The Fundraiser

by Stella Hutchinson

In 1938, as war clouds gather, Joe breezes into town from the big city. He’s seeking to recruit young women to help with the relief work in Spain, where there has been a civil war and he wants to set up a children’s hospital. He uses this as an opportunity to reconnect with Elizabeth - his estranged wife’s cousin – whose company he always enjoyed. At first she is a little scandalized, but secretly, she holds a flame for him, one that she has tried hard to keep hidden.
He persuades her to leave her comfortable life with her parents in Michigan, to travel to a war zone with him. This fills their lives with new friends and new meaning, but the Nazi threat draws near – and soon they are plunged into the turmoil of World War Two. Anyone of Jewish descent is in danger, as are the children of Spanish ‘rebels’. They must fight to save who they can – but will that mean losing each other?
An epic tale of love, courage and humanitarian work on the battlefield.

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

583 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2024

About the author

Stella Hutchinson was born in the New Forest, Hampshire into a zany book-loving family. She grew up in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, England. At the age of eighteen she went to work for a shipping company in London, but later she won a doctoral scholarship to study maritime history at the University of Auckland. While overseas, she met her husband, who is from Venice, and together they are raising twin boys. The Wren and the Swordfish Pilot was released in 2022, and The Fundraiser in 2024. She has also written a non-fiction book called Voyages with a Merchant Prince - showcasing an original diary written on board ship by a Liverpool woman in the 1830s. When she's not writing books she likes learning new languages and making costumes for community theatre.

Reviews

[Judi Politte-Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

When I started this book I really didn't like it but I continued reading. I has thought that Joe was a cad merely trying to get Elizabeth. But I soon learned he was so much more. He was someone truly dedicated to helping condensed and others get out of war torn areas. Read this book! Don't pass up the author's notes.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from the pen of Stella Hutchinson! In The Fundraiser she weaves together the story of several couples dedicated to transporting Jewish children out of Europe as the forces of fascism close in on them. We experience the love, heartbreak, joys, frustrations, urgency, resolve, hopes, and fears that her characters experience – and emerge richer for sharing their journey.

[Margaret Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story that takes you yo the war in Spain and then into WW11. I had not read of the Quaker’s movement until now so became interested in this story.
The incidents concerning the war was very well written and the characters certainly took you on their journey. All the human emotions are on display here and you will feel them as well.
Highly recommend

[Alison Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

An accomplished author. A well known sequence of events but the details not so well. I absolutely loved this book and thoroughly recommend it. We who have lived through peace cannot imagine the pain anguish and suffering of our parent's generation , so well articulated in this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed his book. It was a long read but I just kept up a pace and looked forward to the story each night before I went to sleep. I felt close to most of the characters, sometimes liking them and sometimes disappointed in their choices. Sad storyline but always good to remember the atrocities of WWII.

[Mark E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and page turning historical fiction

The Fundraiser was a roller coaster of a ride spanning pre WWII to post war. The author developed the characters based on real life experiences- characters you won’t soon forget.

[Amylynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly did not like IT! I could not get into it at all!

[Pam Leffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it very much. I love historical fiction!

[Patricia L .Jex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent! I learned a lot about the timing of the conflicts in Europe and how they played out together. I knew of one kinder transport but didn't know there were so many or who the facilitators were. There was clearly a lot of research put into this, and I appreciated the author's explanation at the close of the book. I always find that helpful to sort the fact from the fiction. This was enlightening, and educational. The best kind of historical fiction.