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Seeking the American Dream
As a nurse, Anna Schmidt deals with the aftermath of a war-torn Germany on a daily basis. The destruction and suffering of WWII frame her existence until she meets American GI, Neil Moser. His stories of ranch life in Montana, his quiet kindness and compassion, and the attraction that blossoms give her hope for a different life. Before their relationship develops, Neil is suddenly shipped out of Germany, and Anna is left with nothing but a yearning for what might have been. Anna’s dreams are renewed when Neil writes to declare his love and propose that she join him in America as his wife. After two years of endless paperwork, she is finally on American soil. But will Anna be able to overcome the language barrier and harsh Montana ranch life, to gain acceptance from his parents, and form a family in a country that still considers a German the enemy? Book 1 in the American Dream series and the next generation of the Moser family. by award winning author of Cowgirl Dreams trilogy and Cowgirl A History of Rodeo Women
280 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2017
About the author
Heidi M. Thomas
16 books29 followersI'm a Montana native, and recently moved from the Pacific Northwest to northwest Arizona. I have a journalism degree, teach memoirs and beginning fiction classes and do freelance editing. I have published the "Cowgirl Dreams" novel trilogy: Cowgirl Dreams (EPIC Award Winner), Follow the Dream, a WILLA-Award Winner, and Dare to Dream (Finalist International Book Awards); a non-fiction book Cowgirl Up! A History of Rodeo Women (Winner Global E-book Awards); and two books in the "American Dreams" series, Seeking the American Dream and Finding True Home.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2017
Heidi M. Thomas’ Seeking the American Dream, is a heart-felt novel based on her mother, a German war bride.
The story begins in war-ravaged Germany, 1944. Anna Schmidt, a nurse, deals with the horrors of war as she tends the wounded, and as she sees her homeland destroyed by incessant bombing raids. When she meets American G.I. Neil Moser, there is an immediate attraction. Although Anna speaks no English, Neil speaks German so they are able to communicate. She admires his calm demeanor, and she loves listening to his stories of Montana ranch life. When Neil is suddenly shipped out, Anna is left with little hope and a yearning for what might have been.
When Anna receives a letter from Neil declaring his love and a proposal of marriage, she is overjoyed. But the two-year ordeal of emigration procedures make the dream seem almost impossible. Finally, she arrives in Montana and into Neil’s arms.
But the truth is, her problems are only beginning. She meets hostility and prejudice among some of their neighbors. Eastern Montana is a hard land, so vast that their closest neighbor is miles away. Long, harsh winters, spring floods, and sweltering summers make daily living a chore. The lack of household conveniences available in Germany, such as indoor plumbing and electricity, add to their hardship. At first they live with Neil’s parents and Anna feels unaccepted. But through it all, Neil is gentle and patient.
The couple eventually moves to their own ranch and start a family. But the hardships continue—running a ranch is brutally hard work. When sickness strikes, their existence is threatened and Anna fears her American dream is crumbling.
Master storyteller Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a remote Montana cattle ranch, which adds authenticity to her stories. Thomas’ descriptions of Montana’s landscape, weather, and the mindset of neighboring ranchers bring scenes to life. I very much enjoyed Seeking the American Dream which is the first book of Thomas’ new “American Dream Series.”
The story begins in war-ravaged Germany, 1944. Anna Schmidt, a nurse, deals with the horrors of war as she tends the wounded, and as she sees her homeland destroyed by incessant bombing raids. When she meets American G.I. Neil Moser, there is an immediate attraction. Although Anna speaks no English, Neil speaks German so they are able to communicate. She admires his calm demeanor, and she loves listening to his stories of Montana ranch life. When Neil is suddenly shipped out, Anna is left with little hope and a yearning for what might have been.
When Anna receives a letter from Neil declaring his love and a proposal of marriage, she is overjoyed. But the two-year ordeal of emigration procedures make the dream seem almost impossible. Finally, she arrives in Montana and into Neil’s arms.
But the truth is, her problems are only beginning. She meets hostility and prejudice among some of their neighbors. Eastern Montana is a hard land, so vast that their closest neighbor is miles away. Long, harsh winters, spring floods, and sweltering summers make daily living a chore. The lack of household conveniences available in Germany, such as indoor plumbing and electricity, add to their hardship. At first they live with Neil’s parents and Anna feels unaccepted. But through it all, Neil is gentle and patient.
The couple eventually moves to their own ranch and start a family. But the hardships continue—running a ranch is brutally hard work. When sickness strikes, their existence is threatened and Anna fears her American dream is crumbling.
Master storyteller Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a remote Montana cattle ranch, which adds authenticity to her stories. Thomas’ descriptions of Montana’s landscape, weather, and the mindset of neighboring ranchers bring scenes to life. I very much enjoyed Seeking the American Dream which is the first book of Thomas’ new “American Dream Series.”
July 11, 2017
Heidi Thomas’s Seeking the American Dream is a genuine pleasure. Her heroine, a nurse in WWII Germany, captured my heart and made me care. As Anna struggled to survive unimaginable losses, fell in love, and fought through red tape to join her new love in America, I felt hungry, lost and frustrated, too. I’ve enjoyed many WWII and post-war novels, but never had I felt so intimately connected to the details of survival and rebuilding, which so many suffered in shattered Germany.
As a story of German immigration to the American West in the 20th Century, this novel surpasses any I’ve read. My own grandparents struggled with the sort of discrimination Anna faced, and her challenge to be accepted rang true. Ms. Thomas knows WWII history and involved me in tangible details of Montana ranch life. This is no sugarcoated love story, but an intimate view of one young couple’s loving struggle to survive and thrive in the West. I highly recommend this rich, engaging story!
*I received an Advance Review Copy from the publisher, but no other compensation or consideration for this review.
As a story of German immigration to the American West in the 20th Century, this novel surpasses any I’ve read. My own grandparents struggled with the sort of discrimination Anna faced, and her challenge to be accepted rang true. Ms. Thomas knows WWII history and involved me in tangible details of Montana ranch life. This is no sugarcoated love story, but an intimate view of one young couple’s loving struggle to survive and thrive in the West. I highly recommend this rich, engaging story!
*I received an Advance Review Copy from the publisher, but no other compensation or consideration for this review.
July 10, 2017
Seeking the American Dream is pure inspiration. Heidi Thomas made this story come alive with description that drops a reader right into the story. What Anna and Neil had to go through to fight for their love, relationship, marriage and family is nothing short of grit and determination. Can you imagine waiting two years to come to America to marry the man of your dreams, to then be chastised because of your ethnicity and dialect? To come from a decent, happy, supportive life to poverty, hard times and a gruff mother-in-law? Those were hard times lived by tough people, folks that lead me to admire the old west. Thomas placed me right into the story as if I were there with them. This is a must read for history buffs and those who love the American West. For anyone with a dream. Job well done!
April 8, 2018
Based on real life people and events, this story is about an American GI who falls in love with a German girl in occupied Germany at the end of World War II. Surmounting constant obstacles and challenges over a two-year period. Anna is able to join Neil in Montana. The war was barely over so Neil and Anna faced criticism and prejudice which made adjustment to a new culture and environment that much more difficult for Anna. Thomas does a good job of showing the hardships and rewards of ranching in eastern Montana. The World War II background was obviously well-researched and the Montana ranching scenes could only be from first-hand knowledge. Heart-warming story. Strong characters. Well written, well edited. Good read.
July 12, 2017
Once again, I open the pages of a Heidi Thomas novel and I’m transported to another time and place. From post WWII Germany to the sometimes-brutal Montana ranch life, Seeking the American Dream explores one woman’s journey as she faces impossible odds to live her dream. Ms. Thomas is excellent at period literature. You won’t be disappointed.
September 23, 2017
It is 1944, war-ravaged Germany, where nurse Anna Schmidt meets American GI Neil Moser. Their chemistry is immediate. Anna’s desire to join Neil in far away Montana and become a rancher’s wife is the most challenging journey she will ever take. Heidi Thomas gives the reader an unforgiving land peopled with authentic characters striving to make a true life while struggling with hardship yet still holding onto hope and love. Anna must draw from the depths of her soul to attain that place she will call home in post-war America.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews