The secret a mother was forbidden to share . . . the consequences a daughter could not redeem—but will risk everything in her attempt.
All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah unlocks secrets of her mother’s mysterious past, including the discovery of a grandfather living in Germany.
Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father, ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, demands a marriage for his daughter to help advance his career. But Lieselotte is in love—and her beloved Lukas secretly works against the Reich. How far will her father go to achieve his goal?
Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who hides wartime secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past, and how their legacy will shape her future.
All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah unlocks secrets of her mother’s mysterious past, including the discovery of a grandfather living in Germany.
Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father, ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, demands a marriage for his daughter to help advance his career. But Lieselotte is in love—and her beloved Lukas secretly works against the Reich. How far will her father go to achieve his goal?
Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who hides wartime secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past, and how their legacy will shape her future.
Paperback, 416 pages
Published
August 20th 2015
by Tyndale House Publisher
Terri's Thoughts
I listened to this story via audio book and I have to admit that by the middle of this story the book was going with me everywhere. I was listening while cooking, cleaning, walking the dog and even while in the shower. I took every opportunity to multi-task just so that I could keep listening to the story.
This is a must read for fans of WWII stories. I am not sure why I hadn't discovered this story before now but I am so glad that I accidentally discovered. This story is tragic at every corner, as war can be, however still manages to tell a fresh perspective from someone living in Germany at the time of the war. This story is not all roses and happy endings nor should it be because what really is during war. Instead it tells the story from a perspective of both those who were pro the Natzi regime and philosophy as well as those that did what they could to oppose it. It also had the very honest reactions of a present day relatives as they slowly uncover the horrific and tragic events that occurred and in the process began to understand her heritage as a result.
I was hooked from the beginning of this story and could not believe the deception that occurred within the story. I probably shouldn't be so naïve, in wartime I am sure this is common place. Actually looking at parallels to what is going on in the world today, it is still pretty common place in places of war and places of peace (for now) and downright scary
I will leave it at that as this story needs to be discovered itself. This easily would have been a 5 star read for me if it were not for the very last chapter. It was not because of the outcome of the story but more because of how the tone of the story changed. It became very religious and preachy (to me) on the last chapter and this did not fit in with the rest of the story. Although there were some religious characters throughout the story, at no point did I feel like Gohlke was preaching to me. In the last chapter, I very much felt like she was preaching to me. It changed the whole tone for me and I had to deduct an entire star for this as it prevented the story from sticking with me as this one for sure would have otherwise.
I listened to this story via audio book and I have to admit that by the middle of this story the book was going with me everywhere. I was listening while cooking, cleaning, walking the dog and even while in the shower. I took every opportunity to multi-task just so that I could keep listening to the story.
This is a must read for fans of WWII stories. I am not sure why I hadn't discovered this story before now but I am so glad that I accidentally discovered. This story is tragic at every corner, as war can be, however still manages to tell a fresh perspective from someone living in Germany at the time of the war. This story is not all roses and happy endings nor should it be because what really is during war. Instead it tells the story from a perspective of both those who were pro the Natzi regime and philosophy as well as those that did what they could to oppose it. It also had the very honest reactions of a present day relatives as they slowly uncover the horrific and tragic events that occurred and in the process began to understand her heritage as a result.
I was hooked from the beginning of this story and could not believe the deception that occurred within the story. I probably shouldn't be so naïve, in wartime I am sure this is common place. Actually looking at parallels to what is going on in the world today, it is still pretty common place in places of war and places of peace (for now) and downright scary
I will leave it at that as this story needs to be discovered itself. This easily would have been a 5 star read for me if it were not for the very last chapter. It was not because of the outcome of the story but more because of how the tone of the story changed. It became very religious and preachy (to me) on the last chapter and this did not fit in with the rest of the story. Although there were some religious characters throughout the story, at no point did I feel like Gohlke was preaching to me. In the last chapter, I very much felt like she was preaching to me. It changed the whole tone for me and I had to deduct an entire star for this as it prevented the story from sticking with me as this one for sure would have otherwise.
About the Author
Cathy Gohlke is the three-time Christy Award–winning author of the best selling and critically acclaimed novels Secrets She Kept (Christy Award; INSPY Award); Saving Amelie (INSPY AWARD); Band of Sisters; Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2012); I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (Christy Award, American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award and listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2008) and William Henry Is a Fine Name (Christy Award).
Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their children and granddaughter. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks
Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their children and granddaughter. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks
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