Anna’s Promise by D. G. Schulman | Book Review ~ $40 Gift Card Available ~ Excerpt | #HistoricalFiction #WW2 @GoddessFish @DGSchulman
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
Anna's Promise by D.G. Schulman Published by Wild Rose Press on May 1, 2023
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 293
Source: Goddess Fish Promotionsn the spring of 1975, Ben Friedman will celebrate his rite of passage into adulthood. When his beloved grandfather suddenly dies and leaves him a mysterious inheritance, Ben begins to discover who he is and where he belongs. When he chooses a path his powerful father opposes, their relationship becomes volatile. Will Ben withstand the pressure?
In 1914, Dovid Weisman, Ben's great-grandfather, struggles to protect his family when Germany declares war on Russia and the brutal Cossacks occupy his village of Siedlce, Poland. He finds that love and opportunity are still possible. If they can escape with their lives.
Slipping between war-torn Poland and modern American life, one family’s story is woven together across three generations.
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Excerpt from Anna’s Promise
“Rosen, get up!” A guard shook Ira roughly by the shoulder.
“What’s going on?” Ira squinted. It was still dark, and flashlight beams blinded him.
“There’s a medical emergency.” The guard pulled on Ira’s arm, and he rolled off the top bunk, staggering onto his feet.
“What the hell is this?” Ira backed away across the cold tile floor.
“There’s been an accident in the UNICOR factory. We need a doctor.”
“Get one of those Loretto fed doctors. I’m not supposed to be a doctor anymore.” Groggy, Ira turned to climb up to his bunk, but a guard pulled him back.
“There’s nobody else. The ambulance is twenty minutes out. There isn’t time to put on your shoes. We’re going to the satellite.”
Two guards spun Ira around and drove him through the barracks, down the corridors, and out into the raw night air. Large snowflakes blew against his face, and he fully awoke, shivering. He was alone in the yard with the guards, and adrenaline rushed into his system.
The satellite door was unlocked, like Sam said it would be, and they shoved him through. They led Ira down a long green corridor to a sterile room that looked like an infirmary, and a patient lay wheezing in a bed with rails. Ira became alert at the scent of fresh blood. A red stain spread across the white sheet over the patient’s chest. He lifted the sheet and layers of gauze and saw the chest puncture. It was a normal sight in the downtown Detroit ER where he’d done his training. Detroit Medical Center was one of the best places to learn trauma.
“Rosen, get up!” A guard shook Ira roughly by the shoulder.
“What’s going on?” Ira squinted. It was still dark, and flashlight beams blinded him.
“There’s a medical emergency.” The guard pulled on Ira’s arm, and he rolled off the top bunk, staggering onto his feet.
“What the hell is this?” Ira backed away across the cold tile floor.
“There’s been an accident in the UNICOR factory. We need a doctor.”
“Get one of those Loretto fed doctors. I’m not supposed to be a doctor anymore.” Groggy, Ira turned to climb up to his bunk, but a guard pulled him back.
“There’s nobody else. The ambulance is twenty minutes out. There isn’t time to put on your shoes. We’re going to the satellite.”
Two guards spun Ira around and drove him through the barracks, down the corridors, and out into the raw night air. Large snowflakes blew against his face, and he fully awoke, shivering. He was alone in the yard with the guards, and adrenaline rushed into his system.
The satellite door was unlocked, like Sam said it would be, and they shoved him through. They led Ira down a long green corridor to a sterile room that looked like an infirmary, and a patient lay wheezing in a bed with rails. Ira became alert at the scent of fresh blood. A red stain spread across the white sheet over the patient’s chest. He lifted the sheet and layers of gauze and saw the chest puncture. It was a normal sight in the downtown Detroit ER where he’d done his training. Detroit Medical Center was one of the best places to learn trauma.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Anna’s Promise
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My Thoughts on Anna’s Promise
“Anna’s Promise” by D.G. Schulman is a powerful historical fiction novel that takes readers on a captivating journey through the lives of the Friedman family across three generations. The story weaves together the lives of Ben Friedman in 1970s America and his great-grandfather, Dovid Weisman, in war-torn Poland in 1914, creating a narrative that explores the enduring themes of family, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better life.
The novel opens in the spring of 1975, as Ben Friedman is on the cusp of adulthood and is about to celebrate his rite of passage. However, when his beloved grandfather unexpectedly passes away, Ben’s life takes an unexpected turn as he inherits a mysterious legacy.
It is through this inheritance that Ben embarks on a journey of self-discovery, trying to uncover his true identity and his place in the world. As he makes choices that his powerful father opposes, the family dynamic becomes increasingly volatile, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if Ben will withstand the immense pressure.
In contrast, the story also transports us to 1914 in Siedlce, Poland, where Ben’s great-grandfather, Dovid Weisman, grapples with the harsh realities of war and occupation as Germany declares war on Russia and the brutal Cossacks occupy their village. Despite the dire circumstances, Dovid’s unwavering determination to protect his family leads to glimpses of love and opportunity amidst the chaos. The narrative masterfully navigates between these two worlds, drawing poignant connections between past and present as it explores the sacrifices individuals are willing to make for a better life for their children and grandchildren.
What truly stands out in “Anna’s Promise” is the depth of family ties and bonds that Schulman expertly delves into. The interconnectedness of generations and the resilience of the human spirit shine through as central themes in the story. Schulman’s writing is both fast-paced and well-crafted, making it a highly engaging read. This novel also marks an impressive debut for the author, demonstrating a level of storytelling skill that is both thought-provoking and captivating.
Ultimately, “Anna’s Promise” is an uplifting tale that reminds us of the enduring strength of family bonds, even in the face of adversity. Schulman’s ability to transport readers from war-torn Poland in 1914 to the America of the 1970s is a testament to her storytelling prowess. If you’re searching for a well-written historical fiction novel that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better life, “Anna’s Promise” is a must-read.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About D.G. Schulman
D.G. Schulman is a publishing executive who married the boy next door and lives in the Midwest, where she and her husband raised their two daughters. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and her Master of Arts in Communication from Eastern Michigan University. She's the recipient of an Avery and Jule Hopwood award in the novel category and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
When she's not in front of a keyboard, she enjoys making chocolate, growing herbs, cooking, reading, and playing with her growing brood of grandkids.
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Purchase Anna’s Promise online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
D.G. Schulman will award a randomly drawn winner a $40 Amazon/BN gift card.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Anna’s Promise
Full Tour Schedule:
October 16: Our Town Book Reviews
October 16: The Avid Reader
October 23: Novels Alive
October 23: Gina Rae Mitchell
October 30: Country Mamas With Kids
November 6: Travel the Ages
November 6: Fabulous and Brunette
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This sounds like a good book deff worth checking out!
This looks like a great book. Thanks for hosting this giveaway. God bless!
I liked the excerpt.
I love the idea of the dual time lines. My grandparents were also from Poland. My grandmother told me about Cossacks coming to their village, which was in Galicia only 5 km from the Russian border. Her home was the field kitchen for all the armies. That’s how she learned so many languages as a young teen.
Wow! Thank you for sharing that. I don’t hear often from readers who heard about the Cossacks from grandparents. Many ask me who are the Cossacks and what were they doing in Siedlce? Others ask the broader question, what role did they play in WWI?
The Cossacks were predominantly East Slavic people living in the northern regions of the Black and Caspian seas. Known for their independence and military service, they were often utilized by the Russian Empire as frontier defenders and advance guards during territorial expansions. During World War I, the Cossacks formed cavalry regiments and fought for the Russian army against the Central Powers. However, they were also infamous for their involvement in suppressing revolutionary movements in Russia and carrying out pogroms against Jews. In 1915, the Cossacks were employed to seize control of cities like Siedlce in Poland due to their loyalty to the tsar and hostility towards Polish nationalists seeking independence from Russia. Their reputation as fierce and ruthless fighters, along with their expertise in mounted warfare, provided them with an advantage in terms of mobility and speed, which could intimidate and terrorize the local population.
My grandmother also told me about gas attacks. How the villagers were warned they were coming, to stay inside and keep all windows locked. One little girl was curious and looked outside. She died. My grandmother was 12 when the war started. Grandpa’s father saw trenches being built around their city of Przemysl. He knew war was coming and moved his family to Canada in May, 1914. Grandpa was 13. Przemysl changed hands several times during the war. Czar Nicholas visited it one time it fell to the Russians.
Grandma also said the Cossacks, Austria’s enemies, brought food to feed the villagers. The Germans, their allies, took the villagers food.
Grandma’s village was Maliniska, given to Russia by Roosevelt, and now part of Ukraine.
This sounds like a good book and I really like the cover.
I think the blurb sounds really interesting. I enjoy historical fiction.
Anna’s Promise sounds like a great piece of historical fiction.
Thank you for your thoughtful review of Anna’s Promise! You’ve truly captured the essence of the book’s story, themes and characters, and I’m grateful for your insights.
Your detailed overview of the story’s progression, from Ben Friedman’s journey of self-discovery in 1975 to Dovid Weisman’s struggles in war-torn Poland in 1914, beautifully encapsulates the essence of “Anna’s Promise.” I appreciate your acknowledgment of the family dynamics and the choices Ben faces, as well as the historical context that enriches the narrative.
Your mention of the depth of family ties and bonds warms my heart, as this is a central theme that I hold dear. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear that you found the story engaging and thought-provoking, and I’m honored by your kind words about my debut novel.
I’m happy to answer questions and engage with readers.
Thank you for recognizing the storytelling skill in “Anna’s Promise,” and for sharing your thoughts with your readers. Your support means the world to me.
Warm regards,
D.G. Schulman 📚✨
Thank you for hosting today!