The Love Note

The Love Note is the first book I have read by Joanna Davidson Politano and I am an instant fan.  First, I need to make mention of the cover.   A beautiful cover is so important in a book, as it is the first thing that normally catches my eye.  The cover of The Love Note is absolutely gorgeous.  It reflects the title perfectly.  

Upon reading the back of the book I immediately was reminded of the movie Letters to Juliet.  This is one of my all time favorite movies so I was instantly excited and knew I was in for a treat! 

The story is so eloquently written and had a Jane Austen feel to it.  So much of the book revolved around the letter and this was such a unique layer that I found so enthralling.  I don't want to say too much and give away the story, but I was quite surprised at the ending.  Sometimes a book will take a twist that I didn't expect and it turns out to be better than what I could have imagined.  Such was the case here.  

I can't recommend this book enough.  If you are a fan of historical fiction this is a must read.  I will be shelfing this one with my other favorite books and will be looking for other books from this author.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1863 when she discovers a never opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk.  Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings - mostly negative ones - about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared.  With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Conqueror

 Ad 309, Rome teeters on the brink of war.  Constantine's army is on the move.  On the Rhine frontier, pagan Germanic barbarian Brandulf Rex joins the Roman army as a spy.  Down in Rome, senator's daughter Junia Flavia finds  herself embroiled in anti-Christian politics as she works on behalf of the church.

As armies converge and forces beyond their control threaten to destroy everthing they have worked for, these two people from different worlds will have to fight together to bring down the evil Emperor Maxentius.  But his villainous plans and devious henchmen are not easily overcome. 

Will Rex and Flavia live to see the Empire bow the knee to Christ?  Or will their part in the story of Constantine's rise meet an untimely and brutal end?

I knew when I chose The Conqueror to read that I was stepping out of my comfort zone and wasn't really sure what to expect.  Unfortunately, I was very unimpressed by this novel.  If I were to be completely honest I didn't like it at all.  It was very degrading towards woman and it had sexual context that, in my opinion, does not belong in a christian fiction book.  The only positive thing I feel I can say is the author does have a great descriptive writing ability, but for me I couldn't get past the crude way woman were portrayed.  

As a christian I cannot recommend this book with a clear conscience.  I did not even finish the book.

***Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.