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The Secret Place
Previously published under the title Sanctuary
The Secret Place, an award winning historical Christian novel by Molly Noble Bull, begins in France in 1740 with the murder of Rachel Levin’s sweetheart as well as her parents. Rachel flees her French village with her late sweetheart’s brother, Pierre Dupre—a Huguenot, and they take refuge in a church until the military captain responsible for the deaths arrives. The captain wants Rachel as his mistress or he wants her dead. Rachel and Pierre agree to a marriage of convenience and manage to escape. Will they reach Scotland as planned? Or will their lives end on an English countryside?
The Secret Place, under the title Sanctuary, won the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award in the inspirational category and tied for first place in a second national contest for published authors that year.
Published in conjunction with Hartline Literary Agency.
The Secret Place, an award winning historical Christian novel by Molly Noble Bull, begins in France in 1740 with the murder of Rachel Levin’s sweetheart as well as her parents. Rachel flees her French village with her late sweetheart’s brother, Pierre Dupre—a Huguenot, and they take refuge in a church until the military captain responsible for the deaths arrives. The captain wants Rachel as his mistress or he wants her dead. Rachel and Pierre agree to a marriage of convenience and manage to escape. Will they reach Scotland as planned? Or will their lives end on an English countryside?
The Secret Place, under the title Sanctuary, won the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award in the inspirational category and tied for first place in a second national contest for published authors that year.
Published in conjunction with Hartline Literary Agency.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 15, 2007
Book description:
Fleeing persecution in 18th-century France, Jewish Rachel Levin and Huguenot Pierre Dupre take refuge in a church. They're safe, until the man who killed Rachel's family arrives. Captain Vallae wants her as his mistress---or dead! Rachel and Pierre's "marriage" and subsequent escape leave Vallae furious! Can they reach Scotland before the captain takes revenge?
My review:
Sanctuary is a riveting historical with a twist of suspense and a tender romance born from tragedy. I love stories where someone is out to get two young people who long for love but dare not experience it due to tragic circumstances. I had no idea when I started this book that it would give me everything I love. The cover is a bit "dark" so it didn't pull me toward the story. The publication date did and my need to review it in advance. This is a great example of not being able to tell a book by it's cover. The picture is calm. The story is anything but calm. It's action, adventure, intrigue, peril, love, loss, and intense faith. See what I mean?
This story had me turning the pages as I experienced their fear as they fled from the French Captain bent on destroying them. Their slowly developing feelings brought about by hardship and the need to learn to trust each other swept me away. The story was beautiful. The almost-kisses made me a bit frantic, but I love that. This is a satisfying read about the persecution experienced by the Huguenots and the Jewish people in the mid 1700s. It will hold your attention, I promise.
Sanctuary was published by Tsaba House and released today! So hurry and get a copy while you can!
Fleeing persecution in 18th-century France, Jewish Rachel Levin and Huguenot Pierre Dupre take refuge in a church. They're safe, until the man who killed Rachel's family arrives. Captain Vallae wants her as his mistress---or dead! Rachel and Pierre's "marriage" and subsequent escape leave Vallae furious! Can they reach Scotland before the captain takes revenge?
My review:
Sanctuary is a riveting historical with a twist of suspense and a tender romance born from tragedy. I love stories where someone is out to get two young people who long for love but dare not experience it due to tragic circumstances. I had no idea when I started this book that it would give me everything I love. The cover is a bit "dark" so it didn't pull me toward the story. The publication date did and my need to review it in advance. This is a great example of not being able to tell a book by it's cover. The picture is calm. The story is anything but calm. It's action, adventure, intrigue, peril, love, loss, and intense faith. See what I mean?
This story had me turning the pages as I experienced their fear as they fled from the French Captain bent on destroying them. Their slowly developing feelings brought about by hardship and the need to learn to trust each other swept me away. The story was beautiful. The almost-kisses made me a bit frantic, but I love that. This is a satisfying read about the persecution experienced by the Huguenots and the Jewish people in the mid 1700s. It will hold your attention, I promise.
Sanctuary was published by Tsaba House and released today! So hurry and get a copy while you can!
December 3, 2015
The Secret Place, written by Molly Noble Bull, is the second book I’ve read by Ms. Bull. The setting of this book begins in France in 1740. The Huguenot’s and Jew’s were hated in France at that time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the time period…there was just enough history, religion and that romantic aspect which made it a nice package. The search for “The Secret Place” throughout this book is one you will enjoy taking with this author!
My favorite character was Pierre. Pierre was the oldest brother of a Huguenot family. He was a strong, caring man who put others before himself. He constantly was looking for ways to protect those in his care and he was ever faithful to the Lord Jesus. In a time when his faith was challenged, he still lived a God honoring life.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is “One can never get too much learning, but wisdom comes from the Lord.” Education is needed to be successful in the business world, but to have wisdom from the Lord through the circumstances of life is far more valuable.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I recommend this book!
My favorite character was Pierre. Pierre was the oldest brother of a Huguenot family. He was a strong, caring man who put others before himself. He constantly was looking for ways to protect those in his care and he was ever faithful to the Lord Jesus. In a time when his faith was challenged, he still lived a God honoring life.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is “One can never get too much learning, but wisdom comes from the Lord.” Education is needed to be successful in the business world, but to have wisdom from the Lord through the circumstances of life is far more valuable.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I recommend this book!
December 13, 2015
The Secret Place
This beautiful story let's us know that God is truly our Secret Place; everything that Pierre and Rachel had to endure was a test of faith, but God was with them on their journey. God provided a way for them to escape and allow certain situations so that Rachel's heart would be open to get to know Him. Pierre was amazing, he was caring, strong, understanding and a man of faith. Even though the characters were great I think the greatest message is trusting God no matter what circumstances you are facing and remaining true to Him no matter if you have to endure persecution because of your beliefs.
This beautiful story let's us know that God is truly our Secret Place; everything that Pierre and Rachel had to endure was a test of faith, but God was with them on their journey. God provided a way for them to escape and allow certain situations so that Rachel's heart would be open to get to know Him. Pierre was amazing, he was caring, strong, understanding and a man of faith. Even though the characters were great I think the greatest message is trusting God no matter what circumstances you are facing and remaining true to Him no matter if you have to endure persecution because of your beliefs.
December 2, 2015
Sanctuary has been brought back as The Secret Place. What a blessing! Molly Noble Bull has given us a gift in this totally engaging novel. The story is filled with Molly's trademark twists and turns. Just when the reader thinks he/she knows the plot is going in one direction, it takes off in another. I love the way Molly weaves historical fact throughout the book. We learn a lot while engaged in the fictional lives of her characters. Once again I heartily recommend Molly Noble Bell as a favorite author. Keep those novels coming, Molly!
March 21, 2020
Setting: France
Time Period: 1740
The Secret Place by Molly Bull is a story about the French Huguenots escaping France in 1740. When Rachel and Pierre miss their ship out of the country, a Catholic priest agrees to help them, but only if they marry. Rachel is still in love with Pierre’s brother who died during a house raid and doubts she can love his brother. Will they make it to Scotland? Or will Captain Valle capture them as enemies of the crown?
I’m a little torn about what to say… In ways, the plot was exciting and drew me in. There was one night I needed to go to bed and didn’t want to because I wanted to see what happened. On the other hand, the writing style got on my nerves. (LOL) If you’re familiar with the concept of “show not tell,” then you know what I mean when I say the whole book was “tell not show.” The conversations between the characters were not very engaging and showed no emotion at all. There were also places where the point of view would change from one character to another without any warning, which caused confusion at times. I kept with the book because it drew me in enough to want to know what happened, but the style in which it happened could have been better.
Conclusion: I liked “The Secret Place,” but not sure I would recommend it based on the poor writing style. The story was good and had a lot of travel and adventure. It’s not so bad if you’re willing to look past some of the amateur mistakes and look at the story as a whole, you might enjoy it too. But as I said before, I’m torn. The potential was so good, yet, some parts were so bad. I don’t mean to be negative, just wish to be honest about how I felt when reading.
Time Period: 1740
The Secret Place by Molly Bull is a story about the French Huguenots escaping France in 1740. When Rachel and Pierre miss their ship out of the country, a Catholic priest agrees to help them, but only if they marry. Rachel is still in love with Pierre’s brother who died during a house raid and doubts she can love his brother. Will they make it to Scotland? Or will Captain Valle capture them as enemies of the crown?
I’m a little torn about what to say… In ways, the plot was exciting and drew me in. There was one night I needed to go to bed and didn’t want to because I wanted to see what happened. On the other hand, the writing style got on my nerves. (LOL) If you’re familiar with the concept of “show not tell,” then you know what I mean when I say the whole book was “tell not show.” The conversations between the characters were not very engaging and showed no emotion at all. There were also places where the point of view would change from one character to another without any warning, which caused confusion at times. I kept with the book because it drew me in enough to want to know what happened, but the style in which it happened could have been better.
Conclusion: I liked “The Secret Place,” but not sure I would recommend it based on the poor writing style. The story was good and had a lot of travel and adventure. It’s not so bad if you’re willing to look past some of the amateur mistakes and look at the story as a whole, you might enjoy it too. But as I said before, I’m torn. The potential was so good, yet, some parts were so bad. I don’t mean to be negative, just wish to be honest about how I felt when reading.
July 29, 2009
I love Scotland and have happy memories of vacations there with my family and later with my husband. So knowing that the characters of Sanctuary were seeking a new life in Scotland made me keen to read the book. The inclusion of the words to the famous hymn, “Faith of our Fathers” in the introduction intrigued me too, as I remember singing it often in my Catholic elementary school. And a book about the Huguenots with a title character called Rachel Levin has to be fascinating.
Rachel is Jewish, and the book opens with some very revealing details of Jewish life in Europe in the 1700s. The juxtaposition of despised Huguenots and despised Jews certainly makes the reader think. And the characters’ conversations give more food for thought. There are evil villains, in particular a military captain who dedicates his life to chasing after Rachel, but there are also surprising helpers; Catholic monks, fishermen and even noblemen who seem to risk all to protect the innocent.
Behind it all, there’s the question of Rachel’s culture and faith. Will she confess who she is? And will she fall for the man she is pretending to be married to? Will she be drawn into his Huguenot faith?
The novel is the first of a series but presents a delightfully complete story in its own right. I hope I might get to read the others sometime, but meanwhile I’m grateful to thechristianpulse.com for this introduction to Molly Noble Bull’s writing.
Rachel is Jewish, and the book opens with some very revealing details of Jewish life in Europe in the 1700s. The juxtaposition of despised Huguenots and despised Jews certainly makes the reader think. And the characters’ conversations give more food for thought. There are evil villains, in particular a military captain who dedicates his life to chasing after Rachel, but there are also surprising helpers; Catholic monks, fishermen and even noblemen who seem to risk all to protect the innocent.
Behind it all, there’s the question of Rachel’s culture and faith. Will she confess who she is? And will she fall for the man she is pretending to be married to? Will she be drawn into his Huguenot faith?
The novel is the first of a series but presents a delightfully complete story in its own right. I hope I might get to read the others sometime, but meanwhile I’m grateful to thechristianpulse.com for this introduction to Molly Noble Bull’s writing.
March 17, 2016
I can already hear some people that I know picking at this book for being too loose, or worldly, etc. but the truth is, if the author had writen this book with my standards, morals and beliefs I would have learned nothing about the way things were during that time!
This author has done a lovely job of painting a picture of the life and times, terrors and things people had to do to stay alive while often not knowing if the person you were trusting was a traitor or not.
I will read more from this author.
This author has done a lovely job of painting a picture of the life and times, terrors and things people had to do to stay alive while often not knowing if the person you were trusting was a traitor or not.
I will read more from this author.
April 12, 2016
God's Blessing
This book is wonderfully written with the Lord's wisdom and teaching throughout. It not only was a beautiful love story and mystery but taught of forgiveness and love we should all practice.
This book I would recommend to any with a heart for true love and adventure with the teaching of the Lord's word.
This book is wonderfully written with the Lord's wisdom and teaching throughout. It not only was a beautiful love story and mystery but taught of forgiveness and love we should all practice.
This book I would recommend to any with a heart for true love and adventure with the teaching of the Lord's word.
December 22, 2015
The secret place
Beautifully written. Author captures your attention in every twists and turns. The characters come alive. The descriptions of the places and way of live is definitely well described. Wonderful Christian story!
Beautifully written. Author captures your attention in every twists and turns. The characters come alive. The descriptions of the places and way of live is definitely well described. Wonderful Christian story!
November 21, 2016
Very good book!
I would definitely recommend this book. It can be read by all ages since it is a "clean" read. This is a well-written book and the characters are well rounded. I will look for more of this author's books.
I would definitely recommend this book. It can be read by all ages since it is a "clean" read. This is a well-written book and the characters are well rounded. I will look for more of this author's books.
December 27, 2016
An entertaining story that is also a good reminder of what many Christians have suffered for their faith
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews