After losing both his Austrian home and his father to the Nazis, Karl is eager to help the Allies win, so when he finds he can't get into the Navy, he takes a job as a sailor, carrying goods across the Atlantic to embattled Britain. It's a dangerous business with U-boats on the prowl, but a chance meeting with the girl he's never forgotten gives him an extra reason to live. There's something about Karl Millie could never forget either, and in between working to break the Germans' codes, she writes to him - trying to forget the danger he faces. Rolf is on the other side, a wireless operator on a U-boat, and his focus is on helping Germany win - and preferably getting home alive to his wife. But war will intertwine the lives of these three in a way they could never have foreseen...

This is an interesting and well written, character-driven exploration of life during WW2 for those trying to get cargoes across the Atlantic, those trying to prevent such traffic, and the code-breakers trying to gather information to help keep the cargoes safe. The alternating view points were done well and clearly, and I appreciated the letters - particularly because they were clearly only excerpts rather than either going into too much detail or being unrealistically short. I also appreciated the way the story portrays the human cost of war on both sides - both in numbers and personally. I liked the way that the author wove historical fact into the tale without it getting heavy, but also appreciated the historical note at the end that distinguished fact from fiction. While a bit slow at times, leaving me wondering exactly where it was going, the various strands of narrative came together more perfectly than I could have imagined, leading to a deeply satisfying ending,

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

What a great addition to the Falcon Point collection. This book gives the background story of one of the Lang children, Karl, after they go on the run from the SS at the beginning of WWII. It makes me want to go back and reread the other books in the series from the beginning. I hope they do the background stories of Karl's sisters, Ingrid and Anna as well. It is also fascinating to learn more about the Enigma and the efforts to decode it. Well written, I highly recommend.

Amanda!!! You have ripped my heart out! I’ve read Heirs of Falcon Point, I know Karl, I know how his story begins, how it ends, and still I am wrecked!

This was beautiful. It was poignant. It was heartbreaking. It was healing. I smiled, I sighed. I was on the edge of my seat, gripped with dread and anxiety. I didn’t want to read the coming pages, yet I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to run and hide from the inevitable. I wept…then I wept some more. Never has a book affected me like this one has.

Thank you for allowing us to experience Karl’s losses, his victories, his happiness, his sacrifices. His genuine goodness and his dogged determination. His unflappable spirit and his undying adoration. And thank you for giving Millie a happy ending and a surprising “now you know the rest of the story”.

Thank you NetGalley, AL Sowards, and Covent Communications for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own. I will treasure this touching story always.

I'm still processing all of my thoughts and emotions after reading this one! Wow! Wow! Wowsers!!! I just want to tell you all the things but I can't because you have to experience it all for yourself through reading Karl and Millie and Rolf's journey.

If you haven't read the prequel novel, Heirs of Falcon Point, I highly recommend you do so! You don't have to in order to be able to enjoy this one but it definitely gives a little bit more info for who Karl is, his background and how he and Millie met.

This was such a wonderful read for all aspects of the novel. The historical aspects were so well written and had me picturing it all as it was happening. When I first heard about U-boats I couldn't learn enough about them. I have many family members who served in WWII and so I was constantly wanting to know everything that I could to better understand, in a way that only studying allows, what I could of their experiences. A.L. Sowards did a fantastic job of researching and teaching us readers about so many aspects in relation to U-Boats and sea warfare and code breakers. It was all very educational and fascinating. It brought back many memories of learning about this.

I also loved the family aspects throughout this book. I loved watching those relationships and how they all brought peace and comfort to the characters throughout their struggles while living in the war. The relationships between the other characters as friends or more were also well written. And the sweet romance between Karl and Millie was a highlight of the book when they were in the same scene. *happy sigh*

But remember this is war. War does not discriminate. It takes and gives heartache and sorrow. I honestly was in tears. There were so many emotions. I loved how the author brought everything to a beautiful close. After I read the final page (and the author's notes at the end-they are a must read!) I sat there in stunned silence. Trying to process the emotions and what I learned and loved. I highly recommend you read this one! And check out the contemporary books that break off from the prequel (one releases a month after this one).

Content: War. Bombs. Death. Hurt. But with all of those addressed in this book, the author wrote it in a sensitive way that wasn't overly graphic. I would let my teenagers read this.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Although parts of this story crushed me, it also touched my heart. The lives, loves, and losses of those in this period of history are richly beautiful despite the tragedy, challenges, and evil they faced. God is always at work even in the darkest of times. His light is portrayed throughout the pages of this book. Along the journey of the story I smiled and mourned and was rewarded with an ending echoing peace and hope. One of the author’s best yet.

I absolutely loved Codes of Courage by A.L. Sowards! All of her historical fiction books have been amazing, but this one really touched my heart!

It follows the story of Millie and Karl. Karl has escaped from Austria and is trying to find a way to fight the Nazis who have destroyed his family. He isn't allowed to join the British Royal Navy because he isn't a citizen, but he joins a merchant ship to help with the vital work of getting supplies to England.

Millie is a young woman who also wants to make a difference in the war, so she takes a job at Bletchley Park working on codes.

This book could be a stand-alone book, but I think it's best to read Heirs of Falcon Point first to get the first part of Karl's family story.

Codes of Courage is an amazing historical fiction, and it's made even better by the emotional connections I felt as the reader. There is also a touching element of faith that doesn't overwhelm or distract from the story. I will definitely recommend this one as one of my new favorite WWII novels.

Thank you to NetGalley, Covenant Communications, and A.L. Sowards for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is one of the best WWII fiction books I’ve ever read! It was so emotionally gripping and heart wrenching. I loved the opening scene - so intense and grabbed me right from the start. I loved how the book fluctuated between slower building times, and intense action. Helped keep the pace of the book moving. I was so emotionally invested in the characters and wanted the best for them. The ending was bitter sweet, and I sobbed and felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest! I will definitely recommend this book to everyone I know - they need to be wrecked just like me.

"Codes of Courage" is a Christian suspense set in 1940 to 1945. While there is romance, this isn't romance genre but primarily a war story. We continue Karl's story from "Heirs of Falcon Point," and if you've read that book, you have some idea of how this turns out (which is a good thing, so feel free to read it first). This novel can be read as a standalone, though.

The historical details about what it'd be like to serve on a U-boat or on merchant ships taking supplies to England (and getting attacked), working in code breaking, etc., brought the time period alive in my imagination. These details were very interesting without bogging down the pace. Karl and Millie didn't get to spend much time together while falling in love, but we got snippets from their letters. They were well-suited to each other. Karl appreciated Millie's intelligence and willingness to help him while they're still strangers. Millie felt seen and loved for herself when normally she felt like she didn't fit in. There's plenty of suspenseful battle and rescue scenes.

Karl had a family Bible with a code in it, and code-breaker Millie tried to break it. This ended up leading her to rely on God when things got hard (like raising a baby without a husband present to help). There were no sex scenes (though obviously they make a baby) or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and suspenseful historical.

#CodesofCourage #NetGalley

This book was a fast paced read and was so good. The story is told through the eyes of Karl Lang, Millie Stevens and Rolf Denhart.
Karl Lang is part of the Merchant Navy and out on the sea in convoys looking for German submarines. Karl's father was murdered by a man he thought was his friend but turned Nazi. Karl wants to find his two sister's, who became separated from him, as they fled their home.
Millie Stevens works for a British codebraker for Bletchley Park. Millie has always loved solving crossword puzzles and finds herself trying to break German codes to help in the war effort.
Rolf Denhart is used to living his life on a German submarine working in the code room and being part of raids to destroy convoys.
This book was so well written and part of the Falcon Point Series, but could also be read as a stand-alone novel.

I very much enjoyed Codes of Courage. In fact, it was very close to being five stars. It was well written and clearly well researched. The author did a fantastic job of weaving the lives of the three main characters together in a way that was meaningful and still believable. It was wonderful to read a book that put such emphasis on how God moves behind the scenes to orchestrate our lives and place us in situations that advance His plan. My favorite line of the book, which was repeated a few times, was “God put him in my path.” I felt that this line, in particular, summed up the whole plot and gave an important message to readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for granting me an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Codebreaking is probably my favorite ww2 subject, and this is a first to read about both U Boats and the Merchant Navy, so all the away around, a refreshing subject matter and really interesting. Loved both Millie and Karl as characters as well, and I thought the aspect and character development of a german Nazi who wasn't evil and fanatical was a humanizing take, especially the way the story came together at the end.

It was a fascinating progression, being that the first book in the series (Heirs of Falcon Point) was written in time periods before and after this point in the story, so you knew some of what was going to happen with the Lang family. I think it added to the intrigue and adrenaline towards the end of the book, which also had me in tears. Really well pulled together, and the character development and story progression were excellent.

I do wish there was a little more emotional description in it, but there was plenty of thought and intellectual description that it still held fine for pulling you into the story and making you part of it, as opposed to some books that keep you only observing.

I loved the way the author showed how selflessness and sacrifice have rippling effects generations down the road. I enjoyed this one quite a lot and look forward to what I assume will be the rest of the historical series to come, and the other suspense series track.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I am loving this series and I was excited to read this new addition. Although it is not officially part of the series, Codes of Courage is a companion novel to Heirs of Falcon Point and it is written by A.L. Sowards.
Karl and Millie were wonderful characters. I loved reading about their interaction and their easy relationship. I also liked both of these characters, I was able to understand them. The story was so interesting and I was drawn to the work that both Karl and Millie did during the war.
Karl was just trying his best to figure out how to make a new life. He had lost his sisters, his home, and was in a country that was not his own. I really liked Karl and getting to learn more about him. It was cool to see him grow throughout the story. Millie was also sweet and I loved how smart she was. Millie was so fun and I loved reading about her and seeing how she fit with Karl. They were just so cute together, they helped make each other better.
I just loved this book! The characters and story were everything! It did take me a little bit to get into, but it was so worth it. Codes of Courage is a must read and I would definitely recommend it! It was so cool to finally read Karl’s story and it is making me want to reread the other books.


I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Excellent story! Codes of Courage is an amazing, page-turning tale about courage, the courage to keep living after tragedy, the courage to reach out for love during war, the courage to keep working trying to break the Nazi codes and win the war even when it looks bleak, and the courage to accept jobs during the war that are important but very risky. I loved it. I needed Kleenex at one point too. Kudos to the author for a brilliant story about one of the characters from the Heirs of Falcon Point (one of my all time favorite books). Codes of Courage can totally be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Heirs of Falcon Point too.

I have a strong interest in cryptography, and reading about the code-breaking efforts at Bletchley Park outside of London, as well as about Merchant Marine ships and the danger they faced from U-boats and their torpedoes was fascinating. And the fact that the story is told from three perspectives, an Austrian who hates the Nazi's for killing his father, an American and half British woman translator and code-breaker, and a Nazi U Boat radio operator is really interesting. I highly recommend this excellent historical fiction story and the beautiful war-time love story that was a big part of it.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. I highly recommend Codes of Courage. All opinions are my own.

The beginning and the end of this book were so good! I really loved how everything was set up, and then at the end, everything fit together so nicely and all the loose ends came together. The book was pretty original and the history was superb. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time getting through the middle of it. It kind of felt like the same things over and over and over again. I very nearly put it down. If the middle could be a little tighter and maybe the end a little longer, I think I would give it a higher rating.

I have sobbed during movies, but until today never during a book. This book is absolutely stunning, but also devastatingly heartbreaking! I had always hoped to get Karl's and Millie's story and A. L. Sowards didn't disappoint. I loved the twists and turns the beginning of this book took and the end was not what I had anticipating, but it was perfect! Rolf was such a flawed side hero and villain all combined into one and I thought he was a brilliant character. I don't know how I made it through this book because the tears were coming so thick, but I'm so glad I did because it is absolutely and completely outstanding!

I really enjoyed heading back into the falcon point universe and getting to know Karl and Millie! This was such a wonderful depiction of how devastating war is and that relationships are what truly matter. I loved being able to picture characters and feel emotions so deeply! I look forward to the next one!

I AM IN MY FEELS.

I was warned before going in what kind of ending I was heading towards so I feel like I’ll mention that here, it is in the bittersweet vein. My rating was not changed by this, a lot because I knew going into it, which I VERY much appreciate. My four star is centered around that I thought the first half was a bit slower and took me awhile to get fully involved.

Anyways, I loved these characters. I loved the themes. The subtle woven in faith elements that played a role in how the three POV’s lives connected, crossed, and ultimately found common ground. It’s a got a really sweet and tender romance. There’s great introspection and realizations. I loved seeing the characters stumble, learn and make the best decisions in rough situations.

And I loved that this was focused out at sea and on codebreakers. It was a different scene of the war I haven’t read much in the historical fiction genre and it was a well researched take on what was happening on the ocean fronts.

I felt ALL THE THINGS throughout. I love the way A.L. Sowards writes her books. I’m happy that I took the chance on reading this, even in my heart is in utter chaos at present. It was such a good book and I loved seeing everything come full circle.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door between a married couple
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: active WW2, loss of loved ones, shipwrecks, grief depiction

t’s quite ironic that I was reading this story of war and loss while sitting in the most peaceful of places. The irony was not lost on me, and I’m thankful for those that fought and lost so much so I could enjoy being on a boat without the worry of U boats or torpedoes.

This amazing historical fiction story deals with love, loss, torpedoes, secret codes, and the many facets of war.

It is told by 3 people, all from different countries- experiencing the war from different points of view. It is fascinating to see how their lives intertwine and create an amazing tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage. So much depth, so much intensity, so much emotion.

Mark your calendar for October 10, when this book will be available. Better yet, pre order it now- you won’t regret it. Thank you @a.l.sowards for the time and research that went into writing this amazing story.

Net Galley provided the early copy, the opinions are all my own.

This book was so amazing! Written in WW2 England and Germany, all of the characters had such depth. A.L. Sowards created layers of empathy for these enemies- the soldiers on both sides of the war while maintaining the animosity they had for each other. There were so many layers of emotions throughout the entire book with hope and sorrow. While Sowards goes back and forth between many characters' perspectives, I felt involved throughout the whole story. I was kept invested in each character's life. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Codes of courage was absolutely beautiful!

The author has a talent for writing action and romance deep with history. I became so attached to the characters and even cried at one point. I have not cried while reading a book for years!

The story highlights the work of cryptologists and living in a world at war during WW2. The story follows Karl, an Austrian native, who fled from Nazi occupation and is searching for his missing sisters, while trying to do everything in his power to push back against the Nazi regime.

Karl meets Millie Stevens by chance, and then later reconnects with her and forms a strong connection. Millie works as a code breaker and makes time to see Karl every time he’s back on land.

The story of Karl and Millie was beautiful and brought all of the emotions a romance during war brings.

The author also includes the point of view of a German Soldier serving on a U-boat. At first I wasn’t so sure about this addition, but as the story went on I appreciated this 3rd point of view that helped to give a broader understanding of the war and those fighting.

This was truly a beautifully written book and one of my favorites this year. If you’re up for an emotionally rocky ride during WW2, this is the book for you.

The book could be read as a stand alone, however I think it’s more enjoyable to read after the first book Heirs or Falcon Point.