Tea Time with Annie Kate

Rosemary Gresham, a London street urchin grown up, supported the other orphans she called family by taking on assignments from Mr. V.  Once she ‘liberated’ an old manuscript from the British Museum.  At other times she, like Robin Hood, relieved wealthy women of their jewellery.  But on the eve of World War I she was assigned a trickier task—to determine whether a distinguished gentleman, Peter Holstein, was loyal to Britain or to Germany.

Peter Holstein, descended from a family of literary pack rats, desperately needed help organizing his library.  Not for the books themselves, really, but to find a few old journals, proof that his family’s loyalties lay with Britain rather than Germany, as people in high places were beginning to suggest.  Rosemary, disguised in spectacles and with a real knowledge of German (learned for the British Museum job), got herself hired by Mr. Holstein and set about her task.

She had a few questions, though.  Why all this this writing about God?  And what did Mr. Holstein do in his office all day, typing madly and refusing to open the door?  Why was she becoming more and more eager to defend him though her job was to destroy him?  And would she give up her family for the truth?

Fun, fast-paced (I forgot about supper and let the soup cook an hour longer than it needed to), and faith-filled, this book was a great read most of the way through.  Near the end it seemed to unravel a bit, but even so, I enjoyed it and recommend it.

A few days earlier I had watched The King’s Speech (language warning) which takes place during the same years and involves some of the same people as well as a similar stammering problem.  That added a whole extra aspect to reading A Name Unknown.

This summer I am reading a lot of Miss 14’s style of books, hoping to be able to enjoy and discuss them together.  Perhaps this will even be an opportunity to compare styles of writing and discuss both literary and biblical standards of excellence.

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If you enjoyed this review, you might want to follow me on Google+ where I often mention helpful or interesting ideas, or connect with me on GoodReads where I share what I read. 

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This is yet another book in the in the 2017 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and is also linked to Saturday Reviews, Booknificent Thursdays, Literacy Musings Monday, and The Book Nook. 

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and is available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Grace Mallory, telegraph operator since her father’s sudden death, has been hiding from his killer, far away in a unique town of women. (Men are rarely allowed in Harper’s Station.)  Amos Bledsoe, also a telegraph operator, is a quiet fellow who enjoys his sister’s family, bicycles, and late night telegraph chats with the unknown Miss G.  When Grace is threatened, Amos, contrary to his nature, becomes involved in intrigue and danger in order to protect her.

Whether searching through old books, rescuing an injured stranger, or outwitting a criminal, Grace, Amos, and their friends kept me enthralled past my bedtime.

As usual from Karen Witemeyer, Heart on the Line is delightfully full of humor, drama, and romance.  The characters are believable even though the situation, especially in the ladies-only town, strains credulity, and the plot is both gripping and enjoyable.  Miss 14 thought this novel would be too exciting for me but, while there are a few scenes that do not bear thinking about, the author presents them in a fairly subdued way.  This is to be expected from an author who writes ‘because the world needs more happily-ever-afters.’

Grace Mallory, like most main characters in Witemeyer’s novels, is Christian through and through.  Her choices, attitudes, and beliefs are rooted in the Bible, and she makes an inspiring companion for a relaxing few hours.  I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a sunny bit of excitement.  I will also look for the other novels in the Ladies of Harper’s Station series.

This summer I am reading a lot of Miss 14’s style of books, hoping to be able to enjoy and discuss them together.  Perhaps this will even be an opportunity to compare styles of writing and discuss both literary and biblical standards of excellence.

—

If you enjoyed this review, you might want to follow me on Google+ where I often mention helpful or interesting ideas, or connect with me on GoodReads where I share what I read. 

This is yet another book in the in the 2017 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and may also be linked to Saturday Reviews, Booknificent Thursdays, Literacy Musings Monday, and The Book Nook. 

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and is available at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.