This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Cathy Gohlke is the two-time Christy Award–winning author of the critically acclaimed novels Band of Sisters, Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2012), William Henry Is a Fine Name, and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2008), which also won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award.
Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between Northern Virginia and their home on the banks of the Laurel Run in Elkton, Maryland.
Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
I found Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke to be a highly absorbing and mesmerizing novel. It is set in Germany in 1939, just as the Nazis are preparing to invade Poland. Rachel Kramer has traveled from the USA with her adoptive father to Germany for her periodic medical examination. The father is a scientist who studies genetics and he has multiple appointments with German scientists who seemingly share the same interests. But, when Rachel receives a hurried note, the dynamics of the story change dramatically. Rachel's friend Kristine fears for her own life as well as the life of her young, deaf daughter Amelie. In fact, when Rachel learns of her father's apparent participation in the plot to rid the Aryan race of misfits and handicapped individuals, she feels she must somehow save the child and escape what appears to be a hideous plan to involve her as well.
Author Cathy Gohlke has done a marvellous job of conceptualizing her characters in Saving Amelie. There is little doubt that any reader will be drawn into the story within the first two chapters. The historical research is top notch and what Gohlke does with the personalities of her characters is nothing short of brilliant. News reporter Jason Young literally grows up to face the reality of the Nazi takeovers. A family in the small town of Oberammergau in Bavaria epitomizes the depth of human understanding and compassion. And the German SS officer Schlick plays a disturbing role which will convince the most disbelieving reader. The events portrayed are difficult to comprehend and yet the reality of the story is spell-binding.
