Jana PetkenCritiques

Not sure if my rating is completely fair because I couldn't finish the book. I was looking for historical fiction, not historical romance, which is what I would classify this. I read the first 250 pages looking for a bit of history, but there was virtually none. I wasn't interested in reading 700 pages of romance.

Not my cup of tea!

It was very hard for me to like this book. And yet the idea of writing a WWII story from a German point of view is worthwhile. Faced with the pressures put on families the decisions various members of the family made ring true.
Though the Vogels are hardly your typical German family, the everyday person caught up in the storm of Hitler and the SS. The children of this family are privileged, half English and well educated. Privileges that make it possible for some of them to chart a course that others in the family and the society could not. English enough to confront and acknowledge what they see happening, that Hitler is not the savior of the German people and that something shocking is happening. Although it seems Wilfred and Dieter have some way to go.
One can't help but admire the research behind Petkin's novel.
A novel you either are drawn to or not.

A NetGalley ARC

Set in Spain in the year of 1492, we follow the tragic death of Luis Perato, an event of import that drives multiple parties on a thrilling journey to find his killer.

From the daring David Sanchez to the abhorrent Gaspar De Amo, comes a range of stimulating characters who border the fence between good and evil. Key themes include religion, loss, and revenge.

While the Christians seek to cast out those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths, they take part of despicable deeds, showing the true ignorance and prejudice that mankind is capable of.

Action and adventure prevailed throughout, hooking me from the get go. The moral of the story? 'Never trust another man.'

A unique and gripping tale. Fights to the death, conspiracies, and torture wrapped into an adventurous package.

Rated 4 stars.

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I would classify it more as literature (rather than novel), given the historical events the author writes describes so well. Petkin has woven a story that captures the reader and won’t let go until you reach the last page. While longer than most books I read, I found myself eager to get back to the story every evening when work was done. You will travel from the early 20th century on a journey that spans one-hundred years to 21st century 2012. The family story takes place in both England and Spain, during two world wars and the Spanish Civil War, capturing the horror and heartbreak of those conflicts. Petkin has written a book that I will revisit again and again and won’t soon forget. I will tell everyone I know who, like me, loves well-written historical fiction. A fabulous story written from the heart.

I both enjoyed and struggled with this book.
The author sent me on a journey that I found quite harrowing. I like it when I can really ‘feel’ a book, and this one certainly delivered on that. I generally don’t read books that are this emotionally heavy, but the desire to know what happened next keep me reading despite the negative feelings it caused.
The part of the story set in Spain was interesting as I don’t know much about Spain’s past. I’ve always found learning about history easier when it’s a part of a novel!
On the downside, I was confused when I began reading as the setting was obviously historical, but the language/speech used by the characters was modern. Once my mind accepted this, it was no longer an issue.
If you like a historical saga that leaves you emotionally exhausted, but satisfied at the end, this book is for you.

I picked up this book expecting a fantastic story, and I was not disappointed. The story is so rich in detail and imaginary, I felt as though I was experiencing everything the characters were. The most vivid part was in the trenches, amid the muck and blood, with rotten bodies sticking up through the mire. And when Kevin was reading his letters, I kept praying, please don’t let him get shot. Of course, I’m not going to tell you what happened.

There are a lot of historical events in this story, and they appear to be well researched. I never thought about the fact the women’s suffrage movement started due to WWI. But it makes sense. After earning money for themselves, and making their own decisions how could woman handle being relegated back into their homes, with no say so, and under their husband’s thumbs again? Once a mind-set as changed, it cannot be undone.

On those lines, that is why Jenny is my favorite character in this story, so far. Kevin and Danny come in tied for second. Jenny goes through the most adversity and learns to grow, instead of succumbing to them.

The beginning of the book wasn’t very fast-paced, but it built and built, until I kept checking to see how far I was into the book, as I didn’t want the story to end. But end it must, and now I have to buy the next book, when available. I hope Patrick has more interaction in the next installment, as I really want to see where his life will lead. And then there’s Danny and the Irish Republican Party. How far will he go to chase England out of Ireland?

I really wantedo give this book 5 feathers, but there are just too many proofreading errors, missing words, and duplicate sentences that distracted me from the story. Also, the writing could’ve been a bit tighter as it’s full of filler words like ‘that’ and ‘had’.

This is a book I highly recommend for readers who love WWI historical novels and love –struck romance. I give it 4 feathers.

If I could give this emotionally charged, extraordinarily well-written book ten stars, I would. Although The Guardian of Secrets is over six hundred pages, I devoured it in just a few sittings. This book captured my interest from the very first page. I couldn't even stop reading The Guardian of Secrets while attending an outdoor play. "Seriously?" I heard my husband say while he glanced at my iPhone. The book is unputdownable. You’re going to love it.

The story begins in Kent, England with Celia Merrill Dobbs, a beautiful married woman who is depressed and alone on her family’s farm. Her loneliness though turns into terror when her husband, Joseph Dobbs begins to show his true colors. Celia flees to Spain with her newborn son. Her husband is a sociopath, vile and evil to the core. You’re going to detest him, but you’ll love Celia.

While in Spain, Ernesto Martinez takes Celia under his wing. Celia falls deeply in love with Ernesto and is ecstatically happy until the Spanish Civil War breaks out.

Jan Petken’s writing is so realistic and painted with so many authentic details that I felt as if I was in the war, fleeing bullets, caring for the wounded and crying over the dead. This compelling book alternates between England and Spain with many intricately woven subplots that add depth and intrigue.

It’s a story about the power of love, the agony of betrayal, and the tragedies of war. I will not give any more details away. I will only say that The Guardian of Secrets will send you on an emotional roller coaster. Get ready to read a quality book with well-drawn characters, meticulously written plots, and prose that just flows until you no longer read the words, but live them. This is the first book I have read by this talented writer, but it will not be my last.

~5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

Can't wait to read.

Reading The Guardian of Secrets was a journey, which left me feeling emotionally drained. The story of this family gives new meaning to the Family Saga genre. The family at war was told in a fantastic way, where fact and fiction met with great results. I loved this book. It was superbly written. This is an author who will go a long way.[ai:Jana Petken|7271860|Jana Petken|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1383854591p2/7271860.jpg]

This was by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. Jana Petken's saga begins in England in 1912. We are introduced to Celia Merrill, daughter of landed gentry who has married Joseph Dobbs, one of the vilest villains to ever grace the printed page. The horrors of this marriage are myriad and painfully depicted in Petken's prose. I'll say no more at this point and let the reader discover as I did. Soon, the story takes us from England to Spain and. eventually, through that country's bloody civil war.

Throughout, Ms. Petken engages the reader with her well-drawn characters, who are rich and complex, and her penetrating narrative. This is a beautifully crafted story that will keep the reader enthralled and may actually teach him/her something about history during the ride. I enthusiastically endorse this novel - you will not be disappointed!