Author: Amanda Barratt

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: November 7, 2023

An incredibly moving story and fascinating historical accuracy!

Twin sisters, Antonina and Helena Dabrowska have their lives turned upside down in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland.  No one could understand how terrible life became for not only Jewish residents, who were sent to work camps, but also the ordinary citizens that had to endure the invasion and see their neighbors sent to die.  Both sisters knew that something had to be done and that if they were caught, it would be the end.

I love reading about this time period because I do not want history to repeat itself and so little is taught academically.  Whereas most of the stories set in Poland have focused on work camps, this one focuses on the residents of Warsaw and what they did to protect those they loved as well as those they didn’t even know.  The characters were beyond realistic in this book and the accuracy is amazing that I often had to look up certain events to compare.  This is the first book I have read by Barratt, but I will look forward to each new release!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Author: Vincent B. Davis II

Series: Sertorius Scrolls #5

Publisher: Thirteenth Press

Release Date: September 12, 2023

The Sertoris Scrolls continue with another great piece of history!

After years in battle, Quintus Sertoris can’t wait to return to Rome to see his wife and son.  But so much time has passed, he wonders if they will even remember who he is.  After the triumph parade, he hastily makes his way home to find Arrea, but after only minutes of time with her, his nemesis Lucius Cornelius Sulla arrives at his home, spoiling his time alone.  He not only discovers that Sulla has been keeping Arrea happy with the plush comforts of Rome, but his son has enlisted and is a part of Sulla’s detachment.  Could anything more spoil his return?  Oh wait….. Upon his first day at the Senate, Quintus learns he has been elected Quaestor (not knowing he was nominated) and will be leading a detachment to enlist new members into the Roman army to help stop an upcoming civil war.  With traitors in the midst, Sertoris knows that this may be the end of his marriage or his career as a soldier.

Every year I look forward to the newest Sertoris Scroll to learn more about the man himself and see how Davis’s interpretation of Roman history parallels the real thing.  Needless to say, I am never disappointed.  Sulla’s Fist pushes several years into the future from the previous scroll and readers see the strain that has been put on Sertoris, primarily by the conniving ways of Sulla.  Several past characters make appearances throughout, some for the last time.  It’s been very interesting to watch these characters mature throughout the books and read about their historical accounts as well.  The tension keeps building towards the actual showdown between Sertoris and Sulla and I can’t wait to read it when it happens!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Author: Jennifer L. Wright

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: August 8, 2023

Parallel story of Bonnie and Clyde!

Beatrice Carraway grew up in the small dusty town of Wingate, Texas with big aspirations after winning a couple of beauty queen competitions.  But as she gets older, the winnings get less and eventually her mother makes the decision that to save the family, she can no longer rely on Beatrice and gets married to a local well-respected church elder.  Beatrice soon learns that this man is all for show and has a cruel nature and gives her mom an ultimatum: stay or leave with her and her sister to head to Dallas. 

Living in West Dallas has its own challenges.  Everyone is poor and no one will hire someone from West Dallas for a show.  When Beatrice meets Jack Turner, they quickly hit it off and learn that they both want more from a world that doesn’t seem to want them.  Eventually, they turn to crime to get money.  Small things at first, but then comes the first bank robbery.  And then another.  Before long, the papers are picking up their names and everyone knows who they are.  But this type of fame also brings misfortune.  Can they keep up the spree forever?  Or will they eventually make their final stand in the papers?

This was a different take on the old story of Bonnie and Clyde from the 1920s and how they got their start to the bitter end.  I love how it was told from Beatrice’s perspective and how her view of life was tainted from an early start.  The pace was fast throughout the book and readers will want to see what happens next with each chapter and see how the story parallels that of Bonnie with Beatrice and Clyde with Jack.  Very similar instances in both, but the ending is quite different, but you’ll have to read it to figure that out. 

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.