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A Token of Love (Christian Series Level I
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction. In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for love and justice.In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two eras bridged by the quest for love and truth.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 2024
56 people are currently reading
5099 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Turansky
33 books1,641 followersBestselling Author Carrie Turansky writes inspirational historical and contemporary novels and novellas set in England and the US. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the International Digital Award. Readers say her stories are: "Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn't put it down!" . . . "A touching love story. It captured me from the first page! Rich characters, beautifully written" . . . "My new favorite author!" Visit her website and sign up for her email newsletter at Carrie Turansky.com. Follow Carrie on Facebook and Instagram.
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June 16, 2024Hello Reading Friends, I'm looking forward to sharing this new English dual-time novel with you! I loved visiting London last January and touring The Foundling Museum. It tells the history of the Foundling Hospital, which was the first children's home in England to take in infants who might otherwise have been abandoned. It's a heart-tugging story about a young girl who goes missing from the Foundling Hospital and her aunt's desperate search to find her. I hope it will touch your heart and inspire you to have courage and stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
September 2, 2024
About this book:
“Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.”
Series: No, a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 58:6-8 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are mentioned, discussed; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Church going; Singing a hymn; Many talks about God, Jesus, asking for forgiveness, turning to Him in grief, caring for others, faiths, & those in the Bible; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Lillian’s sister doesn’t think God can forgive her for what she’s done, but Lillian says that He forgives everyone who asks; Lillian’s sister doesn’t want to pray about something because it didn’t change a past event, bur Lillian encourages her to pray regardless (and also notes in her point of view that God shouldn’t be blamed for the past choices her sister made); Lillian has a very good head on her shoulders & encourages and witnesses to her sister; Janelle is greatly upset to learn about the evil people that did wrong while working at the Foundling Hospital in the historical time-period, but thinks “She shouldn’t expect the Foundling Hospital history to be spotless with no hint of selfishness or sin. They lived in a broken world, and God had given people free will. They could choose to follow Him and live a life guided by His principles of love and justice, or they could chase after their own sinful and selfish desires.”; All four main characters have a faith with both male leads recently renewing their faiths in Christ; Many mentions of God, Jesus, Providence, having faiths, & His timing; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, a Bible study, books of the Bible, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, pastors/reverends/priests, services, sermons, hymnals, & missions; Mentions of children being baptized & baptismal names; Mentions of Being blessed & blessings; A few mentions of sins & the sinful world; A mention of Heaven; A mention of paintings of religious scenes;
*Note: A ‘for heaven’s sake’ is said; A couple mentions of luck & being lucky.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’ and two ‘stupid’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Some grief; Lillian is a widow after her husband’s ship went down years prior & feels pain when mentioning him; *Spoiler* ; Lillian is almost arrested under the misunderstanding that she is a “woman of the streets”; *Spoilers* ; Matthew’s father was a drunk & verbally abusive towards him (Matthew tries not to think about what his father used to say about him, but the reminders of his words come to mind); Lillian does not understand how her sister could birth and nurse her child for months and then give her up; All about & many mentions of the Foundling Hospital, children being given there by their parents because of different reasons, children being sent away in domestic work, children disappearing from their care and the abductions, & how most children were not reunited with their families; All about & many mentions of human trafficking, exploited children, abductions of girls and young women, missing girls and young women, the kidnappers, & evil intentions for them (including Jonas telling Janelle about his friend that was taken as a teenager and her escaping a week later, barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of crimes, arrests, prisons, young girls being “locked up” for begging on the streets, stealing, & thieves; Mentions of deaths of loved ones (including parents, a husband, and an infant daughter), dying, illnesses, & grief (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of children dying at the Foundling Hospital (which the matron blames the mothers for abandoning their children & Lillian blames the inadequate nursing at the home); Mentions of abusive situations & teens/children running away from home because of the abuse; Mentions of injuries & beatings (including a young girl being injured and beaten & it happen to other girls, up to semi-detailed on her injuries); Mentions of a drunk driver, accident, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of threats; Mentions of bribes & corrupt officials including police officers; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, & pubs; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of eavesdropping; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of divorces; A few mentions of a child sliding down the banister and dying (after this happened, spikes were added to the banister); A couple mentions of a fire; A couple mentions of drugs; A couple mentions of gambling; A mention of a threat about skinning someone alive; A mention of a stalker; A mention of fighting; A mention of cigar smoke; A mention of jealousy; A mention of a butcher with a bloodstained apron;
*Note: Janelle’s parents both “struggled with various issues” (drugs and alcohol) and she went into foster care when she was two to a good foster family (she considers herself one of the lucky ones); Lillian is passionate about allowing women education and employment so they can “lift themselves from poverty and shame to positions of respectability and honor”, gives a speech on it (some of the women agree with her and some are uncomfortable with the topic), & there’s mentions of it throughout the book; In the modern setting, a teenager gets upset often by her father and stepmother’s plans and yells “You don’t care how I feel or what I want! I wish I’d never come!” and often slams her bedroom door (Later, she refers to her father by his first name and lies to them; She doesn’t like their rules, rebels at times, & says they’re ruining her life; She also refers to her siblings as half-brothers and accuses her dad of only taking her stepmother’s side); The teenager is talking to a guy online that has the adults around her concerned & Jonas comments on it being like the guy has an emotional hold on her or is grooming her; Mentions of premature births, concern for the babies making it, & issues arising daily in the NICU (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of Google & Wikipedia; A few mentions of a teen playing League of Legends; A few mentions of social media (Instagram); A few mentions of authors (Charles Dickens & Jane Austen); A few mentions of Uber; A few mentions of the pandemic; A few mentions of iPads; A mention of FaceTime; A mention of a young woman with a nose piercing.
Sexual Content- A fingers-to-lips touch, a hand/fingers kiss, a forehead kiss, two cheek kisses, two not-detailed kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and two semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Sparks, Nearness, & Smelling (x2, barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to touch (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (including curves, x2, border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Lillian’s sister ran away with a solider years before the book starts & the only communication she’s heard from her is a birth notice of her daughter five months after she left (out-of-wedlock pregnancy and they never married; Lillian later thinks that her sister allowed herself to be wooed and bedded before they were married); Lillian and Matthew interview teen girls from a home for those who have come out of brothels, prisons, and workhouses (one fourteen-year-old shares that a man tricked her family into sending her with him under the guise of needing a maid, but took her to a brothel instead and adds that she “didn’t know anything about men, but I soon learned” and ran away after two weeks there); *Spoilers* *Bigger Spoiler* ; *Spoilers* ; *Spoilers* ; Janelle’s ex-boyfriend was cheating on her during the time they were dating & she is upset at herself for missing the signs; A teenage girl in the modern setting is talking to a guy she met online, but the adults in her life (including Janelle) are concerned about it (Jonas comments on it having similarities to grooming, but Janelle isn’t sure it’s that serious); *Spoiler* ; Matthew comments to Lillian about not aiming to get a glimpse of her ankle (she gives him a “heated glare” for the comment); Men leer & whistles at Lillian and other women; All about & many mentions of pretty little girls from the Foundling Hospital disappearing & being sent to work “belowstairs” at brothels to do cleaning, washing up, and laundry until they’re old enough for upstairs (girls as young as eight years old working downstairs and others disappearing who are fourteen to sixteen); Many mentions of brothels, women feeling as if they have no choice but to work at one for their survival, fallen women, a home for women who have come out of brothels, women being mistreated by men, men entrapping the young women, & the goal of some good people to raise the age of consent; Mentions of The Contagious Disease Act that allowed police to arrest women suspected of being prostitutes (this is an active act in the historical setting); Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends/girlfriends, cheating, exes, breakups, & broken hearts; A few mentions of an unfaithful man & him leaving the mother of his child and daughter (no longer claiming either of them); A couple mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of women in the 1700s and 1800s becoming social outcasts if they have a child out of wedlock; Love, attraction, falling in love, & the emotions (x2);
*Note: A few mentions of Lillian and Janelle’s curves (from Matthew and Jonas’ perspectives).
-Lillian Freemont, age 31
-Matthew McGivern
-Janelle Spencer
-Jonas Conrad
P.O.V. switches between them
Dual-Time Period (set in both 1885 & 2023)
346 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Though I’ve been looking forward to this book since the author first announced it, besides the back-cover blurb, I didn’t really know too much about it. Once I started reading, however, all I could think was “please let this end happy”. (I might have trust issues with books that deal with hard topics like families being separated and human trafficking.) I’m glad to report that it does end happy and that I found myself tearing up at the epilogue.
Dual-time period novels aren’t typically my favorite because it usually feels like two novellas smashed into each other and I get pulled out of the story that I was just pulled into when the chapter ends. However, I didn’t feel that way with this book as the two meshed well. I would read another book just on what happened to our historical couple and everyone there, though, because it looked to be the start of a lovely family with one of my favorite tropes, “the found family” trope.
Both relationships/romances are attracted to the other pretty quick, but it didn’t bother me as much as it usually would because it was based on the other’s character and not their physical appearance. As far as romances go, I think I actually preferred the modern-setting relationship between Janelle and Jonas because of their faith conversations. Lillian and Matthew had their cute moments, but I’m afraid I was more invested in seeing justice happen in their time-period.
Human trafficking and abductions are hard to hear about, let alone read books on the topic. For some reason, the back-cover didn’t imply to be that this book would have the first one mentioned, though, now I can see it in-between the lines. It’s handled very delicately, but it’s still sad to see. This may make sense to very few others, but I think the historical human trafficking is sadder than the current day in some ways. In the unfortunately-still-happening modern day human trafficking, we can actively do something and fight against it. But in the historical setting—though this book’s account is fictional, it’s inspired by actual events—what’s done is done and can’t be rewritten for the victims have already passed and I hate the final-ness that it is. It can spur you into action for the current problem, but it still weighs heavy on my heart.
I’ve read multiple books by this author and while it’s not a new favorite, I appreciate her sensitivity to this hard topic. It’s not going to be a book I’ll recommend to most BFCG readers because of said topic, but for older teens wanting a look into a hard setting without being flooded with details from the actual content, this might be a book to check out.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.”
Series: No, a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 58:6-8 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are mentioned, discussed; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Church going; Singing a hymn; Many talks about God, Jesus, asking for forgiveness, turning to Him in grief, caring for others, faiths, & those in the Bible; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Lillian’s sister doesn’t think God can forgive her for what she’s done, but Lillian says that He forgives everyone who asks; Lillian’s sister doesn’t want to pray about something because it didn’t change a past event, bur Lillian encourages her to pray regardless (and also notes in her point of view that God shouldn’t be blamed for the past choices her sister made); Lillian has a very good head on her shoulders & encourages and witnesses to her sister; Janelle is greatly upset to learn about the evil people that did wrong while working at the Foundling Hospital in the historical time-period, but thinks “She shouldn’t expect the Foundling Hospital history to be spotless with no hint of selfishness or sin. They lived in a broken world, and God had given people free will. They could choose to follow Him and live a life guided by His principles of love and justice, or they could chase after their own sinful and selfish desires.”; All four main characters have a faith with both male leads recently renewing their faiths in Christ; Many mentions of God, Jesus, Providence, having faiths, & His timing; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, a Bible study, books of the Bible, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, pastors/reverends/priests, services, sermons, hymnals, & missions; Mentions of children being baptized & baptismal names; Mentions of Being blessed & blessings; A few mentions of sins & the sinful world; A mention of Heaven; A mention of paintings of religious scenes;
*Note: A ‘for heaven’s sake’ is said; A couple mentions of luck & being lucky.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’ and two ‘stupid’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Some grief; Lillian is a widow after her husband’s ship went down years prior & feels pain when mentioning him; *Spoiler* ; Lillian is almost arrested under the misunderstanding that she is a “woman of the streets”; *Spoilers* ; Matthew’s father was a drunk & verbally abusive towards him (Matthew tries not to think about what his father used to say about him, but the reminders of his words come to mind); Lillian does not understand how her sister could birth and nurse her child for months and then give her up; All about & many mentions of the Foundling Hospital, children being given there by their parents because of different reasons, children being sent away in domestic work, children disappearing from their care and the abductions, & how most children were not reunited with their families; All about & many mentions of human trafficking, exploited children, abductions of girls and young women, missing girls and young women, the kidnappers, & evil intentions for them (including Jonas telling Janelle about his friend that was taken as a teenager and her escaping a week later, barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of crimes, arrests, prisons, young girls being “locked up” for begging on the streets, stealing, & thieves; Mentions of deaths of loved ones (including parents, a husband, and an infant daughter), dying, illnesses, & grief (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of children dying at the Foundling Hospital (which the matron blames the mothers for abandoning their children & Lillian blames the inadequate nursing at the home); Mentions of abusive situations & teens/children running away from home because of the abuse; Mentions of injuries & beatings (including a young girl being injured and beaten & it happen to other girls, up to semi-detailed on her injuries); Mentions of a drunk driver, accident, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of threats; Mentions of bribes & corrupt officials including police officers; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, & pubs; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of eavesdropping; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of divorces; A few mentions of a child sliding down the banister and dying (after this happened, spikes were added to the banister); A couple mentions of a fire; A couple mentions of drugs; A couple mentions of gambling; A mention of a threat about skinning someone alive; A mention of a stalker; A mention of fighting; A mention of cigar smoke; A mention of jealousy; A mention of a butcher with a bloodstained apron;
*Note: Janelle’s parents both “struggled with various issues” (drugs and alcohol) and she went into foster care when she was two to a good foster family (she considers herself one of the lucky ones); Lillian is passionate about allowing women education and employment so they can “lift themselves from poverty and shame to positions of respectability and honor”, gives a speech on it (some of the women agree with her and some are uncomfortable with the topic), & there’s mentions of it throughout the book; In the modern setting, a teenager gets upset often by her father and stepmother’s plans and yells “You don’t care how I feel or what I want! I wish I’d never come!” and often slams her bedroom door (Later, she refers to her father by his first name and lies to them; She doesn’t like their rules, rebels at times, & says they’re ruining her life; She also refers to her siblings as half-brothers and accuses her dad of only taking her stepmother’s side); The teenager is talking to a guy online that has the adults around her concerned & Jonas comments on it being like the guy has an emotional hold on her or is grooming her; Mentions of premature births, concern for the babies making it, & issues arising daily in the NICU (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of Google & Wikipedia; A few mentions of a teen playing League of Legends; A few mentions of social media (Instagram); A few mentions of authors (Charles Dickens & Jane Austen); A few mentions of Uber; A few mentions of the pandemic; A few mentions of iPads; A mention of FaceTime; A mention of a young woman with a nose piercing.
Sexual Content- A fingers-to-lips touch, a hand/fingers kiss, a forehead kiss, two cheek kisses, two not-detailed kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and two semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Sparks, Nearness, & Smelling (x2, barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to touch (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (including curves, x2, border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Lillian’s sister ran away with a solider years before the book starts & the only communication she’s heard from her is a birth notice of her daughter five months after she left (out-of-wedlock pregnancy and they never married; Lillian later thinks that her sister allowed herself to be wooed and bedded before they were married); Lillian and Matthew interview teen girls from a home for those who have come out of brothels, prisons, and workhouses (one fourteen-year-old shares that a man tricked her family into sending her with him under the guise of needing a maid, but took her to a brothel instead and adds that she “didn’t know anything about men, but I soon learned” and ran away after two weeks there); *Spoilers* *Bigger Spoiler* ; *Spoilers* ; *Spoilers* ; Janelle’s ex-boyfriend was cheating on her during the time they were dating & she is upset at herself for missing the signs; A teenage girl in the modern setting is talking to a guy she met online, but the adults in her life (including Janelle) are concerned about it (Jonas comments on it having similarities to grooming, but Janelle isn’t sure it’s that serious); *Spoiler* ; Matthew comments to Lillian about not aiming to get a glimpse of her ankle (she gives him a “heated glare” for the comment); Men leer & whistles at Lillian and other women; All about & many mentions of pretty little girls from the Foundling Hospital disappearing & being sent to work “belowstairs” at brothels to do cleaning, washing up, and laundry until they’re old enough for upstairs (girls as young as eight years old working downstairs and others disappearing who are fourteen to sixteen); Many mentions of brothels, women feeling as if they have no choice but to work at one for their survival, fallen women, a home for women who have come out of brothels, women being mistreated by men, men entrapping the young women, & the goal of some good people to raise the age of consent; Mentions of The Contagious Disease Act that allowed police to arrest women suspected of being prostitutes (this is an active act in the historical setting); Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends/girlfriends, cheating, exes, breakups, & broken hearts; A few mentions of an unfaithful man & him leaving the mother of his child and daughter (no longer claiming either of them); A couple mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of women in the 1700s and 1800s becoming social outcasts if they have a child out of wedlock; Love, attraction, falling in love, & the emotions (x2);
*Note: A few mentions of Lillian and Janelle’s curves (from Matthew and Jonas’ perspectives).
-Lillian Freemont, age 31
-Matthew McGivern
-Janelle Spencer
-Jonas Conrad
P.O.V. switches between them
Dual-Time Period (set in both 1885 & 2023)
346 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Though I’ve been looking forward to this book since the author first announced it, besides the back-cover blurb, I didn’t really know too much about it. Once I started reading, however, all I could think was “please let this end happy”. (I might have trust issues with books that deal with hard topics like families being separated and human trafficking.) I’m glad to report that it does end happy and that I found myself tearing up at the epilogue.
Dual-time period novels aren’t typically my favorite because it usually feels like two novellas smashed into each other and I get pulled out of the story that I was just pulled into when the chapter ends. However, I didn’t feel that way with this book as the two meshed well. I would read another book just on what happened to our historical couple and everyone there, though, because it looked to be the start of a lovely family with one of my favorite tropes, “the found family” trope.
Both relationships/romances are attracted to the other pretty quick, but it didn’t bother me as much as it usually would because it was based on the other’s character and not their physical appearance. As far as romances go, I think I actually preferred the modern-setting relationship between Janelle and Jonas because of their faith conversations. Lillian and Matthew had their cute moments, but I’m afraid I was more invested in seeing justice happen in their time-period.
Human trafficking and abductions are hard to hear about, let alone read books on the topic. For some reason, the back-cover didn’t imply to be that this book would have the first one mentioned, though, now I can see it in-between the lines. It’s handled very delicately, but it’s still sad to see. This may make sense to very few others, but I think the historical human trafficking is sadder than the current day in some ways. In the unfortunately-still-happening modern day human trafficking, we can actively do something and fight against it. But in the historical setting—though this book’s account is fictional, it’s inspired by actual events—what’s done is done and can’t be rewritten for the victims have already passed and I hate the final-ness that it is. It can spur you into action for the current problem, but it still weighs heavy on my heart.
I’ve read multiple books by this author and while it’s not a new favorite, I appreciate her sensitivity to this hard topic. It’s not going to be a book I’ll recommend to most BFCG readers because of said topic, but for older teens wanting a look into a hard setting without being flooded with details from the actual content, this might be a book to check out.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
August 23, 2024
Step into the vivid world of A Token of Love, where Carrie Turansky masterfully blends the gritty realities of Victorian London with the vibrant pulse of contemporary life, revealing an unforgettable story of faith and fortitude. This book tells a story as it immerses you in the harsh realities of London’s past and present, leaving a lasting imprint on the heart and soul.
Turansky's depiction of emotional strength is a remarkable feat. Each character’s journey through turmoil and tribulation is depicted with such raw authenticity that it’s impossible not to be moved. The depth of emotional exploration is palpable, and the characters’ growth through their trials is beautifully rendered. Their struggles and triumphs are deeply felt experiences that resonate with anyone who has faced adversity.
Christian faith is the driving force behind the characters’ actions and decisions. Turansky weaves a tapestry of faith that is both genuine and impactful. The novel beautifully captures the essence of forgiveness, compassion, and divine intervention. Characters are guided by their spiritual beliefs in a way that is deeply authentic, reflecting a relationship with Christ that informs every choice they make. The intertwining of faith with the pursuit of justice is handled with grace, underscoring the profound influence of Christian principles on personal and societal transformation.
Justice is a central theme in the novel, and Turansky addresses it with a powerful sense of urgency and moral clarity. The relentless quest for truth is portrayed as a noble endeavor, driven by characters who refuse to stand by in the face of injustice. Their dedication to uncovering and addressing the hidden wrongs of their time speaks to a broader commitment to ethical principles and a desire to honor both God and those created in His image -- humanity. The obstacles they encounter and overcome highlight their unwavering commitment to justice, making their journey both inspiring and thought-provoking.
In A Token of Love, Turansky crafts a dual-time narrative that bridges past and present with seamless finesse. The novel’s atmosphere shifts between the somber shadows of historical London and the vibrant hope of contemporary settings, creating a dynamic backdrop that enhances the emotional and thematic depth of the story. The characters are shaped by the time periods in ways that reflect the enduring nature of the challenges they face.
This book is a compelling reminder of the transformative power of faith, the enduring quest for justice, and the deep connections that bind us across time. Turansky’s storytelling is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unchanging, faithful sovereignty and love of God.
As I turned the pages, Matthew 25:34-46 was swirling in my heart and mind. A Token of Love has inspired a deep reflection on the characters’ choices and the echoes of their faith and justice in my own daily life. This novel challenges, inspires, and ultimately uplifts, making it an unforgettable read!
I received a digital ARC of A Token of Love from the author, publisher, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Turansky's depiction of emotional strength is a remarkable feat. Each character’s journey through turmoil and tribulation is depicted with such raw authenticity that it’s impossible not to be moved. The depth of emotional exploration is palpable, and the characters’ growth through their trials is beautifully rendered. Their struggles and triumphs are deeply felt experiences that resonate with anyone who has faced adversity.
Christian faith is the driving force behind the characters’ actions and decisions. Turansky weaves a tapestry of faith that is both genuine and impactful. The novel beautifully captures the essence of forgiveness, compassion, and divine intervention. Characters are guided by their spiritual beliefs in a way that is deeply authentic, reflecting a relationship with Christ that informs every choice they make. The intertwining of faith with the pursuit of justice is handled with grace, underscoring the profound influence of Christian principles on personal and societal transformation.
Justice is a central theme in the novel, and Turansky addresses it with a powerful sense of urgency and moral clarity. The relentless quest for truth is portrayed as a noble endeavor, driven by characters who refuse to stand by in the face of injustice. Their dedication to uncovering and addressing the hidden wrongs of their time speaks to a broader commitment to ethical principles and a desire to honor both God and those created in His image -- humanity. The obstacles they encounter and overcome highlight their unwavering commitment to justice, making their journey both inspiring and thought-provoking.
In A Token of Love, Turansky crafts a dual-time narrative that bridges past and present with seamless finesse. The novel’s atmosphere shifts between the somber shadows of historical London and the vibrant hope of contemporary settings, creating a dynamic backdrop that enhances the emotional and thematic depth of the story. The characters are shaped by the time periods in ways that reflect the enduring nature of the challenges they face.
This book is a compelling reminder of the transformative power of faith, the enduring quest for justice, and the deep connections that bind us across time. Turansky’s storytelling is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unchanging, faithful sovereignty and love of God.
As I turned the pages, Matthew 25:34-46 was swirling in my heart and mind. A Token of Love has inspired a deep reflection on the characters’ choices and the echoes of their faith and justice in my own daily life. This novel challenges, inspires, and ultimately uplifts, making it an unforgettable read!
I received a digital ARC of A Token of Love from the author, publisher, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
August 22, 2024
This is a story every heart will embrace. With her signature attention to historical detail, Carrie Turansky has penned a heartwarming dual-time story that centers around the London Foundling Hospital, in 1885 and the present day. With main characters that fight for the safety of women and children, who through circumstances out of their control, find themselves helpless to those who would exploit them. Ms. Turansky does not shy away from tough topics, but handles them with grace by focusing on hope.
I eagerly devoured the story finding both of the heroines, Lillian and Janelle, relatable with a strong faith and a big heart.
This is the perfect blend of history and an intriguing mystery. Of redemption and hope. Of the families we are born into and the families we make. And of learning to risk loss in order to gain love.
***** I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I eagerly devoured the story finding both of the heroines, Lillian and Janelle, relatable with a strong faith and a big heart.
This is the perfect blend of history and an intriguing mystery. Of redemption and hope. Of the families we are born into and the families we make. And of learning to risk loss in order to gain love.
***** I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 6, 2024
Dual timeline story set in 1885 and present day London, England. Deals with various aspects of human trafficking in both storylines. I very quickly got invested with the characters and the search taking place on the 1885 timeline. It took me longer to connect with the characters in the present-day timeline for some reason. I would have been happy if it had been completely ser in 1885. Each time I entered a chapter set in the present, I wanted the other timeline. I did enjoy that the present-day timeline provided answers to what happened to the characters from the past. It provided good closure for the characters. ( I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.)
September 21, 2024
1885 and 2003 London
Lovely! This novel pulled me with the first chapter set in 1885 London. Widow Lillian Freemont discovers her estranged sister is ill and has a daughter that was given to the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Lillian's search for her niece had me turning pages.
In the current day thread interim head of the Foundling Museum Janelle Spencer works with filmmaker Jonas Conrad in creating a documentary. The hope is that the documentary will garner enough donations for the museum to survive.
While I enjoyed both threads, it was the historical one that had me most engaged. The romance between Lillian and investigative reporter Matthew McGivern was slow burning and beautifully created.
The cover is perfect for the pages inside.
My gratitude to the author for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Lovely! This novel pulled me with the first chapter set in 1885 London. Widow Lillian Freemont discovers her estranged sister is ill and has a daughter that was given to the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Lillian's search for her niece had me turning pages.
In the current day thread interim head of the Foundling Museum Janelle Spencer works with filmmaker Jonas Conrad in creating a documentary. The hope is that the documentary will garner enough donations for the museum to survive.
While I enjoyed both threads, it was the historical one that had me most engaged. The romance between Lillian and investigative reporter Matthew McGivern was slow burning and beautifully created.
The cover is perfect for the pages inside.
My gratitude to the author for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
August 5, 2024
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky is a highly engaging, exceptional tale of people and places that are years apart, but united by heartache, loss, love and an enduring faith in God.
A split-time romance filled with mystery, this memorable book will keep the reader entranced until the last page. I loved the faith element. In 1885 Lillian and Matthew trust God will help expose the seedy underbelly of child trafficking, while in present-day London, Janelle and Jonas must decide if exposing the past will be detrimental to the Foundling Museum and its potential donors.
With side characters that bring the theme of child trafficking to the forefront, the author has created an interesting and thoughtful narrative that will leave the reader with much to think about.
If you enjoy romance, mystery and history, then you will love A Token of Love.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
A split-time romance filled with mystery, this memorable book will keep the reader entranced until the last page. I loved the faith element. In 1885 Lillian and Matthew trust God will help expose the seedy underbelly of child trafficking, while in present-day London, Janelle and Jonas must decide if exposing the past will be detrimental to the Foundling Museum and its potential donors.
With side characters that bring the theme of child trafficking to the forefront, the author has created an interesting and thoughtful narrative that will leave the reader with much to think about.
If you enjoy romance, mystery and history, then you will love A Token of Love.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
September 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this dual-timeline story! I enjoyed the way the historical and present day stories blended together. I really liked both sets of main characters and the chemistry that they had. I also really enjoyed reading about the Foundling Hospital. I could tell that Carrie Turansky did plenty of research to make this so realistic and compelling. I would definitely recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
September 3, 2024
In this outstanding dual-time story, Carrie Turansky delivers a well-researched, enthralling tale. London's Foundling Hospital is the connection between the settings of 1885 and present. Characters in both eras have committed their lives to ensure the safety and well being of children afflicted by poverty and circumstance. With captivating mystery and tender, heartfelt moments, this book is hard to put down. The author handles a very difficult topic with beauty and grace. I highly recommend reading this touching historical fiction.
I received a digital copy of this book. This review is my opinion.
I received a digital copy of this book. This review is my opinion.
September 8, 2024
4.5⭐️I really enjoy Carrie Turansky’s writing style and how she chooses difficult topics to bring awareness to helplessness children. The story centers around child trafficking and I love how stepping out in faith plays a role in helping combat evil. It is a dual timeline and I found myself more captivated by the historical timeline but I did enjoy the modern timeline and it showed how children are affected by trafficking today.
September 10, 2025
The subject matter was definitely timely! It handled human trafficking across the eras.
July 29, 2024
More than 5 stars for this book! I loved everything about it! My favorite setting is at Lillian's house. Her private garden is a place of tranquility and restfulness. There's some drama and two sweet love stories!
The characters are relatable and easy to like! I have many favorites, but Lillian is my #1! She's resourceful, generous, compassionate, and caring! Her faith in God is inspiring. Even when all seems lost, she perseveres and doesn't give up.
The dual timeline and the way that they joined brought the past and the present together seamlessly. I found the subject of the tokens fascinating. The author's note is definitely a must-read!
Some difficult issues are mentioned throughout the book. Abandonment, human trafficking and abducted children. While these may be sensitive topics, they are important to be aware of.
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are relatable and easy to like! I have many favorites, but Lillian is my #1! She's resourceful, generous, compassionate, and caring! Her faith in God is inspiring. Even when all seems lost, she perseveres and doesn't give up.
The dual timeline and the way that they joined brought the past and the present together seamlessly. I found the subject of the tokens fascinating. The author's note is definitely a must-read!
Some difficult issues are mentioned throughout the book. Abandonment, human trafficking and abducted children. While these may be sensitive topics, they are important to be aware of.
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 27, 2024
My favorite book by this author that I have read. A moving story of a foundling museum and a mystery that traverses time. At once heartbreaking and sweet I couldn't stop reading this book. I loved the characters and really enjoyed both timelines. The romances were so sweet and I couldn't get enough of the couples.
I especially loved the historic timeline, but I usually do in dual timeline novels. The rich history and setting drew me in immediately and I was always eagerly anticipating what would happen next to our characters.
**trigger warning, could be spoiler....
This book deals with tough topics of girls and young women being sold to brothels.
*thank you to Baker Publishing and #NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts in my review are my own.
I especially loved the historic timeline, but I usually do in dual timeline novels. The rich history and setting drew me in immediately and I was always eagerly anticipating what would happen next to our characters.
**trigger warning, could be spoiler....
This book deals with tough topics of girls and young women being sold to brothels.
*thank you to Baker Publishing and #NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts in my review are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2024
This was a dual time story that tells the history of the London Foundling Home and later the London Foundling Museum. The author has done wonderful research into the practice of leaving a token with the home in hopes of reclaiming the children given into its care. It is based on fact, real people and documented stories of children in 1885 London. Ms. Turansky weaves a touching tale of searching for a lost daughter and the shocking practices that were uncovered in connection to the foundling home.
Present day has acting director of the museum Janelle and videographer Jonas researching the Foundling Home for a fund raising video for the museum. What they uncover has Janelle questioning the outcome if certain things come to light as they search for the truth behind it all.
An interesting part was the recounting of the first investigative journalist in 1855 London.
See how the past impacts the future in this fascinating tale based on real events.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Present day has acting director of the museum Janelle and videographer Jonas researching the Foundling Home for a fund raising video for the museum. What they uncover has Janelle questioning the outcome if certain things come to light as they search for the truth behind it all.
An interesting part was the recounting of the first investigative journalist in 1855 London.
See how the past impacts the future in this fascinating tale based on real events.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
October 11, 2024
Whoops, I read this entire book in a day. I couldn’t put it down. I loved it!
Carrie Turansky is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, and does some of the best dual timeline stories that I’ve read. I really enjoyed the segments in the present and the past and seeing them come together. I did enjoy the story in the 1880s just a little bit more, simply because that story had more action, but I did enjoy the present storyline as well.
While human trafficking is not an easy topic to read about, the story never got too heavy or depressing. I found the author’s note interesting, particularly where she got her inspiration for the story.
I believe this is a standalone, which is a shame because I would love a continuation or an epilogue of sorts of the historical family. I loved how that was resolved, but I wanted more! They were all so sweet.
Carrie Turansky is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, and does some of the best dual timeline stories that I’ve read. I really enjoyed the segments in the present and the past and seeing them come together. I did enjoy the story in the 1880s just a little bit more, simply because that story had more action, but I did enjoy the present storyline as well.
While human trafficking is not an easy topic to read about, the story never got too heavy or depressing. I found the author’s note interesting, particularly where she got her inspiration for the story.
I believe this is a standalone, which is a shame because I would love a continuation or an epilogue of sorts of the historical family. I loved how that was resolved, but I wanted more! They were all so sweet.
October 21, 2024
AMAZING! One of my favorite books this year as it ticked all the boxes for everything I want in a great book. I find dual time line fascinating when it is done well and all the connections between past and present are woven together flawlessly. From 1885 London to 2023 London you will be engrossed from start to finish. I loved the characters and the flow of the story. Although it was heartbreaking at times I loved the tenacity of Lillian to find her niece and her compassion for her sister. I give the author kudos for being brave enough to tackle the delicate subject of child trafficking and shine the light on this difficult subject with finesse. If you are looking for a book that you can’t put down then I suggest moving this to the top of your must read pile . Sometimes we read a book that resonates with us and we don’t want it to end and that was what this was for me. Faith, family, friends, history, and romance that combine into a book well worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
August 4, 2024
Another winner from gifted storyteller Carrie Turansky! A Token of Love features two equally compelling timelines set in London in 1885 and present-day. The transitions are seamless in the cleverly plotted story. This captivating, touching read kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. The historical detail is amazing! Real people and places are expertly intertwined with the fictional ones. The Foundling Hospital is prominent in the historical story, and the Foundling Museum is the focus in the present-day story in which the echoes of the past are being heard in the present. The brilliantly crafted, realistic characters are easy to connect with and care about. Two heartwarming love stories add interest and depth to the story. I appreciate the encouraging faith thread that reminds us to trust God during difficult times and not let the past dictate the present and future. Ms. Turansky tackles the relevant issue of human trafficking head-on, but thoughtfully, raising awareness of the problem. I thoroughly enjoyed this inspiring, satisfying read and highly recommend it as a must read for fans of inspirational historical romance and dual-time stories.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 22, 2024
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky highlights the world of Human Trafficking in modern times and in the past. In London, Turansky focuses on a foundling hospital and the good work that they do for orphans, but then there is a dark, seedy side to the organization. Both stories depend on something that happened in the past, and how it reflects and affects the future storyline. The plot was a little sad that human trafficking still happens today as it did in the past. Readers will enjoy how Turansky weaves the two storylines seamlessly. The characters dove deep into their emotions. I really enjoyed how Turansky created a storyline that depended on the historical aspects. The plot kept my attention, and I wanted to see how the happily-ever-after moment would happen. I loved seeing the setting of London, and how Turansky will draw readers into the setting as much as the plot. As for the spiritual element, it was most definitely there, and I enjoy how it flowed naturally from certain characters. Overall, A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky is an eye-opening historical novel that has great characters that captured my attention. I recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
September 1, 2024
This is a dual-timed historical fiction, set 138 years apart in London, England - Victorian 1885 and modern 2023.
The book begins in 1885 with 2 sisters, Lillian and Serena, with 2 differing life choices, but where forgiveness and love wins! Lillian teaches Serena that "Praying for guidance is always the right response, no matter how desperate we feel". They have both "suffered terrible losses" and they lean on each other as they get to grips with the unimaginable.
Enter Matthew who is a journalist, who takes risks to help both Lillian and Serena. He puts his life in danger and realises that his "commitment to Christ ..... did not mean the road would always be smooth.....". He also helps Lillian to trust and love again, as she doesn't "want pain or fear to guide my life any longer"!
We also encounter a group of God-fearing ladies who help change the course of history through prayer and giving voices to those who had none!
In 2023 we find Janelle, a woman of faith, thrust into a higher position of responsibility at the Foundling Museum, where she works. Her workload has suddenly become pressurised! She allows Olivia, her neighbours' daughter, to volunteer at the museum, and in doing so, she adds drama to her own life. Olivia is a troubled teen who has to deal with some close-to-home issues, but finds forgiveness and reconciliation.
Jonas is employed to help Janelle at the museum by doing research and making a film of the history of the Foundling Hospital, and there they unravel a mystery that could make or break the future of the museum. Just as Matthew does with Lillian in 1885, Jonas helps Janelle find love again and are brought together through their faith in God as well as through work.
The story covers a difficult issue, but one that mustn't be ignored as it's something that still goes on today. It's a powerful, beautifully written story, where the two timelines are woven perfectly, highlighting faith, forgiveness, love, a strong belief in prayer, and seeking justice.
It's a page-turner and I hope readers find it as enthralling as I did!
The book begins in 1885 with 2 sisters, Lillian and Serena, with 2 differing life choices, but where forgiveness and love wins! Lillian teaches Serena that "Praying for guidance is always the right response, no matter how desperate we feel". They have both "suffered terrible losses" and they lean on each other as they get to grips with the unimaginable.
Enter Matthew who is a journalist, who takes risks to help both Lillian and Serena. He puts his life in danger and realises that his "commitment to Christ ..... did not mean the road would always be smooth.....". He also helps Lillian to trust and love again, as she doesn't "want pain or fear to guide my life any longer"!
We also encounter a group of God-fearing ladies who help change the course of history through prayer and giving voices to those who had none!
In 2023 we find Janelle, a woman of faith, thrust into a higher position of responsibility at the Foundling Museum, where she works. Her workload has suddenly become pressurised! She allows Olivia, her neighbours' daughter, to volunteer at the museum, and in doing so, she adds drama to her own life. Olivia is a troubled teen who has to deal with some close-to-home issues, but finds forgiveness and reconciliation.
Jonas is employed to help Janelle at the museum by doing research and making a film of the history of the Foundling Hospital, and there they unravel a mystery that could make or break the future of the museum. Just as Matthew does with Lillian in 1885, Jonas helps Janelle find love again and are brought together through their faith in God as well as through work.
The story covers a difficult issue, but one that mustn't be ignored as it's something that still goes on today. It's a powerful, beautifully written story, where the two timelines are woven perfectly, highlighting faith, forgiveness, love, a strong belief in prayer, and seeking justice.
It's a page-turner and I hope readers find it as enthralling as I did!
September 3, 2024
What a great story and a hard topic to write about. Human trafficking is horrible and the author does a great job with telling the story. I really enjoyed this split timeline story. I will admit I was more interested in the 1800s story but I loved all of it. I loved all the characters and their determination to keep the innocent safe. There is good Christian content included as well. I also liked that there was some romance in the story too. Overall, I thought this was an excellent story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: young girls sold to brothel, girl injured at brothel, girl almost gets kidnapped by online guy
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: young girls sold to brothel, girl injured at brothel, girl almost gets kidnapped by online guy
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
September 8, 2024
A Story For The Heart-
A Token of Love paints a vivid picture of London’s Foundling Hospital and historical Foundling Museum, past and present. The past includes the disappearance of a group of young girls while the present questions the discovery of the event. Again, Carrie Turansky beautifully weaves settings and characters, real and fictional, into a tale that is both emotional and inspirational. This story is, no doubt, one for the keeper shelf.
The narration of this audiobook is authentic and relaxing. Susan Lyons accent, inflections and portrayal of different characters proves to capture the story and bring it to life. I highly recommend it.
This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received the ebook format from a LibraryThing giveaway through the publisher, free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I purchased the audiobook format.
A Token of Love paints a vivid picture of London’s Foundling Hospital and historical Foundling Museum, past and present. The past includes the disappearance of a group of young girls while the present questions the discovery of the event. Again, Carrie Turansky beautifully weaves settings and characters, real and fictional, into a tale that is both emotional and inspirational. This story is, no doubt, one for the keeper shelf.
The narration of this audiobook is authentic and relaxing. Susan Lyons accent, inflections and portrayal of different characters proves to capture the story and bring it to life. I highly recommend it.
This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received the ebook format from a LibraryThing giveaway through the publisher, free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I purchased the audiobook format.
September 3, 2024
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky is a must read!! In this time-split tale, women are threatened with the horrifying human trafficking issues. The storytelling was so strong, drawing me in until I found it difficult to put it down. Don’t miss this book chalked full of God’s mercies and compassion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
October 15, 2024
This captivating novel connects situations in London during the late 1800s with present-day scenarios, all focused around the Foundling Hospital. Connections between the two time periods abound, along with parallels between the main characters from each of these time periods. Both of the settings and the people in them captured me and made me care about these realistic characters and what happened to them. The story rings true, and it also demonstrates ongoing repercussions to the events portrayed. The suffering and challenges the characters face drive the tale and draw the reader in as the intriguing plot progresses. I also appreciated the powerful faith element and the difference it made in the characters’ lives. The heart-tugging drama would make a great choice for a book club discussion. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2024
Carrie Turansky sweeps the reader right in with her latest novel, A Token of Love! A Token of Love is a split-time novel that takes place in London, England and takes the reader between the years of 1885 and 2023. In 1885, the Foundling Hospital is a respected establishment similar to an orphanage that helps the city take care of children who need a place to stay. Family members can come back to get their children by leaving a token with the child to help identify them so that they can return home to their loved ones, but very few do. Lillian Freemont is one of those that is looking for her loved one. When Lillian arrives at the Foundling Hospital to bring her niece Alice home, Lillian is told that Alice is dead. Before Lillian leaves, an employee tells Lillian that Alice’s death is a lie. Lillian enlists the help of investigative journalist Matthew McGivern to help her locate Alice. In 2023, Janelle Spencer is helping to run the Foundling Museum and oversee the Foundling Museum Gala. The Foundling Museum has enlisted the help of videographer Jonas Conrad to create a documentary of the Museum’s history. When Jonas uncovers some unsavory history, Janelle and Jonas set out to find the truth. As Lillian and Matthew and Janelle and Jonas seek to find the truth in their own timelines, all are learning a powerful lesson of how God is in control and true justice comes from Him.
Carrie Turansky’s A Token of Love has swept me in like no other. A Token of Love is a type of Christian Historical Fiction novel, that, to me, is in the vein of Liz Tolsma’s Echoes of the Past series, Kim Vogel Sawyer’s My Heart Remembers series, and Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours (which is some of my favorite books of all time). I love how Ms. Turansky writes the transitions between 1885 and 2023 effortlessly. I love how each storyline of 1885 and 2023 are equally their own and at the same time, somehow meet up to to wrap the storyline in a perfect bow, with a perfect ending. I love all the main characters. I love the character of Lillian and how she used what God has blessed her with to bring justice to those less fortunate. I love the character of Matthew and how he goes after a story for the sake of good. I love the character of Janelle and admire her for what she overcame. I love the character of Jonas and how he always sought to bring Truth to whatever he is trying to create. Though generations apart, Lillian and Matthew and Janelle and Jonas’ lives parallel a lot. I love how Janelle and Matthew lives mirrored not growing up with biological families. I love how both Matthew and Jonas had jobs in the communications field. But more importantly, I love how Lillian, Matthew, Janelle, and Jonas put God and His Justice first above all. The Message I took away from A Token of Love is this: When things don’t always work the way we think they should, God is still working behind the scenes and can use it for good. That Message is woven all throughout A Token of Love! If you are looking for a read that is encouraging, full of Godly Truth with a little bit of suspense and romance sprinkled in, then I highly recommend A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky!
Have you read A Token of Love? What did you think of the book?
I would like to thank Carrie Turansky for giving me a copy of A Token of Love to review and for letting me be on the A Token of Love Launch Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Carrie Turansky’s A Token of Love has swept me in like no other. A Token of Love is a type of Christian Historical Fiction novel, that, to me, is in the vein of Liz Tolsma’s Echoes of the Past series, Kim Vogel Sawyer’s My Heart Remembers series, and Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours (which is some of my favorite books of all time). I love how Ms. Turansky writes the transitions between 1885 and 2023 effortlessly. I love how each storyline of 1885 and 2023 are equally their own and at the same time, somehow meet up to to wrap the storyline in a perfect bow, with a perfect ending. I love all the main characters. I love the character of Lillian and how she used what God has blessed her with to bring justice to those less fortunate. I love the character of Matthew and how he goes after a story for the sake of good. I love the character of Janelle and admire her for what she overcame. I love the character of Jonas and how he always sought to bring Truth to whatever he is trying to create. Though generations apart, Lillian and Matthew and Janelle and Jonas’ lives parallel a lot. I love how Janelle and Matthew lives mirrored not growing up with biological families. I love how both Matthew and Jonas had jobs in the communications field. But more importantly, I love how Lillian, Matthew, Janelle, and Jonas put God and His Justice first above all. The Message I took away from A Token of Love is this: When things don’t always work the way we think they should, God is still working behind the scenes and can use it for good. That Message is woven all throughout A Token of Love! If you are looking for a read that is encouraging, full of Godly Truth with a little bit of suspense and romance sprinkled in, then I highly recommend A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky!
Have you read A Token of Love? What did you think of the book?
I would like to thank Carrie Turansky for giving me a copy of A Token of Love to review and for letting me be on the A Token of Love Launch Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 12, 2024
Gifted storyteller, Carrie Turansky has done it again. Her latest release, A TOKEN OF LOVE is a beautifully written story that stands as a call to us on behalf of the “invisible” women and children who have become victims of human trafficking. And if you think this is a new phenomenon or only happens in 3rd world countries, her dual-timeline story is set in London’s 1885 as well as contemporary times and will disprove that thinking.
THE STORY: In 1885 London, widow Lillian Freemont begins a risky journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was left by Lillian’s sister at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the dark and nefarious streets of London—a conduit of evil that swallows the innocent and disenfranchised. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself thrust into the role of managing the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes an alarming turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on an upsetting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for truth and justice.
This novel gives us suspense, mystery, heroism, and romance—all qualities of this author’s stories. With compassion and strength, she takes us on an authentic journey of faith and second chances and standing up for those who cannot. It was truly a page-turner.
Highly recommended for readers of Christian fiction, dual-timeline stories, Victorian-age stories, human trafficking issues, romance, and faith journeys.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.
THE STORY: In 1885 London, widow Lillian Freemont begins a risky journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was left by Lillian’s sister at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the dark and nefarious streets of London—a conduit of evil that swallows the innocent and disenfranchised. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself thrust into the role of managing the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes an alarming turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on an upsetting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for truth and justice.
This novel gives us suspense, mystery, heroism, and romance—all qualities of this author’s stories. With compassion and strength, she takes us on an authentic journey of faith and second chances and standing up for those who cannot. It was truly a page-turner.
Highly recommended for readers of Christian fiction, dual-timeline stories, Victorian-age stories, human trafficking issues, romance, and faith journeys.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.
September 6, 2024
This book brings with it a lot of emotions. It's not an easy story to read, or to tell, I imagine, but it is so worth your time. Human trafficking is a horrifying and terrifying reality in our world today and to think about how it effected people 140 years ago is crazy to consider. So, read this book and be prepared to want to cuddle your people.
If you like parallel timelines, mysteries, London, history, and light romances, check this one out.
CW: Christian novel with heavy themes such as human trafficking
If you like parallel timelines, mysteries, London, history, and light romances, check this one out.
CW: Christian novel with heavy themes such as human trafficking
December 30, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Read: September 2024
Format: Audiobook from Audible
Narrator: Susan Lyons
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #48 of 50 - “with a dual timeline” (1885 & 2023)
Book #94 of 2024: Wow! I was immersed into this novel from the very start. Both timelines were good on their own but even better together! The narration is spot on as well.
The characters were all so clear to me and everything played out in my mind like a movie. The reality of child trafficking is so important to me and it is something that must be brought out of the dark so that people know. It is not a *conspiracy theory.* Our children are our greatest treasure.
There was a line about how a 2023 timeline character had always viewed trafficking as a modern issue but yet it had happened even in the Victorian era. While that is true, it has been a sickening part of history from way before that. Even worse, it has become an even bigger and broader 8 billion per year *business* in current day. Clearly we did not learn or watch carefully enough. It is something that needs to completely end. For that to happen, it means stopping the rich and powerful that continue to do it even now.
From the first time I read Carrie Turansky in the McAlister Family series, I knew she was an author for me to continue with. I cannot recommend this novel enough. I give that recommendation with a caveat or forewarning: Be sure to carve out the time you will need because you will want to read or listen to all of it with necessary breaks only.
Read: September 2024
Format: Audiobook from Audible
Narrator: Susan Lyons
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #48 of 50 - “with a dual timeline” (1885 & 2023)
Book #94 of 2024: Wow! I was immersed into this novel from the very start. Both timelines were good on their own but even better together! The narration is spot on as well.
The characters were all so clear to me and everything played out in my mind like a movie. The reality of child trafficking is so important to me and it is something that must be brought out of the dark so that people know. It is not a *conspiracy theory.* Our children are our greatest treasure.
There was a line about how a 2023 timeline character had always viewed trafficking as a modern issue but yet it had happened even in the Victorian era. While that is true, it has been a sickening part of history from way before that. Even worse, it has become an even bigger and broader 8 billion per year *business* in current day. Clearly we did not learn or watch carefully enough. It is something that needs to completely end. For that to happen, it means stopping the rich and powerful that continue to do it even now.
From the first time I read Carrie Turansky in the McAlister Family series, I knew she was an author for me to continue with. I cannot recommend this novel enough. I give that recommendation with a caveat or forewarning: Be sure to carve out the time you will need because you will want to read or listen to all of it with necessary breaks only.
September 6, 2024
I could not put this story down! Carrie does a beautiful job of weaving a current day and a historical timeline and the stories compliment each other so well. I was invested in the story from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to see where the story was going to take these characters. A wonderful read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, as well as purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, as well as purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.
September 2, 2024
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky
This dual timeline historical fiction story set in London featured two women who alongside their family and friends encounter child exploitation and human trafficking. Carrie Turansky shared tough truths in compassionate ways by allowing several characters to experience the situations.
As Lillian and Janelle and those around them wrestled with choices and feelings, hope touched each decision, even the ones that didn’t work out as planned. That felt like the heart of Carrie Turansky’s writing.
Comprehensive research blended effortlessly with the fictional storyline. I didn’t want to rush through the book, but I did want to finish so that I could read the author’s notes.
Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley shared a complimentary copy of this breathtaking book with me. It was my pleasure to read A Token of Love and share my review.
This dual timeline historical fiction story set in London featured two women who alongside their family and friends encounter child exploitation and human trafficking. Carrie Turansky shared tough truths in compassionate ways by allowing several characters to experience the situations.
As Lillian and Janelle and those around them wrestled with choices and feelings, hope touched each decision, even the ones that didn’t work out as planned. That felt like the heart of Carrie Turansky’s writing.
Comprehensive research blended effortlessly with the fictional storyline. I didn’t want to rush through the book, but I did want to finish so that I could read the author’s notes.
Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley shared a complimentary copy of this breathtaking book with me. It was my pleasure to read A Token of Love and share my review.
October 31, 2024
A Token Of Love by Carrie Turansky is a delightful Christian dual timeline novel that drew me in from the start. I had a dilemma – read on and find out what happens or savor each page. I chose to savor each page. I never wanted this book to end.
The novel has the Foundling Hospital in London at its’ centre. It is set in 1885 and present day. It concerns the topic of human trafficking which is not a modern problem as it happened in Victorian times too. Action alternates between both time periods as one particular young girls’ story unites the periods.
Within the story, there are parallel themes as we witness the evil of men towards young girls. There is a love interest too. And over it all, is the love of God.
We witness the power of prayer. “In a time of crisis, people often reached out to those who believed in prayer.” Prayer taps into the love of God as He works in the situations where we feel most powerless. “We need to do our part and trust Him with the outcome.” God can be trusted with our lives. Sometimes all we can do is pray. At other times action is required. When we get to the end of ourselves, we find that God meets us there.
Everyone faces losses. Losses are dealt with differently by everyone. The Lord sustains us when we feel overwhelmed. “I don’t know how people can go through losses… without faith to sustain them.” Jesus lifts us up when we are in pain and hurting. He will always hear our prayers and heal our hearts.
God’s timing is perfect. “Trusting the Lord’s timing even when there are delays or cancelled projects.” His delays will always lead to His plans. We need to press into God and realise that His ‘wait’ is just a pause to something greater.
Sometimes in life we wonder why God is silent. “Prayed to God, but I don’t know if He heard me.” God always hears our prayers. His silence is not His absence.
In life we sometimes let fear hold us back from receiving God’s best for us. “Don’t blame the Lord if it’s truly fear that holds you back from all He wants to give you.” We need to step out and ‘do it afraid.’
Courage is required after we have been hurt. A character has been hurt in love, is it worth risking love again? “Did she have the courage… Could she… offer her heart again?”
In life, medicine and miracles go hand in hand. “With prayer and good nursing… your sister will recover.” God uses the medical staff to achieve His purposes.
All the characters were well drawn, realistic and believable. Two characters were real life figures who fought for those who had no voice in Victorian Britain – young girls and women. Their campaigns would bring about change.
We see that teens in modern Britain face similar but different problems as there is grooming online. Teens are far too trusting and need the older generation to look out for them and to provide positive role models.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Token Of Love. Carrie Turansky has woven the two time periods to construct a marvellous tale that entertains, educates and leaves the reader wanting more, more, more.
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The novel has the Foundling Hospital in London at its’ centre. It is set in 1885 and present day. It concerns the topic of human trafficking which is not a modern problem as it happened in Victorian times too. Action alternates between both time periods as one particular young girls’ story unites the periods.
Within the story, there are parallel themes as we witness the evil of men towards young girls. There is a love interest too. And over it all, is the love of God.
We witness the power of prayer. “In a time of crisis, people often reached out to those who believed in prayer.” Prayer taps into the love of God as He works in the situations where we feel most powerless. “We need to do our part and trust Him with the outcome.” God can be trusted with our lives. Sometimes all we can do is pray. At other times action is required. When we get to the end of ourselves, we find that God meets us there.
Everyone faces losses. Losses are dealt with differently by everyone. The Lord sustains us when we feel overwhelmed. “I don’t know how people can go through losses… without faith to sustain them.” Jesus lifts us up when we are in pain and hurting. He will always hear our prayers and heal our hearts.
God’s timing is perfect. “Trusting the Lord’s timing even when there are delays or cancelled projects.” His delays will always lead to His plans. We need to press into God and realise that His ‘wait’ is just a pause to something greater.
Sometimes in life we wonder why God is silent. “Prayed to God, but I don’t know if He heard me.” God always hears our prayers. His silence is not His absence.
In life we sometimes let fear hold us back from receiving God’s best for us. “Don’t blame the Lord if it’s truly fear that holds you back from all He wants to give you.” We need to step out and ‘do it afraid.’
Courage is required after we have been hurt. A character has been hurt in love, is it worth risking love again? “Did she have the courage… Could she… offer her heart again?”
In life, medicine and miracles go hand in hand. “With prayer and good nursing… your sister will recover.” God uses the medical staff to achieve His purposes.
All the characters were well drawn, realistic and believable. Two characters were real life figures who fought for those who had no voice in Victorian Britain – young girls and women. Their campaigns would bring about change.
We see that teens in modern Britain face similar but different problems as there is grooming online. Teens are far too trusting and need the older generation to look out for them and to provide positive role models.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Token Of Love. Carrie Turansky has woven the two time periods to construct a marvellous tale that entertains, educates and leaves the reader wanting more, more, more.
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
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