I am a WWII history fan. Amy Lynn Green has written about a little-known event from this period. She has also involved men who were conscientious objectors to the war. Another great element is that it takes place in Oregon. Most of my reading to date has been about the horrors of Europe's war. Her characters were well-drawn. Both sides of the argument between the fighters and the peacekeepers are given. This is a well-written piece and I will gladly read her next one when it comes out. ( )

I'm not sure why I got this book, it's CF not my usual genre, but I was interested in the conscientious objector status in history and this young man was a Quaker. The story of his place in the fire jumpers was interesting and the setting was beautiful and the characters were pretty well done and thoughtful. ( )

The Lines Between Us had me contemplating what makes a hero? Is it the person who blindly follows orders or the person who thinks and makes decisions based on their beliefs?

Gordon Hooper follows the Quaker faith and as one of the "friends", he feels it is his moral obligation to not fight during WWII. Instead, he becomes a smokejumper. He parachutes into forest fires and does his best to stop them. He recruits his best friend, Jack, to join him. Things change when Jack has an accident.

Dorie Armitage believes that her brother Jack and his best friend, Gordon, are cowards because they objected to fighting during the war. She hasn't talked to her brother and basically refuses to acknowledge him until someone says her brother may be in danger and then he has his accident.

This book is more of a mystery. Dorie and Gordon reluctantly join forces to find out what happened to Jack. There is a cover-up and they want to get to the bottom of it. Sometimes the truth is surprising and unexpected.

I really enjoyed this mystery. I found the characters to be very likable and it made me think about what is right and what is wrong? I also pondered the concept of judging others when I have not walked in their shoes. The book is full of suspense and action. I felt as if I were right there with the characters as they unraveled the mystery of the accident.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. ( )

I’m blown away by this author, second novel (I feel is even better than the first) because of the way she grabs readers hearts and imaginations, leading them to an all-encompassing, riveting conclusion, which had me a little teary eyed, burning the midnight oil. What seemed to start out as your typical boy meets girl, War begins, and they start to write love letters kind of story that quickly morphs into something very unexpected. Just when I think I’ve read all the different scenarios involving historical fiction novels about WWII, this author reveals events that were hidden from the world, showcasing groups like Triple Nickle Officers – 555th Parachute Infantry Division. I was also fascinated to learn about other things that happened on American soil.

This author does a great job of showing what best friends Gordon and Jack go through when they register as conscientious objectors, men who will not fight. They are willing to help their country but not kill in the process. Gordon is a Quaker; his friend Jack wasn’t but felt the same way he did. Gordon tells a friend of his ethical dilemma. “…You assumed I’d leap at the chance to fire bullets through men who have the misfortune of living in a country ruled by a madman….It’s not right, I can’t read the New Testament and find a way to justify killing or any violence, and now…well, now’s my chance to live it out. Even though it’s hard.”

Jack and Gordon sign up to be smokejumpers (a firefighter who parachutes into the site of a forest fire) protecting the Flintlock Mountain National Forest. Their motto states, “Courage is running toward the fire, not away from it.” These men embrace this motto and grow in leaps and bounds. I enjoyed the author notes which reveal what was historically accurate and which was not, I like how the author showed another side of war through Jack’s sister Dorie as she signed up to be part of the WAC – Women Army Corp.

This is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book. It is one that will work well for your next book club pick. The author includes twelve discussion questions to help generate a lively discussion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

Digging Out the Truth!

World War II changed lots of things, and that was especially true of the relationship between siblings Dorie and Jack. They were close all their lives, but when Jack decided to become a conscientious objector after the war broke out, Dorie couldn’t understand. Nor could she forgive his friend, Gordon, for influencing Jack to take that stand.

But now Jack is dead, and despite being told nothing unusual took place, Dorie is determined to find out what really happened to him. Skirting the truth on many levels, Dorie arrives at the forest where Jack worked, disguised as a government worker. She is unhappy to find Gordon at the camp, and feels forced to ask him for help. Most of the time, Gordon is hostile towards her, but reluctantly, he gives her a small amount of assistance.

As she digs into uncovering the truth about what happened to Jack, she finds lots of plausible possibilities. But when she gets to the true story, will she live long enough to tell it? Many exciting circumstances take place, plus there are some unexpected twists and turns, including some in Gordon’s history. What happened to Jack is both surprising, and actually based on true events of the time.

Having a personal connection to the war through my parents, I enjoy stories set during that time period—having this one revolve around conscientious objectors, made this tale even more fresh and interesting. The puzzle of Jack's death, along with the real human conflicts, make this a story that will keep you riveted until you learn the outcome.

I recommend this five-star book to fans of clean, exciting mysteries told from a faith viewpoint.

Bethany House Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Lines Between Us, for the purpose of review. ( )