Customer Reviews

Winter Passing (Winter Passing Trilogy #1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

FRIENDSHIP, FORGIVENESS, and FAITH, Cindy McCormick Martinusen has beautifully expressed these images in her book "Winter Passing". I was not only reminded of the pain, hurt, and death that happened during the Holocaust as I read this book, but I discovered a deeper view into relationships that may have occured in peoples lives during and after this tragedy. In this novel, Celia and Tatianna have a Friendship that shows the true meaning of love. The Bible verse, John 15:13 says "... the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for a friend." A verse that can be difficult to understand, but in this book is wonderfully demostrated. "Winter Passing" also opened my eyes to the hurt and guilt that others have carried with them through the years. Because of the actions taken during WWII, generations have felt the pain. Many choose to forgive, some may never. Yet others have seeked for the Forgiveness , as portrayed in the character Bruno, a Nazi solider during the Holocaust. A touching chapter that shows us why Forgiveness is the begining of Faith. The Faith that kept the Jews going, the Faith that was not forgotten and the Faith that was passed on to generations because of a Friendship that will be remembered forever.

Darby Evans is a busy photographer, still single and haunted by her beloved grandmother's deathbed request. She's always known that her grandmother escaped the Nazis, yet why, 60 years later, does she call out for "Tatianna" as she lies in delirium? And why does she want Darby to travel to Austria to "give Tatianna her name back"? And so the story begins...part mystery, part historical fiction, and with a hint of romance...yet mostly a hauntingly real and at times strikingly beautiful story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what will happen next, it will make the Holocaust real to you, and you will feel as if you are in Austria...yet mostly it will teach you about love and finding yourself through Darby's own journey. Another thing I really appreciated about this book was the fact that it was a wonderful Christian book WITHOUT having a basic plot of "Desperate woman meets perfect handsome Christian man". Cindy McCormick Martinusen has certainly proved her talent in writing with this one-of-a-kind book. A few descriptive passages were a little "long-winded", but for an author's first book, it is great. I'll look forward to seeing what Cindy McCormick Martinusen will write in the future.

Winter Passing is an excellent novel. The subject of Holocost survivers is one that was represented well in this novel. The reader will be captivated from the prologue till the final page. Winter Passing gripped my heart and made me examine my own life. The choices that had to be made during WWII were ones that cannot be understood without having experienced it. But Winter Passing brings to life the reality of sacrifice and self-preservation.The romance in the novel is just a sub story. The real story lies in the lives of the characters and the choices that they made. It is an excellent novel on days gone by, forgiveness, love, and sacrifice. An outstanding first novel for Martinusen.

It's hard to believe this is Cindy Martinusen's first book. Winter Passing is a well-plotted, nicely written page-turner that gives the reader much more than a good story. It caused me to consider new ways to view those who lived under the influence of Hitler's armies...it gave me a new understanding of the pressures with which they wrestled.

The description of Austria is rich and I felt Darby's excitement as she visited for the first time. I also got caught up in the mystery and was surprised by an intriquing twist at the end.

I actually read Winter Passing when it was first released, but had never written a reader review. Since then, I have so enjoyed Cindy's next book, Blue Night, and then the third in the trilogy, North of Tomorrow, that I wanted to say a good word about it. If you haven't yet read these books, put them on your list!

Winter Passing kept me captivated throughout the whole entire book. Cindy McCormick Martinusen used mystery, suspense and a romance to keep the reader guessing what would happen next. The book hit on some real details of the Holocost and heart renching stories about its survivors and its victims. Winter Passing gave me insight and made me realize the pain and suffering that was caused from the Holocost and the pain that still remains, but also how forgiveness can set you free. Each charactor in the book added thier own uniqueness I really enjoyed. I hope to read more of Martinusen"s work in the future.

Full of well-written, in-depth characters, Winter Passing held me captive until the last page. The suspense in this story does not lie in the present but in the past. What really happened? How? Why?

The romantic subplot and the good guys vs. bad guys provide an amusing, if not page-turning, backdrop. The real story, though, is in the details. Present-day Austria comes alive amidst stories of the past. Holocaust victims and survivors, treasure-hunters, family legends, family secrets and unconditional love fill the pages.

I was hooked from the first page. Definitely a must-read.

This is a novel with some meat. A little history--enough to convey a message and pique some interest in the WWII era, two love stories, the value of friendship, a female role model and a mystery. Circumstances in the book bring Darby to a profession and an awakening of faith.

I try to find books that I can share with my neices who are in Sr. High. Some Christian books geared to a little older audience have a little too much "romance" making me feel uncomfortable sharing them. This book did not cross the line, but still offered an "adult" read.

"Winter Passing" is a book of one woman's quest to find herself in the midst of finding her past. Darby Evan's grandmother gives her a challenge from her deathbed that sends Darby across the globe on a search for the truth. While in Austria, she runs into Brant Collins, a man with a jaundiced eye and a tired heart. Together, they must overcome suspicions, circumstances, shadowy villians, and their own insecurities. Romance seeps in, but not in a sappy way. Overall, the book moves from historical searching to romantic inklings to mystery delving. Even the last pages contain a secret or two.

My wife and I read this book together, often aloud, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Having travelled together through Austria, we were reminded of many delicious foods, beautiful sights, and memorable people. We savored the story and the characters. We ended it satisfied, but looking forward to the next Martinusen book, "Blue Night," which we've already purchased. Based on this first book, we figure we have another enjoyable set of evenings ahead of us.

Cindy Martinusen has masterfully woven the past with the present in Winter Passing--and somehow made me analyze my own preconceived notions. She has combined beautiful poetic prose with masterful pacing and characters that are not predictable. Her strong research and attention to detail put you right in contemporary Austria--a wonderful, can't-put-down trip from the first page to the last. I recommend it highly.

This is a wonderful book. Cindy McCormick Martinusen takes you all over Austria, and you feel like you are there. You see the mountains, you smell the smells, and you get a true sense of the country and the history surrounding it. The plot twists and turns and is very enjoyable. The characters are believable and will have you rooting for them. The history behind the plot makes this novel even more compelling. This is a book that will have you hooked on this author. Once you read it, you'll want to read the other two books in the series.