Review: Whisper on the Wind

Whisper on the Wind (The Great War series -Book 1) by Maureen Lang

(For review from Tyndale)

Synopsis:

In Brussels at the height of World War I, a small, underground newspaper is the only thing offering the occupied city hope - and real news of the war. The paper may be a small whisper among the shouts of the German Army, but Edward Kirkland will do anything to keep it in print. Meanwhile, Isa Lassone, a Belgian-American socialite whose parents whisked her to safety at the start of the war, sneaks back into the country to rescue those dearest to her: Edward and his mother. But, Edward refuses to go, and soon Isa is drawn into his secret life printing the newspaper... and into his heart.

Thoughts:

Maureen Lang has a knack for creating characters that the reader becomes invested in. The characters in Whisper on the Wind, the first book in her new Great War series are just such characters. Lang creates a very emotional atmosphere where the characters must decide what they believe and how much they are willing to sacrifice for a country they have come to love.

Isa Lassone is an American socialite raised in pre-war Belgium. She has been pampered and privileged all her life, but also felt neglected by her wealthy parents. She became close to woman and her son and learns about faith in God and what it means to love someone unconditionally. When her parents take her back to America at the start of the war but, she is completely torn between seeking her own safety and returning to Belgium to rescue Ginny and Edward Kirkland. Isa sneaks back in Belgium but finds that Edward, the man she has always loved refuses to leave. Isa must decide what to do in the face of this new challenge, will she leave or join Edward in his mission to provide news and hope to occupied Belgium through his underground newspaper. Isa is a strong character that doesn't let her privileged status keep her from doing what she feels in right. I loved her character and found myself experiencing her emotions as I read her story.

Edward is a character that reminds me of someone who really understands where he fits into the scheme of things. Though he knows he is just one man in a sea of German officers he risks his life to change his world. What one person does with their faith has ripples throughout their lives and those of many others. Because he felt so strongly that he was doing what he could for the people of Belgium he refuses to leave with Isa. He has to stay and keep the newspaper running as long as he possibly can. When the army begins to close in on him he realizes that he may have sacrificed more than he intended to, since Isa decides to stay with him and will not leave Belgium a second time. He feels his heart begin to warm to her in spite of the dangers all around them. I think it's amazing how love will flourish even the worst of times.

This is a very emotional read. The reader will be faced with a deep sadness and the startling reality of what it must have been like during this time in history. Lang is able to project the fear and the desolation as the German Army is sweeping Europe and destroying everything in it's path. But, there is also a very pronounced atmosphere of hope. Even though the country is ravaged by war, love still prevails. We see it in the love of Isa and Edward and in Ginny's love of God. I really enjoyed the book even though I not exactly thrilled by war stories. This one was different in the fact that it gave the reader a real sense of hope and love even in the worst of times. I found that very encouraging. I look forward to the next volume in this series.

Whisper on the Wind is available NOW from Tyndale at your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Here is some additional information about author, Maureen Lang. (courtesy of Faithful Reader)

Maureen Lang has always had a passion for writing. She wrote her first novel longhand around the age of ten, put the pages into a notebook she had covered with soft deerskin (nothing but the best!), then passed it around the neighborhood to rave reviews. It was so much fun shes been writing ever since. Eventually Maureen became the recipient of a Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America, followed by the publication of three secular romance novels. Life took some turns after that, and she gave up writing for fifteen years, until the Lord claimed her to write for Him. Maureen lives in the mid-west with her husband, their two sons and their much loved dog, Susie.