Title: Chasing Shadows
Author: Lynn Austin
Release Date: June 8th, 2021
Christian | Fiction | Historical
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Blurb: For fans of bestselling WWII fiction comes a powerful novel from Lynn Austin about three women whose lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequence.
Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?
Lena's daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.
Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.
The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.
My Thoughts
The moments of profound beauty, love, and peace in this novel were all it took to overcome my qualms with the writing and pacing. This slice-of-life WWII novel was the perfect reminder of why we need faith...why we need happy endings...why we need joy and peace - and how trials and tribulations make these stronger and all the more precious!
And the faith and character arcs in here were exquisite! I loved how the faith in this book, the faith of the characters, was so genuine, so authentic! It strengthened and matured through the moments of doubt, it permeated every aspect of the characters’ lives, it directed their thoughts and actions. The way their personal arcs entwined with their faith arcs...the way they grew as Christians instead of just as people...was so inspiring, so well-done.
Meet the Author
Lynn Austin is the Christy Award-winning author of over two dozen inspirational Christian fiction books, including the Chronicles of the Kings series and Hidden Places, which was adapted to film by the Hallmark Channel.
With only a minor in English, she began writing while juggling a part-time job and raising her children, before moving to Chicago and eventually writing full-time and pursuing publication. She has been published for over twenty-five years.
You can learn more about her and her novels and connect with her on her website, lynnaustin.org!
How can dark times and heavy topics be balanced with hope and joy? Why is it important that we as Christians portray both the darkness and the light of Christ? How can you inspire and uplift your readers through what you write?
Yours in spirit and script,
Grace
Romans 1:16