There's no other way to put it. Far Side of the Sea is imply a fascinating and stunning novel. The way Breslin blends history, romance, and a little mystery is amazing. Her characters are well rounded, the faith theme is just right, and the plot is always engaging and grabs your attention. I have yet to read a book by Breslin that I did not devour. This is no exception.

Far Side of the Sea was such an amazing read! I loved starting this book and realizing it was about the brother from Not by Sight. Such a neat surprise, as I didn't realize they were connected.

I really enjoyed the mystery and spy aspect. I was right on one of my guesses of who NOT to trust. The romance was also very good.

All in all, Far Side of the Sea was fantastic and I recommend it to fans of the genre. I think you should read Not By Sight first, then Far Side of the Sea, and lastly In Love's Time...since they are all connected.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Far Side of the Sea
by Kate Breslin
Pub Date 05 Mar 2019 |
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian

I am reviewing a copy of our Far Side of the Sea up through Bethany House and Netgalley:



The Spring of 1918 Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. The message he believes is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.


When Colin discovers the message came from Jewel's Half Sister Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.



When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.



I give Far Side of the Sea five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

What a polished, beautiful read! The twists and turns kept me interested and on the edge of my seat, and I thought the paving was great! This was my first Kate Breslin, but it won’t be my last!

What a fun and exciting mystery. I enjoyed this story set amid WW1 Europe. The story is exciting and has several twists that kept my attention. The ending was enjoyable and overall the story moved well. Good read!

Although I am not a huge reader of war tales, Ms. Breslin is one of those rare authors that captures my attention and holds onto it with a huge dose of intrigue and sweet romance, Far Side of the Sea was no exception and had me wrapped up in Colin and Johanna's story and reluctant to put it down when I was finished.

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin is the ultimate in historical fiction. From the very first page, the sense of place is absolutely evident and absorbing. Ms. Breslin is a master at her craft. If you love historical ficiton and beautiful storytelling, this is the book from you. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Can they find the peace they both seek?

I'm always up for a good Kate Breslin book, I think I've read all but her first release. But Far Side Of The Sea was really something else! A hidden diary, espionage, coded messages, a drugging or two, a wild trip through WWI Europe, and spies...lots of spies! It was great!!!

I loved both Colin and Jo. They have been hurt but they don't let the pain of the past stop them from doing what they know is right. I think their struggles with finding and hanging on to faith during difficult times are something we can all relate to even though we aren't exactly facing the same war-torn situation.

Far Side Of The Sea is probably my favorite Kate Breslin book, yeah, I know I say that every time but it's still true. I really enjoyed every bit of it from learning about carrier pigeons to the quotes from Napoleon, from the adventure to the vividly painted landscapes of France and Spain. I loved the book and it's definitely one that would recommend to any historical fiction fan!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

OKAY! COLIN! I love Colin! He's one of my favorite male leads now, and I'm 100% in love with him. (Would steal him, but y'know, I like the couple together, too.)

I'll try to write a more sensible review now. This was an amazing book! It was the first time I'd ever read a Kate Breslin book all the way through, even though I've been saying I need to read something by her for forever. And this one was EXCELLENT!

I loved the historical context, the romance, the characters ... everything. It was so good!

I wanted to like this book but it was too painfully slow for me. I just didn’t find the plot as intriguing as the back description made it out to be

With the Far Side Of The Sea, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. It started off kind of slow for me. But, with great prevail, I finished! And, the happy news? I loved it! Filled with deep, rich detail of history, magnificently chiseled characters and a plot line that will be with you long after the story is finished. Breslin's talented hands have created another 4 star novel that everyone should check out. It has rich messages from God, woven into the faith and hope and longing within the pages. Definitely a keeper for me!

This was a great book overall. It had spying, Intrigue, War, plots and secret codes. Even a very smart messenger pigeon.
The characters were complex and well developed, and all were embroiled in a complex web of familial or country loyalties so at times you could not tell who could be trusted or not. All in the style of a good thriller.

The faith elements were well handled and the romance was sweet, without being overly simplistic or instantaneous. In fact, for much of the book the hero is meant to be in love with another character. So its an unlikely romance.

There were a few things I counted against it though. I think Colin was a little too gullible in certain areas, to fall for the same trick twice. I mean c'mon. He was meant to be an experienced soldier with connections in military intelligence. I expected better of him.

Secondly were the inevitable Americanisms. British people using only a fork to eat in the American manner, and various Americanisms which crept into the narrative. I also feel there were a few things that weren't adequately resolved or developed. I can't quite put my finger on it, it might just be that the ending felt really rushed but I think I preferred the last novel in the series.

It was a good read altogether though. A solid 4 stars.

My Review:

Genre: Historical, WWI, romance, Christian fiction.

My Rating: 5 stars.

My Recommendation: 13 up for romance.

My Favorite Character/s: Huh, hard to say, I guess it should be No or Colin but it isn't . . . My favorite is Marcus, who though not in the book much I loved his character and the spying was so cool! I don't know but the little we get to see if Marcus is quite intriguing and it's interesting to see how way of working with love sick men who've made a mistake with their words or actions.

My Verse for Marcus is

My Thoughts: I am in love! My second novel by the author in a day and man, are they wonderful! AS I is a favorite time period of mine and I'm always on the look out for books about AS I but they are hard to find unlike WWII. Anyway, this story was so incredibly fantastic, Colin, wounded warrior though that's not the term used then and Jo, all alone and searching for her family. It's a sad and romantic book with a an who honors Christ while breaking free of his past.

Warnings: Mentions of a child born out of wedlock, a character is shot and another character is drugged.

I received a copy of this book inn exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.

I love a good story and wow, is this a good story! This one had all the ingredients needed to keep me turning pages as quickly as I could:
A World War 1 setting; espionage; intrigue, faith, and romance. This book kept me guessing as to who was really a bad guy, a good guy, and who was a double agent. Kate Breslin did a wonderful job of working all her research into this story to add extra layers of interest. I did not realize that the Allies had used messenger pigeons this extensively in the war and the messages they carried added a somewhat fascinating and romantic touch to the storyline.

Colin and Johanna may be my best-loved fictional couple of all the books I’ve read this year. Both are flawed, heroic, and loyal. Colin was gravely wounded during the war, and is trying to find his place again in English society and the wartime effort. He loves his family and sincerely wants to serve his country. Johanna is a refugee in France and is desperately trying to find her father and sister. She’s lived a life of loneliness and struggle. After finding her sister’s diary, she realizes that Colin is her best hope in locating them. A message by carrier pigeon brings them together and changes the course of both of their lives. As events move swiftly around them, they each must decide to depend on their faith to help them discover the truth. But Johanna has one more secret to reveal to Colin, and it may drive them completely apart.

If you like Christian historical fiction, you’ll like this one. I had not read the first book in this series, but this story was easily read on its own. I’m hoping there’s another book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

As I read this book, one thought kept coming to the forefront, "I don't want this story to end!" Alas, I turned the last page and closed the book yesterday. And ever since, have been trying to come up with adequate words to portray my feelings and the emotions that this story stirs. So, I'll give it my best shot...

Lt. Colin Mabry has had his fair share of tragedy, trauma, heartache, and war. While we met him briefly in Not by Sight, I was so excited to get to know Colin. A war hero that has to deal with permanent repercussions, both physically and mentally. In WWI, PTSD was better known as "Shell-Shock". And unfortunately, they didn't have the resources and understanding that we have today. My heart ached for Colin. I honestly don't know how anyone can make it through a situation like that withOUT God. His peace, His comfort, guiding and supporting me is the only way I made it through any of the traumatic events in my life.

Johanna has had quite an interesting life. Between the circumstances of her birth, not knowing she had a sister, her mother's lifestyle...Oh boy! But one of the things that I admire about Jo, is her passion. Her passion for family, life, and love. When she sets her mind to something, anything, she will MAKE it happen. She is independent and strong. But she recognizes her need for help, family, and eventually, God.

Kate Breslin has captivated me yet again with a beautiful and thrilling story of faith, family, and love in the midst of war. A tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, Far Side of the Sea is a must read for any lover of The Great War era and espionage.

I received a complimentary copy of Far Side of the Sea from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Relegated to a desk job after losing his hand, Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages sent by carrier pigeon. Strangely enough, one of the messages appears to be for him, a call for help to save Jewel Reyer, a young Frenchwoman who nursed him to health on the front and almost became his sweetheart. Determined to find Jewel, Colin heads to France where he meets up with Jewel's half-sister Johanna. Impulsive, endearing, and always late to an appointment, Johanna wants nothing more than to be reunited with her father and half-sister. Together, Colin and Johanna assume the identity of a married couple and travel from Paris to Toulouse to Barcelona, trying to free Jewel from the clutches of a German agent before it is too late, and discovering that their own hearts are now entwined in a way that will make separation unbearable.

This World War I love story had beautiful character development. Colin, damaged by the war, suffers horrific nightmares, terror of explosions, and a fear that no woman will love him on account of his mutilated body. His daily struggle to dress and feed himself with only one hand is poignantly displayed along with his bristling embarrassment over his condition. Johanna, haunted by the violence and abandonment of her past in Ireland, accepts Colin as he is with a loving and generous heart. Feeling guilt over her own attachment (as it is just possible that Colin may belong to her sister Jewel), she risks everything to maintain honesty with Colin, knowing that he may reject her when he learns the truth about her past.

The use of carrier pigeons was an important plot point in the book. Even in a time of telephones and telegraphs, these swift feathered friends proved great allies to the Allied cause. The Christian elements in this book felt slightly forced when Colin originally speaks to Johanna about God, but by the end, the message of faith was woven seamlessly into the story. This book is a clean and captivating romance that will appeal to lovers of World War I fiction. 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I just finished reading Kate Breslin's Far Side of the Sea. This book has it all, romance and war, spies, a black book and many historical details. A great book to curl up with on a summer day. One of the historical items was a Gimmel ring. 3 rings that come together to form 1 complete ring. I love reading Ms. Breslin's books as I always learn something new. She also weaves the story of God's love and forgiveness into her stories. Her writing skills continue to grow and I await with great anticipation her next book.
So grab a pot of tea, no sugar due to rationing, and curl up for a superb read!

i was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Ms. Breslin's Far Side of the Sea introduced us to the fascinating world of carrier pigeons used in WWI. What a clever way for the hero and heroine to meet! This is a sweeping story that takes readers to various locations in Europe while also being a bit of a spy thriller. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that I didn't feel quite as fully connected to the characters as I did in her preceding novel. Nevertheless, it was a very engaging read.

What a winner! Kate Breslin once again completely transports us to a different time.
Full of mystery and intriguing mystery, not to mention a swoon-worthy romance, you won't be able to put this one down! The faith elements are organically woven throughout the story and at the last page you can't help but let out a happy sigh.

It never crossed my mind that Breslin might go back to wright Colin's story, but I'm so happy she did! She portrayed his wounds and determination perfectly, really endearing him to the reader, and to one Miss Johanna Reyer.

And Johanna... what can I say? Hands down one of my favorite heroines of the year!!
In Colin's own words: “Johanna Reyer was the most outrageous woman he’d ever met. She carried pigeons in her purse, wore men’s clothes, and revered Britain’s old nemesis, Bonaparte. Now she planned to tell the American Secret Service how to run their operation.”.

Can't wait for this author's next book!

Far Side of the Sea takes place toward the end of World War I. I loved that the hero of the story, Colin Mabry, is a maimed soldier suffering from PTSD. He was courageous as he had to face his fears, having to walk into situations that heavily reminded him of the trauma that had cost him his arm. For both love and duty.

Colin is on a quest to make good on a promise to the woman he loves, Jewel. A woman he had to leave behind as he headed back into war.

Johanna is in search of her half-sister, Jewel, and their father. Her father she met once, and her sister never before. She works with carrier pigeons for the war. I did not know that carrier pigeons were used for communication this way. This is one reason I love reading the author’s notes at the back of the book (once I’ve finished the story). To know how the author researched, what was fact vs fiction. I also enjoy following Kate Breslin on facebook, as she shares neat things about her research.

Bombings, spies, kidnapping, drugged drinks, this story is not lacking for adventure. I was kept guessing, some of the characters I had figured out, other’s had me in shock.

The book was well written, I have to say, Kate Breslin, I love your way with words! Beautifully done.

I don’t want to give spoilers and ruin the mystery for you… I highly recommend this novel if you love adventure, mystery, romance, and history. I also loved how Colin clung to his faith. Even after everything he had faced, he did not waver.