Gracianna by Trini Amador

This story is fiction, but based on true events of the author's great-grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga.

Gracianna Arrayet was born in the Pyrennes, mountains that border France and Spain. Her mother was Ann, who died in childbirth when Gracianna was eight years old - her grandmother, Grand-mere - Anastasia. Her birth certificate read "Father Unknown". Gracianna has a little sister, Constance, and they share a bond of love born from the loss of their mother. She loved her native Basque, the language unrelated to any other European languages. Gracianna was ambitious and curious, being able to quote verses from poems and entire passages of history. Gracianna dreamed of moving to America. She longed to see California and the beautiful Santa Barbara. She developed a plan to go to Paris where she would work for a year to earn enough money for her travel to America. Her family tried to dissuade her from leaving because of the war in France, but Gracianna, even with fear welling up, was determined, and in the early 1940's, finally leaves for Paris with no plans to return. With Nazi headquarters in the backyard, she finds a job working in a bar cafe and sharpens her instincts for survival in occupied Paris. In time she is recruited into the French Resistance.

Juan Laxague was a rather shy local sheepherder and has known Gracianna and her family for years. He was taught the values of hardwork and belief in God early on. He thought a lot about the future with Gracianna and one night he decides to strike out on his own. And the story unfolds as Juan follows Gracianna to Paris where he begins his search for her, whom he believes will become his partner in life. Constance also follows Gracianna and arrives in Paris with great fanfare. Caught up in a whirlwind, the impetuous and immature Constance quickly marries a wealthy man for the easy life.

Parisians were disappearing, Jews were being rounded up, suspected sympathizers rooted out by the Gestapo. A series of events unfold and Constance is beaten and humiliated and sent to Birkenau, one of the satellite concentration camps of Auschwitz.

This is an emotional story about the Holocaust, World War II, Hitler, the Auschwitz - Birkenau death camp, and the French Freedom Resistance. Gracianna's sister miraculously did live through Birkenau, where it is estimated that between 700,000 and 1 million people were gassed, hanged, or shot. Rumors were that at night you could see lights blaze and flicker and hear horrific screams. The Nazis were performing evil, supposedly scientific tests on prisoners - men, women, and children - where death was probably preferable.

The topic of the Holocaust brings with it deep sadness and the horrible realization of what occurred at that time. This is a compelling tale of love, family, suspense and survival. A gripping novel that I highly recommend.  

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

France - 1916 - World War 1 - The Germans are occupying a proud little village of St. Peronne. It had been one of the first towns to fall to the Germans. The Bessette family had been running a hotel, La Coq Rouge, a very fine establishment for generations. After the village becomes occupied, Sophie and her sister, Helene, continue to keep the hotel going while both of their husbands are fighting in the war. There were barely any men left in the town and the women had to take on men's work. The village had no milk to feed the babies, they were weeping from hunger and becoming ill from lack of good nutrition. The Germans were the only ones who ate well. They raided wine cellars and also took food that had been produced by the local farmers.

Herr Kommandant enters the story and decides that his men will be fed at the hotel. Sophie and her family would provide meals for the German officers. Herr Kommandant becomes almost mesmerized by a portrait, in its gilded frame, hanging in the hotel - a portrait of Sophie, painted by her artist husband, Edouard. Herr Kommandant shows kindness towards Sophie and her family, but becomes consumed by Sophie.

The plot becomes complex with a myriad of obstacles to overcome. Edouard is sent to a reprisal camp at Ardennes, which was said to be one of the worst. Sophie is taken prisoner by the occupying German forces.

The author effortlessly weaves together two stories, a century apart. The story flips over to 2006 - London - where Liv Halston is struggling to get over her husband's death, that happened four years earlier. In her living room hangs the portrait of The Girl You Left behind, given to her by her late husband, David, on their honeymoon. The story evolves around the portrait and just when you think the story is resolved , it takes on a twist, and then, yet another. Finally the resolution comes, and not what is expected. I absolutely loved the ending.

This is a beautifully written story that will capture you from the beginning. The author spins a tale of twisting emotions while blending the past and the present in vivid detail. You don't want to miss this one. 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison

I was immediately swept into this book with the prologue.  Neil Kazenzakis is employed as a teacher by the Port Manitou School District.  Neil is directed to attend an educational conference in Wisconsin and he takes with him his wife, Wendy, and son, Christopher.  It was to be a relaxing mini vacation for them.  Then, the unthinkable happens, a terrible accident in the pool and Wendy is flown to the University Hospital which leaves her in a vegetative state.  And the story unfolds ---

This is a captivating story about the power of family love, loss, sacrifice, and survival.  The author does an amazing job of getting into the hearts and minds of the characters and a lot of drama unfolds.

One negative comment:  After the prologue, which grabbed me, I struggled with this book early on for several chapters, almost giving up - too much information.  But, I'm glad I continued on - I eventually became engaged in the storyline as the chapters really started to flow with many twists and turns and a myriad of obstacles to overcome.  There were splashes of humor spread throughout and I especially loved the father-son relationship between Neil and Chris - very touching.

The last several chapters and the ending were my favorite part of the book.  The chapters were written beautifully with poignancy that will absolutely touch your heart and an ending filled with new beginnings.

This is a wonderful debut novel by Jon Harrison and I'll be watching for future books by him.  My rating is 3.5 stars.

The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester

The Rockin' Chair is an engrossing read that is told with emotion and poignancy.  From beginning to end the story captured my heart with the good old fashioned story telling and the author managed to wrap it all into one beautiful package.  An amazing read!

The endearing character of John McCarthey, aka Grampa John, touched my heart.  Sometimes referred to as a stubborn, old codger, Grampa John is facing loneliness.  His wife of many years, Alice, is close to dying with the dreaded illness, Alzheimer's disease.  His world is about to collapse and all he can do is sit back and watch it happen.  Alice has been cheated one of life's greatest gifts, her memories, and is fast becoming no more than a shadow of the past.  Alice has always been the strong member of the McCarthey family - the one who instilled the family security.  As Alice's condition worsens, Grampa John decides it is time to call his family home - his three grand kids, Georgey, Evan and Tara, to say their goodbyes.  And the story unfolds ---

Over the years, Grampa John had carved four names into the seat of "the Rockin' Chair," that sat on their porch, Hank, Georgey, Evan and Tara.  From early on they'd all spent their childhoods rocking, laughing and learning to love and receiving Grampa's unconditional love.  Grampa John is not ready for the promised land until he knows these four loved ones have found peace in their lives and family problems are resolved.  There is mending to be done before he can join Alice in eternity.

After reading this book, I was left with a warm feeling - an absolutely wonderful read.  It is a favorite of mine for 2013.  My rating is 5 stars.  

I received a complimentary copy from Net Galley for an honest review of the book.  The opinion's shared are solely my responsibility.