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Crossing Lines
Moments before their B-17 bomber crashes in German-occupied Austria, two of the three remaining crewmen manage to parachute out of the aircraft. Captain Charlie Banks and Corporal Samuel Aldridge find shelter in a barn, where they are discovered by a beautiful young Austrian woman. Despite the danger to herself and her family, Marianne Leichtner decides to help the two Americans. Her courage and character soon win Charlie's heart.
When the Nazis come to investigate the plane crash, Charlie and Sam must escape through enemy territory. Just steps from freedom, they are captured by Italian fascists. Survival takes on a new meaning for the airmen, and Charlie begins to question everything, including his faith. Only the hope of seeing Marianne again keeps him going over the long months in prison. But if he survives, will she still care for him? And will Charlie learn to trust in the Lord's promises?
When the Nazis come to investigate the plane crash, Charlie and Sam must escape through enemy territory. Just steps from freedom, they are captured by Italian fascists. Survival takes on a new meaning for the airmen, and Charlie begins to question everything, including his faith. Only the hope of seeing Marianne again keeps him going over the long months in prison. But if he survives, will she still care for him? And will Charlie learn to trust in the Lord's promises?
220 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2016
5 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Mason
17 books39 followersMelanie is an author, designer, photographer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in writing.
She loves to read books in all genres but her passion is fantasy and science fiction where she can read for hours (and days) on end.
She loves to belt Broadway songs in her living room and car when no one is listening. Someday she hopes to be on a flight where someone is reading her book.
She loves to read books in all genres but her passion is fantasy and science fiction where she can read for hours (and days) on end.
She loves to belt Broadway songs in her living room and car when no one is listening. Someday she hopes to be on a flight where someone is reading her book.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2020
Intense book set during WWII. I'm not even sure how so much action, emotion, and romance (just a little) can for into this book that's just over 200 pages, but Melanie Mason found a way!
This book begins with an American plane in the middle of a firefight they are losing and the pilot Charlie wanting to save his twin brother who is stuck in the back of the plane. The plane is going down and his brother makes him bail out so one of them can live, but they are still in Germany and Charlie and Sam (who also urged him to safety) have to move quickly to avoid being killed on the ground. They are close to the Austrian border, but don't know who to trust. The blurb on the back gives away more of the story, but I hate that, so I'll just tell you that it's set in WWII and there are some very evil soldiers and some who are heroes in disguise and a lot of miracles.
This book begins with an American plane in the middle of a firefight they are losing and the pilot Charlie wanting to save his twin brother who is stuck in the back of the plane. The plane is going down and his brother makes him bail out so one of them can live, but they are still in Germany and Charlie and Sam (who also urged him to safety) have to move quickly to avoid being killed on the ground. They are close to the Austrian border, but don't know who to trust. The blurb on the back gives away more of the story, but I hate that, so I'll just tell you that it's set in WWII and there are some very evil soldiers and some who are heroes in disguise and a lot of miracles.
October 26, 2016
This was a fast-paced and exciting book, beginning to end. It started with a B-17 plane crash after a bombing run and continued through the surviving crew trying to avoid capture by the Nazis only to be captured by the Italians in northern Italy. The author did not hold back telling of details of the suffering and torture to which Captain Charlie Banks and his radio man, Sam Aldridge were subjected to during their captivity. Although there were some dicey scenes, it was written without the profane and vulgar language often found in war stories.
This is a Christian story, although the specific church to which Charlie, his brother Peter, and Sam belong is not spelled out. Yet, like many returned prisoners of war have expressed, it is their faith that keeps them going and helps them to not lose hope. It is their faith as they pay attention and follow promptings that help them preserve their lives and stay confident they will survive and return home.
Marianne was an interesting character, a courageous young woman although she battled post traumatic stress disorder because of earlier experiences in the war. Her romance with Charlie the short time they were together as she helped him right after the crash added a sweet romance element to the story.
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed the action, the romance and the historical detail. I also enjoyed the manner in which faith and hope in God was woven into the story without being preachy. I recommend it to those who enjoy reading suspenseful, action-packed WWII romance.
I received an ARC and voluntarily chose to review this book.
This is a Christian story, although the specific church to which Charlie, his brother Peter, and Sam belong is not spelled out. Yet, like many returned prisoners of war have expressed, it is their faith that keeps them going and helps them to not lose hope. It is their faith as they pay attention and follow promptings that help them preserve their lives and stay confident they will survive and return home.
Marianne was an interesting character, a courageous young woman although she battled post traumatic stress disorder because of earlier experiences in the war. Her romance with Charlie the short time they were together as she helped him right after the crash added a sweet romance element to the story.
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed the action, the romance and the historical detail. I also enjoyed the manner in which faith and hope in God was woven into the story without being preachy. I recommend it to those who enjoy reading suspenseful, action-packed WWII romance.
I received an ARC and voluntarily chose to review this book.
October 27, 2016
Crossing Lines is a sweet romance between an airman whose plane goes down in enemy territory during WWII and a young Austrian girl who helps him escape the Nazis. Mason does a good job of hooking the reader in the first few pages. The action moves along smoothly until the captain and one of his wounded men are discovered hiding out in a barn by the lovely Marianne. I enjoyed the romance that developed, but it was a bit difficult reading it from Charlie's perspective since a lot of his time was spent hiding out. I would be interested to read the companion book, The Line that Divides, to find out Marianne's side of the story.
The story had some fun, unexpected twists, especially at the end. I also enjoyed the religious element. It was well done.
The story had some fun, unexpected twists, especially at the end. I also enjoyed the religious element. It was well done.
December 12, 2016
What a FANTASTIC story! We know that the war battlefield is hard, but what happens when your plane crashes and your brother dies and your friend is hurt so badly that you have to find shelter instead of getting to safety? And what about the people who help them, putting their own lives in danger? And what happens if the American Captain falls in love with the Austrian girl and in his attempt to escape he lands in jail with terrible interrogations and the threat of being sent to a POW camp??? So many fascinating details of this story! Couldn't put it down! Captured by every moment and wanting more! Follow Charlie and Sam's journey to get back home in this phenomenal, must-read story!!!
March 19, 2020
Loved this book! It was really the grand finale for me after reading the first book, "The Line that Divides". This book was so deep and I loved every moment of it.
October 26, 2016
Oh, wow! I can't describe how much I loved this book. It almost makes me sad that I didn't read the first book, but I know I have to now!
The whole time I was reading it, I kept wondering if it was a true story. I simply love family history and life stories. This just had a feel of being a life story being told in a historical fiction style.
I have several family members who have served or are serving in the armed forces. Growing up, I wanted to hear their stories but they either couldn't tell me due to classified information or they didn't want to tell me because the horrors of war were too real to them still. After reading this, I wished I could have heard their stories and been able to write books like this to share their stories with family.
This is definitely a romance, but I really wanted to learn more about his experiences during war time. I liked the fact that I wasn't fully obsessed with the relationship aspect, but gave me the desire to read everything that was being presented.
The first thing to really grab my attention was the religious undertone. My religion really is established in a way that universally we feel like family when we find that common bond. To recognize my religion within this book just brought me joy.
I simply loved the discussion questions at the end of the book. Although it seemed to be a romance novel, these questions really emphasized on the spiritual aspect of the book. It just added to the well-rounded feel to the novel. It had romance, spirituality, war-time events, etc. Amazing job!
I definitely will recommend it to everyone and even recommend this book to people wanting to write life stories in a unique way.
The whole time I was reading it, I kept wondering if it was a true story. I simply love family history and life stories. This just had a feel of being a life story being told in a historical fiction style.
I have several family members who have served or are serving in the armed forces. Growing up, I wanted to hear their stories but they either couldn't tell me due to classified information or they didn't want to tell me because the horrors of war were too real to them still. After reading this, I wished I could have heard their stories and been able to write books like this to share their stories with family.
This is definitely a romance, but I really wanted to learn more about his experiences during war time. I liked the fact that I wasn't fully obsessed with the relationship aspect, but gave me the desire to read everything that was being presented.
The first thing to really grab my attention was the religious undertone. My religion really is established in a way that universally we feel like family when we find that common bond. To recognize my religion within this book just brought me joy.
I simply loved the discussion questions at the end of the book. Although it seemed to be a romance novel, these questions really emphasized on the spiritual aspect of the book. It just added to the well-rounded feel to the novel. It had romance, spirituality, war-time events, etc. Amazing job!
I definitely will recommend it to everyone and even recommend this book to people wanting to write life stories in a unique way.
November 15, 2016
So..... I hate being brutally honest because the author is a friend and I am so happy for her to have 3(!) books published now and I very much enjoyed her other two, and overall I enjoyed this one, BUT... the love sickness in the first 1/3 of the book kinda makes me want to vomit (ok, not really. I hate vomiting. It's not THAT bad). Charlie is not a twelve year old girl. He's a grown man who just crashed and could have died, is grieving for his (twin!) brother and friends, and fearing for his life, so I feel like those things would take precedence to "holy cow, I love this girl!" [side note: I similarly criticized the book "arena one"- they're in mortal peril and the main character is fawning over a cute boy. Maybe the theme of love amidst danger just irritates me?] It really distracted from the story to have constant worry about whether marianne is interested in him and how he wants to be close to her. Gag me.
Other than that, it's a great story. I loved knowing Charlie's story. It kept my interest- especially once he was away from marianne- at that point I couldn't put it down! If goodreads had half stars, it would get 3.5. The annoying love sickness prevents me from going to a 4 (which is a very good rating from me :) ).
Other than that, it's a great story. I loved knowing Charlie's story. It kept my interest- especially once he was away from marianne- at that point I couldn't put it down! If goodreads had half stars, it would get 3.5. The annoying love sickness prevents me from going to a 4 (which is a very good rating from me :) ).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews