Katarina's Dark Shadow
by MJ Krause-ChiversPublish: Sep 06, 2021Series: Russian Mennonite ChroniclesHistorical Mystery Historical Fiction Christian FictionBook Overview
A Woman and Her SonThree wars, Three Countries and a Secret that tore them apart
A Continuing Family Saga.
1915 Ukraine
Fifteen year old Katarina is almost oblivious to the Great War and the regional conflicts in southern Ukraine until she is injured in a rebel attack on the family farm. Her wealthy sister, Anna, offers safety behind secluded walls of her husband’s estate. In the German speaking Mennonite world, the apron strings of freedom are held tightly by tradition. But Katarina has very un-orthodox plans for her life. At least, until Russia erupts in civil war. And Ukraine demands independence. And now the future is anyone’s guess.
1952 Germany
After WW2, Peter’s mother Katarina is presumed dead. But as a former refugee from Ukraine and betrayed by Nazi Germany, Peter is keenly aware of Stalin’s gaslighting tactics and Germany’s lies. Scarred by grisly war memories and intergenerational trauma, he challenges his confusion and guilt into transcribing Katarina’s newly found cryptic diaries from the Russian civil war — believing the secret to her disappearance lies somewhere within the pages of history. But if the lid to Pandora’s box is opened, can it ever be closed again?
Set during the darkest days of Ukraine’s history, Katarina’s Dark Shadow portrays the courageous human struggle inside a distinct faith during violent political times. Inspired by true stories and actual events based on the harrowing tales of the author's ancestors, this book will particularly interest those with German-Prussian, Ukrainian, or Russian Mennonite ancestry.
If you enjoyed Tears of Amber andThe Girl with the Silver Star, you’ll enjoy stepping into this intriguing and unusual world with it’s unique cultural dynamics. Witness the Russian revolution from an entirely different perspective.***** “A chillingly realistic, yet fictional account of what happened to ordinary people in Russian Ukraine when their world was overthrown by social unrest, war, and then a revolution. I couldn’t put it down.” *****Author P.C. James.***** “A gripping historical fiction and true to its time. Highly recommended for those interested in a different viewpoint from WWI.” ***** Author Nola Li BarrIf you like intrigue, complex characters, and strong women of faith, you'll enjoy this spine-chilling Christian historical fiction series..
