A Portrait of Loyalty

GIVEAWAY

WHITE, ROSEANNA M.
A PORTRAIT OF LOYALTY

Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers, until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee after speaking out against Lenin and separated from his brother along the way, he arrives in England driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera -- and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and recreating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily. He sees patterns in what she deems chaos; she sees beauty in a world he thought destroyed. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share. When her photographs reveal that someone has been following Zivon, his loyalties are called into question -- and his enemies are discovered to be far closer than he'd feared.

My Review:

Gah! I don't know how to review this book because there is so much I want to say but I'd have to post spoilers in order to say it! I was absolutely gutted -- g-u-t-t-e-d -- at one point. So much so that I stopped listening (yes, this was another audible choice for me. I'm getting addicted!) So there I was, a blubbering mass of bibliophile angst, in a royal anti Roseanna M. White snit, ranting things like: "It's over between us, White." and "I am not going to continue with this book!." and "I will never trust you again. Like, ever!" Dramatic, much? Yep, that's me when in the throes of a great fictional journey.

Of course, you know I couldn't stop reading...er listening, right? Accompanied by heaving sobs and copious amounts of chocolate. :-) But what to say in a review? I think I've been reduced to bullet points.

What I love about this book:

• Zivon!!!! His tragic history, his struggle to see God in the chaos, his noble motivations,
• Lily's unique talent -- the photography and propaganda aspects of the story were really interesting and a unique spin on a war novel.
• The fact that we get some interactions with past heroes and heroines, not just from this series but the one before it too. Eeeep!
• The way the romance develops...it's kinda slow and meandering, hindered by Zivon's past and his worry over putting Lily in danger. But, my oh my, that man knows how to write a letter! (Toe-curls and frantic fanning.)
• The twists, turns and detours the plot took me on (even though not all were to my liking!)

As I mentioned, I listened to the audible edtion of A Portrait of Loyalty and I really enjoyed Susan Lyons' narration. She gives Zivon the hint of a scrumptious accent which made me fall for him all the more. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a read copy of  A Portrait of Loyalty, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 19 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck