Saddened and unable to abandon her resentment toward the Nazi war machine that took her husband’s life, the young and attractive Helen Mason is living a bitter, lonely existence. Betrayed and left of dead, German U-boat officer Lt. Josef Landermann washes ashore in a sleepy town along the northern gulf coast, looking to Helen for survival.
The Heart Mender is a story of life, loss, and reconciliation, reminding us of the power of forgiveness and the universal healing experience of letting go.
Helen Mason walks through life numb when she isn’t angry at the world. When Josef Landermann, a German soldier, washes up on shore near her home, she has a physical object, and not just a circumstance, to take her anger out on, but unable to abandon the stranger in a time of need she offers him shelter. When Helen discovers Josef has hurts comparable to hers she begins to feel a common bond on which they build a friendship upon.
Whether fact or fiction, only God could bring two people, such as Helen and Josef, together and place them in the hands of Andy Andrews. The Heart Mender a beautifully woven story, set in a backdrop little known to the world, is more than a story of second chances. It is a story of forgiveness, mercy, grace, and ultimately healing. Filled with well drawn characters Andrews pulls you into the small town of Foley and the people who live there, but it is the personal appearance of the author and his wife that makes The Heart Mender come alive.
-Sittings 2 (had to make dinner)
-hours 3 1/2 (very quick read!)
This is definitely a not to be missed story!
One commenter will be entered in a drawing for a copy of The Heart Mender. Winner will be announced Friday May 21, 2010. Only mainland U.S. residents.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
6 responses to “The Heart Mender”
I love the premise of this story, it has a great twist and is different from any book I’ve read before. The conflict is an incredible one to overcome and that the story is a true one, just adds to my desire to read it.
Lovely review, Christina!
Thank you, Laurie. I was very excited to get my hands on this book, and it did not disappoint.
I agree with Laurie, it sounds like a great story, talk about conflict. Your review leaves me wanting more. Well done!!
Thank you, Ana. I know how busy your life is right now it means a lot that you stopped by.
The premise of the story about learning to forgive and let go is very universal and appropriate for my life circumstances. I especially am intrigued by the setting which takes an old topic, Nazi Germany, and gives it a fresh perspective.
Terri, what is even cooler is that The Heart Mender is base on a true story.