Zivon Marin was one of Russia’s top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.
Lily Blackwell sees the world best through … through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father’s connections in propaganda, she’s recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.
After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they’re unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon’s loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple’s future dreams–it becomes a matter of ending the war.
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This is a very satisfying conclusion to The Codebreakers series, including appearances in small roles by the previous books’ main characters. That is an aspect in a series that I really enjoy. Zivon Marin escaped from Russia during the revolution, offering his services as a crack cryptographer to England. Lily Blackwell is a talented photographer who helps the war cause by doctoring photos for the navy. There is plenty of intrigue and action along with several love stories and some heartache. Since the book takes place in 1918, we also get a glimpse of the impact the Spanish Flu had on London. Besides his other problems, Zivon struggled with forgiveness and trust in God. It was interesting to see his growth in faith. Lily was a worthy heroine with many admirable qualities. I thoroughly enjoyed both the Shadows Over England and The Codebreakers series and am rather sad to see them end. I highly recommend them.
This series is so good! I love historical fiction and these stories have a fresh take on lives in intelligence during war. This one was a bit different as it dealt with pictures instead of codes but happened in the same building as the other books so previous characters were still around and involved in this story too. I think these books can stand on their own but I would highly recommend reading them in order. They are all so good.
I loved Zivon. LOVED him. The way he thought things through and tried so hard to be a good person. He had depth and loyalty. Lily was pretty great as well and I loved how her talents for photos were used in this story. I never really gave thought to how photo editing was done back then or even that it was a thing that could be done. I learned something new while being entertained.
This story started off slow for me. It took me a bit of time to become invested in it but it did happen. The story has a slow build to it and by the end of the book I was completely hooked- feeling the emotions and invested in the outcome. This is probably one of my favorite historical fictions series and definitely my favorite this year.
Content: mild peril, death, mild violence, kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The third and final book in Roseanna’s Codebreakers series was amazing. Fantastic. Superb. I absolutely loved it! I also feel like a good book is one that makes you feel. You feel invested in the characters plight. You feel like you are there with them. And that is just what Roseanna does agiain and again.
The amount of research Roseanna puts into her stories are so obvious. Everything is perfect, down to the last detail.
Lily Blackwell is a photographer and volunteer nurse, determined to do all she can for the war effort. Then there’s Zivon Marin. He was a puzzle. There was so much to learn about him, I absolutely loved his character! Lily’s light hearted attitude was the perfect balance to his quiet nature. The sweet romance between them was the perfect offset to such a suspenseful story!
I always love how Roseanna connects her books, brings back the characters for you to see again and again. It makes it all feel like one big family!
I laughed. I cried. I chewed my fingernails in suspense! Once again Roseanna wove a beautiful story that will leave readers delighted and wishing it didn’t have to end.
*I received this book from the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
The last book in an amazing series is always such a bittersweet read. I have truly enjoyed this series and I refuse to say goodbye to these characters, but “See you soon” as I reread this series again. It’s that good.
Book 3 follows Lily Blackwell a photographer that we caught a brief glimpse of in Wings of Devotion. As soon as I met her in book 2, I was hoping for her story. I really enjoyed the journey getting to know her and Zivan.
One thing I loved, Zivan and I were both using the same verse for comfort. It was perfectly timed by God, and delivered by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of Portrait of Loyalty from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
A Portrait of Loyalty #3 The Codebreakers by Roseanna M. White
England 1918. The story of Lily Blackwell and Zivon Marin is an amazing story filled with suspense and danger, secrets, war, grief and joy, intrigue, guilt, seeking revenge, love and romance, forgiveness and faith. The secretive Room 40 plays an important part in the characters lives and the war. It is interesting how this one room impacts every aspect of the war and the lives of those who work there.
The way Lily views the world around her is seen through her photographer’s eye and how she perceives what she is looking at. I like how this impacts Zivon and how he in turn starts to look at his surroundings. In the same respect, the way Zivon sees his surroundings is a bit different in that he sees patterns and often knows what is coming next. Both are very interesting ways of perceiving our surroundings. There is so much to Zivon than what is seen on the surface. His past has shaped him and now the present shapes him in different ways. I like how he grows, especially his spiritual growth as he allows God into every part of his life. And I love how his relationship with Lily grows.
Something happens in chapter twenty-three that I was not expecting that brought tears. Oh my, how sad. One of my favorites of the story is the last two paragraphs on page 297: “Something I am realizing anew is that this life isn’t ours to begin with. . . It is always His—His gift to us. . . If we really believe what we say we do, then we ought to know this life on earth isn’t the goal”. Yes, something we all need to remember.
I enjoy seeing characters from previous books briefly interact with the characters of this book. One of the many reasons I enjoy reading Christian historical fiction is that I always learn something new regarding our history. In A Portrait of Loyalty: that the revolution in Russia took place during WWI, which I had not realized or had forgotten. I always enjoy the author’s notes regarding historical facts that she weaves into the fictional story-line with detailed descriptions.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
Another great book by Roseanna M. White! A Portrait of Loyalty is the third and last book in The Codebreakers series. You definitely don’t want to miss it if you love inspirational historical romance that is filled with love, war, inspiration and history.
Zivon Martin was one of Russia’s cryptographers, but had to flee from Russia to England when his life was in danger during the revolution, but in the process he and his brother were separated and anger is driving him to find out what happened to him.
Lily Blackwell sees the world through the lens of a camera so her perspective is different than many others during this difficult time and even though their friendship is blooming into something more they both are keeping secrets from one anther because they are unsure if they can trust each other.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
The Codebreakers is an outstanding series and this book is the perfect way to wrap it up! A Portrait of Loyalty has everything that I love in a book: a fictional story based on historical facts, two incredible characters who finally get their own chance to shine, lots of intrigue and suspense, and an extremely strong faith element. . Lily BLackwell is a photographer and Zivon Marin is a cryptographer who begin as friends but working together in the war effort shows them that they share so much more and even when rumors about the Russian Zivon’s character run rampant, Lily remains steadfast and faithful. Who wouldn’t wish that they could find happiness…together?
This story is set in London in 1918, during the time of World War I and the Spanish Flu, and author Roseanna M. White has given me a new appreciation of these historical occurrences. I’ve gained a whole new knowledge of the spies and the cryptographers who influenced the outcome of World War 1 and I’ve been reminded just how similar the Spanish Flu and the current Corona Virus pandemic really are!
A Portrait of Loyalty is a remarkable story of trust, loyalty, and forgiveness during the worst of times and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. A favorable review was not required and no monetary compensation was given. These are my own thoughts.
This is a lovely conclusion to the Codebreakers series! After having been with these characters for 9 books(3 series!) I am sad to say goodbye but this finale was just about perfect. It has been exciting following these characters through World War 1 and their contributions to the war effort. Lillian and Zion were fun to meet and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. Lillian’s photography skills were such a cool element and it was neat to see how a skill like that could have been used back then. This was a fun read, that’s for certain. If you like historical fiction, don’t miss Roseanna’s stories. They will not disappoint!
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
As a reader, I desire to learn, to grow, to be challenged, to be comforted, to be entertained, and to be inspired. A Portrait of Loyalty is a book that easily fulfills each of those desires leaving me in awe of how much the author, Roseanna M. White is able to accomplish with mere words on paper. A Portrait of Loyalty, the final book in The Codebreakers series, is a truly thrilling and utterly enjoyable historical fiction novel. This well-researched story is certainly compelling and exceptionally well-written. Brimming with history, romance, danger, and intrigue, this book is interesting, thoughtful, and genuinely moving.
With great skill and remarkable thoughtfulness, Ms. White has written a novel that shines with excellent pacing and captivating details. Offering a fresh perspective and relevance to historical events that happened in England, Europe, and Russia during WWI, this story is rich in characterization and unforgettable plot points. Themes of perseverance, forgiveness, faith, and hope add depth and meaning to a story that is wholly inspiring and emotionally-stirring.
Ms. White has undoubtedly secured a place as one of my favorite authors. Her splendid talent for storytelling thrills me again and again. Thought-provoking, encouraging, and memorable, A Portrait of Loyalty is a very special novel and a superb conclusion to a stunning series. I eagerly recommend it to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
A Portrait of Loyalty continues Roseanna M White’s The Codebreakers series. This third installment from the series is probably my favorite of the three. Even though this is part of a series, I think it is safe that it can be read as a stand alone. I loved every single page of this story from start to finish. It has a lot I love reading in a story. Which includes: history, mystery, suspense, adventure, faith and teaching some very important lessons. It was so very good.
I am giving The Portrait of Loyalty a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this one, as well as, the rest of The Codebreakers series, for readers who enjoy a clean and inspirational historical fiction.
I received The Portrait of Loyalty from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Captivating book! Had trouble putting it down because the story had so many great hooks. You ever know from one page to the next if you will cry, laugh, find anguish or hope. Highly recommend all her books.
The Codebreaker series has been one of faith, family, and love in the midst of war, ugliness, and in this one disease. Lily Blackwell is a photographer, and a really good one. So much so that she is needed in the war effort. However, her mother sees things differently. I did like the closeness that this military family showed- Lily’s mother, father, and sister Ivy.
Zivon is also a family man. He has lost his parents and he is desperately looking for his younger brother and whether he is alive or dead. He is from Russia and is a great asset for the codebreakers. I enjoyed the different ways he and Lily looked at life and situations and how that complemented both of them and made for a great match. The author gives us great visual cues in the describing of their demeanors and even the way they moved.
Author White gives us a bit of the views of Russia and what was happening as this war dragged on and some wanted changes. They no longer wanted their nobility, but the way they went about the change was very ugly. In many ways mirroring our own current culture.
Not only was the war going on, but the Spanish influenza had come and was affecting the entire world. Sometimes it seems so much has changed and yet 100 years later, like nothing has changed.
This was a bit of a heart wrenching novel and I would suggest having tissues nearby.
I received a copy of this novel from publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I have read most of Roseanne White’s books, and I think this may just be my favorite one yet. I did not want to put this book down and I loved every page. After meeting Lily (several times) and Zivon (oh so briefly) in previous books, I loved getting to finally learn their stories. And THIS story. This will definitely be a re-read for me and I’m sad to say goodbye to this cast of characters. I am, however, excited to see what stories Roseanna has in store for us next!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Excellent conclusion to the Codebreakers series! White knows how to weave an authentic tale that leaves you in awe of history that isn’t well known. Her stories are full of adventure, suspense and romance. Portrait of Loyalty is very well written!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Zivon Marin was one of Russia’s top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.
Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father’s connections in propaganda, she’s recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.
After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they’re unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon’s loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple’s future dreams–it becomes a matter of ending the war.
This is the third book in this series. It’s not necessary to read the first two books in the series. But it would be helpful to read them to know the characters that are in book three.
This book centers around codebreakers during WWI and the retouching of photographs. Besides the story line of the book I found that aspect to be quite interesting. The flu epidemic was also brought into the story.
The book started out a little slow but got more interesting as it went along. I would recommend this book.
I received this book from Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
I have read all of White’s Code Breaker series. I must say she certainly does her research well about WW1 and the intelligence network used during this time. She is a great writer and is not afraid to bring Christian faith into her writings. As all of White’s books, this was a beautifully crafted story with unforgettable characters and a fast moving plot. There is a depth to this one that you can get lost in as you keep reading on. I was given an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley and I am glad to give my review.
How could I not give this book 5 stars. It is beyond excellent.
With all the polish of a John Le Carre novel, Roseanna White concludes her Codebreakers series.
Although this story depicts a different era, it reminded me of Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy. From the nesting Russian dolls to the altering of photographs, this story is full of interesting references to the spy game.
Characters patterned after real people are fascinating and Ms. White crafts them well. Zivon Marin had to flee Russia and now seeks to help his homeland by being of service to British Intelligence. Lilly Blackwell, whose father works for the government, is a photographic expert for the war effort.
I love learning from history and this story proves that old ideas are new again. The old Bolshevik agenda seems to be rearing its ugly head today. But one character says: Quote: I just find it sad that so many people think they can find true happiness by taking. They cannot. We can only ever find it by giving.
Ms. White does a great job of showing us how Lily views the world through a photography artist’s eyes. As her mama says: Quote: The camera cannot capture what you do not first see. You always see the beauty. And you have taught me to find it too. God is there. His promises have not changed just because my circumstances have. He is still good.
This story is rich in human emotion. Zivon struggles with how to forgive and how to be still and wait on God. Lily wants to be a loyal subject but also seeks to please her mother. The manipulations of war and the heartache of the Spanish Flu become real in this book. Ms. White takes the events of 1918 and personalizes them through her very relatable characters.
I am sorry to bud farewell to the Codebreakers but I am oh so glad I met them in these pages.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White is a clean Christian romance novel set during World War I.
After Russia falls to revolution, Russia’s top cryptographer, Zivon Marin, moves to London to work with the British cryptographers. In the same building, the beautiful Lilly Blackwell secretly works for the government as a professional photographer and early photoshopper.
I really enjoyed this novel. Roseanna White has a talent for creating interesting characters with unique characters, and this novel was no exception. I really enjoyed getting to know Lilly and Zivon and watching their romance play out.
I also liked what happened with the villains. But I won’t spoil anything for you, so I won’t say more.
I found it interesting, considering that this was published in Autumn 2020, that the author included a flu pandemic that swept through London. Everyone was wearing masks in the hospitals, it spread quickly, and no one knew who might catch it next. Sound familiar?
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the next book by this lovely author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley … and I bought it as an audiobook (the narrator did an exceptional job with the accents!). All opinions are entirely my own.
What a phenomenal conclusion to the Codebreaker series! I have loved each of these books so much, and I daresay that the hero of A Portrait of Loyalty might just be my favorite. All the characters really are so marvelous though. This author has such a way at weaving historical details into an immensely enriching story with excellent plot and strong characters. I loved this novel, and it was fascinating to get more of a glimpse into the unrest that was occurring within Russia at the time of WWI. I loved getting to see both Zivon’s and Lily’s roles as part of the Codebreakers – Lily’s skills at photography and aiding in the alteration of photos was so interesting.”A Portrait of Loyalty” held a bit of a plot twist that I wasn’t expecting, but it happened so smoothly, and while it had me rather teary-eyed, it did have purpose in the story.Also can’t neglect to mention how impressive it is that the characters who we are not rooting for got their own POV sections so we were able to really get to know them and see why they believed what they did. Just exceptionally handled, the whole thing.Truly, I loved this book and found it excellent and moving! Brilliantly beautiful, and I highly recommend this entire series!!
I received a copy of this book from the publishers as apart of the launch team. I was not required to write a positive review.
With A Portrait of Loyalty, Roseanna M. White concludes her spectacular series The Codebreakers, and what a stunning conclusion it is! Steeped in history and populated with diverse, realistic, and endearing characters, this book has a little of everything—intrigue, suspense, inspiration and faith elements, and just the right dose of romance. With her careful historical research and richly painted settings, White realistically captures the WWI war zone in London in 1918.
Lily Blackwell is a wonderful heroine—courageous, talented, and dedicated, and Zivon Marin’s tragic background, his honor and faith, make him an intriguing hero. I was impressed by his ability to follow spiritual promptings to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Powerful themes of forgiveness, family, and faith are seamlessly woven through the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing characters from White’s previous books show up in this one. Although it’s part of a series, this book can easily stand on its own. Roseanna White is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and this whole series is bound for my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own.