What do you think?
Rate this book
War Girls #7
Bittere Tränen
Richard Klausen is a fugitive. Both the German and the Russian armies are after him. Hiding out on a farm in Poland, he thought once the war was over, he'd be safe.Wrong. Things only get worse, and staying in Poland becomes life-threatening.Katrina Zdanek could finally live in peace in her home country, if she didn't love the wrong man. A German Wehrmacht deserter. To be with him she has to turn her back on her people and leave her country. Is their love for each other strong enough to survive a trek across half of Europe, with no one to turn to and everyone they meet trying to kill at least one of them?
238 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2021
261 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Marion Kummerow
116 books420 followersMarion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she's now living with her family.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime.
It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime.
It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 23, 2019
Undeniable Love
Richard and Katrina love each other. They together search for a place they belong and can be happy. This takes them many places and puts both their lives in danger many times, but they are always there to help and save each other. Their commitment to each other and determination to stay together against all odds is remarkable. I could almost feel the bike ride, I was sitting here urging them forward...go ..go..go! She helped him when they visited her relatives and he was captured and he helped her when the villagers shaved her head and tried to hang her for collaborating with a German. Their love was unshakable and they were inseparable. I loved the story it was great. If you haven't read this book you need to read it because it is really good.
Richard and Katrina love each other. They together search for a place they belong and can be happy. This takes them many places and puts both their lives in danger many times, but they are always there to help and save each other. Their commitment to each other and determination to stay together against all odds is remarkable. I could almost feel the bike ride, I was sitting here urging them forward...go ..go..go! She helped him when they visited her relatives and he was captured and he helped her when the villagers shaved her head and tried to hang her for collaborating with a German. Their love was unshakable and they were inseparable. I loved the story it was great. If you haven't read this book you need to read it because it is really good.
March 20, 2019
The author of Bitter Tears has clearly demonstrated that internecine conflicts and revenge for past atrocities during WWII and its aftermath, has not diminished man’s inhumanity to man. We find that Richard, a Wehrmacht deserter of conscience and his Polish girlfriend Katrina, are subjected to enormous dangers, attacks, and threats as they make a heart-breaking journey across Poland and Czechoslovakia in an attempt to reach the American controlled part of Germany
The threats and attacks, sometimes with almost fatal consequences for each of the two protagonists, come from all sources. For Katrina, it’s the Poles and Czechs who consider her a collaborator. For Richard, the Poles and Czechs who are actively seeking any German soldiers to exact their revenge upon, as well Russians who would arrest and enslave him in Siberia.
As Katrina and Richard make their way through inhospitable territory their love for one another and tenderness of spirit is a beautiful contrast to the horrors that lay all around them. The author makes these moments shine through in the way Richard yields to the common sense of a woman’s logic when Katrina suggests a method of coping with the different crises they find themselves in. The little teasing and jokes they bring to their relationship even as they suffer immeasurable hardships as they travel onward through the desolate landscape of war-torn Europe provide that glimmer of hope for their eventual salvation.
When they do reach the American sector of Germany after crossing the border, they are independently questioned by military personnel. It is here I believe the author has put forward a very credible dialog of interrogation. It puts Richard in a position of coming to terms with who he is. I won’t say more.
I was privileged to read a pre-publication copy.
The threats and attacks, sometimes with almost fatal consequences for each of the two protagonists, come from all sources. For Katrina, it’s the Poles and Czechs who consider her a collaborator. For Richard, the Poles and Czechs who are actively seeking any German soldiers to exact their revenge upon, as well Russians who would arrest and enslave him in Siberia.
As Katrina and Richard make their way through inhospitable territory their love for one another and tenderness of spirit is a beautiful contrast to the horrors that lay all around them. The author makes these moments shine through in the way Richard yields to the common sense of a woman’s logic when Katrina suggests a method of coping with the different crises they find themselves in. The little teasing and jokes they bring to their relationship even as they suffer immeasurable hardships as they travel onward through the desolate landscape of war-torn Europe provide that glimmer of hope for their eventual salvation.
When they do reach the American sector of Germany after crossing the border, they are independently questioned by military personnel. It is here I believe the author has put forward a very credible dialog of interrogation. It puts Richard in a position of coming to terms with who he is. I won’t say more.
I was privileged to read a pre-publication copy.
March 16, 2019
Bitter Tears is an amazing World War II book . The book describes the millions of people who were in Europe at the end of World War II and are all wanting to return home to their families at the same time. Some of the countries were not overly pleased to have so many people returning as there is little housing and food available. Also, some of the countries have chosen to retaliate against some of their occupiers as they return to the point of cruel violence and even death.
Richard is a German Wehrmacht deserter who has a fake ID. Katrina his girlfriend is Polish and had saved Richard. It is necessary for Richard to stay away from both the Germans and the Russians. They are trying to get home to their families. The story tells of this trek. Will they be able to reach home and their families?
Marion’s books always have well developed characters and thoroughly researched historical era events. While researching, Marion has gone to many of the sites she writes about.
I highly recommend this book. This book is part the Marion’s War Girl Series. There are a few books yet to be written in this interesting series. I always look forward to each book and can hardly wait for the next one to come out.
I have received and read this amazing book for a honest review.
Richard is a German Wehrmacht deserter who has a fake ID. Katrina his girlfriend is Polish and had saved Richard. It is necessary for Richard to stay away from both the Germans and the Russians. They are trying to get home to their families. The story tells of this trek. Will they be able to reach home and their families?
Marion’s books always have well developed characters and thoroughly researched historical era events. While researching, Marion has gone to many of the sites she writes about.
I highly recommend this book. This book is part the Marion’s War Girl Series. There are a few books yet to be written in this interesting series. I always look forward to each book and can hardly wait for the next one to come out.
I have received and read this amazing book for a honest review.
March 26, 2019
This book grabs you from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Marion Kummerow description of war torn Europe. The characters Katrina and Richard are so believable. This book takes place after the war. They endure the hatred still going on during their travels. If you enjoy WWII fiction after the war pick tbis book up. I was so engrossed. I give the book 5 *****.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2021
Another great book in the War Girls series. This one focuses on the girl's brother, a Wehrmacht soldier who chooses not to descend to the level of cruelty that some of his peers exhibit. This leads to his eventual desertion and the development of his relationship with a local girl as they both struggle to survive the trying times they live in.
March 15, 2019
This is such an amazing, emotional and riveting story. It shows just how unbelievable and unbearable some of the situations that people were placed in during the war. Very realistic characters and amazing writing.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 25, 2019
This novel proved to be an eye-opener to me as far as understanding conditions in Europe after the end of the Second World War. I knew the people there dealt with a lot of destruction and hunger. I knew there were those living in eastern countries taken over by the Russians who were forced out because they were Germans. However, I never realized that the conquered German soldiers, instead of being disarmed and allowed to return home, were actually held in prisoner of war camps for an extended time. If captured by the Russians, it probably meant spending the rest of their lives in work camps in Russia. Even if they fled to the American or British sectors where they suspected they would receive better treatment, they knew they were dealing with those nations being bound by treaty to turn those coming from the east over to the Russians.
I thought the author painted a vivid picture of conditions in Germany and Eastern Europe after the war. Her characters effectively portrayed the dilemma of those who would not have chosen to fight in the war, but now the war was over, only wished to be reunited with family and resume their lives. This book was written well. I would recommend it.
I thought the author painted a vivid picture of conditions in Germany and Eastern Europe after the war. Her characters effectively portrayed the dilemma of those who would not have chosen to fight in the war, but now the war was over, only wished to be reunited with family and resume their lives. This book was written well. I would recommend it.
June 10, 2025
What a story! Amazing characters, real situation, historically accurate setting. The frontline is coming closer and closer and there are times of drama, crisis, heroism and bravery before eventually they must leave. Next comes their difficult journey which ultimately takes them through war zones, occupied zones all the way to the gate into Germany from Czechoslovakia before eventually arriving at Aunt Lydia’s farm near Munich. This book has it all! War, travel, sacrifice, intrigue, resilience and love. I’m looking forward to reading more about this family as the story continues.
April 30, 2019
I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting....it was so good. Marion's writing is easy-reading and her plotlines are full of twists and turns that keep the reader intrigued. The characters and their dialogue are so realistic, you feel you know them personally. This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. If you have several hours of 'me' time and want to disappear from your every day life into someone else's, consider reading this book.
August 21, 2020
Great book
She has written another good one. I enjoyed it just as I have enjoyed the other World War II books she has written. I didn’t realize how hard it would be for a deserting German soldier and his Polish girlfriend traveling thru the war torn countryside trying to get to his family in Berlin. 💕💕
She has written another good one. I enjoyed it just as I have enjoyed the other World War II books she has written. I didn’t realize how hard it would be for a deserting German soldier and his Polish girlfriend traveling thru the war torn countryside trying to get to his family in Berlin. 💕💕
November 29, 2024
WW2 Ends Where do the Refugees go?
In all my history books it never described what happened to all the people after the war ended. This story described in detail how one hell ended and another began. Those who were ordinary people just surviving during the war and being forced to leave their homes as the Russians took over. This is their journey.
In all my history books it never described what happened to all the people after the war ended. This story described in detail how one hell ended and another began. Those who were ordinary people just surviving during the war and being forced to leave their homes as the Russians took over. This is their journey.
January 30, 2025
I was eager to read this book as it followed up on Richard Klausen and Katarina as they fled Lodz as WW2 was coming to a close. I’d not read books about this time period and it was shocking to hear some of the things that these characters encountered. I never realized that 50 million people were displaced at this time.
September 29, 2025
Marion Kummerow writes the best historical fiction based on true stories, and this does not disappoint!! This is part of The War Girls series. This is Richard's story, but we learn more about others in his family. Love the plot, great settings, and strong intense interesting characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
March 29, 2019
Amazing Story. Great believable characters. Realistic.
I definitely would recommend this book. The Author did her research well. Definitely a 5 star story. I love every book she writes
I definitely would recommend this book. The Author did her research well. Definitely a 5 star story. I love every book she writes
April 2, 2019
Being a refuge is not for the faint of heart
I liked the realistic portrayal of how hard it was to survive after the war ended. The cost of staying together as a couple was a risk they took every day.
I liked the realistic portrayal of how hard it was to survive after the war ended. The cost of staying together as a couple was a risk they took every day.
May 3, 2020
Bitter Tears Review
I liked that the ending was happy; so many really were not. It’s so discouraging to know that people really did suffer and endure such atrocities throughout the war.
I liked that the ending was happy; so many really were not. It’s so discouraging to know that people really did suffer and endure such atrocities throughout the war.
February 7, 2022
An untold story
This is an untold story that needed to be told. I never thought about the movement of masses after the war. Well done!
This is an untold story that needed to be told. I never thought about the movement of masses after the war. Well done!
April 1, 2022
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE WAR GIRL SERIES BY MARION KUMMEROW,I INVITE YOU TO START WITH BOOK 1.YOU WILL LOVE IT!!
June 4, 2025
The harrowing escape from Poland to the American side as WWII is finally over. But Richard and Katrina face so many obstacles along the way. Keeps the reader riveted.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews