For Such a Time Paperback – January 1, 2014

There are some novels that are written by new authors which sometimes cause me hope that another great read is now available. Well let me assure one and all this is one novel to read and share. In fact, when I was half way through it, I knew a friend who would enjoy this too so I sent her a copy. I am thinking that anyone who reads this story will want to either buy a copy for someone or share their copy; it is that good.While the story written is set during WW II, the real backdrop is the biblical story of Esther found in the Old Testament in English Bibles. The real Esther was a Jewess who lived during the time of Babylonian captivity for the nation of Israel. There, through God ordained direction, Esther was chosen as the new queen. While queen, she learned of a great threat to her people, the Jews, and put her very life on the line in order to request of the king the sparing of their lives. To really appreciate the full impact of Esther, please take a few minutes to read the biblical account before reading this novel.The cover of the novel drew my eyes to it like a magnet, which caused me to read the synopsis which was published. When I learned it covered a personal favored time of history for me along with the theme being how God can use one person to save many I was hooked. I loved how the novel didn’t rush through the scenes; the author took pains to thoroughly describe the area of captivity. The other was the slow melting of hard hearts towards love or faith. I thought the authenticity of how hearts along with lives are changed very encouraging, showing that regardless of the time we live in God is always at work.Reading this novel was like sitting and conversing with an old friend, listening to time long past but not forgotten. The authors end note of what license she took to change a few facts to fit her story helped me to understand the difference between fact and fiction. For a new author I am astounded it is so well written, evidently well researched and a book that will remain in my personal library for years to come. It took me a little time to get into the flow of the story then when I least expected it the climax was amazing as well as the ending. Unlike other books, movies or TV episodes I wonder if a sequel or some other adventure not linked to this one awaits readers. I look forward to whatever writings Kate Breslin brings in the coming days as I hope she is already pursuing her next tale!In this work of fiction, the main characters are Aric, who is a Commandant of a camp and a highly decorated Nazi officer, who ends up saving a woman named Stella from being shot. He makes arrangements to see to her care and in time she is restored to health. Both Aric and Stella have secrets and deeply tattered and torn hearts not to mention shredded faith. Throughout the book readers will watch how God works in both their hearts and lives through dangerous and perilous moments.At times I held my breath, waiting to see if the characters would get captured or escape and how others would survive when faced with deciding whether to be of aid or not. I couldn’t help but once again be touched in my heart and soul, thinking about this time period and the atrocities many witnessed or experienced. I think we need constant reminders that we can choose to help those who are suffering or turn a deaf ear. Many people of various nations, whether sanctioned by their government or not, chose to help even if it cost them their livelihood, home or even their very lives.Today, we can choose to help those around us who are hurting, suffering, seeking, or afraid because of the times we live in when nothing is for certain. Like Esther in the Bible or Stella in this fictional story we all come to a crossroad where we must choose to either ignore or decide to stand and be willing to sacrifice for others. The book written by Kate Breslin is a compelling one. When readers are through, they will be so thankful for the novel and remember that they were born for such a time as this.

My review title pretty much covers my take on this book! It was so good! Kate Breslin has become my favorite author! Enough said! : )

I highly recommend “For Such A Time.” A great story.

If the beautiful story of Esther had taken place during WWII instead of the days of Persia, it may have looked like this.Breslin tells a tale of a young Jewish woman singled out of a concentration camp when her inner strength and promise of beauty captures the attention of a Nazi officer. He whisks her out of that life of hardship and employs her as his secretary, intrigued and attracted...and knowing well that she considers him the enemy. That she will never forgive it when she learns the role he must play in the Final Solution. The question is--can he ever forgive himself after she opens his eyes to the truth of her people's plight?This is a tale that paints vividly the horrors of life for the Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe. It's a tale that shows that sometimes the heart leads us toward people logic says we should hate. It's a tale that reminds us that sometimes God turns a heart of stone back into a heart of flesh.The sad truth is that there *was* no Esther for the Jews in 1944. There was no victory like in the story of Esther. The author gives us one, and then reminds us in her note that that was part of the retelling aspect, and that in reality, no one stepped forward to save these people. That's a failing of humanity.I've read a ton of bad reviews objecting to the idea of a Christian book about a Jewish heroine, and that it's an atrocity that someone would "save" (i.e. convert) a strong Jewish woman. But they've obviously never read the book, as the heroine doesn't convert to Christianity. I've read similar objections saying the author is dishonoring the plight of the Jews in the hands of the Nazis by redeeming an SS officer. Personally, I don't see how saying that one man might have been led to see his sin through this atrocity in any way diminishes the evils wrought by the regime. Evils that are painted quite clearly as just that in Breslin's book.Is it a true story? No. I wish it were. I wish the prisoners really had managed, through the help of a brave heroine, the victory they achieved in this book. I wish an Esther--and a Xerxes--had stepped up. The world might be a different place today.FOR SUCH A TIME is certainly a book worth reading. You'll get swept away by the prose, cheer for the heroes, and wish, as I did, that history really had happened this way a second time.

To be honest, it became so irritating I kept fast forwarding - skim reading to get the story moving. It was the little things that got in the way, like the music played at the dinner party. Both pieces very rousing & lovely, but would give you indigestion! Not at all the relaxing music to eat by.I’m aware there has been some controversy regarding this book. People claim to be offended, that is their right, prerogative. I would say, be offended but don’t claim your offended feelings take precedence over other people’s.I’m not going to go into detail about the characters, their personalities, & behaviours as I’m sure my thoughts on them will bring the self-righteous down on my head.My life’s too short for that.This is a supposed retelling of the story of Esther, but the author should have been more creative. She should NOT have used a real camp, then created an escape from there that never happened, etc. It’s FICTION so get FICTIONAL!A step too far was Stella/Hadassah’s conversion. Its not that this sort of thing didn’t happen I real life. I’m a Christian but in this book it was both unnecessary and not in keeping with the central plot. Of course, driving a Christian agenda was likely the author’s aim.My review is is rather all over the place - my apologies, but I’m so frustrated with this book & my responses to it are equally frustrating & double-edged.Bottom line - read only if you have nothing better.

Its to my shame I have read a fair amount of Nazi brutality novels. Sometimes the Nazi devil does make the story real. Its so shocking that people could de-humanize fellow humans beyond belief. This was not in the league of other war stories because it seems just a bit too cheesy The female had to be beautiful and the male a good german etc No grey areas but it was an easy read. I couldn't read the difficult pages I skip past as it just too much. I can't read about people's torture. I do prefer more story with a sprinkling of danger unfortunately that's just as opposite to the truth The ending was a tad bit pulled out as to would they live happy ever after.

Considering that this is fiction the details borrowed from real stories is really good. Having read lots of holocaust stories this is one of the first fictional books I have read. I thought it was really good.........although not quite 5 stars.

Bought for someone who thought they would find it interesting, however the heavily religious tone was a turn off to someone who had suffered a deeply religious experience during younger years.

This was such a beautiful book, beautifully written and just stunning! I would recommend it to anyone, I will be raving it to my friends to purchase.