Location: United States
Member Since:
Oct. 05, 2014
JeanieK
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Smashwords book reviews by JeanieK
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Temperance's Trial - Part 1 of the Virtues and Valor Series
on Nov. 24, 2014
Temperance’s Trial is the exciting first novella in Hallee Bridgeman’s Virtues and Valor serial. Marie Gilbert, Code Name Temperance, is one of a group of ladies known to each other only as The Virtues in World War II Europe. Each Virtue had a unique assignment that they were trained for in an effort to help the Allied Forces win the war. They were an experiment in the use of women from various countries to help in the fight against the Nazis. Each novella is about one of the Virtues, and while they might meet and encourage each other, they know nothing about each other. This series is based on a similar group of actual heroines from World War II. Marie’s father had been arrested by the Reich on suspicion of helping Jewish children escape imminent takeover of the Nazi regime. She and her brother escaped France and went to Great Britain to help the Allied Forces during Europe’s time of need. Temperance’s particular assignment was as a wireless radio operator, and she had to find places to hide – and places where she could transmit information via – the wireless radio. This radio was not a little hand-held like we imagine today – more along the size of a 1950’s or 1960’s radio. The average time allowed for encrypting and sending messages was 30 minutes to avoid being caught by the Germans. And – my curiosity led me to look up more about the radios used and the operators – the average life of a wireless radio operator without being captured was about a month. This assignment, as well as the assignments the other Virtues worked, could possibly be a suicide mission for the cause that they firmly believed in, to win the war and put an end to the Reich. Temperance is the primary character that we will meet; others include a man who is with the Third Reich who is interested in her and, to keep from blowing her cover, she went out with him. She also had a job as a “cover” for herself. The primary traits we learn about Temperance are those that make her who she is as a woman on assignment for the freedom of her French homeland. Those characteristics demonstrate very well who Temperance is as related to her Code Name. The author shows clearly how this young woman has what it to be willing to risk all for her faith, family and homeland. Hallee Bridgeman has a way with writing that brings the reader into the story – one can see what the main character sees, hear what they hear, and do what they do. Temperance’s Trial is rich with details that help one who has not lived in a war-torn land begin to understand. The plot is complex as war tends to be, especially for those who become part of the solution. I highly recommend Temperance’s Trial to young adults and adults of all ages who are interested in World War II fiction or well-written historical novellas with female heroes full of suspense and intrigue. As someone who recently began to appreciate World War II novels, I am looking forward to continuing with the series as time permits. With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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Charity's Code - Part 3 of the Virtues and Valor Series
on April 25, 2015
Charity’s Code is the third serialized story in the ‘Virtues and Valor’ series by Hallee Bridgeman. This series is set in WWII Europe, and the heroines are based on real women who served in a special and unique women’s group. Charity’s Code picks up where Homeland’s Hope pauses; throughout the series, the ‘Virtues’ will see each other and help each other in their uniquely separate, yet related, assignments. Each of the ladies is given a code name based on Virtues. Charity (Dorothy Ewing) has always loved puzzles, enters puzzle contests – and even beats out the men! But what possible benefit could her skill at solving puzzles bring to others, especially the war effort? With her husband and his best friend departed in the RAF, Charity’s special calling to use her unique talent is unveiled, and she joins the special group of the Seven Virtues. It was daunting to see her friends learn to parachute out of planes, and she was thankful in many ways to be doing what she was. With most of the Virtues out on assignments and her husband’s plane shot down, she clung to her heavenly Father and worked countless hours decoding messages receives. As an amateur puzzle fan, I can appreciate a little bit of how Charity’s mind worked when it came to solving these puzzles. The kind of code that she had to carry about in her head, as well as the code that the radio operators had memorized, was incredible – I couldn’t imagine receiving the messages that she did from many people over the course of a day, and the emotional toll that it could take when knowing personally some of the people involved! Her relationship with the Lord was more detailed than that of some of the other ladies, and I appreciated the loneliness she faced with His presence to sustain her. It was even more painful when I read the final words of this story of the series than the prior two. The intensity and suspense that the author has built by this point is tremendous! The plot definitely builds from one story to the next. I felt closer to Charity than I had the earlier ‘Virtues’, and quite possibly have more to learn from her. Also, we become much more acquainted with the ‘Virtue’ in each story, and therefore more invested in each of the ladies. The frustration of not having resolution to the challenges they are struggling through is relieved only somewhat as we learn more about the woman who Charity is based on. The story of this woman is not to be missed! The definitions and pictures at the end of the story are helpful when trying to understand the vehicles and aircraft written about, as are some of the terms used in French or German. I highly recommend Charity’s Code to those who appreciate WWII fiction written with great storytelling talent penned with excellent historical research. With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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Homeland's Hope - Part 2 of the Virtues and Valor Series
on April 25, 2015
How would you like to be a spy that would go out to dinner with a high-ranking military officer of enemy forces and take information back to the military of your own country or allied country? Even if it places your own life in danger? Could you use your talents to entertain the troops of the enemy and rely on the Lord’s direction and protection? That is exactly what Virginia Benoit, code named Hope, did in Homeland’s Hope, the second novella in the ‘Virtues and Valor’ series by Hallee Bridgeman. This series is set in WWII Europe, and the heroines are based on real women who served in a special and unique women’s group. Virginia is very obviously not of Aryan descent, having both black and Creole blood. Because of that, even with her tremendous singing gift, she is not always welcome in her US birthplace, and spent many years in France with her first husband, even becoming a French citizen. Purposely spending time as an entertainer where there were high-ranking members of the Nazi war machine seemed like suicide, but “Hope” has chosen this path for a higher purpose – freedom for France and the US, and freedom from Nazi control. Homeland’s Hope picks up where Temperance’s Trial breaks; throughout the series, the ‘Virtues’ will see each other and help each other in their uniquely separate, yet related, assignments. Each of the ladies is given a code name based on Virtues. We will see how each of these ladies work, on their own or together to achieve the goal of their team and their country. The plot is intense – while Temperance’s Trial showed the ‘Virtues’ as they began to train together and the stress began to build, Homeland’s Hope really began to show “where the rubber meets the road” of their assignment. It was almost painful when this story of the series ended. Hope is an amazing woman; her strength of character is demonstrated throughout the events of her life, including making France her home after marrying her husband, and choosing to risk her life for the cause. It is impressive that Hallee Bridgeman based each of the seven ‘Virtues’ on real women who served in WWIi; reading the background on the woman who Hope’s character is based on was enlightening. Only the Lord could give this kind of courage to His people, and only He could bless and equip them. I highly recommend Homeland’s Hope’ to all who enjoy WWII fiction; the author’s eye for detail, historical accuracy, and writing talent make this an exciting read! This would also be appropriate, I think, for older teens; the ‘Virtues’ are definitely good role models for today’s young women! With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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A Parcel for Prudence - Part 4 of the Virtues and Valor Series
on April 25, 2015
The fourth story in the ‘Virtues and Valor’ series by Hallee Bridgeman is A Parcel for Prudence, and my favorite so far. This series is set in WWII Europe, and the heroines are based on real women who served in unique and specially-trained teams in the war. Muriel Tolson, code-named Prudence, endured unbelievable training rigors, as did many of the women in the ‘Virtues and Valors’ series. She and her family were dedicated to defeating their enemy and winning the war; her husband encouraged her to join the war effort due to her intelligence and talent with speaking and understanding other languages. Helping to win this was vital to her and her family, and she was willing to go the distance to provide honorable service in hopes of being reunited with her husband, who also was serving in the military. Her background as the daughter of a Duke, daughter-in-law of an Earl, had not prepared her, however, for the task she had as a courier for a team in France. The danger was immense; her capture would absolutely mean her death. I could not have done the things that she did; isn’t it wonderful how the Lord gives each of us different gifts? As a courier, Prudence worked hard and had to think on her feet. Only her faith in the Lord and her ongoing relationship with Him could help her in her journeys. Leaving the group of Virtues, with whom she had shared Bible study and prayers almost daily, had helped prepare her in ways even she might not be aware of. Her ‘cover’ as a piano instructor and tuner helped her get into some of the most influential homes in France and, just as Temperance learned as a seamstress (cover), rich women would discuss almost anything in front of the hired help, probably assuming they couldn’t understand or care about the conversations. Muriel was described by Grace as the strongest woman she knew, and she was definitely shown to be courageous and wise. I appreciated her strength found in Christ, as well as her thoughts of what life would be like when the war ended. Seeing each of the Virtue’s thoughts and prayers demonstrated each character, and Muriel was no exception. A woman of noble birth with depth of concern for others and for her family, and lack of complaining about their deprivation, she is certainly a heroine and a unique model of the Proverbs 31 woman! As with each of the other stories in the series, each one ended too quickly! And each one ends at a particularly frightening point where it is almost painful to read the last page. It was definitely interesting to read about the woman on whom this story was based. The questions for discussion, definitions, and plane and car descriptions were also enlightening that helped understand the stories more. This would be a great series for teens to read who have few, if any, true role models today. I highly recommend it to women of all ages, and teens, who are interested in Christian WWII fiction that is well-researched. Halle Bridgeman captures the mind and heart in a way that encourages women in their faith and lives. With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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Grace's Ground War - Part 5 of the Virtues and Valor Series
on April 25, 2015
Grace’s Ground War is the fifth story in the ‘Virtues and Valor’ series by Hallee Bridgeman and by far the most intense. This series is set in WWII Europe, and the heroines are based on real women who served in unique and specially-trained teams in the war. Grace’s family was Jewish by birth, and had converted to Christianity. Her mother had died protecting her and her brothers when Germans invaded where they lived when Grace was only a year old, and her father raised her and her brothers to know how to survive on the run, how to fight, and ultimately to preserve their faith in Jesus. Her father, a decorated member of the British military, had prophesied that one day Jews would need to know how to fight to protect their heritage and save their own lives, and that day had arrived when the Nazis came into power. When their father died, Grace and her brothers went to see his old friend, Major Charlene Radden in London. She was in charge of the ‘Virtues’ and several other spy teams throughout Europe. Ruth Aubertin, code named Grace, learned unusual skills, at least for a woman of that day. Among the skills that she and her brother used were the planning, placement, and setting of various kinds of bombs, and the gift of being able to think on her feet to carry out or change plans as needed to accomplish their goal. She was a valuable member of the ‘Virtues’ with a vital role to play. She worked also with her brothers, as they had their own internal code since childhood that no code-breaker could understand. She was probably the ‘Virtue’ that was most difficult for me to imagine working next to, because of her background of in-depth training as a soldier and her skill with bombs. It was also hard for me to step into her shoes when knowing that the placement and setting of bombs would cause the death of those for whom the bombs were meant, even though it was to prevent enemy from gaining ground. Grace was an integral hands-on person when it came to the prison escape, liberating the allied prisoners-of-war and making sure that those needing urgent medical care would be taken to and loaded onto the plane that would return them to safety. Grace, of all the characters, seemed like a young woman who could do whatever was necessary to save the lives of her team at any cost. She was very matter-of-fact, quick-thinking, and skilled at being able to take on the more grueling physical rigors. She was likable, even though not used to spending time around other women, and definitely someone I would want on my side in battle. Grace became one of my heroines in spite of our differences, possibly because of these differences and her faith and courage. One of the beauties of this series that I have seen more in this story than those previous is how heroic the women were in their given tasks. Grace, and especially the real woman on who this story was based, is a heroine that teen girls could look up to. Even though this story showed a different side to the women who helped during WWII, this is a woman who commanded respect because of those differences. I highly recommend Grace’s Ground War as well as the other stories in the ‘Virtues and Valors’ series. This young woman definitely showed me that these women are Christian women, heroines that our young people could look up to moreso than the glamour and glitzy women that girls want to emulate today – and the ‘Virtues’ have much to teach about faith in their Lord and serving their country – that the two ideals are not mutually exclusive. With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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Until Then
on Aug. 06, 2019
Until Then, #5 in the Women of the Heartland series, is a very well-written novel about the fabulously talented nursing team serving our military in WWII and local law enforcement and their families in war-torn London. It is Christian historical fiction at its best and based on real events and people, including the Bethnal Green tragedy in London, and Dorothy Woebbeking, an army nurse who served in North Africa and Europe with the 11th Evacuation Hospital. Bethnal Green was the scene of the greatest war-related loss of life tragedy in London during World War II. To keep the enemy from knowing how frightened the citizens were and avoid any similar actions, the cause of the deaths of 173 people, mostly women and children, was suppressed. One of the fictional characters in the novel is Rupert Laudner, a police officer who responded to the crisis. Through the eyes of Rupert, his family, and his close friend Vicar Towsley, we see how the German attacks on London effected the citizens as a whole and as individuals. Army nurses handled a phenomenal number of patients in terrible varieties of warfront injuries. Dorothy and her friends exemplify the best of the best medics and nurses, the men they loved, the families they were a world far away from. Waiting for medical supplies and sitting with soldiers who are near death are among the challenges faced. Knitting socks and other items for soldiers seems like a drop in the bucket of needs, but every pair of socks is a pair of feet at the front rather than the hospital or hospital tent. Their selfless service while hoping for word about brothers, fiancés or boyfriends, or other family members could have added to their feelings of isolation were it not for the close friendships between the women. The characters are defined with care and necessary depth. It is easy at times to read about wars and the various levels of those involved and being able to close the novel and walk away. The author invites us into the lives of her characters, bringing them to life in such a way as to keep them in the reader’s heart long after the final page is read. One thing I appreciated was seeing how Dorothy, raised in the same faith as I was, used the prayers, scriptures, and important things memorized over the years when sitting with her patients. It was a beautiful way to demonstrate how we can live our faith in even the worst of circumstances. Along with Dorothy and Rupert, I like Hank (Henrietta) and their mascot, Eric. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate Christian novels about WWII, the nurses who served the military, or Christian women’s fiction. It is realistic in the aspect that the characters face not only the losses of those about them, but their own personal losses. For those who believe in God, they grieve yet go forward, making plans for their futures. I highly recommend Until Then, and plan to read the earlier novels in the series. From a thankful heart: I won a copy of this ebook from the author; a review was not required.