Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

 

Sundin is easily becoming one of my favourite WWII novelists. 

Until Leaves fall in Paris  follows former ballerina turned bookstore owner Lucie Girard and factory owner Paul Aubrey as they navigate the tensions of being American citizens in Paris in 1940.

Sundin provides a riveting story filled with romance, suspense, and emotion as Lucie and Paul navigate an unfamiliar France where neighbours have become résistance, collaborators, or an unknown in-between.

Lead character Lucie is young and idealistic. Like many young women she doubts herself and her abilities but she has a creative spirit, a strong heart, and a wisdom about her. I absolutely loved her scenes with young Josie as she really does gain so much confidence and surety of self in her time with the young girl.  Josie was a real treat of a secondary character as well.  I loved Sundin's plots around the feenie stories and the highlighting of a child's abilities.

To my surprise, it was Paul that stole the story though. Sundin wrote his grief and struggle so acutely that you couldn't help but be drawn into his tension between grief and duty, past and future. 

Sundin is good at tension. While she doesn't shy away from the danger her characters would have faced in 1940s Paris she also manages to tell a story that never completely loses sight of hope. Whether it's Lucie's initial youthful optimism, Josie's childhood innocence and Feenie stories, or the elements of faith that run throughout Sundin's work there is always an element of hope. I think that's one of the more appealing elements of her writing. Sundin presents good historical context, suspenseful drama, and satisfying character development while never loosing sight of the hope underscores her work.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

 

So, before I get into my feelings on the story itself, I feel this book is a great example of why Christian fiction needs to have content warnings. I love that more Christian authors are digging into the deep and messy realities of life in our world, however, it's not fair to blindside readers who may be struggling with the issues themselves and, like so many, were reading as an escape. So, this book really needed a content warning for childhood sexual abuse and probably suicide as well.

What made this more frustrating is that Bartels is such a good writer. I was impressed by her intentionality in word choice, her ability to paint a scene, and how she conveyed emotion into her characters. 

Kendra was a fascinating lead. While not the bubbly or adventurous I think a lot of readers may expect I found her a good representation of a young woman seeking to heal and understand her trauma. Because Kendra really did wrestle through things, between her absent father, her strained relationship with her mom, the abuse, the fear of loosing her "summer family", the fear of failing her editor her reactions make sense. Her strong reaction to the rejection of her anonymous but known critic, her fear of outing her abuser and loosing the closest family she knew, even her refusal to put out Andreas after his sudden arrival. Bartels writes the messiness well though perhaps not in a way readers familiar to the genre will find satisfying.

The story itself does take a little while to adjust to as there's such a strong element of narration with Kendra writing to her critic, sorting her feelings, processing her memories, and trying to defend. But the style eventually grew on me and made such sense when the major twist at the end was revealed.

For a Revell novel there is almost no faith content and conservatives readers may struggle with the obvious serious content as well as some of the casual drinking and smoking that many characters engage in. 

I also feel some readers of the genre may not be content with the ending, there is forgiveness, there is moving forward with life but there are no legal ramifications for the abuse. While this is frustrating I feel this is also so true to so many women's stories that I felt it fit the style and story well.

This isn't a feel good book, but it was one that touches on deeper issues and truthfully acknowledges the messiness of life. Overall, I'm glad it stumbled onto my bedside table.

3.75 out of 5 stars.

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot

 

I'm going to be honest, this review may be a little biased because I absolutely love Mesquite Springs and The Spark of Love was the perfect way Cabot could have ended our journey alongside such a dear cast of characters.

The Spark of Love is Cabot's third and final outing to Mesquite Springs and this time readers are given two lead female characters. Alexandra Tarkington, daughter of hotel owner Calvin Tarkington (introduced in the previous visit to Mesquite Springs) and dear Laura Downey who finally gets her own time to shine as well.

One of my favourite things about Cabot's writing is the way she takes themes, plot points, and anecdotes from previous books in a series and weaves them into current stories.  I loved getting the updates on the the townspeople from the main characters Laura and Alexandra through to earlier primary characters like Polly, Evelyn, Dorothy, and Mrs. Lockheart. Even the puppies got an update. This really helps reader immersion and it felt like visiting old friends and catching up after being away. I also felt these moments helped emphasize just how much care Cabot puts into her characters and stories to wrap them up with the storylines they deserve.

So I was pleased to see Laura get a shot at love after two books of heartbreak and it was so worth the wait. I appreciated the patience Cabot gifted Laura's story as neither Laura nor her beau would have been in a place to maintain a healthy relationship in book one. Instead readers see both characters slowly grow, learn, and heal into a place where they can be equal participants balancing, encouraging, and loving each other.

That said, Alexandra is the obvious main character and for the "outsider" in town she manages to hold the story well. 

Those new to Mesquite Springs may find a lot of familiar plot hooks in this series but Cabot hasn't set out to rewrite the genre. Her strength is in tested wisdom, characters that leap off the page and invite you to sit down over pie, romances that make you want to play matchmaker, and plots that wrap up with a completion that makes you want to cheer.

I recommend taking a chance on Mesquite Springs but to get the full breadth of its charm and Cabot's skill do yourself a favour and read all three in their printed order, it's worth the time.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was provided as part of the #RevellReads book tour. The opinions are my own.

Sheltering Mercy Prayers Inspired by the Psalms by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt

 

While I know it's still early for 2022, this may be my favourite non-fiction of the year.

Sheltering Mercy is not a translation nor a true paraphrase of the first 75 Psalms but rather poetic prayers and reflections based on each of those chapters. I was really impressed cover to cover with Smith and Wilt's efforts.

First the visual appearance instantly drew me in, with its stylized illustrations and careful word placement the words flowed that reflected their initial inspiration in the Psalms. I appreciated the authors earnest, emotive word choice, their used of footnotes to additional inspiration verses throughout scripture, emotional honesty.

I also appreciated how they took these psalms and reflected on them through the lens of the Christ crucified and resurrected. It was a perspective I've heard encouraged previously but never laid out so beautifully.

I truly hope the authors will continue this effort with a second volume covering the second half of the Psalms as it feels like such a needed and underrepresented area in new Christian literature.

5 out of 5 stars

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

 

Fair warning, I'm still a little conflicted on this book.

The central character Brielle's story of rediscovering her heritage, deciding her future and falling in love was a great romantic read and I enjoyed it. Honestly, there were a lot of positives in the way Shiloh wrote the dynamics for Bri with those closest  to her. Iris was a great best friend with her combination of wise centering faith and partner in crime. The scenes between Bri and her mom showed the nuances of relationship between parent and adult child. It was fun to read solid women of faith supporting one another.

I also enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story (although a rushed timeline is a pet peeve). I love how central and natural Bri's faith felt in her seeking a husband (actually in all she did). I loved how she knew her own mind and worth while looking for a spouse and I loved the way Shiloh crafted such a perfect match for Bri all along.

Considering Shiloh mentioned being unable to travel (for obvious reasons) while writing the book, I also felt like she did a wonderful job in presenting a setting that felt grounded and with depth behind it.

That said, I also felt a little disheartened by other elements of the story. 

While Bri's storyline was satisfactorily resolved and Iris was set up to possibly feature in her own novel other plotlines felt rushed at best or even unfinished. Mori's conflict and identity within his family of origin seemed to be leading to so much story potential given his role in the story only for the plot to feel rushed into a resolution at the engagement party and pushed aside. Bri's struggles to find her footing and acceptance within the family (aside from her grandfather who was a wonderful character) also felt rushed with a single person present for a hasty apology.

Even the reveal of the story's antagonist felt incomplete as there is no exploration of the truth behind their identity and what was the royal family's response to their aggression and trauma. To be honest, I'm still not sure if the villian reveal was a well written surprise or just not well anchored into the story as I had to reread earlier chapters to remember who their named family members were.

If you're looking for a fun, easy to read romance, this may fit your to read pile but there are some definite unfinished threads that may trip up your enjoyment.

3 out of 5 stars

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.