TRIGGER WARNING: graphic Nazi brutality and Holocaust detail
Inge is separated from her family once the cattle truck arrives at its destination. She is taken to a brutal prison until she is moved to a concentration camp. Rudi is an SS officer who takes charge of the camp. He is beginning to doubt the Nazi ideology and his own perception of the world…
To Dream Of Shadows is an historical novel set during WW2. It is exceedingly good but also very upsetting at times. It is based on a true story which adds poignancy to the plot and characters.
I was totally absorbed by the beginning of the book as Inge and Rudi adjust to their circumstances. Both Inge and Rudi are portrayed sympathetically despite their radically different experiences of the Holocaust. Inge’s determination to survive is inspirational whilst Rudi’s twisted ideology is gradually eroded.
The two main characters do not meet until half way through the book when Rudi has started to question the validity of seeing Jews as subhuman and Inge acts on impulse showing her humanity. I felt that the romance of the second half of the book was of secondary importance to me compared with the devastating detail of the horrendous experiences in the camp. The ending left me with questions but also with a sense of hope.
The mix of casual abuse against the hideous torture is carefully balanced. Daily beatings and the exhaustion from being worked to death are described with haunting authenticity. The use of the Box is very distressing but I think it is so important to acknowledge the trauma of the past. The fact that this is based on a true story is fascinating as well as awful, and the author offers his research on the topic at the end of the book.
To Dream Of Shadows was absolutely gripping and I was totally immersed in the lives of the characters.
Blurb
She will save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?
Inspired by a previously untold true story.
1943. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. There, she suffers month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.
Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Reich’s poison since childhood, but nowadays, he covertly helps prisoners.
So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can’t resist being drawn to one another. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life — together.
But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.
Unless…
Inge makes an unthinkable sacrifice.
Set during history’s darkest hour, “To Dream Of Shadows” is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.
Discover one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust. Discover “To Dream Of Shadows”.
Release date
April 16th, 2023.
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Short Bio
Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!
He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in ‘their’ house.
TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence
1900, Alice’s elopement with a married man fails and she is taken abroad by her aunt in order to avoid scandal. She goes to Crete and is fascinated by a local dig. Present day, Eloise is recently widowed and travels to Crete to enjoy her freedom. She finds Alice’s diary and is astonished to discover a connection…
The Forgotten Palace is a dual timeline novel with strong mythological themes.
Alice and Eloise are both feisty women who have been wronged in the past. The truth of their experiences is gradually revealed over the course of the book and our sympathies are allied with them. Both women find themselves judged by friends, family and society, whilst the men involved are not held responsible for their actions. I would have found it easier to follow the switches between timelines if this had been stated at the start of the chapters.
Greek mythology plays a pivotal role in the plot for both timelines. There are also scattered chapters that offer snippets of the myth from a more personal perspective than the other recounts included in the book. I would have liked Ariadne’s story to have been more overt and balanced in line with the other women.
The author has clearly researched the culture, history and geography of Crete to underpin the plot. However, for me it was the emotional elements of the book which worked best as this forged a connection with the characters.
The Forgotten Palace is an interesting and detailed timeslip novel.
The Forgotten Palace
In an underground labyrinth a lost soul wanders, waiting for revenge, waiting for love…
London 1900
Alice Webster has made the worst decision of her life. When her Aunt Agatha offers her the chance to go on a Grand Tour she jumps at the opportunity to get away from the glare of scandal. Heading off to see the world as the century turns, Alice begins to believe her broken heart can be healed, and a chance encounter on a train bound for Paris changes everything. When their journey takes them to a Cretan house thick with history, and the world-famous dig at Knossos, stories from the past begin to echo through Alice’s life.
London Present Day
Eloise De’Ath is meant to be a grieving widow. But if people knew the truth about her late husband, they’d understand why she can’t even pretend. Needing to escape, Eloise heads to Crete and the house her father-in-law Quinn left her, and slowly Quinn’s home begins to reveal its mysteries. In his office Eloise discovers his life’s work: the study of the Victorian excavation to find the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Fascinated by the diaries of a young woman from the dig, Eloise is drawn into Alice’s tale of lost love and her growing obsession with Ariadne, the princess of the labyrinth.
Three women divided by time but connected by the long-hidden secrets of the past. As their stories join in a golden thread, a terrible injustice might finally be undone…
Author Bio –
Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries.
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Kitty is a forward thinking young woman in 1937 and is interested in becoming a foreign diplomat. But she is restricted by her sex and the era in which she lives. She marries Edgar and hopes for greater freedom but finds herself in a complex international situation and her loyalties divided…
The American Wife is an historical novel set in the late 1930s.
Kitty is a vivacious and tempestuous woman who knows her own mind and isn’t fond of compromises. Her dream is to be involved in international politics but her age and sex restrict her opportunities. She falls in love with Austrian Edgar and finds a role at the US embassy but finds herself conflicted between his politics and the desperate Jews trying to get a visa.
I really liked Kitty’s character. She is certainly larger than life but also has a softer side. Her friendships show her warmth and passion, and lead her into trouble as she tries to save them from the Nazi purges. I understood and agreed with her frustration at the bureaucracy which gets in the way of saving lives. She puts herself in danger while trying to negotiate personal and international politics and this endears her to the reader as she refuses to meekly accept her circumstances and limits.
The author has clearly researched the era and geography which brings the background to the plot to life. There is a careful mix of real life characters amongst the fictional ones to add authenticity.
The American Wife is a well researched and emotional historical novel.
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Book: The American Wife
Author: Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
Pub Day: April 14th 2023
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About the Book:
With her heart in her mouth, Kitty let herself into her husband’s private study. She knew where he kept the papers that might save her dearest friend from the Nazis. She just had to steal them…
Vienna, 1937. When beautiful American Kitty becomes engaged to Austrian diplomat Edgar, she finds herself thrown into a very different world in Europe, and soon longs for home. But when the woman designing her wedding dress, Judith, takes Kitty under her wing, she sees the city of Vienna in a new light – a city of culture and music that she can explore with her new friend.
But when the Nazis come, the fact that Judith is Jewish means she is no longer safe. Kitty knows that as a diplomat’s wife she can steal the papers that will allow her closest friend to escape to safety, but will it mean betraying the love of her life?
Except that Edgar has grown distant and secretive since she joined him in Europe and, when war breaks out, Kitty wonders which side her husband is really on. And, as she prepares to betray him, Kitty begins to fear that she doesn’t really know the man she married at all.
Facing an impossible choice between her dearest friend and the man she loves, Kitty knows she must be brave, and do the right thing, no matter the personal cost…
An absolutely heartbreaking, powerful and gripping story about finding love, resilience and friendship in the midst of the darkness of World War 2. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, My Name is Eva and All the Light We Cannot See.
Author Bio
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria.
Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of “Nordeast” Minneapolis and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling.
Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. “I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict,” she says. “And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I’ve discovered along my travels.”
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Marianne’s grandmother Collie dies and leaves her the family estate and her two young cousins. It is a huge responsibility and upsets other members of the family. But Marianne receives monthly letters from her late grandmother that strengthen her resolve and reveal Collie’s secrets…
The Irish House is a warm and uplifting book about making positive changes and taking life’s opportunities.
Marianne finds herself at a crossroads as she has lost her job and both of her parents have died. Now her grandmother Collie dies and asserts in her will that Marianne have the family home as well as the guardianship of her cousins. Marianne has no experience of parenting so has a steep learning curve!
Each month, Collie has arranged for a letter to be delivered and this serves to offer insights into her life and loves. It also motivates Marianne when she feels low, especially when her aunt is causing trouble or stirring up the locals in antagonistic behaviour. Grief is an important emotion and theme in the book, and is handled sensitively and authentically.
I enjoyed Marianne’s journey as she takes on the responsibilities associated with the house and her family. At first it is daunting and she doubts herself so Collie’s letters bolster her confidence by justifying the grandmother’s faith in her granddaughter. Inspired, Marianne develops her resilience and passion over the course of the book.
The Irish House is a gentle book with plenty of emotion and a careful balance of optimism and realism.
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The Irish House: A totally heartbreaking and powerful story about families, secrets and finding your way home
My dearest Marianne, have you ever completely loved one person? What I am about to tell you now, I have told no one…
Beautiful Kilteelagh House in Ireland, with its avenue of trees and its acres of wildflowers, was somewhere Marianne thought she’d never be again. At least, not without her beloved grandmother Collie. But when Collie passes away, she has just one request – for Marianne to leave behind her glamorous life in New York and to raise Collie’s orphaned granddaughters in the wild Irish countryside. Heartbroken and determined to fulfil her grandmother’s dying wish, Marianne has no choice but to say yes…
All Marianne and her cousins have left is each other, and letters from Collie that keep arriving from beyond the grave. They become a lifeline for Marianne, and she soon realises that her grandmother still has a lot to still teach her. And after a chance encounter with gorgeous local handyman Jack, Marianne wonders if Collie believed being back at Kilteelagh House would help her find love, too?
Soon, Marianne can’t help but begin to fall in love with this place that is so full of memories, of secrets, and perhaps even a little bit of Irish magic. But then out of the blue, a letter from Collie arrives that changes everything…
Will Marianne ever be able to decide where her heart truly belongs? Or will she have to run away from the only people who have ever truly understood her?
An absolutely heartbreaking and heart-warming read overflowing with Irish charm that will make you laugh, cry and hold your loved ones close. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Cathy Kelly and Kathleen McGurl.
Author bio:
Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.
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1944, a man has to make a heartbreaking choice: to don a hated uniform and try to save Jews or stay safe and protect his own family. 2010, Fran’s stepdad dies and she decides to head to Dubrovnik to find out the truth about her biological father…
The Collaborator’s Daughter is a dual timeline historical novel set in the recent past and during WW2.
Fran is 65 and struggling with grief and complicated family dynamics. Her mother Dragica left Croatia after the death of her father Branko and headed to England where she remarried. Now with both parents dead, Fran has no one to answer her questions about the past so travels to Dubrovik to search for the truth. She fears that her biological father could be a fascist and responsible for heinous war crimes.
In Dubrovnik Fran meets Jadran and he gives her a new perspective on the past and on her future. She struggles with the thought of a physical relationship or a long distance one, yet she feels more alive than she has in decades. I admit that I tired a little of Fran’s soul searching even though I urged her to find happiness. Jadran also has significant emotional baggage which the pair need to address.
The majority of the book is written from Fran’s third person viewpoint but there are alternate short chapters from Branko’s viewpoint. The historic timeline was just heartbreaking as Branko struggles to survive and does everything he can to protect his family. The author acknowledges that some readers may feel disappointed that there is not more of a balance between the two timelines and I agree that this is how I felt. She says that this is due to the lack of information but I feel that that is exactly what an author could have imagined and included! Branko’s storyline was much more emotive for me and I also wanted to know about Dragica’s feelings and experience.
The vivid descriptions of the landscape brought the setting to life. The characters interact with their environment and this brings an authenticity to the plot. Other historical events are described in relation to Jadlan’s past and the author has done plenty of research on the history and geography of Croatia.
The Collaborator’s Daughter is an emotional novel about accepting yourself and moving on from the past.
The Collaborator’s Daughter
In 1944 in war-torn Dubrovnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their baby…
As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, at sixty-five years old and finally free of caring responsibilities, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from.
All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems… And neither is the future.
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Author Bio –
Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.
Her last holiday before lockdown was a trip to Croatia, and the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground, driven by her friendship with a tour guide she met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. Her second novel set in the country, An Island of Secrets is a dual timeline looking back to World War 2, and although a contemporary romance featuring mature main characters her third, The Collaborator’s Daughter, has its roots in that conflict too.
Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.
