Debbie's Dusty Deliberations : "Friends and Enemies" by Terri Wangard Book Tour and a Giveaway

Book: Friends and Enemies Book Release Date: 1/5 /2016 Genre:Historical

Widowed Heidi Wetzel finds new meaning in life by caring for evacuated children on a farm in war-torn western Germany. Never a supporter of National Socialism, she takes pleasure in passive resistance, but must exercise caution around neighbors who delight in reporting to the Gestapo. Having lived in the United States, she wonders about her friend Rachel.

Flying cadet Paul Braedel’s wife dies while he trains for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following bereavement leave, he joins a navigation class. He’s lost his zest for life and heads to England, not caring if he lives or dies.

When he and his crew are shot down over Germany, he evades capture and, for the first time since Rachel’s death, hears the voice of God whisper guidance. “Find Heidi.”

Heidi meets a man she recognizes from her high school days in America. Aiding a downed airman is punishable by execution, but she agrees to help. Then they’re betrayed.

About the Author

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

Connect with Terri: www.terriwangard.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/terriwangard/

My Review : "Wow, this book grabbed this reader's attention from the very beginning and never made me lose interest at all! The book I am taking about is "Friends and Enemies" by Terri Wangard.

This is what I posted on my Facebook wall after just beginning to read it "I'm reading "Friend and Enemies" by Terri Wangard, and I think it is going to be a great novel but a tear jerker as well. Only on chapter 2 and the tears want to fall from my eyes." I have to tell my blog readers that statement proved to be true! Yes, the tears were falling, some happy and some sad.

The book is about WW11 in Germany. It is a love story as well. Yes, the reader will read about bombs and airplanes being hit and violence but it is not over dramatic. I enjoyed this novel very much and I dislike anything to do with wars and guns and etc. I recommend this book to all readers who like the genre of Historical Fiction as well as a clean romance.

This book isn't your regular boy meets girl story. There are struggles along the way!

Another Facebook post I posted about the book while reading it "Well, a God may have gotten everything going, but He's not interested in our lives now." ....I still am mad sometimes." ..."But I still choose to believe in Him,because nothing else makes sense. And I have hope.....And something else." ...."Heaven is God's home. If you're not a friend of His, do you think He'll invite you in when you die? "
This is from a paragraph of"Friends and Enemies" by Terri Wangard. I left the scene description out of my typing but doesn't that last sentence give us something to think about?

The reason for the book being written in the author's own words, Guest post from Terri Wangard

Happy 2016! Seven years have passed since I began writing what would become Friends and Enemies. In between the fall 2008 and 2016, I completely rewrote F&E, wrote its two sequels (No Neutral Ground, releasing in May, and Soar Like Eagles, releasing in September.) That seems like a long time with no guarantee I would succeed. I first wrote a contemporary novel in the early 2000s. A publisher had the manuscript for a year before saying, “No thanks.” In the meantime, I had started another story, but life was busy and I let writing slide. In 2008, I read Debbie Macomber’s Twenty Wishes, about a group of ladies who decided they would fulfill secret wishes, like buying a red convertible or learning to belly dance. That book prompted me to buy a laptop and start writing again. But what to write? Not contemporary this time. I have a batch of letters written in the late 1940s by distant cousins in wartorn Germany to whom my grandparents sent care packages. I got a brief glimpse of what their lives were like after the war, but what about during the war or even before? Did they support Hitler? How did they feel about Jews? Did they have problems with the Gestapo? The letters don’t say. The proverbial light bulb blinked on. I would write their story. They would be a family I could be proud of. Friends and Enemies is the result. I wish I knew how close I came to the truth. Best wishes in the New Year! Terri

I literally couldn't stop reading this book till i have finished it!

I found it interesting that Heidi finds new uses for a flag as well as propaganda from the Nazis.

Paul's and Heidi's stories are ones that will leave you thankful for the freedoms we can enjoy today!

I have given "Friends and Enemies" by Terri Wangard fives stars.

I was given a copy by the publisher and Celebrate Lit for a honest review. The opinions expressed are mine own.

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