All God's Children

Peacemakers #1

by Anna Schmidt

Beth Bridgewater, a German American, finds herself in a nightmare as World War II erupts—a war in which she takes no side, for she is a Quaker pacifist. Just as she gains opportunity to escape Germany, Beth decides to stay to help the helpless. Meanwhile, Josef Buch, a passionately patriot German, is becoming involved in his own secret ways of resisting the Nazis. . . . Despite their differences, Beth and Josef join together in nonviolent resistance—and in love. Does their love stand a chance. . .if they even survive at all?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian, Fiction, World War II

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Anna Schmidt's historical novel, THE WINTERKEEPER, received a Five Star rating from Reader's Favorites. Reviews for the story have been strong including one from the Historical Novel Society that raved: "The storytelling and scene building are masterful and create an immediacy that keeps the reader turning pages. This is a writer who feels words as well as thinking them." Anna is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America. In addition she has been a four-time finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine—an award she has won twice. Her latest novel RENEGADE is the second in her new series: Cowboys and Harvey Girls and is available now. Publisher's Weekly hails the series as: "Easygoing western romance readers will cheer for this good-hearted heroine to achieve all her dreams." Anna splits her time between Wisconsin and Florida, noting that, “I am blessed to have a career that travels well!”

Reviews

[Iola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning: This is a long review. But it’s shorter than if Winston Churchill had written it. And a little less opinionated.

There were less than two hundred members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Germany at the outbreak of World War Two, and they managed to save over 1000 lives. The American and British Friends were awarded the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize for their work in post-war Germany. There are some fascinating stories about the actions of Quakers in Hitler’s Germany, but All God’s Children is not one of them.

There are advantages and disadvantages to receiving advance copies of books to review. The advantage is free ebooks and the chance to discover and recommend new authors (and new-to-me) authors. The disadvantage is that I only have the book cover and publisher’s blurb on which to base my decision: I don’t have the opportunity to browse the first few pages and decide if it’s going to be something I’ll enjoy.

I was attracted by the blurb to All God’s Children:

As World War II erupts, Beth Bridgewater, a Quaker pacifist, and Josef Buch, a passionate German Patriot, join together in nonviolent resistance of the Nazis—and in love. Does their love stand a chance in the midst of such evil. . .if they even survive at all?

“As World War II erupts …”. England declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, after Germany’s invasion of Poland. This was followed by Germany’s stampede across Western Europe, invading neutral Holland before driving the retreating Allied forces into the sea at Dunkirk. Hitler then turned his attentions to Crete, Russia and Africa before the Americans finally joined the fight after the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

Yet All God’s Children opens in Munich, Germany, in July 1942, almost three years after the outbreak of war (which the German Quaker meeting had predicted ). Then why had Beth not returned home to American in 1939? She originally arrived in Germany in 1934 to care for her young cousin, as her aunt was too frail after the birth. Apparently, she was still too frail in 1939, and is not yet recovered when the story opens in 1942. I just wanted to shake Beth’s aunt and uncle for their self-centredness (in contrast to their stated Quaker beliefs) and for their complete lack of attention to national events. If Aunt Isle really was so frail, why did the family not use the Quaker networks to leave Germany before the outbreak of war?

I could go on. I found a lot of inconsistencies and unanswered questions, but to include them would both make this review longer than it is already, and would give spoilers. Suffice to say that while All God’s Children is full of internal and external conflict, I thought it all seemed contrived for the purposes of a story. It didn’t grab me, and I never felt these could be real people (which is a common factor in books I enjoy). I didn’t care at all what happened to any of these characters, and I only finished the book because I had to. If I had been able to browse before downloading it for review, then I don’t think I’d have got past the opening paragraph.

Anna Schmidt’s previous books have been Amish romance, and Beth is reminiscient of an Amish heroine: loyal and Godly, but entirely wilful, naïve about life outside her immediate family, and entirely unengaging. Because I couldn’t bring myself to like Beth, I couldn’t see why Josef was interested in her. I’m not sure if All God’s Children is supposed to be historical romance or historical fiction. I certainly didn’t feel it succeeded as a romance.

I liked Josef: he was intelligent, brave and loyal. But I couldn’t see that he had any religious faith or belief: it seemed his faith was in the Germany he grew up in. And even Josef, my favourite character, was rather two-dimensional. The only character I was interested in learning more about was Josef’s father, a high ranking member of the Gestapo. Why were the beliefs of father and son so different? Or were they? I got the impression that Herr Buch was hiding a secret, and that would make an interesting story...

Having said all that, the writing was strong and there was a tangible sense of the fear and tension those living in Germany during the war were subject to. For those of you who are interested in this period, or who like your historical fiction to be based on historical fact, I recommend the Secret of the Rose series by Michael Phillips or the Zion Chronicles by Bodie and Brock Thone (the writing style of both series is a bit dated, but the characters and storytelling are excellent).

Thanks to the Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I finished it.
I’m not sure why this is classified as Christian fiction. There is nothing, nothing about traditionally Christianity, let alone Biblical Christianity in it. Oh, it was clean. There was no swearing, no questionable situations. They did mention a god, but it was a god of ‘light’ that dwells in all men, even Hitler, hardly a Biblical definition of God. Their idea of prayer was and guidance wasn’t any closer to the Biblical model either. Rather, it sounded more like a New Age meditation practice. Just empty your mind and whala! Now you know what God wants. Oh yes, also, if there's time take a poll of others who are doing the same. Never once is the Bible mentioned. One verse is misquoted, but that’s it. It’s a ‘cozy’ story as in a ‘cozy mystery’ but it gets no closer to Christian than that.
I should know better than to expect too much from historical fiction. One of the, personally, most annoying things about much of it is authors’ tendency to intrude their characters into the true hero’s life. This time, it was Hans and Sophie Sholl who received the imaginary help. Just how our hero and heroine found them and gained access to their plot isn’t explained. Up until they were suddenly part of that, I was enjoying the book. It had a very interesting premise. Then…
Really!? She volunteers to go to prison?! In Nazi Germany? Uh… really? Before, your husband is sentenced you stand up admit your and his guilt and ask for the same sentence? Hu?? And that sentence!? Life in the SS-Sonderkommando Sobibor? That wasn’t a camp where one was sent to serve a long sentence. It’s hardly what Nazi Judge would have given a German found guilty of political crimes. It felt as if Schmidt wanted to write about two separate historical events and took the shortest and weakest, way to slap them into one story line.
So here are a few of the things I found unbelievable in the last section of the book…
She gets to the camp and can’t figure out what it is? Even though she admits knowledge of extermination camps before they left Berlin.
The heroine and her friend have an extremely out of place discussion on the ethics of stealing from the Nazis. This happened well into their time at the camp. Eventually, it’s accepted as being for the ‘greater good.’ Again, it’s rather a departure from the reality of the camps.
Polish farmers with tractors, guns, maps to the sea.
Old friends showing up from other countries.
Underground couriers contacting each other by letter.
Schmidt took the idea of hiding in plain sight to all new levels. There’s the convenient cottage. They attend worship services. They have a wedding ceremony. They are writing to the relatives in the Gestapo.
No mention is made of any attempt to gain new papers, ration cards, money. And never once are there any Germans about.
The last section had too many coincidences to make a good story line. It just didn’t ring true.
I have read many biographies of WW2, many of people in the camps, and one by an escapee from Treblinka. Their reactions and the reactions of the characters in this book are so far apart. Perhaps that’s why this book rang so false for me.
Through the whole section, there is a weird optimism. In no biography have I read of anyone being convinced they would live because they had met their true love or because they could help others.
That brings me to another concern. Having the characters placed in such a limited group as the escapees from Sobibor bothers me. Those people went through so much. Their stories don’t need to be dramatized. They deserve our respect and honor. It just seems to cheapen what they went through to put fictional characters in their place.
So I can’t recommend this book. It’s too farfetched even for fiction.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit hard to rate. The storyline was good, and interesting. One main thing I had a problem with was the characters themselves. Josef didn't even seem a Christian. Instead, all he seemed worried about was saving his country...and it almost seemed like he was irritated at Beth's quaker like prayers. Being a doctor, I believe the author should have shown more of his work.

And Beth...for some reason I found it odd that she would be so willing to put her life at risk. I know there were people like that during the war who didn't think about themselves. I liked how she wanted to help people, but I think she should have struggled more with making the decision.

And lastly, Josef and Beth's romance. I have a big problem in books with couples falling in love with each other before you hardly even see them interact. I didn't have the same emotions I could have felt when Beth was worried about what would happen to Josef.

The last fourth of the book probably was the best. The plan of escape from the camp, running away, and finding a safe place to hide. There should have been a little more action, rather the telling, but I can live with that :) An interesting premise, just not a favorite.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay... I'm not sure what to make of this book. I liked Beth. I liked Joseph until I realized he really had no faith whatsoever. While an interesting idea for a book (a German-American-Quaker, living in Germany during WW II) it really fell flat. It lacked the emotional depth or reality to truly carry the seriousness of the story.

The faith aspect was weak, but the romance was sweet.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christian historical fiction story about World War 2, set in Munich, Germany. A German-American woman living as nanny and helper in the home of her aunt and uncle, Beth Bridgewater is caught up in some activities which test her and lead her on a path she could not have imagined.

What I liked about this book by Anna Schmidt is, the characters were believable, and easy to identify with. I liked the descriptions of Munich, and surrounding areas, from Beth’s point of view, which is that of a person NOT being persecuted or harassed, at least not immediately. There is a glimpse into the home life of a man in the Gestapo, which I thought to be an unusual point of view.

I really liked Anna’s introduction to The White Rose, a resistance movement which, if you haven’t read about it, you really should.

What I disliked about it was, the favorable view that was given to the Quaker doctrine, which is, that God is in everyone, which is a blatant lie. They also believe redemption and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be experienced now, in this world, which is also false doctrine. So, for that reason, I don’t recommend this book.

Too many false teachings which will confuse and lead astray weak Christians, or lost people.

Here is the Truth:

Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-21

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out very strong, and is carried well to the end by a great plot idea--how better to demonstrate that not all Germans were Nazis and that Christians of every ethnicity come together during a horrific catastrophe like WW II than to have a romance starring a German Resistance man and a Christian American woman? The beginning areas were exceptionally realistic---and anyone who thinks otherwise must be congratulated on never having had to deal with unreasonable, selfish older woman like Beth's aunt and difficult kids like Liesl ( Beth's niece). Beth's weird and dangerous social position as an American stuck living in Germany because of reckless generosity and demanding relatives immediately made me relate to her.
The book is in 3 parts. Parts 1 and 2 mostly involve Beth's efforts to rescue Jewish refugees in the city and her learning to trust the hero's motives in hanging out so much with her family. Part 3 shows them as a married couple being sent to a prison camp, where an extraordinary--and historical--escape of the prisoners is accomplished.
I am glad there are other books in the series--which apparently center on Anja ( a friend whose Jewish husband is tragically killed) and Liesl-- as the main problem of this book was not enough exploration of characters who weren't Joseph and Beth. The book had a good concept, and gallons of interesting history, but round about the middle of the book I felt the author was drowning in her subject matter--she had so much history to work with that she neglected to introduce us to interesting people. This was especially noticeable regarding the Resistance movement. We didn't get to know any of the rebels at all, other than Joseph, and the result was a feeling in me -- that perhaps doesn't give credit to my character ;) -- that the Resistance wasn't worth it and Joseph and Beth should just leave immediately.
To wrap up, I'll note that I found Joseph's parents were believable and fleshed out characters, and that the romance was good.

[Donia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books such as this one insult my intelligence. They assume the reader has no grasp of the correct facts of War Time Germany. The actions of the characters in All God's Children are simply not realistic. World War 2 fiction is my favorite read and I give a fair amount of sway because I am so addicted. But this story was a big let down.

The story presents itself rather like a simplistic young adult story and just doesn't make sense given what we know about living in Munich during the War. The characters are all clueless and the story is filled with cliches and contrived plot advancements and the characters lack a sense of reality.

All God's Children opens in Munich, Germany, in July 1942, almost three years after the outbreak of war; the war is well advanced by then and the dangers to any citizens living in Munich at this time are known to all. Why had Beth an "enemy" alien not returned home to American by say 1939? She originally arrived in Germany in 1934 to care for her cousin, who had mental health issues following the birth of a child. Certainly 8 years later by the time the story opens in 1942 the Aunt and her husband who have an extensive network of Quaker friends close by, could have found another person to assist the ailing aunt instead of keeping a young American relative in danger. It just doesn't figure. This behavior is not in line with Quaker beliefs. Despite being well connected in the community the family is completely unaware of the significance of national events.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in the Peacemakers Trilogy, All God's Children is an exceptionally written story which shows the atrocities of war. Set in Munich during WW II, the reader is pulled along with the characters on a life changing journey. The writing is vivid and depicts the time and places accurately. While the story of Beth and Josef seems to come to an end, we get the feeling more is yet to come for them and others in this heart wrenching story of love, forgiveness and perseverance. The author leaves the reader with the feeling of urgency for the 2nd and 3rd books in the series.

Synopsis:
Beth Bridgewater, a German America, (who is also a Quaker pacifist), finds herself amid the turmoil of war when she decides, after being given the chance to leave Germany, to continue to stay to help her family and others like them who are being affected by the war and persecuted by the Nazis. Josef Buch, a German soldier and doctor is also committed to saving his beloved country from the Nazis. Beth and Josef connect in an effort to peacefully end the resistance but find themselves drawn together by more than their convictions to end the war. The cannot soon deny their feelings for each other and they are led down a dangerous path of love with long lasting consequences.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Schmidt's novel, All God's Children, Book l, the Peacemakers Series, gives us a different view of tensions and turbulence in World War II Germany. We see the dynamics of war through the eyes of family and friends as they try to escape the devastating persecution of Hitler's Gestapo and Nazi terror.

I found myself totally involved in this story of an American-German woman who chose to help her relatives at a time when she could have easily returned to America several times to escape the fear and death of World War II Germany.

She is a professed Quaker, opposed to war, and decides to remain in Germany.

I asked myself several times:"What would I do if caught in WW II Germany but had opportunities to return to my America?"

This novel is worth reading and I would recommend it to anyone. It is a 5 star gem.

I received this free book from the BookFun club for my honest review.

This review can be found at DeeperShopping, and Amazon

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth and Josef's story drew me into WWII's tragic conflict. On this side of the world, we don't often think about what it was like for German citizens who were appalled at the actions of their government. Reading about Josef's estrangement from his father, a high-ranking Gestapo agent I found a similarity with Colonial patriots whose families remained tied to England, and families who found themselves on opposite sides of the Civil War. Taking a stand against those you love -- for a righteous cause -- requires amazing courage and faith.

I know nothing about the life of Quakers, and was intrigued by the quiet strength they drew from their meetings. I loved Beth's commitment to doing what she felt was right to help one in need, not thinking of the danger to herself.

I like a story that is filled with hope, even though the Happily-ever-after ending isn't promised. I look forward to reading the other books in this series!

[Diana Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

All God’s Children
By: Anna Schimidt

I would say I really enjoyed All God’s Children written by Anna Schimidt. Well written that it kept you wanting t keep on reading. The story is taking place in the time of WWII in Germany. Beth goes to Germany to help her Uncle out after his wife having a baby and not dealing well with it. So for eight years Beth has spent their not being able to go back home because she has no visa papers. She gave her visa to a Jewish girl so she could live the country. Problem is now she can’t leave. How is she ever going get back home now. Being a American it is not a safe place to be for her. She has to be very careful. The her Uncle rents out the attic room to a German who is studying to be a doctor. Will he be a spy or is he there to help? Great book. It will keep you wanting to read. Looking forward to the next book.

[Lori Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

All God's Children is the first book of a trilogy concerning a set of families living in Nazi Germany. It is a suspenseful, sit on the edge of your seat, rewarding book. The history learned in this book is fascinating and very new to this history buff. The story revolves around an American, Beth, who lived with her German aunt, uncle, and cousin while her aunt is ill. The family are Quakers. Beth meets a German doctor whose father is a high government official. The two of them begin participating in the underground movement. It was a great story and I can't wait to read the next book. This is the first book of Anna Schmidt's I have read but it is certainly not my last.
I recieved my book from the Book Club Network for my honest review

[Joy Chalaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a three-book series set in WW2, I quite enjoyed this book. It covers the events of the White Rose in Germany, amid the resistance work of Sophie Scholl and the underground movement. I liked Josef's character :), but I have to say the story did have its weak points - mostly, I thought there were a few plot-holes in relation to Beth's character and her reasons for staying in Berlin. Also, while interesting, the Quaker element was not my favourite aspect of the story. But the theme of "All God's children" and the sad gravity of the time, the sufferings the characters experienced in consequences of doing what was right, was very special. On the whole, I think I enjoyed it enough that I am willing to try more of Schmidt's work :).

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna is a young American Quaker woman who has been living in Germany for the past eight years. Since her aunt hasn't been well she was asked to come help her. Now it is the middle of World War Two and life is dangerous. Beth is determined to help those in need. A former student of her uncle, Josef, is boarding with them. Beth and Josef get involved with the White Rose, an underground resistance movement. They also fall in love and eventually get married. When they get arrested they are taken to Sobibor, Poland but eventually able to escape to Denmark. I hope to someday read the rest of the books in this series.

[Shannon Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book last night, and read the whole thing. I did not realize I had been reading that long, until I saw the sun peaking through the window... There were many times in this story, that I caught my heart beating wildly feeling the fear of the characters during their plight. I thought it was excellent, and I can not wait to read the rest of the series...

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it, and I thought it was well written. I guess it just didn't captivate me.

[Bookish Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first installment of romance author Anna Schmidt’s Peacekeeper series, All God’s Children, we are introduced to Beth Bridgewater, an American woman from Wisconsin who is now living in 1940s Germany with her Uncle Franz, Aunt Ilse and their young daughter. Beth originally came to Germany to help her aunt and uncle raise their daughter. Ilse has not been well since the birth of her daughter and she relies a great deal on Beth, who selflessly helps take care of her little cousin any way she can.

Early 1940s Germany was a perilous time. The Hitler regime was taking over and countless Jewish people were being sent to their death in concentration camps. Beth is horrified by these turn of events, and wonders what will become of her and her German relatives. She is also very concerned about her Jewish friends and acquaintances. In a somewhat hasty, yet giving move, Beth hands over her immigration papers to a young Jewish woman so this woman can escape Germany to avoid being sent to a camp. Now paperless, Beth can’t leave Germany to go back to her Wisconsin home.

Entering Beth’s life is Josef Buch. Josef is a former student of Uncle Franz’s, and is now studying to be a doctor. Josef chooses to live with Beth’s uncle and aunt so he can be close to his medical studies at the university. Despite the proximity to the university, it is a wonder why Josef would choose to live in a cramped apartment attic rather than parents much more spacious home. Josef’s father is also a high ranking official in the Gestapo. Hmm, could Josef also be part of the Gestapo? Is he a Nazi sympathizer? Could he possibly be a spy?

Josef is an enigma, and Beth questions his motives. Yet, she is also intrigued and drawn towards this handsome stranger. Soon she realizes Josef is also appalled by the rise of Hitler and the Nazis. Like, Beth, Josef wants to also resist the Nazi regime and help Germany’s Jewish citizens who live under persecution every single day. Non-Jewish Germans must also fear for their lives; especially those who resist the Nazi regime.

Beth knows she most do something beyond giving away her immigration papers to a Jewish friend. And it is her strong Quaker faith, known as “Freunde” in Germany, that most guides her. As a Quaker, Beth is a pacifist. She refuses to take up violent means to defy the Nazis. However, she knows she can get help in other ways.

It isn’t long before Beth and Josef get involved with the White Rose, a resistance group who pass out leaflets exposing the evil of the Nazi regime and how to defy it. Both Beth and Josef bring their considerable gifts and strong moral code to the White Rose. Whereas, Beth is impulsive, she is also hugely giving and empathetic. And Josef’s considerable planning and organizational skills are also valuable to the White Rose.

Getting involved in the White Rose puts both Beth and Josef in a precarious situation, but they refuse to be deterred even though the face mortal danger every single day.

Before long, Beth and Josef find their friendship turning to love. With their shared commitment to helping others and defying the Nazi regime, they begin to have romantic feelings for each other. Beth and Josef can’t deny their strong feelings, and soon they fall in love and get married.

Unlike most newlyweds, Beth and Josef do not spend time unwrapping weddings gifts, setting up a household and contemplating starting a family. They face danger and death on a daily basis. And before long, Josef and Beth’s activities with the White Rose are discovered and they are sent to the camp Sobibor. Beth spends her days sorting out the clothing, shoes and various items of Soibor’s prisoners. These are prisoners who have already been sent to the gas chambers, a fact that horrifies Beth to her very core.

Despite being separated at Sobibor, Beth and Josef can spend some time together, and soon they lives are upended once again when they make a daring escape.

Beth and Josef face so much turmoil in their young lives uncertainty, violence, betrayal, near death and a gripping fear that they may never see another day. Yet, they are unwavering in their commitment peace, to their family and friends, to helping others and yes, to each other.

All God’s Children is a romance. But it’s so much more than that. It’s not a “bodice-ripper,” and it’s certainly not a romance of the clichéd “chick lit” variety. Too be honest, I’ve never been a huge romantic fiction fan. I went through a brief “bodice ripper” phase in high school, and to me, most “chick lit” has all the depth of a Jimmy Choo in-step. But Josef and Beth are two fully-realized characters who you can truly believe in. Beth is a young woman of both grace and gravitas. And we need more men like Josef.

I also have to give author Anna Schmidt a huge amount of credit for all of the research she did on World War II and the Nazi takeover of Germany and the rest of Europe. I must admit my own education on this horrific time is quite limited, just what I learned in school and through books like “The Diary of Anne Frank” and movies like “Schindler’s List.” I gained so much knowledge reading All God’s Children. I’m smart enough to realize that not all non-Jewish Germans were Nazis or Nazi sympathizers. Many were truly sickened by the Nazi regime, and many of them got involved in resistance movements and worked tirelessly on behalf of their Jewish neighbors and friends. Also, non-Jewish Germans suffered under the Nazi regime, with many of them being sent to concentration camps, and many of them facing torture and death.

All God’s Children piqued my interest in the White Rose, and through the miracle of Google, I did some research and learned so much more. I can proudly say members of the White Rose are now heroes of mine and I plan on reading about their work.

I also learned more about the Quaker faith. As a lapsed Roman Catholic turned Unitarian, I was only marginally acquainted with Quakers and how they live out their faith on a daily basis. I am in total awe how so many Quakers go above and beyond to help others, and do it without violent means.

Yes, All God’s Children is a lovely romantic story of two very notable and admirable characters. But it is also a story of courage, inspiration and a very worthwhile history lesson.

Originally Published at The Book Self:
http://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com/...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not seen a lot of WWII stories about the German home front, so was pleased to stumble on All God’s Children. The premise is fascinating – a German-American woman stuck in Germany during the war. The author has obviously done her research and created a gripping true-to-life story. This is not your typical romance story and ends with a happy-for-now rather than a happily-ever-after, but does bring closure to the plot. There is violence not it isn’t gratuitous and is necessary to move the story forward. Beth and her extended family are Quakers and I enjoyed learning about their beliefs. An excellent story and I look forward to book 2.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficulties But Love Holds Out!

Awful dramas as we experience the Holocaust and Sobibor but faith and hope build resiliance and love blossoms. Based on a true story, we grow with the characters. What or who is around the next corner? Can we trust a stranger and what about family? Buckle up for a rollar coaster!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this story - I would like to read the other 2 in this trilogy.
The characters are delightful and the story line is believable, illuminating how 'average' citizens were impacted in Nazi Germany.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

All the Quaker "inner light" references and clarity seeking really cost me enjoyment of the story. If this was the intent of the series, I humbly apologize. I felt the romance was completely lost in it as the story bogged down.

[Gail Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction!

A Quaker family in WWII Germany. A new perspective and very enlightening. This was so good, I can’t wait to read the next one. Disappointed that it’s not available in Kindle version.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy this book. Main character is an American that went to stay with an Aunt and Uncle and then couldn't get back to America. The Warsaw resistance was trying to fight and many paid so with their life.

[Shirley Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I was spellbound. Amazing story of faith and bravery and sadness and heart ache. Let us pray this never happens again. A must read for all.

[LM Huffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am finished with this book, I didn’t actually finish it. Boring.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting Christian adventure / romance set in World War II Germany and based on actual events.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction

Excellent recounting of history with these characters to fill in some gaps. I also enjoyed learning a bit more about the Quaker way of life in those times.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read the next book

[Stephen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This book is so interesting about World War II and real people’s lives. It is difficult to lay it down once you start reading.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new way of reading ww11