Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Mulberry Leaf Whispers
Series: Brands from the Burning #2
Author: Linda Thompson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
A WWII Japanese naval officer. The teenage daughter of a legendary Christian samurai. Three centuries separate them, but a crucial question binds their destinies together.
Which lives have value?
In the highly anticipated sequel to her award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, Linda Thompson provides a riveting story inspired by true events.
“Splendid story!… Rivals Shogun with its sweeping story of passion and faith, of survival and hope…. Be prepared to be enriched, moved and deeply satisfied.” – Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of Something Worth Doing
“Gorgeous… not-to-be-missed…” – Sarah Sundin, bestselling and Carol Award-winning author of When Twilight Breaks and the Sunrise at Normandy series
1587. Bartered off in a peace agreement to the ancient enemies of her illustrious house, is Sono a war prize, a hostage, or a bride? One hope sustains her. If she can provide an heir to the dashing husband she just met, she’ll ensure decades of peace for the beloved family she was forced to leave behind. But when a dark secret threatens her desperate bid to purchase their security, she must rise to a battle she never dreamed she’d fight.
1942. Akira Matsuura’s naval vessel explodes under enemy fire. Everything he has lived for disappears in flames with it. His command, his crew, his future—all lost. Worse, his honor is eternally decimated. A prisoner’s life is of value to no one. Least of all to himself. But a stunning twist reveals his family’s secret shame. Can a long-buried truth provide the vital spark that reignites his will to live?
Thrill to two poignant journeys of courage, duty, and sacrifice, deftly woven through the centuries to inspire with dynamic faith that conquers despair.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub
MY REVIEW
Although it’s been on my TBR pile since before it even came out, I hadn’t read The Plum Blooms in Winter yet until just this past week (you can view my review HERE), and then I dived right into this one. Without a doubt this is one that you would need to start with the first book in the series. The first book covered one timeline between two characters- Miyako and Dave. This one follows that same timeline but goes back to show Miyako’s brother’s story and how he came to meet Dave. There is also a historical timeline back to 1588 from one of their ancestors. Although I thought this story was good as well, I have to say I felt the first was more gripping. There was greater conflict in the first and the desperate circumstances of the characters had me more fully immersed in the setting. Even though this one was about Akiro’s journey, I still couldn’t get past thinking it was Miyako’s story. It was still a good story though, and inspired readers to look to God and consider the depth of their faith. It was evident the author appreciates true history and aimed to weave it into her fictional tale. She even shared some of the fact vs fiction in a note to the readers at the end. Both books contain some pretty mature and even graphic content, so I wouldn’t recommend this series to younger readers. But even through the heavy content, the author has managed to pen a story that points the reader to peace and hope in Christ, and that is what Christian fiction should be all about.
*I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Thompson stepped back from a corporate career that spanned continents to write what she loves—stories of unstoppable faith. Her debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, was a Cascade Award winner and a Christy- and Carol-Award finalist. Linda writes from the sun-drenched Arizona desert, where she lives with her husband, a third-generation airline pilot who is also her Chief Military Research Officer, one mostly-grown-up kid, and a small platoon of housecats. When Linda isn’t writing you’ll find her rollerblading—yes, that makes her a throwback—taking in a dramatic desert moonrise, or enjoying their first grandbaby.
CONNECT WITH LINDA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of the soon-to-be-released audiobook for Linda’s award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, her latest release, The Mulberry Leaf Whispers, in winner’s choice of Kindle or paperback format, plus a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 4, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 11, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Thank you for the review.
Thank you for sharing! – JustRead Tours
Love reading Linda’s books! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Becca! Thank you so very much for your commitment to read and review both books–wow! I really appreciate it! Thank you for all you do to promoted quality Christian fiction.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Wonderful review! Thank you for sharing.
thank you 🙂
Thank you for the great review. I appreciate knowing that it is best to read the books in order. This one sounds good, too.