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Secrets of the Cross Trilogy #1
Two Crosses
The glimmering Huguenot cross she innocently wears leads her deep into the shadows. When Gabriella Madison arrives in France in 1961 to continue her university studies, she doesn’t anticipate being drawn into the secretive world behind the Algerian war for independence from France. The further she delves into the war efforts, the more her faith is challenged. The people who surround her bring a whirlwind of transforming forces—a wise nun involved in the smuggling, a little girl carrying secret information, and a man with unknown loyalties who captures her heart. When she discovers a long hidden secret from her past, it all leads to questions about trust, faith in action, and the power of forgiveness to move beyond the pain of the past.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
83 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Musser
42 books703 followersELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and Parable and ECPA bestseller and was a finalist for the 2023 Christy Award.
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 5, 2024
I don’t know. I loved all the references to the great writers and artists, and the French countryside that inspired said writers and artists. I appreciated the representation and history on the Huguenots. I’ve also never really known about Algeria’s war with France for its independence so it was good to learn about that a bit; although it felt more like the focus of that was all on one Man who had more of a personal vendetta … not really anything tied to the actual war. I tried to be invested in the characters, but I never really cared that much — their relationship also felt a little disjointed. Lots of flip flopping. Interest and then no interest. I don’t know how to really explain what I mean by that. 😅 I had to push myself to read through to the end. A little over halfway, it did kind of pick up for me and I read it fairly quickly, but personally I feel like it could have been shorter.
I think it was mostly just the way it was written. The writing style just wasn’t for me. It felt very jumpy — like I was getting jerked around a lot with the multiple POVs and so many short little sections for each one. No flowing and weaving, if that makes sense. I do see how they are all connected now that the book is over but it wasn’t a great reading experience. And I feel no motivation to continue the series. But maybe I will someday. 🤷🏼♀️
CC: lots of murder, bloodshed, (there is a war after all), torture, rape …
August 3, 2018
I found this book very interesting. It takes place in both France and Algeria in the early 1960's when Algeria was in turmoil with some fighting for independence from France and some indigenous peoples wish to remain under France's protection. Even though this happened during my young adult years, I don't remember it at all. Filled with fighting, suspense, and romance, there was a lot of action from start to finish.
Gabriella, the daughter of missionaries to Africa and a college student, is attending classes at a Catholic orphanage to expand her French and knowledge of French culture. David is one of the professors and is covering the cultures of France and England. But David is leading a double life. When he begins to develop feelings for Gabriella, she is pulled in to his double life. She loves children; so when she discovers that David is smuggling in Algerian children who have been orphaned, she is more than happy to be of help. But trouble tracks David and especially Gabriella.
Gabriella as the daughter of missionaries has an incredibly strong faith. David is half Jewish and spent time as a child in a concentration camp. He still hasn't forgiven God for what was done to his family. I loved the way Gabriella helped David find his way back to God even when she had so many doubts about David.
Can't wait to see what happens to Gabriella and David in book two of this well written series.
Gabriella, the daughter of missionaries to Africa and a college student, is attending classes at a Catholic orphanage to expand her French and knowledge of French culture. David is one of the professors and is covering the cultures of France and England. But David is leading a double life. When he begins to develop feelings for Gabriella, she is pulled in to his double life. She loves children; so when she discovers that David is smuggling in Algerian children who have been orphaned, she is more than happy to be of help. But trouble tracks David and especially Gabriella.
Gabriella as the daughter of missionaries has an incredibly strong faith. David is half Jewish and spent time as a child in a concentration camp. He still hasn't forgiven God for what was done to his family. I loved the way Gabriella helped David find his way back to God even when she had so many doubts about David.
Can't wait to see what happens to Gabriella and David in book two of this well written series.
July 2, 2013
WOW.
I'm very reserved in giving out 5 stars, but Elizabeth Musser's Two Crosses was absolutely amazing.
The story follows an intelligent daughter of a missionary couple pursuing her education in France in 1961 during the war in which Algeria sought its independence from the European country. She gets roped into the mayhem, discovering the secrets of those around her, and a few from her own past.
The novel was thrilling. I couldn't stop reading the page-turning adventure. I never knew that French history could be this interesting. As Gabriella kept her strong faith in God while falling in love with a troubled and hurting atheist, discovering secrets, and falling into a dangerous underground world, she earned admiration from the young teacher who brought her into the tangled mess in the first place. She had no trouble keeping with her studies and enjoying the view.
I absolutely loved the story. The characters were amazing and the novel was very suspenseful. Musser painted an appropriate picture of what went on in France and Algeria during 1961 ---dangerous places full of people seeking revenge with hearts overflowing with hate.
Ah. The danger. The drama. The thrill.
Two Crosses was a fantastic read!
I'm very reserved in giving out 5 stars, but Elizabeth Musser's Two Crosses was absolutely amazing.
The story follows an intelligent daughter of a missionary couple pursuing her education in France in 1961 during the war in which Algeria sought its independence from the European country. She gets roped into the mayhem, discovering the secrets of those around her, and a few from her own past.
The novel was thrilling. I couldn't stop reading the page-turning adventure. I never knew that French history could be this interesting. As Gabriella kept her strong faith in God while falling in love with a troubled and hurting atheist, discovering secrets, and falling into a dangerous underground world, she earned admiration from the young teacher who brought her into the tangled mess in the first place. She had no trouble keeping with her studies and enjoying the view.
I absolutely loved the story. The characters were amazing and the novel was very suspenseful. Musser painted an appropriate picture of what went on in France and Algeria during 1961 ---dangerous places full of people seeking revenge with hearts overflowing with hate.
Ah. The danger. The drama. The thrill.
Two Crosses was a fantastic read!
December 30, 2018
3.7🌟 for this book. I think I would have preferred to read a hard copy rather than listen to this book. I listened in small chunks of time and it was hard to keep up with the many different scenarios going on. The plot has a great way of bringing all the characters together with some great twists in the story. I may reread some day. This author is a great storyteller and I’ll read hard copies of her other books!! 🤓
September 23, 2016
C'est fantastique!
I never knew there was ever a war between France and Algeria, in fact I don't think I could have found Algeria on a map!
But this tale of the lives entangled in this war is one not to miss. A young redhead, a handsome American professor, a nun, a little refugee girl, a crazy French man... Just who can you trust?
Yes this story was complex, and took a little getting into, but it was so worth it. A story that will be hard to forget, and I'm. Already reading the second in the series.
I never knew there was ever a war between France and Algeria, in fact I don't think I could have found Algeria on a map!
But this tale of the lives entangled in this war is one not to miss. A young redhead, a handsome American professor, a nun, a little refugee girl, a crazy French man... Just who can you trust?
Yes this story was complex, and took a little getting into, but it was so worth it. A story that will be hard to forget, and I'm. Already reading the second in the series.
January 9, 2025
Fantastic historic fiction set in France during the time of the French Algerian war in the early 1960’s. Spy’s and secret missions with messages baked into French loaves! Another book I couldn’t put down!
July 11, 2012
It is September 1961, and Gabriella Madison is on a one year Franco-American exchange programme in Castelnau, near Montpelier in France. The programme is headed by Mother Griolet, who Gabrielle herself has met before, as a child of six, even though the nun does not mention the fact. This gives us an early sense of hidden secrets and unsolved mysteries. And Mother Griolet is not the only one with secrets. It appears that the handsome young professor, David Hoffman, has some of his own, and these are about to involve Gabriella.
David invites Gabrielle out socially (obviously student-teacher relationships are not an issue), and she begins to fall for him despite the fact that she is a strong Christian, the daughter of American missionaries in West Africa, and he is a half-Jewish atheist. Ophélie is the six-year-old daughter of Anne-Marie Duchemin, a pied noir, a French woman born and raised in Algeria. Anne-Marie is missing, and Ophélie finds herself in Castelnau, in the orphanage run by Mother Griolet. Like Gabrielle, Ophélie wears a Huguenot cross necklace, but doesn’t understand its’ significance.
The background to Two Crosses is the Algerian war for independence from the French. The early chapters therefore have quite a bit of explanation of the historical context, which some readers might find slow or off-putting. Personally, I have always enjoyed history, and one of my personal bugbears is authors who set novels in a particular time and place but get the facts wrong. So while there was quite a bit of information in the opening chapters, I liked the fact that the author knew the time and the area. The story is very well plotted, and the disparate strands come together as the story progresses.
One of the characters says, “The war is over independence, but still religion divides”. Rick Warren recently tweeted that church splits are less often about differences in doctrine than they are about a clash of egos. It seems that the same could be said of many wars. Are they really about religion, or are they a fatal clash of ego? Two Crosses would seem to confirm Rick Warren’s view.
The writing style reminds me of Michael Phillips, particularly his 'Secrets of the Rose' series. Both cover a similar period of history, both feature American protagonists in living Europe, both have characters with a strong Christian faith and both are written with varying third person points of view. I particularly liked the character of Mother Griolet, the wise old nun who provides Gabrielle and others with practical and spiritual guidance.
Two Crosses is not a light read, nor an easy read. But it is a worthwhile read. While telling a story about the recent past, the stories of the Huguenots’ reflect on the more distant past, and encourage the reader to think of the present and the future. As the old saying goes, those who do not learn the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them. Well worth reading, particularly for those who enjoy solid historical fiction.
Thanks to David C Cook Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
David invites Gabrielle out socially (obviously student-teacher relationships are not an issue), and she begins to fall for him despite the fact that she is a strong Christian, the daughter of American missionaries in West Africa, and he is a half-Jewish atheist. Ophélie is the six-year-old daughter of Anne-Marie Duchemin, a pied noir, a French woman born and raised in Algeria. Anne-Marie is missing, and Ophélie finds herself in Castelnau, in the orphanage run by Mother Griolet. Like Gabrielle, Ophélie wears a Huguenot cross necklace, but doesn’t understand its’ significance.
The background to Two Crosses is the Algerian war for independence from the French. The early chapters therefore have quite a bit of explanation of the historical context, which some readers might find slow or off-putting. Personally, I have always enjoyed history, and one of my personal bugbears is authors who set novels in a particular time and place but get the facts wrong. So while there was quite a bit of information in the opening chapters, I liked the fact that the author knew the time and the area. The story is very well plotted, and the disparate strands come together as the story progresses.
One of the characters says, “The war is over independence, but still religion divides”. Rick Warren recently tweeted that church splits are less often about differences in doctrine than they are about a clash of egos. It seems that the same could be said of many wars. Are they really about religion, or are they a fatal clash of ego? Two Crosses would seem to confirm Rick Warren’s view.
The writing style reminds me of Michael Phillips, particularly his 'Secrets of the Rose' series. Both cover a similar period of history, both feature American protagonists in living Europe, both have characters with a strong Christian faith and both are written with varying third person points of view. I particularly liked the character of Mother Griolet, the wise old nun who provides Gabrielle and others with practical and spiritual guidance.
Two Crosses is not a light read, nor an easy read. But it is a worthwhile read. While telling a story about the recent past, the stories of the Huguenots’ reflect on the more distant past, and encourage the reader to think of the present and the future. As the old saying goes, those who do not learn the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them. Well worth reading, particularly for those who enjoy solid historical fiction.
Thanks to David C Cook Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
October 4, 2012
The first thing I need to say is that I liked the book, and I feel a little guilty giving it three stars. It *is* better than average, and I'd probably give it almost four, if I could.
But anyway. I enjoyed reading it, I cared about the characters and wanted to know what was going to happen next. I think the plot is clever, and it was a very entertaining reading.
I had a few problems along the way with bits of characterization (there's a lot of melodrama here, with the heroine frequently bursting in tears, the hero shaking his fist to the skies, the villain cracking evil laughters) and the... ok, I'm not sure the independence struggle was too well-handled. At many points I had the feeling that we were supposed to be against them – the heroes were mostly innocent people caught in the villain's revenge scheme, so maybe this came from the fact that the villain was the only one openly pro-independence, and at many points his ideology overlapped with his evil regenge plot and with the rampant terrorism. Still, it left a slightly bitter feeling in my mouth.
We also had some weird lines from David, one of the leading characters – at one point he's surprised to learn that Gabby had been in love with a black boy, and I'm still not sure what we're supposed to make of that. Is he racist? Is he surprised that she's not racist? Is that his idea of small talk? Waaat.
So those were the problems. Now the good things. Like I said, the plot is really interesting, and the characters are endearing. Some bits could be better edited (some lines from Ophelie don't sound like something a child her age would say) and Gabby could cry 50% less, but they're both still interesting and fun to read about. I like how Gabby can hold her own against David in their discussions, and how she's annoyed by his... well, assholeness. She's atracted to him in spite of it, not because of it, and that's good.
I also liked how the author handled their faith and God's action throughout the book. This is something hard to master, because you need to show God is there and in control, and still not give your characters an easy way out of the plot points. I think this really worked. The conversion scene was also sweet and touching, and it worked well for the character.
All in all, it was a sweet, nice book to read. It could use a little edition, but I enjoyed it anyway, and I'm still planning to read the sequels.
(File gently provided by Netgalley).
May 3, 2012
First off, this book is long. And the subject matter's fairly intense too. But, while I was reading it, I barely noticed the length, that's how absorbing the book was. Two Crosses, to put it simply, is a book about love and war. And no, there is no resemblance to War and Peace in any way.
Set in 1961 France, Gabrielle arrives for what she thinks is to continue her university studies. But when she meets David Hoffmann, her professor, she's dragged into the Algerian war for independence, and a plot for revenge.
As melodramatic as I made it sound, the book is actually very believable. The pacing was well done, with the right amount of information being released at each stage, I always wanted to know what was going to happen, but I didn't have any "gaps" due to the need for a sudden plot twist. Plus, the book feels quite timeless. Until a reference to "records", I had completely forgotten that the book was set in the past, it seems to be able to exist anywhere in history (I'm not a history student, so the Algerian war doesn't ring any bells).
Plus, I liked how the book was Christian, but not in a pushy way. This book is in no way a sermon disguised as a story (and those are so terrible to read). David and Gabrielle (and just about everyone else), struggle with faith. And many concerns are legitimate. Since David is the convert in the story, I'll focus on how his faith is presented. Basically, his conversion to Christianity feels legit, and after he believes, he doesn't suddenly become a super-Christian. In fact, he struggles with how to pray and how he thinks he should feel - all legitimate concerns.
I didn't realise it was part of a series (a trilogy) until just now when I checked Goodreads, but the ending is really very open. I'm glad, however, that the ending is not a cliffhanger because unless you've bought the whole series at one go, cliffhangers only serve to annoy me (and instead of getting me to buy the next book, I normally google/wikipedia the ending).
Conclusion? Read this book. It's really fantastic, I love the characters, the plot, the setting, everything!
First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
Set in 1961 France, Gabrielle arrives for what she thinks is to continue her university studies. But when she meets David Hoffmann, her professor, she's dragged into the Algerian war for independence, and a plot for revenge.
As melodramatic as I made it sound, the book is actually very believable. The pacing was well done, with the right amount of information being released at each stage, I always wanted to know what was going to happen, but I didn't have any "gaps" due to the need for a sudden plot twist. Plus, the book feels quite timeless. Until a reference to "records", I had completely forgotten that the book was set in the past, it seems to be able to exist anywhere in history (I'm not a history student, so the Algerian war doesn't ring any bells).
Plus, I liked how the book was Christian, but not in a pushy way. This book is in no way a sermon disguised as a story (and those are so terrible to read). David and Gabrielle (and just about everyone else), struggle with faith. And many concerns are legitimate. Since David is the convert in the story, I'll focus on how his faith is presented. Basically, his conversion to Christianity feels legit, and after he believes, he doesn't suddenly become a super-Christian. In fact, he struggles with how to pray and how he thinks he should feel - all legitimate concerns.
I didn't realise it was part of a series (a trilogy) until just now when I checked Goodreads, but the ending is really very open. I'm glad, however, that the ending is not a cliffhanger because unless you've bought the whole series at one go, cliffhangers only serve to annoy me (and instead of getting me to buy the next book, I normally google/wikipedia the ending).
Conclusion? Read this book. It's really fantastic, I love the characters, the plot, the setting, everything!
First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
June 29, 2013
I'm on page 222 at this point and so far I am impressed! I love good well researched Historical fiction and this book appears to be one of those. I'll update as I progress
Update I just finished the book. I thought it was very good. Extremely well-written, intelligent, well researched. I would highly recommend it. Be aware however that it is part of a trilogy so it will leave you hanging if you aren't planning on reading the other two books
Update I just finished the book. I thought it was very good. Extremely well-written, intelligent, well researched. I would highly recommend it. Be aware however that it is part of a trilogy so it will leave you hanging if you aren't planning on reading the other two books
did-not-finish
August 2, 2024I got to 30% be realized that not only was I not enjoying the story, I was rather dreading it. I guess I'm making some quick work of some of these books that have been sitting on my Kindle for years.
Here's the thing. Gabby loves one of her professors who isn't a believer. Besides the awkwardness of the student-teacher relationship, David, the professor isn't very nice to her, mocks God, and is inconsistent. I don't understand why Gabby seems to have a fatal attraction for him.
Aside from that, I'm 30% in, have met all these characters, and have no idea what is really going on. Perhaps if I knew a little more about the mystery side of things, I might keep reading, but as it is, I'm giving up because I feel I've wasted enough time on this book.
Here's the thing. Gabby loves one of her professors who isn't a believer. Besides the awkwardness of the student-teacher relationship, David, the professor isn't very nice to her, mocks God, and is inconsistent. I don't understand why Gabby seems to have a fatal attraction for him.
Aside from that, I'm 30% in, have met all these characters, and have no idea what is really going on. Perhaps if I knew a little more about the mystery side of things, I might keep reading, but as it is, I'm giving up because I feel I've wasted enough time on this book.
October 8, 2020
prachtig boek ! liefde, geloof, historie en spanning.
October 14, 2015
Gabriella, a red haired beauty, caught her teacher's (David Hoffman) attention from the first day. Hoping to draw her into his plans, which aren't completely known until nearly the end, he invites her on outings.
From that first outing things happened and kept happening. Someone pegged her as a spy. A little far fetched, since the only reason was because she wore a certain uniquely shaped cross around her neck.
Things continue to get complicated as bad guys are introduced, another plot to the story is introduced, and so many people come and go without you knowing if their good or bad until the story progresses, and sometimes not until they're about to be killed.
Very good writing. Truly! I do enjoy Elizabeth Musser.
I wish at times it didn't sound as if I was reading from a tour guide book when certain sites around Paris were written into the story....or that it sounded like I was reading from a text book when the background of certain people or events were discussed...like discussions of Pied-Noir. It was interesting information, I just wish it had been written like someone was actually talking about it rather than reading it out of an encyclopedia.
Ah well, aside from that, I liked the book.
And since I bought all three books over 3 years ago and am just now getting around to reading them, I'm off to read Two Testaments
From that first outing things happened and kept happening. Someone pegged her as a spy. A little far fetched, since the only reason was because she wore a certain uniquely shaped cross around her neck.
Things continue to get complicated as bad guys are introduced, another plot to the story is introduced, and so many people come and go without you knowing if their good or bad until the story progresses, and sometimes not until they're about to be killed.
Very good writing. Truly! I do enjoy Elizabeth Musser.
I wish at times it didn't sound as if I was reading from a tour guide book when certain sites around Paris were written into the story....or that it sounded like I was reading from a text book when the background of certain people or events were discussed...like discussions of Pied-Noir. It was interesting information, I just wish it had been written like someone was actually talking about it rather than reading it out of an encyclopedia.
Ah well, aside from that, I liked the book.
And since I bought all three books over 3 years ago and am just now getting around to reading them, I'm off to read Two Testaments
June 3, 2012
This book is set in France in the early 1960’s. There are many characters in the story and I actually had to write down the names so I could keep track of who was who! It is not a fast moving book but it was a good read.
This is a very detailed and complicated book. It includes intrigue and a bit of romance. The story itself does not end in this book but continues on in the next one in the series called “Two Testaments.” I liked that there was a simple map and glossary of some abbreviations at the beginning of the book. I also liked the complex characters. You will put the book down feeling like you personally know them!
I gave this book 4/5 stars because it moved a bit slow for me and the story made for a heavy read instead of a lighthearted Christian fiction story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
This is a very detailed and complicated book. It includes intrigue and a bit of romance. The story itself does not end in this book but continues on in the next one in the series called “Two Testaments.” I liked that there was a simple map and glossary of some abbreviations at the beginning of the book. I also liked the complex characters. You will put the book down feeling like you personally know them!
I gave this book 4/5 stars because it moved a bit slow for me and the story made for a heavy read instead of a lighthearted Christian fiction story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
August 4, 2024
This was fantastic! This story follows Gabriella Madison, who moves to a sleepy village for her studies. The one thing Gabby doesn't expect is to fall in love with her professor, David Hoffman.
The biggest shocker of this book was when we found out that David was Ophelie was his daughter. I'm glad that, towards the end of the book, the two are bonding.
Another thing i loved about this book was the romance between David and Gabriella. They have such a nice love story between them.
Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!
2022 update:
Gonna try the audiobook next month.
2024:
Just listened to the audiobook for the first time, and it was awesome. It did have some missing part, but, overall, not too hard to follow also with.
The biggest shocker of this book was when we found out that David was Ophelie was his daughter. I'm glad that, towards the end of the book, the two are bonding.
Another thing i loved about this book was the romance between David and Gabriella. They have such a nice love story between them.
Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!
2022 update:
Gonna try the audiobook next month.
2024:
Just listened to the audiobook for the first time, and it was awesome. It did have some missing part, but, overall, not too hard to follow also with.
October 20, 2016
This book was a terrific read. It's a bit complicated as its set during the Algerian war, which has more than two sides.
The character depth in this novel was exceptional. I really enjoyed getting to know the main and secondary characters. The background is fascinating because it's all new to me. I love history, and the history discussed here was all new to me. I'm really wanting to get the two sequels to this read.
If you love historical fiction that has meaning and purpose don't miss out on this one.
I received this book from book fun. This is my own opinion.
The character depth in this novel was exceptional. I really enjoyed getting to know the main and secondary characters. The background is fascinating because it's all new to me. I love history, and the history discussed here was all new to me. I'm really wanting to get the two sequels to this read.
If you love historical fiction that has meaning and purpose don't miss out on this one.
I received this book from book fun. This is my own opinion.
June 14, 2012
A woman and young girl bonded not only by war but by a Huguenot cross they both share. This novel took me by surprise; I expected it to be rather boring and focused on the Algerian war. I was delighted to see this historical fiction novel also had romantic and suspenseful aspects to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it was rather long and left me hanging in the end. I look forward to reading the sequel “Two Testaments”.
September 27, 2013
There are so many reasons I loved this novel. It vividly describes a time and events in history which were new to me but so intriguing. In addition, the characters' interactions were touching and quite emotionally charged with humor as well as pathos. Last but by no means least, the novel portrays inspirational characters who the devotion to God and their fellowman especially children ultimately creates a firm foundation for the entire story.
April 15, 2013
Too many "coincidences" in this book made it unbelievable. Got lost in all the French words a time or two as well. Wish I knew more about Algiers, but the book had very little background. Not reading #2 sadly.
April 18, 2025
“Two Crosses” by Elizabeth Musser | Book I of the ‘Secrets of the Cross’ Trilogy | Prequel to Book II, “Two Testaments” and Book III, “Two Destinies”
2.50 stars
For those with a short fuse or lacking patience, this book might be exasperating.
It takes until chapters 21-22 to get anything rolling. Before that, reading this book is like taking a long drive on a flat highway at the same speed without stopping or starting--just going--and no scenery on either side of the road.
There is no plotline ‘punctuation’. No tidbits that will keep you interested—just…bland, until you hit chapter 21 or 22 then things seem to develop; however, the information and plot development is sparse and slow in coming, and some of it I had already guessed by then.
I extend forgiveness for this literary boredom, since it is a trilogy. Perhaps, the author was trying to level the storyline throughout the three installments?
The ending is a hook to keep you reading on.
WHAT I ENJOYED
• the French, since my ancestry is from France. It was nice to ‘hear’ it again.
• David, Gabriella, Ophélie and some of the other main characters
• the ‘AfterWords’ section at the back of the book: an invitation to stay awhile with a historical note and opening scenes from the sequel, “Two Testaments”
WHAT WAS FRUSTRATING
• David’s so-called conversion does not mention Christ. There is no conversion without Christ: That is the very essence of salvation—His death and resurrection (John 11:25; 1 John 5:12,13). Believing in God is NOT enough—the devils believe and tremble, and they are not saved (James 2:19).
• I could not follow the chase scene in the aqueduct with all the different levels. Could not picture it from the author’s description; therefore, it lost its ‘punch’ for me.
• I kept thinking David was French by the way he was written; yet, he was an American.
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL
If the author had expanded on her descriptives (which were lacking), it would have helped to visualize and participate more effectively in the story. I felt detached from it, as though I wasn’t a part. That’s a lot to ask from a reader who spends enough time to read a book of over 445 pages. The author seemed event focused. I need to be able to see, feel, hear, smell, visualize what is going on. I feel that the author fell short here. She is seeing and feeling when she is writing; the lag for me was between her experience and her communication or transmitting of it to the reader.
SUMMARY
I will consider reading the sequel, but I am not excited about investing more time if the format will continue to exasperate me…waiting long periods of time for info….lack of descriptives, etc. After all, there are two more sequels, and that is quite a time investment.
2.50 stars
For those with a short fuse or lacking patience, this book might be exasperating.
It takes until chapters 21-22 to get anything rolling. Before that, reading this book is like taking a long drive on a flat highway at the same speed without stopping or starting--just going--and no scenery on either side of the road.
There is no plotline ‘punctuation’. No tidbits that will keep you interested—just…bland, until you hit chapter 21 or 22 then things seem to develop; however, the information and plot development is sparse and slow in coming, and some of it I had already guessed by then.
I extend forgiveness for this literary boredom, since it is a trilogy. Perhaps, the author was trying to level the storyline throughout the three installments?
The ending is a hook to keep you reading on.
WHAT I ENJOYED
• the French, since my ancestry is from France. It was nice to ‘hear’ it again.
• David, Gabriella, Ophélie and some of the other main characters
• the ‘AfterWords’ section at the back of the book: an invitation to stay awhile with a historical note and opening scenes from the sequel, “Two Testaments”
WHAT WAS FRUSTRATING
• David’s so-called conversion does not mention Christ. There is no conversion without Christ: That is the very essence of salvation—His death and resurrection (John 11:25; 1 John 5:12,13). Believing in God is NOT enough—the devils believe and tremble, and they are not saved (James 2:19).
• I could not follow the chase scene in the aqueduct with all the different levels. Could not picture it from the author’s description; therefore, it lost its ‘punch’ for me.
• I kept thinking David was French by the way he was written; yet, he was an American.
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL
If the author had expanded on her descriptives (which were lacking), it would have helped to visualize and participate more effectively in the story. I felt detached from it, as though I wasn’t a part. That’s a lot to ask from a reader who spends enough time to read a book of over 445 pages. The author seemed event focused. I need to be able to see, feel, hear, smell, visualize what is going on. I feel that the author fell short here. She is seeing and feeling when she is writing; the lag for me was between her experience and her communication or transmitting of it to the reader.
SUMMARY
I will consider reading the sequel, but I am not excited about investing more time if the format will continue to exasperate me…waiting long periods of time for info….lack of descriptives, etc. After all, there are two more sequels, and that is quite a time investment.
November 3, 2025
The premise of this book had potential: I know very little about the political situation during the Algerian Revolution, and what I did learn from this novel was genuinely interesting. I enjoyed the plotline centered around Anne-Marie and Moustafa, a Pied-Noir and a Harki who are detained and interrogated by members of the FLN, and manage to escape.
That said, I felt somewhat misled about what the book would focus on. I was expecting a story centered on the Algerian War for Independence, but much of it turned out to be a melodramatic romance instead.
The dialogue was awkward, and the writing leaned heavily on emotional drama. Characters frequently burst into tears without much buildup, and Algerian freedom-fighters use almost cartoonish tactics in the war (i.e. rolling a boulder down a hill to knock someone over the edge of a cliff). The connections between characters also felt too convenient and unrealistic.
The weakest part of this book though, is the characters themselves. The main character, Gabriella, is portrayed as a nearly perfect missionary’s daughter whose biggest problem is not the war, but that she falls in love with her atheist professor. To top it all off, in one interaction Gabriella tells David (the professor) that he has no right to be angry with God after being put in a concentration camp and losing his family during the Holocaust because her sister’s death didn’t shake her faith (pg 131-132). Moments like these throughout the book made it difficult to empathize with her or connect with any of the other characters.
Overall, while the historical setting was interesting, the characters, writing style, and general ideas expressed in this book were less so. What could have been an exciting book centered on faith in a time of conflict was more of an overly sentimental Christian romance.
That said, I felt somewhat misled about what the book would focus on. I was expecting a story centered on the Algerian War for Independence, but much of it turned out to be a melodramatic romance instead.
The dialogue was awkward, and the writing leaned heavily on emotional drama. Characters frequently burst into tears without much buildup, and Algerian freedom-fighters use almost cartoonish tactics in the war (i.e. rolling a boulder down a hill to knock someone over the edge of a cliff). The connections between characters also felt too convenient and unrealistic.
The weakest part of this book though, is the characters themselves. The main character, Gabriella, is portrayed as a nearly perfect missionary’s daughter whose biggest problem is not the war, but that she falls in love with her atheist professor. To top it all off, in one interaction Gabriella tells David (the professor) that he has no right to be angry with God after being put in a concentration camp and losing his family during the Holocaust because her sister’s death didn’t shake her faith (pg 131-132). Moments like these throughout the book made it difficult to empathize with her or connect with any of the other characters.
Overall, while the historical setting was interesting, the characters, writing style, and general ideas expressed in this book were less so. What could have been an exciting book centered on faith in a time of conflict was more of an overly sentimental Christian romance.
July 25, 2018
When Gabriella Madison arrives in France in 1961 to continue her university studies, she doesn’t anticipate being drawn into the secretive world behind the Algerian war for independence from France. The further she delves into the war efforts, the more her faith is challenged. This was a good story until the end. I felt like the author cut the legs from the story as it abruptly finished, leaving the actual fate of several characters up in the air. At the last word, I felt betrayed. Had the author written the story just to show how one person can influence another to come to know God? That's the way it felt and I wasn't happy. Sorry, guess I just like happier endings too.
July 22, 2021
Story of faith and love in conflict
This book was well written and gave me an understanding of a period in recent history about which I knew nothing. I really cared about the characters. The senior nun was a very special godly woman. Unusually her character expanded as a real person not just a habit. Faith issues bubbling under the surface and fitted well into narrative. At the start it was hard to work out who was on which side and what the main theme was and this reflected the confusion of the heroine trying to make sense of it. Highly recommend. A lot of violence appropriate for nature of topic but not gory or dwelt on too much.
This book was well written and gave me an understanding of a period in recent history about which I knew nothing. I really cared about the characters. The senior nun was a very special godly woman. Unusually her character expanded as a real person not just a habit. Faith issues bubbling under the surface and fitted well into narrative. At the start it was hard to work out who was on which side and what the main theme was and this reflected the confusion of the heroine trying to make sense of it. Highly recommend. A lot of violence appropriate for nature of topic but not gory or dwelt on too much.
June 11, 2018
Probably closer to 3.5 stars, this book was worth reading, but it felt long because a few parts weren’t as interesting. The author’s depiction of how difficult forgiveness can be is thought provoking, and the spiritual growth of one character is encouraging. I am not very familiar with the Algerian war for independence from France, so that may have been a factor in my level of enjoyment. The main characters, Gabby, Ophelie, and David, were people I cared about, and are the main reason I will probably read the other two volumes in this trilogy.
April 26, 2018
Two Crosses is a riveting, thrilling and compelling story of revenge and forgiveness spanning two continents during the Algerian War (1954-1962). Initially drawn to the book because of the Huguenot cross connection and places I had visited in southern France, the novel was both difficult to put down and, at times, difficult to read. Because of the realistic and harrowing descriptions of brutalities, I only recommend it for adult readers but I highly recommend it.
February 22, 2019
I am (self-admittedly) over-sensitive to any mention at all of violence, like torture, rape, or assault, so I struggled to enjoy this book. However, it is a well-written piece of historical fiction. I found it difficult to tease out the multiple political sides, but I think that is more an accurate reflection of the complicated nature of the French-Algerian war than any deficiency on the author’s part.
March 1, 2020
This book dovetailed with the little I knew about the war for Algerian independence from France from reading The Day of the Jackel. I lived through this war, but I was almost completely unaware of it as I went through high school and college. I thought the author did a good job of portraying the issues while developing a story about a young woman doing a study abroad in southern France. While not terribly realistic, I really enjoyed it.
January 8, 2022
This book has a wonderful storyline, but it is a very slow read. I’m not sure if I will read the sequels just because of the slowness. Because sadly, it really did not keep my interest because of the slowness.
I loved her book, the Swan house, but not sure the French – Algerian war holds my interest for another book reading. Also, this book doesn’t even have an ending it just leads into the next book.
I loved her book, the Swan house, but not sure the French – Algerian war holds my interest for another book reading. Also, this book doesn’t even have an ending it just leads into the next book.
October 21, 2024
This book and series was an interesting Christian fiction. A little romance, a Lot of Faith, some terror, and many troubles. I feel like it took a bit to get into these books and to catch on. Seemed like a lot of people to keep track of. I did listen to it though so that probably didn't help. Also I accidentally read the 3rd book first so I think that made it more confusing. But the actual content and the storyline was interesting once I wrapped my brain around it.
September 19, 2019
This book is the first of a trilogy by Elizabeth Musser. It is both a Christian novel and an historical novel. The story is set in France and Algeria and revolves around the Algerian war during the '60s to present day. Fascinating book if you like historical novels. The Christian references and story line were appropriate with an a accurate handle on the Scriptures and their meaning.
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