I enjoyed this story of German immigrant Hedda who comes to America (North Carolina) many years later looking for her fiancé, whom neither she nor his mother have heard from.. She is a talented pianist and soon finds a place at a newly opened collage with new friends and old ones who came to teach at the collage.. There are many twists in the story I won’t spoil.
I liked that the story takes place in a time period not often explored in historical fiction in connection with Germany,—the time between the wars. I also liked that while not really a mystery, readers are led through the tale in unexpected ways. The romance in the book develops slowly (something else I like because it’s so much more realistic that way).It can be difficult to convey hope in a story during a tragic time in history, but this novel does so well.
Can we talk about that cover? So beautiful! It conveys the theme of the novel so well: historical, longing, beauty.
Historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel.
Reviewed by Cindy Thomson. I received a complimentary audiobook of the novel from NetGalley and the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.
Rainey’s grandmother Evie fled Ireland many years ago. Neither Rainey nor her mother know why or anything about her life there. But while recovering from an illness she asks her granddaughter to take her back to the home she grew up in, which is now a bed and breakfast. She wants to retrieve some letters and read them again.
I love Irish stories so I was eager to read this one.
I never understood why Evie did not want her daughter, Rainey’s mother to go with them to Ireland. I thought it would be explained but it really wasn’t. That aside, I really enjoyed this book and the wonderful descriptions. The budding romance was understated, which I personally like. The ending was sweet but I felt like it didn’t tie up all the loose ends especially that budding romance I mentioned. They decided they would figure it out (living in different countries.). Even so, I appreciate that it was slow developing rather than a commitment or a physical affair after only meeting a week ago.
Well-written, easy to read, and a glimpse into the history of the times, which I always like. I gave it four stars.
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I’d like you to meet my guest today. Can you introduce yourself, please?
Guten Tag. My name is Lena Neubauer. My Momma named me Magdelena after her mother, but I have always been called Lena.
I grew up as the oldest girl in a house with seven children. My father provided for our happy childhood in the small German town of Frohn.
Have you lived in Germany your entire life?
Well, my adventurous older brother moved to America with his bride but when she died in childbirth, he sent for me to watch over their children there. Watching the younger children has always been a privilege to me. My own siblings were growing up, so I willingly traveled across the ocean to see to my brother’s needs. That is how I ended up here in America.
So, are you a nanny?
I’m not sure I’d call myself a nanny, only a helpful sister and aunt. We were taught always to put family first.
Was it scary to cross the Atlantic alone?
A young woman traveling alone in the mid-1800s was daunting. I knew no one else and tried to stay to myself but was befriended by a young family who took me in as if I were a nanny to their children. Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord provides in our time of need?
Of course, America was nothing like my brother Herman described in his letters. The treatment of the dockworkers in New Orleans alarmed me. I had no experience with slavery except the Bible passages about it. Being face to face with such ill treatment disturbed me.
Did you stay in New Orleans?
Fortunately, my brother lived upriver on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. We spent some time on a paddle-wheeler after only a brief stay in New Orleans. It was a very pleasant adventure.
It looks like there is more to that story. Would you like to elaborate?
Well, I met a young abolitionist Karl who became a sort of tour guide. He helped me understand much of what I was witnessing in this strange land. He was an unexpected Godsend for me.
Did you stay friends after the trip? You seem to be blushing.
I really cannot say. My story is yet unfinished with him, I think. His wild abolitionist ways are a bit frightening, yet intriguing. It is difficult to explain the hold he has on me, but I am in no position to give in to those thoughts.
What do you expect the future to hold for you, Lena?
I pray that the Lord will lead me to always do the right thing. My brother Herman needs me and that is where I will stay until I am not needed there anymore. Whether that leaves me adrift in a strange land, only God knows. However, He has never left me nor forsaken me before and I am sure He will be beside me all the days of my life.
Is there anything else you’d like everyone to know about you?
I am a child of God. He can take ordinary people like me across oceans to brave injustice and love through the most difficult circumstances. Always be open to how God can use you. That’s what He did for me when I trusted Him.
Terri writes in the Idaho mountains where she lives with her husband and two big dogs. After raising three children and retiring as an English teacher, she now is a national speaker and Bible study leader for women’s groups. She is also a successful writer of articles, devotions, retreats, and church programs. When she is not writing or kayaking down the MiddleFork of the Payette River, spending time with her grandchildren fills her heart.
Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule todrop by. Tell us about yourself!
First off, thank you for inviting me to be a guest on your blog; it’s an honor. My given name is Schmellda Radmilla Lapone. I know . . odd, right? Please call me Shell. You’re right in thinking it’s a strange name. There is definitely a story behind it. My mother’s family emigrated from Bucharest, Romania toward the end of World War II. On April 4, 1944, the allies bombed Bucharest to curtail the Nazi invasion of the country. My mother and grandmother survived the attack while out to shop. Unfortunately, my grandfather along with my mother’s sisters and brother perished when their apartment building took a direct hit. My sisters and I were all named in honor of my mother’s sisters who died that day. I only recently started using my nickname. It’s definitely easier for people to remember.
So where is your family now?
We all live in Nashville, Tennessee. My grandmother passed some time ago. My mother met my father when both families settled in the city. My parents are still very active. My two younger sisters are pursuing their dreams. I graduated recently with a degree in home economics and rented my first apartment. My passion is floral design and without giving too much away, I’ll just say I enrolled at our city college in an effort to pursue a career in that field.
I’m sure you remain close to your family. Are there any other special friends you can share?
There are so many special people in my life. You’re quite right. I’m especially close to my two sisters. We all three have a very strong bond with our parents. Mom and Dad provided the most loving and nurturing home for us growing up. I have a few girlfriends I hang with. And there’s a new man in my life but that’s as much as I can say for now. If I start blabbering on about him I’ll be over-sharing. You’ll just have to read the book for more. Tell us about your hopes for your future. My deepest desire is to live fully in the here and now. For my future? I want to have children and raise them the way I grew up. I want to instill in them to care about others, be passionate about life and have the desire to accept people as they are. I don’t have a crystal ball that is working right now but if I could see into the future, it would be the beginning at the end of a fairy tale: “And she lived happily ever after”.
What causes you to experience anxiety of fear?
For one, I am terrified that I will stumble and fall. Literally and metaphorically. I worry about my sisters. My parents are aging so there’s that. For that matter, I’m aging and you know how hard it is just to take care of yourself! I want to be successful in my career. I want the people I love to be happy and successful.
Is there something you hold especially dear?
My most cherished possession is life and the freedom in being me. It’s taken me a while to learn to breathe without hesitation. I cherish I have the opportunity to work for everything I have ever wanted. I don’t have any special talisman or object I couldn’t part with.
Since you came to life on paper, what have you discovered about yourself?
Through this entire journey to the ripe old age of 22, I guess I have learned to be myself. To not be afraid of what others think of me. To follow my instincts and let things happen like dominos falling into place. One right after the other. To love and be loved. I’m elated how Barry narrated my story. It was a trek and he nailed it up to this point. I cannot believe how intricate his details are from my perspective and that of my family and friends. It’s been a great ride for all of us and I hope your readers will enjoy it as well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barry Wilker spent forty-three years working as an interior designer for myriad clients across the United States. Retirement provided Wilker with ample time to assemble the amalgam of wild ideas, clever stories, and figments of his active imagination, which he has oh-so-stylishly fashioned into his debut novel, The Lapone Sisters. He lived for a number of years in the Los Angeles area and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Tyndale House Publishers
978-1-4964-5993-0
This is a very engaging dual-time period novel set in 1897 and 1961. I love historicals I can learn from and this one revealed a lot of Nashville’s history from both time periods. The story revolves around the Maxwell House Hotel. (Yes, like the coffee. I enjoyed this historical tidbit!) The earlier time period is set during the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, which is an interesting historical event to learn about. The later time period looks back to that event through the scrapbook of a resident of the hotel during the decline of the hotel. Both Priscilla from 1897 and Audrey from 1961 learn to step out of their comfort zones to help those in need. The plight of immigrants and the exploitation of young girls who are either desolate or too innocent is one of those needs. Civil rights and the education of special needs kids is another. These things could overwhelm a novel but instead Shocklee explores how her characters choose to respond to the people in peril. The title comes from a proverb one of the characters tells Priscilla.
I won’t share any spoilers but this is a book that I’m glad I read and highly recommend.
Hardcover | $26.00 Published by Berkley Feb 02, 2021 | 384 Pages | 6 x 9 | ISBN 9780451492180
Set in 1906 during the great San Fransisco earthquake, this new novel by Susan Meissner follows Irish immigrant Sophie Whalen who chose to leave poverty in New York City to become a mail order bride for widower Martin Hocking and his young daughter. But make no mistake. This is not your traditional mail order bride story. This is a mystery to be solved with characters to sort out. Nothing is as it first seems.
Before the earthquake Sophie learns about Martin’s secrets and is forced to make a decision to save the daughter Kat she’s become so fond of. The daughter doesn’t belong to her, however, and the events that unfold deliver twists and turns that made this book extremely hard to put down. The ending wasn’t predictable but like Meissner’s other stories, was satisfying and redemptive. Perhaps more so than in her previous stories, this main character pushes the fringes of good moral behavior, but her motivations gradually become clear, making Sophie a real, raw, character readers will root for.
The historical details are so vivid and detailed that readers will be swept into the story much like watching a film unfold on a big screen. When I read the ending all I could say was, “Wow!” Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher for the purpose of review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.
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