Archive | July 2021

The Girls In The Attic by Marius Gabriel

Jul29

A Monstrous Lie

The Girls In The Attic by Marius Gabriel is a powerful, heart-wrenching historical novel that will remain with you long after the last page is read. It is a tribute to all those who lived and all those who perished in the Holocaust.

The novel is set in 1944 and 1945 as the Nazis are losing the war. Their cruelty is heightened as they wish to leave no witnesses.

We see life through the eyes of two Jewish sisters, hiding with the mother of a twice-decorated with the Iron Cross Nazi war hero.

The reader witnesses his battle with his conscience – to do what is required or to do what is right? Too many have blindly followed Hitler and joined in with the persecution of the Jewish people.

Not all Germans were Nazis. “A few are monsters, the rest look away” and some help. Many were guilty by omission. The reader is reminded that “for evil to flourish, it just needs good men to do nothing.” “While so many others stood back and watched evil happen, they had taken a stand against it.” Some stood up for what is right with no thought to their own safety.

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In The Dead Of The Night by J P Robinson

Jul28

A Thrilling Conclusion

In The Dead Of The Night by J P Robinson is a thrilling conclusion to the Northshire Heritage trilogy. In this final book we witness the last few weeks of war with the Armistice in November 1918 and through to the signing of the Treaty Of Versailles in June 1919.

The themes and actions begun in the first book speed towards the conclusion. You need to read the books in order. There continues to be trust issues as spies and agents on both sides try to influence the tides of war and of peace.

Loyalties are tested and old scores need to be settled.

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In The Midst Of The Flames by J P Robinson

Jul28

All For One

In The Midst Of The Flames by J P Robinson continues the Northshire Heritage series set during World War I. This is the second book in the series and is set in 1917. You need to read book one first.

Once again similar themes continue. We witness the effects of the battlefields on characters. “Somewhere in the trenches of France, the God he once loved had faded into a dormant memory, replaced by the mounds of dead.” The war has affected a faith, shaking it to the core when surrounded by so much death. “Why are you silent God?” In spite of a wavering faith, a character still cries out to God.

In contrast there is a German farmer who is a Christian and sees beyond a uniform. “We are neither German nor English. We are only human beings, made in the image of God.”

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In The Shadow Of Your Wings by J.P. Robinson

Jul28

A Cracking Start To A New Series

In The Shadow Of Your Wings by J.P. Robinson is a thrilling Christian historical suspense set during the early years of World War I. It is the first book in the Northshire Heritage series.

The novel views the war from both the eyes of the Allies and the Germans. Both sides become cannon fodder. Both sides have families who love them. And both sides work on the premise kill or be killed. Not everyone who is fighting likes bloodshed. “The hated Hun. Hated by whom?… Not hated by God. Not hated by me.” God loves all His children. It grieves Him when they are in conflict.

The reader witnesses the awful destruction caused by the zeppelin raids over the East End of London. In the light of this terrible tragedy and death toll, we have a choice as to how we respond. “She was forced to choose her response to this tragic loss.” Our losses will either sink us or propel us into action.

Both sides have planted agents to report on, and also sabotage the war effort. It was a time of mistrust as many were suspected and investigated.

A family feud splits lives apart. As one tries to heal the rifts, another feels unworthy. We witness the prodigal son theme as a father longs to make peace.

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