The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

Full title: The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

It's 1942. A young Alabama widow, angry with the world because her husband was killed in the war, stumbles upon a German naval officer who's washed up on the beach near her home. She first wants to finish him off, but something keeps her from it. Instead, she ends up saving him and finding relief from the anger that's consumed her. It's a great read made more interesting by the fact that it's based on a true story.

This my first novel by Andy Andrews, and I was impressed with his story-telling skills. It's obviously a story close to his heart. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes, and this is a perfect example. The theme of the book is forgiveness, and I felt that it was a bit preachy at times. Still, it did not spoil the effect of the story for me.

I always enjoy historical fiction because, while I'm entertained, I also learn something. I had no idea that German submarines prowled the Gulf of Mexico during WWII. And, I was perturbed to learn that the government tried to keep that fact from the public. Andrews does a great job of working the factual information in with the flow of the story.

I heartily recommend The Heart Mender as an entertaining and informative read. It would be a great gift for WWII buffs or for any member of The Greatest Generation.

Visit Heart Mender's Web site.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”