Unforgettable tale of inhumanity…a page turner

My book has just made it to the top 1% for sales on Amazon in the literary fiction-historical category. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has purchased, read, and taken the time to review my book. In the name of tolerance, a special thank you also to everyone who has spread the word to help promote this book.  All profits from my books go to help get dogs like the ones featured below out of kill shelters. Thus far in 2016, 49 dogs have been freed. Last year 148 dogs were freed.

5.0 out of 5 starsConsidered a Must-Read From Me…

ByGlendaon July 5, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

It was strange, sad, reading Paulette Mahurin’s latest book while we in America are singing and dancing, enjoying the freedom that America presents to us… Yet, Mahurin was able to take me away from our own freedom and immerse myself in the story of Helen Stein, one of the few who lived to celebrate Auschwitz Liberation Day. Sometimes, I lost myself so deeply into the story that I had to break away and read a cat mystery book, so that I could maintain some sense of separation in order to express my thoughts coherently.

Mahurin received the gift of this story directly from the woman who lived to share it with us. It is fiction based upon fact plus research to confirm and round out the story of what was happening. You will understand that, especially since Helen spent four years of that time of terror, underground, totally away from the world, alone only with her brother…

The book shares the intimacy of her life as she faced what had happened–what she saw, what she heard from other trusted individuals, but, more, what she herself experienced…

We all think we know about what happened during that time…but we don’t. We can’t. Even while reading this book, which is vividly detailed and written so authentically that many will think we are hearing the story directly from the woman sharing her story. While that means that the author has done an outstanding job in writing the book, it also has revealed to many of us a much more intimate, unforgettable tale of inhumanity that cannot be imaged except when we are forced to face the reality of it. With a German heritage on both sides of my family, I can only get lost in heartache of what Hitler brought about that was so devastating that none of us will ever forget or accept it as anything more than the actions of the devil himself…and as we see, of his many cruel and evil followers.

The story begins when a young girl seeking a room to rent meets an older lady who has a room, but asks a lot of questions before she is willing to show the girl the room…The author uses the Prologue to tell this story as they got to know each other and finally, the woman opens up to the young girl… The rest of the book is her story… began the day that the young girl spied the tattoo of numbers on her arm and realized what she’d gone through… One of the stories was about a picture frame holding a small scrap of cloth…it was once part of a dress…

Helen was just a child, but she was a curious one, and wasn’t hesitant to listen to adult conversations to try to discover whatever she could. But, still, there wasn’t much to worry about then. Her next-door neighbors had a son, Max, with whom she became close friends and she moved through school years much like all of us…Max and she were inseparable, but there came a day when Ben came home upset because Max had started to treat him differently. Helen demanded to know what he’d said and he finally admitted he’d call him a goy… As time went by, though, as Helen asked questions, Max finally hinted that he liked boys and Helen surmised that he liked Ben…

But it was more that the atmosphere was changing. Jews were targeted on an ongoing basis, as more and more government sanctions were announced and acted upon… and soon Helen realized that Max had just as many issues with what was happening as her family did…

Max was forced to play a role and join the Germans forces, while the Stein family was stripped of their citizenship and employment. Soon, Helen and others were, first, learning to sew, and then acting as seamstresses to keep the family going… But then people on the streets were shot, killed for no reason and finally, the Stern home was soon to be attacked…

Max had gained some credibility and had been able to learn much of plans…It was Max who contacted Helen, and later Ben, trying to get them out of town, which he succeeded in doing, but the rest of the family were killed and/or taken (only the sister may have been still alive.) Max and taken Ben and Helen to his family’s farm and they lived in the lower storage cellar…for four years…with only Max who came as often as he could to bring them fresh food and other supplies…and one day he brought Helen a dress…

And it was that one act of love and kindness that led to danger! Because the farmhouse was invaded after Max had left (and later was killed along with his family as sympathizers.) The four years in the basement had ended, only to lead to much worse… Ben didn’t make it, while Helen’s simple, smart thinking to say that she was a seamstress saved her life…leaving Helen on her tway o Auschwitz…

Paulette Mahurin has the talent to pull her readers into the story she has molded. This is a page-turner, although hard to read at times. It should be, shouldn’t it? Because life is indeed precious and only a few of the millions that Hitler planned to murder, made it out to tell us exactly what happened. Horrific, atrocious historical events once occurred. This book forces you to live what those millions suffered. I believe readers will be better for reading it…I know I am! Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 starsThis story is full of heartbreak and hope.

ByAlathia Morganon July 6, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This book while fictional made history come alive with the story of Helen. A Jewish, young woman caught in a time of horror for her people and nation.
Taken back to the beginnings of Hitler’s rise to power, Helen is protected from the growing issues with Jewish and undesirables who are being purged from society. Her friend, Max is considered undesirable because of his desires for those of his sex. When he is offered a position with the Hitler youth, he takes it to blend in and offer Helen and her family aid.
As things change with the lose of her father’s job, schooling at home and little to no medical care; they continue to make ends meet by adapting to their environment. One night a phone call has Helen quickly leaving the house in an act that will save her life.
Hiding for several years, she is discovered and taken to a camp where she tries to survive in any way possible.
This story is full of heartbreak and hope. It proves there are good people out there willing to help even in the darkest of times.

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DOGS RESCUED WITH PROFITS FROM MY BOOKS:

Espy’s freedom photo

 

Floyd and Frisbee going to new home

Floyd and Frisbee’s freedom photo

12 year-old Phyllis has been rescued

Phyllis’ freedom photo-what a difference love makes

Handsome senior Saun is now safe with his new loving family