If I could name an author who I most wish I could write like, it would be Roseanna M White. Not just her amazing ability to put this word and that together and make it live; no, that's not all. She puts together two or three long historical romances a year, researching the history thoroughly. Those of you who are writers know how amazing that is. But no, that's not all. She homeschools her two children. And no, that's not all. She's the editor in chief at WhiteFire Publishing (not to be at all confused with White Fire Publishing--that's a different animal). Still not all. She also designs book covers! I get exhausted just writing about all she does. And this particular book is a prime example of some really great writing. You go, Writing Roseanna!
So, there's this group of orphans and abandoned children that have banded together and learned how to steal and pick pockets to make enough to put food in their mouths and clothes on their backs--but never at the expense of anyone else who is in dire straits. In fact, they've learned their trade so well that they gained the attention of V. V is a code name, of course, but he works for the secret service of the British government. Willa is the second person they've hired of their little band. Willa is one of those musical prodigies we've all heard about--no lessons but picks up and plays some instrument with ease. Willa found her instrument in the garbage. Someone had thrown out a perfectly good violin, bow, and case.
It was as though she'd found a piece of her that was missing. So between thieving lessons and work, she teaches herself how to make this instrument produce magical music.
And then V finds her and sends her after a vital code-breaking secret from than the most wonderful violinist in the world--at least to her. Lucas De Wilde, no less. With the cooperation of two sisters who introduce her to their musical world and to Lucas, Willa proceeds to amaze that violinist with her talent. What he's taken a lifetime to learn, she has accomplished by just playing. She plays music she's heard, sans written notes, although she can also read music. So why does she need lessons from him?
Lucas has his own problems. Recovering from a gunshot wound, he plays and smiles while suffering excruciating pain. Worse than the physical pain is the heart pain of losing his father to the Germans at the outset of WWI--and losing track of his mother and fourteen-year-old sister. They are in hiding right under the nose of the Generalleutnant in Belgium, a very dangerous nose indeed. Lucas must find them before they are discovered, because his little sister is the puzzle piece he must protect at all costs.
If you don't want this book, I really don't have much hope for you. But, because I'm sure you do, either of these two links will take you right to the buying page at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required.
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