About the Book

 


The Toughest Puzzle She’ll Have to Solve
 
Might be the Wishes of Her Own Heart
 
Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, she discovers for the first time in her life that numbers aren’t enough.
 
Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but soon the dangers of the war draw ever closer. Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

Click HERE to purchase your copy.
 

About the Author

 

 
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com
 
 

More from Roseanna

 

 

When I told my best friend and critique partner what book I was pitching next to my publisher, her response was something along the lines of, “That sounds awesome. Also, you’re crazy, and I do not envy you writing that one.”
 
I laughed…and knew exactly what she meant. Because I was setting out to write a heroine who was a mathematician—which I am definitely not. A heroine who was utterly indifferent to love and marriage—which makes for a difficult story when one writes romance. A character who had an unshakeable faith—which has to be shaken at least a bit in order to make for growth throughout the story. And more, a character who has “issues,” let’s call it, that those familiar with such things will recognize…and which those who aren’t will probably think are quirks.
 
I was setting out to write a story that would be challenging for me, every step of the way. And the result is a book I’m incredibly in love with and so happy to share with the world.
 
The Number of Love is all about Margot, who thinks and even prays in numbers. Born and raised in Belgium, she and her family fled to England in 1914 when the Germans invaded her homeland. Thanks to her remarkable abilities with numbers and patterns, she’s now employed at Room 40, the Admiralty’s secret codebreaking branch. But as I was contemplating what sort of man could ever win Margot’s heart, I knew he had to be very different… someone active where she’s still. Someone outgoing where she turns inward. Someone who sees in her what she never can, and who believes she can grasp the dreams that society tells her are unbefitting a woman. This is how Drake was born—a field agent employed by Room 40.
 
I can honestly say this is the only book I’ve ever written that required me to borrow my daughter’s algebra book while I was writing it, LOL. And though every single scene was a challenge, it was one I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope you’ll join me on the journey that Margot and Drake are on, which answer the question my husband cheekily asked more than once as I was writing it: what is the number of love?
 

My Review 

 

This may have been my first book by Roseanna White, but it definitely will not be my last! From the very first page, I was captivated by this unique story and drawn into the complex plot. In general, I have not read a great deal of historical fiction set during WWI, and never about those responsible for decrypting and encrypting enemy code. There is an enigma surrounding codebreakers, one that brings to mind spies, conspiracies, and scheming. “The Number of Love” has all of that and more, tautly woven into an absorbing narrative.

Employing meticulous pieces that continue to add to the puzzle as a whole, White calculatingly draws the reader into what becomes a multifarious story. Early on in the novel, the setting is relatively serene, and Margot De Wilde had me grinning from the outset. There is so much to love about her character, particularly given the time period in which she lives. Forging a career for herself and defying convention, she is very much an innovative woman in a man’s world. She carries herself with aplomb and a sarcastic wit and is incredibly intelligent, being the only female codebreaker of the confidential Room 40, and only 18 years old at that.

“Mathematics never led her astray.” As an English major and someone whose worst subject was always math, Margot’s aptitude awed me. It was fascinating for me to read how White created this character who thinks and acts in terms of mathematics, whose ultimate goal is to complete her university studies and attain a professorship. Witnessing how Margot implements mathematical principles into all aspects of her life gave her character a stimulating individuality. Another aspect of her character that I really appreciated was her faith in God, demonstrating that the sciences and math do not preclude the existence of God and a personal relationship with Him. I thought that it was very fascinating that God communicates to Margot, and vice versa, through numbers. Also, the insight into the grieving process is well done, including facets of post-traumatic stress and anger toward God. Social anxiety is explored as well, along with various relationships and their consequences. “The Number of Love” provides a tale of intrigue, romance, and faith in the midst of battles both personal and national, a thoroughly engaging novel highly recommended for historical fiction lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

 

Blog Stops

 

Among the Reads, June 17

Moments, June 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 17

Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 17

Back Porch Reads, June 18

The Avid Reader, June 18

Stories By Gina, June 18

janicesbookreviews, June 18

Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 19

Inspired by Fiction, June 19

Worthy2Read, June 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19

As He Leads is Joy, June 20

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 20

Blossoms and Blessings, June 20

Real World Bible Study, June 21

Multifarious, June 21

Emily Yager, June 21

A Reader’s Brain, June 21

Bigreadersite, June 22

For the Love of Literature, June 22

Simple Harvest Reads, June 22 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

She Lives to Read, June 23

The Christian Fiction Girl, June 23

Just the Write Escape, June 23

Genesis 5020, June 24

For Him and My Family, June 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24

Inklings and notions, June 24

Life of Literature, June 25

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, June 25

Texas Book-aholic, June 25

Just Your Average reviews, June 26

Blogging With Carol, June 26

The Becca Files, June 26

Splashes of Joy, June 26

 

Giveaway

 

 
To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a grand prize of winner’s choice of TWO signed books, Fruit and Floral Flavors Sugar Shapes, and some Roseanna M. White swag!!
 
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/de86/the-number-of-love-celebration-tour-giveaway