Stop by to learn about the book, read a Q&A with Tara, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).
Showing posts with label #HistoricalFiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #HistoricalFiction. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
"Broken Lines" by Kelsey Gietl ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Click here to learn about the book, read my review, and enter to win an electronic copy of the book.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
"The Refrain Within" by Liz Tolsma ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Welcome to Takeover Tuesday!
Stop by to learn about the book, read my review, and enter to win a copy of the book (US ONLY).
Click here.
Friday, August 14, 2020
"A Life Once Dreamed" by Rachel Fordham ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Stop by to learn about the new release from Rachel Fordham, A Life Once Dreamed. You can also enter to win a copy of the book.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
"Heavenly Lights: Noah's Journey" by Barbara M. Britton ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Barbara is sharing a bit about her latest release, Heavenly Lights: Noah's Journey. She has offered to give away a print copy (US ONLY) or an electronic copy of the book. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends March 24, 2020 If you are the randomly chosen winner, I’ll contact you.)
Friday, March 13, 2020
"The Blizzard Bride" by Susanne Dietze ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Welcome to Friday Reads!
Susanne's publisher has agreed to give away three (3) print copies of The Blizzard Bride. (US ONLY) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends March 20, 2020. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
You can read a Q&A with Susanne and my review, as well as enter the giveaway here.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Takeover Tuesday with Camille Eide
Camille has agreed to give away an electronic copy of this book to one lucky blog reader. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends January 14, 2020. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
The story behind the story...
The idea for Anna’s story came on the heels of my previous novel, The
Memoir of Johnny Devine. I wanted to try my hand again at setting a story during
an era with a prominent social issue that could trickle down into the individual
lives of the characters. Wings Like a Dove was birthed by a much
different process than my other novels. The idea for Johnny Devine came from a
dream—one simple, heart-wrenching scene—and an entire novel sprang from that. Wings
came from a “What If” brainstorm. What if an unmarried immigrant found herself
pregnant, in a time in America that would make her predicament more of a
challenge?
After the central story took shape, the characters took on lives
and stories of their own, as often happens in fiction writing. Most of the supporting
characters inherited traits from real life, personal experience, and from
people I’ve known. Thomas speaks reverently of the man who raised him. This
man, Gabriel Johansen, is fashioned after my late father in law. And in small
part, so were most of the orphan boys, who are the same age my father in law
would have been in 1933. Some of details in this story come from stories of his
boyhood.
I didn’t intend for the story to be a difficult read; I wanted to
tell a heart-warming story of redemption. And I hope I have. But as I researched the era, the discovery of
the Women’s Ku Klux Klan and their agenda to “cleanse” their communities of
certain people, including Jews, meant that I had no choice but to include it. The
presence of the Klan in middle America fit all too well with the string of challenges
that Anna would face in 1933. And as a side note, when I was plotting this
story several years ago, before delays kept interfering with its completion, I
had no idea what the future held, what conversations about immigration, racism,
and unity would be taking place now, as the story is released. I can only
wonder if God had a plan for this story, for such a time as this.
Excerpt...
Anna
studied him, the sincerity of his expression, the patient way he waited, the
strong, pleasing angles of his face. “How?”
“You
can help me work on being more connected, and…I can help you search for what
you’ve lost.” He was no longer jovial, but suddenly very attentive, the hope in
his eyes entreating, tender. Tempting. It was not difficult to see herself
spending time with Thomas. It was quite easy. So easy, in fact, that she
suddenly saw the two of them, in her mind’s eye, making a home, working
together and sharing a life, loving these boys, loving…
A
small gasp escaped her.
“Anna?”
His voice was breathless with wonder. He dipped his head closer and peered into
her eyes, studying her carefully.
As
clearly as if in a waking dream, she saw herself married to Thomas, saw herself
loving him with all of her heart and soul. Which, of course, was impossible.
Painfully so.
Quickly,
she dropped her gaze, blocking his scrutiny. Surely her eyes would give away
both her foolish feelings and her dirtiness.
He
reached up with his fingertips and gently tilted her chin upward, forcing her
to look him in the eye. “Forgive me, but … I need to see if that was just my
imagination.”
She
swallowed hard. Look away, Anna ...
My review...
Eide’s latest rivets the reader and has a little bit of
something for just about everyone: romance, history (Great Depression), and
real-world challenges (such as discrimination). (Sadly, some issues addressed
in this book are still alive in today’s society, as well.) It’s a beautifully
written powerful tale that will likely stick with the reader long after the
final page. Grace, love, healing, and forgiveness are key takeaways. It was one
of my favorite books from 2019. Wings Like A Dove is historical fiction
at its finest.
Anna finds herself on her own and pregnant in a world that is intolerant of Jews. Yet through it all, she is courageous and perseveres,
overcoming obstacles no one should have to face. Along the way, she encounters
a group of orphans, and together they’ll each learn from each other things they’d
never considered before. They will all discover that God is always in control.
Aside from Anna, Thomas and Samuel steal the show … and the
readers’ hearts. This is the first book I’ve read by Eide, but it won’t be my
last!
Some of my favorite quotes:
“What if we choose instead to be blind to people’s flaws and
shortcomings and the differences we do not understand?”
“Will we not all need mercy at some time in our lives? Mercy
we do not deserve? It is a precious gift, and yet it is free. Everyone has the
power to give it.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t
required to leave a positive review.
Purchase link
About Camille...
Camille Eide is the award-winning author of inspirational romantic fiction including The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Camille lives near the Oregon Cascades with her husband and is Mom to three, Grammy to five, and enjoys the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She also loves the liberating truth and wisdom of God’s word, and hopes that her stories will stir your heart, strengthen your faith, and encourage you on your journey.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Camille...
Camille Eide is the award-winning author of inspirational romantic fiction including The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Camille lives near the Oregon Cascades with her husband and is Mom to three, Grammy to five, and enjoys the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She also loves the liberating truth and wisdom of God’s word, and hopes that her stories will stir your heart, strengthen your faith, and encourage you on your journey.
Other titles include: Savanna’s Gift (Christmas), Like
There’s No Tomorrow, Like a Love Song, The Memoir of Johnny
Devine, and The Healer (exclusive to newsletter subscribers).
Where you can find her online...
Website: www.camilleeide.com
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/CamilleEide.Author/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CamilleEide
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camille.eide/
Friday, December 13, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a book from one of my many TBR piles, Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt. I met this author and purchased this book at a conference a couple months ago. He was wonderful to listen to and speak with, and I look forward to reading this book.
And the first line is ...
Joe Pepitone once gave me his New York Yankees baseball cap.
About the book...
"The Dump" is what Doug Swieteck calls his home in Upstate New York. He lands there in the summer of 1968, when the Apollo space missions are under way, Joe Pepitone is slugging for the New York Yankees, and the Vietnam War is raging. At home he lives with a father who has lost his way and a brother accused of robbery. And Doug's oldest brother is returning from Vietnam. Who knows what wounds his missions have given him? But Doug has his own mission, too, and it begins when he first sees the plates of John James Audubon's Birds of America at the local library. His mission will open a world as strange to him as the lunar landscape.
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
"The End of the Magi" by Patrick W. Carr
My review...
Most of the Biblical fiction I’ve read is from Mesu Andrews,
Jill Eileen Smith, or Tessa Afshar. I’ve enjoyed those books, so I was
interested in checking this one out.
Carr gives the reader a glimpse into the world of the wise
men (known to many from the Nativity story). The author goes further than what
many are familiar with, as he shows what happened before Jesus was born, all
the way back to Daniel.
It was a bit harder for me to stay engaged with this book,
as there were a number of lulls in the story, as well as quite a bit of
predictability, so there wasn’t that “pull” to keep reading. Carr’s writing is
solid, and the characters and setting are nicely developed. However, the book didn’t
hook me as much as some other Biblical stories have done. That said, if you’re
looking for a Biblical story to read this holiday season, this is one to consider.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t
required to leave a positive review.
Friday, October 18, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan.
And the first line in Chapter One is ...
Like all the pharaohs, emperors, and tyrants before him, Il Duce had seen his empire rise only to crumble.
About the book...
Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man's incredible courage and resilience during one of history's darkest hours.
Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He's a normal Italian teenager--obsessed with music, food, and girls--but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.
In an attempt to protect him, Pino's parents force him to enlist as a German soldier--a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler's left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich's most mysterious and powerful commanders.
Now, wih the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Friday, September 20, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett, the second book in her Vintage National Park series.
And the first line is ...
Olivia Rutherford applied lip rouge the same way she painted--with bold, broad strokes.
About the book...
Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.
After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?
As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Takeover Thursday with Tanya Eavenson ... and a GIVEAWAY
Tanya has agreed to giveaway one electronic copy of this book to one lucky blog reader. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends September 26, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
Blurb...
Sometimes the path to freedom is found in an unexpected future.
Upon the death of her mother, Rosalind Standford’s life shatters, the
pieces scattering to the wind when she is forced into a betrothal to
a cunning banker. But when a telegram arrives announcing the man who
captured her heart is on a train to Boston, Rosalind must hide her true
feelings before the thin cord of her existence unravels the deadly secrets she
keeps.
Cowboy Trent Easton returns to his roots in Boston society to find his
childhood friend, the love of his heart. Instead he finds a broken woman engaged to a man close to
her father’s age. Though she once rejected him, when Trent learns she’s in danger, he determines to do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even
taking her to the altar in the black of night. But will his name and the remote
wilds of his Texas ranch be enough to protect her? Or will freedom cost them
their lives?
Excerpt...
“Father, can we do nothing?” Rosalind asked. “Mother?” She
looked from one to the other, but they both looked afraid and lost, an
expression she’d never before seen on either of their faces.
When they arrived at the house, Father instructed Mr.
Richards to find the doctor, and only after several stumbles did they manage to
get Mother inside. Mother’s strength had simply vanished, leaving her pale and
aged, too weak to even keep her eyes open as they helped her to bed.
It seemed a lifetime passed before the doctor arrived.
During the examination, Mother lay still. Too still. Fear surged to Rosalind’s
core at Mother’s motionless state. Then another cough raked through Mother’s
body, blood dripped from her nose, and Rosalind didn’t know which was
worse—watching Mother lie still as death or seeing the spasms and hearing the
awful retching. Tears filled Rosalind’s eyes as she stroked strands of soft
brown hair from her mother’s face and tucked them behind her ear.
“Do you know what’s wrong with her, Doctor? Is it consumption?” her father asked.
Kneeling next to the bed, the physician wiped her mother’s
nose and folded the cloth. “Her coughing is worse. I’m afraid you are correct.
She has tuberculosis.”
Rosalind shook her head and ran from the room. She flew down
the stairs, faltered into the stagnant night air, and stopped on the porch as
reality weighed heavily on her shoulders. She swallowed down her screams. “God,
are You listening? Don’t You see? You must help my mother. Please don’t take
her. Don’t …” She fell to her knees, sobbing into her palms.
Arms came around her shoulders, and she jerked back, biting
back her tears. “Mr. Richards.” She moved from him and stumbled on the hem of
her gown but caught her balance.
“It’s all right.” He followed her. “I have your father’s
permission.”
She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “What do you
mean you have his permission?”
“We will be married.”
Rosalind fought to understand what Mr. Richards was saying,
but the words seemed scrambled, incomprehensible. Her mind a fog. “What do you
mean, married?”
“Earlier tonight I asked permission to court you, but
moments ago, he gave me his full blessing.”
Surely she’d misheard him. “You asked for my hand in
marriage now, while we’re learning my mother is dying? My father is as
distraught as I am.”
“Perhaps the doctor’s wrong,” Mr. Richards whispered against
her ear. “Perhaps she will recover. Nevertheless …”
“We shouldn’t be … you shouldn’t be alone with me here like
this. Propriety …”
He dragged a fingertip along her jaw, then down her bare
arm, his expression declaring ownership even as it dared her to argue.
Though her heart galloped, she fought her instincts to
flinch. Glover Richards was a very powerful man, she’d overheard her father
saying once, powerful enough to harm his enemies. Father must need the man’s
friendship, otherwise he would never have agreed. “Why? Why me?”
“I will court you as your father wishes.” A slow smile slid
up one side of his face. “And at nineteen you will be my bride.”
Rosalind’s pulse pounded in her ears. None of this made
sense. If only Mother were well. She’d never let Father agree to this marriage,
and he would listen to her.
She balled her hands into fists at her waist, squeezing the
satin lace crisscrossing there—satin meant to draw Trenton’s eye. Yet Trenton
was packing his trunk for Texas, even as Mr. Richards’s gaze roamed her hair,
her face and throat, and her bodice and cinched gown.
“We don’t have to announce our betrothal … yet,” he said as
if the deed was done.
She swallowed, meeting Mr. Richards’s stare.
He took her hand and slid it through the crook of his arm.
“Let’s get you back inside, shall we?”
She let him lead her, but her heart recoiled, and she threw
a desperate prayer toward heaven. Lord,
You must heal my mother and rescue me. Save us.
What I'm working on next...
About Tanya...
Tanya Eavenson is an international bestselling and award-winning inspirational romance author. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book.
Where you can find Tanya online...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, September 5, 2019
"Memories of Glass" by Melanie Dobson ... and a GIVEAWAY!
The publisher has agreed to give away one print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends September 12, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
Q & A with Melanie...
Q: How did you come across the true accounts that inspired Memories of Glass? What research went into writing this novel?
A: Several years ago a dear friend told me about thousands of Dutch mining tunnels in Maastricht that were used to hide people and artwork during World War II. As I researched those tunnels, I stumbled onto the incredible story about a network of seemingly ordinary people in Amsterdam who rescued more than six hundred children from a Nazi deportation center during the war. This amazing feat became the foundation for Memories of Glass.
During my months of research, I read countless interviews with men and women involved in the Dutch resistance and then spent a week in the Netherlands visiting all the major locations for my story, including the Amsterdam deportation center and the marlstone tunnels down south. When I boarded a bus to Kamp Westerbork, the elderly driver was so pleased to hear I was writing a novel about Holland's Holocaust that he covered my fare. across this beautiful country of windmills, canals, and fields of flowers, I discovered a number of gracious people like this gentleman who were eager to share what happened to their ancestors during the war.
Q: Oh, that's wonderful that you met so many gracious people eager to help you. What is the inspiration for the title of your book, Memories of Glass?
A: In both the past and present stories, my characters wrestle with how to process the broken memories of loved ones who were stolen away from them, and one of my Dutch heroines collects antique glass bottles many years after the war to remember someone she lost. At the end of the story—well, I won't tell you exactly what happens at the end, but after many years of brokenness, the shards of those memories are finally welded back together again.
Q: How did the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands differ from their occupation of other European countries?
A: Before the war, the Netherlands had been a neutral country, welcoming many German Jewish refugees across the border, but everything changed for the Dutch in May 1940. After promising not to attack, Hitler's army swept furiously into Holland and overtook this beautiful land. The Dutch were stunned but consoled by promises that the persecution happening in Germany wouldn't occur in their country.
A special council—the Judenrat–was formed to meet the needs of Jewish citizens. Even as new regulations were implemented in Holland, many of the 140,000 Dutch Jews believed they were safe because the Nazis granted thousands of exemptions to their growing list of rules. In 1942, assisted by the Judenrat, the Nazis began rounding up the Jewish people and cramming them into a gutted Amsterdam theater called Hollandsche Schowburg. Still they continued to grant exemptions to elite Jewish citizens until near the end of the war when even the leaders of the Judenrat were rounded up and deported to concentration camps. More than a hundred thousand Jewish people lost their lives during the Dutch Holocaust, but of the twenty-five thousand who went into hiding, including four thousand children, more than fifteen thousand remained hidden until liberation.
Q: You've highlighted three real-life Dutch heroes in this novel. Could you tell us a bit about their stories?
A: Walter Süskind was a German Jewish salesman appointed to register each man, woman, and child forced into an Amsterdam theater for deportation. Across the street from the theater, separated by a tram line, were two brick-clad buildings–a day care run by a matronly Jewish woman named HenriÑ‘tte Pimentel and the Reformed Teacher Training College, overseen by Johan van Hulst. These three leaders partnered together to rescue six hundred children from their vigilant occupiers, and the Nazis never found out what they were doing.
Sadly Henriёtte was killed at Auschwitz in 1943 after accompanying her staff and the remaining children in her care. Walter was exempted from deportation, but his wife and daughter were not. He chose to live with them and many think he was killed in 1945 by fellow inmates at Auschwitz who thought he, a former employee of the Judenrat, was a traitor. Dr. Hulst Passed away last year at the age of 107. He knew that I was writing Memories of Glass, and it was a great honor for me to connect with those who loved him.
Q: Oh, that's wonderful! What is your favorite thing about writing in the time-slip genre? What's the most challenging aspect of it?
A: I love to research and learn stories from the past, especially stories about ordinary people who did extraordinary things to fight against evil. In time-slip fiction, I can write a past plot alongside a contemporary one to show the repercussions of an event that occurred long ago. I like peeling back the layers of a family secret to discover the reality of what really happened and how it continues to impact people today. The most challenging aspect of writing time-slip fiction is weaving together the past and present stories so readers will be engaged with the characters in both time periods.
Q: What role does faith play in the story?
A: I really enjoyed writing about the journey of Landon West, my contemporary character who partners with Ugandans to provide both jobs and the good news about God's redeeming love. The role of faith is integral in both the past and present stories as Josie, one of my past heroines, is motivated to help others because of God's call on her life.
Also, the story shines a light on the persistent, nagging struggle of doubt and shame. Ava, my contemporary heroine, ultimately determines: "This burden of my memories, the extra weight of guilt, has almost crushed me. But long ago soldiers nailed up the burden of my sin on a cross, the depth of my shame, when they crucified Christ. Perhaps I can remember now without the weight of sorrow."
God gifts Ava with a beautiful memory as she begins to realize that what happened in the past wasn't her fault. God doesn't need to forgive her for this loss. She needs to forgive herself.
Q: In this novel, one of the contemporary characters must confront a difficult truth about her family's history and involvement with WWII. What lessons do you hope readers will learn from this character's struggle?
A: Ava is shocked to discover the terrible destruction initiated by some of her ancestors during World War II, but near the end of the novel, she is encouraged to find that others in her family tried to repair this damage.
Through my life, I've learned that it's difficult to understand someone's actions — a relative or friend — until you understand their journey. Many people, though, are ashamed or embarrassed about their past. I hope this story encourages readers to share their own stories and then, with a heart of compassion, be diligent about learning the stories of those they love. The truth, through Christ, is the power to set all of us free.
Q: In many of your novels, ordinary people are challenged to do extraordinary things. How do the historical characters in this novel respond differently to the same threat?
A: It was a fascinating challenge me to work through how each of my Dutch characters would respond to the Nazi occupation and eventual persecution of the Jewish people. Some of m characters collaborated with Hitler and profited off the persecution of their fellow man. Some gave their lives to help others escape. Other characters are forced to walk a terrifying middle line between good and evil, a line that kept shifting our from under their feet.
As I wrote this story, I had to continually ask myself — what would I do if I had lived in Amsterdam in 1942? It's impossible to know, of course, but I was greatly humbled and encouraged to learn the stories of the many heroes and heroines who risked everything to love their neighbors.
Q: Memories of Glass, like other novels you've written, highlights the virtue of sacrificial love. How do you hope your readers will relate this to their daily lives?
A: The heart of the story is about two Dutch women who've been wounded by a broken friendship. When the Nazi occupation brings them back together, they must work closely together to rescue the Jewish children in their care.
My hope is that the friendship and sacrifice of these women will represent the thousands of Dutch men and women who gave their lives for people they loved and often for people they didn't even know. Memories of Glass poured out of me as a reminder that in my own small world, my busyness, I often overlook opportunities to help others around me. I hope readers are inspired alongside of me to be vigilant in sacrificially loving those whom God brings into our world as well as, like Landon in the story, be open to stepping outside our comfort zones partner with people in need around the world.
During my months of research, I read countless interviews with men and women involved in the Dutch resistance and then spent a week in the Netherlands visiting all the major locations for my story, including the Amsterdam deportation center and the marlstone tunnels down south. When I boarded a bus to Kamp Westerbork, the elderly driver was so pleased to hear I was writing a novel about Holland's Holocaust that he covered my fare. across this beautiful country of windmills, canals, and fields of flowers, I discovered a number of gracious people like this gentleman who were eager to share what happened to their ancestors during the war.
Q: Oh, that's wonderful that you met so many gracious people eager to help you. What is the inspiration for the title of your book, Memories of Glass?
A: In both the past and present stories, my characters wrestle with how to process the broken memories of loved ones who were stolen away from them, and one of my Dutch heroines collects antique glass bottles many years after the war to remember someone she lost. At the end of the story—well, I won't tell you exactly what happens at the end, but after many years of brokenness, the shards of those memories are finally welded back together again.
Q: How did the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands differ from their occupation of other European countries?
A: Before the war, the Netherlands had been a neutral country, welcoming many German Jewish refugees across the border, but everything changed for the Dutch in May 1940. After promising not to attack, Hitler's army swept furiously into Holland and overtook this beautiful land. The Dutch were stunned but consoled by promises that the persecution happening in Germany wouldn't occur in their country.
A special council—the Judenrat–was formed to meet the needs of Jewish citizens. Even as new regulations were implemented in Holland, many of the 140,000 Dutch Jews believed they were safe because the Nazis granted thousands of exemptions to their growing list of rules. In 1942, assisted by the Judenrat, the Nazis began rounding up the Jewish people and cramming them into a gutted Amsterdam theater called Hollandsche Schowburg. Still they continued to grant exemptions to elite Jewish citizens until near the end of the war when even the leaders of the Judenrat were rounded up and deported to concentration camps. More than a hundred thousand Jewish people lost their lives during the Dutch Holocaust, but of the twenty-five thousand who went into hiding, including four thousand children, more than fifteen thousand remained hidden until liberation.
Q: You've highlighted three real-life Dutch heroes in this novel. Could you tell us a bit about their stories?
A: Walter Süskind was a German Jewish salesman appointed to register each man, woman, and child forced into an Amsterdam theater for deportation. Across the street from the theater, separated by a tram line, were two brick-clad buildings–a day care run by a matronly Jewish woman named HenriÑ‘tte Pimentel and the Reformed Teacher Training College, overseen by Johan van Hulst. These three leaders partnered together to rescue six hundred children from their vigilant occupiers, and the Nazis never found out what they were doing.
Sadly Henriёtte was killed at Auschwitz in 1943 after accompanying her staff and the remaining children in her care. Walter was exempted from deportation, but his wife and daughter were not. He chose to live with them and many think he was killed in 1945 by fellow inmates at Auschwitz who thought he, a former employee of the Judenrat, was a traitor. Dr. Hulst Passed away last year at the age of 107. He knew that I was writing Memories of Glass, and it was a great honor for me to connect with those who loved him.
Q: Oh, that's wonderful! What is your favorite thing about writing in the time-slip genre? What's the most challenging aspect of it?
A: I love to research and learn stories from the past, especially stories about ordinary people who did extraordinary things to fight against evil. In time-slip fiction, I can write a past plot alongside a contemporary one to show the repercussions of an event that occurred long ago. I like peeling back the layers of a family secret to discover the reality of what really happened and how it continues to impact people today. The most challenging aspect of writing time-slip fiction is weaving together the past and present stories so readers will be engaged with the characters in both time periods.
Q: What role does faith play in the story?
A: I really enjoyed writing about the journey of Landon West, my contemporary character who partners with Ugandans to provide both jobs and the good news about God's redeeming love. The role of faith is integral in both the past and present stories as Josie, one of my past heroines, is motivated to help others because of God's call on her life.
Also, the story shines a light on the persistent, nagging struggle of doubt and shame. Ava, my contemporary heroine, ultimately determines: "This burden of my memories, the extra weight of guilt, has almost crushed me. But long ago soldiers nailed up the burden of my sin on a cross, the depth of my shame, when they crucified Christ. Perhaps I can remember now without the weight of sorrow."
God gifts Ava with a beautiful memory as she begins to realize that what happened in the past wasn't her fault. God doesn't need to forgive her for this loss. She needs to forgive herself.
Q: In this novel, one of the contemporary characters must confront a difficult truth about her family's history and involvement with WWII. What lessons do you hope readers will learn from this character's struggle?
A: Ava is shocked to discover the terrible destruction initiated by some of her ancestors during World War II, but near the end of the novel, she is encouraged to find that others in her family tried to repair this damage.
Through my life, I've learned that it's difficult to understand someone's actions — a relative or friend — until you understand their journey. Many people, though, are ashamed or embarrassed about their past. I hope this story encourages readers to share their own stories and then, with a heart of compassion, be diligent about learning the stories of those they love. The truth, through Christ, is the power to set all of us free.
Q: In many of your novels, ordinary people are challenged to do extraordinary things. How do the historical characters in this novel respond differently to the same threat?
A: It was a fascinating challenge me to work through how each of my Dutch characters would respond to the Nazi occupation and eventual persecution of the Jewish people. Some of m characters collaborated with Hitler and profited off the persecution of their fellow man. Some gave their lives to help others escape. Other characters are forced to walk a terrifying middle line between good and evil, a line that kept shifting our from under their feet.
As I wrote this story, I had to continually ask myself — what would I do if I had lived in Amsterdam in 1942? It's impossible to know, of course, but I was greatly humbled and encouraged to learn the stories of the many heroes and heroines who risked everything to love their neighbors.
Q: Memories of Glass, like other novels you've written, highlights the virtue of sacrificial love. How do you hope your readers will relate this to their daily lives?
A: The heart of the story is about two Dutch women who've been wounded by a broken friendship. When the Nazi occupation brings them back together, they must work closely together to rescue the Jewish children in their care.
My hope is that the friendship and sacrifice of these women will represent the thousands of Dutch men and women who gave their lives for people they loved and often for people they didn't even know. Memories of Glass poured out of me as a reminder that in my own small world, my busyness, I often overlook opportunities to help others around me. I hope readers are inspired alongside of me to be vigilant in sacrificially loving those whom God brings into our world as well as, like Landon in the story, be open to stepping outside our comfort zones partner with people in need around the world.
My review...
I enjoy books about WWII, and I enjoy Melanie Dobson’s books, so I’m not surprised that I loved this book. It's a story that will stick with me for some time, and it should, as this is about a part of history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Dobson has crafted a powerful time-slip novel with well-developed characters who show strength and determination when faced with unbelievable circumstances. This book is a testament to the numerous men and women who risked their lives during WWII to help save others (in the case of Memories of Glass, children). While many people have heard horrific details about the Holocaust, this side of the Holocaust is not as widely known.
The story weaves together Ava Drake’s present-day story, as director of the Kingston Family Foundation, with the historical angle, where she uncovers secrets about her family’s history in Holland during WWII. The conclusion is one that will likely leave the reader feeling a bit more hopeful.
Themes of forgiveness and resilience are key, as well as the message that God’s grace is always present. Faith is woven throughout. It’s obvious that Dobson did an extensive amount of research for this book. I also enjoyed the Author’s Note, which gave some insight on how the story came to be written.
Some of my favorite quotes:
- “God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
- “We’ll never be satisfied in here … by relying on someone other than God to heal us.”
- “Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About Melanie...
Melanie Dobson is the
award-winning author of nineteen historical romance, suspense, and time-slip
novels, including Hidden Among the Stars,
Catching the Wind, Chateau of Secrets, and Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor. Four of
her novels have won Carol Awards, Catching
the Wind won the Audie Award for inspirational fiction, and The Black Cloister won the Foreword magazine Religious Fiction Book
of the Year.
Melanie
is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and owner of
the publicity firm Dobson Media Group. When she isn’t writing, Melanie enjoys
teaching both writing and public relations classes.
Melanie
and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with
work, the Dobson family has settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to hike
and camp in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and along the Pacific Coast.
Melanie also enjoys exploring ghost towns and abandoned homes, helping care for
kids in her community, and reading stories with her girls.
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
"Lord of Her Heart" by Sherrinda Ketchersid ... and a GIVEAWAY! (@JustReads blog tour)
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Lord of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Lord of Her Heart
Author: Sherrinda Ketchersid
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
He’s fighting for his future—she’s running for her life.
Lady Jocelyn Ashburne suspects something is amiss at her family’s castle because her father ceases to write to her. When she overhears a plot to force her into vows—either to the church or a husband—she disguises herself and flees the convent in desperation to discover the truth.
Malcolm Castillon of Berkham is determined to win the next tournament and be granted a manor of his own. After years of proving his worth on the jousting field, he yearns for a life of peace. Rescuing a scrawny lad who turns out to be a beautiful woman is not what he bargained for. Still, he cannot deny that she stirs his heart like no other, in spite of her conniving ways.
Chaos, deception, and treachery threaten their goals, but both are determined to succeed. Learning to trust each other might be the only way either of them survives.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
EXCERPT
The
rusty lock would not budge.
Jocelyn
blew a strand of unruly hair from her eyes and paused to still her racing
heart. No matter how many times she’d practiced in the privacy of the
garderobe, nothing had prepared her for the trembling of her fingers or the
time wasted looking over her shoulder. Taking a deep breath, she pried the tip
of her knife back into the lock, listening for the quiet catch of the spring.
“Jocelyn,
make haste.” Sister Mary stood guard several paces away.
Though
the smaller postern gate at the back of the abbey was far from the dormitory,
sometimes sisters were known to walk the nearby flower gardens for nightly
prayer. Jocelyn prayed that none would be so inspired that night. “Do not fret.
I shan’t fail.”
Her
heart drummed in her ears. She fought down the panic welling inside as she
wiggled the tip of the blade. The lock jolted open. Closing her eyes, she
almost wept with relief. Thank you, Lord.
She pushed against the heavy gate, wincing as it creaked, piercing the heavy
mantle of silence.
Jocelyn turned to Mary who stood with her
clasped hands pressed against her heart. She ran to her friend, hugging her
tightly. “Pray for me. Pray for success in my quest.”
Mary
clutched Jocelyn to her. “The important thing is that you get to safety.” She
loosened her hold and smiled through her tears. “I will hold you close in my
heart and pray for you constantly.”
“And I
you, my friend.” Jocelyn grabbed her sack and ran.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sherrinda Ketchersid is a lover of stories with happily-ever-after endings. Whether set in the past or present, romance is what she writes and where her dreams reside. Sherrinda lives in north-central Texas with her preacher husband. With four grown children, three guys and a gal, she has more time and energy to spin tales of faith, fun, and forever love.
CONNECT WITH SHERRINDA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Lord of Her Heart, a 9 oz Cozy Day candle, and a personalized hand-lettered Moleskin journal!
Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour is linked below. Giveaway begins at midnight August 13, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 20, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid.
For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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