Jana Petken

Not my cup of tea!

It was very hard for me to like this book. And yet the idea of writing a WWII story from a German point of view is worthwhile. Faced with the pressures put on families the decisions various members of the family made ring true.
Though the Vogels are hardly your typical German family, the everyday person caught up in the storm of Hitler and the SS. The children of this family are privileged, half English and well educated. Privileges that make it possible for some of them to chart a course that others in the family and the society could not. English enough to confront and acknowledge what they see happening, that Hitler is not the savior of the German people and that something shocking is happening. Although it seems Wilfred and Dieter have some way to go.
One can't help but admire the research behind Petkin's novel.
A novel you either are drawn to or not.

A NetGalley ARC… (mere)

Set in Spain in the year of 1492, we follow the tragic death of Luis Perato, an event of import that drives multiple parties on a thrilling journey to find his killer.

From the daring David Sanchez to the abhorrent Gaspar De Amo, comes a range of stimulating characters who border the fence between good and evil. Key themes include religion, loss, and revenge.

While the Christians seek to cast out those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths, they take part of despicable deeds, showing the true ignorance and prejudice that mankind is capable of.

Action and adventure prevailed throughout, hooking me from the get go. The moral of the story? 'Never trust another man.'

A unique and gripping tale. Fights to the death, conspiracies, and torture wrapped into an adventurous package.

Rated 4 stars.… (mere)

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I would classify it more as literature (rather than novel), given the historical events the author writes describes so well. Petkin has woven a story that captures the reader and won’t let go until you reach the last page. While longer than most books I read, I found myself eager to get back to the story every evening when work was done. You will travel from the early 20th century on a journey that spans one-hundred years to 21st century 2012. The family story takes place in both England and Spain, during two world wars and the Spanish Civil War, capturing the horror and heartbreak of those conflicts. Petkin has written a book that I will revisit again and again and won’t soon forget. I will tell everyone I know who, like me, loves well-written historical fiction. A fabulous story written from the heart.… (mere)