On Wings of Devotion
by Roseanna M. White
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Jan 07 2020 | Archive Date Feb 05 2020
Bethany House | Bethany House Publishers
Talking about this book? Use #OnWingsOfDevotion #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.
But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9780764231827 |
PRICE | $19.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 400 |
Featured Reviews
ON WINGS OF DEVOTION is the third novel I have read by ROSEANNA WHITE, and in my opinion easily the best. It is a really good historical romance, with an excellent Christian message and really great characters.
The story takes place mostly in London in 1918, towards the end of the First World War.
Arabelle Denler is a qualified nurse who works at Charing Cross Hospital. The recipient of her Aunt's fortune, she lives with her father in an apartment with a view of Buckingham Palace. Longing to have a family of her own, and seeing herself as plain and gawky, she has agreed to marry Edmund Braxton, who needs her money in order to keep his family home. Since her mother's death and because of her father's insatiable need for adventure, she feels abandoned and lonely and not worth very much to anyone. She is a woman of faith who really wants to help others.
Each day as she sees Philip Camden, who is regarded as a criminal by many, walking back from the Old Admiralty building, she feels drawn to him in his suffering and prays for him.
Add to all this, enemy fire, a group of cryptologists intercepting messages in code, spies and much more, and you have a really exciting plot which marries history with fiction.
I cannot wait for the next book in The Codebreakers series and highly recommend On Wings of Devotion as a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
This has been an interesting series to read! It covers an aspect of WWII not often featured in historic fiction - the codebreaking side - and is fast-paced, full of mystery, and perfect for someone who likes suspense! While this second book didn't include as much of the technical side of codebreaking as the first, it did have a few layers of mystery to be uncovered. It is a faith-filled book, but faith is more of an omnipresent aspect rather than something that is awkwardly injected into the storyline. A good read to curl up with on a cold day!
Excellent story! It centers around Arabelle and Phillip, during WW1. Arabelle is a dedicated nurse working in an area hospital, when friends introduce her to Phillip, a man with dark secrets in his past that give him the nickname "Blackheart" He blames himself for the deaths of his fellow pilots in the squadron he was over. As time goes on and investigations continue, it is discovered he is not at fault in the least. Bombings, undercover agents, a secret plot of assasinations, it's all in this engaging book that is difficult to put down! Great writing! A story to read over and over again!
This book was a-ma-zing!! I adore Roseanna M. White's books and if you asked me to pick a fave, I'd go into an intense bookwormish sort of analysis paralysis. lol! But truly, this one would be right up there at the top. I. love. Phillip. Wounded heroes are always my favorite, but there's something extra enticing and intriguing about this fallen pilot called Black Heart. And Arabelle is a fantastic, strong, and sympathetic heroine. The plot moves at a great pace - fast enough to keep me turning pages, but not so quickly that we don't have time to breathe and enjoy the poignant and romantic moments. I loved the build to the final act, the excitement, the history, the codebreaking aspect...all of it. And the spiritual angle is beautifully done...definitely one of the most impacting books I've read lately.
I read it in a day and now I feel a little bereft because what's a girl to do as she waits for the next in the series...?!?! (Probably go back and reread some of Roseanna's earlier books, that's what. haha!)
*Book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
On Wings of Devotion is the second of the Codebreakers series by Rosanna White. And it is by far my favorite.
Rich and unattractive, as Arabelle Denler finds herself in a loveless engagement, she sets her sights on having the family she never had growing up. But when unexpected trouble finds itself on her door step, Ara must let go of her hurts and forgive the unforgivable.
Phillip Camden is a man accused of a horrific crime. He would prefer to have died during "The Incident," with his fellow squadron. But Nurse Arabelle sees something in him, not the Black Heart that everyone calls him. But a man who is hurting and broken. Phillip is recruited to the Codebreakers Room 40, and thus finds himself in the thick of an assassination and espionage plot.
Two hearts that feel unworthy. Ara feeling unloved and unwanted. Camden feeling as though his life is over. But neither of them can see what the other sees in their worth. Ara's generous spirit and kindness was felt throughout the story. And Camden's protectiveness and heroism did shine when he least expected it.
I loved how some of the secondary characters were the ones we've met in the previous Codebreaker book. Not overbearing, but still they made an appearance.
Miss White is a master storyteller. You can place yourself at the scene and experience many of the feelings that occurred.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley and the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Okay, I read this in November 2019 but I'm already willing to say this is one of my picks for Best Books of 2020. It was phenomenal! The plot was so interesting, with details about WWI that really take the reader to England during the war. There were some good twists but not so many to make the story feel contrived. Beyond that, the characters were amazing! I'm a character-driven reader, so a book that has a good plot but the characters are meh won't do it for me; I'm thrilled to say that both Ara and Phillip are characters who I will be thinking about for a long time. They are both so well-developed. Ara has a kind heart and a sincere desire to help others, mixed with her insecurities about her appearance and whether anyone can truly love her and want to stay with her, while Phillip is so torn up by his own poor choices and thinks he's beyond redemption but finds himself desperately wanting it and, despite his poor opinion of himself, reaches out to others more than he even realizes. Both of these characters had so much depth and were so relatable. I just adored them both! There are terrific themes of healing and redemption, and there was some terrific dry humor. All in all, just a fantastic read! An easy 5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Roseanna M. White always delivers a fantastic historical romance story and of all of the ones of hers I've read, I believe this one is my favorite so far. Fans of her "Shadows over England" series and the first "Codebreakers" book will be glad to see some familiar faces; however, this book could easily stand alone if you haven't read the others. I would probably recommend reading "The Number of Love" first if you have it readily available, simply because it gives some history into Building 40 and how Phillip Camden came to be there. However, that information isn't essential to the plot of this particular novel.
One thing that often frustrates me in romance novels is that the heroines are almost always drop-dead gorgeous. Since few of us have those qualities in real life, we can swoon over the gorgeous couple romances, but they seem so far off. I love to cheer on a "less than beautiful" heroine (as I better relate to that) and Arabelle Denler fits the bill on that front. She is fiercely loyal, incredibly independent, intellegent, competent and very caring - which makes her an excellent nurse. She is engaged to be married to an old friend, who has agreed to give her a family in exchange for her financial aid to keep his estate. When that goes sideways, she finds herself under the unlikely protection of handsome misfit Phillip Camden, who keeps the money-grubbers at bay and in the process finds the true beauty of Arabelle. Their witty banter had me laughing at regular intervals and their inner turmoils made me cry at equally regular intervals. While romance is not generally my genre of choice, this author is still one of my g0-to's because of her wonderful characters and amazing story lines. In addition to the romance aspect, this book had a couple of mysteries (what really happened to Camden's squadron,for example), espionage in the form of a prior acquaintance of Phillip's, a cast of fun side characters, a solid faith element and a demonstration of the need for compassion - even for one's enemy. I absolutely loved everything about this story!
Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the opinions contained herein are my own.
I enjoyed reading this book. I love this time period. i felt it wasnt as tight as the others in the series, I love seeing Brooke from The Lost Heiress. I love how the author pulls her books togehter with the others via Brooke. I happen to know that she sent edits in after I downloaded my galley. I am looking forward to reading the updated version. I will review the book and post it on my blog, scribd B$N, Books A Million, Amazon
Oh, my heart is happy! There were so many great things about this book!!
Starting off, the main characters, Arabelle and Camden. There was SO MUCH DEPTH to them and I loved it! Arabelle is so caring and compassionate, so much so that she *SPOILER* sets up her ex-fiance after he betrays her trust, helps out a widow who tried to have Camden killed, and was assisting a dying German spy who wanted to kill many other people *END SPOILER*. That's on top of wrestling with constantly feeling overlooked, unwanted, and left behind. She no longer believes she is worthy of being loved and cared for.
Camden does not believe he is worthy of life or love. He thinks he is too far gone and basically, a dead man walking. He pushes people away when he really craves belonging. It's partly noble and partly selfish.
Both are believing lies and can't see what others see - that they are worthy, that they do belong, that they are wanted, that they can have life. I thought it was kind of funny that Camden was always trying to get Ara to believe what he thought of her, but then he wouldn't believe what his mother, brother, or anyone else saw in himself.
Then there are the cross-overs!!!! BROOK! and all the other characters from that trilogy. Pearce shows up and there are mentions of Rosie and Pete and the other girls. Margot and Drake are around (which I expected), but I loved having all the others around, especially Brook. She might be my favorite White character ever. The best thing about these cross-overs is getting little glimpses into their lives; how their families are growing.
I was intrigued at how "human" the villain was. I should say, antagonist, because there wasn't really a villain in the traditional sense and there kind of were two, but only one had some page time dedicated to themself. They were clearly in the wrong and you didn't want them to succeed, but you sort of felt like they weren't really bad, just caught up in something. Anyway, that human element surprised me.
I liked the teamwork that it took to wrap things up. I was a bit confused until hearing the explanation but it showed Camden that he belonged and was wanted. Going back to Ara for a moment, I have to say again how much her kindness and compassion moved me. I could feel what she felt, compassion and pain, and Camden's too. It was amazing.
The wit was great. Camden has a great sense of humor and Ara could move just as fast as he did. I highlighted a bunch of quotes and was smiling a lot.
Oh, one last thing. I appreciated the point made that Ara couldn't and wasn't changing Camden. We don't change people. We can make them want to change, want to be better, but the change is God's work in their life, especially spiritually speaking.
This is another sterling effort from Roseanna White. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm already guessing as to whom the last book will feature :)
My Review of On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White
Everytime I hear that another Roseanna M White book is coming out I dream about reading. You see, her books are so marvelous, they tug you into the story and leave impression every time, no matter if it is a lesson in the plot, a character, or anything else, White has a way of showing you a world somewhat lost in history. On Wings of Devotion is no exception, as a matter of fact it is her best yet, though I say that every book of hers I read.
Phillip, or rather to most Black Heart, is something of a broken glutton for punishment waiting for death to come until he meets Arabelle and then the story steps into another dimension of a wonderful plot. Every aspect of this second book in the Codebreakers series is thoroughly researched, emotionally reaching, and romantically shown.
Recommendation: 16/19 up.
Verse: Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (King James Version)
Rating: 5 stars, would give more if possible.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The second in the Codebreakers series will not disappoint readers who love historical fiction. The author does an amazing job creating this story bu9 using real characters and events. World War I will comes alive for readers! Love author's note! Recommended!
On Wings of Devotion
By Roseanne M. White
This book is the second in the Codebreakers series. The first one was great and this one was as well. Codebreaking was not as important in this story as it was in the first novel but was in the background. The characters took center stage as they learned to live beyond perception, forgive and love in this story.
Labeled Black Heart, Phillip Camden carries the heaviness of war after losing his crew. The secrets he carries from that day eat him and nothing anyone can do or say will pull him from the darkness.
Arabelle Denler may be rich but finding love, real love is not something she believes possible. She is plain and average in every way. Rather than wallow in her situation, she takes action and becomes a nurse. Serving at the military hospital she watches as the handsome Black Heart walks to work each day.
Having a mutual friend brings these two broken hearts together. Not looking for love but for healing, both Phillip and Arabelle find that God's love is the answer and His love can cover all.
I am now waiting excitedly for the third installment of this series.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Roseanna M. White is one of my favorite authors. I would read anything she writes. She develops her characters. Her writing is fluid and has great pacing. The dialogue is interesting. There’s often a really unique main character.
In this case we have the mysterious “Black Heart” whose actions seem to contradict his reputation. I thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with Arabelle. They’re good together. I appreciated Arabelle’s sensitivity to the Lord’s prompting. She listens for his voice and follows his lead even when it’s hard.
I loved seeing characters, like Mr. Pearce, from other series show up and have a part in this book. The world of spies, treason, and codebreaking is full of mystery and intrigue. I would highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Codebreakers:
Book 1: The Number of Love
Book 2: On Wings of Devotion
#OnWingsOfDevotion #Netgalley
Roseanna White is on my list of favorite authors, someone who's latest book I'm eager to devour. This being the second in the Codebreaker series, it didn't disappoint. By reading this book you will read of the characters she introduced in the first book, in addition Pearson who hails to us from the Shadows Over England series. Despite all this, even if this is the first book you have read by Roseanna, you will be fine. Each story is able to hold it's own without forcing you to read the previous books to know what is going on.
In this book, we are introduced to Arabelle who is a heiress engaged. Unfortunately, for circumstances out of her control, she discovers that her fiancé has impregnated someone else. In turn, as that life is gone she is introduced to Phillip Camden. This fellow has made some reckless decisions and all of England has a hatred for this man. But Arabelle, see's something and see's beyond his recklessness.
Rather than give anything away in the book, just know that it will keep you on your toes and eager to read the next chapter. I downloaded the book from net galley and just couldn't stop reading it. Read on my lunch break, before bedtime and just now on my work break. It's a book that you just can't put down without thinking about it. And even now, it lingers once the story is done.
How she creates and melds a wonderful story is magical in itself. I invite you to take a trip into Roseanna White's imagination and enjoy a story or two.
Roseanna M. White continues her captivating code breakers series in On Wings of Devotion, weaving an exciting tale of adventure, loss, humor, patriotism, heroism, family, and faith. This exciting narrative, set in World War I era England, shares the story of Phillip Camden, a pilot fallen from the graces of the public, fuming with hatred and full of grief from the loss of his entire squadron. "Black heart" is Phillip's nickname in the newspapers due to his status as sole survivor of a questionable aviation crash along with his menacing countenance. Phillip sets himself on a mission to not let anyone close enough to feel such loss again, yet his resolve is challenged with his new role as part of the secret code breaking division. Phillip also happens to cross paths with a very sympathetic nurse, Arabelle Denler. Arabelle rests her life in God's hands and has a very strong sense of faith as well as compassion towards others. She sees beneath Phillip's generalized hatred and lack of friends to the true problem--Phillip's hurting heart and need for forgiveness.
Throughout many intriguing and strange circumstances Phillip and Arabelle become acquainted and develop a friendship. The plot thickens with anonymous threats, multiple attempts at harming the main characters, as well as the great mystery of what truly happened in the plane crash that Phillip was involved in. What will happen? Will Phillip be imprisoned? Did he actually do anything wrong? Can Arabelle help Phillip find his faith in God? Can their friendship survive the difficulties they face? I would highly encourage you to pick up this book and find out for yourself!
In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book! Roseanna M. White's books have been some of my all time favorites, for the excellent characters, intriguing and suspenseful plots, the historic context, the focus on family and faith, as well as the great descriptive narratives. I related to the characters in this story in many ways and absolutely loved how concrete Phillip and Arabelle seemed to me as a reader as well as how palpable their struggles, fears, and emotions were. I thoroughly enjoyed each character's struggles and their heartbreaks. I could honestly relate to each of them, even if I hadn't personally been in their situations. I cannot wait to read more of this series! Yet again, Ms. White has delivered an excellent tale full of adventure, surprise, humor, love, faith, and history. Excellent!
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.
My Thoughts about On Wings of Devotion:
Wow! I was so looking forward to this book because I love Roseanna White and this series is fast becoming a favorite. Who am I kidding? All of her series are my favorites!
This is book two in the Codebreaker series. Book one followed Margo who we met in the Shadows Over England series. You'll see a lot of the characters from that series and other books as well. I love getting reacquainted with old friends and that's how it feels when characters from other books pop in to say hi!
I was very happy when I saw that this book was going to follow Philip Camden and his journey after we met him in the previous book of the series. His character had so many bits and pieces that I really wanted to explore and get to know better. This book does not disappoint both in getting to know him and in getting to know a few new characters.
As with all of her other books, this was a fast read for me simply because I get so caught up in the characters and the plot that I am there and I have to keep reading and see how it ends! Talk about being invested in a book!
Philip feels that he's simply waiting to die. After members of his squad die, all but him that is, he is held in jail for a bit before being freed to go work on the Codebreaker floor. He doesn't know why. And really he doesn't care. He'd much rather just be dead like his squad mates. That is until he meets Arabella and life takes on a bit of meaning again.
But the reasons for meeting Arabella are a bit too close to home. When he feels guilty because he's now opened her up to all the fortune hunters he decides he must step in and save her. And oh does that prove interesting.
I really don't want to give away any of the book because everything is so connected but it's a great read. You need to read it. Read book one in the series first then this one. You'll love them! Roseanna White is one author who I always keep her books on my bookshelf to read again and again. Most other books I donate. That has to tell you how amazing these books are!
So grab a copy and a comfy spot with some tea and cookies and settle in to devour the whole thing at once!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
As far as heroes go, Phillip Camden might be my favorite. Cam, as Arabelle calls him, is your usual wounded hero. Yet his loyalty comes out early in the novel, not only in his devotion to his sister and mother, but also through the sympathy he has for Arabelle when she’s caught in the middle.
And Arabelle is feisty. I respected her from the moment I saw her nursing in Charing Cross Hospital. But with one well-deserved punch to the nose, I loved her. White refrains from making Arabelle the perfect saint, which I appreciated. Instead, Arabelle has a mixture of flaws and virtues. Compassionate but stubborn. Kind but snippy. Sweet but witty. And this mixture of characteristics is what makes Arabelle the best heroine to be paired with the brooding Cam.
From the historical depictions of life in WWI-era England to the realities of war in Room 40 and Charing Cross Hospital, White thrusts you in the midst of the characters’ daily challenges. Admittedly, I’ve only read a few of White’s books, but I think this is her best novel yet. Filled with action, emotion, and gripping drama, On Wings of Devotion keeps you turning pages.
(Blog will go live Jan. 7 at 5:00 pm)
This book has it all:
Another fabulous and riveting book by talented Roseanna M. White! There was not as much emphasis on code breaking as in the first book of the series but I enjoyed all of the mystery and intrigue. My attention was captured from the very beginning and it had me madly turning pages in order to determine would what happen next.
The main characters were flawed, authentic and lovable. Poor Cam doesn't feel as if he is worthy of redemption but that is the amazing thing about God's grace; none of us are. I also liked that the heroine wasn't drop dead gorgeous like most are made out to be. She was however beautiful on the inside which is where it really counts after all.
Another thing I really liked was the way that the message of hope and salvation was woven throughout the book. The author did a great job highlighting the contrasts between light and dark; good and evil; and life and death.
Now I can't wait for the third book in the series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
On wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White is the second book in the Codebreakers series, but it can be read very well as a standalone, that is how I read it! Though I admit I did get curious when I found out that one of the side characters I loved the most, Margot de Wilde, is the main character in book 1, so naturally I’m off to buy that one. And there were some hints for book 3, too, and it just sounds amazing. This is a series to watch out for!
I have previously read and enjoyed Roseanna M. White’s work, especially the Culper Ring series, but this book if my favorite so far. She has grown much in her writing, in earlier books I sometimes had some trouble with pacing and unable to distinguish the many side characters, but this book has none of those issues. I couldn’t stop reading! I felt so much for all the characters that I can’t help but make this review in fangirl expletives. Because I have major FEELS. So many feels… I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. Ok ok I’ll stop now and try calmly to explain why I love it.
Phillip Camden is named Black Heart and infamous for both being a rogueish lady’s man and losing his entire squadron in a dubious incident. He basically is waiting for a death sentence, and he is rigged with guilt, but plays the part the media gave him: a black heart. He pushes people away, but of course, there’s so much hurt underneath…. I couldn’t help but fawn over him too, as the nurses from the hospital did everyday as he walked by, even though he kinda is a bad boy. At least in the beginning. He brings the other main character, Arabelle, into a plot of his own device, and while the intention is well, it just isn’t well executed lol. Arabelle isn’t impressed, and she calls him out on it, which I absolutely loved.
Arabelle had to learn to stand up and take care for herself from a young age, and it turned her into this resilient, vibrant woman full of faith. Her empathy moved me a lot, how she always tries to help and give people second chances. She was truly an example of faith, of forgiving everyone and helping where she can, but also not afraid to call out what isn’t right.
As Camden’s plot leaves her a bit vulnerable, he takes up the part of her guardian dog, but he might end up getting ensnared himself… but there is more at play, and his work at the codeworkers office brings his own dangers…
Arabella’s way of life and her faith really struck a chord with me, and I aspire to be more like her! Of course she isn’t perfect, but she admits when she’s wrong and corrects her mistakes, and she really is a strong example. I love how she and Camden are very honest with each other, that honestly is a fresh breath or air. No misunderstandings between them, but they actually talked and resolved things! And I loved hoe Camden softened and opened up, and that it is mentioned that Arabella might be the inciting incident, it’s not the love of a woman that changes him for the better. I think that’s a very healthy message to spread, that true healing comes from God and not man, and that is a choice you must make for yourself.
The plot itself was amazing too, I was on the edge of my seat! The villain’s were very real, and you could clearly understand their motivations and even empathize a bit, which make the best villains in my opinion (if you can even truly call them that). The side characters were also a very nice addition, from Arabelle’s eccentric adventurer dad to Phillip’s amazing family, as well as the characters in Room 40 (the admiral is amazing! And I love this extremely intelligent awesome female code worker Margot), everyone felt very real and I kinda wanted to be there. There was lots of banter and humor to compensate the seriousness, and I just couldn’t help but fall in love with this book. I LOVED LOVED LOVED every second and I kinda wish it was 800 more pages.
I’ve been given a free e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you so much, Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers, for giving me the chance to read this pearl!
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna White is the second book in the Codebreakers series. I LOVE this series and this author. I am new to her writing and I am excited to catch up on all of her books. She creates the most intriguing characters.
I so enjoyed Arabella’s character. She was such a good, forgiving person but it seemed real. Readers will feel her heartbreak as she deals with feeling like no one ever chooses her. I was so moved by the scenarios that the author created to reveal Arabella’s character.
Phillip Camden has been accused of treason. Because of his connections and reputation Admiral Hall has moved him to work in Room 40 with the codebreakers. You will also see a little bit of de Wilde from book one. She is still working in Room 40.
Phillip was a very likable character and I was longing for their relationship to work out. Philip was the perfect companion for Arabella. He was so wonderful to her; especially as the story was unfolding at the end. All the sweet things he tried to do to take care of her.
This is a book to buy as you will want to read it again and again. In addition to a thoroughly enjoyable read, I was happy to learn how much of the story was based on real characters. The author shared a lot at the end of the book. It was fascinating.
Sexual content - kissing, learning that someone is unmarried and pregnant, discussions of what the pilots did to relax but no details.
Violence - war violence
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.
Author Roseanna M White is on my must-read list, and it was with great anticipation that I read "On Wings of Devotion." I really enjoyed this excellent historical fiction story and I love the whole series. In "On Wings of Devotion", Phillip Camden, a pilot, is dubbed "Black Heart" and accused of causing the deaths of his squadron. When we meet him, he is angry and hurting without any hope for the future. Arabelle Denler is an excellent nurse and one who sees his faults and his potential. I adored these main characters, there was so much depth to them. On Wings of Devotion is an absolute page-turning story with a mix of intrigue, espionage, betrayal, redemption, and romance. I highly recommend On Wings of Devotion to anyone who loves a riveting story!
Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the opinions contained herein are my own.
Wow!
This book is a wonderful combination of God's love pursuing man until he surrenders, espionage like you've never read before, loyalty, sacrifice and prayers in earnest.
I love the combination of history with fiction and the beautiful result of it.
I loved reading about Arabella! She was exceptional, forgiving and gracious despite the blows life dealt her. She never allowed it distract her from her God given mission; caring and loving the wounded especially those who did not deserve it. That was how she met the formidable, uptight, but with a heart of gold Major Philip Camden. Reading about him, his loyalty and the lengths he went for the people he loved was so admirable. Even at the expense of his life and reputation he choose to do the right thing. One of the most profound parts of this book was his faith journey from bitter, reckless to beloved of God.
The writer wove a beautiful story of faith in earnest, love and sacrifice with a lot of history to keep you engage and lessons to be learnt. I loved how the author did not rush the story, she took her time to ease her readers into it, step by step she lead us into history and lives of her characters.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
Arabelle Denler has been alone her whole life. With her mother deceased and her father gallivanting about the world on explorations, she has been forced to throw herself into the work of nursing, dreaming of someday having love, affection, and a family of her own. But when Philip Camden, the dastardly pilot about to be court-martialed, throws a spanner in the works of her matrimonial plans, Arabelle refuses to lash out or languish. Instead, she recognizes that beneath Camden's bullying bravado, there is another soul just as starving as her own, a soul filled with humor, kindness, and constancy. Together Arabelle and Camden survive a bombing on London, outwit a Nazi assassin, and prove that devotion is a quality most desirable, a quality that they both have in spades.
Philip Camden is my favorite hero since...forever. His devil-may-care attitude and flirtatious banter is tempered by a heart loyal to both his family and his men. Plagued by the demons of guilt, he refuses to defend himself from the charges against him. Yet, even while wallowing in self-recrimination, he protects his younger sister's honor, befriends the teenage-genius Margot in the codebreaking room (see the first book of this series!), and appoints himself as Arabelle's protector to drive off the fortune hunters. I'll avoid spoilers and just say that the setup for Philip meeting Arabelle is one of the most ingenious introductions in a romance that I've ever run across.
Arabelle is the polar opposite of what one expects in a romantic heroine. She is tall, gangly, and, in her own words, plain. Instead of being missish and taking offense at every imposition or misunderstanding, she is perpetually gracious and forgiving. Her insecurities and fears are portrayed gradually and poignantly, giving Camden opportunity to rise to the occasion to protect, complete, and cherish her.
This is one of my favorite reads of the year! Although it is part of a series and you'll enjoy seeing the tie-ins from White's other books, it could easily be read as a stand alone. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
While war wreaks havoc outside the bustling halls of Charing Cross Hospital, Nurse Arabella Denler brings a sense of calm and hope inside. Although she inherited her aunt’s fortune, Arabella considers her work her most important calling. She routinely prays for her patients and even some who never pass through the doors of the hospital. Men like Major Phillip Camden, who passes by the hospital each day just as Arabella’s shift ends.
The press has dubbed Major Camden ‘Black Heart’ and claims he led his squadron to their death on a routine air mission. Arabella prays for him because when he glances up while walking by, she sees a storm of pain in his eyes. Pain she has experienced, too. The pain of never feeling as if she is enough. She recognizes she has no claim to beauty, but when the war ends, her fiancé will marry her and they’ll start a family together—the only thing Arabella has ever really longed for.
Major Phillip Camden only longs for death. Although his friend rescued him from prison and found him a position in Room 40 working with Admiral Hall and his codebreaking team, Phillip prefers death. Only death will release him from the anguish and guilt. The army has ample evidence to court-martial him, but for some reason they allow him to keep working.
When his mother shows up in London begging him to fix his little sister’s problem, Phillip agrees. He’ll only need to break another man’s engagement. Phillip’s encounter with the man’s fiancée leaves him stunned. And intrigued. Maybe hope hasn’t died and perhaps he’ll find a way out of this mess.
If you love World War I-era books, you’ll want to purchase this book! The second book in Roseanna M. White’s Codebreaker series, On Wings of Devotion, follows a character we meet in The Number of Love. You don’t need to read the other book first, though.
White weaves a taut mystery filled with relatable characters. Characters from White’s other World War I series, Shadows Over England, make cameo appearances in this series, which I love. Most of all, White shows the reader that we all fall short of God’s glory, and that when we grab hold of his marvelous grace, it empowers us to fully forgive those who have sinned against us.
I have literally waited for this book since before I was finished with “The Number of Love.” Camden had me totally from what glimpses I had of him there.
Once again, Roseanna has crafted a fascinating and well-woven tale during the WWI era. Loved it! One thing I especially liked was all of the connections with characters from Ladies of the Manor and Shadows Over England series. Every time one of those characters popped up, I just grinned.
I loved following the transformation of Camden and equally loved Ara’s struggles and journey. I found their character development to be deep and just unpredictable enough to make me give a little nod as I realized what was going on in their lives. It was very well done.
My romance thoughts of this kind of ties into my spiritual comments. I have said it often, but I do not care for books where a believer pursues a relationship with a nonbeliever. Though “in the books” it always works out beautifully, technically the believer is disobeying God’s command to not be unequally yoked. Though I realize this is probably historically accurate, Ara had no spiritual qualms because she was die-hard determined that Camden was on the verge of change. And that just doesn’t always happen in real life, so it’s a dangerous example for Christian women. That being said, the other spiritual threads in this book were so well done. The gospel was clearly presented and Christian living was demonstrated—not just a verse or two here or there, but it was the backbone of some of the characters. That was beautiful.
And back to the romance. There was a little more description than I prefer on kisses and such. There was also a pretty steady thread of “the life of a gentleman” with several insinuating comments. One of the side character’s POV was a cabaret dancer, so that inevitably led to hints at the type of lifestyle she lived. Given this angle, I’d not really recommend it for conservative teen readers.
Favorite quote: “Whatever He asks of us, whether it be a fortune or a pittance or our time or our devotion, we can be sure it will be painful. Cutting out what stands between us and God always is. But we can also trust that in the giving, we’ll gain something far more precious.”
*I received this book from the publishers and happily provided my honest review*
Arabelle is curious about Camden, known as Black Heart, and what hurts he’s hiding behind. When Camden’s mom has a mission for him, he can’t turn her down. This story takes off fast and keeps the suspense going as to plans for Camden. Ara and Camden develop a friendship, one where they both admonish the other to think better of themselves. Seeing some familiar faces, like Brook, Justin, Margot and Drake, as well as some other Room 40 people and DID Hall is fun and add well to the story. Alvin and Dee add to the intrigue in this one which along with learning more about Ara and Camden primarily keep the pages turning to find out what happens. Set in February/March 1918, we are brought back into life during a war, and the decisions people made, or were forced to make. Beautiful story that keeps the intrigue building nicely until the end. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
“‘My brother would say there’s nothing more basic than believing in God’s love.’ ‘While he has a point, that’s a bit like telling a starving child there is nothing more basic than bread, isn’t it? Such knowledge does him very little good when he cannot feel its effects in his own stomach.’” This wise quote comes from the beautiful book On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White. This read is a historical fiction romance that takes you the tremulous times of World War 1 and the effects it had on the English people.
Black Heart
That is what Philip Camden is known for, his cold ruthless heart after killing all the members of his squadron. The world hates him for the actions he did not commit but still, Philip Camden blames himself for the horrid accident. Agonizingly, Camden lives with this pain day after day, re-living this tragedy until he meets Arabella Denler a woman who never gives up hope, always forgives and spreads God’s loves daily. Philip Camdems world shifts as he gets to know this wonderful woman personally, but he soon regrets it when his chilling crimes come back to haunt him with a vengeance.
A delightfully written story of forgiveness, healing, and hope at the center of it all. On Wings of Devotion is expertly paced never feeling too rushed or slow and while the action was not a fluid thing throughout it was quite well done. Another thing done superbly by Mrs. White was the romance of this novel, it will make you smile with its heartfulness and innocence. Ara and Philip make a wonderful pair together with their spunk, passion and drive giving them a whirlwind of romance without losing sight of truly mattered at the end of the day. Something I also enjoyed was the villain, Mrs. White always has a knack for making the antagonist dreadful, malicious, and cruel but human at the time and I applaud her for the feat. My only complaint would be the lack of action, in the beginning, not to say it was boring but quite mundane as though the world was not at war at all. This being my only minute complaint the I gave this read five stars which it deserves. It is a beautiful read of what hope and simple forgiveness can do for someone with a “black heart.”
Former pilot Phillip Camden's reputation has gone down in flames with relentless speculation that he led his squadron to their deaths. He has been re-appointed to the codebreaking division, and the threats he receives daily only drive the knife of regret deeper.
Heiress Arabelle Denler is a trained nurse, engaged to a man who says he cannot love her, she watches with all the other nurses as Cam walks by everyday. Cam sees her kind heart, and appoints himself her protector.
Meanwhile a troublemaker from Cam's past is trying to resurrect the drama that besmirched his good name, and drag it all into a public trial.
I loved how supportive Ara and Cam are of each other, as they are both very aware of their own personal shortcomings. Instead they build each other up and help each other overcome the past. Ara helps Cam to see that he doesn't have to live in the past, and that he can laugh again and move past what happened. I liked how Cam admires Ara's kindness, positivity, and faith.
There was a lot going on in this book with the war on, and the codebreakers working together. As well as a lot of character development and growth with Ara and Cam's friendship, all the drama going on with her relationships, as well as his past and family. I really liked how thoughtful Cam was, and how he and Ara find a true friend in each other.
I wasn't sure how much I would like this book since the previous book in the series completely blew me away, but the author absolutely delivered with this excellent gem, filled with faith, high stakes, romance and redemption. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Christian historical romance at its finest! I have read most of Roseanna White’s books and love her attention to historical detail, the plot lines, the clean romance, as well as the faith-based themes woven into each story. This latest novel On Wings of Devotion might just top them all.
This book had all of the elements I love about her writing but amped up the “wow” factor with perhaps the most incredibly strong and inspiring faith theme I have read from all of her books I have read thus far. The contrast of light and dark in the characters as well as world events, forgiveness, redemption, and trust were all important themes woven into the story. Arabelle was such a unique and lovable heroine. Despite her own “ugly duckling” view of herself, her generosity and thoughtfulness knew no bounds. I loved seeing Philip Camden’s character develop through the story as he worked through his own issues. It was also fun to have characters from previous novels make an appearance in this story.
So clear your schedule for some quality reading time with this book. With so many wonderful elements, you will not want to put it down!
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I had very high expectations after reading the first book in the Codebreakers series by Roseanna M. White. Having said this, I needn’t have worried! The second book, On Wings of Devotion, did anything but disappoint!
The main characters in this second installment are Arabelle Denler, a nurse at England’s Charing Cross Hospital, and Major Phillip Camden, the “Black Heart” pilot blamed in the British media for the deaths of his entire squadron. Deeply compassionate, Arabelle has devoted her life to caring for others. She sees in Phillip not the evil villain he is portrayed to be, even in his own mind, but as a deeply wounded soul worthy of love and mercy.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this is truly a story worth reading and one I will be thinking about for quite some time. The author’s depth of research is evident in the historical details she has included in this World War I era novel, and her rich character development makes you feel like you are stepping back in time when you open the book. White’s incredible gift for storytelling, readily evident in this book, has secured her place as one of my favorite authors.
Even though it is the second book in the series and I am glad I read The Number of Love first, it was not essential, as this is a stand-alone story. I do have one caution, however: Make sure you have plenty of time when you begin reading because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but there was no requirement of a positive review. The opinions I’ve expressed are entirely my own.
Do you ever read a book that is so wonderful you have a hard time picking up or getting into the next one? That’s exactly what happened to me after reading On Wings of Devotion. There are so many things I loved about this book.
First, there’s Phillip Camden. The wounded hero who hides a good heart behind isolation and grumbling. The public has decided what to think of Camden, and he’s content to let them, but you get a small peek into his true character when he’s dealing with his sister’s situation. His growth throughout this book is engaging and exciting.
Arabelle Denler is someone I admired. Her faith is strong, she’s a determined and hard worker, she has a sweet bedside manner with the soldiers and patience with the voluntary aid workers, and she uses her wealth to help others.
One of my favorite elements of this story is Phillip’s perception of Arabelle. At first, he sees only her physical appearance and is unimpressed, yet as he spends time with her, he finds her more and more beautiful. That, right there, is love.
Roseanna M. White again weaves fascinating facts of World War I into this story while with a mystery to solve. And it was fun to find so many cameos from White’s previous two series in this one.
Disclosure statement:
I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
My first review of 2020 is Roseanna White's On Wings Of Devotionwhich sets the bar high for the rest of the year. Such an awesome book. I am still so involved with the story that I am having a hard time deciding what to read next. My fear is I will compare it to On Wings Of Devotion and not give my next book the love and attention it deserves.
What I loved about this book were the characters and the plot. I was able to disappear in this book, I would look up from my Kindle and have to reorient myself to this world. I loved the cameos by characters from her former books. I am eagerly awaiting her next book as I know it will be awesome. So grab a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits and settle in for a fantastic read.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
Roseanna M. White continues to impress with her latest book On Wings of Devotion, book two in The Codebreaker Series.
Phillip Camden has been beating himself up for the deaths of his squadron, and he has earned the reputation of Black Heart, but Arabelle Denler, a trained nurse, sees something in him that needs her unique touch. Always open to hearing and obeying God's voice, she reaches out to Phillip after a series of events make their paths cross.
I loved seeing the growth of Phillip, from an embittered, guilty man who has rejected God, to one who blossoms under the guidance of a woman who sees him as God does. The faith element of this story is superb! And yet, it wasn't just Phillip who grew, but it was Arabelle too, as she learned to believe that love was possible for someone who felt unloved much of her life.
The characters, dialogue and storyline all flowed so smoothly my imagination saw this playing out as a movie. I think it would make an excellent TV series - The Codebreakers! One can dream.
If you like historical romance, you will love this book. I highly recommend it!
White is a master at weaving actual historical events into fiction. This book was engaging, romantic, and had just the right amount of mystery.
I loved Camden so much. He was such a great hero in so many ways. I loved the amout of growth he experienced in this book. He was a wonderful brother and co-worker.
Ara was wonderful. I loved her after the first window scene. She is strong and skilled and truly not afraid of anything. I loved her bedside manner with the soldiers and I especially loved her prayer life.
The best part of this book is the research. I loved that characters were based off actual historical figures. I also really appreciated the accuracy of the parts of the book that involved code breaking and espionage.
I can't wait to see what White does in book 3!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Thks is my honest review.
This is a book you cant put down! The characters are so personable, Arabelle lives out her faith and is my favorite. This story has so many components that just pull you in and keeps you fully engaged. Phillip’s hurting soul, the forgiveness he so badly needs from God had me hurting for him. Arabelle and her need to be loved, cherished and her lack of love for herself pulls at your heartstrings. White does a wonderful job of maturing the characters through their ever growing friendship. The story is never dull with the danger lurking to destroy the lives of the very ones who serve and protect. The suspense builds, bringing the story and reader to the edge. This masterpiece will render the reader spellbound with all of its twist and turns leaving you in complete awe!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
From the moment I met Philip Camden in Number of Love, I knew he was something special. He bursted bitterly on the scene with a fantastic hook of a past and basically threw cold water of Margot and Drake's burgeoning relationship and I loved it. Inspy fiction so RARELY gets a Philip Camden. In On Wings of Devotion, we see the more vulnerable side underneath the steely exterior of a man awaiting court martial and probably firing squad for the elimination of his entire squadron. He bides his time at Room 40 working with Margot De Wilde ( nice to see her back) and decoding encrypted German messages.
Enter Arabelle, a nurse at a nearby Charing Cross hospital, and a dark and horrible secret that binds their two families together.
If Camden is an outlier in CBA hero traits, so Arabelle is the perfect mix of strength and kindness. No spunky beauty here who knocks him off his feet. No, it is her values, her unwavering intelligence and her strength--as well as her ability to see beneath his cultivated exterior. The intrigue plot and villain take second place ( and rightly so ) to two people finding themselves in the midst of war and pairing so remarkably that they become two halves of the same puzzle piece.
(also featured on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)
What I Loved:
The main characters, Phillip and Arabelle had such depth. I felt like they were real people. They had wonderful backstory and enough details to really enjoy and connect with each of them. Arabelle was a strong female lead with a deep spiritual belief system and Phillip is a wounded man that you can’t help but love.
How I Felt:
The religion in this book was very prominent. Sometimes books will have a little of it here or there, but this book created some characters that were incredibly religious, and it made for a wonderful Christian romance.
The story line of On Wings of Devotion was absolutely enchanting! There were little twists and turns in the story that made this a beautifully written book. I loved the change that Phillip goes through in this book. Taking a very negative persona and changing to a positive was a lot of fun to read.
This is my first book by Roseanna M. White, but I understand that there were characters throughout this story were from her other books, so regular readers of her books will really enjoy these cameos! Not knowing these characters, as this was my first book by her, did not in any way impede my enjoyment of the story though, so new readers, do not worry!
To Read or Not To Read:
Christian romance readers will really enjoy this story. Additionally, if you are already a reader of Roseanna M. White’s books, you absolutely need to pick this one up!!
What's This Book About Anyway?
Phillip Camden is known as the “Black Heart” for his part in the deaths of his entire squadron. He is despondent, wishing he would have died with the rest of the troop, rather than being recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division.
When his path crosses with nurse, Arabelle Denler, he starts to see a new way forward. Devoting himself to be her protector, he begins to want to live again. Their new relationship becomes tested and strained when an old friend shows back up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book is so good! I absolutely loved both Phillip and Arabelle, and the way that he became her protector ... *swoon* 😍
Really, I loved everything about this book: from the friendship and then romance between Phillip and Ara to the mystery surrounding the Mata Hari-esque character Diellza to the glimpses of previous (and future) main characters from White's other novels to the themes of grace, forgiveness, and belonging. It was all so good!
Also, I knew that, somehow, Phillip would be exonerated for his men's deaths (I mean, he is the main character!), but the way that it all worked out was nothing like I would've expected, and it was so meaningful.
While this is the second book in the Codebreakers series, it could be read as a standalone. But after you read it, I'm betting you'll want to go get your hands on The Number of Love, as well as all the books in the Ladies of the Manor and Shadows Over England series!
It took mere seconds for me to get pulled into this story! I love Ms. White's writer's voice and how her characters come to life before my eyes. From the opening scene, the vein of faith is evident, tension builds, and interest is established.
Ara is a delightful character with an amazing heart and prayer life. I love how she prays for "Black Heart" before she even meets him. Her heart, spirit, and genuine interest (as well as physical attraction haha) in Cam is what initially invested me in this book.
Father God, he wears his pain like a uniform. But you can reach him, as you reached me. Touch his heart, Lord. Break it if you must. Show him that you're right there, right there beside him.
Camden is dashing, intriguing, and dealing with nightmares of the past. Deemed "Black Heart" by the press, he constantly showed me his heart was anything but. I connected with him and rooted for him from his initial appearance, as I watched alongside the young nurses, gawking at the window as he stomped by.
"I don't believe in regrets." Or at least he hadn't room in his life for any more of them. Heaven knew the ones that plagued him each and every day were enough for any man.
This book fulfills the old adage that opposites attract. Ara and Camden show incredible growth and my initial love for them grows as the story does. With wonderful themes of faith, mercy, prayer, and forgiveness, On Wings of Devotion delivers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of Just Read Publicity Tours.
Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Roseanna M. White is one of my go-to authors for compelling and riveting historical fiction. Her beautifully flowing prose never fails to keep me turning pages, and On Wings of Devotion was no exception. With rich historical detail, intriguing settings, and multi-layered, engaging characters, it kept me enthralled to the last page and left me wanting more. Phillip Camden is a flawed, hurting hero whose outer demeanor and public persona as Black Heart hides who he really is inside. Nurse Arabelle Denler sees beneath the exterior to a far different man. I loved her courage, strength, resiliency, and compassion despite the circumstances thrown at her. Their witty banter added a sense of fun to their growing relationship.
The story is well-paced with obvious depth of research, and the many twists and turns kept my interest through to the end. Threads of redemption, courage, faith, and mercy are woven through the tale and add a layer of inspiration and depth to it. This is a book for the keeper shelf, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Codebreakers series. This book can stand alone, but The Number of Love (book 1 in the series) is so fantastic, you’ll want to read it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This tale of war, espionage, romance held me bound from the start and I must confess it was a thrilling ride.
Both Ara and Camden were brought together by circumstances, struck up an unlikely friendship which turned out to be more.
I loved their growth process through the course of the story even when they didn't realise it, they learned that the image the wanted to portray of themselves was definitely different from how God saw them. They were definitely loved just for who they were no extras.
I loved Ara's faith and her heart for people was definitely a challenge to me. It's not often we as humans even as Christians could sincerely behave the way she did without reproach not to say she didn't have her faults but she was as real as she could get.
I'll definitely be gushing over this story for along time and I'm a loyal fan for life of Roseanna M. White considering she hooked me at the first book I ever read of hers which is this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine.
On Wings of Devotion is such a compelling book that it was hard for me to stop reading it once I started. I had waited for this book since finishing the first book, The Number of Love so I knew this would be good but I didn't realize just how good it would be and that I would so caught up in the storyline from the very first page.
Arabelle Denler is an amazing character, she's strong, caring, forgiving and the perfect woman for Phillip Camden who is called Black Heart. I loved them separately and I loved them together. Quite honestly I didn't love him immediately because I had viewed him negatively in the first book but Ms. White made me love and root for him to live his best life in this artfully crafted novel.
There is one scene in the book where I was completely surprised but extremely proud of the spunk Arabelle showed to a certain young man that had me laughing as I read it.
I loved everything about this beautifully crafted story that flows at a perfect pace. with a bit of danger, a lot of suspense and truly wonderful characters. My only complaint is having to wait for the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This story is amazing!!! I had a feeling when Phillip Camden was introduced in The Number of Love, he might end up being a favorite! Roseanna White did not disappoint! I absolutely loved his character and Ara is his perfect match! My favorite thing about her is how she lives her faith. She doesn’t just say the right things, she does them!
I loved the intrigue and the plot of this story and the way it all came together in the end! I also loved the cameos from previous characters, especially the ones from the Shadows over England series. Also, make sure you read the author notes at the end. I love how Ms. White always perfectly incorporates actual historical events into her fiction.
This story has no flaws! I loved everything about it! I’m so excited for the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book was excellent! I absolutely loved everything about it! The intriguing plot draws the reader into the story and the characters are so very real, and flawed and perfect! Cam is going on my favorite hero’s list! His brash nature and natural humor have this magical balance that completely works! I loved Ara’s strength and up front approach to situations. She had a unique way of being practical, but also caring. Her faith really manifested itself in her actions, but also her words. Cam and Aria’s first kiss will go down in history as one of the most memorable and basically melted my heart into a puddle.
The underlying danger in this story really added intrigue and suspense to this plot. I was basically hooked on every word in this book! This book was the perfect addition to this series! I loved it just as much as the first one, and I really didn’t think that was possible!
5 Stars! On Wings of Devotion (The Codebreakers, #2) by Roseanna M. White is a great sequel to the first book in this series, The Number of Love. This is a fantastic book with great characters and believable situations, rich in the history of the time. Set in London during World War 1 where you glimpse Major Phillip Camden being spies on while walking down the street. He and many others believe he is guilty of causing the deaths of his entire squadron. While he is waiting for his court-martial he is assigned to work as a codebreaker in Room 40. Nurse Arabelle Denler (one of the spies from the hospital windows) sees a handsome and hurting man and begins to pray for him. They meet through mutual friends and they become friends with a mutual attraction. There is espionage, intrigue and romance. Plus you are given updates into other characters you have met from previous books.
I enjoy all of Roseanna White’s books, she is a very talented writer and I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a
positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Love and Compassion
This is a story of love and compassion during a challenging time. It is the story of a troubled young pilot squadron leader , Camden, who survived a mission, his men did not. It is also about a young devout nurse , Ara, treating soldiers at an army hospital. Two other important characters are Mrs. Lewis, the wife of one of the downed pilots that blames Camden for the death of her husband, and Dee the German spy that knew Camden’s squadron and was on a mission in England for a German officer.
This is the story of one side wanting Camden to pay for the lives of the lost soldiers and the other side wanting him to be proven innocent. How the events play out and what happens makes for a good read.
It is also the story of the love between, Ara and Camden. The relationship between families, and how they can become fractured and repaired. The power of God to heal a heart and the compassion to forgive.
This was a great read and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Roseanna M. White, Bethany House Publishers, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of the book.
On Wings of Devotion is the second story in The Codebreakers series, and oh my word is it amazing! Confession here, I’m not much of a re-reader of novels, but after I reached the satisfying ‘The End’, I had the overwhelming urge to flip back to page one and devour the book all over again.
The interactions between the brooding, mad-at-the-world pilot, Phillip Camden, and the tenderhearted, Jesus-loving nurse, Arabelle Denler, were brilliant. Their witty banter made me chuckle while their heart-to-heart chats made me root for the success of their love story. And I’m going to go on record and say this story has one of the BEST kissing scenes I’ve ever read. And folks, I’m a romance junkie. It was just…all the sighs.
Add in the drama and suspense of WWI in England and you have a stellar story not to be forgotten!
** I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Ara and Camden deserve top honors on any bookshelf! Ara is a kind, loving nurse who resolutely believes Camden is not the monster he has been accused of being. As a nurse myself, I loved the representation of Ara as a healer who sees the real pain behind the mask. She sees needs, brokenness, and pain and selflessly cares for others experiencing these things, even to her own detriment. Camden’s own painful, mysterious story is explored and finally explained and becomes obvious how these two beautiful, courageous souls are drawn to one another. Character development is phenomenal the story moves at a pace that you can’t help but be sucked in. I loved everything about this book and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and all expressed opinions are solely my own.
I can’t wait, from one book to the next, to see what Roseanna M. White will be sharing next. I knew, almost as soon as I’d finished Margot’s story, that Camden would be up next. He was quite the surly character in the last book, and knowing the magic White can work to characters, I couldn’t wait to see what she’d do here!
As I expected, she did a marvelous job! I don’t want to spoil the story, but I loved the theme of forgiveness and learning to release to Jesus that wove through this book. It’s such a needed reminder; so often, we can get stuck in our grief and guilt and forget that there is a Friend who wants to come alongside us and help us in our journey.
Besides the faith element in this book—which, admittedly, was my favorite—there were some very, very funny elements. I loved the scene where one of the main characters (a very manly man) walks into his sister’s room (which is quite a pink girly room!), sits on her bed to talk to her, but “Gingerly, lest some of the pink get stuck to him somehow.” My poor brothers. They’ve heard me quote that line at least three times this past week. I also loved Arabelle’s dad, who perches rather than sits. I have a brother or two who love to do that, and can just imagine the trouble he got himself into as a result—the scene with the map all over the floor was simply hilarious!
The history side didn’t show up quite as much in this story as it did in others. Still, the setting was there and on-point, like all the other books in these two series (Shadows Over England and The Codebreakers), so I still enjoyed that. The romance, too, was just perfect. I could have done without one part of a scene, perhaps, but I didn’t have to gag over kissing scenes too much, so I was thankful for that!
In all, this was a delightful continuation of the series. In some ways, with the Christian aspect and the humorous elements in a tale that could be rather difficult, it was one of my most favorites so far. I’m looking forward to the conclusion to the series—and can’t wait to see how that will be played out, as the two main characters in there were side-characters here! If you enjoy historical fiction with a side of romance, or adventure novels, you’d probably like this series.
I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
On Wings of Devotion is the second book in White's The Codebreakers series. It was great to get glimpses of characters from the first book as well as from her Shadows Over England series. This is a special treat as White creates characters to whom readers quickly become attached, characters which this time are set in 1918 London, England. I love that White always includes an 'Author's Note' that helps readers separate the fact from the fiction. The intrigue of spies during the Great War is central to On Wings of Devotion as is the theme of the value of inner beauty and being true to oneself and the ones you love. I highly recommend this book and all of Roseanna M. White's works, and am grateful to have received a copy of her latest release from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.
This intriguing WWI fiction had me turning pages. I was drawn into the lives of these two main characters. I especially enjoyed the relationships and interactions within their families, as well as, the added humor. I appreciated the lessons of faith woven into the daily lives of these characters. During struggles and tests, hard choices needed to be made about what they truly believed about God, themselves and each other. The romance that developed with twists and turns was fun to read. The historical research is evident and I am enjoying this series revolving around the codebreakers. Their work is as interesting as their friends and family. I absolutely loved the return of characters from White’s previous novels. She added these characters in seamlessly which made the story richer. It also made me want to go back and read those books again while I wait for the next book in the Codebreakers series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I first met Phillip Camden when I was blessed to read The Number of Love, which is the first book in this series. I wanted to get to know him more and was really hoping he would get his own story. On Wings of Devotion can easily be read as a standalone novel. Although many of the characters from the first book make an appearance, and I really enjoyed catching up with them, so for fun I would recommend you read that book as well. Phillip wasn’t dubbed as Black Heart for no reason, and he seems to like the pain certain things cause. Being a survivor when the rest of your squadron didn’t make it can cause someone to have all kinds of survivors guilt. Phillip has a story to tell, but rather than let the truth out, he wants to protect those involved. Meeting Arabelle changed him in more ways that he thought possible, but will his past ruin his hope for a future?
This book was a lot of fun to read. The characters were very unique and I enjoyed that a gorgeous man just might learn to love a woman most would not consider pretty. Arabelle had such a good heart and had her own hurts and reasons she didn’t want anyone to get to close. I enjoyed watching their chemistry and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. This book kept me on my toes. There are several scenes where I was almost biting my nails and holding my breathe while turning the page. Roseanna M. White is a lot of fun to read and I will be keeping my eye out for what she writes next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Oh. My. Camden!!!
Y'all On Wings of Devotion is even more swoony than The Number of Love. Camden is moody, antagonistic, and so full of angst because of the haunting of his past. He carries such hurt and covers it with smirks (which I could totally imagine being smoldering) and humor. And Arabelle can't help but fall in love.
Arabelle was Camden's perfect hero. Full of goodness and light all stemming from her devotion of God. But what I liked more than anything, is that she prayed for Camden before she ever knew him, before they ever met. A person like that is worthy of friendship and the best of heroes.
I loved watching these two fall in love and their first kiss gave me ALL THE FEELS! This book will definitely be a reread which means I'd totally give it 6 stars if I could.
*I received an ARC copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required nor influenced to write a review.
This story grabbed and held me from page one to the end, I loved getting lost in England during the first World War.
This is the second book in this series of Code Breakers, and this one can be read alone, but what a job to do, I think I would love solving these necessary puzzles.
This book does take on more than code breaking, and my heart was in my throat wondering what was going to happen, especially after the arrest.
The author gives us colorful people as spies, but we don’t want them to win, and their evil preserved. We are also given some characters that love the Lord and they live their lives as Christians, and see them rewarded for their beliefs.
You don’t want to miss this one, I wanted it to go on and on!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Arabelle Denler ist Krankenschwester und wohlhabende Erbin. Mit den anderen Schwesternhelferinnen schmachtet sie jeden Tag dem gut aussehenden Black Heart hinterher, der auf seinem täglichen Weg in die Admiralität am Hospital vorbeikommt. Eine Freundin aus besseren Kreisen hat ein Abendessen arrangieren können, auf dem die beiden sich kennenlernen sollen. Sie möchte die beiden gerne verkuppeln.
Phillip Camden soll als Flieger sein Schwadron in den Tod gelenkt haben. Vor dem Erschießungskommando hat ihn nur die Abberufung ins Verschlüsselungsbüro gerettet. Seine Mutter sucht ihn eines Tages auf, da seine Schwester in anderen Umständen ist. Der zukünftige Vater ist allerdings bereits mit einer anderen Frau Verlobt, ausgerechnet mit Arabelle. Pillip schmiedet sofort Pläne für das anstehende gemeinsamen Abendessen. Er will die Verlobung torpedieren.
Die Autorin hat hier realistische, interessante und sympathische Protagonisten entwickelt, mit denen man mitfühlen kann. Dank der sehr guten Beschreibungen kann man diese schwierige Situation im Ersten Weltkrieg sehr gut nachvollziehen. Roseanna M. White hat einen spannenden historischen Zeitraum für diesen Roman gewählt. Das Geschehen wird von gut gezeichneten Nebenfiguren bereichert. Im Verlauf der Geschichte verändern sich langsam die Gefühle von Arabelle und Phillip füreinander. Auf überzeugende Weise entwickelt sich die Zuneigung.
Phillip erbringt wunderschöne Liebesbeweise, die sogar die im tiefsten Inneren immer zweifelnde Arabelle überzeugen können. Die Spannung wächst, es scheint keine Rettung für ihn zu geben, doch es werden alle Hebel in Bewegung gesetzt. Cam kann seine Situation und das Geschehene mit der Entwicklung der Ereignisse nun anders betrachten. Es folgt ein sehr passendes, hoffnungsvolles Ende. Ein Buch über Schuld, Verantwortung, Vertrauen und mangelndes Selbstbewusstsein.
(4.5 stars) - the inner Beauty and the inner Beast
In a story that's just as wonderful as the first in this series (don't worry if you haven't read it, though, this second book works just fine as a standalone), Arabelle & her father become a source of healing for Phillip Camden who's suffering from a complex sense of guilt at the loss of his pilot squadron & dealing with the belief that he is going to be held responsible for it - and that perhaps he should be.
The story is filled with humor, suspense, & heart. The relationship that develops between Cam & Ara is done so well that it's not just credible but so right. I especially appreciated how realistically their religious differences were handled.
Ara sees Cam beyond his outer good looks & scowling exterior. At a point that is both humorous & poignant, she tells him that she sees his soul, & the exchange gave me goosebumps.
Towards the end, there was a moment when I couldn't help feeling that Ara seemed possibly a little too saintly, but the author did such a great job with her depiction - and letting us see her inner struggles to do the right thing - that I could not deny that everything she did was entirely consistent with her character.
It's that sacrificial love from within Ara that helps Cam eventually realize that he abandoned God, not the other way around. And that, despite her "understated" looks, Ara is one of the most beautiful women he's ever known.
The one point with which I struggled was that it seemed pretty clearly established to readers at the beginning that Alwin was using Diellza, who was sent to England on what was likely a suicide mission, so it's difficult to believe that he would have risked himself in any serious way to help her.
It does still make an effectively stark contrast between love that seeks its own happiness versus love that seeks seeks what's best for the other.
My satisfaction with the story was hardly diminished by it, however, and the ending left a smile on my face long after I had finished.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
*Religion: overtly Christian, discussions are true to life & not preachy
I am a fan of Christian historical fiction, and this book represents all the best elements of that genre.
I have loved each one of Roseanna M. White’s historical novels set during the Great War. This one, however, is my absolute favorite. (Have I said that about each book? I’m not sure, but I mean it about this one.) This story has the perfect blend of drama, suspense, romance, and history. After I read the first chapter of this book, I could not put it down. And oh, how I loved the two main characters, Arabelle and Camden. Although they seem to be total opposites, they made the perfect match. Arabelle is a compassionate and unselfish woman of strong faith. Camden’s lived his life almost totally for himself, and the consequences of the mistakes of his past have caught up with him. They find themselves in extraordinary circumstances that not only have an impact on their personal lives, but that of the whole nation.
I love how this author can take historical facts and bring them to life in a story. By the time I finished this book, I felt as if I had walked those London streets; visited in the hospital ; and knew everyone that worked as a codebreaker for Admiral Hall. I’m glad there’s another book in this series. I’m not quite ready to let go of these characters yet.
This book is part of a series, but you can enjoy it without having read the first book. If you’ve read the first one, you’ll enjoy getting a glimpse of those characters again.
I received a complimentary copy The Number of Love from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I am absolutely enamored by The Codebreakers series. In On the Wings of Devotion, Ara defies the expectations of society, seeking meaningful work when she has no need to earn a living, and Camden typifies an anti-hero. Roseanna M. White's writing transports her reader's back in time into a wonderfully dynamic World War I era community. Each of her series are intertwined, and I love that every new book gives the reader a glimpse of heroes and heroines from past books. White is such an engaging writer that I enjoy the history and atmosphere as much as I enjoy the interactions between the characters. When does the next book come out???
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and I am willingly offering this honest review.
I am not sure how it is possible, but the books in this series seem to keep getting better and better! This book had a really unique plot that had me hooked early on. As the story unfolded I enjoyed seeing what twists and turns would happen next. And it kept me up far to late on more than one night. I also enjoyed watching how the characters charged during the story. And the story even included a few characters from the last book, which I really enjoyed seeing! So reading this series in order would probably be best. I highly recommend this book, and the whole series!
I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.
Wow! Roseanna White has done it again. She has crafted a book full of heartbreak and history that I couldn't put down. On Wings of Devotion has lived up to White's previous books.
I loved this book because of White's talent at crafting characters who grow and learn throughout the whole book, never staying the same. The change is so slight that the characters don't even realize it until they look back to where they were before. Even the villian was likable in the fact that White showed her inner struggles.
Another part of this book that was unique was the history. Unlike most historical novels, this book was set in Europe during the height of the First World War. It makes for an exciting novel.
I enjoyed this novel and am eagerly awaiting White's next book.
Rating: 5 Stars
Content: 4 Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
***RIVETING – AN EXCELLENT 1ST READ FOR 2020 ***
Roseanna White weaves a wonderful tale and starting one of her novels is always dangerous for me as all other responsibilities fly out the window! I absolutely loved this story (naturally!). The characters are relatable while the story is exciting. I loved revisiting Room 40 where the codebreakers work hard to transcribe enemy messages. The romance between the main characters is one neither had expected and I enjoyed the way it grew, almost out of necessity, but with the Lord’s hand clearly upon it.
//
London 1918, WWI //
Major Phillip Camden returns from book 1 brooding as ever, as he awaits his fate. Currently, he has joined Room 40 and the codebreakers as his friend Drake Elton has put in a good word for him. But he knows justice will catch up to him and it’s only a matter of time until he faces a firing squad. He carries his wing-pin always in his pocket as a reminder of who he’d once been and his lost brothers.
//
Arabelle Denler is a nurse at Charing Cross Hospital. She joins the other nurses on break to stare out the window daily at the handsome, mysterious man the papers have dubbed “Black Heart”; the man responsible for the deaths of his entire squadron of RFC pilots. She has no business mooning at strangers when she has a fiancé, but the Lord was calling her to pray for him again like she had been for months now. Besides, no man like him would never be interested in a plain-Jane like her.
//
Diellza is a harsh reminder of Phillip’s past and not all that she seems. She adds a twisting layer to the story as the war rages on.
//
Tea Quotes: Oh for the day when the consequences of skipping classes or putting pepper in the headmaster’s tea were all he had to worry with. No threats of court-martial or firing squads.
//
Spiritual Moment: 1. [She] hadn’t imagined praying for this girl at all. But helping those who were hurting was what the Lord had called her to years ago. If you want to be healed, He’d whispered into her heart… then heal others.
2. For the first time in years, he considered breaking his silence with God and saying a prayer for her sake.
//
Again, I would add, that we are not dragged through the gruesomeness of war which I very much appreciate. I am looking forward to Zivon Marin & Lily Blackwell’s future story.
//
I was gifted an advance copy of the book from the publishers. It is my privilege to share my honest opinion without expectation or compensation.
//
SERIES: The Codebreakers -
*The Number of Love – Book 1 June 4, 2019 (5 stars)
*On Wings of Devotion – Book 2 Jan 7, 2020
*A Portrait of Loyalty – tbd
REVIEWS ALSO POSTED TO:
Amazon
Books A Million
Barnes & Noble
CBD
GoodReads
Google Play
Indigo
Kobo
My FB
Influencer’s FB page
My Pinterest
My IG
Over the last couple of years, Roseanna M. White has become one of my favorite authors. I love her strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and interesting plots filled with intrigue, period detail and beautiful faith messages. Her latest offering, On Wings of Devotion, does not disappoint.
My favorite part of this book is Arabelle. She isn’t your typical heroine. Not a breath-taking beauty, she defies the norms of what we often think our leading ladies should be. Instead, she’s very smart, incredibly strong, and stalwart in her faith. Her heart is pure gold; she cares for all people where they are. She is the epitome of what a heroine should be, and I totally want to hang out with her!
I must admit that I was rather weary of Camden in the beginning. He’s so angry, so hurt after the loss of his squadron. But seeing the things he did for Arabelle slowly changed my mind. Especially when a certain thing (actually, two things, but I’m not giving any spoilers!) happened towards the end. Roseanna’s talent for character growth shines in this so-called “Black Heart.”
As always, there is plenty of intrigue throughout the book that will keep you guessing. And true to White, there’s scrumptious period detail that will delight readers of historical fiction. I felt completely immersed in 1918 London and I am eager to return to this world in the next book!
On Wings of Devotion is another wonderful tale from a truly talented author. I highly recommend this book to readers that love historical fiction with an inspirational message.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book.
Roseanna M. White presents one of the most beautiful analogies of forgiveness and grace that I have ever read. When Ara was wronged, and greatly so, she responded in such an gracious manner it stunned me. I know that grace is about God showing us kindness we don't deserve. I have never thought so clearly about the "don't deserve" part of it. As Christians, we often think that God is good to us because we are His children and therefore He will, of course, treat us well and give us good gifts. Yet how often do we remember that we are also responsible for breaking His heart with our sin. The sin that caused Jesus to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us. He suffered so much for us. The mere fact that He forgives us is AMAZING!!!! And when you add to that the blessings He heaps upon us, eternal life!
That alone would have prompted my five star rating but as with all this author's other stories, the entire book was wonderful! It was riveting. The story was so beautiful.
Ara had felt alone much of her life. Abandoned. Unloved. She poured herself into her chosen career as a nurse, loving and caring for those brought into her path. Her kindness and compassion were pretty amazing. I love how she was such a light to Cam.
And speaking of Cam... No longer the reckless, gadabout he had been, he was broken. Consumed with guilt over the death of the men in his squadron. If you read The Number of Love, you may remember him as the newest codebreaker – the one sent to the closet because of his surly attitude. (If you haven't read it yet, hurry and get yourself a copy!)
Favorite characters from other books in the Code Breakers series and the Shadows Over England series return here at least briefly. It is not critical for your understanding to read the first series though I strongly suggest reading The Number of Love before starting this story.
As always, the author has done amazing research for this story making it even more a delight. Lovers of historical fiction will want to be sure to read this wonderful story.
“A stranger stalking down the street shouldn’t make her hands tremble in anticipation.” - Opening line from “On Wings of Devotion” by Roseanna White
The next in Roseanna White’s The Codebreakers series, “On Wings of Devotion” focuses on Major Camden’s story answering all the questions in “The Number of Love”. Nurse Arabella finds her life colliding with Cam’s and soon he decides he has to be her protector, whether she wants it or not. Seeing the struggle Cam is battling after the death of his squadron, Ara determines to show him God’s love and help him through the pain.
In addition to the beautiful story of the redemptive power of God’s love, there is a wartime mystery. The codebreakers are working to understand the next move of the enemy through Cam’s old acquaintances.
Despite my best efforts to think of how to share more of this story, it would spoil it to do so! I can say I loved it, I found these two leading characters to be two of my fictional favourites! Their struggles are so relatable and Roseanna has written each exquisitely. Once again, they are supported by a great cast of other characters and I look forward to exploring this world more in the next novel in this wonderful series! It’s full of moving moments, intrigue and humour, it’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!
Roseanna M. White has become one of my favorite authors so I was so pleased to have the chance to read and review her latest novel, On Wings of Devotion. It was everything I expected and more.
I have enjoyed this author’s tales set during World War 1 so much. My generation seems to see and hear more about WW2 so I certainly appreciate White’s research and attention to this neglected era. I loved reading about the codebreakers and their essential service to winning the war. The details provided made it much easier to understand how necessary the behind-the-scenes people help win wars. I also love how the characters develop throughout the book. Phillip Camden was a believable hero whose personal grief has him believing his country’s accusations against him. And Arabelle’s character touched my heart with her longing for a family of her own and her keen insight into hurting people that helped her to see past what others could see. Arabelle and Phillip were a perfect match and it was gratifying to watch them grow closer to each other and to the Lord as He directed them.
On Wings of Devotion is a wonderful story with a steady plot, plenty of action and intrigue, some quite humorous interludes, and of course a satisfying romance. I recommend this book as well as every other book this author has written. Thus far the Codebreakers series has been amazing and I look forward to the next installment!
This is White at her best!
Roseanna White's expert pen transports her readers to WWI England, her stellar research immersing us into a fictional world that is filled with espionage, danger and romance. In my humble opinion, Ms. White pens some of the most touching moments that will tug at your heart. And some of the most romantic moments that will have her readers swooning. The thread of God's love and grace is not forced but woven seamlessly throughout the story.
Her characters are endearing and are some of my favorite to follow. While all of her books can be read as standalone, there are characters from previous books that make cameo appearances.
She has created two of the most memorable characters to date in On Wings of Devotion. I absolutely adored Major Philip Camden. His strengths far outweigh his flaws, his loyalty and devotion to friends and family is incomparable. The heroine, Arabelle, is full of grit and compassion for others. Yet it is the vulnerability of Ms. White's characters that drew me into their stories. While the plot was engaging, and pacing was impeccable, it was the journey of faith and love that had me transfixed.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
In the second of the series The Codebreakers, Roseanna White has written a very thought-provoking novel. Based during WW1 in London, the author introduces us to the intriguing Ara, a nurse who is engaged to Brax in a loveless relationship for money only. Not only does she have this to contend with, but she’s got a wandering father who is gone for long periods of time on his “adventures”. She feels unlovable and that she’ll never have the family she wants.
Of course, there’s a villain to muddy the water, Phillip Camden, Black Heart. After his “Incident” he now works in Room 40 as an encoder, and instantly finds himself in the middle of espionage and murder plots. The story revolves around the precarious relationship that develops between Ara and Phillip. I especially was intrigued with the Diellza and Kath; cleverly written!
Some of the characters from the first book in the series make a cameo appearance but this could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Although the previous book in this series wasn't exactly my favorite, I was still really looking forwards to reading this book, because a) it's Roseanna M. White, and b) I'm a sucker for anything set during the early 1900s (i.e., ~1900 to the end of WWII). This book did not disappoint!!
On the Wings of Devotion started off pretty slow: it took me quite a while to actually get into the book, but once I did, I was GRIPPED. Each of the characters are SO well defined, and there are SO MANY tie-ins with previous series (Shadows Over England as well as Ladies of the Manor!!! 😲😲😲) I am SO impressed with books that have tie-ins, and I LOVE books that do that, so this book was AWESOME for me because of that! This book has had the most out of all of Roseanna M. White's other books, as far as I know, and it was amazinG.
The story itself was really good as well: it covered some details about that period of history that are not really well known (i.e., divers during WWI), and of course, code cracking itself is also super cool and I always love reading about it. The humor was there, of course, which is always one of my favorite parts about a Roseanna M. White book.
Arabele and Phillip were SUCH a good couple! Both of them were strong and independent and SO good at their jobs, but were also honest and loved each other and loved God. (It did get a little bit kissy, so if you're sensitive to that, then just beware. Nothing too graphic, but it was a little bit make-out-y). Arabelle in particular was my faaaavorite. She is who I want to be when I grow up.
The faith bits were also SO good and SO well written! There is a hard "coming to Jesus" moment, but even that was well done and not too preachy. The last scene MADE ME CRY. As a type 6 on the Enneagram, it was so sweet and soft and just AAAAA. Just look at this quote 😭
"You are everything. Everything. Everything good, everything bright. Everything worthwhile." -Arabelle Denler, On the Wings of Devotion
Overall? I LOOOOOVED this story! It made me laugh, it made me cry, and while it took me a white to get into it, I loved reading it! I'm super excited for book 3!!
After reading this book all my head wants to say is WOW...
I have not previously read any books by Roseanna M. White and I am now scratching my head wondering how I could have missed her? This book On Wings of Devotion is actually the second book in her Codebreaker series. However, I was not lost at all just jumping into this one (I will definitely be going back and reading the first one though).
The character interactions in this book are the best I have read in a while. They banter back and forth so much, and you just can’t help but smile or laugh, through it all. They did have their ups and downs, but I was amazed by Ara’s absolute faith in the face of everything that happened. Yes, she had doubts but they never lasted for long. That is what I personally strive to do even though it doesn’t always work out as well as in this book. Camden was also a great character who I enjoyed getting to know. He was the picture of a flamboyant flyboy with a teddy bear heart underneath. So much mystery surrounds him, and we get fed little bits of his true character throughout the book. It was like getting to know someone in real life, you slowly get to know them over time.
The storyline in this book was riveting like it literally sucked me in (Laundry did not get done that day 😊). I think it really comes back to the ways in which Roseanna M. White used her characters. She used a combination of real events that happened in history combined with characters in believable situations and she rounded them up in a great storyline full of espionage, mystery, and love.
I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 stars for keeping me hooked from the very beginning, the historical accuracy of the characters and events, and for the overwhelming theme of faith in God that He is always by your side. I highly recommend reading this book!
*I received this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This is my first time reading this author and this is actually the second of the series.
I really enjoyed this story! It took me to that time and being able to follow these characters was such a thrill. I enjoy novels in dual POVs and this one did not disappoint.
The hero and heroine were likable and as much as their romance is a troupe, it was done in a refreshingly sweet way. I loved how Ara stood up for her believe and how she spread kindness without appearing forced.
The author did an amazing job at adding Christian themes without appearing preachy.
Cam... he was a favorite of mine hands down. Great hero and even the mystery behind him was interesting enough to keep me entertained throughout.
The other character we follow, she was different and I was surprised she even was a character at first, but by the second time we followed her I was involved with her.
The only thing I did not like was how the beginning was a bit slow and the conclusion of a character was not what I expected.
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much. I want to read the first one and I'm looking forward to the third book. I'm excited to continue this world.I would reccomend this book. Such a sweet romance full of redemption, swoon worthy moments, and some mystery.
I'm so excited to have discovered a new author whose books I love! Roseanna M. White! She writes historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres. This particular series is set during WWII and it really is amazing. The whole story just came alive in my head. I could picture the characters, the places and all the things going on. On Wings of Devotion is the second book in the series. I was lucky enough to pick up book one (The Number of Love) on a deal from Amazon and I read it right before reading this book. It was awesome to jump right from one book to another and never leave this world of characters.
We first meet Phillip Camden in book one. He is aggressive and angry with the weight of the world on his shoulders. I'm so glad this second book was all about him and the golden hearted Arabelle. I loved how the story grew steadily and how my emotions were invested. By the end I felt almost desperate, reading much faster than I should have been!
This whole Codebreakers idea is fascinating to me. What an important part of history that I had no idea about before now. The author does a great job of outlining fact and fiction in her afterwords so I recommend reading those.
If you love historical fiction, I would really recommend this series. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!!
Content: some violence, peril, kissing. Christian fiction.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White is a fantastic historical fiction book. Having read several of this author’s books, I was excited to read this one and was not disappointed in the least. Although second in The Codebreakers series, and there are characters from the first book in the series, The Number of Love, On Wings of Devotion can easily be read as a stand-alone book. It is a beautiful, captivating story of love, loss, broken relationships, and faith. With an expert pen and graceful characterization, the author once again brings readers into London’s codebreaking room and also into a hospital setting during WWI. There they are quickly pulled into the lives of Phillip, infamously known as Black Heart, and Arabelle, a wonderfully innocent young woman with a generous and compassionate spirit. The author has created vibrant characters, each with poignant backgrounds and with which readers will easily connect. I loved how the author skillfully wove their lives together into a compelling read with the intrigue and dangers of war, the friendships that are formed in difficult circumstances, and of course, the romance--ahh, the romance. Interest is kept high with lots of action and unexpected twists and reveals in the story. On Wings of Devotion is a book fans of WWI fiction will not want to miss. It is not only a story of friendships and love in wartime, but a story where individuals learn that their faith in God is valid and that He can be trusted even when things are very bleak.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
After reading The Number of Love – book 1 in The Codebreakers series. I didn’t think this series could get any better. Well it did.
Arabelle is such a sweet, caring, and forgiving character, yet realistic and relatable. Philip Camden, well, a swoon-worthy hero worth rooting for. And it was nice getting to catch up a bit with some of the others from book one.
Roseanna’s books never disappoint, I haven’t read one that I did not love. Filled with romance, adventure, faith, and a dash of humor. This is another AMAZING read.
Great googly moogly…..THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!! As much as I loved the first one, I think I may have loved this one slightly more. I could hardly stop reading I was so in love. The first two books in The Codebreakers series was just what I needed to start this year off.
Roseanna White is a crazy talented author. She is able to capture so much emotion, action, and realness in her books. Her characters are all lovable, real, and just so amazing. The way that she can capture a readers attention just from the first page is a gift. Her research is impeccable and I honestly love reading her stories because it’s like reading a history textbook that fun!
Everything about this book had me hocked. The characters, the plot, and mystery, the humor, and the banter. I had a very difficult job putting this book down last night.
Ara was such a lovable, relatable female character that you can’t help but love. Her generosity and love for others even when they had wronged her was so pure and beautiful. Her banter and her personality was just as beautiful as her heart. One thing that I love so much about this series is the way that these ladies are praying for their men even before they knew them. Both Margot and Ara both prayed for their men without even realizing it. And I LOVE that!
Philip was such a sweetheart once we got past his broodiness. He was so compatible for Ara. I loved watching him grow and mature as the story went on. Ms. White did a phenomenal job at showing his development and the little changes that he experienced throughout this book.
Ughhh, y’all if you haven’t picked up ‘The Number of Love’ you NEED to read it and this book. These books are beautiful works for literature that will keep you hocked and you will fall in love with both the story and the characters because Ms. White writes everything so beautifully. So do yourself a favor and pick up her books, even if it’s not this series!
If y’all couldn’t tell from this review, I rate this book 5/5 stars. I would give it a million if I could! 😉
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.*
This is the second book in the exciting "The Codebreakers" series. Philip Camden is introduced in the first book, and I was really looking forward to reading his story.
I found Arabella to be a perfect heroine. Her strength, loyalty, determination, are so plainly portrayed. As a child, she was abandoned by everyone, and never had a sense of belonging or value. The issues this brings into her life as an adult are ones that any of us might have to deal with. I loved seeing her character grow as she learns to trust, and opens her heart to the possibility of love, even without realizing it.
Philip Camden, who was painted as the "Black Heart" in the first book is quite the intriguing hero. I was fairly certain he was hiding some deep secrets that would be a total gamechanger.
This book is just full of plot twists and surprises. A few might be a bit expected, but many that are not at all what you'd expect.
Roseanna White is a masterful storyteller. She has taken some little known facts from those fascinating days during World War I and woven another beautiful story. I think this might be my favorite of her books, and I eagerly anticipate #3!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
BOOK REVIEW: On Wings of Devotion
BOOK BY: Roseanna M. White
As always, Roseanna White delivers an adventurous story that keeps one reading until the early morning hours.
The second book of the Codebreakers series picks up shortly following the end of the first book. Pilot Phillip Camden returns home from the continuing war branded a Black Heart. He’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, though the way he feels, he deserves the accusations and ousting from society. Nurse Arabella Denler is looking forward to a future of home and hearth with her fiancé, yet nothing prepares her for how her world will collide with the infamous Black Heart, pulling that dream decisively from her.
I’m not sure what it is, but every novel I’ve read by Ms. White starts out slow for me. My attention wanes until about the fourth or fifth chapter. By then, I get pulled into the story and I can’t put it down until I read the last page. This book was no exception. If it seems slow in the beginning, keep at it. You won’t be disappointed.
There’s intrigue, adventure, romance, and a beautiful conversion story all tied together. This was one of the most emotional and transformative conversion stories I’ve ever read. The gospel was clearly presented along with the deep rooted emotional trauma the character experienced. The character in question just couldn’t get any lower and was faced with almost sure death. This is what Christian Fiction is all about – exposing the ugly truth about our hearts and showing the power of God’s forgiveness through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus.
I loved the character of Arabella. She was the epitome of what it means to live your faith.
The way characters from previous novels (Ladies of the Manor Series, Shadows Over England and Codebreakers 1) were woven seamlessly into this story. One doesn’t have to read the previous novels to enjoy this one, but it does make it easier to pick out previous heroes and heroines from earlier times.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
"On Wings of Devotion" by Roseanna White is an historical fiction book. It is the second book in the Codebreakers series about World War 1.. This book shows the challenges of being a Major during World War 1 and also being a Codebreaker. Arabelle Denler is a respectable and admirable character. She is a nurse at the hospital She gets promoted to running the hospital. She has so much care and compassion for the patients and her friends. She goes the extra mile all the time for her friends , family and work associates. The book is well researched and written. I recommend this book . It will give the reader a view of life during World War 1. . Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I was given the book for review purposes and the opinions are my own. I will share my review with netgalley, Goodreads, facebook, my blog, with church staff.
I have sooooo much love for Arabelle and Phillip! This is the kind of hero/heroine pairing I absolutely ADORE. A black sheep who is actually a goldmine of hidden qualities, and a smart, compassionate, independent heroine who truly SEES people. I’ve been a long-time fan of Roseanna White’s books for their historical settings and the detailed research that supports them as well as for her unique characters and the warmth of their characterisation, but this one has just shot to the top of my “will be rereading again and again” list.
I’m all about emotional connection in my romantic reads, and that connection runs rich and deep through Ara and Phillip’s developing relationship. She hides it well, but Ara has deep-seated insecurities stemming from her plain appearance and her life experiences. The way Phillip counters these insecurities is romance at its most authentic and heart-melting. The more he gets to know Arabelle, the more beautiful she becomes to him. And that’s all I’m saying about that, because it would be criminal not to let you discover the delicious unfolding for yourself.
But it’s turnabout, as well, because while Phillip readily draws the female eye (exhibit A: opening scene), he is fully convinced that his moniker Black Heart is well deserved. But from the beginning, Arabelle recognises the pain behind his anger and deliberate abrasiveness, and it is her determined “goodness” that simultaneously attracts and convicts Phillip and ultimately believes in and champions him when he needs it most. I LOVE THESE TWO SO MUCH!!!
It’s probably worth mentioning that this wonderful romantic pairing is fully supported by an excellent plot, including a thread of suspense, but really, all you need to know is: Arabelle and Phillip. Book sold, right there.
Author Roseanna White never disappoints, I'm not sure how she does it but each book seems to top her last one. This is the second book in her Codebreakers series and WOW!
The author's writing style just blows me away, I don't know how she pens such a marvelous spellbinding story each time but she does.
There are tie-in characters from the first book but if this is the first book your reading it's explained very well so you'll be able to get right into the book.
Beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness .
Set during World War I in England filled with codebreakers, threats and fraught with danger this fantastic historical will have you racing to finish the pages between the covers.
Highly recommended!
Published January 7th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
After meeting Phillip Camden in The Number of Love, I couldn’t help but be excited to read his story in On Wings of Devotion. I wasn’t disappointed. Roseanna M. White has a wonderful talent of taking lesser known historical facts and combining them with a fictional story that is full of romance, suspense, mystery and fascinating plots. The plot in this book definitely had me not wanting to put the book down. I always enjoy the historical facts that Roseanna White incorporates into her books. The information on pilots and code breaking during World War I was fascinating. Another part of the story I loved was the characters. Ara is definitely a friend I would want on my side if she were real. I loved her caring, generous, and loyal personality. She even saw through Phillip Camden’s brooding, rude attitude to the loyal, heroic man he really was. I absolutely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for others who are looking for a great book to read especially those who enjoy historical fiction with some romance during World War I.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
On Wings of Devotion continues the dramatic story of every day citizens doing their part to end the first world war. Phillip Camden is first introduced in the series first book, The Number of Love. I'm glad that Roseanna decided to tell Phillip's amazing story in this second book. He was quite the mystery. Phillip's character is rough around the edges and will take a special kind of person to break through that tough-guy exterior. The heroine, Arabelle Denler, is just the person needed to help Camden face the tragedy that he went through with his men, but she too has deep issues that must be dealt with. These characters have quite the conversations when put together. Their clever banter back and forth will make you smile. I loved their interactions! The plot to this story unfolded beautifully to keep the reader from wanting to put the down. This definitely was a tumultuous time in history and that makes for a great story!
If you're looking for a fun, action-packed, WWI adventure, pick up The Codebreakers series. I thoroughly enjoyed it! But in my opinion, you will most likely want to read Roseanna's Shadows Over England series first since many of the characters show up in the Codebreakers series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
On Wings of Devotion is my first Roseanna M. White book, and I was blown away. She is a masterful storyteller, weaving together the details of World War I ravaged London with the lives of her beautifully crafted characters. My friends can confirm how impressed I was by the subtle beauty of her writing since I can’t quit talking about it! It all results in a spectacular reading experience, the kind that leaves you a little sad to close the book and say goodbye to the hero and heroine.
It’s always easy to fall in love with the hero in a romantic story, but liking the female lead is just as important to me. And Arabelle Denler is amazing! Her heart is full of Christ-like love, mercy, and forgiveness. I was in awe of how she responded to one unpleasant situation after the next. She becomes an anchor for Camden who adrift on a sea of guilt and sorrow. I absolutely loved the development of their relationship from kidnapper/hostage to friends to romance.
Phillip Camden, or ‘Black Heart’, is such a tragic figure. He uses his good looks and his reputation as a bad boy to manipulate his way through life--while keeping most people at arm’s length. I love how the people closest to him are loyal to a fault even as he is trying to push them farther away. I enjoyed watching him let down his walls not only for Ara, but for the others in his life who were taking a risk trying to stay close to him.
The complexities of the story are amazing. Ara is trying to find herself after losing her betrothed to another woman. Will her profession of nursing be enough to fill the void of losing her dreams of a family? Camden is suffocating under the accusations he killed his entire squadron. Will he let the guilt destroy him? Add in a beautiful German spy and a vengeful, grieving widow, and Ara and Cam’s lives become hopelessly tangled.
As the story unfolds, I guarantee, you won’t be able to put this book down! So many twists and turns. Try not to hold your breath!
If you enjoy WWI era historical fiction or historical fiction in general, you will want this book on your TBR!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. All views expressed in my review are my honest opinion.
This is Book Two of the Codebreaker Series by Roseanna M. White.
Arabelle (Ara) Denler is a nurse at Charing Cross hospital in London. She takes care of service men wounded in Europe during World War II. Every day, she and a couple of her aides watch out the window for "Black Heart" (Phillip Camden) to walk by.
After his squadron of flyers died in the English Channel, Camden was assigned to work for the Admiralty in decoding messages sent by the Germans, while awaiting a possible court-martial.
After a chance meeting that wasn't so much of a chance, Camden began walking Ara home from work after her shifts every day. Through his association with Ara, Camden met her father, a well-known adventurer and traveler.
This is a book with intrigue, history, and just a bit of understated romance. The compelling plot is enriched by the depth of the characters and the roles they play within the plot. The settings are tools to allow the characters to act out their parts on the stage set in front of the readers.
This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a pair of bronze wings from a pilots' uniform.
NetGalley.com and Bethany House Publishers provided the galley I read for this review.
On Wings of Devotion, book two from The Codebreakers by Roseanna M White is now my favorite book I have read by her to date. Even though it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. The historical details were so vivid in this one, I felt like I was part of the story. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, Arabelle and Camden. The plot has a lot I love in a book: adventure, romance, suspense and faith. I could not ask for much more than that.
I give On Wings of Devotion five plus stars. I look forward to book three from The Codebreakers to see what will happen next.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This might be my favorite book by Roseanna White yet! I loved the characters so much in this story—Arabelle with her strong spirit despite past hurts and Philip with his quiet courage despite his aching heart. The spiritual messages of mercy and forgiveness are deeply thought provoking and seamlessly woven throughout the fabric of the story. I loved the passion and romance in this book, finding the relationships realistic and appreciating how the characters grew and changed together. I think I cried several times, as Roseanna brought such raw emotion to the story! I found myself deeply immersed in the plot, fascinated with its interesting history and creative storyline, and found myself a bit sad when I finished the book, despite its good ending, for I wanted to the story to continue even longer! I definitely enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it! I cannot wait for book three in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
On Wings of Devotion is the second book in The Codebreakers series by Roseanna M. White. After reading the first book, The Number of Love, last year and really enjoying it, I was anticipating this read quite a bit. It exceeded my expectations!
I loved the characters in this story so much! Arabelle was confident in herself, which I loved, and had such a caring heart for others. She could see the hurt in Black Heart before she even met him…Also, the way she was able to forgive someone for something they did (won't say what to avoid spoilers) was amazing.
Black Heart was an intriguing character. I didn't know at first what was all haunting him, but as his story progressed I couldn't help feeling for him and wishing the best. There were moments of intensity that I didn't know what was going to happen.
All in all, On Wings of Devotion was amazing and I highly recommend it if you enjoy historical romance. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I have always been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s writing since the first book I read by her. In this one she brings us another book about room 40 and the code breakers. This one deviates somewhat from being about the code breakers exclusively and centers on a man accused of letting his men under him die when he could have saved them. He even believes it himself and believes he deserves to die as they did. Phillip Camden and Arabelle Denler are the main characters. Phillip a wounded war hero dubbed “Black Heart” a monster with no feelings, accused of a war crime. Arrabelle a nurse who tends to the wounded men in the hospital. I loved reading how these two unlikely people were brought together and what they learned from each other, how they fell in love never expecting to at all. What an enthralling book filled with Spies, espionage, treachery and deceit. Still we find honor, integrity and compassion and a strong thread of faith through out……I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
On Wings of Devotion follows The Number of Love in the Codebreakers series. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend that you first read the Shadows Over England series. In this series you will be introduced to the characters and learn back story that I would argue is fairly essential to a full understanding of this series. Then move on to The Number of Love where you will be introduced to main character Phillip.
Roseanna White writes captivating stories that always keep me turning the pages. I really enjoyed Phillip and Arabella’s story. And kudos to the author for writing about a woman who is not physically attractive as the main character. It was a real story that truly showed how interior beauty can be completely captivating and that the connections that are born in the soul are the best foundation for a relationship.
I also appreciated the very human fallibility of the characters and the beauty of redemptive grace in the midst of intrigue and suspense. I loved the book and can’t wait for the next installment in the series.
I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"On Wings of Devotion" is a suspenseful Christian romance set in February and March of 1918 in England. This novel is the 2nd in the series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous book.
Phillip feels that he deserves death for a series of bad decisions that he made, but at least he can still help the people he cares about. Arabelle longs for a stable family, but she's willing to give up even that if God asks it of her. When Phillip Camden informs her that her fiance has not been faithful to her, she believes God has asked her not only to do that but to pray for the man who brought the bad news. Phillip is so impressed that he's determined to protect her from men who only want her money.
The main characters acted realistically, were engaging, and I cared about what happened to them. The hero and heroine respected and supported each other. Each had hurts from the past that the other helped to heal through their kind words and actions. The suspense came from danger to the hero's life as well as a plot against England. There was no sex or bad language (though Phillip did use swear words like blighted, blamed, and blasted). Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable spy-and-code novel.
On Wings of Devotion
by Roseanna M. White
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 07 Jan 2020
I am reviewing a copy of Wings of Devotion via Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:
Everyone in England believes that Phillip Camden is a monster, a man who deliberately caused the death of his squadron. Nurse Arabelle Denter watches the man who was dubbed as “Black Heart” every day, she sees a far different side of him, a man who is hurting and desperate for Mercy. When their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.
Phillip Camden would have rather died with his Squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily, do not surprise him and he believes he deserves them. What does surprises him is that Arabelle inspires him to want to really live again.
After an old acquaintance comes into the picture and seems to be set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.
If you are looking for a powerful historical novel set during The Great War, one that is full of everything from romance to action and intrigue I would definitely recommend On Wings of Devotion.
I give On Wings of Devotion five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
I enjoyed renewing acquaintance with characters in On Wings of Devotion, book 2 of The Codebreakers series. While the major characters are new or were minor characters in the previous book, there are minor characters who played a role in The Number of Love. Set in World War I England, On Wings of Devotion contains political intrigue and romance. The plot centers around a codebreaker, a former aviator who was falsely accused of causing the deaths of his squadron, and a nurse, who has a caring spirit and wants the best for others. White has an attention to historical detail. Her Author’s Note at the close of the book points out some of the research which verifies several aspects of the text.
Roseanna White has woven a great story – once I was hooked I had a hard time putting the book down. I look forward to reading book 3 in the series, A Portrait of Loyalty, which will bring a couple of minor characters in On Wings of Devotion to a major role. This is a series I will probably re-read start to finish once it is complete in order to better see how they are all connected – something that can be hard to do when reading books in a series several months apart.
I would not hesitate to add this book to my K-12 Christian School library. While it’s length of almost 400 pages which keep many away from it, it is appropriate for middle school and up.
I want to thank JustRead Publicity Tours for the complimentary copy of On Wings of Devotion.
Short version: she’s got a low opinion of her physical attributes. He has a low opinion of his character. Both spend time trying to convince the other how wrong they are. Truthfully, however, this is more than just a romance between two people with low self-esteem. Arabelle Denler might not have a title, but she has money and plenty of it and has been advised to marry someone who has need of it. Phillip Camden has neither title nor as much money, but he has a nickname “Black Heart” after an aviation incident where he was the only survivor. He’s lived the reckless life of a gentleman officer and now it’s come back to haunt him. Meanwhile, a Swiss German woman is caught up in a plot that sees her entering England illegally. Her story is seemingly unrelated at first, but you know she must connect to Ara and Cam somehow or she wouldn’t be in the book. Their coming together creates a breathtaking finale.
The second release in Roseanna M. White’s Codebreakers series, set in England during World War 1 provides commentary on a myriad of issues. What happened to the pilots who found themselves out of place, or in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people? What happened to the families that were left behind? What about the women who had expected to be married but now found themselves single and pregnant? What was it like for the Londoners who experienced German bombing raids? On Wings of Devotion covers all these topics. Then there is the matter of class and the crossing of social barriers that, before the war, would’ve been almost impossible. Here, White brings in characters from her previous two series – young nobility and a ragtag band of former thieves and con artists – and has them interacting with each other in an appropriate and believable manner.
The middle book of a trilogy can be a hit or miss proposition. I’ve read some that read like filler; a way of getting from book one to book three. I’m happy to say this isn’t the case with On Wings of Devotion. It not only advances the lives of characters we’ve come to know and love in White’s previous novels, it can also stand by itself with no prior knowledge needed of those characters. Case in point: I don’t remember much about White’s Ladies of the Manner series – although I have read them – and I still haven’t read the final book in her Shadows Over England series. Lack of knowledge, however, didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this story.
Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, the words and opinions below are my own.
I absolutely loved this newest release from Roseanna White! As always, her characters are my favorite part of her books. She creates such complex, flawed, and relate-able characters, and I especially love that she brings back characters from previous books and series so you feel like you’re visiting old friends and meeting new ones when you read her books.
What struck me about both this book and the previous one in this series, The Number of Love, was how the author portrayed the remarkably overflowing generosity of spirit that characterizes those who truly follow Jesus. There were a couple instances in both books where this generosity not only surprised me but rather took my breath away, and I found myself looking for opportunities to give more generously of myself even before I had finished the book.
Another thing I found unique about this book was that the reader is allowed to be so much inside the head of the major players that what is going to happen isn’t as much of a mystery but how it will all play out and how each will react is what kept me riveted.
I have nothing negative to say about this book. I absolutely loved it, and recommend it without reservation to lovers of historical fiction and/or romance. This book will join this author’s Shadows over England series and The Number of Love on my homeschooling shelf of must-read World War 1 fiction as I personally have learned more about WW1 from this author than I ever learned in school!
Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.
Note: This is book two in the Codebreakers series by this author. I do recommend reading these books in order.
I really enjoyed this second book in this series. The new characters were fantastic, and I was excited to get a glimpse back in the codebreakers room from a different perspective this time. I think that the exploration of the theme of God's forgiveness was done excellently within these characters. Phillip has a lot to work through in this book, and the author does a great job at pacing his journey just right.
I also liked the friendship that blossomed between the two main characters. Both have issues that impact the relationships they allow around them, and the way they interacted was so genuine. I loved getting to see where things were going.
What a fantastic page-turning adventure that kept me up past my bedtime, eager to find out what would happen next! Roseanna M. White sure knows how to spin a story that entertains and that you won’t soon forget. These dynamic characters wove themselves around my heart!
Our hero, Phillip Camden grew so very much within this story. From a grumpy, hard-edged man that carried around a millstone of regret and anger, to one who learned how to give his past, his sins, to a savior who loved and cared for him. A man who kept everyone at arm's length, to a man who was able to make friends, and fall in love. Oh, and what a heart-warming love story it is!
I felt welcomed into the story, the very scenes vibrant and alive. I walked the streets, heard the planes flying overhead, smelled the smoke from buildings that were bombed, and lived the story right alongside these amazing characters.
If you enjoy reading inspirational historical romance, then you are sure to fall in love with this story and want it for your "keeper shelf", to pull out and enjoy again!
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
This book was incredibly wonderful; I loved it just as much as the first in the series! Arabelle was such a wonderful character, so generous and caring even in the face of betrayal. She had such a strong faith and prayed for people she knew and didn't know while also asking God how she could help someone and listening for an answer or nudge about what she should do. She also struggled with feeling rejected because of her father being gone for most of her life, her mother dying young and just feeling like she lacked that sense of security. She was also tall, "gangly" and plain and figured no man would be interested in her for herself, only for her money. Camden was a fascinating character, a gentleman who knew right from wrong but hadn't been living like he does until his squadron dies and he blames himself. He was reckless and impulsive yet fiercely loyal to his men and his family. He had changed since the incident and now knew what they had been doing was wrong but yet he was still running from God rather than facing his sins. I enjoyed seeing his journey to faith and redemption. He also cared about Arabelle and the position he put her in, though he tried not to. It was sweet seeing these two fall for each other as they both tried to talk themselves out of it, neither one feeling worthy of love. I enjoyed their banter and I loved the talk about codes and deciphering them. It was fascinating to see the enemy's point of view and watching both sides try to outwit the other, wondering what was going to happen next! I also loved seeing characters from the first book, especially De Wilde! The writing was wonderful. I can't recommend this book enough!
I received this book from JustRead Tours. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.
From the beginning readers are dropped into the middle of WWI, viewing life from a military and civilian point of view. Getting to know a variety of characters, you instantly care about. It’s a peek into a time gone bye. Arabelle is a dedicated caring nurse raised by a strict dad, who doubts herself and feels she can’t be what she wants to be. She is loyal, caring, makes sacrifices for the troops and is a woman of faith. She is someone you can root for as she battles feelings of worthlessness pounded into her by her father.
Phillip Camden Black Heard who they call a monster. He’s a man accused of deliberately causing the deaths of his squadron; and carries that baggage – He too believes he isn’t worthy of life or love. He feels he should have passed with his men. He puts on a good front, hides behind a smile and a sense of humor. I liked how both of these characters struggled with their faith in a non-preachy way and how they battled the negativity they felt inside.
This is a story of love, loss and redemption. Both of these characters believe lies about themselves, God and others. It was a fun escape, but I wish I would have read book one before this book two. I felt that I missed out on so much. There were lots of good messages in these pages one of them was “we don’t change people only God can do that.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from 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! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org
Wow, I really enjoyed this story. It was a little bit romance, a little bit spy, a little (ok, a lot) bit war, all rolled into one intriguing story line.
Ara is such a strong main character, but I appreciated the vulnerability that she tried so hard to hide. Actually, Cam was the same way. He tried so hard to pretend that what was happening to him didn't bother him, but Ara could see right through him. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
This is a story about forgiveness and redemption. The bad guys are very clear from the beginning, but even that isn't as cut and dried as you might think it is.
I didn't realize until I finished the book that this was part of a series. That's a good sign that this book works well as a stand alone. It's also a good sign that I now have another book to add to my "to-read" list.
On Wings of Devotion is the second installment in The Codebreakers series by Roseanna M. White, but could be read as a standalone. The smooth writing transported me into the setting and the characters’ minds. The perfectly paced plot held my attention from beginning to end. I loved the beautiful cover, the generous Arabelle, and the romance between Phillip and Ara. However, the powerful themes in the story shined the brightest.
In both On Wings of Devotion and its predecessor, The Number of Love, I appreciated that the author didn’t spew out easy, pat answers about life hardships. The characters struggle for truth and victory. As the characters grow, the novel’s powerful themes emerge. I won’t attempt to name them all, but I’ll share a favorite quote here: “Whatever He [God] asks of us, whether it be a fortune or a pittance or our time or our devotion, we can be sure it will be painful. Cutting out what stands between us and God always is. But we can also trust that in the giving, we’ll gain something far more precious. (Page 103)” I enjoyed contemplating such wise thoughts that are peppered throughout the story.
I recommend On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White to readers who enjoy inspirational historical fiction with the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and character development.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Number of Love (and the series before it where we are introduced to Margo), and so I was very excited to read the second book in the code breakers series. While the Shadow's Over England is still my favorite series, this book was well written and a very good story. I will admit upfront that I have a very hard time with stories about adultery, and while that's not the main focus of the book, it is a part of it, and because of that I didn't love it as much as I could have. That's all personal preference though. White certainly knows how to tell a compelling story that you don't want to put down. Her characters seem real, and your emotions get into tangles while you learn more and more about these people and their lives. I especially enjoyed old characters popping up in this book because I liked them so much in previous books. However, if you think that you need to read the other books in order to enjoy this one, you'd be mistaken. This can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, but I would recommend reading the others because they are just as well written and entertaining.
We get a small glimpse of what the next book will about, and I'm excited. I can't wait to see where this series goes, and to fall in love with more of these characters.
*I received a copy from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
OMG What an amazing story! This is the second installment for “The Codebreakers” Series and I didn’t think it could best the first book, which I truly loved, and I think it did! I don’t know still if it’s because I fell even all the more for the main characters, or if the plot had to do more with it, but I really think this book was amazing, one of my favorites! We get a glimpse of Phillip Camden in the previous book, but well, this is HIS story, and a beautiful one at that, full of mercy, compassion and healing, brought to him mostly by the way of nurse Arabella Denler, a young woman with a sweet and determined strength and a heart of gold. This is a story set during the First World War (which is a thing I especially liked, since most of the of the war setting stories I’ve read are during the WW2 or during the Civil War of the States) and this series dwelves into the so called “Codebreakers” mission in England to help decipher the enemies codes to aid the efforts of their country by twarting their efforts to kill and devastate, and thus help ending the nightmarish war. The Room 40 has a special part to play in this mission, and I love that these stories mix an historical part, that seems very well researched, with an intriguing part due to them being spies, and a side romance that’s sweet and deep and has an inspiring Christian message behind, that of God’s unflailing love, his infinite mercy and endless forgiveness. Phillip has been labeled a “Black Heart” and a “monster”, the man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But little they know the baggage he carries (and the truth of the story) and the desperate need for mercy with it, that is, except for Arabella who every day watches from her work place this astonishingly good looking man come in and out of the Admiralty’s office, and is immediately attracted not only by his looks but by his guarded yet painful demeanor, because she sees an enormous vulnerability and a need for healing that tugs at her heart. Arabella seems to be a common woman, tall and with plain and sweet but not greatly alluring looks, doomed to a loveless arranged marriage. But behind her apparent plainness, lies a beautiful heart yearning to love and be loved, always ready to give and be kind, to sacrifice for others, that Camden soon will discover, as their paths entwine together and circumstances grow in him the desire to be her protector. Arabella soon awakens in him a new desire to live and to love and be loved that he never knew he had. She’s like the light in his dark tunnel, and he can’t seem to keep away from her. But the threats he constantly receives make his life dangerous, and he would never put another life in danger, lest the woman he’s utterly and helplessly falling for... Will he have to make the biggest sacrifice of letting her go, in order to keep her safe, now that he discovered what living in the light might truly be? This is my favorite quote of Ara, Phillips’s description: “She gave so freely. Out of her plenty, yes—but not just that. She gave of her heart, of her soul. She gave in her loneliness and she gave in her friendships and she gave in her hurt and her pain. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. That verse was Ara”... This was an epic story of love, loss and redemption. I liked how Roseanna weaves the faith element with such grace and naturality, without it feeling forced. I love her writing style. Through Arabella’s humbling love of God and others, Phillip will discover how God has never been far from Him, and how He can make good come out of evil, and something worthy be learned from his mistakes. It will be God’s unflailing love that will ultimately touch his heart and make him forgive himself and ask and be granted forgiveness, and Arabella will play a beautiful part in it. The plot has also a great pace, it never drags, on the contrary, I had a lot of trouble putting it down! The main characters just melted my heart and I found myself rooting for their well deserved happily ever after. I loved that this story has a lot of humorous parts (I just loved their first encounter!) and the dialogues were fascinating, witty at times, deep and sweet at others. The romance was so endearing! I loved Phillip’s sweet devotion to her, and how he fell for her beautiful heart, not her looks, a heart that made her beautiful outside too. I also loved that it was sweet and clean. This is an amazing and totally inspiring story I truly recommend! Your heart will fill up with it and it will leave you wishing to be a better person and love God more and trust his wisdom and unconditional love for each one of us. I really can’t praise this book enough! I can’t wait for he next (and final?) installment! This story can be perfectly read as a standalone, but I recommend to read it in order if you can. I loved the appearance of cameos throughout the book! Love to follow the rest of the characters!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher vía NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased review.
This is an incredible historical romance!
The main characters, Arabelle Denler and Phillip Camden, are very well developed. In some ways they are similar, but their differences are much more apparent. It was a lot of fun to see how they interacted with each other from the first time they met. I liked seeing how their relationship changed throughout the book.
On the other side we have Diellza, or Dee, Mettler and Alwin Weber. This couple gives us a great look at what people are capable of doing for someone they love.
The development of the story and the work done by the codebreakers and the intelligence department was fabulous. I was very intrigued by all of it.
I’m really looking forward to what comes up for the Codebreakers in the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
I found the first third of this novel a bit slow paced, but once the action began, it was compelling and suspenseful until the end. Character appearances from both her previous series, The Cornwall Novels, and from book 1 in this series added an enjoyable touch. With a plethora of realistic characters and a World War 1 driven plot, this book was an enjoyable read.
The 2 main characters, Arabelle Denler, a nurse, and Captain Phillip Camden, and English air force pilot were polar opposites. Ara is faith-filled, hard working, caring, and dedicated to her job even though she is the wealthiest woman in London. She has just survived a break-up with her fiancee over another woman. Phiillip Camden aka "Black Heart" is an English gentleman who believes he can break all the rules just because he is, but his actions have led some of his fellow air force pilots into trouble and eventually a horrible air crash that leaves only Phillip alive. He is now considered a monster by everyone. But Ara sees something beyond what others see in Phillip and believes his heart is actually breaking, and his crusty, rude behavior is a cover for what he truly feels.
The focus on repentance, forgiveness, and second chances brought this story to life. I did have a problem though with Ara falling in love with Phillip before he sought Jesus as his Savior and became a believer. Her role, along with his brother's, in planting seeds and changing Phillip was important; but she should have protected herself from deeper feelings until he had become a believer.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
I really am enjoying this series. It’s set in London during WWI. I think we focus on others that are in the spotlight vs. those who are behind the scenes. I like that this series focuses on those behind the scenes. The unsung heroes. Ari is a nurse in London, and her father is an Explorer. She desires to serve and save. She meets disgraced pilot Phillip Camden and a friendship begins between them and between him and her father. I really enjoyed the grace displayed freely by the heroine. She is a gracious woman who tries to see the best in everyone, including Phillip. Will her grace make a difference in his life? Can she show him he’s redeemable in the eyes of God? Another book I didn’t want to take a break from while reading! Excellent writing. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.
I had to wait to read Wings of Devotion until I knew I’d have the time. Because once I start one of her books, it’s so hard to put down. I absolutely loved The Number of Love, which is the story preceding Wings of Devotion.
Her story telling, her research, her character building. How she does it, I’m not sure. But I can’t wait for book 3 in the Codebreakers series!
All right, enough blubbering on.
Based in London, England in 1918, this book was gripping from the first page. So much action, mystery—and, yes—a heart-warming love story.
But, the mercy! Arabelle truly had it in spades. I don’t think there was anyone she couldn’t extend mercy and compassion to. It was convicting, really. Seeing the world through her eyes.
One thing that was a bit hard to get around… *spoiler alert*… was that she fell for Camden before he got right with God. But at the same time, the story was very relatable. It just might have been nice to hear her feel at least a bit of angst over the whole ‘unequally yoked’ thing. It may have been there. Maybe I missed it.
The real reason his squadron died in the war was devastating. I won’t tell you the details—I think one major spoiler is enough for this review—but it really wrenched my heart. The impact one choice had on so many men—yes, even in this fictional story—was heart breaking. And even though Camden was more than willing to take the fall, and cover up the truth for the sake of the families, God had mercy on him. And sent him someone who really believed what she saw in him rather than what she read in the papers. Someone who really believed in mercy. And someone who needed to be seen for more than face value herself.
This story was very moving, very well written (I would expect no less form Roseanna!) and you better believe I will be ready and waiting for book 3. I can’t wait to see what else happens amongst these World War 1 codebreakers of room 40.
It’s 4.5 out of 5 from me, but since we can't do half stars I'll round up ;)
Oh, this series! It is so good, you guys.
Wealthy Heiress and Nurse Arabelle Denler is convinced that her only avenue to having the family she has always craved is to marry for convenience...and in exchange will save her fiancée's family estate. With her mother dying when she was young and her explorer father always away on "adventures", she has learned to cope with disappointment but certainly has some abandonment issues. When said fiancée's unfaithfulness comes to light, things change rapidly....and in the process of navigating this she is introduced to Philip Camden (aka Black Heart). He's a grounded pilot accused of allowing his entire squad to die - and Ara has already been praying for him.
The substory of spy Diellza Mettler eventually intersects with both families, and the author weaves them beautifully together. The characters are multi-faceted and rich. The result is a story of pain, forgiveness, grace, and true mercy that illustrates the love God has for us.
I always enjoy when authors include little winks from other books, supporting characters that were leading ones in other books pop in for a visit - it makes it even more enjoyable. However, you can definitely read this as a standalone. I wholeheartedly recommend this entire series!
This was such a great read. Not a fan of historical fiction, but this being set in the 1900's made it easy and fun to read. The writing was beautiful. I loved the way they spoke back in England in those times. I setting, the events and the romance were all great. I enjoyed each of the characters as well.
Arabelle Denler is a nurse and she works with those injured from war with the Russians. Arabelle is a bold girl, but she also has her moments of being idiotic. She was a sweet girl with a ton of faith. I loved seeing her encourage and love on people you normally wouldn't love on. She was strong girl, but she did downplay herself most of the time. I didn't like when she called herself ugly continually. It annoyed me. She was hard working and she was very wealthy as well. I enjoyed Arabelle though.
Phillip Camden is a major who is facing some heavy charges for killing his squadron. People call him the Black Heart because he appears to be tough and uncaring. However, Camden is such a sweet guy. He's loving, caring, protective and he is just downright amazing. I loved seeing him battle with his faith as well and begin to truly allow God to work in him.
The romance was absolutely amazing between Arabelle and Camden. They started off as strangers and then grew to know one another through an unfortunate mishap with Arabelle's ex. From there they became friends and grew to love one another. I loved their banter and how quirky they were. You couldn't tell that they had an instant attraction for one another because they played it off as nothing. I totally enjoyed watching them grow in their relationship.
Mrs. Lewis was absolutely the most annoying character for me! She irked me with her letters to Camden, she pissed me off her letter to Arabelle and just ANNOYED me with how gullible she was in letting Diellza "help" her. I felt bad for her once the truth about Camden's squadron came to light, but she still just pissed me off.
Diellza was an interesting character. I didn't care for her storyline at first, but as the story progressed she seemed to have an important part. She was so wishy-washy with her feelings. She was a great spy and assassin though. I'm interested in learning more about her from book one.
Overall, tit was a great read and I can't wait to read the first novel, The Number of Love, since I own it. Would definitely recommend it.
This was the first time I had read anything by Roseanna M. White. In fact I do not usually read or enjoy historical fiction. I kept seeing good reviews on this one and therefore, decided to try it. It has to be a really special book for me to commit to read and boy was this one special!
Black Heart (Phillip) and Arabelle were characters that came off the page for me. Arabelle was not attractive but had a beautiful heart and she loved God with all of her being. Phillip's heart was one many considered black as he must haven no heart since he was assumed responsible for a tragedy in the war. But they both led each other to a new meaning of a deep relationship. Each had and gave what the other one. needed. And Phillip's journey to God made it all work together.
The other love story of Dee and Alvin and the intrigue of their story as it intersected with Philip and Ara was masterful.
I could not put this book down!
My favorite quote was:
“Whatever He asks of us, whether it be a fortune or a pittance or our time or our devotion, we can be sure it will be painful. Cutting out what stands between us and God always is. But we can also trust that in the giving, we’ll gain something far more precious.”
I recommend this book highly. My only complaint would be how on Ara looked on the cover, how anyone could say she was not beautiful!
I received a complimentary copy The Number of Love from Net Galley. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
I don't even know how to talk about this book without incoherently gushing. It was INCREDIBLE.
This was my first Roseanna White book and I was blown away. The character development was done so well. The plot was brilliant. The truth of Jesus bringing and being Life was handled so beautifully. And the romance? 😍
All the tears. All the heart eyes. All the stars. This is how it's done, folks.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.
On the Wings of Devotion has been been added to Roseanna M. White's The Code Breakers series. Arabelle Denier is working as a nurse at a hospital in London. Every day as Arabelle goes about her duties, she often catches a glimpse of Phillip Camden, dubbed "Black Heart". Phillip joined the nearby codebreakers division, shortly after an accident took the lives of his entire air squadron!
Now that he is seen as the cause of the accident, Phillip is having trouble moving on with life. When Phillip needs help dealing with a family situation, he seeks out Arabelle for help. Phillip's younger sister has shown up pregnant and the cause of the event is none other than Arabelle's fiance!
As Phillip and Arabelle spend time together dealing with this situation, you will see something developing between them. However, the situation suddenly becomes complicated. Someone from Phillip's past has shown up and is possibly up to no good. You have no idea what complication will come in these troubling days of WWI!
I received a e-copy of this book from Bethany House. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
WHAT A DELIGHT!!!! Cam & Ara's relationship--it was SO SWEET. Their personalities just SANNNGGGG when they were together. There were so many sweet moments between them that I loved.
I enjoyed the plot--the pace was pretty good--not too fast (I mean, it's not a thriller), but not too slow either, as I find a lot of historical fiction titles are.
The only thing keeping this from being a 5-star rating for me...it was those preachy bits that felt oh so preachy, tacky, and out of character. Each time I would be reading along, and the characters were really feeling the moment, and then--BAM!--they'd pop out an evangelizing comment that always felt (to me) like it was not appropriate in the moment. I'm not against telling friends about your faith, but I have seldom seen it done in Christian fiction where it didn't feel out of place and like I was being smacked with a 2x4. That is why I rated this one at 4, instead of 5 stars. Not a huge thing, but enough to be noted.
Above section aside, I LOVED On Wings of Devotion--it was intricate & suspenseful, the romance was sweet, their chemistry was on point, the plot truly well-crafted--& I loved the previous series' character cameo's that popped up partway through.
*In exchange for an unbiased review, I was given a free ebook copy of On Wings of Devotion via NetGalley.*
On Wings of Devotion is set during WW1, not a common time for many historical fiction books (something to love!), and focuses on the English codebreakers who were helping the war effort, although not in the air or in face-to-face combat. This second book in the series features a former pilot, Phillip Camden, grounded because he is under suspicion of causing the death of his squadron. He is recruited to work with the codebreaking division, and then crosses paths with Arabella Denler, a nurse at a nearby hospital. Her heart is to show him that despite his past mistakes, he is worthy of healing on every level - and love.
While I know that these characters are fictional, White does such an incredible job portraying her characters and settings that the reader feels as though the story IS real. Her thoroughness in diving into the historical aspects and creating a plot/storyline that pulls the reader in is always wonderful.
When reading, I prefer books that help me learn more about a specific time period (and cause me to do more digging myself), but also leave me with a love for the characters. Roseanna White does this so easily, and I am always ready for the next installment in her series. Her characters possess a depth (she definitely isn't a superficial writer) and face obstacles that are real-to-life, showing their various weaknesses, strengths, and growth. They are far from perfect, but there is such a sincerity to their characters, readers will quickly love them. The simplest way to put it: the characters are human. They make mistakes. They learn from them and grow.
Every single one of White's books remains on my shelves because they aren't typical "fluff" reading. This book in the series can be read independently, but I would recommend reading the others - because they are worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy On Wings of Devotion from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
What can I say? Amazing? Wonderful? Sweet? Emotional? All of these I think! I loved this book!
Phillip Camden, Black Heart, as they called him. Was he a villain or what? He was one of a kind character that I so enjoyed. Well Arabella could certainly hold her own with Brax and Camden. I loved that she was strong and I loved her faith. She even prayed for Camden even before she really knew him.
I loved this quote in the book.
“He’d thought before that he’d lost it all. That he had nothing to live for. He’d been so very wrong.” So much in this book I enjoyed. I really really recommend this book to my friends. You don’t want to miss this whole series.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Dang. This series and these characters just keep getting better!
I loved Arabelle and could relate so much to her. And Phillip is her perfect match. I can't say I adored Phillip, as he isn't usually the kind of guy I like, but his character was nonetheless fabulous and I loved him, even if I didn't love him, ya know? ;)
White's writing style is as beautiful as ever. I instantly feel like I'm living in the time period with the authentic and historically accurate dialogue and descriptions. The history lessons White includes are so fascinating as well, and never dry or boring or interrupting the story.
Speaking of story, from page one I was draw into the story and couldn't put it down! Even the slower moments kept my interest and the fast-paced suspenseful moments had my heart racing.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed book two in The Codebreakers series, and can't wait to get my hands on book #3! I cannot recommend this enough if you are a lover of rich and fascinating historical fiction with a side of romance, espionage, and suspense. You definitely want to check this one out!
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Epic! I know I must say this about Roseanna’s every release, but this is her best book yet. The heroine being tall and gangly and an heiress ... contrasts with the hero being a rogue blamed for a crime he didn't commit ... or did he? The banter is unbeatable, the plotline unguessable, and this book un-put-downable!
What I Loved: Just when I think the series can't get any better ... White publishes another book! Seriously. The Codebreakers, and Shadows Over London (which ties into this series), is chockful of memorable characters and page-turner action. The war is happening in the background, but the story is taking place at home with a nurse and a codebreaker ... or rather a humble woman with insecurities and a bitter man practically on death row.
Camden and Arabelle had great chemistry from the moment the two stepped onto the page together. I couldn't get enough of these two. You could feel the underlying tension slowly coiling around the characters with every turn of the page.
Fans of the previous books will be treated to small cameos. It's not anything that would ruin the other books if you haven't read them, but it's just enough to bring a smile to your face if you'd already met them.
I loved every minute I had spent in London with them and I can't wait until the next book.
Rating and Recommendation: I recommend On Wings of Devotion to anyone who enjoys Christian historical, WWI fiction, and spy fiction. I'm giving it 5 stars.
~ I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
Phillip Camden has become a national outcast. Known as Black Heart since the mission that killed his entire squadron, public outcry has been high for the military to give him the death penalty he likely deserves. Instead he's been whisked away to the mysterious Room 40 in the Old Admiralty Building, where he works on deciphering coded messages from the enemy.
While the other nurses flock to the window each day when the handsome Black Heart walks by the hospital, Arabelle Denler doesn't go to gawk at the mysterious man. She goes to pray for his wounded soul. When family circumstances entangle Arabelle and Phillip for the foreseeable future, she finds not only the hurt she was expecting, but also a strong loyalty and hidden depths.
Figuring his days are numbered, Phillip is trying to right what wrongs he can, as well as keep dark secrets from coming to light. Things become much more interesting when an old flame begins coming around. What is she doing here in London? Could she have had something to do with the deaths of his men?
I love reading stories about wounded characters, and Phillip hits all the right notes for me. He's tortured but not beyond redemption. Arabelle is strong, compassionate, and devoted to the Lord. A heroine truly worthy of admiration. Knowing she can't save Phillip, she does her best to befriend him and point him to the One who can.
This is a lovely addition to Roseanna M. White's WWI Codebreakers series. I had a hard time getting into the scenes with the point of view of Dee, the German spy. I didn't feel like they were necessary. But many people love it when a villain gets to have a voice. That was my only complaint on an otherwise fantastic story. Looking forward to the final book in this series in a few months!
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
There is so much I loved about this book! I liked the first book in the Code Breakers series, but I really fell in love with the characters and storyline in this second book. Let's start with the hero. I won't lie, those dark, broody, angsty, bad boy heroes get me every time. I was sold on Phillip Camden from the beginning of this novel and I certainly wanted to know his story 'til the end. I was totally invested. Roseanna White detailed his character so well, contrasting his deep inner struggle of secretly being a man of high convictions with his outer appearance of being a handsome, yet unfeeling, man with a "black heart." Then there's the heroine, who is herself considered less than beautiful on the outside (although her cover image looks pretty beautiful to me!), but her heart is pure gold. I love the way that she is one of the only people who can see through Phillip's rough exterior to the heart of who he truly is. It's what makes this novel pretty special. My personal sense of justice struggled with Arabelle's deep sense of humility and generosity (especially when the others, in my mind, didn't deserve it), but even that became a lesson learned for me in the end. Redemption, humility, and courage are just a few of the themes in this book that I appreciated. I also appreciated the romantic tension : ).
I would highly recommend this book for those of you who are fans of historical Christian fiction. There is a definitive Gospel moment in this book as well, which also adds to an additional theme of forgiveness. Loved it!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**
It’s intimidating to write a review for a book you love so well...I had super high expectations for this book and it blasted through them all in the best way possible. The layering of the story elements is masterful and reminds me of some of my favorite vintage writers. I don’t know how she does it, but the characters are rounded and polished and hop right off the page. The way Ara meets the Black Heart is just so interesting and sparks off a very unusual alliance between the two when Ara’s fiancé becomes their common antagonist.
The chemistry with this romantic pair is so thick you can cut it with a knife but of course neither of them see that at first. They in fact never dream of romance to begin with, and I loved that about them. Phillip is a haunted man and doesn’t think he’s really worthy to live. Someone’s threatening him and he couldn’t care less because he thinks the same things about himself.
Then a counter-spy plot pops up and both Ara and Phillip have to work together to save their country from the threat. This is when things really tick up and I seriously couldn’t put the book down.
Phillip’s mother is a spice box and one of my favorite characters...I love it when even the side characters hop off the page! Ara’s also friends with the ladies from the previous Ladies of the Manor series and I got super excited when Barclay from the Shadows Over England series made a couple of appearances.
Overall, it’s already going on my favorites list, so great job to Roseanna White. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Thanks to the publisher and author for a free reading copy.
Hands down, Roseanna White is one of the best! With every book I think she can't get better and yet again she surprised me! Wow, what a breathtaking read this was. Breathtaking in...the romance...the scenery...the characters - they were unexpected and I loved it! You definitely have to read this one! :-)
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanne White
Another winner! I don’t know how Roseanna White keeps coming up with these great stories, but she does. On Wings of Devotion, picks up where the Number of Love ended. Major Phillip Camden, Black-heart, has been working with the code breakers and Arabelle Denler, an wealthy heiress, is working as a nurse. When their paths cross, the fireworks begin. The chemistry between them is very swoon worthy. I love all of the twists and turns in this story. The characters are wonderful. The history of World War II is so intriguing. The facts and fiction are interwoven so well together. Also the introduction of Lily and Zivon, for the 3rd book, sound very interesting! This book is categorized as a Christian, Historical romance. It is 5 star book, in my opinion. Bring on The Portrait of Loyalty
I received this copy from Bethany House on net galley for an honest review
Roseanna M. White has touched the mind and the heart with her book, "On Wings of Devotion." From the man that no one wants to be, Phillip Camden, to the woman (Arabelle Danler) who just wants love and a purpose, Roseanna M. White creates a magnificent array of characters that keep the story flowing. A pilot's fall from grace and a nurse's consistent unwavering faith help the reader to become invested deeply into the outcome. Is redemption really possible for everyone, even those known for a "Black Heart?"
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed "Black Heart" every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.
Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.
But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.
I really like this book. There was a lot of mystery involved. Phillip is running away from what happened to his squadron and also from God. He is a very disliked man and he does everything he can to be disliked. Arabelle is a nurse who sees him walk by her window every day. When she meets him, she seems to look into his very soul and see the hurting man that he is. As the story unfolds, we learn more about what really happened to his squadron. Also, about the spies at work in England.
I would recommend this book to all mystery buffs who like romance thrown in.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
“He’d remember that scene for the rest of his life, he was sure. Looking up and seeing her standing there, his wings flashing on her dress. Declaring her devotion better than words could ever do.”
Wings of Devotion is the second book in the Codebreakers series. I struggled with reading the first book in the series, The Number of Love, and honestly could not finish it. Since Ms. White is a new author to me, I gave the second book a chance, and I had a hard time putting it down! It is an absolute page-turner and works extremely well as a stand-alone read. Wings of Devotion, set in London in 1918 during World War 1, is the well-crafted story of Arabelle Denler, an heiress and devoted nurse with a “brightness to her spirit”, and Phillip Camden dubbed “Black Heart”, a grounded Royal Flying Corps pilot now working as a cryptographer for British Intelligence. Deemed a villain by the press for his alleged responsibility for the death of all the other pilots in his squadron during a mission, Phillip is living a life full of guilt, anger, and bitterness. Arabelle deals with feelings of abandonment and inadequacy lamenting “I am just not enough.” Their initial tie is through an incident between Phillip’s sister, Cass, and Arabelle’s fiancé, Edmund Braxton; and the sweet love story progresses at a steady pace from there eclipsed at times by danger, espionage, threats, scandal, misunderstandings, and betrayal. Bits of humor and fun banter sprinkled throughout enhance the story. Ms. White does an outstanding job of blending real-life historical events into the fictional narrative, and the characters primary and secondary are well developed and memorable. I especially liked how the faith element permeates the story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the third book in the series, A Portrait of Loyalty due to release in September.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Roseanna is by far one of my favorite historical romance writers. I have to read every book to puts out. I always get worried I will be disappointed but I never have been.
Arabelle is a wonderful character, she is kind and puts others ahead of herself, even when something heartbreaking happens to her. Her reaction is beyond what most people would do.
Phillip really is a good guy but something happened to make others think he did a very horrible thing. Ultimately, he is a protector.
Then we are inside another character’s head that we soon find out relates to Phillip. At first I wasn’t sure what this part of the story had to do with the rest, but we don’t have to wonder too long.
Roseanna White fans will be thrilled with this newest release.
A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.
War, romance, spies and suspense! On Wings of Devotion has it all! Arabelle, a caring nurse, meets Phillip Camden, a pilot, during what seems to be unfortunate circumstances. They soon become friends then sweethearts in the midst of danger and drama. I have not read the first book in the series yet but I plan to and I look forward to the third installment as well. You won’t go wrong with a Roseanna White book.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Black Heart is not a name anyone would want tagged as their name, but Major Phillip Camden wore the name loudly since his entire squadton lost their lives. Everyone but Camden. Now he is being blamed. But after spending time with Phillip, nurse Arabelle Denler sees him differently.
This is another amazing book by author Roseanna White. Fron the first page, I was hooked on this story. Again, i was fascinated by the jobs of the code breakers. It’s a job I would have loved, though it had it’s moments. I liked Phillip from the beginning. Maybe because I felt sorry for him? But he just seemed like a nice guy. And Ara felt the same, especially the more she spent time with him. I was happy when she wanted to do what she could to help him. These are both truly wonderful characters. And the other characters are well thought out and created as well. The story is very well written and held my attention, so much so that I didn’t want to put it down.
There’s much going on in this story. Too much to talk about here, and I don’t want to ruin the book for you. I highly recommend On Wings of Devotion. This is a story you are sure to love. Especially if you enjoy historical fiction!
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher through Net Galley. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Arabelle Denler is twenty-five, and is nursing in London in 1918 while her fiance, Edmund Braxton, serves in the British Army. It’s more a match of convenience than love, but it’s a match she means to follow through with. It’s her only chance of love and family.
Phillip Camden is better known as Black Heart since he apparently killed his entire squadron. Even though the Admiralty don’t seem to blame him, someone does—if the death threats are real. But he has a more immediate problem: his younger sister needs to marry Edmund Braxton. Now.
This means Arabelle is now an unattached heiress, the target of every fortune hunter in London. Camden offers to protect her, by pretending he’s her beau. That works in terms of keeping the “gentlemen” away, but Camden’s reputation brings Arabelle problems in the hospital.
Meanwhile, Camden has his own problems—the death threats, his intelligence work, and his reputation. As such, the novel has several threads which all work together to produce an outstanding historical romantic suspense.
Roseanna M White continues to impress me. Each novel is excellent, and each novel is better than the previous story. Her research is outstanding, yet never overpowers the story. I’ve always been fascinated with codes and codebreakers, which is part of the appeal of White’s novels. Her characters have real problems, yet always turn to God (willingly or unwillingly) for their solution. As such, her stories have a strong Christian thread I enjoy.
On the Wings of Devotion is the second book in The Codebreakers series, following The Number of Love. You’ll probably want to read that first, but it’s not necessary.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Ok I loved this book.
Arabella is a nurse, no nonsense pretty uptight nurse. She has abandonment issues. She's engaged to a guy she doesn't love because she has a fortune and he needs it for his estate. But all she wanted was for him to be faithful. Pfft he doesn't instead he falls in love with a girl and gets her pregnant. She just happens to be Phillip's sister.
Enter Phillip. Haunted by the deaths of his squadron in which the media and the RFC has condemned him a murderer and traitor, he is out of prison only by the grace of God and his friends. He works in the intelligence building and walks by the hospital everyday. To save his sister's reputation, he must convince Arabella to end her engagement so that Phillip's sister might marry the man she loves.
Thus evolves a friendship that slowly turns into something more. But they're both hiding secrets from each other, one that will set Phillip free.
I enjoyed their romance. Phillip is very swoony and handsome but with a troubled past. Arabella is sweet, but controlling and distant, afraid to get attached. They both change through out the book. Phillip's forgiveness of himself in the jail cell was especially poignant.
Roseanna's books are among my forever favorites! (And I'm not just saying that.) I LOVE the depth of character and the genuine relationships portrayed. This whole series revolves around the fabulous (fictional) people of Room 40 and the heroes of WWI.
This book has it all! Romance, grief, humor, loyalty, and a doozy of a bad guy. One of my favorite parts is getting to see the story unfold from the villain's perspective. It opens the story up to a whole new level. I also really loved watching Cam and Ara's relationship unfold. The process felt very real and reminded me a little of my own relationship with my husband.
Something I wrote down is FIERCE. I think both Cam and Ara have a fierceness about them. Ara, knows who she is, she knows what she wants in life and she will do exactly what she feels is right. Even if it makes other people unhappy. Camden's whole life was his unit. When they died, and he was blamed for their deaths, all he wanted was to join them at the bottom of the channel. He was filled with self-blame, regret, and guilt. But then God...His journey has been such a pleasure to witness. And Cam is also fierce in his protection and love for those that he cares about.
This was an incredible addition to The Codebreakers series. I loved getting to see Margot again as well as few other familiar faces hehe! I am so SO excited to see what book three holds!
As Roseanna's assistant, I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
And here I thought no one could top Barclay Pierce.
Enter Phillip Camden. Of course, if you read The Number of Love, you already have met Phillip, but not like this.
Then, there’s Arabelle, a nurse who has the uncanny knack of seeing deeper into a person than the persona they present. Arabelle and Phillip won this story from the beginning. I loved how Phillip’s view of Arabelle changed as he came to know and understand her, and Arabelle knew there was more to Phillip than the black heart he showed the world.
Roseanna M. White’s books always take me on a wonderful ride. I can’t stop reading, and yet, I don’t want the stories to end. This one was no different.
There’s a great lesson to be had in On Wings of Devotion. I might even say there’s more than one lesson here. Arabelle wants to be loved, to, for once in her life, be the most important person in someone else’s life. Phillip doesn’t ever want to care for someone again, because the risk of losing them is more than he can bear. But God has a plan above our plans, and He has a way to reach even the blackest heart.
A thoroughly captivating read with excellent characters you’ll likely never forget. This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. If you’ve read The Shadows over England series, you’ll be happy to see cameos from several well-loved characters.
I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
've been reading Roseanna M White's Edwardian novels since 'The Lost Heiress' came out. The Codebreakers is her 3rd series, based on the the work of a clandestine group of code-breakers and secret service workers in WW1. The Codebreakers of WW2 were well known, but not those of the previous war.
However, this book isn't primarily about Codebreakers. Its about Phillip Camden, a former pilot accused of a terrible crime, and Arabella Denler a young nurse whose life becomes entwined with his.
The characterization is perfection, not only of the main characters, but the secondary ones. The story and the romance very well written. There was enough intrigue and danger to keep the reader captivated, but the burgeoning relationship between the lead characters also carried it a lot of the way. It wasn't the typical girl trying to change a bad man (or vice versa) story.
Phillip and Arabella were thrown together by circumstances beyond their control, and don't want a relationship. Philip is drawn to Arabella's 'light', as he calls it. Her willingness for forgive, and her loving and charitable nature. She's not naive, but she sees past a person's faults to the hurting people beneath.
She's the first person who's willing to 'blackheart' and he by turn accepts her unconventional and quirky family arrangements. (Her father is an explorer who believes he's can locate the mythical Atlantis). Phillip doesn't believe he deserves to be loved, and literally thinks he will be dead within the year. Arabella gives him a reason to keep on living. Even if its just to keep away suitors who want her money.
The two parties both frustrate and complement each other. In one of the early scenes she punches him, and there are so many humourous and witty scenes between them. Where spiritual themes are handled, more in the second half of the story, they're done in a realistic and sensitive way. Not preachy or heavy handed. They just work naturally into the story and come out in the character's behaviour and actions more than their speech.
I can't really comment on the historical backdrop since I don't know the period when this is set very well, but I know this author researches her stories meticulously, and the author's note states that some of the characters are based on real people.
On Wings of Devotion was just a wonderful story to get lost in. Its deep without being to dark or plodding. Also, it was easy to forget that it was written by an American. This is one of the few such books I've read that 'feels' very British and sits easily within its setting.
Thanks to Anne Rogers and the Publisher for sending me a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Adventure, family, loyalty, intrigue, and of course romance mark this book. And while that is just the norm for this sort of book, I really think there are some good takeaways from this book.
The two main characters, Arabelle Denler and Philip Camden could not be more opposite. One is all light and goodness and compassion and the other is called Black Heart for a reason. And yet, when you dig below you discover that Black Heart has a heart that is packed full of loyalty, a loyalty that will take a bullet to protect his men and their families. That is an impressive quality to have and one of the takeaways I encourage from this book. Let's be loyal to our friends and family: don't be nice to their face and then stab them behind their backs.
Arabelle was a nurse and full of compassion and grace and faith in God. She was always out to take care of the disadvantaged, comfort the hurting, and just show love to the world at large. And yet, the book showed her to be human, she was capable of being hurt, of feeling pain as she watched her dreams fade away. And yet, she was faithful and she trusted.
Of course, this is a fiction story so everything turns out fine in the end, but there were some tense moments where I may have skimmed ahead to make sure the story was going to follow the prescribed story line for this sort of genre and it did.
The book is labeled historical fiction and there were bits of history woven throughout the book. I don't want to say too much about that because it would give away pieces of the story, but it was interesting to read about.
I received this book from Bethany House via Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Memorable. These are the words that always come to mind when thinking of Roseanna M White's books.
Sure enough, the history bleeds from the pages, but the characters and the imagination are even more powerful. They connect with the reader and transport them into an adventure sure to change you.
I loved Arabella -- she was unapologetically herself. And because of that, she is able to reach the one known as Black Heart. Add to this a wonderful group of unforgettable cryptologists who will weave their way into these two characters' lives and bring about Arabella's long desire for a family.
I have been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s writing since discovering her earlier Culpepper Ring series and she never disappoints. Her writing is lyrical, characterization deep, storylines complex and unique. A gifted author from the beginning, White just keeps getting better and better. There are tie-ins to characters from previous series in this second Codebreakers book, but it totally works as a standalone. If this is your initial introduction to White’s writing, however, I can almost guarantee you will be hurrying to obtain more.
On Wings of Devotion is an epic story, exquisitely blending history, romance, courage and faith in ways that touched this reader on every page. It’s like stepping into the pages of history. Small liberties are taken here and there for the sake of story, but the historical framework is firm and accurate, inspired by hero and villain alike. Spies, espionage, treachery and deceit are contrasted with honor, integrity and compassion.
This series shines the light on an incredible group of people who worked with skill and dedication as codebreakers in London’s Room 40, thwarting numerous attempts of the enemy to kill and destroy. Hell … It’s name was War, and it existed right here on earth. And when the demons of hell roamed freely, even men who never saw direct action, like the codebreakers he now served with, experienced their horrors in one way or another. These men and women are an inspiration to us all.
Phillip Camden and Arabelle Denler leap off the page and are two of the most memorable characters I’ve ever encountered. Phillip is a wounded hero – complex, deep, loyal and heroic – but flawed from the years he lived for self and carrying the weight of guilt from a horrible tragedy in which he was the lone survivor. A man who “wears his pain like a uniform.” I loved that Arabelle is not the typical beautiful leading lady, but rather tall and plain, and we are shown what true beauty is through her caring, compassion and faithful witness.
When the story opens, Arabelle is engaged to marry Braxton, caught up in a loveless relationship designed to provide mutual benefit … the home and family she craved while providing the means to keep his ancestral home from ruin. There’s some delightful humor and witty dialogue throughout. The scene surrounding the initial meeting between Arabelle and Phillip is pure genius.
I loved Phillip’s gradual maturing and transformation. On Wings of Devotion is about gently growing romantic devotion on a human level, but the overall theme reflects life’s true romance with God. We see God as the patient pursuer and faith lived out in daily life as the gospel message is presented in a realistic way.
The narrative moves at a steady pace, keeping me eager to turn pages, yet allowing time to savor every word and nuance. On Wings of Devotion goes on my favorites list.
Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
When the Number of Love ends, you want to have this one right away. It carries on the story, and the character that you were not the most fond of in the first one, you fall in love with here. He is heartbreakingly struggling with guilt from a death that everyone blames him for, including himself, that he is not responsible for.
I loved how they talked about PTSD in how it was dealt with at this time in history. Plus, you get to see more of Margot here briefly.
n On Wings of Devotion, nurse Arabelle Denler plays a key role in the healing of Philip Camden, nicknamed “Black Heart.” Philip believes (as does all of England) that he was instrumental in the deaths of his entire squadron, and struggles with survivor’s guilt, refusing to defend himself at his court-martial.
Alone for most of her life (her mother is deceased and her father leaves her frequently for adventuring expeditions abroad), Arabelle fills her life with nursing work, even while dreaming of having love and a family of her own. Arabelle sees Philip as a man who needs mercy and healing, regardless of what others think.
Reluctantly recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division, Philip earns the respect of co-workers. Caring for Arabelle awakens a new desire in him to live a better life. He finally surrenders himself to God while facing his court-martial. Meanwhile, an old acquaintance tries to use him as a pawn in a plot against the Crown. Will his redemption be more than just spiritual? Will Arabella’s devotion to Philip provide the key to his release from possible execution?
White excels at both character and plot development. Rich in plot twists, historical detail, romance, and adventure, On Wings of Devotion is an excellent read. The faith element is evident but not heavy-handed. Relationships are clean, making the book suitable for adults and older teens. Readers will delight to see characters from her earlier series make an appearance, and will look forward to the final book in this series.
I loved Arabelle and Camden! I've been without internet access and unable to share how exciting I think this book is. I loved Ara's independent strength and Camden's complexities.
Roseanna M. White writes such great detail! I really feel like I'm watching a movie when I'm reading.
I highly recommend this book in any format! I read it then purchased the audio version.
Classic Roseanna M White. I love her story telling. I love her characters. I love her research. I love her books. I am certain that you will too. Experience this historical novel. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White has Arabelle Denler working as a nurse at Charring Cross Hospital in London of February of 1918. The young ladies volunteering at the hospital gather each evening to watch Phillip “Black Heart” Camden walk from the Admiralty building where he works to his residence. Many people believe Phillip should still be in prison for what he did to his squadron. It does not help that Phillip receives threats daily from the wife of one of the deceased pilots. Phillip’s mother comes to London needing his assistance. It seems his sister, Cassandra has gotten herself into a pickle with a fellow. He would like to marry her, but he is already betrothed. Phillip decides to intervene in his own unique way and meets the heiress Arabelle Denler. Phillip becomes Arabelle’s protector and Arabelle realizes she is meant to help him heal. Philip is surprised when a woman approaches him one day outside the Admiralty. He can tell she is up to something, and it is up to Phillip to uncover the truth. On Wings of Devotion is the second novel in The Codebreakers series. It can be read as a standalone if you have not read The Number of Love featuring Margot De Wilde. Arabelle Denler and Phillip Camden are great characters. Arabelle is a Christian woman who believes God put Phillip in her life for a reason. Phillip wishes he died with the rest of his squadron in The Incident (as he calls it). He is a strong man with a big heart. You can tell that Phillip loves his family and will do what it takes to help them. He also has a fun-loving side which rarely comes out. The two of them complement each other which makes for an entertaining story. The author has a wonderful writing style which draws the reader into her story and holds them until the end. Roseanna M. White captured the time period and made me feel that I was there with the characters. I loved the intrigue surrounding our mystery woman and I could not wait to see how this thread would playout. I liked that Margot De Wilde and her fiancé (from The Number of Love) are in the story along with Barclay Pearce and his family from Shadows Over England series. On Wings of Devotion is a story of forgiveness and redemption. The author combined romance, humor, mystery and intrigue along with complex characters into one entertaining story.
A fabulous book that I struggled to put down. The character development was well-done, the suspense kept me coming back for more, and the love that develops between the characters reflects the real-life misconceptions we sometimes hold about one another.
Roseanna White takes us back to Room 40 during World War I in this second book of the Codebreakers series. Phillip Camden's reputation as the man who let his squadron die has earned him the nickname of "Black Heart". When Phillip intervenes on the behalf of his sister to end an engagement, his path crosses with nurse Arabelle Denler, and sparks fly between them. However, both are hurting, and their hurt may destroy their chance at love and happiness. Paralleling this story is a sinister plot to hurt the Allied war effort. White has done it again with a page turner!
Roseanna does it again! She puts another 5-star novel with just enough action, espionage, edge of the seat page-turner. If you like reading romance in WWII era, this is one you won’t want to put down!
I love the emotions and insecurities she weaves into Ara, not feeling valued outside of work.
Of course, Captain Blackheart’s grief and self-guilt are so palpable. It’s easy to relate to him as he deals with past regrets. And the moody man becomes a favorite in this historical romance that will have you swooning by the end. 😉
Disclaimer: “I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.”
Maybe it’s the fact that I love everything medicine related, or maybe it is the fact Roseanna M. White is a FANTASTIC author, or maybe it’s both because an amazing author she certainly is.
I will say, I’m going to get all of Roseanna’s books as soon as I can! I need them on my bookshelves so bad *does happy dance*.
All right. These are the type of books that rekindle my love for medicine 😂. When times get hard and I just want to ditch everything, reading about women on the front line, helping the sick and injured, is nothing short of inspiring.
What I love about Roseanna’s books, is the fact that she portrays women as strong yet not invincible. Because in my humble opinion, no human is strong without one another. Portraying strong women is so much more than making them strong and independent (which are also valid and admirable qualities), on the contrary, I feel women who support each other and lean on each other and lift each other up are braver than those who’d rather work alone. It takes so much courage to trust, to open to people, to be vulnerable. And that is a quality I so admire in characters.
That is Ara. Ara is a nurse, an heiress that doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She longs only, for one thing, a family, to be loved as she never was. And yet, that is the one thing that is always so near and yet so far away from her grasp. Yet she is patient, she is kind, and when doubt starts to creep, when she just wants to throw everything away, she turns her eyes to God, even when in doubt.
These are the type of books I love to read about. Books that inspire my faith and encourage me to grow in my relationship with Christ.
And Camden. Oh, man, I love that boy. He is secretive and charming yet so lost and hurt, it pained me to even read about him because I just wanted to creep into the pages of the book and hug him, tell him everything will be alright. I love his family’s relationship, because even though it’s broken, even though he is broken, he always puts them first and does everything (in his own moody way 😂) to protect them.
And Ara’s dad. He is a quirky explorer that loves traveling and is on a life mission to find Atlantis 😂. Hehe, he’s so fun.
A Wing of Devotion is nothing short of amazing. Roseanna’s ability to weave a story of courage, love and faith has truly captivated my imagination and transported me to this glittery, yet foggy world of Ara and Camden, where decoding german messages is a daily job, where secrets roam on tea parlors, and death menaces to pounce.
ps. I recommend reading the books in this series in order. Though they can be read as standalones, characters from previous books are mentioned and you are going to miss so much of the fun if you don’t know their backstories 🥰!
Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/4 The romance theme is strong with this book and there are some parts where it was a little too descriptive. Of course, always clean, but just a heads up for younger teens. There is also mention of injuries and people who suffered amputations due to the war (nothing graphic). There is no bad language, though it’s implied in some scenes.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4 /5
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
My personal rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
I read On Wings of Devotion immediately after finishing The Number of Love, so I was glad for the continuity of characters I'd come to love. Thoroughly enjoyed this sequel and will definitely re-read the series!
Love this story so much! I really enjoy the historical aspect, as well as the moral questions that Roseanna writes in her stories. All of her books have been excellent!
Have you ever read the first book of a series and thought that any books that followed would never be quite as good? That is how I felt after reading The Number of Love, book one in The Codebreakers series. Well, let me tell you, I was wrong! The second book is just as good, and it may be even better.
It is hard to decide what I love best about On Wings of Devotion. Is it the sweet, compassionate nurse who deeply cares for her patients and profoundly loves her Jesus? Maybe it is the Major who has been labeled as Black Heart, the man accused of deliberately causing the deaths of his squadron. Perhaps it is learning more about Room 40 and The Codebreakers, the people who played such an important part in World War I, and being reunited with some of the people we first met in The Number of Love. Could it be watching as Arabelle Denler befriends Phillip Camden and through her Christian witness, encourages him to to seek his own relationship with God? Or seeing their friendship turn into something more?
On Wings of Devotion is certainly another feather in Roseanna White's writing cap and it has all of the drama and suspense that we've come to expect in her books. It is rich in historical detail and the romance is extremely satisfying but I especially loved seeing how Phillip changed from a self-absorbed person to a man who knew that his only hope was in truly knowing Jesus Christ.
Life. Not death. Victory. Not defeat. Something only the Lord could have granted him. (p. 377)
If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance, you will definitely want to read On Wings of Devotion. I am looking forward to seeing what the third book of this series has in store!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review and these are my own thoughts.
The second book in Roseanna White's Codebreaker series was just as phenomenal as the first!
The book was packed full of action, suspense, romance and wonderfully complex characters.
The story as well as the writing was incredible. Roseanna never disappoints me.
The characters were well thought out. Each with their own story so well told it felt as if their hearts were beating alongside yours.
On Wings of Devotion had wonderful characters, a great story line, and a beautiful story of coming to Faith and strengthening faith.
White always does an amazing job on making all historical facts correct, and displaying life as it was in the 1900s.
Her characters are amazing and beautiful and all deeply touching and relatable.
I say bravo. 👌
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna White is the second book in her Codebreakers series. Philip Camden blames himself for the death of his whole flying squadron. Nurse Arabelle Denler sees Camden not as a “Black Heart” so much as a “hurting heart”. Together they will find healing, forgiveness and mercy. I loved how Ara stood up for herself and those she loved. The interaction and jokes between Ara and Camden were hysterical. I laughed out loud so many times throughout this book. There was a mystery in the story that kept you on the edge of your seat not knowing what to expect next. Roseanna again wove her love for the Lord through the story so beautifully. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received this book from the author for my honest review.