Romantic

Review of With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

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Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended.

with every breath

Set in the late 1800s in Washington, D.C., Kate Livingston and Trevor McDonough had always been school-mate adversaries. Now as adults, Trevor has become a distinguished physician, while Kate (having lost the scholarship that was her only chance at college to Trevor) is struggling in a career that neither challenges or interests her.

When Trevor unexpectedly pursues Elizabeth to work alongside him in his research to cure tuberculosis, she jumps at the challenge, and their wit and competitiveness merge in an amusing chemistry. As their research is threatened by a reckless and anonymous “insider,” Kate is certain that Trevor’s mysterious past has something to do with their endangerment.

I loved reading this. Kate is a fiery, intellectual, strong-willed woman (not represented well by the cover picture); and Trevor is a private, equally strong-willed, introvert, gifted in his brilliance to perfect the world. The story’s depth and dynamic comes through as they each come to terms with their emotions and past wounds (especially with experiencing the death and illness of loved ones in their individual lives).

While faith is a more subtle piece of the story, the theme that love is tested in fire, and is not to be reserved just when circumstances are easy really stood out to me. I also appreciated the historical detail, fascinating period-appropriate medical information, and the compelling mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

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Review of A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

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Genre: Romantic Historical Comedy

Series: Ladies of Distinction, Book #4

Not Recommended.

Set in 1883, Agatha is a quick-witted news reporter who naturally attracts dangerous and troublesome situations. (She reminds me just a bit of Amelia Bedelia from the popular children’s book series.) When Agatha unexpectedly reconnects with Zayne–a single and handsome man from her past–sparks fly in a match of their equally stubborn natures and evident chemistry.

This novel is simply not my taste. I was intrigued by the book description, unsure about the cover, and plunged into it anyway, only to decide I had made a poor choice for myself.

I still cannot decide exactly why the narrative rubbed me the wrong way because the writing is solid. I think the comedic aspect was just too much for me: over the top, with larger than life characters that were unsettling and even annoying to me. I personally found it difficult to connect with the characters, story, and not-my-style humor; and I had trouble feeling the essence of the historical period.

That said, the story does begin to improve toward the middle as the character and plot focus becomes more settled and concentrated. I imagine readers who are looking for an exaggerated, light-hearted, and cheesy sort of romance and humor would likely enjoy this, even though it was not suitable for my taste.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

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Review of Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke

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Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended!

This is one of the most interesting Holocaust novels I have read, focusing on the variations of insider German attitudes from August of 1939 through the summer of 1940 with a post-war epilogue.

Rachel Kramer is the daughter of a prominent (fictitious) American doctor of eugenics, who works closely with the infamous German Drs. Mengele and Verschuer. As she accompanies her father on a business trip, she is shocked to discover–largely through an American journalist–the implications of her father’s research, and the personal web of heartache and disillusionment it has created within her own family. When her childhood friend comes to her for help in rescuing her deaf daughter Amelie from certain death due to the scourge she is upon her SS father’s Aryan bloodline, Rachel chooses to leave her life of privilege to go into hiding with the child, eventually finding shelter in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play.

The Christian theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and his message of the cost of grace, also plays a substantial secondary role as the characters determine for themselves who they are, what they believe, and how they should live in response to the increasingly difficult circumstances.

There are quite a few monumental transitions within the story, which at times made the novel feel long-winded, or like a trilogy wrapped into one. I was caught up in the characters, and the thoughts the story-line provoked within myself, yet also felt emotionally and intellectually pulled to shift my emotional response as the narrative went along. There could have been more cohesion within the emotional and spiritual motifs to tie the whole together as the beginning and ending felt like completely different pieces despite the natural flow of the plot-line in between. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable and fascinating glimpse into this time-period, and a call to evaluate our modern culture in order to avert similar potential atrocities.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

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Review of Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

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Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended.

Tolsma’s writing is vivid and powerful. I loved her previous novel, Snow on the Tulips, and enjoyed this one as well. I especially appreciate that this was inspired by two separate true accounts, and that it presented a unique perspective of the normal German citizens who were also impacted by this dark period of history.

German-American Gisela is in East Prussia visiting family when the Soviet army begins to invade. Her cousin, Ella, urges Gisela to flee with her (Ella’s) two young girls, while she stays behind to nurse their sick grandpa. Gisela heads to Berlin, hoping to also collect her mutti before traveling south to safety. On the way she encounters a British POW escapee, and pretends to be married to him in order to save his life. As their group grows, they seek every option to survive the attack of the Russians, British, and American armies, praying the war will be over soon.

The story is true to history: touching on the violence, open hangings of the “cowardly,” gruesomeness, sexual assault, hunger, emotional struggles, and other horrors of living in a war zone. Yet it is also a lighthearted romance with the subtle spiritual motifs of trusting God in the midst of chaos and heart-wrenching loss, forgiving ourselves, and allowing God to bring healing to our deepest pains and regrets.

For the most part I connected really well to the characters–two of the secondary characters (Kurt and Audra) were mildly annoying to me at times, though not so much that it caused me to like the book any less–but I engaged well with Gisela, and particularly enjoyed the humor added by two elderly, senile, traveling companions. I also felt that the story concluded a bit suddenly in terms of the physical war plot, although the “feel good” epilogue wrapped up the emotional story nicely.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson.

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Review of A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

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Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Highly Recommended.

Seasoned 24 year old model, Ivy Clark, faces the harsh reality of the fashion industry as she is pushed aside for younger, upcoming models. With her broken past and cold interior, the rejection she faces is almost too much for her. It is when she is forced into a “lesser” gig as the face of her Stepmother’s bridal shop that she encounters the unusual kindness and respect of photographer, Davis Knight, who is struggling with some identity issues of his own.

Written from the diverse yet parallel perspectives of Ivy, Davis, and the stepmother, Marilyn, this novel captures the struggle and beauty of discovering and trusting ones identity and destiny within God’s purposes. I related in some way or another to each character, and was entranced with the underlying thematic messages of grace, forgiveness, regaining innocence, abandoning pride and shame, and embracing love.

This is a “romance,” but not the kind where the characters fall all over each other. Rather, Ganshert gracefully reveals the distinction between love and lust; and the heroine learns to receive not just the love of a suitor, but the love of family, of friends, and of God. And–yes–there is chemistry between the “love birds” as well! It just is not the primary focus.

This is not specifically young adult fiction, but is one I think young women and teens will really relate to and enjoy. The characters run deep without the writing being too intense, and the positive themes are ensconced fluidly and unobtrusively within the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah.

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Review of For Such a Time by Kate Breslin

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Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended.

For Such a Time is a unique retelling of Esther based during the Holocaust. Hadassah Benjamin (hiding under false paperwork as Stella Muller) is rescued from a shooting line and finds herself in the odd position of working as a secretary for SS Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt while her fellow Jews (including her uncle Morty) endure the harsh conditions of the Czechoslovakian transit camp, Theresienstadt, that borders her new “home.” Worse, her people are progressively being transported to Auschwitz, and she is ordered to type up the lists of names finalizing their transportation and certain death–all while hiding her true identity, struggling with her faith, and feeling that God has abandoned them.

I enjoy how this narrative finds freedom in expressing the heart of the Esther story outside of its traditional setting. The events, especially in the climax and finale, unravel creatively, so as to bring fresh insight to the original.

There is a bit of awkwardness surrounding the romance between Stella and Herr Kommandant–but perhaps this was true of Esther and the Persian King as well within their married relationship? I would have liked more attention to have been given to Aric’s faith and feelings, which were alluded to on many occasions, but never explored to the extent of Hadassah’s. I also felt there was too much emphasis placed on Stella as the savior of her people (rather than an emphasis on the recognition of God at work); and also too quick of a spiritual spiritual resolution for Stella’s own question of faith.

That said, the book does well at its intentions to entertain, bring freshness to a beloved biblical account, and to reveal and remember the horrors of the Holocaust and God’s faithful presence even in our most difficult hours. This is also a wonderful debut novel to start off Breslin’s endeavor into historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

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Review of The Queen’s Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Recommended!

An orphan from birth, Lydia is raised in Cleopatra’s palace, and becomes the personal handmaiden to her son, Caesarion (Ptolemy Caesar, son of Julius Caesar). She is also trained in the ways of the God of Israel by her Jewish father-figure, Samuel, an old man who also works in the service of Cleopatra. When Samuel is killed, Lydia is left with a mission larger than herself–to deliver the ancient scroll of Daniel to the Chakkyim (Aramaic for “Wise Men”). In order to fulfill Samuel’s last directive to her, she becomes a handmaiden to Herod’s wife Mariamme I, where she finds danger, adventure, romance, and discovers her true identity in more ways than one.

The novel begins in 39 BC and spans several years, locations, and people, particularly expanding on the relationships between Egypt (Cleopatra), Rome (Marc Antony), the Idumeans (Herod and his family), the Hasmonean Jews (especially Mariamme and her brother Octavian, who became called “Augustus Caesar”), and the Jewish Zealots. I am not too familiar with this period, and enjoyed learning along with the story, which follows the historical account pretty closely.

There were a few chapters where the years and locations changed in a way that was easy enough to follow chronologically, but more difficult to connect to the characters because of the quick transitions. It may have helped to simply introduce the date and location within the chapter header as the first chapter had done, so that the reader is emotionally prepared for the new setting rather than caught off guard as the chapter unfolds. As I was reading these few chapters, I began to consider that maybe I did not like the book much after all, because it began to feel too plot-focused, and I was struggling to stay connected to the characters as I tried to piece together the events.

I am so glad I kept reading! The story picks up as the physical setting and time became more settled, and the characters’ personalities began to resolve in a dramatic way. The last half of the reading was everything I enjoy in a novel: a thorough historical backdrop, deep character tensions and personalities, mystery, action, and romance–and there was even a bit of realistic “charismatic” spiritual action between the sorcery of one of the characters and the power of God emanating fluidly through His servant, Lydia.

I have read and enjoyed a handful of Higley’s books, and appreciate the extra research that went into making this one especially memorable. It is one I will likely read again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson.

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Review of A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley

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Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Laura Gantt returns to her Southern hometown to bury her mother and settle the household accounts only to be confronted with rumors that her father–long presumed dead–may actually be alive. As she begins to investigate the rumors for herself, a mystery into her parent’s relationship unfolds. Laura also reconnects with her childhood friends, including her former beau, Sean, who is still in love with her and wants to protect her from the physical and emotional chaos surrounding the recent events.

I have read a couple of Meg Moseley’s books, and really enjoy her writing. This is a character-based story with so much depth into each personality that it’s easy to relate and emphasize with each one. The narrative was intriguing and mysterious and quickly drew me in, even though the plot itself was pretty calm. There were a few times that I would be so caught up in the dialog that I would suddenly notice a scene shift too late and have to backtrack to find when the characters had entered the house, or gotten into the car, or whatnot. Often these scene changes were presumed instead of directly acknowledged, which made me take the occasional pause from the otherwise fluid prose.

I also felt that the end was a bit rushed. The mystery itself eventually came to light, but the depth of the characters and their internal struggles seemed to stop all at once, rather than come to a full emotional conclusion. I enjoyed the story so much only to feel incomplete with its finale. I also think much more could have been made of the spiritual element, which was introduced in the beginning, but not continued throughout. So, I am a bit torn on whether or not I would recommend this one; but I did like it overall.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah.

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Review of Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

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Genre: Romantic Fiction/Fairy Tale

Series: The Royal Wedding Series, Book 2

Recommended.

This is the classic story of a young woman discovering that she has royal blood and is the heir to the throne of a small, little known (fictitious) nation, and its only hope of survival. More than that, it has a strong spiritual foundation, and becomes a metaphor for identity and purpose within God’s Kingdom.

(Princess) Regina Beswick is a strong-willed Southern gal, who restores classic cars, and was finally feeling that she was “living the dream” when her life was interrupted with the news of her hidden identity. The theme of finding her identity, home, and purpose are almost stronger than the budding romance between her and her “prince”, which gives the story a bit more depth than the average romance.

There were moments that were a bit cheesy romantic, or maybe too idealistic; but isn’t this part of what makes a good fairy tale? Overall, it was a fun, light-hearted, read, but also had me thinking about identity and God’s love. I enjoyed it, and I think teen girls would love it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan.

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Review of The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

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Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended.

London dancing master Alec Valcourt is forced to relocate his family and business in the aftermath of a scandal. He moves his mother, sister, and himself into his uncle’s rural, small-town residence of Beaworthy, Devonshire, England. But he soon learns that dancing has been prohibited in the town, and that his appearance and occupation has stirred a deep-set wound. Mrs. Amelia Midwinter, the matriarch and local beneficiary responsible for the taboo on dancing, must deal with her personal wounds most of all–especially as her daughter, Miss Julia, and the new dancing master begin to develop a growing fondness toward each other.

The story is reminiscent of Footloose, yet set in the charming English historical landscape of the early 1800s. At times the drama is almost “soap-opera-ish” as the character’s deal with deep feelings amongst the uncovering of long-past scandals and deep secrets. But there is also a lightness to the writing as God’s grace and love become mending threads, bringing healing, reconciliation, and fresh identity in replace of the painful memories and present conflicts.

This is the first of Klassen’s novels that I have read, and I particularly like her writing, historical detail, and the depth of the characters’ emotions. However, I would have liked a bit more depth into the stories of some of the supplementing characters (a couple of whom I favored over the primary protagonists). Also, the pace of the narrative overall could have been a bit quicker/smoother. That said, I am nevertheless curious to read Klassen’s other historical novels, and found this to be an enjoyable and relaxing read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

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