I love, love, love this author...but this book didn't do it for me. The heroine wasn't believable, I was bored quite quickly and kept waiting for the plot to pick up, and the hero was just blah. One of the moments I felt really solidified my impression of the heroine was when she met the girl who had slept with her fiance and become pregnant. Yes, this is a Christian romance, and it's typical for the hero/heroine to be a bit saint-like. But she apologized to the girl for the girl being pregnant....like...what?? That made no sense to me. I can understand her not being mad at her, because after all, she wasn't in love with her fiance. But to actually apologize...to the other woman...for getting pregnant with her fiance? It was so unbelievable, I had to put my book down and laugh. No one is that selfless. Regardless of whether I love my fiance, if I was engaged and he slept with someone else, I would not apologize to the other woman after she gets pregnant. Makes no sense. After that I kept waiting for the story to make this better and more realistic, but it didn't happen.

Will try the next book - might be a better fit for me!

Arabelle Denler has been alone her whole life. With her mother deceased and her father gallivanting about the world on explorations, she has been forced to throw herself into the work of nursing, dreaming of someday having love, affection, and a family of her own. But when Philip Camden, the dastardly pilot about to be court-martialed, throws a spanner in the works of her matrimonial plans, Arabelle refuses to lash out or languish. Instead, she recognizes that beneath Camden's bullying bravado, there is another soul just as starving as her own, a soul filled with humor, kindness, and constancy. Together Arabelle and Camden survive a bombing on London, outwit a Nazi assassin, and prove that devotion is a quality most desirable, a quality that they both have in spades.

Philip Camden is my favorite hero since...forever. His devil-may-care attitude and flirtatious banter is tempered by a heart loyal to both his family and his men. Plagued by the demons of guilt, he refuses to defend himself from the charges against him. Yet, even while wallowing in self-recrimination, he protects his younger sister's honor, befriends the teenage-genius Margot in the codebreaking room (see the first book of this series!), and appoints himself as Arabelle's protector to drive off the fortune hunters. I'll avoid spoilers and just say that the setup for Philip meeting Arabelle is one of the most ingenious introductions in a romance that I've ever run across. 

Arabelle is the polar opposite of what one expects in a romantic heroine. She is tall, gangly, and, in her own words, plain. Instead of being missish and taking offense at every imposition or misunderstanding, she is perpetually gracious and forgiving. Her insecurities and fears are portrayed gradually and poignantly, giving Camden opportunity to rise to the occasion to protect, complete, and cherish her. 

This is one of my favorite reads of the year! Although it is part of a series and you'll enjoy seeing the tie-ins from White's other books, it could easily be read as a stand alone. Highly recommended.

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

While war wreaks havoc outside the bustling halls of Charing Cross Hospital, Nurse Arabella Denler brings a sense of calm and hope inside. Although she inherited her aunt’s fortune, Arabella considers her work her most important calling. She routinely prays for her patients and even some who never pass through the doors of the hospital. Men like Major Phillip Camden, who passes by the hospital each day just as Arabella’s shift ends.

The press has dubbed Major Camden ‘Black Heart’ and claims he led his squadron to their death on a routine air mission. Arabella prays for him because when he glances up while walking by, she sees a storm of pain in his eyes. Pain she has experienced, too. The pain of never feeling as if she is enough. She recognizes she has no claim to beauty, but when the war ends, her fiancé will marry her and they’ll start a family together—the only thing Arabella has ever really longed for.

Major Phillip Camden only longs for death. Although his friend rescued him from prison and found him a position in Room 40 working with Admiral Hall and his codebreaking team, Phillip prefers death. Only death will release him from the anguish and guilt. The army has ample evidence to court-martial him, but for some reason they allow him to keep working.

When his mother shows up in London begging him to fix his little sister’s problem, Phillip agrees. He’ll only need to break another man’s engagement. Phillip’s encounter with the man’s fiancée leaves him stunned. And intrigued. Maybe hope hasn’t died and perhaps he’ll find a way out of this mess.

If you love World War I-era books, you’ll want to purchase this book! The second book in Roseanna M. White’s Codebreaker series, On Wings of Devotion, follows a character we meet in The Number of Love. You don’t need to read the other book first, though.

White weaves a taut mystery filled with relatable characters. Characters from White’s other World War I series, Shadows Over England, make cameo appearances in this series, which I love. Most of all, White shows the reader that we all fall short of God’s glory, and that when we grab hold of his marvelous grace, it empowers us to fully forgive those who have sinned against us.

On wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White is the second book in the Codebreakers series, but it can be read very well as a standalone, that is how I read it! Though I admit I did get curious when I found out that one of the side characters I loved the most, Margot de Wilde, is the main character in book 1, so naturally I’m off to buy that one. And there were some hints for book 3, too, and it just sounds amazing. This is a series to watch out for!

I have previously read and enjoyed Roseanna M. White’s work, especially the Culper Ring series, but this book if my favorite so far. She has grown much in her writing, in earlier books I sometimes had some trouble with pacing and unable to distinguish the many side characters, but this book has none of those issues. I couldn’t stop reading! I felt so much for all the characters that I can’t help but make this review in fangirl expletives. Because I have major FEELS. So many feels… I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. Ok ok I’ll stop now and try calmly to explain why I love it.

Phillip Camden is named Black Heart and infamous for both being a rogueish lady’s man and losing his entire squadron in a dubious incident. He basically is waiting for a death sentence, and he is rigged with guilt, but plays the part the media gave him: a black heart. He pushes people away, but of course, there’s so much hurt underneath…. I couldn’t help but fawn over him too, as the nurses from the hospital did everyday as he walked by, even though he kinda is a bad boy. At least in the beginning. He brings the other main character, Arabelle, into a plot of his own device, and while the intention is well, it just isn’t well executed lol. Arabelle isn’t impressed, and she calls him out on it, which I absolutely loved.

Arabelle had to learn to stand up and take care for herself from a young age, and it turned her into this resilient, vibrant woman full of faith. Her empathy moved me a lot, how she always tries to help and give people second chances. She was truly an example of faith, of forgiving everyone and helping where she can, but also not afraid to call out what isn’t right.

As Camden’s plot leaves her a bit vulnerable, he takes up the part of her guardian dog, but he might end up getting ensnared himself… but there is more at play, and his work at the codeworkers office brings his own dangers…

Arabella’s way of life and her faith really struck a chord with me, and I aspire to be more like her! Of course she isn’t perfect, but she admits when she’s wrong and corrects her mistakes, and she really is a strong example. I love how she and Camden are very honest with each other, that honestly is a fresh breath or air. No misunderstandings between them, but they actually talked and resolved things! And I loved hoe Camden softened and opened up, and that it is mentioned that Arabella might be the inciting incident, it’s not the love of a woman that changes him for the better. I think that’s a very healthy message to spread, that true healing comes from God and not man, and that is a choice you must make for yourself.

The plot itself was amazing too, I was on the edge of my seat! The villain’s were very real, and you could clearly understand their motivations and even empathize a bit, which make the best villains in my opinion (if you can even truly call them that). The side characters were also a very nice addition, from Arabelle’s eccentric adventurer dad to Phillip’s amazing family, as well as the characters in Room 40 (the admiral is amazing! And I love this extremely intelligent awesome female code worker Margot), everyone felt very real and I kinda wanted to be there. There was lots of banter and humor to compensate the seriousness, and I just couldn’t help but fall in love with this book. I LOVED LOVED LOVED every second and I kinda wish it was 800 more pages.

I’ve been given a free e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you so much, Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers, for giving me the chance to read this pearl!

On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna White is the second book in the Codebreakers series. I LOVE this series and this author. I am new to her writing and I am excited to catch up on all of her books. She creates the most intriguing characters.

I so enjoyed Arabella’s character. She was such a good, forgiving person but it seemed real. Readers will feel her heartbreak as she deals with feeling like no one ever chooses her. I was so moved by the scenarios that the author created to reveal Arabella’s character.

Phillip Camden has been accused of treason. Because of his connections and reputation Admiral Hall has moved him to work in Room 40 with the codebreakers. You will also see a little bit of de Wilde from book one. She is still working in Room 40.

Phillip was a very likable character and I was longing for their relationship to work out. Philip was the perfect companion for Arabella. He was so wonderful to her; especially as the story was unfolding at the end. All the sweet things he tried to do to take care of her.

This is a book to buy as you will want to read it again and again. In addition to a thoroughly enjoyable read, I was happy to learn how much of the story was based on real characters. The author shared a lot at the end of the book. It was fascinating.

Sexual content - kissing, learning that someone is unmarried and pregnant, discussions of what the pilots did to relax but no details.
Violence - war violence

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

This is the second installment in the "Codebreakers" series, and it's one fans of historical fiction may want to check out. The author has a way with words that brings the characters and settings to life. However, things did seem to drag, at times, before picking up mid-way through the novel. I've read other books by White, and I've enjoyed them a bit more than this series. The pacing just feels a bit different with this series. It could be beneficial to read the books in order, and if you liked the first one, you'll likely enjoy this one. Be sure to read the author's note, as well. This book was just okay for me.

This was an excellent historical novel. It’s filled with interesting World War One history, a sweet romance, mystery, and espionage. The plot and characters are so interesting you will not want to put this book down. It’s rich in detail and adventure.

As far as heroes go, Phillip Camden might be my favorite. Cam, as Arabelle calls him, is your usual wounded hero. Yet his loyalty comes out early in the novel, not only in his devotion to his sister and mother, but also through the sympathy he has for Arabelle when she’s caught in the middle.

And Arabelle is feisty. I respected her from the moment I saw her nursing in Charing Cross Hospital. But with one well-deserved punch to the nose, I loved her. White refrains from making Arabelle the perfect saint, which I appreciated. Instead, Arabelle has a mixture of flaws and virtues. Compassionate but stubborn. Kind but snippy. Sweet but witty. And this mixture of characteristics is what makes Arabelle the best heroine to be paired with the brooding Cam.

From the historical depictions of life in WWI-era England to the realities of war in Room 40 and Charing Cross Hospital, White thrusts you in the midst of the characters’ daily challenges. Admittedly, I’ve only read a few of White’s books, but I think this is her best novel yet. Filled with action, emotion, and gripping drama, On Wings of Devotion keeps you turning pages.

(Blog will go live Jan. 7 at 5:00 pm)

This book has it all:
Another fabulous and riveting book by talented Roseanna M. White! There was not as much emphasis on code breaking as in the first book of the series but I enjoyed all of the mystery and intrigue. My attention was captured from the very beginning and it had me madly turning pages in order to determine would what happen next.
The main characters were flawed, authentic and lovable. Poor Cam doesn't feel as if he is worthy of redemption but that is the amazing thing about God's grace; none of us are. I also liked that the heroine wasn't drop dead gorgeous like most are made out to be. She was however beautiful on the inside which is where it really counts after all.
Another thing I really liked was the way that the message of hope and salvation was woven throughout the book. The author did a great job highlighting the contrasts between light and dark; good and evil; and life and death.
Now I can't wait for the third book in the series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Roseanna White is on my list of favorite authors, someone who's latest book I'm eager to devour. This being the second in the Codebreaker series, it didn't disappoint. By reading this book you will read of the characters she introduced in the first book, in addition Pearson who hails to us from the Shadows Over England series. Despite all this, even if this is the first book you have read by Roseanna, you will be fine. Each story is able to hold it's own without forcing you to read the previous books to know what is going on.

In this book, we are introduced to Arabelle who is a heiress engaged. Unfortunately, for circumstances out of her control, she discovers that her fiancé has impregnated someone else. In turn, as that life is gone she is introduced to Phillip Camden. This fellow has made some reckless decisions and all of England has a hatred for this man. But Arabelle, see's something and see's beyond his recklessness.

Rather than give anything away in the book, just know that it will keep you on your toes and eager to read the next chapter. I downloaded the book from net galley and just couldn't stop reading it. Read on my lunch break, before bedtime and just now on my work break. It's a book that you just can't put down without thinking about it. And even now, it lingers once the story is done.

How she creates and melds a wonderful story is magical in itself. I invite you to take a trip into Roseanna White's imagination and enjoy a story or two.

Roseanna M. White continues her captivating code breakers series in On Wings of Devotion, weaving an exciting tale of adventure, loss, humor, patriotism, heroism, family, and faith.  This exciting narrative, set in World War I era England, shares the story of Phillip Camden, a pilot fallen from the graces of the public, fuming with hatred and full of grief from the loss of his entire squadron.  "Black heart" is Phillip's nickname in the newspapers due to his status as sole survivor of a questionable aviation crash along with his menacing countenance. Phillip sets himself on a mission to not let anyone close enough to feel such loss again, yet his resolve is challenged with his new role as part of the secret code breaking division. Phillip also happens to cross paths with a very sympathetic nurse, Arabelle Denler. Arabelle rests her life in God's hands and has a very strong sense of faith as well as compassion towards others. She sees beneath Phillip's generalized hatred and lack of friends to the true problem--Phillip's hurting heart and need for forgiveness.
Throughout many intriguing and strange circumstances Phillip and Arabelle become acquainted and develop a friendship. The plot thickens with anonymous threats, multiple attempts at harming the main characters, as well as the great mystery of what truly happened in the plane crash that Phillip was involved in.  What will happen?  Will Phillip be imprisoned? Did he actually do anything wrong?  Can Arabelle help Phillip find his faith in God? Can their friendship survive the difficulties they face? I would highly encourage you to pick up this book and find out for yourself!

In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book!  Roseanna M. White's books have been some of my all time favorites, for the excellent characters, intriguing and suspenseful plots, the historic context, the focus on family and faith, as well as the great descriptive narratives. I related to the characters in this story in many ways and absolutely loved how concrete Phillip and Arabelle seemed to me as a reader as well as how palpable their struggles, fears, and emotions were.  I thoroughly enjoyed each character's struggles and their heartbreaks. I could honestly relate to each of them, even if I hadn't personally been in their situations. I cannot wait to read more of this series! Yet again, Ms. White has delivered an excellent tale full of adventure, surprise, humor, love, faith, and history. Excellent!
Disclaimer: Bethany House Publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

My Thoughts about On Wings of Devotion:

Wow!  I was so looking forward to this book because I love Roseanna White and this series is fast becoming a favorite.  Who am I kidding?  All of her series are my favorites!  

This is book two in the Codebreaker series.  Book one followed Margo who we met in the Shadows Over England series.  You'll see a lot of the characters from that series and other books as well.  I love getting reacquainted with old friends and that's how it feels when characters from other books pop in to say hi!

I was very happy when I saw that this book was going to follow Philip Camden and his journey after we met him in the previous book of the series.  His character had so many bits and pieces that I really wanted to explore and get to know better.  This book does not disappoint both in getting to know him and in getting to know a few new characters.

As with all of her other books, this was a fast read for me simply because I get so caught up in the characters and the plot that I am there and I have to keep reading and see how it ends!  Talk about being invested in a book!

Philip feels that he's simply waiting to die.  After members of his squad die, all but him that is, he is held in jail for a bit before being freed to go work on the Codebreaker floor.  He doesn't know why.  And really he doesn't care.  He'd much rather just be dead like his squad mates.  That is until he meets Arabella and life takes on a bit of meaning again.  

But the reasons for meeting Arabella are a bit too close to home.  When he feels guilty because he's now opened her up to all the fortune hunters he decides he must step in and save her.  And oh does that prove interesting.

I really don't want to give away any of the book because everything is so connected but it's a great read.  You need to read it.  Read book one in the series first then this one.  You'll love them!  Roseanna White is one author who I always keep her books on my bookshelf to read again and again.  Most other books I donate.  That has to tell you how amazing these books are!

So grab a copy and a comfy spot with some tea and cookies and settle in to devour the whole thing at once!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Roseanna M. White is one of my favorite authors. I would read anything she writes. She develops her characters. Her writing is fluid and has great pacing. The dialogue is interesting. There’s often a really unique main character.

In this case we have the mysterious “Black Heart” whose actions seem to contradict his reputation. I thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with Arabelle. They’re good together. I appreciated Arabelle’s sensitivity to the Lord’s prompting. She listens for his voice and follows his lead even when it’s hard.

I loved seeing characters, like Mr. Pearce, from other series show up and have a part in this book. The world of spies, treason, and codebreaking is full of mystery and intrigue. I would highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Codebreakers:

Book 1: The Number of Love

Book 2: On Wings of Devotion

#OnWingsOfDevotion #Netgalley

The second in the Codebreakers series will not disappoint readers who love historical fiction. The author does an amazing job creating this story bu9 using real characters and events. World War I will comes alive for readers! Love author's note! Recommended!

On Wings of Devotion
By Roseanne M. White
This book is the second in the Codebreakers series. The first one was great and this one was as well. Codebreaking was not as important in this story as it was in the first novel but was in the background. The characters took center stage as they learned to live beyond perception, forgive and love in this story.
Labeled Black Heart, Phillip Camden carries the heaviness of war after losing his crew. The secrets he carries from that day eat him and nothing anyone can do or say will pull him from the darkness.
Arabelle Denler may be rich but finding love, real love is not something she believes possible. She is plain and average in every way. Rather than wallow in her situation, she takes action and becomes a nurse. Serving at the military hospital she watches as the handsome Black Heart walks to work each day.
Having a mutual friend brings these two broken hearts together. Not looking for love but for healing, both Phillip and Arabelle find that God's love is the answer and His love can cover all.
I am now waiting excitedly for the third installment of this series.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I adore the cover for Roseanna M. White's newest novel, On Wings of Devotion. The character appears to be glancing toward something, which makes me, as the reader, wonder what it is. I enjoy the idea of the codebreakers during World War I. White does known how to craft a novel and does a wonderful job at bringing World War I world to life with her settings and characters. The problem I had was the plot. For most of the novel, nothing really happened. It was boring, and I kept wondering when the action was going to occur. I didn't really see the connection to the Codebreakers until about 2/3 of the way through the novel, then it felt like White hurried up and dropped it in. I didn't more action to make this a realistic Codebreakers novel. Overall, I have enjoyed a number of White's novels, but for some reason, the Codebreakers aren't honestly capturing my attention. If you enjoyed the first book, then you might totally disagree with me and that's okay. I pray you enjoy this novel too.

I received a complimentary copy of On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Oh, my heart is happy! There were so many great things about this book!!


Starting off, the main characters, Arabelle and Camden. There was SO MUCH DEPTH to them and I loved it! Arabelle is so caring and compassionate, so much so that she *SPOILER* sets up her ex-fiance after he betrays her trust, helps out a widow who tried to have Camden killed, and was assisting a dying German spy who wanted to kill many other people *END SPOILER*. That's on top of wrestling with constantly feeling overlooked, unwanted, and left behind. She no longer believes she is worthy of being loved and cared for.

Camden does not believe he is worthy of life or love. He thinks he is too far gone and basically, a dead man walking. He pushes people away when he really craves belonging. It's partly noble and partly selfish.

Both are believing lies and can't see what others see - that they are worthy, that they do belong, that they are wanted, that they can have life. I thought it was kind of funny that Camden was always trying to get Ara to believe what he thought of her, but then he wouldn't believe what his mother, brother, or anyone else saw in himself.

Then there are the cross-overs!!!! BROOK! and all the other characters from that trilogy. Pearce shows up and there are mentions of Rosie and Pete and the other girls. Margot and Drake are around (which I expected), but I loved having all the others around, especially Brook. She might be my favorite White character ever. The best thing about these cross-overs is getting little glimpses into their lives; how their families are growing.

I was intrigued at how "human" the villain was. I should say, antagonist, because there wasn't really a villain in the traditional sense and there kind of were two, but only one had some page time dedicated to themself. They were clearly in the wrong and you didn't want them to succeed, but you sort of felt like they weren't really bad, just caught up in something. Anyway, that human element surprised me.

I liked the teamwork that it took to wrap things up. I was a bit confused until hearing the explanation but it showed Camden that he belonged and was wanted. Going back to Ara for a moment, I have to say again how much her kindness and compassion moved me. I could feel what she felt, compassion and pain, and Camden's too. It was amazing.

The wit was great. Camden has a great sense of humor and Ara could move just as fast as he did. I highlighted a bunch of quotes and was smiling a lot.

Oh, one last thing. I appreciated the point made that Ara couldn't and wasn't changing Camden. We don't change people. We can make them want to change, want to be better, but the change is God's work in their life, especially spiritually speaking.

This is another sterling effort from Roseanna White. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm already guessing as to whom the last book will feature :)

My Review of On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White
Everytime I hear that another Roseanna M White book is coming out I dream about reading. You see, her books are so marvelous, they tug you into the story and leave impression every time, no matter if it is a lesson in the plot, a character, or anything else, White has a way of showing you a world somewhat lost in history. On Wings of Devotion is no exception, as a matter of fact it is her best yet, though I say that every book of hers I read.

Phillip, or rather to most Black Heart, is something of a broken glutton for punishment waiting for death to come until he meets Arabelle and then the story steps into another dimension of a wonderful plot. Every aspect of this second book in the Codebreakers series is thoroughly researched, emotionally reaching, and romantically shown.
Recommendation: 16/19 up.
Verse: Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (King James Version)
Rating: 5 stars, would give more if possible.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Roseanna M. White always delivers a fantastic historical romance story and of all of the ones of hers I've read, I believe this one is my favorite so far. Fans of her "Shadows over England" series and the first "Codebreakers" book will be glad to see some familiar faces; however, this book could easily stand alone if you haven't read the others. I would probably recommend reading "The Number of Love" first if you have it readily available, simply because it gives some history into Building 40 and how Phillip Camden came to be there. However, that information isn't essential to the plot of this particular novel.

One thing that often frustrates me in romance novels is that the heroines are almost always drop-dead gorgeous. Since few of us have those qualities in real life, we can swoon over the gorgeous couple romances, but they seem so far off. I love to cheer on a "less than beautiful" heroine (as I better relate to that) and Arabelle Denler fits the bill on that front. She is fiercely loyal, incredibly independent, intellegent, competent and very caring - which makes her an excellent nurse. She is engaged to be married to an old friend, who has agreed to give her a family in exchange for her financial aid to keep his estate. When that goes sideways, she finds herself under the unlikely protection of handsome misfit Phillip Camden, who keeps the money-grubbers at bay and in the process finds the true beauty of Arabelle. Their witty banter had me laughing at regular intervals and their inner turmoils made me cry at equally regular intervals. While romance is not generally my genre of choice, this author is still one of my g0-to's because of her wonderful characters and amazing story lines. In addition to the romance aspect, this book had a couple of mysteries (what really happened to Camden's squadron,for example), espionage in the form of a prior acquaintance of Phillip's, a cast of fun side characters, a solid faith element and a demonstration of the need for compassion - even for one's enemy. I absolutely loved everything about this story!

Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the opinions contained herein are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book. I love this time period. i felt it wasnt as tight as the others in the series, I love seeing Brooke from The Lost Heiress. I love how the author pulls her books togehter with the others via Brooke. I happen to know that she sent edits in after I downloaded my galley. I am looking forward to reading the updated version. I will review the book and post it on my blog, scribd B$N, Books A Million, Amazon