Just before their B-17 bomber crashes in German-occupied Austria, two of the three remaining crewmen manage to parachute out of the aircraft. Captain Charlie Banks and Corporal Samuel Aldridge find shelter in a barn, where they are discovered by a beautiful young Austrian woman. Despite the danger to herself and her family, Marianne Leichtner decides to help the two Americans. Her courage and character soon win Charlie’s heart.
When the Nazis come to investigate the plane crash, Charlie and Sam must escape through enemy territory. Just steps from freedom, they are captured by Italian fascists. Survival takes on a new meaning for the airmen, and Charlie begins to questions everything, including his faith. Only the hope of seeing Marianne again keeps him going over the long months in prison. But if he survives, will she still care for him? And will Charlie learn to trust in the Lord’s promises?
Melanie Mason is an author, designer, and
ight attendant all rolled into one. She graduated from utah State university
with a degree in communications. She has told stories all her life and her
passion in sharing the plots that spin through her head. She hopes to be on an
airplane one day and see someone reading one of her books. Melanie lives in
Portland, oregon—with her two dachshund Chihuahua dogs—where the beauty of the
Paci c Northwest feeds her imagination, and the rainy winter evenings encourage
her to curl up with hot chocolate and a good book.
Melanie’s rst book, The Line That Divides (2014),
is a historical romance set against the stunning backdrop of World War II Austria. Her second book, The Ring of Remaliha (2015), is a romantic
suspense novel about an archaeologist who must solve the puzzle of an ancient egyptian ring.
For more information, please visit
the author’s website, www.MelanieMasonAuthor.com.
Connect with the Author here:
This was a
fast-paced and exciting book, beginning to end. It started with a B-17 plane
crash after a bombing run and continued through the surviving crew trying to
avoid capture by the Nazis only to be captured by the Italians in northern
Italy. The author did not hold back telling of details of the suffering and torture to which Captain Charlie Banks and his
radio man, Sam Aldridge were subjected to during their captivity. Although
there were some dicey scenes, it was written without the profane and vulgar
language often found in war stories.
This is a
Christian story, although the specific church to which Charlie, his brother
Peter, and Sam belong is not spelled out. Yet, like many returned prisoners of
war have expressed, it is their faith that keeps them going and helps them to
not lose hope. It is their faith as they pay attention and follow promptings
that help them preserve their lives and stay confident they will survive and
return home.
Marianne
was an interesting character, a courageous young woman although she battled
post traumatic stress disorder because of earlier experiences in the war. Her
romance with Charlie the short time they were together as she helped him right
after the crash added a sweet romance element to the story.
I enjoyed
this story very much. I enjoyed the action, the romance and the historical
detail. I also enjoyed the manner in which faith and hope in God was woven into
the story without being preachy. I recommend it to those who enjoy reading
suspenseful, action-packed WWII romance.
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Thanks for the awesome review!!!
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