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Echoes Rising #3

Comes a Horseman

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What if those who stand by you are the ones who betray you?

France, 1944

Sometimes the most desperate struggles take place far from the battlefield, and what happens in secret can change the course of history.

Victory is close at hand, but freedom remains frustratingly just beyond the grasp of German physicist Dr Kristopher Lehrer, Resistance fighter Michel, and the remaining members of the team sent by the Allies—Captain Matt Bryant, Sergeant Ken Lowe, and Dr Zhou Liang—as they fight to keep the atomic plans from the Nazis. The team reaches France and connects with members of Michel’s French Resistance cell in Normandy. Allied troops are poised to liberate France, and rescue is supposedly at hand. However, Kristopher is no longer sure the information he carries in his memory is safe with either side.

When Standartenführer Holm and his men finally catch up with their prey, the team is left with few options. With a traitor in their midst, who can they trust? Kristopher must become something he is not in order to save the man he loves. Death is biding his time, and sacrifices must be made for any of them to have the futures they want.

Author’s note: This is the second edition of Comes a Horseman. The first edition was released by another publishing house. This story has been re-edited, and uses UK spelling to reflect its setting.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2017

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About the author

Anne Barwell

23 books107 followers
Anne 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.

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Dan.
1,757 reviews49 followers
July 30, 2023
I liked it. It was great, and all i expected and hoped. All the way down to the epilogue. Itn a way it was satisfying, and you know (in a way) it's what the characters want, but on the other hand it leaves you hoping they had chosen to go for it. It's like winning the race to get the medal and the winner choosing to not get the award they won. The epilogue is the one thing that left me feeling blah.
Profile Image for James Hill.
722 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2021
Wow! 5/5 stars. This is a long book, but it flows so well and you actually feel like you are part of the story. This book is good!This particulate story revolves around five men: Kit and Michel, Matt and Ken, and Liang. They are trying escape Nazi Germany with Kit because he know the plans for an atomic bomb. Four of the men, Kit and Michel, Matt and Ken are couples. Liang loves the sister of a high ranking Nazi officer. So sometimes the romance in this story is left to reader but the author does a great job of showing the reader what it is like in The 1940’s to love someone different from the norm. To get of of Germany the guys must trust strangers and deal with betrayal. I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Fiona Cruickshanks.
215 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2017
Full review at: https://optimummblog.wordpress.com/20...

So, when I first saw this book and read the blurb I was either not paying proper attention, or perhaps I had gone temporarily blind. For some unknown reason, at no point did I notice that this book was the third and final book of a series (yeah, quite an important part of the details to overlook hehehe). As you can imagine, when I opened the book and saw that it was a sequel I had a little bit of a panic moment. When I started reading, the panic turned to slight terror because I was completely lost and had absolutely no idea what was going on in the story. Now, I take complete responsibility for my stupidity, and although this review is going to be a somewhat unorthodox, I’m just working with what I’ve got.

At this point, I would normally describe the plot/storyline/characters of the book, but unlike me (facepalm), the chances are that if you’re planning on reading this book, then you’ve probably already read the first two and know about all of this stuff already. I mean what can I really tell you that the blurb hasn’t already? Well, after the meltdown had subsided and my heart rate had reduced to normal levels, I managed to grasp the basics of the story and characters and just went with the flow, and I have to be honest and say that what I read in this book was nothing short of magnificent.

I’m a huge WW2 history fan, and I’ll generally take an interest in any books, movies or documentaries on the subject, whether it be fact or fiction. This book was so well written, that even though I had no idea of the backstory, I was totally and utterly engrossed. After a couple of chapters, I actually forgot that I had gone into this blind. The confusion was just gone. The amount of detail in the story was phenomenal, and I really need to commend the author for that. From the places they were staying/hiding, the ranks of the German soldiers, the use of the French and German languages, and how the characters were treated by the soldiers and other civilians, it all had a real authentic feel to it, and apart from a couple of little scenes, I could easily have been reading a memoir by an actual WW2 survivor. The story was so intriguing that I just couldn’t put it down.

Although the relationships between the male characters are discussed quite a lot, this book doesn’t really go into any intimate details, and by that, I mean there are no sex scenes. This is all about the feelings and emotions that they share, and their plans for when the war ends if they survive. I think that this was absolutely right for the story and the time period. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming at all, and they just made me enjoy the book even more than I already was.

Now that I’ve read this, I’m going to make a point of going back to read the first two books because I really want to know so much more about these characters. I want to see how the relationships started and how they got to this point. I loved this book without knowing anything that was happening, so if you have followed this series from the start, then I can guarantee you’ll not be disappointed with how it’s all tied up and finalized. It was truly a joy and pleasure to read this book.

***The ARC was provided by DSP Publications. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
Profile Image for The Novel Approach.
3,094 reviews137 followers
August 2, 2017
Michel Faber, French resistance fighter, and German physicist Dr. Kristopher Lehrer, are coming to the end of the line. They’ve made their way to the German border, and the last step is to cross over to France. Kristopher can’t afford to be caught by the Germans or the allies; the knowledge he holds is a dangerous formula for destruction.

Matt Bryant and Ken Lowe are American soldiers working a joint mission with British Special Ops, and the Executive and American Office of Strategic Services. Matt and Ken grew to be more than friends. Their mission is to get Kristopher safely out of Germany. Another of their small, courageous band is Dr. Liang Zhou. As a civilian, he was asked to join this team in Germany, to confirm that the plan for the weapon was authentic. He also fell in love with Juliane Dunst, who works for the German Resistance and the sister to the cruel Standartenführer Holm. These brave men have each suffered physical and mental torture at the hands of Holm, his second-in-command, Reiniger, and Margarete Huber.

With the aid of resistance fighters from all ethnicities, the group splits up. As Matt’s band comes to a border crossing, they discover that Holmes and Reiniger have been re-assigned to France. Once in France, Michel finds what may be his last chance to go home, no matter what the outcome is. As the group reconnects, they join the resistance and find themselves narrowly missing capture by the Nazis at every turn. As the allied invasion gets closer, freedom becomes a distant dream for Ken and Michel, and Kristopher decides to take a stand for the man he loves. Before they risk their lives, Kristopher makes a plan that will bring them back together in the future—if they survive.

Anne Barwell delivers such an emotional and intense ending to her Echoes Rising series. This WWII historical drama has danger, chaos, betrayal, bigotry, revenge, and suspenseful moments that will keep you on edge. It’s also a tale that offers camaraderie among different allies and the sadness of those who fought and lost their lives. The characters are so filled with hope and love, even at the worst of times, it just overwhelms your heart. With their friendships and heartbreak, their fears and their faults and relationships, these characters continue to grow. It was sad to have the series come to an end. It is so well written and told with so much heart; it grabs you from the very beginning with its in-depth characterizations and their fight to save humanity. I highly recommend reading the entire Echoes Rising series, beginning with Shadowboxing and Winter Duet.

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Profile Image for Les Joseph.
Author 5 books37 followers
August 2, 2017
The setting is France and the year is 1944. World War 2 is underway and victory is close. I have to say that historical fiction is not my usual go to but I couldn't resist giving Anne Barnwell's Comes a Horseman a try ... and boy am I sure glad I did. When I first picked it up, I wasn't aware it was part of the series, Echoes Rising, and while I think I might have lost a little bit by not reading the first two books of the series first, I was able to follow along just fine.

The book opens smack dab in the middle of the action. Dr. Kristopher "Kitt" Lehrer and resistance fighter Michael are headed toward the safety of France, on the run from the Nazis. They along with their rag tag group of other resistance fighters--Matt, Ken, and Liang--are frantically trying to escape. This book reminded me of a movie, with action going on all over the place, and the tension ramped up to a 100 at all times. Kitt is desperate to keep his work on the nuclear project out of the hands of the enemy ... and the other side, too.

I was on the edge of my seat from the very first page, and even though like I mentioned above I was left a bit in the dark and filling in the blanks on some things, I was certainly able to connect to all of the characters just fine. Kitt and Michael's desperate need to be together after the war--assuming they'll make it out alive--even though it's not all that likely it will happen. Matt and Ken's willingness to help. There was tension and heartbreak, and action and even some beautifully tender moments throughout the book. I am definitely going to go back and read the series from start to finish just to experience the epic tale of these men. If historical romance is your thing, I suggest you give this series a try!

*this review will also be posted on www.diversereader.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Elisa Rolle.
Author 107 books238 followers
December 3, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Comes a Horseman (Echoes Rising #3) Anne Barwell
1) I didn't think I was going to like this series because I am not a fan of historical fiction, but it turned out as a page turning marvel.
2) Last year I had the pleasure of reading and judging Winter Duet, Book 2 of the Echos Rising for the Rainbow Awards, and I was left fascinated by the end. Now, what an honor to have the opportunity of reading and judging Book 3, Comes a Horseman. This story was so compelling. It kept me glued to the screen from the beginning with so much excitement going on within its pages. I was at the edge of my seat almost constantly. This is a well written, well articulated, and well constructed story. Now I'm looking forward to reading Book 1, which I wish I had read first instead of last. Ms. Barwell is a magical writer, one to keep an eye on and one to read every book she publishes. Well done, Ms. Barwell! 
Profile Image for George.
637 reviews71 followers
April 29, 2023
2.5 Stars

Really wanted to like Anne Barwell’s ‘Echoes Rising’ trilogy particularly because one of her other novels On Wings of Song is so moving.

Sadly none of the books in this series rises to the quality of writing on display throughout On Wings of Song.

There are lots of ‘good guys’ and lots of ‘evil men’ but it’s simply impossible to connect to any of them. There is far too much back and forth between various groups of characters. As the reader moves through the three volumes in this series, more and more characters are added, the suspense lessens, and even the identity of an unidentified traitor in the midst of the resistance movement quickly becomes apparent.



If Barwell at her best is what you’re looking for, choose to read On Wings of Song.
Profile Image for SandyB.
381 reviews
August 25, 2021
Loved it.

I read the first two books of this trilogy earlier this year and was a bit concerned when I picked up this one, wondering if I’d need to re-read them to get back into the story. Nope - just like the other two, this book immediately drew me into the time period. Within a couple chapters I was fully immersed.

This isn’t fully a romance per se, although many of the decisions made by the two couples are driven by their love. There’s adventure, plot twists, and yeah, sometimes disbelief just needs to be suspended. (The twist of Ken’s background? Worth the suspension by the time you get to this book). And while each book has a self-contained plot as well as the series arc, reading them in sequence really brings home the depth in the relationships and decisions made. Just a wow-level series all around.
Profile Image for Zeoanne.
Author 2 books26 followers
November 4, 2017
Last year I had the pleasure of reading and judging Winter Duet, Book 2 of the Echos Rising for the Rainbow Awards, and I was left fascinated by the end. Now, what an honor to have the opportunity of reading and judging Book 3, Comes a Horseman. This story was so compelling. It kept me glued to the screen from the beginning with so much excitement going on within its pages. I was at the edge of my seat almost constantly. This is a well written, well articulated, and well-constructed story. Now I'm looking forward to reading Book 1, which I wish I had read first instead of last. Ms. Barwell is a magical writer, one to keep an eye on and one to read every book she publishes. Well done, Ms. Barwell!
Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,587 reviews48 followers
August 25, 2021
In some ways, this was the hardest book in the trilogy to read. We've come to know and love these characters but now, everything is coming to a head, traitors are still close at hand, Kit isn't sure if anyone can be trusted with the atomic bomb secret so choices and sacrifices must be made. No spoilers here, you'll want to read the book to see how things turn out. However, Anne Barwell has been as meticulous with the details in this final volume as he was in the previous two. You trust her to take the time to get things right from the everyday to battlefield, to the emotional beats of the characters. This has been an amazing ride and it ends on the high quality note the other volumes led me to expect. I cannot wait to see what Anne Barwell tackles next.
Profile Image for Deanna.
2,754 reviews66 followers
April 10, 2022
A Special Series! Six Stars!

MUST READ IN ORDER!

This is an unusual series. It has depth and suspense mixed with heartache, fear and suspense. I would love to see this as a long-awaited on cable or one of the streaming channels. If I could give more stars I would. Special. The story and characters that comprise these three books stay with me. Read.
505 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2021
Exciting final book in a trilogy which I enjoyed immensely. A twisty plot delivers lots of suspense (and lucky escapes). A satisfying conclusion to this well-written and involving story. I will miss the characters.
Profile Image for Maryann Kafka.
874 reviews29 followers
December 13, 2021
“Comes A Horseman” is the final novel of the “Echoes Rising” trilogy by Anne Barwell. It takes place during WWII as it comes closer to ending in 1944.

Dr. Kristopher Lehrer and Michel Faber have hopes that they will come closer to freedom. But Kristopher has a fear that the knowledge he holds, to the most dangerous formula of destruction, cannot be trusted to the Germans or Allies.

Along in the struggle, Capt. Matt Bryant, Sgt. Ken Lowe and Dr. Zhou Liang, still remain in the plight to protect Kristopher and the plans of destruction.

Even with the aid of the French Resistance there are still no guarantees that freedom is at hand. Herr SS Standartenfuhrer Karl Holm, SS Oberstrumfuher Reiniger and the German soldiers are close on their trail. To complicate their fight to freedom there’s a traitor amongst them.

When the danger has come to close, once again, and the Allied invasion get’s closer, freedom will become a distant dream for some. But one man will take a stand for the
man he loves.

Anne Barwell, takes on the difficult subject of war and brings out the abundance of emotions and intense moments. This historical drama has danger, chaos, betrayal, bigotry, revenge and highly suspenseful moments. Barwell also brings the importance of the love of music and its aspects of the novel. It also tells of those who suffered torture, lost their lives and those who became comrades to continue the fight for freedom and continued survival.

Barwell brings a magnificent group of characters to life: Kristopher Lehrer, Michel Faber, Matt Bryant, Ken Lowe and Zhou Liang, and Trevor Palmer. Especially the brave women of the time: Juliane Dunst, Clara Lehrer, and Elise Schuster. Members of the Resistance and those who lost their lives: Leo Dawson, Ed Walker and Jacques Dubois.

The “Epilogue” is bitter sweet as the heroes and friends will come together in Paris, once again, and some will remain in hiding to protect themselves and others.

I’ve read this series twice now and it always remains one of the most emotional, with fears, romance, friendships at a time of a terrible war. I highly recommend, the “Echoes Rising” series and suggest reading the first two books: “Shadowboxing” and “Winter Duet”. A wonderful and heartfelt series of those who continued to love and fight for freedom.

Profile Image for Heather York.
Author 5 books53 followers
September 22, 2017
It's been over two years since I read the first two books in this trilogy and I debated about giving them a re-read before starting Comes a Horseman but unfortunately time was not on my side so I decided to just jump in feet first. Well, as much as I know I would have enjoyed a re-read, it wasn't needed. Everything just fell right into place as if it was just a couple of months instead of couple years.

Obviously this is a romance with Kit & Michel and Matt & Ken and a tale of war and survival but at the heart of it is friendship. There is an air of uncertainty when it comes to who do they trust but the boys along with Dr. Liang find a way to keep going. It is the friendship that grows between the five men that keeps them alive but will it be enough to help them survive the war? You know what I'm going to say - you'll have to read for yourself to find out that answer.

Comes a Horseman is just an all around great historical romance that had me on my toes from beginning to end even with the two year wait for the conclusion. It may be wartime romance but you'll find intrigue, suspense, and drama as well, a little something for everyone.
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