First things first this is not a time slip novel it is a duel timeline novel however I want to say upfront I really was into the story I didn’t think it was quite long but it has so many twists and turns but there was so much that’s enjoyable about the story The main character owns a candy store handed down by her grandparents it mainly focuses on the little island where she lives that was once owned by the Pendleton‘s who were Nebo rich back in the late 1800s early 1900s and this is where we also meet a very young grandpa who is the caretaker to the island in current time‘s the main character finds a little girl with a sketchbook on her back porch on the island and the sketchbook has clues to the mystery of the missing three year old poppy Pendleton. There is way more to the story than just this brief summary it is very long and for 80% of the book I was so into it the last 20% I just wanted to be over but having said that I would still recommend this book because I know my a personal Aversion to Long books or my own and others will want this book and I am not saying I did not love it I just didn’t love it the whole time way too long I know I said that. I want to thank The publisher a NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

4.5 stars

Melanie Dobson was one of the first multi-timeline authors I ever read, and she remains one of my very faves. The Wings of Poppy Pendleton immediately captivated me with its air of mystery – a missing child cold case from the Gilded Age that’s garnering new attention from a dogged reporter… and a child found under mysterious circumstances 85 years later on the same castle-inhabited New York island.

The narrative switches effortlessly between 1907 (and years following) and 1992, keeping you held in thrall by a Gilded Age castle and its layers of secrets which the author reveals bit by bit as the story progresses. We are also treated to the perspectives of different characters from each timeline, Amelia Pendleton and Chloe Ridell as well as some closely-associated people in between. I enjoyed both the alternating time periods and the varying POVs; they allowed me to fully immerse myself into this mystery and the setting, both expertly developed by the author. In fact, the island (and its castle) really becomes its own character, larger than life. It not only unites both timelines and the main characters but also contributes to the overall mood of the story and beckons you to go exploring. And there’s lots of treasure here to find, even beyond the mysteries – cherished birds, cherished boats, smuggling, Gilded Age glamour, shipwrecks, family secrets, surprising twists, intriguing history, candy stores, loyal dogs, a Fraidy kitten, scrapbooks, newspaper articles, jelly beans, and so much more!

Bottom Line: A Gilded Age-era castle stands silent over the Thousand Islands in New York, holding more than one mystery close and the fate of two little girls – 85 years apart – in its hands. Hooked yet? Then get quickly to The Wings of Poppy Pendleton and let your imagination fly! Author Melanie Dobson masterfully provides readers with an atmospheric story rich in characters and possibilities, deeply layered and poignantly tender. A hint of romance and gentle notes of faith provide needed balance and levity to some of the book’s heavier themes (which are handled discreetly with lots of grace). And I have to give a special shout-out to Logan who has some of the best lines in the book and is just an all-around good guy. Another compelling story from a queen of multi-timeline fiction!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

A story of family secrets and the resilience of the human spirit when nestled in God's care. Chloe Ridell agrees to partner with journalist, Logan to solve the cold case of Poppy Pendleton who disappeared from Chloe's island 85 years ago. She doesn't realize that the journey may lead her to the missing pieces of her own past.

Melanie Dobson's writing is phenomenal. She kept me turning pages and trying to solve the mysteries before they were revealed. She kept me guessing. If you enjoy reading dual timelines and family mysteries served with the sweetness of hope then you will likely enjoy this phenomenal read.

BOOK REVIEW - The Wings of Poppy Pendleton - Melanie Dobson - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY & ROMANCE
Wow. This story was just wow. I've always been a fan of Melanie Dobson but this story is my new favourite of hers. Every aspect of the story was fantastic. The mystery was so well done I couldn't figure it out, I had to discover the answers along with the characters. I love dual timelines and I learnt so much historical fun facts that I didn't know before.The characters were beautifully broken but fully redeemed and full of hope. I always feel like there can be more tomance in a story but what was in there was slow and sweet with a surprising additional romance I didn't see coming but was heartily onboard for! While the book touched on a lot of sadness and hard topics, it didn't feel depressing, it felt hopeful with bright moments of joy. It all worked so well together, I read it over two sittings! And that, to me, is the hallmark of a good book!

THE TRUTHS
Theses verses were going through my mind the whole time I was reading this book, so thought I'd share them instead of my thoughts as to me they really encapsulate the spirit of this story. Isaiah 61:1‭,3

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.....to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Dual timeline Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson is superb! Sometimes words are inadequate when it comes to describing utterly pristine writing of such incredible calibre. This is one of those times. Melanie Dobson writes with such skill and beauty it's impossible to comprehend except that it is obviously God inspired. The characters are realistic and flawed, some likeable, others not. The historical details are magnificent and the mentions of faith are gentle yet powerful. What a reminder of who our Rescuer is!

In 1907 in New York, Poppy Pendleton is a young girl living in Thousand Islands Castle with her wealthy parents. She is accustomed to the upper echelon of society and listens and observes parties. She craves the attention of her mother. Her parents are not close and life becomes even more challenging when her father is found dead under unusual circumstances.

Several decades later in 1992, Chloe works near the castle in her inherited family candy shop. She is generous to her patrons (love the candy descriptions!). Young Emma appears in her world and connections to the Pendleton family reveal themselves. Chloe can't help but to investigate the links which connect the past to the present. Not only does she discover mysteries but also the working power of God.

There are twists galore and the romantic bits are sweet and endearing. I appreciate that the author went to some dark areas. This book is full of oomph and substance many Christian fiction stories lack.

If you seek a Christian Fiction Mystery, this is unmissable. It is pure, raw, moving and enthralling and will stick with me for ages. Do be sure to read the author's beautiful notes at the end. I love it when authors pour their hearts into their works.

My sincere thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this wonderful, wonderful book.

As I read The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, I was reminded of why I like Melanie Dobson. It’s been a number of years since I read one of her books, but this one drew me in just as much as the others I have read. She is a master of writing split-time fiction!
1907—Amelia dearly loved her little daughter Penelope, or Poppy, as her husband insisted on calling the child, but she struggled with her love for her husband. Then, on the night before Poppy’s birthday, while her parents were having a party for New York’s rich and elite, Poppy disappeared—and her father was found dead.
1992—Chloe, though she lives on Koster Island from which Poppy Pendleton disappeared so many years ago, has no interest in the old unsolved mystery. All she wanted to think about was preserving the island and the house her grandparents left her on it, and the candy shop she inherited from them. Everything changes, though, when a young girl named Emma suddenly appears in her life with a scrapbook that mentions Penelope, and a reporter shows up wanting to dig into Poppy’s story. Though Chloe doesn’t want to think about it, she realizes soon that she might need to in order to keep Emma safe. Is it possible to find answers so many years later?
The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is the kind of mystery that I like best. It moved slowly enough that I didn’t find myself wanting to race through, but rather I was able to read slowly and enjoy savoring it. I also liked that the romantic element was fairly low-key; my daughter asked me about it when I was at about 44% and I told her that the male protagonist had possibly showed up; I wasn’t sure yet. I also loved the way the author slowly revealed bits and pieces of the mystery and solution. Then, though the action ramped up enough in the last 10% or so of the book that I had trouble setting it down and getting on with my work, the ending was quite satisfactory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapters 17, 21: A man comes into a little girl’s bedroom at night. Later, there are veiled references to her being “old enough in a year or two.” Chapter 27: Pretty dern sure. Chapter 43: Pretty darn good. Several times: references to girls being trafficked. Overall: Male protagonist/love interest is divorced.

In a Nutshell: A complicated but interesting slow-burn dual-timeline mystery. Well researched, intriguing characters, some dark themes, Christian. Not a time-slip though, unlike what the blurb says. I am still confused about some plot points, but overall, I liked it enough.

Story Synopsis:
1907. The Pendletons, owners of a castle on Koster Isle in the Thousand Islands archipelago, are entertaining the glitterati of NY, ostensibly to celebrate their child’s fifth birthday, but practically, as a way of being accepted into the old wealth elite despite their nouveau riche status. When Amelia Pendleton tucks five-year-old Poppy into bed on the eve of her birthday, little does she know that the child will be missing just a few hours later, and her husband, dead.
1992. Chloe Riddell lives alone on the same island as Poppy’s castle, now an abandoned ruin. She does her best to ignore local curiosity about the old mystery regarding the missing girl and instead, focus on preserving her grandparents’ old cottage on the island and their candy shop cross the river. When a girl named Emma suddenly arrives at her doorstep, Chloe is surprised to discover an old scrapbook connected to the Pendletons among her possessions. Around the same time, a reporter named Logan also begins hounding Chloe, investigating Poppy’s disappearance and asking questions about her grandfather.
What exactly happened on Koster Isle all those years ago? How is Emma connected to the Pendletons? Will Chloe be able to keep her home and her shop safe from the prying eyes?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of multiple characters, with a major chunk of the narration coming from Chloe and Amelia.

Bookish Yays:
😍 Realistic main characters. Some of them are likeable, some of them are relatable, some are just humans trying to stumble their way through life doing the best they can. And of course, a couple of them are detestable. The resultant medley of people offers a nice depth to the storyline.
😍 The setting of the Thousand Islands and the St. Lawrence river is used wonderfully. The river is almost a character unto itself, making its strong presence felt in every key scene. The vividness of the writing ensures ease in visualising the location.
😍 The religious elements in this Christian mystery aren’t bombarded onto the readers. Rather, the faith-related content is woven within the natural flow of the plot, with a greater focus on Christian actions such as forgiveness and redemption than mere words or biblical quotes.
😍 The romantic track never overpowers the main mystery, and is developed only gradually towards the end rather than jumping into any kind of insta connection. Needless to add, the romance is clean, except for the minimal mention of kisses.
😍 Surprisingly to me, the novel contains several dark themes, which I didn’t expect from this genre. I won’t elaborate on them, as all of them are spoilers. Suffice to say that the themes are handled decently without going over the top. One of my major triggers is also a part of the storyline, but thankfully, most of the triggering content stays off the page, and is only mentioned in the background than detailed on page.
😍 Both the timelines get the same importance in the plot. Moreover, the mysteries in each are powerful enough to hold our attention equally regardless of the era.
😍 The author's descriptive writing is impeccable. She uses some picturesque analogies that are imaginative, unexpected and yet apt for the situation. Sample this: "She tried to set her fears adrift with mental scissors that had grown rusty from use."
😍 Chloe's two dogs, Sugar and Maple. As sweet as their names and yet ferocious rescuers of their owner. Loved them! Cat lovers, there's a cat named Fraidy as well, though in a relatively minor role.
😍 Some elements of the mystery are more like suspense, because we readers figure it out much before the other characters can. But this doesn’t spoil the fun of the story as the author incorporates enough of twists to keep us on our toes.
😍 There are several facts incorporated within the fictional plot, connected to myriad aspects of the story. There’s a treasure trove of trivia herein, though not necessarily facts that you’d be happy to learn about.
😍 The author’s note at the end highlights her research and offers details about the content and her writing choices. Don’t skip reading this!


Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The storyline is quite complicated! There were so many things happening in parallel that I found it tough to keep track of all the goings-on. I am still not sure if I grasped everything correctly! 😄 But one thing is for sure – the author knew where she wanted the story to go, and she led the plot and the characters very efficiently towards that goal. Her plotting is outstanding!
😐 There is a small track of magical realism through the voices that Chloe hears. I loved the way this was incorporated, but I wish there had been more of it in the plot.
😐 The pace of the book is quite leisurely, and there are plenty of clues about the mysteries sprinkled throughout the writing. As such, the book feels far lengthier than its 350 pages, and can’t even be speed-read. Then again, it offers plenty of content on every page for us to focus upon, and the plot is gripping enough to ignore the pacing problem.

Bookish Nays:
😒 Sometimes, the events jump ahead by many scenes, with the in-between happenings being clarified a few paras later. I didn’t like this writing choice as it added to my confusion.
😒 Mini complaint: I am not sure why the blurb advertises this as a timeslip novel. While there are two distinct timelines, there is no timeslip at all. Sadly for me, I read most of the story waiting for the timeslip, and I also jumped to the wrong conclusion about the mystery because of this mislabelling.


All in all, despite the slower pace and the slight trouble I had keeping the story straight in my head, I relished the setting, the characters, and the mystery. The book is intricately plotted, and the journey as well as the destination are worthwhile.

This is my first time reading Melanie Dobson, and I'd love to try more of her works.

4 stars.

My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is a wonderful read. It is truly original; I have never read another story quite like it. Author Melanie Dobson peels back the many layers of Poppy's story through the interplay of Poppy's childhood and coming of age story with the contemporary story of Chloe and Emma who now reside on the island that was for a short while Poppy's home. Dobson highlights the drug epidemic that has haunted our nation for many years through the legal sale of opium during the Gilded Age to both the legal and illegal sale of opioids and narcotics during contemporary times. The impact of addiction and those who profit from it is devastating to individuals, families, and society in general. While incorporating this into The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, Dobson doesn't allow her readers to get bogged down there. The mystery of Poppy's disappearance that Chloe and investigative reporter Logan Danford must solve carries the story. There are many surprises in store.

I highly recommend this book to fans of dual-timeline stories and mysteries. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wow, what a phenomenal story! Fans of dual-timeline novels with a mystery that needs solving will thoroughly enjoy this propulsive new release from Melanie Dobson. The characters in both the historical and contemporary storylines are so well-developed that I felt as though they were real people. I've never crossed the St. Lawrence River or visited The Thousand Islands, but Melanie Dobson's gorgeous writing pulled me in. There were so many instances that made me feel like I was in the boat or exploring the castle.
This book is hard to put down! It's an emotional read, filled with highs and lows and unexpected plot twists. I didn't want it to end, yet I knew there was a hopeful, satisfying conclusion.
The Wings of Poppy Pendleton will be one of my favorite books of 2023. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

What an absolutely beautiful split timeline story filled with mystery, suspense, and family lineage. I absolutely loved this story and everything about it.

Nice clean Christian suspense.

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

Melanie Dobson has once again created a dual-time book that is unforgettable. The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is well-written and changes perspectives between multiple people in a way that keeps readers engaged and invested in the stories.  Dobson takes her story and weaves it into the fabric of history as though it could have actually happened. Some of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching events can be found on these pages.

The story of the modern character, Chloe Riddell, and her adventures as she learns about the past occupants of Poppy’s castle is intriguing and sad. Readers should be warned that it may be difficult to put this down as you try to untangle all of the intricacies of the tale. Be prepared to be swept up in the lives of the characters and emerge a bit wrung out on the other end. One will feel both deflated and uplifted by the journey.

The events that took place with Poppy and Amelia Pendleton are shrouded in mystery until Chloe and her friend, Landon, are able to fully uncover them. The journey and transition of Poppy and Amelia is almost ethereal.  They seem like fragile, delicate flowers that emerge from their crystalline states as strong and amazing people. Their characters are masterfully unfolded almost without notice until it becomes clear how they have conquered the struggles of their past experiences and their stories meld together to create a beautiful tapestry from the threads of their lives.

This time slip novel is filled with so many twists and turns that readers will need to keep alert to pick up the clues. Written in several viewpoints, readers will feel the many emotions of the characters. The story has some dark themes throughout and not as much reliance on God that I had expected. Readers will lose themselves in this intriguing mystery as they attempt to solve this convoluted tale. Recommended!

Amazing. I could not stop turning the pages until I finished. The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is masterfully written, and unputdownable! Both time lines are expertly woven with well developed characters, a beautiful faith thread, and plenty of mystery to keep you reading. The setting Thousand Islands along the Saint Lawrence river that divides Canada and the United States. I also enjoyed the author's notes and the great discussion questions at the end.

Despite bad things that can happen in life, there is hope in the midst of storms, and good people who want to help. Protection of the vulnerable is something that is needed in every generation. How can we help?

I enjoyed all the characters, but especially love Logan from the present day timeline. His sense of humor, his gentleness, tenacity, and kindness. "I want to find the truth and report it." "I may not be able to save anyone from a fire these days, but I can fight off the devil with my pen."

"I've known good and bad, and I promise, you qualify as one of the good guys." "God is good", he said, his eyes on the rain-soaked window. "I'm just trying to partner with Him." 'That's what she wanted as well, to be a partner in God's goodness."

I absolutely loved and was captivated by this story. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

In 1907: A fortune acquired from selling an opium-based tonic for children. An unhappy marriage. Poppy, a five-year-old girl, kidnapped.
In 1992: A young woman wonders if she can maintain the island with castle she inherited from her grandparents, along with their candy store. A secretive young girl appears on the island with a scrapbook linked to the mysteriously Pendleton family. A reporter is determined to uncover what happened to Poppy Pendleton.
Opium trafficking, human trafficking, kidnapping, murder all referred to, but not displayed on the page.
I had a hard time getting into this story. I even set it aside and forgot about it for several days. The main characters weren’t happy. They didn’t appeal to me. Not until I was halfway through did the story grab hold.
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🌷Women’s Book Club Kit🌷

‘The Wings of Poppy Pendleton’ by @melbdobson

“Flames whip in fury, royal embers caged in brass.
Soaring, searching, wondering, beating against the glass.
Secrets, she whispers in the storm.
Secrets, she boldly sings.
But no one hears her voice, they only see her wings.”
- Amelia Pendleton ✍️🔥

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is a time-slip mystery spanning 85 years with the rugged Thousand Islands of New York as the backdrop.

In 1907 Leslie Pendleton built a castle on Koster Isle, a gift for his daughter Poppy, and wife Amelia, purchased with his wealth made from selling an opium-infused tonic for children. But dealing with opium is dangerous and on the eve of Poppy’s fifth birthday, the legend of the murdered millionaire and his missing daughter is born. 
 
In 1992 Chloe Ridell dwells on Koster Isle in her late grandparents' cottage, under the shadow of the ruined castle. Chloe has never thought too much about Poppy, the castle, or the mystery surrounding her disappearance, not until young Emma washes up on her island during a storm, with her only possession being a notebook that links her to the Pendletons.
 
As Chloe desperately seeks answers, Logan, a journalist determined to figure out what happened to Poppy, shows up at just the right time. In the hunt for Emma’s true identity and family, Chloe unravels secrets that her grandparents kept and soon discovers that she, Emma and Poppy are somehow all connected. Chloe and Logan must work together to uncover the past and save Emma’s life.

This book had me at the edge of my seat! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Content Warning ⛔️
There is a lot of heavy content and themes in this novel. The author does a fantastic job of addressing these topics without being graphic.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

If you’d like to read this one with your book club, the FREE BTB Book Club Kit will be available on September 19th, the same day the book is released!

https://blossomingthroughbooks.online

Book club kit leaders guides include detailed content warnings, plot summaries, character profiles, discussion questions and spoilers 📚

Thank you @tyndalehouse and @netgalley for my arc copy in exchange for an honest review 📚

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson was a multilayered mystery that I found myself wanting to keep reading, even when I had to work or sleep, for inference.

Poor Poppy and her mother had such a tumultuous journey. They nearly broke my heart after all they went through. Chloe’s story and the sudden appearance of Emma were a great way to bring current events into a story that surrounded the past.

The subject matter, though daunting, was necessary—I won’t spoil it, but I commend the author for spinning such a web. I could go on, but I will just say that the writing was superb, with great symbolism. I cared for the main characters and extremely disliked (literally hated, but I’m a Christian) other characters. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a great puzzle of a plot that they have to unravel.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

Wow, this is a really good book! There’s so much going on and once I got a third of the way into it, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know what happened to Poppy. The story is told in two different timelines and from multiple points of view. Each of the characters has their own secrets and stories to tell. It’s hard to summarize the story better than what’s already written in the official blurb. The central event is the disappearance of Penelope “Poppy” Pendleton on the eve of her fifth birthday in 1907. There’s another timeline that takes place at the same location in 1992 with Chloe Riddell. A young woman who is uniquely connected to Poppy and her family. I was fascinated by the location in the Thousand Islands of New York. I’ve never heard of them before this and the setting is so captivating. The whole aura of the story is mysterious with a private island and the abandoned castle on it. That people actually lived in places like that seems unreal. The historical events are new to me also. I had read a little about the history of opium in America and the Pure Food and Drug Act, but I hadn’t heard of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. What a tragedy. Trigger warnings include child abduction, child neglect, and child sex trafficking. There’s nothing graphic, but it’s there. I like how the author weaves faith into the story without being “preachy”. Despite the sadness in the story there’s threads of hope and evidence that God has not forgotten those who are missing or have messed up in their lives. There’s a little romance sprinkled in both timelines, but that’s not the primary theme of the story. This is a powerful story and will probably be one of my favorites of this year. I preordered it as soon as I finished reading it and I recommend it to those who love a good character-driven mystery.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

** “The mistakes in one’s past, Nana had said, could be fired and sculpted and repurposed for something good. Her grandma firmly believed that God had a plan for every man and woman who followed Him.” **

Melanie Dobson delivers an incredibly gripping time-slip novel in “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton,” a story spanning more than 100 years and bringing together several families.

In 1907, Amelia Pendleton is preparing to celebrate her daughter Penelope’s fifth birthday when tragedy strikes. Her daughter, also known as Poppy, goes missing during the massive celebration at their castle on Koster Isle in the Thousand Islands, seemingly never to be seen again.

In 1992, Chloe Ridell is living in Koster Isle’s caretaker’s cottage, left to her by her Grandpa Cade, while also running her grandparents’ candy shop on the mainland. When reporter Logan Danford comes asking questions about Poppy’s disappearance so many decades ago, she wonders what the story has to do with her. And when she finds an unexpected surprise on her island, her world is quickly turned upside down.

Filled with many twists and turns, Dobson brilliantly creates two interwoven worlds filled with mystery and intrigue. She develops great characters that are inspirational and purely evil.

She also fills “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton” with a number of great themes, like mistakes can be reshaped for good; God will never let us down and He has a plan and purpose for us all (“While Chloe’s earthly father might have failed, Nana liked to say, her heavenly father would never fail her. Instead of scattering the pieces of her life, God would help her mold them into something good”); you need to clear away the weeds for your heart to heal; God gives us a choice to bring either good or evil into the world; we need to embrace peace and healing; and only a seed of courage is needed to overcome fear. The story does contain some tough subject matter dealing with abuse and exploitation, so be aware if this is a triggering matter.

Fans of dual-timeline novels, as well as authors like Amanda Dykes, Jaime Jo Wright and Kate Morton will love “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton,” which is due out Sept. 19.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

A very well written time slip novel. The author has woven the two time periods together seamlessly. If you enjoy time slip book I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

The cover of this book and the intriguing synopsis immediately grabbed my attention. I’m happy to report that it was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end.

What I Loved:
•A thread of redemption runs throughout this family saga.
•The imagery of birds and flight play an important role in the novel.
•I was so intrigued and at times was on the edge of my seat in suspense.
•The book is a wonderful blend of historical fiction and mystery which is my favorite genre combination.
•The story, the characters, and the gospel truth all come together for a wholly satisfying conclusion.
• The author includes a detailed historical note that details her inspiration for the novel and the fascinating history of the Thousand Islands.

Read if you enjoy:
•Family mystery
•Family bonds
•Dual Timelines
•Romance
•Found family
•Christian fiction

Content warning: Know that this book does include some heavy subject matter, but the author is careful to avoid detail that would make the descriptions too difficult to read while still shedding light on a very important issue.

Many thanks to Tyndale House for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! Look for this one from your favorite bookseller September 18, 2023.