Archive | January 2023

The Secret Society Of Salzburg by Renee Ryan

Jan3

One By One

The Secret Society Of Salzburg by Renee Ryan is a powerful historical novel that consumed me from the start.

This is a fictional account but based on fact. It was such an engrossing and compelling read that I have now bought the autobiography of Ida Cook.

The action is set from mid 1930’s to the end of World War II as the reader hops from England to Austria, Germany and Sweden to name but a few. It was a time of great danger as we follow characters through Nazi-occupied territories.

Spies are everywhere. Trust is in short supply. Horrors are all around. No one is safe. Many are content to do nothing. A few are compelled to act. They cannot sit idly by and watch the evil continue. We hear of a character with “her head full of details and her heart full of purpose.”

There are times when it all seems impossible – but God is the God of the impossible. A character cries out to Him. “Dear God, please. This is bigger than us. We need Your help.”

Continue reading →

The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix

Jan2

Inspirational

The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix is an inspiring children’s historical novel and just perfect for ages ten years and over. It is a fictional tale but has its roots in facts.

The story is set in London during World War II and follows two pups, a cat and an old soldier. The camaraderie between them is beautiful to witness. The love and loyalty will bring a tear to your eye on more than one occasion.

The old soldier is not old in terms of years but he is a veteran of Dunkirk and he has seen things that have aged him. He clearly has, as yet, undiagnosed PTSD. He does not believe he is worthy of living amongst people and so hides in the shadows of the underground tube station. He exists in the dark but his heart is full of light. He is kind, good and compassionate to animals.

Continue reading →

Number The Stars by Lois Lowry

Jan2

Such Bravery

Number The Stars by Lois Lowry is a powerful historical children’s novel that is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The story is set in Denmark in 1942 during the Nazi occupation. It blends fact and fiction as the reader becomes intimately acquainted with lesser-known facts in Danish history.

The Danes were a brave nation who openly opposed the Nazis. The resistance was strong. Ordinary men and women committed extraordinary acts of bravery as they defied the Nazis.

Under the occupation, the Jewish population needed to be hidden and then smuggled out of Denmark. During the course of the war, 7,000 Jewish people were smuggled to safety in Sweden.

Continue reading →