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A Name Unknown Shadows Over England Roseanna M White 9780764219269 Books

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A Name Unknown Shadows Over England Roseanna M White 9780764219269 Books

I usually enjoy White’s novels, but was disappointed with this series. (This review was written after reading three books in the series, hoping they would get better).
I applaud her attempt at an interesting storyline, but the “family’s” situation felt too contrived. How do you justify incredibly talented/educated people being so desperately poor they have to make a living on thievery? Anyone who can become a “mastermind” thief is not truly living in the desperate circumstances the author tries to describe. For example, any half-decent person that can sew as well as Rosemary can would be asking to mend people’s clothing instead of stealing. Anyone who can play a violin like Willa can and had a basic set of morals would be playing on the street corners with an open case begging for money. If you can afford to invest funds or goods into another thief job, you are not living the day-to-day survival of the truly desperate. You are choosing a life of theivery. And it’s hard to reconcile that lifestyle choice with the empathetic or moral people the author tries to make them out to be.
After three books about theives who “convert” to a straight life, I’ve yet to be satisfied by their change. Basically, they change because God says don’t steal. But I want to see them feel remorse. I want to see someone try to make amends. I want to see them truly gain an understanding of WHY God says don’t steal. I want to see true conversion by developing empathy for others.
Just not doing it for me.


Tags : A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England) [Roseanna M. White] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>Edwardian Romance and History Gains a Twist of Suspense<BR></b><BR>Rosemary 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,Roseanna M. White,A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England),Bethany House Publishers,076421926X,Christian - Historical,Christian - Romance,Romance - Historical - 20th Century,Christian fiction,Christian fiction.,Great Britain - History - Edward VII, 1901-1910,Historical fiction,Man-woman relationships,Man-woman relationships;Fiction.,Romance fiction,Women spies,Women spies;Fiction.,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,AMERICAN LIGHT ROMANTIC FICTION,Christian - Historical,Christian - Romance,Christian fiction,Christian fiction.,Christian fiction; historical fiction; Edwardian romance; clean read; inspirational; inspy; suspense; London; thieves; loyalty; German; British; spy; World War I; WWI; King George V; novelist; clean romance,Christian fiction;historical fiction;Edwardian romance;clean read;inspirational;inspy;suspense;London;thieves;loyalty;German;British;spy;World War I;WWI;King George V;novelist;clean romance,England,FICTION Christian Historical,FICTION Christian Romance,FICTION Romance Historical 20th Century,Fiction,Fiction-Christian,FictionChristian - Romance - General,FictionRomance - Historical - 20th Century,GENERAL,General Adult,Great Britain - History - Edward VII, 1901-1910,Historical fiction,Man-woman relationships,Man-woman relationships;Fiction.,Monograph Series, any,Romance - Historical - 20th Century,Romance fiction,United States,Women spies,Women spies;Fiction.,FIC042040,FICTION Christian Historical,FICTION Christian Romance,FICTION Romance Historical 20th Century,FictionChristian - Romance - General,FictionRomance - Historical - 20th Century,American Historical Fiction,American Light Romantic Fiction,Fiction

A Name Unknown Shadows Over England Roseanna M White 9780764219269 Books Reviews

This is by far Roseanna M. White’s best book yet. The mystery portion of the plot is well done if slightly fantastical, but given who the characters are, the plot actually suits them quite well, and I defy you figure out who the villain is.

As for the romance, White has turned a classic trope on its head to excellent effect. In this story the introverted character who has to be coaxed out of their shell is the hero, and the heroine is the dashing larger than life figure who takes on the task. It is to White’s credit that this in no way diminishes the attractiveness of the hero. He is perfectly capable of taking care of things when he needs to, it is simply that most of the time he can’t be bothered!

Another element that White handles very well is the journey to conversion. Many Christian authors tell instead of show this character arc. Rosemary’s journey to Christ is one of the most heartfelt and authentic conversions I have seen in fiction.

The only, and minor, criticism I have is that I felt that Rosemary was a little oblivious while doing her research, especially considering how keen her powers of observation and deduction are.

Notable Quotable “Fiction is a way to express mankind’s deepest heart. His fears. His hopes. His failings. His successes. Fiction is truth… in a pretty wrapping.”

This book is a solid good read, not to mention thought provoking. 4 out of 5 stars.
Rosemary Gresham is a well seasoned thief who is hired to find proof that a certain English gentleman, Peter Holstein, is a traitor to the crown and has secret loyalties to Germany. Germany is on the brink of World War I so these accusations are an attempt to prove treason. Peter, on the other hand, is anxious to disprove any connection to Germany and hires Rosemary to find the documents to support his standing as a loyal English citizen. Peter is distracted by his real secret and that is he is a very successful writer of crime novels under an assumed name. More importantly, he is a man of deep faith and care for others that surpasses even his own needs and safety at times. Rosemary has never met anyone like Peter. As she comes to know him better, she, herself, changes as she deals with her own growing faith. This is a book of action, humor, mystery and wonderfully drawn characters with a totally surprising ending. It is an excellent first book in the new “Shadows over London” series. Can’t wait for #2! This book was sent to me by the publisher for my honest evaluation.
I seem to have a knack for selecting review books that are part of a series - but are not book one! Fortunately, my most recent slip-up was discovered before I started reading the review book, and I had the good fortune of finding book one at the library. So, I started reading that one while waiting for the review book to arrive. And I’m very glad I did!

A Name Unknown is the first title in Roseanna M. White’s Shadows Over England series. Set in the early stages of World War I, A Name Unknown introduces readers to a rather unique London “family.” A family of thieves. Though none are related by blood, the dozen siblings care for one another with a love that is fierce, protective, and powerful. All are banded together by the oldest, a young man named Barclay, and all are watched over by a pub owner named Pauly. Together they survive by stealing from the rich to put food in their bellies and clothes on their backs.

Brilliant though their thievery may be, the family barely brings in enough resources to keep the many mouths fed. But, a mysterious stranger has picked up on the unique talents of the eldest members of the family, especially young Rosemary Gresham. He begins to offer her jobs, but the one he hands her now is the biggest - and highest paying - of them all. All she has to do is find proof that Peter Holstein, friend of the king, is a traitor.

The Holsteins, though Germans, had been highly thought of in their corner of Cornwall before their deaths. But, their son Peter is a different story. A recluse who mingles little with the people of the town, Peter struggles both at home and in the London political arena, fighting questions about his loyalty. But, with tensions in Europe on the rise, he is determined to prove once and for all that his heart and his loyalty lie with England. Unfortunately, any proof that may exist lies buried somewhere in the chaotic depths of what may have once been referred to as a library. Every potential employee he has found to help him tame the "cave" has fled in horror upon seeing the nature of the task...until a young woman by the name of Rosemary arrives at his door and agrees to tackle the job. 

Roseanna M. White weaves a captivating story of character, history, intrigue, mystery, and yes, even romance in A Name Unknown. But, as I read, I had a struggle. Because I'd agreed to review it, I knew what the second book would be about. And I knew that getting to the second book meant that some of the events of the first book would most likely end up being either lame, overly contrived, or boringly predictable. I was delighted to find none of those as the story drew to a close. It was well written, captivating, and powerful in every way. It did not take me long to decide to own my own copy instead of just enjoying the library’s, since I’d soon have the second book anyway.

A Name Unknown is unique in its heroes and delightful in its twists. And I definitely recommend it to historical romance loving readers from the teen years on up.
I usually enjoy White’s novels, but was disappointed with this series. (This review was written after reading three books in the series, hoping they would get better).
I applaud her attempt at an interesting storyline, but the “family’s” situation felt too contrived. How do you justify incredibly talented/educated people being so desperately poor they have to make a living on thievery? Anyone who can become a “mastermind” thief is not truly living in the desperate circumstances the author tries to describe. For example, any half-decent person that can sew as well as Rosemary can would be asking to mend people’s clothing instead of stealing. Anyone who can play a violin like Willa can and had a basic set of morals would be playing on the street corners with an open case begging for money. If you can afford to invest funds or goods into another thief job, you are not living the day-to-day survival of the truly desperate. You are choosing a life of theivery. And it’s hard to reconcile that lifestyle choice with the empathetic or moral people the author tries to make them out to be.
After three books about theives who “convert” to a straight life, I’ve yet to be satisfied by their change. Basically, they change because God says don’t steal. But I want to see them feel remorse. I want to see someone try to make amends. I want to see them truly gain an understanding of WHY God says don’t steal. I want to see true conversion by developing empathy for others.
Just not doing it for me.