My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Lost Love -- Review

About the Book

A staggering love illuminating the dark corners of a Nazi prison
Renowned German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is famous for his resistance to the Nazi regime and for his allegiance to God over government. But what few realize is that the last years of his life also held a love story that rivals any romance novel.

Maria von Wedemeyer knows the realities of war. Her beloved father and brother have both been killed on the battlefield. The last thing this spirited young woman needs is to fall for a man under constant surveillance by the Gestapo. How can she give another piece of her heart to a man so likely to share the same final fate? Yet when Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an old family friend, comes to comfort the von Wedemeyers after their losses, she discovers that love isn't always logical.

Dietrich himself has determined to keep his distance from romantic attachments. There is too much work to be done for God, and his involvement in the conspiracy is far too important. But when he encounters a woman whose intelligence and conviction match his own, he's unprepared for how easy it is to give away his heart.

With their deep love comes risk--and neither Dietrich nor Maria is prepared for just how great that risk soon becomes.

Based on detailed historical research and including photos from both Maria's and Dietrich's lives, this is a true love story at once beautiful and heartrending. My Dearest Dietrich sheds new light on a world-famous theologian . . . and the woman who changed his life. 

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About the Author

ECPA best-selling author Amanda Barratt fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story—a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes romantic, historical fiction, penning stories of beauty and brokenness set against the backdrop of bygone eras not so very different from our own. Her novel My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love, released from Kregel Publications in June 2019.

She’s also the author of My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York: Adele’s Journey, as well as seven novellas with Barbour Publishing. Two of her novellas have been finalists in the FHL Reader’s Choice Awards.

Amanda lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, where she can be found reading way too many books, plotting her next novel, and jotting down imaginary travel itineraries for her dream vacation to Europe.

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Author Interview

Check out the author interview HERE.

Review

Amanda Barratt has written a page-turning and beautifully haunting love story of Bonhoeffer and his Maria von Wedemeyer in her novel My Dearest Dietrich.  From page one the story and the characters spring to life through the story and the historical details, which have obviously and meticulously been researched to great lengths.   Readers will feel as if they are right there with the characters, almost feeling like they are the characters.  This is an amazing and powerful love story that shows the darkness of the time during WWII, as well as the deep emotions of true love.  This novel has all the feels.  Readers will be touched and powerfully moved by this beautiful and inspiring story!
 
Genre: historical, WWII
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publication date: June 9, 2019
Number of pages: 360
 
A review copy of this book was provided by the author via her launch team.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.