The period of World War II fascinates me. Many years and a great deal of time reading books from The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich to more current examples of the horror of that dangerous time create inside of me a desire to produce my account of love and danger during the most exciting time in history, at least to me. When I met a World War II French Resistance Fighter one evening at dinner, the situation appeared to cry out for my attention. VieVie La Fontaine begins with an encapsulated history of the rise of Adolf Hitler in post World War I Germany. At the same time that he starts his ascent, a beautiful and talented young woman, VieVie La Fontaine, continues to enjoy her life of wealth inside of Paris. This haunting story attempts to demonstrate the fear, terror, denial, and depravity of Europe as a madman rises to control most of the World. Told by a young Jewish man, Mark Lichter, the irony of the entire situation cries from the pages. Mark is pulled from university at Hamburg in Berlin. A driver transports him to old family friends, Louie and VieVie La Fontaine, who live in Paris. Mark realizes that he has never heard their names. Security, comfort, and safety are ripped from his hands just as almost every Jew in Germany experienced. Arrival at the palatial home does not create the joy he anticipated. Instead, Mark now experiences extreme guilt for leaving his folks behind. His selfishness for protecting his well-being will haunt him for the rest of his life. He rationalizes that he has no control over the situation so he should enjoy his new life until reunited with his family. Glad to be away from law studies in Berlin, he receives the chance to perfect his love for painting. Following his mother’s talents instead of those of his father has always dominated his dreams. His first night, another dream presents to him. As he watches his beloved Jewish people walking toward a desolate building, he is unable to gain entrance but knows that what happens there is horrible. The face of his parents and hundreds of innocent men, women, and children create fear and distress for the young man. The reader is given a glimpse into the struggles of young people at that time who only wanted to enjoy life after suffering through one world war. Still, as many Europeans reacted, he lived in denial for years in Paris. Unable to contact his family, his life of debauchery with the woman who steals his heart marks the similar fates of the French people compared to the Germans. VieVie La Fontaine is quite the beauty. Mark learns interesting facts about his father and this bewitching French model. The reader experiences the best of Paris such as the Ritz Carlton and the life of wealthy Americans living there only later to read of the horrors hiding beneath the bright lights and glamour. It is difficult not to become angry as Mark and VieVie betray her husband and all whom they love. Much too soon, they are forced to deal with the nightmare of events starting in Berlin and spreading at last into Paris. At this point, the two young people decide to take a stand.  The heroic action of the French Resistance Fighters inspired me to research and make this novel more than a work of fiction. Facts peppered into the pages of a book which will tug at the heart of anyone who loves history and the psychological thrill of war and romance. Thank you Linda Heavner Gerald