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Chasing Shadows: A World War 2 (WW2) Historical Christian Fiction Romance Novel Set in the Netherlands Paperback – June 8, 2021
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Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?
Lena’s daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.
Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.
The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.
- Print length432 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTyndale House Publishers
- Publication dateJune 8, 2021
- Dimensions5.3 x 1.1 x 8.1 inches
- ISBN-101496437357
- ISBN-13978-1496437358
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Lena de Vries lives on her Dutch farm with her husband, Pieter, and their children. Her eldest, Ans, longs for something more and gets a job in Leiden, where she meets Miriam Jacobs, who relocated there from Westerbork, a Jewish refugee camp. Ans is not worried about the threat of Hitler because the Netherlands are neutral, until 1939, when the Nazis invade and throw the three women's lives into dangerous turmoil. Ans starts working for the Resistance, though she must keep it from her boyfriend, a cop who wants to lay low until the war is over. Soon Lena is driven by her Christian faith to hide Jews and deserters on the farm, while Ans ferries information, avoiding Nazi patrols. Miriam must hide separately from her husband and infant in order to survive. Their stories intertwine throughout the war, revealing a less-told history of WWII to historical fiction readers. Austin (Waves of Mercy, 2016) has written a powerful tale of domestic heroism and faith, with all three women questioning and then turning to God for strength. Booklist
Product details
- Publisher : Tyndale House Publishers (June 8, 2021)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 432 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1496437357
- ISBN-13 : 978-1496437358
- Item Weight : 12 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.3 x 1.1 x 8.1 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #34,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #174 in Historical Christian Romance
- #212 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- #219 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Hope College and Southern Connecticut State University to work as a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother, and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels have won Christy Awards for excellence in Christian Fiction: Hidden Places (2001), Candle in the Darkness (2002), Fire by Night (2003), A Proper Pursuit (2007), Until We Reach Home (2008), Though Waters Roar (2009) While We're Far Apart (2010), and Wonderland Creek (2011). She was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2013. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
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I can still remember reading “The Hiding Place” in the early 1970s. How the book and later the film (1975) showed a personal view of WW2 and choices people were forced to make. Chasing Shadows gives an even closer view of life in The Netherlands during the war. The characters help propel the themes of the book, such as shadows, fear, faith, control, and choices. For me, the theme of choices is always compelling and in this book ties the other themes together.
The prologue, set in The Netherlands, May 1945 declared the tone for the book as church elders burst into song with everyone joining in, on hearing the Church Bells ring out the declaration that they were free. They sang that great hymn, “O God, Our help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, Our Shelter from the stormy blast, and Our Eternal Home.” As the story unfolds, some lived through the stormy blast and others went to their Eternal Home. Many Christians, particularly Lena and Ans learned that CONTROL of their lives was an illusion. Pieter, Lena’s husband said to her, “You’re wound so tight, worrying about every little thing, trying so hard to hang on to control, but you never were in control to begin with. It’s an illusion. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll put everything into God’s Hands and find some peace and maybe even get some sleep at night.”
In Chapter 32, Ans is given a chance to talk to her grandfather (also a pastor). He acknowledges that everyone is in danger, but then stresses a similar theme as Pieter did to Lena. He said, “The only truly safe place to be is in God’s Hands.” In the next chapter, Ans father says, “Just remember, nothing any of us will ever face, now or in the future, is out of God’s Control.”
In Chapter 45, Lena again struggles with all that is being required. She talks to her Father and Pastor. He quotes Psalm 57:1 NIV, “…I will take refuge in the Shadow of your Wings until the disaster has passed.” Lena cries out to her father, telling him she doesn’t understand all that is transpiring. He says, “When we remember how much Christ sacrificed for us, we’ll know we can trust Him with anything.” Lena frustratingly states, I need you. I cannot face this alone. He reminds her that she must turn to God. That she must choose to trust God and not rely on others.
There is so much in this book, but what I like is that I was constantly reflecting on Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you?” Do I expect perpetual ease? Do I expect “my way in every way.” Or, do I like Lena, Ans, or Eloise struggle with control, my control versus God in control. This book spoke; great story, characters, and message.
represent the stories of so many survivors of this time of history.
I heard stories from my father, who was in the Pacific Theater 1941-45, an uncle who witnessed the public hanging of Mussolini in 1945, and another uncle in the American Forces who liberated Buchenwald that same year. Thank you, Lynn Austin, and other authors, for bringing these times to life.
I would recommend this book to anyone, mature 8th graders on up, who curious about real history. The author very good at capturing setting and character motivation, and the Dutch and German words interspersed at various points are easily translated from context and give flavor and authenticity to the move the story along.
I enjoyed the book very much, but then WWII and the Lost Generation are my two favorite periods of art and literary history. Both are very colorful times and interesting times, which changed the world. At a time when some people are intent on erasing the past, stories like this are critical, and it’s more important than ever not to forget it.
Top reviews from other countries


.the book came alive to me I am actually buying a copy for each of my children so that they know what their grandparents went through. I have let many people know about this book... I thank you for writing this book ...it has warmed my heart...

This is an incredible story of resilience during difficult times, how faith can help deal with tribulations

