Two lovers, separated by politics. How far is one woman willing to go to save the only love she’s ever known?
Bruni, a singer and entertainer in Berlin after World War 2 thought she had it all: a career, raving fans, good friends, and an American soldier she loves.
But good things aren’t always meant to last.
When her fiancé is injured in a hit-and-run accident and flown out to Wiesbaden, Bruni knows that she must do everything in her power to find him. If he leaves Germany before they are married, she might never see him again.
But this is post-war Berlin, and the Soviets have throttled all traffic between the city and West Germany by land and by water. Her only way out is to find a truck driver willing to smuggle her across the Soviet occupied zone.
Enter Otto, a good-hearted small-time criminal. In a bid to do his part against the Soviets, he smuggles food and goods across the border while making a simple living doing it. So when a Bruni offers him to a generous sum to give her a lift across, he doesn’t think twice.
However, Bruni is not the only forbidden cargo on board. When Otto discovers that his truck has been planted with stolen antiques, he knows that this journey will be no simple feat. Especially when he has the Soviet army on his tail.
Can these two unlikely allies find a way to escape the death sentence that follows them? Will Bruni be reunited with her only true love?
Marion 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.
I loved this book, I just couldn't put it down, so much so I never moved out of the chair untill I had read it cover to cover. I'm gutted that it's the last in the series, well done Marion you've managed another hit. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this series, you're a genius
Bruni, who had never allowed herself to fall in love but had taken advantage of her beauty and singing talent to become the toast of Berlin’s Soviet-occupied zone, had found herself intensely attracted to Victor, a sergeant in the US Air Force.
Typically, any American who frequented the nightclub where she was the local star attraction, would have to be of higher officer ranking to be of any interest to her. He would have to be capable of providing her with all the higher-level living which ordinary Berliners could never have, or aspire to.
But then, along came Victor, and her hidden emotions and longing for real love overrode her mercenary instincts, and it was love that won the day. That is, until a mysterious accident took Victor away from her and transferred him to Western Germany. Unknown to her, the accident was looked at as a deliberate act of attempted murder by the Soviets. Because Bruni had been with Victor the night of the “accident”, the Americans were not telling Bruni which hospital in West Germany where Victor was being treated.
Bruni with her usual guile and quick intelligence found out of course. She then made a life-changing decision to escape from East Berlin in an attempt to find Victor, and join him. She bribed a smuggling ring to allow her ride along with the driver of a truck, Otto, carrying contraband.
Bruni began the long and arduous journey in which she and Otto but are captured by the Soviets. The story continues with the horrors and difficulties of Bruni and Otto’s predicaments, while Victor lies in the hospital believing through news brought to him, that Bruni has run off with a smuggler. Victor dejectedly agrees to be transferred back to the States.
This is not the end of the story, and I will not project the ending for you here, but suffice to say, there are life’s lessons to be learnt by this author’s clever prose and narrative in the ending chapters. Another five-star gem from Marion Kummerow! David E. Huntley August 8, 2021
Really enjoyed reading this book. Took me back to hearing stories as a child from mothers' friend who came from Berlin and married a British serviceman, never to see her family again as they were in East Berlin and from another friend who had twin girls by a GI. who was swiftly sent home and she had no help from the Americans when trying to trace him..Will recommend this book to my sisters.
If you haven’t read any of Marion’s books I strongly recommend that you do. Most are connected in some was but all could be read as a stand alone. The stories are a combination of fact and fiction. She brings her characters alive and you can relate to all of them in some form or other. I have read all her books and am always waiting for the next. So write faster Marion LOL.
I've been reading Marion Kummerow books for some time and this one did not disappoint. Well researched and exciting tale with enough romance for the romance readers and action for the action readers. It has been great fun following the lives and stories of the ladies who lived through the one of the most difficult years in our world history
I couldn’t wait to read the story of Bruni and Victor, and when I finally got to read it, I couldn’t put it down until I had read the very last word. I have loved every book in this series, and this one was certainly no exception.
I enjoyed this conclusion of Bruni's story. Great characters and quite the exciting plot. I enjoyed learning about conditions in post-World War Two Germany, especially how it affected the German citizens. Great Story.
The saga of Brunni and Victor. It was a quick easy read. A good finish to the series. Some parts were much too detailed. The ending is expected but unrealistic. .
Marion Kummerow is fabulous at spinning a story that draws you in and keeps your attention. The post WWII time period is not talked about often and it’s interesting to hear.
No one writes a story like Marion, her well researched plan is in every story. The character of Bunni is super she is a lady who always ends on her feet no matter what. This whole series is suberb and well worth the read.