Giver of Wonders by Roseanna White

 I have come to love Roseanna White's historical novels set in England. Her Ladies of the Manor trilogy are among my all time favorite books. It was interesting to read Giver of Wonders because although it too is a historical novel, the time period is the 3rd century AD. I fell in love with the characters and really enjoyed learning about a real person. Although some artistic license was used, it was clearly stated at the end of the book what was fiction and what was true. I loved learning about the true St. Nicholas, not the commercialized version that we are told. He was a man of G-d, not an elf, and he preferred to give in secret. A truly delightful novel about Christmas.

Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed...and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos.


Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires...and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too.

Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus's father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters ~ even at the cost of herself.

As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord's greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others...and a centuries-long tradition will be born.

From Amazon:
about Roseanna White:
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna has a slew of historical novels available, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at[...]

I was given this book by Celebrate Lit group in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

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