Books on My Summer 2023 To-Read List

 Oh, I have a mountain of books I want to read. These are some that are at the top of my list!

Leave a comment so I can check out your TTT list!

 

 

Celebrate Lit Tours: The Medallion Review

Blog Stops

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 22

Christian Bookaholic, June 22

Carla Loves To Read, June 22

The Power of Words, June 23

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, June 23

Mary Hake, June 23

janicesbookreviews, June 23

Where Faith and Books Meet, June 24

By The Book, June 24

For Him and My Family, June 24

A Reader’s Brain, June 24

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 25

Through the Fire Blogs, June 25

Retrospective Spines, June 25

Inklings and notions, June 25

Remembrancy, June 26

Lis Loves Reading , June 26

The Becca Files, June 26

Genesis 5020, June 27

Reader’s Cozy Corner, June 27

Connect in Fiction, June 27

Bigreadersite, June 28

Maureen’s Musings, June 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 28

Blossoms and Blessings, June 29

For the Love of Literature, June 29

Spoken from the Heart, June 29

Inspired by fiction, June 30

Have A Wonderful Day, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Inspiration Clothesline, July 1

Connie’s History Classroom, July 1

Simple Harvest Reads, July 1 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Just the Write Escape, July 2

Seasons of Opportunities, July 2

Pause for Tales, July 2

As He Leads is Joy, July 3

To Everything A Season, July 3

Hallie Reads, July 3

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 4

For The Love of Books, July 4

Emily Yager, July 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 5

Texas Book-aholic, July 5

About the Book

Book: The Medallion

Author: Cathy Gohlke

Genre: Historical Fiction (World War II)

Release date: June 4, 2019

 

For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.

Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen—Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.

Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war—if any of them survive—is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.

Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

 

Three-time Christy and two-time Carol and INSPY Award–winning and bestselling author Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children’s and education ministries. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks.

More from Cathy

Every story begins with a journey. Sharing that journey is twice the joy.

The Medallion was inspired by two true stories—the first was the WWII account of Itzhak Dugin and his Jewish family, persecuted in Lithuania. Their heart-wrenching story made world news when the tunnel from which Itzhak escaped the Nazis was discovered using modern technology.

The second was the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker within Żegota (an underground Polish Council to Aid Jews), who developed a network to rescue children. Despite terrible risks, they smuggled 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto and certain death at the hands of the Nazis, then hid them in Polish homes, convents, churches and hospitals until the end of the war. Approximately 2,000 of those children were found after the war. Theories abound regarding the whereabouts of those missing. I couldn’t help but wonder, and imagine: What became of those 400 to 500 missing children? What became of one?

Set in WWII Poland and post-war England, The Medallion is a story of courage, sacrifice, love, forgiveness and redemption.

 ENTER GIVEAWAY

 My Thoughts

I am a big fan of Cathy Gohlke. While this book was a tad slower for me I still really enjoyed it. Also I love the cover! I think I enjoyed Sophie's story the most but both take you on a crazy adventure during world WWII. It is difficult I think for us to imagine a time and place with so much hate and so much pain. Those that lived it are truly remarkable and Cathy does such a wonderful job portraying the history and people of this time. Rosa and Itzhak are another couple in the book and their story will leave you tattered. 

If history interests you this is a great book to pick up and read! 

Four stars 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Until We Find Home Book Review: My Thoughts

About the Book

For American Claire Stewart, joining the French Resistance sounded as romantic as the storylines she hopes will one day grace the novels she wants to write. But when she finds herself stranded on English shores, with five French Jewish children she smuggled across the channel before Nazis stormed Paris, reality feels more akin to fear.

With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous upbringing--spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends--has ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she's ever known.

Set in England's lush and storied Lake District in the early days of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to remember that bravery and family come in many forms.  (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I have loved every book Cathy has ever written. I was thrilled to be able to read this book! The first part of the book takes you right into France and England during WWII. Action starts from page one and you become engrossed. But things got a little slow for me about midway. From there I sadly didn't love this book as much as I wanted to. The writing is great and the setting and secondary characters are wonderful. Claire is a character I simply could not stand reading. Even until the end I just didn't like her at all. Perhaps at the end she gets a little less snobby but otherwise I had a difficult time reading the pages about her. I wish this wasn't the case but I did enjoy many other parts of this novel.

Four stars.

"I received this book from Tyndale House for free. All opinions are my own."

Secrets She Kept Review

About the Book

The secret a mother was forbidden to share . . . the consequences a daughter could not redeem—but will risk everything in her attempt.

All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah unlocks secrets of her mother’s mysterious past, including the discovery of a grandfather living in Germany.

Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father, ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, demands a marriage for his daughter to help advance his career. But Lieselotte is in love—and her beloved Lukas secretly works against the Reich. How far will her father go to achieve his goal?

Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who hides wartime secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past, and how their legacy will shape her future. (Goodreads)

My Review

There is always that author who I anxiously wait for to see what is written next. Cathy has written some of my all time favorite novels and this one now goes in that category. I loved this book, I couldn't put it down it was so good. It's heart wrenching and real and captivated me imagination until the end. I loved the characters present and historical and the setting and storyline is wonderfully written. I have read many books set during WWII but this story has a new angle on those who tricked Jewish people into getting them captured. The lies and the holocaust and the family dynamics are all combined in this novel and present and past collide in ways that I wasn't expecting.

One of the best books I have read this year.

Also, if you haven't read Cathy's other books you should!

"I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing for free in exchange for an honest review."

William Henry Is a Fine Name Book Review

via

 About the Book

They told him his best friend wasn't human. Robert's father assisted the Underground Railroad. His mother adamantly opposed abolition. His best friend was a black boy named William Henry. As a nation neared its boiling point, Robert found himself in his own painful conflict. The one thing he couldn't do was nothing at all. William Henry is a coming-of-age story about a 12-year-old boy--and an entire country--that comes face to face with the evils of society, even within the walls of the church. In the safety of an uplifting friendship, he discovers the hope of a brighter day.(Goodreads)

My Review

I have enjoyed all of the books by Cathy that I have read. This book has won a Christy Award and the cover and back cover enticed me. The story within the pages is a heart wrencher. The story takes you back in time to the Underground Railroad and a place where owning slaves and punishing them, even to the point of cutting off their foot, was acceptable in society. There are some graphic scenes such as I mentioned above but this story really takes the point home. There are a few characters that all interweave together and I enjoyed Robert's point of view, it was refreshing. It is well written and while sad, it tells a great story that we seem to forget ever happened. 

Five stars. 

"I received this book from MP Newsroom for free in exchange for an honest review."

Saving Amelie Book Review

via

 About the Book

 Increasingly wary of her father's genetic research, Rachel Kramer has determined that this trip with him to Germany--in the summer of 1939--will be her last. But a cryptic letter from her estranged friend, begging Rachel for help, changes everything. Married to SS officer Gerhardt Schlick, Kristine sees the dark tides turning and fears her husband views their daughter, Amelie, deaf since birth, as a blight on his Aryan bloodline.Once courted by Schlick, Rachel knows he's as dangerous as the swastikas that hang like ebony spiders from every government building in Berlin. She fears her father's files may hold answers about Hitler's plans for others, like Amelie, whom the regime deems "unworthy of life." She risks searching his classified documents only to uncover shocking secrets about her own history and a family she's never known.Now hunted by the SS, Rachel turns to Jason Young--a driven, disarming American journalist and unlikely ally--who connects her to the resistance and to controversial theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Forced into hiding, Rachel's every ideal is challenged as she and Jason walk a knife's edge, risking their lives--and asking others to do the same--for those they barely know but come to love. (Goodreads)

My Review

Simply fantastic. Cathy Gohlke is a very talented writer and really does her research. This books was as good I as I had hoped, I really couldn't put it down. I have read her previous books but this just might be my favorite. Set through the course of the second World War she takes us to the reality of a past time. This book was from the perspective of a young woman who knew nothing of what was really going on and who was to be used by powerful men in Germany. Being forced to take a trip to Germany shortly before war started she finds out that there is a lot more to going on and now she needs to save one very sweet little girl. This book took many twists that I was not expecting and I really enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed the historical aspect and the details on what the scientists were doing and planning long before the war. Genetics and sterilization are discussed at length and I found it all fascinating. There is a romance story but it's not the main focus, which I actually enjoyed. 

If you enjoy history I highly recommend!! 

★★★★★, I loved it. 

Must read! Reads like Liz Tolsma and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. 

"I received this book from Tyndale Publishers for free in exchange for an honest review."

Band of Sisters Book Review

Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke takes you on a trip back to Ellis Island in 1910. The book is centered around two Irish immigrant girls who go to America because of troubles at home. Cathy portrays the difficulties of getting through Ellis Island and the many inspections that people had to go through in order to enter the country. The story is just beginning for the girls as Maureen, the oldest, discovers that she can trust no one and girls at her department store job are disappearing for a reason. This book takes you far beyond a typical historical fiction story and delves into the darkness of human trafficking  and slavery. This is a story that can be told today, as it is still a very real issue.

The title of the book comes from the girls that get together and try to do what they think Jesus would do and put an end to the slavery. This book shows how Christ can work in anyone's life and make such an impact.

I really enjoyed this book and I think Cathy delivers a great message in her story. After having been to Ellis Island it was easier to imagine in my mind as to how difficult it would be for the girls when they arrived. This book is really long as it has over sixty chapters, but it is hard to put down.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and has a passion to end modern day slavery.

Check out Cathy's website over here.

"I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishers for this review. This is my honest opinion of the book"