In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life–a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the … the battlefield.
Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel’s half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel’s diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.
When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.
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Spies, carrier pigeons, and breath-taking European locales during WWI — Kate Breslin brings these to life with exacting research and amazing detail. I’m a historical author and editor myself, and I was in awe of her subject knowledge. Add to that an intrinsic instinct for character motivation and dialogue. And such poignant description I was reminded of my brief stint in France and Spain and could almost imagine I was on a return visit.
Point of view was the one thing that kept me from rating this 5 stars. I’m accustomed to some narrative POV over deep POV in historicals, but this novel had many telling verbs (thought/noted/saw/felt/wondered/hoped/heard, etc.) and meticulous description of actions, some of which could’ve been assumed. While the style did contribute to the setting, it also felt more like a novel written during the time period … which for me, personally, as a modern reader, kept taking me out of the story and prevented me from a full connection with and empathy for the characters. If you enjoy a more traditional style of writing, however, Far Side of the Sea will be just your ticket to the past.
*This is a review of all three of Kate Breslin’s World War 1 novels: Not by Sight, High As the Heavens, and Far Side of the Sea. No spoilers included.*
First of all, the covers are simply lovely and give a good idea of what to expect from these novels. All three stories keep fairly light as they have a strong romantic lean (but are non-explicit), making them good summer reads, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have plenty of moments of intrigue. Kate does a great job with her research, providing so many little details as to make us feel like we’re really part of the war scene. She also includes many lesser known elements of The Great War such as the Women’s Forage Corps in Not by Sight, German-occupied Brussels in High as the Heavens, and the French/English government’s use of carrier pigeons in Far Side of the Sea.
High as the Heavens was probably my favorite of these three as I love seeing a story about a troubled/estranged marriage finding redemption. There are so many novels about how to fall in love, but so very few about how to stay that way, so I really enjoy it when I come across one done well. Not by Sight also had a unique viewpoint in that the main hero, Jack, is struck blind during a mission and as such, it results in a growing romance based entirely on personality rather than physical attraction. And Far Side of the Sea taught me about Barcelona, Spain, an area I haven’t yet read much about in regards to World War I.
These three novels do not need to be read in any particular order; however, characters from Not By Sight are mentioned in Far Side of the Sea, which leads to some spoilers if you haven’t read the first book.
This review was first posted on kelseygietl.com.
Kate Breslin’s books are obviously a product of hours of in-depth research. It is a quality I highly appreciate in books identified as historical fiction. With protagonists who are flawed but determined in their goals, the reader cannot help but cheer them on. Treacherous plotting by the enemy and double agents make the story move at a fast pace, while building a love story that is as powerful as it is tragic. The setting is war-torn France, where love should win out over betrayal, and that is the question that draws the reader to the final chapter.
INTERESTING READ!
“Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”
~ Phaedrus
This quote seems to sum up this book very well. Lt. Colin Mabry is working with M18 after suffering a career ending injury. He receives a message by carrier pigeon that is supposedly from his true love Jewel Rayer. When he travels across the sea, he finds he has been deceived by her half sister, Johanna. and as the story continues he discovers just how far the deception will go. However, is it possible the initial deception may lead them to discover a horrific plot? Will this cause the two of them to continue to distrust each other further or force them to work together for a common cause?
This is a really great Christian Historical Romance set during WWI. The characters are complex but believable, the descriptions of the settings during wartime make you feel as though you are on site with them and the plot is intense and will keep your attention from the first page to the last!
Far Side of the Sea, set during the Great War, is an intriguing tale of two people whose lives have been severely impacted by the strife around them. Lieutenant Colin Mabry bears the physical and emotional scars of war. Johanna Reyer, struggling to find a connection to her family has lived with the wounds of other’s choices. Neither of them seeks a connection with each other but serendipitous circumstances might change everything. In her books, Breslin so adeptly passes on fascinating tidbits of history as she weaves stories that captivate.
I love a good story and wow, is this a good story! This one had all the ingredients needed to keep me turning pages as quickly as I could:
A World War 1 setting; espionage; intrigue, faith, and romance. This book kept me guessing as to who was really a bad guy, a good guy, and who was a double agent. Kate Breslin did a wonderful job of working all her research into this story to add extra layers of interest. I did not realize that the Allies had used messenger pigeons this extensively in the war and the messages they carried added a somewhat fascinating and romantic touch to the storyline.
Colin and Johanna may be my best-loved fictional couple of all the books I’ve read this year. Both are flawed, heroic, and loyal. Colin was gravely wounded during the war, and is trying to find his place again in English society and the wartime effort. He loves his family and sincerely wants to serve his country. Johanna is a refugee in France and is desperately trying to find her father and sister. She’s lived a life of loneliness and struggle. After finding her sister’s diary, she realizes that Colin is her best hope in locating them. A message by carrier pigeon brings them together and changes the course of both of their lives. As events move swiftly around them, they each must decide to depend on their faith to help them discover the truth. But Johanna has one more secret to reveal to Colin, and it may drive them completely apart.
If you like Christian historical fiction, you’ll like this one. I had not read the first book in this series, but this story was easily read on its own. I’m hoping there’s another book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Relegated to a desk job after losing his hand, Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages sent by carrier pigeon. Strangely enough, one of the messages appears to be for him, a call for help to save Jewel Reyer, a young Frenchwoman who nursed him to health on the front and almost became his sweetheart. Determined to find Jewel, Colin heads to France where he meets up with Jewel’s half-sister Johanna. Impulsive, endearing, and always late to an appointment, Johanna wants nothing more than to be reunited with her father and half-sister. Together, Colin and Johanna assume the identity of a married couple and travel from Paris to Toulouse to Barcelona, trying to free Jewel from the clutches of a German agent before it is too late, and discovering that their own hearts are now entwined in a way that will make separation unbearable.
This World War I love story had beautiful character development. Colin, damaged by the war, suffers horrific nightmares, terror of explosions, and a fear that no woman will love him on account of his mutilated body. His daily struggle to dress and feed himself with only one hand is poignantly displayed along with his bristling embarrassment over his condition. Johanna, haunted by the violence and abandonment of her past in Ireland, accepts Colin as he is with a loving and generous heart. Feeling guilt over her own attachment (as it is just possible that Colin may belong to her sister Jewel), she risks everything to maintain honesty with Colin, knowing that he may reject her when he learns the truth about her past.
The use of carrier pigeons was an important plot point in the book. Even in a time of telephones and telegraphs, these swift feathered friends proved great allies to the Allied cause. The Christian elements in this book felt slightly forced when Colin originally speaks to Johanna about God, but by the end, the message of faith was woven seamlessly into the story. This book is a clean and captivating romance that will appeal to lovers of World War I fiction.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Absolutely fascinating historical romance suspense from one of the best, Kate Breslin.
MI8 Agent Colin Mabry receives a message by carrier pigeon from a woman he believes is dead. Traveling to France Colin follows up on the message in hopes that Jewel Reyer might yet be alive. When Colin discovers the message came from her half sister Johanna, a dovecote for French Intelligence.
Together the two, neither trusting the other, travel across France and Spain searching for Jewel. As trust begins to develop they find themselves in the middle of a traitorous plot, they must use trust in each other and all their skills to survive.
Far Side of the Sea is a riveting novel and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own.
Kate Breslin became one of my favorite authors when I first read For Such A Time—her historical fiction is beautiful, heartfelt, and wonderful!
This lovely book is no exception, and there are so many things I enjoyed about it—flawed hero (one of my fave things ever! ), a heartrending mystery, and an impossible choice.
While I usually prefer WWII fiction, I thought this was a wonderful book, and I really enjoyed reading more about a time period I don’t usually visit! I also really enjoyed traveling along with the characters to several incredibly beautiful cities, and imagining them through their eyes!
However, there is just one part of this story that disappointed me….
At one point, one of the characters is witnessing to another, and they say, God doesn’t get angry….which doesn’t exactly line up with what the Scriptures say…
“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Ps. 7:11
“…ye provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry with you to have destroyed you.” Deut. 9:8
“And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him…” Deut. 9:20
“And the Lord was angry with Solomon…” 1 Kings 11:9
“Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight…” 2 Kings 17:18
Because of that one point in this wonderful story, I will have to take my rating down from what it would otherwise deserve.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher for FREE, and a positive review was not required.
This is the second book in the series and the second book I’ve read by Kate Breslin and I loved it as much as the first one. In the first book, Grace Mabry worked on a farm that supplied the soldiers with food to help with the war effort. She hoped it would, in a way, help her brother who was serving in the military. In this book, we get to hear about her brother, Colin Mabry.
Colin is now on a desk job due to injuries that keeps him from serving at the Front. He is translating messages sent via carrier pigeon. When decoding one message, he discovers it’s a message for him from the woman that found him and cared for his wounds, hiding him from the Germans. She wants to meet with him like he promised before he left to return to his unit.
When Colin gets to the rendezvous point, he finds that the woman who shows up there, late, is not the woman he agreed to meet. It turns out to be her half-sister, Johanna Reyer. She informs him that her sister, Jewel, is in trouble and Johanna wants Colin to help find her sister and rescue her from the German officer that took her.
Well, thus begins an adventure involving friends, family, and frenzied days of danger and intrigue for the two. As they search for Jewel, Colin and Johanna become close and both begin to feel guilty, because Colin is supposed to be Jewels’ not Johanna’s. Will the guilt make Colin ask Jewel to marry him, or will the two admit their attraction for each other and get on with their lives together after finding Jewel?
This was a suspenseful, fast paced, romance you don’t want to miss. If you enjoy this kind of historical romance, then get a copy and read it. What are you waiting for? Go get one. Enjoy!
I received a review copy of this book from Kate Breslin and Bethany House Publishers; all opinions in my review are my own.
Allow me to preface this by saying that if you enjoy historical fiction and have not read any of Kate Breslin’s books, you are truly missing out. Her stories shine in this genre for their factual historical accuracy and their heart. The redemptive thread woven throughout each novel whispers hope and encouragement to the reader. Not only will you learn something along the way, but you’ll also connect with her characters on an emotional and perhaps spiritual level. That is the mark of exceptional historical fiction. Achieving that delicate balance of plot, history, and character requires skill, and Breslin always executes it brilliantly.
“Far Side of the Sea” exceeds all of Breslin’s previous books for its excitement and complexities. Although it can serve as a standalone, readers will benefit from reading “Not By Sight” first, as “Far Side of the Sea” is a sequel of sorts and will spoil who ends up with whom. Picking up “Far Side of the Sea” is like stepping into 1918 England in the midst of World War I. The story takes place apart from the actual conflict, yet the battle exists as a haunting echo throughout the narrative. War hero Colin Mabry answers the beckoning of Jewel, the girl he left behind a year ago, only to find that the woman who contacted him is her sister, Johanna, who believes that Jewel is being held against her will by a German agent. In spite of his suspicions, he heeds the call of his conscience, and in so doing falls down the rabbit hole of espionage and tenuous alliances on a cross-country mission.
Aside from having read “Not By Sight” when it released, I went into “Far Side of the Sea” knowing only that it was Colin’s story. I purposely did not read the summary beforehand because I did not want to ruin any surprises. And were there ever surprises! You know that the author is doing a fantastic job with her characters when you do not know whom to trust and when they continually turn your perceptions upside down. The plot is impressively intricate, with layer upon layer of intrigue right up to the last. Yet within all of the espionage is a tender love story and a budding faith, heartwarming moments amidst the realities of war. Also, some thought-provoking historical tidbits pepper the narrative. It never occurred to me that carrier pigeons only fly one way, and I did not know that a facsimile of Paris was constructed to divert German Gotha bombers. Colin’s struggle with the aftereffects of shell shock, now known as PTSD, and the role that this plays in the story is both heartwrenching and captivating and is handled gracefully. Much of what makes “Far Side of the Sea” so compelling is that it opens the door to the world a century ago and shows us that it is not so very removed from our world today. We still grapple with our own personal fears, but when we find and strengthen our faith in the One who made us and loves us, we realize that nothing can separate us from Him, not even if we find ourselves on the far side of the sea.
There is no lack of Christian historical fiction featuring World War 1 but very few authors seem to have written stories about the First World War. Kate Breslin is one of those authors and she offers some wonderfully researched tales that are quite informative as well as suspenseful and romantic. I thoroughly enjoyed Far Side of the Sea which gave me more insight into behind-the-scenes of the war, especially the use of carrier pigeons and spies.
I particularly liked the two main characters Colin and Johanna who despite their instinctive distrust of each other grew to depend on each other as well. Their search for Johanna’s sister Jewel led them on a dangerous chase across Europe that could easily end in disaster at any moment. Ample plot twists and surprises had me holding my breath at pivotal points. I also appreciated the author’s emphasis on faith that helped see them through their dangerous venture.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
What an enjoyable book about WWI France and Britain! I enjoyed learning about the role of carrier pigeons. I always wondered how they were trained. Colin must travel to France to see if a message he received is from a woman who saved his life Jewel Reyer. He finds out it is Jewel’s half sister Johanna. They embark on a journey searching for Jewel through occupied France. Overcoming obstacles along the way. It kept me wanting to read and find moments to do so during a busy time in life. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher. All opinions stated here are my own.
Kate Breslin’s books are always a such a delight. Her writing is gorgeous, and she always has you feeling as if you’re right in the middle of the story. Set during the Great War, with plenty of intrigue and action, you won’t want to set this down till you’ve turned the last page.
Lieutenant Colin Mabry has sacrificed many things over the course of the war. His body, his relationships and, not least of all, his sense of self-worth. Johanna Reyer’s life was never easy, even before the war began. As she searches for a father she’s only met once and a sister she never knew about, she hopes for a brighter future with her family. As they enter a world of spies and secrecy both realize they’ll leave this search very different from how they began it.
This book was full of tuns and plot twists. Just as I would figure one out, another would be thrown into the path and off I went, eagerly anticipating this new surprise. I spent a few late nights reading because I needed to know what happened next.
One of the most interesting elements of this story was the use of carrier pigeons. I knew that they were used in the war, but I never realized the extent of that use. Breslin’s research really shines through and left me hungry for more information on the subject. I was also fascinated with the spy craft. I’ve always been a sucker for a good spy story, and this delivered on that front. I found myself humming James Bond theme songs when I was forced to put the book down.I can easily see this being one of my top reads of the year and cannot recommend it enough.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.
Far Side of the Sea is a difficult book to categorize. Is it a sweet Christian romance? Yes. Is it a good spy novel? Yes. Is it interesting historical fiction? Yes. This well-written story easily fits in any of these genres. I loved it. My book club has chosen it for their next read, and I know they will love it, too. (And I’m excited that I have an excuse to read it again so soon).
In the sweet Christian romance department, Colin Mabry is a man of honor, wounded during WW1 in body and in spirit—a hero in search of a fresh dose of courage. Johanna Reyer is a feisty young woman searching for what remains of her family during WW1—and also seeking to rise above the shame and secrets of her past. Together they must learn who they can truly trust.
I must confess, I don’t read many spy novels but I enjoyed this story, full of adventure and intrigue. It reminded me of the movie Charade (starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn) in that I was constantly trying to figure out which characters could be trusted, and surprised when each one’s true “character” was revealed.
As for the historical fiction genre, I learned much about how carrier pigeons were used during The Great War, along with many other interesting tidbits of the history of that era. I consider it a mark of a good book when I want to pause reading to search out more of the facts alluded to in a historical fiction novel. However, this story was too engrossing to take many of those pauses until I had finished reading.
There is not much I didn’t like about this book except a particular euphemism that I felt was overused. I enjoyed the Downton Abbey-esque descriptions of the ladies’ fashion choices. I adore hats and the stunning cover art had me at hello. And that ending…all I can say is: goosebumps.
I’m really grateful to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book. A positive review was not required. If you want my honest opinion, then I recommend you read this book. It’s good!
I recently read “Far Side of the Sea”, Kate Breslin’s latest addictive, impossible-to-put-down work of historical fiction. It’s the spring of 1918, and British soldier Lieutenant Colin Mabry (who faithful readers of Breslin’s work will recognize from “Not by Sight”) has just received an urgent message via carrier pigeon. The message is from Jewel Reyer, a woman who had once saved his life. Although they had been in love, he made the difficult choice to leave her behind in France, and now believed her to be dead. He immediately gets permission from MI8 to travel to France to find her, only to discover that the message was not from Jewel, but from her half-sister, Johanna. Johanna works for French Army Intelligence, and is convinced that her sister is alive and in the company of a German officer. Jewel’s diary is the only link Johanna has to her sister, and needs Colin’s help to find her.
From the very start, you are pulled into the story and immediately become attached to the characters. Colin Mabry, who was wounded in battle, is trying to overcome what we now call PTSD and survivor’s guilt, and we sympathize with his struggles and his desire to make amends to Jewel and her family for leaving her behind. Johanna is a bright spot in this story—she’s so adventurous and brave and I want to be just like her when I grow up. Everyone’s motives and agendas are questioned, and you never quite know who to trust, which is what makes this book impossible to put down. Is Jewel still alive? Is she held against her will, or did she go with the German agent freely? Does she still love Colin? As his relationship with Johanna grows, Colin wonders if the love he felt for Jewel was long-lasting, or just a result of their circumstances.
I came across Kate Breslin’s work through her book “For Such a Time”, and it is still one of my top 10 favorite books ever, and “Far Side of the Sea” has just made it into that list, as well. I love all the plot twists and turns; you have no idea how this is going to turn out until the very last page. I love how she weaves into her stories messages of faith and God’s ever-constant love for all of us. I also always learn something interesting in her books—here, Johanna teaches Colin (and the rest of us) about the dovecote and the pigeons that were used to carry messages during the war. Those little nuggets of information make the setting more authentic and always make me want to pick up a history book and do some research of my own. You know you’re reading a good book when 1) You’re exhausted but you can’t go to bed until you find out what happened, and 2) You have a terrible book-hangover afterwards. I have wandered aimlessly through bookstores trying to figure out what to read next, when what I really want is more of Colin and Johanna. Maybe I’ll just read it again. I encourage you to pick it up and read it. You won’t be disappointed.
Sit down and read with a nice cup of oolong.
Kate Breslin captures the turmoil of emotions in her characters, which brings them not only to life on the page, but endears them to your heart. Our hero, Colin, suffered tremendous loss and returns home only wishing for peace and quiet. Dear reader, that is not what he is going to get! Ms. Breslin always weaves the setting, history of the time period, and wonderful characters into an entertaining, and informative novel.
This is an incredible historical romance!
I absolutely loved both of the main characters. They each have wounds from their pasts that they are trying to learn to move past. I found that the exploration into how Colin has been affected emotionally by the physical wound from his time at the front during WWI was excellent. This is something that I knew on a surface level had to be the case. I had never really dug deep to try to understand what it was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Colin was trusting God in the midst of his own struggles. He was able to speak encouragement when talking with Johanna to try and point her to God which is what we all need to be doing for those around us.
I learned a lot about WWI reading this book. I found the information about the carrier pigeons to be fascinating. I was especially happy to read the Author’s Note at the back and find out that everything that was new to me was based on actual research that she did before writing this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
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.*
Far Side of the Sea
Wow!! Talk about a captivating thriller!! This book had me on edge not wanting to put it down for just ” one more paragragh!!”
Colin feels little self confidence with the wounds he received during the war, inside and out. And it will take a strong woman to see him grow back into the man he once was. Of course he will be fooled more than once on the journey, but we are with him every step of the way. From getting through his memories to finding truth in the world around him, his journey is never stagnant, and his fellow travellers see to that!. This is a Can’t Put Down book by Kate Breslin. She writes Christian Historical Novels surrounding war time that will have you turning pages, and wanting to see her other work once you are done. She’s a brilliant story writer. I love to read a good book that I can’t put down. This is one of those! If you haven’t read For Such A Time, I suggest you put it at the top of your list, along with Not By Sight and High As The Heavens. These four are masterpieces!!
Far Side of the Sea is another winner by Kate Breslin. I have no doubt it will be among my top favorites I have read in 2019. I love how she vividly describes the setting and era. I felt like I was transported back to World War I. I loved Colin and Johanna. I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story.
Far Side of the Sea gets a well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.