I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has purchased, read, and taken the time to review one of my books. Profits from my books go to help get dogs like Porpentina, Snow, Mirage, Claret, senior Captain, Olivia, Coco, Norman, bonded siblings Vulcan & Magneto, Mimosa & Jewel (see photos below) out of kill shelters. In 2022 52 dogs have been rescued. In 2021, 72 dogs were rescued. In 2020, 157 dogs were rescued. In 2019, 409 dogs were rescued. In 2018, 670 dogs were rescued. In 2017, we helped free 904 dogs. In 2016, 250 dogs were freed. In 2015, 149 dogs were freed.
LINK TO PURCHASE ALL MY BOOKS and to see all reviews for all my books click on the books cover:
AMAZON U.S.http://www.amazon.com/Paulette-Mahurin/e/B008MMDUGO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1467744666&sr=8-1
AMAZON U.K.https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_bl_sr?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Paulette+MahurinAnd on all other Amazon sites around the world.
AMAZON RANKING
RECENT REVIEWS FOR THE PEACEFUL VILLAGE
AMAZON U.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars ***** Unforgettable Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2022
Like all of Paulette Mahurin’s books, The Peaceful Village draws readers into a time in history that should never be forgotten. The amount of research that must have been required for this book is amazing, but it’s the human relationships that really stood out for me. Experiencing the haunting events that took place in Oradour-sur-glane through the eyes of its residents – in particular Marguerite and Father Chapelle – really brought the story to life for me. Highly recommended- this is a book you won’t soon forget.
5.0 out of 5 stars ***** Intense and unforgettable. Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2022
The Peaceful Village is a powerful story of tragedy and love that no atrocities can destroy.
Opening the story with a poetical air, the author doesn’t let the reader to enjoy the seemingly calm course of life in a beautiful village in France for very long. The narrative transfers the reader into the world of ruthless war between two opposing camps—the lovable villagers of Oradour and Maquisards, the partisans against the sinister occupants.
Masterfully crafted scenes of peaceful family life, love, and camaraderie tugged at this reader’s heart; the acts of the unparalleled brutality made it stop at times. The imagery was so vivid, I couldn’t stop admiring the author’s ability to feel the characters and the place where the events unfold as though she lived there and met those people.
I’m not going to give away any details here. Read this book, a work of historical fiction at its best.
I was enthralled by this tale from the beginning to the end. Intense and unforgettable. And it’s amazing how timely this novel, based on the actual events, which happened 78 years ago, sounds nowadays. A strong reminder of the heinous crimes that mustn’t be forgotten or forgiven. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars ***** Heartbreaking, Yet Inspiring Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
The Peaceful Village touched my heart very deeply. While the outcome of Hitler’s war machine and the evil henchmen he employed was heartbreaking, I truly admired the ability of the people who lived in The Peaceful Village to transcend the evils of war, to carry on and perserve their idyllic lifestyle, helping when possible, but not giving in to hatred or violence or betrayal of their faith or their core beliefs. I loved each of the characters and their commitment to each other, the community, and the village church. It really tugged at my heartstrings – especially to know that the story is based on a true story of what happened in a real village in France. My prayer is that by making the past known, nothing like this will ever happen again. Kudos to Paulette Mahurin for bringing it to light – another excellent book. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars ***** A privilege to read Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
I just had the distinct pleasure to read Paulette Mahurin’s The Peaceful Village. I say privilege in the way that I view being allowed to usher a loved family member from this life. I say privilege because no one writes an otherwise difficult story about true, tragic, historical events with more compassion, more insight, and more love than Paulette Mahurin. The massacre of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane documented by Mahurin isn’t just another in a long list of atrocities that occurred during the occupation of Vichy France. It is a portrait of an idyllic life, the very individual, eccentric, and completely innocent, lovable people who occupied the town before vengeance and ego took a wrong turn and wound up at their door, and the very few, tormented souls who made it through. Definitely a five star historical read.
Kelly 5.0 out of 5 stars *****Breathtaking! Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2022
I love books about WWII Europe. Paulette Mahurin has written several, each of which is powerful and poignant. The Peaceful Village takes place in an area of France about which I knew nothing. The story, the people, the place all touched me so deeply. I finished the book but can’t help but continue to think about what happened. I appreciate Mahurin’s detailed research as she continues to give us historical novels based on real events and real places. A beautiful, painful story, and a must read for WWII buffs
5.0 out of 5 stars***** 🌄🏘🏡 Historical fiction that resonates in the heart😢 Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2022
The Peaceful Village was a riveting page-turner for me. This fictionalized account really set the scene for a senseless massacre brought on by pride, deceit and indifferent cruelty. The author brings to life the brave and doomed villagers and their idyllic life in a peaceful community destined for annihilation. It’s an excellent illustration of how war draws the innocent along with the combatants into its horrors.
I was unaware of this side of the German occupation of Vichy France during World War II and I am grateful to author Paulette Mahurin and her translator for telling the story of Oradour-sur-Glane and its wanton destruction in such a readible and relatable manner.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.0 out of 5 stars**** Things we should never forget Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2022
The Peaceful Village is chilling, somber, and well executed. Paulette Mahurin has done an excellent job at allowing the reader into a time we would like to ingore and should not ever forget. Well done.
AMAZON U.K.
Books R Best 5.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK FOR OUR TIME ***** Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2022 Verified Purchase
I am a great fan of this author and have enjoyed all of her books set during World War II. This time the read was not as comfortable as now there is currently a war in Europe, it is much closer to home. The story of the massacre of a whole village matches the images we see on our television screens every night, which brings it right into the present, instead of reading about a historical event. This is a well-written heart-breaking account of an incident that highlights man’s inhumanity to man. A book I will remember for years to come.
AMAZON AUSTRALIA
4.0 out of 5 stars ****An addictive read Reviewed in Australia on 3 July 2022
This book isn’t the sort I usually read, but when it came up in my book club I decided to step out of my comfort zone. And I’m really glad I did. It’s an enjoyable read. Disturbing, but enjoyable. Though a work of fiction, it is based on true events and it could all too easily be what really happened.
To begin with, I didn’t like the protagonist, but she quickly grew on me. As the story progresses, you find yourself wanting to read more to find out that happens, but at the same time dreading it. I challenge you to get to the end without crying.
AMAZON CANADA
D.G. Kaye June 18, 2022 *****
Marguerite lives on her carrot farm with her husband and other family in the beautiful, peaceful village of Oradour, France. During WWII, this quiet and peaceful village had not yet been threatened or occupied as much as other parts of France and Europe by the nazis, despite the Vichy accepting German rule, until a German capture that had gone wrong had brought forth the brutal nazi regime (no, I will NEVER capitalize the word ‘nazi’) to this peaceful ‘untouched’ by war, town, just before the allies landed in Normandy.
As Marguerite was approaching menopause, the gruel of farming without enough hands was getting to her physically and mentally. She went to church one Sunday and discovered the clergy could use some well needed office help and approached her understanding husband asking for time away from working the farm and by taking up the offer to work for the church office. When she discovered a horrifying piece of paper in a book, as she was tidying the rectory, she approached Father Chapelle, asking if anyone else shared the office, ultimately, showing him what she’d found in a book as she was organizing a bookshelf. Their eye contact established a mutual understanding that they were both on the side against the nazis, when the Father let her know that he was part of the resistance helping place Jewish families where he could. Marguerite’s sympathetic and good nature led her to helping out the church by delivering secret messages, food and clothing where she could.
All was calm, but Marguerite had a foreboding feeling in her stomach, and it wasn’t long before the SS butchers rounded up the whole village in retaliation for the resistance killing one of their higher up murderous high rank nazi leaders. It was first the resistance who made a fatal mistake by letting another of their captured nazis escape, who made it back to headquarters and lied about what happened to him in this innocent village.
Mahurin tells a gripping story in such detail, it’s as though we are there witnessing the action. She paints a picture of this blissful town full of compassionate, loving, neighborly people going on with their business as though the rest of France had nothing to do with them in their sacred untouched perimeters, and just as the serenity turns to hell on earth, she equally writes of the pain, brutality, butchering of innocent mankind because of one SS trying to cover his ass by lying about his attack saying it had taken place in Oradour – when it did not! This lie became the war that wiped out an entire peaceful village in one day.
Based on true events as told by survivors, one of biggest WWII massacres that ever took place on French soil. The expensive price of human life paid for letting one of those heinous, murderous nazis escape capture. The author never disappoints in her gripping true tales of some of the true horrors that innocent people endured under the brutal tyranny of Hitler and his nazi evil regime.
GOODREADS
Polly Krize June 20, 2022 ****
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A powerful story, simply written but mesmerizing in its character development and location descriptions. The massacre of the people and the destruction of the village of Oradour-Sur-Glan came about as a lack of communication between the Nazis and their headquarters. Chilling and real, this is recommended reading for its insight into the brutal history of the Nazi regime.
Stanley McShane ****July 3, 2022
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
The village is far away from the concentrations of Nazi’s in the metropolitan areas of France. The village of Oradour enjoys the ambiance of pre-war France. There is no occupation force and the area is a haven for Jews being sheltered by the local populace. The primarily Catholic area spreads the families out through the countryside and all is well.
Someone within the area has been tortured and reveals the large number of Jewish refugees hidden within the surrounding homes. Retaliation is carried out by a small group of the Resistance who decided to eliminate two offending German officers. This triggered swift German retaliation as the entire village down to the dogs is wiped out in a slaughter.
Why did these people have to die that close to the end of the war?
I was gripped by the narrative and the efforts the local people took to remain neutral during WW II. Living a quiet life while the war raged all around them was the best of circumstances. I thought the Resistance leaders did not adequately think through the consequences of executing two German officers with the resultant carnage. Why was it necessary to kill them?
The author presented a very good description of a quiet area in war-torn France. The actions of a few resulted in the death of many. Rated at 4.5 sad stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
Pamela July 6, 2022 *****
I finished the book about 2 AM and couldn’t sleep the rest of the night. The next day I felt compelled to research and learn more about the horrific tragedy described in this book. What I found was how accurately Paulette Mahurin brought the tragedy to life. Ordinary people, living and loving, until the indescribable happens. Written with such attention to detail, I felt like I made new friends in the characters of the book, and then lost them. Nobody can remain untouched by this fictional story steeped in historical accuracy.
NETGALLEY
Michele F, Reviewer *****
One of the most heart wrenching true stories of WW2 I have read in a long time. A story that truly needs to be read by everyone. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes this genre. Thank you to netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.
Tony M. Reviewer *****
In the first half of this book, Paulette Mahurin paints a wonderfully evocative picture of Oradour-sur-Glane, an idyllic rural village in the centre of France whose citizens are very aware of but largely untouched by the Nazi occupation of their country. The people of the village and surrounding farms go about their business quietly, with a true sense of community and real compassion for their neighbours. Not far away, in the town of Limoges, the Nazi occupiers are becoming increasing infuriated by attacks on their soldiers by the armed French resistance. After a high-ranking, highly-decorated Nazi officer is kidnapped and executed by the resistance, the occupiers are determined to exact a terrible revenge on, and make an horrific example of, an unfortunate community. On the flimsiest of evidence, they pinpoint Oradour-sur-Glane as a shelter for the resistance fighters. The second half of the book is a harrowing account of the events which resulted in the name of Oradour-sur-Glane becoming synonymous with the evil depravity of the Nazi regime. In heartbreaking detail, Paulette Mahurin describes the murderous brutality with which a Waffen SS detachment metes out a barbaric punishment for the military actions of the resistance to the innocent men, women and children of the village. But even amongst this scarcely imaginable terror, there are stories of love, bravery and survival against all the odds. This is a powerful, heartbreaking telling of the true story of Oradour-sur-Glane. It is an important book which deserves to be read as widely as possible as a constant reminder of why the world must not allow the likes of the Nazis to darken the planet ever again. Smitha A, Reviewer ***** 'm a great fan of historical World War novels. I truly enjoyed this book, Stories of various villagers in Oradour were told in an authentic manner by Paulette Mahurin. This was France in 1940's, a civilized nation. What the French police did - Thousands of Jews, men and women, were rounded up put in trucks, and sent to camps. Parents shoved into trucks when children were left in the streets with outstretched arms. I loved the story about the Oradour sur Glane village, a wonderful peace-loving place for all who call it home at the time of WW2. Oradour was a place of safety where the Germans rarely entered for bloodletting. Sixty six year old Jean Desourteaux was Oradour's mayor as well as doctor of this peaceful Village. The war was happening far from Oradour. While Oradour-sur-Glane enjoyed calmness and the lack of German presence, twenty-two kilometers to the northwest in Limoges, the Germans were reacting with increasing cruelty to organized attacks on their soldiers by the armed resistance organization Francs-Tireurs et Partisans (FTP). The villagers least expected the SS would enter thier vibrant pastoral homes but they were not immune from ravages of war. On hitting the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer Division, two men from the German Lines were hurt, Kampfe's death, who was not just a highly decorated Sturmbannfuhrer, who had been awarded the knight's cross of the Iron Cross, the highest award in the German military, he was Diekmann's personal friend. Karl Gerlach, Orderly officer and Commander's Kidnapping, having blame pointing the Village and wanting revenge by Diekmann, the very reason the SS stormed down the streets of Oradour - sur - Glane. Guingouin was one target for the Nazis, a man the SS sought as priority capture and kill. Loved the Character Father Chapelle and Marquerite who were closely associated as Oradour's citizens. Well researched events of the Great war in Europe. I would rate it 5 star! I just reviewed the book, The Peaceful Village by Paulette Mahurin. Thanks to the author and publisher, Paulette Mahurin and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
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Thank you for sharing. 😊
Thanks for your great work! Best wishes, Michael
Thank you so much, Michael. ❤️
Oh my gosh, look at all those sweet faces. Thank you for your ongoing championing for shelter pets, Paulette. You are the best!
Thank you so much for your kind, supportive words. I really appreciate it. I’m glad to do my small part to help the dogs. ❤
Many thanks for all you do. I’m a huge animal lover myself and every dog I’ve ever owned has been a rescue. Thanks again for your work and for sharing!
It’s my joy and pleasure to do my small part to help the dogs. And thank you for your part in adopting rescues. ❤️
You do such good work…..always delighted when the old dogs are rescued, and the bonded pairs.
Me too, Helen. The bonded pairs need to stay together. Sometimes they are all they have. And thank you for all your rescue family. ❤️🐾
They are a reward in themselves.
So true, my friend, so true.
You are such a blessing.
What a sweet thing to say, especially when I feel the same about you. ❤️
❤️ I appreciate you
Good to hear from you .God bless.
Thank you so much. I’m happy to have a little good news to share. ❤
Always pleasure to hear from you .Be blessed
That’s so kind of you. Thank you so much. Blessings to you as well. ❤
god bless
Thank you. ❤