Book Review and Reflections: The Last Hours in Paris

I have a confession: I have a very, very hard time reading a lot of the World War II fiction out there. I know, the experts say you have to read in your genre, and of course I do, but the majority of my WW2-related reading consists of soldier memoirs and non-fiction. When it comesContinue reading “Book Review and Reflections: The Last Hours in Paris”

Book and Film Review: The Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff

Today’s post will be a combined review of a book, Death on the Baltic by Cathryn J. Prince, and a German Film, Die Gustloff. Before I dive into these, however, I want to give some background on the little-known WW2 sinking of the German cruise liner, MV Wilhelm Gustloff. By January 1945, the Russian armyContinue reading “Book and Film Review: The Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff”

Book Reviews and Reflections: The Hangman and His Wife

The full title of this book is The Hangman and His Wife: The Life and Death of Reinhard Heydrich. If you read my post on Jakob Schmidt, you probably remember me referring to this book months ago. Well, because I have multiple books going at once, I just finished it. It was lengthy but wellContinue reading “Book Reviews and Reflections: The Hangman and His Wife”

Film Reviews and Reflections: Downfall

Today’s post will be the first in a new series that includes: Film Reviews and ReflectionsBook Reviews and Reflections I have watched so many great movies and read so many fascinating books in the last few years. I decided that I need a place to share reviews and thoughts, especially with those who share myContinue reading “Film Reviews and Reflections: Downfall”

Characters Part 5: Jakob Schmidt

I’ve said it before: I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the bad boys. I have a genuine hope that there’s good in them and that it will prevail in the end, or that they’ll have a total redemption experience and use their strengths for good. In light of that, I guessContinue reading “Characters Part 5: Jakob Schmidt”

Never Again

In lieu of a regular update, I am sharing this post that I made back in January on author Jennifer Heeren’s blog, Hope in Circumstances, which encourages authors to share truths readers can draw from fiction. I will be sharing on a related topic later this month on the same blog, so this is aContinue reading “Never Again”

Wandering Around Germany: Berlin

There is still a lot more to talk about in Rhineland-Pfalz, but today lets talk about the Deutsche Haupstadt, Berlin. I’ll skip the account of multiple GPS debacles in favor of this photo of us eating french fries at the Hauptbahnhof at 10:00 at night: We walked out the door and were greeted by aContinue reading “Wandering Around Germany: Berlin”

Memorial Day Musings

As we celebrate the memory of our fallen soldiers, and in so doing also acknowledge the many veterans among us, I felt it was time to share a little bit of my story and why I personally appreciate them so much. Of course, we all do. Without them, where would this country be? In aContinue reading “Memorial Day Musings”

Sani: Russian Church Reopenings by the German Army in WW2

Saturday (June 12) is the last day to get my novel Sani free on Kindle. A dear friend pointed out a few “omissions” so I have uploaded an updated version. Thank you K. K.! There are many parts of this book that I love, but I thought tonight I’d write about Chapter 20, the churchContinue reading “Sani: Russian Church Reopenings by the German Army in WW2”