A Sparrow in Terezin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel) by Kristy Cambron

            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.

             A Sparrow in Terezin is told on two timelines. The first one is told from the perspective of Kája Makovsky, a young, half-Jewish writer who is separated from her family when she flees Prague, only to end up later in the disaster of the London Blitz. Kája's intelligence, compassion, and courage all find places to pierce through the war's horror, even when any chance for a future is on the verge of being blacked out. While the other timeline is present day which is told of the emotionally tumultuous present-day account about newlyweds Sera and William Hanover. It’s well intertwined, though the novel's strength is in Kája's story, skipping back and forth kept me from fully appreciating the story.

            This is a second book of a series from Kristy Cambron and according to other reviewers to appreciate the story fully the series should be read in order. That is probably why I found it difficult to follow going from the present then to the past and back again. Still, there's so much to be found here, love, tragedy, romance, and faith.

            There are questions in the back to help with further self-study or in a book club. You will learn some fascinating historical details. It paints the history in a more personal way. I generally like stories that make me sad; I wanted to read more about Kája and Liam and wasn’t too impressed with the present day couple. If you like historical war fiction you will like this story.

            I received a digital copy of book from Harper Collins in their BookLook blogging for books program.

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The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton

          Cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact? The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

            On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

           When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. For Anna, who loves them both, Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

           Thus begins the story of lies, deceit, regret, grief, heartbreak, broken lives, love, and forgiveness.
The message of The Wood’s Edge is that we are all people, created by One God, and our only way to heaven is to repent our sins to Jesus, His Son. When we accept that, we can let go of all our anger, bitterness, and hatred against those who wronged us and find the joy, love, and acceptance in life. Each character had to go through a journey of coming to accept what God was offering them and each story was unique.  The characters finely woven together in the mist of well-researched historical events of the early New York frontier, home to the Oneida tribe and to the British colonials.

          A great story and a good one to begin your summer reading. I received copy of book from WaterBrook Publisher in their Blogging for Books program for my review.

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Double Cross by Di Ann Mills

          An  unlikely trio; FBI agent, Houston police officer and a high-end criminal-turned-informant; all working together to solve a high stakes scam targeting wealthy dementia patients out of thousands of dollars after being issued fake life insurance policies.

            Agent Laurel Everston cannot believe that she has been asked to team up with the very man, Morton Wilmington, who murdered her partner in a shoot-out at the end of a successful undercover assignment. Officer Daniel Hilton agrees to help the FBI, primarily because his own grandfather was scammed and he is intrigued by the beautiful, but emotionally brittle, Laurel Everston.

          

            Double Cross has a very detailed plot, with numerous twists, turns and mood swings between heroes and criminals alike. Double Cross kept me guessing until the end about who the mastermind really was.

           This is a tale that summons the mind of readers to try and figure out who is ultimately behind the millions of dollars stolen from the elderly. As Laurel and Daniel cross paths during the investigation, Laurel feels trapped between maintaining her cover and her growing attraction to the handsome and stubborn police officer who won't walk away.

           There are lots of surprise twists and the romance is beautifully sweet. Daniel is patient with Laurel and yet manages to woo her rather charmingly. A great read and recommend it to anyone who likes a little romance with a murder mystery.

I received digital copy of book from Tyndale Publishers for my review.

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