What Is Left of the Night Review

About the Book

 Based on a true story

The Nazi regime's bloody wake in Europe persists as they brutally send "undesirables" to their deaths in concentration camps. As a young Jew, Hannah leaves behind her mother and sister as she flees certain death, arriving in Le Chambon in search of refuge.

Driven by their deeply rooted faith in God, Protestant pastor André Trocmé and his formidable wife, Magda, have turned the unassuming community in the foothills of the French Alps into a quiet resistance—a haven where they shelter escapees from Hitler's ever-tightening fist. It’s here that an author pens his Nobel Prize-winning novel and finds answers to his questions about God; and just outside the village borders, a one-legged female American spy sets up an operation to organize the French Resistance.

But a sadistic crew is on the rise. Under the supervision of the Butcher of Lyon, Gestapo officer Herr Lauer pursues the Jewish girl. Hannah was in his sights, but when she evaded him, his explosive rage and thirst for revenge set him on a spiraling mission to track her down—leading him straight to Le Chambon.

With lyrical prose and historical accuracy, Mark Buchanan weaves together a thrilling narrative from the real-life stories of a pastor, refugee, spy, and author, tangled together in a plot against the Reich. (Goodreads)


Pre -Order Here

My Thoughts

Oh my goodness this story. It is one that (for me) needs read slowly so as not to miss the pieces of wisdom thrown in. I loved reading from the standpoint of a pacifist but also just the view of a pastor. There are multiple perspectives that go back and forth throughout the novel and Hannah and the pastor's storylines are my favorite. This book will really make you think and it is different from other WWII books that I have read. There is some humor sprinkled in and also details of a terrible war. This book has a lot of grit and some of it portrays the darkness. It isn't gory and explicit but still tough to read at times. There is family and fear and joy and life and death. The marriage between André and Magda is so well written. The people in this story are not written to be perfect and that made me love it all the more. This is based on a true story and I really appreciated the author explaining details based on what is fact and fiction. This is a fiction read but incredibly based on a true story. I had no idea Le Chambon existed or that this village saved thousands of Jewish refugees! It is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it! 

Five Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Daughters of the Wreckage Review

 

About the Book

Two women. One shipwreck. And four centuries of secrets.

Shortly before Christmas in 2018, Tess McCarthy, after years as a hard-working English teacher who never did anything out of the ordinary, flies to Western Australia's remote Abrolhos Islands. She is in search of answers--both to the infamous Batavia shipwreck and her personal family crises.

In 1628, Saskia, an orphaned young Dutchwoman, boards Batavia with relatives, bound for a new and potentially dangerous life in the East Indies--only for her world to first collide with Aris Jansz, the ship's taciturn under surgeon.

Tess, Saskia, and Aris--their lives linked by secrets that span generations--carry the baggage of past losses and the uncertainty of their futures. And, in the most unlikely circumstances, they may find qualities that echo through faith, acceptance, and love.

A woman searching for answers in her own life finds them--and much more--in the wreckage and haunting stories of the Batavia shipwreck.

Previously published in Australia as Daughters of Batavia. (Goodreads)

Pre-Order Here

My Thoughts

I picked this book to read because I knew absolutely nothing of this history of Batavia. The first few chapters had me totally interested and the set up of the characters was good. The back and forth between them was clear and well written. I just really struggled to get into the story after the first few chapters. For me, it read as a very dry plot and I found that I didn't care much about what was happening with the people in the story. It didn't captivate me and I struggled to finish reading it. The ending picks up just a bit and that was helpful. The history is interesting and it made me want to research some of it myself. If this is something that interests you with history then you will probably enjoy it. I know many others have loved this book, it simply was not for me. 

Three Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Three Queens Review

About the Book

 Abigail Adams, Queen Charlotte, and Marie-Antoinette—three women form an unlikely sisterhood, navigating revolutions, royal pressures, and personal losses as they shape their own legacies.

After the end of the American Revolutionary War, Abigail Adams crosses the Atlantic to reunite with her husband, John, after five long years apart. But she is unprepared for the glittering courts of England and France that are so different from her experience in the newly established United States. Undeterred, Abigail sets her sights on befriending the queens of Europe, believing their support is key to her nation’s future.

In England, Queen Charlotte carries the weight of an empire on her shoulders. Her husband, King George III, battles a private madness, while political tensions rise and her eldest son schemes for power. Charlotte struggles to maintain order and propriety—while clinging to the solace she finds in her correspondence with her friend Marie Antoinette in France.

Revolution has gripped France, and Marie Antoinette must watch as her world crumbles. Vilified by the public and neglected by a king who refuses to see the storm coming, she faces growing unrest with dwindling allies. As tragedy strikes her family, she reaches out to her friends—Charlotte and Abigail—in a last attempt to find a path forward, possibly even escape.

The paths of these three women cross in unexpected ways in public, in private, and through letters. They forge a quiet sisterhood across borders and upheaval, each one facing love and loss, sweetness and strife, revolution and regrets.(Goodreads)

Pre-Order Here

My Thoughts

I had no idea that these three women were tied together in history or even came in contact with one another. This book is fascinating! I LOVED getting a unique perspective of each woman, though Marie and Charlotte were my favorite to read. This is a work of fiction but the historical research that went into this novel is astounding. I had to do further research myself after reading to find out more because I was so intrigued. The author unites these women with a few common themes but one of them is being a mother. They all had children and they all lost children. I truly can't imagine being in their positions and raising children let alone having one pass away. The book was easy to read, even with the different perspectives. The chapters are organized in a way that made it not feel like a history book and I always knew whose perspective I was reading. I recommend if you enjoy historical fiction. 

Four Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Love Is In The Air

 Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

I enjoy closed door romance and so I came up with a mixture of romance books that I have enjoyed. Do you have any recommendations? There are so many good books and not enough time. :) 

Rocky Road by Becky Wade
This is a fun series. 

Until I Met You by Tari Faris
Another wonderful series!

A Noble Masquerade by Krisi Ann Hunter
Regency Romance

The Heart of the King by J. J. Fischer
A romantasy I was not expecting! 

A Love Most Daring by Joanna Barker
Releases in March and it is SO good. 

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon
Super cute read. 

An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E. Ladd
A mysterious historical romance that surprised me in a good way!

To Love A Lady by Gabrielle Meyer
A spin on My Fair Lady and it doesn't disappoint. 

The Parlor Game by Ashtyn Newbold
I LOVE this series. It is fun and swoony and I hope to read it again this year. 

Echoes of the Sea by Sarah M. Eden
Unique time travel romance. 

A Love Most Daring

 

About the Book

From best-selling author Joanna Barker: Proper romance meets page-turning mystery in this captivating tale of danger, redemption, and love worth fighting for.

After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.

Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.

With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all. (Goodreads)

Releases March 3rd!

Pre-Order Here

My Thoughts

Oh ,what a joy it was to read this novel! This has been such a fun series continuing on with the Bow Street officers and their lives. This story took a turn I was not expecting and Beatrice is a character that took me by surprise. The first few chapters I wasn't sure if I liked Bea or not but I warmed up to her quickly and found myself giggling and smiling at her antics. There is an excellent mystery within the pages but also a delightful country estate where we really get to know Bea and Alexander. The romance is sweet and so well written. I loved getting a peek into the lives of the previous characters from the first two books in the series. I simply could not put this book down. I stayed up way too late to discover the ending and I have no regrets. If you enjoy swoony historical romance this is the book for you! 

Five Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

He Calls Me Daughter Trailer

About He Calls Me Daughter

HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is for women who have felt unseen, unsupported, or unsure of their worth—and who long for love that feels safe. This honest exploration of father-daughter relationships reveals the lasting impact they can have on a woman’s life. Through intimate, first-person stories, viewers follow women as they begin to name the pain they’ve carried for years: father wound. 

Audiences are invited to reflect on their own story as they walk alongside these women on a journey toward healing. At the heart of the movie is an encounter with Jesus—a perfect heavenly Father who sees, stops, and calls His daughters by name. HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is an invitation to experience the love of a Father who does not withdraw—One who offers peace, belonging, and restoration.

__________________________________________________________

Tickets are on sale NOW for HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER, a documentary for women who have felt unseen, unsupported, or unsure of their worth. Through intimate, first-person stories, viewers follow women as they begin to name the pain they’ve carried for years: father wound.

Experience the love of a perfect Father who offers peace, belonging, and restoration March 17 & 18 ONLY.

Watch the Trailer now: hecallsmedaughter.org/

#HeCallsMeDaughter #HeCallsMeDaughterMIN 

He Calls Me Daughter is releasing in theaters March 17 & 18 only.

I am excited to watch this!

Authors I Discovered in 2025

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

 While going through the list of books I read last year, I was pretty surprised at how many new to me authors I read! Part of it had to do with me reading more fantasy novels which opened up a new world of books for me. 

So here are some new to me authors that I really enjoy! I will post pictures of their most recent or upcoming novel. 

Christine Hill Suntz 

Christina Baehr

C. C. Warrens 

Emerson Ford 

Heather Camacho

J. J. Fischer

Jenelle Hovde

Morgan L. Busse

Rachelle Nelson

Beth Brower

An Appearance of Impropriety

About the Book

 As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.

Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God's calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation's eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America's freeways.

Mahalia's rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow's attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.

A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk. (Goodreads)

Order Here!

My Thoughts

I have not read a legal drama in quite a while and sometimes it is nice to read something different! I really love Mahalia's character. She shines throughout this entire novel and we need more female characters like her! The legal stuff at times goes over my head but I felt like I was there in the thick of things. I love JD's backstory and how he grows throughout the pages. There are some tough topics brought up and the author handles them with grace but honesty. The romance is realistic and shows how flawed we are and how we can change and grow. Overall I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the next books this author writes. 

Four stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from Kregel. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own."

Beyond the Clouds

About the Book

 They lost each other once before; now the clouds of war may give them a second chance.

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together--until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. Little does he know that this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir--until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them--or the possibility of falling in love again? (Goodreads)

Purchase Here

My Thoughts

I was not quite sure what to expect with this book or where it would take the reader. All of the books that are in this series are very unique. Delia is a spunky heroine that I needed to warm up to a bit before really appreciating her character. Finn is a loyal and caring person who will do most anything to protect innocent people. I really loved reading his war back story and I thought it added a lot to the plot. The first part of the book is more lighthearted. The war seems far away and Delia and Finn do NOT see eye to eye, yet there is some banter. Delia is a pacifist and Finn is clearly not since he is war hero. It was intriguing to read from the view of a pacifist and I was glad to read that perspective. About half way through the book I was a little perplexed at how certain things suddenly were resolved. It felt very sudden and it took me out of the story a little bit. I can't go into detail without spoilers. But then the second part of the book read much differently with added drama and Finn wanting to be the hero. It has a satisfying ending and it was a little bittersweet to say farewell to these characters. So overall I did enjoy this story but I have to give it four stars because it was a little choppy in the middle and I struggled with that. I am eager to read Camden's next book and I do recommend this series. 

Four Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own." 

Classic Book Goals

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

With it being the start of a new year everyone is setting goals. I really haven't thought about it much this year. So sitting down to write this there is one thing that comes to mind that I really would like to do, though it might not all happen this year! I have not read very many books considered classics. I am starting The Count of Monte Cristo but here are a few others that I need to read. 

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

White Fang by Jack London

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy Review & Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: December, 2025

Pride, Pemberley, and Second Chances

When history-loving Olivia Bennett’s teaching contract isn’t renewed, she is considered her family’s logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England’s great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne’s brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv’s vivacious determination can resolve. Along the way, she may just learn that appearances count for naught. . .and that love can be found in unexpected ways.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

 

More from Carolyn

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 6

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 6

The Sacred Line, January 7

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 8

Vicky Sluiter, January 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews , January 12

For Him and My Family, January 13

Lyssa Loves Books, January 13

Blossoms and Blessings, January 14

Mornings at Character Cafe, January 14

Holly’s Book Corner, January 15

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s book and movie reviews , January 15

Pause for Tales, January 16

Mary Hake, January 16

Cover Lover Book Review, January 17

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 18

To Everything There Is A Season, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a print copy of the book and a $25 Amazon eGift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Giveaway

My Thoughts

This is such a fun story! I will be honest in saying that I started this one very uncertain if it would be for me or not. But I actually really enjoyed it and felt like I was right there with Olivia and Liam fixing up the estate. The characters are fresh and fun and I was a little worried that the estate "fix up" would get boring but it did NOT. The secondary characters are well written and I wanted to get to know them better. The setting is so fun and while I didn't really care about the tie in with Pride and Prejudice I still enjoyed those details. The romance is sweet and I adored Liam's character, he really is a grump-for the first half of the book. About half way through the story it is like he has a complete personality change. So much so that his anxieties and worries about being in a relationship seem to just disappear. Which I get, you can't have him as the enemy the whole time, but it was a stark difference. It was baffling to me as a reader and felt very choppy in the last chapters. Also, the big reveal at the end was so silly and irritating and because of that I couldn't rate this book as high as I would have with a different ending. 

I still really enjoyed this book though and I recommend for a fun quick read!  

Four Stars. 

'I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."