Hello Readers! I have a compelling new historical fiction book to share with you today. I’m joining my friends at TLC Book Tours for the blog tour of Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix. Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII

Published: July 14, 2020

Source: TLC Book Tours

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First Thoughts

I always enjoy historical fiction and was drawn to the description of the search for a long lost paratrooper and a friendship between two women.

Plot

The story begins by introducing Ceelie who has breast cancer and Darlene who is such a wonderful and supportive friend. Ceelie’s marriage is struggling and she is worried that her husband of 24 years doesn’t truly appreciate how different she will be after a double mastectomy. After building up the sweet friendship between the women, the author gets to the part where we meet Cal in the past and the mystery begins to unfold.

The Characters

Despite being at different stages of their lives, Ceelie and Darlene were strong, well defined characters and I was deeply moved by both stories. Darlene was funny and wise and a true friend to Ceelie – their friendship was heartwarming and genuine. All the characters, both past and present had unique and eloquent voices.

Writing Style

“Oh, to be able to find the giggle in the grim, as Darlene always did.”

Michèle’s writing was filled with emotion and I was never distracted or not engaged in the story. Her style of writing is very readable and descriptive. I really enjoyed the past and present storylines. The chapters with Cal and Sabine were heart stopping and full of action.

Overall

I absolutely loved this story of loss and love, redemption and healing. I thought the dual timelines were very well done. This is one of those books that will stay with me and I’m so grateful to my friends at TLC Book Tours for shining the light (see what I did there) on books and authors I might have missed. I’m eager to read more by this author, particularly The Space Between Words, which sounds amazing.

Publisher Description:

An impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light.

Cancer stole everything from Ceelie—her peace of mind, her self-image, perhaps even her twenty-three-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Nate. Without the support of Darlene, her quirky elderly friend, she may not have been able to endure so much loss.

So when Darlene’s prognosis turns dire, Ceelie can’t refuse her seemingly impossible request—to find a WWII paratrooper named Cal, the father who disappeared when Darlene was an infant, leaving a lifetime of desolation in his wake.

The search that begins in the farmlands of Missouri eventually leads Ceelie to a small town in Normandy, where she uncovers the harrowing tale of the hero who dropped off-target into occupied France.

Alternating between Cal’s D-Day rescue by two young French sisters and Ceelie’s present-day journey through trial and heartbreak, Fragments of Light poses a timeless question: When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble| Thomas Nelson

About the Author

Born in France to a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle Phoenix is a consultant, writer, and speaker with a heart for Third Culture Kids. She taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own advocacy venture under Global Outreach Mission. Michèle travels globally to consult and teach on topics related to this unique people group. She loves good conversations, mischievous students, Marvel movies, and paths to healing.

Website |  Twitter

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