Roseanna White

A Portrait of Loyalty

“The world may still look dark, but if photography had taught her anything, it was that there was always more light to be found.”

Series: The Codebreakers (Book 3)
Paperback: 377 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 8, 2020)


He sees patterns in what she deems chaos.
She sees beauty in a world he thought destroyed.

Zivon Marin was one of Russia’s top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father’s connections in propaganda, she’s recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they’re unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon’s loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple’s future dreams–it becomes a matter of ending the war.

My Thoughts

Roseanna hits another story out of the park with this tale of forgiveness, mercy, and joy during the darkest of days. She also does an excellent job of showing how in war, there are often mixed motivations and that people on each side are doing the best they can with what the have/know. There are no real winners in war.

“Look for the beauty in a thousand silent moments.”

I enjoyed getting to know Zivon. Roseanna introduced his exacting ways in On Wings of Devotion and I wasn’t sure what to think of him. We learn why he’s so neat, some of his cultural oddities, and the pain of his past. He is a different kind of hero, but honorable to the core.

Lily has been a fun character since the beginning of the series. I have been wondering how she goes about “Photoshopping” her photos, and I finally learned how! Seeing a glimpse into her world of struggles and skills was fascinating; photographers see the world differently and that comes across well on the page.

“A reminder that He had been Lord long before she entered the world, and He would be Lord long after. That history would always march on, humanity living and dying, loving and losing, praising and cursing, but that He was unchanging.”

This quote! I love it. It’s a timely reminder in the midst 2020. Never did I think I’d still be working from home when the leaves are starting to change, but here I am. And God is still the same.

I encourage you to pick up a copy now; escape from laundry woes for a while. While you can read this story as a stand alone, I’d encourage you to read The Number of Love and On Wings of Devotion first as it’ll give you a deeper connection to some of the characters. We also get to revisit characters 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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On Wings of Devotion

“‘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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The Number of Love – Roseanna M. White

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network–field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

My Thoughts

“‘God understands how you’re feeling – that you’re mourning, that you’re angry, that you can’t accept the way this has happened. But He’s still there. His hand is still sheltering you. He’ll wait for you.'”

I was intrigued by Margot when I first met her on the pages of A Song Unheard as a strong young lady figuring out life amidst the Great War; her intelligence and love for her family shown through. Now that she has grown into a young woman of 18 with an old soul and started spreading her wings, it was enjoyable as a reader to watch her her own golden ratio, even as more heartache comes her way.

Drake. Sigh. I love a hero that falls fast and hard determined to hold on and wait for the woman he loves. His patience and steadfastness waiting for Morgot to be ready was swoon worthy.

I enjoyed the excellent research I can always count on from Roseanna as well as the way she weaves history through a fictional story in a way that makes it come alive. Between peaks into the villain’s perspective and check-ins with my favorite motley band of siblings, I was drawn into a story of blooming where God has planted and learning to rely on His strength.

I received a complementary copy of this story from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own!

About The Author

Roseanna M. White 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. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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Can you relate to Margot’s feelings of grief and wondering if God will wait for you?
I know I have.

Anticipated 2019 Reads

I want to know – who has ever cleaned out their TBR pile all the way to the bottom? Not me! And, it’s steadily growing larger as we kick off 2019. Goodreads has a running list of “Most Anticipated Inspirational Novels of 2019,” which currently has 82 entries. I encourage you to browse through the list and add some new titles to your pile.

Here are my most anticipated inspirational reads. I know that more will be added as some authors haven’t listed their to be published for this year. What are your most anticipated reads?

P.S. Reviewing my post it occurred to me that all but two of these (Ever After and Wooing Cadie) are by Bethany House. I’ve come to expect great stories from them, but there are other great publishing houses and indie authors too. I’d like to know what others you love.

Book Boyfriends 2018

Here’s a roundup of swoony heroes from my 2018 reads! In no particular order:

The Sheehan Brothers – Stephanie Dees

The Sheehan brothers slid in in the last week 2018 and right into my heart. There is something about a man and his interactions with kids that make me swoon every time and Joe and Ash are great dads – even before they’re dads.

Jonathon Beckett – A Peculiar Courtship – Laura Beers

I love Jonathon while also wanting to inform him about women’s independence, but his boyish ways contrasting with his protectiveness win me over.

Barclay Pearce – An Hour Unspent – Roseanna White

Barclay. Swoon. I love him.


Noble Rynallt – The Lacemaker – Laura Frantz


Noble lives up to his namesake in this revolutionary tale.


Trace Riley – The Accidental Guardian – Mary Connealy

I relate to Trace’s desire to want to be alone, but I help but love him for the way he took on his three girls.

Graham, Lord Wharton – A Defense of Honor – Kristi Ann Hunter

I have to respect, admire, and swoon over Graham’s steadfastness. No floor is too hard, no sticky fingers too daunting. He pushes Kit to be a better version of herself while also giving her room to grow.

Cole “Tox” Russell – Warrior’s Seal – Ronie Kendig

Tox is your classic wounded hero. What I like about this series is that we get to see Tox develop beyond the initial romantic relationship onto a husband and father.

Adam Carrington – Freedom’s Kiss – Sarah Monzon

You can’t help but love a Carrington man. Plus, they’re hot.

Rudy Moser – Love in Three Quarter Time – Rachel McMillan

I love Rudy because he is such a different hero for a romance. This story is told from Evelyn’s perspective, but I would really love to hear it from Rudy’s!


Henry Wright – When You Look at Me – Pepper Basham

Because Henry is Mr. Wright after all (hardy, har, har). I also love Henry because he’s different than your typical hero. And his patience, oh my goodness, he’s so patient and gentle. Swoon.

I hope you found a few to add to your TBR pile for 2019! Who are your book boyfriends for 2018?