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Not My Diamonds
A teenager's brave escape from the clutches of Nazi Germany, an American World-War II soldier, and the killing of an FBI agent collide in this compelling tale. Maddie Ellis, a.k.a Celeste Butler, has entrenched herself in financial fraud and money laundering as a tool of survival. As events spiral, her criminal ties connect her to an FBI homicide investigation. Set against the backdrop of decades-old historical events, her world and that of the victim's family become intertwined. Maddie's contempt for her abusive father escalates when she discovers the story of her grandfather Jack, whom she had never known, and his military service. It is only after she learns of the death of her father, Titus Ellis, that she finds a trove of information about her family's past, and a deep mystery surrounding a vanished treasure of German Holocaust victims. San Francisco attorney Sebastian Fisher helps Maddie claim her inheritance, and the romance that blossoms between them holds a promise for love and tranquility. Maddie has now renounced all criminal activity, but will she ever be able to escape her past?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
326 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 31, 2022
What a fun book to read!
My Diamonds: A Missing Holocaust Heirloom: The Unshakable Bonds of Family was written by Ruth Zanger Barron. This is definitely a fiction book and although it contains Holocaust survivors, it is not about the Holocaust except indirectly.
Maddie Ellis was determined to get away from her abusive father. She ran away from home before she graduated from high school and struck out on her own. She worked, got her GED, and made a life on her own terms. Unfortunately, they were illegal terms. With the help of Thomas, she stole from his clients and others and created her own fortune. She changed her name and Maddie Ellis became Celeste Butler when she married Steve Butler. Then her empire began folding.
Esmeralda Santoro came illegally from El Salvador and helped the FBI stop a sex trafficking ring. As a reward, they helped her get her green cart and helped her eagerly await for her citizenship. She worked for the FBI as an intern in finance and money laundering alongside Harry Berger.
Harry’s mother was a Holocaust survivor who was the only member of her family to survive. When they were in Europe, her father and his brothers converted their belongings to diamonds and left them with a priest. After liberation, Jack Ellis was helping in one camp when a priest brought him a pouch that had been left with him for safekeeping. It contained diamonds to be taken to the US and given to Helen Berger through the JDC. Jack forgot about it until his deathbed then ordered his son to get it distributed. Titus decided to keep the diamonds for his own benefit.
The families become involved when Harry is killed and the search for his killer is started. What will be the outcome for all the characters? Just when you think the book is almost over, another bit of action pops up. It keeps you busy.
The book is fun to read and quirky enough to entertain the best reader.
My Diamonds: A Missing Holocaust Heirloom: The Unshakable Bonds of Family was written by Ruth Zanger Barron. This is definitely a fiction book and although it contains Holocaust survivors, it is not about the Holocaust except indirectly.
Maddie Ellis was determined to get away from her abusive father. She ran away from home before she graduated from high school and struck out on her own. She worked, got her GED, and made a life on her own terms. Unfortunately, they were illegal terms. With the help of Thomas, she stole from his clients and others and created her own fortune. She changed her name and Maddie Ellis became Celeste Butler when she married Steve Butler. Then her empire began folding.
Esmeralda Santoro came illegally from El Salvador and helped the FBI stop a sex trafficking ring. As a reward, they helped her get her green cart and helped her eagerly await for her citizenship. She worked for the FBI as an intern in finance and money laundering alongside Harry Berger.
Harry’s mother was a Holocaust survivor who was the only member of her family to survive. When they were in Europe, her father and his brothers converted their belongings to diamonds and left them with a priest. After liberation, Jack Ellis was helping in one camp when a priest brought him a pouch that had been left with him for safekeeping. It contained diamonds to be taken to the US and given to Helen Berger through the JDC. Jack forgot about it until his deathbed then ordered his son to get it distributed. Titus decided to keep the diamonds for his own benefit.
The families become involved when Harry is killed and the search for his killer is started. What will be the outcome for all the characters? Just when you think the book is almost over, another bit of action pops up. It keeps you busy.
The book is fun to read and quirky enough to entertain the best reader.
November 14, 2020
Not My Diamonds is an interwoven tale of two families going back to WWII, however not all of the players are scrupulous. In a delightful tale of survival, love, and truth we are faced with the complicated question of 'what makes a person a good person? a bad person?' Can previous deceitful and hurtful actions be absolved?
What is considered reasonable justification for horrible actions? Is it okay to commit fraud because you were abused as a child? If you donate money to charity that you stole, do the ends justify the means?
Ruth Zanger Barron does draw some parallels between the women in this story - women who ended up on their own and had to make a life for themselves. To see what each of them did, over the span of 3 generations, is a strong central theme.
I really enjoyed this story, and it was a relatively quick read. I know that when there are this many moving parts (the Ellis Family, the Berger Family, Esme etc) that is is hard to provide full backstories for in-depth character development, but still - some of this did feel superficial and perfunctory and sadly didn't create an emotional connection to the story, or at least it left me wanting more.
Overall, interconnected, intriguing story.
What is considered reasonable justification for horrible actions? Is it okay to commit fraud because you were abused as a child? If you donate money to charity that you stole, do the ends justify the means?
Ruth Zanger Barron does draw some parallels between the women in this story - women who ended up on their own and had to make a life for themselves. To see what each of them did, over the span of 3 generations, is a strong central theme.
I really enjoyed this story, and it was a relatively quick read. I know that when there are this many moving parts (the Ellis Family, the Berger Family, Esme etc) that is is hard to provide full backstories for in-depth character development, but still - some of this did feel superficial and perfunctory and sadly didn't create an emotional connection to the story, or at least it left me wanting more.
Overall, interconnected, intriguing story.
October 31, 2020
This is a story that takes us back to World War II down to present times. Helena leaves home in Germany to get out before the Jews are taken away. Her family doesn't come with her. They convert their money to diamonds and leave with a priest. The end of the war the priest gives the diamonds to a soldier to bring to the US to find Helena and give to her. But Jack comes home and forgets about the diamonds until he is about to die many years later.
Maddie Ellis is the granddaughter of this soldier. She doesn't know about what happened. Her dad is abusive so when she is a teen she leaves and changes her name. Now Celeste Butler she goes out into the world to take other people's money. Eventually she changes her life and takes her name back. Her father is dead and she has inherited the estate he has left..
The story takes us through how all of the people in the book have a connection that takes time to find but well worth the read.
Maddie Ellis is the granddaughter of this soldier. She doesn't know about what happened. Her dad is abusive so when she is a teen she leaves and changes her name. Now Celeste Butler she goes out into the world to take other people's money. Eventually she changes her life and takes her name back. Her father is dead and she has inherited the estate he has left..
The story takes us through how all of the people in the book have a connection that takes time to find but well worth the read.
October 30, 2020
Thrilling Read, Positive Message
Not My Diamonds is an entertaining and exciting story that skillfully weaves numerous interconnected life-pieces together. The book is full of well rounded, complex characters who show both selfishness and generosity, both arrogance and humility, both sin and redemption. These characters develop such that a quest for wealth leads to both ruin and to a connection with important historical events, and an opportunity to improve the world. Not My Diamonds is a thrilling book with an uplifting, positive message, leaving the reader the better for the reading experience!
Not My Diamonds is an entertaining and exciting story that skillfully weaves numerous interconnected life-pieces together. The book is full of well rounded, complex characters who show both selfishness and generosity, both arrogance and humility, both sin and redemption. These characters develop such that a quest for wealth leads to both ruin and to a connection with important historical events, and an opportunity to improve the world. Not My Diamonds is a thrilling book with an uplifting, positive message, leaving the reader the better for the reading experience!
October 26, 2020
Not My Diamonds has me on the fence. I enjoyed the dueling story lines and multiple points of view the author used to help guide the reader through this mystery. However, I was a bit confused by the breaking points and lack of any chapters.
The characters were well developed and I definitely felt the connection. I do like that the story came full circle and explained how the characters were all intertwined.
Overall, this was a 3 out of 5 stars for me. Not a bad read, but not super excited about it either. Thanks for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were well developed and I definitely felt the connection. I do like that the story came full circle and explained how the characters were all intertwined.
Overall, this was a 3 out of 5 stars for me. Not a bad read, but not super excited about it either. Thanks for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2022
Very Interesting Story
When I first started reading this book, I was not sure I was going to enjoy it. Then the details and characters grabbed my interest. This is the story of the Berger family, who like so many Jewish families, did some preparations to leave Nazi Germany, but did not leave in time. Except their daughter Helena, who somehow managed to make her way to the United States. And, it's the story of the Ellis family, and the grandfather who was an American soldier who helped clear a Nazi camp. Twists and turns, and twists and turns. Great story
When I first started reading this book, I was not sure I was going to enjoy it. Then the details and characters grabbed my interest. This is the story of the Berger family, who like so many Jewish families, did some preparations to leave Nazi Germany, but did not leave in time. Except their daughter Helena, who somehow managed to make her way to the United States. And, it's the story of the Ellis family, and the grandfather who was an American soldier who helped clear a Nazi camp. Twists and turns, and twists and turns. Great story
February 6, 2021
Doing the right thing
Having read quite a bit of the book, I could not see any connection to the diamonds or the Holocaust. The initial story line is interesting but confusing (complex?), which is why I gave it only 3 stars. Maddy tried to make amends but did not enjoy any satisfaction.
Having read quite a bit of the book, I could not see any connection to the diamonds or the Holocaust. The initial story line is interesting but confusing (complex?), which is why I gave it only 3 stars. Maddy tried to make amends but did not enjoy any satisfaction.
September 14, 2021
Endings but not.
This is a very multi-plotted read, it moves fast and has many twists. So many characters to try to keep up with. I didn’t like that so many characters background or future were not explained. Yes, I will read any further novels by this Author.
This is a very multi-plotted read, it moves fast and has many twists. So many characters to try to keep up with. I didn’t like that so many characters background or future were not explained. Yes, I will read any further novels by this Author.
October 3, 2021
Such a great story. In the beginning, I was trying to piece it together. How does a bombing involving an FBI agent mesh with the diamonds. This story kept me reading as a web of deceit and several families emerge. I really enjoyed this story!
December 15, 2025
Disappointed
I would have given another star to this book if they hadn't introduced a ridiculous not needed
at the end about a character who came from who knows where that went nowhere!
I would have given another star to this book if they hadn't introduced a ridiculous not needed
at the end about a character who came from who knows where that went nowhere!
February 11, 2021
Many characters, story lines. The book wraps the ending neatly. There are two main plots - money laundering and the Holocaust. Interesting read
February 18, 2021
Justice Prevails
This book captured my attention and didn't let go until the last page. All that mattered in the end was doing the absolute right thing.
This book captured my attention and didn't let go until the last page. All that mattered in the end was doing the absolute right thing.
September 13, 2021
Interesting premise and story. Thoroughly enjoyed.
January 4, 2022
This could have been a good story, but the writer botched the characters and plot and the book lacked a satisfactory ending. Don’t waste your time, trust me.
April 24, 2022
Touching
Many characters and the plot was twisted but a show of a family honoring their ancestors. Quick read for many.
Many characters and the plot was twisted but a show of a family honoring their ancestors. Quick read for many.
January 18, 2024
A convoluted tale involving FBI Fraud Section, aJewish family's diamonds from the Holocaust and several other criminals and good people .
March 24, 2024
There is a good story in this book but it is hidden with all the technical descriptions of money laundering and internet fraud, I found it so boring and skimmed. Needs a good editor.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews