 |
| The Soldier's Secrets |
Love Inspired, 2014
Reviewed by Diana Flowers
Beyond
The Terror
In The Soldier's Secrets, Author
Naomi Rawlings has penned a moving, heartrending story of a
lovely woman's life just beyond "The Terror" of the
French Revolution. Though things have settled down since the bloody, horrific
Reign of Terror where masses were executed by guillotines, an oppressive
wave of darkness still seems to encompass the land.
Jean Paul Belanger lives on a lush
farm in France, spending his days growing and offering fruit and
vegetables to all who need them, seeking to redeem himself for
past actions he committed in the name of liberty. Meeting a hungry
widow with children he insists upon helping her as well, not realizing
that Brigitte Dubois has been blackmailed to spy on him by
her powerful father-in-law. But as he allows the beautiful Brigitte into his
reclusive heart, dark secrets, betrayal, and unforgiveness threaten to
drive the two apart—forever.
Naomi Rawlings has written a moving
story about a period in history not often heard about in fiction (the
French Revolution) — rich in detail and impeccably researched. I
appreciated the fact that the characters were not sugar-coated, but very
realistic and fleshed out…and the romance seems doomed to failure from the
get-go, making for an unpredictable read. A story of healing and forgiveness
with an exciting conclusion; this is not a lighthearted read, but a
satisfying one—written by a very talented new author!
This book may be purchased through CBD, Amazon, Walmart.com, and your local
bookstore.
GIVEAWAY: This week we will be giving away a copy of each of Naomi's two new releases! (international winners ebook choice only)
Question: This story takes place shortly after The French Revolution. What is your favorite historical era to read about?
GIVEAWAY: This week we will be giving away a copy of each of Naomi's two new releases! (international winners ebook choice only)
Question: This story takes place shortly after The French Revolution. What is your favorite historical era to read about?
Thanks for this wonderful review DIANA - I'll be adding this one to my Amazon wish list! I don't believe I've ever read a fiction account of that era before, and I confess it is through historical romance fiction, I find, is the most entertaining way to learn!! ;) If the story is an enjoyable one, I will enjoy reading about any era, so I'm not sure that I have a favourite one. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, NOELA! I'm pretty much the same way, but when I didn't live in the south (25 years ago) I was so hooked on Civil War books and southern plantations with the pretty Weeping Willows in the front. Now that I live here, I've learned to broaden my horizons somewhat. ;)
DeleteThe first home we bought in the South was on 9 acres of land, so you can guess what I had hubby plant in the front yard....yep, two Weeping Willow trees in the front. I was so obsessed! lol We don't live there anymore and I imagine they are fairly large by now. It's in another town, but I would like to see them!
DeleteNope I wouldn't have guessed Weeping Willow trees lol, I'm probably not as up on the Civil War/Southern plantation trees as I hoped I was. NOW, I'll be looking out for them on covers! ;) They're great trees though aren't they!! Maybe you should plant one where you live now.. :)
DeleteYes, I just love the way they droop. Alas I have no room here. They can get huge. I do have a pretty white Dogwood Tree in the front yard that is just starting to bloom. I'll take pics when it does. :)
DeleteThe 1800's Would love to win. Angelachesnut246@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHey, ANGELA! Love the 1800s anywhere, too! lol
DeleteThanks for the lovely review, Diana! When I started writing Sanctuary for a Lady, I honestly had no idea I'd ever be writing Jean Paul's story . . . and look what happened. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, NAOMI! Then I guess you weren't planning on writing a 3rd book about Danielle either. lol
DeleteGreat review Diana, sounds intriguing! I read Sanctuary for a Lady and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI discovered my love for reading when I happened to grab a book by Jane Austen. In the last couple of years, I have found many talented Christian authors who write in various historical eras that I wouldn't have found just by reading Regencies.
Janella
arieljo12 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Regencies are wonderful but I quite agree with you, JANELLA. There are sooo many wonderful books out there and us readers need some variety in our diet! lol I'm so glad you picked up that Jane Austen book---think what you would have missed out on -- BOOKS! :o
DeleteI hope you enjoy The Soldier's Secrets as well, Janella. I did enjoy writing it.
DeleteThis book sounds amazing! My favorite genre is 1800's Westerns, and I also love Regencies. I enjoy pretty much any era as long as it's well-written and has a happy ending :)
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com
I'm with you, Heidi. I just love books period. I have even grown to love contemtorary fiction!
DeleteFrom westerns to Regencies. That thought makes me smile. :-)
DeleteWhat a great review and Naomi's book sounds wonderful! I love historical romances--regencies, old American West, Civil War, World War II and on and on...When a love for history combines with a love of reading, the possibilities are endless! I agree with Heidi, however, that a happy ending is the best!
ReplyDeleteKATHERINE, it sounds like you have the same tastes as I do! We love everything! LOL But as CARRIE said, as long as it's well done.
DeleteKATHERINE, I meant to tell you in above reply and got carried away with my own thoughts. ack! I hope you come back! I need your email for contact purposes should your name be drawn. Writing it this way (at) and (dot) will prevent spam. THX!
DeleteDiana, Enjoyed your review very much.
ReplyDeleteI read mostly late 1800's, but recently read a book about the American Revolutionary period that I greatly enjoyed.
I also love Civil War period .
I think reading about The French revolution would be interesting
thank you
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, JACKIE! I really have learned so much from reading historical fiction, and I appreciate the authors' hard work researching for their novels.
DeleteI really like the American Revolution, Jackie. And it's not too far off from the French Revolution.
DeleteMy favorite is colonial American fiction, if it is well done. But I like a lot of time periods depending on the author. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, I never would have guessed that. Lol You're so welcome! Praying for you and your family.
DeleteLOL Carrie!
DeleteYou do so well at reviewing! I have sinned, Lord, I envy Diana Flowers!! Another read appealing book. Hmmm, I just like historical novels - anytime in history. I feel I miss out on things I need to know if I limit myself to one era. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win a great read.
ReplyDeleteBARBARA, you have me LOL! You are SO cute! I needed that today. <3
DeleteI love historical fiction period. Anywhere. Like you, I don't want to miss out on a thing!
I like reading about the 1800's and early 1900's.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
WENDY, great to see you! Just threw your name in my cyberhat! ;)
DeleteWhat a great review! The Soldier's Secrets sounds like a winner and I would love to be one too. I enjoy reading the Old West times as well as the Civil War and World War II times. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Thx so much, MELANIE! I love those eras too, but am real picky about the old west. They have to really be great for me to like them! Just not my fave, but it DOES depend on the author. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteWonderful review Diana! I need to hurry and read this since I have read your review! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa! I can't wait for you to share your review on Naomi's other new release on Thursday!
DeleteThanks for the chance to win Naomi's books.....they sound fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAnd Diana....I live in the South....the weeping willows are lovely! We don't have one at this house, but had them at a house 4 yrs. ago....I miss them.
Happy reading to all...
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
Ah, a fellow Southerner, JACKIE! Yes they are so majestic and lovely. Bless you!
DeleteSounds like a great book! Just found your blog. Would love the opportunity to win. Sarahsmithstorm@gmail dot co
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great review. Can't wait to read more about your blog.
SARAH, welcome to OWG! I'm so glad you found us and hope you will put us in your favorites. We feature a lot of awesome authors, their testimonies, and have great giveaways of their books! If you don't win this time, be sure to come back -- you're bound to eventually. :) God bless!
DeleteNice to meet you, Sarah!
DeleteSarah, Welcome to the OWG blog. Per random.org you are one of the winners this week! Congrats to Sarah Smith Storm!
DeleteI love to read right across history, but Tudor England does beckon.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
That does sound wonderful, MARY! With a mysterious mansion amidst the fog and a brooding hero...I'm getting carried away here. lol Thx for coming by and stirring up my imagination! ;)
DeleteWow, Tudor England. That's not one you hear too often.
DeleteHello Diana. Really enjoyed this review of Naomi's book. And, I love the cover. So pretty. I love so many era's. I love the pioneer days and the Old West. But, I love stories about the Plantations. Loved Gone with the Wing. Book and movie. I have really enjoyed learning so much with the Historical Fictions. Especially here in our country.and to pick an era. Guess what I picked would be the more the 1800s and 1900s Right? Now miss Diana, you can't enter in this one so just maybe I can win. LOL I would win this book to read. problem I have is these authors I have met online keep me so busy on here I'm not doing as much reading as I should. Needs to be two of me. One to read and one to be on these blogs. Right? My love to all of my OWG girls. You all are so special to me. Wish I could meet all of you in person. God bless. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe both need two heads, MAXIE, but I need one just for reading only! hehe You're so right, I can't enter this one, dear one, so it's all yours. Have at it. lol I am overjoyed when I see you win a book here or on another blog, b/c you are so special to us as well! Am reading a story now with plantations, so I'm with you on that, dear MAXIE! Blessings back at you!
DeleteLoved your review, Diana. It sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear cohort! MARIAN, hasn't your TBR toppled over YET? Never mind, I see how organized your books are. ;)
DeleteYou have NO idea. I'm starting to get desperate! ;)
DeleteLOL! I think I do have a very good idea, mdh. :P
DeleteMy favorite eras are the Civil War and the late 1800s. However, I was a history major so I find almost any time period interesting! I am always glad to find books that are set in unique time periods like this one after the French Revolution!
ReplyDeleteWow, a history major, KELLY! I'll bet you could write US a wonderful book or two!
DeletePlease come back by and leave an email addy for contact purposes should your name be drawn, KELLY! Using (at) and (dot) will prevent spam. THX!
My favorite is the Regency Era but I have a few stories that took place during or right after the French Revolution and enjoyed them. I really like the cover on this book. It's very sweet :)
ReplyDeleteHey, ANNE! Regency used to be my least favorite (weird, huh?), but there are so many excellent regency era fiction writers today, I LOVE it now! Thx for sharing. :)
DeleteI've really gotten the bug for reading clean, Regency era stories lately.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Regency is wonderful, MERRY! Lotsa luck to you in the drawing! :)
DeleteBeautiful review, Diana, thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThe cover of "The Soldier's Secrets" looks so cheerful, tender, comforting, and inviting!! However, the title, and that wonderful reviews of yours tells me that in addition to the warm, cozy family atmosphere - I can expect suspense, secrets, betrayal, romance, and forgiveness. Sounds like quite an interesting book!!
Like Noela - I love learning through historical romance, and love most any era. I DO love books written during the war eras - the Civil War and World War II, in particular. I don't think I've read a book regarding the French Revolution - something new about which to learn!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of "The Soldier's Secrets"!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
The cover is very deceiving, but no spoilers, BONNIE! haha The French Revolution and right after was a very dark and oppressive time for many. But this cover does depict the hope of so many....
DeleteThanks so much for sharing!
I think there's a mixture, some hard things to work through because of the turbulent time, but there's definitely hope at the end. In fact, there's a scene near the end of the novel, and this is what I imagine the characters looking like. :-)
DeleteHistorical, Christian fiction (especially romance) is my favorite genre. I love most historical periods, so this question proves hard for me. I especially love to read about settings in colonial American or early times in any of the four "countries" that make up Britain.
ReplyDeletewandrnlady@aol.com
I love most all, too, JANICE, although not much into Spanish American War. Guess it would depend on the storyline, but so far I would have to say that would be my least favorite. Thanks for sharing and lotsa luck in the drawing! :)
DeleteThank you all for sharing your favorite time period for a novel. Such a fascinating collection of answers. Personally, I really, really like a lot of the 1st Century, New Testament era settings. I'm odd, I know, but I've always been intrigued by that time period.
ReplyDeleteNAOMI, thanks so much for being with us again! We thoroughly enjoyed it! As far as the cover of the book, yes, I think it's perfect for the scene at the end. I thought that as I was reading, but didn't want to give anything away. lol
Delete