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A GILDED LADY by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Publication date 2/6/20
A GILDED LADY by ELIZABETH CAMDEN is an intriguing historical romance novel that takes place mostly in Washington and describes the political climate of the time. It is the second book in the Hope and Glory series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. However both novels are excellent and I strongly suggest that you read them in sequence.
With the assassination of King Umberto of Italy, Nathaniel Trask is sent by the Secret Service to redesign a new security plan at the White House and protect the president and first lady. He is strict and serious about his job, especially as he is riddled with guilt about what happened to his little sister when he should have been looking after her. He feels like a failure, in spite of the fact that he has uncovered quite a few counterfeiting rings, being an expert engraver.
He meets the beautiful Caroline Delacroix at the White House, where she looks after the very difficult and ailing Ida McKinley, and is frustrated at first with her free spirited approach to life. No one would ever guess that she is desperately trying to help free her twin brother, Luke, from a Cuban jail, where he is being held for treason.
I love the way the author describes these two hardworking and hurting people, and their interaction with one another and the other characters in the book. It is a thrilling story, with a really good Christian message. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
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DAUGHTER OF CANA by ANGELA HUNT

DAUGHTER OF CANA by ANGELA HUNT is a must read for lovers of biblical fiction. In fact it is one of the best books I have read and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research into life in Israel at the time, knows about Jewish feasts and old testament scripture, and paints a wonderful picture of Yeshua's ministry and earliest followers.
The story is told by Tasmin of Cana, the disciple Thomas' twin sister, and Jude of Nazareth, Yeshua's younger brother.
In spite of witnessing His first miracle at a wedding in Cana, Tasmin and Jude do not believe Yeshua's claim to be the Son of Man. When Thomas becomes a follower of Yeshua, they join forces to try and find their brothers. They want them to come home and face their family responsibilities. They are also afraid that they are going to get into trouble with the authorities. I love the descriptions of their travels and the people they meet along the way. The gospel story is told as they hear of Christ's miracles, witness some for themselves, and hear His teachings.
It is a beautifully written book and one that I will definitely read more than once.



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SEA GLASS CASTLE by T. I. LOWE

Publication date 2/8/20
SEA GLASS CASTLE is the third book in the Carolina Coast series by T. I. LOWE. It is a delightful romance novel which has a great deal of depth to it.
The analogy of sea glass, which has been rubbed smooth by the sea, as being comparable to what happens to people who have also been rubbed into something beautiful by experience, is really meaningful.
In this book we come across the Sand Queens again, Opal, Sophia and Josie. They have been close friends since school and are really supportive of one another. The other two members of the Sand Queens will not allow Sophia to give in to depression after her disastrous marriage to football star Ty Prescott. She also needs to keep going for her son, Collin's, sake.
After four years, Dr Weston Sawyer is still mourning the death of his wife and son. He is barely living, but takes over the Sunset Cove Pediatric Clinic. After a disastrous first meeting, the rather prissy Sophia and the meticulous Weston become friends.
Wes and Sophia are both broken people who, through working together, come to understand and support one another. Will this lead to something more? The gossip mongers, commonly known as the Knitting Ladies, are certainly doing their best to find out!
I love the characters, from the rather eccentric Opal Cole with her large and rather intimidating husband, Lincoln, to paint splattered artists, Josie and August Bradford, right down to delightful little Collin Prescott. The author has an amazing way of getting us right into the characters' emotions as she deals sensitively with subjects such as divorce and spousal abuse and grief at the loss of loved ones. The Christian message is strong and there is a feeling of hope running through the story.
This whole series is altogether lovely and I recommend that you read the three novels in sequence, although Sea Glass Castle can be read as a stand alone.

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A MOSAIC OF WINGS by KIMBERLY DUFFY

Publication date 5/5/20
A MOSAIC OF WINGS by KIMBERLY DUFFY is a beautifully written book with well defined characters and excellent descriptions, not only of the characters' feelings, strengths and weaknesses, but of the landscape and flora and fauna found in Ithaca New York and Kodaikanal India. The author has done an incredible amount of research, especially into bugs and butterflies, which are Nora Shipley and Owen Epps' area of expertise. She has also researched the time, 1885, and we come across Professor John Comstock and his wife Anna, who were actually teaching at Cornell university at the time.
Lydia and Owen are the top two graduates in entomology and are neck and neck for a scholarship to study for a master's degree.
When the two of them are sent to India, their lives, and their relationships, change, and they each come to realize what is really important in life.
I do not want to tell you any more of the story for fear of spoiling the read for you. I really loved this book and will be reading it more than once. I found it true to life and most inspirational. The Christian message is good and one gets a sense of God's greatness in His creation and in His involvement in people's lives.



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STAY WITH ME by BECKY WADE

Publication date 5/5/20
STAY WITH ME is the first book in the Misty River Romance series by BECKY WADE. It is a beautifully told romance with a good Christian message, interesting characters and a bit of suspense to keep you guessing.
I love the way rhis author describes her characters' emotions and struggles, really drawing us into the story.
Genevieve Woodward is a highly successful Christian author and speaker, but she has never got over a traumatic experience when she was twelve and feels she has to work hard to show her gratitude to the Lord for saving her life. She is well known and well liked.
Sam Turner is also hurting and, although he runs a successful restaurant and farm, he keeps to himself by choice.
When he finds her asleep in his guesthouse all kinds of alarm bells start ringing.
Genevieve is close to her older sister, Natasha, and the two women work together to see what it is in their parents' past that has led to Genevieve being sent a threatening note.
I am not going to tell you any more of the story, except to say that there are some serious matters involved, but through it all we see the Lord at work bringing redemption out of chaos.
I really recommend Stay With Me as a most enjoyable and heartwarming read.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.



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IF I WERE YOU by LYNN AUSTIN

Publication date 2/6/20
I was so pleased to get an ARC copy of IF I WERE YOU by LYNN AUSTIN, as she is one of my favourite authors, and I was definitely not disappointed in the book. What a lovely story, so beautifully told, and with a really good Christian message. The characters are very believable and we are taken on a real roller coaster of emotions with them.
Eve Dawson & Audrey Clarkson meet in the woods when they are twelve - Eve comes from a poor but loving family and Audrey & her brother Alfie live with every privilege the upper class has to offer, but receive no affection from their parents. This unlikely pair become best friends, but their friendship is not without challenges.
I like the way they seem to bring out the best in each other, with Eve, who seems to be fearless, encouraging Audrey to not be afraid. We see how brave they are during the war and how their characters change with all they go through.
The war changes everything for the English, class distinction meanng less and less as the British work together to save their country from Nazi domination. The book is well researched and the description of England under Nazi attack is eye opening.
In this story we are reminded of the importance of following God's way for our lives rather than our own. We are also reminded of God's kindness and forgiveness towards us, and of the twenty third psalm where we learn about the Good Shepherd who will neither leave nor forsake us.
It is a story about second chances, and the importance of forgiveness, especially towards oneself.
I cannot recommend If I Were You strongly enough.



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