A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron, © 2015

A Hidden Masterpiece Novel, Book Two

Contemporary/Historical Fiction
Thomas Nelson 

The story centers around the children’s art of the Theresienstadt transport camp (also known as Terezín), the Nazis’ propaganda camp north of Prague.

A cutting floor snippet ~ http://kristycambron.com/2014/09/01/wwii-75th-anniversary-blog-tour/

My review:
A strong story of hope and encouragement in the face of despair. I really enjoy reading two time period novels. The stories are richly woven together. The happenings before us do affect today. Courageous actions on the part of those willing to take a risk to love will be an encouragement to those who follow. Kristy Cambron has written of an inner strength.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."   ––Joshua 1:9 NIV

Clock Prague Old Time Square

   Kája swallowed hard. "The last secretary quit after one day?"
   "Secretaries. And it was within a week." He grimaced. "But what does it matter? We have a copy-editor from Oxford here now. And given the fact that she's already had the grand tour and her desk is cleared off and everything..." He pulled out the wooden swivel chair and patted the back with his palms. "Why not give it a try? What's the worst that could happen?"
   --A Sparrow in Terezin, 47

Powerful. You walk every step with them.

I began reading mid-afternoon, with 87 pages remaining, so absorbing, I was unaware I had read that far. Kristy Cambron is a wordsmith bringing you visibly into their world and time. The story of the beloved clock from Kája's childhood brings hope alive amid the children's art at Terezin.

arrival of transport to Terezin

   "You are Kateřina Makovský from Prague?"
   She stood before the woman, nervous but head held high. If Liam was right and she was inordinately stubborn, Kája had an inkling it would be a necessary component to her survival in this place. She notched her chin and answered, "Yes. I am."

   The woman handed over a sheet of paper, a small rectangle, then answered, "You are to report to the ration line, then to the Jewish Council for medical inspection and work assignment. Memorize this number," she cautioned, though her voice was staunch and formulaic. "You must know this number. It is how you will be referred to from this point on. Do you understand?"
   Kája nodded. "Yes."
   "If you are asked, you must give this number immediately. At all times. There will be no opportunity for remembering."
   --Ibid., 221

The description of the Terezin concentration camp is so vivid. One detail, among many, that stood out to me was how being moved from a large central room to an attic room was worse because of the vermin and cracked window with winter approaching. Nearer to the school for children, the attic room was a place of refuge against the turmoil without, if even for a little while.   

Continuing from the story in the first book, this second book reflects Sophie's early childhood. Giving from an open heart, the present and past intersect in her later years. Present day, Sera James, receives what she needs to continue by the influences and sacrifices of those who risked their own lives for the children of Terezin. For such a time as this; how important we each are in forthcoming generations.
 

Overview:
Two women, one in the present day and one in 1942, each hope for a brighter future. But they'll both have to battle through their darkest days to reach it.

Today. With the grand opening of her new gallery and a fairytale wedding months away, Sera James appears to have a charmed life. But in an instant, the prospect of a devastating legal battle surrounding her fiancé threatens to tear her dreams apart. Sera and William rush to marry and are thrust into a world of doubt and fear as they defend charges that could separate them for life.

June 1942. After surviving the Blitz bombings that left many Londoners with shattered lives, Kája Makovsky prayed for the war to end so she could return home to Prague. But despite the horrors of war, the gifted journalist never expected to see a headline screaming the extermination of Jews in work camps. Half-Jewish with her family in danger, Kája has no choice but to risk everything to get her family out of Prague. But with the clutches of evil all around, her escape plan crumbles into deportation, and Kája finds herself in a new reality as the art teacher to the children of Terezin.

Bound by a story of hope and the survival of one little girl, both Sera and Kája will fight to protect all they hold dear.

Kristy Cambron brings you the continuation of Sera James' story and tells Kája Makovsky's story in, A Sparrow in Terezin, book two in the Hidden Masterpiece series. You can find book one, The Butterfly and the Violin, here.

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather’s stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons. Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter

***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for this copy of Kristy Cambron's book two in the Hidden Masterpiece series, A Sparrow in Terezin, for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

~*~

 ‘A Sparrow in Terezin’ by Kristy Cambron | New Book Plus a Book-Inspired Giveaway

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron's new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A set of poppy notecards
• A poppy pin
• A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
• Literary tea bags
• Tumbler
• A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy's blog.



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