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A Secret Life
The German Army of World War II rips Karl Von Steuben from his family and privileged life, forcing him to conceal his American sympathies and Jewish heritage. Stripped of every tie to his home country, he determines to escape. As he crawls to the Siegfried Line, only he knows the hiding place of gold ingots melted from the jewelry of death camp prisoners. Wounded after assuming the identity of a fallen American soldier, Karl briefly deceives even himself. Discharged and shipped to America, he discovers God's unmerited favor in a beautiful Atlanta nurse. But he must return to Germany or relinquish his family fortune and rear children under the name of another man. Will Grace forgive his duplicity and accept him as an American?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
ebook
First published August 25, 2014
19 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Lee Carver
23 books19 followersLee Carver is once again failing at retirement, a hybrid author in every sense: fiction and nonfiction, traditionally and independently published. She also does freelance editing, formatting, and print book and e-book uploads as well as being a Stephen Minister, singing alto in the choir, crocheting with Prayer Shawl Ministry, and playing piano, among other activities. Married forty-nine years to a very supportive man, they have two adult children and five grandchildren.
During her husband's international career, Lee lived and reared their two children in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Indonesia, Brazil, and Spain. She has visited about 49 countries, settings which become material in her novels. After her husband's retirement, they served as volunteer missionaries in the Brazilian Amazon, where he used his military training as a pilot. The Carvers have settled in Fort Worth, where they remain active in aviation and community missionary concerns.
www.LeeCarverWriter.com
http://LeeCarverWriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/lee.carver.507
https://www.pinterest.com/leecarver2
During her husband's international career, Lee lived and reared their two children in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Indonesia, Brazil, and Spain. She has visited about 49 countries, settings which become material in her novels. After her husband's retirement, they served as volunteer missionaries in the Brazilian Amazon, where he used his military training as a pilot. The Carvers have settled in Fort Worth, where they remain active in aviation and community missionary concerns.
www.LeeCarverWriter.com
http://LeeCarverWriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/lee.carver.507
https://www.pinterest.com/leecarver2
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 2, 2014
World War II novels are popular but A Secret Life, by Lee Carver, stands apart in the world of fiction.
As war breaks out around them, Karl Von Steuben, fears for his family's safety. With dual American/German citizenship and a secret Jewish heritage on his mother's side, the Christian family finds their faith and lives in danger. Kidnapped and forced into the German army rips Karl away from his privileged life and any hope of escape. He could never shoot an American and looks for an opportunity to cross the lines of war, risking being caught as an enemy. When the opportunity arises, he assumes a dead American soldier's identity and crawls to the Siegfried Line carrying with him the secret hiding place of gold ingots melted from the jewelry of death camp prisoners. A battle injury robs him for a time of his memory, real name and history.
Eventually he gains awareness of the horrible truth but more secrets have to stay buried lest he be branded a war criminal in spite of the valuable aid he provides to the American side of the war effort. Eventually he is discharged and shipped to America under his assumed name. Alone in a foreign land, he rediscovers the faith of his past and the truth of God's unmerited favor in a beautiful Atlanta nurse, Grace. The only problem is, Karl's real name, identity and family fortune lies oversees in post-war Germany. Claiming them and owning the truth of who he is could give him the life he longs for with his new wife, but at the same time jeopardizes their marriage. Would Grace, and his adopted country, ever forgive him?
The twists and turns of this complex tale also covers the story of Karl's family and their struggle during the war. Historically grounded and well researched the characters and their struggles come to life on the page. The heart-rending truth of the horrors of war and the choices that have to be made are well told without being gory. It's a beautifully told tale of love, faith and difficult choices.
As war breaks out around them, Karl Von Steuben, fears for his family's safety. With dual American/German citizenship and a secret Jewish heritage on his mother's side, the Christian family finds their faith and lives in danger. Kidnapped and forced into the German army rips Karl away from his privileged life and any hope of escape. He could never shoot an American and looks for an opportunity to cross the lines of war, risking being caught as an enemy. When the opportunity arises, he assumes a dead American soldier's identity and crawls to the Siegfried Line carrying with him the secret hiding place of gold ingots melted from the jewelry of death camp prisoners. A battle injury robs him for a time of his memory, real name and history.
Eventually he gains awareness of the horrible truth but more secrets have to stay buried lest he be branded a war criminal in spite of the valuable aid he provides to the American side of the war effort. Eventually he is discharged and shipped to America under his assumed name. Alone in a foreign land, he rediscovers the faith of his past and the truth of God's unmerited favor in a beautiful Atlanta nurse, Grace. The only problem is, Karl's real name, identity and family fortune lies oversees in post-war Germany. Claiming them and owning the truth of who he is could give him the life he longs for with his new wife, but at the same time jeopardizes their marriage. Would Grace, and his adopted country, ever forgive him?
The twists and turns of this complex tale also covers the story of Karl's family and their struggle during the war. Historically grounded and well researched the characters and their struggles come to life on the page. The heart-rending truth of the horrors of war and the choices that have to be made are well told without being gory. It's a beautifully told tale of love, faith and difficult choices.
December 20, 2016
This one had an interesting premise, with a German soldier taking on the identity of a deceased American solder during a battle in WWII. As much as I wanted to like this one, it just dragged. I got so sick of the main character's constant excuses and lies. He was so afraid of the consequences of telling the truth that he just kept on lying, digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole instead of just coming out with it before things got any worse. He caused everyone a lot of unnecessary suffering, especially the family of that poor soldier whose place he took. I was pretty disgusted by how he handled things with them. And in contrast to the lengthy dragging of the plot, the ending was a bit abrupt, with the resolution hardly being there at all.
November 3, 2014
Great World War II era romance between a young Jewish German boy and an American girl.
Karl von Steuben is a dual citizen German/American whose mother is of Jewish background. Living in Munich during World War II, he has been fortunate that his father has been handling the Reich’s investments and has not been solicited to join the arm as he has an exemption. That all changes one day when he goes out in search of food and gets picked up by a recruiting truck that ships him in the German army. However, learning that he speaks English, his post commander gives him a job as a translator rather than sending him to the front lines. Realizing that he could never kill Americans, he plans to escape across the enemy line and make his way to America. He finally has the chance after he stumbles upon a dead American soldier. After exchanging the uniforms, he makes his way into American territory when he is shot in the back of the head. Days later he wakes up as Henry Viertel with no memory of his past life.
Eventually he regains his memories and is sent back to the States after the war has turned. He meets Grace and falls in love with her, with as Henry he has no college degree with which to work to provide for her. Can he work his way through college again to make a family with Grace? Or should he go back to Germany to claim his family fortune? And if he does, would Grace go with him?
I have to admit, this was a really good read. I was a little skeptical going into it at first with a new author, but it was a very enjoyable book. The story flowed flawlessly. Lee Carver didn’t miss a beat telling the story of this young man. The characters were very well developed and easily to relate to. For a romance, there was still a lot of action and suspense.
There were quite a few little twists throughout the story, but many of them were pretty predictable. My only criticism is that I thought it ended a little too neatly, but maybe that is just my preference. Overall, if you enjoy World War II stories, then you will enjoy this book. Carver did her research to make sure the book is accurate and takes you back a few decades for her tale.
Karl von Steuben is a dual citizen German/American whose mother is of Jewish background. Living in Munich during World War II, he has been fortunate that his father has been handling the Reich’s investments and has not been solicited to join the arm as he has an exemption. That all changes one day when he goes out in search of food and gets picked up by a recruiting truck that ships him in the German army. However, learning that he speaks English, his post commander gives him a job as a translator rather than sending him to the front lines. Realizing that he could never kill Americans, he plans to escape across the enemy line and make his way to America. He finally has the chance after he stumbles upon a dead American soldier. After exchanging the uniforms, he makes his way into American territory when he is shot in the back of the head. Days later he wakes up as Henry Viertel with no memory of his past life.
Eventually he regains his memories and is sent back to the States after the war has turned. He meets Grace and falls in love with her, with as Henry he has no college degree with which to work to provide for her. Can he work his way through college again to make a family with Grace? Or should he go back to Germany to claim his family fortune? And if he does, would Grace go with him?
I have to admit, this was a really good read. I was a little skeptical going into it at first with a new author, but it was a very enjoyable book. The story flowed flawlessly. Lee Carver didn’t miss a beat telling the story of this young man. The characters were very well developed and easily to relate to. For a romance, there was still a lot of action and suspense.
There were quite a few little twists throughout the story, but many of them were pretty predictable. My only criticism is that I thought it ended a little too neatly, but maybe that is just my preference. Overall, if you enjoy World War II stories, then you will enjoy this book. Carver did her research to make sure the book is accurate and takes you back a few decades for her tale.
August 9, 2020
This novel is a multi-faceted jewel. While I’m generally not a reader of war stories, this one is outstanding. The account of Karl Van Steuben’s situation kept me intrigued and turning pages. The layers of the synchronized story lines, separate but intertwining, are woven to a beautiful, well thought out climax.
Bombed out churches, lost treasurers, and broken dreams assemble the foundation of this uplifting chronicle. The inhumanities of World War II are exposed and the character of one young man who finds himself on the wrong side of what he believes is the crux of the tale. If he can make a difference, right one wrong, he can keep up his charade.
In this poignant love story commingled with the horrors of war, Lee Carver’s brilliantly exhibited talent shines through. A Secret Life is a must read for all, but plan to stay up late because you can’t put it down.
Bombed out churches, lost treasurers, and broken dreams assemble the foundation of this uplifting chronicle. The inhumanities of World War II are exposed and the character of one young man who finds himself on the wrong side of what he believes is the crux of the tale. If he can make a difference, right one wrong, he can keep up his charade.
In this poignant love story commingled with the horrors of war, Lee Carver’s brilliantly exhibited talent shines through. A Secret Life is a must read for all, but plan to stay up late because you can’t put it down.
February 8, 2015
I am a big fan of WWII historical fiction and this is one I that I really enjoyed. It was easy to get caught up in the lives of the characters from the first pages and there were twists and turns in a story line that is different from some of the others that I have read but made for a very enjoyable read. This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won't be my last. I definitely recommend this book to any one who enjoys good WWII historical fiction.
June 7, 2019
I would give this ZERO stars if I could. Too many historical errors. If someone wishes to write a WW2 novel, the very least they could do is not state over and over that D-Day happened before/in May 1944. Also, the main character is supposed to be Jewish yet he was in a shower room with other Army draftees and his circumcision wasn't noticed at all? This was one of the ways Jewish men were identified in real life by the Nazis. I stopped reading after the author (again!) stated that the "invasion at Normandy" happened prior to June 1944.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
Christian Historical Romance
What an intriguing story! I loved all the internal thoughts on Grace.
The narration was a different story. There were a few editing issues, where she repeated a phrase or sentence a couple times, till she said it right. I had a hard time distinguishing who was speaking, and her volume was constantly changing. Her timing and emphasis on certain words could use some work as well! She has a great narrator's voice, and I look forward to seeing how she improves over time.
What an intriguing story! I loved all the internal thoughts on Grace.
The narration was a different story. There were a few editing issues, where she repeated a phrase or sentence a couple times, till she said it right. I had a hard time distinguishing who was speaking, and her volume was constantly changing. Her timing and emphasis on certain words could use some work as well! She has a great narrator's voice, and I look forward to seeing how she improves over time.
March 30, 2021
New identity
Living in Germany durng the war caused hardships for many in different ways. If you were Jewish you were automatically a person to be arrested and placed in a concentration camp. Used for slave labor, starved, and treated worse than anyone could imagine.
Living in Germany durng the war caused hardships for many in different ways. If you were Jewish you were automatically a person to be arrested and placed in a concentration camp. Used for slave labor, starved, and treated worse than anyone could imagine.
February 3, 2017
I was drawn into the story from the beginning. The danger and intrigue kept me turning the pages. I appreciated the faith element that is woven throughout this story. I highly recommend this book.
September 4, 2014
What a great gift "A Secret Life" is. From the very start, the author engages the reader and makes you care about the characters. The story is a perfect mix of an in depth look at the lives of a family caught between their love of country and abhorrence to Hitler's rampage of his own people. Nothing is white-washed or described to the point of becoming voyeuristic. You understand hard choices people had to make and what they may have done to rectify poor decision as well as how so many people suffered needlessly and cruelly. Intertwined is a beautiful love story that is as complex and real as the rest of the details of the characters included. A wonderful book that has earned something I don't give out easily - 5 stars. (or cups - see www.amugandabook.com)
March 26, 2015
This book was a great read, the author truly loves "God's chosen people". I loved this book and was sad with the terrible things those evil people did to the Jews. I think we need to have more books about these precious people who were mistreated and never forget it. Thank you so much and I hope it has a follow up to it.
September 1, 2016
A secret life
I chose to give this book a rating of 5 because the author wrote a touching novel.
It is a book f or men and women. The heat of battle, to the romance, this book keeps you wanting more info.
Full of surprises, heart aches, heart break, and most of all.........
You'll have to read it to find out.
I chose to give this book a rating of 5 because the author wrote a touching novel.
It is a book f or men and women. The heat of battle, to the romance, this book keeps you wanting more info.
Full of surprises, heart aches, heart break, and most of all.........
You'll have to read it to find out.
January 7, 2015
This book is full of detailed descriptions of surroundings and inner turmoil, yet maintains a steady pace. Unique plot line and the relationship with God flowed naturally and authentically. Highly recommend!
September 6, 2014
Fast-moving adventure, believable characters, intricate plot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews