A Bond Never Broken

October 1917 - Amana Colonies in Iowa

Jutta Schmitt works hard with her family in Marengo, Iowa just outside the Amana colonies, a short train ride away. They have moved on to what they had hoped would be an easier life for them. As owners of a bakery that is finally paid off and now theirs, they are optimistic of their future.

Yet this time in history is about to prove a difficult one as America now enters the war. Germany is now the enemy and supporters of America believe that anyone of German heritage should be considered a spy and traitor.

The Schmitt family finds their friends and neighbors beginning to turn on them, even those they have helped with spare bread left over at the close of each business day. Now when unexpected strangers and some of the Schmitts friends show up and force the closure of the bakery, they about to give them an offer they can't refuse.

Ilsa Redlich and her family work at the hotel in the Amana colonies, where their culture has been respected for quite some time. They are hard workers and abide by the laws the elders have made, including set meal times throughout the day, and no money is required to be given to work their because all the needs are provided for my the colony.

As Ilsa sees her brother Albert off at the train station leaving to serve in the war, she has feelings that even though it's patriotic to serve in the country, it's not something the colony believes in personally. They believe nothing can be served by being at war with one another. Even though word has it that those of German heritage are being discriminated against even though serving in the war, she has to trust in God that He will return her brother back to her.

The proposal that Jutta's family is faced with in order to continue to operate the bakery is that she must move back to the colony and report to the Council of National Defense on any un-American like activities by the people living there, if she doesn't the bakery will be burned and her parents placed in jail for treason.

I received the wonderful novel, A Bond Never Broken by Judith Miller, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I loved the new storyline that wraps itself around your heart as you struggle with both Ilsa and Jutta's decisions in the war in America and doing what both believe they need to do to keep their families intact. This book rates a 5 out of 5 stars and I just know you'll love the story.

Here's even more great information about the book, the author and a first chapter glimpse that is guaranteed to have you wanting to read this amazing story.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Bond Never Broken Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.

Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.

Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.

But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bond Never Broken, go HERE.