A Valley of Betrayal (Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War, Book 1) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Goyer has stumbled upon the Spanish Civil War, which has seldom, if ever, been treated by romance writers. Her heroine, Sophie Grace, is an American inadvertently drawn into the conflict as she tries to join her fiance in Madrid. He proves unfaithful but conveniently dies, allowing Sophie to observe the war as a reporter and unofficial nurse. Unable fully to sympathize with the anti-Fascist Loyalists, Goyer never grasps why the war so affected a generation of liberal idealists--Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell, to name just two. On the other hand, her explication of history is unaffected and clear, and Sophie's slow identification with suffering Spain seems hard-won.

John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

For reasons beyond her control,

Sophie fi nds herself alone in the wartorn

Spanish countryside. What was

once a thriving paradise has become

a battleground for fascist soldiers and

Spanish patriots. She is caught up in

the escalating events when the route to

safety is blocked and fi ghting surrounds

her. On her darkest night, Sophie takes

refuge with a brigade of international

compatriots. Among these volunteers,

she pledges to make the plight of the

Spanish people known around the world

through the power of art.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802467679
• ISBN-13: 978-0802467676
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #382,238 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Couldn't put it down!, December 2, 2007

By	Karen Buschman (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Little is known about the Spanish Civil War by the average American. When I studied abroad in Spain for a semester in college, I learned so much about that beautiful country and its history. Spain will always occupy a space in my heart! I am a fan of international fiction - stories that make me feel like I've traveled to another country. This book was amazing. It took me back to my time in Spain and it really opens your eyes to another country's history. I finished it last night and am back today to order the 2nd book in the series. I can't wait to find out what happens!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Must Read!, September 9, 2007

By	Stacey - See all my reviews

Tricia Goyer has a way of weaving a host of intriguing characters and chronicling the Spanish Civil War and tying it all together within a "page-turning book". I love the romance, the history, the story of Sophie who is caught up in the drama showing both sides of the heartache of war. And who along the way discovers that it's her passion that holds the key to so much!

5.0 out of 5 stars --, August 25, 2009

By	Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews

This book is a rich trip back in time to the days of the Spanish Civil War. I love history, in particular World War Two, and all I could tell you about the Spanish Civil War before was that it occurred immediately prior to World War Two and that the Russians and Germans prepared for that war on the battlefields in Spain. After reading this book, I know so much more, but all without losing the great entertainment and story I've come to expect in Tricia Goyer's books.
From the first page to the last I was drawn in to this complex story about people living in impossible times. The book contains a rich mixture of characters to tell the story from a wide array of perspectives.

Sophie is the dreamer. An artist, she travels to Spain to be reunited with the love of her life. Once in Spain, she finds much isn't as she anticipated. The war is real, her fiancé is distracted and often absent, and she finds herself absorbed in the plights of the Spanish people as they try to survive.

Michael is a photographer who disappears after connecting Sophie with friends. He seems less than thrilled to have her in Spain. Add in the story of Spaniards Jose and Father Manuel, German Ritter, and Americans Philip and Deion, and the cast is rich enough to highlight the many sides of the struggles.

As I read this book, I often felt like I'd been transported back in time to Spain. I could see the buildings, smell the acrid air after another talk, and almost touch the colorful clothes. The challenges of the war and politics behind it were disturbing, but provided a backdrop for the faith of the people involved in the story.

I highly recommend this book.