A Name Unknown is the first installment to Roseanna M White's whole new series, Shadows Over England. I cannot say how much I love this story. This is by far my favorite of Roseanna M White's books to date. Rosemary is a fabulous, lovable character and I love the chemistry between her and Peter. The story is full of intrigue, humor, adventure, danger, and faith. It has got it all. I most definitely recommend this book. Looking forward to see what happens next in the series. A well deserved five star read.

I am completely in love with this new series from Roseanna M. White! And Rosemary and Peter . . . how can I do them justice in a review? You simply MUST meet them, particularly if you have a soft spot for unconventional heroes and heroines—in this case, a skilled thief masquerading as a librarian and a quiet novelist whose speech impediment and German ancestry have driven him to become a virtual recluse in his Cornish manor. Add in the dynamics of English village life and the tensions that simmer as Europe hovers on the cusp of war, and you have all the makings of a wonderfully engaging read.

So. Rosemary and Peter. I absolutely adored them—not just because of who they were, but because of how well they were written and the way they grew through the story. Rosemary has learned to camouflage herself among the upper classes, but she’s never had such a lengthy assignment before and finds it’s impossible to completely suppress her spunk and her unique perspective on life—much to Peter’s delight!  But Peter also challenges all of her preconceived notions about wealthy people and about God, and inspires her loyalty, admiration, and friendship in spite of herself and the job she’s been given.

As for Peter, it is impossible not to fall in love with him. I haven’t come across many characters with a stutter before (in fact, the only one I can remember with any clarity, I found exceedingly annoying), but it’s very well done in this story, and utterly endearing besides. Beneath his insecurity and earnestness, he has a delightfully cheeky sense of humour, and if that isn’t enough, his tendency to get lost in his thoughts when plotting his novels (to the point of zoning out mid conversation) had me giggling out loud! And don’t even get me started on his villain, Rosita! Oh, the conversations he and Rosemary had about the qualities of a good villain, all without Rosemary realizing that Peter was an author, or Peter realizing that Rosemary was speaking from experience! It was like being in on one big, glorious in-joke!

As it turns out, Rosemary isn’t the only one wanting to uncover Peter’s family history and prove where his loyalty lies. In hiring Rosemary to bring order to ‘the cave’ (the avalanche of books he hopes to transform into a library), Peter also hopes to unearth documents that will prove his naturalization and his ownership of Kensey Manor. The story beautifully integrates this investigation with the development of Rosemary and Peter’s friendship and a few other sub-plots.

I should finish by saying that I loved the way things came out and were resolved regarding Rosemary’s true purpose at Kensey Manor. Plots that involve deception make me nervous for a number of reasons, but this book handled it well, and without the characters compounding the problem by making more poor choices.

I could go on, but the only way to really do justice to this novel is to read it. Just do it. You won’t be sorry!

I really enjoyed this story.. Rosemary is hired to discover the truth about Peter’s past so she goes undercover and then... the suspense, danger and suspicion and yes a little romance made this a hard to put down story!

When this book came up for a tour with Celebrate Lit I KNEW I had to read it. What's not to like? Set in England at the cusp of World War I a London street orphan meets a reclusive friend of the King. Two worlds collide sorta thing with intrigue and sass thrown in for good measure. Intrigue on both their parts, sass most definitely is all Rosemary. It's more than just a romance at a time of impending war. But it's also more than just a romance. Peter has a hard time expressing himself in person. He's also got a pretty big secret, bigger than just his lineage; though that's a big deal to him as well. Rosemary steps in to find his history but ends up finding a whole lot more.

I loved Rosemary. She's spunky, sassy but at her core she's got a great heart. She puts those she loves first. And what she lacks in knowledge and experience she makes up for in confidence and a willingness to do whatever it takes. Even when she's not confident she's confident she'll figure it out as she goes. I think we could all use a little bit of that in our lives. I think the moment that she found her faith, being comforted by someone who never trusted her and made her existence at the Manor miserable, was a defining moment. How can she keep herself and her family safe AND do what she knows is right? Peter, however; dear sweet adorable lovable Peter. He is only confident about his faith, his loyalty and his childhood bestie. Oh and his ability to write. His letters with Rosemary every day bring faith to her. And grow their relationship in a way that is lost today. Peter is the perfect male lead, strong where it matters and so solid in his faith that anything can be overcome. And does.

I'm really struggling with reviewing this book without revealing all sorts of plot points and spoilers and secrets. The 'mystery' get me guessing right up to the reveal and you know that always adds to my rating, not that there's an option above 5 stars. Rosemary and Peter and the entire cast created a seamless life and environment that I was able to relax into. I loved this book however, LOVED it. I am desperate to read the next book in this series. I know I've said this a few times lately but seriously you have to read this book. I'm grateful that it now sits on the bookshelf where I can return to it over and over when I want to.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Oh, how I love books about bookish folk! I may have squealed (muffled, of course) when I discovered this one on the shelves at the local library. And you should’ve seen the happy dance when my own copy arrived in the post this week! Well, actually, it’s probably best that you didn’t; there’s a reason I don’t dance in public.

Roseanna M. White’s latest novel, A Name Unknown, is a deliciously book-filled book. Peter Holstein, a secretive man, desperately needs someone to organize his massive private library and recover vital documents lost in the mess — documents proving his loyalty to England as World War I approaches. Rosemary Gresham, a London thief, is hired to find evidence to the contrary. Much mystery and sneaking about ensues from there.

I LOVED getting to know Rosemary and her unusual family – they reminded me of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley characters. Both were made up of children left alone, individuals who chose to form a family bonded by loyalty rather than blood. Rosemary, along with brother Barclay and sister Willa, lead the family of a dozen orphans. They tease each other, they dare one another to top their own exploits, and they support and defend the family before all else.

The premise of missing family documents, mysterious espionage business, and romance a-brewing in the last days before WWI is a fascinating combo. Peter’s quiet nature is endearing, and Rosemary’s struggle with her changing emotions is so realistic. The espionage and the family of thieves angle kept me on the edge of my seat the whole book through. If you love historical fiction with a dash of mystery, A Name Unknown is for you!

A Name Unknown is like it's name - mysterious - oh how HE loves you and me kept singing in my head the whole time I was reading - an oldie but a goodie - Oh how HE love you and me 2xs - HE gave HIS life what more could HE give? oh how HE loves you. Oh how HE loves me oh how HE love you and me. - phew - had to get that out - now - no matter what you have done in your past - HE still would have given HIS life, name known or unknown, for yours. that is what I kept thinking for her - she reminded me of someone I know - sniff sniff - this book was abundantly right in the speed it took in the romance department the book was cheatingly fantastic with it - the concept of - are we more than just the name given with - am I joyful or a Bertha? What comes to your mind? What about if my name is J stingybottom instead of J freespenderpants? You catch my drift? I found that this book taught me as well as gave me great pictures/movies in my head. This book is full of arrogant, cultured opulent, misguided, mistaken, dramatic, or down to earth, lovely, protective, warm hearted, self-assured, pertinent, lustrous, glamorous, harmless, imaginative, idealistic, fabulous, faithful, astonishing main characters, This book is a grabber and it keeps you there once it has you and it is so worth the while.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed the last series, and the premise of this book sounded very interesting. I’m happy to say that it delivered in almost every way. Rosemary, and the eccentric recluse (who of course turns out to be the author of adventure novels), Peter Holstein were both wonderful, well-drawn characters with realistic flaws and strengths. Londoners are known for being rough tough and often brash, and I think Rosemary’s character portrayed this very well.

I also found the historical background and details interesting with Peter’s German ancestry and connections, and the parts about Rosemary’s life in London. The landscape and landmarks of Cornwall were also well-used in the story, not just dropped in, but used as the basis and backdrop for various scenes. There were times when immersed in the audio version I was almost able to forget that this was written by an American, it came across as so natural. Always a good thing with British Fiction I think.

Almost. There were only a few bloopers in the story, but sadly, they stood out. One was the characters calling the King’s son and heir ‘The Prince of England’, or ‘The Crown Prince of England’. The heir to the British throne is called the Prince of Wales. This has been the official title for the last 700 years, and pretty much everyone in Britain ought to know that. Also, Rosemary describes her unofficial guardian and adoptive father as a ‘Barkeeper’. I’ve never heard of the person who runs a pub being called that before. They’re usually called a Landlord, and there is a difference between a pub and a bar in Britain.

Aside from that though, I loved this story and how the faith elements were worked into it. The whole matter of Rosemary and her siblings being professional thieves might be a bit of an issue, that one hopes can be overcome or addressed. I understand in the next story, it's more related to espionage as a necessary evil. I look forward to reading Willa the violin prodigy’s story in it.

I requested a PDF of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley and purchased the paperback. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This one whisked me away to a delightful few months (literary time) spent with Rosemary and Peter. Although it took me a while to find my reading groove because it started off slower than I liked- honestly had such a good time reading this novel.
The characters were- to me, quite unique and fresh. I LOVED THEM. Normally I wouldn't gravitate towards a quieter male MC, but somehow, White managed to create a gloriously shy, stuttering character called Peter who was beyond endearing and positively adorable- and handsome, and all that. Major props to you, Roseanna M. White!

All in all, a DELIGHTFUL historical romance read set in the months leading up to WW1. If you are a fan of history or romance- this book you will enjoy.

This is an incredible historical romance!

I was enthralled by the fact that this book in set in 1914 Edwardian England. This is a period that I have rarely seen novels written about. That means that it drew me into a new era for me. It captivated me.

I love both of the main characters. They are vastly different from each other and they both have very deep secrets that they are concealing. Though they both live in England their worlds are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They are so wonderfully well developed that I was able to connect with both of them from the beginning. I quickly found things about their lives to sympathize with.

The hint of mystery and suspense that flows through the book was well crafted. I was caught up from very early on in trying to figure out who Mr. V was as well as the identity of the person harassing Peter Holstein.

I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received a free eBook copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I'm a big fan of Roseanna White's, having read and loved many of her books. I was so excited when I first heard about her new series. I couldn't wait to delve right into 'A Name Unknown'. And oh my goodness, was it good or what? I didn't think it was possible, but 'A Name Unknown' is her best book yet!

At the brink of World War I, Peter Holstein is constantly looked at with suspicion and is accused of espionage because of his last name, his German heritage. Even though he's an Englishman through and through, having lived in Cornwall his whole life, some people wish for him to go back to Germany. Rosemary Gresham, thief extraordinaire, is sent on a mission by the mysterious Mr. V to discover the loyalties of Peter Holstein, going undercover as a librarian to uncover the truth.

I instantly fell for Peter. He's such a lovable and utterly endearing guy. He's a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and just an all around good guy. The strength of his faith and the way he handles himself amidst such harsh judgments is truly admirable. I liked Rosemary despite the... unconventional way she supports herself and her family. I wasn't sure I would, but she's just doing the only thing she can think of to care for her loved ones. I was totally rooting for her.

This was a pretty big book, but it never dragged. It kept me engaged throughout the entirety of the story. It started out great and just kept getting better and better the further I got into it. I seriously can't recommend 'A Name Unknown' highly enough! Any lover of historical fiction is sure to be captivated by this wonderful novel. I cannot wait for the sequel 'A Song Unheard'! It's going to the top of my TBR list as soon as it's out!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

The concept of this book is interesting, but I think I enjoyed more the idea than the final product.

For some reason, I couldn’t be drawn into the story and I found myself skipping some paragraphs more than once. Maybe there were too many unnecessary details, or it might have been that the focus of the novel wasn’t something very appealing to me: history, legacy, inheritance.

However, I think the last few chapters were better; they got my attention a bit easier because they highlighted what I assume were the most important aspects of the story.

Besides, I really enjoyed Peter. He was my favorite character. I loved him most of the time, his sincerity and even his struggles found a place in my heart. I liked to learn things from his viewpoint.

Rosemary and Willa were fine as well. Nevertheless, the rest of the characters were not very important to me, and sometimes I couldn’t tell the difference between one and the other.

It’s not a bad book. It’s well-written and all, but I believe it had way too much to digest all at once and that didn’t help to keep me interested.

**I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own**

I couldn’t put down this fantastic, fast-paced, story! From the very beginning, I found myself fully immersed in Rosemary’s story. Filled with mystery and intrigue and woven with golden threads of the truth of the matchless love of God.
Rosemary is an easy character to cheer for. From the very beginning, I felt deeply for her plight and cheered as she began to learn who God really is, and how much He loves her. Rosemary is searching for clues that will prove that Peter is either loyal to Germany or to Great Britain. Will she find what she is looking for in time?
Peter is a bit of a recluse, hiding away in his study typing on his typewriter all day. Peter is more comfortable with the characters in his stories than his neighbors in the village. Being of German descent, and the fact that he spends most of his time hidden away, leads some to question his loyalty. Could the active imagination of his neighbors, and the talk in the pub lead to his downfall?
This book is one that you will not want to miss. With an amazing library that book-lovers will appreciate, a mystery to uncover, and the strong threads of faith, I highly recommend this delightful page turning story!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

Another great historical novel from Roseanna White! was immediately intrigued after reading the first couple chapters. The characters are likeable, well written and realistic. I liked Rosemary a lot. She has spunk. The relationship between Rosemary and Peter was fun to watch. Several of my favorite topics are weaved together to create this engaging story. Genealogy. Libraries. Writing. What a great combination! I really like how truth, justice and forgives is shown throughout the story. A captivating story until the end.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. At the beginning of the book, I didn't think I was going to like Rosemary. I found White did a fairly good job of making a thief the main character and making her believable and lovable at the same time. At times the book was a little slower in pace than I would have liked because there wasn't as much dialogue because of Peter's stuttering. I found Peter to be endearing and the stuttering made him more so. I liked the suspense aspect as a secondary feature in this story and how it was woven throughout the story so you didn't forget that it was supposed to be part of the story. I also didn't figure out who the bad guy was until it was revealed which I always like because it's not super obvious.

Excellent start to a new series. Good plot and character development.

Roseanna M. White is an author whose books I have enjoyed for quite a long time. I especially love the way she makes her characters so human and vulnerable while also strong. “A Name Unknown” is the latest novel I have read and I loved every page. Rosemary Gresham’s character was conniving, thieving, sentimental, witty and totally engaging. Her counterpart, Peter Holstein, was characterized humorously as an inattentive, shy, bookworm.

The era in which the story takes place had so many options to write about and I think that Ms. White hit upon the perfect plot. Before WWI, England was a hotspot for treason and espionage and political sentiment ran high. Rosemary’s reason for going to Kensey Manor was to supposedly to categorize Peter’s extensive library. But her real reason for being there was to get the goods on him. Peter needed to prove his loyalty to England and the crown and needed help doing that. Whatever else Peter was involved in was there for Rosemary to glean for herself. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game these two played and the supporting characters portrayed in the book were convincing and appropriate. I am anxiously waiting for further novels in this series, Shadows Over England, set in my favorite genre.

I could not put this book down. This has been one of my favorite books this year or even ever. This is the first book of a new series(Shadows Over England) and I can't wait for the next book in this series. I loved the characters in this book, especially Rosemary and Peter. I learned some history in this novel. I loved the twists and turns. This is a great story. I received this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Name Unknown is the first book in Shadows over England series by Roseanna M. White. We are taken back to 1914 when tensions are on the rise throughout Europe (war has yet to break out). Rosemary Gresham is a thief in London who helps support her “family”. The group consists of twelve orphans who have banded together and become a family. Rosemary has done two previous jobs for Mr. V and now he is offering her a third with a handsome payout. Mr. V wants Rosemary to find documented proof of Peter Holstein’s loyalties. He is loyal to England or Germany? Peter is of German descent and has the ear of the King of England, George V. War is sure to be declared soon and time is of the essence. Peter has just returned home to Kensey Manor from London. He is happy to be away from the crowds and return to his writing. Peter needs important documents to be found in his library or what his friend, Gryffyn calls the cave. With troubling times coming, he needs the documents that prove his nationality (his loyalty). Rosemary arrives as a librarian to apply for the position Peter has available (to sort the items in the cave). As time passes, Peter’s character is revealed to Rosemary. He is a kind, Christian man, but few people get to know Peter because of his stutter. Will Rosemary find the documentation she needs to complete the job? Or will she find a far greater prize in Cornwall?

A Name Unknown is set in beautiful Cornwall. I thought the story idea was interesting (and the cover is just lovely), but the execution (for me) was lacking. The book starts out with a good pace, but then it slows down to a crawl. The story gets bogged down (too much detail), and I felt like I was sinking in quicksand (I kept looking to see if I was any closer to the end). A little rewriting and editing would have made a significant difference. My rating for A Name Unknown is 3 out of 5 stars. The Christian element is moderate (just the right amount). Peter is a Christian man who prays and leads by example (many people look up to him and correspond with him). I particularly enjoyed Rosemary finding comfort in the Bible and God (becoming a Christian). It was the best part of the book. The mystery element was not complicated, and I easily identified the culprit. The mysterious Mr. V was an intriguing figure, and I believe people will be surprised by his motives. The romance plays out slowly over the course of book and had an expected outcome. A Name Unknown does have a charming ending. A Name Unknown has some good elements, but I was not wowed. It needs some reworking to improve the flow and eliminate the extraneous (it is too long).

Rosemary Gresham is one of the best, if not the best, thief in England. She grew up on the streets and that was the only way to survive. So when she is offered the highest-paying job she has seen this far, she takes it. She must infiltrate Peter Holstein's home and determine whether he really is a spy for Germany (he's half German, and it is 1914) as everyone thinks. So Rosemary moves into his estate manor as the librarian, sorting through his mountain of scrambled papers and books and spying every chance she gets.

I loved A Name Unknown. It was quirky and historical. It made me laugh and yet feel grief for the characters' losses. A beautiful story through and through, and perhaps my favorite of the three of Roseanna M. White's books I have read.

It takes place just before World War I begins. I never realized how much racism (is there a better word?) against the Germans existed even before the war. But international tensions were certainly high. It makes me fear a little for the events the characters must experience after the book ends. The war that killed an entire generation of men ... Yikes.

Still, the romance was sweet throughout the story. Rosemary and Peter had a rocky start to their relationship at the beginning with the potential for everything to blow up in their faces because of the subterfuge. The possibilities made the story that much more interesting. And yet, Rosemary was a terrible spy. She just couldn't keep herself from sharing personal secrets to the man she liked, enemy or not. It made the romance succeed, but still. She may have made a terrific thief, but the spying required her to take on a false identity for an extended period of time, which she was not good at.

I can say many more things about this book, but there isn't space. I truly enjoyed it and will perhaps read it again someday. I recommend it to those who love sweet historical romances.

I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I did not receive compensation of any kind.