Love Finds You In Victory Heights, WA by Tricia Goyer, Book review

Publisher: Summerside Press

ISBN-13: 978-1609360009

Synopsis:

The Second World War has stolen Rosalie's fiance from her. But rather than wallow, Rosalie throws herself into her work at the Boeing plant in Victory Heights, shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy.
A local reporter dubs her Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter, and her story lends inspiration to women across the country. While Rosalie's strong arms can bear the weight of this new responsibility, her heart cannot handle the intense feelings that begin to surface for Kenny, the handsome reporter.
Fear of a second heartbreak is a powerful opponent - but will it claim victory over love?

My thoughts:

WW2, Pacific North West coast's Home front history and a romantic entanglement was the enticement of this novel published a while back by two strong Christian authors, Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss. 

Most of us are familiar with WW2 posters of Rosie the Riverter but there it ended, at least for me. I had no idea of the factual story behind the strong woman depicted in the image. This fictional rendering brings readers an excellent idea of the many women who sacrificed everything to hasten the end of WW2 !
It is estimated that more than 310,000 US women worked in the Aircraft industry or roughly 65% of the workforce versus 1% during the pre war years. Staggering figures (and a job well done Ladies!)

'As illustrated by the U.S. government's "Rosie the Riveter" propaganda's campaign, based in small part on a real-life munitions worker, but primarily a fictitious character, the strong, bandanna-clad Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the World War II era.'

With this in mind, Tricia Goyer and co-author Ocienna Fleiss tells us of Rosalie and the local reporter whose story of the riveter you will read in Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA! 

Rosalie's heart is heavy: she lost her fiancee to the War, her father, also a reporter, taught her never to trust the media and Kenny is after a story, her story. 
You will discover an amazing amount of historical facts in this novel whilst enjoying a good heartfelt love story. Both authors also should be commanded in their judicious inserts of Scriptures through a series of events with the purpose of showing you God is by your side always, you are dear to him and always forgiven. 

That said, I felt little sparks betwixt both main protagonists and the amount of slang expressions (including the 'Doll' repetitions, reminiscent of Clark Gable and other Hollywood icons?) appearing in the fourth installment of the book left me cold. 
Factory workers might have spoken this way but let's face it both Rosalie and Kenny were College educated and seemingly more eloquent than portrayed further into the novel!
There are however some marvelous secondary characters such as Kenny's father, Pastor Andrew Davenport and a long time family friend, Miss Tilly to name only a few! 

Additionally I cannot say enough of the myriad of details portraying the Home front life in Seattle and Tacoma, WA from the magnificent Flying Fortresses assembled by Rosie and her friends at the Boeing plant, the rationing and subsequent collection drives, even the reluctance of the US government in recognizing the dedication of ambulances drivers and others who first joined the war effort in Europe before Pearl Harbor! Startling!

Finally this reviewer's heart felt heavy when reading of staples such as hamburgers, fries, Coca Colas and Dr. Pepper available to our heroes whilst remembering the WW2 families overseas who lived thirty days on split peas or traded a fur coat for 50 eggs (after traveling for hours for such purchase from a 'caring' farmer only to discover each and every egg was rotten...

God's reminder I have much to learn yet still?

4 stars!

About the Authors:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005.

In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions.

Visit her website (HERE)

Ocieanna Fleiss's passion for writing grew out of two seeds. The first was when her third grade teacher instructed her to read a story she wrote in front of class. As the characters lost their pants, revealing all sorts of goofy underwear, the kids howled with laughter. (What greater comedic height is there for a third grader?) Ocieanna craved more.

The second seed was planted when, as an adult, Ocieanna read The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. This book actually challenged her to grow as a person and Christian. Other books have made similar impact, and Ocieanna decided to try her hand at harnessing the power of story to share the healing and life-giving power of the gospel--faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone.

Visit her website (HERE)

Note to Readers: This review was not requested by either authors or Publishers and therefore reflects only my opinion!