A TOKEN OF LOVE by CARRIE TURANSKY is a bauutifully writtem dual timeline novel that tells us about brave people who fight against child trafficking. There is a strong Christian message which is based on Isaiah chapter fifty-eight verses six to eight. The characters are unforgettable and it is heartwarming to see how they risk everything to help the weak and helpless…….
In 2023, Janelle Spencer, acting director of the London Foundling Museum, is working with Jonas Conrad who is making a fundraising film for the museum, when they come across something very interesting in the history of the Foundling Hospital. In 1885, eight year old Alice Crosby, renamed Mary Graham, goes missing. It is with horror, when they read Mary Alice’s book, that they realise that she is not the only young girl to be sold into a brothel in London’s East End……..
When Alice is three months old, her unmarried mother, Serena, is too ashamed of her situation to ask her sister Lillian Freemont for help, and in desperation leaves her baby, with a token on which is written “Remember My Love” tied with a ribbon around her neck, at the Foundling Hospital. So many of the mothers left their children with tokens of their love and they form part of the Museum’s display.
In 1885, desperately ill and living in abject poverty, Serena reaches out to Lillian who joins up with Matthew McGivern, a journalist who works for W T Stead at the Pall Mall Gazette, to look for Alice, who is now eight years old and has disappeared. There is so much corruption, even in the police, and their courage is incredible as they, armed with their faith, go right into the enemy’s lairs……
The two time frames flow well into one another.
The novel gives us much food for thought as the author deals with such an emotional subject.
I cannot recommend the book strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is a dual-timed historical fiction, set 138 years apart in London, England - Victorian 1885 and modern 2023.

The book begins in 1885 with 2 sisters, Lillian and Serena, with 2 differing life choices, but where forgiveness and love wins! Lillian teaches Serena that "Praying for guidance is always the right response, no matter how desperate we feel". They have both "suffered terrible losses" and they lean on each other as they get to grips with the unimaginable.

Enter Matthew who is a journalist, who takes risks to help both Lillian and Serena. He puts his life in danger and realises that his "commitment to Christ ..... did not mean the road would always be smooth.....". He also helps Lillian to trust and love again, as she doesn't "want pain or fear to guide my life any longer"!

We also encounter a group of God-fearing ladies who help change the course of history through prayer and giving voices to those who had none!

In 2023 we find Janelle, a woman of faith, thrust into a higher position of responsibility at the Foundling Museum, where she works. Her workload has suddenly become pressurised! She allows Olivia, her neighbours' daughter, to volunteer at the museum, and in doing so, she adds drama to her own life. Olivia is a troubled teen who has to deal with some close-to-home issues, but finds forgiveness and reconciliation.

Jonas is employed to help Janelle at the museum by doing research and making a film of the history of the Foundling Hospital, and there they unravel a mystery that could make or break the future of the museum. Just as Matthew does with Lillian in 1885, Jonas helps Janelle find love again and are brought together through their faith in God as well as through work.

The story covers a difficult issue, but one that mustn't be ignored as it's something that still goes on today. It's a powerful, beautifully written story, where the two timelines are woven perfectly, highlighting faith, forgiveness, love, a strong belief in prayer, and seeking justice.

It's a page-turner and I hope readers find it as enthralling as I did!

I enjoyed this story. I found the story emotional and touching. I loved how well researched the story was and how well the author told the story of children from the Foundling Hospital. I loved the dual time lines and that we got to see them connect and how the past influenced those in the future. I liked seeing the growth in the characters and seeing the change they made in their world. This inspires me to want to find ways to change my world for the better. I definitely highly recommend this story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

1885 and 2003 London

Lovely! This novel pulled me with the first chapter set in 1885 London. Widow Lillian Freemont discovers her estranged sister is ill and has a daughter that was given to the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Lillian's search for her niece had me turning pages.

In the current day thread interim head of the Foundling Museum Janelle Spencer works with filmmaker Jonas Conrad in creating a documentary. The hope is that the documentary will garner enough donations for the museum to survive.

While I enjoyed both threads, it was the historical one that had me most engaged. The romance between Lillian and investigative reporter Matthew McGivern was slow burning and beautifully created.

The cover is perfect for the pages inside.

This dual time story by Carrie Turansky was so well done that once I started reading I didn’t want to stop. I really enjoyed learning the history of tokens that were left with children who were placed in foundling homes.

This was a challenging read in the 1885 portion, as we see young girls sold into brothels but Turansky handled it gently and with hope.

Characters in the past and present day were well developed and interesting. They were brave and determined for truth to be told. I enjoyed both settings equally well. As always, Turansky tells a riveting story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I really enjoyed this novel. The love stories. The mystery. The biblical components. The dual timelines. The story really drew me in. I really enjoyed following the characters as they solved their mysteries…and as the haunting history was revealed.

It was a novel that not only brought to light certain deeds (human trafficking), but also helped show its presence not only in our modern day but also in the past. I was previously aware of it, but this really opened my eyes to how it affected women and children in the past. It was obvious that the author did some research when writing this book. The author did a great job at approaching this subject, unveiling its presence with care.

If you’re looking for a Christian historical fiction novel with some intrigue, check this one out!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from the publisher and author through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

What a beautiful and heart-tugging dual time story based on real events!
It’s 1885 and Lillian Freeman, a young widow still dealing with the heartache of loss, finds herself embarked in a dangerous journey as she searches for her long-lost niece who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital. Thank God, she meets Matthew McGivern who is a journalist and is investigating on a series of cases of missing girls from the same Hospital, and compromises himself into helping Lillian find her niece. While spending time together for this purpose, Matthew’s feelings deepen, but is Lillian ready to open herself up to love again when it holds so many risks? Will the result of their investigations lead to the truth and justice these children deserve?
Meanwhile, we get a good glimpse to a related event in the present day, as we join Janelle’s journey of suddenly becoming the Director of the Foundling Museum and its challenges to survive. But when filmmaker Jonas arrives wanting to make a documentary on the Museum and help the funding campaign, they both get involved in the discovery of disturbing facts about the history of the Museum. Should the truth come out to light? Or should Janelle hide their findings in order to keep the Museum’s image and success?
First of all, I want to compliment the way the dual timelines were managed. The story flew flawlessly and I never felt confused when we changed the timeline. I always find a big challenge for a dual timeline story to be easy to read, because there are more characters involved and the different periods of time, but A Token of Love shines in this and many other aspects. I love stories that are based on real events, and with this one you can truly recognize how well researched it is. The theme is a hard one: child trafficking. But it is dealt with respect, yet with realism. Be prepared to share a few tears, but don’t worry, the story is so full of hope, and the characters, in spite of being flawed, are so inspiring, that your heart will soar after the pain. The plot has a good pace and it never drags, addressing the difficult issues from the start. I felt captivated and totally engaged waning to know how the story was going to end. Also, cheering the main characters in their quest of finding truth and justice, and discovering what is the right, not only convenient, thing to do.
I loved the story, the characters were relatable and lovable, and the faith inspired message of trusting God, living your faith, find forgiveness, and discover that doing what is right to God’s eyes may require some big sacrifices, but it’s all worth it and so fulfilling. The romances were really clean and sweet, just like I like them. All in all, a book that inspired me and warmed my heart, and that I highly recommend to anyone. I'll definitely be rereading this again!
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC and finished copy of A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky. All opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading a book by this author, but I definitely want to read all of her books now. A Token of Love was truly an amazing book and is without a doubt one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.

This story was beautiful and did such an excellent job discussing the issue of human trafficking in a way that wasn’t just informational but also moving and heartbreaking. While this story was fictional, the topics discussed were not, and I thought the author handled the subject matter delicately, and she offered resources to educate readers further.

The connection between the dual timelines in this book was interesting, and I appreciated how the characters used information that they learned from the past to further improve the future. While some stories with dual timelines fail to keep my interest in both time periods, this was not the case in this book. I loved the time spent both in the present day and in the late 1800s.

The characters in this story were so lovely, and the relationships they formed (both romantic and otherwise) were beautiful. I loved seeing the characters grow into themselves and in relationships with others in ways they never imagined. The kindness and bravery of the characters was inspiring, and I appreciated that they were imperfect.

As this was my first book by this author, I didn’t know what to expect as far as faith elements. I was, however, pleasantly surprised to see how the author wove themes of spiritual growth and prayer into these characters’ lives in a natural way without being pushy.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone! It was beautiful, and I didn’t want to put the book down.

"A Token of Love" is a romance with two connected stories, one set in 1885 London and the other in present day. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. The romantic pairs worked well together. Historical details were woven into the story. My only complaint is that the men in the 1885 story were all disrespectful toward women, even the hero. Lillian's a wealthy widow who had been handling her own affairs for years. Matthew's a stranger from a poor background. He thought about how he's so far beneath her that no relationship could occur. But then he started acting like her husband or relative, ordering her staff around and guiding her actions.

For example, in one scene early on, Lillian and Matthew were in a closed carriage together, he suggested they have the coachman leave them alone, and she agreed. He told the coachman to leave, and he did. Wait, Lillian's the one who paid him. The coachman ought to make sure she's okay and wanted to be left alone with a man. Yet he never questioned the orders of a stranger. In another scene, Lillian walked down a street while dressed plainly but respectably when two constables arrest her as a prostitute. They'd be able to tell by her dress, education, and the fact she's not a known prostitute that she's a respectable lady. Instead, they refuse to listen to her....until Matthew vouches for her.

Lillian didn't mind Matthew taking over, and they shared a passion to help poor women and children, so they made a good pair. It's just that I doubt most men were that disrespectful toward respectable women. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this historical-focused story.

This is a well-crafted story of faith and a journey through huge challenges. It's told in a dual timeline, and is a great pick for fans of historical fiction,

This is a dual timeline historical fiction. Split between 1885 and present day.
Though a split timeline there are many connecting factors and things that were relevant in the latter time are still very relevant today.
1885 London: The Foundling Hospital is supposed to be a safe house for children of bad circumstances but when young girls are disappearing from there with no records being kept and without a trace there is an investigation. When some of the children are placed in the Foundling Hospital, they are brought in with a golden token identifying them so they can be reclaimed at a later date. As the investigation continues, we get a taste of the seedy underhanded ways some people operate and the dangerous ways of the streets.
2023 London: Now the Foundling Museum, I found this interesting the documentation of the Foundling Hospital and what happened to some of its. As more is uncovered and comes to light it may not show the Foundling Museum in its best light. Now the question is how to keep investigating and not spoil the reputation of the museum. I enjoyed immensely the research that was put into this as this is based on historical facts. Informative and interesting. Well written!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this story filled with faith, love, and a little mystery from the past. I loved Lillian, Mathew, Janelle and Jonas. I loved the stories from the past and the present that were based around the Foundling Hospital in London. I laughed and cried and could not put the book down. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Story For The Heart-

A Token of Love paints a vivid picture of London’s Foundling Hospital and historical Foundling Museum, past and present. The past includes the disappearance of a group of young girls while the present questions the discovery of the event. Again, Carrie Turansky beautifully weaves settings and characters, real and fictional, into a tale that is both emotional and inspirational. This story is, no doubt, one for the keeper shelf.

The narration of this audiobook is authentic and relaxing. Susan Lyons accent, inflections and portrayal of different characters proves to capture the story and bring it to life. I highly recommend it.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received the ebook format from a LibraryThing giveaway through the publisher, free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I purchased the audiobook format.

This dual timeline story has the Foundling Hospital as its common thread. Ms. Turnasky does a nice job in moving between the past and the present. You are sure to be caught up in this story of these two couples.

In the past, Lillian Fremont finds her 8 year old niece caught in a web of deceit and the unthinkable, working in a brothel. Discovering this and being able to return her safely to her mother, along with the help of Matthew McGivern, was exciting and dangerous.

In the present, Janelle Spencer and Jonas Conrad are preparing for a fundraiser event and stumble upon the hospital’s dark past. They are faced with the dilemma of sharing or keeping it hidden and not take the risk of losing much needed funds for the hospital museum. I found the story to be interesting and loved seeing them investigate what had happened.

Things to enjoy:
Danger
Suspense
Dual love stories
Faith of the characters
“Remember my love”

Due to the subject of human trafficking in both stories, I recommend readers young adult and older as the reader audience. The subject is tastefully done and no details are given.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and AustenProse. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Dual timeline story set in 1885 and present day London, England. Deals with various aspects of human trafficking in both storylines. I very quickly got invested with the characters and the search taking place on the 1885 timeline. It took me longer to connect with the characters in the present-day timeline for some reason. I would have been happy if it had been completely ser in 1885. Each time I entered a chapter set in the present, I wanted the other timeline. I did enjoy that the present-day timeline provided answers to what happened to the characters from the past. It provided good closure for the characters.

This book brings with it a lot of emotions. It's not an easy story to read, or to tell, I imagine, but it is so worth your time. Human trafficking is a horrifying and terrifying reality in our world today and to think about how it effected people 140 years ago is crazy to consider. So, read this book and be prepared to want to cuddle your people.

If you like parallel timelines, mysteries, London, history, and light romances, check this one out.

CW: Christian novel with heavy themes such as human trafficking

I could not put this story down! Carrie does a beautiful job of weaving a current day and a historical timeline and the stories compliment each other so well. I was invested in the story from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to see where the story was going to take these characters. A wonderful read!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, as well as purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

Carrie Turansky sweeps the reader right in with her latest novel, A Token of Love! A Token of Love is a split-time novel that takes place in London, England and takes the reader between the years of 1885 and 2023. In 1885, the Foundling Hospital is a respected establishment similar to an orphanage that helps the city take care of children who need a place to stay. Family members can come back to get their children by leaving a token with the child to help identify them so that they can return home to their loved ones, but very few do. Lillian Freemont is one of those that is looking for her loved one. When Lillian arrives at the Foundling Hospital to bring her niece Alice home, Lillian is told that Alice is dead. Before Lillian leaves, an employee tells Lillian that Alice’s death is a lie. Lillian enlists the help of investigative journalist Matthew McGivern to help her locate Alice. In 2023, Janelle Spencer is helping to run the Foundling Museum and oversee the Foundling Museum Gala. The Foundling Museum has enlisted the help of videographer Jonas Conrad to create a documentary of the Museum’s history. When Jonas uncovers some unsavory history, Janelle and Jonas set out to find the truth. As Lillian and Matthew and Janelle and Jonas seek to find the truth in their own timelines, all are learning a powerful lesson of how God is in control and true justice comes from Him.

Carrie Turansky’s A Token of Love has swept me in like no other. A Token of Love is a type of Christian Historical Fiction novel, that, to me, is in the vein of Liz Tolsma’s Echoes of the Past series, Kim Vogel Sawyer’s My Heart Remembers series, and Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours (which is some of my favorite books of all time). I love how Ms. Turansky writes the transitions between 1885 and 2023 effortlessly. I love how each storyline of 1885 and 2023 are equally their own and at the same time, somehow meet up to to wrap the storyline in a perfect bow, with a perfect ending. I love all the main characters. I love the character of Lillian and how she used what God has blessed her with to bring justice to those less fortunate. I love the character of Matthew and how he goes after a story for the sake of good. I love the character of Janelle and admire her for what she overcame. I love the character of Jonas and how he always sought to bring Truth to whatever he is trying to create. Though generations apart, Lillian and Matthew and Janelle and Jonas’ lives parallel a lot. I love how Janelle and Matthew lives mirrored not growing up with biological families. I love how both Matthew and Jonas had jobs in the communications field. But more importantly, I love how Lillian, Matthew, Janelle, and Jonas put God and His Justice first above all. The Message I took away from A Token of Love is this: When things don’t always work the way we think they should, God is still working behind the scenes and can use it for good. That Message is woven all throughout A Token of Love! If you are looking for a read that is encouraging, full of Godly Truth with a little bit of suspense and romance sprinkled in, then I highly recommend A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky!

Have you read A Token of Love? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank Carrie Turansky for giving me a copy of A Token of Love to review and for letting me be on the A Token of Love Launch Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Amazon, Goodreads, and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.

A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky is a must read!! In this time-split tale, women are threatened with the horrifying human trafficking issues. The storytelling was so strong, drawing me in until I found it difficult to put it down. Don’t miss this book chalked full of God’s mercies and compassion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Set in London, this dual timeline tells the story of London’s Foundling Hospital in 1885 and present day Foundling Museum. Both timelines captured my attention and as I followed the stories of Lillian in 1885 and Janelle in 2023. I think the author crafted a beautiful story, even in light of the difficult subject, and infused such grace and hope in how the characters overcame the tragic circumstances in their lives.

I love the strong faith message as we see how the characters relied on their personal faith to sustain them. Both Lillian and Janelle as well as Matthew and Jonas shine so brightly in the story. I also appreciate the extent of the research involved in this book. The historical content is very detailed and thorough and I learned so much about a part of history that I had not previously been aware of. I highly recommend this book.

I received an early copy - the opinions expressed are my own.