Positive Grace by Deb Haggerty

Deb’s Dozen: Past and Present Collide as WWII-Era Prague Impacts Newlyweds in California – Courage!

Sera James weds William Hanover in a picturesque wedding set in a garden on the Sausalito beach. But almost immediately after “I Do,” William is handcuffed and led off to jail on charges for a crime he did not commit. Sera believes in her heart that William could not have done those things he’s accused of doing. She is determined to get to the bottom of the charges and set her husband free.

1942 – Kaja Makovsky escaped Prague just as the Nazis occupied the city, but her beloved parents had to be left behind. She is now a reporter for The Daily Telegraph in London. She finds the terror has followed her when the deadly London Blitz occurs. Liam Marshall–a mysterious reporter/spy?–seems determined to help her become successful and…could love be blooming in the midst of war?

A Sparrow in Terezin documents the tales of these two women who are tied together by long ago events. Sara works her way back through history to find out the whys and hows of what William may have done. Kaja’s story moves forward as we see what she endures.

I was initially put off by the back and forth in each chapter, but then was drawn into the intrigue in both eras. Both characters are believable and courageous–under stress and pressure that most women will never have to experience. I loved the description of war-plagued Prague and what Kaja was able to accomplish with her “sparrows.” I had not heard of The Sparrows of Terezin and their art prior to reading this book.

There are some details that seem to conflict at the end of the novel–I’m not sure if Cambron intends another book in the series–this is the sequel to The Butterfly and the Violin. Hopefully they will be cleared up in the next entry in the series if there is one. Because of those hanging ends, I can only give A Sparrow in Terezin four stars, but I am intrigued enough to read the first book to get the backstory.

Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson gave me a copy of A Sparrow in Terezin in exchange for my candid review.

Deb’s Dozen: Bourbon Belle, a race to win, prejudice to overcome, a promise made.

Maggie Linden loves the horse she’s raised from a colt, Bourbon Belle. Riding before the wind on Belle’s back thrills her like nothing else. However, in her heart of hearts, she’s afraid she may lose Belle. The Civil War and its aftermath has impoverished her father as well as many others in the area. They’ve already sold off their other horses to General Harding at Belle Meade Plantation and can’t even afford to plant the fields to grow paying crops. But if Bourbon Belle can win the Peyton Stakes, the purse of $35,000.00 will bring them out of poverty and allow them to rebuild.

Cullen McGrath, an Irish immigrant, sees the incredible picture of the horse and rider speeding across the fields and is entranced. He’s come to Kentucky to build his fortune and has the cash to do it. Luckily he has cash, for in post-Civil War Kentucky, Irish are looked on the same as are blacks. The prejudice is intense against both.

Cullen comes to Linden Downs and asks Maggie’s’ father if he’s willing to sell his estate. Her father agrees with one condition: Cullen must marry Maggie. Cullen, who lost his wife and baby daughter on the voyage from England, is taken aback at the request. However, after considering the request agrees. Now all they have to do is convince Maggie.

How Cullen and Maggie clash and survive, how Bourbon Belle inspires them both, how the South persecutes blacks and Irish alike (read KKK), all make for a wonderful story of love and redemption. You will want to buy this latest entry in the Belle Meade series. Be prepared to read with a box of tissues by your side for you’ll laugh and cry throughout the book. To Win Her Favor is the best by Alexander I’ve read—what a talent you are, Tamera!

Zondervan Publishing gave me access to a Netgalley copy of this book in exchange for my candid review.