It’s hard to describe this story, it’s not an exciting adventure or a thrilling mystery or a passionate romance. It’s so gentle. Sad. Beautiful. An engrossing family drama. It felt quite different from Melanie Dobson’s other books, I think because her books usually centre are WWII but it was only a small part of this book, not the main focus. The story wasn’t so much about the events happening but more about each characters journey of faith and healing. It’s a story that lingers with you afterwards. The characters were beautifully flawed! They were full of doubt, anger, fear or hurt but through it all they still held onto their faith. Romance isn’t the main theme of this book but Melanie Dobson still wove some lovely romances through it.

A story of redemption on many levels. As usual, I love it when I learn something new from history!! There's a lot of sadness in the story, but redemption in the end, for most of the characters. Well written.
Thank you to Tyndale House and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I adore unique fiction, and this is such an interesting premise. I recommend because of the story itself, writing style, and its ability to transport you into a different world.

This dual timeline novel was powerful! Dobson crafted flawed, hurting characters that readers could cheer for as they journeyed through unthinkable loss. It was beautifully written and infused with the reality of how God's grace pursues and transforms us. Highly recommend this to readers of WWII and contemporary fiction alike.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the chance to review this kindle edition arc.

I am a historical fiction fanatic, and this one rang true in every sense. I loved the way that Melanie Dobson allowed me to feel apart of every single scene in the book. This book is a dual timeline, set in World War II as well as in 2003 Oregon. Both timelines seemed to be very well researched and were easy to follow. I thoroughly fell in love with the writings in this book as well as the characters. Thank you Melanie for a great historical novel!

American Grace Tonquin helped French Jewish children escape into Spain during World War II. Two of them, siblings Elias and Marguerite Dupont, came home to Oregon with her. Elias changed his name to Charlie to fit in better, but the war left him scarred. A lot of bad choices estranged him from his family. Fifty years later, he needs a sibling bone marrow transplant, but the family proves hard to find.
Best takeaway: Charlie gives his young friend Addie, who travels to Oregon to search for his family, a bunch of rocks. Each is a wrong done to her. He tells her to throw them into the river. Throw away the wrongs done to us or carry them around for the rest of our lives.
Time slip novels are all the rage. I found the jumping back and forth is bit confusing. I did sneak a peak at the ending before going back to read through the middle.

A sweet and tender story about hope, healing, and restoration… The Winter Rose is truly a beautiful novel. I’d expect no less from author Melanie Dobson, who’s time slip novels have won over my heart time and again.

The Winter Rose follows the emotional journey of multiple characters who are deeply relatable and absolutely precious. As their lives shift and change over the years, Dobson offers glimpses into the perils of WWII, a coming of age, a tender romance, hurt, separation, healing and eventually, incredible restoration. There are beautiful threads of finding love, acceptance and family in those who aren’t related by blood as well as rich elements of faith and perseverance that assist in bringing this story full circle.

I simply loved the historical aspect as well as the contemporary aspect of this story and how they beautifully intertwined, making this novel both heartwarming and deeply rewarding to enjoy as a reader. Dobson offers not just a story world, but also insight in finding hope, discovering joy and the beauty that is found in God-given grace. This novel will remain burrowed in my heart for a long time to come, a definite favorite for the new year!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. I also reviewed this book on Amazon and Christianbook.com

I've read a lot of books about people rescuing Jewish children in WWII but this one was different in that it focused more on life after for a few of these children and the cost to them. It was good to think through some of those issues. One of the girls was a synesthete who sees emotions in people as colors. It was fascinating.

This is a dual timeline story. I thought one part was a little more interesting than the other but really enjoyed it as the stories started to merge. It's a beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness. Charlie told a hurting Addie that we have two choices when people wrong us. We can "carry them around for the rest of our lives. With the weight of this, we wouldn't be able to go far in life, but whenever we'd like, we can take out a wrong and mull over it until we're ready for a fight" or we can throw them away like throwing a rock into the lake. The deliberate choice of releasing incredible wrongs was a poignant part of this book for me. I want to remember this.

I felt the book was a little slow at times but I enjoyed it. It was moving seeing how God could change people so drastically and bring new purpose to their lives. I'd recommend it. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

1943 France & 2003 Oregon

Engaging time slip novel focused on letting go of the past and moving forward. I particularly enjoyed the symbolism of rocks used a couple of times in the pages.

One great thing about historical fiction is learning something new. I had no idea there were Quakers that traveled from the United States to help save Jewish children. What courage and faith this required!

The Winter Rose takes readers beyond reaching freedom from Nazis and into the impact of war in the years that follow. Being a part of the journey with the cast of characters was time well spent. One of the surviving children served in Vietnam providing a nod to the devastation of that conflict as well.

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson merges two different time periods beautifully in a touching story of hope and forgiveness. This book deals with a lot of heavy things, focusing on two incredible women and their loved ones. Grace, an American Quaker woman, worked tirelessly to save children from the Nazis in France. Her courage and faith were inspiring. Watching her face impossible decisions and insurmountable odds pulled me into the story and held my interest. Decades later, Addie grapples with continuing in life after everything has fallen apart. Additionally, she's desperately trying to find a donor who can help save her mentor, Charlie. Yet, Charlie has always been secretive about his history and as Addie digs into his past she discovers an incredible story filled with mystery. This book sucked me in as Grace and Addie's stories intertwined in unexpected and impactful ways. I thoroughly enjoyed this faith-filled story that didn't shy away from the ugly events of history, but instead used them to show the beauty in life.

*Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Addie Hoult is widowed, pregnant, and about to lose the only father figure she has ever known. The search for a bone marrow donor for her beloved Papa C leads her to the coast of Oregon and down a rabbit hole of dusty genealogy records and decades-old secrets. Meanwhile across the ocean and the years, Quaker Grace Tonquin feels called to save Jewish children from Nazi Germany-- no matter the personal cost. One little girl named Marguerite, who can see the colors of people's emotions, finds a special place in Grace's heart. Grace realizes that though she can carry the children over the Pyrenees Mountains to physical safety, the things they have seen and done to survive will haunt their dreams even in America.
The Winter Rose
by Melanie Dobson
Pub Date: January 11, 2022
Tyndale House
Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for the ARC. Melanie Dobson is a master of dual-timeline Christian fiction. Readers of Kristy Cambron, Rachel Hauck, and Heidi Chiavaroli will welcome this historical timeslip novel.
4 stars

This is a wonderful time split novel that I am sure will be one of my favorites of 2022. The historical time period focuses on Grace Tonquin who is part of a Quaker group escorting stranded Jewish children from Nazi occupied France into Portugal and Spain. The current thread focuses on Addie Hoult who is trying to find a bone marrow match for the man who saved her from herself and has become a father figure, Charlie. Will her search for Charlie's elusive past take her back to World War 2 France to find a connection between Charlie and Grace?

This book was filled with danger, sadness, heartache, and persistance. Brimming with wonderfully in depth characters and a plot that kept the entire story moving and the reader entranced, I was captured from start to finish.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Excellent! I was captivated from page one. Author Melanie Dobson has long been a favorite of mine. Her books are so good, and The Winter Rose was fantastic! Such a multi-layered story of great depth and meaning make a truly unforgetable story. Hope and redemption after war and other horrific experiences can be hard won. I also love dual timeline stories and watching them unfold without having any idea how it will all come together. I highly recommend The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson. Fans of historical and time-slip novels will love it!

This was my first book by this author. It has a dual timeline and I really enjoyed the timeline which features Grace and her journey to save as many children as possible and it also showed what happens after. How do you go on with your life afterwards?

I skimmed a lot of the timeline featuring Abbie. I was curious about what happened but her personal life ánd struggles didnt interest me.

There is also quite a lot of religion in this book. Since I am not religious those parts weren’t really for me.

So there were parts of the story I loved and other parts not so much.

I didn't know how to rate this one. I waffled back and forth between 3 stars and 4 and finally decided on 4. I tend to stick to light, entertaining, happily ever after books but something about this one drew me. Was it a good book? Yes. Was it a happy book? No, not really. It's a book about war, grief, guilt and ultimately forgiveness and healing. Told in a dual timeline format, I preferred the timeline that was in the past. The present timeline was slow to reveal pieces of the puzzle and that was frustrating and confusing at times.

All in all, it was a good book but on the sad side of things. I don't particularly like sad books. Some people love them and if that's you then you will like this book.

Last year I discovered Melanie Dobson who has written numerous books. Several, but not all of the books, have been World War II fiction and individuals who read my blog frequently know that I rarely pass up WW2 books. Her most recent book The Winter Rose combines the WW2 genre with timeslip into a unique and well-developed story. I so appreciated how Dobson demonstrates that the events of World War 2 and the experiences of people who were caught in this horror continue to impact people and the world today. In brief, Dobson creates a marvelous story involving Jewish refugess children who end up in America, throws in a love story, and adds in a mystery in the form of a family drama which extends to the modern day. Dobson also shows how the problems of one generation can be passed to the next generation but that those problems do not define who someone is or how they will live their lives. With all of these different strands taking place, Dobson manages to weave an immensely satisfying and enjoyable story that demonstrates the power of God's love to transcend circumstances.

I received a complemtary copy of The Winter Rose from Tyndale House via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive review.

The Winter Rose is a story of great sadness. The author writes stories that are based on actual history and brings them so alive. A deeply emotional read that will remain with the reader a very long time after the book is finished.

An engaging dual timeline tale that begins in WW2 France and pieces together a family's journey. Adventure, danger, mystery and a bit of romance were enough to keep the plot interesting. The added spiritual themes of redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, and faith were what made a lasting impression after the story ended. This wasn't an easy read, as some characters dealt with addiction, PTSD, and deep losses, but the undercurrent of hope and faith kept it going towards a satisfying conclusion. It was inspirational how the main characters were able to overcome so much. It reminded me of the verses in Phillipians 3 that urge believers to press on. A good reminder especially in these difficult times. Recommend!

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson is a story of survival and forgiveness. Grace Tonquin is an American Quaker who works tirelessly in Vichy France to rescue Jewish children from the Nazis. After crossing the treacherous Pyrenees, the children are sent to awaiting families except two. Elias and Marguerite Dupont lost their parents and no clear evidence of family waiting for them, Grace returns home to her family’s Oregon farm to care for them. Even though they are loved and cared for, the horrific experiences they had to endure would come back to haunt them, threatening to tear their family apart. Fifty years later, Addie Hoult arrives at Tonquin Lake looking for the family. It is a matter of life and death for her beloved mentor and father figure, Charlie, who is battling a genetic disease. Though Charlies refuses to discuss his relationship or ties to the Tonquin family, Addie knows that finding them is the only way to save his life. Could it also heal the wounds of the past?
The Winter Rose is a beautiful story about a piece of history I didn’t know about and I’m sure many have not heard. It is a story to honor the effects of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker organization which in part of their wartime efforts, helped rescue thousands of Jewish children during World War II. Grace, as a member of this organization, risks life and limb for the chance that these children can have a chance at life. Ms. Dobson writes a detailed story with many mysteries, twists and turns.. It is a story about the bonds of family with faith and forgiveness. As more and more authors are bringing to light stories like the AFSC, we learn that many organizations, groups and people worked tirelessly and with no qualms about their own safety to help those who were under attack. I enjoyed Grace’s faith and even in her moments of fear, doubts and trouble, she turned to God for guidance and strength. I recommend The Winter Rose.

The Winter Rose will be available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook on January 11th.

“Bent but not broken.” The Winter Rose is a story of love, loss, redemption, and the inescapable injuries of war. Set during both WWII and the present, this dual time period novel follows Grace and her daring attempt to rescue Jewish children from Nazi occupied France and the aftermath that follows. In the present day, Addie is a young widow working hard to save the life of the man who saved her in her youth. Charlie is suffering from MDS and needs a bone marrow transplant. Addie is desperately searching for any long lost relative who might be a match, but Charlie is reluctant to talk about his family or his past. Both stories lead to Oregon and the tragedy that occurred there.

Told with beautiful prose and and an inspirational message, this book really drew me in. I loved the metaphor of the winter rose and the willow tree which allude to surviving despite circumstances that normally would break someone. Both Grace and Addie’s stories were compelling and I enjoyed figuring out the mystery involving these two. The historical aspects of the novel were interesting and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough especially as Grace is trying to lead the children over the mountains into Spain. I loved references to the old comic TinTin and the concept of synesthesia and Marguerite’s ability to detect people’s emotions through color.

With romance, drama, suspense, and mystery, this story is one that will keep you turning the pages as each chapter reveals more and more of the mystery. The inspirational messages were enjoyable and deftly woven into the story. The characters were interesting and relatable, and I especially loved the romance between Grace and Roland and Addie and Caleb. Definitely recommend this to those who enjoy historical Christian fiction. I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.