The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson | A Mini Book Review of a Time Slip Novel
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. Also, this blog post includes affiliate links. You can view my affiliate disclaimer here.
A TIME SLIP NOVEL
Heartwarming and deeply rewarding to enjoy as a reader… The Winter Rose is a sweet and tender story about hope, healing, and restoration.
This newly released novel from author Melanie Dobson follows the emotional journey of multiple characters who are deeply relatable. As their lives shift and change over the years, Dobson offers glimpses into the perils of WWII, escaping for their lives, a coming of age, a tender romance, hurt, separation, and healing... With beautiful threads of finding love, acceptance and family in those who aren’t related by blood, this story of faith and perseverance comes full circle. A favorite for the new year!
Scroll down for my mini review…
In this gripping WWII time-slip novel from the author whose books have been called “propulsive” and a “must-read” (Publishers Weekly), Grace Tonquin is an American Quaker who works tirelessly in Vichy France to rescue Jewish children from the Nazis. After crossing the treacherous Pyrénées, Grace returns home to Oregon with a brother and sister whose parents were lost during the war. Though Grace and her husband love Élias and Marguerite as their own, echoes of Grace’s past and trauma from the Holocaust tear the Tonquin family apart.
More than fifty years after they disappear, Addie Hoult arrives at Tonquin Lake, hoping to find the Tonquin family. For Addie, the mystery is a matter of life and death for her beloved mentor Charlie, who is battling a genetic disease. Though Charlie refuses to discuss his ties to the elusive Tonquins, finding them is the only way to save his life and mend the wounds from his broken past.
★★★★★ | A sweet and tender story about hope, healing, and restoration… The Winter Rose is truly a beautiful novel. I’d expect no less from author Melanie Dobson, who’s time slip novels have won over my heart time and again.
The Winter Rose follows the emotional journey of multiple characters who are deeply relatable and absolutely precious. As their lives shift and change over the years, Dobson offers glimpses into the perils of WWII, a coming of age, a tender romance, hurt, separation, healing and eventually, incredible restoration. There are beautiful threads of finding love, acceptance and family in those who aren’t related by blood as well as rich elements of faith and perseverance that assist in bringing this story full circle.
Related Post: Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes | A Historical Fiction Novel That is Deeply Emotional and Mesmerizing
I simply loved the historical aspect as well as the contemporary aspect of this story and how they beautifully intertwined, making this novel both heartwarming and deeply rewarding to enjoy as a reader. Dobson offers not just a story world, but also insight in finding hope, discovering joy and the beauty that is found in God-given grace. This novel will remain burrowed in my heart for a long time to come, a definite favorite for the new year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Image Courtesy of: https://www.tyndale.com/authors/melanie-dobson/
Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of more than twenty historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels. Five of her novels have won Carol Awards; Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were nominated for a Christy Award in the historical fiction category; and Catching the Wind won an Audie Award in the inspirational fiction category. The Black Cloister, her novel about a religious cult, won the Foreword magazine Religious Fiction Book of the Year.
Melanie is the previous corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, owner of the publicity firm Dobson Media Group, and a former adjunct professor at George Fox University. When she isn't writing, Melanie enjoys teaching a variety of workshops.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with work, the Dobson family has settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to hike and camp in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and along the Pacific Coast. Melanie also enjoys exploring ghost towns and abandoned homes, helping care for kids in her community, and creating stories with her girls. Visit Melanie online at melaniedobson.com.
