Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Karolina's Twins by Ronald H. Balson


Re-telling your nightmare of living in occupied Poland during WWII would stir up emotions that I would want to forget, but Lena Scheinman Woodward wanted it told. 

Lena Woodward lived in Poland during the holocaust, lost her entire family, but did find her best friend, Karolina, in the factory where they were required to work and make coats for the Germans.
 
​We are there as Lena tells of her experiences
to an attorney and private investigator ​in hopes of getting the help she needs to fulfill the promise she made to her friend Karolina to find her twins.

Lena Woodard made a promise to her friend 70 years ago, and now at the age of 89 decided to tell her story and to try to find Karolina's children that sadly had to be abandoned because of the situation they were in.
 
When Lena's son finds out she is telling her story, he causes problems because he is worried about his inheritance being taken by the attorney and the investigator even though he indicates his concern is only with his mother's welfare.

​As Lena's story unfolded for her attorney, Catherine, we re-lived with her the terror and atrocities committed by the Nazis, and we learned that there was a secret Lena had been keeping for 70 years.


Lena and Catherine were two characters I loved.  They were strong, determined women.  Liam was fun.  Arthur, Lena's son, was not pleasant.  I truly enjoyed the interaction of the characters both present day and past as Lena told her story.

KAROLINA'S TWINS flowed very nicely, and was another well-researched book by Mr. Balson.  Mr. Balson has a marvelous writing style and a knack for keeping readers interested by combining facts with human interest


Mr. Balson indicated that his book is fiction, but it is similar to the life of Fay Scharf Waldman whom he met after writing his first book.  

World War II buffs will add yet another layer to their interest and desire to learn the truth.  5/5

This book was gi
ven to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.



7 comments:

  1. Have you read KAROLINA'S TWINS yet?

    Thanks for stopping.

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  2. Replies
    1. It was powerful as well as heartwrenching.

      Thanks for stopping, Kathy.

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  3. That sounds like a well written book.

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    Replies
    1. It was beautifully researched.

      Thanks for stopping, Ellen.

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  4. It sounds like a very emotional read. Thanks for telling us about it!

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    Replies
    1. Very emotional and good.

      Thanks for stopping, Mary.

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