“‘You’ll either be a hero or a villain, Phil.
Try to pick the right one, will you?'”
Series: The Codebreakers (Book 2)
Paperback: 390 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)
Against Every Warning, She’s Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as “Black Heart.”
All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.
As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed “Black Heart,” she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing–and some of her own to do as well.
With Camden’s court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope–and to each other–if they want to survive.
My Thoughts
Roseanna hits another story out of the park with this tale of forgiveness, mercy, and joy during the darkest of days.
“Angry was angry. There was comfort in it. In clinging to the only thing one could trust-one’s own raging bitterness. The one thing in the world guaranteed not to leave without warning, whose promises to hold one close could be counted on.”
“Oh, Phillip. You have the weight of the world on your shoulders and I just want to wrap you in a hug.” This is what I thought when I first met Phillip Camden in The Number of Love. I haven’t stopped loving him since. On the surface, Phillip appears to be your typical cocky broody pretty boy, but it hides a heart that feels deeply. Through the course of the story Roseanna takes him on a journey of learning the importance of not only asking for God’s forgiveness but forgiving himself.
“‘My sparkling personality has convinced you that I’m just the sort of person you need for a friend.'”
Then Phillip meets Arabelle Denler. Arabelle is sunshine itself. I admire the way she is practical and realistic but also is so full of grace and joy. And I mean JOY; the kind that only comes from resting in the confidence of your Heavenly Father. I was humbled by her reactions to situations again and again; they challenged me to ask “would I react so compassionately in that situation?”
I was on pins and needles until the very end wondering if the story would turn out with the happy ending my heart craved. Until the last second I was wondering how it was going to work out. But, Roseanna wrote a beautiful ending at just the right speed to satisfy your “awww” factor while bringing true healing to her characters, even if not in the way you expect.
I encourage you to pick up a copy now! While you can read this story as a stand alone, I’d encourage you to read The Number of Love first as it’ll give you a deeper connection to some of the characters. We also get to revisit character from her last two series: Shadows Over England and Ladies of the Manor.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are honestly my own.
About the Author
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
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