A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

I remember seeing the first book in this series by Kristy Cameron, called The Butterfly and the Violin. I had really wanted to read that book, but didn't get a chance to do it before this book came out. After reading this one, though, I am definitely purchasing book 1 in this series.

This book was more than I expected it to be. I hadn't read anything by Kristy Cambron before and am always a little curious about authors I haven't heard of. Some are pleasant surprises and get added to my favorites list. That's what happened to Kristy Cambron. I have no intention of missing a book written by her from now on!

Set against the backdrop of WWII, the reader is taken into the lives of two people that seem to have nothing that would connect them together. In present day, we meet Sera and her fiancé William. William is accused of committing a crime that he didn't do and Sera deeply believes he didn't do it. So much so that she goes on her own quest to prove him innocent. Since William doesn't want to share thing about his own family, Sera is left uncovering things on her own about her new husband.

The parallel story is from 1942 where Kaja Makovsky is sent away by her parents to escape Nazi-occupied Prague. However, after ending up in England and experiencing the ravages of war there, she gets news that makes her uproot her life and her newfound love for a man. She exchanges that to return to Prague to try to help her parents get smuggled out alive from Prague. Of course, life doesn't go as planned and neither does this trip to Prague. Instead of reading about what is happening to the Jews, she suddenly finds herself thrust into the life that the Jews are now experiencing.

This is a captivating story that has had me thinking about the story long after I've closed the pages to the book. Now I'm immersing myself in the The Butterfly and the Violin and see how the two connect to each other.

Read more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/kcambron.

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A Sparrow in Terezin (Thomas Nelson, April 2015)
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.
Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she’s stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.
1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.
Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Kristy’s website.

Kristy Cambron

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal Reviews’ “Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction)” for February 2015. Cambron is an art/design manager at TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional design and communications for a Fortune-100 company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, & Sarah Sundin

As soon as I saw these three authors together in the same book, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable book. These are some of my top authors and they did not disappoint me at all. Each author titled the name of their section by a name of a well-known Christmas carol. Of course, that had me singing those songs for while!

This is a Christmas book, but it's thoroughly enjoyable any time of the year. There are three stories that focus on Christmas during World War II. The Turner family has seen a lot of tragedy, but thanks to their grandma, she insists on doing what she can to still celebrate Christmas.

Each author focuses their story on a different member of the Turner family. Cara Putman tells Abigail's story of letting loss go and moving forward with life. Fear of having her heart broken again sends fear throughout her life and she has to make the decision to face her fear.

Sarah Sundin focuses on Pete. Pete hasn't always made the best choices. He has learned that despite a changed life, his sin still has consequences. He has to prove to people that he's not the same man he once was. As a side note, his relationship with sweet, little Linnie and his patience with her "handful" personality is so sweet. I wanted him to be Linnie's new dad!

Tricia Goyer wraps up the story of the Turner family by following Meredith, better known as "Merry." She's a nurse and has been placed in the frontline of the war. She will see and experience much sadness, but God prepares her to help her go forward in life. It isn't easy, but you get to see the beautiful story of God's redemption played out.

In the busyness of the holiday season, grab this book and settle up on the couch for some quiet moments spent with a wonderful book!

Read more opinions on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/glisten.

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About the book: 

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime

Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/BwVP9

 

About the authors: 

TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

Website, Facebook, Twitter

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Waterbrook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

I tend to seek out books by Melanie Dobson.  When I saw the cover of this book with her name on it, it threw me for a loop! I hadn't expected her to write a book about WWII.  I'm not certain why I had put her into a box, but I did. It was wonderful to see this side of her.  I enjoyed this entire book and had a hard time separating myself from it.

The thing that fascinated me the most was how this was based on a true story, although a few liberties were taken.  I have read a lot on WWII and appreciated the new scenes that she painted in my head at that time. It seems like I've read several books on this time period lately, so I thought it would be hard to beat those.  However, I think it matched them in my top books!

I really think this book had it all. It kept my heart racing at moments and then it brought tears to my eyes in others.  At times I just had to smile at the visions in my head. 

I hope Melanie Dobson plans to write more in this time period.  She did a great job with the storytelling and research.  In my personal opinion, I think this book is the best book she as written so far.

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I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

I really enjoyed this beautiful story by Emily T. Wierenga and the way that she brought this quilt to life.  This series is fun to read since I like to make quilts. I understand how each quilt has a story and lots of time of the quilter is spent pouring into the quilts.  I really enjoyed this story as the quilt tells a beautiful story that doesn't get brought up often, but just the right amount.

I liked Clara's courage but I could only imagine how her parents must have felt when they woke up and realized her choice.  I admired that she did what she believed to be right and wanted to truly help people.

I liked how the story shows how God redeems people, like Clara.  Clara makes a vow, but God has different plans.  He brings Clara to a place where she sees that love has risks, but it is worth it.

I like history, so I really enjoy the time frame that was chosen for this book. It's rich in history, yet not boring. It captures emotions of the time and perspectives from then. 

I also liked the style of writing that Emily T. Wierenga uses.  I can't place my finger on what is so different.  I just know that it's refreshing and different from what I have read lately.

Read more opinions by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/EWierenga.

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Book Info

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories. About the book: A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations. After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women's Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier's last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share. Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she's not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier's baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made. Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child's name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie---and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt---years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed. Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website. About the Author: Emily Wierenga is a former editor, ghostwriter, freelance writer and staff journalist, a monthly columnist for The Christian Courier, and the author of Save My Children (Castle Quay Books, 2008), Chasing Silhouettes (Ampelon Publishing, 2012) and Mom in the Mirror (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). Emily resides in Alberta, Canada. This is her first novel. Learn more about Emily at: http://www.emilywierenga.com

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I received this book free from Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

I have been very impressed with this entire series by Liz Tolsma.  The covers of these books have matched the story inside.  The dark colors match the dark time in history that these deal with.  The time was 1945 and is based off of real accounts of two women who shared their story of how they managed to survive WWII and the showdown of Prussia and Germany.

I really enjoy all of the history that is filled in this book. It's hard to read only because this was a hard time in history that no one ever wants to re-live. As expected from this time time in history, there is a lot of action.

The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking of how courageous Gisela is.  I couldn't help but wonder what I would have down with 2 small children.  At times, I wanted to cry when I stopped and remembered the truth behind these stories.  Then I couldn't stop thinking about how many had left America for Germany in hopes that Hitler was turning thing around, when in truth, it was headed for disaster.

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

London Dawn by Murray Pura

This series is one of my top ones that I've read so far in 2014.  It has topped my list in this genre of book.  I can't help but want to watch Downtown Abbey again after reading these books.  London Dawn starts off with a lot of action, and picks up exactly where the last one left off. 

Catharine and Albrecht are having to escape Germany and an unsuspected traitor is revealed.  I was very shocked at who the person was that had betrayed their secret plans and hiding places.  Edward has a heart change, of which I was very glad about. I also liked the news his wife had to share that brought about this heart change.  The Danforth family is brought together because of the war and fighting for their homeland. 

I'll warn you.... just as in real war, not everyone makes it out alive.  I did cry because I didn't want anything bad to happen to any of them.  My heart broke for Jane.  I really liked the ones that had died and it was hard for me to say goodbye to them.

This is the third book, and final, in the series, the Danforth of Lancashire.  I'm looking forward to what Murray Pura will write next.  He does write such wonderful books, but I'm a bit partial to this genre of books. I selfishly hope that he writes more with the Danforth family and/or a least in this style.

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I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

I found the storyline of this book very rich and fascinating.  I can't say that I like World War II because it was an absolutely horrid war.  However, it is a good setting for a story.  I really liked the how the quilt not only tells a present story, but also a past story.

The past story is a reminder of Maybelle's mother, as she finds this unfinished quilt in her mother's closet. It's also a reminder that she will constantly look at and remember the time, emotions, and thoughts she had while her husband was lost at war.

At one point, I became overwhelmed by all the problems and bad news this circle of quilters were receiving!  I know life can be like that at times, but I felt like I just wanted them to have a moment to breathe.  My heart sunk to know Maybelle's husband and the love of her life was missing.  I can not possibly begin to imagine all that you feel when you hear news like that, although I'm well aware that may through the years know exactly what that feels like.

I like the Quilts of Love series and reading how each quilt tells it's own story.  I like reading the different authors, too, because they bring new styles of writing and new stories that make me want to read every one of these books in the series.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

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I received this book free from CFBA and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Are there any Nicholas Sparks lovers reading this blog?  If so, then you need to pick up this book by Dan Walsh and see for yourself how much his writing compares to Nicholas Sparks.  I absolutely LOVED this book.  It kept me turning page after page because I couldn't wait to discover the mystery of Gerard Warner.
Dan did a wonderful job putting a story within a story.  I was hooked on this book from the first page and had difficulty putting it down to go to sleep.  The "book" by Gerard had so many interesting twists and turns that I was amazed and had difficulty predicting what would happen next.  I absolutely loved the ending to this book.  Dan tied it up nicely and left you with the feeling that you just journeyed through history with an amazing man, Gerard.  I actually felt like he was a real character and I had discovered his story for myself! 

I can't wait to get his other books and read those.  I think that after you read this book, you'll decide that you want to do the same.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.