
Published by Thomas Nelson IncDate Published: 2014-05-06
Pages: 352
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance, Secular Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Booklook Blogger Program
Purchase: Amazon
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In the final days of Nazi Germany, the strength of one woman’s heart will determine the fate of a family. Prussia, 1945The fall of the Third Reich is imminent. As the merciless Red Army advances from the East, the German people of Prussia await the worst. Among them is twenty-year-old Gisela Cramer, an American living in Heiligenbeil with her cousin Ella and their ailing grandfather. When word arrives that the Russians will invade overnight, Ella urges Gisela to escape to Berlin—and take Ella’s two small daughters with her. The journey is miserable and relentless. But when Gisela hears the British accent of a phony SS officer, she poses as his wife to keep him safe among the indignant German refugees. In the blink of an eye, Mitch Edwards and Gisela are Herr and Frau Joseph Cramer. Through their tragic and difficult journey, the fabricated couple strives to protect Ella’s daughters, hoping against hope for a reunion. But even as Gisela and Mitch develop feelings beyond the make–believe, the reality of war terrorizes their makeshift family. With the world at its darkest, and the lives of two children at stake, the counterfeit couple finds in each other a source of faith, hope, and the love they need to survive.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author/Booklook Blogger Program and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
My Thoughts:
I went into this book with an open mind. I loved historical books, but generally though, I love those centered around the Civil War and WWI. Don’t get me wrong, I love books from the WWII era as well, but only if they are well written and superbly captivating. This book fell slightly short of completely captivating me. That said, I did enjoy this book and was glad that I gave it a shot.
It’s a story written from a female German’s perspective. The need to escape, and to survive, and to save those around her is strong and evident. Definitely poignantly written. Gisela captures and steals your heart from the start. The story line, however, is what left me lacking in completely being captivated. There were times that I became a little confused and couldn’t follow along very well.
Ms. Tolsma is a talented author who will be on my continued Must Read list despite the lacking story line. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work in the near future!
I have been curious about this book as I love books from this era. The perspective sounds fascinating. I may have to look for it.
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