Bodie Thoene is a renowned American historical fiction and Christian fiction author and screenwriter who has sold millions of books. Other writers have translated her books into 20 different languages. Thoene is a member of WGA and film independent. She is a co-writer and co-executive producer of major films including, Am not Ashamed, The Rachel Joy Scott Story and others. She also worked as a screenwriter in John Wayne’s production company.
The author has written articles which appear in U.S News and World Report, the Saturday Evening Post and others. Bodie has a PhD in creative writing and a degree in journalism and communications. She writes with her husband Brock, and eight of their books won gold medallion awards. The couple works as a team Brock being the researcher and the consultant and Bodie as the co-author.
Vienna Prelude
Vienna Prelude is the first book in the Zion Covenant series narrated at a time before the Second World War. Most of us know how evil and wicked Hitler was and this book explains his evil doings. The author begins by giving us the backstory and the background of the book. The story is set in Vienna a place known for its people’s love for music and culture and the Jewish population during Hitler’s rise of power. His army breaks the Versailles treaty in 1918, rearms and ends up occupying Rhineland making it Germany’s land.
The breach of the contract is to get a strong response from France, Italy, and England. When they fail to respond it shows that they have invited Hitler to rule all Germans which includes Austria which wanted to be independent. His only fear was the step the League of Nations would take and during that time he was making a deal with the Jewish. The German Jews were escaping from Germany to countries which they thought as safer and far from Hitler’s reach. All the nations were warned and given the Hitler copy published in two volumes about the upcoming fear in Europe and specifically on the Jews.
The story shows what Jewish families experienced while fleeing from Germany. It is a story of much courage of people stepping up and assisting the innocent to escape torture, imprisonment, and death. Vienna Prelude shows the horrors of NAZI when controlled by Germany and also shows how man is inhuman to his fellow man. It points out how Hitler showed his worst side and evil doings in all dimensions.
The main characters are Elisa Linder, the Jewish violinist and John Murphy, an American reporter. Linder and Murphy are both emotional and could not speak out their disappointments to each other during misunderstandings in their love life. Due to the changes in Europe, they face difficulties and are forced to make important decisions concerning themselves, their families and their jobs.
Elisa knows little about violin and the magic it uses her best friend, Leah. She ends up becoming part of the underground, and she risks her own life and the lives of her family and friends. While there she can give protection to the innocent children.
We learn that Elisa is a Jew, but her appearance gives her the chance to have a stage name. The name gives her an advantage of some safety when living within the growing power in Nazi, but now that she is staying in Vienna it means she is near violence that that is increasing in her adopted land of Austria. Murphy is alongside all political developments and can see writings on the wall.
Thoene does a good job mixing humor, good pacing, and use of irony, much tragedy and complex mix of perfect bitterness. The book leaves you with images and scenes that you might remember n your whole life after reading it. The author uses the real names of politicians at the time and gives information about the happenings and feeling in the European countries.
Prague Counterpoint
The second book in the Zion covenant series picks up from where the first book ended. The book begins on one dark day when Hitler orders his army to sweeps Austria destroying all its property. Murphy and Elisa arrive safely in her family in Prague leaving Leah and Shimon in Vienna. Although Elisa is at a reliable place at this time she is grieving over the land of Vienna. Swastika flags are seen waving from every window, and the Jewish shops are all demolished while the neighboring houses stand empty. The police arrest the Jews and others who attempt to defend them and end up killing others. Now Elisa does the work of going behind the lines to save friends who caught in the crushing grip of Hitler.
The story shows how five-year-old twin boys complicate things for Leah and Elisa. In this world where being different from others is good for punishment and now that Hitler’s plans are becoming more evident as days goes by. It is now time for every individual to decide which side they lie regardless of the consequences.
The book follows the story of Elisa’ escape from Austria an area he thought that could not face destruction. Elisa looks for a safe place not only for her family but also for the two young orphans who lost their father and are in danger of Third Reich and the same time trapped in the city the Nazi party are afraid of their story and begins looking for them desperately. Some of her friends are in difficulties, and no one can do anything against the orders of Hitler. Murphy shows up once again to not only support the truth but puts him in the front line to save his loved ones. He is now married to Elisa, and their romantic scenes are at times clumsy
The story is intense beautifully written with some lessons about a terrible time in history and politics. The author writes well that makes the reader gets caught up in the story. The twisting plot pulls the reader to the last page. Prague counterpoint brings tension and fears which makes the novel more captivating.
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This is a helpful reference. Thank you.
Since many of these series are plot related it would be helpful to list them in that order to help new readers.