Dear Enemy

I completely enjoyed this book. I will admit, sometimes I do avoid novels by men authors, believing that they will not be "sensitive" enough, but I was thrilled with this story! Jack Cavanaugh developed the two main characters really well, and I especially appreciated his inclusion of the "non-evil" German. Too often, WWII books portray all German soldiers as heartless and stereotypical, but Cavanaugh creates a wonderful character who shatters that stereotype. The story has a wonderful message throughout, and is beautifully, humorously, and sensitively (!) written. :) As other reviewers mentioned, it would have been nice to have another chapter or two, but don't let that keep you from reading it! It is still neat to imagine what will happen after the story ends, though it is wrapped up somewhat. This one is truly worth it!

Nurse Annie Mitchell and her new husband Keith are called away from their honeymoon as a precautionary measure, little dreaming that they will be caught up in WWII's bloody Battle of the Bulge. An impulsive mission to rescue Keith goes awry, leaving Annie's friend Mouse dead. Before Keith and Annie can make it back to the American lines, he is killed and she is captured. Annie's only thought is escape from the wounded German soldier who shot her husband, but the enemy's behavior begins to threaten her preconceived notions. Could a murdering Nazi actually have compassion? A gripping story beautifully told. Building on the success of his previous WWII novels, Cavanaugh crafts a unique tale of the darkness and light struggling in Europe during that time. He delves deeply into the lives of his two primary characters, bringing their emotions and motivations to the surface, especially Annie's complex struggle. The skillful plot matches the characters and never seems contrived, though the ending leaves readers wanting another chapter or two. This is an excellent read. -- Katie Hart, Christian Book Previews.com

Nurse Annie Mitchell saw firsthand the atrocities of war and concluded that the German soldier was inhuman and thoroughly depraved. But when a rogue rescue mission ended in tragedy, a bereft Annie finds herself a captured prisoner behind enemy lines in Belgium's Ardennes Forest. Her captor Karl Hausmann doesn't fit her stereotype of the brutal German soldier. In the days following her capture, Annie must reconsider everything she thought she knew about her enemy. Dear Enemy is as entertaining as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking reading. Jack Cavanaugh has once again demonstrated his mastery of engaged and engaging storytelling. Other also highly recommended works by Cavanaugh and published by Bethany House include: Whiles Mortals Sleep (0764223070); His Watchful Eye (0764223089); and Above All Earthly Powers (0764223097).

During World War II, American nurse Annie Rawlings married Keith Mitchell only to have their honeymoon canceled due to a mission need. Annie has worked with the dying and maimed and believes the Nazis and for that matter all Germans are evil deserving only death for the atrocities they have fostered on people. A rescue mission behind enemy lines in Belgium fails leaving Annie held prisoner by a wounded German soldier Karl who killed her beloved Keith. As he keeps her safe she helps heal him and they forge camaraderie through a love of music and faith that God will save humanity. As they become more than friends, Karl is captured and becomes a POW. This should be the end of a war torn yet warm relationship, but Annie needs to at least know her Karl is safe so after the war ends she begins her search. This is a terrific historical fiction novel that grips the audience with an opening paradox that sets the tone of a tale that uses irony and contradiction to tell a powerful human tale. The story line occurs during World War II in which the heroine loathes all Germans until she is forced into close quarters with the soldier who killed her spouse. Annie soon realizes he is a young caring nice man caught in the maelstrom of brutal misunderstandings by old men who send others to fight and die (history repeats itself). With a character driven anti-war message DEAR ENEMY peels away the armor to reach the souls of two foes leaving the inside for the audience to realize that we are human so let's give peace a chance. Harriet Klausner