For Such a Time

By Kate Breslin

Book Overview

Powerful Retelling of the Story of Esther

In 1944, blond and blue-eyed 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?

"I absolutely loved this book. For Such a Time kept me up at night, flipping the pages and holding my breath wanting to know what would happen next. Based on the Biblical book of Esther, the story takes the reader to a concentration camp inside World War II Czechoslovakia, where a young Jewish woman has captured the attention of the Kommandant and has the opportunity to save her people, much as Esther did in the Biblical account. The story is gripping, compelling, and I dare anyone to close the cover before the last suspenseful page."--#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Debbie Macomber

"When I finished Kate Breslin's novel for the first time, I had an urge to flip back to page one and start reading all over again. It's that good. For Such a Time is an intimate portrait painted on a grand scale, bringing to life the drama and pain of suffering with the triumph and joy of freedom. This book deserves a wide audience, and newcomer Breslin has a bright future."--#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs

"An engrossing and inspiring story from a talented new writer."--Bestselling Author, Sheila Roberts

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764211609
• ISBN13: 9780764211607
• Release Date: January 2014
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 430 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Story of Esther set in WWII

A book I couldn’t put down! It follows the story of Esther but is set in the 1940’s Germany. A thrilling story of love, the provision of God, and redemption.

Give it a chance!

Despite a lot of bad reviews... I liked this book a lot. Yes, some things maybe would not be believable but that's what books are for! To delve into the impossible! Hadassah (Stella) is saved from a firing squad by Kommandant Aric. She is then taken to his home where she becomes his secretary. It is pretty right off the bat that the two like one another a lot. Aric believes that it was a mistake for Stella to have been in the camp in the first place seeing that she had the striking Aryan features. But she is actually a Jew and one of the members from the camp that the Kommandant runs is her family member. The book has a lot if shocking twists! Its really great!! I say give it a chance!!

Page Turner

It took me a while to read this cover to cover due to a busy schedule but I love the romance, suspension, and action of the story. The pacing is good and the story is familiar enough to be mindful who are the characters yet it kept me turning the page to learn what happens next. There is also plenty of depth in the characters' development. The novel brings about another perception of what it means to have or to rediscover faith in adverse times, self-forgiveness, and mercy. This story also brought more insight into one of history's darkest and most tragic memories: the Holocaust. This invokes the need to never forget the past and the inhumanity that has happened against another because of prejudice and intolerant ignorance of differing faiths and cultures.

Wonderful Christian Historical Fiction!

While I always enjoy historical fiction, this one is certainly one of my all-time favorites! It is based off of the Biblical story of Esther, but it is set in WWII Germany. This combination of my favorite time-period combined with an amazing Bible character=one of my favorite books! I originally got this out from the library, read it in three days, and ordered within the week! I've recommend this to almost everyone, and I couldn't recommend it enough here! Definitely a must read!!