I just think that Roseanna White is in a league of her own. I love her plots, the depth of her historical research and, of course, her dashing heroes and intelligent heroines.

I couldn't get enough of her last two trilogies: and the look into the Great War and then its zone in on Codebreaking and I cannot wait to see where this talented author takes us next. One of the grandest voices in Christian fiction.


I have shared about this book on instagram, Twitter and Facebook and also ensured that my library ordered copies in digital and print!

This book was fascinating. This whole series has been.

I loved the insight into how photography was used during the war. It was a great addition to the codebreaker series.

Zoom was a unique hero. He was quite the talented linguistic and I loved that about him. But he also intrigued me with his faith. He had a lot to question and it was neat to see him work through those questions.

Lily was amazing. I loved having such a strong fake with such unique skill sets in this book. I loved her work ethic.

The romance in this book wasn't very forefront, which was fitting because not was war time and while I don't begrudge them becoming involved romantically it seemed right that it wasn't all encompassing.

The research and details in this series have been so impressive. I'm a little sad it is over.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is the third book in the Codebreaker's series and it's a good one.

There is something about this book that is so real and so good. It's not just all happy endings. There is grief, loss, and danger, along with joy and love. But isn't that so real to our own normal lives?

Set in London during World War I, Zivon Marin has fled his beloved Russia because the Bolsheviks have made it very clear that in their quest for equality for all, they do not tolerate differing opinions. Reduced to the low man on the totem pole, Zivon must prove his allegiance and his loyalty while someone else wants to disprove it.

I keep a book journal and it's rare that I fill more than one page for any book and for sure not in a fiction book, but this book had me copying more than my normal amount of quotes. There are just some good things in this book.

"But Batya used to say that the difference between a wise man and a fool was not that the wise man was right and the fool wrong - but that the fool always assumed himself right, and the wise man would wonder if he could be wrong."

"We cannot prove ourselves better than our enemies by denying them what they denied us, but only by giving them what they denied us."

Another thing I really like about this book is that there really was a Russian cryptographer in London during World War 1. There were photography experts who doctored pictures to send a false message to the enemies. And while extreme liberties were taken to make a story, I like when there are bits of history that I can learn and still enjoy a good, well-written story.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

With themes of love, loyalty, family, trust, and faith, set in the backdrop of WWI and the intelligence agency, this book is deep, but so so good! I was swept away to the time period every time I started reading. This book is great for any historical fiction fans, but especially those who enjoy Christian values. There are lots of references to the Bible and faith in God. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thought and opinions are my own and in no way biased.

When a young officer named Clarke and a Russian codebreaker named Zivon Marin begin to visit, both Lily and her sister Ivy both find unexpected suitors. Like Lily, Zivon is a quiet observer of life, noticing patterns and predicting movements before they happen. Horrified by the actions of the Bolsheviks in his home country, Zivon is determined to assist the Allies with his talents as a codebreaker. He may have something else the Allies want, however--a photo album that belonged to his (possibly) deceased younger brother which contains confusing and (possibly) incriminating photos. As Zivon and Lily's relationship blossoms, the dangers to both of them and to England intensify, leading to a dramatic finale.

This book was a great finale to White's Codebreakers series. As Lily uses her skills to alter photographs under the instructions of British intelligence, the story explores what propaganda is--a damnable lie? Or a legitimate weapon to save those we love? True to form, White humanizes the villains of the story, offering them the same chance at redemption that the protagonists receive. She also explores the feminist ideals of the Russian revolution that taught women that marriage is a trap to be avoided at all costs. Those who enjoy World War I history, or just a riveting piece of romantic historical fiction, will enjoy this novel.

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

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. First of all, White brings us characters who are different for the time period. Being someone who loves photography, I loved that this was Lily's strongpoint! I always love strong heroines, but White's are different. They are given such wonderful talents that are usually seen in men for this time. And yet, the men in this series have given Lily (and the others) the ability to shine, albeit secretly!

Zivon and Lily - um yes. All. The. Feels. They are such a great couple. White takes her time with them, and doesn't rush their relationship. That's just how I want my relationships to be! I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say this - favorite couple of the series!!!

The other thing I love about White's books is the attention to detail she puts into it. There are so many historic facts in the story, and yet not once did I feel like it was too much, or just info dumping. You learn something, and frankly - you want to learn even more! Lily's ability to recreate photos was remarkable. I didn't really know it existed back then honestly, but just another way that White brings history to life.

Like I said, I have loved reading this series, and A Portrait of Loyalty is no exception to that. With welcoming characters, incredible bits of history, and a romance you'll adore, historic romance fans are sure to love this story. But, if you haven't read the first two in the series, I highly recommend doing that. Trust me you won't regret it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Roseanna M. White never fails to wow me and of course this book was no exception! I was completely fascinated with the glimpses we got of Lily and Zivon in the previous book and I was elated when I found out they would be the hero and heroine of this book!
I loved the way Lily looked at the world, finding pockets of beauty in every ordinary moment. Her skill at capturing that beauty was amazing and I was also impressed by all the ways she helped the Admiralty. She had such a caring heart which was evident in how fiercely she loved her family and the way she served at the hospital.
Zivon was definitely a mystery from the moment we met him but I loved seeing the layers peel back and getting to know the amazing hero beneath. His loyalty and determination were some of his most admirable qualities as well as the way he was able to keep moving forward and fighting for right despite having all that he cherished ripped away from him. The way his brain was always working steps ahead was truly fascinating and I loved seeing it in action.
Together Zivon and Lily were just absolutely perfect. Their romance started a little slowly but it unfolded beautifully at just the right pace and I loved it. The way Lily pulled Zivon out of his solitary existence and the way Zivon saw Lily’s heart above all else. They had my heart melting and I couldn’t stop reading.
The villains of this book were both a East and hard to hate and I applaud the way the author wrote them. I absolutely detested their actions but she also showed us their humanity.
I adored getting glimpses of all of our favorite characters from this series and the previous two (especially Barclay) though I’m refusing to accept that this is the end of this story world despite what the author has said. In all seriousness though this book was amazing and the perfect cap on this Codebreakers series! These three series will forever be some of my absolute favorites and I’m so thankful for them!

My thoughts begin with this beautiful cover! It reminds me of not only what the heroine, Lily Blackwell, does as her work and her hobby (photography), but it actually looks like a photo that Lily would take herself. I loved the details that described every step of this part of her story, from the actual taking of a picture to its development. I had no idea that altering photos played a role in warfare that early in time.

The depth of both main characters, Lily and Zivon, kept me intrigued the whole time. Zivon's Russian background held personal interest as I have traveled to Russia and have read other books on Russian history. Zivon's background was complicated, but seeing it unravel as the story went on was very satisfying. Lily's innocence paired with a profession that involved espionage created a great contrast and moral dilemma.

Each book in the Codebreakers series has had elements of romance, espionage, wartime drama and suspense. I would highly recommend not only this book in the series, which could be read as a stand-alone novel, but all three!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my personal opinions, which I did.**

*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You'll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which will mean some spoilers, so watch out.

So...this review was supposed to have been posted a month ago. I was supposed to have received my copy of this book a month ago, read it a month ago, and then put my thoughts into not-quite-coherent words a month ago. But due to the world's current state of affairs and my own sluggishness (can't blame the fact that it took me three whole days to read this stinkin' thing on anyone but moi), I've had to wait until nearly the end of September to get this baby out here.
So let's make it worth the wait, shall we?

I've read all but one of Roseanna M. White's books--seven of them twice, six of which I got from the library, and the rest are all warm and cozy on my bookshelf, where I read over some of my favorite parts from time to time--so I'd consider myself a White expert. And as an expert who has taken to expressing some serious opinions concerning this series, The Codebreakers, it is only customary that I continue to do so and impart upon the rest of society my wisdom, so to speak.
In other words, hold on to your hats. I'll try and keep this short, but I make no guarantees.
Roseanna M. White has only written three "bad" books--as in, different from the rest of hers and not necessarily in a good way. Jewel of Persia and Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland (also know as, A Heart's Revolution). Jewel of Persia was, to me, a little too much, all on top of an already beautiful true story of Queen Esther. Maybe I just like to think that Xerses eventually came to love Esther, so the idea of there being a concubine preferred over her rubs me the wrong way...or maybe it just wasn't her best work. And then A Heart's Revolution (I read it as part of the Love Finds You series, but AHR is shorter to write) was simply much, much different than her usual stories, so it didn't mesh well with me. (Not that I'm writing reviews of those books, so maybe I should move on.)
Wait--that was only two books, wasn't it? I'd said three.
A Portrait of Loyalty is #3.
Now, understand that none of this is objective. Objectively, it was a good book--great, even. White's melodic prose, with its rhythmic cadence and even pacing, is still there, as it has constantly been within her last two series, meshing well with the historical, the factual, and the mysterious of her thieves/spies and codebreakers.
Her attention to detail, her balance between action and emotion, dialogue and narrative, and her historical knowledge (never overboard, always just enough) remains.
But her humor and wit?
Her sparks?
The drama and action and conflict this story so needed?
The depth these characters seemed to have?

Nope.

Let me back up a bit. Back to the very beginning, with Margot and Drake.
I didn't have all good things to say about them, you know. They were missing some sparks of their own. Margot was missing the character arc and deep change I'd expected (even though, as a young child in A Song Unheard, she hadn't needed much change). Drake was missing a great deal of characterization that would have differentiated him from Thad and Brice and Barclay and Samuel and Justin and every other strong, godly, and charming hero White has turned out.
But then Cam came along. Cam, with his churning blue eyes as deep as the sea and just as treacherous. Cam, with his PTSD, which I'm very sensitive about, since it's in the family. Cam, with his conflicting persona of rakish gentleman and tortured villain. Cam, with his beautiful heart and his eye for the same. Cam, with his...him. And Ara, who was all the good, perfect, light, and happy strength all the Christian heroines possess nowadays--with a vulnerability and a flawed spirit that kept her from becoming a regular Mary Sue. I mean, they--and their story--wasn't perfect. No book, no character, no person is, but they more than made up for Margot and Drake, even if they didn't have a lot of plot or action.
Which brings me to Zivon Marin (whose name is just as Hebrew and Latin as it is Slavic, if not more so...yes, I looked it up) and Lillian Blackwell.
Ziv, with his routine and his steady outlook on life, was supposed to be the mysterious, intriguing Russian codebreaker. And Lily, with her passion for photography and her eye for beauty in the midst of chaos, was supposed to be his polar opposite. They, because of their opposing personalities, should have had some serious chemistry.
They didn't. They kissed once, of course. And, you know, did all the love-declaring and proposing that you're supposed to do to ensure a happy ending. But as for an actual romance?

Nope.

So, from the point of view of, say, historical fiction, this was a great book.
If you wanted to throw in drama, suspense, intrigue, mystery, etc., then you'd be disappointed. It was almost as if White were trying to write something more character-driven and skimp on the plot--which worked terrifically for Cam and Ara in On Wings of Devotion--but when you're an amazing suspense/intrigue writer who can someone manage to marry wit and sparks with action and mystery (like in the Ladies of the Manor series), you can't just abandon what works! Not when it works so well!
Plus N and E (names have been changed for protection), the anti-heroes (since they weren't really villains, not when they got an ending just as happy as Ziv and Lily's), were pretty cliché, N in particular, since White's already has Deirdre, Kira--who makes an appearance in APoL--Diezlla, Dara, Caelia, Catherine, and plenty other female antagonists throughout her many stories.
This isn't a codebreaking book, a spy book, a WW1 book, a romance book, a mystery book, an intrigue book, or really anything other than simply a historical. Sure, there were a lot of opportunities for more codebreaking, spy, romancing, mystery-solving, etc., but not that much really it happened. It was kind of short, actually. Straightforward. To-the-point. Not quite boring, because it wasn't boring and things really did happen. (Like certain characters dying, for instance.)
Plus, for this to have been the end of the series, there was no goodbye. No wedding for Cam and Ara. No sweet epilogue where we get to see if Margot and Drake had any kids--which I highly doubt, seeing as how Margot intends to be career woman. Even the Shadows Over England series, which spilled over into this one, got more of a happy ending/extended epilogue/bittersweet goodbye. And maybe White does have more planned for this series--and a certain Remington Culbreth, I hope--in the future. But that still doesn't mean that a reader like myself won't walk away sobbing from this story.
Especially considering there was only so much of Camden. *wails loudly* I love you, Cam! You'll always have my heart!
Zivon and Lily didn't even have as much depth and characterization as I'd hoped. I think, truly, that it was because White focused so much on one aspect of their lives that there wasn't enough time, really, to fully flesh out their other features. And, of course, one can't blame all of this upon the author. A book undergoes serious rewriting, editing, reediting, and editorial criticism. There are also a great deal of constrictions--like time and word-count--that prevent all those scenes of chemistry and depth and intensity that everyone (even the author) really want.

Okay. So maybe at this point you're wondering "All right, Grace. So you've beat the story into a pulp because of a whole bunch of nonsensical, subjective reason. Why does it still get four stars, and when are you going to convince me of whether or not it's a good book?"
Yeah...I'm kind of wondering the same thing too, so I guess this is where I go with the whole "art is subjective" thing and remind y'all that not everyone likes the same things. I like passion. I like sparks. I like brooding, rakish heroes who also have a strange tendency to do the right thing. I like wit. I like humor. I like fistfights and swordfights and gunfights and action. I like drama and mystery and intrigue. I like characters who are so real that I cry for them and pray for them and laugh at them and call them idiots.
I've gotten those things from Roseanna many times before--like with Cayton and Ella and Samuel and Zip and Camden and Ara--and so maybe you will too.
So I'm not comparing this book to other books in general, other books in this genre, or other books by different authors. I'm simply comparing it to Roseanna's other work and saying that, yeah, it wasn't her best. Some people do think so. Me, I don't. It was still good--Roseanna really can't write a "bad" book, you know. Can anyone, with subjectivity in play? But it wasn't her best. Four stars for being Roseanna and for being so well-written. Only, not five stars because it didn't have the excitement and the enticement that I've come to expect from Roseanna M. White.
That being said, I DO very much look forward to her next release, Dreams of Savannah, which promises a rather interesting Civil War story. Granted, I'm very picky about my Civil War stories...so, I make no promises! 😉

Long story short, as a historical novel, A Portrait of Loyalty is certainly a choice book. White's beautiful prose and balanced writing shines, as always. Her research is impeccable, her depictions realistic. However, A Portrait of Loyalty is lacking in White's signature wit, sparks, and suspense--the things that have made her novels so enjoyable in the past. This story is still as good as any, but certainly not my favorite. We all know who my favorite is! 😁

BookWorm

Originally published on Goodreads on 21 Sept 2020.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Obviously. 😋

A Portrait of Loyalty continues Roseanna M White’s The Codebreakers series. This third installment from the series is probably my favorite of the three. Even though this is part of a series, I think it is safe that it can be read as a stand alone. I loved every single page of this story from start to finish. It has a lot I love reading in a story. Which includes: history, mystery, suspense, adventure, faith and teaching some very important lessons. It was so very good.

I am giving The Portrait of Loyalty a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this one, as well as, the rest of The Codebreakers series, for readers who enjoy a clean and inspirational historical fiction.

I received The Portrait of Loyalty from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

The Codebreaker series has been a journey, and since the characters from other books, especially my favorite, Barclay, appears in this one too, it wormed its way into my heart. The storyline with influenza deaths, a photographer, a Russian, all was blending the unique twists that this book tends to take. While heart-wrenching at times, I found myself reading it to beat my kindle battery, and finished just as it died. Perfect timing. It is a good finish for the series.

As a reader, I desire to learn, to grow, to be challenged, to be comforted, to be entertained, and to be inspired. A Portrait of Loyalty is a book that easily fulfills each of those desires leaving me in awe of how much the author, Roseanna M. White is able to accomplish with mere words on paper. A Portrait of Loyalty, the final book in The Codebreakers series, is a truly thrilling and utterly enjoyable historical fiction novel. This well-researched story is certainly compelling and exceptionally well-written. Brimming with history, romance, danger, and intrigue, this book is interesting, thoughtful, and genuinely moving.
 
With great skill and remarkable thoughtfulness, Ms. White has written a novel that shines with excellent pacing and captivating details. Offering a fresh perspective and relevance to historical events that happened in England, Europe, and Russia during WWI, this story is rich in characterization and unforgettable plot points. Themes of perseverance, forgiveness, faith, and hope add depth and meaning to a story that is wholly inspiring and emotionally-stirring.

Ms. White has undoubtedly secured a place as one of my favorite authors. Her splendid talent for storytelling thrills me again and again. Thought-provoking, encouraging, and memorable, A Portrait of Loyalty is a very special novel and a superb conclusion to a stunning series. I eagerly recommend it to all readers.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

I completely enjoyed this book. The way that White built the world around these two characters was amazing. Both characters were unusually attuned to the world around them, and I enjoyed every moment I spent looking at everything through their eyes. Zivon is one of the most unique characters I’ve ever read. This story took me on a roller coaster of emotions, and I could not stop reading. I have read the other books in this series, but don’t feel that you have to in order to enjoy this one. That being said, the setting is the same, so you will get to spend time with the previous characters as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. The characters were brought to life in front of my eyes, and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Twists and turns abound in this beautiful story, along with pain. The depth of loss during war is incomprehensible to many of us. I appreciate the amount of research Roseanna White must have done in order to write such a believable story. It is a fitting ending to The Codebreakers!

Zivon Marin intrigued me greatly in the previous book (On Wings of Devotion) but in A Portrait of Loyalty he captured my heart. Quiet, determined, and steadfast are just a few of his admirable qualities. I loved hearing the letters he wrote Lily. They were deeply romantic and sigh worthy. No spoilers as to why he had to resort to writing.

Lily Blackwell has an incredible talent when it comes to photography and editing images. It was a joy to see what she saw through the author’s descriptive language. But heartache comes and it is a real shocker.

I would recommend reading the books in order to get the full enjoyment and intricacy of the time period and characters. I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher. No review was required. No compensation received.

A Portrait of Loyalty was written by Roseanna M. White, and is book three in The Codebreakers series. It is not necessary to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but I would recommend reading them first so you know who the background characters are in this story.

Summary: Lily Blackwell is leading a double life. She volunteers at the local hospital, but she secretly helps the English government intelligence service doctor photographs to be used in the war effort.

Though she tires of the deception, she knows her mother would never approve of her choice to use her photography skills to support the war effort.

Zivon Marin has been forced to flee Russia, and is now using his cryptography skills to aid the British government. But he too has secrets-ones he is not sure he can entrust to anyone.

As a relationship begins to blossom between Lily and Zivon, will they be able to get past all of the secrets, and begin to trust one another fully? Or will everything unravel as truths come to light?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is well-written, has an interesting plot, great characters, suspense, and a nice romance too. It is a very enjoyable read, and is part of a great series as well.

I would definitely recommend this book-especially if you enjoy historical/war-time reads. It is a good one!

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Lilian Blackwell spends her days volunteering in Charing Cross Hospital … at least, that’s what her mother thinks. She actually spends her afternoons in the basement of the Admiralty building, retouching and manipulating photographs to be used in the war effort. Propaganda—something Lily and her mother have opposing views on.

Cryptographer Zivon Marin escapes Russia in the fourth year of World War I, escaping the rise of the Bolsheviks … and the murder of his fiance. He ends up in London, working for the British Admiralty, although he doesn’t think the British trust him, especially not after certain photographs show up.

The two meet when Lily’s father invites Marin home for dinner, and start getting to know each other. But it’s not an easy relationship, as the Admiralty aren’t sure if they can trust Marin, as it’s not clear which side of the Russian Revolution he supports. What does become clear is that he is on one side … and his brother is on the other, which places Marin in danger …

Portrait of Loyalty brings in more history than simply the backdrop of World War I, and that is a strength.
The other nod to history (which I should have seen coming) is the Spanish Flu arriving in London from Kansas via half of Europe. And that’s not pretty, particularly given what we now know about living through a pandemic. So if you’re one of the people avoiding pandemic books, you might want to wait before reading Portrait of Loyalty.

Overall, Portrait of Loyalty is another excellent installment in Roseanna M White’s Codebreaker series. The characters are people of faith, so it’s clearly Christian fiction. It has romance, suspense, and tragedy, and the writing is excellent.

It’s a standalone novel, so you don’t have to have read earlier books in the series to enjoy this one. However, if you have, you’ll recognise some characters. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Another great book by Roseanna M. White! A Portrait of Loyalty is the third and last book in The Codebreakers series. You definitely don't want to miss it if you love inspirational historical romance that is filled with love, war, inspiration and history.
Zivon Martin was one of Russia's cryptographers, but had to flee from Russia to England when his life was in danger during the revolution, but in the process he and his brother were separated and anger is driving him to find out what happened to him.
Lily Blackwell sees the world through the lens of a camera so her perspective is different than many others during this difficult time and even though their friendship is blooming into something more they both are keeping secrets from one anther because they are unsure if they can trust each other.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Highly recommended.

<b>What I liked: </b> The Russian characters. Revisiting Room 40. Roseanna White's ability to transport the reader to another time and place. What a wonderful conclusion to the Codebreakers series.

This series is so good! I love historical fiction and these stories have a fresh take on lives in intelligence during war. This one was a bit different as it dealt with pictures instead of codes but happened in the same building as the other books so previous characters were still around and involved in this story too. I think these books can stand on their own but I would highly recommend reading them in order. They are all so good.

I loved Zivon. LOVED him. The way he thought things through and tried so hard to be a good person. He had depth and loyalty. Lily was pretty great as well and I loved how her talents for photos were used in this story. I never really gave thought to how photo editing was done back then or even that it was a thing that could be done. I learned something new while being entertained.

This story started off slow for me. It took me a bit of time to become invested in it but it did happen. The story has a slow build to it and by the end of the book I was completely hooked- feeling the emotions and invested in the outcome. This is probably one of my favorite historical fictions series and definitely my favorite this year.

Content: mild peril, death, mild violence, kissing, Christian elements (talk of God, praying, forgiving)

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I LOVED this story! I’ve really enjoyed this entire series, but I think this book was my favorite. Maybe it’s because I love photography and running, so I could relate to Lily and Zivon in those aspects of their lives. My heart ached for Zivon and what he was going through with his brother -really, all the stuff he was going through, but I think that was the hardest for him.

I’m happy with how the author resolved the issues by the end of the book. I wasn’t sure how she would be able to do that in a way that wouldn’t be heartbreaking for some of the characters (yes, I’m finding it difficult to be so vague) but she managed it really well.

Definitely, go read the Codebreakers series. It’s so good!!