Chasing shadows

Lena de Vries lives on her Dutch farm with her husband, Pieter, and their children. Her eldest, Ans, longs for something more and gets a job in Leiden, where she meets Miriam Jacobs, who relocated there from Westerbork, a Jewish refugee camp. Ans is not worried about the threat of Hitler because the Netherlands are neutral, until 1939, when the Nazis invade and throw the three women's lives into dangerous turmoil. Ans starts working for the Resistance, though she must keep it from her boyfriend, a cop who wants to lay low until the war is over. Soon Lena is driven by her Christian faith to hide Jews and deserters on the farm, while Ans ferries information, avoiding Nazi patrols. Miriam must hide separately from her husband and infant in order to survive. Their stories intertwine throughout the war, revealing a less-told history of WWII to historical fiction readers. Austin (Waves of Mercy, 2016) has written a powerful tale of domestic heroism and faith, with all three women questioning and then turning to God for strength.

Christy Award winner Austin (If I Were You) shines in this excellent tale of three women who struggle to survive WWII in the Netherlands. Lena de Vries and her two young daughters are keeping the family farm going while her husband and son are away at war. In addition to protecting her family, she also cares for the refugees she's hiding from the Nazis. Lena's oldest daughter, Ans, moved to Leiden shortly before the war, eager to leave behind her rural life and her faith. After the fighting begins, she joins the Resistance, putting her on the opposing side of her boyfriend, Erik--a Dutch police officer now working for the Nazis--and leading her to discover she needs her faith more than ever. Miriam Jacobs is a Jewish woman on the run from the Nazis. As a young wife and mother, she leaves everyone she knows behind in hopes of keeping her baby alive. As the three women work to evade and break the Nazi grip on the Netherlands, Austin skillfully portrays the dangers they face as they struggle to survive. This is a must-read for fans of WWII inspirationals. (June)

Lena de Vries, a hardworking wife and mother on a Netherlands farm in 1940, struggles with her daughter Ans's teenage rebellions and worries about the Nazi regime in Germany. Then Germany invades the Netherlands, and Lena's everyday concerns turn into desperate fear. To survive, each of the de Vries must make a choice: join the Resistance or collaborate with their oppressors. Meanwhile, young Jewish German refugees Miriam and Avi are in the Netherlands to try to start a new life together. Gradually, their freedom is curtailed and their escape routes are cut off; they must rely on the help of strangers, including the de Vries family, to survive. VERDICT Austin (If I Were You) delivers another stunning historical saga about ordinary people who face impossible odds, yet trust an extraordinary God. The compelling characters and moral dilemmas are a highlight; it's similar to recent Christian fiction hits about WWII, including Sarah Sundin's When Twilight Breaks and Cathy Gohlke's The Medallion.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

Lena de Vries lives on her Dutch farm with her husband, Pieter, and their children. Her eldest, Ans, longs for something more and gets a job in Leiden, where she meets Miriam Jacobs, who relocated there from Westerbork, a Jewish refugee camp. Ans is not worried about the threat of Hitler because the Netherlands are neutral, until 1939, when the Nazis invade and throw the three women's lives into dangerous turmoil. Ans starts working for the Resistance, though she must keep it from her boyfriend, a cop who wants to lay low until the war is over. Soon Lena is driven by her Christian faith to hide Jews and deserters on the farm, while Ans ferries information, avoiding Nazi patrols. Miriam must hide separately from her husband and infant in order to survive. Their stories intertwine throughout the war, revealing a less-told history of WWII to historical fiction readers. Austin (Waves of Mercy, 2016) has written a powerful tale of domestic heroism and faith, with all three women questioning and then turning to God for strength. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Lena de Vries, a hardworking wife and mother on a Netherlands farm in 1940, struggles with her daughter Ans's teenage rebellions and worries about the Nazi regime in Germany. Then Germany invades the Netherlands, and Lena's everyday concerns turn into desperate fear. To survive, each of the de Vries must make a choice: join the Resistance or collaborate with their oppressors. Meanwhile, young Jewish German refugees Miriam and Avi are in the Netherlands to try to start a new life together. Gradually, their freedom is curtailed and their escape routes are cut off; they must rely on the help of strangers, including the de Vries family, to survive. VERDICT Austin (If I Were You) delivers another stunning historical saga about ordinary people who face impossible odds, yet trust an extraordinary God. The compelling characters and moral dilemmas are a highlight; it's similar to recent Christian fiction hits about WWII, including Sarah Sundin's When Twilight Breaks and Cathy Gohlke's The Medallion.—Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

Christy Award winner Austin (If I Were You) shines in this excellent tale of three women who struggle to survive WWII in the Netherlands. Lena de Vries and her two young daughters are keeping the family farm going while her husband and son are away at war. In addition to protecting her family, she also cares for the refugees she's hiding from the Nazis. Lena's oldest daughter, Ans, moved to Leiden shortly before the war, eager to leave behind her rural life and her faith. After the fighting begins, she joins the Resistance, putting her on the opposing side of her boyfriend, Erik—a Dutch police officer now working for the Nazis—and leading her to discover she needs her faith more than ever. Miriam Jacobs is a Jewish woman on the run from the Nazis. As a young wife and mother, she leaves everyone she knows behind in hopes of keeping her baby alive. As the three women work to evade and break the Nazi grip on the Netherlands, Austin skillfully portrays the dangers they face as they struggle to survive. This is a must-read for fans of WWII inspirationals. (June)