The Newton Chronicles: Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples by Terry Overton Book Review

About the Book

Book: The Newton Chronicles: Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle Grade Christian Fiction

Release date: November 22, 2022

Luke Alexander’s father is “missing, presumed dead.” But Luke is confident that his father has set off on an adventure and needs his help. Searching through his father’s office, Luke – along with his friends Nathan, a pastor’s kid, and Lydia, a world traveler who knows several languages – discovers some confusing notes about Isaac Newton and finds a strange watch that once belonged to his grandfather. Knowing his archeologist father was on the hunt for Solomon’s temple, Luke and his friends decide to start a search of their own. Little do they know that their search will take them on the wildest adventures of their lives and make the stories of Solomon’s temple and other biblical events seem more real than they ever thought possible. But will their adventures lead them to Luke’s father, or will they only wind up with more questions than answers? Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples is an excellent book for anyone who loves a good adventure and who wants to find the truth that is found only in God’s Word. This first book in The Newton Chronicles will make history and the Bible come alive for readers both young and old.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is a delightful novel for young readers. A mystery leads to time travel where the kids actually get to experience events recorded in the Bible. There is a great deal of adventure young readers will enjoy. Imagine being in a dungeon along with the Jews who are slaves in Egypt. Imagine seeing Samson or watching the people march around Jericho.

There is also lots of information included in the book. Nathan is a preacher's kid and he shares background details about each event the kids experience. Young readers will learn much about several biblical events while reading this adventurous book.

Overton's writing style is very good. The plot contains a good mix of personal background of the kids and their adventures. The mystery that started it all is not yet solved so I will be looking for the next book in the series.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed. D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. She began her second “career” after retirement and now writes Christian fiction books and devotionals and hopes to share the Christian worldview through her writing. Her novels, middle grade readers, and picture books seek to entertain readers through the travel experiences and characters included in her books. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, and enjoying family and friends. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

More from Terry

I wanted to write this book as a way to teach middle grade and early teens about Bible history and the importance of Jerusalem in world history and in current history. In order to grab the attention of this age group, the book uses humor and suspense to transport  the three main characters, Luke, Nathan, and Lydia, throughout the Bible and ancient and current history.

Here is how it begins:

Chapter 1

The truth is, I wish I had never found it. Or at least, I wish I had found it along with a set of instructions. It started in church. Not that I fancied going every week like my mother. But I go. I am not crazy about talking to the old ladies each week who still want to pinch my cheek and tell my mother how much I have grown. I am not wild about the church windows, the candles, and all of that. There is not much to look at during church except the backs of people’s heads and the preacher. Thankfully, I figured out how to sneak my phone in church by tucking it inside my zippered Bible. Paying attention to a longwinded preacher—even if it is Nathan’s father—is a lot to ask when you are not yet fourteen. So, pretending to listen while looking at my phone was a skill I had mastered. I sit there calmly, pretending to listen while disguising the moves I am making on my phone. And then, I hear the name “Isaac Newton” in the middle of the sermon. That is when it really started. If I had known the length and complexity of what I was about to begin, I might have changed my mind. I guess I could ignore the name Isaac Newton and continue playing Fortnite on my phone. But my curiosity is alive with the name Isaac Newton ringing in my ears.

So, it begins.

***

Luke is referring to a time-travel device that he and his two good friends find and accidentally set off. The problem is they do not know how to control it. They discovered the device as they researched the travels of Luke’s missing archeologist father. Luke believes his father was searching for the original Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem when he disappeared. Now, the three suddenly find themselves in precarious positions and environments and must figure out how to survive, find Luke’s father, and somehow return back to the current time.

Blog Stops

Bigreadersite, January 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 8

Sylvan Musings, January 8

deb’s Book Review, January 9

Mary Hake, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

Aryn the Libraryan, January 11

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 12

Cover Lover Book Review, January 13

Vicky Sluiter, January 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 17

Book Zone Reviews, January 17

Blogging With Carol, January 18

Lights in a Dark World, January 19

Mornings at Character Cafe, January 19

For HIm and My Family, January 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23682/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals-and-temples-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Misfire by Tammy Euliano Book Review

About the Book:

A device that can save a life is also one that can end it

Kadence, a new type of implanted defibrillator, misfires in a patient visiting University Hospital for a routine medical procedure—causing the heart rhythm problem it’s meant to correct. Dr. Kate Downey, an experienced anesthesiologist, resuscitates the patient, but she grows concerned for a loved one who recently received the same device—her beloved Great-Aunt Irm.

When a second device misfires, Kate turns to Nikki Yarborough, her friend and Aunt Irm’s cardiologist. Though Nikki helps protect Kate’s aunt, she is prevented from alerting other patients by the corporate greed of her department chairman. As the inventor of the device and part owner of MDI, the company he formed to commercialize it, he claims that the device misfires are due to a soon-to-be-corrected software bug. Kate learns his claim is false.

The misfires continue as Christian O’Donnell, a friend and lawyer, comes to town to facilitate the sale of MDI. Kate and Nikki are drawn into a race to find the source of the malfunctions, but threats to Nikki and a mysterious murder complicate their progress. Are the seemingly random shocks misfires, or are they attacks?

A jaw-dropping twist causes her to rethink everything she once thought she knew, but Kate will stop at nothing to protect her aunt and the other patients whose life-saving devices could turn on them at any moment.

 

My Review:

The plot may not be unique. I have read other novels with the theme of someone hacking into an implanted medical device with the purpose of murder. This novel adds the serious ethical issue of corporate profits verses patient safety. Also, Euliano provides much medical information, evidence of her own medical career.

Kate's personal life has a good portion of the story. We read quite a bit about a potential romance, something difficult for Kate because of the recent death of her husband. There are other relationships rounding out the personal aspect of the novel.

While this is not a page turning novel, it did keep my interest until the end. It is a good novel for readers who like plots based on the latest medical technology.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

This is the second novel from Euliano featuring Dr. Kate Downey. You can read my review of Fatal Intent here.

About the Author:

Tammy Euliano completed all of her training at the University of Florida, from undergrad through fellowship, and has been on faculty since 1996. She specializes in obstetric anesthesia, with special interest in education of medical students and residents. She has authored a basic textbook of anesthesia for medical students. She was promoted to full professor and later decided to resign her administrative role, reduce her clinical time to 60% and began writing fiction. You can find out more at https://teuliano.com/

Oceanview Publishing, 368 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Stepping Stones by Dr Joelle Suel Book Review

About the Book

Book: Stepping Stones

Author: Dr. Joelle Suel

Genre: Christian Personal Growth

Release date: November 30, 2018

Do you deeply desire to answer the call of God on your life? Are you seeking divine wisdom for the steps and stops to take in your pursuit? Are you willing to count the cost and do whatever it takes? Join author Dr. Joelle Suel in Stepping Stones: 7 Steps to Achieving Your Divine Destiny as she equips all believers to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while sharing some of her inspirational journey.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Dr. Suel combines teaching from Scripture with her own experiences to give readers good lessons on spiritual growth and ministry for charismatic Christians. She takes readers through seven growth steps, identifying the potential obstacles and giving encouragement to take the appropriate action to move on. She has included good questions at the end of each chapter for personal or group use. She also provides good action steps that are practical suggestions to implement the teaching. She closes the teaching on each step with a prayer.

This is a good book outlining the process to Christian maturity. It includes practical teaching and encouragement.

My rating: 4/5 stars..

 

About the Author

Dr. Joelle Suel is founder and Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado; founder and Dean of Glory to Glory Institute of the Holy Spirit; and author of the Institute curriculum and a daily devotion, Today with Dr. J. Her 2018 book, Stepping Stones, equips readers to answer the call of God in their lives. She is in the process of making all of the Institute curriculum available in book format. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Phoenix University of Theology in 2006. A native of Puteaux, France, she became an American citizen in 2003.

More from Dr. Joelle

Dear reader,

God loves us and counts us precious in His sight. We are full-time ministers wherever we are, and through whatever we do. Where our feet stand is where our pulpit stands. We shine the light of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, often without realizing it. God desires to use all of us in and through our daily activities.

My prayer is that this book will encourage and empower you to answer His call, from faith to faith. I trust the Spirit of God will strengthen you to continue what you are currently doing and lead you into additional steps in your divine purpose.

Below, please find a few quotes from the book to bless you today.

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.–1Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV

Abundant blessings upon you and your family,

Dr. Joelle

• What we do portrays a greater message than what we say.
• We cannot seek God’s approval and man’s approval at the same time.
• The trust in ourselves decreases as our trust in God increases.
• When Christ becomes our motive for ministry, doors open for Him, not for us.
• Never stop starting.
• We cannot expect from others what only God can give.
• Humility is the gateway to knowing Him.
• What is on the inside comes out under pressure.
• We do not complete with others, but we complete one another.
• If I criticize who I am, I criticize God Himself.
• What we dwell on, we eventually dwell in.
• We cannot respect what we don’t value.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 6

Texas Book-aholic, January 7

Beauty in the Binding, January 8 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, January 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9

deb’s Book Review, January 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 13

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 14 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 16

Cover Lover Book Review, January 17

Splashes of Joy, January 18 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall Book Review

About the Book

Book: On My Honor

Author: Patty Smith Hall

Genre: Christian / Historical Fiction / Romance / Intrigue

Release date: January, 2023

Ginny Mathis was finished with nursing school and had no intention of staying rooted in the Outer Banks—then war broke out. With her father away, she feels duty-bound to stay and help her mother and younger sister. While working as a clerk for the Oregon Inlet ferry, naval officers ask Ginny and others to be watchful for German U-boats reportedly spotted in the area. So to help occupy her teenage sister, Ginny enlists the Girl Scout troop she leads to help watch for suspicious activity along the coast.

Timothy Elliott is no stranger to death. As a British reporter working with the M-6, he’s numb to the losses of war after two years of fighting the Germans. Maybe that’s why he volunteered for this mission—to connect with an ex-German naval officer who stole the Furor’s battle plan for the Atlantic war. When the boat giving him passage to New York is bombed near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Tim is thrown from the boat and wakes up in the care of a group of young girls.

Ginny follows her sneaky sister on a clandestine mission and discovers the shipwreck victim. Ginny knows she must take charge, but is this man the enemy, or does he hold secrets that could turn the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic in the allies’ favor?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is an informative and entertaining novel highlighting civilians helping protect the east coast during WW II. I had no idea that German submarines sank nearly 400 ships off the Outer Banks between January and August of 1942. Unprepared for war, the military defenses were lacking so civilians were essential. I could certainly see how Girl Scouts could have been instrumental in patrolling the beaches.

Smith has done a good job crafting likable young women. Much of the plot revolves around relationships. While there is a budding romance, I liked the tensions between sisters Belle and Ginny as well as within the entire Girl Scout group. There was also a bit about shell shock, now known as PTSD. The possibility of a German spy was always present in the plot but had less emphasis than the relationship issues.

I enjoyed this novel. It is an entertaining read and is also very informative about action off the Outer Banks. Smith's writing style is good and the novel was a pleasure to read.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Multi-published author Patty Smith Hall lives near the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, Danny. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or working in her vegetable garden.

More from Patty

Did you know that the Girl Scouts (or Girl Guides) serviced as spies on HIs Majesty’s Secret Service during World War One? I didn’t either until I picked up a book on female spies at my local Barnes and Noble. There were only two paragraphs about how the girls worked with the MI5 for the duration of the war. It was enough to get my heart pumping!

Being a former Girl Scout myself, I was amazed at what these young girls did to help our country during the war. What activities did the Girl Scouts/Girl Guides do in World War II? Anything asked of them. They organized drives for anything from fat (to make bullets) to paper, stepped into positions left vacant by men serving on the front and worked Victory gardens to provide food for their community. They did so many things, I can’t begin to name them all here. By March 1944, the Girl Scouts had provided over 15 million volunteer hours toward the war effort.

Isn’t that amazing? No wonder I had to write a book about them!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 5

The Write Escape, January 5

lakesidelivingsite, January 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 7

Texas Book-aholic, January 8

Christina’s Corner, January 8

Inklings and notions, January 9

Cover Lover Book Review, January 10

Lily’s Book Reviews, January 10

Betti Mace, January 11

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 11

deb’s Book Review, January 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13

For Him and My Family, January 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 14

Mary Hake, January 14

Connie’s History Classroom, January 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Blossoms and Blessings, January 16

Splashes of Joy, January 17

Pause for Tales, January 17

Labor Not in Vain, January 18

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Patty is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23640/on-my-honor-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Last Disciple by Kurt Brouwer Book Review

About the Book

Book: The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre:Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: November 18, 2022

He was the Beloved Disciple…

…and he would be the last.

The mantle to tell the whole story has fallen on him.

From the cross, Jesus entrusted John, the youngest disciple, with the welfare of Mary, Jesus’s mother. Over thirty years later, as Jerusalem becomes a cauldron of explosive tempers, he receives a calling he doesn’t want.

Will he listen and follow?

And if he does, will it be too late?

In 62 AD, the Jewish high priest executes James, the brother of Jesus, triggering a bitter fight for power in Jerusalem that shatters the quiet life of John. The Jewish people he loves are making dangerous choices that will change the land of Israel forever.

Should he stay in Jerusalem and help hold off the Roman onslaught? Or is it time to reach out to those beyond Israel’s borders?

If he chooses to leave, what will be his message to these foreign believers? What new words of comfort could he possibly share?

Set against a backdrop of actual events, The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem is the first novel in a new series based on the Bible and Christian history.

Follow along while John faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean on only the Lord.

Your heart will embrace The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem because John’s story is the story of our hope and promise.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is an interesting novel exploring the person of John, the last of Jesus' disciples to die. It is also an exploration of the early church. We read how disciples tried to work out how to obey Jesus' teachings and how they discussed the need for more writings like those of Paul. This latter concern was pertinent to John who knew Jesus well. I was a bit surprised at the strong feelings against the Romans, John carrying a staff with him as protection.

Brouwer suggests this John was a cousin of Jesus (527/3392). This was a new concept for me but I did find some evidence for this to be true based on the various descriptions of the women at the crucifixion. I liked delving into John's personality, such as his struggle with not being Paul or Peter as he visits various churches. I did want to know how John supported himself and his care for Mary. While other disciples fished from time to time, John's method of support remained a mystery. Brouwer's writing style was good although I did find his failure to supply quotation marks between successive paragraphs of the same person talking a bit disconcerting and confusing.

This is a good fictional look at the early church and how a few of the disciples may have found their place in it. It is also a good description of the conditions leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Kurt is a Christian writer, living in Hawaii. A few years ago he did a study at his church on the Apostle John. That little project got him hooked on the man who started out life as a fisherman and then became a disciple of Christ.

The more he learned, the more he wanted to know. What did John do after the Crucifixion? Why did he wait so long to write the Gospel of John? Where did he live for the last 60 years of his life? This historical novel came out of the research he did to answer those questions.

He started a blog (KurtBrouwer.com) a few years ago. On it he has written over 100 blog posts and a few Christian booklets.

Now he’s working on Book Two in this series. The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch takes up where Book One ends. The Last Disciple is a Christian historical novel that introduces you to John, the last disciple of Christ.

More from Kurt

About 85 AD, more than fifty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of John struck the Christian world like a lightning bolt out of a clear blue sky. At that time, few Christians even knew that one of the disciples yet lived. After all the years, decades even, a new book of the Bible came out, written by the last disciple of Christ.

Who was the last disciple?

John the son of Zebedee walked with Jesus during his ministry on earth. He witnessed the Crucifixion and later entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.

John, the youngest of the disciples, outlived all the others. In fact, John, the last disciple of Christ, lived for more than 60 years after Jesus died on the Cross. But who was he? And what did he do all those years? Where did he live? With whom? What do we know of him and his life?

The youngest disciple…

John walked with Jesus when he was young, probably a teenager or very early 20s. He and Andrew were the first discples of Christ. John lived so long that he became the last disciple too.

A few details about John

He was:

• The son of Zebedee, his father, and Salome, his mother
• Brother to the disciple James
• Possibly a cousin to Jesus through his mother
• A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee
• He and his brother James were friends and even fishing buddies with Peter and his brother Andrew
• Almost certainly the youngest of the 12 disciples

I got hooked (pun intended) on John early one morning

One morning I read a short piece from BibleGateway.com by Jonathan Petersen, When Was Each Book of the Bible Written? In it, Petersen gave the approximate dates when all the New Testament books came out. The first, written by James the brother of Jesus, came out around 44 AD or as late as 49 AD. The most widely accepted year for the Crucifixion is 33 AD, so the first book did not come out for at least 11 years after Christ died.

The next New Testament book to come out was Paul’s letter to the Galatians, around 49 AD. After that came the gospels of Mark and Matthew. Other books such as Luke, Acts, and all of Paul’s letters came along in fairly short order. Peter’s two letters came out and then the book of Jude, about 68-70 AD. Then, for at least 10-20 years, no new Bible books came out.

The silence was broken

Finally, the silence was broken. After all the years, decades even, the words of one who walked with Jesus came forth. The Gospel of John came out written by a man who saw the empty tomb after Jesus rose. A man who would write five books of the Bible:

• The Gospel of John 80-90 AD
• The Letters or Epistles of John 90-95 AD
• The Book of Revelation 95-98 AD

A unique voice came forth

As John’s gospel spread from church to church, a unique voice came forth. What a miracle that must have been to first century Christians when the Gospel of John appeared!

That’s it for now. We will continue with more in future posts on the saga of the last disciple of Christ. If you can’t wait, watch the video above.

Yours in Christ, Kurt

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 4

Lots of Helpers, January 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 6

Lily’s Book Reviews, January 7

Cover Lover Book Review, January 8

deb’s Book Review, January 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 11

Texas Book-aholic, January 12

Connie’s History Classroom, January 13

Bizwings Blog, January 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15

Mary Hake, January 15

Lights in a Dark World, January 16

Blogging With Carol, January 17

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Wanderer Scorned by Natasha Woodcraft Book Review

About the Book:

A journey from faith, through fractured fears to fratricide. The first murderer tells his story.

The Wanderer is a man shrouded in legend. Moving from place to place in the land of Nod, he is known primarily for the curse that hangs over his life. When a gloating killer invokes that curse in celebration of a murderous rampage, The Wanderer is summoned.

Now the truth obscured by centuries of rumour is revealed, as the man behind the legend finally tells his story. It’s a journey from faith, through fractured fears to fratricide. And it all started with the banishment.

 

My Review:

This novel is an innovative idea in biblical fiction. The story of Cain and Abel in the Bible is but a few verses. We may just read over it without thinking much of who these men were or what drove them to do what they did. Woodcraft has given us a potential human drama leading up to the climactic event.

Woodcraft reveals her extensive research and reasons for writing what she did in an Appendix. I appreciate her staying as true as possible to what is indicated by the original language. She covered interesting concepts such as how God spoke to people, how they learned to cultivate grain and raise animals and how they began to worship.

The most interesting ideas she wrote about were the personal interactions. We read of the lingering guilt Abba (Adam) felt and the difficulty of reestablishing a meaningful relationship with his wife. I was fascinated with the temptation of Kayin with serpents hissing in his ears. I was dismayed with the love interest and how that developed into jealousy with deadly ramifications.

I am impressed with this fictional dive into how the character of Kayin (Cain) developed into an ultimate act of violence. The novel really brought out the possible human drama before the murder. Woodcraft says she wanted to portray someone readers could understand. She did a good job of doing that. She has included discussion questions at the end so this could be one for a book group.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Natasha Woodcraft lives near Cambridge, UK, with her husband, four (extra) boys, a spotty dog and a tank of misbehaving fish. She holds a first-class honours degree in Theology from the University of London and is passionate about communicating the love of God and truths about Jesus Christ to the world through writing and music.

Natasha is the author of The Wanderer Series – biblical fiction set in ancient times – and is currently writing The Tower on the Plain, a fantasy series for Young Adults. She has released several Christian Songs, including Plan for the World, Glorious Trinity and The Potter.

Natasha is a member of the UK-based Association of Christian Writers, the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Christian Independent Publishers Association. She blogs on her website https://natashawoodcraft.com/. 

W W & S Publishing, 272 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Book Sirens. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma Book Review

About the Book:

1941—The pounding of Nazi boots on the streets of Salonika, Greece, reverberates in Mathilda Nissim’s ears, shaking her large community of Sephardic Jews to its core and altering her life forever. If only her people would rise up and resist their captors. At great risk to herself and those around her, she uses the small newspaper she publishes to call them to action, all to no avail. Her husband encourages her to trust God to watch over them, but God has once again deserted His people. Amid the chaos, Mathilda discovers she’s expecting a longed-for child. Still, nothing stops the occupiers’ noose from tightening around their necks, and she may have to resort to desperate measures to ensure her daughter’s survival.

2019—College student Tessa Payton and her cousin take a popular DNA heritage test only to discover they don’t share any common ancestors. In fact, the test reveals Tessa is a Greek Sephardic Jew. This revelation threatens her tenuous faith. Always the overlooked child in her family, she empties her savings account and jets off on a journey to Greece to discover where she belongs and which God demands her allegiance. The enchanting curator at the Jewish museum guides her as she navigates life in Thessaloniki, helps with her genealogical research, and loans her a fascinating journal written by a Jewish woman during WWII. Tessa’s search, however, may open old wounds and uncover long-hidden secrets that could fracture her family forever and leave her with more questions than when she started.

My Review:

This is a touching novel that is engaging on two levels. The current story explores the meaning of newly discovered genetic heritage and the struggles of being in a blended family. The historical story reveals that genetic history and gives a different example of family love. It was interesting to see how Tolsma paralleled mother daughter love in each of the stories.

This novel revealed a new aspect of WW II and the persecution of the Jews. I did not know about those in Greece. Tolsma's note identifies all the historical events and people upon which she framed her novel. The historical story is tragic so have some tissues handy.

Tolsma explores relationship issues in the current story with Tessa growing in her understanding of and relationship with her stepfather. There is also an exploration of anti-Semitic feelings in the current story. That theme is another parallel between the current and historical stories. Another topic explored is the relationship of being Jewish and being a Christian.

I appreciate Tolsma's detail in the setting of Thessaloniki. She says she fell in love with the city when she visited and it shows in her placing the reader firmly in the setting.

This is another good novel shedding light on a tragic era during WW II.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She’s married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters. You can find out more at https://liztolsma.com/. 

Barbour Books, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)