From the Back Cover:
With her father in a German POW camp and her home in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, under Nazi occupation, Rosalie Barrieau will do anything to keep her younger brother safe...even from his desire to join the French resistance. Then she falls into the debt of a German soldier--one who delivers a wounded British pilot to her door. Though not sure what to make of her German ally, Rosalie is thrust deep into the heart of the local underground.
Franz Kafka has survived the war by following orders, but a brush with death and a transfer to Normandy, France, has him questioning the cost of his course. Even as he finds himself receiving a promotion and instructions to seek out the Resistance, his compassion for the French under German occupation can't be ignored--neither can a beautiful young woman often seen riding a bicycle through checkpoints.
As tensions build toward the allied invasion of Normandy, they both must decide how much they are willing to risk for freedom--and love.
My Thoughts:
This story is a quick read and will have you wondering how things will go for Rosalie's family. The author paints a picture for the reader of the fear and uncertainty gripping the citizens of France as the German army descends on the cities. All Rosalie wants is for her family to keep their heads down and survive until the Allies come and free them. But slowly she understands that even keeping your head down doesn't mean safety. I think that the story conveys the tough choices the French had to make if they were going to fight for the country they loved. There are several themes running throughout the story sacrifice, grief, fear, hatred, forgiveness, and trust to name a few. While there were elements I liked about the story, there were also things that frustrated me. There was an unresolved conflict at the end of the story that didn't seem to have any justice, and it left me feeling sad. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. I wanted to like it, but I really didn't like the way the book ended.
Rating: ★★★
About the Author:
To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after four munchkins.
Click here to visit her website.
*** I received this complimentary copy from Barbour publishing. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
