Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (By Way of the Moonlight) through Nuts about Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 
I wasn’t sure what to expect from By Way of the Moonlight, then I met Nana Dale and Allie, two compelling characters. Horses, interesting characters, goals in mind, and foibles you need to work through, what else could one ask for? Oh yes, a bad guy! There is indeed a bad guy! So, looking for a personal story with a touch of faith… look no further!
The Basic Details
391 pages round out the pages of this Bethany House book by Elizabeth Musser. By Way of the Moonlight draws us into the equestrian world from 1931-1943. Learn about the beach patrol as the first line of defence against German U-Boats, Victory Boats and the importance of women in the workforce, the threat of malaria, and more. Sit back and enjoy the love of horses and see their potential as therapy animals. Watch two ladies learn to deal with their interests in healthy ways.
Chapters alternate in generations as we see the life of Nana Dale lived out, and Allie as she works through her emotions at the passing of her Nana and discovers the truth of her Nana’s life. Elements of faith weave their way through the lives of both women.
Elizabeth Musser, from France, writes ‘entertainment for the soul’ in a number of books. Her works have won her a number of awards. Along with her husband, she is engaged in mission work.
Looking Deeper into By the Way of the Moonlight
Two main protagonists and their families. Allie and Nana Dale. They have the loves of their lives, their horses, their families, and those they contended with.
The alterations in chapters moved smoothly and readers will be able to follow the timeline smoothly.
Nothing objectionable, and the love interests, while in some ways central to the story, did not take centre stage. Centre-stage was solely devoted to the two ladies and how they processed the events of their lives and worked through their foibles.
At the close of the story you’ll discover discussion questions as well the author’s note. The discussion questions cover the book as a whole as opposed to going by chapter. The end note pointed out truth as well as the author’s need to adapt to fit the story well.
Read it yourself?
I would call this less of a Christian Fiction and more of a fiction read with some faith-based elements. The faith elements are more in the form of prayers said but not actually in faith shown and lived out.
But I didn’t read By Way of the Moonlight as a faith-based book. I read it as just a heartwarming story about the lives of two women. I loved the history aspect concerning the different aspects for WW2 including the horse beach patrol, the coast guard and the building of the Victory ships. Women volunteers were highly sought after to help the war effort.
I love the story that not only warms my heart but teaches me important facts about history as well, don’t you? Just rather gives me the whole package, you know?
We weren’t given a whole lot of information about the bad guy element, beyond the sorta family relationship and their sneakiness to achieve their own ends.
Unexpected twists came up which I kinda thought in some ways were just rather convenient as opposed to needful. Didn’t really make a whole lot of sense other than to make a sad part of a story somewhat sadder. But made it nicer for Allie in the end I guess.
I did thoroughly enjoy this read and would happily read another of this calibre by the author. She writes a story that is indeed an experience for the soul, making me feel warm within. I encourage you to give By Way of the Moonlight a read, plan to spend a evening or two reading! Don’t stay up too late!
It sounds like a lovely book that I’ll be adding to my “to read” list. Thanks!
it was a thoroughly good read