American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.
Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.
What will it cost to preserve her priceless horses when her heart is also at risk?
If you love historical fiction, are a horse enthusiast or enjoy stories inspired by true events, you’ll want this historical romance on your night table! In the equine world, Janow Podlaski is a household name ~ come see why!
This is a binge-able account of the journey to rescue hundreds of prized Arabian horses before the Nazi invasion and during the occupation of Poland.
Adia Kensington is an American horse trainer who works at the famous Janow Podlaski stables in Wygoda village, Eastern Poland close to the (modern-day) Belarus border. After the initial setback during WW1, the Arabian breeding program at the famous state stud is now flourishing. So, it comes as a shock when they hear of the Nazi invasion of Poland. Luftwaffe bombers alert Adia to immediate action; she needs to save Lubor, a priceless stallion, and several world-class Arabian horses.
Bret Conway is a British operative undercover as a war correspondent. He meets Adia through a pickpocketing incident! His mission to save Adia becomes difficult when he discovers that she wants to include 250 horses in the evacuation! Neither of them could ever imagine that ‘temporary’ meant six long years of saving and losing horses under harsh Nazi occupation.
Miller’s examination of the mental, emotional and physical toll of this rescue mission is amazing. I shed tears reading about the exhaustion and injury to the horses and the reclamation by the invading forces. I can’t believe I was so ignorant about Hitler’s important plans for Poland’s horses and am thankful for the opportunity to understand that ‘worthy of the German master race’ meant animals as well as humans! I appreciated the nudge to expand my knowledge and read of the history of these famous stables and the rescue mission.
I loved the faith-filled moments of hope, the tender romantic interludes, the tension of the escape and perilous journey and the moment that the title makes sense!
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What will it cost to preserve her priceless horses when her heart is also at risk?
If you love historical fiction, are a horse enthusiast or enjoy stories inspired by true events, you’ll want this historical romance on your night table! In the equine world, Janow Podlaski is a household name ~ come see why!
This is a binge-able account of the journey to rescue hundreds of prized Arabian horses before the Nazi invasion and during the occupation of Poland.
Adia Kensington is an American horse trainer who works at the famous Janow Podlaski stables in Wygoda village, Eastern Poland close to the (modern-day) Belarus border. After the initial setback during WW1, the Arabian breeding program at the famous state stud is now flourishing. So, it comes as a shock when they hear of the Nazi invasion of Poland. Luftwaffe bombers alert Adia to immediate action; she needs to save Lubor, a priceless stallion, and several world class Arabian horses.
Bret Conway is a British operative undercover as a war correspondent. He meets Adia through a pickpocketing incident! His mission to save Adia becomes difficult when he discovers that she wants to include 250 horses in the evacuation! Neither of them could ever imagine that ‘temporary’ meant six long years of saving and losing horses under harsh Nazi occupation.
Miller’s examination of the mental, emotional and physical toll of this rescue mission is amazing. I shed tears reading about the exhaustion and injury to the horses and the reclamation by the invading forces. I can’t believe I was so ignorant about Hitler’s important plans for Poland’s horses and am thankful for the opportunity to understand that ‘worthy of the German master race’ meant animals as well as humans! I appreciated the nudge to expand my knowledge and read of the history of these famous stables and the rescue mission.
I loved the faith-filled moments of hope, the tender romantic interludes, the tension of the escape and perilous journey and the moment that the title makes sense!
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What an amazing debut novel by Nicole M. Miller! I was captivated by this facinating WWII story based on actual events & the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland which bred world reknown Arabian horses. I was on pins and needles as American Adia Kensington determines to save these prize horses from both the Germans and Russians with the help of other trainers, a young boy, and a British intelligence officer disguised as a reporter. The romance and suspense kept me eagerly turning the pages with danger at every turn.
Adia’s such an amazing character. Though American, she’s adopted Wygoda as her second home where she cares for her beloved horses. Before she can transport Lubor, her prized stallion to the U.S. the Germans invade Poland. As air strikes and ground troops threaten the stables, she attempts to lead several hundred horses across Poland to safety. Blocked at every turn, Adia and her companions including Ewan, a endearing seven year old thief, and Bret Conway, the British intelligence office face all kinds of hardships as they try to protect the animals.
Major Bret Conway, a British intelligence officer disguised as a news reporter, is in Poland to gather intelligence. When he meets Adia Kensington, he’s enamored by her, but before he can take her to dinner, tragedy strikes. As he promises to protect her and her horses, he finds himself fully embedded in the Polish village as the Germans invade. Keeping his identity secret, he risks everything including death and capture to help transport Adia’s horses.
I adored the romance between Adia and Bret. Their delightful meet-cute begins with a stolen pocket watch. Through all their experiences, they come to admire and love each other and I enjoyed watching their relationship bloom. The horses themselves are fabulous characters and I loved how the author captured their personalities and really made me care for them and their plight. I also enjoyed the friendships which developed between Bret, Adia, the young boy Ewan, and many others as they work to save the horses as well as their countrymen. I don’t want to give too much away because this story takes one turn after another and it’s more exciting not knowing what comes next. Needless to say there are many tense moments where lives are risked to obtain intelligence and save others. It’s a thrilling adventure that was so hard to put down.
Highly recommend to historical fiction, WWII, and horse lovers! I’m looking forward to this author’s next book! I received an advanced complimenary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4.5 raised to 5 stars!
Inspired by true events, a horse lover finds her heart and life in peril during ww2.
Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller is a unique look during ww2 on an Arabian horse farm. It has a sweet romance and plenty of action to keep the story going. I really loved the horses and the characters. I especially fell in love with the the adorable little robber boy, I couldn't get enough of his story and wanted more of him. 3.5⭐
I really liked this debut novel and I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
*If you are sensitive to animals being hurt, please be aware as you go into it.
*thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.
“All of Poland bled. Its people, its history, its treasures.”
World War 2 is one of my favorite historical eras to read about in fiction. Yes, there was unimaginable evil present during this time period. But there were also ordinary people who became extraordinary heroes by courageously doing the right thing at great potential cost. Sometimes that meant joining a band of resistance fighters… or spying on the enemy under the cover of business. Sometimes it meant hiding the people being hunted or breaking them out of a prison transport. But sometimes doing the right thing just meant quietly forgoing your own rations so a family with multiple children has more to eat. Or providing temporary lodging for those on the way to freedom or on a rescue mission. Or staying with those you love – your found family – when no one would blame you for leaving to go someplace safer. THAT is why I love reading about World War 2, for these exact types of stories.
Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller highlights all of the above heroic acts, including an aspect of the war that we don’t hear as much about – that of the the people who risked life, love, and freedom to keep safe the culture, the history, and even the animals at risk of being lost forever, like the prized Janów horses of Poland. Our heroine Adia – an American with an emotional history tied to Janów – dearly loves the horses in her care and has a desperate passion to see them saved from being stolen or slaughtered by the enemy armies invading Poland. After all, they’ve just begun to recover from the damage inflicted on their breeding program during the Great War. I was fascinated by the story of these horses and the resiliency of their beautiful farm and I confess to doing some research of my own mid-read to see if Janów was a real place (it was) and whether it survived the war (no spoilers here).
I loved Adia’s quiet but fierce heroism, all the little ways she stood for freedom and took care of the people and horses she considered family, and how her role and risk evolved over the course of the story. A large part of that change is due to her friendship with a precocious, sticky-fingered Polish orphan named Ewan and falling in love with a charming British spy named Bret. This unlikely trio quickly wormed its way into my heart and set up camp for the long term, making me smile and cry (and even swoon) in equal measure. Each of them are heroes in their own right – in big and small ways – and the three of them together are the kind of team I love to root for! Add in a regal horse or two, some grassroots resistance fighters, and the gorgeous heart of the Polish people… needless to say, I was completely absorbed by this touching story. (The way the title ties in is so poignant, too!)
Bottom Line: Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller compellingly profiles a little-known piece of World War 2 history and a daring fight over several years to protect hundreds of priceless purebred Arabian horses. The exploration of the heavy toll this took on our protagonists, the horses, and the supporting characters who help them makes this not only a riveting story but a very moving one as well. Moments of well-timed humor as well as a sweet romance allow readers a respite from the high levels of tension and work to advance the story at the same time. Miller’s writing voice is warm and smart and flowed easily from one sentence to the next, drawing me deeper into the plot with every word, and her vibrant characters became my friends. If you love books by authors like Amanda Barratt, Kate Breslin, Sarah Sundin, and Cathy Gohlke, then you’ll want to read Until Our Time Comes too!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I love this cover! In fact it’s mainly why I wanted to read this book and because I love horses too. I read a lot of WW2 historical fiction. It was nice to read a book set during that time period that was different. I didn’t quite believe they could move all those horses in the beginning. It kinda seem like a waste of time. I enjoyed the story and think historical fiction fans will too
There are so many WWII novels and this one shares a history and aspect I hadn't considered before...the impact of World War II on horses.
American Adia is working at the famous Janow Podlaski stables in Poland when German troops invade the country. Her sole focus is the safety and protection of the horses. They are in her care and some are considered pets.
Brit Bret Conway is in Poland working undercover. A chance meeting has the two off to a rough start but their romance is sweetly slow burning.
The pages are filled with lovely (and not so lovely) characters. Young Ewan stole my heart early on. Lots of action as the author leads readers to the end of the war.
I look forward to what the author will offer next.
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
What a spectacular debut!! If you're a horse or animal lover, love learning about lesser known aspects of WWII history, or love being inspired by Biblical, beautiful writing amid gritty circumstances, you don't want to miss this. I had no idea that a breeding stable in Poland played such a pivotal role in the Arabian horse breed and was such a sought after place for Hitler's goal in creating the "perfect horse." Reading this gave me a newfound and deep appreciation for all of the brave, selfless, and determined people who not only protected human lives in WWII Europe, but also took such great care to keep beautiful animals out of the hands of an evil empire. As these characters had to put their trust in God amidst impossible circumstances, I was inspired to continue placing my trust in Him amidst my own struggles and the current tragedies of this world. The romance and found family with a certain mischievous orphan boy were very sweet and also added hope to the story as Bret and Adia patiently waited until their time came😉 while continuing to heroically help those in danger. In short, every reason I love good Historical Fiction! Sweeping through all six years of the war, this extremely bingeable read has left me memorably awed, educated, and very excited for future books by this author! 🐎A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.~ Proverbs 12:10
A captivating and tragic historical fiction novel about something I had never heard of. WWII has inspired many novels, but this was the first that I read that centered on the horses. An American horse trainer in Poland finds herself desperately trying to save hundred of Arabian and other pure breed horses from invading forces. Adia cares for horses more than life itself and she will do whatever it takes to do what is best for them even if it puts her in danger. Bret, a British spy has fallen madly in love with Adia but he can't convince her to leave the horses behind. Adia stays on under the watchful eyes of Nazis who want these prized Polish horses for their own breeding program, thankfully the Nazis care about the horses, but unfortunately for her, she is considered a prisoner and it is too risky to see Bret or the orphan she cared for as her own. Filled with tales of heroism, resistance, romance, and horror - this inspirational read is light on Christianity, but heavy on historical facts. Tragic but important.
This author is new to me, but I'm so glad I gave her book a try. The cover was lovely, and the story was so well-written, with a host of great characters and an interesting plot.
Adia was a great equestrian, and a character that made you feel like cheering her on.
I loved the spy elements in this book as well.
Until Our Time Comes is a new WWII favorite read that I plan to purchase in paperback and add to my personal library. If you liked Sarah Sundin's latest book, "The Sound of Light", you'd probably love this tale just as much as I did!
I read this as a e-book my brother lent me, and was not required to write a review. The thoughts above are my own.
This is Nicole M. Miller's debut historical novel and a new author to me. I loved her easy-to-read writing style with wonderful descriptions of the countryside and characters in World War II Poland. Written about Hitler's takeover, it is full of danger, intrigue, and a sweet romance despite the trying times of war. I was fascinated reading about the wonderful Arabian and Lipizzan horses that Adia desperately tries to save.
The storyline had surprising twists and turns, with spies involved, which added to the historical details and suspense woven into the story. The characters had many layers with some being surprising. I was intrigued by Adia and Bret's courage. It warmed my heart.
I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. I highly recommend Until Our Time Comes and can't wait for her next novel.
I received an ARC copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Nicole Miller, NetGalley, Revell for this #gifted book!* ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Title: Until Our Time Comes Author: Nicole M. Miller Genre: Christian Historical Fiction ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Synopsis: “One day, the stars would align. And then it would be their time. Days, weeks, months, or years. Whatever it be.” When American horse trainer Aida Kensington finds herself in Poland raising Arabian horses, WW2 is the last thing on her mind. But when the Germans invade, her whole world falls apart, and she has one mission: to save her beloved horses from falling into their hands. But her mind begins to sway when she meets British Major Bret Conway, whom she knows as a reporter. There’s just something about him that intrigues her and draws her in. Torn between saving the horses and deciphering these new feelings, Adia and Bret battle the hardships of war and the unknown of a future together that tests their faith in humanity and their God.
Analysis: When I first heard of this book, I was a little unsure, but my millennial self was drawn in from the nostalgia of all those horse books I read in middle school. Nicole takes you on an adventure in WW2 Poland that is based on an amazing true story of saving horses from German hands. The characters are strong and courageous and are learning to choose between the things they love most. I absolutely loved both the independence and the willingness to take a chance on love that is depicted throughout the novel. I especially loved Bret because of his old-fashioned romance and the way he looked out for Adia. Nicole Miller’s debut novel is one that will have you reminiscing on your dreams and falling in love all over again.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was a great debut novel by Nicole M. Miller. I love historical fiction because every time I read them I learn some new aspect about history. This one is all about WWII in Poland but dealing with the famous Arabian horses of Janow Podlaski. We meet Adia who is an American tied to the heart of Poland through her parents. She is a trainer for these amazing horses. She is determined and a bit stubborn on the way she wants to protect these horses from the Germans and Russians. She is also the caregiver of a young boy who truly steals the storyline at times with his shenanigans.
We meet British Intelligence officer Bret Conway right away in the book and he is disguised as a news reporter. he meets Adia and immediately is captured by her. When the Germans start invading he promises to protect her and the horses no matter what. He truly risks everything to do this. Adia on the other hand starts seeing a new side to Bret and wants to help him in his "mission".
The way their relationship blooms throughout out all the circumstances that they go through was done perfectly. You turn the pages as you await what truly is going to happen to them and will they see each other once more. Needless to say there are many gripping moments and heart aching moments as there are when war is involved.
Overall I really enjoyed this novel and I would recommend it if you enjoy horses and historical fiction based on WWII.
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
In her debut book, Until Our Time Comes, Nicole M. Miller captures two of my favorite things to talk about: Horses and WW2 Christian Fiction. This is a story filled with adventure, close calls, and well-written characters.
Adia Kensington had grit and a stubborn streak that gave her a unique advantage in her field of work. As an American horse trainer living in Poland, she demanded a level of respect and this confidence helped her later on when her job held a higher level of risk. I admire how she saw the good in people when others quickly judged them based on their rank or outward appearance. Adia knew how to work with many different people coming from different backgrounds. And she always kept her goal in the forefront. She never wavered from her life's calling and devotion to the Arabian horse breed. I especially loved this because our first horse was an Arabian, so they hold a special place in my heart. Arabian horses are spunky, spirited, and so loyal!
Bret Conway, (or shall I call him Asia's Casanova *winks*) was a complex character. He played many roles and he seemed to be good at all of them. Olympic horseman, check. British intelligence, check. Adia's personal bodyguard, check. Fearless soldier, check. Throughout the whole book, he carried a heavy weight. Without sharing too many spoilers, it had to do with the death of his brother-in-law. I was glad he was able to make amends with his sister, although the accident could have been explained more in the beginning.
The setting at Janów Podlaski stables was perfectly described and had me picturing vast pastures, and a large operation for breeding. It was Adia's haven, although, that haven was interrupted... twice. Again, I can't share too many spoilers!
One thing I noticed about this book was the steady stream of excitement, adventure, and drama. Most books I read will start slow to build the plot and then reach an exciting plot twist or climax. This book had lots of events taking place, making it a fairly quick read. I also adore the cover!
One area that I would have liked to have changed was the amount of Ewan content. We needed more Ewan!! The little Myszko (mouse) was always up to mischief and pickpocketing. His role in Adia's life was so sweet and I was sad to see him taken out of the picture for a time. Although, just wait for the ending! *smiles*
I wasn't expecting this book to fan out over the course of 7ish years, so that make some of it feel a bit choppy due to the speed and not being able to fill in those missing years. I also didn't care for killing off one of the characters (I won't say which one) but due to it being a WW2 novel, I can understand the author making it more true to that time in history.
Other than a couple nitpicks, this book was an exciting adventure and a wonderful debut novel by Nicole Miller! I was thrilled to have gotten the chance to read and review his copy! Thanks Revell!
Wow! I would not have thought this was a debut novel while reading it! I finished it in one reading! It was excellent. I loved learning more about WWII in Poland. This was written about true events and makes me think about the many people and stories that we don't know about. Their bravery and decisions to do what was right and stand up for people and animals in the ways that they could and still protect their lives are numerous. They are so inspiring! It helps to inspire me and give me the desire to help those around me and to stand for good and right.
Adia and Bret have a lot of challenges and losses that they face throughout the course of the story. I loved watching them work through those and grow in their friendship. They suffer losses and face heartbreak. But the friendships and lives they touch and help throughout the book were really great. Especially the surprise at the end. You're going to love it!
Their sweet romance story had a rocky start and bumps along the way but I loved seeing them grow closer together and trusting each other. Which of course helped the story progress. It was all very well developed.
I was very invested in the whole story; all of the characters, the concern and safety for the horses and for the soldiers, the townspeople and so many others in the story. I loved it all!!!
Content: Clean but does deal with war and battles and danger. Well written and done in a sensitive manner for the subject. Spies and soldiers and such.
I received a copy from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
This was amazing read! There were multiple times in the closing chapters of the story where a tear came to my eye and the story was simply wonderful. It is such a neat story to read and learn about and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has its sad moments but the hope and the fight against evil make for a great read. This is a truly impressive story for a debut author, it’s so well written. I will be looking for more from this author in the future!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I loved Until Our Time Comes. This was an interesting story of WWII Poland and the Arabian horses of Janow Podlaski, something that I didn’t know anything about before reading this book. This was a fresh take on WWII that was not typical.
What an intriguing story of the resilience, strength, and determination of those fighting Hitler’s control. This story may not be of soldiers or resistance fighters, but this American, Brit, and the Polish grooms, fighting to save Poland’s Arabians from the Germans was amazing.
Adia is absolutely focused on saving the horses as they are her “connection” to her mother. She is also concerned about keeping her little orphan friend, Ewan, safe when Germany and Russia invaded Poland. Her work with the partisans was amazing.
Bret has himself some secrets! I do enjoy a good spy story. His deference to Adia concerning the horses (even though he knew ALOT about them himself) was very interesting. His protectiveness of Adia (and Ewan) was so sweet. His work with the partisans, resistance, and Patton’s Ghosts was intense. Bret and Adia’s blossoming love was beautiful in all the danger and uncertainty.
Favorite lines: “One day, the stars would align. And then it would be their time. Days, weeks, months, or years. Whatever it be.” “Nothing could camouflage the depth of his love for her or the desire that radiated from his pores.”
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.
This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the May 2024 issue of Library Journal.
DEBUT American Adia Kensington will do anything for her Arabian horses, including remaining in Poland as the threat of another world war looms. In fact, she has a daring plan to move the horses and save them from the Nazi war machine, but the Blitzkrieg is faster and more furious than anyone expected. Protecting the horses and an orphan stable boy proves nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, British aristocrat and spy Bret Conway finds himself trying to protect Poland's equine legacy while stealing secrets from right under the noses of the Nazis. When the Russians come, however, he must make hard choices about what and whom to save. Danger lurks at every turn, friends betray neighbors, and some enemies prove to be allies in this fast-paced novel.
VERDICT Miller's debut is a sweeping historical romance and spy thriller rolled up into a novel highlighting a little-known aspect of World War II. For fans of the deep research of Amanda Barratt and the war-era romances of Sarah Sundin. Miller is definitely a rising star in the genre.
join an american horse trainer and a british spy as world war ii comes to poland in until our time comes!
she knows war is imminent, but adia kensington determines that the horses under her care will not suffer the fate that so many do in wartime. keeping the horses safe is quite the risky endeavor, and while spying, bret conway becomes tasked with keeping adia safe, too—which proves to be just as risky.
their story begins near the start of the german occupation of poland and spans the years of world war ii. there's escape and resistance, heartbreak and loss, love and loyalty packed into its pages. these characters go on a journey full of danger—and a few hope-filled surprises, too. with grit and fortitude, they do what they can to not only survive the war, but also preserve culture and humanity for life after.
this spirit of resilience and determination throughout until our time comes reminded me of the warsaw sisters. both books highlight the polish experience during world war ii, each providing interesting insight into that period of time.
the historical-fiction reader should not be disappointed to pick up this debut from nicole m. miller.
(i received a complimentary copy from the publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
Until Our Time is a well written WWII novel set in Poland. I throughly enjoyed this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
This book was very,VERY interesting and exciting and is now one of my new favorite WWII books! It is absolutely packed full of spy stuff which is one of my favorite things about this book, as well as the great faith content.
Negative Content
A young woman tells the traveling group that she is leading on horse back that they don't have much farther to go, and a young man says as he winks at her as he passes her, "About time. My backside's never felt so flat-" and is cut off by his father who tells him, "Hush, and stay vigilant."
A mention that the main female character cursed under her breath, but it isn't written out.
Fool is used a few times, and golly is used once.
A woman hears a commotion out side her cabin and tells the young boy she was taking care of to stay put no matter what, then it says that she tossed her breeches and boots on, tied up her hair and jogged outside. (I think its implied that she had a dress on already, but it could have used better clarity, especially with a boy in the same room as her.)
A mention of a side character drinking some whiskey or rum.
There is a mention of there being a marbled statue of Diana, goddess of the hunt, sitting at the center of a round driveway on a German's property. (A false god.)
A mention distant church bells of mass.
Triggers-
A mention of soldiers being lined up in front of a ditch and being shot, a mention of a soldier having had been shot in the head, and a mention of a ditch strewn with burned and battered bodies.
--
This book was a great pleasure to get to read, and was the first book by this author that I've read. I can't wait to buy a paperback, as well as to read more of this author's work!
I received a complimentary e-book from Revell Books through Netgalley to review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.
Until Our Tome Comes, by Nicole M. Miller takes place in Poland during World War II. This is a historical romance story that tells the true history of Janów Podlaski Arabian Horses. I found this story to be enjoyable and interesting. The beginning was a little slow going but once I got into the story I really enjoyed it. The story has great, strong characters and gives a look into what it may have been like for the people in Poland during WWII. I enjoyed the character of Adia very much. She was strong and did what she had to for the horses and her people. I especially enjoyed how she cared for Ewan and the bits of trouble he would get into with taking things. I admired her character as she went to great risk to help children escape Poland, as well as how she kept faithful to her friendship with Bret for so many years. I enjoyed this story and the great detail the author put into it making it an enjoyable story to read that focused on true events.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
An epic WWII story set in Poland and Czechoslovakia. Full of history, adventure and a romance.
An impressive debut novel, with main characters who face many dangerous situations and put their lives on the line throughout the war years. Adia's courageous mission to save the unique horses, and help vulnerable children as well, is inspirational. There are tense moments lending some suspense to the story and perilous times as they endure the war years. It made me appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of people caught in the conflict between Germany and Russia. The author lends her firsthand knowledge of horses to make the story feel authentic. A few brief mentions of faith added hope.
Fans of inspirational WWII stories with a little clean romance may enjoy this book. 4.5 stars
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
A good debut novel by Nicole M. Miller, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. The overall subject of this book was completely fascinating for me and opened my eyes to historical events I didn’t even know happened. This was a delightful story that combined my love of horses and of WWII. The different events and locations were so interesting and I am glad the author included real historical detail amid heartbreaking and heartwarming fiction. Seeing how both Adia and Bret were able to stay strong throughout all they went through was inspirational. While there were times I wish there was more information given to the reader, I did enjoy this book in general. I hope to read future books by Nicole as I can see how she’ll become a stronger writer with more amazing stories.
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am delighted that I was given the opportunity to read this fascinating story about a special breed of horses that were the targets of both the Nazis and Russians during WWII. Before I dived into the pages of this novel, I had no knowledge of Arabian horses, their origin or the perils they went through during the war. The novel wove information that was interesting and compelling into the story of horse trainer Adia Kensington and spy Major Bret Conway. Adia is from the U.S. and has traveled to Poland specifically to work with the horses at the Janow Podlaski stables since she has a family connection and an affinity with them. Adia is a talented and intuitive trainer who is not quite ready to face the challenges of a Nazi invasion, but she rises to the task in unexpected and surprising ways. She comes up with a plan to evacuate the horses and then has to fall back on plan B when the evacuation fails, forming an alliance with a German colonel to keep the thoroughbreds safe during the chaos of war. Not only does Adia shelter a little pickpocket orphan named Ewan, but she finds other creative and dangerous ways to help the efforts of the allies while also safeguarding her beloved horses. The destruction of war is evident throughout the story and some beloved characters are victims to the ravages it brings, all of which make the story captivating. I enjoyed the story immensely, even though I am personally not a big horse lover. The way the author layered the story with events from the war, the personal lives of Adia and Bret and the insightful look into the challenges of keeping horses safe when an entire nation is overrun by enemy forces kept me reading long past my bedtime. Brilliantly written and balancing action with history and romance, this story is memorable, an eye-opening look at people overcoming what seems like insurmountable obstacles in order to achieve worthy goals. The themes of hope for the future, faith and pure grit were evident, but not overly emphasized so that the main story continued to be Adia and her goal to save the bloodline of the stallions. The characters are people that I would like to get to know in real life since they are inspirational and courageous as well as dynamic and well-developed. The chemistry between the characters was believable and showed great depth of emotion. All in all, this was one of my favorite books to read this year with its unique story that drew me in and kept me there until the very end. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Revell. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
✅ Christian WWII Romantic Fiction ✅ Set in Poland, 1939 ✅ Fiercely protective MMC ✅ Endearing side-characters!
Wow - this story was amazing from beginning to end! Nicole M. Miller’s debut novel, Until Our Time Comes, transports you deep into WWII history from the eyes of those living in Poland. As we follow our MFC, Adia Kensington, we learn what the war was like through the eyes of this American horse trainer, transplanted in Poland throughout the war. The amount of research that went into this novel was substantial and well done! I do love horses but I admit, I am not necessarily a horse enthusiast - that didn’t matter when reading this novel. I learned to love the fiery Arabians right alongside Adia. Not once did I feel left out or clueless for the author did an amazing job in helping those of us who perhaps don’t know or understand horses.
The amount of mystery and intrigue in this novel was intense! This had everything you could want in a WWII novel - intriguing history, a beautiful slow-burn romance, heart-pounding action, and well-developed characters. Bret Conway, our MMC, was every part of the dashing British Intelligence agent you’d hope he would be. His fierce loyalty, to both his job and Adia and Ewan, were so endearing. As far as side characters go (does he count as a side character? lol), Ewan is one of my new favorites! My heart couldn’t help but fall for the rag-tag thief and his many escapades.
The outward faith elements were a little light - a bit of praying here and there, mostly when things were rough and bleak. The intrinsic Christian values we all hope to emulate were strong, however. Values and morals such as shepherding well what God has entrusted us with, putting others first, a general self-sacrificing nature, and laying down one's life for a friend (or stranger).
This novel was a page-turner from start to finish and I am honored to be given the chance to read it!
Thanks to the publisher's generosity, I was given a free advanced copy to read and review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Adia Kensington is an American horse trainer who has the opportunity of a lifetime. In the 1930s, women typically don’t have this type of opportunity, but when Adia is given the chance to work at the famous Janow Podalski stables in Poland working with Arabian horses, she knows this is her dream. But in 1939 when the unthinkable happens and the Nazis begin to invade Poland, Adia knows that she has to get these horses to safety. However, she has no idea just how long this endeavor will take her or how it will affect her.
Major Bret Conway is at the famous stables on an intelligence assignment and falls for the lovely Adia Kensington. When the Navis invade, Adia convinces him that they must save the stallions instead of letting them fall into German hands. But doing so will be the hardest test he has faced in his life!
This is by far the debut novel of the year! I read several WWII era novels that sometimes it’s easy to just glance over the cover and expect it to be like several others. Miller poured out everything she had in making this book and you can tell! From the research of the events to the focus on the mental, physical, and emotional strain that the characters go through. I haven’t read a book this good all year and I’m so happy I picked this on up!
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Until Our Time Comes is the perfect title for this very strong debut WW2 novel.
I have read and loved several WW2 novels, but this one was amazing and showed a different side to the war. The author did a great job of highlighting the impact of the war on horses and people caring for these magnificent animals, a side to the war I never thought about.
Bret was a great hero. He was strong and supportive and easily to connect with. Adia was a character who was only focused on saving the horses, but circumstances created opportunities for her to step up. I loved Ewan and how this little thief played a part in Bret and Adia’s relationship.
Another side I loved about this novel, was the different side to Germans which we could see. Yes, we know the evil they done, and we saw some of those Germans as well, but we also so Germans who did not really want to fight, and how they played roles behind the scenes to protect their enemies.
There were a few times I thought I knew where the story is going, then the author took readers on a different journey.
This novel was interesting, suspenseful at periods, showed the war from the start to the end, and was filled with emotions.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*