Customer Reviews

Copper Star (Copper Star Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Louisa Schmetterling is a German Jew involved in a dangerous stint with the Resistance workers in Nazi Germany during World War II. Her pastor friend, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, arranged for his close friend, Robert Gordon, a pastor in Copper Springs, Arizona, to take Louisa in for awhile, until things calmed down in Germany.

Robert's wife has passed away, leaving him the sole caregiver of a four-year-old boy, William. William didn't know how to talk yet, because he is deaf. Robert's aunt, Martha, moved in with Robert to help out with household chores. From the beginning, Martha makes it clear that she resents Louisa's presence, but Robert feels that taking her in is what the Lord would have him do.

Louisa reaches out to the young William, and soon finds herself immersed in the community. Still, a part of her is upset that she's not in Germany with her friends, working for the resistance. Will Louisa ever truly accept Copper Springs, Arizona, and the love that might be found there? Or is her life still in danger?

Written in first person, the reader is instantly immersed in Louisa's point of view. The only thing that could be improved somewhat is Louisa's internal thoughts, as they aren't mentioned a whole lot in the book. However, the reader is aware of her thoughts through conversation and narrative. Copper Star easily compares to some of the historical books I've read for review recently.

I wasn't real sure what to expect when I opened the covers of Copper Star. It has been my experience that a lot of books published by these smaller houses are not as good as those published by the larger houses. I was pleasantly surprised. It is apparent that the author has studied the craft of writing and she what she's doing. The book is written in a literary style, and is not a sweet romance in writing style. However, that doesn't detract from the storyline at all. The characters are well developed, the romance is very real and present, and the faith message is expertly woven in.

Armchair Interviews says: This author is one to watch for her historical romances that also inspire. She is a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine.

I enjoyed this book for it's intriguing plot, interesting characters (Even the secondary characters like Miss Gordon and Ada, Miss Gordon's cousin, were fun to get to know!)and historical accuracy. Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. My interest in Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been piqued. I can't wait to read more of Suzanne's work.

Louisa Schmetterling is a German refugee reaching the end of her dangerous and chilling journey from Nazi Germany where she has been working secretly for the resistance against Hitler. Her destination is a small town in the deep south of America, not far from the border with Mexico. Her host is to be a church pastor and his family. They are not what she expected and neither is she what they expected but as they grow together in difficult circumstances she becomes enveloped into their family almost by accident.



Louisa has seen all of her family and friends murdered, taken off to concentration camps or put in prison and as such her deep desire is to return home to her native land after the war to help rebuild what must surely be a devastated, broken place. How else can she atone for the fact that she was saved when everyone else perished? What she didn't plan for though, is how much she would grow to love the townspeople amongst whom she has found herself? And how much they would grow to love her. As the story builds towards a dramatic climax she must choose between her long held sense of duty to her homeland and her growing sense of belonging in her present environment. This is not an easy choice, indeed it begins to look as though the choice won't be hers to make.



Evocative, spellbinding and richly compelling, this story weaves together with such intricacy and beauty that you won't be able to stop reading until the very final page. Suzanne Woods Fisher's beautifully eloquent writing brings the era and the area richly to life. It is a story of espionage and fear, war and death yet with it hope and love, and forgiveness and faith. An inspirational read.

review by Hilary Cockshaw at www.christianmums.com

Copper Star by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a WWII romance with an exciting helping of romance and intrigue. Louisa Schmetterling has fled her beloved homeland of Germany in 1943 when her work with the underground Resistance movement is threatened by her fear of getting caught. Her mentor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sends her to his friend from seminary, Robert Gordon who is a minister in the small mining town of Copper Springs, Arizona, where she has a difficult time fitting in. Louisa's outspoken ways shake up the Gordon household where no one speaks of Robert's mysterious missing wife, five-year-old son William has been written off as handicapped, and Aunt Martha runs the house with an iron fist. Louisa's love for others soon has William diagnosed as being mildly deaf and learning to speak, Robert's sermons have added depth from her input, and new pet Dog added as a member of the family. Despite the roots she is putting down, Louisa has no desire to stay in Arizona, feeling called back to her homeland to do something about the atrocities there, and her work in the Resistance just may come back to haunt her, even here in the US, when she crosses the wrong man in town. This is one of Fisher's earlier novels, but it already shows the talent and strong characterization her later books display. Her love for famous Lutheran minister Bonhoeffer shines through Louisa and readers who are unfamiliar with him will be intrigued by this fascinating real-life character. Louisa is a smart and quick-thinking heroine, but it's her love for those around her that make the people of Copper Springs, as well as readers, fall in love with her. The novel is a look at how Americans viewed WWII through the eyes of a German Jewish woman who witnessed it firsthand. Powerful, moving, and exciting, readers will be hooked on Fisher's writing with this book.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has struck gold with Copper Star A beautiful love story full of twists and turns. I can't wait to read the sequel. A job very well done!

It's been a long time since I couldn't put a book down but after reading the first 1/3 of this novel it only took one day to read the rest! I ended up wanting to know more about Louisa's life, both past and future. I hope Ms. Fisher will continue the story!

I could not put this book down. It is a wonderful story with history and clean romance. Louisa arrives in Copper Star as a refugee. Little does she know that God has sent her there on a mission to help the family that is helping her. I highly recommend this book.

I HIGHLY suggest this book. It has an excellent balance of history, adventure, & a love story.

An outstanding first novel for Suzanne Woods Fisher! Set in a small, Arizona town, the big war in Europe seems distant, and nothing out of ordinary besides the typical war effort of the 1940's. But enter Louisa, a half Jewish girl with charm and spunk--and a commitment to changing the world. Fisher's heroine starts to churn this quiet town, and finds takers along the way, including a passive preacher whose lifeless sermons seem to mask a deep secret. What develops is a truly compelling story that holds you, especially the ending.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's spirit influences as well as hovers throughout the novel. Though already a Bonheoffer fan, reading Suzanne's book inspired me to watch again the recent PBS movie, and deepened my admiration for Bonhoeffer's faith and difficult sacrifice.

I loved "Copper Star". I was engrossed with the story since it combined my own personal passions; travel, music and history. Though set in America, Mrs. Fisher's novel took me back to my years of living in Vienna--the cobble-stoned streets and ancient cathedrals. This book reminded me of the Zion Covenant books by Bodie Thoene, and particularly, "Vienna Prelude".

I highly recommend this book.

Suzanne Woods Fisher's first novel, Copper Star is a shining example of today's fresh new emerging authors.
She links different worlds in the unusual setting of an Arizona copper mining town while allowing us a glimpse into the world of a deaf child and the challenges that presents. Who would think our heroine could find love in a small town with Nazi sympathizers threatening her very existence? This book will remind us of lessons learned from great characters in history such as Deitrich Bonehoffer and Annie Sullivan while painting a beautiful love story full of hope. I look forward to her next novel, Tuscan Ketchup.