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.

Historical Fiction Book Review: Beauty Among Ruins by J'nell Ciesielski

Book Description:
In Ciesielski’s latest sweeping romance, an American heiress finds herself in Scotland amid the fallout of the Great War, and a wounded Scottish laird comes face-to-face with his past and a woman he never could have expected.

American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

My Thoughts:
Ciesielski has created a story filled with beauty, love, and mystery.  I love books where the setting is as much a character as the people. Beauty Among Ruins is a wonderful book to get lost in as you travel to the beautiful Scottish highlands and walk the hills and gardens. Lily, a delightful character, brings joy and charm to an otherwise sad situation. I love her spunk and fearless ways. Alec, the brave, strong, brooding Scot, fights to hang on to his beloved home. A variety of intriguing characters enhance the story of Lily and Alec as they try to solve the mysteries surrounding Kinclavoch Castle. If you enjoy stories set in the early 1900s with romance and intrigue, you'll love Beauty Among Ruins. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.