The Light of Sound by Sarah Sundin

In my opinion, Sarah Sundin is one of the greatest novelists of WWII fiction. Her newest novel, The Sound of Light just released on 02/07/2023 and it is a sure winner!

Set in Denmark in the early 1940s, we follow the lives of Dr. Elsebeth Jensen (Else for short) an American physicist working in Copenhagen, and Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt an aristocrat who has taken on an alias of Hemming Andersen so he can aid in the Danish resistance against the Germans. Both end up working for the resistance.

I found the book a little slow for me in the beginning but it picked up its pace and I found I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I think part of the reason I found it slow is that Ms. Sundin used Danish words throughout and in the beginning, I flipped to the back of the book to find the pronunciation and meaning of the foreign words. In time I didn't need to do that so the journey through the pages picked up. I do appreciate the glossary and pronunciation guides Ms. Sundin included. I have read some books where a glossary wasn't provided and I had to look up the words for their meanings on the internet.

Ms. Sundin's characters were well-developed and multi-layered which brought them true to life on the page. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat at times and I loved watching the relationship between Else and Hemming grow.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and especially books set during the WWII period I would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Sound of Light.

I give this book 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of The Sound of Light. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

Cold LIght of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

As a big fan of Elizabeth Goddard, I have been anxiously awaiting the release of her newest novel, Cold Light of Day which is the first book in her new series "Missing in Alaska". I must say that I wasn't disappointed.

The leading characters are Police Chief Autumn Long and Grier Brenner, a newcomer to town. I was intrigued by both of these characters from the start. They were both very well crafted, they pulled me in and didn't let me go until the very last page.

The story is set in Shadow Gap, a little town in Alaska. It is said people come to this town to disappear, as is the case for Grier. But while he would like to fade into the terrain he can't help but get involved when nefarious things start happening. He soon has the Police Chief asking for his help.

I really enjoyed Ms. Goddard's character and how she brought them to life. They carried me away from the first page and I found myself on a roller coaster that carried me deep into the night. I would have stayed up until I finished it, but I knew I needed to get at least a few hours of sleep. So I read it in two days and can hardly wait for Book 2 in the series.

If you enjoy romantic suspense novels that are fast-paced and keep you guessing I would highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Cold Light of Day.

On a Five Star scale - 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Cold Light of Day. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

 

Detecting Secrets by Sami A. Abrams

I am a huge fan of Sami A. Abrams and her Love Inspired Suspense series, "Deputies of Anderson County".  Her newest release is Detecting Secrets, which is due out this month. It is the third book in her series. The first in the series is Buried Cold Case Secrets and the second in the series is Twin Murder Mix-Up, All three books are excellent and can be read as stand-alone books.

First I'd like to say that Love Inspired, once again did an awesome job with the cover. It is actually a scene from the book.

The story centers around marriage and family therapist, Charlotte Bradley, her air-scent dog Theo, and local Sheriff Dennis Monroe. All three characters were very well created, yes, even Theo. 

Something is going on in Anderson County and Charlotte wants to get to the bottom of it before more of the pregnant girls she counsels go missing. Sheriff Morgan joins her in the search for answers and they soon find themselves in the line of fire.

Ms. Abrams never disappoints. Her characters have a depth that causes the reader to feel they know them personally. I also loved the way she wrote the character of Theo. I would almost feel she studied an air-scent dog long term in order to get his actions and mannerisms down on the written page.

All said, you can't go wrong with picking up a book with Sami A. Abrams name on the cover. I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Detecting Secrets when it hits the shelves on 02/21/2023.

On a Five Star scale - 5 Stars!

I would like to thank the author, Sami A. Abrams, for my copy of Detecting Secrets. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan

I love a good novel set during World War II and The Secret Society of Salzburg is not just a good novel it was a GREAT novel. It was quite apparent that Renee Ryan did extensive research.

The story jumps between the 1930s and the 1940s and between  England , Austria, and Germany. It tells the story of Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun and her friendship with sisters, Hattie and Vera Featherstone from London, England.  Vera and Elsa formed a strong bond and helped each other to extract Jewish people out of Austria

The story was inspired by true events from WWII and Ms. Ryan brought her story to life beautifully.

Ms. Ryan has created such strong,  believable characters that they almost danced right off the page. Her words were at times almost poetic and deeply touched my heart. 

If you enjoy a good historical novel set during WWII then The Secret Society of Salzburg is a must-read. I highly suggest it.

On a Five Star scale - 5 Stars!

I would like to thank the author, Renee Ryan for my copy of The Secret Society of Salzburg. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Inspired by true events, this is a gripping and heart-wrenching story of two very different women united to bring light to the darkest days of World War II.

London 1933

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance.

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen,  two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives.

Smiles & Blessings,