Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: The Victory Club
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Tyndale Fiction
ISBN: 08-8423-7666-6
Release Date: June 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: World War II / Boise, Idaho
Overall rating: 5.0
Sexual content rating: None
Robin's Website:
www.robinleehatcher.com
The one word that came to mind when I finished the last page of this book was WOW! I don’t
know if I will do the book justice, but I’ll give it a try.
The Victory Club is a type of romance, but more than that, it’s an account of what the women went through who were back home waiting on news from their loved ones during World War II, particularly 1943. The story starts out with a description of four women who live in Boise, Idaho and all also work on the military base near Boise, Gowen Field.
We follow Lucy Anderson with her struggles, through her strengths, weaknesses and quest to always remain true to her husband and most of all to God. We take a peek at Margo King and her daughter Dottie. They both have made wrong choices in their past that they must look to the Lord to help them through. And finally we trail Penelope Maxfield and her search to find herself in these perilous times.
Lucy, Margo and Dottie all have loved ones serving overseas but Penelope’s husband, Stuart, hurts his back and is unable to serve. Eventually Lucy decides she is going to pray for the other three and their loved ones for victory over all the loneliness, weakness, doubts, and fears. They call it the Victory Club, not only to pray for others but to help others that are less fortunate than themselves.
We see each one struggling with something and also see how three of them mature in their relationship with the Lord. It’s the trust and dedication they have to God that made me look at my own relationship with Him. Look at what these women and, I’m sure, many like them, went through waiting and wondering if their son, sweetheart or husband would be safe from the enemies. God is always victorious even if the outcome isn’t exactly what we have in mind.
Robin Lee Hatcher made the incredible, heart-wrenching history that some of our own relatives lived through come to life as I read. I felt like I could have been sitting in the living room or at the kitchen table with these ladies as they each tried to help the other through their particular situation. We hear the stories and see movies of the men who served, but rarely hear of those they left behind. Robin Lee has given a voice to those who "fought" at home.
I really appreciated Robin Lee’s "voice" as she painted the pictures of the struggles and the victories of each woman. I felt the happiness and sadness, the loneliness and contentment as each scene unfolded. The main thought, theme, I kept coming back to was; the only way to make it through such difficulties is to search the Scriptures and look to the Lord knowing through His Son we all are forgiven and His mercy and grace await us if we will trust in Him. Trust in Him to direct us and make us all victorious in the end. I can definitely see this theme as being thought provoking and instrumental in daily life with the world today; the wars between countries, people and social situations.
Robin Lee Hatcher gave me a lot of food for thought and I will probably read this one again, which I don’t know if I ever have re-read a book. I want to learn the inspirational lessons each woman learned. I want to capture the Scriptures that were referenced, which were many. I found that to be one thing that I could say I didn’t like, and like is too strong a word. I would have appreciated more actual references when relating the Scriptures that were inspiring these women so I can look them up and study the verses that may be an encouragement during times of trials.
I commend Robin Lee for the research she must have done, not only for the every day time period, but for the detailed war research which I felt was phenomenal. She gives details of the war in North Africa during 1943, as well as a little glimpse of the American soldiers who were stationed in England with the Allied troops. I truly appreciate the time Robin Lee must have spent prior to writing this book.
Robin Lee Hatcher’s The Victory Club has been very inspirational for this reader and I truly believe those that appreciate an inspirational romance will find this one exceptional. I appreciate the opportunity to review this inspirational story as it has made a lasting impression on me.
Trudy
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