+++ 6 STARS +++
I finished this book a day ago and I have no words to describe how deep this book touches my heart. I cried big fat tears over this (happy tears too ). I was so touched by Amy’s acknowledgement where she spoke about what motivated her to write this passionate story, how she completed her research to ensure the story (historically) was as accurate as possible, and finally the message she wants to convey to readers.
I think this book is too complicated to summarize easily but reading the blurb you know this much: Eva and Angelo grew up together in Italy. They were best friends who eventually fell deeply in love with each other, but Angelo chose to serve God which shattered Eva’s heart. His reason for becoming a priest is multi-faceted - not as simple as just loving God more or not loving Eva enough. A decade later, Angelo comes to a crossroad – with the Germans closing in, determined to annihilate all Jews. Angelo risks his life at every turn to keep Eva safe and tucked away, but Eva will not sit back and watch in silence. So the difficult journey begins for Eva and Angelo …
I know this subject matter is a bit heavy for some folks but I am convinced that you will survive this book and you will love it. This is not my usual genre but I was looking for something with more feels and this book is exactly what I needed. I LOVE this book because it is thought provoking. I promise it will be worth it and your heart will be happy at the end. I am a sucker for HEA remember?
From Sand and Ash is so much more than a romance. It’s also about faith in yourself, friends, family and good people. Faith that you will survive and faith in God. It is also about courage -to fight for what you believe in and to stay alive when the world is crumpling around you. Courage to help people, knowing you put yourself at risk. Of course it is also about love – unwavering love for your family, for your best friend you grew up with. Love between lovers - the kind you’d rather die for than live without. Eva and Angelo’s love story is full of hardship but it’s the everlasting kind of love.
Why else should you read it?
The story itself is brilliant – powerful and moving. The background story is intense, heart wrenching, and one of the most emotional I’ve ever read. The writing is simply stunning, well-crafted in every way – the narrative, the descriptions of each character, the dialogue, and everything you can think of in between. I was captivated the whole entire book. It opened my eyes - a good reminder of the ruthlessness of war and how it transforms people. It is a crucial reminder to keep history where it belongs – IN THE PAST. Let’s not forget, but never repeat old mistakes.
I am totally vested in this story. I still think about it and I have already re-read half of the book. I urge you to read this book – it is an epic tale of love, loss, bravery, faith, and survival. I was completely mesmerized by Eva and Angelo and their once in a life time love affair during the gloomiest of times in history.
Amy Harmon is truly exquisite! I have always been enthralled by her books and I always will be regardless of the genre. She can write ANYTHING!
From Sand and Ash is my favorite/best book this year!
DON’T BE AFRAID. DON’T HESITATE. DIG IT and ENJOY
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Popular Highlights in this book
Music is a door, and the soul escapes through the melody. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. And everyone who listens is freed. Everyone who listens is elevated.Highlighted by 2,270 Kindle readers- My father told me once that we are on earth to learn. God wants us to receive everything that life was meant to teach. Then we take what we’ve learned, and it becomes our offering to God and to mankind. But we have to live in order to learn. And sometimes we have to fight in order to live.Highlighted by 2,044 Kindle readers
- Our immortality comes through our children and their children. Through our roots and our branches. The family is immortality.Highlighted by 1,669 Kindle readers
- We are all products of the places we are raised, the people who love us or have power over us, and the things we hear, over and over again, as we grow.Highlighted by 1,621 Kindle readers
- Loving someone and then losing them would be much worse than not having them at all.Highlighted by 1,326 Kindle readers
About the author
She does it again....differently!
Amy Harmon is unstoppable! Yet again, I am blown away by her talents for storytelling. I love WWII-era Historical Fiction to begin with, so I already knew Amy Harmon + the 1940s would = complete magic.From Sand and Ash begins in the 1930s with young Eva and Angelo. Angelo is forced by his father to move from New Jersey to Italy with his family. There his grandparents work for a Jewish family who takes Angelo in like a son. Angelo’s path is aligned to become a Catholic priest and to ease his burden on society. However, when he connects with Eva, the daughter of his grandparents’ Jewish boss, though their mutual grief of losing their mothers, he finds himself at a crossroads. When war comes to Italy, Angelo is faced with the question of how to best protect Eva, while simultaneously being torn with his love and commitment to God. After all, can a human serve two masters?This novel is nothing short of a beautiful work of art, full of suspense, love, life, music, and purpose. Amy Harmon shows readers how love will always win, despite the harshest of circumstances. And beyond religion and race, we are ultimately all human.I was deeply moved and frequently found myself tearing up while reading this book. I was easily transported back in time to war-torn Europe, amidst the struggles of all people- Jewish or not. I was impressed with the amount of research that went into this novel and the amount of time this level of accuracy must have taken, while still allowing readers to feel personally connected to the characters on the pages. I could hear Eva’s music. I could smell Florence, Italy.“We are at war. War has a way of stripping us of perspective. War is about life and death, and it paints everything in shades of now or never. We do things we otherwise wouldn’t because never is so frightening and now, so comforting. ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.'”I encourage everyone to give this novel a chance, even if History “isn’t your thing”. You may learn something while being captivated by the human spirit of these characters.This is one of the most emotional and romantic books I have ever read. It has moved to the top of my list for not only Historical Fiction, but as one of my favorite books of all time. As a Christian, I appreciate Amy’s ability to add a touch of Faith to her novels without discriminating or coming across as preachy. Amy embodies the verse, 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”Amy Harmon can write anything! From Fantasy with The Bird and the Sword, to high school with A Different Blue, and now to World War II era Italy. The story within captivates no matter the genre.
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2016
- Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
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Amazon CustomerReviewed in Italy on January 20, 2024
Emozionante, commovente, coinvolgente
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