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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 that 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?… (more)
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1944 - World War II was in full swing. Hadassah Benjamin, half Jew, had ceased to exist. She was now Stella Muller, an Austrian bookkeeper. Stella was told her beauty would save her, her blonde hair and blue eyes being rare to her people. She'd spent months in Dachau,
Colonel Aric von Schmidt, an SS Kommandant, bends the rules and removes Stella from Dachau and takes her to Theresienstadt. Stella had clerical skills and she was to become Herr Kommandant's secretary, but what were his real motives? He was the enemy, this Jew Killer, but he'd shown Stella concern. Stella totally captivated the Herr Kommandant and had drawn him in. A forbidden love evolves that is wrapped in survival and tragedy --- and the story unfolds.
Theresienstadt was to be Stella's new home and her safety depended on Herr Kommandant. Behind Theresienstadt's facade lay dirty, straw filled stalls crammed with Jews who were suffering from hunger and dysentery. There was no hope for them, unlike her they would not be rescued, but put on cattle cars, a death train, and transported to Auschwitz, a place where Jews never returned - a place where Krematorium fires burned day and night.
This is a powerful and intense book filled with anger, grief, and humiliation. An absolute must read that will evoke many emotions - a story about the Holocaust. Simply one of the best books I've read on this horrible period of history. My rating is 5 stars.
From the book - The Moorexpress had reached the Krematorium. A loud wail echoed from inside the ovens - a child's cry of terror.
I received an advanced reading copy from LibraryThing through Bethany House to read and review. All opinions shared are solely my responsibility.
It is the year 1944 and Hadassah Benjamin finds herself rescued from a firing squad and handed over to SS Kommandant Aric von Schmidt, who thinks she has wrongly been accused of being a Jew. He takes her in and she becomes his secretary. Hadassah must keep her nationality a secret in order to live and hopefully help "her people" in the concentration camp Colonel Aric von Schmidt is running. Aric finds himself attracted to Hadassah and she finds him a caring person and not at all like other officers she has met and been beaten by. But can she truly trust him with her secret and can these two people from very different backgrounds really come to care for and love each other? I would say not possible, but the author did a great job of convincing me otherwise. I won't spoil the ending, but stress it is a work of fiction and things that happened near the end are pure fiction. What takes place in the concentration camps though are real and very hard to understand how people lived through this dark time in history. I highly encourage others to read this story and be moved by the characters and the history they will read about.
I received an advanced reading copy from LibraryThing through Bethany House to read and review.
File Size: 4468 KB
Print Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2014)
ASIN: B00DWA695U
The heartbreak, despair, hopelessness, anger, grief, fear and terror....so many powerful emotions are shown. Also loyalty, courage, perseverance and love. Breslin's characters all bring it to life in a world that has been turned upside down. Breslin also gives some insight into the Nazi's thoughts: Arac's memories of being swept up in Hitler's early campaigns, and now trapped in a mess from which he sees no way out , while some seem to delight in tormenting the Jews for their own personal reasons.
The story becomes intense at times, and keeps you turning pages to see what will happen next! How fantastic it would have been if the final events had actually been based on historic fact instead of fiction!! It is very well written, the characters are well developed, and you are quickly absorbed into the story and the time period.
I also liked the parallels to the story of Esther, and when I would read the scripture telling Esther's story at the start of the chapter, I'd wonder at it's meaning, what it was foretelling would happen in THIS story. Then after I finished the chapter, I'd go back and read it again, and it would 'click'. It added to the historic story, like history being repeated. I hope and pray that such events do not get repeated again....
I would recommend this book highly. It is a story not easily forgotten, and I find myself thinking about it even after I've finished reading it. I will definitely be looking for more books by Breslin!
Thank you to Bethany House for sending me this advanced reading copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers to read and review!
Nevermind that the author took various liberties with the
I also shrugged off the fact that it got a little semi preachy towards the end of the book, (I had to remind myself this was an inspirational novel - however I’m not that fond of the preachy tones) not to mention the romance during the last third of the book got my stomach a little queasy as I’m just not that used to this.
I shrugged off the biggest thing that made me irksome in this book and that was the name Aric and I wondering how the heck is that a suitable name (what the heck was wrong with Erich??? which is a much more realistic sounding and perfect name for that era….if there was more research done in this particular era in history you’ll find DOZENS of soldiers named ERICH (including a famous general) so why does he need to be named something different??? is he a child of Hollywood??????)
I overlooked all those three things that normally in any other book I’d have thrown to the wall and never touch again. Why?
Because I absolutely loved Aric and Hadassah.
The tense moments, the moments where they’re oh so close yet they come apart, or that one dramatic moment where everything actually DID, it just all was an emotional ride. However because their chemistry was so good, I couldn’t help but love them both together. They were so good together you wanted them to hit it off right away. They’re both almost made for each other and one just can’t help but be totally caught up with them through the entire book.
So I said this was an emotional ride. Yes...aside from the very sensitive subject matter, you can’t help but absolutely hate the antagonists in the book with such a rabid rage you feel like going into the book and gave them the haymaker of your life, or skewer them like sausages (hahah a reference to Hadassah’s Herr Sausage haahhaha!) however if the author’s intention was to instill these kinds of emotions from the reader with these kinds of characters; then consider the job very well done.
As to the plot; again if you’re a historical nitpick this might hurt. However, detailed setting descriptions and the overall mood of the story does fit well. The story itself is alright if one can forgive the historical inaccuracies and the attempts to make it fit into the plot, all the action seems to have been crammed into the final third of the novel which does give it a feeling of being rushed, but nevertheless the reading is good. It’s really the characters that carry the novel.
The ending, made me weep (whether happy or sad tears, I am not going to say. It would be considered a spoiler) :)
Would I recommend this? yes, if you want to read a pair of characters that just hit it off from almost page one. No, if you’re bothered by the preachy undertones, the historical warping, and the somewhat nauseous romance that develops later…
Aric Von Schmidt, a camp commandant on his way to Theresienstadt, rescues Stella Muller from execution at Dachau. Her indomitable spirit and beauty touch him in a way that he believed nothing could again. Bitter and hardened to the atrocities of war, he nevertheless reaches out to save her. Stella, though, has a very dangerous secret. Her false papers and her Aryan features label her as a true German. She maintains her identity in order to survive and hopefully to be the salvation of those who have no hope. The ghetto of Theresienstadt holds terror, abuse and despair for all those who enter and only certain death to those who leave. Through Stella’s daring, her uncle’s vision and Aric’s sacrifice, many might be saved from extermination.
For Such A Time is a beautifully written account of the dark history of murder, terror and abuse that the Jews and others deemed undesirable had to endure at the hands of the Nazis. And while I knew the history well, it was still a startling and heartbreaking story that unfolded in the pages of this book. Difficult to read, it was also a wonderful testament to the will to survive and the deep faith in a good and gracious God in the midst of trial. I found the characters well-developed with poignant backstories that, while not lessening their crimes, made them seem terribly human in their motivations. Based on the biblical book of Esther, the novel portrays great courage and faith in God’s deliverance. Unfortunately, the story is fictional. The great escape never occurred. The author shares the facts in the Afterword, making the story all the more tragic.
My favorite part of the book is the verses that Stella finds in her mysteriously appearing Bible. Speaking directly to her plight, she finds comfort where none seems to exist. And her memories of best friend Marta sharing the gospel will encourage the reader in his/her own encounters with those who need to know God’s love.
A wonderful novel that transcends the historical genre, I highly recommend For Such A Time.
Highly Recommended.
Great For Book Clubs.
(Thanks to Bethany House Publishing and TLC Tours for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
For Such A Time has moved me like no other. A heart-wrenching, soul-pricking, life changing read.
This story showcases the cruelties of WWII and the Nazis brutality, hatred and lack of compassion toward the Jews. It also illustrates how faith, love, and
What I loved about this book:
*The story. It was inspired by Esther’s story in the Bible. Just as Esther was chosen to save her people, Hadassah must find the courage and faith to do the same. Her plight is a difficult one, and her journey became my own.
*The emotions. I felt a myriad of emotions. My jaw clenched in anger, my heart wrenched in agony, and I wept for the atrocities that were carried out. I smelled the fear, and felt the passions as well as punishments.
*The characters. They are all flawed, some more than others. I sympathized with Hadassah’s (Stella’s) conflicting feelings. Her responsibilities and struggles were nearly unbearable. Aric is even more complex and conflicting. I fell in love with Hadassah’s uncle, and the others she grew to love. And other characters put such a palpable distaste in my mouth I wanted to spew them out.
*The impact. This book transported me to a horrific place in history, where compassion, empathy and faith were difficult treasures to unearth. Kate Breslin, the author, has taken threads of differing textures: love/hate, empathy/cruelty, acceptance/denial, belief/doubt, and somehow woven them into a tapestry of beauty, love, and acceptance.
What I didn’t love about this book:
*Only that it ended. I’ll miss these characters and the journey we traveled together.
I don’t know how anyone could read this book without being forever changed. Though this story is fictional, there were over a million men, women, and children who experienced similar atrocities.
A book should make us FEEL—whether angry, proud, sad, disgusted, or happy—and this book succeeded.
Cover: Love it
Title: Love it
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pages: 432
Pace: Steady/fast
First Lines: The stench was unmistakable. Seeping through the walls of the two-story chalet, turning pungent from the warmth of an oil furnace, the insidious odor drifted upstairs to where Stella lay asleep on a window seat.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a Review Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
The book references the book of Esther in the Bible. It seems like a somewhat forced connection but I was really moved by this book. The author, Kate Breslin, did a great job of getting me caught up in the lives of her characters! It is obvious that she did a lot of research on the time period
I highly recommend For Such A Time to anyone interested in the era or a fine historical novel.
That said, it was still a pretty good book. Well-written and kept me interested, wanting to know what would happen. I liked the main characters and I was invested in their story. It was somewhat predictable at time, but I find most books usually are, so I don't hold that against it.
Oh, I do recommend reading the note at the end of the book - it explains which parts of her story were actually part of the holocaust and which parts were fictional - something I thing is good to know.
Stella suspects though the the Kommandant has hidden compassion and sympathies, which gives her hope, and she cautiously approaches him to appeal on behalf of those in the camp, she finds herself fighting a growing attraction to him, when she knows she should despise him as an enemy. She takes risks to keep at least some of the prisoners safe, even though she risks revelation of her true identity with every attempt; how can she save her people if she is not able to save herself?
This fictional story is based on the Biblical story of Esther; I have to admit, I am not very familiar with Esther's story, but each chapter of the book began with a verse from the book of Esther, that related to the events of that chapter, which was helpful in tying Esther's and Hadassah's stories together. This was a very riveting story, and the further along I got into it, the harder it was to put down.
"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Hadassah is hiding in plain sight as Stella Muller, secretary to SS Kommandant
A book written about the atrocities of the Holocaust is never easy to read. It is full of emotion and the history is tragic. Kate Breslin did not soften the details of the horrors of the second World War, even though this is a romance. However, she did give us a new perspective of love during the war. I was drawn in by the intriguing story line. I had never imagined a romance like this. However, there are true stories of similar relationships taking place: Edith Hahn Beer and Helena Citronova. Although Stella and Aric's story is different, it is a wonderful book. In every page you can feel the battle raging within Stella as she falls deeper in love with Aric. There were many times that I found myself grinning from ear to ear while reading one page and crying on the next. Be prepared for a wealth of emotion to overcome you as you read this book, but it is worth it! For Such a Time is a truly remarkable story of redemption through faith. We are reminded that God's love for us never fails and His forgiveness is never out of reach.