A Portrait of Loyalty concludes Roseanna M. White's Codebreakers series and takes readers back to "Room 40" of the Old Building (OB) where the Codebreakers work together to undermine the German foe.

Zivon Marin fled his Russian home when being a friend to the czar became a death sentence. One of the top cryptographers in Russian intelligence, Zivon is determined to overthrow the Bolsheviks by any means possible. By offering his services to British intelligence, he hopes to also gain their help in his cause. Always on his mind is his younger brother who he fears died in the train derailment in France that sent him to the hospital As he searches for evidence of his brother's survival, he instead uncovers disturbing information that his brother's loyalty to czarist Russia and to Zivon's cause are in question.

Lily Blackwell hides her work with British Intelligence behind working with injured service men in the war hospital. Yes, she spends part of her days as a nurse, but the rest of her time is spent using her skill with a camera and developing film. Her work was the original "Photoshop". Her father's connections to propaganda, started her on the path to re-touching and re-creating photos to tell the story the Allies wanted told, not the actual stories in the original photos. When her father invites Zivon for supper one evening, a friendship develops that quickly involves their hearts. Their secrets, however, cause some suspicion, but when photos are intercepted by British Intelligence that cause Zivon's loyalties to be called into question, can Lily prove that they are faked before Zivon is sent away?

I have enjoyed this whole series and the more in-depth look into the code-breaking division used in WWI. Some of the methods used then seem pretty basic, but were probably state-of-the-art at the time. Lily's use of her camera to re-make photos was amazing, and her ability to tell real from fake when the counterfeiters are almost as good as she is was nothing short of phenomenal.

Readers who love history with a touch of romance will enjoy A Portrait of Loyalty. Each book in the series is a stand-alone and deals with a different branch of the Code Breakers, so they CAN be read separately. I enjoyed them as a whole because some of the characters are "re-visited" from book to book, so it was fun seeing where life has taken them since the last book.

I love this series so much! The family it is based around is so much fun. I love the historical aspect as well, though the best part is that the characters get the reader to think on different moral subjects. I can't recommend this one enough!

This book was the 2021 Christy Award winner for Historical Romance and it so deserves the accolades. The author masterfully combines espionage of WWI, the revolution in Russia, artistry and beauty of photography, astounding faith, and sweet romance to create one unforgettable novel. I loved learning about British intelligence and how codes and photos were used during the Great War. Zivon was a fantastic hero - so noble and dedicated and intelligent. His journey to forgiveness through grief and anger was heart-breaking but full of truth and encouragement. Lily's compassion and tenderness were the perfect antidote to Zivon's shadowed past. The plot was intricately detailed and there were quite a few gasp-worthy twists.
If you enjoy historical romance, this is a must read! I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Roseanna White never fails to impress me with her storytelling skills and her amazing characters. A Portrait of Loyalty is no different. Zivon and Lily bring this story to life in such a way that I could not stop reading. History is a vivid reminder of who we are. Stories like this remind me of the past while also giving hope that we can do better. It's a fine balance of history, romance, and faith that brings this story full circle. I loved seeing the world through the lens of Lily's camera, and though I'll miss the characters from this series, I know I'll be back to read about them again and again.

Roseanna's book NEVER dissapoint. The romance, the drama, the intriuge- uGH! LOVED IT ALL. I don't even know what to say but for you to go read it rn.

A masterpiece of mystery, danger and intrigue. In 1918 WW1 London, Lily is a talented photographer who can alter photographs by hand, way before Photoshop was even thought of. Zivon is a Russian codebreaker who escaped from his country, barely, with his life. He was separated from his brother by a train wreck and accidentally exchanged bags. Bags with very important information for all sides of the war. Very tense, deeply loving and heartbreaking story with a satisfying ending. Christian lessons and life's wisdom throughout, with astute sight and clarity. Beautifully done! Riveting, very hard to put down, especially in the last quarter as everything moves so fast. If I wasn't already a fan of Roseanna's, I would be now. Needs more than a 5 star rating.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#APortraitofLoyalty #NetGalley

I haven't read the other 2 books in this series yes, but I enjoyed this one. The tension between countries is still applicable today, but I appreciated the historical view.

Zivon Marin is one of Russia's best cryptographers. He and his brother were separated on the train in France while fleeing Russia on their way to England. Now Zivon lives in England and helps England in the war, while wondering what happened to his brother, Evgeni. Zivon meets Lily (Lillian) Blackwell when her father (his boss Captain Blackwell) invites him to dinner. Lily is a gifted photographer and works in the intelligence division retouching and recreating photographs to be used as propaganda to England and its allies.

Once I got into it, this book really held my attention. Zivon has enemies that have found him in England, which leads to his coworkers and supervisor wondering if he can be trusted. Is he truly on England's side? I loved the intrigue and reading how they used retouched photos back in 1918. I didn't realize they used things like that back then, and found it very interesting. You can tell the author put a lot of time into research for this book. I liked all the different points of view--Zivon, Lily, and a couple of other characters I won't mention because I don't want to give anything away.

I liked Lily, she's much braver and smarter than I think I'd have been in the situations she found herself in. I liked how she and her sister would "talk" to each other through the wall that separated their bedrooms. I liked how her friendship with Zivon developed into love.

This is part of a trilogy and although each book can be read as a standalone, I feel it would be best to read them in order. I didn't realize this was the last of a trilogy when I requested it from NetGalley, but I didn't have a hard time following it, although I probably would've appreciated some of the characters more knowing their backstory.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Bethany House via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Roseanna M. White is a MUST read author in my book. Her books never disappoint and are laced with mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

The best. Roseanna M White is simply the best!!! She brings history and fiction together and creates an unforgettable story. Please pick this one!

White does it again. I greatly enjoyed this eagerly-anticipated conclusion to The Codebreakers series. Despite having written such a large catalogue of books, each of White's main characters still stays so unique and one-of-a-kind. With some others, I feel like all the characters start to blend into one after they've written enough books, but not so with White's characters. Getting to see the world through Lily's eyes was a beautiful treat and I loved her strong, yet tender character and sense of loyalty. At first, I wasn't overly excited about Zivon being our protagonist in this book, but I quickly realized I was wrong! His strong sense of family and loyalty, yet desire for justice and truth, even when those collided, gave such strength to his character.

This was a thrilled conclusion to the series, and I eagerly anticipate what Roseanna White has up her sleeve next! I cannot recommend this series enough!

What an ending to a wonderful series! The characters are so real.. Secrets, double lives, secret agents, romance and a unique look behind the scenes inside an intelligence agency. I always enjoy the Historical lessons this author gives me through the eyes of these unique characters. Definitely on of my favorite authors. If you like this type story... you will definitely enjoy this book and the entire series. I was requested a copy through NetGalley and no review was required. My review is voluntary.

I loved this story—partly for its wonderful characters, but also partly because of the history woven seamlessly into its pages! I feel like I learned a lot more from this book than from some of the others, history-wise; I knew the Bolshevik Revolution happened right around the time of World War I, but it’s one thing to know and another thing to see it through the eyes of a character you’re empathetic with. That part was very well done—that, and seeing the effect of the Spanish Flu. How horrible! Makes the pandemic we’re living through seem relatively light in comparison.

The characters? They were spot-on, as I’ve learned to expect from White. She knows her characters and somehow manages to think with their mindsets, and the results are astounding. I’d love to take some character creation classes from her! Whether they are musically, mathematically, or artistically inclined, she does a great job bringing that out in everyday circumstances that just go to prove how much they are geared for those things—it’s a beautiful experience as you read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It wasn’t my favorite of the whole series (I’m a loyal Margot fan), but I felt like it did an excellent job wrapping up the series, and was the perfect addition to them overall. As a historical fiction addict, this one tickled my fancy in that way, but also provided some sweet but not over-the-top romance, which was lovely. If you enjoy that combination within the realms of a well-told story, I’d recommend you check these books out.

I was given a complementary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Like Roseanna's other books in this series, A Portrait of Loyalty also has a great story. The story took me back to a tumultuous time in history and gave me a glimpse of what life was like during the first world war. The codebreakers are facinating to me. It's amazing the way they can solve puzzles with code and language so quickly. This series also mentions the Bolshevik Revolution which I thought was a great addition to the historical scene. The Russians were having their own battles that they were facing during this time too. And can you honestly have a spy book without having a Russian make an appearance? Of course not! This story will pull at your heartstrings so be prepared for that. Not everything is all roses especially with the sudden appearance of the Spanish Flu. A timely story for this point in our own history. Of course, our illness in 2020 is not to the vast effect that the Spanish Flu had on the world.
I would definitely recommend this series. It was a great one to read, so make sure to check out the books in her Codebreaker series.

***I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

My Thoughts: There's nothing like slipping into a Roseanna White novel. She has a way of creating memorable characters and an unstoppable story. A Portrait of Loyalty featured a bitter Russian man, who we had met in previous books. I loved watching his character soften and evolve. I'll admit that the Russian side of the story took me a little while to gain my footing. So if you find yourself slightly confused at first, just press on. Things level out and the story is one you won't want to miss. The relationship between Zivon and his brother was just as gripping as his budding romance with Lily. But my favorite parts were the words of wisdom and encouragement sprinkled throughout the book.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving it 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy Christian historical fiction, WWI fiction, or Russian history.

~ I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to give a favorable review.

This is an excellent ending to a really interesting series. I found the beginning to be a tad slow, but if you stick with it, it really picks up and gets quite interesting. The characters are very real and relatable. I enjoyed reading this whole series, getting to know these characters, and learning more about this time period.

This novel was an excellent conclusion to the Codebreakers Series. One of my favourite things about Roseanna M. White books is how she weaves little known historical details and events into her story, whilst peopling them with colourful and realistic characters.

A Portrait of Loyalty is no exception, featuring Russian political refugees in the closing months of WW1. Not all however, are as they seem. Some are secretly Bolsheviks in disguise pursuing their own agenda.

Romance and family drama features into the story, but neither really detracts from the narrative, nor are the faith messages heavy handed. That's another thing I appreciate, actually, is how the religious traditions of the various characters are authentic and treated respectfully. Russian Orthodox come over as Russian Orthodox, not American Evangelicals with Russian accents, as in case with some novels.

Overall, a great conclusion to the trilogy, with some cameos from characters old and new.

Thanks to Bethany House for enabling me to read this title via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

I have so much to say about this book, but most of it can be focused on the raw brilliance of the two main characters. Their differences are too many to count. She is from England. He is from Russia. She is fighting for her country. He is fighting for a country not his own. She has her beloved family around her every day. He has viciously lost everyone dear to him. She sees beauty where he sees patterns. The list is endless...and yet... I dare say two characters have never complemented each other as perfectly as these two.

Somehow, seeing Zivon and Lily together is like watching poetry in motion. They are so opposite yet they fit into each other effortless. I have a feeling that the characters in this book largely 'wrote themselves'...it feels so natural.

The setting is nail biting - this novel throws you directly into the fires of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and the seething turmoil of the world wars. It was an era of spies, evolving weaponry, tactics, and a mad race for information and position. This is the world Lily and Zivon are trapped in, and the chaos makes their story all the more riveting.

Needless to say, I loved this novel and found the characters (obviously) utterly enchanting and the plot enticing. I had a hard time putting this book down. If you haven't read A Portrait of Loyalty, I highly recommend that you do.

4.5 stars

A Portrait of Loyalty is the final book in The Codebreakers series and it was such a great conclusion. I've been a fan of Roseanna M. White's novels for years now and always look forward to her new releases. This one did not disappoint. :D

I loved the characters and how realistic the story felt...even if things didn't always go as I expected. Lily was probably my favorite character and I especially loved her passion for photography.

All in all, A Portrait of Loyalty was a fantastic story and one that I'm sure most historical fiction lovers will enjoy. I recommend it!

*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.*

Roseanna M. White’s historicals are incredible books sure to give a great reading experience with thoughtful settings and plots, and well-rounded characters placed in situations that are plausible and compelling. But this third book in The Codebreakers series has surpassed any expectations I had when I turned the first page, not only entertaining me, but impacting me in powerful ways as I processed the events of the story.

This is a novel that isn’t afraid to grapple with hard moral questions: Is it ever okay to lie? What about lying without words? Is hatred ever all right? Do the ends justify the means? Always? Reading about characters struggling to answer some of the same questions I have wrestled with was encouraging even as it was often uncomfortable. But it felt like I was walking the journey with friends rather than fictional characters.

The main reason for that is the people in this book are very multi-dimensional. They are deep, with motivations that are both realistic and complex. Of course, this is doubly true of the main characters, but even minor characters come across as new friends we may not yet know in-depth, but real nevertheless.

And the author doesn’t shy away from tough spiritual concepts either. I appreciated and could relate to Zivon’s struggle with God’s silence and what appeared to be inaction. I think many of us can empathize with that particular circumstance, and without giving us cliche answers or platitudes, White allows us to see a character walk through those difficulties where solutions don’t come easy.

I think I may say this after every White book, but this is my new favorite by her. I loved Lily and Zivon’s story, and I appreciated the struggle between right and wrong, especially in times of suffering, when doing the right thing and the expedient thing are not often the same thing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, or stories with elements of the history of Russia, photography, or intelligence gathering. Even aside from those preferences, this is an amazing novel with depth and heart that should not be missed!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post positive remarks. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own