Book Review: The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

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Title: The Number of Love

Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: The Codebreakers #1

Genre: Historical Fiction

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

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~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

Roseanna M. White is a fantastic writer. Her latest novel, The Number of Love, starts a brand new series set during the Great War ... and actually focuses on a secondary character from her last series!

If you read A Song Unheard (SHADOWS OVER ENGLAND #2), you met the brilliant, young Margot De Wilde. I don't know if she intrigued you, but she did me! It was so exciting to dive into her personal story in the first book of THE CODEBREAKERS. She is now seventeen years of age and spends her days deciphering messages and breaking codes. Throw in a brave field agent named Drake, spies, emotional drama, and a journey of faith, and you have a superb historical novel.

Margot was such a fascinating character to follow. Her brain just works so differently ... always thinking in numbers. She's spunky, but also sweet and unassuming, in a way. The way she approaches people, friendship, romance, even God, is very interesting. I loved watching her grow. I loved seeing her faith expand. I loved the way she fell in love. At some points, I worried that The Number of Love would push that feminist rhetoric, saying stuff about how being a wife and a mother is such a drudge, and why do they force that on women, and Margot was made for more than that!! But I think that it actually turned out quite beautiful and sweet, and cherished Biblical womanhood.

This author does really well with historical detail and setting. It was intriguing learning more about World War I, and also going undercover with the spies and breaking enemy codes! So cool! Action, drama, intrigue ... this book has it all! Again, I loved the faith theme - it was heartfelt. And that romance was just so tender and adorable and fun! Drake Elton was definitely a great character. And also his sweet sister! It was great seeing characters from other books, as well.

Truly, a unique, exciting, and thoughtful novel. I loved it! So looking forward to Book Two!

I received a complimentary copy of The Number of Love from the author/publisher. This review is honest and all my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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Book Review: The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

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Title: The King's Mercy

Author: Lori Benton

Series: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

For readers of Sara Donati and Diana Gabaldon, this epic historical romance tells of fateful love between an indentured Scotsman and a daughter of the 18th century colonial south.

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy - exile to the Colony of North Carolina - he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves - and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

Lori Benton pens another riveting tale, filled with love, loss, darkness, danger, and faith. This author is one of those authors whose books you know will be a rich historical adventure. And in the 1700s, no less! One of my favorite eras! Her novels never disappoint.

In The King's Mercy we meet a Scotsman named Alex MacKinnon who has been exiled to the colony of North Carolina. Mistress of the plantation he's to be an indentured servant on, is a young woman named Joanna. While he's plotting escape, she's burdened heavily by the life her stepfather is adamant that they live.

Lori Benton's stories often have a heavy undertone to them, and The King's Mercy was no different. Although there were sweet friendship moments, a tender love story, and awe-inspiring acts of faith, this book also highlighted the heart-wrenching happenings in the lives of the slaves on Severn Plantation, as well as unfolded the story of a particularly disturbing villain. Sometimes I wanted to scream in frustration at a certain character! Other times I was sick to my stomach as a vile mystery unfolded. Yet, nonetheless, it was incredible. And when the darkness was cleared away, the beauty shone so radiantly! I loved following all the threads of this story ... with Alex, Joanna, little sister Charlotte, a slave girl named Jemma, and a Christ-filled minister named Reverend Pauling.

While the story mostly takes place on Severn Plantation, there are some intriguing surprises and twists in store ... that put me in the mind of Lori Benton's previous books! The King's Mercy truly is a masterful tale. I loved the faith theme so very much. It was raw and real and permeated the entire book. There were some amazing moments! I so appreciate how this author unashamedly shares her faith in her works of fiction. It is beautiful. And it makes the story so much more meaningful and relatable and beautiful for me!

There are definitely some mature elements in this book. Fornication, rape, and child abuse are discussed, though not in explicit detail.

Overall, another stunning historical fiction novel from Lori Benton. I eagerly look forward to her next book.

I received a advanced reader copy of The King's Mercy from WaterBrook and Multnomah. This review is honest and all my own.