The Darkest Hour:
WWII Tales of Resistance
By Roberta Kagan • Jean
Grainger • Marion Kummerow • Ellie Midwood • Alexa Kang • Mary D. Brooks •
Deborah Swift • Kathryn Gauci • John R. Mckay • Ryan Armstrong
WW2. When the world falls
to terror and tyranny reigns…
...how far would you go to resist?
Would you risk your own life or the lives of the ones you love?
From a young Jewish woman in love fighting her way out of the Warsaw ghetto, to a Czech assassin rising above his fears for an attempt on a Nazi Hangman’s life, to a daughter who vows to avenge her family by taking down a Japanese commander, and a French boy's touching act of defiance no matter how small.
Come and get a glimpse of the invisible side of WWII - the Resistance, those who refuse to bow down to brutality.
Hold your breath and hope for the best in the darkest of times, when our heroes and heroines risk all to defy evil so the light of freedom will shine over their countries again.
This collection includes ten never before published novellas by ten of today’s bestselling WWII historical fiction authors.
Foreword by Terry Lynn Thomas, author of The Silent Woman, the USA Today Bestseller.
Featured Stories:
Bubbe’s Nightingale by Roberta Kagan
Catriona’s War by Jean Grainger
Reluctant Informer by Marion Kummerow
Killing the Hangman by Ellie Midwood
The Moon Chaser by Alexa Kang
Enemy at the Gate by Mary D. Brooks
The Occupation by Deborah Swift
Code Name Camille by Kathryn Gauci
V for Victory by John R McKay
Sound of Resistance by Ryan Armstrong
...how far would you go to resist?
Would you risk your own life or the lives of the ones you love?
From a young Jewish woman in love fighting her way out of the Warsaw ghetto, to a Czech assassin rising above his fears for an attempt on a Nazi Hangman’s life, to a daughter who vows to avenge her family by taking down a Japanese commander, and a French boy's touching act of defiance no matter how small.
Come and get a glimpse of the invisible side of WWII - the Resistance, those who refuse to bow down to brutality.
Hold your breath and hope for the best in the darkest of times, when our heroes and heroines risk all to defy evil so the light of freedom will shine over their countries again.
This collection includes ten never before published novellas by ten of today’s bestselling WWII historical fiction authors.
Foreword by Terry Lynn Thomas, author of The Silent Woman, the USA Today Bestseller.
Featured Stories:
Bubbe’s Nightingale by Roberta Kagan
Catriona’s War by Jean Grainger
Reluctant Informer by Marion Kummerow
Killing the Hangman by Ellie Midwood
The Moon Chaser by Alexa Kang
Enemy at the Gate by Mary D. Brooks
The Occupation by Deborah Swift
Code Name Camille by Kathryn Gauci
V for Victory by John R McKay
Sound of Resistance by Ryan Armstrong
“…we shall fight on the
beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields
and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”
Sir Winston Churchill
House of Commons 4 June
1940
There were those who refused to bow down to tyranny, but not all
of them wore uniforms. Some of them were ordinary people from different walks
of life. These brave few risked everything, including their lives and the lives
of those they loved. Some acts of defiance were small — chalking the letter “V”
onto walls. Others, hid those who were persecuted. A few took up arms, and they
died fighting for their country, for their compatriots, and for themselves.
These men, woman and sometimes children are known by a collective name. They
were called The Resistance.
The Darkest Hour: WWII Tales of Resistance has
brought together some of the finest World War II Historical Fiction authors.
These authors have donated their time and their skills to bring about this
remarkable collection of short stories about The Resistance. All proceeds from
the sale of this book go to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in
Washington DC.
From the fall of Czechoslovak to the occupation of China, The
Darkest Hour: WWII Tales of Resistance is a compelling account of those who
chose not to surrender, but to fight on, no matter what the consequences.
I am going to approach this review the same way I approached the
book — one story at a time.
Bubbe’s
Nightingale by Roberta Kagan
Bubbe Ruchel never talked about the past. However, Bubbe is
suffering from dementia, and she does not want her story to be forgotten.
Kagan approached this story with great sensitivity and grace. The
brutality of the Warsaw Ghetto was vivid in the telling, but so was the
determination of The Jewish Resistance.
Bubbe is a superb heroine. She lost everything, her world was
turned upside down, but she approached the future with resilience and courage.
Running alongside the hardship and terror of the Ghetto is a sweet but tragic
love story, which made this tale even more heartbreakingly beautiful.
Kegan has given a sense of what the Warsaw Ghetto was like, and
with the limited word count, she has made a very informed choice of what to
include and what not to. Reading about the atrocious treatment of the Jews
during World War II can sometimes overwhelm, but in Bubbe’s Nightingale, there
is a good balance between the terrible barbarities and the quieter, gentler
moments of everyday life. There is also a sweet love story, which gives
some light relief. This was a great novel to start the anthology with.
Catriona’s
War by Jean Grainger
Catriona McCarthy’s father, Kieran, told her to wait for his
return. Only he didn’t come back. No one knows what has happened to him, just
that the enemy has captured him and in all likelihood he is dead. If that were
not enough for Catriona to get her head around, she is now being asked by the
British if she will continue what her father started.
What a wonderfully compelling tale Catriona’s War is. I adored
Catriona. She is such a strong woman who seemed to relish being thrown into the
deep end. Her relationship with Schroeder, a German officer, was incredibly
enthralling. I thought her portrayal was magnificent.
The story was fast-paced and the narrative was clear and concise.
The ending was more than satisfying. An enjoyable read.
Reluctant
Informer by Marion Kummerow
Sabine Mahler believes that if she minds her own business, then
the feared Gestapo will leave her and her family alone. However, that all
changed the day Frau Klausen became her new co-worker.
Reluctant Informer is a compelling but also a harrowing account of
one woman’s fight to save her husband. This story demonstrates not only the
brutality of the Gestapo but also the risks that The Resistance took to thwart
them.
As a character, I thought Sabine was wonderfully portrayed.
She really is caught between a rock and a hard place. I found myself thinking,
what I would do if I had been her? Each page turn had me holding my
breath, wondering what new horrors would await her. The writing was
absolutely absorbing.
Kummerow certainly has a remarkable eye for historical detail.
This was such a great story. I cannot praise Reluctant Informer enough.
Killing the
Hangman by Ellie Midwood
The Man With The Iron Heart — that is what Hitler called
him. The Czech’s called him by a different name — The Hangman. When Jozef and Jan received
their orders, they know what they have to do. They have to assassinate Reinhard
Heydrich.
I am a big fan of Ellie Midwood’s writing, and I am glad to say
that she did not disappoint. Her portrayal of Heydrich was chilling. Here was a
man who radiated power and terrorised everyone, including those who worked with
him. He answered only to Hitler, Göring and Himmler, and was one of the principal
architects of the Holocaust. Midwood has painted one of the darkest figures
within the Nazi elite very well.
Midwood has based her story around Operation Anthropoid, and the
two soldiers who carried out the assignation attempt of Heydrich have been
immortalised in this book. I thought Midwood’s depiction of Jozef Gabčík and
Jan Kubiš was outstanding. What these men were asked to do was incredibly
dangerous, one could say suicidal. I thought the contrast between the
antagonist, Heydrich, and the protagonists, Jozef and Jan, was brilliantly
executed.
There is no doubt that Midwood has a novelist eye for human detail
and fragility, and she always writes such crystalline prose, making her work a
real pleasure to read. Killing the Hangman is an excellent addition to this
fabulous anthology.
The Moon
Chaser by Alexa Kang
When the Japanese raped Nanking, Yuan Wen-Ying was determined to
avenge her countryman. However, it will be no easy task, and it will come at a
great personal cost.
Kang has a visceral understanding of what makes history worth
reading. The Moon Chaser was a compelling read from start to finish. To fit
such a fabulous story in such a limited word count is indeed worthy of mention.
The Moon Chaser is a gripping account of the Resistance in China.
Yuan Wen-Ying is a fabulous heroine. She is a very intelligent
young woman who has suffered an immense personal loss. Yuan Wen-Ying is the
type of protagonist that inspires sympathy. This was a spectacular portrayal of
a character that I really came to care about.
The writing is elegant. The narrative is engaging. What a
wonderfully brilliant story.
Enemy at the
Gate by Mary D. Brooks
At thirteen years old, Zoe had no notion that one day she would be
a part of The Resistance. However, fate plays a cruel hand, and now Zoe is
determined to free as many Jews as she can.
Zoe is a headstrong protagonist that sometimes does things before
she fully thinks about the consequences, which made her very endearing. How she
survives, I have no idea. She certainly has her share of near-misses! Zoe
considers herself a Spartan, and she models herself on that idea of
fearlessness — and boy, does she hate those Athenians — almost as much as the
Italians! She is a very refreshing character. Zoe’s anger at the injustice she
witnesses and her desire to free her country makes her a very convincing
patriot.
Brooks has delivered a very plausible account about the occupation
of Greece. The narrative was brilliant, and this short-story is an example
of historical fiction at its very best. Enemy at the Gate is undoubtedly
an enthralling tale.
The
Occupation by Deborah Swift.
It was a sad day for the Islanders when the German Army invaded.
Many of the Islanders had left before the occupation, but there had only been
limited space on the boats. Céline Huber and her best friend Rachel were two of
the unlucky ones. The German invasion of Jersey brought about many changes and
sacrifices, but the one thing Céline would not sacrifice was her friend,
despite what that may mean for her.
How I loved this book! The Channel Island’s hold a special place
in my heart and this book captures the spirit and the endurance of these
remarkable Islanders. Céline’s story is utterly compelling. Her bravery sums up
many of those in occupied countries during this time. There was no way she was
going to give up her Jewish friend to the Nazis. She would rather die than do
that. The antagonist of this tale, the cruel and sadistic Horst, was in direct
contrast to Céline’s gentle nature. The fact that Horst
is Céline’s brother-in-law makes the contrast even more evident,
especially when compared to his brother. The young German doctor, Leutnant
Müller is also worthy of mention. He is an unlikely protagonist. His compassion
is certainly noteworthy, and his disgust at the way Horst treats the
prisoners of war is a reminder that not all German soldiers bought into Nazi
ideology.
Swift writes with an elegance as well as with authority. I
thought it was a fabulous portrayal of what Jersey was like under the long five
years of occupation. Kudos, Ms Swift.
Code
Name Camille by Kathryn Gauci
Nathalie Fontaine is determined to join La Résistance in Paris.
Paris is a city under occupation. No one is to be out past curfew, and German
soldiers can stop and search anyone, any time they choose. Nathalie immerses
herself in Parisian culture while working for La Résistance. However, something
soon becomes very clear. There is a double agent in their midst. The question
is… Who?
Code Name Camille was impossible to put down. I was utterly
immersed and committed to this story from the opening sentence to the very last
word. This is a vastly entertaining tale, with a very compelling plot. When it
became evident that there was a double-agent I was trying to guess as to who
that was — it turned out I was wrong!
Gauci has written an extremely readable tale. Great Characters.
Great narrative. Great Story.
V for Victory
by John R McKay
When Charles Mercier sees the victorious German Army march along
the Champs-Élysées he decides that when he grows up, he is going to join the
German Army, after all, he cannot join the French one, can he? However, after
an inspiring speech by his teacher, Charles is reminded that he is a son of
France. With some stolen chalk, young Charles is determined to do his bit. He
will go out at night and chalk the letter “V” onto buildings and
monuments. Vive la France.
Mckay has penned a lucid account of what life was like in occupied
France from a child’s perspective. Charles was a character that matured as the
story progressed. He is incredibly naive at the beginning. Charles does not
understand the consequences of his actions. He thinks he might have a telling off
for scribbling on the wall. He does not even consider that he could receive a
bullet instead. Likewise, he doesn’t understand why they can’t listen to the
radio anymore.
Mckay has a beautiful eye for detail and a compelling style to his
narrative. He writes with imagination and energy which made V for Victory
utterly engrossing. I thought it was fabulous.
Sound
of Resistance by Ryan Armstrong
When Charlie’s mother is killed in a car accident, he has no idea
just how much his life is going to change. He finds himself in Germany, under
the care of his sadistic uncle. Charlie is an American. He does not hold with
Nazi ideology. However, he has to tread carefully, for his uncle is a man not
to be crossed.
Sound of Resistance is a gripping account of courage under
impossible circumstances. Charlie is a wonderful protagonist to
pit against his evil uncle. Charlie sees Erich for what he really is — a
bully and a coward. However, at the same time, Armstrong explores Erich’s
motivation for acting the way he does. Erich seems to have a conscious. He only
sleeps three hours a day so one can only surmise that he doesn’t sleep because
of what he does. Erich cannot get through a day without taking what he calls
“magic pills.” It seems there is a lot more to him, then initially meets the
eye, I would like to learn more about him. Nevertheless, he is still
deplorable, and a thoroughly disagreeable man.
The narrative of this tale is very engaging and I was utterly
engrossed in this story of good vs. evil.
The Darkest Hour: WWII Tales of Resistance is
a beautiful book that you can start either at the beginning and read through to
the end, or read one or two of the stories that take your fancy. Each book has
a short synopsis at the beginning which gives you an idea of the flavour of the
tale that is to follow. I recommend that you read them all for they are all
wonderful. If you are looking for a lovely scope of Resistant stories, then
this is the book for you.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
*** All proceeds will be donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum In Washington DC ***
Roberta
Kagan
I’m an American writer of Jewish and Romany
decent. I write Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, most of which is set
during the holocaust. Although I never discount the horrors of the time period,
the main focus of my work is on ordinary people who prove to be strong heroic
characters in unfathomable circumstances.
Jean
Grainger
Jean Grainger was born in Cork, Ireland. She
has been a tour guide of her beloved home country, a teacher, a university
lecturer and a playwright. She began writing fiction at the suggestion of her
clients on tours, many of whom were sure all the stories she told them would
make for a great book. Her first book, The Tour, has become a Number 1
bestseller on Amazon. It tells the story of a disparate group of American visitors
to Ireland, who, along with their Irish tour guide have a life changing
experience in the magical Emerald Isle. Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
Connect
with Jean: Website
Marion
Kummerow
Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany,
before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various
countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where
she's now living with her family.After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime.
It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
Ellie
Midwood
Ellie Midwood is a best-selling, award-winning
historical fiction writer.
She's a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, a neat freak, an adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew and a doggie mama.
She's a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, a neat freak, an adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew and a doggie mama.
Ellie lives in New York with her fiancé and their Chihuahua named Shark Bait.
Connect
with Ellie:
Mary
D. Brook
A geek with too many imaginary friends who
speak different languages (knew those language classes would come in handy).
Historical romance and urban fantasy storyteller and addicted to stories and
song about strength and courage. I play well with others (for an introvert) but
then retreat to talk and write about my imaginary friends. Passionate about
lots of things that inspire the mind (art/design, psychology, science and tech)
that sets my muse on fire (she's a busy lady!). You can find me here:
Deborah
Swift
I am a novelist living in the Lake District in England. I write historical
fiction but read widely - contemporary and classic fiction. I choose my books
carefully, so I don't read many duds. If I do, they are not reviewed here, as a
gesture of respect to other writers.
Kathryn
Gauci
Kathryn Gauci was born in
Leicestershire, England, and studied textile design at Loughborough College of
Art and later at Kidderminster College of Art and Design where she specialised
in carpet design and technology. After graduating, Kathryn spent a year in
Vienna, Austria before moving to Greece where she worked as a carpet designer
in Athens for six years. There followed another brief period in New Zealand
before eventually settling in Melbourne, Australia.
Before turning to writing full-time, Kathryn
ran her own textile design studio in Melbourne for over fifteen years, work
which she enjoyed tremendously as it allowed her the luxury of travelling
worldwide, often taking her off the beaten track and exploring other
cultures. The Embroiderer is her first novel; a culmination of
those wonderful years of design and travel, and especially of those glorious
years in her youth living and working in Greece – a place that she is proud to
call her spiritual home.
Her second novel, Conspiracy of Lies,
is set in France during WWII. It is based on the stories of real life agents in
the service of the Special Operations Executive and The Resistance under Nazi
occupied Europe. To put one’s life on the line for your country in the pursuit
of freedom took immense courage and many never survived. Kathryn’s interest in
WWII started when she lived in Vienna and has continued ever since. She is a
regular visitor to France and has spent time in several of the areas in which
this novel is set.
John
R McKay
John R McKay was born and
raised in Wigan, Greater Manchester and after serving in the Royal Air Force
for seven years he joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in 1997
until leaving to take up other pursuits, including writing. He has two daughters and lives with his wife, Dawn.
John's debut novel, the thriller 'The Journal', tell the story of a young man trying to come to terms with the death of his partner whilst avoiding a killer. It takes the reader from modern day England back to the two world wars, where the mystery of what is happening to him can be revealed.
His second novel, the acclaimed 'The Absolution Of Otto Finkel', is a historical novel covering largely unknown events of World War 2 and how war affects people in different ways. John has carried this premise for many years and is extremely proud now the work has been completed and published by Pegasus.
His third novel 'Mosquitoes' is a break from his normal genre and is a contemporary study of how a man can 'lose the plot' when circumstances in his life change suddenly. A black comedy, Mosquitoes is a uniquely written story, told from the perspective of a man unable to cope with the both the pressures of modern society and those he puts on himself.
John has recently completed his fourth novel, 'The Sun Will Always Shine' which is a return to historical fiction, telling the tale of two brothers during the First World War who are the keepers of a dangerous secret.
All four books are now available to purchase through Amazon in paperback and Kindle at very reasonable prices.
He cites his modern literary favourites as Sebastian Faulkes, Robert Harris and Wilbur Smith.
He is currently working on his fifth novel, which he is hoping to release in 2017.
John would like to thank Kellie Dennis of BOOK COVERS BY DESIGN for the excellent artwork for his books.
Ryan
Armstrong
I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I write in the evenings. I have a three year old and a five month old - both boys. I am fortunate to have a supportive wife who lets me have time to write and listens to my rough drafts as I work out plot lines. I majored in history and am a romantic guy. So, I wrote "Love and Hate" a (necessarily dark but meaningful) historical fiction novel with a heavy love story element.
Thank you for such a terrific review, Mary. You did a really thorough job.
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