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    Love's Belief
    Love's Belief
    Love's Belief
    Ebook105 pages1 hour

    Love's Belief

    By Linda Shenton Matchett

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Midwife Pia Hertz and her mother Sabine have been delivering babies long before the Nazis came to power. Now, the Third Reich has implemented mandates that require Jewish babies and other “undesirables” to be killed as part of The Final Solution. Is Pia’s new faith in Christ strong enough to defy the laws of man?


    Despite the agony of the injury at the Battle of Drøbak Sound that took his arm, Dieter Fertig is relieved he’s no longer part of Hitler’s army. He returns to Berlin and discovers Jews are being deported by the thousands. When he realizes the Nuremburg Laws require his best friend’s baby girl to be killed, he must find a way to spirit the child out of Germany before the Nazis discover her existence. 


    Inspired by the biblical story of Shiprah and Puah, the midwives who saved Jewish babies during Pharaoh’s reign, Love’s Belief shows how one person’s actions can change the world.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherShortwave Press
    Release dateMay 15, 2019
    ISBN9780998526553
    Love's Belief
    Author

    Linda Shenton Matchett

    Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone's throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library.

    Read more from Linda Shenton Matchett

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    Reviews for Love's Belief

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    • 5/5
      The book is a look at how Jews were treated by Hitler. It is an eye opening account of the horrors they encountered trying to stay alive. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be taken from your home and separated from your family. Pia has a hard time understanding why God would allow such destruction to happen. Her heart is heavy as she sees everything around her slipping away. I loved that she had a big heart and wanted to help in any way she could. Being a midwife had it's dangers, put Pia was willing to risk her life to help bring a precious baby into the world. She faced danger at every turn but never gave up. I wonder how many times we have given up when things became difficult for us?Dieter is a young man who has seen war up close which cost him a devastating injury. He feels helpless to do anything but an opportunity will soon come. Will he risk his life to help people get to safety before the Hitler and his army take them away? I enjoyed his friendship with Pia and how they came together to help others. There is a part in the story where Pia is trying to get to Dieter's shop and gets caught outside when bombs start going off. This scene is the best I have read about bombings . The author does a very impressive job of making readers feel like they are right there as the bombs explode around Pia. I was praying so hard for her to hurry and get to safety.I love that the characters pray when they face danger or just to thank Him for keeping them safe. The attack on the Jews is so hard to read. How can a person have such hatred for people that they will do anything to erase them from the world? it is evident that Hitler was an evil man and his anger was spread to harm innocent people including children. The author depicts this era in an honest way and lets us see what happens when someone is consumed with power. I liked when Pia asked Dieter , " Why do men resort to killing and maiming each other to solve their differences?" The story really held my attention and I loved the dedication Pia and Dieter had to help others escape Hitler. There are some really great messages throughout the book and I thought the author does a good job of giving God all the glory for protecting His people. The ending was perfect and I won't forget Pia and Dieter as they follow God's direction.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
    • 5/5
      It’s 1943 in Berlin. The persecution of the Jews is becoming more and more obvious. All babies born in this time are to be reported to the Nazis, especially those of Jewish parents or one born with a disability. Pia and her mother are midwives who now must try to reconcile their Christian beliefs with this mandate.Dieter is now a merchant since he lost his lower arm as a soldier for the Reich. Having had no choice as to whether he wanted to fight or not, he now has the chance to make a difference. But is he willing to take on the danger of helping those who are persecuted?The author has taken the story of the two midwives who refused to follow the edict given by Pharaoh that all Jewish baby boys were to be put to death at birth and has retold it in the setting of WW2. Will Pia, her mother and Dieter violate the law of that time putting their Christian beliefs on the line?I found this story to be one that made me really consider how well my convictions would stand up to the test many find themselves in during conflicts of today. Would I stand up or do nothing?I received a copy of this ebook through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions stated are my own.

    Book preview

    Love's Belief - Linda Shenton Matchett

    Love’s Belief

    By Linda Shenton Matchett

    Copyright 2019 by Linda Shenton Matchett. All rights reserved.

    Cover Design by: Wes Matchett

    Cover photos: Woman standing by window © 2019 Itari/Alamy stock photo; Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule) © 2015 Conquistador through Pixaby

    Published by Shortwave Press

    Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

    The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

    To the men and women

    who risk their lives

    to fight evil

    Berlin, late February 1943

    Chapter One

    "I thought Frau Schmidt was going to die. Pia Hertz blew out a deep breath. We haven’t had a difficult birth like that in a long time, Mutti."

    "Ja, but you are a gifted midwife, Pia. I wasn’t too worried."

    Pia chuckled. You always say that.

    Mutti linked her arm with Pia’s. We must have confidence, otherwise fear will make us prone to mistakes. Now, let’s reward ourselves with strudel, if we can find it, hmm?

    A wonderful idea. I’m starving. Hopefully, the baker has some, and the line won’t be too long at this early hour. Selections at most of the shops have been meager as the war has ground on.

    Leaning close to Pia’s ear, Mutti whispered, Be careful what you say. You don’t want to be accused of sedition.

    Pia cast a glance over her shoulder. You’re right. It doesn’t seem to take much to get arrested these days. She sighed. "I don’t understand why God has allowed Herr Hitler to succeed. Why has He not stepped in to save His people, the Jews?"

    Dust coated their shoes as they sauntered along the sidewalk, skirting the piles of rubble from the most recent RAF bombing raid.

    There are some things we will never have an answer to, Daughter, but we must trust in His plan. It is difficult. Despite being a believer since childhood, I still struggle with doubts. It’s understandable that you do, too. She stroked Pia’s cheek. When we get home, let’s pray together and see what He would have us do.

    Pia stifled a gasp. What are you suggesting?

    Her lips pressed in a thin line, Mutti frowned. She jerked her head toward the SS officer standing about ten meters away, then tugged on Pia’s arm. Continuing down the sidewalk, they arrived at the bakery. Unlit windows and lack of women waiting indicated there were no more treats to be had for the day.

    "Ach, we’ll have to assuage our penchant for a sweet another time." Mutti rubbed her belly. "Let’s take a shortcut down Rosenstrasse then head for the river. It would be nice to look at something other than damaged buildings and debris."

    Good idea. It is warmer today than yesterday, and there is a market at the end of the street. Perhaps they have some bread or cheese we can nibble on.

    A chill swept over Pia as they walked past a Vichy police officer, their eyes averted to avoid any interaction. An elderly couple tottered along in front of them, holding hands and speaking softly. Pia’s heart tugged. Would she ever find someone to spend her life with: someone to look at her like the wrinkled, gray-haired man gazed at the petite woman by his side? At twenty-eight, it seemed unlikely. Der Führer’s desire to rule the world was destroying an entire generation of young men, and she certainly had no interest in a black-coated member of the SS.

    Her grip tightened on Mutti’s arm, and she frowned. Would this war never end?

    The distant hum of voices wafted toward her and urged Mutti to increase her pace. Moments later, they turned the corner onto Rosenstrasse and froze. Gathered in front of one of the factories, a group of several hundred women raised their fists and chanted, Give us our husbands back.

    Dozens of armed guards surrounded the mob. Intermittent commands of Clear the street or we’ll shoot peppered the air. Some of the protestors scattered, but many held their ground.

    Pia’s gaze whipped toward Mutti, who froze, her face ashen and mouth agape. She turned her terror-filled eyes to Pia. What are they doing? They will be arrested and sent away, never to be seen again. We must go. We can’t let the authorities think we are part of this. She tugged on Pia’s hands.

    Wait. I want to find out what is happening. She pointed to a small group of men and women huddled some distance away, arms crossed and talking among themselves. Those people aren’t involved, but maybe they know what’s going on.

    Please hurry, Pia. We cannot risk going to jail…or worse. Mutti’s lips trembled. Could this day get any worse?

    "I’m sorry, Mutti. You’re right. We should go." She turned toward Rochstrasse.

    No, it is me who should apologize. I am a foolish old woman. Talk to those people. We need to know what’s going on. We cannot bury our heads in the rubble.

    Are you sure? Pia searched Mutti’s face.

    "Ja. We cannot count on the incident being in the newspapers. The authorities may not want the public to know about this."

    With a curt nod, Pia edged around the throng and approached the group bunched together away from the demonstrators. I am Pia Hertz. Do you know what is happening?

    A ginger-haired woman whose ragged clothing hung on her gaunt frame nodded. There has been a mass arrest of Jews who are married to non-Jews. Her lips twisted. Apparently, the Gestapo have changed their minds about the people they want to clear out of Berlin. Yesterday, they stormed the factories and arrested every Jew inside, even those previously exempted. All over the city, men have been dragged from their homes.

    Eyes glistening with tears, a middle-aged man spat on the ground. I saw two SS soldiers grab a girl who was wearing the star and shove her into a truck. They were very rough with her. I could hear her crying. What kind of men do that?

    Dressed in a mismatched blouse and skirt, a wizened, old woman wiped tears from her eyes. I heard they are all being locked up in the administrative center of the Jewish community and are certain to be deported to one of the camps.

    Pia glanced back at the protestors. Aren’t those women afraid of being arrested?

    She shrugged. "Maybe they don’t care. If my husband was taken, I would do whatever it

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