Simple Faith...Review

About the book:
After losing her beloved husband and daughter and surviving Hitler’s Sobibor death camp, Quaker widow Anja Steinberg dedicates her life to helping others and keeping her son safe. As a member of the resistance, she helps displaced Allied airmen get back to their units in England. 

The journey is rigorous and filled with danger and there is no time for romance. Anja knows that Mikel, her fellow resistance worker, loves her. He would make a good husband and father for her son, but she doesn’t share his feelings. Is friendship enough? 

Then American Peter Trent parachutes into her life. She must face facts—her heart did not die with her late husband and true love could be hers again. But marrying Mikel may be the only way she can save Peter.

It's not often that I say, "Wow" to a new-to-me author.  But, "Wow".  I almost passed on reviewing this book and I am so grateful that I didn't.  I loved these characters.  I loved this novel.  I was drawn in at once to Anna and Peter's compelling story.

The historical research and attention to detail is excellent.  The characters well drawn and developed.  I cheered, I laughed and I held my breath as they moved through Germany and Spain trying to get Peter back to England.

There are so many facets to the war experience that, to this day, many of us are not aware of.  I knew that prisoners and those pilots shot down over enemy lines were often aided by the locals and smuggled out of Germany amidst great danger, but he first-hand look at this experience was fascinating.  So often we forget that the German people struggled as much as or more than the British or those other countries who were fighting as well.  Germany was the "enemy" and it's easy to forget that the German people as a whole, were also good people.  The work of the resistance was amazing.

A sequel to All God's Children, the story stands alone just fine.  I hadn't read the first one, not realizing this book was part of a series and while I believe reading a series in order makes for a richer reading experience, I did not feel like I was missing out or had walked into the middle of something and was lost.  I will, however, look for it at my library because I am curious about Beth and Josef's story.  I am looking forward to the third installment, Safe Haven.

Thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book! for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Anna Schmidt here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Read 4/14

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5/5 Stars