From the Ashes of War

The War Trilogy #3

by Diane Moody

In the third book in Diane Moody's bestselling WWII trilogy, Dutch war bride Anya Versteeg McClain is struggling to adapt to her new life in America. Her husband Danny, a former B-17 pilot, is troubled by her rollercoaster moods, but vows to do whatever he can to make her happy. Little did he know that would mean letting her go again. When an unexpected telegram requires her return to Holland, she leaves with a conflicted heart. Danny can only hope and pray she'll come back to him. There in her homeland, Anya makes an astounding discovery that alters the course of her life.

From the Ashes of War concludes the compelling story of a family's journey from the heartache of war to the promise of hope and healing.

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

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2018

About the author

Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Diane Hale Moody is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. She lives with her husband Ken in the rolling hills just outside of Nashville. They are the proud parents of two grown and extraordinary children, Hannah and Ben.

Just after moving to Tennessee in 1999, Diane felt the tug of a long-neglected passion to write again. Since then, she's written a column for her local newspaper, feature articles for various magazines and curriculum, and several novels with a dozen more stories eagerly vying for her attention.

When she's not reading or writing, Diane enjoys an eclectic taste in music and movies, great coffee, the company of good friends, and the adoration of a peculiar little pooch named Darby.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Ashes of War: The War Trilogy Book 3 is by Diane Moody. I hated for this book to end as it is the final book of the series. This series was absolutely wonderful. How does one handle the horrors of being in a country under the control of the Nazis? How do you handle the memories when that time has passed? No one around you can even come close to understanding how you feel. No one else was there through it all. No one wants to listen to what you have to tell even if you can tell it. How can you accept life among people who have no idea what being hungry means?
Anya McClain was having difficulty adapting to life in Chicago after finally having arrived from England. She hadn’t been in England very long as she had been brought from The Netherlands to England by Danny McClain, her husband now. There was nothing left for her in The Netherlands. Her brother died in an ice-skating accident when he was a young boy, her Mother died on the way to a camp, and her Father was killed for helping another man stand up during roll call. She had joined the Resistance and all her friends there were killed, the Boormans who had a farm outside of town where she helped with the animals were all killed, and her best friend and her entire family were killed as well. All she had left was Danny and now she was married to him and living in Chicago.
Danny had finally fulfilled his promise to her and he, Joey, Millie, and Anya were at a Cubs game having hot dogs and all kinds of junk food. Anya still didn’t understand what the big deal was; but she wanted to find out. It was to turn out to be a flop as the Cubs lost. Worse than that, Frank McClain, Danny’s dad had died while they were at the game. Now the entire family had to deal with the loss of Frank. Despite his mean and blustery demeanor, he was changing and becoming a better man. Now he was gone.
As the family deals with their loss, Anya has to deal with her life. She goes to work to feel needed but something is still missing. Then she receives a telegram from Helga, a family friend in the Netherlands. Helga has seen a man she is convinced is Anya’s Father. He is alive. Anya goes back to the Netherlands to confirm the sighting while Danny has to stay home for classes. Will Anya come back home once she gets back to the Netherlands? Is this man her Father?
The excitement just continues to build in this book. You have to read it to believe it. I am just sorry the series ends here.

[Larry Bassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had to be the most saccharin of the three book series. Everything turns out swell without a cloud in the sky. All the important characters finally believe in God, and even the father of Anja has risen from the dead! And he brought with him a boy who should be severely traumatized, who makes a notable comeback

The author specializes in creating unfounded fears. there are events regularly which would seemingly have bad outcomes that turn out to be not so bad after all. Potential disasters turn into family hug feasts. The only dependably bad people are the Nazis and the Pacifists. Given an opportunity even the Black people and the white people become firm friends.

This book has all the trappings of the 1950s TV shows like leave it to Beaver and father knows best and all the syrupy shows of that era. But like those TV shows that we learned to love, I have to say that this book left me with a certain amount of pleasantness that was quite nice.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Author! This is part of her WWII series. It's such an amazing story. I hope the is another book in this series as I feel like I don't want to let these characters go. I was in tears over parts of this story that really shows how deeply affected those who were imprisoned in concentration camps. It breaks your heart to see these affects. From very young to old. Diane Moody, is telling the story of the lives of many who were affected by WWII in various ways. This makes it so real, as you see how those at home were affected, by those fighting the war were affected and how those who were imprisoned were affected. She also shows us how those who fought in the resistance put their lives on the line to help all those whom needed it, from downed pilots to children of the less desirable. An excellent recounting of those very turbulent days!! Great job Diane Moody!

[Jan Chiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the trilogy

Wasn't a lot of substance to this one. Very anti-climactic. If you want sweet and God-driven conversations, this is for you. 16+

[Fergie · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars ** The last of Diane Moody's WWII trilogy, FROM THE ASHES OF WAR concludes the story of Anya & Danny. It only took me three days to complete the novel. I was drawn to Anya & Danny as characters. Diane Moody has a penchant for writing likable characters. Her three novels of the series ooze with heartfelt storytelling.

I highly recommend the three books of the series. If you like a good historical love story, then this series is for you. I've always been especially drawn to the WWII period, so it was even more special to read the three novels. Wonderfully written and heartwarming in its telling and conclusion.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire trilogy within a month! I love a good WWII story and Diane Moody did not disappoint! I fell in love with Danny McClain and Anya Versteeg from the very beginning. I think she did an amazing job at creating what life was truly like for an All-American Boy growing up in America at that time, and what life was like for an innocent girl growing up in a war torn county such as Holland. I would recommend this trilogy to anyone who lives World War II fiction and romance. I didn’t want their story to end!

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming conclusion to the War Trilogy
Looking forward to reading more books by this author

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting conclusion

Full of redemption and joy, this book provides a realistic and satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy. It's another must read.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anya and Danny are now married and living in Chicago. Anya is trying to adapt to life in America when she gets the shocking news that her father is still alive. She hurries back to the Netherlands to claim him but he is not the same man that he used to be. Also a young boy, Yacob, is very attached to him and refuses to leave his side. As a result there is a challenging addition to the family. The different members of the family have plenty of war wounds to work through but with time, God grants them all healing.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final book in the trilogy serves as the summing up of the marriage of Danny and Anya, which begins in England with a small wedding, and sweeps into the US with miracle of the war brides shipping. Anya's miraculous finding of her father who had been presumed dead for the entire are war, is one of the great challenges of the third book, but again, it is the love and belief in God by the people in the book, particularly Danny and his mother, that makes the difficult rebuilding of Anya's father's mind and voice, a possibility. If you believe in God, particularly in the Christian God, and you are interested in the Second World War, this trilogy will make you realize the value of your faith and the strength of grace and salvation. Given that I've been reading C. S. Lewis lately, these dark days seem days in which the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness knows it not. These novels will never be great literature. The plot is simple, the characters are, for overwhelming amount, wonderfully sweet and kind, and the terrible events that roiled the world in those terrible twenty years become as moments of shadows going across our eyes, not darkness that consumes us.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

“..Ashes..” is the conclusion to the WWII trilogy by Diane Moody. In #3 we found out some difficult answers to the unanswered challenges and demons that Anya faced during the war. Anya likes her situation with Danny and his family as she acclimates to a new life in America, but it is not an easy journey. Learning to share with Danny is a giant hurdle that both must get over. Anya has a shock when she receives news from home, and that adds a whole new trial to her life. The picture on the cover has new meaning beyond just a random pretty picture.

This trilogy must be read in order. If #1 “Windmills…” imbeds you into Danny and Anya’s life then by all means go on to the next, and finally the conclusion. I enjoyed them all. With each novel, even historical fiction, I learn a little bit more about that window of time. I remain ever grateful of the quiet heroes, heroines and events that have blessed us with the freedom we enjoy because of their actions and sacrifices.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danny has finally settled with his Dutch wife in Chicago, but she is plagued with doubts and memories of the war. When a telegram from her homeland sends her back across the Atlantic, neither she nor Danny can be certain she will come back to Chicago at all.
This book concludes a truly epic tale of family. Family isn't just what we're given at birth, the people related to us by blood, marriage, or other legal arrangements. Friends are family, too. As the saying goes, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." Put another way, "Friends are God's apology for one's family." All pithy humor aside, God gives us friends so we can have a more nuanced perspective on our family.
This series is full of exciting scenes, memorable characters, tears, laughter, and much more. I enjoyed spending time in the author's company and created world.

[Dawn Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slightly better than book #2 in this trilogy; but only slightly. I felt a little bit more connected with Anya, but still struggled with her chapters. I felt the author was trying to hard with her and fell short. The book relied heavily upon answered prayers; not that I don't believe, but the central focus of this book was "pray and you will be rewarded." Life is magical & we are blessed, but this book was bit too much for me. As for the entire trilogy, the series felt more based upon Danny and his life experiences than Danny & Anya's life together. Book 2 & 3 could have easily been combined by eliminating a lot of the fluff that was in both of these books.
I will give the author leway, as she is taking experiences as told from WWII vets (her father) and had to imagine & fill in details of the War Brides.

[Ron Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival From WWII

Throughly enjoyed this trilogy. So much about survival from before the war to after. Leaned so much about how the neutral country Netherlands was taken over by the Nazi’s. For being a neutral county they fought back the best they could!! This was well written with the story lines covering the 3 countries. So interesting how the lives intertwined with different nationalities!! How so many of the scars were not at all visible!! As time passes they are able to heal and move on with their lives but never forgetting the survival!! Learned so much more about the pilots in England and later the War Bride Ships. This was an added bonus for me being a huge CUBS fan!!

[Debra Blackmore]

Read all three of the books. The story line did bring one to what the war did to Americans and Europeans. I even looked up “tulip soup”. It does have nutritional value, but not apparently very appetizing. Following the time line from prewar to postwar with the same characters living their experiences prior to after and what adjustments were required to make a good life. I am not sure you could say “normal life”, since life experiences will skew what would be normal. Just remember my parents sharing their experiences and stories about the war. I still have difficulty conceptualizing the the attempted extinguishing of the Jewish people basically over the envy of their living style and so called wealth. I see this becoming a reality again. Look around!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in The War Trilogy series of books by Diane Moody. The story of Danny and Anya concludes their story as the healing of all involved beginning. Finally arriving in American, Anya struggles to adapt to this new life, new place, new jargon, new way of doing things. She struggles with depression, which is understandable after what she has been through, and Danny does what he can to help her.

When an unexpected telegram requires her return to Holland, she leaves with a conflicted heart. Danny can only hope and pray she'll come back to him. There in her homeland, Anya makes an astounding discovery that alters the course of her life. And Danny's.

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series! The author’s extensive research made it all so fascinating and interesting! There is a little error in the third book where the McClain theater was showing Anna and the King of Siam with, as was written in the story, Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. In actuality, the actors were Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison. Anna and the King of Siam was released in 1946, which is the time frame of the book. Ten years later, in 1956, The King and I, with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, was released. I’m sure I’m not the only one to notice the error.
I must say that I felt the emotions of each character in these three books. Even the more minor characters. Well written series!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough finale to this series taking place during and after WWII. In this one, Danny and his Dutch war-bride, Anya, are trying to settle into married life in Chicago living with his parents. Anya was especially irritating in this book or I would have rated in higher. Yes, she suffered horrible losses and experiences in the war and this continues to affect her. But, she just seems somewhat selfish and unwilling to move on. She repents of her behavior and says she wants to change but it does not happen. Something very unexpected happens in this book making it much more interesting and heart-warming. No sex or profanity.

[sharon mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

And so the World War 11 trilogy ends, not quite with a bang but not a whimper either.

This third book of the trilogy is more a matter of tying up loose ends in the lives of the characters. Diane Moody writes a good story always. The first in this trilogy is more than excellent and the second, still deserving of those five stars. The third is full of blessings and babies. Sort of an all's well that ends well. But it does round out the storyline if a bit on the sweet side, thus only three stars.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Book 3 in a trilogy. Must read books 1 and 2 to appreciate this.)

It was fun to re-enter the lives of Danny and Anya. The challenges faced by WWII veterans on return to the US, and the even greater challenges for war brides from Europe isn't all that common a theme in historical fiction. I liked how Diane Moody tackled those themes.

This story focuses on healing in relationships and the rebirth of hope. A nice end to the trilogy.

[sue stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all three books.....loved them all. Had several tears reading the last "Ashes of War"!! Enjoyed the fact that the family believed in the power of prayer..A appreciated bringing Jacob's role into the life of "Papa" during the time they were under the control o

of the Nazi officer. Great research... Will be anxious to read more by author, Diane Moody. I always enjoy reading about WW2, even though I was only 4 plus years old!

[Laurel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessings throughout this trilogy

I gave the trilogy 5 stars because it was a virtual tapestry of blessings showing the fingerprints of God in the intersecting lives and experiences of each character. At first I disliked Gigi, but eventually saw her as a lovely and lively soul. I also loved Huub and his special relationship with Jacob. The dual birthday of Huub and Jacob was one of my favorite parts!

[Ramond Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Trilogy

Not often I write a review, but this trilogy deserves something special! From the beginning of the first book the reader is gripped by the characters. The author paints beautiful, poignant picture of life before, during, and after WWII. The main characters are very human. The interwoven belief/faith in God is moving and rare in today’s literature. So wish the story would continue! Strongly recommend.

[Susan Skarness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trilogy Outstanding

I so thoroughly enjoyed this Trilogy that I read each book one right after the other without stopping to write a review. There were some many aspects of the series that kept me enthralled! Well worth the time to read all three. Unbelievably outstanding. Intricate aspects that you remember after reading. You learn so much more about the atrocities of WW2 and Hitler and his regime.

[Ron Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

WW II made real

This three book series made for fun, easy reading. Diane Moody brought this aspect of WW II to life. Unlike so many newer books that seem to follow a writing formula, the author writes in a manner which allows for relaxed, effortless reading. That style of writing allows the characters to come to life in a way that enables the reader to experience the characters as real people. I highly recommend the books!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third novel in the trilogy, I liked getting the characters stories resolved. As with all three novels, parts of the story seem too incredible...in this one when her father who has remained mute for a long time, suddenly starts to talk after being "reawakened" by July 4th fireworks. And he recovers so well that he gets a job with her minister. Amazing. A little too amazing. But, all in all, I liked her poetic way of writing and all the various characters who populated these novels.

[anthony ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One the best

I read all three books in this trilogy.
One of the most touching stories of the war and post war years, I simply couldn't put it down. Diane Moody has done a superb job of bringing the characters into life and evoke so much emotion. If you're interested in ww2 stories and the trials and tribulations of those families and individuals who lived through it then these three books will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Lori Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! What a great trilogy!!

An absolutely amazing series. Diane Moody should be at the top of the awards list for this story. Read all three books in less than three days. Could not put it down. It brings out virtually every emotion one can imagine. Follow up series for the "kids" reaching their twenties?? Excellent writing, amazing characters, wonderful family feeling, tons of emotion, and hats off to a job very well done. Thank you.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much like the first book of this trilogy. The second book seemed like a quickly produced follow up. This book, number three in the series, had more meat to it but did not come up to the quality of the first book. I am not anti-Christian and Sometimes read the genre by choice. Faith is a major theme throughout this book and nicely portrays numerous characters. However, towards the end it became downright preachy that was not necessary to make the point and weakened the story.

[Susan E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows residual effects from going through a war. Like an ash pit, you can’t avoid getting through without some sort stains, on you. Some effects are obvious and quick, some you may not notice because they are deep and don’t come out until later. This book teaches us, that we do need each other and we need to open up to someone trustworthy and safe to help you face your demons and how we all can find happiness.