White Rose, Black Forest

by Eoin Dempsey

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

In the shadows of World War II, trust becomes the greatest risk of all for two strangers.

December 1943. In the years before the rise of Hitler, the Gerber family’s summer cottage was filled with laughter. Now, as deep drifts of snow blanket the Black Forest, German dissenter Franka Gerber is alone and hopeless. Fervor and brutality have swept through her homeland, taking away both her father and her brother and leaving her with no reason to live.

That is, until she discovers an unconscious airman lying in the snow wearing a Luftwaffe uniform, his parachute flapping in the wind. Unwilling to let him die, Franka takes him to her family’s isolated cabin despite her hatred for the regime he represents. But when it turns out that he is not who he seems, Franka begins a race against time to unravel the mystery of the airman’s true identity. Their tenuous bond becomes as inseparable as it is dangerous. Hunted by the Gestapo, can they trust each other enough to join forces on a mission that could change the face of the war and their own lives forever?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, War, World War II, Book Club, Romance

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Eoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.

Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.

He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.

By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.

Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great kindle first book that I found difficult to put down. My only complaint is that I could have done with the conclusion of the book being a little longer as I just wanted to read about these characters a little longer, and it just felt a bit rushed at the end. Not enough to ruin the book, but I think a little more detail at the end would have made it even better.

[Don Gerstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

{60-Seconds or Less video review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCkGc...}

“White Rose, Black Forest” is billed as a historical fiction, but it has all the makings of a thriller. Author Eoin Dempsey presents Franka Gerber with a dilemma right from the beginning, then continues to turn up the heat as the story progresses. Although Franka understands the danger that could come from her actions, she continues to do what she feels is right.

The story is told through the eyes of several characters, although Franka is the main focus. While we do learn of some of the motivations of the American John Lynch, it is through Franka’s eyes that readers are swept into a country consumed by conflicting emotions. The author allows her to speak the thoughts that must have been hidden by many German citizens in 1944. Even though her life has led her to her current predicament, everything is still not black and white, and Franka wrestles at times with what she should do.

Mr. Dempsey offers descriptive passages at the same time, presenting interesting pictures with his use of words. For instance, we are told a used parachute blowing in the wind is “…licking at the snow like a thirsty animal.” The life-threatening description of the bombing of a German city thrusts readers into the action, and it is hard not to be fearful of what may happen to the people exposed to the possibility of instantaneous death. While I wasn’t always happy with the dialogue (at times, it felt a bit stilted), the characters stayed true to their basic motivations.

As stated above, this historical fiction book turns into a thriller. Her choices place Franka in danger as the Gestapo quickly become a larger threat, which pushes the book to a breakneck pace as it heads toward the conclusion. Four stars.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kept me completely riveted. A historical set in the black forest of Germany during WW2, Franka is a former resistance member who has recently been released from jail. She has a tragic past and has no one left. When she finds a downed airman in the snowy woods with two broken legs, her choices are to let him die, or to rescue him even though he’s a nazi soldier. But when she gets him back to her cabin, he begins crying out in English in his sleep. But Franka can’t tell him who she really is… and he doesn’t trust her either. But with nearly everyone around them suspicious and calling in to report to the Gestapo anything that doesn’t seem right, can they survive long enough to get out?

This was brilliantly done, with perfect touches of flashback and action. I especially liked that it looked at how people with disabilities were also targeted by Hitler’s regime during the war. Franka and the airman (no spoilers here!) were both terrific characters. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Rose, Black Forest was my Kindle First selection for February 2018.

Although World War II is one of my favorite topics to explore in literature, it had been a little while since I'd read a book about it. Maybe I've just not been in the mood for anything overly heavy lately, as books about WW-II Europe generally knock the wind right out of me and leave me feeling a mixture of macabre fascination and dumbfounded despair at the cruelties endured during that time.

While White Rose, Black Forest certainly painted a vivid picture of life under the rule of Hitler's National Socialist Party, it offered a perspective that was more empowering than depressing. This is the first book I think I've read about any type of resistance organization founded by Germans against the Nazi party (of course I've read a lot about the French resistance in Nazi-occupied France). I couldn't help but see that the novel contained a lot of frightening paralells between 1930s-1940s Germany and the political climate today, but I'm not going to delve into any of that in this review.

This was a great war story about fighting for what's right, being brave in the face of fear, and getting second chances to live and love.
☆☆☆☆

[Peiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

رز سفید یک گروه از دانشجویان و اساتید دانشگاه مونیخ بود که از مخالفین حزب نازی بودند که مشی خشونت پرهیز داشتند و به انتشار مخفیانه بیانیه و شبنامه و کشیدن نقاشی‌های دیواری مشغول بودند. البته اگر فکر میکنید در این کتاب قراره به جزئیات در مورد این گروه بخونید، اشتباهه. شاید به زور بیست صفحه‌ای در مورد این گروه نوشته شده باشه. داستان از جایی شروع میشه که دختری در برف و کولاک یک مرد با لباس نیروی هوایی آلمان پیدا می‌کنه که هر دو پاش شکسته و تصمیم میگیره با تمام خطری که براش داره، بهش کمک کنه و اون رو با هر زحمتی که هست به کلبه‌ی خودش می‌بره و پس از اون داستان زندگی این دو نفر در گذشته و اتفاقاتی که از این به بعد براشون میفته رو می‌خونیم. داستان جالبی بود. ه

[Joyce A. Wendeln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of My Father

This is what my father did during WWII. And yes, this is what it was like, you went in with no one but yourself to depend upon and knowing that America denied knowing you if you got caught. These were the true heroes, but they knew no medals waited in the wings for them no matter how brave and strong they were. After all, they didn't exist!!

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 51%. This book started with a great bang and I was so excited to be reading it. Then it just started to read like a text book, where the writing seemed almost to be conveying facts with such little emotion that I have been bored the last 30%. I'm sad, but I'm moving on.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Rose, Black Forest is the story of the White Rose, resistance in Nazi Germany who silently fought for the rights of Germans who hated what Hitler was doing to their people and country. And the deep, dark and snow-ridden Black Forest where Franka Gerba’s family holiday home was located.

Franka was a nurse and had been working in Munich when first her brother, then her father were murdered by Nazi extremists. Franka had also lost her boyfriend and his sister; murdered when the White Rose was uncovered. She was distraught; felt she had nothing to live for and headed for the only place she’d known peace – the family cottage. The night she walked, aimlessly but with purpose, through the deep drifts of snow, she didn’t expect what she found. Her life changed in the moment she found the badly injured airman who would die if left in the snow.

As the Luftwaffe airman regained consciousness, Franka’s feelings were mixed. She hated what he stood for - but was he who he said he was? Franka was sure there was more to him than that. But trusting him was another thing entirely. What would happen at the snow-covered cottage – their refuge – if the Gestapo came looking for them?

White Rose, Black Forest is my first by Eoin Dempsey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set late 1943 into 1944, it showed the harsh and cruel regime that we have all known about; and the strength and courage of many. It also showed the cowardice of those who gave up their friends to the Gestapo, to gain favour. Franka was a well-crafted character even when she drifted into despair. A wonderful historical fiction novel which I highly recommend.

[Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Genre:
Historical Fiction

This is a world war 2 story. Franka Gerber finds a body lying in the snow, the man is injured. Not knowing who he is she takes him to her family cabin which is in an isolated place. Despite the airman uniform he wears she helps him not knowing his actual identity or mission. There is a lack of trust between these two strangers but when they confide in each other and tell each other's stories something builds up between them.

I love how this book started, I had no idea where the story was heading. The idea of two different strangers or two opposites being alone in a cabin surrounded by nothing but snow is really fascinating for me. The writing style of Eoin Dempsey is beautiful. This is the first time I read a book written by him.

What brought down the story for me from being the perfect historical fiction are several things. I feel when the characters were telling each other their past stories this made me detached from them. For some reason, I would have liked it more if as a reader I remained in that cabin all the time and see how things build up between the two characters than going to their pasts. Although I feel the background is important to understand the characters' motives. But I would have loved it more if it was more about the present and less about the past. I feel going back to the past made the chemistry between the two main characters less intense than what the author might have intended. It made this new relationship less believable.

The ending was beautiful! I thought we lost a character but surprisingly he was there. I loved how the story ended even though I have expected a more sad or tragic ending which is usually the norm with stories about world wars.

White Rose, Black Forest has a unique name, the story might not be as unique as its title especially if you have read so many WWII books, but it is definitely one of the good and enjoyable ones. I am giving it 4.0 stars out of 5.0.

Available on Kindle Unlimited

[G.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy a well written WW2 story, so when I read about this book I had to snap it up! What can I say ? It was disappointing , the story sounded so promising, but I am sad to say it did not live up to it’s promise. It is superficially written, has rather shallow characters and just did not work for me.
I believe it is meant to be based on a true story, but there is little evidence of this.

[Heba · Rating 3 out of 5]

في الغابة السوداء.. عثرت على جسد جاثم في بياض الثلج ، وما أزالت الثلج المتراكم بعيداً حتى تبين لها رجل في زي نقيب بسلاح الطيران الألماني...مازال قلبه ينبض بالرغم من أنفاسه الواهنة ، هل عليها أن تنقذه ؟
ولكن ماذا عن الجرائم التي ارتكبها هؤلاء باسم " الرايخ " وسلبوها من تحب ، هى تُفضل الموت على أن تنقذ أحدهم لتتواصل فظائعهم ، فما الذي عليها أن تفعله ؟
ستنقذه أملاُ منها في أنه يستحق ال��ياة والعودة إلى عائلته سالماً....
وبينما كانت تتفقده ، تمتم بكلمات باللغة الإنجليزية !!
إذن لربما كان جاسوساً أو أسير حرب ، لربما تتورط في إنقاذ رجل يسلمها إلى الموت...
أيمكنها أن تُخفيه بالكوخ الصيفي أمام أعين " الجيستابو " التي لا تغمض...وترصد كل حركة...كلمة..إيماءة...
لا يمكن الوثوق بأحد ، فهل يمكن للخوف أن ينذوي في كهف المراوغة ويثق كل منهما بالآخر ؟
ما الأسرار التي ستنكشف لكى لا تغدو أسراراً بعد ذلك ؟
عن ألمانيا في قبضة الحكم النازي الحديدية إبان الحرب العالمية الثانية ، والحركات المناهضة ضدها كحركة الوردة البيضاء ، و عن تحركات الحلفاء المُتخفية في سبيل القضاء على ....
لن تجزم بملء الفراغ...فأنت لا تدري من كان آنذاك عدوها الحقيقي ؟
الحرب عبثية تُضحي بحياة الأبرياء في سبيل تحقيق مصالح
بعينها لا يطلع عليها إلا من يأمل في تحقيقها...تنتهك الإنسانية من أجل الهيمنة على عالم بائس....
الرواية مستوحاة من أحداث حقيقية إلا أن الحوارات جاءت بصيغة تقريرية جافة ومع ذلك بعض الكلمات الشاعرية تمكنت من أن تندس هناك إلا أن القالب الروائي يكاد يكون جليدياً يفتقر إلى العاطفة ، ثمة مواقف تستدعي أن تبزغ بها المشاعر الإنسانية من بين ركام الوحشية وحطام الموت...
وأخيراً....فبالرغم من إن ثمة دلائل تشير إلى الحب بينهما ولكنني كنت قد تفقدت نبض لحظة الوقوع في الحب فلم تكن هناك...
من يدري..لربما كان الواقع كذلك أو كما أملت بأن يكون .....

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry - didn't really get on with this. It's fine as a pulp adventure - but action was predicable, characters two dimensional and the ending very unsatisfactory. Don't know if this is how the book was written or edited but I really don't like weird Americanisms in a book where the characters and action are European (The Girl from Krakow - I'm looking at you) and analogies such as when the author talks about the principle character removing some thoughts(?) like 'wiping bugs from a windshield' - frankly really wind me up - Is that appropriate for a tale set in the 1930s/40s? Ending was pure soap opera and totally expected.. lightweight. Sorry to be harsh.

[Karen Macedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A really great read if you enjoy Historical Fiction as I do. This story is about a woman who finds a soldier unconscious in the forest during World War II. She goes to great deal of trouble to save him. They both help each other during this terrible time of the Nazi regime. This is the second book I've read by this author having read Finding Rebecca which I also enjoyed. Looking forward to reading more books by Eoin Dempsey. I highly recommend this book...

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

من خیلیییی دوسش داشتممم
اون عشقی که تو داستان بود و اون ماجراهایی که درمورد جنگ و هیتلر توضیح داد، همه چیز برام به اندازه و قشنگ بود...
من قبل از این کتاب چیز زیادی در مورد هیتلر و اتفاقات اون زمان نمیدونستم (البته پادکست درموردش گوش دادم ولی خوندن کتاب یه چیز دیگه است!...)در نتیجه بیشتر تحت تاثییر قرار گرفتم و درک کردم...

[Joy D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction about rescue of an airman by a German resistor. It takes place mostly within Germany’s Black Forest region in 1943-1944. This book was a mixed bag for me. While I found elements to enjoy, such as basing it around resistors in Nazi Germany, there were quite a few inconsistencies in the plot, and I found it a bit contrived. This book purports to be “based on a true story;” however, upon further research, it appears to be mostly fiction. The White Rose organization existed, but the protagonist appears to be fabricated, along with the airman she rescues. I wish the author had addressed which parts are historically based. The book also employs terms that are inaccurate for the time and location. The writing was basic, but it was a quick read and I was interested to find out what happened. I obtained this book as a Kindle First free book of the month and have not had much success with them.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the authors other book better,finding rebecca this one for me a great storyline but a young girl comes across a man in the woods German uniform hardly breathing and drags him to her family cabin is abit unreal.give this book a 3.5 rating.

[Jph12 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction heavy on the fiction and light on the facts (it seems like the only things that actually happened was the rise and fall of the White Rose resistance group). The book is at it's best when it focuses on life in Germany under the Nazis. My favorites parts were the flashbacks to the White Rose. I also liked the depiction of the ordinary Germans turned informants. It added a nice sense of paranoia.

I wasn't so fond of the main characters, and especially not their love story. They seemed too much like idealizations rather than real people. The American man--handsome, rich, but noble enough to still enlist as a private in the Marines and brave enough to earn the admiration of his fellow grunts. The German woman--beautiful, Nazis and resistance members alike recognize her wonderfulness, dated the quarterback in high school.

And the ending is a little over the top. They're gonna make it. Oh no, she's spotted! But they get away. But there's a cliff blocking their way! They're not gonna make it. She tries to sacrifice her life to save him and help defeat the Nazis! But he's an asshole so he deprives her of her noble sacrifice and comes back to rescue her! Oh no, even though he can take out four soldiers in the back of a truck, he still gets shot by a dying Gestapo agent climbing down off of a military transport truck. He's not gonna make it. But she has the power of her love. They make it! And live happily ever after, of course. That might be fine in a work of science fiction or fantasy, but it bothers me in books attempting to present a more realistic story. Miraculous escapes and miraculous stories of survival just don't work when the miracles aren't real.

[Kathy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done historical fiction about WWII

Good concept and great characters. The novel was extensively researched and the story was engaging. I highly recommend this excellent book

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love historical fiction, you’ll definitely enjoy reading this story! It’s a bit on a slower-pace side (a bit like All The Light We Cannot See, if you read that one) so if you’re into a fast-moving plot, you’ll only see some major action in the very end. However, for me personally, it worked in this particular case as it helped me better connect with the characters and get to know them and, what’s more important, their personal stories and secrets behind their actions. I particularly enjoyed the author’s decision to make Franka one of the leading members of the doomed White Rose Resistance group, and it was certainly interesting reading about this famous German resistance cell “from inside.” Also, another great thing that many serious historical fiction fans will appreciate I’m sure, is lots of historical information dotted throughout the narration, which shows Hitler’s rise to power in great detail and how the influence of the Nazi Party slowly penetrated every level of society.
The language is beautiful and descriptive and immediately immerses you into the atmosphere of the German Black Forest, where Franka finds an injured Luftwaffe pilot. However, as Franka is braving the snow trying to help the German, he mutters something in English, and the charade starts unraveling, which will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The novel is meticulously researched; the language, the characters’ actions and motivations are authentic, and the wonderfully-written dialogue only compliments the already engaging plot. And the ending was just perfect, so here’s my separate “thank you” to the author just for that. I loved it, and I would definitely recommend it. A really great story.

[Eliza]

This was free for Prime members on Kindle, so why not? Maybe I'll read it one day.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

In general, I did not end up agreeing with the numerous positive reviewers for this novel, which of course send me off on tangential concepts such as wondering how many of the reviews that are posted here are real or were purchased. After all, I've seen situations where books that are not even released yet have multiple 5-star reviews. I read a very long article about how Amazon reviews are increasingly faked and so perhaps we have the same situation here at Goodreads. Or perhaps my tastes simply do not agree with the many, many people who have already reviewed this book with positive reviews.

The truth is that I'd rather write about fake reviews than to write one about this slight book, suitable for a one hour "Man in the High Tower" show that has been stretched painfully into a full novel. The story is almost predictable. Young German girl falls in love with all things related to the Third Reich, learns the errors of her ways, works in the resistance and later falls head over heels in love with an American spy impersonating a German. All of this can be found out in the publisher's notes, and thus no spoilers. But the problem with the novel is that the spoiler that I left out is really not a spoiler at all, as it was telegraphed from almost the first page.

Overall, I read this until the end, but it was more because I was lazy and did not want to find another book than because I was invested in the characters.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Rose, Black Forest is a WW2 is a historical fiction by Eoin Dempsey. Is the story of white rose in a Nazi
Germany whose family was killed and she wants to end her life as she is walking in a field toward her family vacation cabin, when she finds a man unconscious drags him to her family cabin undress him and places him on one of their beds hands tied. Interesting story and I recommend if you like historical fiction and thriller you will love it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a German woman with anti-Nazi sentiments and and the American spy posing as a German soldier that she finds wounded in the snow and cares for in her secluded cabin. Would make a decent movie. The story moves along pretty well and the settings and characters are rounded out pretty well, but the dialogue is stilted and the romance contrived.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Normally this is exactly what I'd love to read but I found the writing simple and the story predictable.

[Nastaran Masoomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"-آلمان قبل از نازی‌ها هم وجود داشته‌....بعد از اون‌ها هم ادامه پیدا میکنه...
+شاید. اما پاک کردن لکه‌ای که به جا گذاشتند کار مشکلیه..."
یادم نیست کجا، ولی یادم یه بار خوندم : هیتلر رفت اما خیانت بزرگی که به کلماتی مثل عدالت،شجاعت،وطن‌پرستی و... کرده بود تا مدت‌ها جبران نشد...این کلمات تا مدت‌ها معنای خودشون رو از دست داده بودند...پوچ و بی‌فایده به نظر می‌رسیدند...
راست نوشته بود!... ذاتاً تو فکر من،شاید بزرگ‌ترین خیانتی که یه دیکتاتور...یه متعصب...یه ایدئولوژیست در رأس حکومت میتونه به ملت بکنه همین پوچ کردن معانی بالای انسانی و جمعی هستش...همین خیانت به کلمات... چند روز پیش به نوواژه‌ی نخواستنیِ نپذیرفتنی‌ای برخوردم به نام "حرام سیاسی" که مصداق بارز پایین آوردن دین(یک مفهومی که به عقیده‌ی من باید منشا الهی داشته باشه) در حد یک ایدئولوژی احمقانه‌ی سیاسی بود!... مصداق بارز همین خیانت به کلمه!...
بگذریم... از کتاب می‌گفتم... همونطور شد که پیش‌بینی میکردم. خیلی دوستش داشتم. داستان روایت جذابی داشت. جاهایی بود که خودم را جای فرانکا گذاشتم... به این فکر کردم که اگه من بودم چه تصمیمی می‌گرفتم!... به این فکر کردم که خب حق داشت دیگه...نازی‌ها خانواده‌ش را ازش گرفته بودند،و عشقش را و آزادیش را... بعد به این فکر کردم که پس ساداکو و هزاران کودک بی‌گناهی که تو ژاپن در اثر بمباران‌های جنگ جهانی دوم کشته شدند و رویاهای نزیستشون روی دوش جهان باد کرد چی؟ تکلیف اون‌ها چی می‌شه؟... آخر هم نتونستم به جهت‌گیری دقیقی برسم...
اینکه کتاب از زبان یک آلمانی غیریهودی روایت می‌شد برای من جالب بود. تصویرسازی و توصیفات به طور کلی خوب بودند ولی جاهایی از کتاب بود که دوست داشتم توصیفات دقیق‌تری از اتفاقات رو بخونم...به شخصه دوست داشتم به فرایند تغییر عقیده‌ی فرانکا از یک جوان وفادار به هیتلر تا یک جوان معترض به نازی بیشتر پرداخته بشه... راستش حس کردم یکم آخر کتاب سرسری تموم شد! کاش فصل آخر طولانی‌تر و با جزئیات‌تر می‌بود.
ترجمه روان بود.(ترجمه‌های نشر میلکان معمولا خوب هستند و به‌خاطر این موضوع ازشون ممنونم.)
اطلاعی از نسخه‌ی زبان اصلی ندارم پس نمیتونم درباره‌ی اینکه سانسور شده یا نه، یا اگه شده چقدر بوده نظر بدم...
کیفیت چاپ کتاب خوب بود. سبک بود و راحت حمل می‌شد اما راستش تصویر روی جلد رو اصلاً دوست نداشتم...اصلاً دوست نداشتم!...

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

In 1943, In Nazi Germany, MC Franka lives alone in her family's cabin in the Black Forest. While out collecting firewood in the forest, she comes across an unconscious airman lying in the snow. Being a nurse, she isn't willing to leave him to die. She takes him to her isolated cabin despite her hatred of the regime he represents. He is wearing a familiar uniform, but is he who he appears to be?

This was a short read, with all the makings of a thriller. I wanted to like this way more than I did. The dialogue was a bit forced and predictable. The first bit was excellent, while the in between was lacking and a bit repetitive. As far as the last 50 pages, it was the best part of the book, but I would have liked to have seen more of an extended conclusion. Are epilogues too much to ask for ??

[EhsanKleel · Rating 4 out of 5]

{- آمُل ان نتمكن من البقاء على تواصل عندما ينتهي كل هذا اذا كنا قادرين على ذلك، فأنا مُدين لك بالكثير .

* أنا مُدينة لك بالقدر نفسه لما فعلته من أجلي في الكوخ،وعندما وجدتك

- وجدتني؟ أنتِ انقذتني حياتي.}

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out really well but ended weakly. The plot could have been developed more.

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about an American spy and a Germany nurse who's paths cross during the WWII. It's a very unlikely pair with a desperate and dangerous mission....
This was a good read and a page turner, if you enjoy this gender, then this is for you.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through Kindle Firsts in February 2018. I'll be honest; I've been in a book rut. I start books and then lose interest quickly. I thought I was done reading about WWII until this book came along. What an adventure! From the first few pages onward this book does not let up on the tension. There were many times I could feel the anxiousness and fear of the characters. It was a true historical fiction thriller. While there are many questions I had reading the first chapter they were all successfully answered later on. Up to the very end I wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be. It was so good I read it in a few hours and lost quite a bit of sleep. This is my first experience with this author and I look forward to reading his other books.