Aug. 20, 2011 - The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

In the historical romance, A Soldier's Wife, Margaret Leroy's vivid depiction of the setting of the island of Guernsey during the second world war evokes all the senses to immerse the reader in a time of uncertainty, sadness, and oppression. Left alone while her husband is at war, Vivienne de la Mare, takes care of her two daughters and aging mother-in-law, attempting to keep them safe while the Germans invade her rustic island. The house next door is seized by the German army but Vivienne discovers that the officers occupying it are not unkind. As Vivienne comes into contact with her neighbours, she develops a relationship with one of the officers. Her own marriage having been unhappy before the war, she finds comfort and solace in the arms of her enemy. This relationship poses a threat to herself, to her family, and to her principles yet it brings her great happiness and for the first time, real love. As the war worsens and the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis are revealed, Vivienne finds it difficult to trust that her lover is not aware of or involved in the brutality of the regime. In the end, she must make a difficult choice, one that brings her great sadness, and changes the path of her life forever. This is a wonderfully romantic and emotional story that is well worth reading.