A Light in the Window: a World War II story

A Light in the Window by Marion Kummerow is the first book in the Margarete’s Journey series. In 1941 Berlin, Margarete Rosenbaum was working as a housemaid for a senior Nazi officer and his wife and daughter, when their building was bombed. As the only survivor, she is mistaken for the daughter in the aftermath and she takes it as her ticket to freedom. With temporary papers and the freedom of not being seen as Jewish, she leaves Berlin behind. Until SS officer Wilhelm Huber, her late employer’s son, tracks her down. However, she is surprised when he doesn’t reveal her true identity right away. He suggests that she come with him to Paris and continue to pretend to be his sister. Terrified they might be found out and not knowing what Wilhelm truly wants in return, Margarete soon realizes that hiding in plain sight might be her only chance for survival. 

I looked forward to this story as I have enjoyed Ms. Kummerow’s World War II stories. However, this story quickly led to disappointment as there was contradictory information throughout the story. The main contradiction was Margarete was stated to be older than her employer’s daughter and then a couple chapters later, she’s younger! I also didn’t understand how a SS officer, who very clearly believes in the Nazi rhetoric, would not expose a Jewish woman for taking an Aryan woman’s identity and ask her to continue the charade! I also was supposed to believe that a Nazi SS officer and a Jewish woman have a romance! It may have been in the realm of possibilities if Wilhelm was not so gung-ho for the Nazi regime. There were also idioms and phrases used that were not true to the time. Sadly, this book was very disappointing and I will not continue with the series. 

A Light in the Window is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Scavenger's Daughters: a story of family and bonds stronger than blood

The Scavenger’s Daughters is the first book in Kay Bratt’s Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters series. After surviving torture and imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution (read all about it in the series’ prequel, The Palest Ink), Benfu finds love and a life with the compassionate and beautiful Calla Lily. Together they build a life around the most menial jobs, Benfu’s work as a scavenger or trash collector. As he sorts through the trash left behind by others, he regularly discovers abandoned children. With unwavering determination, Benfu and Calli create a family of these children. When a crisis threatens to tear their family apart, Benfu, Calli and their headstrong daughters must find a way to overcome their greatest hardship yet. 

The Scavenger’s Daughters was inspired by a true story and Ms. Bratt weaves a tale of triumph in the face of hardship and the unbreakable bonds of family against all odds. I fell in love with Benfu and Calli in The Palest Ink and looked forward to reading about the family they create together. From the very beginning, it is made clear that Benfu and Calli make it their life’s mission to “care for the castaways that fate brought into their lives.” Each daughter has her own past, strengths and struggles and Benfu and Calli find ways to help each girl focus on their strengths and overcome their struggles. It is a beautiful story and I highly recommend The Scavenger’s Daughters!

The Scavenger’s Daughters is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

When Love Comes: a beautiful love story in a gorgeous setting

When Love Comes by J.H. Croix is the first book in the Diamond Creek, Alaska series. Hannah Gray is a young woman who returns to her hometown in Diamond Creek, Alaska. Her parents had died in a tragic plane accident two years prior and she had not been home since; but now it was time to come home. Hannah reconnects with her friends and community when she meets Luke Winters, a local businessman. There is an instant attraction, although both are reluctant to be more than friends. As time goes by, Hannah and Luke cannot resist their attraction and they begin to date until the past reenters Luke’s life. As Hannah is dealing with this surprise, she discovers a secret from her parents’ past. Will she allow her heart to open to Luke? How will she deal with this secret her parents managed to keep quiet all these years?

When Love Comes is a great love story. It was filled with drama and heartwarming moments. It also had great love scenes which were romantic and beautiful. I enjoyed all the characters from Hannah and her struggles to Luke and his own demons and their friends and family were rallying around them. It is a great picture of a community in a beautiful setting. I look forward to reading the other titles in the series. I highly recommend When Love Comes.

When Love Comes

is available in paperback and eBook