New FAVORITE

I absolutely loved this book! I simply can't put into words how much it gripped me and left me hoping for more. It reminds me how much God loves me and how excellent He is at writing stories...

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My very first audiobook!

This was my first audiobook ever. I loved the narrator, her accent which really brings the reader to England. I also loved the different voices she did for the different characters either they be man, woman or children.

This was also my first book by this author. I loved the story. Feya and Alisdair are well developed characters with their own touching story. Their journey in this book is beautiful and through everything they go through, they are able to find God and who they really are.

I would really recommend this book and the audiobook to every fan of Christian historical fiction.

Thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of the audiobook!

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I feel like I have been on a long journey.

Praise the Lord for his work in the hearts the children of men. This book was an adventure. I feel like I went on a journey to a different time. I have made friends with the characters, they are so real. This book played my hearts strings. To God be the glory. I love this author, she is an amazing writer and I can't wait to see if she writes another book.

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Lavish storytelling

What did you love best about Within the Veil?

The storyline of this book is set against the rich history and backdrop of Scotland and the Gypsy culture. This made for a unique story and characters, unlike any I'd run across before. The love that grows between Feya and Alasdair is fraught with difficulties, but it was fun to see the stoic palace guard fall in love with his "half-gypsy" prisoner and she with him.

What did you like best about this story?

Alasdair and Feya are wonderfully intriguing characters who drew me in to their personalities, quirks, and challenges.

Which scene was your favorite?

After all the struggles the characters go through during the book, I loved the last chapter and epilogue where we get to see Feya and Alasdair and Feya's siblings relaxed and looking forward to a bright future. That brought a smile to my face.

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Fantastic Novel

I loved it!!! Historical romance combined with mystery what more could a person ask for. This novel was so beautifully written it wasn't difficult to believe the characters ,location, and circumstances,. Awesome!!!!

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Beautiful Story!

Would you listen to Within the Veil again? Why?

Absolutely! The story was beautiful, full of depth and life. The narration was spot on, bringing it all to a vibrant unfolding.

What other book might you compare Within the Veil to and why?

Judith Pella and Michael Phillips' books that took place in Scotland reminded me of this one.

Have you listened to any of Joanna Stephens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not. But she was exceptional. I loved the accents and she perfectly captured the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved it. I loved the emotions, the message, and the entire story. It was just beautiful!

Any additional comments?

I really want to read more books from this author and hear more narrated from Joanna Stephens. My appetite is whetted!

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within the veil

I liked this story and found it interesting. I couldnt listen to the audio version because the narrator is so breathy. so I ended up having to read the ebook version so I could write my book review for my blog.

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Within the Veil is a Gift!

This book is a wonderful read! It was filled with stunning imagery. I felt like I was living the story right along with the characters. Feya was a lovable heroine with a quiet strength and a certain desperation. You absolutely wanted to root for her. She is rightfully disillusioned by a life filled with too many hardships, such as her drunken father and the terrors of tenement life. Feya is stubborn and spunky and deeply committed to the well being of her family. That commitment starts her on a journey she couldn't have imagined, and it leads her to Alasdair's front door.

Alasdair is a man with his own demons to fight. He holds himself to a high standard and struggles with his purpose. He is so easy to relate to as he battles between what he's been told and the truth and the expectations of a domineering parent. Abandonment issues threaten to rob him of joy and peace. His sense of duty contrasts with his heart's desire.

This book was such a wonderful ride! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I surely wasn't disappointed. It had all of the right elements for a romance swirled with bits of subtle sexual tension. But Within the Veil delivers a depth many romances do not. It addresses prejudice among English and Scottish people. It tackles misconceptions. I found it educational, providing insights about a phenomenon known as synesthesia that I wasn't familiar with. It ties everything together with exceptional elements of redemption, faith, trust and restoration. The author sprinkled in suspense and adventure, so there is something here for everyone.

The narration brought the story alive in an almost magical way. She shifted seamlessly from one dialect to another. I'm looking for other books that Joanna has narrated. I listen to several audiobooks per week, and she is one of my new favorites! Her voice and this story were a perfect match.

Though I received a free code from the publisher for my honest review of this book, I loved it so much that I purchased a Kindle copy anyway! I can't wait to read it again. I read many, many books per year, and I rarely read a book again. I also set very high expectations for what I read. This book is one of the best I've ever read, and I congratulate the author on a beautiful job. Thank you. This book is a gift.

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Stunning!

Would you consider the audio edition of Within the Veil to be better than the print version?

In some ways, I certainly would, simply because the audio offers the accents of Scotland where the voices in my head often don't speak that way. On the other hand, for me, I found the Scottish accent a bit hard to understand at times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Within the Veil?

I loved Alisdair's character and the way he saw and experienced color. He was a fascinating character and I really enjoyed the times when this attribute of his came out in the story.

What does Joanna Stephens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think it was the authenticity of the voices. She did a wonderfully dramatic reading and each character had a distinct voice.

Any additional comments?

Since I read Brandy Vallance’s The Covered Deep awhile a couple of years ago, I have been anxiously awaiting her second novel. I’m pleased to say that Within the Veil was worth the wait and was everything I could have hoped for.

Within the Veil has one of my favorite features in novels: Unique characters. From the main characters Feya and Alasdair to even the minor characters that only show up for a few chapters, they were all distinct and interesting. Feya and Alasdair both have ailments that they have to deal with and this was one of my favorite things—especially Alasdair’s seeing colors. Vallance does a wonderful job of capturing this along with some of the sentiments about it from the era.

There honestly was so much to love about this book. There’s a wonderful coming to faith story for one of the characters. A passionate romance (while I wouldn’t say Vallance crossed any lines here, there may be some things that are a bit much from some readers) and an all around entertaining and unpredictable journey through Scotland.

Since I had the pleasure of having the audio book to review, I will add that I really enjoyed the authenticity Joanna Stephens added to the story with a charming Scottish accent and various voices. It took a bit for me to acclimated to it but once I did, I had no problem understanding the story. And I would dare say even enjoyed it a bit more because of the way her voice helped these characters come a bit more alive. My one regret is that I wish I would have had the text of the story to easily reread portions of or to see names since so many of them in this book are unfamiliar to me. There were a few moments in the story I felt a bit lost in where I think if I could have gone back and reread I would not have felt like I missed something.

All in all, this was a most excellent book and one that I would highly recommend.


**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

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What an amazing story!!

I love this book! I love how Brandy intertwines the romance with the love of God! This story kept my attention the whole way through. I cried when Feya got saved! A very touching and emotional moment! There were several twists and turns; some history along the way; beautiful scenic views of Scotland; and introduction to a way of life I knew little about! Overall, it was an amazing story and I would recommend it to all!!

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