A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

As a kid I was fascinated with the story of Anne Frank. As an adult I have been fascinated with the stories of people who lived in overseas countries during WW1 and WW2. I have always wondered if I was the person living then what I would do and how I would live.  This is a very interesting book about people living in that time. I'd like to think that I'd have half the courage that Kája had. Kristy Cambron has obviously done her homework in researching this. It's very well written - you feel like you're there viewing the characters and if you're like me, you find yourself wishing you could talk to them - offer an encouraging word or say "What were you thinking?".  I can't say it's a comfortable read because of the subject matter, but it's a satisfying read for sure. Not a breeze through either.

In 1939 Kája Makovsky is forced to leave her family in Prague as she is sent off to college and safety. But the war follows her to England and she risks her life to go back and get her family out. I'm sure that some of the choices she made are not ones that I would make - but you have to admire this girl. And we never know what small things (we think) we do will have a profound effect on someone else.

Sera James is getting ready for her dream wedding when her fiance is arrested for a crime he didn't commit. This part of the story is interesting as Sera looks for more information to try to clear her fiance, and find out more about this wealthy family's secrets.

A Holocaust survivor is the person who brings this story together. The way the book weaves back and forth between the two time frames draws out the suspense in each, where strong women are making life decisions to protect the people they love.

This is book two in the series. I had not read book one but now want to go back and get it! Don't you just love that cover?

From the book description:  "Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson--FICTION - 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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Where Trust Lies by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

 A slow, comfortable read.

Trust can be tricky - and depends a lot on the people you put your faith in. Sometimes we can be too trustful, sometimes not trusting enough. Most of us feel we're a good judge of character, and many of us have been fooled. This is an excellent example of how each can be the case.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series (this is the second). For some reason this one didn't hold my interest as well. The continuation of the gentle character of Beth Thatcher is wonderful as are the biblical life lessons. After going away from home and becoming the teacher for a small town in Canada, Beth returns home to spend time with her family and wait to hear if she will be asked back again to teach. Her relationship with the Mountie Jarrick was just beginning, so as much as she has missed her family, she has mixed feelings about going back. Her family goes on a steamship tour for the summer, leaving lots of time to think and pray. But then an on-board mystery develops involving trust of another kind.

Great quote from the book: "All we can do is to keep turning each other toward the truth - to a God who loves and cares for us..." Loved the cover.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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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Spy of Richmond by Jocelyn Green

No boredom here.

Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to be in a Civil War prison? Have you thought about your stand on slavery and what you might do about it if you had lived then? This book is so wonderfully written that you'll feel these are actual people and you're going about their lives with them in Richmond, Virginia, 1863. In fact, several characters interspersed throughout the book were real people. The author has definitely done her homework.

Union loyalist Sophie Kent's father has left them to fight with the Rebels. Her mother, from the North originally, has just died. Sophie feels that it is her mission to go to Libby Prison and help care for all those she can. Which does not make her popular, but a loyalist Ordnance worker comes to her rescue.  How long can she string him on?

Bella Jamison is a former slave who travels from relative safety in the North to Sophie's home,  bringing quinine to her twin sister. Her husband is in Libby Prison.

Harrison Caldwell, a freelance journalist and friend of Sophie's, accompanies Bella. He doesn't get the proper travel pass and ends up in the same prison. But he's always on the lookout for a good story.

This is a fascinating and deeply woven story of these characters, their personal drive and how they adapt to the constantly shifting circumstances they are forced through. It's the fourth in a series. I did not need to read the other books to enjoy this one, but now I want to go back and read the rest. Love the cover too.

Quote from the book: "But remember this: we must work as hard as we can at what we've been called to do and leave the outcome up to God. If we don't, we'll lose hope. And that is one thing we must never do."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishers - 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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Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell

This Christian Historical Romance starts out in 1852 Cheshire, England. Love the cover, don't you? Our main character Charlotte is a botanist, from a long family of botanists, but is not accepted as an author or illustrator in her own right because she is female. So she assists her father (who is published) and submits her work under his name.

They are joined by Edward, a sheep farmer, who is quickly put to work as her father's assistant so that Charlotte can pursue a husband - something he and her Uncle have decided she must do. The thing is, even though he's excellent at the job, Edward is not quite what he seems.

It's not easy for Charlotte to go out in society, as she's never learned social graces. Thankfully she is befriended by another girl who helps her through.  In the process, she learns some valuable lessons and in turn touches the hearts of those she becomes close to - like a flower in bloom.

I struggled with reading this, as the eclectic nature of Charlotte and her father became somewhat frustrating. But by the same token I think this would be an excellent movie because their eccentric habits would be easier to watch and not have to be explained. And with the subject of botany, there is an opening for beautiful photography. There was subtle humor throughout the book that would be much more effective acted out.

In some ways I resonated deeply with the main character in this book. When I was younger I very much wanted to be a botanist. From the age of 10 I got books out of the library on biology and botany every summer and poured over them, nearly memorizing them. I was given a microscope for Christmas when I was 11. When I finally got to biology class in 10th grade, I was ecstatic. My first test for that class I got a 95 - for which I was singled out by the teacher and accused of cheating as everyone else had failed it. My deepest hurt. As time went on, he continually singled me out and ridiculed me in front of the class, and as a result I gave up on my greatest love as far as school went. I did continue to take books out from the library on weeds and wildflowers and had a sketchbook. After reading this book I think perhaps one of the reasons my teacher treated me so is that I was female, and a great love of the subject was not typical of girls, so he doubted that I could have done so well without cheating. But he never bothered to talk to me. It did change the direction of my life, left deep scars and I gradually wandered away from it down other paths. God had other plans for me. So I'm glad that Charlotte was able to continue to be a botanist and stay true to herself.

In reading the Author's notes at the end I also felt a deep connection with her. I almost enjoyed them more than the book. By her description, I too am an introvert.  I can be an extrovert for awhile, and am too self  aware. I prefer deep conversations with those I get close to as opposed to small talk. I have always felt that if I just try hard enough I'll be able to be like everyone else and often question/doubt my worth. I'm glad that Siri Mitchell has decided to write and offer her stories as she has a talent to be envied. In her I feel a kindred spirit and feel better that she shared that part of herself. It's nice to know someone of her recognition and success shares something with me. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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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Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Ok, reading the description of this book they had me at Library. In the early 1800's the main character Anna works at the Library of Congress as a map librarian. How cool is that? I love the way the author put it - the books there contain wisdom of the ages. Awesome.  She's a strong, knowledgeable female character. Her father was a navy scientist who mapped the floor of the ocean and was lost at sea. While at work Anna is able to do some research and found there was an error in the old naval report. Which is not a well received message for the navy.

Luke is a popular Congressman with some serious family issues, but he's in Washington to serve his state and do some good. Anna gets his attention when she talks back to him, but then he realizes she could be useful. Politics is the name of the game, and he needs all the help he can get in a struggle with the Speaker of the House.

This book is very well written. Since Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian herself, she puts a lot of interesting detail into the book. There's a lot of depth to the characters and you get to know all their issues, which make them all the more endearing.  A sweet romance evolves, and there's an element of danger and secrecy that makes this one you don't want to put down until you know everything. But then you don't want to leave the characters when the story ends! 

From the publisher's description of the book: "From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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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