While We're Far Apart

Brooklyn, New York ~ September 1943

Just like so many other young men, Eddie Schaffer feels it's his duty to enlist to do his part to help in the effort to fight the war currently going on in Europe. What he doesn't expect is his mother's reaction to the news. She is more than upset and when she refuses to care for his children, Eddie is just about out of options.

His wife, Rachel died and he's having a difficult time trying to carry on with life as he knew it with memories of her everywhere and feels he needs a change of scenery. His children don't want their father to die in the war so they aren't happy with his decision either. They certainly don't want to stay with their grandmother, who know has made it obvious she doesn't want them.

"I'll do it!" calls a voice from the backyard. It's Penny, a childhood friend that has known Eddie her whole life. She willing volunteers to watch his kids while he completes basic training as she has been in love with Eddie her whole life. The children, Ester and Peter don't want Penny watching them either, but she offers to stay at their home so the children don't have to leave their school and home. Eddie agrees and a week later he's off to basic training.

Penny's parents are less than thrilled when she tells them her plans and they do all they can to discourage and belittle her efforts. They remind her she is moving into a Jewish neighborhood and nothing good can come from that. Penny's lived her whole life in fear of never being good enough for her parents so she leaves anyway. Penny believes that God is giving her a second chance and thinks if she cares for Eddie children, he will fall in love with her as well.

Penny meets the landlord, Mr. Jacob Mendel, a Jewish man who is bitter and resentful of his life since his wife died as well with Rachel. He blames God for not answering his prayers and while his only son, daughter in law and grandchild remain missing in Hungary, he has no hope left.

Will Penny be able to mend all the torn lives in the people she meets or will she accept the words of her parents that she is a complete failure at anything in life?

In the book, While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin, you are taken through the many lives of the people who are affected by the war and how each one of them finds a way to cope. I received this book, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and gave it a 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great novel about faith and restoration in the midst of one of the hardest times in the world during WW2.

For more information about this book, the author and where to purchase a copy, please click on the link below:

While We're Far Apart

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing While We're Far Apart Bethany House (October 1, 2010) by Lynn Austin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother.

Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war.

And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary. But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse.

Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love...even when He is silent.

If you would like to read the first chapter of While We're Far Apart, go HERE.