Wow! This was an incredible read. The history this book was centered around was something I’d never heard of before, but then getting to meet the characters (and knowing that they are/were real people and actually experienced a lot of what is depicted in the story) took it to a whole new level for me. Each character was well-formed, detailed, and dynamic. They came alive for me. The predicament they found themselves in was also quite realistic, and although this story could have come off as quite a downer because of the difficult events described, it wasn’t at all that way. There were elements of humor sprinkled throughout (HELLO, Danny!), and such genuine love and care that there’s no way you could finish the book and not be uplifted. Yes, this deals with the war and some VERY tough stuff (see the note after the spoiler alert below), but overall, it’s a story of hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read, and can’t wait to check out some of Andrews’ other works.

*SPOILER ALERT*
There’s a fairly gruesome scene in ch. 15, where someone is maimed and dies. Not recommended for young teens. ( )

The Heart Mender: a Story of Second Chances. Andy Andrews. 2015. Alabama author, Andy Andrews writes inspirational advice books and novels. A friend lent me this book about German submarines patrolling the Alabama coast line. The uncanny thing is that she lent it to me a week after I’d seen a submarine disaster movie! I had no idea that the subs caused as much damage as they did. The story is fascinating not only because of the submarines but the description of the Gulf Shores area during World War II was equally fascinating and so was the story of the people involved. It was obvious from the beginning that the novel was based on true events, but I had no idea the characters in the book were real people! This is a slight novel with a message of Christian forgiveness and people who like to read books about Alabama and /or submarines would like this one. ( )

This was an amazing story that truly gives wonderful real life examples of what forgiveness can due for people. Can't wait for the movie!! ( )

This is a very touching story of a beautiful woman (Helen Mason) who lost all hope in life when her husband was killed by the Nazis in an air raid in London during WWII and how she struggle in life to learn to forgive. An opportunity came when she found a near-lifeless body in the beach close to the house where she lived. But she found out that the person she just rescued was a German soldier (officer Lt. Josef Landermann), in similar conditions of a broken soul as herself. He was in a German U-boat (submarine) in the warm waters of Golf of Mexico and was betrayed and shot by a Nazi-officer and left to die in the ocean, but ended up washing ashore and he looks to Helen for survival.
This is truly a story of loss and reconciliation, showing the power of forgiveness. The plot and characters are unforgettable. Main characters are Helen Mason, Josef Landermann, Hans Kuhlmann, Wan Cooper, Margaret and Billy Gilbert, Danny Gilbert, Harris Kramer and Ernst Schneider.
This book was written by Andy Andrews and it was published by Thomas Nelson in 2010 and they were kind enough to send me a copy for reviewing through their Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers Program.

Read more reviews on my blog http://booksandmoviesreviews.blogspot.com and leave comments!
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I anticipated receiving this book in the mail; the story idea of a German navy guy washing up on American shores during WWII and falling in love with an American woman was such a unique idea. Unfortunately, some aspects of the book kept it from reaching its full potential.

Written as a unique blend of fictional tale and non-fiction research story, this book fooled me at times whether certain aspects of it were actually true or not. There is a section at the end that tells what ultimately happens to the different parties in the story that leads me to believe that maybe some aspects of this book were real. I’m still not sure on that account.

I loved getting a window into an area of WWII not often explored. The story of the perilous times that existed in American waterways on the east coast and in the gulf is not that well known. Even during the times, the government put a gag order on the papers to keep the story from the general population. Of course, the population who lived close to the coast knew what was going on. This book plays on this premise, playing on the idea of a man from the German navy washing up on shore after being shot overboard.

I liked that the author used Josef and Hans to show the readers that not all Germans were hardline Nazis. Many found small ways to resist and had a firm sense of honor and duty. Josef was a honorable, courageous man who fought for his country and loved his fellow brothers in the military. He was a great point of view to tell the story through. I also liked Helen and how bitter she was. Her levels of rage and hate were believable given the circumstances she had experienced. Helen’s journey to healing made her story relatable and emotionally resonant.

Where this book fell down and faltered was in its heavy-handedness with the themes of forgiveness and healing. While good, worthy themes to explore to be sure, when you’re portraying them with the proverbial 2x4, they can be tiresome. Nothing was subtle or interwoven with the story here. There would be entire paragraphs and dialogue exchanges where the only thing talked about was the need for forgiving others and how much peace and healing that brings. The other story threads of love, hiding, and unexpected alliances were completely overshadowed; this book suffered from that imbalance.

A good story idea and great lead characters made for a promising title. They helped to make this book at least semi-enjoyable. However, an overemphasis on themes killed the book overall. I felt drowned in the proselytizing and was just glad when the book was done. At least I finished it; the underlying story was enjoyable enough to carry me to the finish line. But, I don’t see myself picking up this book again. ( )