In the tiny French hamlet of Amitié, sixteen year old Angel Candalero anxiously awaits the promise of liberation. Coming of age under Nazi occupation, Angel is forced to conceal her beauty and exist in the shadow of obscurity. For Angel, freedom means a chance to shed the garb of deception, to step out of the darkness, to delight in awakening passion and find the love of her life. For Lieutenant Eric Gulbransen, news of his brother’s death comes with forced reassignment. Although spared the brutality of combat, Eric faces the morbid reality of civilian detention. The senseless cruelty and endless misery cause this handsome young lover of the arts to lose all hope in humanity. Then, one night while his soul weeps, an innocent beauty climbs out of a truck and into his heart. NOTE: This novel is not for children, it contains strong language and adult situations.

Joe Meek’s farm boy innocence was washed away in the blood of Normandy, but it isn’t until a young woman dies in his arms that he learns to hate. In the last six months, Joe’s killed more men than he’s called friend. To the replacements, Joe’s a veteran; but beneath his ‘John Wayne’ swagger, he’s just another scared GI. Emma Cayhill was too busy enjoying life to be bothered by all the Nazi hype, that is, until her families attempt to flee the continent leads to her arrest. Emma’s struggle to survive the pestilence of captivity forges resourcefulness, hope bears resolve, but despite her strength the last thing she wants is another soul to mend. Emma’s very survival defies Joe’s illusion of femininity. Yet, the moment she follows him through the barbed wire fence, his fate is in her hands. From The Battle of the Bulge, through the turbulence of victory, their destinies are bound by a silent horror. It’s a new beginning... or is it?