All God's Children by Anna Schmidt

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read All God's Children by Anna Schmidt.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Does their love stand a chance. . .if they even survive at all?

Beth Bridgewater, a German American, finds herself in a nightmare as World War II erupts—a war in which she takes no side, for she is a Quaker pacifist. Just as she gains opportunity to escape Germany, Beth decides to stay to help the helpless. Meanwhile, Josef Buch, a passionately patriot German, is becoming involved in his own secret ways of resisting the Nazis. . . . Despite their differences, Beth and Josef join together in nonviolent resistance—and in love.

MY THOUGHTS:

I very rarely ignore a WWII book that catches my eye – and I'm glad I didn't pass by All God's Children.

I enjoy reading of the secrecy and intrigue of that time, and especially of those who put their own lives in danger to help those truly in harm's way. I actually liked the uncertainty of Josef's allegiance through much of the book, being a German soldier and having a high-ranking Gestapo father; it kept suspense in the storyline as I didn't think leaflet printing felt all that dangerous (it was, it just didn't feel as suspenseful as other activities that took place during the war). I held out hope through the whole book that maybe his father was in the resistance, too...?

I can't remember when I first heard of Sobibor, but for me, it seems to be a lesser-known camp. I loved that the author chose that camp as Beth and Josef's punishment. If you know it's history, you might guess the couple's outcome...

All God's Children kept me turning the pages late into the night and ended satisfactorily, as WWII books often have threads that don't all tie up, due to the nature of the time. But, how glad I was to read the author's note to see that she has a book 2 and 3 planned to continue some of the unfinished characters' stories...and I have every intention of reading them!

All God's Children releases in September. You can preorder your copy HERE!

Thank you to Anna and Barbour Books through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Also reviewed on Amazon (will once released) and Christianbook.



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

Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson

Thanks to the Tyndale Blog Network, I was able to participate in the blog tour for Cindy Thomson's book, Grace's Pictures.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader.

A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted.

Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

MY THOUGHTS:

I almost always enjoy stories of the immigrant/NYC -type, and this story by Cindy Thomson, a new author to me, was no exception.

Newly-arrived Grace, from Ireland, must find her way in this new country, fighting her fears and beliefs that she is a failure. When she sees an opportunity to buy a $1 Brownie camera and prove that she is good at something, Grace inadvertently winds up in more trouble than she ever thought possible.

Everyone has a camera nowadays and being an amateur photographer myself, I thought the story was unique and different from most immigrant stories, weaving in the history of photography and the ensuing issues of privacy.

I thought Grace's Pictures was an enjoyable, light read. I liked Cindy's style and would read another book by her!

AND FOR YOU, a Q&A with Cindy HERE and a peek into the book HERE.

Thank you to Cindy and Tyndale for sending me a copy to read and review!

Also reviewed on Amazon and Christianbook.



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

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Today, I am part of Litfuse's blog tour for Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape-which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

MY THOUGHTS:
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Karen knows how to write sweet romances. Stealing the Preacher was just that! If you've already read any of Karen's previous books, you won't want to miss it - you're in for another treat!

I think my favorite of Karen's so far is Short-Straw Bride, but Stealing the Preacher would be next in line! I thought it was great that Karen told Crockett's story – one of the brothers from Short-Straw (but don't worry if you haven't read it; although the brothers are mentioned, Stealing the Preacher can be read as a standalone, and you won't be lost).

Whoever heard of stealing a preacher? Jewels, perhaps; money, of course! Kidnap a ransom-valuable person, maybe...but a preacher?! What a creative start to a story!

I loved the theme that God works in mysterious ways – and all things work together for good for those that love Him!

If you enjoy prairie-style romance, Stealing the Preacher is worth the read!

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

Thank you to Karen and Bethany House through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Also reviewed on Amazon and Christianbook.



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