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Sunday 1 February 2015

BOOK REVIEW: HOPE AT DAWN by Stacy Henrie

HOPE AT DAWN
[OF LOVE AND WAR #1]
by Stacy Henrie

IN A TIME OF WAR,
LOVE IS THE INSPIRATION


With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home-and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . .

More than anything, Friedrick Wagner wants to be part of his adopted country's struggle for peace. But when the bitter animosity between Germans and Americans soon turns citizens against newcomers, friend against friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect Livy from the hysteria that grips their town. As tragedy-and dark secrets from the past-threaten their future,
Friedrick and Livy have one chance to stand up for what's right . . .
and one chance to fight for their love.
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Pages: pb/kindle 384 pgs
Published: June 24.2014
Publisher:  Forever [Grand Central Publishing]
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My Thoughts?
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Captured by the evocative cover, 
I was pleased to discover content offered as captivating a story.
March 1918, we meet Livy waiting to celebrate her 20th birthday at the town dance.
The promised date with her boyfriend, Robert, never materializes.  And Livy has good reason to know why.  A soldier, returned wounded from the Great War, chooses the company of alcohol
over her and their anticipated future. 
So when a handsome young man notices her tears and takes the opportunity to invite Livy to the dancefloor, she decides against her original regrets and allows him to escort her to the floor.
Thus begins the enchanting story of Hope at Dawn
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Through this meeting with Friedrick, Livy has a teaching job connection and independence in a new community.  When government laws are introduced that jeopardize the German American inhabitants of that community, the fragility of life and relationships come to the fore.  A horrifying and unknown component of the cost of war as Ms Henrie so aptly describes this aspect of the American homefront.
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The entire story is gripping with romantic tension, wartime realities, and social injustices.
First in the series Of Love and War, readers are introduced to the Campbell family members via Livy's story.  We are made aware of  two brothers away on the warfront, one of whom features in book 2, Hope Rising based in WWI France, and due to release December 2014.
Book 3, A Hope Remembered, to release March 2015.
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I am anticipating more exquisite reading, having completed this beautifully written first entry
Of Love and War.  Hope at Dawn has certainly lived up to its theme.
I full heartedly recommend Stacy Henrie's series to wartime romance fans everywhere.
A story and characters you'll remember long after you've reached 'The End' ...
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Author Bio:

Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. While she had a goal to write and publish a book one day, she turned her attentions first to graduating with a bachelor's degree in public relations. Not long after, she switched from writing press releases and newsletters to writing inspirational historical romances as a stay-at-home mom. 
Stacy loves reading, romantic movies, and most of all, laughing with her husband and three kids. She appreciates the chance to live out history through her characters, while enjoying all the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century.  Stacy  is a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator besides writing fantastic novels.


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Find Stacy online :
StacyHenrie.com on twitter @StacyHenrie 

Click to Order HOPE AT DAWN  and HOPE RISING
pre-order A HOPE REMEMBERED
[no delivery charges at Book Depository]
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*Appreciation to Forever [Grand Central] for providing an ecopy to read and review without cost or compensation.
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Shared With ~
* Lavender Cottage Mosaic Monday *
* Book Nook *
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8 comments:

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

That cover is GORGEOUS! I've just added 3 more books to my TBR list! :O)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I would be drawn to the book by the cover alone. Your review makes this an appealing book, one I'll add to my list.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Stacy Henrie said...

Thanks for reading it and for the lovely review!

eileeninmd said...

I will add it to my list. Great review, thanks.. Have a happy day!

Ingmarie We said...

Love to read too. Lovely mosaic of the books covers.

Charlene N. K. said...

Sounds interesting. And I'm also attracted by the covers. I hope to read the series someday.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a beautiful comment. Have a great weekend!

Michelle said...

Thank you for the wonderful review.
The more books I read the more I am drawn to Historical Fiction.
There is so much we can learn about the past by reading these novels.

Katherine Thayer said...

Hope At Dawn was a great read. I really liked the history and that this book was set during WWI.

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