The Sound of Light

 4 out of 5 stars. 

Excellent WWII read!!

In The Sound of Light, I was transported back to Denmark in 1943.  The Nazis are in town, but the Danes have negotiated with them so that they can keep Danish law.  Many work alongside the Nazis and some even join a police corps with them, but many are aware of the danger they pose and are secretly resisting.  

Henrik Ahlefeldt was once a titled baron living a wastrel life, but has redeemed his actions by posing as a shipyard worker during the day and rowing secrets across the water to Sweden at night.  Else Jensen is a brilliant physicist who finds herself unable to do nothing and joins the ranks of the resistance also. 

When our two main characters find themselves at the same boarding house, Else finds herself falling in love with the uneducated and slow talking ship yard working Hemming. Little does she know, he's a well educated baron and a resistance legend.  What will happen when secrets come out, the Nazis come for them and characters are tested?  

This was a thrilling story with lots of interesting historical background!  I didn't know much about the Nazi occupation of Denmark, but found it fascinating how the Danish people managed, with the help of Sweden, to save 90% of of the Jews.  I also found it so inspiring to know how many "average" people became courageous heros to save their fellow countrymen and fight the evil of the Nazis.  

This book had my heart racing and me constantly increasing the speed of the audiobook to find out more quickly what would happen!  

If you're looking for a book rich in history, with an exciting plot and courageous characters pick this one up!  

Dirty Thirty, Evangeline Bond

Rating 4 out of 5 Stars

Note-While I review Christian fiction, this book is secular.  I decided to include it because this series is a big part of my reading journey.  However, there is some language and situations that don't make this a squeaky clean read.  

Favorite Quotes:

"Most of the mob has either died or moved away, and the young people just sit home frying their brains with their eyes glued to their smartphone screens.  If you ask me, they'd be better off going out and stealing cars. At least they'd be learning a trade." - Grandma Mazur

"I don't like that you were hit in the face, but it should improve the dinner conversation." -Ranger

"There would be a lot of a problem with drugs in this country if people ate more meatloaf."-Grandma

Stephanie's life may not be changing a lot, but it's OK because she's got her crew...Connie, Lula, Grandma Mazur, and even her mother.  She's got job security from the delightful assortment of bail jumpers and not one, but two very exciting men in her orbit.  No two days look the same for this girl and who knows what danger and excitement is waiting around the corner.

In this adventure, Morelli leaves Bob the giant orange dog with Stephanie to go out of town for work.  This leads to an additional level of chaos for every fugitive recovery and visit to the Plum kitchen.  Add in some moonlighting work to find a possible jewel thief, a mysterious intruder into Lula's apartment and a some surprising interactions with Ranger and you have a fun story.  

These books aren't what they used to be.  HOWEVER, I'm a true fan and will always read them, laugh a lot and feel a huge sense of comfort and coziness.  I do have to say the last 50% of the book really picked up and I enjoyed the plot a lot.  I am big time hoping for there to be a lot of material about the cliff hanger that Ms. Plum left us with on this one!!!!!

So what about you?  Ranger?  or Morelli???