Tangled Ashes Mich%C3%A8le Phoenix
Tangled Ashes is a work of historical fiction that is filled with mystery as the characters develop and the story unfolds. The author's development of the characters is excellent and they felt very real, very human. She skillfully intertwined true historical facts with incredible characters of her own, while also creating emotional attachments to the characters for the readers. I was intrigued the entire time and couldn't wait to see where the story was going.
I truly loved it! Michele Phoenix is a very talented writer and there were so many elements that I appreciated in this book! I learned more about WWII than I knew previously, and it made me want to know more about the Nazi occupation of France.
I highly recommend this book for any age. It is clean, it contains spiritual truths, and it is written with historical events in mind.
I received a free copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.
Michele keeps expanding her repetoire! She's written another page-turner. This time there's a mystery waiting to be uncovered. Admidst the sadness of a dark chapter of history, there is the hope of lives changed. You'll love the characters!
BalasHapusTyndale Publishing provided a complimentary copy of Tangled Ashes in exchange for a review. Author Michele Phoenix transports the reader back in time to Lamorlaye, France during World War II. First the reader is introduced to two women, more like teenagers, that are hired to work at Meunier manor which has been made into a Nazi headquarters. One of them meets a soldier and love ensues. Although the two French women, Marie and Elise, only took the jobs to supplement their families meager existence, they end up in midst of a medical experiment of Hitler's regime.
BalasHapusIn alternating chapters, the reader will be transported back into the 1990s and meet the reclusive architect, Marshall Becker. He is hired to restore the manor to a time of great splendor and majesty. The owner envisions an inn of the highest quality and puts his trust into Becker to bring that vision to reality. As he begins the restoration, Becker finds himself fighting his own demons and the distant memories of a time past at the manor.
The character development throughout Tangled Ashes is profound and palpable. Becker, whose life is but a facade, becomes a part of a personal restoration project. Due to his past hurt, he barricades his heart in anger lashing out at anyone who comes too close. Jade, the nanny of the owner's children, tries to mask her issues with a happy, joyful front. Yet, her strong will and determination to live life well enables her to confront Becker's addictions. Then, there are the elusive characters that come and go. As I read this story, the mystery that shrouds these characters is slowly lifted. Towards the end of Tangled Ashes one knows they tie the two story lines together.
I literally could not put this book down. I read it's 371 pages in less than a day. I simply had to know what the next chapter held. I realized the past year how much I enjoy historical fiction. The story's intricacies made this one top-notch. It is gripping, engaging and enticing. It is thought-provoking and sad, hopeful and deep. Sometimes I wanted to slap Becker awake to the life in front of him that he protects himself from. At other times, I wanted to reach into the abyss and trace the footsteps of Marie and her flight to freedom.
Tangled Ashes is not a book you will likely forget anytime soon. The story is too riveting for that. The tragedy in it pulls you in and the hope keeps you looking forward. Something beautiful emerges from the ashes. This is a love story, but not a romance. The end is unexpected and memorable. If you are a historical fiction fan Tangled Ashes will be one to add to your collection and sit well above the rest. I cannot wait to read more from Michele Phoenix.
I am a reader who lived through those dark days of World War 2, so I found this book to be a tale that carried me back to sixty years ago, and to the terrible inhumanities and misguided loyalties that the Nazi regime fostered. It is amazing that a young woman who was not part of that period in history has been able to write so understandingly and lucidly about it. She has managed to recreate the anguish of her characters so that these people come to life in a way that captivates the reader. It is truly a 'can't put it down' book. I have read Michele's first two novels, and it is evident that she improves with the birth of each new book. This one shows maturity and depth and I look forward to her future efforts in the literary field.
BalasHapusMary-Lou Sheeler
B.A. (English)
I enjoyed this novel thoroughly. Michele Phoenix brings life to the actual Chateau de Lamorlaye, about one hour north of Paris. I found the book hard to put down as the story weaved it's way from the past to the present. i enjoyed the pace of the story .... looking forward to the chapters that went back into the past which was pretty well every three chapters.
BalasHapusThe fact that it was based on historical events was also very interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I also loved the fact that the story came from the heart of someone who had been part of the Chateau's history herself, as she had played on the grounds as a child. I am looking forward to her next novel! Karen Frank
Tangled Ashes, by Michele Phoenix, was an intriguing yet heartwarming tale of mystery, romance and, above all, faith.
BalasHapusMarshall Becker's struggles with alcoholism and controlling his temper are brought to a head in France, while restoring the historic castle of Lemorlaye. Meanwhile, the past literally comes calling as the restoration project is almost completed.
Phoenix did an excellent job of laying out the story and interweaving both past and present timelines, while keeping the reader enthralled. When I was reading the present-day narrative, I wanted to see what was happening next in the past timeline and vice-versa.
While this isn't a book I would necessarily pull off the shelf at first glance, my husband and I are currently contemplating renovating a historical home so thought it would be interesting. I delved into it and quickly became engrossed in, not only the renovation saga, but the story as a whole.
Phoenix is a new author to me but I will definitely be picking up her other novels. I just love discovering new storytellers!
BalasHapusI love reading. I love old buildings. I love studying interpersonal relationships. I love reading old letters. I love mysteries. I love historical fiction. I am drawn to France. So of course I enjoyed reading Michelle Phoenix's book, Tangled Ashes.
BalasHapusThis is two stories combined into one. Most of the book is a modern-day tale about the renovation of an old French castle. But there are letters scattered throughout the book from World War II stories related to the castle. The ending scenes tie the stories together.
It has elements of mystery and intrigue. It has messages to challenge readers - specifically in regards to forgiveness, healing, health, vulnerability, faith, and friendship. And the elements are woven together in a good story.
I would recommend this book to women and teen girls that enjoy Christian historical fiction.
This book was given to me by Handlebar Marketing, in exchange for my honest review.
Tangled Ashes is a work of historical fiction that is filled with mystery as the characters develop and the story unfolds. The author's development of the characters is excellent and they felt very real, very human. She skillfully intertwined true historical facts with incredible characters of her own, while also creating emotional attachments to the characters for the readers. I was intrigued the entire time and couldn't wait to see where the story was going.
BalasHapusI truly loved it! Michele Phoenix is a very talented writer and there were so many elements that I appreciated in this book! I learned more about WWII than I knew previously, and it made me want to know more about the Nazi occupation of France.
I highly recommend this book for any age. It is clean, it contains spiritual truths, and it is written with historical events in mind.
I received a free copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! I read this book in a day as I was drawn into the story from the first few pages. I felt it was well written and had me guessing until the very end as to how the story would be resolved. It was interesting the way the history was woven in with present day events. The plot was stong and the characters well-developed. I found I was cheering Becker and Jade on with their personal battles. The ending was not what I expected but as I reflected on it it was clear the characters couldn't have done anything different. I look forward to reading more books from Michele Phoenix.
BalasHapusThe story is amazing but, even more so, the descriptions of the landmarks are so precise. As one who has been to the castle and even lived in it, I could picture every nook and crany! I loved the suspense and the beautiful way the book is written. A must read!
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