WWII Germany Archives

March 23, 2022March 22, 2022

The Girl in the Shadows-Kummerow-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

Following A Light in the Window and From the Dark We Rise, Marion Kummerow continues the story of Margarete in The Girl in the Shadows, another striking historical fiction novel.

The author has done a fantastic job of tracing Margarete’s path as she navigates the perilous times of World War II – with a stolen identity.

(No, that is not a spoiler. It is the conceit of the books and clearly stated in the blurb).

At this point in her journey, Margarete is well-established as Annagret Huber. But even as the identity is a blessing that keeps her alive, it is also a curse as she discovers what she is now responsible for as Annagret.

That blessing/curse dichotomy becomes most prevalent in this installment of the story. In fact, it feels like the previous two books were building to this one. It makes sense because this is a planned trilogy (more on that in a minute).

While the path so far has been rocky and there have been frightening moments for Margarete, this is the closest she comes to full exposure.

There is a lot given away in the blurbs (I hate that). So, you know that this is where Margarete stands up and takes action against the atrocities she is seeing.

The Girl in the Shadows historical fiction blog tour schedule — Amazon: https://geni.us/B09LZX9ZJPsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/iGy150Ilyxl
Kobo: http://ow.ly/2FVf50Ilyxk
Google: http://ow.ly/YQSE50Ilyxj

But she continues to walk a thin line because she strings Thomas along even as she is helping Stefan. This is not a thriller in the typical sense. But there are tense moments that feel like the whole thing will crash down in a horrible way.

That is partly due to the subject matter (naturally) but is more largely due to the author’s talents in telling the story in such a way that whatever Margarete is feeling the reader feels too.

It is more than good description, but it is hard to put my finger on. There is just something real about the way she is written. It is easier to experience right along with her instead of just being told something is happening.

I know that probably doesn’t make sense, but it fits perfectly in my mind.

The author also does a great job of detailing how corrupt the entire German process was at the time. How nobody really emerged with clean hands (even though several claimed to).

Even those who are purportedly helping the Jews don’t always escape cleanly.

It is all a thoughtful exploration into the depths of what people will do when their convictions are tested. The choice is not always black or white. I will also say that given what happens to a few characters, karma has a way of working.

There is so much to this story, in fact, that the author has decided to add a fourth book to the planned trilogy.

After starting another new path in The Girl in the Shadows, I very much look forward to seeing what Marion Kummerow has in store for Margarete in the next book.

Facebook: AutorinKummerow
Instagram: marionkummerow
Twitter: @MarionKummerow

Author Bio:

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.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II.

January 28, 2022January 19, 2022

The Commandant’s Daughter-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

The Commandant’s Daughter is not your typical historical fiction novel. So, this may not be a typical review.

Let me start my explanation by saying that I am a big fan of this author (see reviews: The Lost Mother, The Secretary, The Fortunate Ones, What Only We Know). I am always excited to see another book by her.

She has a talent for writing stories that make the reader think by exploring complicated situations and posing questions that bring a deeper understanding.

This is no exception.

At the heart is the story of Hanni (the commandant’s daughter in question), a young woman who is trying to follow a dream given to her when she was a child. She loves photography, and she is good at it.

There are just a few problems.

It is 1947. She’s a woman. Her mentor was a Jew. And her father is the Commandant of the title. Plus, he is one of the nastiest villains I can remember. And when one is talking about people who run concentration camps, that is saying a lot.

But there is more to the story than just Hanni trying to do better than her father while pursuing her passion.

Because there also happens to be a killer loose in the city. And he is taking care of people overlooked by the Nuremberg Trials. The officer who receives the case (Freddy) recognizes Hanni’s eye (through her camera) and they work together to catch the killer.

It is a thrilling, complicated, and thought-provoking story that had me turning pages.

The Commandant's Daughter book review blog tour schedule — Amazon: https://bit.ly/3mcGSz8

The descriptions of the casualness of some people even after the atrocities of the camps come to light are…well, illuminating. This was pure evil at work, and there were still people who tried to defend the actions of the men in charge.

This begs the natural question that haunts Hanni and Freddy: should a killer be stopped if that killer is ridding the world of evil men who were about to escape justice?

It makes you think about the moral and ethical implications.

Additionally, the author reflects on the laws in place to ostracize and marginalize Jews. As Freddy remembers it: “The measures were enshrined in the statutes…they were both just and justified.”

One can’t help but draw parallels to what is occurring in some countries even as I write this review. Staggering to think that the lessons of history have still not been learned.

That’s not to say that the book lectures or gets preachy, making connections between the past and present. It is solely in the past. And it is well-plotted and researched.

I liked everything about The Commandant’s Daughter. It is a unique entry in the historical fiction genre, and I highly recommend it.

Twitter: @cathokin

Author Bio:

I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don’t try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully, those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.

I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I’m not at my desk you’ll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.

I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me.

November 18, 2021November 19, 2021

Historical Fiction-From the Dark We Rise-Available Now

I have made no secret that historical fiction intrigues me. There is so much fodder and untold stories abound.

Case in point, this trilogy.

The first book in the series (A Light in the Window) was engaging and I was surprised to see that it would be a trilogy. Here we have the second book, and once again, the author tackles the ugly history from a unique perspective.

If you have not read the first book, you may want to skip this review and just go pick it up so you can read it for yourself. If not, this is a warning that this review gives away plot points from the first book.

Margarete continues her charade as Annagret. She has absolutely no choice but to do so. The opening chapters are heavy with recap, but that is to be expected.

The connection between the first and second books is tenuous. It takes a while for Margarete (as Annagret) to remember the promise she made at the end of the first book. But one event changes that.

Margarete sees how easily her life could be very different – if she still had a life at all. And from that point, the story becomes brisker.

historical fiction blog tour schedule — Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3qxcVNE
Apple: https://apple.co/3BFLwfE
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3zBnMYl
Google: https://bit.ly/3x4FFgG
Audio Links:
UK: zpr.io/yqwQGLPUBS7L
US: zpr.io/YffwSDT3ujfa

Sometimes we need a stark reminder to goad us to action, and that is what happens to Margarete. She recognizes herself in Lena and knows she needs to do…something.

She is clever in the steps that she takes, and it is fortunate that she receives help from both Lena and Dora. Their involvement is another reminder that good people had to do bad things for their own survival.

However, the specter of atrocities always hovers. And when Margarete sees a familiar face, she knows she has to kick her plan into higher gear.

Margarete walks a tightrope with her charade, and the reader walks along with her. Every time she thinks she is caught, the tension rises. Ultimately, this becomes a page-turner to see how Margarete progresses with her ruse.

To me, this takes more focus than the plot points for the story itself. But that is probably a personal thing.

This historical fiction novel mimics history in that the reader knows there is more to come. It ends in a similar fashion to the first book.

I look forward to seeing how Margarete’s plan works out in the end.

Facebook: AutorinKummerow
Instagram: marionkummerow
Twitter: MarionKummerow

Author Bio:

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.

October 30, 2021October 27, 2021

Historical Fiction-The Bookseller of Dachau-Available Now

This historical fiction novel was difficult to read. Not because it was bad by any means. But because the author did such an amazing job of conveying the attitudes, fears, and straight facts of the historical sections.

Full disclosure from the beginning. My parents and I took a trip to Germany in the early 80s. One of the places we visited was Dachau. People are not lying when they say that you can feel the evil that was perpetrated there. And you can feel the sorrow and the pain.

I have never in my life experienced anything like it.

I was 12 years old. And it has stuck with me to this day.

So, when Grace found out about her history and traveled to Germany, I was right there along with her. And I actually had to stop reading a few times because I was so overcome with emotion

The memories still linger nearly 40 years later. I can’t even imagine what it might feel like to have had relatives or a stronger connection to the place.

This all endeared me to Grace from the moment she decided to take the trip, but especially as she discovers more about her grandmother. The way Matilda’s story is related makes sense in the context of the contemporary storyline, and the transitions between the past and the present were seamless.

Matilda is a heroine of all ages. She is the embodiment of strength and resilience. Even as we know what happened to her in the long run, I still found myself on pins and needles hoping that she would get through her trials in the past.

And no…no spoilers here.

Some historical fiction novels don’t have a good balance between the historical and contemporary storylines, relying too heavily on one or the other. That wasn’t the case here.

The author wisely weaves the two together. I was never unhappy to be in either period, even though Matilda’s had more intrigue. But I very much enjoyed Grace’s line as well. Especially as she learned more about her inheritance.

I’m obviously not going to tell you how everything plays out, because that would ruin the story for you.

However, at the risk of sounding political (I always try to avoid it), I couldn’t help but notice the parallels in the thinking of Matilda’s parents – which were reflective of others in the town. It is those attitudes that allowed for the atrocities to occur.

And frankly, I have seen thoughts very similar to those of Matilda’s father on social media. Which is just scary and should be a wake-up call.

But all of that aside, the author does a phenomenal job with this story. You’ll be amazed at the resilience and ingenuity of Matilda and root for Grace as she makes difficult decisions.

If you are a historical fiction fan (and even if you aren’t) this should be at the top of your list!

Facebook: authorsharijryan
Twitter: @sharijryan
Instagram: authorsharijryan/

Author Bio

Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Historical Fiction writer. Her desire to write stories revolving Jewish livelihood during World War II stems from being a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. After the passing of Shari’s grandmother, she pursued an active interest in learning more about the inherited stories she yearned to understand better.

Shortly after earning a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012. In 2016, Shari began writing her first Historical Fiction novel, Last Words, a story about a lifelong journey through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor. With two character related books to follow, Shari quickly found a new passion to share untold World War II stories within a fictional setting.

Shari is a lifelong New England girl who lives to make people laugh. She is happily married with two wonderful sons and a spunky Australian Shepard, who fits right in with the family.

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021

The Secretary (Hokin)-BoT-Historical Fiction-Available Now

This was a unique book in that it was almost a double historical novel.

Most historical fiction has a contemporary storyline and the historical one and they dovetail or feed into each other.

This one not only has a staggering WWII plot (more on that in a minute) but it also has a “contemporary” line that takes place in the 70s and 80s, so that’s more historical as well.

It’s all cleverly woven together, and the author makes some stunning connections that I have never seen before.

Let’s unpack some of that. As always, I will try my hardest to not give away major points, as it is important to discover on one’s own. I truly believe that to be the case for this novel.

The WWII story follows Magda as she is the secretary for a business owner in late 1930s Germany. It doesn’t take a historian to know what happens in that time, nor is it difficult to figure out Magda’s trajectory as the company becomes vital to the German “war effort.”

What made this time period stand out was the focus of the narrative. Many novels have been set in and around the concentration camps and the Jewish “experience” of the times.

But I don’t recollect ever reading one that details the progression and lead-up to one of the worst times for humanity every recorded.

No, that’s not hyperbole. The author is stark in both the descriptions of what happened and the German attitude towards it all. Truly eye-opening.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2Rjk594
Apple: https://apple.co/3e3JVa5
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3q9hmKL
Google: https://bit.ly/3bbcEYY

The more modern line takes place in East Berlin/Eastern Germany in the late 1970s and 1980s. Magda is now a grandmother (not a spoiler) and her granddaughter, Nina, is learning what life is like under the oppressive thumb of the Stasi.

She knows her grandmother is important, because the Stasi keep tabs and there are veiled references. But the author cleverly keeps Nina in the dark for a long time. The reader is only partially in on the connections, and as the timelines collide, many truths are revealed.

As I have mentioned in the past, I’m a history lover and studied WWII extensively. I’ve never made the connection of the similarities between the Nazis and the Stasi. It was amazing to read and see how Germany (especially Berlin) ended up quite literally out of the frying pan and into the fire.

It was also interesting to see how Magda and Nina paralleled each other, even as Magda tried to keep secrets (as did Nina) and Nina didn’t fully understand Magda’s reasons.

I know it all sounds a bit convoluted, but it’s crystal clear in the book. It’s a masterful look at two very dark times.

It also serves as a clarion call to those who are paying attention to current events.

We can’t let it happen again.

Author Bio:

Catherine Hokin is the author of two World War Two inspired novels set in Berlin, her favourite city. Following a History degree at Manchester University she worked in teaching, marketing and politics, while waiting for a chance to do what she really wanted which was to write full time. Her short stories have been published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia magazines and she was the winner of the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition. She is a lover of strong female leads and a quest.

Catherine now lives in Glasgow with her American husband. She has two grown-up children – one of whom lives, very conveniently, in Berlin – and a life long addiction to very loud music.

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021

The Berlin Zookeeper (Stuart)-Books On Tour-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I learned something interesting about myself while reading this book.

I found that I am much more disturbed by animals being harmed than people. Not quite sure what that says about me.

I would like to think it is because animals put their trust in humans to take care of them and are often put in positions where this is the only path to survival. This is especially true of animals in a zoo.

That responsibility multiplies infinitely when the zoo is in the middle of a war zone.

I found the subject matter and the setting of this book to be fascinating. The author either had some personal connection or did extensive research because everything zoo-related seemed authentic and plausible.

As with other historical fiction novels, there are dual storylines: one historical, one contemporary. I thought this worked in the book because there was not only a connection between the two, but some of the characters spanned both.

I’m not going to give away who, but the revelations were well-done and caught me by surprise.

It was difficult to get through the first few chapters, largely due to the aforementioned feeling about animals being harmed. Those were tough passages, and I wanted to cry right along with the characters.

However, I’m glad I pushed through because I was completely taken by the story of the “Zoofamilie.” Those chapters were especially informative and page-turning.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2R3dOOA
Apple: https://apple.co/3vrYrhz
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2S5RunY
Google: https://bit.ly/3k144P3

There are a lot of novels that are set during the Blitz in London, but this is one of the first in my memory where the action takes place in Berlin during the retaliation strikes. It was interesting to read from the German point of view.

Kudos also to the author for addressing how Russia was viewed toward the end of the war and for being brutal in the accurate descriptions of the mentality.

The only thing that felt a little flat for me was Bethan’s relationship with Callum. I get why it was in place, but it was pretty obvious which way it was going to go. I almost wish it wasn’t there at all.

I do think that Bethan’s “mystery” had a great build up, but it almost seemed anti-climactic when it was resolved. After the entire novel, the mystery was solved within a couple of pages. That was a little bit of a let-down.

But those are minor complaints, because everything worked out in the end. I would highly recommend this novel for the unique point of view and setting and for the reminder that humanity can be judged by how we treat others – including animals.

Facebook: @annastuartauthor
Twitter: @annastuartbooks

Author Bio:
Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers.