Rhineland Inheritance

Rendezvous With Destiny #1

by T. Davis Bunn

An American officer and a veteran of the French Resistance, who have become friends after being assigned to the same area of defeated Germany, are both attracted to the same woman, a diplomat organizing care for war orphans and abandoned children.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Christian, Audiobook, Historical

222 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 1993

About the author

Also writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.

Reviews

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the border between France and Germany in the aftermath of World War II, two army captains—American Jake Burnes and Frenchman Pierre Servais—stumble upon stolen Nazi treasure. While becoming embroiled in a continent-wide conspiracy, the captains are also challenged to assist diplomat Sally Anders in helping impoverished German children in Rhineland Inheritance, a novel by author T. Davis Bunn.

Another one of the many novels where I didn't even glance at a book blurb before I just bought a copy and dove right in. I simply knew I wanted to read something older from one of my longtime favorite authors, and here we are: the beginning of a historical ChristFic series first published back in the 90s.

While I'm not new to WWII novels, the post-war landscape isn't something I think about as much. So it was all the more interesting to get a look at this story's post-war military dynamics and to also consider child soldiers who'd been sent to war by Germany as well as the many refugees left with nothing after the years of deadly conflict.

I've come to expect no less than excellent storytelling from this author, and that's what I got here. Danger, intrigue, a depth of emotion, and characters I came to like rather quickly. Especially sharp and intelligent Sally, who has quick, dry humor and a commanding presence balanced with softness and compassion. She's tough without being "one of the fellas."

I'm generally not a fan of love triangles, and this story has some of that, but it's not a melodramatic or drawn-out aspect of the plot, and the romance here isn't sappy. There's a noticeable share of another something I'm a minor non-fan of, questions in dialogue that don't end with question marks, but it didn't bother me too much.

I was moved by this novel and absolutely plan on continuing the Rendezvous with Destiny series.

[Lukas Splisser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in german as someone who has no idea of war and only read about WWII in books. This novel gives insight into the broken world after the horrific war especially in germany. Great characters, interesting story and the romance isn't missing out either. Easy to read.

[Key Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the goods and bads of occupying armies

With Rhineland Inheritance, my internal catalogue of great novels now includes another one by Davis Bunn (whose works now threaten to dominate that rather large internal catalogue)!

And Rhineland Inheritance is only the first in Bunn’s five-book Rendezvous with Destiny series. So I suspect I’ll find the series’ next four books equally satisfying, and my Kindle library even more crowded with Bunn’s fantastic stories and tantalizing prose.

Rhineland Inheritance examines both the goods and the bads of the Allied occupation forces stationed in Germany after World War Two, and explores the contrasting spirits that could have prevailed in determining the post-war future of that devastated country.

It’ll have you utterly engrossed, praying for the good guys (a surprising set of colleagues), and grateful that God worked out history (upon which this book is closely based) the way He did. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Beatrice Moffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was something. Rhineland inheritance was not just a Christian romance, it had more to it than that.
This book showed human nature at its’ basest, with some people showing their love for the defeated people and helping them get back on their feet.
The other end of the scale showed the people who were only out for what they could take home themselves and were ready to destroy even their own countrymen to get it.😩😩😩😩

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I wish my dad had met someone like Captain Burnes when he was a boy after the war he told me how he and his father were starving when they tried to pick garbage at the base. When the staff discovered it they dumped fuel on the garbage. Nonetheless when he grew up he chose the United States to immigrate, the air force to join and America to become part of. He spent more years as an American than as a German and I couldn't be prouder of him.

[Jean Trainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly entertaining story filled with excitement and suspense

I read this one straight through without putting it down. Military drama combined with occasional comedy keep this story moving and developing a great plot. Tender moments reveal the hearts of powerful characters who are growing in their personal relationships with one another and with the Living God.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook with my husband. He thought it was boring. I blame the Narrator, he just didn't put much effort into reading this book and seemed to be plodding along, getting nowhere, forever.
Glad to be done with it.

[Jeri Stockdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of an American captain assigned to help restore order on the border between Germany and France after the end of WWII. His job expands and so does his heart as he's tasked with what seems to be the impossible. A great read. The first of a five book series.

[Dorothy J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful uplifting story

Amidst the devastation in Germany after World War II, there are fine upstanding people who find ways to help the sick and the helpless. The vibrant characters and the well paced plot are superb!

[Doris Leland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is way too short. I loved it. I would like to know what happens afterwards.

The book is way too short. I would like to know what happens afterwards.
It talks about the beginning of the peace after World War II. I would like to know how Germany got built up afterwards.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, of interest due to WWll era and locale, but it kind of dragged. Not sure if Badenburg is made up, or what is today Baden-Baden. Pretty sad if the American soldiers were fighting amongst themselves after the war ended! Jake seened a bit overdone, but I did like Pierre.

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and quick read!

[Wm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vert good.

[Carrie A. Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Wonderful story of doing what you are able wherever you are. Looking forward to reading more books by Mr Bunn.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet generic story about WWII

[Tom Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Davis has spun another solid tale, and it was worth every stolen moment to read through. I highly recommended this novel, and you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Josh Caje · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is crazy good! Just enough conflict, just enough romance!

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 4 out of 5]

After taking a couple of weeks to actually get through the first hundred pages, I grew to really enjoy this book and the characters!

I love Jake. ;)

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read other historical works by T. Davis Bunn, I have been eager to read this series for a long time. I had great difficulty locating a copy as this has apparently been out of print for a while. Now I see why. Please, please don't judge the rest of the series by this book. It was slow, plodding even. Except for serving to show us a bit of the backdrop of post-war Germany and introducing the main characters to us, it does little else. I did appreciate getting to know Pierre from this book, but I found Sally annoying and had a hard time routing for her and Jake. My advice, skip this one and go directly to Gibraltar Passage. It's SO much better. If you can, pick up the audiobook version read by Ron Varela. His vocal talents are outstanding and add a great deal to the characterization!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read of one of Bunn's earlier books. The story was not overly complex and had a good ending. I had trouble with him picking up and dropping characters. Possibly the dropped one will reappear in the next book and things will be resolved.

[Maxine Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a series of books by David Bunn set towards the end of World War 2. Davis Bunn brings to life the characters in his stories and one feels drawn in. A great read and being ‘me’ of course I have to continue on and read the whole series. I highly recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

good characters, shows WW2 reconstruction

[Amy Wunderlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book lots of familiar places for me were included and added authenticity to a good historical fiction

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole series is inspiring. Shows how small choices make for big influences! Really good.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but entertaining and a good story. There were some things that stretched credibility a bit. I wasn't sure I believed the plot line of a bunch of MPs running amok.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vaguely remember liking this series.

[Betty Box]

Good read

slow to start but gets better the longer you read
Would recommend to friends. ready to start the next book in the seeris

[Claudette]

Did not finish.