I hate that this series is over! The Codebreakers is a 3 book series that is connected to the Shadows over England series. All of the stories, six in total, are really good and well worth reading.

I really liked both Lily and Zivon. I liked how their relationship slowly grew throughout this story and how Lily never doubted Zivon. Zivon was so loyal and had such a calm demeanor and I loved how he was willing to do whatever needed to protect Lily. I also really loved Lily’s relationship with her sister Ivy. It was one of my favorite relationships.

This story is so interesting and well written. While I must admit, I sobbed like a baby at one point, it left me completely satisfied at the end. I’m looking forward to whatever Roseanna White writes next!

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

In an environment where trusting people could have dire consequences, one still had to choose whom to trust. This third book in the Codebreakers series had all the adventure, suspense and romance that I have come to expect from Roseanna White. As I began to read, I found myself wanting to know more and more about these unique characters. Their struggles had them digging deeper to understand and grow in their faith. As circumstances became darker, noticing beauty and looking for light became essential. In the midst of war, a romantic relationship bloomed which included a few swoon worthy moments! I also appreciated all the historical research that is evident in this beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters comprising this code breaker community from this series. However, A Portrait of Loyalty can easily be read and enjoyed by itself. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

(4.5 stars) - creating & dispelling illusions

Book 3 of White's Codebreakers series is fully worthy of its predecessors. Though there are characters from the previous books here, it works as a standalone - but you'll definitely want to go back and read the first two!

Zivon escapes Russia's grim Bolshevik revolution and chooses to work for the Allies as a Codebreaker. He meets Lily whose father coordinates their work & learns that she discreetly uses her photography skills to help them as well. Their friendship blossoms into more, but their secrets - some so secret that even they aren't aware of them - put everything at risk.

The story has intrigue with light suspense & a few unexpected twists. It manages just the right balance of sweet with real & poignant moments that's fully engaging & relates history in a way that's fascinating. This is truly my favorite series by White and my only disappointment is that it's over!

*Romance level: Sweet kisses, secondary characters have an unmarried relationship that results in pregnancy but it's not depicted favorably & there are no salacious or graphic details

*Religion: overtly Christian, but natural to the story & not preachy

# A Portrait of Loyalty# by Roseanna White is historical fiction book. This book is the 3rd in the Codebreakers series. It takes place during World War I. It is a tense time. There are cryptographers and work in the intelligence division. They decode messages from the enemy. Lily Backwell retouches and creates pictures .She works at the intelligence division. She also works at the hospital. There is terrible pandemic that occurs during this time. Lily sees many people die from this bad flu. It is heart breaking for her to see many people die. The story takes place in England. This story is well researched and give the reader an idea of what life was like during World War I. The characters , setting are sell described. Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, the author for allowing me to read and review this book. I will post my review on Goodreads, netgalley, Bookbub, CBd.com, Bookbub.com,, Barnes and Noble.com, CBd.com, my blog facebook and for the church staff.

A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna White is the third book in her Codebreakers series, but I feel it would more accurately be called book nine in her loosely related group of English Historicals. Ladies Of The Manor contains three books as does Shadows Over England. While all Three series contain standalone titles it makes for a richer experience to read all nine books in order of publication as characters wander into each other's lives throughout. I adore all nine books but think that A Portrait Of Loyalty is my favorite. I love Zivon and Lily. They are a fascinating couple whose strengths complement each other. They are strong and full of faith. I would love to have them over for tea. Their story, while not always happy, was entirely satisfying. I can only hope that Ms. White continues writing about these families she has created because I want to know more about them!
So grab a pot of tea and settle in for a fabulous tale.

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

This is a fantastic historical romance!

I love all of the main characters in this book. This includes all of Lily Blackwell’s family. It is easy to connect with them and all of the different emotions that they experience going through the story.

One of the things that I enjoyed was the brief glimpses at the characters from the previous books the author set before and during WWI. None of them are central enough that the previous books need to be read first though.

At the same time there are a few characters that are working against them and it was just as easy to dislike them. There is just enough intrigue to really keep the reader guessing as to how things are going to work out. I really like how Admiral Hall stays on top of everything that is going on in the intelligence world.

I had never realized that the revolution in Russia took place during WWI. This was quite an eye opener for me. It really made me realize how little I know about world history. Part of me wants to study it further. But I don’t want to get bogged down in books filled with historical facts. I love the personality that comes in historical fiction books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

I know for authors, they spend months, sometimes years writing a book. But for a reader who spends hours reading what took much longer to write, it seems this series went by far too quickly for my liking. I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Ms. White’s books that I’ve read and I honestly don’t think I could ever choose a favorite . . . but if I were to try, this one would definitely be in the running!
One of my favorite things about Ms. White’s books is the historical detail. I love how it colors the stories and adds depth and detail to the characters and settings. I also enjoy the uniqueness of the characters, along with their gifts and talents. I’d never read of photography during WWI or how it was used in the war effort. I so enjoyed how Lily, being a photographer, saw the world in a different way. Ms. White did a great job showcasing that difference without making it overbearing or distracting from the rest of the story. And I was fascinated by Zivon’s way of watching everything and predicting what would happen next. I was also very happy to see characters from the previous books back to reprise their roles and get to see their stories continue! I love that these characters have become dear friends over the course of the series, though I hated bidding them “farewell,” for now.
It seems to me that some of the most difficult books to read are often the ones that I keep coming back to read over and over. I’m fairly confident that this one will be one of them. Actually, probably this entire series. In this story, grief, loss, hate, and bitterness, along with differing opinions in politics, are topics that are woven throughout. I really appreciate how the author approaches them with her customary thought-provoking conversations, grace, and compassion.
There honestly wasn’t a single page of this book that I didn’t enjoy! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction!

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M White is the third story in The Codebreakers series. I thought that the previous book in the series, On Wings of Devotion, was my favorite so far, but after reading this book, I may have to change my mind to this new addition! :) While best understood reading in order, each of Ms. White's books are genuinely able to stand alone as an individual story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have all of Ms. White's writings that I have had the chance to read. I greatly appreciate the depth that Ms. White gives in her books to the historic context as well as her character's backstory. Ms. White is an outstanding author and I have a high regard and respect for her work.
A Portrait of Loyalty shares a tale set in the great war (World War I), full of secrets, code breaking, espionage, sickness, questioned loyalties, new friendships, heartbreak, loss, mystery, adventure, and faith. This book continues the mysterious tale of the secret codebreaking unit in London where many fight against their enemies in many unseen ways. One such fighter is Lily Blackwell, a young woman with a passion and extreme talent for photography. Lily uses her talents to retouch and re-create photographs to be used for propaganda and false information to aid the allied forces.
Lily has such a unique perspective on life as she sees much beauty in what others look past. She is intrigued by a guest her father invites to dinner one night, Zivon Marin, a former Russian cryptographer now working for the British in the fight against the central powers. Zivon appears very somber, precise, and unaffected to most observers, but Lily can see through his outward demeanor to the pain, hurt, sorrow, and anger that is boiling underneath. Zivon meets Lily and is unsettled by how she can see straight to his soul, but is intrigued by her positive outlook on life despite all the dangers and troubles around them. Lily and Zivon form an unlikely friendship as they face many troubles, dangers, and great sorrows. Can their friendship survive the many doubts, suspicions, and secrets between them? Will Zivon ever be able to discover what happened to his brother he fears is dead? Can Zivon and Lily help to bring an end to this terrible war?
I truly enjoyed this book for the excellent historical context that Ms. White excels at as well as the intriguingly complex, yet familiar-seeming characters. The two featured characters of Zivon Marin and Lily Blackwell were unique, full of past heartaches and pains, as well as a rich faith and devotion to their country and their family. Zivon loves his homeland of Russia, but has made the difficult decision to escape from the dangerous revolutions and violence that is tearing apart his native land and live in England. He had been one of the best cryptographers in Russia, but upon coming to England, his loyalties are questioned and he has a hard time truly making friends. I loved how Zivon's preciseness contrasted with, yet complimented Lily's joy and passion for beauty. I loved the relationship that Lily had with her sister as well as the realistic family relationships that were portrayed in Lily's family. As much as I hate to have the main characters lose someone they love, I appreciated how Ms. White brought her characters through bittersweet situations and heartache. Overall, I was highly impressed by this book and would highly recommend it. Happy reading!
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.

I think one of the things I like most about Roseanna's books is how they all feel like one story. Each has little ties back to others and it feels like staying in touch with a friend's life. We just check back in once in a while and see what everyone is up to.

I'm a photographer, so it was really fun for me to have that aspect in the book. When I think about early photography, I am filled with so much admiration for the people who did it. I certainly have it easier now in the digital age :) Besides connecting with Lily over photography, I felt for her struggle over whether what she was doing was helpful or hurtful.

Zivon was a very deep, interesting character. I felt bad for him and all he was going through. Ivy was a joy and I loved her relationship with Lily.

Of all the books by Roseanna that I've read, I think this was the most intense and bittersweet. I'm assuming that most of this book was finished before all the stuff going on this year but I found myself really relating to some of Zivon and Evgeni's questions and thoughts and there were a lot of deep lessons that our characters went through. The shocking plot twist I did not see coming and the ending felt a little bittersweet. I still really liked it though and I'm so glad to have been a part of the journey that was this series.

There was less code breaking in this book than the previous two, but it was still there and that world is just fascinating to me. Margot, Arabelle, and Camden all make appearances, Brook is mentioned once or twice, and Drake ducks in just briefly. Barclay Pearce is in this one quite a lot. So good to "see" old "friends".

I’m a big fan of Ms. White’s books and an even bigger fan of The Codebreakers series. Although I knew I’d enjoy this book, I wasn’t exactly sure what about it would capture my attention. Let’s just say the character depth of Zivon and Lilly is what impressed me.

I loved how Lily saw the world with a photographer’s eye and inspired those around her to do the same. I loved how cool and calm Zivon was (outwardly) but his mind was going a hundred miles a minute. I found myself looking for these little details and trying to guess what would happen in each of their scenes.

I also thought the romance between them was beautiful. It made me smile and the letters! (Eek, is that a spoiler?) Their romance was full of all the sighs and all the feels and all the smiles.

And seeing the characters from books one and two made me squeal (more so in my head than out loud) and produce more sighs. All in all, book 3 was a nice way to end the series. Now for me to wait for her next release.

*I'd mark this 4.5
**I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

The Codebreakers series itself has been wonderful. (I highly recommend adding every single one to your TBR list if you haven’t already.) And A Portrait of Loyalty is the perfect ending.

This book is incredible. I didn’t expect much different because Roseanna M. White has yet to let me down, but the emotion she packs into A Portrait of Loyalty has stuck with me ever since I finished reading it.

From Zivon’s struggles assimilating in a new country to Lily’s inner struggle about her secret work, White captures a depth that only she can.

Zivon’s analytical mind reminds me a lot of Margot (from book 1: The Number of Love). But instead of numbers, Zivon is gifted with the ability to see patterns everywhere. His use of this gift to help others endears him to the reader quickly. And his efforts to fit in with a new group of people in a new city make him relatable.

Lily’s ability to see beauty everywhere, even in chaos, makes her a character that’s easy to love and cherish. And while people look upon an unfamiliar man, and a Russian at that, with skepticism, she manages to a man of deep character and faith.

This is the basis of their romance, and from the moment they first meet, you know they’ll be good together. Roseanna does a great job of showing their chemistry and deepening their relationship throughout the novel.

As is the case with most books set amidst war, this novel isn’t without its poignant moments. I won’t reveal them for fear of spoilers, but one particular event had me almost as torn up as Lily herself. Roseanna didn’t just show Lily’s pain, she made me feel it, even when I closed the book.

But perhaps what stuck with me most was the spiritual thread. As the characters struggle with heartache, they learn what it truly means to be still and know that He is God. And they learn to find beauty in the ashes.

I’m sad to see this series end, although it was nice to see some familiar faces. From what I’ve heard, many of Roseanna’s novels are interconnected, and I’m going to have to read some of her other books soon. She’s created a place on my must-read and will likely never be removed.

Overall, A Portrait of Loyalty is a fantastic novel that historical romance fans will adore.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

What does loyalty look like to you?
Loyalty to your family?
Your employer?
Your country?
Your God?
Yourself?

In A Portait of Loyalty, Roseana M White tackles these dynamic questions. This is the third book in the Codebreakers series. It can be read as a stand alone, however beloved characters from previous books in this series and even the series before return as secondary characters. I was expecting this novel to capture me from the first page just like the previous novel, but it didn't. This story unfolds like a pebble at the top of a hill that is stirred by a breath of wind. Developing slowly, gaining strength and speed as you delve deeper. I missed the banter between Camden and Arabelle that was overflowing in the previous novel, but was completely taken in by the quiet strength and solidarity of character that flow between Zivon and Lily.

Poignant, thought provoking, tender and sweet. This story brought me to tears and stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Themes of finding beauty in the every day and trusting in the unchanging character of God are woven throughout. I have read all of Roseanna M White's novels and this one is not to be missed!

A Portrait of Loyalty will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer September 8, 2020.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I have just returned from traveling through history with Roseanna M. White aboard her time machine, "A Portrait of Loyalty." The research is impeccable. The beauty within the articulation of the story is sublime. I fell in love with the characters and, with the help of Lily Blackwell's eye for photography, and the relationship that develops between herself and Russian refugee Zivon Marin, I saw hope and love in an era that was filled with the chaos of war, the Spanish Flu, and the upheaval of world powers. It is almost as though the author had traveled forward in time to see that we would need such a boost right now. As a result of reading this book, I feel a greater peace and resolve that everything will surely turn out well, and this season we are in shall surely pass.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M White
I always look forward to her new releases. I don’t know how she does it, but she just keeps getting better. Be sure to have plenty of time to devour this story because you won’t want to put it down. Thank you, for more hours of pure entertainment.
The characters are so endearing. Lily could find beauty anywhere with her camera. The author subtly challenges us in Lily’s story to find beauty even when times are hard.

Zavin struggles with hatred to the people who have stolen so much from him. In addition, he has to adjust to be highly regarded in his country to being the rookie in Britain. A.

In addition to the adorable scenes between Zavin and Lily, we have the young love between Ivy and Clark. Some of my favorite scenes, were the heartwarming scenes with Lily and her sister Ivy as they talk through the walls. Those are scenes that you will never forget.

And a special treat for those of us that have read the entire series, you will get to see characters from the other books.
Sexual content – 1
Violence – 1
Language – 0
Drug/Alcohol use - 0

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.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Codebreakers has been a fabulous and informative series thus far, but A Portrait of Loyalty might just be the best. I love Roseanna White’s dedication to her research, and how with this book in particular (although touched on somewhat in the previous one), she showed a real knowledge of the impact of the war outside of England.

Zivon’s character intrigued me, as in addition to British history, Russia and the Romanovs always fascinated me. I was really invested in his arc, and how the Russian Revolution and his opposition to the Bolshevik regime meant he had to flee. I also really liked the implications it had later for his relationship with his brother.

It was interesting that, even with her skills, Lily was considered not necessary enough to be at the center of things in Room 40, even while she and Zivon do have skills that do contribute in their own way. I really enjoyed the interplay between them, with coming from different backgrounds with different ideas, but coming to trust and love each other.

And while I know, thanks to the way traditional publishing works, that this was not planned, it was ironic to read a bit about the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic and its impact on England in particular while we are still in the midst of COVID-19, especially as White included further historical context in her historical note for its impact, which resonates in comparison to the headlines today.

This book was wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what Roseanna White does next. And if you love historical fiction/romance, and are looking for a good book about World War I, I recommend this one highly.

Lily and Zivon’s story was the perfect ending to this series. It was more sweet and solid than suspenseful, compared to the other books. Also compared to the other book, this one seemed a little more distant from the actual war than the others, but perhaps that’s because it was toward the end of the war.

Being a hobby photographer myself, it was fun to learn facts about photography from WWI and I especially loved the work Lily did for the war effort.

And the Spanish Flu! Having recently researched it myself, I loved seeing it featured in a WWI novel, even though it was heart wrenching.

I personally liked Nadya and Evgeni’s story. Roseanna White did a great job with making the characters fully convinced of their beliefs, even though as an American reader you can fully see the flaws in their reasoning. They believed their reasons, so it came off as believable—and very sad.

The romance was probably more of a steady thread in this than anything else, but it was more a sweet romance. There were a few kisses described in detail and a situation of a couple living together, but I appreciated the way it was presented as fact without providing the intimate details.

The spiritual message was consistent throughout the story, especially Zivon learning how to wait on the Lord. Again, these were characters who didn’t force thoughts of Christianity—they just were Christians and were concerned about following God, and it showed.

As a final book in the series, I felt like it tied up all the loose strings, which means I left the series satisfied.

*I received this book from NetGalley and happily provided my honest review*

Bravo! Can I ask for an encore? It is always sad to see a good series come to an end. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, however the setting of Room 40 and its inhabitants have become a well-loved fictional family.

Ms. White's sparkling prose and impeccable attention to detail bring to life a story filled with danger, espionage and romance. While the main storyline centers on the codebreakers in England during the last days of WWI, it also focuses on the Russian Revolution and how the instability of the world at war affected the civil war in Russia.

But it is the inner battle of the spirit that the author deftly brings to life, challenging me as a reader with truths that are relevant regardless of historical setting. While each harbored secrets, Zivon's resilience and Lily's sweet spirit tugged at my heart as they joined forces to fight a common enemy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I look for a good historical novel to read, I have a lot of expectations in mind: I want a story that makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time with well-developed, relatable characters; an unpredictable, suspense-filled plot line; lots of historical detail; and ideally, a bit of Christian romance thrown into the mix. A Portrait of Loyalty, the third installment in Roseanna M. White’s “Codebreakers” series, has all those elements and more!
This beautifully written story took me back to London in 1918, when World War I was nearing its end, the Spanish flu pandemic was raging, and a civil war was beginning in Russia between the Whites and the Reds. The heroine, Lily Blackwell, uses her photography and retouching talents in her service with British Intelligence. It is through this work that she meets Zivon Marin, a linguist and cryptographer who was forced to flee Russia after speaking out against Lenin and now uses his skills to serve his new country, England.
I don’t want to give away too much, but this book is a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me glued to its pages from cover to cover. I fell in love with its dynamic characters and was pleased to be reunited with a few friends from the first two books of the author’s “Codebreakers” series, as well. The depth of historical research that went into writing this novel is readily evident. The story is perfectly paced and abundantly colored with detail, yet not so much as to make it boring in the least.
I received a complimentary copy of A Portrait of Loyalty from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. Although it is part of a series, this book could easily stand alone. Even so, if you plan to read all three, I recommend doing so in order as they progress along with World War I.

I have been dying to read this third book in Roseanna M. White’s The Codebreakers Series ever since meeting the two main characters in the second book. I just could not wait to find out more about them!

I love historical fiction, especially the way Roseanna White writes it, but what sets this series apart to me is the way it highlights the extravagant and almost shocking nature of God’s kind of forgiveness and generosity shown through His people. I love the characters that Mrs. White creates; they are unique, three-dimensional, and very memorable. By the end of the book, I felt like Lily and Zivon were personal friends who encouraged and challenged me to a closer walk with the Lord. I also like how Mrs. White refuses the temptation to write flat "bad guys." The bad guys in this book were just as interesting as all the other characters and I enjoyed their character arcs as much as those of the main characters and found myself at least understanding their motivations even if I disagreed with their actions. I found that truly unique about this book. I highly recommend this book! I will certainly be reading it again!

I'm always sad to see a great series end. I loved how this series connected to a prior one and hope that will continue. White does an amazing job of sharing history without making you feel like you're reading history. It just feels like you're there. It was especially fascinating to see how the Spanish Flu played an impact as we are going through the coronavirus pandemic.

I love the characters in this book. Lily's parents made me laugh with how they had different men over every week. Lily's ability to see beauty in the mundane is precious. Ivy and Clark's joy was infectious. I loved the dedication of Hall and the codebreakers. It's amazing the lengths they all went to to try to protect their country and to end the war. It was fascinating.

I felt the book was timely in its message. God is still God and he is with us even in the hard times. He is faithful to his promises no matter what our circumstances look like.

This was a great read. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.