Book Review | Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller

 

Today I am reviewing Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller 

Book Description

American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.

Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.

Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.

My Review:

Thanks to Net Galley for my review copy.

This is a debut book for Nicole M Miller and well worth the read. This book is set in Poland at the outbreak of WW2. It covers the hardships and horrors of war without being graphic or excessive. The story of the Poland Arabian horses and what happened to them was gripping. I hadn't heard of this story and actually did look it up to find more details. While some of the characters are fiction there is elements of what actually happened and how. I didn't want to put this book down as I just needed to see what would happen.

The book starts with Bret who is a British spy, catches a young orphan boy Ewan pickpocketing. Adia a horse trainer at the Arabian horse stud steps in front to protect him. They are meant to have dinner but due to unforeseen circumstances Bret doesn't show up. The next time they meet is at the Horse stud where Adia wants to protect the horses from the Nazi's. The manager of the stud asks Bret to keep her safe. There are side characters including young Ewan who does tend to do more than pickpocket he steals scenes.

This is one book that as I was reading I could see as a movie or mini series. It doesn't always happen when I read but maybe because of the subject I could picture what was happening. There were times I could feel what the characters felt. As the book is set in Poland we see how many of the civilians suffered during the war.

I wish I could share more about this book there is so much to unpack. But then you wouldn't need to read it and would miss out on one of my top reads of the year. I would love to be in a book club discussing this book. While I know the book did end well I hope there will be a follow up as I would love to read more of this author.

Book Review | Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller

 

Today’s book review is Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller

Book Description

Can love overcome all obstacles?

Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf has finally come to fruition. All is going well until she receives devastating news: the railroad wants to build a spur through the property where the Horizon School for the Deaf is located. What will become of the children who attend the school and the employees who so tirelessly commit their time and resources? Mae questions why God would allow the closing of a school that has been the lifeline for so many young pupils. And what of her dream that no child should endure being ostracized as she once was?

Landon Bennick is accustomed to obeying his father’s orders. He’s observed and even assisted with the building of many railroad spurs, and the newest in Horizon should be no exception. However, things grow complicated when he begins to fall in love with Mae, a soft-spoken teacher at the Horizon School for the Deaf—the same school blocking the railroad’s progress. Will Landon heed his father’s strict demands or is there another way to build the spur and save the school?

When a nefarious character with vengeful intent threatens Mae, will Landon intervene before it’s too late and save the woman who has claimed his heart?

My Review

This is another good book by Penny Zeller

This is book two in the series but if you haven’t read book one you will still follow it well. I haven’t read the first book but will be soon and I didn’t have any problem following the story.

We meet Mae who was an orphan who didn’t speak when adopted who is now working for a deaf school. She now speaks but has a heart for these children. She has a quiet and gentle spirit and protected by her family. Landon is the son of a railway owner and while having everything in life except the love he really craved. He wanted his parents approval. They had his life mapped out down to who he will marry.

The two meet when the railway is coming to Horizon. I loved the story and how it played out. There is more I would love to talk about but I don’t want to give anything away. One part I love is there are no easy answers. The way things played out made sense and were not rushed.

Some of the secondary characters tried to steal scenes and added to the story. The faith element is well woven into the story. Landon is a new Christian and the concept of God being a loving father rather than a demanding father is new to him. The way the author uses situations to help Landon understand is well done.

I found the book very easy to read as it flows so well and I didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait for Ruby’s story.

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