Publisher: Bookouture
Series: Daughters of New York #2
Format: ebook & paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis
The truck stopped for a moment in the freezing, bombed-out street and Kate caught sight of a little girl in a ragged dress on the steps of a once-beautiful mansion. The child’s eyes were startling blue, a pair of endless pools, drawing Kate towards her…
1946, Berlin. War correspondent Kate Mancini is in Germany, reporting on the aftermath of the devastating war. For her readers back home in New York, she tells the stories of innocent families, trying to rebuild the wreckage of their lives now the soldiers have left at last. But in the Russian-held sector of Berlin on an icy winter’s day, Kate breaks all the rules, rescuing Mia Stein, a silent orphan who she fears will otherwise perish.
Together with her fellow journalist, handsome Rick Shearer, Kate manages to find a safe house for Mia before she returns to America and vows to keep in touch. Back home, the reality of post-war life for women is stark. Whilst Rick walks into his dream job, no newspaper will hire a woman. The editors laugh her out of their offices, telling her to get married and raise a family. Rick does all he can to support her, as she takes her first steps towards the new medium of television news, and their friendship deepens into something more.
Then tragedy strikes: Rick is falsely named as a communist sympathizer. He is arrested, blacklisted and faces prison.
Kate knows she must do all she can to free the man she loves. But that means returning to Germany, to seek out the little orphan girl who is her only chance at salvation. Kate and Rick saved Mia—will she help them both now? And even if Kate succeeds, freedom might never be hers when she returns home…
From Amazon Charts bestseller Ella Carey comes an utterly heartbreaking historical novel, inspired by true events, about the courage, love and friendships that sustain us in the darkest of days. Fans of Fiona Davis, All the Light We Cannot See and My Name is Eva will be totally captivated.
My Thoughts
I missed my spot on the recent blog tour due to illness, so I apologise for this late review.
In The Lost Girl of Berlin, as in the first book in the series, A New York Secret, the main female protagonist is a woman struggling to be acknowledged in a male dominated profession.
In Berlin at the end of World War II, Kate Mancini, the only woman in a group of journalists, and her fellow journalist, Rick Shearer, find a young German girl sitting cold and forsaken on the steps of a bombed out mansion. The child is so traumatised that she does not speak, but is willing to go with them. Unable to take her back to America, they leave her under the protection of a German family known to Rick.
Back in New York, Kate and Rick pursue their journalistic careers. For Kate, getting a meaningful position is difficult even though she successfully filed a story on Hermann Göring's trial from Nuremburg. Wanting to report on important political matters, she is condemned to write articles on what the male bosses believe women are most interested in – fashion, hairstyles, matters of the home and how to catch a man. Angry, incredulous and resigned, but never giving up her dream, Kate accepts the briefs she is given. These lead to becoming a radio presenter and delving into the new medium of television, although the stories she presents are still superficial. Before the cameras, her appearance is all important and sadly what she will be judged on rather than her reporting. Meanwhile, Rick's career is very successful.
Despite their stalled relationship due to family interference, Kate and Rick never forget the German girl they rescued. When Rick is accused of being a communist sympathizer, his career, family reputation and freedom are jeopardised. Kate believes she can save Rick from imprisonment, but none of them are prepared for the heartbreaking tale that is revealed at his trial.
Once again I have been thoroughly engrossed in an Ella Carey novel. This novel was one of contrasts. It begins in a devastated Berlin, highlighting the appalling conditions as the clean up begins, where the basic necessities of life are lacking, but fear and distrust is plentiful engendered by the presence of Russian soldiers. Then the story switches to vibrant New York, undamaged by the war but touched by it in other ways, where women are now expected to return to domestic life now that the men are returning from the war.
Carey's story also depicts class differences where the wealthy are very protective of what they have and unite against any would be interlopers who threaten the status quo. Family life, feelings towards immigrants, new inventions and the political scene also shape the world in which the characters deal with their own personal struggles. And speaking of characters, the Morellis, who featured in the previous novel, make a showing which nicely links the two novels.
The Lost Girl of Berlin is a great addition to Ella Carey's new series.
Meet the Author
Ella loves to connect with her readers regularly through her facebook page and on her website.
http://www.ellacarey.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyauthor/
https://twitter.com/Ella_Carey
Where to Purchase
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3dK8lEK
Blog Tour Schedule
I am looking forward to the next book in this trilogy!
ReplyDeleteSo am I!
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