The Hope Before Us

Women of Valor #3

by Elyse Larson

The Exciting Conclusion to the WOMEN OF VALOR series!

Will They Escape the Sinister Forces That Are Closing in on Them?

Uncovering a diabolical Nazi plot, Marge Emerson is secretly reassigned to a medical post in France. There she meets a conscientious objector and finds his outspoken belief in God a challenge to her own fragile faith. When David shares his desire to return to Europe after the war and build an orphanage for Germany's homeless children, Marge is drawn to this selfless, compassionate man.

Marge's sister, a war correspondent, is recruited for intelligence work by an American secret service agency and quickly becomes involved in an intricate web of espionage. Em's fledgling relationship with a fellow correspondent is threatened by his concern over the dangerous risks she willingly embraces. When Marge and Em are unexpectedly reunited in France, they attempt a daring rescue.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical, World War II

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

A full-time writer with a passion for historical research, Elyse Larson developed a particular interest in World War II and the faith that sustained believers during one of the most devastating wars on earth. It was this special fascination, and a friendship with a woman who served as a Red Cross worker in Wales, that led her to develop her Women of Valor series.
Fueled by travels to Abergavenny, Wales, as well as through portions of what had been occupied France, Elyse was able to experience firsthand the geography and world that was torn asunder during the conflict. Combined with rare books she found during her travels and the personal accounts shared by her friend, she now had enough information to form her story and recreate this dramatic world.

Elyse credits her writing success to her parents’ upbringing, which taught her the importance of persistence. A native of Oregon, Elyse attended Williamette University and spent over ten years as a dental assistant before moving to writing full-time.

Since then, she has been successful in nearly every form she has attempted. The author of children’s picture books, numerous historical novels, and even a devotional for caregivers, Elyse has also been published in many periodicals including Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, and The Christian Reader. The time she isn’t writing is now spent traveling for writer’s conferences as a private writing instructor.

Elyse and her husband, Richard, continue to reside in Oregon. They have three grown children and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Lydia Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first two books In the series, this one was extremely well-written. The characters felt real, relatable, consistent, and grew.
The plot was steady, interesting, and engaging. I didn't want to put it down because so many elements were coming together and making me wonder who was good and who was bad.
This book was very close to four stars, and the fact that I read it while being sick might be why I only ranked it three stars, but I'm not really sure....
I hope to find more books by the same author to read in the future.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elyse Larson has written a series of three books titled Women of Valor. These three books follow three friends as they acclimate themselves to living in wartime. I have read and reviewed the first book, “For Such a Time” and decided after reading that first of the series that I would read all of them.

The third book in the series is “The Hope Before Us”. Like the first two books, this one keeps the reader’s attention and interest throughout. Because the theme of this book connects so thoroughly with the first two, I highly recommend reading them in order. In this third book, marge Emerson an Army nurse is secretly reassigned to a medical battlefield hospital in France. Her younger sister, Em is a correspondent who wants to be in the thick of the fighting in order to write the real stories of the conflict.

Em is recruited by an American secret agency to be a courier since she has more leeway to get around the area. She is not sure exactly who she is working for and is not sure whom to trust either. She combines her journalistic assignments with the demands of this agency and finds herself in the middle of a major espionage ring that harks back to Wales and the death of a young soldier. This is quite a series. I could not wait to read each book and spent way too many hours doing nothing but reading.

I find that Ms. Larson has a true gift. Writing historical novels entails a knowledge of that time of history and the perception of how the characters would have acted at that time. I highly recommend this entire series.

You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-w1. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.

[Frida Dillenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A WWII adventure with the heroines two sisters Marg (a military nurse) and Em (a war correspondent). They find themselves in France and end up in the same camp where they help a German family trying to escape execution. The near misses by the Gestapo are stressful. A well told story and not all ends with happily ever after. Some heartbreaking parts but ultimately God is in control and the sisters pray for deliverance. Very compassionate and filled with hope for the future.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This WW II story is interesting,but didn’t grab me like some do. The characters just didn’t seem as real to me, somehow. The action and suspense at the end was great, however. I’m glad I read it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book of this series and it did not disappoint! Continued WWII storyline, following a war corespondent/journalist and her sister who was a nurse on the Front line. Their paths cross in France as they try to help a German family escape to safety. Just as in the previous two books, there was a lot of suspense, drama and some romance. A great ending!