A Name Unknown 

by Roseanna M. White 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

Rosemary Gresham has found her family’s ticket to a better life – at least for now – when she is hired by the mysterious Mr. V to determine where the true loyalties of Peter Holstein truly lie. Set on the eve of WWII, A Name Unknown follows Rosemary’s attempts to prove Peter’s guilt. With such a German name, there really is only one country that has his heart, surely. Peter meanwhile is frantically trying to put his library in order trying to find proof of his British Citizenship while keeping some other secrets of his own.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book. I read Christian Fiction to escape my life, be happy and find good endings. A Name Unknown fit the bill. It took me longer than I would have liked to be hooked, but I blame my busy lifestyle rather than the actual writing of the book. [I’m working 50 hour work weeks and getting my MBA so finding time to do anything besides sleep and homework really does take some doing. Thankfully I had a sick day which let me dive into this uninterrupted, to be completely honest...I finished this in class where I am, even now, as I write up this review.]

When I got into it I didn’t want to put it down. White did a wonderful job of weaving the story together, of bringing in characters that I loved. More than anything it has made me want to visit Cornwall.

It also felt timely. In a year with mounting xenophobia a book with themes of hating and fearing your neighbors simply due to their last name has been come all too strong of a temptation. We never should assume to know another person’s heart, projecting our biases and fears on to those who are around us. Peter and his struggle with his neighbors demonstrated how wrong we really can be in our judgement.

Overall, it was a nice story and I’m excited to read the next installment. 

Shame Nation

Shame Nation
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Summary

My Thoughts:

This is a book everyone needs to read. The title perfectly fits the world we are currently living in. Our society has changed from guilt to shame - much like the Salem Witch Hunts, we see perceived wrongdoing and vehemently attack - and the internet is the perfect place for that to happen. Sue and Melissa do a brilliant job of bringing empathy back into the game. They show the humans behind the meme's and the real consequences for what happens when someone is "cyberlynched."

They explore the many different ways that the internet has been abused - every thing from revenge porn, to the destruction of lives because of one wrong tweet. They also give advice for ways to keep yourself as safe as possible, while also demonstrating that really there is only so much you can do to protect yourself from the wrath of the web.

Reading this has made me think deeply about what I post, like and share. No longer do I want to take pictures of people who are living their lives but for some reason something that they are doing either makes me laugh or offends me - I don't know their life and I shouldn't be spreading it. When I post or comment is it something that could be hurting the person in the picture. Could I be tacitly contributing to the cyber-bullying that we are trying so hard to eradicate?

The end of the book goes over several lessons learned that anyone can start applying in order to protect themselves and to help others. I honestly don't believe that humanity is terrible as a whole, but we do have to consciously work to remember that we are good and this is a book that can make that easier to do.

I don't often say go out and read this book, but this is one I find to be relevant to the world we live in and most likely will demand my children read when they are old enough to be posting regularly. It's amazing, go read it.

**This galley was given to me in exchange for an honest review.**

Buried Secrets

Buried Secrets
By: Rachel Good
Genre: Christian Fiction
Rating: 4 stars

Summary:
Three years after the accident that almost claimed her life, Emma Esh has recovered physically but has no memory of the year before the accident. When she moves to a new community to help her sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Caleb, prepare for the birth of twins, she falls for their neighbor Samuel.

My Thoughts:

I have always been a fan of Amish fiction though sometimes they can be written too preach or too sweet. Not so with Buried Secrets. Good explored the path of recovery from past trauma. Emma's battle with anxiety and her fears was commendable and well done.

I didn't realize that this was a sequel when I picked it up, which I think actually added to my experience. Like Emma I had no inkling of what happened during her lost year and was waiting along with her for either for something to trigger her memory, or someone in her family explaining what was going on. The suspense was not overly done where I wanted to just get to the end to figure it out already, but when it did I was prepared for it and didn't feel like it was being added just for shock value.

I enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it. 

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**