About the Book

Book: Unending Hope

Author: Cindy Kay Stewart

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: July 29, 2025

As WWII expands across Europe, members of the Circle of Hope are drawn deeper into the struggle to survive in the face of overwhelming adversity.

April 1940. Nazi Germany carries out a devastating invasion, trapping Americans David Jensen and Natalie Thompson in Norway. Determined to use their medical skills to aid the Norwegians, David and Natalie embark on a harrowing journey to treat the injured and evade the Nazis.

Natalie, a dedicated Red Cross worker, values deep relationships. Fearful of settling for a shallow marriage, she broke off her engagement to David several years before. But she never stopped loving him and spending time working together in Norway plays havoc with her heart.

David, a charismatic and confidant doctor with the Red Cross, desires to advance his career and rekindle his relationship with Natalie. Even though she once rejected him, he believes she is the only woman for him. But years of keeping others at arms’ length guarantees that winning Natalie back will be the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.

The saga introduced in Abounding Hope continues in this inspiring second installment of courage and devotion.

Readers of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Lee Jackson’s After Dunkirk series will love this book.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies and special education teacher, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history, Cindy loves to research until she uncovers hidden gems to share with her readers. She resides in North Georgia with her college sweetheart. Her daughter, son-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren live nearby.

More from Cindy

Those who love learning about bygone eras through fiction, will enjoy escaping to WWII Norway and France in Unending Hope, Book 2 in the Circle of Hope series. This novel follows the adventures of former boarding school classmates who vowed to come to each other’s aid in times of crisis, and WWII provides plenty of trouble for these diehard twenty-somethings to work through. Abounding Hope, Book 1 in the series, is a friends-to-lovers romance, and Unending Hope is a second-chance romance. The novels are sequential to the timeline of WWII.

As well as struggling to safely navigate their responsibilities, the major characters in both novels seek answers to their needs and problems, which can only be found by embarking on a spiritual journey that’s just as climactic as their physical adventures.

I love to research and dig up true stories I’ve never heard about or seen before and then share the most interesting ones through the lives of my characters. Bringing history to life is an adventure for me, and keeping my stories historically accurate is a goal I always strive to meet.

My Impressions

“If only he could go back several years and change their last months together, Natalie would be his wife now instead of his ex-fiancée.”

Unending Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart is the second in the Circle of Hope Series. A Christian high school in Paris is the meeting place for many friends who years later gather in Norway for the wedding of Anne to Erik, a Norwegian banker. Unfortunately, just two days after the wedding, the Nazis invade Norway, trapping six friends in the country. 

While we follow the side stories of newly-weds Erik and Anne, and also newlyweds Irena and Jonathan, David and Natalie are the main focus of this book. Having once been engaged, Natalie had broken it off with David a few years ago. Unable to see his own self-absorption, David doesn’t understand the cause of their breakup, and he continues to carry a torch for Natalie. 

With the Luftwaffe swiftly moving into the Norwegian airspace, there is plenty of danger to test the mettle of all three couples. Twining all three escape stories together makes for a tight and tense story and more chances to see the advance of the German army as it happened in Norway’s history. 

I think this book would be especially good for someone who likes stories about WWII and also might be trying to figure out God’s will for their lives, especially as regards one person who may not be a dedicated believer.  David claims to be a believer, but he has no interest in praying, reading his Bible, or following God’s will. Stewart sets up some surprising tertiary characters who show David there is a difference.

Stewart liberally uses Scripture throughout the novel, and includes short prayers of her characters. We see where each is spiritually. Interestingly enough, even the one that seems the most spiritual finds roots of sin to be weeded out of their heart. A reminder to us all to be careful of judging others as we harbor sin. One of Natalie’s wise friends reminds her, “…unforgiveness always destroys a person’s soul. Don’t close off your heart because of the past.”

With bombs aplenty, air raid sirens frequently going off, fires from said bombs, rush to stay one or two cities ahead of the Nazi invasion and ensuing chaos of war, I feel a little off-kilter. I could almost smell the fires, and I definitely cringed imagining the sirens. Reading of the death and destruction the characters faced, but continued to work in the midst of, wow! We need to be reminded of that bravery and loyalty. 

Unfortunately for the reader, Stewart sets herself up nicely for the need for book three. Once again, we’ll be watching the skies from behind blackout curtains!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“true love grows in proportion to our love for the Lord.” Mme. Chappelle

“I became a Christian by believing in Christ, but I’m becoming a disciple of Christ by obeying Him.” -Richard

“‘Love isn’t enough, is it?’ ‘…if you’re talking about a giddy feeling, then no, it’s not enough. But if you’re talking about a willingness to sacrifice your own desires, wants, and needs to meet those of the one you cherish, then you have a start. But it needs to be mutual.’”- Mme. Chappelle

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Suspenseful WWII second-chance Romance

Blog Stops

Bizwings Blog, November 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

Texas Book-aholic, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 9

For Him and My Family, November 10

lakesidelivingsite, November 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 12

The Bookish Pilgrim, November 12

Connie’s history classroom , November 13

Stories By Gina, November 14 (Author Interview)

The Mommies Reviews, November 14

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 15

Holly’s Book Corner, November 16

Mary Hake, November 16

Cover Lover Book Review, November 17

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 17

Pause for Tales, November 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d00b/unending-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway