I loved, loved, loved Kate Breslin’s book For Such a Time. And I’m glad so agreed to appear this week and share with us what inspired her to write the book. First, here’s a little bit about it.
In 1944, blond and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric’s secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.
Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric’s compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy.
Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp’s prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?
What brought you to write this story, Kate?
My inspiration usually comes through my research, but the idea for my 2014 debut WWII novel, For Such A Time, was sparked in the real character of Queen Esther. I’d recently returned to my Christian faith after years of “wandering,” and started reading the Bible for the first time. For years, too, I’d tried to publish in the general romance market, and hadn’t considered writing inspirational romance. Yet as I read one of my favorite biblical love stories, the Book of Esther, I felt God’s hand on me, opening my eyes to the suffering of the Jewish people throughout history.
The germ of an idea grew as I started to see similarities between the wicked Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews and Hitler’s atrocities of the Holocaust, and I wondered if I could somehow superimpose Queen Esther’s story into a WWII venue. I had no idea at the time how emotional the journey would be, as I knew little about the war when I began my research; yet the courage and faith of those facing death and deprivation amidst unspeakable Nazi brutality inspired me as nothing else could. I felt compelled to write the story, while treating the subject matter with respect, since Queen Esther’s tale ends in triumph for the Jews, while we all know the Holocaust ended quite differently.
I found as I wrote the book, my own faith grew, keeping pace with my heroine, Stella, who like the biblical queen courageously risks her life for what she believes in and takes a stand to save her people. I’d also like to share my belief that the inspiration for the story was God’s plan for me, too; and as the doors opened after years of struggling in the publishing industry, the Scripture verse and title, For Such A Time, seem more than appropriate.
Wow, what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing!
Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her novel, For Such A Time, won the 2015 Carol award for Debut Novel. Kate’s third novel, High As The Heavens released in June 2017. When she’s not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington’s beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com.
Connect with Kate at:
Website: www.katebreslin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateBreslinAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kate_Breslin
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katelbreslin/
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Purchase links: http://katebreslin.com/books-2-2/
Kate is a happy to give away a copy of For Such A Time, but because this book’s been out 4 years, she can provide one of her other two novels instead, so winner’s choice (ships U.S.). Follow the instructions below to enter.
Thank you for joining us, Kate!
I love the stories of Esther and Ruth! 🙂
Faith, thanks for your post! I just finished reading the Book of Ruth, and it’s another favorite of mine. Both Ruth and Esther have a wonderful love story.
God bless!
I like Esther too, but I think my favorite story is about Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Robin. I agree, the Samaritan woman at the well is another remarkable Bible story. I love that Jesus spoke with and ministered to so many women during His time here on earth. Thanks so much for your post!
So many good ones. I just recently read A Passionate Hope by Jill Eileen Smith and the story of Samuel being called by God has been on my mind.
I’m looking forward to reading Kate’s books!
Susi, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the stories. Good luck on the contest!
The story of Ruth! I loved this review.
Blessings
Diana
I’m so glad, Diana. I enjoy the story of Ruth as well. Thanks so much for your post. God bless!
My favorite Bible story is Esther. I need to read For Such a Time! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thank you, Linda! I hope you get the chance to read For Such A Time. Good luck on the contest!
Love that “such a time” verse from Ruth!
My favorite Bible story is the one from Acts — Paul healed a lame beggar, and the man jumped up and started praising God. This man seems so full of gratitude! I always wondered if others were just ungrateful and that’s why their excitement wasn’t recorded?!
Dianna, thanks for your post! There are so many wonderful stories in the Bible, it’s difficult to choose just one. 🙂 Good luck on the contest!
I love Jonathan and David!
Too difficult to pick a favorite story, I think. Also, I wanted to comment how much I enjoy both Kate’s and Liz’s books, with the particular historical background.
Thank you so much, Cathy! And I agree, there are so many wonderful stories in the Bible. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I think the story of Joseph’s brothers coming to him during the famine is one of my favourites. Joseph forgives them for their evil intentions towards him and that must have taken great courage and obedience.
To pick one is hard, but I love the story of Ruth. Thank you for the chance. I enjoyed reading what inspired Kate to write this book. Have a blessed day.
Hi Lucy, thank you and I’m so glad you stopped by today. Ruth is a wonderful Bible story! Good luck with the contest!
Thank you for sharing. I love the story of Hannah. She and I are kindred sisters in Christ. My story isn’t quite the same as hers, but we both prayed for children to love for years.
Lori, what a beautiful sisterhood you share. Hanna’s story is so poignant. Thank you for stopping by today, God bless you!
For Such a Time is at the top of my list of favorite books that I have read. I have really enjoyed each of her books.
Ann, hi! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement! I’m glad you stopped by. Blessings to you, my friend!
I have so many favorite Bible stories it is hard to pick just one. I guess my very favorite one is the story of the life of Joseph and through trials Joseph remained faithful to God. God blessed Joseph and used him mightily.
Hi Kate! This is one I look forward to reading! I loved Not by Sight!!
Hi Cynthia! I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello. Thank you for your kindness, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading For Such A Time, too!
There are so many amazing Bible stories, it’s hard to choose one. I think the birth and resurrection of Christ are my two favorites.
For Such a Time sounds wonderful, Kate. It’s going on my TBR list.
Winnie, thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy reading For Such A Time. I agree, the story of Christ and His life is by far the greatest story ever told. Blessings to you!
I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book. I think my favorite is Ester.
Thank you, Rose! I hope you’ll have the chance to read For Such A Time. Good luck on the contest!
I love Ruth and Naomi! I love the bond between them and how God brought Boaz into Ruth’s life through it. He blessed them all around 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway chance for Kate’s book!
Hi Trixi! Ruth is a wonderful story, especially the love and loyalty she had for Naomi. It’s also heartening to know she was able to remain in the family through her marriage to Boaz. Thanks so much for stopping by, and good luck on the contest!
I don’t have a favorite story but My favorite verse is:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 King James Version (KJV)
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Hi Linda, I also love these verses from Ecclesiastes, and I’ve included some of them in my novel, For Such A Time! Thanks so much for posting and good luck with the contest!
Thanks for a chance at Kate’s book about the comparison to hitler it sounds like an amazing and insightful book..
Thank you, Rorylynn! I hope you’ll enjoy Stella and Aric’s story. Good luck with the contest!
Joseph is my favorite story.
Hi Nancy! Joseph is a great story. I love that when he’s finally in a position of power over the brothers that treated him badly, he shows great mercy instead of wrath. Very Christlike. Thank you for your post!
I’m reading it now and it’s wonderful! I appreciate you putting on KU because that’s the only way I could be reading it!
Hi Susi! Thank you for your post. I’m glad you’re enjoying the novel and it’s great that you’re able to read it on KU. Blessings to you!
I’ve read and loved all three of your novels and For Such a Time definitely made it onto my favourites list (list because who can pick just one favourite book?) 😊 I really loved how you blended the romance perfectly with the personal struggles of each character as well as all the action going on around them. I wanted to climb into the book and live there😁 The story of Esther, or should I say Hadassah, has always been one of my favourite Bible stories🤗 I love all your work and can’t wait to read your next book.