This is a beautifully layered, dual timeline story.
Present day, we have Addie trying to find Charlie's relatives in a desperate attempt to save the one man who was a father figure to her, and had saved her from herself.

In WW2 days, we have the story of Grace and Roland, and how they rescued Jewish children from the Nazis, escaping over the Pyrenees mountains to France.

Both of these timelines are fascinating and full of many and rich details.
I loved the characters and seeing their development.

This is truly an intriguing story, and one that will stay with me for a long time.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Melanie Dobson is a masterful storyteller. Her latest book, The Winter Rose, is an artfully crafted, beautiful written dual time-slip story inspired by the role the Quaker’s played during WWII, rescuing and hiding Jewish children and helping them escape the clutches of the Nazis.

The historical thread tells the story of Grace Tonquin, an American Quaker working in France as part of a network helping to rescue Jewish children from clutches of the Nazis. As war progresses and it becomes too dangerous for her to stay, her escape route is mapped, but she is asked to assist with one more mission, leading eleven children to safety over the Pyrenees Mountains with her. While not all make it, faith and luck work together, helping her save an orphaned brother and sister, whom travel with her to America and become her family. While they may have escaped the danger and destruction of a war torn country, the emotional trauma of war refuses to release its clutch on them, having long lasting repercussions that affect the rest of their lives.

The present timeline follows Addie Hoult, a young woman who suffers from the repercussions of her traumatic childhood, but through love and guidance from foster parents, begins to heal and flourish as a young adult.

Dobson successful stitches together the threads from two equally compelling plot lines. I was drawn to both stories and the heroines who both struggled with impossible odds but manage to hold on to their faith.

Beautiful written with a deep faith thread, themes of sacrifice, redemption, reconciliation, and forgiveness, play out in this slow unraveling story that touched on all my emotions. Raw and honest, this was this a beautiful journey of faith and healing. I simply couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of The Winter Rose. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and this is my honest review.

Follow young siblings through WWII and their rescue from France via Spain. Their rescuers put it all on the line to save as many children as possible. Such hardship and loss for everyone. Grace Tonquin, daughter of a Hollywood star, is one of the American support team adults. She longs to escape her mother’s world of self absorbtion. She volunteers before the war to help with misplaced children. During the war, her new assignment is to help children escape the war zones. After the war, Grace brings two children to her home on the West Coast and tries to give them a new life. A lot of damage was done during the war, including acts of desperation to protect one another. These deep-seated events play into the lives of all.
Our modern day seeker of that family history is Addie Hoult. She goes to the Tonquin estate in hopes of finding relatives of her ill friend, Charlie. She digs into the backstory of the Tonquin family and hopes to find healing for them.

The first half of this book was really heartbreaking. It was an interesting historical read about WWII and life in France during that time. It definitely tugs at the emotions . The rest of the book was a little more confusing and difficult to follow. Both timelines were interesting though and the end not predictable. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley with no obligation.

Melanie Dobson has penned yet another poignant and touching story based on historical happenings during WWII. As an American Quaker, Grace Tonquin is in France helping to rescue Jewish children and taking them to safety in Spain. When she returns to Oregon with two of the rescued children, she and her husband take in the children as their own. The trauma of the war, along with the actions of Grace’s mother, Ruby, cause a rift in the family.

In a parallel timeline more than 50 years later, Addie Hoult travels to Oregon hoping to find a bone marrow donor for her friend and mentor, Charlie Tonquin. As the search for Charlie’s sister proceeds, secrets and memories are revealed. Dobson masterfully melds the two stories together with many twists and turns that kept me engaged in the tale. Filled with redemption, hope, forgiveness, and the power of love, this story is a beautiful example of why I love this author’s writing. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publishers through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a heartbreaker! This story was complex and dug deep. The mysteries and characters and journey across the Pyrénées… My heart shattered and healed and broke again…

My favorite aspect of this book was how deep the faith thread went. It was embedded into the storyline until it was impossible to extract it. Truly, it was the key to the entire plot. I loved this so much and wish there were more books that had such well-written faith threads.

The found-family angle was right up my alley. I wept through certain parts, and most of that was either heartbreak or incandescent joy.

Content: replacement expletive, teen smoking, drugs, mind readers mentioned, an expletive or two, marital affairs mentioned, mythology, alcohol, tobacco, suicide mentioned or inferred a few times, teen drug use, teen drinking

We all make choices that damage our life and those around us, but God has given us the greatest gift in His son to start again.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart.

Where history is redeemed by the present and with a long suffering love. Addie is at a turning point in her life. She is now a widow who survived a sham of a marriage and is on a journey to save the life the of the one man who never gave up on her. Charlie and his wife took her in when she was young and set her life to a life of faith. Charlie had survived World War 2 as a young boy and was saved by his rescuer Grace. His story and Addie search for his family is narrated as Addie search deepens. There are many questions to Charlie past. A past he seems to want to forget. Addie is determined to find a living relative in Washington State. What she finds is redemption for herself and for Charlie.

There is many underlying characters to this historical fiction. It was gripping and heart wrenching. The pain that Charlie brought on to himself as a young man because of shame, guilt, can resonate with any reader that struggles with faith. How we look to ourselves instead of the good work of Christ. How we need others and how God places those people in our life for a reason. Being aware of the work of God strengthens our faith in many ways. I loved the natural way that this book revealed that.

A special thank you to Tyndale Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

My thanks to Melanie Dobson, Tyndale House Publishers, and Net Galley for the ARC of THE WINTER ROSE.
An astonishing and beautiful story set in WWII, set in Vichy, France. Grace Tonquin rescues Jewish children from the Nazis and takes them across the treacherous Pyrenees to find a safe haven in Spain away from their devastating persecution.
A time-slip novel, the story moves forward fifty years when Addie Hoult travels to find Tonquin Lake, and the family she so desperately seeks for her saviour and mentor, Charlie, to provide a bone marrow donor. The connection is a revelation and beautifully written.
This is a must-read, A rewarding story about unflinching bravery, the strong connections from one person to another, and the tenderness that comes from real love.

I love anything this author writes and this book was no exception.
I enjoyed some of the scenes that Dobson wrote and even the not so good ones.
The way this author writes really draws you into the story without you even realizing it. I love that! I didn't want to come back to the present.
This is a book that has all kinds emotions and I felt that in all of the characters that I met. I'm like wow!
Especially the children. I feel in a way they got the rotten end of the deal.
This was a beautiful story about love, sacrifices and second chances. I love stories like this.
The nuns were a wonderful edition and very supportive of the children for as long as they could. I found myself holding my breath to see what would happen to them.
Actually I held my breath in several scenes and I loved the ending.
This story will melt your heart in more ways than one. You'll not want to put this beautiful story behind and it will stay with you for a very long time.
5 stars for the excellent writing and research.
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first read by Melanie Dobson. This book is a mystery (Not a mystery in the sense of who done it, but finding out what happens as Melanie unfolds the story. I didn't realize that the Quakers were very instrumental in helping children escape the Nazis. Also I can't believe that the Nazis would want to put the children into the prison camps and not want them to escape, or just leave them alone. This story is slow at times, but as it comes to its conclusion it is beautiful the way it is all weaved together.
I enjoyed the history and the research that Melanie went through to weave this story together. This is my honest review for this story that I received for my honest review.

Have you ever read a book that kept you reading even when you had so much else to do? When you should be in bed but you can’t put the book down? Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson did just that for me. The story of Grace, Roland, Abbie, Elias, and Marguerite will stay with you after your done. During world war 2, Grace and Roland helped transport children across the mountains and into safety. They risked all they knew for the sake of these children. Two of these children were Elias and Marguerite. When the war ended, the two come to Oregon to live because they have no other family. Grace and Roland love them as their own. But heartbreak comes. And when it does, only God can bring the healing they need. Abbie, another heartbroken young girl, will find the healing she needs in learning their story. And God, the bringer of all hope, will redeem them! Adored this book! One of my favorites so far this year! So grateful to read it. Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley.
#winterrose

Another excellent book by Melanie Dobson. I will read anything she writes.

With a split timeline between the 1940's mostly and present day, the story of Elias is told. It fluctuates between Addie Hoult and her search for a relative for Charlie who is dying of MDS and Grace, who rescued Jewish children during World War II.

The story pulsates with life and fear as you try to figure out what will happen. You know that, since it is fiction, life will turn out okay in the end, and yet you aren't really sure. This was World War II after all.

"None of us deserve the good that comes to us,...But this life is a gift."

Weeping willow trees are of significance in the book and I really like this quote: "Strength in the midst of sorrow. Bending without breaking."

"Potential in the plainness" was another turn of phrase that I really liked. There is joy in the mundane, there is potential in the normalcy of life.

Some of the dates and ages felt a little hard to keep trac of, especially the one character. He was presented as a middle-aged to younger man, but should have been in his 60s. But there wasn't a lot of reference to that and really didn't detract from the story.

This is not necessarily an easy read. There is trauma and its effects. There is a bit of violence as well, but overall, I would highly recommend it as long as those things are not triggering for you.

I received this book from Tyndale via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed reading it so much. I couldn't put it down it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time so I just sat and read and read. I felt like I became friends with the characters and I was so sad to have it end and have to say goodbye.

I've ready many books by Melanie Dobson and always love them. This one was just the same. I loved the time lapse of past and present and how she slowly weaved them together. The story as a whole was very intriguing and I kept trying to think who the person in the past could be in the present. The author did very well at giving us easy clues to figure out but then twists that kept us guessing. I thought the beginning, middle, and end were all equally good. I definitely kept wanting to read to figure out how everything would come together. I love this book and want to thank netgalley for allowing me to read it and give my honest opinion.

The Winter Rose is an extremely well written book. It has a dual timeline in it and Melanie Dobson did an amazing job at writing both timelines as equally appealing and intriguing. The story takes place during World War 2, Grace Tonquin, is trying to lead a group of Jewish Children out of France to Spain where they will be safe from Nazi persecution. Once the children reach Spain Grace will then transfer the care of each child to a designated family member. Flash forward to September 2003, where Addie Hoult is on a desperate mission to find a blood relative of her beloved mentor, Charlie, so he could receive healthy bone marrow and save his life. The clock is against both women as they attempt to accomplish their missions.

The Winter Rose is a dual time slip story primarily set in the 1940s and also 2003. During WW2, Grace Tonquin, an American Quaker, helps to rescue Jewish children. The main plot for her story is leading a group of children to safety but later focuses on her relationship as guardian to two of those children. In 2003 we meet Addie, a woman determined to find a member of the Tonquin family who have seemingly disappeared without a trace. Her search is fueled by a desperate attempt to find a potential bone marrow donor for Charlie, a loving father figure in her life.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. Grace seemed to struggle with fear and worry at times but was able to move past those feelings with the strength of her faith and the deep desire to protect those she loves. I admired Addie not only for her resolve but also her vulnerability despite her turbulent and broken past. Just like her previous books, Melanie Dobson is able to create characters you can easily relate to regardless of different eras and experiences.

The beautiful imagery, both physical and figurative, really captivated me. The strength and beauty of the winter rose and the resilience of the willow are encouraging and inspiring. They serve as a reminder that despite the pain and sorrow in our lives, we can thrive because of the redemptive work of Jesus.

I’d like to thank Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers for an advance reader copy of the book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This WWIII time slip novel featuring Grace Tonquin during the war, she is passionate about her mission and of the children in her care. She is trying to rescue these Jewish children from the Nazis in occupied France. Not an easy task, she was discovering just how overwhelming it can be.

In current time, Addie is a young widow working hard to save the life of a man who saved her years ago. Charlie has MDS and needs a bone marrow transplant. Addie searches for any long-lost relative who might be a match for her dear friend. Charlie doesn’t want to talk about his family and/or his past. Which makes Addie’s mission much more difficult.

Both Grace and Addie’s stories are compelling as each race to meet their deadline. I enjoyed learning about Marguerite and her special gift. She can see an aura of color around people showing her inside their soul, and literally “seeing someone’s emotions in color.”

This is an engaging story with a natural spiritual thread that deals with family, faith, forgiveness and second chances. It’s a story that will touch your heart and be with you long after you close the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Oh my! What a beautiful story! This is a magnificent story of God's grace, redemption, and restoration. I was mesmerized by this story and had a hard time putting it down. I never knew about the work of the Quakers during World War II. I highly recommend this book to those who love historical fiction. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing this ARC. The opinions are my own.

What an interesting book – not only a historical time-slip novel covering the trials of moving children from Nazi infiltrated areas in France, but an interesting mix of characters. Well-researched and heart-rending at times, I’m hard-pressed to say which era I found the most fascinating. The courage of the Quaker group, led by brave Roland and Grace, strived to move children out of France and over the Pyrenees into safety in Spain. Their journeys and the battles they endured both during and after the war made an amazing read. However, Addie’s search for the heirs of one of the rescued children, Charlie, now an older man desperately needing a bone marrow transplant, kept me on the edge of my seat. Every character in this book is fighting battles, from PTSD, alcohol abuse, abandonment issues, and others, yet the author has cleverly created interaction to promote healing. My favorite phase in this book is “bowing and bending in strength as it grew. Bent but not broken”.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.