Elaine StockCritiques

The story is mostly set in Poland during the WWII and deals with friendship in adversity. There is some antisemitism and violence, but there is little in the way of day-to-day struggles or Holocaust horrors. There is actually not much action over the course of the story, which follows 2 female characters (and their families) for around 30 years. Unfortunately, I did not connect with either woman, and the ending was predictable and felt abrupt. I found the book long and slow-going, and heavy in dialogue. It had the same level of detail and the uneven pacing that I see in sagas, (which I don’t have the patience for reading!) On the plus side, I appreciate that one of the main characters was deaf, (which I expect is an under-represented population in fiction).
I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.½

Elaine Stock has completed her Resilient Women of WWII with another strong book about two women who become friends and work together to fight against the Nazi hatred that had taken over Germany.

Edith lives with her sister and her mother in Amsterdam. Their father has been arrested and they are in fear of being arrested even though they have forged papers and live their lives as Christians. Their mother, Herta, decides to send both girls into hiding for their safety knowing that she may never see them again. Edith changes her name to Elsa and goes into hiding at a farm where several young people are staying. The farmer is only keeping them for the money that he gets from the resistance and he has raped Edith and several of the other girls living there. When she escapes, she flees to the nearest big city. She falls and hurts her ankle and is not able to continue her escape. She's befriended by Erich, a young man she knows nothing about and he takes her to his palatial home in Germany to recover. Once there, she feels that she has jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Erich's parents are staunch Nazis and she has no idea if Erich is a Nazi and if her life is in danger. After her recovery from her broken ankle, she's asked to be the teacher for two younger twins and is sent to room with Adela in a basement room. There the two women from totally different backgrounds become friends.

Vonni lived with her family in Czechoslovakia and left the family compound to try to find her father. As a member of the Roma group, she knows that her life is in danger because the Nazis are always on the lookout for the people they refer to as gypsies to send them to the camps. Her search for her father takes her to Vienna. When she gets sick, she is befriended by a young Jewish couple with two small children and takes the name Adela. When the Nazis start rounding up Jewish people in Vienna, the young couple disappear and Vonni is left alone. She's befriended by a young German man who takes her to his family home to recover and they hire her as a maid.

So now we have Elsa and Adela living in a palatial estate in the heart of Germany, both in fear of being found out that they are not the people they profess to be. What's worse is that the owner of the estate and his wife are strong and loyal members of the Nazi party. Are the two sons also Nazis who will turn in the two young girls or are they part of the resistance who will help them escape? When they flee to Vienna, they are scared that they will be discovered by the Nazis at the check points along the trip. Their trip to Vienna is a real nail biter and kept me turning the pages in hopes that they would remain safe.

This third book in the trilogy features two women who become friends and become stronger and more resilient as they work together to find a safe place. The author has done extensive research and its apparent on every page. This book could be read as a standalone with minimal confusion but there is a relationship between one of the women and her parents from book 2 that may caused some questions. My recommendation is to read all three of the books in the series in order for maximum enjoyment.

I read a lot of World War II fiction and this is one of the best series that I've read. All three books feature strong women from very different backgrounds who became friends and work to help each other stay safe.

Book Review…Our Daughters' Last Hope by Elaine Stock

Amsterdam, the Netherlands 1940

When Herta and Julia's husbands go missing, one accused falsely of crimes and the other to fight on behalf of the Nazis, Herta, despite the heartache, takes charge and places her daughters into hiding believing they'll keep safe. Meanwhile, Julia, as the only parent home, chooses to redefine family. These unexpected developments bring Herta and Julia together... until their true identities surface and they're thrown into dangerous consequences that could harm not only them but their daughters.

This is the second book in the Resilient Women of WWII and while it can be read as a standalone the first book is about Herta and her family so I do recommend reading it first. Despite it being about a dark time in history it was a good read. The characters are wonderful. They are raw and real. You can actually feel their feelings and it adds to the experience. The pace isn't fast or slow, it just flows well with the story. It's a great read that is about love, family, surviving and more! Thank you Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and Elaine Stock for sharing this book with me!

This new book begins right where book one ended. Herta (Aanya) and her family have been turned away from the United States in 1939 and sent back to Europe. Instead of going back to their home in Germany, they decide to settle their family in Amsterdam where they feel that they'll be safe from Hitler's plan to eradicate the Jewish population. Herta and Kurt and their two daughters lived peacefully in Amsterdam until the Spring of 1940, when the Germans invade the Netherlands. They realize that they are in danger because they are Jewish so they all got forged papers and started to live as a Christian family.

Julia, her husband and two daughters have roots in Amsterdam for generations. After the invasion, her husband sides strongly with the Nazis and works very hard to become part of their alliance with the police. Julia is mainly concerned with her children and getting food on the table and keep her daughters safe She doesn't share his anti-Jewish beliefs but is unable to express her opinions without worrying about him abusing her in his anger.

When Herta and Julia meet, they both are keeping major secrets. Herta has sent her two daughters to safety outside the country and her husband has disappeared. Julia offers her a home and because she has nowhere else to go, she accepts. As the two women become closer they start to help the resistance doing jobs that could not only harm them but their daughters will also be in danger.

Can these two women remain friends when they each learn the secrets that are being hidden. Will they be able to continue their help to the resistance and will their friendship help them survive during a war that is full of hatred?? Can they continue to trust each other?

Elaine Stock has done considerable research and her characters perfectly reflect what was going on at this time. Her two main characters are well written with all of their flaws apparent. The friendship between these two women was strong and they were both braver and more resilient than they knew. I won't soon forget Herta and Julia and how the strength of their friendship protected not only their families but also other people who were in danger.

Book Three in this series is due to publish in the Spring of 2023 and I can't wait to read it and be taken back into the world that Elaine Stock creates for her readers that is full of friendship and love despite the hardships going on in the world.

Zofia and Aanya became friends when they were young in Brzeziny, Poland. They were totally different - Zofia was a Catholic and Aanya was Jewish and deaf. Despite their differences , they remained best friends. Zofia learns to use sign language and they communicate through sign language and written notes. In 1939, the threat of war is looming closer. Zofia is married and has a small son. Her husband has disappeared and she has no idea if he is in a German camp or part of the resistance. He very firmly told her before he disappeared, that she needed to take their son and go to America where he had a cousin who was willing to take her in. Aanya lives near her friend with her mother and is studying to be doctor. When the hatred begins to grow, both women are targeted -- Aanya for being Jewish and Zofia for being a friend of a Jewish person. As the war and the violence invade their small town, their friendship is put to the test. Will they remain friends, will Zofia be able to leave for the US or will the borders be closed before she can fulfill her husband's wishes?

Zofia and Aanya's friendship is so beautiful and is really the entire back bone of the story. Both characters are well written and believable. They both treasure their homes and families and are desperate not to lose them but the war made huge changes in their lives. Will either of them survive the war to continue their friendship in a safer world?

Be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book. This story was inspired by the author’s paternal heritage from Poland. This is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of two women who are determined to remain united in friendship and to live freely despite the odds.

This is the first book in a planned trilogy. I can't wait to read the new books and be taken back into the world that Elaine Stock creates for her readers that is full of friendship and love despite the hardships going on in the world..

Cami Richardson is good at chasing away the men in her life: first Gavin Kinkaid, a former classmate she’d helped to bully, and later, her husband who left her widowed and a single mom. Now all she wants is to bring a smile back to her eight-year-old son. What she doesn’t expect is for Gavin to become her new neighbor.

Gavin wants to settle down after serving in the Air Force and mend the separation between him and his dad. What he didn’t count on is his changing feelings when he sees Cami as a kind woman instead of his former adversary.

When Cami’s son blindsides them both during the Christmas season, is their reunion at risk or will it grow stronger?



My Thoughts: A wonderful book just in time for the holidays! This book was an enjoyable read that is full of many lessons. This novel is not only about family, forgiveness and letting go, but also about bullying and what it can create. Bullying, name calling is something I believe we have all faced at one time in our lives. Beautifully written with a flowing storyline that keeps the reader interested.


The characters are interesting, down to earth and easy to relate to. This is an enjoyable romance novel with lessons to learn that the reader can read during the holiday season or any time of the year! I look forward to reading more from Elaine Stock.

This is such a sweet romance. I loved Cami’s son Danny. He helps his mom and her old friend to connect again. Cami learns to trust in God again also. I laughed and cried while reading this book. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is a great story about forgiveness and bullying. It's funny how Cami was such a snob when she was growing up. I think she may have went along with her friends when they were mean to Gavin and his family. We all grow up with different lifestyles, but for some it is hard when you have very little. I loved how the author used two people who at one time were enemies to show how people can change as they mature and get older.

Gavin is a perfect example of how forgiveness works. After moving across the street from Cami and her son, he knew there may be some hurt feelings. What I really liked was how the author used a woman as the bully in the story. Yes, women can be mean and judgmental. It was nice to read how Gavin was able to forgive Cami for all she had done to him while they were growing up.

The best character to me in the story was Danny. He is a precious little boy who has a heart of gold. Cami has raised him well and he takes to Gavin quickly. In the story Danny is exposed to bullying himself and I thought he handled it well. It was a shock to him to find out his mom had been a bully. We don't realize sometimes how hurtful our words can be, but this little boy showed everyone how to forgive and love. I won't tell anything else about the story so I won't spoil how God worked in several people's lives. It is a wonderful story that we can all take a lesson from. Don't miss this wonderful story of relationships, forgiveness and God's love.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

When the boy she bullied is now the man who is now her neighbor, Cami’s past and present collide.

Who here regrets decisions they made as a teenager?

Thankfully, most of the time, we grow up. Elaine Stock examines this exact thing in Christmas Love Year Round with her characters. Cami has matured, no longer allowing her peers and family to influence her decisions. Gavin’s immediate forgiveness and acceptance of Cami and her son is commendable and something we should all aspire to be.
And when something more brews between these characters, I was cheering for them. But not everyone is as quick as Gavin to let go of old hurts.

Stock’s story is one to curl up with on a cool afternoon as it wraps the reader in the warmth of falling in love with the most unexpected person.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A lovely story that embodies all that Christmas is about. The author has tackled the issues of bullying and forgiveness very gently, allowing the characters to realize that God and love can change the hardest hearts. Learning to forgive others can be a difficult lesson. Cami has definitely learned this the hard way and until she leaves things with the Lord, she cannot forgive herself. Is it possible that in return she can help others accept forgiveness and thus experience love? A wonderful book with engaging characters - you won't want to put it down!
I received this ebook through CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

Christmas Love Year Round by Elaine Stock is the first in her new series Kindred Lake. And it is one that fans of charmingly sweet romance stories won't want to miss. Cami is a young widow who is strong, brave and determined and yet riddled with guilt from being a bully as a young girl. And then the object of that bullying moves in across the street. Watching the relationship between Cami and Gavin grow and morph into more than they ever imagined was so delightful. The love between them isn't quite a slam, dunk as the author keeps interest high with stumbling blocks along the way--interfering sisters, an old vow, broken windows--would they be able to forgive the past pain and lingering grudges to make a way for a life together? I like how the author gracefully entwines faith in God through the story, as Cami realizes that hers has been tucked away for a while and begins to refocus on the One who loves completely, forgives and offers second chances. The author artfully tackles sensitive subjects such as depression and bullying, portraying realistic emotions and reactions in the characters. This wonderful story of family and faith is a great beginning to the Kindred Lake series and I look forward to reading the next books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

This book goes on about a horrible situation. It is awful that there is a condition like Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. It is horrible to think that other family members might miss what is going on for years. This made me cry and laugh at times. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I was so immersed in the story that at times I could feel myself tremble. The book is captivating and tragic at the same time. I have heard of Munchausen by Proxy but didn’t know a lot about it. The story takes readers deep into the mind of a woman who thinks she is helping her daughter while getting praises from everyone of how great a mother she is. To really understand this mental illness Tara-Lynn has, the author delivers an eye opening look into the world of mental health. I know what Tara-Lynn does to her daughter is horrific, but I press on hoping answers will come . What is it like to need attention so bad you harm your child almost to the brink of death? Is it the desire to feel like a hero when you race to the hospital to save your daughter? What possesses someone to intentionally inflict pain on their child just to get the satisfaction and sympathy from hospital staff that you are the best mother?

Sadie is like most children who trust their parents and thinks Tara-Lynn is doing what is best for her. As a child you trust your parents and believe they love you and want to protect you. At some point Sadie realizes Tara-Lynn is not well. My heart went out to her. She needed a hug and to hear the words, “ I love you and will protect you.” Sadie’s dad was a mystery to me at times. I think he knew what was going on, but escaped by going off on adventures to forget about it. Why didn’t Sadie’s father help her? Did he have things he needed help with? I loved the grandmother and wanted to stand beside her and support her as she tries her best to do what is right.

The author does a great job of showing how important faith and trust in God is. I loved the young woman that enters Sadie’s life. I won’t give much away but to say that she is a Godsend is very appropriate. It is hard when someone you know is mentally ill. Society seems to shun those with mental illness and I pray someday that will change. I didn’t like what Tara-Lynn was doing, but the author captivated the realism of how much she needed help. The last part of the book is emotional, terrifying, eye opening and well written. I applaud the author for taking a subject not many talk about and bringing it to the surface in hopes that others will reach a helping hand to those in need.

“You can’t latch onto the freedom of peace until you confront your demons.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Elaine Stock’s debut novel, Always with You is a chilling look into how one can be deceived when not prepared with the proper foundation of truth. In the story, eighteen year old Isabelle has lots of questions about her family’s secretive past. Both her father and grandmother are cold and seemingly unresponsive to Isabelle’s desires and needs. So when she finds a knight in shining armor, she is quickly swept up into a new world that promises family and love. But evil is often masked and her dream of a new life and love soon spirals into a nightmare.

Always with You has a definite YA vibe — two young people, deeply in love, with many obstacles from family and friends. Their story is told from the first person perspective of both. Isabelle and Tyler seem like two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet with some neo and not-so-neo-Nazi influence thrown in. I really didn’t like either of the characters (or many others, for that matter). I couldn’t trust Tyler, and Isabelle was very, very naive. Often their love came across as being fueled more by hormones than deep emotion. There is a great deal of sexual tension between these two that, while not graphic, is a bit on the steamy side. The cult that Isabelle finds herself thrust into is scary-bad and a good warning to young adults and parents to keep their discernment honed. The story becomes a bit far-fetched at the end, and characters seem to change without any lead-in or development. A so-so read for me, it has many highly rated reviews. Make sure to check those out.

Audience: YA to adults.

(Thanks to the author for copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Everyday in the news we hear of gangs and secret sects being formed. Why is it easy to get young people to join these groups? Perhaps it is as simple as their desire to be loved and wanted. We all want to be accepted and live in a family that is nurturing and loving. Not all of us are lucky to have that environment and the consequences can be devastating .

Isabelle seemed to have it all. Her father was very strict and demanding at times, but wanted the best for his daughter. He wants to dictate Isabelle's every move and that causes her to be a bit rebellious. Her grandmother is not any better with her harsh tones and opinions that are hurtful and unfounded. What she lacks in her home is security and love. Isabelle wants to belong , to feel appreciated and above all loved. Tyler comes to her rescue and she sees him as her knight in shining armour. He has rescued her from a group of boys who were out to harm her. Tyler seems to be a decent guy and Isabelle is thankful he was there to help her.

Tyler and Isabelle's relationship is quick to develop and it suddenly turns into a marriage. I thought it seemed rushed at first but the author does an exceptional job of showing the emotions Isabelle had to want someone to love her and keep her safe. She had this fairy tale dream of a perfect husband with beautiful children where they live happily ever after. Isabelle is in for a shock as time goes on. She knows that Tyler belongs to a group called The Faithful. This group seems to be exactly what Isabelle is looking for. I really liked how the group didn't quite welcome her with open arms like she envisioned. After all, she needed to prove she could be trusted . But when dark secrets arise, Isabelle know she has made a grave mistake.

The story deals with a very emotional subject about racism . The author really did an amazing job of describing what a religious cult is and the power the leader, Thomas had over his followers. I was on the edge of my seat as things started to crumble around Isabelle's world. When death and hatred arises all around her she starts to wonder why she so willingly married Tyler. She loves her husband, but fears that he has been lying to her about The Faithful. I could feel the fear in Isabelle as she discovers the truth behind The Faithful. Will she try to escape from the cult? Can she trust anyone to save her? Is it possible to ever escape from a cult that is filled with hate and revenge?

The book is very explosive and deals with racism, hatred, manipulation, lies and fear. Throughout the book the author does a great job of exploring the background of Isabelle's heritage. It made her grieve to learn of her ancestors that were involved in terrible crimes that led to torture. It is at times hard to read the book as I felt Isabelle's despair and her need to know who the true God is. I loved how the author showed readers that there is hope, forgiveness, and above all a loving God that loves us unconditionally.

The book is must read which delves into the secret world of hate groups. I really though the author wrote a very emotional story that could draw kids in just by making them believe lies. The brainwashing was evident in the story and showed how easily a trap can be set to get new members. The ending is a true surprise and one that brought the writing to a depth of realism.

I received a digital copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.,

Always with You by Elaine Stock
Not sure I really wanted to read this book as it's about hateful racial crimes but I thought I'd give it a chance for those who believe in God to make it all right.
Story starts out with Isabelle and she's come to the school playyard before going to dinner with her father and grandmother. A group of boys attack her, tie her up and drag her to the school building. Tyler, from the faithful group comes to her rescue.
Her relatives don't really care for him as do none of the towns folk. Alternating chapters from Tyler as we follow his path also. They continue to see one another as he rescues her again from the bad gang.
She plans to attend college but that may be on hold if things go on like they have been. She'd have to convert to his religion, memorize passages and reciting.
Enjoyed learning about the area they hiked on their honeymoon-looked it up online even.
She finds out things and decides what she must do, lots of twists and turns and can't believe the ending how it brings some back together. Only til the truth is told does it make sense.
Reading guide at the end is included. Wasn't as fearful as I thought i'd be.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.