Truth. Family. Love.
An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M White is a powerful historical Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in The Imposters series but can be read as a stand-alone.
I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces, not only from earlier in the series but also from a previous series. This all helps to thoroughly immerse the reader within the tale.
The novel is set in 1912 in both Northumberland and London. The City is a grimy place full of dubious morals and entitled characters. In contrast, the air in Northumberland is fresh, and there is a lightness and freedom to be found. Kindness is the order of the day. The family help those whom society has marginalised. This care extends to widows and orphans too.
I loved the inclusion of the circus animals. Penelope, the monkey is adorable. They too, are saved from cruelty or worse.
There are the difficult themes of trafficking young girls and redundant ayahs into prostitution for the elite. This is sensitively tackled by Roseanna M White. We meet characters who are quite rightly outraged, and who will fight for those without a voice.
We see the importance of listening to the voice of God. “You’re too weak… It was mother’s voice in her head, reciting the phrase that had become her mantra.” Other voices speak lies to us. God’s voice speaks truth.
We can trust God’s goodness which is especially needed in a world of evil. “Trust in God who was so good, despite people being so evil.” There are good people in our lives, whom God has placed to be there. “The Lord has crossed our paths for a purpose.”
God can use all our situations for our lives. He transforms the bad. “Every bit of pain she bore drew her closer to Him. That the worse we hurt, the closer He holds us.” Even if we cannot ‘feel’ God’s presence, we can trust that He is holding us close. “She’d been angry with God… too convinced He didn’t see her in her suffering.” God is with us, through all the seasons of our lives.
Love is given to us by others as well as God. “She sat there until Samira’s words of love were louder than the ones of hate in her mind.” We need to live a life of love. If we hate, we will bring about our own downfall. We need to forgive and to love, and to leave judgement to God.
Happiness is fleeting. Joy is eternal. “We can’t give her true joy… She can only find that in the Lord.” True joy comes from being confident of who we are in God. “Her value was in being a child of God.”
The plotline was well thought out, thought-provoking and engaging.
The Imposters series has been excellent. I think An Honorable Deception is my favourite book so far. I am sad that it is ended.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON