Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Smith

Title: Becoming Mrs. Smith

Author: Tanya E. Williams

Release: October 10, 2017

Publisher: Rippling Effects Writing & Photography

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Tanya E. Williams

Synopsis:

Violet’s heart flutters from the scarlet fever she survived as a child, and it beats faster at the sight of John Smith, the man she plans to marry. America is entrenched in WWII, and when John enlists, Violet is certain she won’t ever forgive him for dashing their dreams. As the realities of war slowly overtake her life, Violet’s days are filled with uncertainty and grief. She struggles to maintain her faith in John, as the world as she knows it, crumbles.

Becoming Mrs. Smith is the inspiring, and at times, heartbreaking story of a woman’s struggle to reclaim what she lost. War stole the man she loves, and childhood illness weakened her heart—perhaps beyond repair. While guns rage in Europe, the war Violet faces at home may be even more devastating.

My Review:

“I plead with God to make me well. I promise to live a simple life. I will never wish for extravagance, if only He will save me from the fever.”

Violet has suffered through scarlet fever and lives to breathe another day, but not without, what she believes, to be a damaged heart. We follow her through decades of her life as she comes of age, falls in love and then is ultimately separated from her beau as he enlists as a soldier for World War II.

I have to be completely honest, this book made me cry a total of 8 times! Ridiculous, I know. However, this is just a small example of how profound this story is. Following Violet through her happy times and her sorrows, as well as every one else around her that is suffering from the family members they are losing in the war effort.

It has now been over 70 years since that war began and many of us do not know what it feels like to have been in that situation. The lack of communication and availability of information was minuscule compared to what we have access to today. Family members huddled around radios listening to daily broadcasts to find out what was happening and waiting for the dreadful moment that someone arrived with a telegram to tell you a loved one was now gone.

Williams work is a masterpiece and I cannot say enough about it. If you truly love historical fiction I highly recommend this one and the sequel that will be coming out soon titled “Stealing Mr. Smith”.

About the Author:

A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightfulness into the human condition deepens her character’s experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams’ favorite tales, speak to the reader’s heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.

Becoming Mrs. Smith is Ms. Williams’ debut historical fiction title and the first in a three book series.

Breathe, an inspirational & photographic journey, is Tanya Williams’ first publication. Dipping her toe in the waters of book publishing, Tanya chose a project inspired by both her appreciation for her own meditation practices & her husband’s love of photography.

With the focus of being in the moment, Tanya’s words uplift, inspire, & motivate readers as they immerse themselves in beautiful & diverse images captured by David Williams.

Find her on Instagram

Note: The author provided me a Kindle copy for my review.