Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green

Brilliant format.

The whole book is told in the format of letters written. Set after the war with both Germany and Japan. A brilliant yet snotty young girl Jo is in college, finally escaping her small home town, when during the war she is pretty much forced to return home and act as an interpreter at a POW camp. Her best friend is a Japanese American guy who is a teacher of language for interred young men preparing to go overseas. The story opens with Jo being charged with treason. She fought going back home and putting her dreams on hold but her scholarship sponsor forces the issue. 

It was uncomfortable at first reading a story in this format, but it didn't take long to find it brilliant. There is so much you learn about each of the people in the letters and you can read between the lines. Friends from collage, friends from home, German prisoners, people from the small community. All weave the story. Expertly. With family of German heritage I always wondered how they felt as Americans here during the war, what it was like with German POW camps nearby, how they were treated in this small town. This story gives you a possible glimpse. A sleepy small town becomes full of hostility, examples of the humanity of the prisoners soften the opinions of many. Hard to put down!

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I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

An excellent summer read! Delightful Christian Historical Romance set in 1913 St. Paul, Minnesota. Women weren't supposed to do gardening other than in their own back yard, but Tessa had studied Horticulture at the University of Minnesota. Which was no easy feat in itself, as the college also favored the men, even setting up classes in the evening after curfew for the women. As the youngest sister she's tried a few different occupations before, and this summer she's set her sights on working for Mr. Nussbaumer at his prestigious Park.

Reese is a Master Gardener for Como Park. Tessa showed up deadheading pansies in his area of the park, and a policeman caught her - clearly picking the flowers - and so the story begins.

This is the third book in The Gregory Sisters series. You don't have to read the other books first, but it's highly recommended because they're such good stories. The girls' father had said: "...the Lord blessed him with girls because there were enough foolish men in the world. He planned to raise smart daughters to make up the difference."  These are all strong and intelligent women grounded in faith and this book, as the others, is rooted in scripture. You become fully involved with the characters; you laugh and your heart tugs, breaks and grows with them as they protect their secrets and eventually love blooms. Another beautiful cover!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Publishing Group and the Revell Reads - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.

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