A Band of Steel

by Rosie Goodwin

When the war forces a Jewish family to flee their home, they must find the strength to survive.A Band of Steel is a moving and compelling wartime saga from Rosie Goodwin, author of Mothering Sunday , The Little Angel and the Kindle No 1. bestselling saga No One's Girl . Perfect for fans of Lindsey Hutchinson and Nadine Dorries.'A heart-throbber of a story from Goodwin that puts many other so-called emotional blockbusters in the shade' - Northern EchoWhen Adina and her family are forced to flee Cologne to escape the vicious menace of Nazi Germany in 1938, leaving their luxurious lifestyle is painful. Harder still is finding herself a refugee in a foreign country. But Adina is a compassionate and determined girl and as they settle into a new life in the Midlands she finds the strength to survive. However, her brother and sister aren't so lucky and their family ties are stretched to breaking point. And then Adina runs the risk of losing her family forever when she is drawn towards the one man she should never fall in love with...What Amazon readers are saying about A Band of Steel :'I was hooked from the very first page. The personalities of the main characters were very credible and the story flowed very well. It was easy to follow without being predictable and I couldn't wait for the next opportunity to pick up the book . Would thoroughly recommend - buy it now!'' Fantastic book , couldn't put it down. Gripped by the characters, the story, the setting . I haven't read a book that entertained me so much in a long while and I would highly recommend'

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

449 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Before becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.

I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book some time ago and really enjoyed the story written by Rosie Goodwin.
Easy to read but very hard to put down. Recommended.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some trouble getting into this novel at first, mainly because I felt some of the background research didn't add up, and as a fellow writer this didn't sit right with me. For instance, the author has one of the main characters talking of German bombers targetting Birmingham and Coventry in the latter months of 1939. In fact, no bombs were dropped anywhere until July 1940 (I checked!). However, once I got into the story, I was hooked. Adina is a young Jewish girl escaping with her siblings and parents from Nazi Germany. Living and working in Nuneaton, she meets and falls in love with a young German POW, an action guaranteed to cause problems. The novel follows Adina through the war and beyond, as she fosters children orphaned during the war while mourning the loss of her own child. A worthwhile and entertaining read.

[Emma Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it a very moving story of a jewish family escaping the wrath of the Nazi regime. Although some things dont add up like the bombing. Bombing began about almost a year into the War. That's why people called it the Phony War as nothing happened. Getting back to this book, i found it really touching that they began a new life but bad things happen to the family like the eldest boy goes to war and is missing believed dead. Adina falls in love with a german and he's one of the good germans. However as soon as war is over he gets sent back to Germany and Adina ends up falling pregnant and unknowingly gives up her baby for adoption. She never gave up hoping for her love's return.

[Hannah Polley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heartwarming story by Rosie Goodwin. Set in WWII, a Jewish German family flee Germany and move to England. As Adina grows up, she falls in love with a German prisoner of war but knows he'll never be accepted by her family. Karl tells her he will come back for her but he leaves her pregnant and never returns.

Adina takes a job offer away from home so that her family don't find out she's pregnant but the rich family steal her baby. The story time jumps 20 odd years and Adina has made the best of her life. Adina is reunited in the end with both her child and Karl but sadly dies of cancer and does not let her secret out until after she dies.

I was sobbing at the end of the book.

[Kirsty Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book from a different perspective than British.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Janice's review: Being positive - although I've started to read a couple of others, this is the first of Rosie Goodwin's books I've actually finished. How and why did I finish this one? The answer: I was on holiday in the sun; I ignored the novel's blatant factual errors (inadmissible from an author who is herself from Nuneaton), and found the one dimensional characters and the simple story lines with predictable endings an unchallenging, easy read.

[Louise Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all Rosie books, I read 1 chapter and am hooked. I'm reading one after the other. Very enjoyable.

[Cathy]

I really grew attached to the heroine, Adina, reading this novel. I admired her selflessness and strength of character, her resilience in the face of multiple tragedies and her commitment to her friends. I was very sad to say goodbye to her by the end. Still, it left me feeling uplifted rather than deflated. I was left with the idea of legacy and the sense that life goes on. Although a real tear-jerker, I enjoyed this novel and found myself eager, all the way through, to find out what would happen next.

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book describing a Jewish family's escape from Germany during the war, the change to their lives, attitude and beliefs when moving to Nuneaton, England. The love lives of the two daughters and their father's attitude towards them. A book that you can't wait to finish to find out the ending.

[Smokerjoerabbit Tong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't put into words the sheer emotions I felt throughout reading this book. Should you read it, make sure you have a box of tissues available as it is a heartwrenching war time story - highly recommend

[Maureen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another really good read from Rosie Goodwin. Well written I couldn't put my kindle down, just had to keep reading. Yes I would recommend this book and author to my family and friends.

[Deirdre Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent just like all her other books!

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, Rosie always manages to captivate you through her lovely characters and the storyline is just remarkable.

[Jane Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaker

This book has held me from start to finish. Rosie Goodwin is an amazing author describing and pains and joys families went through during the war. Strongly recommend this book.

[LOUISE Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A band. Of steel.

Great read kept you enjoying following the story to the endorsed the main caricatures move through the tale enjoying all.

[MRS L S HEWER · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely brilliant. fantastic.

this is my first Rosie Goodwin book, but won't be my last. It kept me going right up to the last page. Totally Fantastic

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

I found that every chance I got my head was in this book Reading it. It was exceptional good.I hope every else enjoys it as much as I did..

[Paul Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t really know what to say about this book, it has everything. It is 1st set in 1939 Germany, where the Jews were being put to death. We follow a Jewish family
on their immigration to England. They settle in the Midlands and end up running a shop. The book follows the lives of the family and the many tragedies they encounter. The eldest daughter Adina ends up living in London working as a teacher where she loses her baby daughter in distressing circumstances. She later runs a foster home for war orphaned children, all the time hiding a heartbreaking secret. As things start to turn right for her in her life, a terrible tragedy looms. This is a superb book, but a real tear jerker. One of the best books I have read, but having been written by Rosie Goodwin I am not surprised.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not a light read, neither was it predictable like many of the books I read. I still enjoyed the story as it was amazingly well written. It starts in 1939 and tells of a Jewish family escaping from Germany to England just before the second world war. The book spans the period of the war and beyond covering about thirty years in total. The book centres on the second child in the family, Adina who supports family and friends and has to deal with her own troubles too. In fact I can't believe the amount of hardships and difficult situations that she has to endure. I found this story quite sad, but it was moving and will stay with me for some time.

[karen stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real tearjercker

Once I started reading this book I just had to finish it.THe story starts in Germany just before the second world war and goes right through to the 1970s. It is a very moving saga of a Jewish family who find sanctuary in England. Cannot recommend it highly enough

[Gwen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen and felt every emotion reading this book. Absolutley brilliant. I would reccomend it to all genres who love wartime stories i loved it a d disliked nothing

have seen and felt every emotion reading this book. Absolutley brilliant. I would reccomend it to all genres who love wartime stories i loved it a d disliked nothing

[Geraldine Wadsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with much sadness

Such a beautiful book and such a sad and happy ending. My eyes are swollen from crying but I look forward to reading the next book.
Rosie Goodwin always makes you feel as though you are a part of the story and I always think of how the characters are even when I have finished reading. A great writer

[michelle reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book

A thoroughly enjoyable book. The storyline was intriguing right from the start. Once I started I couldn't put it down. A mixture of happiness and tragedy that keeps you wanting to read on.

[norah waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great diversity

A sad story of but at least she met her daughter and her true love returned there is some cruel people who take what they want and not think of others in the end she got them back before she died

[computerised accounting support · Rating 5 out of 5]

MGT

I didn’t think I would enjoy this book, surprisingly I couldn’t put it down. What a great writer I have read 17 books of Rosie Goodwin over the last few months and had same feelings with each one, my only problem now is I’ve read all her books. I can’t wait for the n do one.

[Brenda Hendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Rosies books just get better and better this one keeps you interested all the way to the very last page. Did not want it to end so many twists and turns look forward to reading another.

[andrea park · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually get into Rosie’s books pretty quick but this took me a while and I was going to give up but I’m so glad I persevered. Get the tissues out near the end I’m not going to give anything else away

[ROSEMARY EGLESE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

It was very hard to put this book down.
Well written.
Will certainly read more of Rosie Goodwins books.
Wonderful!

[lorraine price · Rating 5 out of 5]

??????

Absolutely loved it,best book I've read in a long time,it should be made into a film so believable, I laughed and cried.

[JANET HOBSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit drawn out

Skipped a lot .repetitive.
Sad just needed a happier ending for me. Lot's of life lost .know that happened .Did not draw me into the story .

[MRS CMJ CARSE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitter sweet

Brilliant Saga of one woman's life. A real page turner.. Howled at the end. Heart warming story. Full of great characters.