Codes of Courage

Falcon Point Historical #1

by A.L. Sowards

In a battle of torpedoes, depth charges, and secret codes, nothing is as vulnerable as the human heart.

1940: Austrian refugee Karl Lang has lost everything―his country, his home, and his family. All that is left to him is a burning ambition to see the Nazis defeated. Desperate for work and a way to help the war effort, he finds the one place that will take a refugee like him: a supply steamer traversing a deadly path past enemy U-boats.

Since their first meeting, Millie Stevens has felt an undeniable connection to Karl. As the war rages, she shares his determination to oppose the Nazis and finds work at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. There she uses all her intellect and determination to break German codes and read U-boat transmissions―or risk losing the man she loves.

Rolf Denhart will do anything to defend the Fatherland, including long patrols in a cramped U-boat. But rumors from Germany leave him uneasy, forcing a choice between loyalty to his homeland, the safety of his family, and his peace of conscience.

In the midst of war, three lives are woven together to create an epic tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, World War II

435 pages, Unknown Binding

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

I love books, so that makes Goodreads my favorite social media site. As a reader, I enjoy a variety of books. As a writer, I create historical novels with a wholesome mix of action, adventure, and romance. My stories have earned Whitney Awards, Foreword Indies Finalists positions, Readers’ Favorite Gold and Silver medals, a Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice Selection, and a Praiseworthy Award.

I'm a wife and a mother of three, and I've called Washington State, Utah, and Alaska home. I'm usually reading a couple books at once and working on multiple writing projects too. Other than that, my life is pretty ordinary. I'm grateful for that. I'll let the characters in my books have all the adventures.

Stay in Touch:
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About My Goodreads Ratings:
I joined Goodreads as a reader first, but since I’m an author too, I’ve made some changes to how I rate books. For fiction, I'll give a book 5 stars if I enjoyed every page. Otherwise, I'll leave the rating blank. For nonfiction, 5 star books are ones I enjoyed enough that I’d like to read them again. They’re books I connected with and highly recommend to others. 4 star books are good books that I thought were worth reading once, and they’re also recommended.

Reviews

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AL Sowards has done it again. She has created the most perfect literary example of life's risks and rewards at a time of war through well-known and lesser-known events and situations in history.

For fans of 'Heirs of Falcon Point' you have already been introduced to Karl Lang or Karl "Ecker" Eckerstorfer. As a refugee from Austria in the UK he goes by all of them. I became a huge Karl fan because of his courage and convictions in Heirs of Falcon Point. He was unwavering in his resolve and his love for his family was inspirational. I was happy to see those characteristics still ran strong in him in 'Codes of Courage'.

If you haven't read 'Heirs of Falcon Point' yet, I actually recommend reading that book before 'Codes of Courage'.

Karl and Millie's story is full of twists and turns-some you see coming, and some you do not. It is an emotional roller coaster of torpedoes, code breaking, war stalemates/losses/victories, family ties, unconditional love, remorseful regret, unwavering resolve, and courage to the end!

This story is told in 3 points of view and every point of view was very needed throughout. It gave so many insights into what life was like at this time as well as deeper emotional connections through a life lived through war and a surprising look into an "enemy" radio operator and all completely working together in only a way Sowards can write!

If you have ever been intrigued by WWII you should absolutely pick up this book.

My best advice to you in regards to this book and in the words of Leopold Lang (Karl's Papa): 'Plan the first': add this to your TBR as a must-read book...and maybe bring a couple of tissues.

Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Content/Trigger: Wartime situations containing mild battle scenes, war injuries and death. Kisses. Implied marital relations (no details).

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart and mind are still reeling from this compelling and tender story from the depths of WWII.

Karl is determined to fight against those who stole his family from him and finds himself battling in the ocean. Torpedoes and danger can’t stop him and two chance encounters with beautiful Millie fills his life with love and hope.

I love these characters individually and was absorbed in their roles in the war efforts, but together, they stabbed my heart in all the good ways. It was a treat to get to know them better through their letters and brief interactions when on leave.

I was fascinated by the intensive research that went into the book. A.L. Sowards is no stranger to historical fiction, but this story blew me away. It made me ponder what feelings and experiences people on both sides felt and went through, because deep in the trenches, it’s not always a case of good vs evil. It made me feel so many things, all the things.

My mind was riveted to the fact that pieces of multiple lives come together in such intricate ways that we can’t always understand in the moment, or even for years to come. The way this story came together caught me off guard and yet felt so right. My heart was torn out and assembled back together again.

This book is a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and romance. It’s not one I will forget anytime soon.

Content: mild+ violence/danger/peril due to war (nothing too graphic); mild romance; very mild references to religion

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Heirs of Falcon Point (Oct 2021) the Nazis take control of Austria and Leopold Lang decides to flee with his children. Unfortunately, the children end up being separated. Differing authors are writing the stories of what happens to them during WWII and beyond. In Codes of Courage, A.L. Sowards' writes son Karl’s story. (This can be read as a stand alone but the first book is an excellent set up for the series.) Karl makes it to England and wants to fight the enemy. He begins by joining the Merchant Marines because he can’t enlist as a foreigner in the Royal Navy.

Karl experiences the perils of being at sea when they are being patrolled by the Nazi u-boats. Along the way he meets and begins writing letters with Millie Stevens. She is giving the war her best skills by working at the secretive Bletchley Park. They meet up when they can during his leaves. I’ve read a few previous books from Soward's and found them very readable and historically accurate. There is cost to war on both sides. But there is love and moments of happiness too. I appreciate the authors notes at the end about the Enigma machines (which I knew about) and what changes she made to make the storyline work.

This is appropriately labeled historical fiction with a romance as most of the time the two MCs are not together. I appreciate the authors research and storytelling. The book is clean for language, limited closed door intimacy and contains war time injuries and death. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series although it will be written by a different author. And of course I will read future books from Sowards. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.L. Sowards is by far one of my favorite historical fiction writers and her addition to the Heirs of Falcon Point is as always, well done. I highly suggest reading Falcon Point before, but Codes can also be read on its own. Codes of Courage is a story of love in the time of war and how fragile these relationships can be and what is worth the risk.

I ended this book in tears if that indicates what type of story this one is. Having read Heirs of Falcon point I had a vague idea of how it would go, but honestly... I was STILL not prepared. I am the kind of person who would rather be brought to tears than feel absolutely nothing, and this got me in my feel big time.

I loved learning about code cracking, U-boats, and war time on the sea. I loved the epistolary moments within the book and how romantic yet fragile the romance felt. The emotions that come with living in a time of war and having those you love in danger every day felt real and raw. Soward's always plants very organic seeds of faith and God in her books that feel as natural as breathing.

This is a book full of bravery, love letters, courage in the face of your enemy but also courage to give grace to that same enemy as well. The ending was powerful and impactful, and I will read whatever she puts out next.

[Tiffany the_chronic_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I like to think that not even war can stop people from falling in love."

In the midst of war three lives are woven together to create an epic tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage.

Wonderfully written, well researched, and masterfully executed! A.L. Sowards once again delivers an emotional journey of unexpected twists and turns alongside a beautiful love story.

Told from multiple pov's you get to experience this historical story from all sides. Karl is determined to see the Nazi's defeated, Millie secretly works as a code breaker at Bletchley Park, Rolf will do anything to defend Germany but it's forced to make the difficult choice between country and family. This book more than any other transported me through time. Codes of Courage is part of the Heirs of Falcon Point family, but can be read as a stand alone.

#historicalfiction #cleanread #historicalromance #codesofcourage #heirsoffalconpoint

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still processing all of my thoughts and emotions after reading this one! Wow! Wow! Wowsers!!! I just want to tell you all the things but I can't because you have to experience it all for yourself through reading Karl and Millie and Rolf's journey.

If you haven't read the prequel novel, Heirs of Falcon Point, I highly recommend you do so! You don't have to in order to be able to enjoy this one but it definitely gives a little bit more info for who Karl is, his background and how he and Millie met.

This was such a wonderful read for all aspects of the novel. The historical aspects were so well written and had me picturing it all as it was happening. When I first heard about U-boats I couldn't learn enough about them. I have many family members who served in WWII and so I was constantly wanting to know everything that I could to better understand, in a way that only studying allows, what I could of their experiences. A.L. Sowards did a fantastic job of researching and teaching us readers about so many aspects in relation to U-Boats and sea warfare and code breakers. It was all very educational and fascinating. It brought back many memories of learning about this.

I also loved the family aspects throughout this book. I loved watching those relationships and how they all brought peace and comfort to the characters throughout their struggles while living in the war. The relationships between the other characters as friends or more were also well written. And the sweet romance between Karl and Millie was a highlight of the book when they were in the same scene. *happy sigh*

But remember this is war. War does not discriminate. It takes and gives heartache and sorrow. I honestly was in tears. There were so many emotions. I loved how the author brought everything to a beautiful close. After I read the final page (and the author's notes at the end-they are a must read!) I sat there in stunned silence. Trying to process the emotions and what I learned and loved. I highly recommend you read this one! And check out the contemporary books that break off from the prequel (one releases a month after this one).

Content: War. Bombs. Death. Hurt. But with all of those addressed in this book, the author wrote it in a sensitive way that wasn't overly graphic. I would let my teenagers read this.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

“Codes of Courage” is a realistic historical fiction that delves into the love of family and children from the British, American, Austrian, and German perspectives.

Read full review in the 2023 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this book several days ago and still don't have all my thoughts about it organized. Wow, just wow!! This story is told from 3 POV. Karl Lang--who escaped the Nazi's in Austria and is now a refugee in England; Millie Stevens--daughter of an American diplomat living in England; and Rolf Denhart--a German serving on a U-boat. These individuals end up intersecting in ways I couldn't imagine.

I loved Karl and Millie's story! It's sweet and gentle, and I loved how they found each other at a time when life was very uncertain. Getting married during war time is never easy but both of them had jobs they couldn't talk about to each about. Especially Millie who was working as a codebreaker; if they could break the German's unbreakable codes thousands of lives would be saved.

The characters are written in such a way that the reader becomes connected to them and the descriptions are done so well I could picture everything as I read. I was not prepared for some of the twists and was in shock a few times. A.L. Sowards does an amazing amount of research and I learned a lot about U-boats, pack hunting, and the Enigma coding machine, which I'd never heard of before. This is one reason I love reading historical fiction.

This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read Heirs of Falcon Point to get a more complete picture of Karl Lang's background. The author does a great job reminding us of what happened to him but you'll get a much better understanding of his character by reading his story in Heirs of Falcon Point.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Content: war time violence, peril, death. Kissing.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally powerful and moving, Codes of Courage is a phenomenal novel set during World War II. Written with a dual perspective, the reader really gets to know and experience people fighting on both sides of the war. This enthralling historical fiction novel pulls the reader straight into the lives of Karl, Millie, and Rolf. The emotional connections are powerful and really bring you straight into the story. You can ride the waves of the ocean and sunk into its depths on a U-boat, Sowards immerses the reader into all aspects of the warfare on the sea. This story has so many unexpected turns and my jaw may have hit the floor a time or two. I absolutely recommend Codes of Courage to any historical fiction fan. This story can be read as. a standalone but it is a part of the Heirs of Falcon Point series and I appreciated all of the ties. Run, don’t walk, and get yourself a copy!!! I received a complimentary copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for a gifted ARC.

I AM IN MY FEELS.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

I was warned before going in what kind of ending I was heading towards so I feel like I’ll mention that here, it is in the bittersweet vein. My rating was not changed by this, a lot because I knew going into it, which I VERY much appreciate. My four star is centered around that I thought the first half was a bit slower and took me awhile to get fully involved.

Anyways, I loved these characters. I loved the themes. The subtle woven in faith elements that played a role in how the three POV’s lives connected, crossed, and ultimately found common ground. It’s a got a really sweet and tender romance. There’s great introspection and realizations. I loved seeing the characters stumble, learn and make the best decisions in rough situations.

And I loved that this was focused out at sea and on codebreakers. It was a different scene of the war I haven’t read much in the historical fiction genre and it was a well researched take on what was happening on the ocean fronts.

I felt ALL THE THINGS throughout. I love the way A.L. Sowards writes her books. I’m happy that I took the chance on reading this, even in my heart is in utter chaos at present. It was such a good book and I loved seeing everything come full circle.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: closed door between a married couple
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: active WW2, loss of loved ones, shipwrecks, grief depiction

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Codes of courage was absolutely beautiful!

The author has a talent for writing action and romance deep with history. I became so attached to the characters and even cried at one point. I have not cried while reading a book for years!

The story highlights the work of cryptologists and living in a world at war during WW2. The story follows Karl, an Austrian native, who fled from Nazi occupation and is searching for his missing sisters, while trying to do everything in his power to push back against the Nazi regime.

Karl meets Millie Stevens by chance, and then later reconnects with her and forms a strong connection. Millie works as a code breaker and makes time to see Karl every time he’s back on land.

The story of Karl and Millie was beautiful and brought all of the emotions a romance during war brings.

The author also includes the point of view of a German Soldier serving on a U-boat. At first I wasn’t so sure about this addition, but as the story went on I appreciated this 3rd point of view that helped to give a broader understanding of the war and those fighting.

This was truly a beautifully written book and one of my favorites this year. If you’re up for an emotionally rocky ride during WW2, this is the book for you.

The book could be read as a stand alone, however I think it’s more enjoyable to read after the first book Heirs or Falcon Point.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karl Lang is Austrian, and has recently escaped from the Nazis. He takes a job as merchant sailor for the British to help with the war effort. He meets Millie Stephens who is helping with decoding messages of the German U-boats. Karl and Millie form a quick friendship and continue writing to each other while apart. There is also Rolf Denhart, who is on the Germans side and is on one of the U-Boats. His wife doesn’t know if what the Germans are doing is right and soon he starts to wonder too.

This story starts out in 1940 but is spanned across years. I really liked Karl and Millie. I loved how brave both of them were. They fought for what they believed in. I also liked watching their relationship progress through letters. Karl got in a lot of danger, and it’s intense. I also liked Rolf’s character and how the author showed that even though he was fighting for the German side he was still a man and wanted to protect his family. I am not much of a crier when it comes to books but I definitely teared up a couple times from this story. I absolutely loved the end! Overall a great read! If you love World War II stories and historical fiction then you will love this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Codes of Courage was a fantastic read! It was beautifully written and kept me turning pages through out the whole story.
This book allowed me to experience history through three different sets of eyes. It was captivating, intriguing, real, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at the same time. The romance was adorable and deep and had me fangirling constantly. It had enough action to keep me hooked.
I haven’t read Heirs of Falcon Point but now I want to!
I loved A. L. Sowards writing style and definitely want to read more by her!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are strictly my own*

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Author A.L. Sowards has written an emotional rollercoaster of a story in her book Codes of Courage. It is both captivating and devastating with WWII being at the forefront of the story. Life is hard and then a war is thrown in the mix. It makes for a beautifully tragic life and love story. As always, Sowards will capture the attention of her readers with her beautiful storytelling and easily relate to characters. This incredible story shows characters from both sides of the war, bringing to life truths that are heart wrenching and heartbreaking. This story is about those heroes that helped break codes to help win the war and who helped trying to solve the enigma machine. A captivating and suspenseful story that will capture the heart of readers and they will not want to put it down. Savoring their feelings long after the turn of the last page.

Series: Falcon Point Historical
Genre: historical, suspense, romance, WWII
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: October 10, 2023
Number of pages: 435

Other books in the series:
0-Heirs of Falcon Point

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author A.L. Sowards has written some of my favorite historical fiction novels in the past few years. Codes of Courage is another heart-stopping novel that takes place during World War II. The same characters we met in 'Heirs of Falcon Point' are in this novel too. Please read that book first that establishes the characters and their personal motivations. Readers are given an in-depth look at some of those who were affected by this war. We get the POVs of Rolf a German soldier assigned to a German Uboat, Lars who fights for the Allies on a British ship, Lar's girlfriend Millie who is a codebreaker in England, and we also get insight into Rolf's wife who has just given birth to their first child. The emotional impact of war is clearly shown and it's hard not to be moved.

As most reviewers will tell you, Sowards does impeccable research for her historical fiction books. I also learned so many new things about that time period and previously unknown facts, especially having to do with the codebreaking.

During World War II, Germany believed that its secret codes for radio messages were indecipherable to the Allies. However, the meticulous work of code breakers based at Britain's Bletchley Park, where the character Millie worked, cracked the secrets of German wartime communication, and played a crucial role in the final defeat of Germany.

There is a lot of suspense as the fighting takes place in the ocean where Karl and Rolf are. It really rattled my nerves at how many close calls there were for both men. There were several shocking things that happened in this novel that caused me anxiety and also brought me to tears.

In the end, it showed how being courageous saved many lives and impacted so many others even years later. I love Codes of Courage and once again I have been thoroughly amazed at A. L. Soward's writing skills and her ability to write an engrossing novel.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! Codes of Courage is an amazing, page-turning tale about courage, the courage to keep living after tragedy, the courage to reach out for love during war, the courage to keep working trying to break the Nazi codes and win the war even when it looks bleak, and the courage to accept jobs during the war that are important but very risky. I loved it. I needed Kleenex at one point too. Kudos to the author for a brilliant story about one of the characters from the Heirs of Falcon Point (one of my all time favorite books). Codes of Courage can totally be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Heirs of Falcon Point too.

I have a strong interest in cryptography, and reading about the code-breaking efforts at Bletchley Park outside of London, as well as about Merchant Marine ships and the danger they faced from U-boats and their torpedoes was fascinating. And the fact that the story is told from three perspectives, an Austrian who hates the Nazi's for killing his father, an American and half British woman translator and code-breaker, and a Nazi U Boat radio operator is really interesting. I highly recommend this excellent historical fiction story and the beautiful war-time love story that was a big part of it.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. I highly recommend Codes of Courage. All opinions are my own.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books set in times of war are always a risk for me to read. They tend to be intense, tragic, and haunting. That is how this book was for me. I waited a bit after I read it to write my review as I was struggling with how I felt about it. The historical aspect was interesting and I liked the character development and interconnection across the stories of the different characters but it was a rough read for me. It did make me want to go back and re-read some of the other books in this series. They were also intense but did not haunt my thoughts when I was done like this one did. Cautious recommendation on this one.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Codes of Courage is a perfect title for this book. Courage takes many forms in this book. Courage to reach out and grasp love. Courage to fight a war that needed to be fought to beat evil. Courage to believe that not every 'enemy' is truly an enemy. Courage to do hard things. Courage to use talents given to help the war effort. Courage to move on when things didn't turn out the way you wanted or hoped.
This is a beautifully moving story that brings you along for an incredible roller coaster ride of emotions. A.L. Sowards has done it again, she really knows how to write a historical novel that grabs every emotion while learning something more about our history.
Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Sharon the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still trying to put into words the impact of this story. So much depth, so much research, so much emotion…

This amazing historical fiction book deals with love, loss, torpedoes, secret codes, and the many facets of war.

It is told by 3 people, all from different countries- experiencing the war from different points of view. It is fascinating to see how their lives intertwine and create an amazing tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage.

Read it. You won’t be sorry. It’s one of those impactful stories that make you think about it for a long time after you put the book down.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first A.L. Sowards book, it was beautiful. I got to see history from three different sets of eyes and how they played a part in World War II. I knew what was coming, and I still wasn't ready for it. It was heart-breaking and I sobbed. I would definitely recommend reading The Heirs of Falcon Point before you read this, it helps ease you know the ending.

[Lovemybooks2020 Cindy Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished 𝘾𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 by A.L. Sowards. It was a wonderful #historicalfiction story set in WWII about codebreaking and the many sacrifices the sailors made to stop the Germans. It’s also a beautifully-weaved story of love, sacrifice and friendship that comes full circle decades after the war ends. ⁣
⁣
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 ⁣
1940: Austrian refugee Karl Lang has lost everything―his country, his home, and his family. All that is left to him is a burning ambition to see the Nazis defeated. Desperate for work and a way to help the war effort, he finds the one place that will take a refugee like him: a supply steamer traversing a deadly path past enemy U-boats.⁣
⁣
Since their first meeting, Millie Stevens has felt an undeniable connection to Karl. As the #war rages, she shares his determination to oppose the Nazis and finds work at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. There she uses all her intellect and determination to break #German codes and read U-boat transmissions―or risk losing the man she loves.⁣
⁣
Rolf Denhart will do anything to defend the Fatherland, including long patrols in a cramped U-boat. But rumors from #Germany leave him uneasy, forcing a choice between loyalty to his homeland, the safety of his #family, and his peace of conscience.⁣
⁣
Thank you @a.l.sowards for having me on the launch team. While this book is a sequel to 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵, it’s great as a standalone. Wartime stories always touch me - how people bond during the worst of times. Their courage, sacrifice, ability to live in constant danger with so little yet maintain hope. The daunting situations they live through. And how after the war we make sense of the senseless. The love between Millie and Karl was raw and real. And the many alliances Karl formed during his years at #sea were deep and unforgettable. The last part of the #book was was filled with action and answers, and ended perfectly.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣
Look for this one October 10th.⁣
⁣

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment to a well-loved family and well-loved series. I love how the author team around this series have made the decisions to take it in 2 different directions- a modern, suspense series and a historical series as well. I am enjoying both of these spin off series.
This book was a bit of an emotional gut punch and I loved all that I learned about U-boats and depth charges and even more about Bletchley Park and codebreaking, as I originally loved that about "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn a few years back. But, the central plotting and central theme of this story is love. This is a war-time romance in all the best ways. I absolutely loved Karl and thought Millie was a fantastic complement for him and support. Loved the chapters that contained excerpts from their letters back and forth as it felt really true and authentic to that time period. So many romances forged through the pages that travel miles upon miles to each other and the time it took for those words to reach each other. I am a total hopeless romantic and loved those chapters!
There are 3 storylines that you follow through this novel, seemingly 2 are interconnected and 1 is disconnected, but the ways in which AL Sowards weaves together these characters and their story arcs by the end was masterful and so heart wrenchingly beautiful.
Actual rating, 4.25 stars! I will look forward to even more installments in the Falcon Point world!
So appreciate this early copy! I devoured it in the matter of 1 weekend.

[Nikita Wells (Kita's Book Nook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"...Helping him was also a way of following her father’s example. He always said he couldn’t fix everything, but if God put a person in his path who needed help, he’d be a rather poor Christian if he didn’t at least try to offer aid."


Things I liked:

Millie and her family. They were a pretty good bunch of people, and made the chapters focusing on them fun to read.

Carl and his mentor Captain Blake. They both were good strong male characters with a devotion to duty and a love for the sea despite the dangers, that was admirable.

The code breaking and other secret war work that was done in the book. Very cool!

The perspective of a character from the enemy side working in a German U-boat. This was well written and made the story much more deep as his character develops.

Negative content-

Language- hell is misused once.

A mention of a sailor reading horror tales and liking to read "Dracula".

One character asks a woman (of good character) if she was the "broad" that someone had been talking about.

There's many casualties due to the war going on, and part of the time bodies are described as having parts blown or burned off and missing, as well as some blood.
Not gory per se, but realistic.

There's an awkward scene where someone was shipwrecked and they lost their pants. A few too many details.

There was a couple scenes where the characters didn't do something wrong, but it wasn't wise to do. I can't specify because you know, spoilers.

This is one of the few books that I enjoyed part or most of, but most likely won't read again. Not to say that it's a bad book at all, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected.

Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary e-book I received to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts are my own.

[Heidi Gorecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Codebreaking is probably my favorite ww2 subject, and this is a first to read about both U Boats and the Merchant Navy, so all the away around, a refreshing subject matter and really interesting. Loved both Millie and Karl as characters as well, and I thought the aspect and character development of a german Nazi who wasn't evil and fanatical was a humanizing take, especially the way the story came together at the end.

It was a fascinating progression, being that the first book in the series (Heirs of Falcon Point) was written in time periods before and after this point in the story, so you knew some of what was going to happen with the Lang family. I think it added to the intrigue and adrenaline towards the end of the book, which also had me in tears. Really well pulled together, and the character development and story progression were excellent.

I do wish there was a little more emotional description in it, but there was plenty of thought and intellectual description that it still held fine for pulling you into the story and making you part of it, as opposed to some books that keep you only observing.

I loved the way the author showed how selflessness and sacrifice have rippling effects generations down the road. I enjoyed this one quite a lot and look forward to what I assume will be the rest of the historical series to come, and the other suspense series track.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

[Hannah the book maiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if I have another description for Codes of Courage by @a.l.sowards, other than poignant.

It’s a beautiful love story that, if you read the first book in the series (Heirs of Falcon Point), you know the outcome to this book. If you don’t know, I would recommend reading Heirs of Falcon Point first—just saying.

This is a romantic love story, where two young adults meet together when Karl is fleeing his country from Nazis and trying to meet back up with his sisters. Karl and Millie part their separate ways until a future date. Both work for English war departments, Millie as a decoder and Karl as a merchant sailor.

As always, A.L. Sowards nailed the historical aspects. I didn’t know anything about the merchant sailors who were often torpedo by the Germans. And then to see Millie’s side of cracking the German codes, trying to figure out the messages before the u-boats sunk more ships. Wow. So much to this book.

But the love story 🥹🥺 it was beautiful and … it had me in major tears at the end. I loved it so much. I knew I would be bawling my eyes out over this story (I cry easily) so I put this story off until I knew I was in a good place for it.

Look. Even though I cried, I 100% think you should read it. It’s everything you would want in a real love story. It felt real. It felt like I could be reading letters from my ancestors.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the advanced copy! Completely my own thoughts and love for this story.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series and I was excited to read this new addition. Although it is not officially part of the series, Codes of Courage is a companion novel to Heirs of Falcon Point and it is written by A.L. Sowards.
Karl and Millie were wonderful characters. I loved reading about their interaction and their easy relationship. I also liked both of these characters, I was able to understand them. The story was so interesting and I was drawn to the work that both Karl and Millie did during the war.
Karl was just trying his best to figure out how to make a new life. He had lost his sisters, his home, and was in a country that was not his own. I really liked Karl and getting to learn more about him. It was cool to see him grow throughout the story. Millie was also sweet and I loved how smart she was. Millie was so fun and I loved reading about her and seeing how she fit with Karl. They were just so cute together, they helped make each other better.
I just loved this book! The characters and story were everything! It did take me a little bit to get into, but it was so worth it. Codes of Courage is a must read and I would definitely recommend it! It was so cool to finally read Karl’s story and it is making me want to reread the other books.


I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

[Jeanine Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda!!! You have ripped my heart out! I’ve read Heirs of Falcon Point, I know Karl, I know how his story begins, how it ends, and still I am wrecked!

This was beautiful. It was poignant. It was heartbreaking. It was healing. I smiled, I sighed. I was on the edge of my seat, gripped with dread and anxiety. I didn’t want to read the coming pages, yet I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to run and hide from the inevitable. I wept…then I wept some more. Never has a book affected me like this one has.

Thank you for allowing us to experience Karl’s losses, his victories, his happiness, his sacrifices. His genuine goodness and his dogged determination. His unflappable spirit and his undying adoration. And thank you for giving Millie a happy ending and a surprising “now you know the rest of the story”.

Thank you NetGalley, AL Sowards, and Covent Communications for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own. I will treasure this touching story always.

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reading this in preparation for the upcoming release of Roads of Resistance (book 3 in The Falcon Point Historical Series), and wow—I’m once again blown away by A.L. Sowards’ storytelling! 🙌🏼

This gripping World War II tale weaves together three powerful perspectives:
⚓️ Karl – an Austrian refugee turned sailor
🧠 Millie – a brilliant codebreaker with a fierce heart
🐺 Rolf – a conflicted German U-boat officer

With themes of found family, war-torn romance, and moral dilemmas, this story is rich in emotion and tension. There’s danger at sea, secret identities, and impossible choices—all wrapped in a story that’s both thought-provoking and completely unputdownable.

Sowards’ attention to historical detail and her ability to humanize even the most complex characters make this a standout read. I loved every layered moment. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction with heart and grit!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although parts of this story crushed me, it also touched my heart. The lives, loves, and losses of those in this period of history are richly beautiful despite the tragedy, challenges, and evil they faced. God is always at work even in the darkest of times. His light is portrayed throughout the pages of this book. Along the journey of the story I smiled and mourned and was rewarded with an ending echoing peace and hope. One of the author’s best yet.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic WWII novel of courage, persistence, and love. I truly enjoyed it. I ended up pausing my reading for a few weeks halfway through the book due to life circumstances, so it took me a while to get through it. But it was definitely worth it. The ending was satisfying. I definitely want to read more of the Falcon Point novels.