Waiting On Wednesday #43

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. The goal is to spotlight upcoming books that I am super excited for.

This week I am waiting on Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke (Prisoner of Night & Fog #2) by Anne Blankman.

Publication: April 21, 2015

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: She used to be part of Adolf Hitler’s inner circle. More than a year after she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich, she lives with a kindly English family, posing as an ordinary German immigrant, and is preparing to graduate from high school. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town. For the first time in her life, Gretchen is content. But then, Daniel gets a telegram that sends him back to Germany, and Gretchen’s world turns upside-down. And when she receives word that Daniel is wanted for murder, she has to face the danger she thought she’d escaped-and return to her homeland. Gretchen must do everything she can to avoid capture and recognition, even though saving Daniel will mean consorting with her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as they work to clear Daniel’s name, Gretchen and Daniel discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and get out in time-or will Hitler discover them first?

I love this cover, it is so gorgeous! After enjoying the first book, I am excited to see what else is in store for Gretchen.

What are you excited for this week???

FFBC Blog Tour/Giveaway: Prisoner of Night & Fog by Anne Blankman

Thanks for joining me on my stop for The Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman Blog Tour! Hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.

Release Date: April 22, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet. Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler. And Gretchen follows his every command. Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews. As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed? From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

Prisoner of Night and Fog was everything I was expecting it to be and more. Set against the backdrop of Munich during the 1930’s. The story chronicles Gretchen who lives with her older brother named Reinhard and her mother who runs the boarding house they currently live in.  Gretchen is known as the martyrs’ daughter after her father was killed eight years ago when he bravely tried to protect Adolf Hitler from being shot at.

Growing up, Gretchen has been taught how to think and behave. She has never really questioned things, until an incident involving her brother, his friend, and a Jewish man stirs up emotions and doubt. She struggles with doing what she has learnt to be right versus being brave and doing what she knows to be right in her heart.

I loved Gretchen. She is a little naïve, but she is also bright, ambitious, and has courage.  Her relationship with Daniel, a Jewish reporter was one of my favorite moments to read.  From the very beginning, I could tell I would enjoy seeing these two together.

All of the characters were unique and added a great depth to the story. The writing was really good, and it was easy to see that the author did her research for this novel. The way she intertwined historical facts with her own unique storyline was a job well done. I’ve always liked historical fiction, yet this time period is one I don’t often read about, but from the onset my interest was piqued. I was happy to have taken a chance on this novel and even happier to discover that there will be a second book releasing after this one. 

RATING: 4½ out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you**

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.

After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.

Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website |Goodreads | Twitter     

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