For Such a Time ~ written by Kate Breslin
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In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz. Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself? |
About the author:
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A Florida girl who migrated to the Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years. Author of several travel articles, award-winning poet, and RWA Golden Heart finalist, Kate now writes inspiring stories about the healing power of God's love. |
Julie's Review for Joy In Our Journey:
Like any stories set during WWII in the Nazi arena, this is a tension-filled, scary, conflictive tale of the Jewish people suffering at the hands of their German tormentors.
Aric von Schmidt is the SS Kommandant Colonel in charge of a detention center for Jews: Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia. He is a formidable officer with much experience and many bravery awards for his service. On a visit to another camp, Dachau, he comes face-to-face with a young woman, Stella Muller, who is about to be shot to death, but he is so impressed with her determined and defiant look as she stares at her would-be killers, that he stops the shooting and instead, secrets her out of that camp and takes her to his own home, just outside of Theresienstadt.
Aric lives in a world of cruelty and subterfuge and is at risk for making this beautiful young woman his own personal secretary. As she is required to do the unthinkable, such as typing up lists of people in the camp who are bound for Auschwich and the gas chambers there, she attempts to persuade Aric (who has fallen in love with her) into a softening attitude towards these people. It only creates a lot of trouble for her and much suspense in the story.
For Such A Time is somewhat parallel to the story of Esther in the Bible, and many verses from that story are used as many events in this story go forward. Stella’s uncle, who raised her from the age of five, is also in the camp. When she discovers this, there is much more suspense. It is a very exciting wartime novel with many surprises, clear to the very end. Do not read at bedtime!
Aric von Schmidt is the SS Kommandant Colonel in charge of a detention center for Jews: Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia. He is a formidable officer with much experience and many bravery awards for his service. On a visit to another camp, Dachau, he comes face-to-face with a young woman, Stella Muller, who is about to be shot to death, but he is so impressed with her determined and defiant look as she stares at her would-be killers, that he stops the shooting and instead, secrets her out of that camp and takes her to his own home, just outside of Theresienstadt.
Aric lives in a world of cruelty and subterfuge and is at risk for making this beautiful young woman his own personal secretary. As she is required to do the unthinkable, such as typing up lists of people in the camp who are bound for Auschwich and the gas chambers there, she attempts to persuade Aric (who has fallen in love with her) into a softening attitude towards these people. It only creates a lot of trouble for her and much suspense in the story.
For Such A Time is somewhat parallel to the story of Esther in the Bible, and many verses from that story are used as many events in this story go forward. Stella’s uncle, who raised her from the age of five, is also in the camp. When she discovers this, there is much more suspense. It is a very exciting wartime novel with many surprises, clear to the very end. Do not read at bedtime!
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