Shadows in the Mind's Eye

Author: Janyre Tromp
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 19, 2022
​Debut Novelist

Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.

Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?

Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is an amazing story of redemption, love, and trust. Well written and historically accurate, this book paints a clear portrait of life in the WWII era.

When Sam returned from the war, all he wanted was to be home with his wife Annie and the daughter he hadn’t met. He never expected coming home would be as hard as it was.

Annie couldn’t wait for Sam to get home. But when he got there, he was a changed man. Where in this broken person was the man she married, and how would they get back to the way things were supposed to be?

I loved the depth written into each character. Their love was the bond that held them together and carried them through the shadows into the light.

I recommend this book.

I received a review copy courtesy of Kregel through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

This was a stellar debut novel. It has set the bar high for any upcoming novels by Janyre Tromp.

This book was very well written. It was written in the first person of the two main characters, Charlotte Anne and Sam Mattas. Its characters drew me in. A variety of them spiced up the novel in a good way. 

I love Charlotte Anne and Sam's story. It touched my heart to see them try to get their life back. War does awful things to those fighting and even to those who are waiting back home. It was not easy for Charlotte Anne and Sam, but in the end, love triumphed. 

I love how this amazing story incorporated God. Yes, the characters were not perfect, and some had problems with Him, but they would still talk to Him. In the end, every problem is worked out, and they are right with the Lord. 

This book took place after World War II. So it is a story dealing with some traumas after the war and their family life. Anyone who likes romance intertwined with suspense will love this story. 

I love how Janyre Tromp captured the essence of post-war life for families who had at least someone fighting in the war. Not many can capture it well while making it appear real, but Janyre Tromp has captured it beautifully. 

Also, this was a clean read. There is one little scene where a man's shirt is taken off because the couple is about to sleep together, but they are stopped, so it doesn't go any further.

I received a review copy courtesy of Kregel Publisher through Interview and Reviews for my honest opinion. 

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