Codes of Courage (Falcon Point Historical, #1) by A.L Sowards

 

1940

Austrian refugee Karl Lang has lost everything—his country, his home, and his family. All that is left to him is a burning ambition to see the Nazis defeated. Desperate for work and a way to help the war effort, he finds the one place that will take an exile like him: a supply steamer traversing a deadly path past enemy U-boats.

Since their first meeting, Millie Stevens has felt an undeniable connection to Karl. As the war rages, she shares his determination to oppose the Nazis and finds work at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. There she will use all her intellect and determination to break German codes and read U-boat transmissions—or risk losing the man she loves.

Rolf Denhart will do anything to defend the Fatherland, including long patrols in a cramped U-boat. But rumors from Germany leave him uneasy, forcing a choice between loyalty to his homeland, the safety of his family, and his peace of conscience.

In the midst of war, three lives are woven together to create an epic tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage. 

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Oh wow. I'm still reeling from the emotional impact of this book. It was so, so good. But it's war, so most things are not happy or easy. My tears weren't necessarily happy ones but they were born from real emotion and it's always amazing to me when an author can draw that out of me. I really felt the anxieties, struggles and conflicts of war. The courage too. While it wasn't all sunshine and roses, the author did a great job of giving me hope and ending in a place where I felt some resolution and peace.

I learned so much while reading this book which is one of the reasons I love historical fiction. U-boats and pack hunting were something I had vaguely heard of but now I can really visualize how that must of been. The rules of combat on the sea were also so interesting to me. Sink a ship but let the survivors live to see another day? And code breakers? Wow, the stress and secrecy of that job. I loved all these elements. I know so much more now. So fascinating.

This author does such a good job of building a world where I can see everything like a movie in my head. I loved the characters and became emotionally invested in them.

This novel comes after (as far as release day) the Heirs of Falcon Point book that was co-authored by A.L Sowards, Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey and Paige Edwards. They are writing spin off books from information and characters in that book so you really should read it first. This book goes back into the past to reveal Karl's story, who is one of the original heirs of Falcon Point.

Content: war time violence, peril, death. Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.