Children of the Promise- Since You Went Away

The second book in the Children of the Promise series, Since You Went Away, follows the Thomas family as they are thrown into the middle of WWII.  Alex is a paratrooper fighting in Europe, Bobbi is a nurse serving in Pearl Harbor, Wally is a prisoner of war in the Pacific and Gene has now joined the service as a marine. 
This book also focuses on a German family, the Stoltzs.  They were taught by Alex while he was on his mission and were baptized into the church.  Anna, their daughter, fell in love with Alex while he was teaching them.  Since Alex returned from his mission and joined the military, they have promised each other that they will wait until the war is over and they will marry each other.  The Stoltzs are now on the run from the Gestapo after Anna stabbed a Gestapo agent when he tried to rape her.
Not only does this book show the suspense and horrors of war but it now involves a love story between Anna and Alex as they try to survive the war in order to find each other in the end.  Hughes has a way of making these characters come to life, and I noticed myself laughing and then crying with them as they struggle to get through the war.

Book #5- Children of the Promise
                Vol. 3- Far From Home
                By Dean Hughes

Children of the Promise- Rumors of War

Children of the Promise is a series written by Dean Hughes.  The first book, Rumors of War, introduces you to the Thomas family, an LDS family living in Salt Lake City during the late 1930's and early 1940's.  Bea and David are the parents of 6 children- Alex, Bobbi (Barbara), Wally, Gene, Bev and LaRue.  Alex is serving a mission in Germany where he witnesses the rise of Hitler and the beginning of WWII over in Europe.  Back in Salt Lake City, the Thomas family begins to feel the effects of the war when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, and Alex, now home from his mission, Wally and Bobbi all decide to join the military.  This first book ends with just the beginnings of their struggles as their family is torn apart and their 3 children are thrown into the height of the war.
I loved reading this book because of the history found in it.  WWII has always been my favorite part of history to learn about, and in this book I got to read about the war through very personal, although mostly fictional, points of view.

Book #4- Children of the Promise
                Vol. 2- Since You Went Away
                By Dean Hughes

Blood Brothers

Blood Brothers is written by Elias Chacour who writes about his experience growing up in the Middle East during the 1940's through the 1980's.  He is a Palestinian who grow up in the quiet village of Biram near Galilee.  In 1948 and 1949, his family was driven from their village by Zionist troops and forced to move to Gish, a village that had already been destroyed by the soldiers.  Elias became a priest and devoted his life to helping his people and the Israeli people live in peace.  The books follows him through the years as he struggles to find that peace while in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that displaced and separated countless families and resulted the deaths of many innocent people.  
This book is very inspirational and through provoking in that it shows what the actions of one man searching for peace can have on a nation during a time of war.

Book #3- The Children of the Promise (series)
                Volume 1- Rumors of War
                By Dean Hughes

The Fifth of March

The Fifth of March is written by Ann Rinaldi.  It is a fictional story, but the events that happen in it are all based on fact.  It follows Rachel, a fourteen year old living in Boston during the time before and leading up to the Boston Massacre, which took place in 1770.  She is a housemaid to John and Abigail Adams and their three kids.  In 1768 and 1769, the British begin to move troops into Boston to keep an eye on the citizens.  Among these soldiers is a young man named Matthew Kilroy, who is stationed just outside of the Adams' residence.  Rachel takes a liking to this boy, but their relationship becomes very complicated quickly.  Rachel has to face the internal struggle of befriending this young man who is serving the Crown, and becoming an "American"; someone who has separated themselves from those still loyal to the King.  It all becomes more dramatic when Matthew is charged with taking part in the firing upon Boston citizens, later to be know as the Boston Massacre. 
I enjoyed reading this book because of the historical aspects presented in it mixed with a little romance and drama.  It is a book that I would recommend for a fun, quick read.

Book #2- Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour

Just Books

That is what this blog is all about- Just Books.  It is my attempt to post about books I have just read and share my thoughts and feelings about them.  It is also my attempt to get myself to read more.  I love to read, but somehow I always fill my days with time consuming, useless things, like Facebook or reality TV.  So I had a thought; if I had a place to write about the books I have read, maybe I will actually begin to fill the free time I have with something productive, educational and fun-- like reading.  So here's to JB :) 

Book #1- The Fifth of March by Ann Rinaldi