"You can spend your life regretting what you've lost. Or you can thank the Lord for what He's given." - Barclay Pearce
Description:
Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales
Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.
But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.
You can purchase a copy here!
About the Author:
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
My Review: 5 stars
This is the second book in a series by one of my favorite historical authors, so of course I was super excited to hold a copy, admire the beautiful cover, and dive into it. I’ve been anxiously anticipating Willa’s book since finishing the first book, “A Name Unknown,” and was not at all disappointed!
As always, Rosanna M. White weaves a compelling story, this one set in 1914, during The Great War in Europe. I so enjoy the history in all of her books, as well as her writing style. She brings her stories to vivid life, drawing me in until it seemed as though I could heard the orchestra, see the Stradivarius, and feel the autumn wind. And this cast of characters she’s created - they began to feel like dear friends, after a while. I’m very anxious for Barclay’s book, which I’ve just learned will be the next one. Though if you’re not able to read the books in order, she’s written them to stand alone just as well. This family of thieves though . . . .there’s something about them. It seems like such a novel concept, though not entirely, if I think about it. The way she portrays them has me cheering them on, rather than being appalled at their audacity. I have to appreciate their ingenuity and quite liked learning how such things might play out 100 years ago, without all of the technology we have now. I also really appreciated the balance she found in the morality of the story. Especially in the context of the German soldiers, I thought she did an excellent job of showing them to be human as well. And allowing for a debate over how they handled the War. She never condones their actions, but tries to show a bit of both sides of the story.
Willa Forsythe has undoubtedly become one of my very favorite characters from Ms. White’s novels. She is strong, stubborn, straightforward, more than a little blunt at times, a wonderfully talented musician, and so very broken. I couldn’t not love her. Or Lukas De Wilde. Both he and his precocious sister, Margot, made sure they took up residence in my affections, as well. I enjoyed how the story came from all three perspectives, giving me an insight into each situation and character. Though I don’t believe I could choose a favorite, Margot would definitely be near the top of the list. With her sharp wit, need for order, and incredible intelligence, she may have started out a secondary character, but she quickly became a leading lady. I also couldn’t resist smiling at the relationship Lukas and Willa slowly form. Particularly his persistence in loving her. And by extension, showing God’s love. The author so seamlessly weaves faith throughout the story, giving space to questions so often unvoiced, but not overwhelming the rest of the narrative.
I would highly recommend this book, as well as the first in the series, to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and desires an introduction to a rather unorthodox family of thieves.
To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a signed copy of the book as well as a lovely album of soothing songs based on the Scriptures called Hidden in My Heart (winner’s choice of CD or digital download)!!
Click the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! And pop over to the other stops (listen below) to gain more entries!
Blog Stops
Fiction Aficionado, January 11
History, Mystery & Faith, January 11
Genesis 5020, January 11
Bookworm Mama, January 11
A Simply Enchanted Life, January 11
Avid Reader Book Reviews, January 12
Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 12
Blogging With Carol, January 12
Multifarious, January 12
proud to be an autism mom, January 12
Faithfully Bookish, January 13
Christian Bookaholic, January 13
Karen Sue Hadley, January 13
Mary Hake, January 13
A Greater Yes, January 13
Remembrancy, January 14
Blossoms and Blessings, January 14
Just the Write Escape, January 14
Connie’s History Classroom, January 14
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
A Reader’s Brain, January 15
Rachel’s Back Talk, January 15
Smiling Book Reviews, January 15
Cordially Barbara, January 15
Pursuing Stacie, January 15
The Fizzy Pop Collection, January 16
Kat’s Corner Books, January 16
The Artist Librarian, January 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 16
Bigreadersite, January 16
Mommynificent, January 17
Seasons of Opportunities, January 17
Moments Dipped in Ink, January 17
Baker Kella, January 17
Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, January 17
God’s Little Bookworm, January 18
allofakindmom, January 18
Inklings and notions, January 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18
Pause for Tales, January 19
Have A Wonderful Day, January 19
Just Commonly, January 19
Bibliophile Reviews , January 19
Janices book reviews, January 19
Radiant Light, January 20
The Power of Words , January 20
Book by Book, January 20
CAC Devourer, January 20
Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 20
Splashes of Joy, January 21
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 21
Neverending Stories, January 21
Faery Tales Are Real, January 21
A Baker’s Perspective, January 21
margaret kazmierczak, January 22
The PhD Mamma, January 22
Cafinated Reads, January 22
Daysong Reflections, January 22
Romances of the Cross, January 23
Purposeful Learning, January 23
Rachel Scott McDaniel, January 23
Carpe Diem, January 23
Simple Harvest Reads, January 23
Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, January 24
Henry Happens, January 24
Joy of Reading, January 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 24
Raining Butterfly Kisses, January 24
