Monday, May 5, 2014

Simple Faith By Anna Schmidt


After losing her beloved husband and daughter and surviving Hitler’s Sobibor death camp, Quaker widow Anja Steinberg dedicates her life to helping others and keeping her son safe. As a member of the resistance, she helps displaced Allied airmen get back to their units in England. The journey is rigorous and filled with danger and there is no time for romance. Then American Peter Trent parachutes into her life. She must face facts—her heart did not die with her late husband and true love could be hers again. But will a romance hurt Peter’s chance of escape from the Nazis—and endanger her life as well?

Pick up your copy here
 

 
Anna was named a Rising Star finalist and award winner in 2000, and in 2005 she tried her hand at screenwriting. That first screenplay made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the coveted Don & Gee Nicholl Screenwriting Competition sponsored by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. (Yep, those are the folks who hand out those little gold statues called Oscar every year!) "My father ran a movie theater when I was growing up and my masters degree is in theater arts. When I write, I do tend to think in terms of my characters being 'onstage' - for me it's as much a visual process as a cerebral one."

Critics have called Anna 'a natural writer, spinning tales reminiscent of old favorites like Miracle on 34th Street.' Her characters have been called 'realistic' and 'endearing' and one reviewer raved, "I love Anna Schmidt's style of writing!"

Having survived her own battle with uterine cancer and discovered wellsprings of compassion and caring she never knew she possessed when family members and friends faced their own health challenges, Anna often draws on the questions she has faced in her own life in creating her characters. Readers regularly write to Anna to let her know that a character's story touched them on such a personal level that it was as if Anna understood what they were going through in their own lives.

"But you can't come up with believable stories if you have no life beyond writing," Anna admits. She likes to dabble in crafts - weaving, creating handmade books and notecards, and a little knitting. "We are talking straight knitting - row after row of beautiful yarn is very very soothing for me!" The rows of straight therapeutic knitting do eventually have a purpose -- Anna makes them into prayer shawls for hospice patients.

In addition she loves gardening and she's hauled enough seashells home from the Florida beaches that somewhere in the future, archeologists may believe there must have once been an ocean in Wisconsin! (Click here to learn how you can receive one of Anna's handmade bookmarks.)

One of Anna's favorite pastimes is the chance to hear from and stay in touch with her readers.
 
If you are a fan of Schmidt then you will not be disappointed with this book.
With so many little known stories about World War ll  you are going to find this series very fascinating.
Schmidt  seems to really know about the Quakers and  she has sure done her research of this war.
I sure enjoyed Anja's story. You are sure to enjoy the romance as well.
This Peacemakers is a series that you will learn some history and enjoy while learning.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I gave this book 4 stars.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review.

10 comments:

  1. This sounds like a good book. I enjoyed your review. I have never heard of this author. Thanks Mary

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  2. I don't think that I have read anything that this author has written, but from your review, Mary, this sounds like a good book. Would like to win it. Thanks!

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  3. This books sounds very interesting. Thanks for the great review.

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  4. I am a fan of Anna's. I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for your review Mary!

    Blessings!
    Judy B

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    1. Judy, You are the Winner! I will get your book right out to you!

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    2. Thanks Mary!

      Blessings!
      Judy B

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  5. Sounds like a well researched book. It's one that I believe would be a great read.

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  6. Hi Mary! Anna Schidt is a new author to me. I would love to give Simple Faith a read. It sounds great! Thank you for a great review. Smiles and Blessings to you!

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  7. Thanks Mary. I enjoyed reading this review. I would love to win Anna's book. Thanks for a chance. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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