About the Book

Book: Wings Like A Dove

Author: Camille Eide

Genre: Historical fiction/romance

Release Date: December 1, 2019

Can the invisible walls that separate people ever come down?

In 1933, Anna Leibowicz is convinced that the American dream that brought her Jewish family here from Poland is nothing but an illusion. Her father has vanished. Her dreams of college can’t make it past the sweat-shop door. And when she discovers to her shame and horror that she’s with child, her mother gives her little choice but to leave her family. Deciding her best course of action is to try to find her father, she strikes out…hoping against hope to somehow redeem them both.

When Anna stumbles upon a house full of orphan boys in rural Indiana who are in desperate need of a tutor, she agrees to postpone her journey. But she knows from the moment she meets their contemplative, deep-hearted caretaker, Thomas Chandler, that she doesn’t dare risk staying too long. She can’t afford to open her heart to them, to him. She can’t risk letting her secrets out.

All too soon, the townspeople realize she’s not like them and treat her with the same disdain they give the Sisters of Mercy—the nuns who help Thomas and the boys—and Samuel, the quiet colored boy Thomas has taken in. With the Klan presence in the town growing ever stronger and the danger to this family increasing the longer she stays, Anna is torn between fleeing to keep them safe…and staying to fight beside them.

Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest…

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About the Author

Camille writes poignant, inspirational love stories some call “more than a romance.” She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grandma, office admin, lead foot, cinnamon roll baker, and a bass guitarist. She’s a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, and Peanut M&Ms.

More from Camille

If Only I Could Fly Away…

“Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” -Psalm 55:6-8

What do you think of when you read this passage from Psalms? Does the idea of escape tempt you? Have you ever cried out for relief from life’s storms?

In Wings Like a Dove, Anna faces growing difficulties in her life. Psalm 55:6 is brought to her attention and she ponders it more than once, especially as the difficulties in her life steadily increase.

As Polish Jews in the early 1900s, Anna’s family lived in constant upheaval, so fleeing danger is nothing new to her. The problem is that Anna craves connection and community. While she was often uprooted, at least Anna enjoyed the security of family—until now. As the story begins, she is turned out of her home and must journey across the country alone, a heartache that only intensifies the persecution she faces as a Jew, an immigrant, and an unwed woman with child.

But her journey is temporarily delayed out of necessity, and she quickly falls in love with those who have taken her in. The idea of leaving them is as painful a prospect as leaving her own family, but because of the troubles that follow her, it seems she has no choice.

Psalm 55:6 isn’t tempting Anna to leave her surroundings; it tempts her to escape the negativity that robs her joy.

For Anna, and for the rest of us, we can’t flee trouble any more than we can grow wings and fly. The desire for relief is understandable. But what if there is a purpose in the difficult situations we face? What if we are called to more than simply outlast life’s storms? What if our weakest moment is exactly what God wants to use to show his power, love, mercy, and grace?

What if God is waiting for us to stop fluttering our wings and find joy in knowing that we are in the very place we need to be, for a purpose, for such a time as this?

Quote from Anna:

“If these past months have taught me nothing else, they have taught me that though I am only a seed blowing in the wind, I must still be fruitful wherever I land. I have learned that wherever we find ourselves, we must have the courage to stretch out roots and produce something useful, even in times of difficulty. We must bloom boldly in whatever field our seed has fallen.”

May you find the sweet spot of joy and purpose in the midst of your storm!

-Camille

This book is one I could not put down. It is a riveting account of what it was like in 1933. Being Jewish, Anna never once thought her heritage would cause so much discord among others. I instantly liked her never give up attitude and humble spirit. When she becomes pregnant her mother gives her no choice but to leave her home. I can't imagine what it would be like to be all alone with no where to sleep or even be able to find food to eat.

Thomas is a wonderful character who has taken in young boys to raise so they won't be sent to an orphanage. My heart went out to him as he tried so hard to provide for them and try to keep them grounded in the Word. His faith was very strong and his love for the children was unconditional.

I believe it was a divine appointment when Anna runs into Thomas and he offers her a place to stay in exchange for teaching school to the boys he is in charge of. Anna is hesitant but with a new life growing inside she has no other choice but to accept his offer. As the story continues the author shows us what racism feels like when people in the little town show how much they don't like anyone but white people. One of the young boys that Thomas cares for moved me to tears. Samuel and Anna seem to build a special bond and I loved how Anna helped Samuel to understand who God was. He is a boy who has seen something that scares him and it rears its ugly head in town one day.

I couldn't believe how horrible people could be to others because of the color of their skin, heritage or religious beliefs. Thomas and Anna are from different backgrounds but it doesn't hinder their friendship. When the town discovers that Anna is Jewish and has kept her pregnancy a secret, hate spews into her life. She is shunned by everyone in town. The author gives a vivid account of what it must have been like for someone living during this time period facing hatred. The mention of the KKK was hard to read and they caused destruction and death in the town. Through all the turmoil going on there God was there protecting those who felt unwanted and judged.

The author has written an epic adventure that illustrates the hard times people faced during this time period with food supplies dwindling and a nation under seize by prejudice and greed. I longed for Anna and Samuel to feel accepted and loved. The faith element in the story is strong and gives characters comfort and shows them that God will never leave them. The story has opened my eyes to the fact that many people even today still find themselves in the face of hatred by those who are blinded by a world that still practices prejudice. The story is filled with many lessons and a beautiful ending that gives us hope for change.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.