19 parts Complete MatureErika is thrown into a war she never asked to be part of nor agrees with.
She lives in a family who have already suffered the loss of a mother, a step-mother and now face the loss of land and further life due to war.
She is curious, which leads her to see unspeakable events. In the woods she begins to see the true horrors of the war, witnessing the murdering of Jews, and the rounding up of communities. Her best friend is caught and raped by the soldiers which leads her to exact revenge on those responsible. From this day she helps the British and resistance troops in any way she can, leaving food, providing safe passage through the woods and town and helping Jews out of the area.
In doing this she meets an English soldier whom she falls in love with. The war however forces them to be parted.
As Erika comes of age she joins the Werhmacht. She tries to continue in her efforts not to support the war, but finds this increasingly difficult when she meets a German soldier who sweeps her off her feet. This makes her monetarily question what she has done and is doing. She thinks that she falls in love with him, until he becomes aware of her efforts against the war.
Following her failed relationship, she learns her brother has been killed and returns home to relay the news to her father. The war soon ends after this and life begins to return to normal, she goes to a dance and meets Eric again and realises he truly is the one she loves.
This book was inspired by stories told to me as a child by my Grandmother, Erika. She died before this book was written, therefore much of the filling information making this into a story is fictional, however the essence of her, the stories she told and the life she lived are the soul of the book.
