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Mauren Ritter #1
The American Girl
Can one woman’s inspirational story inspire hope in her granddaughter’s lost soul?
New York, 2006.
Amy Sullivan’s life is a mess. Fired from her dream job at a prestigious newspaper, she gets a call from her 90-year-old grandmother in the South of France. Maureen Ritter flies to America, the land of her birth, ostensibly to visit her ailing sister, but soon she begins to share with Amy what she’s hidden for more than 60 years—the story of her war.
France, 1940.
The impending German invasion threatens the idyllic existence Maureen and the Jewish refugees living with her enjoy in the French countryside. On a trip to Paris to arrange visas for them to escape, Maureen meets Christophe, a handsome would-be suitor who seems to have something to hide. When he tells her of some Jewish children about to be caught in the eye of the Nazi Blitzkrieg in Belgium, they assemble a team to rescue them before they are swallowed up by the invading Wehrmacht.
But when the Nazis occupy northern France, the need to evacuate the Jewish orphans in her personal care becomes apparent. With the help of the resistance and a new network designed to extricate Allied servicemen from France, she will begin a dangerous and arduous journey to save the lives of those she loves most, no matter what the cost to herself might be.
New York, 2006.
Amy Sullivan’s life is a mess. Fired from her dream job at a prestigious newspaper, she gets a call from her 90-year-old grandmother in the South of France. Maureen Ritter flies to America, the land of her birth, ostensibly to visit her ailing sister, but soon she begins to share with Amy what she’s hidden for more than 60 years—the story of her war.
France, 1940.
The impending German invasion threatens the idyllic existence Maureen and the Jewish refugees living with her enjoy in the French countryside. On a trip to Paris to arrange visas for them to escape, Maureen meets Christophe, a handsome would-be suitor who seems to have something to hide. When he tells her of some Jewish children about to be caught in the eye of the Nazi Blitzkrieg in Belgium, they assemble a team to rescue them before they are swallowed up by the invading Wehrmacht.
But when the Nazis occupy northern France, the need to evacuate the Jewish orphans in her personal care becomes apparent. With the help of the resistance and a new network designed to extricate Allied servicemen from France, she will begin a dangerous and arduous journey to save the lives of those she loves most, no matter what the cost to herself might be.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2023
2525 people are currently reading
4237 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,037 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 13, 2023
The American Girl was another great read by Eoin Dempsey. He has indeed become one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I absolutely loved Maureen's story and am excited to hear that there will be a series! One thing I didn't realize before starting The American Girl is that it's a spin-off to The Lion's Den series. I haven't read that series yet, but plan on reading it in the near future!
What I liked about The American Girl:
Maureen was my absolute hero!! I loved her and hope that if I make it to 90 years old I will be as adventurous as her. Her story during the war was incredible and her passion and courage were influential and inspiring. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings.
Christophe and Maureen's relationship was a nice bonus to the book. As a reader, I could feel Christophe and Maureen's chemistry coming through the pages and I was cheering for their relationship to bloom into something more throughout the book. The fact that Eoin left us with a cliffhanger into what becomes of their relationship makes me want to read the next book in the series even more.
Amy's story was also intriguing and I felt that I really connected with her. To be let go from her job and lose her boyfriend all in one week was tough and I could sympathize with her. I loved that she went on this adventure cross country with her grandmother and their journey and relationship made me miss mine. I am excited to see what happens next for Amy and am cheering for her success.
As for Eion Dempsey, as I mentioned above, he has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I love his writing style and he does an incredible job telling a story. His characters are likable and he does a great job with character development. His stories are engaging and page-turning. I also appreciated and thought that Eion did a great job flipping between the present day and the past.
What I disliked about The American Girl:
There honestly isn't anything I disliked about this book.
What I think would have made The American Girl better:
If I could change one thing about The American Girl, it would be that I wished Eoin would add more to the story. I need more details and want more! The American Girl is a short, quick read and at times I felt that Eoin cut out details of the story to keep it on the shorter side.
Would I recommend The American Girl by Eoin Dempsey:
ABSOLUTELY!!! You can't go wrong with any book Eoin Dempsey writes. The characters and Maureen's story make The American Girl a must-read!!
****
Amy Sullivan’s life has been turned upside down. She has just been let go from her dream job at the newspaper. Her boss/boyfriend isn’t the man she thinks he is and she has her suspicions that he may have been behind her getting fired. He is also married and has supposedly gotten back together with his wife. When her 90-year-old grandmother, Maureen Ritter, calls saying she is coming to America to visit her ailing sister, she invites Amy to come along for a cross-country journey. What Amy doesn't realize is that Maureen has a story to share. As they begin their journey from California back to New York, Maureen shares with Amy her story about her time in WWII.
It is 1940 and the invasion of the Germans threatens the countryside of France where Maureen and Jewish refugees are living. Maureen heads to Paris in an attempt to get visas but during the trip, Maureen meets Christophe, a mysterious but handsome guy, who comes from a wealthy family. When he tells Maureen about a group of Jewish children in Belgium who are in the eye of the Nazi Blitzkrieg, they assemble a team to rescue them before it's too late. Soon after their return to France, the Nazis begin to occupy northern France. Maureen is desperate to get three orphaned Jewish boys, who are in her care, out of France. With the help of the resistance, she will begin a dangerous journey to save the lives of those she loves most.
What I liked about The American Girl:
Maureen was my absolute hero!! I loved her and hope that if I make it to 90 years old I will be as adventurous as her. Her story during the war was incredible and her passion and courage were influential and inspiring. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings.
Christophe and Maureen's relationship was a nice bonus to the book. As a reader, I could feel Christophe and Maureen's chemistry coming through the pages and I was cheering for their relationship to bloom into something more throughout the book. The fact that Eoin left us with a cliffhanger into what becomes of their relationship makes me want to read the next book in the series even more.
Amy's story was also intriguing and I felt that I really connected with her. To be let go from her job and lose her boyfriend all in one week was tough and I could sympathize with her. I loved that she went on this adventure cross country with her grandmother and their journey and relationship made me miss mine. I am excited to see what happens next for Amy and am cheering for her success.
As for Eion Dempsey, as I mentioned above, he has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I love his writing style and he does an incredible job telling a story. His characters are likable and he does a great job with character development. His stories are engaging and page-turning. I also appreciated and thought that Eion did a great job flipping between the present day and the past.
What I disliked about The American Girl:
There honestly isn't anything I disliked about this book.
What I think would have made The American Girl better:
If I could change one thing about The American Girl, it would be that I wished Eoin would add more to the story. I need more details and want more! The American Girl is a short, quick read and at times I felt that Eoin cut out details of the story to keep it on the shorter side.
Would I recommend The American Girl by Eoin Dempsey:
ABSOLUTELY!!! You can't go wrong with any book Eoin Dempsey writes. The characters and Maureen's story make The American Girl a must-read!!
****
Amy Sullivan’s life has been turned upside down. She has just been let go from her dream job at the newspaper. Her boss/boyfriend isn’t the man she thinks he is and she has her suspicions that he may have been behind her getting fired. He is also married and has supposedly gotten back together with his wife. When her 90-year-old grandmother, Maureen Ritter, calls saying she is coming to America to visit her ailing sister, she invites Amy to come along for a cross-country journey. What Amy doesn't realize is that Maureen has a story to share. As they begin their journey from California back to New York, Maureen shares with Amy her story about her time in WWII.
It is 1940 and the invasion of the Germans threatens the countryside of France where Maureen and Jewish refugees are living. Maureen heads to Paris in an attempt to get visas but during the trip, Maureen meets Christophe, a mysterious but handsome guy, who comes from a wealthy family. When he tells Maureen about a group of Jewish children in Belgium who are in the eye of the Nazi Blitzkrieg, they assemble a team to rescue them before it's too late. Soon after their return to France, the Nazis begin to occupy northern France. Maureen is desperate to get three orphaned Jewish boys, who are in her care, out of France. With the help of the resistance, she will begin a dangerous journey to save the lives of those she loves most.
May 24, 2024
The plot was interesting but a lot of the writing is repetitive with the same phrases used over and over again. The details also don’t stay the same, names keep changing for the same people. Mike starts off with a dead wife named Lucy who then becomes Taylor in the start of the second book…
October 30, 2023
As a voracious reader of historical fiction, I enjoyed this book and will read the next in the series. However, the lack of proper punctuation in many instances led to reading and re-reading sentences in order to understand what the author was trying to say. A well-placed comma would have alleviated this issue. Also the speaker identification was unclear at times, necessitating a re-reading of several paragraphs for clarification.
February 20, 2024
Part-way into this book, some things seemed too familiar; and I realized the main character was the oldest daughter from The Lion’s Den series. Having read only the first book of The Lion’s Den series, about the Seamus Ritter family’s life in pre-WWII Germany, I now had a huge gap in the history of this book’s main character. This was a good book, but I think it would have been better if readers had been warned that it was actually a part of The Lion’s Den series.
October 19, 2023
Unputdownable is true!
This book had me hooked from the beginning ! I’m so excited to have two more books following Maureen’s story . I didn’t realize until I was in the middle of this book that there is a prequel series that I plan to read after. Incredible author !
This book had me hooked from the beginning ! I’m so excited to have two more books following Maureen’s story . I didn’t realize until I was in the middle of this book that there is a prequel series that I plan to read after. Incredible author !
October 10, 2023
Excellent story.
June 10, 2023
Eoin Dempsey is the author. This book is the first in a new 3 book series about Maureen Ritter, the oldest daughter in The Lion’s Den Series, which is about the Seamus Ritter family and Hitler and WWII. To appreciate the story, you really need to read The Lion’s Den Series. Maureen became a freedom fighter helping to get children and others out of Nazi occupied areas, especially France. The American Girl is about a young woman living in New York, who is Maureen’s granddaughter. The story unfolds as Maureen, now aged 90, wants to come back to America and see some of the things she missed when she moved to Berlin as a child and then chose to stay when her family escaped and returned to America. She now lives in Southern France. Amy, her granddaughter, picks her up in LA and they drive to Denver. Along the way Maureen begins to tell her story. Amy records it so she can write the book(s) she has always wanted to write. This is the first of three books about Maureen. If you don’t care about how things began, you can read this book and thoroughly enjoy it. The author is very skilled at reeling the reader into the story. Historical fiction is my favorite genre.
May 12, 2025
A bit too formulaic for my taste, not as good as the Lion's Den series, which I loved. It was a good palate cleanser and a fast read, but did not offer added value in the sense of new historical revelations, character development, etc. I wish Dempsey had put more into it, I know from his other books that he can. Maybe churning out installment after installment every few months does not provide enough time for more originality or a bit more depth, and I think it's a great shame, this could've been so much more.
April 6, 2023
Dempsey is the master of WWII historic fiction, and this latest novel was the first in a new series about his heroine, Maureen Ritter. Told both in present day about now 90-year old Maureen, and In 1940 with her role in helping Jewish children escape the Nazi regime in the south of France. This book was hard to out down and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
April 10, 2023
Another good one!
Eion Dempsey never disappoints. WW2 stories fascinate me. I was born 1940. No memory of the war. History books didn't cover WW2 when I was in school. My history lessons now are reading great novels rather than learning dates and battles. The relationship between Amy and her Grandmother, Maureen was very touching.
Eion Dempsey never disappoints. WW2 stories fascinate me. I was born 1940. No memory of the war. History books didn't cover WW2 when I was in school. My history lessons now are reading great novels rather than learning dates and battles. The relationship between Amy and her Grandmother, Maureen was very touching.
April 25, 2023
A great story of love,compassion and bravery.
The author has written a story, in great detail, of the life and avenues of a young woman in the early stages of WWII and how she was able to not only survive but to provide assistance to others in need. A real intriguing and entertaining story that will keep you entertained and guessing.
The author has written a story, in great detail, of the life and avenues of a young woman in the early stages of WWII and how she was able to not only survive but to provide assistance to others in need. A real intriguing and entertaining story that will keep you entertained and guessing.
March 25, 2023
This is amazing. So many times when authors finish one series and start a new one, it just isn't as good....... Not in this case, this is awesome!!!! I'm so glad it went the direction it did. Now all I have to do is wait for the next one😁
April 27, 2023
Outstanding
Mr. Dempsey has outdone himself with this book. He tells a gripping story of bravery, selflessness and courage with a hint of romance . I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Mr. Dempsey has outdone himself with this book. He tells a gripping story of bravery, selflessness and courage with a hint of romance . I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
April 28, 2023
Eoin Dempsey has done it again! Can I just SHOUT his awesomeness a bit more??!??!!
This is the first book with Maureen as the central character but it continues the Ritter family story from his Lion’s Den series. I can’t wait for the next book!!
This is the first book with Maureen as the central character but it continues the Ritter family story from his Lion’s Den series. I can’t wait for the next book!!
May 6, 2023
Very Good Book
I love his writing style. It keeps you guessing u til the end of the story or series. I would recommend this book. I know there is truth in the book because of different stories that have been told. Thank You
I love his writing style. It keeps you guessing u til the end of the story or series. I would recommend this book. I know there is truth in the book because of different stories that have been told. Thank You
May 23, 2023
AMAZING
You can’t miss this one. It’s a chance to get to know the main character as a 90 year old woman as she tells her story during WWII to her granddaughter and what a story it is. Lucky for me, I only have to wait a month for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait.
You can’t miss this one. It’s a chance to get to know the main character as a 90 year old woman as she tells her story during WWII to her granddaughter and what a story it is. Lucky for me, I only have to wait a month for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait.
May 25, 2023
The American Girl
Is excellent! I loved reading more about the family I had just finished reading an earlier time. I will be counting down the days until June 6th when the second book in the series comes out,
Is excellent! I loved reading more about the family I had just finished reading an earlier time. I will be counting down the days until June 6th when the second book in the series comes out,
May 30, 2023
My Musings
Wow, what an amazing book with compelling characters and a grab your seat and hold on plot. I couldn't stop reading. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Glad I found this one in Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!
Wow, what an amazing book with compelling characters and a grab your seat and hold on plot. I couldn't stop reading. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Glad I found this one in Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!
July 6, 2023
Very Interesting storyline!
Looking forward to the next book to follow up with the characters, who were diverse, to say the least. Should prove to be a most entertaining series, set in the always exciting backdrop of WW2.
Looking forward to the next book to follow up with the characters, who were diverse, to say the least. Should prove to be a most entertaining series, set in the always exciting backdrop of WW2.
August 10, 2023
Another fine story
Eoin writes a story you can live in and this is no exception. Particularly relevant at this point in time, Maureen's story helps us understand the very nature of things occurring as we live and is all the more relevant for doing so.
Eoin writes a story you can live in and this is no exception. Particularly relevant at this point in time, Maureen's story helps us understand the very nature of things occurring as we live and is all the more relevant for doing so.
April 1, 2023
You got me hooked with the Lions Den series! What fabulous read can’t wait for more
April 15, 2023
Very well written with interesting characters. I’ve read all of the books about the Ritter family and look forward to reading more about Maureen. Eoin Dempsey is an excellent author!
May 25, 2023
excellent book
A truly amazing book so enthralling and well written, l can’t wait to read the next book, l really didn’t want to stop reading it
A truly amazing book so enthralling and well written, l can’t wait to read the next book, l really didn’t want to stop reading it
July 15, 2023
3.5 stars. Always good historical fiction from this author. Didn’t quite enjoy this one as much as others- and did not realize it will be a series so no real conclusion to this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2023
Very interesting historical fiction book set in Europe at the beginning of WW2. Enjoyed the writing and the characters. Clean read. Four stars
August 17, 2023
This was a fast paced story. It was an exciting read about an important time in history. The heroine was smart, tough and strong willed. It is amazing at what she accomplished!
September 23, 2023
Historical WW II fiction. Adventure, pain, bravery, loss, and love.
read-didn-t-finish
October 9, 2023Dialogue and characters seem too contrived. Setting aside for now.
March 28, 2023
Even though this is the beginning of Maureen’s series, her story really started in the Lion’s Den series. She is the eldest daughter of Seamus Ritter. You don’t have to read the Lion’s Den series first, but it really adds to the understanding of the story. This book starts in 2006 when Amy is let go from her job at a newspaper. Her parents died in an accident a few years ago, her so-called boyfriend is her boss who really isn’t the man she thinks he is, and Amy is feeling lost. Her grandmother, Maureen, calls to say she is coming to America to visit. Amy flies to CA with her to visit Maureen’s sister, Fiona, before she dies. On the road trip home, Amy hears about her grandmother’s exploits in WW II in France and gains new insight into Maureen and herself. I really enjoyed the perspective in this story – Maureen telling the story to Amy. I look forward to the continuation of Maureen’s story as told to Amy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews