Hopes on the Horizon - by Nan Rinella (Paperback)

About the Book

Inner voices threaten the blossoming friendship of two Oxford students. A Royal Navy officer considers life as a secret agent and vies with an American humanist for a ravishing fashion designer.

Book Synopsis

Hopes on the Horizon, Book Two of THE CHOICE Series

What voices influence your choices?

In 1953, the United Kingdom eagerly anticipates Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. Hope shines for the British and our five young friends. And yet, a real and insidious enemy continues to pummel away at their souls. Invading their minds with perverse thoughts, he's bent on destroying that rekindled hope. If they'll open their hearts to the still small voices of those who love them, our five friends will have the truths necessary to defend themselves against the lies of an Adversary, who wants to ruin their lives.

The Earl of Wembley's brilliant daughter Phila Claiborne studies at Oxford University. But she's not allowed to be tutored by the highly esteemed C. S. Lewis and J. R. R., Tolkien because they teach at men's colleges where women can't enroll. Yet, she can attend their lectures, and while doing so, the brawny giant sitting at the back of the hall notices her.

O. C. Ogilvie, a former army hero, studies at Oxford with his tutors Mr. Lewis and Professor Tolkien. Enamored with the tiny redhead in front of him, he finally gets up the courage to ask her to tea. A fascinating friendship blooms, however both want to be liked for themselves, so they intentionally fail to mention their aristocratic heritages.

At the same time, WWII demons still haunt Ollie. Guilt, Grief, and Shame plus his brother's voice of Ridicule threaten his hopes of a romantic relationship. So does a charming London lawyer who better fits Phila's vision of Prince Charming. But she battles Insecurity and Envy as they remind her that a plain pudgy intellectual won't likely attract a prince.

After winning her London fashion school's contest for the most gorgeous gown for the Queen's Coronation, Phila's beautiful friend, Lily Whitely, rises above the staggering grief over the deaths of her parents and siblings. Her victory and strong ties to the Claibornes lead to a position with the Queen's couturier. Lily revels in working at Hartnell's, the fashion house creating the Coronation regalia, as well as attention from a young duke, and confusing romantic overtures from Hugh.

Phila's brother, handsome Royal Navy Lt. Commander Hugh Claiborne's exceptional intellect made him a perfect fit for Naval Intelligence during the war. It also denied him the opportunity to earn glory at sea. However, during his four years as a naval attaché at Britain's Embassy in Washington D. C., he was instrumental in exposing two traitors who leaked secrets to the Soviets. Relishing the taste of counterespionage, Hugh now hears the siren song of Ambition luring him toward the unconventional life of a secret agent-an occupation not conducive to marriage or as a future earl expected to produce an heir. Hugh's passion for honor conflicts with his growing desire to be more than a pseudo-brother to Lily.

As a UCLA professor, the intriguing former USAAF ace, Dan McCauley is jubilant when invited to speak on humanism at Oxford. However, like "Daniel in the Lion's Den," he faces unsettling questions from Lewis and Tolkien. Yet, as he beholds the stunning Lily, perhaps he faces the most powerful "lion" of all. Desire threatens to consume him.

Nan Rinella has crafted a powerful tale about the voices that influence our choices and the challenges of listening to voices that can make or break us.

Coming soon: Book Three, The New Knights

Review Quotes

"I am always fascinated by stories that delve into the magnificent imagination of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Rinella cares deeply for both men's work and weaves their ingenious ideas into THE CHOICE Series."

Patti Callahan Henry

NYT Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

"Hopes on the Horizon is a fitting follow up to Dreams in the Distance, expanding on the characters Rinella introduced in the first book of THE CHOICE Series. Her young adult characters-three veterans, and two young women-struggle, hope, and dream, trying to find their way through the challenging world after the Second World War. If you are a fan of historical fiction, romance, or the writings of C. S Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, you'll find something to love in this book."

Steven Elmore

Executive Vice President

C.S. Lewis Foundation

"Nan Rinella's THE CHOICE Series, including Hopes on the Horizon, are novels of love and war, faith and doubt, intellect and insight. Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis will be charmed by the interweaving of familiar Oxfordshire settings and by the appearance of these literary giants as secondary characters and influences. Throughout, Rinella displays her passion for history and literature, for the research that brings it together, and for a beautifully told story."

Joy Jordan-Lake

Part-time professor and the author of the bestselling novel

A Tangled Mercy, as well as the Christy Award-winning

Blue Hole Back Home and other books

"Another magical installment in Nan Rinella's epic series. The wonderful storytelling and entertaining characters will keep you turning pages."

Terry Glaspey

Professor at Northwind Theological Seminary and bestselling author

"The writing depth of Nan Rinella comes, I believe, from her background as a journalist. Fascinating characters and ingenious story lines originate from her rich imagination plus deep research for authentic information about her chosen time frame (WWII), including its locations, history, plus its brave men and women. The results are satisfying and captivating. Nan Rinella's attention to detail are a tribute to her love/respect for her many satisfied readers. Another page-turner to enjoy!"

Carolyn Curtis

Award-winning journalist and author, whose latest book is

Women and C.S. Lewis: What his life and literature reveal for today's culture

(Lion Hudson plc, Oxford, England)