Anita Ojeda 
If you love historical books, you’ll love these two new releases set in WWI London and Regency Cornwall. Written by two of my favorite authors who excel at writing books in historical settings.
I receive free electronic advanced reader copies of these books through an arrangement between the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion on NetGalley’s website. I only review books on my blog that I really love.
Looking for a Historical Book?
You know what I mean, one of those books that sweeps you away to a different time and place. Historical books help me forget about the present with their imagery, words, plots, characters, and details. I can forget about the pandemic, and immerse myself in the past. The best things about reading historical books? I usually come away with ideas from the past on how to face the present.
A Portrait of Loyalty
By Roseanna M. White, Bethany House Publishers, September 2020, 377 pages.
Zivon Marin enjoys his position as one of Russia’s top cryptographers until the Bolshevik Revolution tears his world apart. He flees with his brother, hoping to offer his services to either the French or the English in their fight against the Germans. A train crash separates him from his brother and the evidence he needs to prove his loyalty to the British government.
Lily Blackwell leads a double life. Her mother lets her volunteer at a nearby hospital and allows her some freedom to pursue her passion for photography. But Lily’s father knows her ‘passion for photography’ includes touching up photographs to help the British intelligence division—a job he recruited her for. Her best friend and sister, Ivy, keeps her spirits up through the long war.
Living a double life puts a strain on Lily, but life gets sweeter when her father introduces her to Zivon Marin, a new cryptologist. As their friendship develops, Zivon struggles to prove his loyalty to the British while searching desperately for his missing brother. Lily comes to believe in his unswerving loyalty, but someone wants to call into doubt Zivon’s integrity.
Both Lily and Zivon struggle with their relationship with God and his sovereignty in their lives when everything seems to go wrong.
Why I Love This Book
The third book in Roseanna M. White’s Codebreaker series, A Portrait of Loyalty continues to shed light on Britain’s Room 40—the seat of British intelligence during World War I. Characters from her first two books appear in this one, but readers can enjoy it as a standalone book.
White’s meticulous research into both the history and culture of the time period makes the book a delight to read. Her characters have depth—even the antagonists—that will draw the reader in.
Don't miss the third book in the Codebreaker Series by @RoseannaMWhite. You'll love the intrigue and the historical details. #amreading #bookreview #historicalfiction Click To TweetThe Light at Wyndcliff
By Sarah E. Ladd, Thomas Nelson, October 2020, 320 pages.
Evelyn Bray has lived a sheltered life in a small cottage on the rugged coastline of Cornwall. Her grandfather, once a wealthy estate owner and now the steward of Wyncliff Estate, limits her friendships. For the most part, Evelyn finds contentment in her lot in life—gardening, helping out in the manor kitchen, and waiting for the day her mother will return and take her to Plymouth where she will find a husband and start her new life.
Liam Twethewey’s life has been in a holding pattern for years while he waited to reach his majority. At 22, he can finally take charge of Wyndcliff Estate, left to him by his great uncle. Upon arrival in the small village of Pevlyn, Liam heads out to the manor without waiting for his lawyer.
Along the way, he helps a beautiful young woman rescue her pony from a bog. When he arrives on his estate, he discovers that no one expects him. Even worse, some of the servants seem to warn him off.
When a ship founders offshore, Evelyn and Liam work together to save the survivors—a woman and her young daughter. A friendship forms between the two, but circumstances put their friendship to the test as the mystery behind the shipwreck reveals that people aren’t what they seem.
Neither Liam nor Evelyn know who to trust. Despite their growing feelings for each other, they question everything they ever thought they knew or hoped for in the other.
Who Will Love This Book
If you love Regency novels set on the moody coast of Cornwall, you’ll love this book. The third in Sarah E. Ladd’s Cornwall Novel series, you’ll recognize older versions of previous characters. The novel stands alone, and the mystery and intrigue will keep you turning pages late into the night. If you enjoy Poldark, you’ll love this book.
Another great book set in Cornwall by Sarah E. Ladd. You'll love the moody intrigue and well-developed characters. #amreading #bookreview @ThomasNelson Click To Tweet
