Dual-Timeline Book Review: A Token of Love

-

About the Book

Title: A Token of Love 

Author: Carrie Turansky 

Genre: Split-Time Contemporary/Historical Romance 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: September 3, 2024 

Click here to purchase a copy of this novel. 

Publisher's Book Description

“Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice. 
 
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction. 
 
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.”

 

My Review

A Token of Love, by Carrie Turansky, is a thoughtfully written dual-timeline story set in London, England during both the Victorian Era and the present day. This moving novel weaves together the stories of two women separated by more than a century, nevertheless linked by familiar burdens, losses, and uncertainties. The carefully constructed plot shifts effortlessly between the two points in time, connecting them with scenes of family, friendship, adversity, justice, and redemption.  

 

This novel is made exceedingly special through dynamic characters who are consistently believable, authentic, vulnerable, and relatable. Even when confronting surprising events, real dangers and unexpected revelations, they exhibit a willingness and a fortitude to support those in need, while also pursuing healing and wholeness for their own hearts. Through their choices and actions, they frequently reveal themselves to be compassionate, thoughtful, resilient, and determined. Their struggles are genuine, challenging their beliefs and threatening their goals, yet their faith and resolve is inspiring. 

 

More than once, this novel broke my heart as I grieved for the characters, and for those who may have actually lived a similar story beyond the world of these printed pages. As shown throughout history, and as illuminated in this book, the human capacity for survival and perseverance against great odds is nearly immeasurable. This book also reflects upon the truth that where there is great loss, cruelty, and injustice, there will also be the possibility for significant renewal, restoration, and redemption. Though this book is heartrending at times, it also proclaims the unflagging reality that where there is unwarranted hatred and oppression, there will always be those who purposefully risk much to oppose such evil. 

 

From the first page to the last, A Token of Love is a tender and heartfelt story of loss, love, faith, and family. This book grows quite meaningful as it explores sensitive, difficult, and relevant themes like justice, protection of the innocent, truth, grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Ms. Turansky is a talented writer, and she has once again created a story that is memorable, important, and enriching. This novel offers an immersive, thought-provoking, and touching reading experience, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.   

 

*I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher and through NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own. 

 

About the Author: Carrie Turansky

“Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loved traveling to England to research her latest Edwardian novels including A Token of Love, The Legacy of Longdale Manor, No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, and The Edwardian Brides Series. Her novels have received stared reviews from Christianbooks.com and Library Journal. They have been translated into several languages and enjoyed by readers around the world. Carrie loves to connect with reading friends on Facebook, Instagram, and via her website and blog.” --Biography from Carrie Turansky’s website.

Click here to visit Carrie Turansky's website.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Historical Fiction/Time-Slip Book Review: Hidden Among the Stars

-
Image
Publisher's Description "From the award-winning author of Catching the Wind , which Publishers Weekly called “unforgettable” and a “must-read,” comes another gripping time-slip novel about hidden treasure, a castle, and ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way. The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan―even their very lives―in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone. Eighty...
Read more

Historical Fiction Review: The Seamstress

-
Image
  About the Book Title: The Seamstress Author: Allison Pittman Genre: Historical Fiction Release date: February 5, 2019 Publisher: Tyndale A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities . France, 1788   It is the best of times . . . On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins—Renée and Laurette—have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace. It is the worst of times . . . Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton...
Read more

Historical Romance Book Review: Meeting Her Match

-
Image
  About the Book Title: Meeting Her Match   Series: The Matchmakers , Book 3   Author: Jen Turano   Genre: Historical Roman ce   Publisher: Bethany House Publishers   Release Date: J uly 16 , 2 02 4   Click here to purchase a copy of this novel.   Publisher's Book Description “ Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.     After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.   ...
Read more