The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey

 

The Longest Echo is set in Monte Sole, Italy in 1944. This is a small village during the time of the occupation. The Nicoletti family consists of Liliana, her parents, two sisters, her grandparents, an aunt and an uncle plus cousins. The family became divided when the invasion happened. The men to the hills the women and children to the church, each sure they would be safe. An SS man, Werner Brack, ordered all the people in the church to be killed. All but one died. 

There was also a man, a POW, James Foley, who escaped from a camp and was important to the survival of Liliana. Together, they found their way, through the perilous area of the enemy lines. They finally joined the Allies.

Liliana and James met again twelve years later. James had become a journalist and Liliana was widowed. Both were driven to find answers to questions they had had since the war.

This was a book that reached to my soul. Eoin Dempsey is a powerful writer who knows how to weave words to have the reader feel the heartbreak and drive each of the characters feel. This book was based on true events. I highly recommend this book 

Desert Diary by Michael O. Tunnell

 This is a fascinating book about life in a Japanese internment camp from a child's perspective. It was obvious that the author went to great lengths to present this accurate account. My college friend's father was interned in one of these camps during WWII. This started my process of looking into it. Between my friend and my desire to obtain knowledge of historical events, I have researched this topic quite a bit. This book is an excellent resource for anyone that is not aware, or is interested in more awareness of this time. I could even see using this in middle or elementary school classes as a resource. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Charlesbridge in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: It Is Well

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is set before and during WWII. Jonathan Beecher lives in a small town. He is a widower and a store owner. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, his family is divided. His older son is trapped in the Pacific, on a Japanese occupied island. His younger son joins the army, against Jonathan's wishes and his daughter married an abusive man.
Soon his life intersects with Sarah, a widow. He wishes to remain true to his late wife but yet he seems to be drawn to Sarah.
This book is so well written. I would catch my heart tear and swell throughout the story. This can be a difficult time to write about, but the author uses Jonathan's voice to tell the story well. Quite a reminder of this time in history. It will be a book I will turn to repeatedly.

Book Review: The Girl From the Train

Oh my, I loved this story. The story is set during WWII but is primarily a story about Gretl Schmidt and Jakob. Gretl lost family members and jakob is Polish and is working with those that are fighting for freedom from Germany.

Gretle had jumped off of a train and Jakob found her in the woods. He took her to his family who cared for her. He then read about German children being taken to South Africa to be adopted. The rest of the details need to be read but it is an excellent story.

Through the storytelling, the reader discovers some of the history of the time. The two character's stories work together so well as we learn about the different areas they move on to.

This is a wonderful book to read while wrapped in a blanket with a beverage and just read it until the end.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Methuselah Project

The Methuselah Project, by Rick Barry is an interesting adventure. It is set during World War II, at a time when Germans were experimenting on prisoners.

Roger Greene was born to fly, so when the time came to fly for the Allies, he went. Greene was shot down and captured by the German's. While there he was experimented on and when the camp was bombed he discovered what the experiment entailed...his wounds healed and he never aged.

The theme is the similar to other works but it is done with humor and it pulls in a wide variety of readers. I also enjoyed that some of the book took place in Indiana. I spent 15 years there and it is so nice to hear mention of some places where I have been.

I would recommend this book to adventure readers, those that enjoy history and those that like Christian fiction.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review by bookfun.org and Kregel publishing

Book Review: Destiny by Don Brown

Destiny is the powerful and inspiring prequel to the Navy Justice Series. In this book there are three characters, one American, one English and one German. Each faces the war in their own way. Throughout this book, Brown is able to express the family and individual perspective of facing war.

Walter, the American, was drawn in by loyalty and love for his brother, Billy, who served on the USS Arizona, which was located at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack.

Heinrich, the German, joins a group who acts in vengeance after a government official's assassination. He was then placed under Rommel in Africa.

Darwin, an English actor, was the son of a Royal Naval officer who wanted his son to follow in his steps. Darwin, though was a pacifist. To try to receive recognition from his father he joins the reserves and then the Royal Naval Commandos.

Each of these men face death in various battles as they make their way to the Normandy Invasion. Each is unsure of their destiny.

This is such a powerful book that is rich in details and facts, while it brings the war to a personal level of each of the men involved and the families that surround them.

I was given this book by the author, publisher and bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.