Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Sundin does it yet again with a fantastic story that brings little known parts of World War II history to light!

As the Germans march into Denmark, not a single shot is fired in opposition.  But those that have opposing views of the Germans know they must get out before it’s too late.  Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt uses his rowing skills to row his friend Svend to neutral Sweden before the Germans can arrest him.  Henrik is propositioned with an opportunity to work against the Germans, but to do so will require him to give up his life of nobility and his identity.

Dr. Else Jensen was ecstatic when she received the opportunity to work alongside Niels Bohr at is institute.  But when the German occupation begins, she hears rumors of the atrocities committed against Jewish people and those who oppose their views.  She hears stories of a legend known as the Havmand, or merman, who swims the sound between Denmark and Sweden to cause disruption and chaos to the Germans.  Can Else be as brave as the Havmand and do her part to thwart those causing suffering?

As I’ve come to expect, Sarah Sundin delivers yet another fantastic story set within World War II.  This time she has chosen the setting of Copenhagen, Denmark and shines light on its occupation by the Germans.  I love how she manages to find the local stories and legends during wartime and bring those to life for her readers.  I love the story between Henrik and Else and how they had to overcome personal obstacles to become the people they needed to be.  There is an underlying tone of forgiveness throughout this book, especially for Henrik and when he had to overcome to forgive those of his past. 

For the first time (at least that I’ve noticed), there are some common characters from other books that make an appearance.  You’ll have to hunt to find them, but I hope that there might be more there in the future!  Great story!

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

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Surprisingly entertaining with a dark premise that kept me glued to the pages.

Vivienne Mourdant’s father has just passed away and to her surprise he leaves her in the care of an adult ward she never knew about. Vivienne is a concert pianist and her life changes with this new revelation. The Hurstwell Asylum is where she is headed to see about the woman to whom she is now in charge.  The picture she sees is very familiar to her from dreams she had as a young child. Not sure what is real and what is actually a dream from her younger years, she starts to think maybe she is the one in need of the asylum.

Of all the historical romance novels I’ve read lately, this one is one of the best with the added mystery and suspense. For some this might be a hard topic dealing with history and asylums and the hardships that were imposed during that time. The way that Politano brought about this hard topic and used faith at such hard points was perfectly written. Vivienne is not only dealing with the death of her father but also the news of what she is now in charge of and how she is going to be able to deal with that. Not only would that be tough now but being set in the time it is for a woman to deal with all of that is even more difficult. Politano wrote all of this in such a way that the reader will not want to take a moment’s break to put the book down until finished.

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

Author: Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 3, 2023

A historical romance that will hit all the right buttons for fans of the genre.

In 1715, an English heiress with a powerful family runs off to the Scottish Lowlands to avoid the enemy. While there, she finds herself thrown into temptation and pulled by her heartstrings in unimaginable ways. When difficult circumstances throw Lady Blythe into hardships unexpectedly, things get interesting very quickly.

Historical romance is a genre that can hit the heartstrings of readers and this one did a good job of living up to my expectations. These books take a little longer for me to read because I enjoy researching the time periods to see how much research the author did as well. As usual, Frantz does an amazing job of portraying the period accurately as I’ve come to expect in all of her books!  The romance arc was nice and well written where I was able to see the characters act in a way that was believable and kept the story moving along. I would recommend this to readers that enjoy historical romance; however, if it’s not what you enjoy this won’t be the book for you.

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

Author: Dinah Jefferies

Series: Daughters of War #2

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: November 22, 2022

The next installment of the Daughters of War series brings new romances and twists that will keep readers intrigued to the end!

After discovering that her true father was German, Florence Baudin manages to escape newly liberated France in 1944 before she can be accused as a collaborator.  Travelling with Jack, an allied war specialist who Florence and her sisters help remain hidden from the Germans, she reaches his small village of Devon in England.  She soon travels to visit her mother, where she learns that she has an unusual request.  Her mother had a younger sister that ran away from Paris when she was young to the island of Malta.  Her mother’s health is failing, and she wants to make amends with her sister before it is too late.  Florence and Jack set off to Malta for a project of Jack’s and to see if they can find her aunt before its too late for her mother.

Twenty years earlier, Rosalie Delacroix left Paris to escape her father’s gambling addiction and parents’ overbearingness on her life.  After many days of travel, she arrives in Malta with experience as a cabaret dancer to earn her living.  While there, she stumbles upon a human trafficking ring that she attempts to break up.  She also meets the love of her life, who also ends up being a Baron.  Years later, the Germans and Italians bomb Malta relentlessly to break up the Allies stronghold in the Mediterranean. Rosalie lives in danger constantly and worries she may never see her family again!

Such an interesting read regarding the island of Malta during the World War II campaigns, but not focused too much on that.  It really depicts life more between 1925 and the start of the second world war.  Most of the books is split between Rosalie and Florence’s viewpoint until they finally collide at the end.  If you were a fan of Florence in the first book, then you’ll love this one as it is really focused on her story leaving France.

I really enjoyed the first book with viewpoints of the three sisters as well as their efforts to aid against the occupied powers to turn the war.  My favorite character was probably Elise, but she is not very present in this book, mostly in letters and then at the end.  However, it was interesting to continue to she how their stories play out with their mother and now her sister Rosalie and all that she did while in Malta. 

There is some occasional foul language throughout, but not much for the size of the book.  There is also a couple of sex scenes, but nothing graphic.

I recommend this book to lovers of the first but also to those who like learning about something new during World War II.

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

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Series: Redemption’s Light #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 5, 2022

If you are looking for a WWII romance that will transport you back in time and make you feel as if you are there with the characters, this is the book for you.

Isabelle Wardrop has lost everything: her wealth, her family and now her home. Now, she and her sister are forced to move to the lowest part of the city and live with former servants. When nothing else works to find work, she turns to her final option, working for the man she blames for the death of her mother, Dr. Mark Henshaw. Dr. Henshaw wants to make up for what happened to Isabelle’s mother and works to make amends before anything more happens to make it where Isabelle will never forgive him.

Historical romance novels always have a way of pulling at my emotions. Isabelle is just the kind of strong character to pull at readers and make them root for her success. After all she has suffered it is not hard to want her to pull through the other side and find happiness for herself and her sister. At first, I wanted to hate Dr. Henshaw, but he became the kind of character that I also wanted to root for to find happiness as well as Isabelle. Overall, this was a quick read that took me back to the past and kept me there with these characters on their journey. I would recommend this to fans of historical romance.

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