With You Here (2019)

About the Book

Book: With You Here

Series: Carrington Family #4

Author: Sarah Monzon

Publisher: Radiant Publications

Genre: Time Slip — Christian Contemporary and Historical Fiction

Holy Roman Empire, 1527
In the wake of Martin Luther’s religious reforms, Princess Christyne von Heidelbraum is compelled by her sense of duty to help ease the burden of her people. When she stumbles upon a dying man in the woods, she vows to aid him—even when she discovers the arrow shot in his leg was put there by a heretic hunter. With both her physical and spiritual well-being in danger, she must choose between conscience or adhering to the laws of the Empire.

Present Day
Doubting her calling to become a hospital chaplain, Amber Carrington takes time off from her theology studies to volunteer with refugees in Germany. Working with children, making a difference, reconnecting with the conviction that once drove her—these were her expectations. An instant attraction to a professional soccer player wasn’t a part of the plan…and she can’t let him distract her from her purpose.

As a new Christian, Seth Marshall is determined to put his popularity as a world-renowned footballer to good use. Unfortunately, old habits and public opinions are hard to overcome. When he falls hard and fast for Amber Carrington, his former life—and her no-dating policy—may block his perfect shot for the woman he loves.

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My Thoughts

I am in awe of courageous people. Where does their courage come from? I know the easy answer is God — Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV) tells me: “From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” But knowing that God is my Helper and believing He is my Helper are two totally different things. Courageous people have something inside of them that believes with all their hearts that God will see them through no matter what. I want this kind of courage; a courage so strong that when I look at a Goliath I see a minute issue God will deal with easily and quickly.

In With You Here, all three protagonists deal with this issue of courage on some level, but it is Christyne’s courage that convicts me the most. Christyne, a German princess, lives during the Protestant Reformation. Talk about a time of serious persecution for anyone who thought or went against the Catholic Church! Christyne, no longer content with the dictates of the Church, secretly reads a Bible that’s been translated by Martin Luther and tends to an injured heretic she has hidden in her family’s castle. She is fully aware of the dire consequences if found out, but continues to care for the injured man and to study God’s Word because both are the right things to do. If this isn’t enough to hold a mirror up and force one to consider his/her current faith in God, there is a moment where Christyne’s father’s betrothed — a very young, scared woman named Clare who’s been forced into this marriage by the Church and the German Emperor — scolds Christyne with these words: “Do not look upon me with such pity. I do not confess to know the Lord’s ways, but I trust that He will be with me even here.”

WHOA! I admit that my heart stuttered a little at these strong words. I had to stop reading for a second to ponder, “Has my trust in God ever been that strong?” Here is a woman who is being forced into a marriage she does not want reprimanding Christyne for looking upon her with pity when really Clare is doing nothing more than stepping onto the path God has set before her. Talk about courage!!! Knowing God will be my Helper through anything is easy. Clare knew with her head that God would see her through. But believing and trusting that God will be my Helper that’s the real struggle, and courageous people, like Clare, believe and trust no matter what. The historical thread weaved into the narrative of With You Here is tremendously engaging, but it also forces the reader to check their faith, trust, and courage level, and for that, I am eternally grateful to have read this beautiful story.

With You Here is a wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. I will miss the Carrington tribe very much, but I do look forward to Mrs. Monzon’s future novels. If you are looking for a brilliantly written, well-researched timeslip series, then I highly recommend not only With You Here, but the entire Carrington Family series.

I received an eBook copy of this book from the author in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.