Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Chasing Shadows

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
For fans of bestselling WWII historical fiction comes a powerful novel from Lynn Austin about three women whose lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequence.
Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?
Lena’s daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.
Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.
The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.
  • An immersive historical drama from the author of All My Secrets and Long Way Home
  • A beautiful exploration of courage and sacrifice during one of the darkest times in history
  • Includes discussion questions for book clubs
    • Creators

    • Publisher

    • Release date

    • Formats

    • Languages

    • Reviews

      • Publisher's Weekly

        Starred review from April 12, 2021
        Christy Award winner Austin (If I Were You) shines in this excellent tale of three women who struggle to survive WWII in the Netherlands. Lena de Vries and her two young daughters are keeping the family farm going while her husband and son are away at war. In addition to protecting her family, she also cares for the refugees she's hiding from the Nazis. Lena's oldest daughter, Ans, moved to Leiden shortly before the war, eager to leave behind her rural life and her faith. After the fighting begins, she joins the Resistance, putting her on the opposing side of her boyfriend, Erik—a Dutch police officer now working for the Nazis—and leading her to discover she needs her faith more than ever. Miriam Jacobs is a Jewish woman on the run from the Nazis. As a young wife and mother, she leaves everyone she knows behind in hopes of keeping her baby alive. As the three women work to evade and break the Nazi grip on the Netherlands, Austin skillfully portrays the dangers they face as they struggle to survive. This is a must-read for fans of WWII inspirationals.

      • Booklist

        May 15, 2021
        Lena de Vries lives on her Dutch farm with her husband, Pieter, and their children. Her eldest, Ans, longs for something more and gets a job in Leiden, where she meets Miriam Jacobs, who relocated there from Westerbork, a Jewish refugee camp. Ans is not worried about the threat of Hitler because the Netherlands are neutral, until 1939, when the Nazis invade and throw the three women's lives into dangerous turmoil. Ans starts working for the Resistance, though she must keep it from her boyfriend, a cop who wants to lay low until the war is over. Soon Lena is driven by her Christian faith to hide Jews and deserters on the farm, while Ans ferries information, avoiding Nazi patrols. Miriam must hide separately from her husband and infant in order to survive. Their stories intertwine throughout the war, revealing a less-told history of WWII to historical fiction readers. Austin (Waves of Mercy, 2016) has written a powerful tale of domestic heroism and faith, with all three women questioning and then turning to God for strength.

        COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

      • Library Journal

        Starred review from June 1, 2021

        Lena de Vries, a hardworking wife and mother on a Netherlands farm in 1940, struggles with her daughter Ans's teenage rebellions and worries about the Nazi regime in Germany. Then Germany invades the Netherlands, and Lena's everyday concerns turn into desperate fear. To survive, each of the de Vries must make a choice: join the Resistance or collaborate with their oppressors. Meanwhile, young Jewish German refugees Miriam and Avi are in the Netherlands to try to start a new life together. Gradually, their freedom is curtailed and their escape routes are cut off; they must rely on the help of strangers, including the de Vries family, to survive. VERDICT Austin (If I Were You) delivers another stunning historical saga about ordinary people who face impossible odds, yet trust an extraordinary God. The compelling characters and moral dilemmas are a highlight; it's similar to recent Christian fiction hits about WWII, including Sarah Sundin's When Twilight Breaks and Cathy Gohlke's The Medallion.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

        Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    Formats

    • Kindle Book
    • OverDrive Read
    • EPUB ebook

    Languages

    • English

    Loading