Edwardian Romance and History Gains a Twist of SuspenseRosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to … Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name?
Peter Holstein, given his family’s German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered.
But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors’ scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he’s more than his name?
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I finished this beauty over the weekend and I still have all the happy feelings that come with an utterly satisfying story! I know it has been years since A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White released but I have a hard time keeping up with books as soon as they launch. This was more than worth the wait. Atypical, three-dimensional characters, compelling plot and robust spiritual arcs make this novel a winner. Roseanna did a fabulous job drawing the characters and setting, right down to accents, vocabulary/idioms, and even pronunciation. An outstanding, brilliant book with profound spiritual truth without being preachy.
I am totally in love. This book clutched my heart from the beginning and hasn’t let go, even though I’ve finished reading it a few hours ago. Ms. White is an amazing writer. I knew that already and she is one of my favorite authors, but she never ceases to amaze me with each new book she writes.
Her writing is absolutely wonderful. The dialogue is convincing and flawless and extremely humorous. The rich European history at the core of the plot’s premise is a fascinating gem under the beauty of the prose. The setting is somewhat familiar and not quite so as Ms. White takes us on a journey through the countryside of Cornwall at the cusp of WWI. The plot itself is unique as a highly skilled thief (and a woman, to boot!) is thrown together with a stuttering reclusive novelist as all of Europe swirls into war.
And the characters! Oh my. They’re so real and tangible. Peter Holstein is a man after my own heart. Such a true gentleman, faithful to God and his fellow human beings, gentle, funny, intelligent, creative, thoughtful, loyal, loving. His outward appearance is not much and, yes, he stutters. But who could not love this man?!?!
And there is Rosie Gresham. An orphan and a thief. Yet there is a tender heart underneath that tough exterior that seeks to love and be loved. She’s as loyal as you can get, extremely creative and bright, able to learn things quickly, compassionate but also practical.
There is a mystery regarding a whole slew of secondary characters. There is plenty of suspense as Rosie tries to unearth Peter’s ancestry. And there is a solid component of faith, salvation, and redemption woven into the story, especially as Rosie gets to know Peter better.
What a delicious book that has all the components – romance, mystery, suspense – wrapped up in terrific writing and unforgettable characters! And the twists and turns in the plot will keep everyone guessing as to what will happen next. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
I borrowed this book out from the local library. I was not required to write a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I was gifted this book last year but life happened and it stayed in my TBR far too long. This definitely deserved to be a Top Reads of 2017! Roseanna White has an incredibly distinctive voice and that makes it is easy to hear the passion for whatever topic she is writing about, whether it is a Word of the Week blog post or a novel about a thief looking to steal a man’s name. Her enthusiasm for the subject matter is contagious.
A Name Unknown pulled me into a world I know nothing about (cannot even fathom what it is like to have to steal in order to survive) and moved my heart to compassion for this band of orphans turned-into-a-family who feel they have no other recourse. Rosemary, a thief and oldest “sibling” is hired by Peter, a recluse, to organize his disheveled and haphazard library in the hopes of finding some extremely important but misplaced documents in order to prove his loyalty to England.
The story takes place over many, many, months which I enjoyed immensely. The characters had time to formulate deep and meaningful relationships. But oh, the questions that beg to be answered! Who exactly is Peter—a German sympathizer or a loyal Englishman? Rosemary cannot figure him out. Their scenes are some of the best Roseanna has written. Then there is the mysterious Mr V. His identity is a humdinger! I loved the entire plot filled with twists and turns and faith and family layers that kept me glued to my seat until the last page turned. I smiled in satisfaction and then realized I have the next book in the series so I can just keep right on going into Willa’s adventure. I am one happy reader! 🙂
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation has been received.
A Name Unknown opens with England poised on the brink of World War I. Roseanna M. White aptly seizes upon the pre-war tension to set up her male protagonist, Peter Holstein. He is the target of anti-German sentiment and suspicion, creating an urgent need for Peter to locate documents which will prove his family’s loyalty to the crown. Unfortunately, the proof he needs is buried somewhere amid stacks of books and documents of his long neglected library. Furthermore, the woman he has employed to aid in the search is not exactly a librarian, but a thief.
White has long been an author I’ve desired to read, and this first book of her new Shadows Over England series left me with a remarkable first impression. Afterall, what book lover wouldn’t fawn over a story in which the main characters consist of an author and a librarian? Looking beyond the dream library, I was bowled over by White’s storytelling. The way Rosemary served unwittingly as Peter’s muse and how his manuscript mirrored their budding relationship made for a delightful story within a story. If I were to compare White’s style with that of her contemporaries, I’d say it’s reminiscent of Sarah Ladd or Elizabeth Camden. They all share a disposition for strong, often strong-willed, female protagonists and leading fellows who are the quintessential gentlemen.
At the outset, Rosemary’s intentions towards Peter were devious—motivated by greed and her brother’s outlandish challenge. However, in time the reclusive and often times scatterbrained author thwarts her resolve through his tender kindness and benevolence. Surprisingly, I found his speech impediment to be an asset rather than a detractor primarily due to the intimacy they forge through the passing of letters. All around, A Name Unknown is a story for fans of the Edwardian period, romantics, and literary enthusiasts.
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**I received this book free as a member of the Litfuse Blogger program. 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.”
A gripping story with humor, A Name Unknown follows a young woman who is part of a family of street urchins (Think a nice version of Charles Dicken’s Fagin gang) who steals to provide for themselves. There is lots of quick wit and unexpected plot twists that keeps you on your toes, while still providing a happy ending and a satisfactory smile on the face of the reader. Highly recommend for people who like classics and historical fiction. It’s a nice twist on both.
There is so much to love about this book (besides the cover, of course) and yet, I didn’t even realize just how much I loved it all until the end.
At the beginning of the book, as I was being let in on Rosemary’s inner thoughts about what “gentleman” Peter Holstein must be like, I couldn’t help but rub my hands together in anticipation of those moments coming where Peter would prove her wrong. Though I knew times were coming during which her assumptions about Peter would prove to be untrue, those situations did not always unfold the way I thought they would. Nor did I foresee just how much there was to Rosemary and how much she would help Peter.
While Peter almost immediately owned a place in my heart as I read, my affection for Rosemary took a little longer in coming. I thought she was interesting, but her high level of prickliness made it a little harder for me to like her to at the beginning. By the time I finished the book though, I was surprised to realize that I could look back on her character even as she was at the beginning of the book with a great deal of affection. She grew on me slowly and unexpectedly and caught me a bit unaware of just how much she had done so at the end. Kind of like her relationship with Peter. Their romance was so subtly grown throughout the book. It’s hard to explain how it was done, but I loved it. It’s probably one of the best books I’ve seen where two strangers meet and their relationship so quietly and realistically segues from strangers to acquaintances to friendship to best friend quality friendship and then on to love. There were not lots of moments of blazing “chemistry” so to speak, but rather a quiet, steady growth and change from dislike to a selfless, sacrificial love that abides and endures. Don’t get me wrong, there was chemistry between the two and there was passion (in a clean, Christian romance sort of way) as they came together later in the book; however that aspect of the relationship wasn’t the focus. It was a simply a bonus to the steadfast love that had slowly built from a small flicker to a great, beautiful, long lasting flame unlikely to be put out.
I loved that their relationship was not built on something physical or even overly emotional that might change from one moment to the next, but rather something steady, something enduring. I loved that you could see their assumptions about situations and people began to change as they listened and learned from one another. And I loved that right there—that they learned from one another and were changed for the better by each other.
There was so much more to this book that I loved even beyond Peter and Rosemary and the development of their relationship. The friendship and love between Peter and Gryff made for a wonderful addition to the story. I loved their banter, their teasing, and their obviously deep affection for each other. Gryff’s family, Peter’s staff, the townspeople, Rosemary’s “family” all made for a rich dynamic in the book and completed the tapestry of the book. I felt the tension and concern surrounding these characters and their struggles as the world prepared to enter war. I loved hearing their hearts as they changed and grew and as they saw truths from God. I saw so many things played out in the story—reminders of what it means to live a life that truly reflects Christ, of where our true identity should come from as Christians, of what it means to love your enemy, to show Christ’s love in the midst of hate, chaos, and the beginnings of war, and what it means to do what God has called you to do no matter what those around you think.
I obviously LOVED the book (I might have said love/loved a few times above), but as mentioned before, I didn’t even know how much I loved it until I reached the end and began to reflect on it all. I must admit that there was a point in the book toward the end where I got a little squirmy, wondering how she was going to wrap everything up satisfactorily when there seemed to be too few pages left to do so. I am NOT a cliffhanger person and I was worried I’d be left hanging. I needn’t have worried. The ending was perfect and left me with a huge smile as well as great anticipation for the next books!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher and have chosen to review it. My opinions are my own.
This is a review of the Audible version.
I loved listening to this amazing story! I loved the secrets. I loved all the characters, even the grumpy ones. I loved the descriptive settings.
The author did such an amazing job of delivering the Christian message. I loved how, through letters, Peter communicated his thoughts and feelings. It was exciting to see Rosemary begin to trust something and someone else other than her street smarts.
The last few chapters we’re thrilling but I won’t say why. That is something you will have to read/listen to for yourself!
The narrator was great! She completely brought the story to life.
A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White is the first installment in her Shadows Over England series. What a beginning! Rosemary Gresham is a thief from the streets of London, hired to determine if wealthy Peter Holstein is loyal to England or Germany. She poses as a librarian to gain access to his home. It’s the start of World War 1 and tension is running high. Ms. White wove a highly entertaining story. I loved the fact that it was set in a huge home library. I would love to spend my days there. I stayed up late to finish the book. Peter was the perfect hero. I loved how he interacted with the other characters. And when he finally convinced Rosemary that God loved her was the perfect ending. I can’t wait to read the next book. I highly recommend anything written by Ms. White.
A fantastic book!
I loved A Name Unknown. Roseanna White has penned another 5 star book. She consistently creates books I cannot put down but hate to see end. Fortunately, the sequel to this one is next up in my queue.
This was my first book by this author and now I am going to go back and read her other series. I loved the story and the characters. This was mystery, intrigue, history, and romance at its best.
This is an incredible historical romance!
I was enthralled by the fact that this book in set in 1914 Edwardian England. This is a period that I have rarely seen novels written about. That means that it drew me into a new era for me. It captivated me.
I love both of the main characters. They are vastly different from each other and they both have very deep secrets that they are concealing. Though they both live in England their worlds are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They are so wonderfully well developed that I was able to connect with both of them from the beginning. I quickly found things about their lives to sympathize with.
The hint of mystery and suspense that flows through the book was well crafted. I was caught up from very early on in trying to figure out who Mr. V was as well as the identity of the person harassing Peter Holstein.
I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a free eBook copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book 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. 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.*
This was an excellent historical novel—the kind that makes you think about things more deeply than you might be inclined to at first.
The characters were believable and the plot completely different from anything I’d previously read. Mr. Holstein’s faith in God and love of others is clearly displayed on the page. My stomach was in knots worrying about what Mr. Holstein would do when he learned of Rosemary’s true purpose for being at his estate.
I highly recommend this novel.
Reading A Name Unknown was a throughly enjoyable experience, the first and the second time. It is a satisfying and filling read, that I would liken it to a hot bowl of hearty chili.
I love many things about this book, but I must begin with the historical piece. White choose to set A Name Unknown in the early 1900s, right as WWI was beginning. As any of my fellow historical fiction readers can attest to, there are a comparatively few number of books set during WWI to those set during WWII, this element of A Name Unknown makes it even more interesting.
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“A Name Unknown” by Roseanna M. White is one of the best historical romances I’ve read in ages! After reading the e-book, I immediately ordered the paperback along with the rest of the series. It’s THAT good!
The romance, mystery, and historical elements were equally strong. The story was well-written and the characters beautifully developed. The main characters were the perfect balance of heroic and relatable, noble and flawed. But what I appreciated and admired most about this novel was how the spiritual theme was woven seamlessly into the story. It was real and impactful without a hint of preachiness. Highly recommend!
Eeeeee!! I absolutely adored this book!! The main characters are amazing and you can’t help but root for them the entire book. You also can’t help but be elated that Rosie has siblings that need stories too. My only fear is that I will think Roseanna needs to write more books for the series.
Rosie is such an amazingly strong and caring character. And Peter is wonderful, wise, and also caring. The added bonus was looking at the history of how things could have been, just before WWII got started.
So excited to read the first book in a new series by Roseanna! And it didn’t disappoint. Not in the slightest. I loved it! Fell in love with the characters from the first page, especially Rosie’s pulled together family of street kids and pickpockets. The story was set at the start of WW1 and, though I don’t usually read many wartime books, I was thoroughly intrigued by this one, feeling like I’d been transported back in time to live it alongside Rosie and Peter. History, intrigue, romance, hidden codes, beautifully flawed characters and the beauty of God’s grace – how much more could you ask for! Loved this book and would highly recommend it.
The pre-World War 1 environment Roseanna White created was both inviting and disheartening as I can imagine it truly was in those days, and the character Peter Holstein was enchanting and inspiring. I can well imagine being in his employ would be a constant flip between exasperating and endearing, even though he goes down as one of my favorite characters out of all the books I’ve recently read.
While I understand that the author slowed much of the action and romance down out of realistic and timeline necessity, I would have preferred the early-to-mid part of the novel cut by about ten percent–but recognize this is a personal preference not shared by my friends who crave every detail. Still, the overall story was excellent and well worth my time. I look forward to reading more about this unique family.
Well. Hello to my new favorite author. It’s been a long time since I could justify staying up ridiculously late to finish a book, but I did it with this one last night. Because at ten o’ clock, I knew that I was not going to sleep until I finished this novel.
Because IT WAS SO GOOD.
Peter Holstein was not a normal hero in this book. He stutters, is a writer, probably has never actually shot a gun, and he hides away in his own little world. But somehow, Roseanna still made me fall in love with him, laugh and cry with him, and cheer him on. What a man of faith who got on his knees multiple times to pray, who huffed and growled and brought a five-year-old girl gifts. Like WOW.
And Rosemary. Goodness, she was a fun character. Snappy and talkative, determined to rob Peter of everything he had. With a disdain for a God who apparently doesn’t listen to her. And she can throw a punch. I loved her character (we would be best friends in real life, to be honest), and her growth — AHHHHH.
The faith element in this book was stunning. Soft and honest, like Roseanna was just writing exactly what God wanted her to say. Which brings me to the part that made me cry at midnight. If you’ve read it, you’ll know what part it is. (Hint: toward the end) That was all Jesus. He was in that part. I could FEEL it.
Favorite line, possibly ever:
“When you in out of the cold and sidle up next to a fire, you don’t feel warm all at once, do you? Your hands thaw, and then your nose. Your toes. It’ll come. In bits and pieces, or in a flood, but it’ll come if you seek it. If you stay there by the fire. And then one day you’ll realize you’re warm all over, and have been for ages.”
AND THE ENDING. OH MY GOSH IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD. (Already in love with Barclay all the way.)
So. Yes. Awesome book. READ IT.
Rosemary Gresham is not your ordinary historical romance heroine having been orphaned at the tender age of 8 years old and now a professional thief. She thinks that her next assignment involving pretending to be a librarian for a wealthy man to acquire information for the job is an easy way to make the most money to help support her large adoptive family. No one would have guessed that Rosemary and her stuttering boss Peter Holstein who are complete opposite would fall in love. This story has a little bit of everything and such colorful characters I loved it.
How to express in words how much I enjoyed this book?
If only I had spontaneous words that are able to cut to the point like Rosemary, or maybe more thoughtful compelling written words like Peter would suffice.
But no. After finishing this book I’m left speechless and fully satisfied. For the characters. For the journey. For the truth neatly woven within these pages. *sigh*
Rosemary Gresham has had to struggle with life in the streets after losing her parents at such a tender age. Circumstances have made her believe she can count only on herself and her small close-knit “family” of orphans to provide for each other. Other than making her wary of rich and snobbish people, the events surrounding her life have closed her mind to believe that she can only be a thief – so the best thief she will be.
Peter Holstein was raised in completely different circumstances filled with material possessions, travels, and devoted parents. His family immigrated from Germany a long time ago and have ever since considered England to be their true home. However, the threats of war have blinded people to believe they can judge where one’s loyalty lays simply based on their last name.
Rosemary’s path crosses with Peter’s when an anonymous benefactor proposes a huge sum of money that will keep her family from worrying for a considerate time if she poses as a librarian and finds proof of where the Holstein’s allegiance is truly put. Rosemary believes this is a pretty straight forward task, even though she has to steal a name and not exactly a material object as she is used to. However, she is about to find out that the challenges she will face are much more than she bargained for.
The historical events were intriguing. The mystery captivating. The romance swoon-worthy. And the friendship shined brighter than all. I thought it was a breath of fresh air how Rosemary and Peter’s courtship was built steadily and at the perfect pace. Peter’s world is about to be turned upside down with a mysterious quirky librarian who brings more noise than he enjoys and is not afraid to face him head-on due to his manners but will also open his eyes and help him find the courage that can be found within him. Rosemary, in turn, will find herself baffled and confused by this generous and compassionate stranger who does not fit the mold she has built for a rich gentleman or even that of a spy acting against his own country. Also, she will be challenged to start questioning by what name does she truly want to be known? And is it truly possible to hold on to the hope and goodness that shines through Peter’s character?
With enough twist and turns to catch me by surprise and a perfect set of secondary characters, this book had me up until crazy hours in the night. The ending had me bursting with joy for the tangible and incandescent love overflowing from the pages. It was a perfect beginning to a series that promises to be special.