Friends and Enemies
Friends and Enemies is a 425 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre. It is published by Hope Spring Books and was released on Jan 5, 2015. To purchase your copy, click here.
Widowed seamstress Heidi Wetzel finds new meaning in life by caring for evacuated children on a farm in war-torn western Germany. Never a supporter of National Socialism, she takes pleasure in passive resistance, but must exercise caution around neighbors who delight in reporting to the Gestapo. Having lived in the United States, she wonders about her friend Rachel.
Flying cadet Paul Braedel’s wife dies while he trains for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following bereavement leave, he joins a navigation class. He’s lost his zest for life and heads to England, not caring if he lives or dies.
When he and his crew are shot down over Germany, he evades capture and, for the first time since Rachel’s death, hears the voice of God whisper guidance. “Find Heidi.”
Heidi meets a man she recognizes from her high school days in America. Aiding a downed airman is punishable by execution, but she agrees to help. Then they’re betrayed.
Heidi Wetzel has suffered a great loss when she is told her husband Erich, was killed in the war. She is filled with despair and travels to a place to help children who have sent to a farm to escape the terrible war going on. Her heart is filled with compassion for these innocent children and finds ways to make clothes for them. Material is hard to find, so Heidi will use whatever she finds, even if it happens to be a flag that is suppose to displayed at all times.
Cadet Paul Braedel is happiest when he is piloting a plane. Everything is going well for him until a tragedy strikes and the love of his life, Rachel falls ill and dies. He is devasted and upon returning from her funeral, he discovers his flight school has left. He now finds himself in navigation school. While out on a mission, he gets shot down in Germany. His crew is left behind in enemy territory and he is desperate to find a way not to be captured. The thoughts running through his mind must have been frantic with survival instincts. As he prays for God to guide him, he hears Gid whisper " find Heidi." What a strange thing to hear while trying to avoid capture.
The book is a riveting story of World War II in a sweeping story of bombings, survival and true to life adventures of two people who were once friends. How do you stay friends with someone when the war tells you they are now the enemy? The sequence of flying was breathtaking as I felt like I was in the cockpit with the pilots. The authors vivid account of the war paints a picture that is clearly seen by the words that glide across the pages. I can't image the terror , challenges and struggles men and women faced during this period of history. It is a very emotional book that will keep you on your toes as the story surrounds you with suspense, fear , romance and faith. Can an enemy be your friend? Who can you trust,? I loved the book so much I couldn't put it down. The author has done a tremendous job of writing a story rich with action, characters that leave you breathless and an unforgettable ending. I will be looking for more books from this amazing, gifted author who writes a story that truly is worthy of becoming a best seller.
I received this book from the Celebrate Lit Life Tour for an honest review.
Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.
Connect with Terri: www.terriwangard.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/terriwangard/
Enter to win a copy of Terri’s new book Friends and Enemies or a $10 Amazon card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Jan 5: Writing Between Sundays
Jan 5: Book Reviews from an Avid Reader
Jan 6: Thinking Thoughts
Jan 6: Novel pastimes
Jan 7: Simple harvest Reads
Jan 8: Artistic Nobody
Jan 9: A Greater Yes
Jan 10: Cassandra M’s Place
Jan 11: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberation
Jan 12: The Grafted Word
Jan 13: Our Perfectly Imperfect Life
Jan 14: Texas Book-aholic
Jan 15: Christian Book Aholic
Jan 16: Bukwurmzzz
Jan 17: Through the Open Window
Jan 18: Highlighted Author
Jan 18: For the Love of Books
About the Book
Widowed seamstress Heidi Wetzel finds new meaning in life by caring for evacuated children on a farm in war-torn western Germany. Never a supporter of National Socialism, she takes pleasure in passive resistance, but must exercise caution around neighbors who delight in reporting to the Gestapo. Having lived in the United States, she wonders about her friend Rachel.
Flying cadet Paul Braedel’s wife dies while he trains for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following bereavement leave, he joins a navigation class. He’s lost his zest for life and heads to England, not caring if he lives or dies.
When he and his crew are shot down over Germany, he evades capture and, for the first time since Rachel’s death, hears the voice of God whisper guidance. “Find Heidi.”
Heidi meets a man she recognizes from her high school days in America. Aiding a downed airman is punishable by execution, but she agrees to help. Then they’re betrayed.
Cadet Paul Braedel is happiest when he is piloting a plane. Everything is going well for him until a tragedy strikes and the love of his life, Rachel falls ill and dies. He is devasted and upon returning from her funeral, he discovers his flight school has left. He now finds himself in navigation school. While out on a mission, he gets shot down in Germany. His crew is left behind in enemy territory and he is desperate to find a way not to be captured. The thoughts running through his mind must have been frantic with survival instincts. As he prays for God to guide him, he hears Gid whisper " find Heidi." What a strange thing to hear while trying to avoid capture.
The book is a riveting story of World War II in a sweeping story of bombings, survival and true to life adventures of two people who were once friends. How do you stay friends with someone when the war tells you they are now the enemy? The sequence of flying was breathtaking as I felt like I was in the cockpit with the pilots. The authors vivid account of the war paints a picture that is clearly seen by the words that glide across the pages. I can't image the terror , challenges and struggles men and women faced during this period of history. It is a very emotional book that will keep you on your toes as the story surrounds you with suspense, fear , romance and faith. Can an enemy be your friend? Who can you trust,? I loved the book so much I couldn't put it down. The author has done a tremendous job of writing a story rich with action, characters that leave you breathless and an unforgettable ending. I will be looking for more books from this amazing, gifted author who writes a story that truly is worthy of becoming a best seller.
I received this book from the Celebrate Lit Life Tour for an honest review.
About the Author
Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.
Connect with Terri: www.terriwangard.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/terriwangard/
Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of Terri’s new book Friends and Enemies or a $10 Amazon card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Stops
Visit each blog to read their review and have another entry to the giveaway!Jan 5: Writing Between Sundays
Jan 5: Book Reviews from an Avid Reader
Jan 6: Thinking Thoughts
Jan 6: Novel pastimes
Jan 7: Simple harvest Reads
Jan 8: Artistic Nobody
Jan 9: A Greater Yes
Jan 10: Cassandra M’s Place
Jan 11: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberation
Jan 12: The Grafted Word
Jan 13: Our Perfectly Imperfect Life
Jan 14: Texas Book-aholic
Jan 15: Christian Book Aholic
Jan 16: Bukwurmzzz
Jan 17: Through the Open Window
Jan 18: Highlighted Author
Jan 18: For the Love of Books
Thank you, Deana, for the lovely review.
ReplyDelete