On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin and A Heart Deceived by Michelle Griep

My life has been crazy lately. Between quick-drafting a new novel during Nanowrimo and traveling with my husband on business, reading time has almost fallen by the wayside.

Almost.

But lately I’ve read two great historical novels that sucked me in and wouldn’t let go, so I had to make sure you know about them!

 

 

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

If you have never read a novel by Sarah Sundin, run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick one up! Doesn’t matter what title. They are all good. But her current Wings of the Nightingale series about World War II flight nurses are the ones that have captured me completely.

On Distant Shores is the second in the series. I wanted to read it the minute it came out, in August. But it wasn’t until September that I actually purchased the book and put it in my pile. Finally, in October, it made its way into my hands.

Do you ever read a book and realize that the Lord allowed circumstances to prevent you from reading it before the exact right moment? That’s how I felt about this book. A great, compelling story in its own right. But the spiritual threads smacked me right between the eyes. She even used the exact scripture from James 1 that the Lord had been bringing to my mind for the past few weeks! So this book turned out to be yet another example of how God has used fiction in my life–to convict, to confirm, to encourage in my walk with Him.

But see for yourself. Read about Georgie and Hutch and the war they fought within themselves even while engaging with a physical enemy. Besides the personal reflections, their story made me appreciate all those “behind the scenes” workers, especially in our military. The unsung heroes, but the ones God sees and heeds all the same.

A Heart Deceived by Michelle Griep

Switching gears, let me first tell you that Michelle has been on my radar as an author since her 2009 debut, Gallimore, a Viking era time travel novel. When I saw that her newest release, A Heart Deceived, was a gothic regency, I knew I’d have to read it. And let me tell you, Michelle did not disappoint! Besides a story that was a delightful swirl of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and every Dickens novel I’ve read, her use of language is stellar. Seriously. Many time I found myself reading with my mouth hanging open, admiring her wordsmithing and hoping to achieve something near it one day.

Anyway, this story will keep you riveting to the pages as Miri seeks to hide her brother Eldon’s growing madness as well as fight her attraction to the mysterious Ethan, who has knowledge of her younger brother’s death. I won’t spoil where the story takes you, but gothic is truly a good definition! Wow. And yet an awesome, heart-tugging ending, too. So very, very good.

 

 

 

So that’s what I’ve been reading lately. I’m about to dive into my Christmas books and can’t wait! How about you? Please share something you’ve read and loved lately! (And don’t forget about the giveaway I posted Monday. Entry opportunities open through the weekend!)