Tag: 2025 Release

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #408 | The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer, a new-to-me author with what looks like a fun contemporary romance with Pride and Prejudice vibes.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

I refuse to have a Pride and Prejudice pity party ... again. The 1995 BBC version, of course.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About The Rules of Falling for You

She thought she knew the rules of love. Turns out, love makes its own.

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie RushmeyerThe perfect match can’t be far–certainly not at a Regency-themed singles’ retreat–or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her own: finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the non-negotiables on her checklist.

Harrison Lundquist, Zoe’s podcast producer and best friend’s brother, reluctantly agrees to tag along on the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe’s methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd!

But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her checklist for the man of her dreams might be holding her back, she must decide if she’s willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.

Find The Rules of Falling for You online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

I had tried to play the part of God, and He had showed me that no amount of striving, manipulation, or cajoling could alter His plans.

Book Review | Through Each Tomorrow (Timeless #6) by Gabrielle Meyer

Through Each Tomorrow is the sixth book in Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series, and reading it drove me to do something I haven’t done in years: re-read the entire series as soon as I’d finished reading it.

The Timeless series is a unique kind of time-travel.

The main characters each have a birthmark that means they live two lives at once until they are adults, at which point they have to choose which timeline to follow for the rest of their lives. The stories introduce us to each character shortly before they have to make that choice, giving the reader the ability to make the choice with them.

In Through Each Tomorrow, we meet Charles and Andrew/Drew, who both live in Queen Elizabeth’s England, and who also both live in Gilded Age America. The story doesn’t say the two are related, but I think they must be. It will be interesting to see if future stories in the series prove me right … or not.

Charles is a nobleman in the Queen’s court in 1563 and feels torn between his timelines: he needs to look after his unmarried stepsister in 1563, but also needs to work to support his widowed mother and sister-in-law in 1883.

In 1883, Drew is the rich son of a shipping magnate who wants to be a doctor but is expected to take over the family business. In 1563, he’s half in love with Cecily, Charles’s stepsister, but he’s only a groom so knows a relationship between them would be impossible. And, to make matters more complicated, the 1883 version of Charles meets and falls for Drew’s sister, Esther … another economically unsuitable match.

It’s not difficult to guess who each man will end up with, but as with any good romance, the fun is in the journey. What twists and turns will lead to the characters making the right decisions? What torture with the author put them through on their way to their happy endings?

Those who have read any of the Timeless series will definitely want to read Through Each Tomorrow.

There are several crossovers to other books in the series (and you’ll work out one as soon as you figure out Charles’s last name). These crossovers are like Easter eggs on DVDs, because it’s gratifying to make the connections no matter how long it takes, and it makes reading the stories much more satisfying. I suspect clarifying those connections was why I spent a happy few days re-reading the entire series.

What impresses me most about this series is the depth and authenticity of the research into each of the different timelines, the deep Christian faith shared by the main characters and the realistic way that is portrayed, and the way Gabrielle Meyer introduces a twist or two into each story to keep them fresh – in this one, having a male narrator.

Recommended for Christian historical romance fans, especially those who like something a little out of the ordinary.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.

When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.

Find Gabrielle Meyer online at:

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About Through Each Tomorrow

In 1883, Charles is a poor farmer desperate to secure financial stability for his mother and sister, as he is unsure which of his time-crossing paths he will choose on his twenty-fifth birthday. Posing as the Earl of Norfolk, he enters the opulent circles of Newport’s elite to assist a fellow time-crossing friend, Drew. But suspicions of his identity arise among the upper crust, and his encounters with Drew’s intriguing sister further complicate decisions that could impact a lifetime.

In 1563, Lady Cecily serves Queen Elizabeth while clinging to the hope that her stepbrother Charles will remain with her in this path. As the true Earl of Norfolk, Charles is deeply entangled in the deadly politics of the court. When he brings Drew, a physician in training, to Windsor Castle to help save the ailing monarch, old feelings for Drew rekindle in Cecily’s heart, but her love faces impossible odds under the strict rules of the crown. As their futures hang by a thread, Charles and Cecily race to prevent their web of secrets from unraveling and ensnaring them in an inescapable destiny.

Find Through Each Tomorrow online:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

 

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #407 | Hearts in Circulation (Checking out Love #2) by Sarah Monzon

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. My pick is Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon.

I loved An Overdue Match, the first book in Sarah Monzon’s Hearts in Circulation series, so I’m looking forward to getting into Hearts in Circulation.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

"You cannot be serious," I say, my voice oozing with dubiety as I take in the heap of metal littering the corner of the library's parking lot.

 

 

 

 

(And yes, dubiety is a real word.)

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About Hearts in Circulation

Can a rundown bookmobile be the vehicle that brings two unlikely hearts together?

Hearts in CirculationLittle Creek’s bookmobile is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights, and circulation librarian Hayley Holt is afraid it’s going to careen down a mountainside with her in it. Yet she sees it as a way to serve her community and be worthy of the liver transplant that saved her life as a child. However, her fears come true when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her in the small hollow of Turkey Grove.

Reclusive mechanic Levi Redding lives in tiny Turkey Grove to get away from people. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touches from the vibrant librarian leave him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren’t contained within the bindings of a book.

Find Hearts in Circulation online at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #406 | Don’t Blink: 12 Inspirational Suspense Thrillers

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line.

I have been a Doctor Who fan for as long as I can remember, and one of the episodes that stays in my memory is Blink (the episode with Sally Sparrow and the Weeping Angels). Anyone who watches Doctor Who will know what I’m talking about, and will therefore understand why I knew I had to buy an anthology of Christian thrillers titled “Don’t Blink.”

I’m sharing the first line from the first story in the anthology, Love to Die For by Terry Toler:

"Don't blink, Paige," my handler whispered urgently as she fixed my hair and touched up my makeup.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About Don’t Blink

Get ready for twelve intense, edge-of-your-seat suspense thrillers in this collection from bestselling and award-winning Christian authors. From murder in a mansion to deadly chases in remote locations, each tale offers high-stakes action and heart-pounding drama, proving that hope and faith shine through even in the darkest moments.

Love to Die For by Critically Acclaimed Award-Winning Author Terry Toler

Paige Wells joined the hit reality dating show Love Only hoping to find romance. But when a fellow contestant is found dead in the mansion, Paige must uncover the truth before she’s sent home for good — not with a broken heart, but in handcuffs.

Silent Retribution by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Cynthia Hickey

When a former student’s parent begins targeting third-grade teacher Heather Richardson, dark secrets from her past resurface, threatening her safety and the lives of those around her as she confronts a deadly pursuit fueled by blurred perceptions.

Queen Bee by Daphne du Maurier Award-Winning Author Heather Day Gilbert

When a violent windstorm traps Twila and her teen daughter at a remote mountain retreat, they’ll have to outwit an unhinged killer in order to survive.

Abandoned Into Darkness by Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author Jordyn Redwood

Blinded from an attack and abandoned in the Black Canyon by search and rescue, Isla Thorne must still flee a serial killer.

One of Us is Guilty by Illumination Christian Book Awards’ Silver Medalist Author Urcelia Teixeira

In the Florida Keys, a book club’s “perfect” murder plot becomes a deadly reality when one of their mutual enemies is found dead.

Gavin (A Durham Private Security Novella) by USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie D. Snitker

Ivy’s search for her missing brother leads her to Gavin, a former Army comrade, and a sinister plot that puts them both in danger.

Bento and Betrayal by USA Today Bestselling Author Camy Tang

Disgraced bodyguard September Wong is forced to team up with security consultant Isaac Noguchi in pursuit of the same criminals who ruined her career.

Unauthorized by Critically Acclaimed Bestselling Author Sherri Wilson Johnson

A budget analyst and an IT auditor must work together to save their Nashville organization from the clutches of an embezzler before both their lives are ruined.

Murder by Accident (A Miss Finch Prequel) by Critically Acclaimed Award-Winning Author Vikki Kestell

Miss Finch teaches a course at UCLA called The Forensics of a Traffic Accident. As it turns out, not all her case studies are the mishaps they’ve been labeled.

Guarded by Reader’s Favorite Award-Winning Author C.D. Gill

She doesn’t want a babysitter. He’ll do anything to get back to SWAT. Both are puppets in a bigger game.

Going Once, Going Twice by USA Today Bestselling Author Jan Thompson

When her four-year-old son is kidnapped, a stay-at-home mother reactivates her hidden skills to mount a rescue operation.

Deadly Pursuit by Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author Lynn Shannon

When a mysterious note links Texas Ranger Vikki Rodriguez to a young woman’s murder, she’s pulled into a perilous case that may cost her everything–including her life.

Find Don’t Blink online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

Not every secret needs to be told. Some just need to be forgotten.

Book Review | Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shockley

The Women of Oak Ridge is a compelling dual-timeline story set in the once-secret town of Oak Ridge. Yes, it’s a real-life place, and that adds to the intrigue and tension.

It’s 1979, and Laurel Willett has just arrived in the small Tennessee town of Oak Ridge to stay with her Aunt Mae and conduct research for her PhD in psychology. Her plan is to spend the summer interviewing local residents about their work during World War II, when they were working on what they later discovered was the Manhattan Project–the USA’s atomic weapons programme that led to the end of the war.

Many of the townspeople are happy to talk to her, but her aunt is not.

In 1944, Maebelle Willett has left her coal mining hometown to earn seventy-five dollars month at the Clinton Engineering Works in Oak Ridge. She is assigned to deliver parts and messages at K-25 under conditions of utmost secrecy. Not only are employees not to tell their friends and families where the lie or what they do, but they’re not even allowed to tell each other.

The Women of Oak Ridge makes for compelling reading in both timelines – in the past, as we learn about the conditions of work for the various classes of workers – the women, the Army men, and the Black workers. The present timeline is equally compelling as we’re gradually drawn into the mystery of what Mae did in K-25 and why she’s still unwilling to share her secrets.

I really enjoyed the historical component, and appreciated the way Michelle Shocklee didn’t allow her excellent research to overtake the story. Instead, it is well integrated into the story and doesn’t get more complex than it needs to be (we don’t all need to understand nuclear physics).

The characters are strong, and I particularly enjoyed the subtle faith thread that brought the story together. It’s an excellent novel, with plenty of tension. Recommended for historical fiction readers.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Michelle Shocklee

Michelle ShockleyMichelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels including ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW, a 2025 Christy Award Finalist; APPALACHIAN SONG, a 2024 Christy Award Finalist; COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS, winner of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Award in Fiction; and UNDER THE TULIP TREE, a Christy Award & Selah Award finalist.

As a woman of mixed heritage–her father’s family is Hispanic and her mother’s roots go back to Germany–she has always celebrated diversity and feels it’s important to see the world through the eyes of one another. Learning from the past and changing the future is why she writes historical fiction. With both her sons grown and happily married, Michelle and her husband make their home in Tennessee.

Find Michelle Shocklee online at:

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About Women of Oak Ridge

1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she’s told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation―one that comes at significant cost.

1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae’s friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences.

 

Find Women of Oak Ridge at:

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Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

 

 

If we aren't talking to one another anymore, it means we stand little chance of understanding one another.

Book Review | Why I’m Still a Christian by Justin Brierley

I’m always intrigued to know how people (especially adults) decide to become a Christian. I’m equally intrigued to understand why Christians, in this age of doubt and deconstruction, maintain their belief in Jesus. I’m intrigued, but many of the arguments for and against faith are built on false logic. (“Christians still sin, so God can’t be real” – which is the doctrinal equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater). Others are expressed in academic terms I find difficult to relate to.

Why I’m Still a Christian is built on over fifteen years of dialogue with Christians and atheists of all persuasions on his weekly radio show-turned podcast, Unbelievable. Brierley is also widely read, in that he quotes from books by mainstream Christin apologists such as C. S. Lewis and Lee Stobel, but also from nonChristian and atheist authors, who often make the case for Jesus even more powerfully than Brierley can.

This is the strength of the book.

While it is Brierley’s personal testimony and rationale for Christianity, it’s also based on extensive personal research, reading the works of many of the big thinkers about faith over the last two millennia.

Brierley discusses some big issues on contemporary science and how they can be interpreted to support or even prove the idea of a Creator: entropy, the Big Bang theory (it’s not just a TV show), the multiverse. He also points to some things that are perhaps easier to understand as proof: mathematics, gravity, and morality:

The belief that humans are created free, equal, and with inherent dignity only makes sense if there is a God.

And:

If atheism is true, then there is no ultimate right or wrong.

What stood out most to me, especially in the section on science, is that many of the new discoveries are pointing towards God, not away from Him (which is  contrary to much of what I was taught in school). It reminds me of the importance of thinking and questioning matters of faith so we can have robust conversations on

Recommended for those who enjoy the topic of apologetics, and anyone looking for sound, reasoned and readable information that examines some of the central debates around the Christian faith from both points of view.

Thanks to Tyndale Elevate and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Justin Brierley

Justin Brierley has been working in radio, podcasting, and video for two decades. He co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen and is a well-known speaker and broadcaster. Justin founded the popular Unbelievable? faith debate show, and has also hosted the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Justin’s first book, ‘Unbelievable?: Why, after Ten Years of Talking with Atheists, I’m Still a Christian’ (SPCK), was published in 2017. His latest book is ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’ (Tyndale House Publishers). Justin and his family live in Surrey, UK.

Find Justin Brierley online at:

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About Why I’m Still a Christian

A compelling and intriguing discussion of why believing in God makes the most sense of human existence and our purpose on earth by one of the most respected Christian thinkers of our time.
“Highly readable survey of the reasons for Christian faith. Not just an academic exercise, Justin has respectfully engaged many thoughtful atheists and sceptics over years, which is always a test for a believer. The book is therefore very personal―it explains how his own faith has emerged while working through the challenges he has received.” ―Timothy Keller

Why I'm Still a ChristianPopular radio host and podcaster, Justin Brierley, has been creating and facilitating constructive conversations about faith for more than two decades. He is an expert in Christian apologetics and has had a ringside seat as believers and nonbelievers alike have debated Christianity. Surprisingly, Justin has come out on the other side of these debates more convinced than ever of the truth of Jesus’ claims―and the power of good conversations.

With this book, you get to watch Justin as he engages with the most unlikely of conversation partners―from Richard Dawkins to Philip Pullman―on the subject of faith. You’ll understand why Justin, after hearing the strongest objections to the Christian faith and religion, is still a Christian. For him, God makes sense of human existence, the inherent value of human life, and our ultimate purpose on earth.

With this book, you’ll explore tough questions, with Justin Brierley as your guide:

  • Why would God allow suffering?
  • Are Christianity and the existence of God compatible with science?
  • Is there any evidence for the resurrection?
  • And much more.

Discover the reasons to believe.

This book is a revised and updated edition of the Unbelievable book published in 2017, with a new chapter on deconstruction.

Find Why I’m Still a Christian online at:

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Book Review | The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold

The Atlas of Untold Stories is classic women’s fiction, the story of three women – on a (literal and symbolic) journey to discover their true selves, rediscover their relationships, and share their secrets.

Lauren Vance is the responsible older daughter who has just lost her job and is scared to tell her family. Chloe is her flaky wannabe-artist younger sister. Edie, their mother, is still living in the shadow of her domineering mother, Moira Mondell.

Chloe is given the opportunity to teach art at a Christian school in Prague, but is too nervous to tell her mother. Instead, Chloe somehow convinces Edie to join her on a impromptu road trip. Lauren later agrees to tag along, which sets up plenty of tension between the sisters and with their mother.

Read more

We’ve known each other for years through Jacob. Disliked each other for just as long.

Book Review | If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

Josie is a school nurse who wants to buy a house, so when her brother asks her to help nurse his client and best friend, ice hockey player Wyatt, during the summer break, she is open to the suggestion … once she’s recovered from being arrested detained and negotiated an appropriate fee.

If All Else Sails ticks all the trope boxes.

Sports romance (Wyatt is a successful professional ice hockey player).

Forced proximity (Josie’s brother basically bribes her to stay with the injured Wyatt and ensure he heals).

Grumpy-sunshine (even if Wyatt’s grumpiness is mostly a result of his ability to unfailingly say the wrong thing).

Big misunderstanding (Josie thinks Wyatt doesn’t like her).

Unrequited love (Wyatt loves her).

Slow-burn romance (which means the will-they-won’t-they is the main plot and there isn’t any irritating third-act breakup.)

It’s billed as enemies to lovers, but that’s only half true.

While Josie has loathed Wyatt almost since the day they met, Wyatt has been harbouring a secret crush for just as long.

The story is written in first person point of view, which means it’s important to read the chapter headers to stay on track with which character we’re reading about. I do find first person allows me to get into the heads of the characters and really get to know them, and I loved that. It gave the story a unique and fun voice.

If All Else Fails is one of the few novels I’ve read in recent years which actually has chapter names, and where those chapter names add to the story rather than providing spoilers.

I particularly loved the slow-burn aspect of the romance, the way their relationship developed slowly and naturally. Seeing Wyatt’s point of view was great, because it added tension (whereas Josie’s scenes mostly added comedy).

The only possible criticism is that there isn’t a Christian faith arc, something which has become more the norm than the exception for books from Thomas Nelson.

Recommended for rom-com fans who love witty banter and all the tropes.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About If All Else Sails

In this enemies-to-lovers romance, school nurse Josie and her brother’s best friend–hockey player Wyatt Jacobs–are tricked into spending a summer together that’s anything but smooth sailing.

When Josie’s brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn’t just one of her sports agent brother’s clients. He’s also his best friend. And Josie’s sworn enemy.

Oh–and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Find If All Else Sails online at:

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About Emma St. Clair

Emma St. Clair is a USA TODAY bestselling author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. Her books have sizzling chemistry while keeping the bedroom door closed. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, TX (go Tigers!), with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels (yet).

Find Emma St. Clair online at:

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Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #403 | It Shouldn’t Be You by Jessica Wakefield

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m sharing from It Shouldn’t Be You, the new release from Australian author Jessica Wakefield.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

Declan Collins was in trouble again, evident by the sound of Julie, his boss, tapping her pen against the table, a steady rhythm that matched his pulse.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About It Shouldn’t Be You

To revive his stalled career, jaded journalist Declan Collins is assigned to cover the Hamiltons’ extravagant Christmas party—the same Hamiltons who are demolishing the community centre where Declan spent some of the best moments of his childhood.

Addey Bennet, the event planner behind the party, needs everything to go perfectly. Her business is on the line, and so is her chance to mend a strained relationship with her powerful parents—the ones footing the bill.

Neither of them expects the spark between them.

Addey never planned to fall for the man who resents everything her family stands for. Declan never imagined he’d be drawn to the Hamiltons’ daughter. But as tensions rise and emotions deepen, their unexpected connection could cost them everything they’ve worked for—and maybe even a shot at love.

Find It Shouldn’t Be You online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

Book Review | The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M White

One of the things I love about great historical fiction is the power it has to shine a light on our own time. The Collector of Burned Books is an exemplary example of this principle, illustrating the importance of critical thinking, of being able to understand (and even argue) both sides of an argument in order to fully satisfy ourselves that we understand right and wrong … and how to spot the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Anyway, that is getting off track.

The Collector of Burned Backs is set in Paris, France, in the German occupation of 1940. Corrine Bastin is a professor of German literature at the Sorbonne university … and a spy, hiding coded messages in the books in the Library of Banned Books next door to her apartment. Christian Bauer is a German officer, sent to Paris to catalogue and “relocate” the contents of Parisian libraries – especially the contents of the infamous Library of Burned Books.

It’s obvious from the beginning that Christian is a booklover who values ideas over politics. But he’s also booklover who wears a Nazi uniform, which makes him the enemy as far as Corrine is concerned.

It’s also obvious Christian will have to walk a fine line, appeasing his Nazi masters while still following his own conscience. (To be fair, Corrine and every other Parisian has the same problem – especially those who are secretly working against the Nazis, as Corrine is).

The story started solidly although perhaps a little slowly, although there was an underlying tension that kept me reading. I didn’t have to wait long. At around the one- third mark, we discover Christian’s secret, one that makes all his actions clear. From that point on, the book is simply un-put-downable as Christian and Corrine navigate occupied Paris.

The Collector of Burned Backs is compelling fiction. The characters are intelligent people with integrity, stuck in a difficult situation not of their own choosing. The writing took me straight to World War Two Paris. The plot and pacing is excellent, resulting in a thought-provoking and challenging story.

There’s also a fun link back to some of Roseanna M White’s previous novels.

The writing is a study in the importance of free thought vs indoctrination, and the perils of an education system that prioritises the latter in the name of “truth” which is not God’s truth. It’s a mirror on modern life as we consider how easy it can be to support the right ideas for the wrong reasons – or worse, supporting the wrong ideas for the right reasons.

Let him who has ears to hear …

Recommended for historical fiction lovers, especially those who appreciate robust debate about difficult issues.

Thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Roseanna M White

Roseanna M WhiteRoseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna has a slew of historical novels available, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia.

Find Roseanna M White online at:

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About The Collector of Burned Books

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

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