Book Review: Nightingale by Susan May Warren (AND a CONTEST!)

A synopsis of Nightingale from the author's website:

Nightingale Esther Lange doesn’t love her fiancé—she’s trapped in an engagement after a mistaken night of passion. Still, she grieves him when he’s lost in battle, the letters sent to her by the medic at his side giving her a strange comfort, so much that she strikes up a correspondence with Peter Hess, an Iowa farmboy. Or is he? Peter Hess is not who he seems. Indeed, he’s hiding a secret, something that could cost them both their lives, especially when the past comes back to life. A bittersweet love song of the home front war between duty and the heart...a battle where only one will survive.

I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: I love books that are set during World War II. There's just something appealing about that era that draws my attention and when I see a new book with that setting I want to know more about it. I often find myself wishing I could have lived during the 1940's so that I could be a part of the "bonding" that our country experienced during that time. It seems war binds a country's peoples together like nothing else can. I wouldn't want to live in a war, however, so that's what actually stops me from wishing it too much. But wouldn't it be nice if we could have one without the other?

I like the way this author presented the story of Esther and Peter. She had made mistakes, but Peter understood the grace of redemption and told Esther of it while she struggled with her guilt.

The secret that Peter had was quite surprising. I learned a lot about some of the aspects of WWII I didn't know before. I also enjoyed the relationship that Esther had with her daughter, Sadie, and the sacrifices she made for her. 

There were times that the story did not flow as well as I like, but it did not take away from the overall satisfaction of reading a sweet tale of love and deliverance. I saw real characters with real problems and even though this may be considered by some as a "fluffy" book, I recommend it to all.

I give Nightingale 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from LitFuse for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. All opiniions expressed are completely my own,)

Now.....for the CONTEST! Susan is giving away a Flip HD Camcorder! Here's how to enter:

The Letters From Home Giveaway!

Enter the Contest: Nightingale is about letters, the power of written correspondence to convey thoughts and emotions to those far away. And sometimes near. Letters are forever, they are something we savor and pull out to read again and again. They are often cherished and kept in a special place.

To celebrate the release of Nightingale, Susan would like you to write a letter. One grand prize winner will receive a Flip HD Camcorder. 5 runner's up winners will win a signed copy of Nightingale. There are two ways to enter the contest by writing letters.

1. Write a letter to a soldier. At the end of the contest we’ll print out and mail your letter for you.

2. Write a letter to a friend, loved one, family member, enemy. Tell them something you wished you’d told them before. Tell them you love them, or maybe how they touched your life. Perhaps an apology is in order or a thank you. Or perhaps you'd like to relate a funny tale or just share life. Whatever it is, submit it here along with your email address and we’ll send it for you.

Enter here or at the SHARE page on the Brothers in Arms website.
 
(Contest ends December 2nd. Winner announced December 6th.)