Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

London, 1933

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance.

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen, two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives.

Who's planning on joining in?

I hope to join in.

I'm hoping to join in too. Looks like a good book!

I’m planning on joining this one.

I am planning to read this month.

Just got it from the library - looking forward to this read!

I plan to join in, but may not be finished by the 15th. I've enjoyed other novels by Renee Ryan and look forward to it.

welcome, everyone!

I am in !

Staci, which others have you enjoyed? This is my first. If I like it, it would be great to know which others to try next.

Andrea wrote: "Staci, which others have you enjoyed? This is my first. If I like it, it would be great to know which others to try next."

I've also read:


All of the novels I've read are set during WWII in France. There is a good deal of historical detail and characters that make tough decisions. Some readers may not agree with the decisions made. For me, I'm not judgmental about it as I don't know what it would be like to be in the situations the characters are in. I share that last bit to say some readers may not like the decisions made by main characters.

I plan to read this!

Just finished it! I liked it but I feel like the story could’ve been better and it ended to quickly if you ask me :)

Reading it now!!

Just finished, and really liked this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a NTM author and I will look forward to reading more from her.

Thanks, Staci! Glad to know Renee has some other good books. Tough choices in any era are not easy to make, that's for sure.

I just finished. I am looking forward to the discussion starting on the 15th!

Wow. Finished this and I highly recommend it for lovers of the arts. Great insights into art, music and literature during this era. It nudged me to do a little digging into the historical figures this was based on. Very interesting!

I know I was looking up recordings of some of the operatic songs I was not as familiar with!

Just finished, and really liked this book.

I just started it today.

Just finished and throughly enjoyed it.

I have gotten distracted. Been in mood this year to read Amish instead of ww2 fiction, and just found another series where book 1 was great. I am surprised as barely read any Amish last year.

I own this book of the month and not sure when I will read. But y’all are loving it so it’s on the list. Won’t be able to read in time this month cause I want to read book two of the new series just found.

I know some of you read multiple books at a time, but I can only do one at a time. =)

When you're able to get to it, I hope you do enjoy it, Missy!

I have been reading this and am enjoying it!

Since there no official discussion points for this book, I'm going to post a few 'general' questions that might help us get the conversation started. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like, pose your own question, or bring up your own topic of conversation!
From here on out, spoilers are allowed.

~Who was your favorite character? What character did you identify with the most? Were there any characters that you disliked? Why?

~Did any part of this book strike a particular emotion in you? Which part and what emotion did the book make you feel?

~Was there any part of the plot or aspects of the characters that frustrated or upset you? If so, why?

~How thought-provoking did you find the book? Did the book change your opinion about anything, or did you learn anything new from it? If so, what?

I just finished the audiobook of the novel. I enjoyed it and liked how it went back and forth between the two time periods.

I liked that too . . . I think it added to a feeling of suspense. You knew that Elsa was in trouble, and seeing what led to that . . . wow!
I had not known previously that certain 'high profile' prisoners were kept and treated 'better' for exchange purposes.

I didn't know that about the prisoner exchange either, but now that I do am not surprised by it. So many layers to WWII.

For sure. So many layers . . . so much heartbreak . . . but also so many people who chose to do the right things at the peril of their own lives. I want to be like them and like Jesus . . . always being mindful and ministering to 'the least of these'.

Kate wrote: "Since there no official discussion points for this book, I'm going to post a few 'general' questions that might help us get the conversation started. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like, pose..."

I probably won't be able to finish the book this month (I am about half way done), but my favourite character is Malvina. I like Elsa very much too, but Malvina instantly earned my love and respect by being so good of a parent figure to Elsa and raising her so well.

I loved Malvina too! To have so much love for her sister and her niece to put aside her Jewish religious observances so that Elsa could be raised as a Christian?!? SO much love!

I finished the March book today. Better late than never. It took me a couple of starts to get into the book, but I'm glad I persisted. It is a very good read. :-)

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed this book! It starts off with a bang, letting you know what will happen to Elsa as the story progresses. I was amazed at the ending after reading that. I had forgotten that Hitler established himself as fuhrer after abolishing the presidency. I’m still amazed and sickened by all he was able to inspire people to do and be!

I agree Barbara . . . that opening scene was definitely a bang, and to me, it felt like a race against time to figure out who had betrayed Elsa, and why.