Shadowed by Grace by Cara C. Putman

Welcome to the Litfuse blog tour for Shadowed by Grace by Cara C. Putman!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper's assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel's real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined---in war, in love, and in God.

MY THOUGHTS:
I think I've read almost every Christian fiction book that has been set WWII. I really love the intrigue, emotion, and history of that era. However, the story of priceless art that disappeared during Hitler's reign is fairly new to me after reading Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey's book a few years ago, Chasing Mona Lisa (I guess I did see a Hogan's Heroes rerun that involved some stolen art...but, um, although enjoyable, I haven't based much of my WWII history on that sitcom).

Anyway, I was excited to read Shadowed by Grace, which dealt with the 'Monuments Men,' men who were given the task of recovering and protecting Europe's invaluable art.

Yes, there was excitement and intrigue...but, not enough to keep me glued to the pages. I had a hard time liking Rachel from the start – her mom seemed too sick to leave, no matter the good intentions of getting help that seemed absolutely impossible in such a time and place as war-torn Italy! Sure, it's fiction, but still...running off to battlefields in Europe hoping to find a no-name man... Well, it made me question Rachel's sanity.

And the romance wasn't really there for me, either. Yes, long courtships aren't realistic during wartime, but I just didn't feel much of a spark between Rachel and Scott.

And Tyler was just unexpectedly crazy!

Ok, honestly, the story wasn't that bad! If you are enthusiastic for WWII fiction, you'll likely enjoy the tidbits of history and style in Shadowed by Grace. For me, though, it was a 3-star kind of book: a good 'one-time' read, but not one I'd stay up until midnight to finish or keep on my shelf to read again.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Cara and B&H Publishing through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father's once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick's quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery---and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love's winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman's struggle to restore her ruined world.

To keep up with Dorothy Love, visit www.dorothylovebooks.com, become a fan on Facebook (Dorothy Love Books) or follow her on Twitter (@writerDorothy).

MY THOUGHTS:
I really liked the Southern Lowcountry style of this book. Although not all of Charlotte's circumstances were pleasant, the descriptive writing of the post-war South and plantation restoration was smooth and warm, bringing to my mind scenes from the movie Gone with the Wind.

Charlotte's solo trip to New Orleans, with such little evidence, seemed a little far-fetched for a genteel 19th-century woman, but my imagination liked that she cared so much about others to do what she thought was right. And Josie! My, what a spoiled Southern girl she seemed to be!

I especially love when authors are inspired by the life of a real person and I enjoyed this fictionalized story of Mrs. Pringle, a long ago rice farmer.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Dorothy and Thomas Nelson through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Welcome to the Litfuse Blog Tour for Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A stranger's life hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.

The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis still occupy part of the Netherlands. After the losses she's endured, war widow Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. She fights now to protect her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.

When Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia's doorstep, their lives are forever altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man, Cornelia's faith won't let her turn him out.

As she nurses Gerrit back to health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift within herself. Gerrit's intensity challenges her, making her want to live fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.

She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the winter landscape thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true love? She fears their story will end before it even begins.

MY THOUGHTS:
Wow. I could not put Snow on the Tulips down – I read it in just a few hours, finishing the book at 1 in the morning!

I can't ever resist a WWII story, and Liz's was impressive. She successfully portrayed the struggle between doing wrong...or obeying God. Or is some wrong right when it goes against evil? Is lying ever ok when it protects someone from a murderer? With God-fearing husbands and members of the Dutch Resistance, Liz artfully told both sides of the coin.

Snow on the Tulips was also a very emotional story. I had a hard time reading in several spots as my tears blurred the words on the page. I can't imagine going through the same difficulties many of those men and women had to endure. What choice would I make? Would I react passively...or would I get involved?

I most enjoyed that Liz was inspired to write her story from true accounts in her own family's history! I love historical fiction for that very reason!

If you enjoy riveting page-turners, Snow on the Tulips will not disappoint!

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Liz and Thomas Nelson through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Welcome to the Litfuse Blog Tour for Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom---an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.

But she isn't the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective

Jeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.

Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn't removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets---and no one on the ranch is safe.

The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers-and their lives-depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.

MY THOUGHTS:
I'm not a huge fan of comedic fiction (I prefer the serious side of things), but I've enjoyed the stories I've read of Margaret's. She has just the right balance of sobriety and humor.

Gunpowder Tea is the last book in her Brides of Last Chance Ranch series...and I thought it was the best one! I've always liked stories involving detectives, especially Pinkertons!, and when the first chapter involved a woman Pink, a thief, a stray shot at a funeral, and an overreacting, hysterical widow, I knew Margaret had done it again. I suspected Gunpowder Tea would be delightfully dangerous.

It was great! Gasps and giggles... with an ending (and criminal) I didn't expect.

If you haven't read books 1 and 2, you should! You don't have to, but it makes the ending of Gunpowder Tea all the better!

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Margaret and Thomas Nelson through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**