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Synopsis (from Amazon): From the USA Today bestselling author of When We Were Strangers and Swimming in the Mooncomes a lush, exquisitely drawn novel set against the turmoil of the Great War, as a young German-American woman explores the secrets of her past.
A shopkeeper’s daughter, Hazel Renner lives in the shadows of the Pittsburgh steel mills. She dreams of adventure, even as her immigrant parents push her toward a staid career. But in 1914, war seizes Europe and all their ambitions crumble. German-Americans are suddenly the enemy, “the Huns.” Hazel herself is an outsider in her own home when she learns the truth of her birth.
Desperate for escape, Hazel takes a teaching job in a seemingly tranquil farming community. But the idyll is cracked when she acquires a mysterious healing power—a gift that becomes a curse as the locals’ relentless demand for “miracles” leads to tragedy.
Hazel, determined to find answers, traces her own history back to a modern-day castle that could hold the truth about her past. There Hazel befriends the exiled, enigmatic German baron and forges a bond with the young gardener, Tom. But as America is shattered by war and Tom returns battered by shell-shock, Hazel’s healing talents alone will not be enough to protect those close to her, or to safeguard her dreams of love and belonging. She must reach inside to discover that sometimes the truth is not so far away, that the simplest of things can lead to the extraordinary.
Filled with rich historical details and intriguing, fully realized characters, Under the Same Blue Sky is the captivating story of one woman’s emergence into adulthood amid the tumult of war.
One (or more) Sentence Summary: I really enjoyed Under the Same Blue Sky. The characters pulled me from the very beginning. Hazel, the main character is so strong. We get to experience what it was like to be German-American during the Great War. I loved Hazel's "healing touch" and how much she grew/matured during the story. Her father took the war so personally and her mother emerged as such a strong person. All the characters made the story so real and added something special to story in different ways.
I do think Under the Same Blue Sky is a book that will stick with you after you have completed it. It will make you think and reflect. It would be a great book for a book club!
Favorite Character(s): No doubt it is Hazel, however, I really liked the Baron too. The relationship that Hazel and the Baron had was very special. They both need each other for different reasons and had so much respect for one another.
Setting: Pittsburgh and Dogwood during the Great War.
Fast read/slow read: I was very surprised, it was a super fast read.
Cover: I LOVE IT!
What Others Are Saying: Make sure you visit others on TLC Book Tour to see what others are saying about Under the Same Blue Sky.
Wednesday, May 6th: Staircase Wit
Friday, May 8th: 100 Pages a Day … Stephanie’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, May 13th: Kritters Ramblings
Friday, May 15th: Peeking Between the Pages
Monday, May 18th: Ageless Pages Reviews
Tuesday, May 19th: Raven Haired Girl
Wednesday, May 20th: Broken Teepee
Thursday, May 21st: Good Girl Gone Redneck
Friday, May 22nd: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Tuesday, May 26th: West Metro Mommy
Thursday, May 28th: Seaside Book Nook
Thursday, May 28th: Silver’s Reviews
Monday, June 1st: Lavish Bookshelf
Monday, June 8th: Mom’s Small Victories
Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes!
Pamela Schoenewaldt lived for ten years in a small town outside Naples, Italy. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines in England, France, Italy, and the United States. She now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, Maurizio Conti, a physicist, and Jesse, their dog.
Very nice review.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the book too.
My review was up on May 28.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
I'm glad you enjoyed this book! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
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