Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts

Monday, August 30, 2021

Historical Fiction Book Review: Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes

Book Description:
A mysterious song in the forest . . .
A discovery in war-torn France . . .
A journey toward hope.

The trenches of the Great War are a shadowed place. Though Platoon Sergeant Matthew Petticrew arrived there with a past long marked by shadow, the realities of battle bring new wounds--carving within him a longing for light, and a resolve to fight for it.

One night, Matthew and his comrades are enraptured by a sound so pure, a voice so ethereal, it offers reprieve--even if only for a moment. Soon, rumors sweep the trenches from others who have heard the lullaby too. "The Angel of Argonne," they call the voice: a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves.
 
Raised in the wild depths of the Forest of Argonne, Mireilles finds her reclusive world rocked when war crashes into her idyllic home, taking much from her. When Matthew and his two unlikely companions discover Mireilles, they must embark on a journey that will change each of them forever . . . and perhaps, at long last, spark light into the dark.

On the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier comes an emotive tale inspired by the courageous soldiers of World War I.

My Thoughts:
Yours is the Night filled me with hope and a better understanding of what the military endured during WW1. In the darkest of times during a great war, sparks of light shine through the darkness. Amanda Dykes, an amazing storyteller, created such real characters they could walk off the page. I love Matthew and his constant awareness and desire to protect. Mireilles strength and faith inspire. George's journey of faith and Henry's documentation weave together the heartache of war with the hope of the future. Captain Jasper Truett carried his heart into battle, as he grew to admire the men in his charge. Written from five points of view, Dykes lyrical words painted such vivid pictures, I felt like I was in the midst of the war with the characters. This story kept me reading well past my bedtime. I've enjoyed every book she's written, but I think this one outshines them all. If you enjoy a great story filled with amazing characters, read Yours is the Night. (Sidenote: I love the gorgeous cover.) I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Say I Love You

My beautiful niece Brea snapped a photo of the Le mur des je t'aime in Paris, France. I'd never heard of this, so I clicked the link. The web site was in French, so I still didn't know. Thankfully, Brea filled me in. The wall has the words "I love you" written in 160 languages. What a beautiful sight. 

That made me wonder. How can I show people I love them in 160 different ways? Here are a few.
  • Write a letter
  • Tuck a note in a lunch box (I did this for my kids and they did it for me) 
  • Hug more
  • Encourage-- not just when they're down, but everyday (my husband does this)
  • Give a smile
  • Share a cookie
  • Send a card-- especially to kids in college or folks in the military
  • Serve a favorite food
  • Listen
  • Say I love you...
These are easy ways to share love. And there are so many more.

I'd love to know how you "show" I love you. Share please--