I just finished the last page of On My Honor and sat here with a smile on my face. I enjoy reading stories set in WWII, and this series of books, Heroines of WWII, is an excellent experience. I also like to find out the author’s choice in a book title and why it was chosen and this title was “right on the money”.
It was easy to immerse myself in the lives of these characters, especially Belle and her band of close friends. Everything they did centered around helping the war effort from collecting needed items to cleaning up around the shoreline. When they found a man washed up on the shore and injured after a torpedo destroyed a ship he was on, they immediately set to work to help him. This eventually turned out bigger than they could handle alone so Belle’s sister Ginny unknown to the girls, followed them and found who they were hiding. Ginny, Tim and the girls embarked on a search for a German that Tim was supposed to escort to New York. This was full of adventure, danger, but also humor and romance, things that kept me interested up to the very end.
I also learned of some actual history that I didn’t know regarding the war. The Germans continued to torpedo ships coming into Cape Hatteras and was close to bringing the war onto the American shore. Thankfully that never happened but many ships were destroyed and much more lives were lost.
If you enjoy stories during WWII, this is a do not miss!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

It is hard to imagine living in an era when opportunities for women to help during a war were extremely limited. This inspiring novel, set shortly after the attack at Pearl Harbor, was hard for me to put down! I only learned about the Battle of the Atlantic in recent months, primarily through this novel and another from this Heroines of WWII series. I really liked the well-defined characters, especially Ginny, her mother, her sister Belle, and the Girl Scout troop. The Greatest Generation demonstrates that one does not have to be an adult or serve in the military to make a difference.

Among the things I appreciate in this novel is how prayer is a way of life for both teens and adults. The girls in this troop encouraged each other through their scouting activities and faith, even as they matured through their circumstances. I like the historical accuracy, what the Girl Guides in Europe accomplished during WWI, and how compassionately the author writes about the challenges faced by Ginny’s mother.

When Ginny’s father called her home from nursing school, it felt terribly wrong. He wanted her to help her mother and 13-year-old sister, Belle, when he was called away to build ships for the military. She wanted to finish nursing school, enlist, and do her part for the war effort. Instead, she worked full time, volunteered at the infirmary, led a girl scout troop that included Belle and her friends, and was a coastal watcher for the coast guard. She watched the waters off the Outer Banks from the decommissioned Cape Hatteras lighthouse. She taught her scout troop to collect items for recycling for military use, first aid for many types of emergencies, and how to read coordinates on maritime maps.

When Ginny had returned home, she didn’t want to be there. The lack of communication between her and Belle during the years Ginny was away at college, coupled with the rising animosity between them, reached the point where more than their relationship would suffer if they didn’t change.

One night, Ginny saw an explosion off the coast. The following day, the beach was covered with oil and miscellaneous items that had washed to shore. She asked the troop to look for oil-covered birds while she went to notify the coast guard. Instead, they found, rescued, and hid Tim, a wounded British man. Belle chose to not tell Ginny. Tim had been traveling with a German military defector who claimed to have a map that, in American hands, would help prevent Germans from waging war on its Eastern Seaboard. After torpedoes slammed the ship that the men were on, they were separated, and both men were being sought. There were surprises in store for Ginny, Tim, and the girls as they attempted to help him find the German.

I liked this well-written page turner very much. I saw the results of secrets held by Ginny’s parents, the Girl Scout Troop, and Ginny, and was immersed in edge-of-the-seat suspense, intrigue, and unexpected romance. The characters were ones I knew I would miss when I finished the novel, and I am satisfied with the story as a whole and how it ended. I highly recommend it to women and teens who appreciate Christian historical fiction set during WWII, a close-knit Southern setting, and mysteries.

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Celebrate Lit and the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall is the newest title in the Heroines of WWII series from Barbour Publishing and is the first of the author's novels I've read. It features a group of plucky 13-year-old Girl Scouts whose involvement in the war effort in Outer Banks, North Carolina goes far beyond their usual collection of materials and volunteering. The hero is a British newspaper reporter recently recruited to be an intelligence operative, and the heroine is a nursing student called home to assist her mother and younger sister (a member of the Girl Scout troop) while their father's work requires him to leave home for an extended time.

I was active in 4-H rather than Girl Scouts so the history of Girl Scouts (Girl Guides in England) assisting with ancillary support while their countries were at war was new to me and quite fascinating. I sometimes think today's youth grow up fast for their ages, but most young teens of World War II were definitely dealing with serious matters far beyond their years.

This story has a good balance of history, drama, action and romance. The hero and heroine's attraction was filled with longing, definitely in the 'chaste steam' category, which I enjoy in Christian fiction novels. I appreciated that the dialogue and actions of the early-teen characters were mostly age-appropriate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.

This is an informative and entertaining novel highlighting civilians helping protect the east coast during WW II. I had no idea that German submarines sank nearly 400 ships off the Outer Banks between January and August of 1942. Unprepared for war, the military defenses were lacking so civilians were essential. I could certainly see how Girl Scouts could have been instrumental in patrolling the beaches.

Smith has done a good job crafting likable young women. Much of the plot revolves around relationships. While there is a budding romance, I liked the tensions between sisters Belle and Ginny as well as within the entire Girl Scout group. There was also a bit about shell shock, now known as PTSD. The possibility of a German spy was always present in the plot but had less emphasis than the relationship issues.

I enjoyed this novel. It is an entertaining read and is also very informative about action off the Outer Banks. Smith's writing style is good and the novel was a pleasure to read.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

An unexpected delight, On My Honor takes us to the Eastern Seaboard where German U-boats are destroying the US naval fleet on a pretty regular basis, and wow. How cool is it to finally read about the attacks on the US mainland! Slowly but surely, the WWII subgenre of historical fiction has been exploring things like the Japanese balloon bombs that hit the west coast and across as far as Michigan and now the torpedoes that attacked our ships off the Outer Banks.

Don't get me wrong, I know there are other authors who have tackled these things, but most WWII fiction takes place in Western Europe/England or in Hawaii. Sometimes we get a bit in Asia, but by comparison, almost all US homefront stories are focused on factories, keeping home fires burning, and writing to soldiers and nurses far away.

One excellent aspect was the focus on mental health and the effects of war on a person. I can't say more without potential spoilers, but suffice it to say, I appreciated the inclusion.

Another excellent part of this book is that one of the point-of-view characters is a thirteen-year-old girl, Belle. As such, and because of how the story is written, this book could almost be enjoyed as a middle-grade read. Definitely on the younger YA side for sure. With so few available in Christian Fiction, I thought it worthy to note.

My only quibble was that the romance seemed a bit forced and... quick. Otherwise, highly recommended.

Young love, espionage, patriotism and humor are a delightful stew in this romance set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina during WWII. Ginny is not at all happy to be called home with only a semester left in her nursing program, especially with her younger sister resenting her presence. But when a missing German officer may be hiding on the island it seems to be up to Ginny, her younger sisters and the rest of the Girl Scout troop to find him, alert the authorities so he gets captured, and thereby save the Eastern U.S. coast from the Axis armies.

This is a good read for fans of romantic WWII fiction.

What an absolutely fascinating story. I love historical fiction because I learn so much more history through it and this novel did not disappoint. In school we learned that WW2 was fought in Europe and the Pacific. I do not recall ever learning that the war came so close to the US, that we could have been invaded from the Atlantic side!

Ginny Mathis, Girl Scout leader and student nurse, was busy helping wherever she could. Her troop of girls were ready to do whatever they could to serve, unfortunately learning that invasion was possible. They were prepared to do their part, even though they were still young. Are we willing to do what is needed if the occasion should arise?

This ebook was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

This fascinating, intriguing work of historical fiction centers on a Girl Scout troop located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (a place near and dear to my own heart).

Ginny Mathis, the Girl Scout leader for her sister Ginny's troop, is working three jobs in addition to assisting in the war effort. Though her war work is more serious, she teaches her Scouts to map coordinates, keep a lookout for strangers in the area and perform other tasks inherent to the war effort. Her ambitious pace is arduous as she and her sister grapple with how to get along.

A small slice of World War II has been vividly brought to life by Patty Smith Hall. I could feel the Outer Banks sand between my toes and its seaside breezes. I felt agony and horror as well at imagining the smell and sight of oil smeared all over the beach in the aftermath of deadly submarine attacks.

A riveting and gripping tale, On My Honor, is a story you won't want to miss, especially if you enjoy unique and engrossing stories of WWII.

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

On My Honor is written by Patty Smith Hall. This book is part of the Heroines of WWII series. The series is written by multiple authors - and focus on women as heroes during WWII. This story focuses on a real life event that I had no idea happened during 1942. I love when you can read a book and it's based off real life events. I went and looked the event and learned that the outer banks became known as "Torpedo Alley" during this time.

We meet Ginny Mathis and Timothy Elliot in this story. Ginny was in her last semester of nursing school when her father ordered her home. Ginny's father, had to go to Virginia to help build boats for the war effort. Ginny is not pleased with arrangement. Her sister Belle (age 13) is driving her crazy. Ginny throws herself into various projects. She leads Belle's girl scout troop, she also is a coastal watcher for the military, she volunteers at the infirmary to keep her nursing skills sharp and she works at the ferry.

Timothy, is a reporter who has been assigned to bring German Rolf Schmidt to New York for questioning. The US Government feels that what Rolf can tell them about the Nazi's can help the US win the war. While they are on the Allan Jackson heading to New York, they are hit with torpedoes by German U Boats. This causes the boat to go down and Tim loses site of Rolf. Tim washes up on shore and is found by Ginny's girl scout troop.

The adventure that our characters go on is a fun one. The girl scouts made me laugh. They are your typical 13 year old girls they like to talk and have a big heart. They take Tim on as their pet project to help get him well. Ginny and Tim join forces to try and find Rolf - but they cannot contain their growing attraction.

This book is well written. The storyline is intriguing and original. I loved learning about this era in history that I did not know about. I have been loving this series and don't want it to send.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Yet another fabulous installment of the Heroines of WWII series. In this book, it addresses the battle on the American shores. I have long loved the outer banks. I had no idea that such a thing happened and that the girl guides were so instrumental in aiding the war efforts on the American side. The underlying romance of this story was very satisfying. I loved everything about this book and author.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great addition:
I love that each book in this series has introduced me to new authors that I was previously unaware of and I must say I have been really impressed by the quality of the writing. Furthermore each book has been unique and has highlighted facets of the war that are not commonly featured or known. This makes reading this series so special as not only was I spoilt to a delightful story but I learnt something too. This time I enjoyed learning more about the Girl Scouts and the role they played during WWII.
This book had intrigue, adventure, mystery and a sweet little romance. I liked Tim and Ginny together and the simplicity and almost innocence that came across. The story flowed well and I enjoyed escaping into this world for a time.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Cute book! I enjoyed the characters and the sweet love story woven throughout the history. The characters were well developed and likable. I enjoyed learning about WWII history in North America. I also while reading I couldn’t help thinking I would love to read a book about Ginny & Belle’s mom during WWI in Europe.

A few things that bothered me when reading:

1. Grammatical errors
2. Main character Tim was described as having brown eyes first and then blue eyes later in the same chapter

On My Honor (Heroines of WWII) by Patty Smith Hall was an intriguing book that was full of suspense and adventure. Most World War II books that I have read have taken place either in Europe or in the Pacific. On My Honor took place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The federal government tried to conceal the dangers that were lurking right under our noses. I have read a few historical fiction books that spoke of the dangers that existed off the coast of Maine but none about the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The government did not want to alarm anyone about the presence of German U-boats so close to our shores so they kept this information quiet. On My Honor also explored the contributions the Girl Scouts made in World War II and the contributions the Girl Guides made in World War I. It was a fast paced book that was well plotted and had a well developed cast of characters.

Ginny and Belle Mathis were sisters and had lived in their little town on the Outer Banks of North Carolina their whole lives with their mother and father. It was the kind of town that community was very important and everyone knew everyone. Ginny had decided to go to the mainland for college to become a nurse. She was in her last semester of nursing school when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered the war. Ginny’s and Belle’s father had been asked to go to Virginia to help build ships for the war. Before he left, he requested that Ginny come home to help her sister Belle and her mom. Belle was thirteen at the time. Ginny was not sure why her mom and Belle could not manage on their own. Why did she have to come home and help? All she had was one more semester to complete her nursing training. What wasn’t her father telling her?

The good thing about coming home was that Ginny was able to volunteer at the local hospital near the coast guard station several days during the week. She loved everything about nursing and nothing she was asked to do was too much for her. Ginny also worked at the Oregon Ferry where she watched for passengers that were not from the area. She surveyed the passengers to make sure German spies were not getting off the ferry. Working at the ferry was a paid position. The coast guard also asked Ginny to visit the lighthouse a few nights a week and plot the coordinates of any German U-boats she spotted. Ginny’s younger sister Belle had also talked Ginny into becoming their Girl Scout leader when she came home.

One night there was a loud explosion that could be heard and felt from every part of the island. Ginny had witnessed the explosion from the lighthouse and recorded the coordinates. The next day, Ginny, Belle and the rest of the Girl Scout troop discovered that the explosion had caused an oil spill. The oil had come all the way up to the beach. Ginny had to report all that had happened to the Coast Guard so she assigned the girls in her troop to look for birds that needed rescuing from the oil spill until she got back. While Belle and her friends were looking for birds they discovered an injured man. He had been on the boat that had been hit by torpedoes from a German U-boat that had been lurking not too far off the shores of the Outer Banks. The boat had been an oil tanker so when it was hit it produced the oil spill. The injured man told the girls his name was Tim Elliott. He had been transporting a German soldier to New York so that the German soldier could share information with the Allies about the movement of the U-boats in the Atlantic. When the boat was hit, Tim pushed the soldier into the ocean. Somehow they got separated but it was imperative that he find him. Tim Elliott was a British journalist that worked in New York. Belle and her friends beloved Tim’s story so they took him to the abandoned lighthouse keeper’s house. They nursed him back to health. Belle and the other Girl Scouts kept Tim a secret from Ginny but eventually they were forced to divulge their secret to her. Tim and Ginny finally met. Their attraction to each other was strong and a romance built between them. Ginny and Tim worked together to find the German soldier. Everyone else that had been on the boat that had been hit had been accounted for except for the German soldier that Tim was transporting to New York. Could someone on the island be a German conspirator or sympathizer? Would Ginny and Tim be able to find the soldier before more German U-boats cause more people their lives? What roles did Belle and the Girl Scouts play in all this?

On My Honor was the first book that I have read by Patty Smith Hall. I hope she writes more books in this series. I especially enjoy learning about the brave and courageous roles women played in War War II. I was a brownie and a Girl Scout growing up. I had never heard that the Girl Scouts were involved in any way in either war. I found their involvement in both wars enlightening and interesting. On My Honor was about friendship, courage, bravery, community and resourcefulness. It was engaging and heartfelt. I really enjoyed reading On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall and recommend it very highly.

Thank you to Barbour Publishers for allowing me to read On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve only read one other book in the Heroines of WWII series so when I had opportunity to read this one I didn’t hesitate. The other reason was because this gives me a glimpse into the history of the Girl Scouts/Girl Guides. I used to be a Brownie as a small girl and was in the Girl Scouts for a few years after that, so for me this was a very fascinating piece of history that I learned more about!

I loved getting to know each of the young girls and Ginny their Girl Scout leader. When they find an injured man washed ashore, they banded together to help fix him up. This is where the story really took off! Intrigue, adventure, mystery, a little bit of danger & a budding romance made the book a great read from page one all the way through.

The author also touched on many landmarks in the book, which makes me want to learn more about them. One thing I love is when an author can immerse me in their story, as if I was right in the middle of it. Patty Smith Hall did an outstanding job with On My Honor!

History lovers will find this fascinating and richly steeped in the WWII era!

* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

This book has a different twist on the World War Two as do most books about the war. "On My Honor" is part of the Girl Scout Pledge that is recited at every meeting of the girl scouts and sets the stage for this most interesting book. The scouts also play an integral part of the happenings in the story. The setting for this book takes place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A small island with only a few hundred inhabitants, all known to one another. After an oil tanker is torpedoed by a German U-Boat, the scouts find a man washed up on the beach from that tanker explosion and takes him to the lighthouse keepers cottage which is no longer used. There they treat his wounds and give him a warm place to stay. They are mum about his staying there as they don't know who he is as he could be a spy because he has an accent. As the tale evolves he is found to be an Englishman transporting a German spy and now he must find out if he survived the sinking of the ship. Thus begins this interesting book as we read what happens when he is found and when he locates the missing spy....Thanks to the publisher for a review copy and I am not required to post a positive review but I am happy to do so.

Although I did not finish the book, I enjoyed what I read. There was no specific reason for me not finishing the book other than I just did not take the time to read it. The story is well-written and engaging with a story line that is intriguing. I would like to know what happens. I may have to request the book again and finish it in the future!

Never expected such a delightful story! What a blessing it is to dive into On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall. Ginny is forced to come home from nursing school to care for her mother and sister while her father is out building ships for the war effort. Ginny takes on multiple responsibilities from working at the ferry to volunteering at the infirmary. She even leads her younger sisters Girl Scout Troop and keeps an eye out for anything unusual for the coast guard.

One night a tanker exploded leaving oil spillage on their beloved beach. Ginny’s Girl Scout Troop decided to poke around to help any birds who might be caked in oil and unable to fly. Except Belle and her friends find a British man stuck under some wreckage. He’s injured and the girls help release him. They take him to a nearby abandoned house and help him with his dislocated shoulder and stitch up a wound.

Tim refuses to go to the infirmary because he’s supposed to be taking a defected German soldier back to New York, but now is in search for the man. Belle and the girls tend to Tim as he heals, providing him with warmth, food, and keeping his wounds clean. Until one day he meets Ginny, who he needs on his side to find the German.

It’s an adventure for Tim, Ginny and the girls to find this German. It’s all quite impressive how much they can accomplish in such a short time. Needless to say, it’s an easy ready and likely will grasp your heart as it did mine. Who knew Germany was at our doorstep all those years ago?

I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because it pulled my heartstrings, took me on an adventure, and left me loving the characters and the community they live in. Bravo!

This is my first time reading anything by this author but it was part of Heroines of WWII series and I have really enjoyed these books.



There are so many things that I did not realize about the war that took place here in America. The use of the Girl Scout troop to provide extra support during the war was fascinating to read about.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

So far, every story in this series taught me something new and different about WW2 which is one of the reasons I am loving this series. Each story can be read as a standalone.

In On My Honor, I have learned about German attacks on the coast of America, and the participation of girl scouts in the war efforts. I enjoyed the girl scout characters in On My Honor. The author pinned down the voice of 12- and 13-year-olds in a very entertaining way which brought lightheartedness to this story.

The writing flowed smoothly and quickly, which made for an easy and quick read.

Barbour Publishing's Heroines of WWII series has been wonderful, but On My Honor has a special heroine, or to be more accurate a group of heroines, a troop of Girl Scouts and their leader. The story is set on an island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Ginny Mathis is teaching her troop of Scouts, including her sister, ways to assist the war effort such as advanced first aid and maritime map reading. She led them in activities such as collecting fat to be turned in and used in the making of bullets. Ginny did not anticipate, however, that the girls would become involved in the search for a German spy. This novel is a quick read with a group of WWII era Nancy Drews. It was an entertaining read.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of On My Honor from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.