TLC Book Tours Book Review: For Such A Time

Author: Kate Breslin
Title: For Such A Time
Publisher: Bethany House
Publish Date: April 1, 2014
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours
Book Blurb: In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric’s secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric’s compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp’s prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?

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Review

For Such A Time is the kind of book that really touches your heart. It takes place during the last days of WWII, as things are winding down, and the Nazis are committing more unspeakable crimes against the Jewish people.

Every time I read a book about this time period, I feel sickened that one person could convince people to commit genocide. 

Stella has to be one of the strongest heroine's I've read about in ages. Though there was a bit of romance between her and Aric, the Kommadant, the focus of the novel was how she really helped the Jewish people at his camp. As Aric's secretary she had a certain amount of power and access to records of people being sent to Auschwitz.  She does her absolute best to keep them safe

Aric was not your typical Nazi either. He's sympathetic to the Jews and that's even before he falls in love with Stella.

This book is really an emotional roller coaster.  You felt the highs and lows of Stella and her quest to help her people, as well as her inner turmoil over her growing feelings for Aric. I think Stella's love for Anna, who died trying to protect her, and Joseph (who in some ways reminds me of Les Miz's Gavoroche) really display her ability to love unconditionally. Towards the end there's another little girl she tries to protect as well and the outcome there will leave you in tears.

You definitely could tell Kate did her homework to write this book. I also liked the ending, which thankfully had a happily ever after, but she did allude to the fact that someone would have to face up to the crimes that were committed during the war.

Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction with a touch of romance.

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 About Kate Breslin

A Florida girl who migrated to the Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years. Author of several travel articles, award-winning poet, and RWA Golden Heart finalist, Kate now writes inspiring stories about the healing power of God’s love. For Such a Time is her first book. She lives with her husband and cat in Seattle, WA.

Connect with Kate on her website and on Facebook.