Song of Alabama

by Beverly Pace

Anna Newsom had led a quiet life until World War II German POWs were brought to her small Alabama town to a work camp to spend the duration of the war. With no money for college, Anna needs a job and she is picked to take books to the prisoners. With her own brother off at war, and fighting her family's disapproval, Anna struggles with feelings of disloyalty but finds herself relishing her visits to the prison camp as she takes on the role of teacher, sharing her love of history and literature, and even her faith with the prisoners. As the war drags on, Anna takes comfort in the fact that she, like her brother, is making a difference in the war effort. She slowly begins to see the prisoners as young men who are also tired of war and want to start a new life. Anna becomes close to one prisoner in particular, a man named Klaus, who is a leader to the men but he has lost his way spiritually. Due to circumstances from his youth, Klaus no longer believes in God, and although he is drawn to Anna, he cannot share her faith. Anna begins to question her judgment, her feelings, and her faith as she falls in love with Klaus. Knowing that no one close to her would accept a relationship with the enemy, Anna finds herself isolated and afraid of what the future will bring.

252 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2023

About the author

Beverly Pace grew up in south Alabama as a preacher's daughter. Pace fondly remembers riding her bicycle to the public library when she was young and escaping into a book, and even though she became an English professor she thought writing her own novel was just a dream. In Song of Alabama, her debut novel, she shares her love of faith and family, and the salt of the earth people of the South.

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings)]

Won in the Goodreads Giveaways

[Coastal24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the most eloquently written novels I have ever read! This was such a beautiful book. From the characters and setting to the storyline, the words just flowed so beautifully off the page that I literally couldn’t put it down.
I am truly embarrassed to say that I’ve had this book on my shelf for a very long time and just now opened it. I actually won it on a GoodReads giveaway. Life got in the way- marriage, children, career, just life and reading for enjoyment took a back burner for far too long. I picked up this book off my shelf early this morning before my family was awake and the day got ahead of me. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Songs of Alabama will forever be etched in my memory. I cannot wait to share it with my family and friends. This book would also make a beautiful film. Wow. Just, WOW. Thank you Beverly Pace for writing something so wonderful!