Book Review - The Lost Woman - By Karen Mulvahill - Publication Date: 2 April 2026

 In many ways this was a difficult book to read, as there is much about the cruelty, greed and evil treatment of the Jews during WWII.  Then too, the lives of the citizens coping with war conditions and those who tried to 'hide' in France.  There is much about high value art paintings and how they were confiscated and divided up, taken from the walls of many Jewish homes.  The Picassos, Monets, and more - gone to Hitler, Goring and others.  Art dealers and collectors - some legit but many not - also get mentioned.  

We see this story through several pairs of eyes.  Of main note are the eyes of Nicole as a hands-on eyewitness and who instigates Robert, years later, to trace lost pieces of her family's paintings.  The reader will also find story twists through Kenneth, Alexi, and Sam.

A caution I would remark on is that since this is also a story seasoned with romance, some potential readers many not appreciate some of the more intimate bedroom descriptions.  So saying, most of the story's focus is on the stolen art work and the difficult process of recapturing them and getting them back to the rightful owners.  I found this interesting and learned a thing or two in this regard.

Tears may be shed and at times, breaks from reading may be needed; at least this happened to me.  However, over all, The Lost Woman was well defined, giving what I feel this work of historical fiction deserves, that is, a satisfactory "well done!"

                                              ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                             March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Life Support (Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV)

 

More and more we see AED's placed in strategic places, often near coffeee shops where folks like to hang out or even in sports centers where people like to "keep fit," playing rigorous matches of pickle ball , badminton and the like.  I've heard they've been effectively used.

Being jolted back to life with an Automated Exernal Defibrallator (AED) would be a mercy to many heart attack survivors.  This machine may not necessarily be termed 'life support' but it does help restart the heart and bring life back to the person.

At hospitals, other machines can 'take over' to help sustain organ functions during critical illness until, hopefully ... prayerfully, the body will be able to kick back in and do the work for itself.

These life support measures are generally understood to be for temporary usage.  A stop gap until health returns, or that most traumatic and complex decision has to be made to halt these interventions.

In Paul's address to the Areopagus men of Athens, he speaks of the one true God.  He tells them that,

"In Him we live and move and have our being; for we are indeed His offspring" (vs 28).

God provided life support for us; that is, the everlasting life we have through Jesus (see John 3:16).  Note the word 'everlasting'.  This is not a temporary measure, but a life long and eternal one.

Jesus has provided us life support by bringing us the gift of salvation.  God has given us all assurance of this

 "by raising [Jesus] from the dead."

Jesus' death brought us life and His resurrection from the dead brought us assurance of this everlasting life.

Some of those thinkers of Athens believed Paul's words - that message of Jesus and the one true God.  I hope and pray more will find this 'jolt to life eternal' today too.

And for those of us who already have this "Life Support" that we will treasure it and live to please the Lord and so show our gratitude and thankfulness to Him.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV.

Sing, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, along with Stuart Townend.