TWO TESTAMENTS begins in the spring of 1962 and the war in Algeria is at its peak. The novel picks up right where Two Crosses, book 1 of the trilogy has left off. Gabrielle has learned about the secret mission to get children and families out of Algeria and is working closing with Mother Griolet and Mr. David Hoffmann to save as many as they can. In Two Crosses Gabrielle and David fall in love but David also found out he is Ophelie's father and he must journey to the heart of the war to bring her mother Anne-Marie home. With David away Gabrielle throws herself into the fold by teaching and helping care for the orphans. Gabrielle fears that she will lose David to Anne-Marie and part of her thinks it is God's will for them to reunite to become a family.

In TWO TESTAMENTS the focus is split between Gabrielle and Anne-Marie. Anne-Marie has endured more than any human should have to. After the first war she found out she was pregnant with Ophelie but David was back in the United States and she didn't want him to have to come back to the unsafe Algeria. Then after Anne-Marie has her child her parents are murdered, she is captured and tortured, escapes to France where she is captured again and taken to Algeria for another round of torture. Through all her pain Moustafa, a Harki has been her friend and her love. Now David has rescued her and reunited her with her daughter but he stayed in Algeria to help Moustafa. Anne-Marie is confused and lost about what she should do but Ophelie begins to teach her about God and begins to show her about having faith in God.

Where Two Crosses was setting up the story and giving much information about the war, TWO TESTAMENTS is about the people and their journey to God and finding their way. I must admit that Christian Historical novels are not the typical genre I read. I even put off reading Two Crosses until I had finished the other books on my list to review. That being said I loved this novel. I was drawn into the first book and "had to "find out what happened and learn more about the fate of the people of Algeria. The characters in TWO TESTAMENTS came to life in my mind and heart and I am better person for having had the experience.

Book Summary

The slightest spark will ignite an explosion. The tinderbox of broken political and racial relations in France and Algeria provides plenty of kindling. And the growing friction, especially in Algeria, will soon combust. A tentative ceasefire offers little to cool the heat.

And in the midst of the turmoil, Gabriella Madison guards the orphans in her care, while battling jealousy when Anne-Marie Duchemin, David’s former flame, arrives in Castelnau, France. As they protect the little ones in their care amid rising discomfort in the community with the multi-cultural orphanage, each wonders who David will choose.

Meanwhile, David is trapped in Algeria, caught in the turmoil of a country gone mad. He seeks a way to guard his life and, at the same time, protect the refugees he came to help. And escape seems impossible.

Unable to predict what lies ahead, Gabriella and David learn that in life, waiting is the hardest part.

The answers lie in two testaments.