Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Review: Saving Amelie by: Cathy Gohlke

 Saving Amelie
About the Book:
Increasingly wary of her father's genetic research, Rachel Kramer has determined that this trip with him to Germany--in the summer of 1939--will be her last. But a cryptic letter from her estranged friend, begging Rachel for help, changes everything. Married to SS officer Gerhardt Schlick, Kristine sees the dark tides turning and fears her husband views their daughter, Amelie, deaf since birth, as a blight on his Aryan bloodline.

Once courted by Schlick, Rachel knows he's as dangerous as the swastikas that hang like ebony spiders from every government building in Berlin. She fears her father's files may hold answers about Hitler's plans for others, like Amelie, whom the regime deems "unworthy of life." She risks searching his classified documents only to uncover shocking secrets about her own history and a family she's never known.Now hunted by the SS, Rachel turns to Jason Young--a driven, disarming American journalist and unlikely ally--who connects her to the resistance and to controversial theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Forced into hiding, Rachel's every ideal is challenged as she and Jason walk a knife's edge, risking their lives--and asking others to do the same--for those they barely know but come to love.

About the Author:
Cathy Gohlke is the two-time Christy Award-winning author of the critically acclaimed novels Saving Amelie, Band of Sisters, Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2012), William Henry Is a Fine Name, and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2008), which also won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award.
Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between Northern Virginia and their home on the banks of the Laurel Run in Elkton, Maryland. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com

My Review:
 When Rachel Kramer receives an odd letter from a good friend, she feels moved to do something to help her friend. But unbeknownst to her, her father has some deep, dark secrets, ones that can change her life forever.

 Kristine Schlik feels the only person she can confide in is Rachel. Her daughter, born deaf, in in grave danger from the SS and her father alike. As soon as she confides in Rachel, it seems she has sealed her fate.

 Jason Young had no idea that when he met Rachel, there would be so much to her story. As an American journalist, Jason will use all of his connections to help both Rachel and Kristine's daughter escape the country by any means possible.

 Lea Hartman has always wanted a child but new tests reveal that, that she will never be able to bare children. As if that weren't enough, the SS seem to be hot on her tail. How does she play into all of this?

 Friederich Hartman, a wood carver by trade---loves his wife dearly, so when she decides she wants to visit her Oma, he agrees. But he didn't expect the SS to get involved.

 Such passionate characters involved in a part of history that will never be forgotten, these brave souls risked life and limb to help those around them no matter the cost. But in the end we know that it was a huge help during that dreadful time, just to be able to help another---to help them get to safety. The author is an award winner and rightfully so, her writing is gripping to the point of taking your breathe away. Saving Amelie, is a white knuckle, chewing your fingernails to the quick sort of story that you don't want to miss!

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Book Fun.

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