"It will never be enough until you decide that you already have it all. You settle in your mind a grateful heart, a content spirit, and everything else will be gravy, girl."

Elizabeth Musser has a beautiful and lyrical style of writing that draws you in completely into her world. She invites you to settle in to her characters' lives and become fully immersed in their experiences - the joys, the sorrows, the heartbreaks. The first person storyline narrated by Allie in 2020 is cohesively entwined with third person narrative of Allie's grandmother Dale spanning the 1930s and 1940s. Allie and Dale are quite similar in their passionate, driven personalities but Dale had seen much loss and grief, as well as triumph and purpose, that Allie just starts to discover when she attempts to organize her grandmother's estate after her passing. I loved Austin, the steadfast dependable one, from the present and Tommy, the adventurous daredevil, from the past and how easy it was to get to know them though the eyes of the women who love them.

I learned quite a bit about horses, equine therapy, horseshows, and large animal vet work through the characters and the setting. Faith thread is strong and themes of true contentment and healing are powerful and moving.

Poignant, nostalgic, and thought-provoking, this newest book by Elizabeth Musser is a must-read of 2022. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Beautifully written, By Way of the Moonlight thoughtfully delivers Elizabeth Musser's trademark "entertainment with a soul." Her newest novel overflows with plenty of adventure, suspense, heart-breaking passion, perseverance, and faith. Well researched and inspired by Musser's family history, I learned for the first time about how the Germans attacked the merchant marines along the Southern coastal US during WW2. The split-time novel centers around equestrian Dale Butler and her Equine therapist granddaughter Allie, two women amply blessed with "horse sense."

Dale and Allie alike come to accept life's challenges and losses in this book full of optimism and hope. "Life is a paradox, Allie. When you learn to embrace it all, let it mix together like molasses in oats, well the sweet fragrance comes out. Even when life stinks."

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will deeply appreciate this novel which kept me enthralled from its first page. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this story. All opinions are my own.

This book will be one of my favorites for this year. A dual time line story set partially in my home state of SC. I loved learning things about my home state during WWII that I did not previously know.

Allie Massey has a life long dream of opening her own equine therapy center on her grandmother's property. Her grandmother, Nana Dale, has her own farm and a life long love of horses. In fact, Nana Dale used to compete and show horses with her friend Tommy Ridley.

After Nana Dale dies, Allie finds out that a developer was able to swindle the farm out from under Nana Dale. The farm was to be Allie's upon her death, and now, following clues Nana Dale left, Allie has only the possibility of a chance of saving the farm.

As Allie follows Nana's clues, she learns a story that no one else knew. A story of Barbara Dale and Tommy. Their friendship, their serving as part of the Coast Guard during WWII off of the coast of South Carolina, and events that led to the family that Allie knows as her own.

I loved everything about this novel. The history lesson was amazing and something I definitely want to learn more about. The story of Nana Dale that no one else knew was a powerful story. People knew parts of it, but it took Allie following the clues to put it all together. The decisions we make at any one time can have repercussions years down the road. It is only in looking back we begin to understand why certain decisions could have been made and the impact they had down the road.

This novel not only drives home the importance of faith in God, put the importance of family and those we choose to consider family. Very few things are truly important in this world and Ms. Musser does a fabulous job of reminding the reader exactly what is important.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Bethany House via Uplit Reads. All views expressed are simply my honest opinion.

Some books enter your life at the perfect time. You couldn’t have planned for or expected them; they just…came. And the only explanation is that it’s a God thing.

This is definitely one of those books and experiences.

Musser is at her best, again, with _By Way of the Moonlight_; I felt it harkened back to _The Swan House_, my favorite of hers and among inspy fic in general. It epitomizes her tagline of writing “entertainment with soul,” and takes the reader on journeys around the South and within a family and century loaded with layers, depth, and meaning. Finding out some of Musser’s own familial basis was inspiration for the story lent gravitas and elevated the read even more deeply.

I learned so much in this read, about stateside WWII history, the power and importance of contentment and trust in what God has given each of us, and how to look to Him, and how He will sustain us, in dark times. Truly one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Another Susan Meissner blurbed book and you know I needed it. This is the historical fiction novel I never knew I needed.

What I loved…
Southern Georgia coast setting
Dual timeline
Granddaughter/grandmothers bond
A grandmother full of secrets and surprises
THE HISTORY!!!… Great Depression/WWII
Equestrian therapy… oh my goodness the horses😍

This is my first by Musser and you can feel the research she put into it come off the pages. It was beautiful if your looking for a story filled with love, family, grief and perseverance then I highly recommend this one!

I’m always delighted to see a new novel from this author because I know it will be a journey, that is thought-provoking, and I’ll a thing or two along the way. I was thrilled to be on the UpLit launch team for this book, which is a very personal one for this author. I enjoyed the youtube videos where the author takes readers on a tour of her childhood home in Atlanta, GA. She describes the fun they had there and how this house became the setting for her new book.

The story opens in March 2020 with a headline “Dinosaur bones found in Buckhead residence” and introduces readers to Allie Massie a trained physical therapist. Everyone in her family is surprised by the sudden passing of her grandmother, and then again surprised when the will is read. Something has gone wrong, and they try to figure it out. Allie is obsessed with finding what her grandmother had promised her. They had a plan and worked close together for many years to have things not end up like this. Allie sits down to delve into a scrapbook she was given to help her put the pieces of this puzzle together.

When Allie does this, the timeline changes to her grandmother as a younger woman passionate about horses and sheds light on her accomplishments before the war and then after, WII breaks out. Allie discovers a heart-breaking story she never knew about. One that demonstrated her grandmother’s bravery, sacrifice, loyalty and love to her family and her country.

This story had a slow start as the author built up to a climatic, heart-breaking, story that will stay with you long after you close the book. And one that would work well for your book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

By Way of the Moonlight is filled with ricocheting emotions, feelings of accomplishment, and plenty of nerve-wracking suspense. Key themes are obsession and its impact on lives, along with pride’s effect on decisions. Elizabeth Musser shares optimism and hope through her emotional and suspenseful tale of two spirited women bound by the love of family, the power of prayer and gratitude, and the indisputable, therapeutic healing of horses. Like Dale’s winning ribbons and trophies for her champion Essie, By Way of the Moonlight is Southern historical fiction worthy of a silver cup in Elizabeth Musser’s own ‘ribbon room.’

This is a beautifully written, dual timeline story of perseverance, love, loss, and family. I was immediately hooked from the beginning. In the present time, Allie is desperate to save her Grandmother's farm from destruction. Using clues left behind by her grandmother, she must piece together the solution for its salvation. In the 1930's- early 1940's, we follow Allie's grandmother, Dale, as she goes through the Great Depression as a young child and then World War II as a teenager. This book was rich with history about the deep south during World War II, and I learned so much. I had no idea how essential horses and their human partners were in patrolling the beaches and watching for enemy submarines.

This book made my inner horse girl so happy. I loved how Musser showed Dales' relationship with her horses. The healing power of horses is amazing, and I thought it was showcased so well in this book. By Way of the Moonlight made me laugh out loud, kept me on the edge of my seat, and absolutely broke my heart. A beautiful story from beginning to end.

Thank you UpLit Reads, Bethany House, and NetGalley for the #gifted ARC!

I was not expecting to love By Way of the Moonlight as much as I did. It's an amazing story of love, grief, and triumph. The story alternates between two people, Dale (or Nana Dale as Allie knows her) and Allie. Allie is faced with cleaning out her grandmother's estate and barn after her death and discovers her grandmother left her a trail of clues and messages for Allie to learn about the life she never spoke about.

Horses were the binding element of the story, and as a lifelong equestrian (who isn't usually one to read stories about riding), I loved this aspect. I know the bond of a horse and the magic they can bring to someone's life and Elizabeth Musser NAILED it. Truly nailed it.

I know this is considered a Christian book, but as someone who rarely reads Christian or religious books, I never really felt the religious vibe. Sure, there were references to prayer and Him, and such, but it fits right into the story. Even if you're not a religious person or a religious reader, this book will resonate.

I also had no idea about the Merchant mariners and the US Coast Guard Mounted Group that patrolled the southern coast during WWII. This was fascinating to learn and I can't wait to dig in and learn more.

An absolutely wonderful read with an amazing ending. I devoured this book.

Horses are magnificent creatures and they feature largely in this novel by Elizabeth Musser. The narrative reveals the story of Nana Dale and her many secrets as her granddaughter, Allie, desperately tries to crack the riddles of the scavenger hunt in order to save the family property from destruction.
I had never heard of the Coast Guard Mounted Patrol before reading this book. The history nuggets were fascinating while tied up in a bittersweet love story. I just knew one part of the mystery before it was revealed and the ]n it became apparent why that character was one of my favorites in the story.
Slide into,the saddle, tighten the reins, and gallop into a great story.

Allie Massey’s dream of opening an equine therapy business on her late grandmother’s estate is in shambles. Due to the scheming of an unscrupulous real estate developer, Allie now finds herself in a desperate race against time to save her beloved Hickory Hills from the wrecking ball. Following clues left by her grandmother, Allie uncovers secrets from the past that rock the foundation of her family. Shifting back and forth from the present to the days of World War 2, this captivating story of lost love and redemption will keep readers eagerly turning pages until the surprising conclusion. An excellent work of historical fiction about a little-known military operation along the southern U.S. coast.

This book was as wonderful as its beautiful cover. EM never disappoints with heartfelt stories. I’m from the area and vacationed in the coastal places the story takes us, so it really came alive for me. A granddaughter and grandmothers bond, secrets hidden for years with clues to reveal them, a beautiful love story. Not to mention the horses! I couldn’t read fast enough towards the end. Some wonderful surprises. Thanks to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. I loved

I bawled through the entire last quarter of this book — it’s that good. Elizabeth Musser takes us back in time with this historical fiction novel surrounding the life of the mysterious Miss. Barbara Dale Butler. From her tough childhood after the Great Depression, through her heart wrenching teenage years during WWII and up to present day, where we meet her formidable granddaughter, Allie. After Dale’s passing, Allie sets out on the journey of a lifetime to uncover who her grandmother really was, in hopes of saving the horse ranch that has been in their family for generations from her greedy cousin. This is a story about life, love and loss that will have readers turning pages and guessing until the last possible moment.

I absolutely loved this book!! Elizabeth Musser is one of my go-to authors, meaning I purchase for our church library whatever she publishes.

To be honest, I wasn’t all that excited about reading this one, though I should’ve known better….don’t think I’ve been disappointed by any of her books, though have enjoyed some more than others. This one was right up there with her first book, The Swan House, IMHO.

One aspect of this story that I really enjoyed was the imperfection of the family featured in the story. And family secrets! Makes those of us with less than perfect families able to relate just that much better! Also enjoyed the settings, in Atlanta and Coastal Georgia, with which I was familiar.

Kudos to you, Elizabeth! This book is a total winner and one I will heartily recommend to my book club!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Five stars!!

Wow! Read in a day…all day!! Loved the way Elizabeth interwove the past and today together. Reminded me of stories I heard from my parents of growing up in the depression. So many of the thoughts were so profound…. Definitely will be worth a second read both for the story and for the underlying themes

Beautifully written dual time story! Loved the historical aspect of the story! I loved the relationship between Nana Dale and Dale. The author did a wonderful job weaving the Coast Guard beach patrol during WWII with the equestrian world. Very moving story with secrets that may surprise readers. Highly recommended!

Very enjoyable dual timeline set in 2020 and the 1930s through the 1950s. I have read a number of Elizabeth Musser’s works, but the last one had been a while and I had forgotten just how wonderfully thick her books are. There is plenty of time throughout the novel to thoroughly get to know the characters. Both main characters are strong, stubborn but so fun to get to know. I like how the earlier timeline is set over several decades, allowing for the integration of global events into the narrative. Ms. Musser also includes a very recent crisis in 2020, which ends up significantly altering Allie's story. The plot goes in a number of different directions with a secret and a quest, but comes together beautifully in the end. The first part of the book is very heavy on equestrianism and for me personally a little bit too much, but readers who love horses will be enthralled. The story picks up after that and I do enjoy the complexity, attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and valuable lessons. The author uses Nana Dale and Allie’s bumpy journeys, but also draws on Husy to dispense words of wisdom and teach life lessons. There was so much to take in that I’m sure I’ll find new insights and understandings if I were to read the book again. If you’re looking for a quick beach read, this is not it. However, when you’re cooped up inside with the rain giving no sign of letting up, grab that cup of tea and lose yourself in this novel!

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for making an ARC available to me, I was not required to leave a positive review.

This dual time story is an interesting story of perseverance, letting go, and finding oneself.
Readers are drawn into the equestrian world of the 1930s through WW2, following the Butler family through the Depression and the battle of the Atlantic in 1943. DB/Deebs/Debra is a young girl obsessed with horses and the young man who comes to their farm to board his. A sweet love story follows, with all the ups and downs of teen love. When tragedy strikes, it’s a secret that Debra will carry with her to the grave.
Allie is like her grandmother, determined and obsessed with her dream of opening an equine therapy centre. Her grandmother promised her the land with barn to open her centre, but when a shocking secret is revealed, Allie’s dreams crumble – as well as the rest of her life. Her obsession in finding the truth, destroys her upcoming marriage and leaves her struggling to understand what she really wants in life.
There’s so much history to be discovered, aspects about WW2 that aren’t as well known. The war comes to America, and our historical heroine gets to play a role in defending the eastern shores.
The narrative is full of descriptions, setting a slow but steady pace. Characters are flawed and far from perfect, which leads to foolish errors and uncomfortable situations. A deeply held secret sends the contemporary heroine scrambling to discover what it is.
There’s a lot of conflict. A lot of characters to dislike. And a redemptive quality that leads characters to a satisfying end.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Unforgettable!! What a beautiful and compelling story with an equestrian thread woven through both timelines, rich in history, including the Great Depression, and aspects of WWII that I had never known about. I absolutely loved it!

Love, heartbreak, bravery, courage, and secrets are wrapped up in this incredible novel, along with a beautiful and gentle faith thread. "But Nana Dale was filled with secrets and surprises, not the least of which was barnyard wisdom that often included phrases that sounded a lot like they came from the Good Book."

Excellent historical fiction, I highly recommend By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser.
I love learning about history through historical fiction!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I have pre-ordered a copy for my keeper shelf!

DNF 20% - this story moves so slowly. I don't want to read it anymore. Sorry, but the pace really needed to pick up way earlier on. The tornado scene was great, but the reminiscing and all of the details are just way too much. The level of detail the author gives would be what I'd want to read regarding my own grandmother - not a fictional character.