Sunday, March 16, 2014

All God's Children by Anna Schmidt

Beth Bridgewater is a German-American living in Germany during WWII. As a teenager, she moved to Germany to help her aunt and uncle with their young daughter and eight years later Beth is still living there. Josef, a medic for the Germany army has returned from the front lines to finished his medical training and has moved in with Beth's family. As the son of a high-ranking Gestapo agent, he has his work cut out for him to earn the family's trust and fight their suspicion that he may be a spy.

Beth and her aunt and uncle are Quakers and do not believe in war. Beth, Uncle Franz, and Joseph (after he earns their trust) eventually unite with the White Rose group and join in their efforts to bring about peace and unity throughout Germany during this dark time. Their involvement is dangerous and places them all at great risk of being charged with treason and sentenced to harsh punishment or even death.

The risk they take eventually does put Josef and Beth in harm's way. As they try to survive, their faith in God, trust in each other, and strength of their love will be tested.

Review:

I liked this book a lot! I don't recall having ever read a book from this time period and certainly not one that was set in Germany. I enjoyed the history that was woven seamlessly throughout the story. The characters were interesting and the story was exciting.

The only complaint I have about the book is that Beth and Josef's relationship just sort of happened. Not much of the story was devoted to the unfolding of their relationship and the beginnings of it... they just kind of went from strangers to a couple. I would have liked to have seen this part of the story played out more... not just the beginnings of their relationship but more information all throughout the course of their relationship.

I would recommend this book and I would read more by this author. I was under no obligation to review this book.

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