Fragments of Light by Michèle Phoenix {Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

An impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light.

Cancer stole everything from Ceelie—her peace of mind, her self-image, perhaps even her twenty-three-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Nate. Without the support of Darlene, her quirky elderly friend, she may not have been able to endure so much loss.

So when Darlene’s prognosis turns dire, Ceelie can’t refuse her seemingly impossible request—to find a WWII paratrooper named Cal, the father who disappeared when Darlene was an infant, leaving a lifetime of desolation in his wake.

The search that begins in the farmlands of Missouri eventually leads Ceelie to a small town in Normandy, where she uncovers the harrowing tale of the hero who dropped off-target into occupied France.

Alternating between Cal’s D-Day rescue by two young French sisters and Ceelie’s present-day journey through trial and heartbreak, Fragments of Light poses a timeless question: When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?

Born in France to a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle Phoenix is a consultant, writer and speaker with a heart for Third Culture Kids. She taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own advocacy venture under Global Outreach Mission. Michèle travels globally to consult and teach on topics related to this unique people group. She loves good conversations, mischievous students, Marvel movies and paths to healing. Learn more at michelephoenix.com Twitter: @frenchphoenix

If you enjoy WWII related fiction, this will be one book you do not want to miss. This dual timeline novel jumps back and forth between cancer survivor Ceelie in the current day and WWII paratrooper Cal during D-Day. When Ceelie's friend Darlene asks for her assistance in finding Cal- the father she never knew, the journey that follows is one full of heartbreak and healing...and one that I absolutely could not put down.

Admittedly, the start was a little bit slow. I would say that it wasn't until the second half of the story that it really took off for me. I also found that while I typically do enjoy historical fiction taking place during or around WWII, I much preferred the parts of this story that took place in the present day. Perhaps a lot of that has to do with Darlene who added a touch of humor in what could otherwise be a rather heartbreaking book... still, both parts were equally well written and worked together to create a book that I loved.

Though Cal and Ceelie's stories were quite drastically different... it was interesting to see the impact that both of their battles (Ceelie's with cancer and Cal during the war) had a lasting impact not just on their own lives, but on those who cared about them as well. It was a beautiful story of loss and forgiveness...and one that I could not get enough of.