About Reviving The Commander
Book: Reviving the Commander
Author: Nadine C. Keels
Genre: Christian, Royalty, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction
Release Date: June 4th, 2019
Opal Whilstead knows she has a reputation: a reputation as a bright, giving, upright woman—smiling and laughing her way through hopeless spinsterhood. It’s been so long since she’s had serious feelings for a man, but now she finds herself taken with the Commander Exemplar of Diachona’s army.And she regrets it.
Not only is the Exemplar a widower still longing for his wife, but he’s the father of the reigning king. Even if a man of such prestige could find love again, he’d be unlikely to search for it among the kingdom’s old maids. Besides, Opal dreads being found, due to a grievous secret she carries…
My Review of Reviving the Commander
This book was great! I found a new author to follow 😊
Reviving the Commander is the first book in Nadine C. Keels Crown Legacy Series, and wow what a start. From the first page, Nadine drew me into the wonderful community of Diachona, it really does feel like you become a part of the royal family. The Commander Exemplar (Staid) is a father and widower, whom we see some of his struggle with losing his wife and continuing to raise his family. We also see his joy, happiness and strength found with his remaining children and future wife. One of my favorite quotes by him in the book gives great depth into his character:
“Being a soldier is about protecting and preserving vital principles we live by and that our land thrives on. But behind our principles are people. If not for the human lives and their well-being to safeguard, then our principles, our laws, our symbols- they would all be worthless. People are what matter.” -Pg. 52.
Throughout the whole book, he exemplifies a man who fully trusts that God has all things under control (not to say that he doesn’t struggle). Opal is the female lead in this book, and she is also developed very well. Nadine C. Keels feeds us little bits of Opal’s strengths and weaknesses in every page. With some surprising twists that I honestly didn’t expect. Opal really shows a good deal of strength and happiness about her circumstances that is wonderful to see. I truly loved her interactions with the royal family and the soldiers that she talks to. It was as if I could imagine her standing across the room and see her expressions; that’s how well she is described.
This story’s premise was very unique in that it deals with a middle-aged couple (not a whole lot of books are written about that age demographic), a fantasy country that felt like a great big community, and for the patriotic feel, the whole of Diachona’s population displayed (I wish we saw more of that in real life). I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars for all the above and because it left me anticipating reading the next book in the series.
*I did receive a copy of this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
To see what others are saying click here for Amazon or here for Goodreads.
About the Author
Nadine. A French name, meaning, “hope.”
With her lifelong passion for life-enriching fiction, Nadine C. Keels enjoys reading and writing everything from short stories to novels. Her fiction works include Love Unfeigned and The Movement of Crowns Series, and select pieces of her lyrical poetry can be found on her spoken word album, Hope. Lyricized. As the founder of Prismatic Prospects, her communication company, Nadine has served as editor for a number of titles, and through her writing, from her books to her blog posts, she aims to help spark hope, inspiration, and genius in as many as she is privileged to reach.
You can find more information about Nadine Here
[…] book was great! …it really does feel like you become a part of the royal family.” ~The Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife “This is not the typical romance story where butterflies lead all the way… Another […]