Book Review and Give-Away!

I have a present for you! Well, maybe you. I have a present for YOU if you leave a comment and that random generator thingy happens to pick YOUR number.

I recently received two copies of an Andy Andrews novel, one for me and one to give away, in exchange for writing a review. The review follows; if this sounds like a book you’re interested in, leave a comment and next Tuesday, I’ll select a lucky winner!

Andy Andrews, author of New York Times bestsellers The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift is known for his historical accuracy intertwined in his fiction, and I learned some interesting details about World War II while reading The Heart Mender. The plot centers on a German soldier who washes ashore along the Alabama coastline and the woman who finds him. Yes, I said ALABAMA. Apparently, I slept during this part of history class, but during WWII, “more than 1300 navy men, 201 Coast Guard personnel, and exactly 5,682 merchant marines lost their lives due to U-boat attacks in American waters [Andrews’s emphasis]! (20). Whoa! I had totally forgotten that significant detail in our country’s history if I ever knew it, so I found the setting of The Heart Mender very intriguing. Andrews has a unique narrative style in which he weaves his own experiences in with the characters which works well with his historical fiction.

The Heart Mender is a quick, interesting read, but it does have a fairly predictable storyline. Helen Mason, a bitter young widow whose soldier husband was killed by the Nazis, is resentful and alone when she finds an injured German U-boat officer, Josef Landermann, washed ashore along the northern gulf coast. Despite her hatred of Nazis, Helen must help the wounded Josef. Through Helen’s and Josef’s stories, The Heart Mender offers a message of forgiveness and the healing that follows.

Regardless of the predictable plot, I recommend this story as an excellent “treadmill read.” It won’t win any Pulitzers, but because of the fascinating historical details and great message, The Heart Mender is definitely worth reading.

Leave a comment if you'd like to win a copy of this book (hard-bound, $18.99 value)! Make sure to leave an email address if you don't have a blog, so I can contact you if you win. Contest ends May 18.