It has been thirty-two years since the end of The Algerian War for Independence. Eric Hoffmann has spent his life as the youngest son to Christian missionaries Gabrielle and David Hoffmann. Eric spent many years of his youth in Algeria after the war and once told his mother he would marry an Arab woman someday. Now back in France, Eric has fallen in love with a young Arab woman who has converted to Christianity and is in a most precarious position with her family and country.

Rislene Namani is an Algerian woman living in France with her family. Rislene has been attending the university and has not only fallen in love with an American-French young man but has converted from her family's faith to Christianity. Even though the war is long past many live in the old ways and her family expects her to marry an Arab and raise her family with the traditions of Islamic faith. Rislene's mother has an open minded but her father would/could harm her if he were to find out.

Ophelie Duchemin is thirty-eight and she has seen much sadness and grief over the years. Ophelie worries for her step-brother Eric. Ophelie is 15 years older than Eric and she still remembers the violence and fear of the war and has seen the prejudice that still rages on. Ophelie had even fallen in love with an Arab herself and that almost ended in tragedy but thankfully God was with her and kept her safe. She had also loved another Pied-Nior like herself when she was younger. Samuel was her best friend and she prayed he would one day be her husband but he married another girl and was lost to her through his own tragedy. Ophelie had decided she would never have love again but prayed that somehow Eric and Rislene could find happiness together. Ophelie never expected to see Samuel again but when she is volunteering for the Red Cross she discovers "Ceb" is one of the homeless people she is there to help.

Samuel Cebrian and his family had been rescued from Algeria by the Hoffmann's and Duchemin when the war was ending and the Pied-Nior had to escape to France for safety. Sam became best friends with the daughter of the family that saved him. Sam adored Ophelie and felt that someday they would become their own family but he didn't think Ophelie cared about him in that way. While in medical school Sam fell in love with and married Annie and they had a daughter. One holiday driving home from the mountains they had a terrible accident and Sam lost his wife and daughter. Sam left home and didn't plan on ever looking back but now finds himself living on the streets of France. Samuel now going by "Ceb" because he feels Samuel died along with his wife and child is stunned to see his first love Ophelie.

TWO DESTINIES is the final novel of the Secrets of the Cross trilogy. In this chapter the war is over and the children have grown up and have their own destinies to be fulfilled. Eric and Rislene may love one another deeply and share the same God but when Rislene's father finds out he kidnaps her and takes her to Algeria to be married to an Arab man. The two have much that stands between them and only God knows where their destinies lie.

Ophelie and Sam loved one another as children but can they let go of their grief and pain to love as woman and man? I was delighted to read TWO DESTINIES, to have the opportunity to see what happened to the characters I fell in love with in the two previous novels. I especially appreciated the author for giving us Ophelie's story. I feel fortunate I was able to watch this child become a woman and witness the destiny God has for her. I highly recommend reading the books from the beginning of the series, it would be too confusing if you didn't. TWO DESTINIES was the perfect closing for the trilogy here's hoping author Elizabeth Musser gives us another masterful work in the future.

Book Summary

The Secrets of the Cross Trilogy by acclaimed author Elizabeth Musser, already a European bestseller, concludes with the American debut of Two Destinies, a story of forbidden love, passionate faith, danger, and intrigue.

Now 1994, France faces unrest and rising poverty while neighbor Algeria is in the midst of a blood civil war. Risléne Namani, a French woman born to Algerian parents, converts to Christianity and falls in love with Eric Hoffmann, a Christian, committing the unpardonable sin in the eyes of her Muslim family. Eric must find a way to rescue her—from a forced marriage in Algeria, or even death.

A powerful, relevant tale of social struggle, heartache, cultural conflict, and faith put to the ultimate test.