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Echoes Rising #2
Winter Duet
Sequel to Shadowboxing
Book Two
Germany 1944
With Kristopher finally fit enough to travel, he and Michel leave the security of their safe house and continue their journey across Germany toward Switzerland. Caught in a series of Allied bombings, they stop to help civilians and narrowly escape capture by German forces.
While investigating a downed aircraft in the Black Forest, the two men discover an injured RAF pilot. After they are separated, Kristopher and the pilot are discovered by a German officer who claims he is not who he appears to be. Determined to find Michel again, Kristopher has to trust the stranger and hope he is not connected to those searching for him and the information he carries. Meanwhile Michel is intercepted by one of the Allied soldiers he met in Berlin. His help is needed to save one of their own.
Time quickly runs out. Loyalties are tested and betrayed as the Gestapo closes in. Michel can only hope that they reach safety before information is revealed that could compromise not only his and Kristopher’s lives, but those of the remaining members of their team—if it is not already too late.
Book Two
Germany 1944
With Kristopher finally fit enough to travel, he and Michel leave the security of their safe house and continue their journey across Germany toward Switzerland. Caught in a series of Allied bombings, they stop to help civilians and narrowly escape capture by German forces.
While investigating a downed aircraft in the Black Forest, the two men discover an injured RAF pilot. After they are separated, Kristopher and the pilot are discovered by a German officer who claims he is not who he appears to be. Determined to find Michel again, Kristopher has to trust the stranger and hope he is not connected to those searching for him and the information he carries. Meanwhile Michel is intercepted by one of the Allied soldiers he met in Berlin. His help is needed to save one of their own.
Time quickly runs out. Loyalties are tested and betrayed as the Gestapo closes in. Michel can only hope that they reach safety before information is revealed that could compromise not only his and Kristopher’s lives, but those of the remaining members of their team—if it is not already too late.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2014
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Anne Barwell
23 books107 followersAnne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing "discussion," and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.
In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.
She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as "too many." These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of "spare time" is really just a myth.
In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.
She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as "too many." These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of "spare time" is really just a myth.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 13, 2014
A world at war, living life on a razor’s edge, is it possible to find love in a time when your fighting for your life? Well, in Winter Duet we find out that against all odds the basic human need to love and be loved prevails and possibly is even more intense than ever.
Michel and Kristopher are on the run from the Gestapo and this makes for one nail-biting chase as they escape once again but only by the skin of their teeth. Matt and Ken are also doing everything they can to avoid being caught and they should all meet in a safe house, but as usual in a war nothing really goes according to plan and the situation changes by the minute. Constantly living life on a razor’s edge.
From the word go I was totally invested in this book. Not only because of the hope I have that these guys will be able to find a way to make things work, but also the basic instinct of survival. Michel and Kristopher are so committed to each other it’s truly beautiful, but again it’s a time where they can only sneak a few private moments together, when the do it is all the more heartfelt. I really go all gushy at the thought when these guys get their chance for a few private moments. When I first started reading this series I thought that maybe their declarations of love might have been a little too early and too much. However, when you add in the backdrop and time period then as I said in my previous review I guess you could only really live for the present and waiting to see whether someone was compatible or not for you would be a luxury you couldn’t afford. On the other hand though the situation itself forges a strong bond as your life would clearly depend on those you trust and love as theirs would have done too. Also Matt and Ken now see what is staring them in the face and give in to the feelings of affection they have for each other.
So back to the book and my review. In this instalment, Michel and Kristopher get separated and there is no chance of sitting around and moping. They both have to remain practical and concentrated and hope that the other is still alive. That must have been so sad, not knowing whether the one you love is still OK or not. I guess many went through this in the war and probably many do today who are serving. It really is one of the hardest tests any relationship I reckon can through. Anne gets the balance really well between the basic instinct to survive whilst trying to hold on to a love and belief in a possible future together. This in itself was heart-breaking, the whole hopelessness of their situation, but determined not to give up on love. For me this is one of the most beautiful things about romances set in this time, although the situation is dangerous, possibly hopeless and forlorn, the need to love and be loved seems to be all the more stronger.
The Gestapo are hard on the heels of the guys in The Resistance and don’t let up for one minute. I just love the characters in this book as they all have their respective histories but share a common goal. They are real and come alive on the pages as you read. You fear for them, hate some of them, cry for some of them, it really is a book that has produced very mixed emotions in me.
As the whole team are all split up and trying to survive their own battles, it leads to a story that has many different scenarios all playing out at the same time. This was managed really well by Anne and not for one minute did I get the feeling that I was confused or didn’t know what was happening even if all these things are happening parallel to each other in different places.
With so many separate threads running at the same time I was wondering how Anne was going to tie these all up. Well, I found the plot device she used to do this absolutely wonderful and I’m not giving anything away here as to how she does it. But eventually the whole team meet up, remembering from the first book that is really only Michel who knows what Kristopher looks like as does only Matt know what Michel looks like. Ken and Liang have never seen Kristopher or Michel and vice versa. When they start to drift together and find who’s who bit by bit I just loved the way Anne depicted this. As was the nature of the Resistance no one really ever knew exactly who was who due to the security, so when Matt and Kristopher meet the first time it is without the others. It was wonderful character development to see how they start to find out bit by bit through learning to trust each other who their real identities are. The same with Ken and Michel. It all made for an extremely realistic undercover, resistance style story.
This is not an erotic romance where Matt and Ken or Kristopher and Michel are at it like rabbits with pages of hot steamy sex and to be honest I wouldn’t want it in a book that is set in this period of history. They are on the run and the chances they get to be alone are only fleeting which would be totally in keeping historically and plot wise. This doesn’t detract though from the love these men share and that made me feel so hopeful but sad at the same time. Thinking about these brave men and women I can only quote Winston Churchill “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” and that holds as true today as it ever did.
Anne lets the reader know though that once again there is no one side that is totally bad or good. Just people trying to fight an evil that has taken control of their respective countries. I loved the whole concept of this book and will wait with baited breath whether in the final book Kit and Michel, Matt and Ken find at least a happy end that can be sustained in that period. They seriously can’t have gone through all this not to find their own little bit of heaven.
Michel and Kristopher are on the run from the Gestapo and this makes for one nail-biting chase as they escape once again but only by the skin of their teeth. Matt and Ken are also doing everything they can to avoid being caught and they should all meet in a safe house, but as usual in a war nothing really goes according to plan and the situation changes by the minute. Constantly living life on a razor’s edge.
From the word go I was totally invested in this book. Not only because of the hope I have that these guys will be able to find a way to make things work, but also the basic instinct of survival. Michel and Kristopher are so committed to each other it’s truly beautiful, but again it’s a time where they can only sneak a few private moments together, when the do it is all the more heartfelt. I really go all gushy at the thought when these guys get their chance for a few private moments. When I first started reading this series I thought that maybe their declarations of love might have been a little too early and too much. However, when you add in the backdrop and time period then as I said in my previous review I guess you could only really live for the present and waiting to see whether someone was compatible or not for you would be a luxury you couldn’t afford. On the other hand though the situation itself forges a strong bond as your life would clearly depend on those you trust and love as theirs would have done too. Also Matt and Ken now see what is staring them in the face and give in to the feelings of affection they have for each other.
“It had taken nearly losing each other for them to finally admit that what they felt was far deeper than friendship and Matt intended to make the most of whatever time they had.”I would like to digress a little from my review but please just indulge me for a bit, as I feel these few things needed mentioning. So in this sort of situation and in this period would gay relationships ever have been forged? Is it realistic to expect this and to write an M/M romance set in WWII? Well, as things today have become more open, understanding and acceptable, so the stories of the past start to creep out of the historical closest and get the airing they rightly deserve. Yes, many men and women formed loving gay relationships during this time, but obviously due to the circumstances of the time for many had to remain totally secret for the rest of their lives. All extremely hush, hush and swept under the carpet You can read a lovely letter HERE written by a G.I. from WWII or here is a very rare photo featured at the Kinsey Institute’s Gallery exhibit “Love and War” So yes, gay men and women did find love and served their country bravely and with honour. There was just no way to talk about it until now.
This makes Anne’s book, although a work of fiction, for me all the more poignant.![tumblr_m9oyvb58cn1ru0l8lo1_500[2]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1413183829i/11476188.jpg)
So back to the book and my review. In this instalment, Michel and Kristopher get separated and there is no chance of sitting around and moping. They both have to remain practical and concentrated and hope that the other is still alive. That must have been so sad, not knowing whether the one you love is still OK or not. I guess many went through this in the war and probably many do today who are serving. It really is one of the hardest tests any relationship I reckon can through. Anne gets the balance really well between the basic instinct to survive whilst trying to hold on to a love and belief in a possible future together. This in itself was heart-breaking, the whole hopelessness of their situation, but determined not to give up on love. For me this is one of the most beautiful things about romances set in this time, although the situation is dangerous, possibly hopeless and forlorn, the need to love and be loved seems to be all the more stronger.
The Gestapo are hard on the heels of the guys in The Resistance and don’t let up for one minute. I just love the characters in this book as they all have their respective histories but share a common goal. They are real and come alive on the pages as you read. You fear for them, hate some of them, cry for some of them, it really is a book that has produced very mixed emotions in me.
As the whole team are all split up and trying to survive their own battles, it leads to a story that has many different scenarios all playing out at the same time. This was managed really well by Anne and not for one minute did I get the feeling that I was confused or didn’t know what was happening even if all these things are happening parallel to each other in different places.
With so many separate threads running at the same time I was wondering how Anne was going to tie these all up. Well, I found the plot device she used to do this absolutely wonderful and I’m not giving anything away here as to how she does it. But eventually the whole team meet up, remembering from the first book that is really only Michel who knows what Kristopher looks like as does only Matt know what Michel looks like. Ken and Liang have never seen Kristopher or Michel and vice versa. When they start to drift together and find who’s who bit by bit I just loved the way Anne depicted this. As was the nature of the Resistance no one really ever knew exactly who was who due to the security, so when Matt and Kristopher meet the first time it is without the others. It was wonderful character development to see how they start to find out bit by bit through learning to trust each other who their real identities are. The same with Ken and Michel. It all made for an extremely realistic undercover, resistance style story.
This is not an erotic romance where Matt and Ken or Kristopher and Michel are at it like rabbits with pages of hot steamy sex and to be honest I wouldn’t want it in a book that is set in this period of history. They are on the run and the chances they get to be alone are only fleeting which would be totally in keeping historically and plot wise. This doesn’t detract though from the love these men share and that made me feel so hopeful but sad at the same time. Thinking about these brave men and women I can only quote Winston Churchill “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” and that holds as true today as it ever did.
Anne lets the reader know though that once again there is no one side that is totally bad or good. Just people trying to fight an evil that has taken control of their respective countries. I loved the whole concept of this book and will wait with baited breath whether in the final book Kit and Michel, Matt and Ken find at least a happy end that can be sustained in that period. They seriously can’t have gone through all this not to find their own little bit of heaven.
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February 6, 2021New edition is now available. On pre-order until 17th February.
July 28, 2023
Same as the first one, I'm enthralled and I couldn't put it down. The stakes are high and no one is safe. Aaaaahh!!!!!
So glad I have the third already!
So glad I have the third already!
October 10, 2014
Note: Winter Duet is the second book in Echoes, a true series. The story starts in Shadowboxing, and the books are best read in order.
A true five-star read, Winter Duet by Anne Barwell exemplifies the best in historical romance. In addition to creating a love story that is heartwarming and heartrending by turns, the author deftly handles a difficult period in world history, and more specifically one of the most horrific eras in Germany—the reign of Hitler’s Third Reich, and World War II.
Wartime romance is a theme often explored in mainstream literature, and with good reason. People who confront mortality—their own and that of those close to them—live day by day or minute by minute. Emotions run high, as does the need for comfort and the affirmation of life. It’s no secret that war breeds a baby boom, but the need is more than sex drive; sex can only address a part of the desperation of living in a warzone, and people who are thrown together under such circumstances share an experience others can only guess or wonder at. It’s a door opener, allowing romance and love, and even true friendship to enter.
Leave it to Anne Barwell to tackle M/M romance in wartime. In the first novel in her Echoes series, Shadowboxing, main character Dr. Kristopher Lehrer painfully comes to face two important truths: First, he must face the fact that the project he is working on as a nuclear physicist is not going to be put to peaceful use by the Nazi party. And second, the love he has hoped for all his life will never blossom with any woman; he needs a man. He needs the right man. He is aided to escape the Nazi regime by Michel, a member of an international resistance team, and despite their always-imminent danger of discovery or death as the story unfolds, love takes root.
In Winter Duet the second book in the series, the author takes us through the second stage of their escape to safety. Tension runs even higher as the men are separated and find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations. Bombs are dropping, and the populace is in chaos. Injured and dead and orphaned are everywhere, the Reich continues its manhunt for the Doctor, and it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Barwell has woven this novel skillfully, interlacing important secondary characters, and the start-and-stop, agonizingly separate progress of Kristopher and Michel as well as other members of the resistance team. She’s made a tapestry of a bleak winter, bringing vividly to life the fears, hopes, loves, successes, failures, tears, and yes, even occasional laughter of her characters. She doesn’t slow the story for unimportant details, but doesn’t miss any of the important ones. She doesn’t break the suspense with meandering description, but gives us just what we need to “be there,” living the story. The romance is slow but strong, the sex infrequent but blazing hot. :) A detail that I love? Music. Kristopher is a violinist, and that becomes important.
I, like many in my generation, had parents who lived through this time in history. My mother was German, a young woman in the 1940s, and lived with the propaganda, the shortages, displacement, bombings, spiraling chaos, and loss of loved ones. Some writers have gone wrong in my estimation by depicting the German people as of one cloth—black as death. I appreciate that Anne has painted Germany with an honest brush, showing a country ravaged by war, where the leadership may have been demonic in character, but the people were no more or less evil than people in any place or time.
Often, even with a five-star review, I’ll mention something that didn’t quite suit, but I really don’t have anything like that to say about this novel. Barwell's prose style makes it easy to become fully involved in the story, and her characters are well-realized, with fears and flaws like any living person, and for whom life is difficult, but worth the effort. I recommend this book to readers who like to be immersed in another place and time, who enjoy romance that grows organically and becomes beautiful, who enjoy characters who don’t get stuck in any trope, and readers who are looking more for a good read than a light one.
A true five-star read, Winter Duet by Anne Barwell exemplifies the best in historical romance. In addition to creating a love story that is heartwarming and heartrending by turns, the author deftly handles a difficult period in world history, and more specifically one of the most horrific eras in Germany—the reign of Hitler’s Third Reich, and World War II.
Wartime romance is a theme often explored in mainstream literature, and with good reason. People who confront mortality—their own and that of those close to them—live day by day or minute by minute. Emotions run high, as does the need for comfort and the affirmation of life. It’s no secret that war breeds a baby boom, but the need is more than sex drive; sex can only address a part of the desperation of living in a warzone, and people who are thrown together under such circumstances share an experience others can only guess or wonder at. It’s a door opener, allowing romance and love, and even true friendship to enter.
Leave it to Anne Barwell to tackle M/M romance in wartime. In the first novel in her Echoes series, Shadowboxing, main character Dr. Kristopher Lehrer painfully comes to face two important truths: First, he must face the fact that the project he is working on as a nuclear physicist is not going to be put to peaceful use by the Nazi party. And second, the love he has hoped for all his life will never blossom with any woman; he needs a man. He needs the right man. He is aided to escape the Nazi regime by Michel, a member of an international resistance team, and despite their always-imminent danger of discovery or death as the story unfolds, love takes root.
In Winter Duet the second book in the series, the author takes us through the second stage of their escape to safety. Tension runs even higher as the men are separated and find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations. Bombs are dropping, and the populace is in chaos. Injured and dead and orphaned are everywhere, the Reich continues its manhunt for the Doctor, and it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Barwell has woven this novel skillfully, interlacing important secondary characters, and the start-and-stop, agonizingly separate progress of Kristopher and Michel as well as other members of the resistance team. She’s made a tapestry of a bleak winter, bringing vividly to life the fears, hopes, loves, successes, failures, tears, and yes, even occasional laughter of her characters. She doesn’t slow the story for unimportant details, but doesn’t miss any of the important ones. She doesn’t break the suspense with meandering description, but gives us just what we need to “be there,” living the story. The romance is slow but strong, the sex infrequent but blazing hot. :) A detail that I love? Music. Kristopher is a violinist, and that becomes important.
I, like many in my generation, had parents who lived through this time in history. My mother was German, a young woman in the 1940s, and lived with the propaganda, the shortages, displacement, bombings, spiraling chaos, and loss of loved ones. Some writers have gone wrong in my estimation by depicting the German people as of one cloth—black as death. I appreciate that Anne has painted Germany with an honest brush, showing a country ravaged by war, where the leadership may have been demonic in character, but the people were no more or less evil than people in any place or time.
Often, even with a five-star review, I’ll mention something that didn’t quite suit, but I really don’t have anything like that to say about this novel. Barwell's prose style makes it easy to become fully involved in the story, and her characters are well-realized, with fears and flaws like any living person, and for whom life is difficult, but worth the effort. I recommend this book to readers who like to be immersed in another place and time, who enjoy romance that grows organically and becomes beautiful, who enjoy characters who don’t get stuck in any trope, and readers who are looking more for a good read than a light one.
February 18, 2021
The sequel to ‘Shadowboxing’, set in wartime Nazi Germany in 1944, is just as suspenseful, thought-provoking, and often heartbreaking as the first book in the series (which should be read before this volume). It is a tale of love and betrayal, survival and revenge, and contains more than one test of personal loyalty and friendship. Other than the main characters, Kit and Michel, the whole group of secondary characters is back as well. Between the main story and all the various subplots, this novel brings to life a time that I only know from history books, stories told by my parents, and fiction. Somehow Anne Barwell’s world building made it feel as real to me as the present.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 18, 2021
The sequel to ‘Shadowboxing’, set in wartime Nazi Germany in 1944, is just as suspenseful, thought-provoking, and often heartbreaking as the first book in the series (which should be read before this volume). It is a tale of love and betrayal, survival and revenge, and contains more than one test of personal loyalty and friendship. Other than the main characters, Kit and Michel, the whole group of secondary characters is back as well. Between the main story and all the various subplots, this novel brings to life a time that I only know from history books, stories told by my parents, and fiction. Somehow Anne Barwell’s world building made it feel as real to me as the present.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 2, 2017
This is a very enjoyable story, easy to read, paced perfectly for the time it's based on and Anne makes it quite believable. I'll leave it at that. I'd recommend this one to anyone who likes wartime stories based in that era. Great, Entertaining, a Pleasure to Read!
March 31, 2022
Read Books on Order!
Cannot put this series down. This should NOT be read before reading the first book in the series. Captivating series. Well written. I must read the third book now!
Cannot put this series down. This should NOT be read before reading the first book in the series. Captivating series. Well written. I must read the third book now!
February 18, 2021
War torn Germany 1944, Dr. Kristopher Lehrer and Resistance operative, Michel Faber are still trying to escape to Switzerland. They both have to disguise themselves as German soldiers and pretend they are trying to rejoin their unit.
At a safe house, in another part of Germany: Capt. Matt Bryant, Sgt. Ken Lowe and Dr. Zhou Liang are also taking on the appearance of German soldiers. They have made it to one of the various safe houses and still are searching for Kristopher and the secret that he keeps.
As an RAF plane goes down in the Black Forest, Matt, Ken and Zhou head in the direction to search for any survivors. Kristopher and Michel have also seen the plane go down and go in search for survivors. All the brave Resistance operatives have once again put their lives on the line and become separated.
Lovers are lost to each other, never knowing if they will see each other again. They all have the same goals: get to the next safe house, protect each other and hopefully reunite with the ones they love.
Besides the bombing raids, all face the danger and evil of: Herr SS Standartenfuhrer Karl Holm, SS Obersturmfuhrer Reiniger and SS Unterscharfuhrer Muller. They and the German soldiers are also in pursuit of the downed plane and Kristopher Lehrer, Michel Faber and the heroic group of Resistance operatives.
“Winter Duet” is the sequel to “Shadowboxing” the first novel in the “Echoes Rising” series. This revised edition of “Winter Duet” continues the WW II drama loaded with suspense and thrilling action. The tension is overwhelming as this heroic group have to escape, face the danger and suffer grave torture at the hands of the Gestapo. Anne Barwell is outstanding in bringing her characters alive with vivid descriptions of their heartfelt feelings during their most dangerous journey to freedom.
The relationship between Kristopher and Michel grows and blossoms at a time of great devastation. I found Kristophers love and expertise in music such a beautiful idea on how to contact Michel if they ever have a chance to reunite
The author also gives us some secondary characters that come to the aid of the Resistance operatives: Dr. Conrad Osterhagen, Fraulein Isa Beckert and Fritz. The most heroic of all RAF pilot Leonard “Leo” Dawson.
“Winter Duet” was even more exciting to read the second time around. Anne Barwell is such an outstanding and fantastic historical writer. “Comes A Horseman” is book three, coming soon! I highly, highly recommend reading “Shadowboxing” first, as it introduces all of the brave women and men of the Resistance.
At a safe house, in another part of Germany: Capt. Matt Bryant, Sgt. Ken Lowe and Dr. Zhou Liang are also taking on the appearance of German soldiers. They have made it to one of the various safe houses and still are searching for Kristopher and the secret that he keeps.
As an RAF plane goes down in the Black Forest, Matt, Ken and Zhou head in the direction to search for any survivors. Kristopher and Michel have also seen the plane go down and go in search for survivors. All the brave Resistance operatives have once again put their lives on the line and become separated.
Lovers are lost to each other, never knowing if they will see each other again. They all have the same goals: get to the next safe house, protect each other and hopefully reunite with the ones they love.
Besides the bombing raids, all face the danger and evil of: Herr SS Standartenfuhrer Karl Holm, SS Obersturmfuhrer Reiniger and SS Unterscharfuhrer Muller. They and the German soldiers are also in pursuit of the downed plane and Kristopher Lehrer, Michel Faber and the heroic group of Resistance operatives.
“Winter Duet” is the sequel to “Shadowboxing” the first novel in the “Echoes Rising” series. This revised edition of “Winter Duet” continues the WW II drama loaded with suspense and thrilling action. The tension is overwhelming as this heroic group have to escape, face the danger and suffer grave torture at the hands of the Gestapo. Anne Barwell is outstanding in bringing her characters alive with vivid descriptions of their heartfelt feelings during their most dangerous journey to freedom.
The relationship between Kristopher and Michel grows and blossoms at a time of great devastation. I found Kristophers love and expertise in music such a beautiful idea on how to contact Michel if they ever have a chance to reunite
The author also gives us some secondary characters that come to the aid of the Resistance operatives: Dr. Conrad Osterhagen, Fraulein Isa Beckert and Fritz. The most heroic of all RAF pilot Leonard “Leo” Dawson.
“Winter Duet” was even more exciting to read the second time around. Anne Barwell is such an outstanding and fantastic historical writer. “Comes A Horseman” is book three, coming soon! I highly, highly recommend reading “Shadowboxing” first, as it introduces all of the brave women and men of the Resistance.
February 10, 2021
4.5 stars
This book (and the series) remind me of suspense thrillers from the 50s, but with a queer twist. And much like those thrillers, I was sucked in from the beginning.
Michel and Kit are together now, as are Matt and Ken. And then they aren’t. Much like a lot of classic WWII spy stories, love sometimes has to come second so one can do what is right. Here we have the men continuing to try to do the right thing in the midst of chaos - and I will tell you right now, you’ll yell at them sometimes for doing the right thing, even as you admire them for it. And your heart may get a bit bruised when that right choice is obviously a very hard choice to make.
In this installment, the men are continuing on their quest to get Kit and the knowledge he has to the Allies, but find themselves separated, with people teaming up in different ways as they try to avoid the SS trying to get their hands on the same knowledge. Every character became more layered and more backstory is revealed, so believe me, while you may show up for the romance, you’ll stay for everything else.
This whole series is being re-released and while this book can stand on its own, I can’t wait until the third one to finish the over-arching story.
I received an ARC of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book (and the series) remind me of suspense thrillers from the 50s, but with a queer twist. And much like those thrillers, I was sucked in from the beginning.
Michel and Kit are together now, as are Matt and Ken. And then they aren’t. Much like a lot of classic WWII spy stories, love sometimes has to come second so one can do what is right. Here we have the men continuing to try to do the right thing in the midst of chaos - and I will tell you right now, you’ll yell at them sometimes for doing the right thing, even as you admire them for it. And your heart may get a bit bruised when that right choice is obviously a very hard choice to make.
In this installment, the men are continuing on their quest to get Kit and the knowledge he has to the Allies, but find themselves separated, with people teaming up in different ways as they try to avoid the SS trying to get their hands on the same knowledge. Every character became more layered and more backstory is revealed, so believe me, while you may show up for the romance, you’ll stay for everything else.
This whole series is being re-released and while this book can stand on its own, I can’t wait until the third one to finish the over-arching story.
I received an ARC of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 18, 2021
Kristopher and Michel are separated in this book and on the run from the Nazis. The author takes you right into the war with these characters and you feel what it is like to never know who you can trust and to never be able to relax. The characters always have to be looking over their shoulder and can't even openly show their love because of the time and place. I was wrung out emotionally at the end of this book. Can't wait for the next in the series.
January 25, 2017
Still hiding out from the Nazis most dangerous officers, Holmes, Reiniger and Mueller, resistance fighters Dr. Kristopher “Kit” Leher and Mjchel (Gabriel), decide to leave the safety of the convent to flee Germany. After barely escaping their arch enemy, Reiniger, they’ve made their way to a safe house where they see a plane crash in the forest. They make it a point to find the crash site to see if there are any survivors.
Little do they know the allies, Sgt. Ken Lowe, Capt. Matt Bryant and Dr. Zhou Liang, are in the area and Matt had seen the plane crash also. They head to the site to try and find survivors. Ken, Matt and Liang split up when they go to investigate the site, and it becomes a dangerous situation as the Gestapo are also swarming the area.
Kit and Michel find the RAF pilot, Leonard “Leo” Dawson, who has been badly injured in the crash. When Michel hears suspicious noises, he leaves Kit and Leo to investigate. He doesn’t want to take the chance of running into the enemy, and he becomes separated from Kit and Leo.
Matt is now on his own and finds Kit and Leo. Michel runs across Ken. and when they return to where Michel left Kit, they are no longer there. Lovers are lost to each other, never knowing if they will see each other again. Both teams are on the run and have the same goals: get to the safe house, keep each other safe, and reunite with the ones they love. But every move they make is dangerous and could bring them face to face with the gestapo.
Winter Duet is the sequel to Shadowboxing. The Echoes Rising series is a WW II drama loaded with suspense and action. The tension is overwhelming as characters are caught by the Gestapo and suffer grave torture. Ms. Barwell also covers the danger of being gay in the 1940s. These characters have had to keep their relationships hidden, even from those they trust. This series also explores alliance, that no matter your ethnicity, who or what you are, there are people who stand together to fight evil. When I started Winter Duet, I thought this would be the last book, but there’s so much more to this story to be revealed—an in-depth plot, in-depth characterizations, and just a riveting story that’s not over yet. I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
Little do they know the allies, Sgt. Ken Lowe, Capt. Matt Bryant and Dr. Zhou Liang, are in the area and Matt had seen the plane crash also. They head to the site to try and find survivors. Ken, Matt and Liang split up when they go to investigate the site, and it becomes a dangerous situation as the Gestapo are also swarming the area.
Kit and Michel find the RAF pilot, Leonard “Leo” Dawson, who has been badly injured in the crash. When Michel hears suspicious noises, he leaves Kit and Leo to investigate. He doesn’t want to take the chance of running into the enemy, and he becomes separated from Kit and Leo.
Matt is now on his own and finds Kit and Leo. Michel runs across Ken. and when they return to where Michel left Kit, they are no longer there. Lovers are lost to each other, never knowing if they will see each other again. Both teams are on the run and have the same goals: get to the safe house, keep each other safe, and reunite with the ones they love. But every move they make is dangerous and could bring them face to face with the gestapo.
Winter Duet is the sequel to Shadowboxing. The Echoes Rising series is a WW II drama loaded with suspense and action. The tension is overwhelming as characters are caught by the Gestapo and suffer grave torture. Ms. Barwell also covers the danger of being gay in the 1940s. These characters have had to keep their relationships hidden, even from those they trust. This series also explores alliance, that no matter your ethnicity, who or what you are, there are people who stand together to fight evil. When I started Winter Duet, I thought this would be the last book, but there’s so much more to this story to be revealed—an in-depth plot, in-depth characterizations, and just a riveting story that’s not over yet. I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
January 4, 2016
4-1/2 stars
When I finished Shadowboxing and realized that the story was really just beginning, I quickly sought out book 2 and devoured it as fast as I did book 1. In Winter Duet, we learn a few new things about the characters we met in Shadowboxing, realizing that every one has multiple layers to their tale. Kit and Michel once again had me on the edge of my seat. Even though I've been a bit of a history buff from an early age, German terminology wasn't something I was familiar with so some of the German words and phrases had me a bit perplexed but after some quick web searches, it was all straight in my head and once again I was fully enveloped in the boys tale of evading the Gestapo. Now I am eagerly awaiting book 3.
When I finished Shadowboxing and realized that the story was really just beginning, I quickly sought out book 2 and devoured it as fast as I did book 1. In Winter Duet, we learn a few new things about the characters we met in Shadowboxing, realizing that every one has multiple layers to their tale. Kit and Michel once again had me on the edge of my seat. Even though I've been a bit of a history buff from an early age, German terminology wasn't something I was familiar with so some of the German words and phrases had me a bit perplexed but after some quick web searches, it was all straight in my head and once again I was fully enveloped in the boys tale of evading the Gestapo. Now I am eagerly awaiting book 3.
October 5, 2014
It'll break your heart.
Read
September 14, 2015not rating because I DNFd this early. I realized that I couldn't put aside the issues I had with the first book...the overtelling continued.
December 16, 2015
Winter Duet by Anne Barwell: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
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