The Winter Rose

Starred review from December 1, 2021

Addie Hoult is widowed, pregnant, and about to lose the only father figure she has ever known. The search for a bone marrow donor for her beloved Papa C leads her to the coast of Oregon and down a rabbit hole of dusty genealogy records and decades-old secrets. Meanwhile across the ocean and the years, Quaker Grace Tonquin feels called to save Jewish children from Nazi Germany--no matter the personal cost. One little girl named Marguerite, who can see the colors of people's emotions, finds a special place in Grace's heart. Grace realizes that though she can carry the children over the Pyrenees Mountains to physical safety, but the things they have seen and done to survive still haunt their dreams even in America. VERDICT Dobson (Memories of Glass) is quickly establishing herself as a new powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction. This is a potent examination of redemption after scars, and, more simply, a good story, told well. Readers of Kristy Cambron, Rachel Hauck, and Heidi Chiavaroli will welcome this historical timeslip novel.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This audiobook alternates between the years 1943 and 2003. In the enthralling opening we hear of Grace's courage, faith, and triumph as she escorts 11 Jewish children from Vichy France through the Pyrenees to safety in Spain. The alternate story follows a young, pregnant widow named Addie who goes to Oregon to search for a bone marrow donor for the man who turned around her troubled life. Nancy Peterson gracefully narrates both stories, which eventually converge, in a breezy style. Her voice effectively modulates to reflect the ages and circumstances of the characters. Her accents for the many French characters are conventional but charming. This work of Christian historical fiction, replete with biblical references, focuses on love, lies, resilience, and redemption. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine