55867

I really liked the story flow in this intense tale of survival in war torn France and the coming together of two people from very different worlds. The author has a gift for telling a gripping narrative that keeps the reader going, scene from scene, without any slow gaps of extensive exposition or over intense scenes of war battles.

I was really touched by the primary theme as well. The idea that individual people can’t be judged by their overall society or by their government is a powerful one; that just being a part of a country or group of people doesn’t define an individual. That’s a great idea to explore in a Christian WWII work, and the author pulls it off well.

The characters shined well; both Annie and Karl kept me spellbound by their struggle to deal with the horrors of war and keep an identity that is separate from all the carnage around them. I adored how they found common ground between them even through the tragedy that surrounded their meeting. Their growth as individuals and their coming together as a couple really made this book.

I actually really liked this one. From some of the reviews already written, I was thinking I might have some problems, but everything was smooth sailing. I adored the characters, smooth story, and themes explored. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction with a Christian fiction flavor. ( )

In spite of its obvious religious overtones, it didn't beat the reader over the head with religion as so many Christian books tend to do. The story itself was pretty good and engrossing; I'd read this one again, even though there were too many coincidences to make it believable. ( )

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
Nurse Annie Mitchell is disappointed when her honeymoon leave is cut short by a German offensive. Worse yet, after the rest of the nurses are evacuated, Annie volunteers to stay behind--only to find out that her husband is trapped and wounded in no mans land. With no one around to rescue him, Annie and one of her best friends commandeer an ambulance and go after him. Annie does find her husband alive, but her friend is killed by the Germans. And as Annie and her husband try to find their way to safety, they encounter a pair of Germans. Annie's husband shoots one of the Germans, but the other fires back and Annie's husband is also killed. Annie is then taken captive by the remaining German, and forced to take part in his plans, without knowing what he is trying to accomplish, or what he intends to do with her when he is done.






Style Characteristics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
Cavanaugh does a great job of making history come to life, the story is told as an extended flashback, so you know Annie survives and Keith dies right at the beginning. As the reader begins to realize just what it is that has left her confused and in a wedding dress at Keith's grave, suspense builds as to what she will decide. The relationship between Annie and her enemy, the German, is the most intriguing thing. I didn't realize how strong the prejudices were back them, as a reader it is hard to believe how distrustful Annie is of someone just because they are German.






How Good is it?
A fascinating that explores misperceptions. ( )